>>> -------------------------------------------------->>> From: <Miljenko Horvat>>>> Sent: Monday, December 24, 2001 7:49 PM>>> To: "Elena Poznykhova (E-mail 2)" <elena.poznykhova1@citicorp.com>>>> Cc: "Elena Poznykhova (E-mail)" <epoznykh@yahoo.com>>>> Subject: Christmas letter>>>>>>> Lena, you know what to do with it (including for people who while on>>>> maternity leave are not reachable by e-mail).>>>>>>>> It has been 3 years that I have not sent my Christmas letter out. I>>>> should explain why not and why I decided to go back to it.>>>>>>>> The simple explanation is that I took 98 personally. I was devastated>>>> and disappointed and kept thinking that somehow, there was something I>>>> could have or should have done. It was a very difficult time for me and>>>> it is pretty much only now that I am crawling out of it (I did not have>>>> the chance to participate in the benefits of Russian recovery of the>>>> last couple of years because, in the meantime, I landed in the midst of>>>> the other big disaster of recent years - the Internet bust).>>>>>>>> I was in no mood and no state of mind to write holiday type thoughts>>>> and if you don't have something good to say, better say nothing at all.>>>>>>>> A recent trip to Moscow made me realize I am once again ready to write>>>> and re-connect. For the first time ever, Moscow looks good and even>>>> beautiful and does so without trying too hard. It has reached a point>>>> of self-confidence as a city and there is something attractive about>>>> self-confidence.>>>>>>>> It made me think of the addiction that is Russia for many of us (and I>>>> define addiction as something that you can't do without although it may>>>> not necessarily be good for you). Most of you cannot understand because>>>> you are not foreigners but take my word for it, there is such a thing.>>>>>>>> The other thing that has happened in the last few years is that I am>>>> over 40 now. Inevitably, this is a mark that makes people think and>>>> consider things and it is no different for me. How and when did it>>>> happen that from feeling inadequately young for my position at age 33>>>> in Moscow in 1993, I slipped into a state where while I do not feel>>>> old, I certainly do not feel young either? Again, you would not know>>>> what I am talking about but you will in 15 years or so.>>>>>>>> While in Moscow, I read the most recent data on population decline in>>>> Russia and feel very gratified that many of you are putting significant>>>> efforts into reversing that trend. Keep up the good work. For one, it>>>> is simple arithmetic - if a couple has fewer than 2 kids the net effect>>>> is a minus for the population as a whole.>>>>>>>> The other reason is my profound belief that there is no contribution>>>> that we can make to the improvement of the world that is more important>>>> than our kids. You may recall me talking about it before. Kids are what>>>> we leave as legacy and not our jobs or our assets.>>>>>>>> Trust your kids, they truly see the future. Let them show you the way>>>> to it. The most you can do is to provide some warmth and sustenance for>>>> them, challenge their minds when they are young and then sit back and
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