Things that I like to do in my spare time

Reading, running marathons, listening to organ music, and building 3D models

Reading. I like to read books in English and Russian. It so happens that I read technical books in English. In Russian I read Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Chehov - great Russian writers in other words. Typically, I am trying to read a thick book (over 1,000 pages) of a single author which would give me a good understanding of his style.

Running marathons. I became interested in long-distance running when I was a graduate student at Stony Brook University. I debuted in a Bronx half-marathon in year 2006. Since then I am running regularly during warm part of the year. So far I have completed two marathons, both in Tuusula, Finland. On average, I can complete a half-marathon in 1 hour and 55 minutes, and a maraton in 5 hours which is not a fantastic time but makes me happy anyway.

Organ music. When I lived in Helsinki I used to attend organ music concerts during Summer 2009 which were a good things for at least two reasons: they were free and the music was absolutely fantastic. One of the greatest things I learned when I stayed in Finland was this wonderful organ music which I consider superior to many other styles of music. I have recorded many of those concerts.

3D modelling. I like Google Sketchup. It allows me to achieve my dreams of being creative. Earlier I never mananged to draw decent painting, not to say to make a sculpture. Check out 3D models that I have built.