There is a custom in Bulgaria, a strange one, according to which the remaining of the navel string has to be thrown at a place that will show the future development of the person. I know that my navel string has been thrown at the Bulgarian Academy of Arts. What inspired my mother and my father are probably my father’s skills in drawing – he was quite good but a decade ago he gave up all and has not painted since then. I blame him for this but…

I believe that it is high time for me to reveal to you my interest in arts. Following my father’s steps I started my education at a school where arts were studied more than in regular schools. But in 1999 I started attending the First English Language School in Sofia because I knew that I need languages more than art skills, on the first place, which can be developed further in universities or colleges. And after all, I have not given it up – I am still attending courses of art apart from the courses of piano playing but this is a different story.

You know already about my love of art. However the further development of my skills will have to concentrate on something more precise – jewellery making. It all started just over a year ago when I bought a book on fountain pens. The manufacturers were arranged in alphabetical order but apart from the major manufacturers there were included some jewellers who make customised pens. In the beginning I did not care very much about the custom-made pens (I was concentrating on Parker fountain pens and actually I am still concentrated on collecting them). But soon I understood that they are one important part of the world of fountain pens. Then I knew that this is quite attractive to me and decided to dedicate myself on jewellery making even if it remains just as a hobby in the future.

As I said I soon understood the importance of the jewellers. I became familiar with it as soon as I subscribed to a list (e.g. forum) on fountain pens. This happened several months ago when a fellow collector advised me. I was very surprised with it but also extremely pleased. There I can answer questions if I am able to and I can ask about specific pens. I have received some nice feedback. This feedback encouraged me to continue with my hobby. But my collection of fountain pens is enlarging not only because of the support I am gaining on the list – it would be impossible for me to keep it on without the support of my parents (I do NOT mean the financial support).

My mother was very happy to realise that I have finally found my hobby – I have been collecting stamps, coins, phone cards, but I did never reach the end of the joy. Once it is reached you are no longer simply a collector - you become an expert. And the joy of having more than just few pens is indeed great. Unfortunately, it is felt only once in your career as a collector. My mother is a very tolerant person. I believe she is indeed my father’s half. They adore each other. And I can understand them. My father has been a little bit against my hobby in the beginning but he saw that there is no point of being against it. I really think him as an aristocrat. I also have a brother – he is … MY brother. I believe that we are one united family without animals.

After discussing my family, my hobby and my future perspectives I think I’d better say something about myself. I think that the best description of oneself would be given not by him but by the people with whom he is in contact. However, for the purpose of this contest I am supposed to describe myself. On the application form it was requested that I give three words to depict myself. I have been thinking a lot and finally I realised that I am nothing more than an eccentrically reserved and reservedly eccentric vegetarian. But I must mention that there are times when I am in a mood of great selfishness. My extravagant nature is regarded as madness although I think that being eccentric means being loved without obvious reason in an intangible way.

That is all about my behaviour in the unreal world. But when it comes to the reality I am more critical than one could have expected. Generally, I might be enthusiastically critical. That is because I have developed as a person in a different manner – I am not the ordinary boy from school. I am very different and the difference is not expressed in my preferences to classical music and the suit with tie and jacket only. I daresay that my attitude towards life is very different – I think that the moment to enhance my personality and to enrich my manners is just now. But I realise that this opinion of mine differs from the present day understanding. Even though I shall keep with it and I hope that with time the people round me will get used to it. And who knows – I might transform them in me. This is the way I clone myself.