In 1977, we were twelve years old girls; my friend and I met during a Junior National swimming competition. I remember, after the finals we were seated in the pool's lobby and waited for the award celebration. In the event we just finished, only a fraction of a second separated us between gold and silver medals. I represented - Sverdlovsk, Russia and Angelika - Minsk, Belarus. After the competition, we were selected to the Junior National Swimming team to participate in the International dual meet between Soviet Union and Germany. Since then, we became very close friends.

Even though, Angelika was not pretty, she was very charismatic. Her big light green eyes stood out on the slightly elongated, white

In the summer of 1985, we graduated from the University. After a graduation, Angelika and the group of friends went camping to the local tourist's camp. She ran-in to a handsome guy, named Andrew. She talked about him all the time and I could see her eyes were delighted. They spent some time together. After few weeks, I received an invitation to their wedding. Something was strange about Andrew. I couldn't understand what, but for some intuitive reason, I didn't like him at all. I told my friend not to rush with her decision, but she insisted on getting married. Of course, there was a party with a lot of alcohol. Immediately after the wedding, she moved to his apartment. Angilika couldn't hide her happiness of marriage and a joy of moving away from her mother.

This entire story I found out recently from Angelika's sister in-law, who called me from Canada and told me how Angelika became a victim of alcoholism. Alcoholism and drug abuse are very common in the former Soviet Union. Several significant factors may be involved; unfortunate life circumstances, economic status, no family support, and the main factor, I think, is the weak willpower and reluctance to strive for better future.

In 1981, my friend and I were admitted to the Belorussian State University. We continued to be active athletes; except, I traveled more often than she. From her correspondence I understood how hard she studied and how after every exam our classmates and she celebrated. Of course, alcohol was involved. Bottles of beer, wine, and "Vodka", Russian made liquor, were emptied during the "celebrations". She talked about it, as it was part of their studying process.

My friend's marriage didn't last long. It was an awful "slavery" for her. She had to clean h

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Approximate Word count = 1177
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)