Thanksgiving trip 2022
Oct. 23rd, 2022 07:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lauerz В прошлом году нам нужен был teaching assistant для нашего Marine Biology Course, который мы теперь проводим ежегодно во Флориде, и мы нашли Корена О’Брайена. Корен - житель Флориды, в нём смешаны русская, еврейская, греческая и индейская кровь, и примерно половину жизни он проводит в воде. И в прошлом и в этом году было трудно найти фотку на которой он одет в цивильную одежду - ну плавает человек всё время. Человек-амфибия. Поэтому вы понимаете, что этот человек отлично подходил как ассистент для курса морской биологии.
В этом году мы опять едем во Флориду. Научная и развлекательная программа будет происходить 24, 25 и 26 ноября в Clearwater, FL. 23 ноября - день заезда, 27 ноября - день отъезда. Цена: административный сбор $150 c человека, swimming with manatees - $62 c человека. Мы уже сняли дом в Clearwater, FL, и знаем сколько это стоит (4 ночи $313.28 с человека). Дом прекрасный с подогреваемым бассейном. Некоторые люди живут все вместе, некоторые другие сняли своё жильё в Clearwater, это ваш выбор. Места ещё есть, если хотите с нами поехать, напишите мне oxana.litvin собака gmail.com. Я в первый комментарий под постом положу линк на google doc со всей информацией про эту поездку и с интервью с инструкторами: Левой Ямпольским и Владимиром Динцом.
В поддержку этой поездки Лёва взял интервью у Корена.
Q: Hi Coren! How old are you?
A: I’m 17.
Q: Did you live your whole 17 years in Florida? Did you travel much within the state?
A: Yes I did and I did travel a lot, not that much in Central Florida, but lots in Everglades.
Q: How much of this travel was backcountry? Which backcountry skills do you have?
A: We hike and camp a lot. Well, general camping skills, also I do sailing and rock-climbing, so I know knots and I know harnesses and of course safety. I am also CPR certified.
Q: Which languages do you speak?
A: Besides English I speak Russian and Spanish
Q: Where and how did you learn Spanish? It's pretty useful in Florida isn't it?
A: In school since 1st grade and till my junior year.
Q: Do you use it a lot outside of classes? Are you fluent?
A: I would say I am pretty fluent: Sure, a lot, there are restaurants and other places where people speak Spanish and sometimes only Spanish, so, often; today for example.
Q: On the Keys it’s really useful to know Spanish, it won’t be that important in C.Florida, would it?
A: No, not as much, but could be useful still.
Q: I heard you have some Native American heritage. Tell us a little bit about that.
A: Yes I do, my Dad's biological father was Native American, from the Cherokee tribe. But, later grandma remarried. So yeah. But don't picture me as a Native American.
Q: So what do you feel yourself, culturally, given you have so many different heritage backgrounds?
A: Culturally – mostly as an American Russian, with lots of Miami culture. There is also a Greek side, from Granma.
Q: Tell us a little about your sports achievements. I understand you play water polo and you swim competitively. What are the greatest victories?
A: Greatest tournament victories? I guess the biggest thing is that for 2 years in a row I competed with the University of Florida polo team, traveled to competitions in California and Texas; I am team co-captain, do quite some admin duties, organize practices, make sure people show up for them. And this year we are going to be champions this year. I am pretty sure. At least we have a really good shot for it!
Q: And you are also swimming. What’s your style?
A: My favorite style is backstroke, but I am currently transitioning to short course freestyle. No, we aren’t champions but we are pretty good.
Q: Besides CPR certification what other certifications/licenses do you have? Lifeguard?
A: I have had lifeguard experience - had a course. Not certified but exposed to.
Q: What subjects do you like in school?
A: Mostly focus on STEM, for example, I am now taking college intro to organic chemistry. I have had AP Statistics, AP Physics, AP Biology, Anatomy and Physiology.
Q: What do you like to do besides school?
A: Well, sports we already talked about; reading – here is what I am reading now (shows a shelf with a bunch of books). I play some chess.
Q: How good are you at chess? Say if you play against a desktop computer which level do you use so that is it challenging?
A: Intermediate advanced is pretty challenging.
Q: What’s your impressions from working with us and our kids last year on the Keys?
A: It was great - we shared a lot of things and the kids had a great time. Could be better in terms of organization, it was all over the place. Looking forward to this year’s trip, to share my insights about Florida and also looking forward to speaking Russian.
Q. I am supposed to ask your Mother what’s the most remarkable thing about you. If I do what will she say?
A: I think she will mention compassion. Biased, I guess - she is my mom after all. But it will be somewhat accurate.
Actual info from Mom: She mentions that Coren got 2nd place in Engineering Bridge Competition - design award for best aesthetic. Besides, he participated in Marine biology research at Ransom Everglades, and he worked as a summer camp counselor teaching 4-5 y.o. kids how to sail.
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Date: 2022-10-24 06:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-10-24 01:21 pm (UTC)Из них 15 взрослых, 13 детей. Возраст детей: 18, 17, 14, 12, 12, 10, 8, 7, 4, 4, 2.