GROZNY GOSSIP

GROZNYGOSSIP.COM (click title)

2011-03-27T04:55:00.004+04:00

Hi everyone,

Please be advised that new posts will be at GROZNYGOSSIP.COM

I will no longer be using this blog but all current content will remain here.

See you at
GROZNYGOSSIP.COM

TORONTO

2010-12-15T19:55:00.009+03:00

Hey everyone! I am in Toronto for the holidays. Been doing some cool stuff with some artists and photographers here. I did a shoot with Robert Gaudette and a short video/experimental film with Sergei Arsov.

Check it out!

and here's the short film by Sergei Arsov:

More to come soon!

BTW - I found this cool picture of Tamilla Sagaipova last week - it looks awesome!!!!!

Mad Scientists

2010-09-24T05:58:00.009+04:00

I have a migraine....and that sucks. I have taken some gel caps...Advil Migraine. They usually work well but - I still have a headache.

I found this photo of Yusup the cameraman and myself....we are acting like mad scientists in a hospital...hahaha.

Everyone thinks Ibbi and Yusup are twins or the same person....

I interviewed Beslan Albukaev for the Q&A segment of the show. He trains children in Greco Roman wrestling...he's also the star of my film "Greco Roman Grozny".

BTW - I still love this song by "5ivesta Family" - Russian group.

and I can never get tired of this song by Quest Pistols....ever. This is on my list top 10 all time favourite songs from Russia.

Всё будет хорошо......

2010-09-22T07:47:00.005+04:00

I can't get this song "Всё будет хорошо" out of my head. It is so cheesy and catchy and played 24/7.
I really like these TV channels like Bridge TV, etc. They play music videos all day long - unfortunately it is a very small roster - but what can be done? I reckon the purpose of these channels is to make songs popular.

I can't stop picking up cats. I found a kitten outside of Dom Pichati and ended up taking him home. I can't take care of him...he'll be too lonely home alone all day - but I found him a home...in Chernorechye - hahaha. Poor Fatima and Beslan, I brought them a kitten wrapped in a blanket like a baby. I love that kitten - he will be so much happier and well taken care of in the village rather than in the centre of Grozny with no one to help him.

This kitten is lovely. Yes, his paw is a little dirty - but that can be fixed.

Hahahha - this is Fatima and Beslan's son Imam. He is sooooo happy that I turned up at their house with a cat in a towel - hahaha.

Day of The Chechen Woman

2010-09-20T07:27:00.004+04:00

HAPPY DAY OF THE CHECHEN WOMAN....
to all Chechen women !

Well, yesterday was Day of the Chechen Woman....but why stop celebrating??!

I love this song "Жима Дог". I seriously wish there was a cool music video to go with it - like a big lovzar party and a bunch of people dancing ( choreographed of course )
Here's the song ( but not an actual video - something..someone put together ).

Speaking of songs I wish there were music videos for...I don't know why I love this song so much...but I do. San Bezam by Asyet Ababukarova.....

Anyway...maybe someday my dreams will come true.

IBBI's HOUSE

2010-09-09T17:01:00.004+04:00

During Ramadan no one I worked with could eat / drink during the day. However, at 8pm, everyone could eat and drink. Of course, I was editing at these times - and my editor would go home for 1 hour to break his fat. I was invited to Ibbi's house since no one was going to be at work from 8pm-9pm anyway. It ruled. The food his mom cooked was great!

This is a soup that has potatoes and peppers stuffed with meat. His mom also cooked manti and tomato and cucumber salad. I couldn't stop eating...it was so awesome.

Ibbi's mom and Ibbi

Me and Ibbi's family

The family cat - "Mah-mee"

I wish "Mah-ee" was my cat. I would never go to work and take care of her all day.

My new favourite village - KHOI (Хой)

2010-09-07T03:20:00.006+04:00

I love the village of Хой. It has the best ruins and tonnes of petroglyphs.

There are 7 combat towers here and there used to be 350 homes in this village. It was built in the 9th century. There are petroglyphs everywhere.

Ruslan is Inguish - and this petroglyph of a solar symbol is on the flag of Ingushetia. Cool stuff!!

FLAG OF INGUSHETIA

I found this structure underground completely in tact. I love the architecture in Chechnya. Before I moved here I had no clue that the signal system existed and there were so many ancient ruins.

There is a Koran in the village that is more than 100 years old. When the Chechens were deported in 1944 the Koran was taken to Dagestan. It was returned to the village of Khoi in 1982.

At the end of the day, we had a picnic at Lake Kazenoi AM because it is only 3 km from Khoi.

Back in Itum Kale

2010-08-11T18:28:00.005+04:00

Nothing went as planned this week - in a good way. I ended up shooting Milan Mall in downtown Grozny. Wow, it is really cool. It was my first time there, I could have stayed there all day.

This week I went back to Itum Kale to the site where they will build a ski resort. It will be complete by 2012. The area is called Alpine Valley.

There is meat boiling in this pot.

This picture of Ruslan and I looks so fake. The scenery here is amazing!!!

Some people I met there.

Another amazing background. It looks like I am standing in front of a painting.

Islam was the driver on this day.

This is Muslim, he lives in Itum Kale and works for the local TV station down there.

We had lunch - I thought this was fish, but Artur tld me it was bbq'd fat. I didn't try it.

We had other stuff to eat though.

Artur

Me, Ruslan and Artur

Me shooting my lead out for the end of the show

I love being in the mountains. Chechnya has the best scenery I have ever witnessed.

MY FIRST NATIONAL COSTUME!

2010-08-05T15:03:00.009+04:00

I am so happy. My first national costume is complete!!!! I picked it up today and wore it to shoot a segment of my show. It looks awesome. I was dancing with Tima. Actually the costume he is wearing is mine as well. It was a present that i received from a lady named Mariat this week. So I suppose I have 2 national costumes. How cool.

Amnat ( my dressmaker ) and I

'

It was 41 degrees and we were dancing directly under the blazing sun! Oh well, it looked good even though i was completely SOAKED.

My dance teacher Ashab Meijidov was there to guide me ...

время нет !

2010-08-02T22:29:00.009+04:00

I seriously wish there were 8 days in a week at this point. I have been so busy, all I have time to do is film shows and write scripts. I slept for 13 hours yesterday. NTV came to do a story on me from Wednesday and left Friday. I was stressed out having them follow me and try to keep up with my hectic work schedule.
So, here's what's been going on ....

2 weeks ago I met Aiyna Isaeva in the lobby of Dom Pichate. She has the best voice. She sings opera and studies in Moscow.
Photo: Myself and Aiyna Isaeva

Here she is singing:

I finally milked a horse! It was so weird. I made Kumis. To be honest, the horse milk tasted good, but when it was churned into kumis...I could hardly swallow 1 sip.

I can't remember the order of the next events, but.... sometime last week I was fit for my first national costume.

It looks awesome, I can't wait until it's finished! Hopefully it will be completed by Thursday because I want to film it for my show.

Last week I decided to get accordion lessons from Ramzan Paskaev. He is one of the best accordion ( pondar ) players in Chechnya.

Photo: Ramzan Paskaev and Me

My lessons didn't go too well. I don't think I am destined to play the accordion, but it was interesting learning about it.

So, on Thursday things got interesting. I decided to travel to Sharoi. It is the most remote and hardest to get to places in Chechnya. It's elevation is over 3000 metres ! I thought it would take 3 hours to get to but it took over 5 hours each way! I was stressed, I had a camera crew from NTV following me , we were traveling over the worst roads in the middle of nowhere! I was exhausted by the time i got back to Grozny. That didn't matter though - because I had to get to editing and keep working until midnight. I was toast.

NTV crew and myself ( when I thought there was only another hour of driving ahead ) We have just passed Shatoi.

We're almost there...I have no clue where we are in this photo. Ruslan was the cameraman.

Here we are in Sharoi after a grueling drive...and we have 5 grueling hours to drive back to Grozny - but it was worth it!

There are locusts in Grozny at the moment. They come out every summer and especially at night. When i leave the TV studio at midnight - they jump in front of me or on me!!!! They freak me out!!!! I can't wait until they're gone!

Oh, I forgot - I have a new editor. His name is Islam. He's cool and a great editor. He listens to good music - he was playing California Love by 2PAC and singing it on Sunday.

o
f
Photo: Islam the new editor.

When I get home late Saturday night, I ran into Muslim the guard. This week he shared some of his food with me. It was fish on bread. I ate it - it was good.

Photo: Muslim

And last but not least - I have become obsessed with this ice cream cone. Then I realized it was 18% cream! Forget it, I was eating 2 at a time. I better slow down on that.

Itum Kale

2010-07-20T19:29:00.010+04:00

Today I went to Itum Kale. It was great! Artur, Said Hussein and Ruslan came along with our driver.

By the end of the trip it started to rain. But, that was ok because we found a huge defense tower and climbed to the top of it from inside.
Now I have so much work to do for my show, I am not sure where to start - I better sign off.

"Chechnya Through My Eyes"

2010-07-18T17:20:00.011+04:00

Hello everyone, my vacation is officially over.
I have a new program on Grozny TV called, "Chechnya Through My Eyes". It airs tonight.

There is a new segment called - Road Trip - where I travel throughout the republic. Most of the shows have been shot for the season already.
For the first show I am in the Vedeno region at Lake Kazenoi (Кезеной-Ам)

This photo looks like I was standing in front of a green screen and it is a fake background.

our driver, me and Ruslan

Ibbi

Ruslan the cameraman

Oooohhh, so sensational baby!!!

2010-06-19T04:51:00.001+04:00

An article about me came out today by a rather unprepared and uniformed "journalist". I actually feel sorry for him. How humiliated he must feel in front of his professional colleagues for writing such an insane story.... or maybe the more insane the better?
I reckon he was upset when I embarrassed him in the interview by reminding him that Chechnya was a republic, not a country. I also asked him how some journalists (hint, hint ) could be so ignorant and arrogant to imply that the Chechen Republic should not have any light / entertaining television programs and us western superiors should obviously have it all.
Poor fellow was so stirred up by the time we ended our conversation, I knew the article would be ridiculous with a hint of nasty sprinkled on top. Hahaha.

In the end he took things very personally. I know he couldn't stand me, but here's where things get interesting - and I don't quite understand it....
He used nothing I mentioned in the interview that made him look bad ( which was the entire interview ) so, why in the world would he then make me even more popular by releasing the most sensational article online about me with the most flattering photo??!!!!!!

All I can say to him is - THANK YOU. Big kiss from me!!!!!! xoxoxox

Hahhahahahahahaha

Cutting and pasting quotes together randomly....talk about propaganda and sensationalism at it's best!!!!

Canadian panned as modern-day Tokyo Rose

A Canadian ex-fashion model, known by some as the glamorous new face of Chechnya and by critics as a modern-day Tokyo Rose, came under criticism Friday by human rights groups over her promotion of strongman Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov.

Torontonian Chrystal Callahan, who has anchored a weekly news and entertainment program for Chechnya TV since last year, was described on a CNN profile broadcast this week as "Kadyrov's most enthusiastic and visible western defender."

But both Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said her program, directed to Chechens both at home and abroad, provides a one-sided view of developments in the Russian republic.

Allison Gill, director of Human Rights Watch's Moscow office, says she has no objection to Grozny TV using a westerner to promote locally and internationally the local government's achievements in rebuilding the city devastated by two wars since 1994.

"What I find problematic is when that kind of attention is used to mask problems, to deny their existence and to do really nothing to resolve them," Gill said Friday.

"It seems pretty clear she was hired solely for propaganda purposes."

Amnesty International Moscow-based researcher Friederike Behr wouldn't criticize Callahan directly, but said the Canadian is collaborating in an effort to present only one side of Chechnya's evolution.

Kadyrov, a former warlord installed as president in 2007, is accused of direct involvement in torture, extrajudicial killing, and disappearances that continued in 2009, according to both human rights officials.

Callahan's program, which she describes as "entertainment and light news," focuses only on Kadyrov's achievements.

She began one program by declaring in English, with her words translated into Russian with subtitles, that "the Chechen Republic is steadily becoming a region (that is an) example for other parts of Russia." Callahan, saying she knows nothing about "rumours" of rights violations, said her state-funded program is intended to provide "uplifting" news for an area that has suffered deeply from war.

"I'm showing a side of the Chechen Republic that obviously no one has ever seen before," she told Canwest News Service.

Callahan stresses that much of her work involves documenting Chechen culture, and she's taken a first-person approach by driving a tractor, trying on head scarves worn by women in the Muslim republic, and even performing a folkloric dance while singing in Chechen.

But she does occasionally delve into politics.

In the CNN interview she stated bluntly that Kadyrov's many critics, and various human rights groups, are wrong in accusing him of orchestrating the assassination in Austria last year of Chechen dissident Umar Israilov in Vienna.

Israilov, the Chechen president's former bodyguard, went to the European Court of Human Rights to accuse Kadyrov of participating directly in kidnappings and torture.

"Do I think he killed him? Absolutely not. What would he have to gain by that?" Callahan told CNN.

She added: "If there's no proof and there's no concrete evidence, who cares?"

Callahan wouldn't reveal to Canwest her age or anything about her family, though she confirmed she was born and raised in Toronto and spent most of her modelling career in Tokyo.

She said she was introduced to Chechnya while embarking on a career as a documentary-maker, and caught the attention of one of Kadyrov's top aides after producing a documentary on young Chechen wrestlers.

Callahan appears to delight in her role, expressing her enthusiasm with a teenager-like tone in both her blog and in her conversation.

She describes individuals and events in Chechnya as "cool," the "coolest," and "awesome," while critics are "such a drag" and jealous of the success of others.

People were so nice to her upon her arrival, she told CNN, that she concluded: "This place rules."

Callahan said she has never gone on websites to learn more about rights violations in Chechnya, saying she's too busy.

She also dismisses accusations that she's a propagandist along the lines of Tokyo Rose, the generic name given to female Japanese whose radio commentaries were intended to sap the morale of allied troops during the Second World War.

"I'm out there driving tractors. I'm not a hard news journalist. I'm sure there are enough journalists covering that, all the negative aspects and the rumours."

Still on vaca - CNN interview

2010-06-17T10:57:00.002+04:00

Hi everyone,

I am still on vacation...somewhere in North America....haha. I started getting emails that I was on CNN.com, so I checked it out.
What a surprise, I forgot I did it - I think it was from 2 months ago. Ivan Watson is a fair reporter - I like the interview and video that goes with it.

Click here to watch : Chrystal Callahan - CNN Interview

Here is the text :

Canadian model finds fame in Chechnya

By Ivan Watson, CNN

June 16, 2010 7:51 a.m. EDT

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

* Canadian former fashion model is perhaps the most famous foreigner in Chechnya

* Her TV shows range from current affairs to religious instruction to hobbies

* She defends Chechen president who was named one of 40 "Predators of Press Freedom"

* But Chrystal Callahan is also a symbol of peace and stability

Grozny, Chechnya (CNN) -- The news in Chechnya has an unlikely Canadian face: a former fashion model with a catchy name who anchors the news in English on state-run TV.

"Good evening. This is Chrystal Callahan and these are the highlights of the week," says the smiling anchor at the start of her program. "The Chechen Republic is steadily becoming a region of example for other parts of Russia!"

Aided by a constant stream of Chechen sub-titles, Grozny TV's English-speaking anchor from Toronto has arguably become the most famous foreigner in post-war Chechnya.

Callahan first traveled to what was long the most war-torn, dangerous corner of Russia several years ago, while filming a documentary about a Chechen Greco-roman wrestling team.

"When I [first] came to Chechnya I was so happy and grateful that I got to come here," Callahan said, in an interview in one of the studios of Grozny TV. "It was so awesome. Everyone was so nice. And my first impression was "wow, this place rules.""

Today, Callahan lives in Grozny and hosts a series of current affairs and cultural programs.

The program might show her on any given week learning to manipulate manikins at Grozny's puppet theater or preparing traditional Chechen recipes in the station's kitchen studio.

She says she has a responsibility to broadcast to members of the Chechen diaspora who have lost touch with their homeland after being scattered around the world by a decade of war.

Though she is not a Muslim, Callahan also offers viewers weekly lessons in Islam, the main religion of the region.

"This week in Islam, we learn about Doomsday," Callahan announced, at the beginning of a recent interview segment with a Chechen Islamic scholar.

And the tall, dark-skinned Canadian has even begun singing and dancing traditional Chechen folk songs in music videos.

"Everyone needs entertainment and a lighter side of things. So the show I do is light and it's entertaining," said Callahan, during a walk through a park in Grozny that includes a memorial to slain journalists. "It's such a drag, can you imagine? Everyone talking about the war, the war."

But her "lighter side" approach to the news also extends to Chechnya's young leader. Callahan devotes a lot of time to documenting the daily achievements of Chechnya's 33-year-old rebel-turned-Russian-backed-president.

"Horse-racing season has begun in the Chechen republic. The president of the republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, opened the tournament," announced Callahan in one recent broadcast. "The horse races were devoted to the counterterrorist operation's regime cancellation day as well as the birth of a son from a close friend of the president," Callahan narrated, over video of Kadyrov watching the contest with uniformed officers.

Kadyrov had a race track constructed at the entrance of his presidential mansion. "In the second race the president's horse Ergies took first place."

For years human rights groups have accused Kadyrov and his security forces of kidnapping, torture and even extra-judicial killings.

In 2010, the Paris-based watchdog organization Reporters Without Borders added Kadyrov to its list of 40 "Predators of Press Freedom."

The group pointed out vocal critics of Kadyrov keep getting murdered. Most recently, Austrian police linked one of Kadyrov's top aides to the fatal shooting of a Chechen dissident named Umar Israilov in Vienna, Austria.

Kadyrov routinely denies these charges. Callahan dismisses them too.

"If there's no proof and there's no concrete evidence, who cares?" Callahan asks.

"Do I think he killed him [Israilov]? Absolutely not," Callahan says. "What would he have to gain by that? You know, he did so much to try to make this a safe place so kids could run around. There's no war!"

She speaks while strolling through a Grozny park where elderly women sit chatting on benches and music plays from speakers at an outdoor café that serves instant coffee.

In this relaxing place, Kadyrov's most enthusiastic and visible Western defender is something of a celebrity.

Young Chechens begin drifting up to Callahan, asking to pose along side the Canadian for photos snapped on their cell phones.

"It's really nice that she's from Canada and that she traveled here to host the show," says 18 year old Avsan Veshal after smiling for the camera.

To these star-struck Chechens, Chrystal Callahan is more then just a mouthpiece for the Kadyrov government. The presence of Grozny's most famous foreigner also symbolizes something everyone here is hoping for after years of conflict: stability and peace.

I'm on vacation....kind of

2010-05-06T16:04:00.001+04:00

Last week was my last show until June. I got some photos of Azi and I in the studio.

After I read the news, I went out to lnch with Artur.

On Tuesday I met Josie and some other friends for dinner. Josie brought me a present. It smelled good!

On Wednesday I went looking for fabric in the market ( Berkat ) . I need to make several national costumes for when I perform on stage.

While I was in the market, I met a lady that sells stockings. She gave me a pair as a gift!

Sernavodskaya Water / Boys Military School

2010-05-01T13:37:00.001+04:00

This week has been really busy. On Tuesday I went to Sernavodskaya ( 70 KM west of Grozny ) to film. I love getting out of the city.

Sernavodskaya Water company is there. Their mineral water is #2 in the world. In this photo I am with the director of the company and Yusup the cameraman. We are at a hot water spring. It smells like boiled eggs and actually tastes the same. However, this isn't the water they bottle - it is used for medicinal purposes.

Alihan, the director of the company, is explaining all the details of the water and the way it is processed.

Today Artur is with me because Madina is home with her kids. They are sick.

And Yusup is the cameraman.

They also have a spa here!!! Artur and I are getting a massage in these awesome chairs.

Back to work. We need to get an interview with Alihan.

On Thursday I went to a military school for boys. They are AWESOME! They win every competition they enter.

Ibbi was with me on this day - Madina's kids are still sick.

Thank god I wore these colours - they match the uniforms!

Ibrashka was the cameraman. We all love him!! He does such a great job every time!!

We ended up having a lovzar party!!! Hahah -I love Chechnya. Spontaneous lovzar parties happen often.

CNN

2010-04-27T21:04:00.001+04:00

Yesterday I took this photo of Artur from the TV station. He is always so busy and usually is talking on 2 phones at once.

Today I got a call from Said-Sellim ( head of Grozny TV ) telling me that I will do an interview with CNN at some point today.

I ended up meeting them around 3pm for a couple hours.

I am in this photo with the correspondent who interviewed me. His name is Ivan Watson.

Day of Chechen Language

2010-04-25T02:08:00.003+04:00

It is almost 2am - so, it's April 25th already - the Day of Chechen Language. There is a big concert tomorrow but I don't think I am going.

For this week's show my cultural theme was the Day of Chechen Language. I went to a puppet theatre that does plays in Chechen.

I took part in working one of the puppets and saying a few lines.

This is Zara - she also works at Grozny TV but also takes part in this theatre. She is a great actress and so funny.

I ended up staying at my friends place on Tuesday night. She told me she was going to pick nettles - I wanted to go as well. She tried to warn me that they irritate the skin and give blisters - but I wanted to go anyway.

I put on some gloves and went into the field.

I picked one nettle plant.

And somehow touched my skin with it. And ... that was the end of me picking. I spent the rest of the time looking at my arm while poor Fatima picked an entire bag of nettles alone. I also got a rash on my legs. Such a strange plant - but so tasty.

On the way out of the fields I felt something slimy in my shoe.

I had squished a snail by accident. Many of them live on the nettle plants.

Abuazid was home from Moscow. I haven't seen him in 3 years. He is HUGE! He just won an all Russian competition in wrestling.

Fatima, Beslan , Gelany and I went over to Abuazid's home for dinner later.

My new obsession. This toothpaste called Siwak - I forget what it is made of. Ibbi uses it - something to do with Islamic medicine. It tastes good and smells strange. Ibbi gave me this tube on Thursday night because I was just staring at it. I think it is made from a tree of something.

Tonight Beks came to work with the actual twig from this mysterious tree. It serves as a toothbrush! It's a twig and you cut 1/2 inch of bark off - then chew it until it looks like a brush. People have been using this as a toothbrush snce the 15th century! I had no idea.

Check out the bristles. This is cool! Beks is going to but me one. This twig smells great - and you don't put any toothpaste on it. Just rub the twig on your teeth - it is already loaded with ... something Hahahahah, I need to get more info on this.

Speaking of obsessions...Ibbi was showing Beks and I video that some girl made him. It was a love video - she editited it. I have never seen anything so over the top in my life. It was awesome. I took a photo on one of the last shots of the video with Ibbi in it.

Hahaahha - the writing on the screen says I love you.

Lastly, I was reading the news in the studio today. When I came out I ran into Said Sellim ( head of Grozny TV ) . He looked great!!!!!!!!!!!! He was wearing kind of Chechen traditional clothing.

2nd Chechen Video Shoot

2010-04-20T20:24:00.002+04:00

I m toast. I can't even think I am so tired. Today started off with rehearsal at Ministry of Culture. After that, I went to get changed where Aimani keeps costumes for herself and her ensemble.

After myself and all the backup dancers and singers got changed - we went to the location to shoot the video. Ibrashka was the cameraman.

Before we could shoot, Aimani's assistant Idris had to run down the hill and shoo the grazing cows away to another location.

There were cows everywhere.

I am nervous - trying to practice my lyrics and dance moves.

It was also crazy windy today.

I get a lesson from Aiman on how I need to spin - because mine looks crazy.

Aimani is directing the shoot.

I finally pull my spins off. Yes!

My friends from Aimani's ensemble.

Shooting a scene.

My friends in the dance group.

And the part I am most proud of - I can finally pull off the move that EVERY Chechen singer that performs on the big stage can do.

YES!! Progress.

The video will air on Sunday for the holiday " Day of Chechen Language"

I have been sick

2010-04-19T21:34:00.001+04:00

I have been sick for a week and in bed for 2 days last week. Today was pretty busy, I went to practice at the Ministry of Culture. I am shooting a video tomorrow. I heard the new song I did. It's ok. I think my voice is off key - or something. Maybe it's just weird to hear my own voice. My pronunciation in Chechen is much better. I'll keep trying. The video will be complete by Saturday. I am nervous about shooting because I have to do a dance routine with 10 other chicks. Yikes.

I am still obsessed with guys here breaking the apple in half. I took a picture of Ruslan doing it.

Speaking of guys....there is a chocolate bar here by Nestle. It's called "FOR MEN" It is the strangest thing I have ever seen. First the wrapper saying it is for men.

The next best thing about this product is the actual chocolate inside. It has a print of a woman with a cross over her - suggesting NO WOMEN. Hahahaha - how crazy. I buy it anyway.

Today I finally parted with my Nan's suitcase. When I was home last time I needed an extra suitcase to come back to Chechnya that was lightweight. I found my Nan's ( great - grandmother ) suitcase in the basement of my grandmothers house. My nan just died last August, she was 101. Anyway - I brought the suitcase to Chechnya, but it was so old that it got ripped on the way.

I have kept it in my room for almost 3 months! I told my mom I didn't want to throw it out because I was having anxiety about it. She told me to just do it - she also said that my Nan would have been happy that her suitcase made it so far.

Well, that's it for tonight. I'll take photos at the shoot tomorrow. I am exhausted and still need to wash my hair, practice dance moves and remember all the lyrics to the song.

The end of the week ( April 7th - 10th 2010 )

2010-04-10T11:10:00.006+04:00

During the day on Wednesday I was walking to Dom Pichati through the "Journalist Park" when I noticed that the name of Dom Pichati had been changed to the Chechen version. It's now called Zorbanan Ts' ah.

On Wednesday night I decided to go to Chernolechie and visit my friends. I had been working so much I hadn't seen them in 1 month.
Fatima made a Chechen dish that is in season right now - I think it is called "Yizan Galnash". I could be wrong.....

It is made from nettles, garlic shoots and fat from a cow or sheep with a lot of salt.

Fatima is making the dough for it now. The nettle mixture is put into round pieces of dough and looks like dumplings.

It tastes great!!!!!!

Fatima's son is behind me and giving me rabbit ears in this photo.

Thursday morning started early. I had to be at dance and singing rehearsal at the Ministry of Culture by 9am .

Rehearsal was packed - all the young girls were there on this day. The little ones are so cute because they are just learning how to dance.

Here is the routine I am working on at the moment. I am recording a new song with Aimani's ensemble. We will shoot a music video in the next week for it.

Dancing is such hard work. I had no formal training before and now I am dancing everyday on my toes like a ballerina - it hurts!!!!!

This is the part of the routine that I have difficulty with. After the 1st verse I have to go out and do a dance. Hopefully it will all come together by the time the video shoot is on.

And on Thursday night in editing - I caught the entire process of a guy breaking an apple in half. Artur did it. here is the process......

And finally, last night was Friday. My friend picked me up and we went to a place in Microyan. I was bored of going out to places in Grozny and wanted a change of scenery. This cafe was awesome. They had the best sound system and played the best music. The cabins were all private and it was decorated well. There is a song by Akon they were playing. I am going to download it from ITunes now!

This is the place in Microyan.

Me chilling out in a private cabin after a long week of work. Akon is playing in the background.

CLICK HERE to hear "Club Rockin" - by Chip tha Ripper featuring AKON

MY LIFE AS A PEASANT

2010-04-06T23:26:00.005+04:00

Today I went to a remote part of the republic and worked the land. My show this week is about...spring. And all things associated with it. I haven't completed the script but I knew I wanted this segment in it.

The day started with me and the crew turning up to the farm land at about 10am.

We asked one of the workers to bring some clothes for me to wear in the field. She did.

As I put these clothes on - I knew it was going to look really authentic.

I check my make up before the shoot starts.

This photo is of myself and the lady who brought me the clothes. Forget the camera putting on 10 pounds - I look like I put on 150 in this outfit!

I suppose this is what I would look like if I gained 150 pounds. This outfit does nothing for me. Hahhahaha.

I'm going to start the shoot with driving a tracker and ploughing the land.

1 problem - I don't know how to drive. My crew is making fun of me because of this small obstacle.

I think I can pull it off - so I get in the tractor. Ibrashka is inside as well.

I am asking which pedal is STOP and which one is GO. I want to make sure I know how to STOP!

Me and new friends.

I have a burr stuck to my sock. They are also stuck to my skirt. They hurt....but that's life in the field.

Later in the day - my next assignment is to sweep. I am not thrilled about it.

Sweeping is painful. Hahahha. I look like I am holding a hockey stick.

New friends.........

I am knackered and not even 1/2 way through the day. I now have to scoop seeds into a bag and move the bags.

Next.... babies are being born now. I had to go check on the newborn sheep.

As I was trying to feed the adult sheep - they were becoming very aggressive and stomping their hooves at me. I thought they were going to attack me - but they didn't.

We went into the field to liaise with a sheepherder. Since sheep are my favourite animal... I had to do traditional Chechen dancing with sheep all around me.

This is the sheep herder and his son. He rides an old school motorcycle and his son rides in a sidecar made of wood.

He needs the motorcycle in case a wolf comes and he has to scare it away. Not many wolves have been around lately. What a peaceful job....watching sheep graze all day in fresh air.

Last task - I must sow seeds into a field.

Ibrashka came along for the ride to film me. There was a tractor pulling the seed dispenser. My job was to make sure that the seeds were being distributed correctly. Sometimes I would throw buckets of seeds off the back of the dispenser - just for good measure.

And that folks.... was my life as a peasant.

BTW - last Friday I was in my apartment. I saw 2 shadows outside my windows with ropes. Hahaaha.

I threw open my curtains to find some window washers. I took a couple photos of one of them.

Maximus Circus - Grozny

2010-04-02T17:03:00.006+04:00

The circus has been in town for a few weeks. Today I went to check it out and had a private show! Lions and tigers!!!

Xalid was the cameraman.

Even our driver came in to check it out!

This is the trainer Lubamir.

A great experience with extreme kittens!!

Ahhh, last night I was in editing and Ibbi broken an apple in half with his hands.

I saw Artyr do the same thing last week! I have never seen this done before. Apparently all the guys here have the skill to halve an apple almost perfectly with their hands !!!!

Chechen Theatre

2010-04-01T01:15:00.006+04:00

I did a show about Chechen theatre today. I really have never been that into plays - they always seemed so boring to me. However, this was one of the best times I've had filming a show. Everyone on the cast of this play had great attitudes and were really good actors.

The year is 1935 - the revolution is over. I am playing the role of a peasant girl named Kelisat who lives in the highlands of Chechnya. I am from a poor illiterate family and have just received a degree. I can read and write. No one else in my family can. All the guys in the village want to marry me.

Kelisat ( AKA Chrystal ) I am nervous and worried I won't be able to pronounce my lines in Chechen .

Rehearsing with Khava Akmadova ( director of this theatre group ) and other actors.

In this scene, I am proving to my family that I can write their names - they are so impressed - because none of my family can write their own names.

This is me and Khava Akmadova. She is also a singer and has a TV show on Grozny TV called Daimokh.

My next scene: I am going to the stream to get water. I have called all the guys that are in love with me there. I want to tell them all that I am getting married and that they should stop bugging me.

But..they continue to profess their love, sometimes trying to give me gifts.

And...some offer me a wonderful life. However, I have already made my decision and I leave them all standing there. I pick up my water jug and go home.

The cast of the play.

This is Kameta - she is the girl that plays the part of Kelisat ( I just took her spot for today )

Cool day - acting is fun !

URUS MARTAN - Dondi Yurt Shoot

2010-03-27T10:26:00.003+03:00

Yesterday I had a shoot in Urus Martan. This week the weather has been so warm and sunny - except for yesterday. It was freezing like winter. We were holding a sinkeram party for this week's episode.

And here are all the lovely photos.

The dress I am wearing is over 100 years old.

Here is the first dress I tried on - but it was too small.

Here is the dress I ended up wearing. Dondi Yurt Museum where we did this shoot is awesome. It has the best suuroundings for a film or photo shoot.

This dechig pondar that I am holding is so heavy. It is 3 times as thick as mine - I suppose it's because it is an antique. I want to get one like this now - it feels so much more solid than mine. I feel I could break my pondar so easily if I dropped it or it fell over.

Yusup was the cameraman. He was freezing and frustrated - as we all were.

I edited the show last night - it looks good. It will be on the air tomorrow.

El Dentista

2010-03-25T21:01:00.004+03:00

Yikes, I had a cavity. Yesterday I went to see Khassan so he could suggest a dentist. He brought me to his friend.

He introduced me to Khedi - she is a dentist at the same hospital she works at. I booked an appointment and went to see her today.

Khedi and I

I had Yusup come so we could do this week's Q&A with Khedi.

Yusup

and..of course, Yusup was being - himself - hahaha..

My cavity was deeper than the dentist thought - that meant more shots of Novocaine and pain medicine.

I am looking at Artur while he translates that I need more shots. I am exhausted now....but it was necessary to get the cavity fixed.

I was supposed to have editing tonight - but the schedule got changed. Bekhan my editor Bluetoothed me a photo of us from last summer.

Me and Beks

Since there was no editing - I went to Pizza House with my friend to eat.

It was packed - as ususal.

I ordered a small meat pizza.

Now I am back at home. I have a toothache and I am going to sleep.

Love Psychedelico rules!

2010-03-23T21:30:00.002+03:00

Hello friends.
Today was a holiday - Day of the Constitution so....I had a day off. Nothing much happened. I went to dinner with my friend Rustam.

I also cleaned my apartment, bought more string cheese and have been listening to my favourite music.
They are a Japanese band called Love Psychedelico .... and they are awesome.

I have a headache and a lot to do tomorrow so...I am going to sleep.

I LOVE SUNDAY

2010-03-21T23:22:00.002+03:00

Yes, this is a poster of my pondar teacher Sahab. I taped it on my door so I am reminded to practice often.

Today is Sunday, and I did absolutely nothing. This is the 2nd Sunday in a row that I have just RELAXED. I usually try to meet people I haven't seen in a while or go my friends house. But looking back, I think I was doing too much and not getting enough rest. I am not leaving the house for the next 3 Sunday's. Unless of course, I have to work.

I had to take dancing lessons . This time I needed to learn how to dance with a guy - for when I am at lovzar and sinkeram parties. These guys are awesome dancers. They were in the ensemble LOVZAR (with Makka Sagaipova years ago ) The guy on the right is my pondar teachers son - Ashab.

Yusup ( AKA Yurt Da ) called me Wednesday night. We went out to eat. I hadn't seen him in months. BROOX the rapper also met us.

YURT DA

ME AND BROOX

Saturday afternoon I hear cheering and chanting outside of my window. It was the Ramzan Patriotic Club. They were on a mission. They are always so busy. There are something like 50 demonstrations per month!!! I have a t-shirt, I got it from the head of the organization. It's cool.

And....Saturday night is always for editing. This week the lovely Ibbi was on duty.

IBBI and BEKHAN

Hahahah - speaking of Ibbi. I was in his office hanging out before we went to edit the news. I found an article online that some German newspaper published about me. I was laughing when I saw the photo - we both HATE this picture, and people keep using it. My eyes are slightly glued together with eyelash glue, I look like I am drunk because they caught me in the middle of a blink and Ibbi looks like a zombie - hahahahha.

I didn't read the article - it looked boring.

The tragic overused photo of Ibbi and I.

However, another German magazine interviewed me last week as well . They are called DER SPIEGEL.I think the article comes out this week - or next week. I forget.

A cover of DER SPIEGEL

Anyway....back to the editing room. As you can see, I have bribed Bekhan with sunflower seeds -again.

I know this looks like an important phone call - but...I am just waiting for Madina to pick up her phone on the other end.

This object in the photo below is my new obsession. It is thick string cheese that is smoked and doused in salt. I love it and can't stop eating it. I have started to replace meat for it. I have already eaten an entire package of this today - and all I can think of is buying more tomorrow! There is no label on it , so I can't even say where this cheese is made, what it is called, what the ingredients are, nutrition facts....nothing. All I can say is that - it is one of the top 5 foods I have tasted in my life.

Presidential Sinkeram, Tamara Dadasheva and PONDAR (Дечиг пондар )

2010-03-10T23:31:00.008+03:00

Monday March 8th was Women's Day. The President threw a cool sinkeram party - and I went. It was my first sinkeram party and everyone had to wear national dress. I was so nervous. They wanted me to sit in the front row - but of course I didn't. I asked to sit on the back bench - I was so nervous - I thought I would have to dance. I was asked a couple times but I said no. I thought I would make a fool of myself. I don't know how to dance with a guy - I can dance alone, but when there is a man dancing next to me I get too nervous and forget what I am supposed to do - hence, I am making a cultural program about it because I MUST know how to dance at a party.

I am watching it on Grozny TV . I love the way the mayor of Gudermes was dancing. He has an interesting personality.

I was completely confused of the process at these types of parties. There is a mediator that will go to a man and he will tell her to ask a girl to dance or he will tell her to tell a girl he likes her and to look at him. Apparently, these parties are where a lot of couples meet and get married. I was confused when one woman kept coming over to me and saying that a guy liked me and wanted me to look at him. I was like...ok...and.....what is your point? Hahahahah. I had no clue what was going on. It felt extremely strange to me - culture shock big time. Only the next day did I find out some of what the process is.

This is my colleauge from the TV station. She was in national dress but she changed to normal clothes when the party was over.

On the right is Amina - she is also a colleauge from the Ministry of Press and Information, External Affairs and Policy - she's Kazbek's assistant.

More friends from Grozny TV.

All of us are from the Ministry of Press and Info....

This party was fabulous! The best part about it was when Sahab Mejiedov was playing the dechig pondar.
The dechig ponder is the national instrument of Chechnya - it is gorgeous. I fell in love with it at this party. I HAD to meet Sahab ( he is the best pondar player here and an "Artist of the Chechen Republic"

Artur from the TV station sent me his number and Madina and I went to meet him today! My cameraman was Ruslan ( I decided to make an episode of my show on the pondar. I am going to learn how to play it. Sahab also ordered me one from Gudermes today and I am going to pick it up tomorrow!!!!!!!!

Sahab is teaching me a song and Ruslan the cameraman is writing it in tablature !

He also told me I needed to cut my nails off - so I did. I am so excited to play this instrument.

Me and Sahab with pondars!!

And... I had to meet Tamara Dadasheva today because she is QUEEN OF LOVZAR / SINKERAM MUSIC!!!

Me and Tamara Dadasheva

Ruslan and Tamara Dadasheva

Tomorrow I will go to the Ministry of Culture and meet Sahab and pick up my very own pondar!! I am also meeting Sahab's son Asab who is a famous dancer. He is going to teach me all about dancing !!!!!

Aimani Aidamirova Concert

2010-03-08T00:21:00.007+03:00

Well, I did it. I performed a duet with Aimani at her concert tonight. I was so nervous because I didn't know what to expect - and when I found out what a big event it was about 20 minutes before I went on....I really went into a tailspin.

Madina was texting me from the audience. She told me that they were waiting for the president to arrive, and also - Shamsail was there. This is what made me most nervous because I didn't expect him to be there and he is the one who gave me this job here. I don't want to let him down and I didn't want to embarrass him on stage. I was shaking!
I was so nervous that my mouth was trembling when I actually went on tage and was singing - I hope the cameras didn't pick that up. There was also one point at the end of our routine where a dancer is spinning with a Chechen flag and a Canadian flag and Aimani and I are also spinning along side him. OMFG! I forgot to look at only 1 spot while spinning because I was too high strung and when we stopped spinning I almost passed out! My eyes went crossed and and I let out a small yelp an all I was thinking was - DON'T FALL!!! I could only see Shamsail's face in my head while praying not to pass out at the concert of the year on stage- hahahaha.

Here I am after the concert with one of Aimani's dancers.

And yesterday when I was about the shoot the news in the studio - Amina Akmadova and Asyet Abubakarova came to shoot a new music video. I took their photo...

Nothing more to say tonight except - I am too tired to think straight. I have a lot to do tomorrow and I am nervous about going to this lovzar party. I better practice dancing!

2010-03-04T07:43:00.007+03:00

I shot the Women's Day episode for my show. I thought it was going to be a disaster as I had 6 stops to make in 1 day. However, things went really smooth and we finished by 4:10pm - even after taking a 1 hour lunch break! Yahoo. This job is getting easier.
First stop was to see Amina Akmadova. I brought her flowers and a hijab.

The next stop was to surprise Aimani at rehearsal by bringing her flowers. Of course Women's Day isn't until March 8th...but i need to film for my episode.

After that... we found some women cleaning the streets, took a lunch break and went to visit Makka Mezheiva. She is awesome. I love her music. She has the most gorgeous eyes!!

Makka and I

And she gave me a scarf. It rules!

Her and her husband gave Yusup the cameraman a watch!

And here is a photo of Makka and her husband. he is from Azerbaijan.

Oh yeah, I also went to the maternity house and visited some newborns, but I didn't tke any photos because I forgot my purse in the car. Watch this episode onMarcg 7th to see the final result.

That familiar feeling of panic.

2010-03-02T22:08:00.003+03:00

I feel like I don't work on TV anymore. I have been here almost 3 weeks and my regular show hasn't aired . I have been too busy with other things and the first week I got back was a write off.
The first episode airs this Sunday. I have been on TV a lot, I did a 1/2 hour talk show with Lom Ali, then Lom Ali hosted a special report with me, and then there was the concert that I performed on stage at which is now being broadcast.

This week, my regular show's theme is International Women's Day. I am going to meet Amina Akmodova at 10am. But before I do anything, I have to buy a bunch of flowers and chocolates to give the the women on my show. By 3pm I need to be at the concert hall for practice. I swear I am getting worse. I keep forgetting the words to this duet with Aimani. I heard the final version of the song today, and yes...I have to dance and SPIN!!! I think Aimani has me spinning with a Canadian flag and she is spinning with a Chechen one, or vice versa. The point is - I can't spin!!! I get dizzy after 1 turn!! I am afraid I will ruin the entire concert. My heel got stick in the floor on stage today! OMFG!!! I wanted to die, then I forgot the words to the song, then i relaized it was the new version of the song and I didn't know what to do. A dance coach is coming to help me tomorrow. It is Wednesday, the concert is Sunday....and instead of being excited, all I feel is panic.

This is me and some child dancers/singers in the concert hall. I am translating my lyrics from Chechen to English so I have a clue about what I am singing about.

Today Ibbi and I went to Tsentaroy ( it is about 1.5 hours from Grozny ) to interview Khozh Akhmed Kadyrov for the Islam section of my show. We ended up having tea and a light lunch with him after the interview.

Khozh Akhmed and I

Khozh Akhmed and Ibbi

I need to sleep. I am so exhausted and I don't have a tight script for tomorrow - which means I need to wake up early and get something together.

The Last week of February 2010

2010-02-27T21:34:00.013+03:00

This week started with the culture segment of my show at the airport. I worked there for 2 days - I was so tired by Wednesday...but I had to keep going. In this photo I'm with the director of Grozny Airport, Ruslan Gambulatov.

Here is the final version of the episode - it is one of my favorites.

Onto my new shoes.......................................

By Thursday I had to meet Aimani Aidamirova and return the dress I borrowed from her. She asked me to perform in her concert next Sunday March 7th! She wrote a duet for us! It is so cool. She also told me that I needed to be at rehearsal several days next week. I had to buy these special shoes that the dancers wear. They only cost 100 rubles ( $3.00 ) but these are my favourite pair of shoes EVER. All the dancers wear them .... and now I do too.

YES!!!!!! I am a going to be a dancer....or - at least learn some hot moves to get me through my upcoming stage performance.

And speaking of stage performances.....I had to record the song today that Aimani and I are singing on Sunday at her concert. We went to Deni Satabaev's place to do it. What a dream come true!!! Singing with Aimani Aidamirova and working with Deni Satabaev!!

Aimani Aidamirova

Deni Satabaev

And Illyas Aiyubov stopped by as well. I love his music - he is an awesome singer. He is having a concert on March 8th.

Illyas Aiyubov and I

Me and Deni

Today I decided to Google myself.... hahahahah

2010-02-22T15:49:00.016+03:00

I Googled my name today and found some really funny articles about me. It makes me wonder if any news articles published are true when I read silly things like this:

Tjetjeniens största modebloggare

Chechnya's largest fashion blogger

15 januari 2010, kl 13:41 Skrivet av Martin Aagård Anmäl ! January 15, 2010, at 13:41 Written by Martin Aagard Report!

Säg att du är en diktator uppbackad av en före detta supermakt som håller din krigshärjade bergsprovins i schack med lönnmord och tortyr samtidigt som du försöker bekämpa islamistisk terrorism som stöds av Al Qaida.

Say you are a dictator backed by a former superpower that holds your war-ravaged mountainous province of chess with assassinations and torture while you are trying to combat Islamist terrorism sponsored by Al Qaeda.

Hur gör du för att bevisa för dina landsmän och omvärlden att du är en ledare som står för stabilitet och framsteg?

How do you do to prove to your countrymen and the world that you are a leader who stands for stability and progress?

Lätt – du anställer en modebloggare.

Easy - you hire a fashion blogger.

Traditionellt brukar diktatorer i centralasien resa 50 meter höga guldstatyer över sig själva som roterar efter solens gång (exemplet Turkmenistan ) för att bevisa samma sak, men den Moskvatrogne presidenten i Tjetjenien, Ramzan Kadyrov är en modern man.

Traditionally dictators in Central Asia trip 50-meter high gold statues of themselves as the sun rotates once (example Turkmenistan) to prove the same thing, but the faithful Moscow president of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov is a modern man.

Sen ett tag tillbaka sänder den kanadensiska modellen Chrystal Callahan programmet Highlights of the week with Chrystal Callahan på det regimtrogna Grozny tv.
Then a while back sending the Canadian model Chrystal Callahan Program Highlights of the week with Chrystal Callahan on the regime loyal to Grozny television.
Inslag om designerkläder och skönhet varvas med folkmusik och hyllningar av Kadyrov .

Feature on designer clothes and beauty interspersed with folk music and tributes to Kadyrov.

Callahan provar huvuddukar från Pierre Cardin och bildbloggar på " Grozny gossip ".

Callahan try headscarves from Pierre Cardin and video blogs on "Grozny gossip".

I en intervju på chechnyatoday.com berättar hon att tjetjeniens press- och informationsminister gav henne jobbet och att omvärlden inte har en aning om att det finns restauranger och underhållning i Tjetjenien. Det är hennes uppgift att visa det.

In an interview on chechnyatoday.com she says that Chechnya's press and information minister gave her the job and the outside world has no idea that there are restaurants and entertainment in Chechnya. It is her task to show it.

Att Ramzan Kadyrov profilerar Tjetjenien med mode är väl inte konstigare än att svenska institutet torgför ”det svenska modeundret” utomlands.
That Ramzan Kadyrov Chechnya profiles with fashion's not stranger than Swedish Institute torgför "the Swedish fashion miracle" abroad.
Men att mode blivit ett så effektivt propagandavapen att det till och med används i världens farligaste konfliktzon är läskigt, med tanke på den extrema modebloggtätheten i Sverige.

But that fashion has become the most effective propaganda weapon that is even used in the world's most dangerous konfliktzon is scary, given the extreme fashion blogg density in Sweden.

Nedrusta nu!

Disarm now!

Hahahhahaa - what in the world? Am I a fashion blogger? I don't even know what that means - hahahaha. I hardly write about fashion...maybe because I was a model? I don't get it.

There was another article, just as strange as the one above. Check it out - hahahah:

Fashion Blogging – An Answer to all Comms Problems

Posted in Digital on February 11th, 2010 by Admin

US First Lady Michelle Obama is on the pages of Vogue covers and Carla Bruni Sarkozy’s outfits are talked about as if they are next year’s state budget. For those early adopters growing a bit tired of such pointlessness the Chechen minister of press and information is taking fashion and politics combo to a new level.

A few months Canadian former catwalk model Chrystal Callahan was hired to blog on Grozny Gossip fashion, beauty and lighthearted topics in general are mixed with tributes to Chechnya’s president Kadyrov, infamous for controlling his war-torn country and subjects with murder and torture. Callahan, and her employers, state the purpose of the blog and 20-minute show to be a mirror of the beautiful side of Chechen everyday life avoiding the more obvious darker side of Chechen life.

This cocktail of fashion, propaganda and social media makes you wonder of you underestimated the importance and impact of fashion after all? Or maybe one-dimensional propaganda never went out of fashion? Lately fashion bloggers are said to be responsible of the democratization of the fashion industry, but that might just be old news. Maybe the early adopting fashion bloggers are going over to the other side…

I wonder why people keep calling me a fashion blogger? I suppose I've been called worse. Hahahhaha.

What strange articles. Why would I be hired to write a blog ?
Oh well, people have to have something to talk about if nothing else is happening in their lives.

Today I shot the best episode for the show with Artur. We went to Grozny airport and filmed a scenario sitting in the cockpit! We pretended that we were going to fly the plane to Moscow ( of course it was just pretend , but it will look cool on the show ) .

It is raining so hard here today. I am going to relax and watch....you guessed it - OZ!!! I think I only have 3 episodes left to watch in the season 5. I only realized today that there are 6 seasons of OZ ( I only have seasons 1-5) and I have something to look forward to - season 6!!!! How awesome.I am going to mandarins, chaipulgash and drink green tea, then fall asleep by 8pm tonight.

Oh! I forgot, I went out with Khassan Baiev yesterday. There was a Bulgarian film crew here filming him for a documentary and they wanted to interview me . Here are some pics from dinner:

The Chechen Grammy's

2010-02-21T06:28:00.008+03:00

What a weekend this has been. It all started on Wednesday when Tamilla who is the secretary for the TV station president asked me if I was going to the music awards that weekend. At this point I hadn't even heard of this event - the Chechen Grammy's. I was like...no. I told her to get me tickets. She said they are hard to get ... just come into the theatre on Saturday. It is an official event that the president will be attending. She already had her evening gown prepared!

On Thursday I went to see Artyr at the TV station regarding work and I asked him if he had tickets to the event. Of course he did because Grozny TV is in charge of this event. He gave me 4 tickets.

At about 6.30 pm on Thursday, I get a call from Artyr and Tamilla speaking very quickly and saying something about my music video...I thought. I thought they were asking me if they could play it at the awards. However, aftr they called Madina and Ibbi - it all became clear. They were requesting that I perform at this event in national costume. At first I said no, and then I said yes...and then the next 2 days of panicking started.

On Friday I needed a national costume. Artur suggested a couple of the high end Chechen designers, but I decided to just call Aimani Aidamirova. She is sure to have the best dresses for stage in all of the republic. She agreed . I went to the srudio where she has them made.

There were tonnes of national costumes here. But I ended up wearing one of her personal ones!

I chose a black and gold outfit. It was too short on the bottom and the arms were not long enough so Aimani and her assistant ended up making alterations on it immediately.

So, since this was not live singing at the show, all I had to do was remember the words and move my mouth. I went to rehearsal at the grand concert hall, and then I went with Aimani to get changed and have make-up done.

Finally, at about 4;45pm we arrived at the concert hall. All the performers had to be in separate cars to get out and walk the red carpet. My car was last. But.... while waiting for the red carpet thing to start, the hosts of the show and Ibbi and I just sat in a big limo and drank ice tea.

and of course I was on the phone with Madina - who was already inside the concert hall.

I admit, my outfit was really over the top - but isn't that what being on stage is for? Hahhahah.

I did my performance, and now I am relieved. It was my first stage performance singing in Chechen. The president was there, his wife, the mayor of Grozny and Gudermes and every other official person you can imagine. There was also a film crew from France.

Anyway - I am glad it is over. Today is Sunday at 6.28am. I just woke up 20 minutes ago . I better go back to sleep because I have editing at 9.30am and the rest of the week I am slammed with work.

Officially a корреспондент

2010-02-17T18:07:00.005+03:00

I received my card yesterday that says I am a correspondent "корреспондент". It took a long time to get.
And here my colleague Tamilla and I are posing in Said Sellim's office. She told me about the first Chechen music awards that are on this Saturday - something like the Grammy's. I am going!!!!

Back in the saddle again......

2010-02-16T06:45:00.002+03:00

It's 6:37am - I woke up at 4:30.....I am up too early these days. Probably because I fall asleep before 8pm.

Yesterday was Monday, and...I am back to work. I didn't realize it would take so much effort to make a 10 minute special report - it is taking up all my time.
I decided to ask Lom Ali from the TV station to co-host this special report with me - he agreed. But... I have to be on his show in return. Today Ibbi and I are on his show - I am the guest. I have no idea how this will turn out because he didn't give me any questions to review before airtime - and he said there will be none. Hahaha. So, at 1pm today I will be under pressure on TV being drilled by Lom Ali Zurushev. Thank god Ibbi is with me.

I have so much to do today - I better get started. What am I going to wear? This is the first time I have been on TV in 2 months. So much prep work. So much makeup. hahaha

The Land of OZ

2010-02-14T13:25:00.002+03:00

I have been back in Grozny for 3 days now. My jet lag is over and I am sleeping normal hours.
I have been engrossed in OZ for 2 weeks straight. I am on Season 4 ....I feel like I live in this maximum security prison.

There is only 1 more season left...I will probably start watching this again from season 1 . Being the only foreigner living here in Grozny, I feel that this lot on OZ are my friends. Hahaha, sad - I know.

Last night I went to Grozny City mall to see Avatar - again. This is the 2nd time I have seen it, but it is such a good movie and my friend hadn't seen it yet.

Afraid that nothing interesting is happening at the moment - but that will all change in the next week once filming for the show starts.
In the meantime, I am going to write a few scripts and pop in season 5 of OZ.

Don't Player Hate - Congratulate.

2010-02-05T00:08:00.006+03:00

Why do people do it? Why do people sit around and hate , gossip and say nasty things about people that they don't even know? I did some research on the internet about haters.

It turns out that haters are afraid, jealous, insecure, loath themselves and are jealous of successful people.
Too bad - so sad.

I love this song by Notorious B.I.G called Playa hater - press play and turn it up!

Goodbye friends, and remember.....

Lets move on to more interesting and warmer memories....

Like last year's Oscar Party in LA thrown by Christian Dior and Vanity Fair - it was great.

Too bad I won't be in North America this year to watch the Oscars.

Wow - 2 new interviews posted in 1 day - I am so popular. Hahaha.

2010-01-15T02:20:00.002+03:00

КРИСТАЛ КАЛЛАХАН: МНЕ ПО ДУШЕ ЧЕЧНЯ И ЧЕЧЕНЦЫ
14.01.2010 г.

14.01.2010 /12:17/
Вообще-то, я крайне редко беру интервью у коллег. В последний раз, если не ошибаюсь, беседовал с известным российским журналистом Александром Любимовым. И то по поводу того, что он на одной из пресс-конференций в Доме журналистов России назвал Чечню зоной терроризма. Это было в 1996 году.
А сегодняшняя моя собеседница – ведущая английской версии ГТРК «Грозный» «Чечня сегодня» г-жа Кристал Каллахан, несомненно, заслуживает того, чтобы с ней познакомились читатели «Молодежной Смены». - Мисс Кристал, Вы сделали на Западе завидную карьеру фотомодели и репортера. Чем объяснить такой, своего рода парадокс, что оказались в нашей республике, которую пока еще трудно сравнивать с сытым и довольным Западом?

- Я по натуре увлекающаяся личность и меня всегда тянет на новое, неизведанное, экстремальное. Но в случае с приездом в Чечню я не сказала бы, что здесь так опасно или неудобно. С приходом к власти Рамзана Кадырова в ЧР и, особенно в Грозном, произошли разительные перемены. По некоторым параметрам Грозный не уступает не только российским городам, но и западным мегаполисам.

Земля, как говорится, полна слухами. Я, например, слышал, что Вас в Чечню сманил известный специалист по челюстно-лицевой хирургии, живущий и работающий в Соединенных Штатах…

- У Вас не совсем верная информация. С Хасаном мы очень хорошие друзья, но приехала я в Чечню благодаря министру ЧР по внешним связям, национальной политике, печати и информации Шамсаилу Саралиеву. Он был очень заинтересован моей работой и оказал поддержку в осуществлении моих проектов в Чечне, а также дал мне шанс вести программу на телеканале «Грозный».

А как у Вас складываются отношения с чеченскими коллегами. Можно ли сказать, что Вы уже адаптировались в коллективе и, вообще, насколько комфортно чувствуете себя в республике, среди чеченцев?

- Сотрудники ГТРК «Грозный» очень дружелюбны и любезны, так что работа идет гладко. И у меня есть все необходимое для дела: оператор, монтажер, переводчики, которые прекрасно выполняют свою работу. Что касается адаптации, то сейчас мне намного легче жить и трудиться в местной социальной среде, чем полгода назад, когда я приехала в эту республику. Сегодня я, более-менее, могу общаться с людьми на русском языке, а чеченские обычаи и традиции для меня не экзотика.

Недавно на юбилейном концерте Государственного ансамбля танца ЧР «Вайнах» я заметил, как Вы с неподдельным интересом наблюдали за танцорами, не сдерживая эмоций, восторгались происходящим на сцене. Интересно, а сами Вы не пробовали освоить лезгинку?

- Ансамбль «Вайнах» - блестящий и признанный во всем мире хореографический коллектив и им невозможно не восхищаться. Что касается моего отношения к лезгинке, то я беру уроки чеченского национального танца и учу чеченские песни. Уверена, человек, который более или менее длительное время проживает в иной национальной среде, должен уважать местные обычаи, традиции, выучить местный язык. В связи с этим, я не могу понять, так называемых «русскоязычных» людей, которые живут среди чеченцев десятилетиями и не удосуживаются, хотя бы из уважения, выучить даже несколько чеченских слов.

Вы уже успели завоевать добрую репутацию в качестве ведущей английской версии ГТРК «Грозный» «Чечня сегодня». Интересует ли Вас мнение зрителей и есть ли обратная связь с ними?

- Конечно, интересует. И обратная связь тоже есть. Отзывы, в основном, положительные. Особенно от тех, кто живет за рубежом. Кое-кто из них, оказывается, и не знал, что в Грозном есть рестораны, развлекательные заведения. В Интернете практически отсутствует такая информация, поэтому наши передачи восполняют этот информационный пробел.

Мисс Кристал, интересно узнать: насколько долгосрочны Ваши планы жить и работать в Чечне?

- Во всяком случае, мне пока живется и работается здесь нормально. Мне нравится грозненское ТВ, мне по душе Чечня и симпатичны сами чеченцы. Сейчас работаю над новой программой. Посмотрим, как отреагирует зритель. В наше время загадывать на длительную перспективу – занятие бессмысленное, но сейчас я в ЧР чувствую себя, как говорится, в своей тарелке.

И последний вопрос. Так как мы встретились в самом начале 2010 года, хотелось бы узнать, что бы Вам хотелось пожелать в новом году своим зрителям, да и всем жителям нашей республики?

- Вряд ли я буду оригинальна в своем ответе. Своим зрителям, всем чеченцам и другим жителям Чечни желаю мира, здоровья, счастья. Ведь чеченский народ заслужил его, как никто другой…

Благодарю, мисс Кристалл, и от имени читателей «МС» желаю Вам новых удач в новом году.

- Баркалла!

Вел беседу Замид Аюбов

Radio Free Europe Interview

2010-01-14T17:55:00.002+03:00

Canadian Model Unlikely New Face Of Chechen TV

Chrystal Callahan calls her job ''a dream come true'' and says she has never regretted her decision to trade the catwalk for a career on Chechen television.

January 13, 2010

By Claire Bigg

Chrystal Callahan likes shopping, designer clothes, and fine cuisine. Much of her weekly television show, "Highlights of the Week with Chrystal Callahan," is devoted to beauty and fashion, with a sprinkling of folk culture and music.

From her job description, one would never guess the Canadian model-turned-anchor is broadcasting from Chechnya, a region still reeling from two devastating wars.
Although the conflict is officially over, thousands of civilian war victims are believed to still be buried in the dozens of mass graves that dot the Russian republic. Kidnapping and murder are rife in Chechnya, which remains one of the most deadly places in the world for human rights activists.

But the Toronto-born former model says she feels at ease in her adopted land. Speaking to RFE/RL by phone from Grozny, she acknowledges life in the Chechen capital can be dangerous. But she insists the risks are now no worse than those in crime-troubled Western cities like Chicago or Mexico City.

"I feel completely safe. I think the problem with many people and why they might feel so frightened about coming to Chechnya is because of all the negative press," Callahan says.

"There's usually never any good stories coming out of Chechnya that are covered by the media, so I think that's what the problem is."

The Face Of Chechnya

Callahan is determined to set the record straight.

Since June 2009, she has hosted her television show on Chechen state-run television, which casts a decidedly positive spin on life in the North Caucasus republic.

The show appears every Sunday evening in English with Russian subtitles. "Highlights of the Week" consists of three sections -- a news review, a cultural feature on a topic of her choosing, and a Q&A session in which she answers questions sent in by viewers.

Callahan says the 20-minute program deliberately avoids difficult and negative topics.

Initially intended for Chechens and Chechnya-watchers living abroad, it broadcasts both across Russia and abroad via satellite. But Callahan says the program has also proven popular in Chechnya, and has transformed her into a local celebrity.

Callahan, who says she's in her 20s, calls her job "a dream come true" and says she has never regretted her decision to trade the catwalk for a career on Chechen television.

She first came to Chechnya in 2007 as a budding filmmaker to shoot a documentary about a group of teenage Chechen wrestlers struggling with the legacy of war.

That's when Callahan, who describes herself as "obsessed" with Chechen traditional music and dancing, floated the idea of working for local television.

She is now the head-scarf-wearing spokeswoman of Chechnya's state campaign to improve the image of the republic and convince the world that the separatist insurgency has been crushed and that wartime tribulations are a part of the past.

WATCH: "Highlights of the Week with Chrystal Callahan"

'Positive, Not Propaganda'

Many Chechens are grateful to Callahan for shedding light on everyday life in a region known for little else but war.

But critics say her view of Chechnya is skewed. They accuse her of being a willing cog in the propaganda machine of Ramzan Kadyrov, the Kremlin-installed leader of Chechnya, who has been aggressively promoting his own cult of personality and whom rights groups accuse of massive abuses, abductions, and torture.

She has been compared to famous British journalist Walter Duranty, who headed "The New York Times'" Moscow bureau from 1922 to 1936 and is now widely criticized for his favorable portrayals of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.

A series of ads for Russia Today were recently rejected by U.S. airports.

In fact, Callahan is just one of many bright young Westerners who make a living by helping spruce up the image of troubled regimes across the post-Soviet space -- at outfits such as the English-language television channel Russia Today, for instance, or the U.S. PR agency Ketchum, hired by the Kremlin in 2006 to manage its public image.

But Callahan, who declines to discuss how much she earns for her work, defends her program, saying she is honoring the Chechen culture.

"I show the beautiful side of how people try to preserve their culture and traditions. I feature people and stores that make positive changes to the republic," Callahan says.

"The last time I checked in the dictionary, the word positive did not equal propaganda."

Inspired By Kadyrov

Kadyrov features prominently in the news section of Callahan's program, which week after week airs footage of him opening hospitals, visiting schools, and unveiling monuments.

The website that carries Callahan's show, chechnyatoday.com, regularly runs stories extolling Kadyrov, with headlines such as "The Chechen Republic President Is The Greatest Hope" or "Activity Of The Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov Has Been Compared With Policy of Peter the Great."

Although Kadyrov himself has publicly admitted to killing some of his opponents, many see the Chechen leader -- who has taken much of the credit for a vast reconstruction program bankrolled by Moscow -- as the man who ended the war and rebuilt the North Caucasus republic.

Ramzan Kadyrov with his son at a racetrack on Police Day in Gudermes.

Callahan, who first met Kadyrov in 2007 over ice cream and coffee, is one of them.

"My first impression was, wow, what a down-to-earth person. He was funny; he made really funny jokes. He was clever. He was a gentleman.

But what stood out the most was that he is extremely proud of his homeland and culture. He's very charming. To be honest, I've never met anyone like that.

"It made me want to work even harder on anything I did from then on, because I saw this person who was giving his entire self, making massive advancements in preserving culture, reopening schools and hospitals."

The killing of several Chechen human rights campaigners last year, including fierce Kadyrov critic Natalya Estemirova, has not shaken Callahan's stated faith in the Kadyrov regime.

As far as she is concerned, accusations of rights abuses against him are mere "speculation, rumors, and gossip."

Despite the controversy surrounding her employer, Callahan is in no hurry to leave Chechnya. She has just signed a new, one-year television contract and is exploring the seemingly endless career possibilities offered by the postwar region.

She has recently published a book, "Diary of a Fashion Model in Chechnya," and even appears to be eyeing a career in music, with the recent release of a song in Chechen.

Words for Дицлуп дац

2009-12-31T04:54:00.003+03:00

Дицлуп дац суна и денош

йицлур яц суьйренаш суна

хьо вара дагахь со тешаш

аса а дог деллера хьуна

хьо вара дагахь со тешаш

аса а дог деллера хьуна

Ахьам со юртта д1айоьху

Асам хьо кхойкху сайн г1ала

Кхузахь а бетан нур гойта

Малх г1отту жил1алам къагош

Кхузахь а бетан нур гойта

Малх г1отту жил1алам къагош

Ларво хьо буьйсана а дийнахь

самах ю г1енахь ю хьоьца

Безаман ц1екхеста кийрахь

Даимма веха хьо соьца

Безаман ц1екхеста кийрахь

Даимма веха хьо соьца

I'm in Moscow

2009-12-17T19:34:00.005+03:00

This morning I left Grozny to fly to Moscow. I decided to upgrade my ticket to business class - smart move. The plane was delayed and I had nooooooo stress at all. VIP rules!

ME, RUSLAN and MADINA in VIP lounge at Grozny Airport

Finally - I made it from Vnukovo airport in Moscow to my hotel. It took 3 hours. BTW - the temperature is like -28 C. I have taken no photos here .

Last night my homeboy Rustam (AKA Hollywood ) called me to go to dinner with him and a couple other people.

My homeboy Rustam ( he also owns Safo - the store that Xeda and I did a commercial for )

At dinner, I met this Chechen lady - her name nickname is "Josie".

"JOSIE"

About 30 minutes into us talking, she told me she had sent a couple emails to me. Then she gave me her email address - and everything became clear.....

Several months ago, a strange guy was asking Artur and I a crazy question about Kate Winslet.

This is Artur in case you forgot ( one of the team and translator )

ARTUR KURBANOV

Anyway......this guy at the TV station would not stop asking Artur and I these crazy questions about Kate Winslet.

3 days later, I received an email at my Grozny TV account that was from Kate-Josie Winslet! I freaked out - I thought it was this guy who was now harrassing me by email. Another mail from this Kate Winslaet address was sent a couple months later - I ignored them both.

However....last night this girl gave me her email address - she is Kate - Josie Winslet!!! hahahhaha. Ooops. At least I don't have a crazy dude sending me nutty emails.

"Josie" ( AKA Kate Winslet ) and Me

For dinner last night I ate sadge. It was not as good as Grozny City, but it was OK

Me and Sadge - hahahahha

Last Day in Grozny before Christmas Vacation

2009-12-16T18:01:00.005+03:00

Well - almost vacation. I will be working most of the time doing a special report for Grozny TV.

Yesterday started off with me rocking out to music. I can't remember what I was listening to. I was so happy to know that all I had to do was go to the studio and do a New Year's greeting.

When I got to the TV station - the director I had to read the greeting in Russian. I had nothing prepared in Russian - only English! Disaster. In the end everything worked out and I read my Russian New Year greeting sentence.

BELOW: Me and Lom-Ali ( this dude has a 2 talk shows on the air. He has such a cool attitude and personality )

But, I ran into another problem - my platok was blue and so was the background for the greeting commercial. Uggghhhh- Madina had to go borrow one from some chick in the news room.

Madina and I ( me in new platok from random person - I wish it was mine! I love the colour!!)

Of course, all of a sudden this dude shows up from Neotek advertising department ( a company I did a commercial for a few months ago and the sponsor of my song ) Apparently I am to shoot a new commercial. NOW. OMG!!! Seriously?? What am I supposed to wear? I ran home and changed , came back to the studio and did the Neotek commercial.

Above are some random studio shots.

Next I went to the control room - I could hear my song playing. Turns out all the dudes there were watching the video.

I then went to sushi - I had a 2.5 hour lunch. ahahhahaahaha.

Last night was also the final show for Young Stars competition - I didn't go, I decided to pack. I could hear fireworks going off at the Bolshoi Koncert Nazal - I took some photos - only 1 came out. Today I texted Xeda to see who won:

Grand Prize - Tamila Sagaipova

Runner Up - Markha Obitaeva

I don't know who they are. I have to get photos of them later and post.

OH - at lunch there were kittens in the restaurant, they were so cute!

" Дицлур Дац " my first Chechen music video

2009-12-13T09:23:00.015+03:00

Well, I did it.

I feel relieved that this video is complete. I put it on Youtube last night. It premiers on Grozny TV today.

Said-Sellim the President of the TV station has not seen it yet.

above photo:ME AND SAID-SELLIM ( he's the President of Grozny TV )Hahahhaha. It is yet another surprise for my employers, including Shamsail.

I am so happy this season is over. I am exhausted and have bags under my eyes. I look like I am 100 years old. I am taking 3 weeks off and going home. Yeah!!! However...this is a working trip. I have to make a special report for Grozny TV while I am away.

My reminder just went off on my phone. My friend Khassan Baiev is arriving in Moscow today! Hooray!!!!!! I am so happy he is coming back to Chechnya. He will stay for 4 months. He is one of the most AMAZING people I have ever met. I can't believe that a person like him exists. After I read, Grief of My Heart: Memoirs of a Chechen Surgeon , I felt that I never should complain about ANYTHING ever again. Everyone should read this book.

Today I am supposed to be packing, however....I hate packing. I always put this off until the last possible minute - then I have a meltdown because I am completely overwhelmed and start crying. My family has seen this many times. Instead of packing, I am going to my friends house ( my family in Chechnya ) in Chernorechie and I am spending the night. I haven't seen them in 1 month. These are actually the closest people to me here in Chechnya.

Here is me and my friend Fatima:

One time I stayed over in Chernorechie in the summer. There were so many mosquitos out at the time, I could hardly sleep. Eventually I fell asleep and had to get up early to get back to the city and meet Shamsail in his office. I woke up and my eye was completely swollen shut. A mosquito totally attacked my eye ....and here is what it looked like:

I FREAKED OUT!!!!!!! I thought...... I HAVE TO MEET SHAMSAIL IN DOM PICHATI!!!!!!!! HOW CAN I GO INTO THE STREET LOOKING LIKE THIS????!!!!!!

Fortunately for me, Fatima is real ДИК ЗУД and she had some ointment. I went to visit Shamsail and looked normal....well -kind of normal.....and BTW - this is the day I got hired for Grozny TV.

OK, I am going to take a shower and go to the village. Fatima is making khingalsh and manti for me. My favourite food!!!!!!! I will take photos.

Countdown to esharsh premiere

2009-12-12T02:19:00.008+03:00

Hi!!!! I am in bed and wide awake. I am not even tired and it is 1:44am. I don't know why I am up so late.

Probably because this week is the last show of the fall season and I have 3 weeks off from next Thursday until we start filming the winter season.

Earlier in the week I shot the 2nd part of my music video - it was an extreme location. The director, cameraman and my other assistant/translator Artur had to climb a building that is under construction by some Turkish or Uzbek company. It has 14 flights and bricks were falling everywhere. We needed to get to the roof. I have no idea how the director pulled this off - but he did. I climbed this entire unsafe building in a full face of make-up, hair extensions and an over the top outfit. By the time I got to the top I wanted to pass out and hurl. The view was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Above: Artur on his first day back to work after a one month vacation gets stuck climbing a building , holding my esharsh lyrics and reciting this sappy love song to me when I forget the words. Hahhahahah. Poor dude.

I've seen all the Chechen pop Divas do this stance. Usually they are singing with their arms open and the mountains are behind them - this is the most popular move to pull if you are a Chechen singer. I didn't pull it off so well though. I look like I am confused.

This is the director of the shoot laughing because of this extreme location first thing in the morning. It wasn't funny.

Again, I look confused.

Dokka, Me and my absolute favourite cameraman.........IBRASHKA!!!!!!

Me and Artur - the shoot is over. Now we need to get back to Dom Pichati...there are 1000 more things to do today.

This was such a great location, however - it was all a waste. When I saw the footage later, I looked like I had been beaten. The lighting was awful which made me look awful. We had to scrap all the footage. There is only 1 moment of 3 seconds we could salvage. I'm not sure I like it. It doesn't fit the other footage. All of a sudden I am on top of a building - it makes it seem like i am going to jump over the edge and commit suicide because I am so depressed...... according to the lyrics of this song.

VIDEO SHOOT # 3

Lets start with introducing the video editing director. His name is Islam. When Madina and I met him, he looked at the footage and said - this is just not going to work. Then , his head starting spinning with all sort of new ideas.

Islam - the music video director

Madina is taking notes while he explains to her that we need more shots, MORE FOOTAGE, MORE TIME and on and on.

Finally - he tells her to just make a list of shots that we need to hand to the cameraman. So she does it.

And at this stage, we know this guy is another eccentric artist working at Grozny TV. Since this is the first time we have met him - we're not sure what to expect.

Next thing you know, he has ordered me to re-shoot in the studio the next day - and ....here it is.

Again, we are not sure what to expect on this shoot. All we know is it involves a fan, only 2 spotlights, an eccentric director and our favourite cameraman IBRASHKA.

I am nervous, so I look for more lipstick to apply.

I am nervous, so I put on more face powder.

and more face powder.

Now I am looking over the directors shoulder wondering what his plans are and if I will look like a complete fool. Well, go figure - this is how it sounds folks:

A mixed race American/Canadian fashion model shoots her first Chechen esharsh music video with an eccentric director from Grozny . By the way, she's singing in Chechen.

Now I'm checking on Ibrashka. Why? I have no clue. Because I am nervous.

In my own mind I am thinking - Chrystal, you damn fool. Why couldn't you just learn a poem in Chechen and recite it on the air for Noxchi Mott. Why the hell did you go so far over the top with this damn song. Why are you sitting in this studio singing a love song in Chechen ?

I had no answers to the questions in my head. And while I was thinking these thoughts - visions of me getting laughed out of the republic arose often.

Here goes the fan to blow my platok ( headscarf )

Ibrashka has to write a fake love letter as one of my props in the video.

Well folks, that's all I have for today. The video will premiere on Sunday night. It will be on Youtube Monday or Tuesday. There is no going back now. All I can say is - I did my best and Chechen is a difficult language.

A day with Xeda Xamzotova

2009-12-09T00:06:00.002+03:00

Today was less stessful than yesterday and I actually finished earlier. The only panic I had was when Madina told me that Ibrashka was not out cameraman and we had Yusup again. He is a true artist this Yusup - great at what he does, but too eccentric for me. He makes me nervous - I have to direct the shoot, check everything, take part in the shoot, trouble shoot and now watch that the cameraman is not lost in space.
And here is the first photo of the day - yes, it's Yusup.

and here we have Yusup and Madina.

OK - so, we are at this school in Microyan where Xeda is working as a music teacher.We started by taking some photos with the principal...

and some other staff members...

Next , we go to Xeda's place ( yes , she is from Starie Atagi village but her and the family have an apartment in the city )

OH NO!!!!!!! Yusup's eccentricity is coming out! He has been good for too long today - I wonder how long it will be before he looses the plot completely. LOL

Xeda is serving us lunch.

and holding a piece of chicken, everyone cracked up laughing after this photo.

Just keep eating Yusup - keep busy. Only one more location to go to after this - hold it together. haha

Me and Xeda's mom.

Madina is starving - as usual. We are always sooo hungry. She is eating carrot salad like crazy. hahahha

Last location - back to the school to film Xeda give a class. The kids were great.

This episode with Xeda will air in January and be the first episode of the Winter season.

After this, Xeda;s dad dropped us off at the TV station because they were going there as well. Xeda had to be on the cooking show by 3pm.

I went shopping for some groceries and went out to eat with my friend for dinner. The day is over. I am in editing tomorrow morning from 9am to start my music video. I am nervous that the footage looks bad - I haven't seen it yet.

I have taken my platok ( headscarf ) and make-up off and I'm going to sleep. It's 12am in Grozny!

GOOD NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!

A day with Aimani Aidamirova

2009-12-07T21:12:00.007+03:00

What a long day! Went to visit the Queen of Esharsh (Chechen music) at her house and film her. What a trip. She is so cool. Her home is gorgeous.
The morning started out the same as usual - Madina and I were starving and our stomach's were growling so loud they were drowning out the interview. Then...the power went out - so we had to stop the interview. Aimani gave us a cake to eat! Yes!!!

Oh - did i forget to mention that we had the most eccentric cameraman today??!!! Yusup. He is AWESOME but very hyperactive - here he is making a fire at Aimani's house.

1/3 through the day - Madina, Aimani and Yusup realized that they were all related somehow.

1/2 way throughthe day - Aimani decided to cook traditional Chechen lunch of animal guts, hingalsh and galnash. Guess what??/ I also had to cook with her. Hahahhhaa - I was so not prepared for this.

And here is Madina trying animal guts for the first time....

I think she liked it. To be honest - it sounds gross but it wasn't bad. It wasn't what I expected - in a good way.

OK - lunch is over, we're off to check out her backyard where she had traditional Chechen towers built. Bur first - she gave me her coat to war - yes...another fur!!! I have never worn so much fur in my life!

The day is almost over - Aimani wants me to wear one of her dresses - so I do.

And just to make things authentic............well, even more authentic - she gave me the antique water jug to carry water through her backyard. It looks cool - but it is very difficult ot carry this thing. I can't imagine how heavy it is when full of water!!!!!

Here the strain is showing on my face...

Now - it is the end of the day. All interviews complete. All scenes filmed - Culture section for the show is complete and it's only Monday.

Here is the final photo - me and Aimani's 2 daughters ( she has 4 , but the other 2 weren't home )

This week I am waaaaay behind

2009-12-05T17:23:00.007+03:00

OMG - My show was a disaster this week so I had to cook just to have some thing to show on TV. NOTHING worked out.
I went to the horse milk place - no milk
Ice skating rink - no ice
Movie theatre - no film
Called a lady to teach me to make a cake - she confirmed and didn't show up
Went to the newest restaurant in Grozny - no food - they are not open yet.

Absolute nightmare week - so....I am cooking SISKEL, an ancient Chechen dish that comes from the mountains - they ate this stuff bc it is healthy and meat was scarce. Whatever, I am not such a good cook and not really fond of it.

Today first thing in the morning I had to go shoot a commercial for my friend's clothing store - Safo. Me and Xeda Xamzotova did it. It was cool. I am going to her house on Tuesday morning to interview her.
BTW - What am I wearing?? I look so strange - this is so not my style, but in every recent photo I have taken, I am wearing tonnes of FUR! Hahahahha. I just want to wear sweat pants, trainers and a cool t-shirt with arm warmers.

I am off to editing in 40 minutes. Bekhan my editor is going to be pissed. Because the show was ruined this week - we are a day behind in editing and probably have to work 2morrow ( Sunday )

Poor Bekhan - I will bring a lot of sunflower seeds ( our favourite thing to eat in the editing room, the thing hated most by the maids )

BEKHAN - the best editor.

Me and Beks on a happier day. A day where we actually finished on time!

NO HORSE MILK and Chechen Freestle Rap Battle

2009-12-02T23:57:00.008+03:00

UUUUUUUGGGGHHHHHH.....Maybe it is just TV business - I don't know. Whatever can go wrong - always does. For instance....
Today Madina ( who is my assistant and translator ) went to a village like 1 hour away from Grozny to meet the head of Chechen Agro Holdings and go to a KUMIS factory ( Kumis is made of horse milk ) . The plan was for me to get to the farm, milk a horse, try the milk...whatever. Of course we set this up before - but when we got there, they told us the horses stopped producing milk 1 month ago and the factory was closed. More than that - there is no Kumis available because it is out of season!
So......whatever. We just interviewed some people and - took some photos.

After that....I was on my way to go ice skating for the 2nd part of the show - however....the ice was melted and wouldn't be frozen again until next week NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My show is falling apart this week!!!!!
Yurt Da called me to say that there was a rap battle on tonight at the Show Club in Microyon - so I went. It kicked ass! These guys were really good - one in particular. he ended up winning. He can speak English and has an accent like an American homeboy . These other guys were crip walking, popping and locking and breakdancing. I had so much fun. Here are the photos.

Chechen Music Video and Child Models

2009-12-01T21:20:00.009+03:00

Today I shot the first half of my music video. I am singing a love song in Chechen. Why did I do it? I ask myself this more and more frequently. I am completely nervous about this. My accent is too strong, I don't pronounce words correctly and I am singing the sappiest love song imaginable. It sounds great in if you don't know the meaning in English - but once I had the lyrics translated to English i thought - OH NO!!!! I can't say this....but I did. I recorded it and the video is almost finished. It is premiering on next week's show!!!!
Here are some photos from the shoot. I am dressed completely like a local girl. I suppose it will fit the video content. Whatever, sometimes you have to take risks. Hahahhahaha.

Last week was a total scene. As usual, something always happens and one of the featured people n the show cancels. At the last minute Madina and I had to find something else to do.
We ended up featuring a designer that uses child models. It was over the top. A lot of drama, a lot of photos , a lot of stage moms. In the end it all worked out - however, I wanted to cry 1/2 way through the shoot.

I hate Sunday's - but not this one...

2009-11-22T17:56:00.002+03:00

I usually hate Sunday's. Always have. There is never anything good on TV and nothing to do. However, this Sunday I spent in my apartment eating sunflowers seeds, carrot salad, surfing the web (yes, Chechnya's gone 3G!!) and watching Season 1 of OZ. Why did I only bring one season of Oz and 5 season's of Footballer's Wives?? I watched all 5 seasons of FBW's in 2.5 weeks.
I was supposed to go to my Chechen language lesson at 1pm but my teacher called and canceled. Can't say that I am sad about it. I am happy to stay inside and in bed all day before going back to work tomorrow.

In other news, I need to re-record my 1st Chechen pop song. Well, it's not really pop because I decided to go with traditional / national style music. It isn't working out too well. My manager Yusup ( AKA Yurt DA ) thinks the tempo needs to be sped up. I agree. The only problem is....I still can't pronounce the following sounds ( г1, Кх, Къ, КI, Оь, Уь, Хь, Х, ЦI, Юь, Яь ) I feel like I will never be able to make these sounds, but I do see progress.
No esharsh (эшарш ) debut for another 2-3 weeks.