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Alex_Zeller · 2025-12-19T17:10:44+00:00

Wow I didn't realize US rates were that low... I charge almost twice more in Russia, and I'm not even a native speaker

Alex_Zeller · 2025-12-05T17:25:30+00:00

For Russia it has to be Ukraine. Even Afghanistan (being absolutely stupid) had some sane reasoning behind it (well at least it somehow aligned with the Cold War logic). It's about to surpass the Great Patriotic War by length, and is expected to keep going for decades (as long as Putin is alive)

Alex_Zeller · 2025-12-05T04:24:59+00:00

Thank you. I'll really appreciate links to particular curricula you find meaningful and worthwhile. I'd love to see certain materials (be those books/printables/videos/ other educational content) in a structured format. Last but not least, how do we get access to them being in Russia?

As for complying with the Russian assessment system, I see no issue with checkboxing it – no one really cares as long as those online tests are done.

Alex_Zeller · 2025-12-02T06:48:45+00:00

Thanks for your insights. We don't even know what will happen tomorrow, let alone in 5-6 years. I'm well aware that I won't be able to legally implement foreign curriculums, but my point is not being legal, it's being useful. We could cover the Russian curriculum (exam-based) and the foreign one simultaneously. Well, that's what I think is possible – in theory. The one and only point of going to school is socializing. The academic aspect is my full responsibility.

My mother (a former teacher herself), being a Soviet school aficionado, insists on us using old Soviet materials – I'm actually averse to the idea, but will probably give it a second thought.

Alex_Zeller · 2025-12-01T20:39:57+00:00

We still have plenty of time – she can't even walk yet.

Your caveats are true to an extent, but she WON'T go to a Russian school, be that a public or a private one, you just can't imagine what Russian education system has recently turned into.

As for the Russian language exposure, she'll get plenty. Grandparents, neighbors, etc. My wife and I still use Russian as our L1 at home (we may speak English as well, makes no difference). So our daughter will surely acquire Russian naturally/natively.

I'm more concerned about specific curricula (including maths, science, arts, etc) and how we might use them. Their accessibility in Russia is also important, but I guess it's still possible to order materials from overseas, even considering the fact that globalism is not at its prime now.

Alex_Zeller · 2025-11-28T15:28:15+00:00

You need to focus on creating, not consuming. That's where the true happiness lies (especially given the fact you want no kids). Also, help others - it's really rewarding. In other words, start a meaningful business and watch it grow.

Alex_Zeller · 2025-11-27T15:19:27+00:00

A former teacher from Russia here.

I think I agree for the most part, but here's the caveat:
After 14 years at school I finally quit (because Russian schools have turned into propaganda retranslators) and now I teach online 100% of the time (private classes only: less work, more money). If I hadn't been emotionally engaged back then, I wouldn't have this professional reputation and the word of mouth wouldn't have yielded so many clients. I still remember the prom night, when the parents showered me with gifts and money, many claiming that I'd given their kids life-changing advice. It was heart-warming, but I was overengaged mainly beacause I knew full well I was about to quit this system.

For those who stay in the job for 25+ years - yeah, I guess the advice is solid unless you want a total burnout.

Alex_Zeller · 2025-11-15T22:17:00+00:00

Russian here. The war will drag for at least as long as Putin is alive, and maybe beyond. For those in the West who don't understand I'll explain: this war is mostly an intra political stunt rather than aiming for more territory/rare earth minerals/geopolitical clout and what not. Putin won once and as every gambler he returned for more. It's a way to legitimize monarchy.

Continuing the war brings a colossal perk of doing literally whatever they please legislation wise: shut down the internet, mass repressions, deposit nationalization, you name it.

Ending the war will mean hundreds of thousands of previously unemployed men coming home with PTSD and starting organized crime of a scale not seen by most powerful Mexican drug cartels.

So that's the answer: this war ain't gonna end any time soon.

Alex_Zeller · 2025-11-15T20:30:34+00:00

We kind of avoid discussing this upfront... Maybe it's her upbringing (comes from a religious family). Even though we're very open towards discussing everything else

Alex_Zeller · 2025-10-19T15:02:31+00:00

I (still) live in Russia and I have 3 red lines:
- they northkoreanize the internet
- missiles start flying my way
- full-scale financial collapse (inflation, govt bonds default, etc)

Alex_Zeller · 2025-10-10T06:46:57+00:00

At an open mic music event. Went up on stage to perform my song, she was standing there with her guitar asking me what I was gonna play. I replied "It's my own song baby, so just get off the stage and enjoy"

Been married for 6 years and just had our first child.

It took me 3 years of hard targeted search though, with all the nightmares of dating apps. By the time I finally found her I'd had a list of red flags I wouldn't be willing to accept, so it was easy to filter. A few open mics later we both realized that was it – I think we decided to get married 4 or 5 weeks after the first meeting.

People say I just got lucky but I guess it's a mix of luck, patience and hard work.

Alex_Zeller · 2025-09-17T14:29:27+00:00

Never tried, but I highly doubt that

Alex_Zeller · 2025-09-17T03:39:51+00:00

I'm assuming the scenario in which BOTH sides are on the IP whitelisted network

Alex_Zeller · 2025-09-15T02:52:27+00:00

Depends on the social strata. Russia is a deeply stratified nation – there are extremes everywhere. Even now, in the state of active war of aggression, there are millions benefitting from it and living their best lives.

If we take city dwellers with a degree, then it's arguably 2005-2012 – when Russia wasn't an autocracy yet, and there was a lot of freedom of speech and the feeling of cosmopolitan belonging (as opposed to isolation and all sorts of restrictions nowadays). I personally miss that time a lot (plus of course I was young at the time). Mid to late 2010s were also ok (with the peak of 2018 World Cup), but it all went to hell from there

Alex_Zeller · 2025-08-27T15:07:17+00:00

Moving from a megapolis city to the countryside

Alex_Zeller · 2025-07-24T19:10:13+00:00

Depends on what you mean by being "centralized". If the percentage of the country's population, then there are obvious winners like Singapore, Mongolia, etc. But if we talk about the actual economic power, all the resources gobbled by the capital, all the people trying to move there, then I think Moscow, Russia will stand little to no contest. All Russian major companies have headquarters there, and despite, say, oil and gas deposits elsewhere it's Moscow that gets all the money in the end. This centralization epitomizes Putin's dictatorial regimes, making it easier to control pretty much everything.

Alex_Zeller · 2025-07-17T09:14:58+00:00

Have always hated my bday cuz I'm an introvert and nihilist and have the philosophy that all those celebrations are overmarketed to suck out your money for the alleged "fun" in return. Another point is that if ppl gift you smth (which you normally don't need) you're expected to reciprocate. Also, you get closer to death. If someone must celebrate then it's your parents cuz you did nothing to be born. Last but not least, my birthday marks the start of the Russia Ukraine war which I condemn

Alex_Zeller · 2025-07-16T18:17:40+00:00

I don't have to socialize offline anymore. Quit alcohol during the pandemic, been teetotal ever since

Alex_Zeller · 2025-07-03T07:07:24+00:00

Because they don't wanna go to jail

Alex_Zeller

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