Smile

I just love my job. Above that I have been praised for my job and told that I am ambitions during my 3 months interview. On the 19th of December my future in the company will be decided and guess what… I think it will be for the best. And another thing… Morten is involved in that as well, but he doesn’t know about that yet.
And now I am going back to volatility smiles…. (financial thing, for those who don’t know that)

New job, exams, tickets...

Things are quite busy here. We have 3 more exams to go. One is done. 2 of them are oral and in Danish which will be fun. She we have been placed as the last ones on the list, I have to take both kids to the exam. Think about it, if I am on at 4, I can't possible make it to two different places in 30 minutes. And Morten is of to Christmas party right away.

Of ya, Morten, started at a new job, new once again. He is at FORCA (with s even that it says c). Seems to be pleased with his title, salary, responsabilities but not with the food. (I work for the place where they have the most healthy food in Denmark, healthy doesn't mean taste). And noone would ever amagine that he will work with finances.

I have passed 3 months at my current work. Going to have a chat with my boss tomorrow. I am in a quantitative risk analysis team and we develop ideas.

And the last news I guess is that I am going to Il Divo. I love opera and I am going to hear them singing pieces like Alleluah and Ave Maria in Copenhagen.

Crier la vie

David is 7, Abby is almost 1! Time just runs away...
I have learned to hold on to every single moment in my life while it hasn't slipped away.



All that we needed, was right
Les ombres ce soir nous menacent

Open to everything happy and sad
Seeing the good, meme si tout va si mal
Femmes au soleil quand la nuit nous accable
Oh, pour un jour croire aux dieux croire aux fables


Focus on everything better today
Crier la vie quand tout autour se tais
Hold on to people they're slipping away
Hold on to this while it's slipping away

All that we needed, tonight
Are people who love us, and life
Je sais les douleurs et les doutes
Oh, partir et ce qu'on redoute
Oh siiiii

Open to everything happy and sad
Seeing the good, meme si tout va si mal
Femmes au soleil quand la nuit nous accable
Oh, pour un jour croire au dieu croire aux fables


Focus on everything better today
Crier la vie quand tout autour se tai
Hold on to people they're slipping away
Hold on to this while it's slipping away

so long

Mais l'ombre...

7 years old

Congratulations big boy!

7th birthday

David is approaching his 7th birthday and the only thing is on his mind is Wii. He wants is badly. He was one of the last ones to get a Gameboy. The problem is: it is so expensive in Denmark. Because of a tax system that thing ends up costing us at least 270 euro if we are lucky. On the top of that the birthday party would be about the same price…. I am beginning to think about getting somewhere a sponsor, anyone?

sounds familiar?

The kids

And she is off into the world.

My guy with 2 ex-girldfriends.

and them together playing.

Norway

Away from the kids and all the way to Norway on a surviving course with Risk and Model Development department.
As a start I have managed to get me and my collegue up on the top deck of our ship at 5 a.m. in order to be able to capture the view of the Oslo harbour.
Then climbing on the mountains, driving on the old jeeps, making fire and shelter, and getting sea sick on the way back from Oslo is all I can remember.

job stuff

So, it has been 1,5 months since I have started at my new job at DONG.

Got my first pay check, has been to the first corporate party, first team building and still trying to understand the meaning of mathematical finance...

Since transport from my house to the office and back, with the school and nursery stops takes all in all about 2 hours of my day, I have startet borrowing audiobooks from the library and kill my time by listening to Agatha Christie as a start.

The part of the fun starting at the new place was that I had to take a course in SQL at my old work, SAS Institut. The fun part about that is that I decided not to inform my previous job where I was going to work, so by my showing up at the course reveal all. Well, I am kind of still employeed there as SAS ended up paying all the way to December.
Were people surprised? Yep, a lot! (Thought I was a looser, nope!) But it was just nice to see some of my ex-collegues, gossip with the reception and to realize that I have made a good choice of coming to DONG Energy.

Walking?... Ex-girlfriend?... Way to busy

Yesterday I have been told that in about 2-3 weeks there will be no more peace on the planet earth.
The teachers at the nursery think that Abby will be walking around sooner then I wanted and hoped.
Well... Abby is doing fine at the nursery. The stuff have never experienced to have such a young kid before, but it goes quite fine.
David has started in the 2nd grade. He ended up being with his best friend and his girlfriend and ex-girlfriend in the same class. So above homework and violin and tennis life is busy for young man.
Things are just too crazy right now. Me... going to London? Waiting for visa to go to London. Going to Jylland, Norway and once in a while being home.

We have found them!

I have decided to post some of the good experiences from Cairo. Above Davids foot and broke Abbys trolley on the top of that we have.....
Yes, you are right....
We did that... Frank, Morten, you remember my eyes and excitement when I have heard about the hippos, so we have found them.

 

Everything can be done when...

As I was more in chock then thinking rationally, when I left the hospital with David, a day efter, by the time we arrived at Sharm, I have realized I don't have any papers, no information what so ever.
So I contacted my agent to get the information. And the answer we got is... We have to wait until Saturday evening (today is Monday), as the doctor, who performed the surgery is not on duty until Saturday. and he is the only one, who has the information.
Just great.
So I got a plan B. As I am staying at Movepick Golf hotel in Royal suit, we have a doctor 24-7. I have contacted him and the plan was to get intouch with the hospital, using the excuse of David complaining for the pain in his foot.
What amazed me actually is... the most rediculous plan C has work.
Hilton! In this world everything can be done, if Hilton is involved and one know the general manager. Efter a short conversation with him, we got faxed all the medical reports in about an hour time.
So, my suggestion, if you happened to get injured, do it on the Hilton property, they are the best!

David in Egypt

 

 

As you guys know, we are in Egypt at the moment. Yesterday, David got in an accedent at Hilton in Cairo. The result has been taht he has been in 2 different hospital and was operated.
Now he is not allowed to walk for 2 weeks, and actually we are still waiting information from the doctor what had happened and what kind of surgery has been performed.
At the moment David is very dissy, as he has experienced a full operation on his foot.
I will be updating with what is happening.

Ireland in quotes

After thinking what the sentences "Do not interfere with trees" is about, I began to collect pictures of different Ireland. Just like this:

Dublin

Yep, we have made it.
The trip was more then pleasant. Thanks to the bananas and gameboy, no psychologist needed to the fellow passengers.
Well, it was quite easy to find a good place to stay, clean, cheap, with breakfast and right in the city center. We even have a window!
There is a huge differences between Cork and Dublin. While in Cork, one tends to hear more Spanish then English, in here it is just Russian or any other Slavic language group all over the place. I can't believe that.
Sightseeings are done...

The Zoo is convered...

Yes, that is right. There were the most adorable hippos there.
Everyone was in a great mood and not trying in impress anyone...

And the finally...
Phrase of the day!

picture of the day

well, to be honest, it is from Russia, but it matches the day.

It was a peaceful Sunday morning

davids plans

You have reached David Herløv Larsen.
Between 20th and 30th of July I will be in Ireland meeting new people, speaking English, playing violin with the Celtic style, playing golf and exploring the castles.

Between 31st of July and 14th of August I will be in Egypt cruising on the Nile, climbing on the pyramids and playing golf with my mum on the coast of the Red Sea.

Between 15th and 22nd of August I will be in Aarhus at the French camp with my future to be girlfriend Pauline.

At the moment my mum is planning our New Years Eve vacations so if you want to get in touch with me, do please book a time.
Have a nice day.

investment

Do you know that I have always dreamed to get an apartment or a house with a view, a sea view. and you know what... I GOT ONE!!!
My grandparents always told me that it is important to count you money and invest them wisely. Taking all the advises in the account, that is what has been down for about a month ago.
Going to the bank and signing a bunch of papers with MY! name on was so great. I am an owner of the prorerty. And it is not just the sea view, it is the best area, judging with the prices for properies as well.
Well, I guess it is not bad after all.

Vis stort kort

David Liverpool

A little video of Davids concert in Liverpool.

4!+vat (read four factorial plus vat)

Yep, someone turned to be that old.
Now I am the only one in my 20s, beautiful and fresh and yet to be there for quite some time.
Happy Birthday!

Things I notice

There are few things I have noticed since I have arrived in Russia.
1. Abby is a little copy of my mum.

2. The best way to see fireworks is on the roof of the 17th storebuilding.

3. I have a family in Mongolia. That makes me a little bit Asian, I guess...

4. The best food is at restaurant "Mou Mou". That means when I am feeding Abby it is...Restaurant "Mou Mou"^2

5. It helps to take little Marusya (local name for Marie) to different public offices. How can one be unnoticed with such a smile?

Stay (Faraway, So Close!)

Besides being the title of one of my favorite U2 songs, it also nicely sums up my wishes and the situation at the present time. I've had to send my girls to Moscow in order for Zhenya to sort out the things that need sorting out with Russian authorities. Do I like that I had to send them away? No. Do I wish they could stay here? Yes. Was it absolutely necessary they went? Unfortunately yes. However, I keep reminding myself that this is for the greater good of our little math family and that this will be the only time we are apart like this. While they are away I bury myself in work to keep my mind occupied and not to miss them too much - although I do miss them very much.

It is not all misery though as we fortunately live in 2008 and not 1998. This means a wonderful thing like video phone calls over Skype make it possible to follow the adventures of our girls even when they are far, far away. The highlight of my day comes in the evening when I get to see them and talk to them. Yes, Abby is well aware of the face appearing on the computer screen! :-) It feels so good to be able to see them, to see all is well. A heartfelt Thank You to the good people at Skype for making it happen.

Soon my beloved girls will return, one will have grown a lot and one will have turned a perfect number. I am counting the hours...

"We don't want you here"

I didn't want to come back here. I was forced to do so. I was kicked out of the house Monday morning in order to get to the plan. Our good old Aeroflot upgraded me to Business so we flew with style. Stuff, all of them, were so kind and helpful that I have decided that they probably thought I was someone important. That was just awesome.
Moscow met us with +11, and today it ended up to be +2. Going from +20 was tuff, good I happened to take warm clothes with me.
Today I almost got cheated in supermarket. 1,5 rubles! (25 øre). When I discovered taht I decided to get the money back. It was not a question about the money, but a question of princip. it took about 45 minutes of explanations and discussions but the fact is I got the money. I don't want to be cheated here and there and they need to learn that some customes do care what and how much they are paying for.
Yesterday, while registrating Abby I have been told that "We don't want you here". That is so correct, unfortunatelly. Most of my life I have been living abroad and when I come back to Russia I understand it more and more that I dont belong here, what so ever. I don't think like Russians, I don't act like Russian, bottom like I don't consider myself as Russian, and hopefully I will not be so on the passport as well.
All of the people consider me crazy, I guess. Think about it, how often do they hear "Thank you", "Please", "Excuse me" and with the smile (so far). I didn't morally kill anyone yet here. For details one can always ask Morten.
And finally today I have discovered that people do remember me. I was at the tax office today, and told my mum that one of the offices looked familiar. To my surprise he remembered me, and not only my face but my name and what I wanted in there. Weird... (Last time Zhenya was there was 15 months ago! -Morten)

Annual statement

Last Saturday en envelope has been received.
The receiver: Abigail Marie Larsen
The sender: Tax Office.
Abby received her annual statement for 2007.
The letter stated that Abby not only did earn 0 kr. last year (2007 (and as I remember, forgive me if I am wrong, but she was about 4 days old, when I was finding myself drinking champange)) but she actually has to pay!!! 20,75 kr. back. That did surprice everyone.
Now I am scared to open any letters addressed to Abby, what next? I will find out that she has get a credit in the bank?

violin training

 

We are preparing for the concerts. Usually I am playing the piano part on my violin.

I am

How can I describe myself:
Dr. Buddy Rydell: "Dave, there are two kinds of angry people - explosive and implosive. Explosive is the type of individual you see screaming at the cashier for not taking his coupon. Implosive is the cashier who remains quiet day after day and then finally shoots everyone in the store. You're the cashier."
Dave Buznik: No, no, no. I'm the guy in the frozen food section diallin' 911. I swear.

Let Russians Be Russians

A good many of the questions I have been receiving as "Russian" have had to do with the president of Russia, politics, and the sorry state of democracy in Russia. Having lived there only during my university years, 5 to be exact, I have a hard time being too critical of the way things are. They are the way they are! I have shared what I know of 'the man on the street's' opinion, but this article, and this quote in particular I think expresses my standpoint about as clearly as is possible.
P.S. I'm not attempting to get into politics - just sharing my thoughts.


Thursday, March 13, 2008. Issue 3860. Page 8.
Let Russians Be Russians

By Rodric Braithwaite

"George Kennan, that great Russia-watcher and U.S. diplomat and historian, got it right when he wrote in 1951, at the height of the Cold War: "When Soviet power has run its course ... let us not hover nervously over the people who come after, applying litmus papers daily to their political complexions to find out whether they answer to our concept of 'democrats.' Give them time; let them be Russians; let them work out their internal problems in their own manner. The ways by which people advance towards dignity and enlightenment in government are things that constitute the deepest and most intimate processes of national life. There is nothing less understandable to foreigners, nothing in which foreign influence can do less good."

It is the wisest advice, but it is blissfully ignored by our policymakers who, like latter-day Christian missionaries, believe that we have a duty to spread the gospel of democracy -- by military force, if necessary. Russians are not the only ones who find that proposition distinctly suspect."

Sir Rodric Braithwaite, British ambassador to the Soviet Union and Russia from 1988 to 1992, is author of "Moscow 1941: A City and its People at War." This comment appeared in the Financial Times.

Spanish memories

Fog and driving in the mountains:


nature:


Happy kids:

Great company:


Weather:


Me making out. Hm....:

And the first step: