Mike P. LifeStory

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Mike P.'s lifestory

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Birth
When: 1976
Where: Alushta, UKRAINE
I was born in Alushta, small resort on the coast of the Black Sea. My parents were still getting education in Simferopol's university so first 6 years of my life I spent mostly with grandparents being with my mother and father only on weekends.


Relocation
When: from 1983 to 1984
Where: Orlovka, KYRGYZSTAN
When I was almost seven years old my mother took my to her parents in Orlovka (Kyrgyzstan) where my brother was born in a short while . As you may guess my brother is 7 years younger. At that time children could enroll into elementary school once they are 7 years old so I entered and finished the first grade of the elementary school while stay in Orlovka.


Relocation
When: from 1984 to 1988
Where: Aqtobe, KAZAKHSTAN
After finishing the first grade I moved to Aktjubinsk (now Aktobe) where my family received two-bedroom apartment (in US standards it would be 1-bedroom condo). At that time people in the USSR could get an apartment to live at no charge although waiting in the queue to receive the free living place could take several years and, in some extreme cases, decades. Both parents worked in building sector and it helped them to get the apartment within three years.


Injury
When: 1988
Where: Aqtobe, KAZAKHSTAN
I was playing tennis and suffered a spinal contusion during contact game with my opponent. After few days I felt paralysis symptoms and it took more then a month to fully recover.


Relocation
When: from 1989 to 1990
Where: Alushta, UKRAINE
My parents decided to help restoring Armenia after devastating Earthquake (1988 Spitak Earthquake). They were also planning to earn some money for saving. In Armenia they were staying at temporary living places in poor conditions so I went to Alushta to be by my grandparents and continued education (8 grade) there.


Memorable purchase
When: August 1989
Where: Alushta, UKRAINE
In 1989 lots of kids on the former USSR territory were collecting different items : stamps, bubblegum wrapper inserts, vine and perfume bottle cups, candy wrappers. I was into Turbo bubble gum wrapper inserts : I traded them and competed with my friends. Every time we discovered new car on the wrapper insert, we were all excited. And one day I bought the Turbo bubble gum , unwrapped it and found the insert of the car that nobody from my neighborhood ever seen - that car was Lamborghini Countach. I was so excited and happy that day I was most likely the happiest kid on the planet.


High school years
When: from 1990 to 1993
Where: Simferopol, UKRAINE
Upon relocation to Simferopol I enrolled in the nearest high-school and was fortunate to study in a very friendly environment (not typical to the previous schools I attended). I successfully graduated in 1993 and was lucky to get so called "silver medal" - an award to honor nearly excellent grades. This award helped me to get accepted to the Kharkov Aviation Institute (student who had honors like gold or silver medals did not have to take and pass all the required exams)


Graduated
When: 10 July 1993
Where: Kharkov, UKRAINE
I graduated from Kharkov Aviation Institute in 1993


Furhter education
When: from 01 September 1993 to 25 February 1999
Where: Kharkov, UKRAINE
Since 1993 till 1999 I studied in the Kharkov Aviation Institute (renamed to State AeroSpace University) that was most famous for its KVN team. I lived in dormitory # 11 - a central part of the long 9 stares building stands on the hill. That building was named Great Wall of China by KHAI students. I managed to get so called red diploma which means I graduated with honor.


First job
When: from May 1999 to October 1999
Where: Kharkov, UKRAINE
I was told that I would get a job in the company where I worked as intern but it took two months after graduation for the company to bring me on board. The company name was "Zavod imeni Shevchenko" (in English it translates like Plant named after Shevchenko). USSR was already collapsed and the company that had used to produce high-tech goods for USSR Department Of Defense was in economic crisis trying to stay afloat by producing systems for automatic control over power station components. I was assigned to work on the project to automate small heaters for home owners. Since I knew English language I was "awarded" a monthly salary bonus in the amount of 10 HRN (hrivnya) - equivalent to less then 3 US dollars :) So I did not like an idea to live almost beyond the poverty line and started actively searching for a job


Carreer change
When: from October 1999 to April 2004
Where: Simferopol, UKRAINE
I was lucky to get the next job in Krymenergo - exclusive provider of the power energy to suppliers within Crimean peninsula. I had to relocate to Simferopol where I finished the high school and moved to live with my parents because living alone is something I could not afford (lots of young people and even young families practice living with older generation due to financial reasons). The job seemed very tough at first but colleagues were very friendly and supportive so I think I was able to fit in very quickly. In 2001 I my duties were shifted towards SAP - our company bought SAP product and I became SAP Basis administrator . By 2004 I matured in this position and applied for a work in the USA through Global Consulting Group (quite "famous" company amongst Russian immigrants). I got H1B in early 2004 and got a ticket to fly over to the USA where I was supposed to stay in the company guest house until the company finds my a client.


First steps in America
When: from 28 April 2004 to 06 June 2004
Where: Cincinnati 5E University Ave, Ohio, UNITED STATES
On arrival to Cincinnati I was given a bed in small 1 bedroom apartment with the living room functioning as kitchen for all people stayed in the guest house (there were around 15 of us). I shared the bedroom with two other my colleagues happened to be "on the bench" at the same time. Luckily they were males otherwise my wife would have killed me. Upstairs, in the attic, we had a computer room where there was access to the Internet for us to update our resume and search for a job. We also had phones over there for the phone screening and interviews. Although Global Consulting Group hired us we did not get any salary while on the bench (Later they were penalized (by DOL) for practicing unpaid bench) . It may seem like a very bad place or conditions to live, but I always feel nostalgic recalling the moments of my (the first & the last) "bench" time. I was lucky to succeed in the interview with AMD and headed towards sunny California on June 6, 2004


Memorable purchase
When: July 2004
Where: San Jose, California, UNITED STATES
I bought my first car - Chevy Malibu 1998 LS (mileage: 41 K) . Comparing to all scary reviews from owners, my Chevy did really good, no major repairs during the 1st two years of ownership. I liked design and trim (leather, alloy wheels, premium audio)

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