About
Hello and welcome!
If you are a new visitor to this website and especially if you linked here in search of expat information, you may be wondering whether you are in the right place. This little historical excursus might help.
This site, originally known as Burlaki on the Thames, was conceived in 2006 when our family relocated from the great state of New Jersey to live in England. Since then, this blog chronicled our adventures and travels, with emphasis on observations of Britain, British way of life and generally European living through the eyes of American expats.
After three years, we decided that we wanted to repatriate to the States and, since mid-summer of 2009, we have again been residing in NY/NJ metropolitan area. At the moment, there is no clear angle for this blog. It is likely to morph into a personal soapbox without a specific common thread, but probably with a fair share of comparisons between Britain and America through the eyes of ex-expats. Most importantly, all of the writings that pertain to our expat experiences remain accessible within this space, by searching or by clicking through categories and archives. If you are an American expat who is looking for some insight, advice or an opinion, I hope you can still find something of value here.
Thank you for reading!
And this is the family (updated in April 2010):
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| Kimmy | Becky | Natasha | Ilya |
I am Kimmy. Born in New Brunswick, NJ, and lived in New Jersey until my crazy parents decided to relocate half the world away. Good thing they brought me back eventually. I am now in the fourth grade, which is the same as Year 5 in England.
I have many interests. I started figure skating when I was four, and I am pretty good at it now. I am an excellent swimmer, too. I love to dance and sing, to play charades, to watch TV and to play computer games.
I collect dolls, snow-globes and pencils. I have a lot of toys and I know each one of them by their own name. I also love to draw and I make pictures as presents for all of my friends.
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Hey, I’m Becky. Some people call me Bex, others call me Yank, others still call me Brit. I don’t really mind! Born in Brooklyn, NY, but moved to New Jersey when I was little. Graduated from Schirra Elementary in 2006, and then spent about 2 months at Carl Sandburg Middle School. Then, of course, I went to middle school for 3 years in England. Currently a sophomore at Marlboro High School, I somehow managed to skip 9th grade through cut-offs and moving. I’m smart enough, though, so don’t worry about it!
Let’s say for now that I want to be an actress when I grow up. It’s not definite and I still have time to think but it’s the highest idea on my list so far.
My spare time is split into 3 wondrous segments. I’d say about 40% of it is taken up by reading, 35% is hanging out with friends at the mall or movies or such, and 25% is taken up by technology. I don’t really watch that much TV, to be honest, but I Facebook and YouTube a LOT. Then there’s also the occasional Neopets as well 
As for music, it’s playing almost all the time no matter which activity I’m doing. I can’t live without it!
I’m loving life in America but obviously miss England. I wouldn’t have appreciated it as much if I haven’t moved back here so I don’t regret it. I do miss, as I knew I would, my friends and public transport. Ah the bliss of getting to places without having to get a ride…
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I am Natasha. Born in Rostov-na-Donu, moved to the States in 1993. Graduated from Brooklyn College in 1999. After a brief stint teaching, I decided to become a full-time house-mom to my beautiful girls (and their father).
I occasionally tutor math (I hear that I’m good!), but most of the time I operate a non-profit taxi charter service from my house to any place that my kids need to go for their next activity.
I love to travel, but also love to do all the “legwork” before trips: research, reservations, hotels, tours ect. My favorite city any time of the year is Paris; cannot get enough of it!
My other hobbies include discovering new cooking recipes (and testing them on my Dear Husband), digital photography, singing and enjoying fun times with friends and family.
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I am Ilya. Born in Rostov-na-Donu, moved to the States in 1991. Graduated from Pace University in 1994. Spent my entire career on Wall Street so far, first as a systems developer, then as a technology manager.
As behooves a European, I like football (the real one), yet as a true American, I appreciate what Americans call “football”, too (and baseball, by the way).
I have many interests, of which traveling and making movies out of home and travel videos are the primary ones (although, this blogging thing tends to take an inordinate amount of time). But spending time with friends over a bottle of wine (a guitar should figure at some point) is always the best.
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