I came to Moscow for 2 weeks for entrance exams in July 2000, and got admitted to a 'preparation course' in the Academy of Gnesin. Two months later - September - I came to study.
It was a great year. Galya had been my girlfriend at the time, and we'd spent a great summer together. (30 September - at the beach - oh, what a day!) For half a year I studied according to the program they assigned me, but later realised that I could do much more, and took up several extra subjects, and during the second half year did all the subjects that year 1 composers do. I passed all 9 exams with top marks and got admitted straight to year 2 without having to sit entrance exams!
During the year I composed: 4 pieces for piano, fantasia for piano, a christmas piece for piano and violin and 2 movements to a Sonata. I also wrote an exposition to a piano concerto, but didn't work on it more.
All of a sudden Galya left me for another guy. A shock, frankly..
During the summer I learnt to write fugues and started writing a Mass, probably a Missa Brevis (which has only 2 movements).
I had acquainted with Olya and Masha - two girls from the theoretical faculty (who were year 1 as well) - I studied several subjects with them.
Later, Olya and I got fell in love with each other.
We rented a new apartment closer to the Academy, and in a better place, and now live together.
A year has passed, and the way we love each other - I didn't know such love could exist! We got engaged!!