When a childhood friend gets married… Utmost happy and sad

Photo Ani Babayan

“As to marriage or celibacy, let a man take which course he will, he will be sure to repent (Socrates).” In my case — it’s the second, in case of most of my friends — it’s the first, although they have found such good and caring better-halves that I doubt they will ever regret being “chained” by marriage.

Marriage and change of last name

When I was born I was given my last name and it’s the last name that will be carved out on my gravestone one day.

I am usually open to opinions and I stand ready to know what other people have to say. However, I hate it when somebody tells you something in an attempt to impose it on you. The last name-surname topic is one of them.

I “inherited” my dad’s last name within the first hour of my life. Since then, this last name has been accompanying my name every day and at every second of my life. My creation was due to three “forces” — God, my mom and dad. Each of them has made separarte gifts for me — God has given me life, my mom has given me the opportunity to live that life and the very first gift I got from my dad was my last name.

When entire Armenian family is brutally killed by rogue Russian soldier in their sleep

Photo by Ani Babayan

My country — Armenia– has faced lots of atrocities and has been number one in several things. Being the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity we were also the first nation to undergo massive killings described as genocide and known as Armenian Genocide. We are a nation that has spent ages under foreign rule and striving for independence and freedom

Irreplaceable “Things” in Life: My Father

Photo by Ani Babayan

Sometimes as we grow up we start taking our parents for granted. It’s not fair. They say you won’t understand your parents until one day you become a parent yourself! I need not that. So far I have understood every thing my parents have done for me, even if it was against my will I knew it was for my sake. God knows how thankful I am to them for who I am and what they did for me. There have been thousand times when I was so angry with my mom I would think of packing and leaving forever, but those moments of anger always pass and there remains only their love and care.

My mom is a separate topic that’s why I don’t want to talk much about her here, this is for my dad.

My dad … I don’t know if I ever dreamed of having this gift in my life or not. With my dad I feel complete. He is my light in the dark. He’s been with me all my life…

The Beautiful Armenian Bride

Photo by Ani Babayan

I am perhaps one of the few ones who have seen one of the most beautiful Armenian brides in my life. You know I have seen thousands of beautiful girls who in no way appeared as beautiful in my eyes as the girl who got married a few months ago. You might think it was her makeup or her dress that made her beautiful. I say no. She was beautiful because she was immensely happy and was conscious of what she was doing and therefore the bright sparkle in her eyes was way more powerful than that of a most expensive diamond. Don’t wanna talk much about that, instead will post some pics as a proof of what I say.

A Trip to Nagorno Karabakh: Pics

Sometimes you need to have mood for doing something; even when there is great desire but no mood you will either never do it or do it so slowly that it will seem to have no end. It’s already a week I wanted to write and describe my trip to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) but unfortunately I have no mood. Instead I decided to post some pics. Just several brief notes:

• First, I went to Qashatagh, the largest and yet most neglected city of Nagorno Karabakh, which is mainly populated by people from Armenia. The nature is splendid, the people are awesome and they all warmly received me, which was very surprising for me. A t least now I know that the legends and myths regarding the hospitality of Armenians are not just a myth but the reality.

There are two options to get to Qashatagh – minibus and taxi. A trip by minibus will cost you 3500 Dram one way, while a one way trip by taxi will cost you around 18.000-20.000 Dram.

What’s a Woman? A Minute Thing? Never!

“Are you obedient?” the priest asks the bride.

“I am,” says the bride. This question is addressed only to the bride and it clearly shows how a typical Armenian family is formed and on what it’s based.

Who’s the Armenian woman in the Armenian family living in the Republic of Armenia? She’s everything, the true constructor of the kingdom called family. The success and happiness of the family depend on the wisdom of the woman, on the whole on how she manages to rule it. Here she’s a real queen without whom everything would be incomplete.