I have nothing to complain about. The food here is good, and it is not cold. Sixty degrees weather is good in my opinion (Fahrenheit, of course). My friend back at home says if the food is good, then I should be fine for the rest of the year. I guess that explains my priorities. No, but really, I am also happy about my progress with the Russian language. I am picking up new vocabulary despite not learning more about the grammar...for now at least!
Please, oh, please, let us get to the grammar rules! The cases are important, and I want more than at-home-review study time. So tomorrow or Monday, I will propose this idea to the teacher. The teachers at school are very accommodating to exchange students, who speak very little Russian already.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Very Cute Friends at School
I noticed that I spend a lot of time in the school library. Even though there are loud school children in there from time to time, there is just a simple piece of mind and peace when I can read a small Russian picture book or textbook from the library--"biblioteka" (similar word in Spanish apparently). The exchange students shared a good chocolate Alphen Gold snack there once with the librarian and a few "wkolniki" (elementary school children).
School has been pasting by more quickly now that we have more variety with our schedule. Also, we have also been to the computer labs a few times, but honestly, I do not do much in there besides try to listen to the Digital Information class, because I feel more comfortable using the Internet at home and my own laptop. It seems like a fun class. They were designing a Russian "Diplom" (Certificate) on Microsoft Word the other day, and I helped my sister figure out how to rotate the page into landscape.
In additional to AFS specific language instruction, we also sit with the 2nd graders to learn Russian handwriting. I am a bit anxious to start learning grammar and skip handwriting, but socially, it is fascinating to see the little children. They are very nice and well-behaved students. They take their class very seriously, raise their hand straightly and stand up to respond to questions. I love seeing their excited faces when they are called upon during class. During breaks between classes, they love to run about the second floor like little balls of energy.
I have made some nice friends with the second graders. I love them! They speak to me in Russian, because they have not learned much English, and I like speaking with them. They ask about America, my opinions on Cheboksary and the cutest things about speaking English. I am so happy that they talk to me, and are understanding/patient with my Russian. When we pass each other in the corridors, the little second graders wave hello. And today, on my way out of school, one of them hugged me! They are so friendly! I feel like I would learn more in a higher grade level of Russian language, but will the students be as nice?
School has been pasting by more quickly now that we have more variety with our schedule. Also, we have also been to the computer labs a few times, but honestly, I do not do much in there besides try to listen to the Digital Information class, because I feel more comfortable using the Internet at home and my own laptop. It seems like a fun class. They were designing a Russian "Diplom" (Certificate) on Microsoft Word the other day, and I helped my sister figure out how to rotate the page into landscape.
In additional to AFS specific language instruction, we also sit with the 2nd graders to learn Russian handwriting. I am a bit anxious to start learning grammar and skip handwriting, but socially, it is fascinating to see the little children. They are very nice and well-behaved students. They take their class very seriously, raise their hand straightly and stand up to respond to questions. I love seeing their excited faces when they are called upon during class. During breaks between classes, they love to run about the second floor like little balls of energy.
I have made some nice friends with the second graders. I love them! They speak to me in Russian, because they have not learned much English, and I like speaking with them. They ask about America, my opinions on Cheboksary and the cutest things about speaking English. I am so happy that they talk to me, and are understanding/patient with my Russian. When we pass each other in the corridors, the little second graders wave hello. And today, on my way out of school, one of them hugged me! They are so friendly! I feel like I would learn more in a higher grade level of Russian language, but will the students be as nice?
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Bonjour and Privet. Confetti and Les Bon-Bons
It feels pretty darn awesome when I don't need to use English. I want to rid myself of speaking English unless absolutely necessary, because I don't want to use English as a "fall-back" language or clutch onto it. Today, we spoke to the French teacher only in Russian and French. While I did relay some words to English to a friend, I liked that I used Russian as translating "middle" language when I spoke to the French teacher. It made me feel really proud about my knowledge in languages. I was also very comfortable speaking in those two languages, although I admit...I am beginning to forget French, while replacing the words with much more Russian nowadays. I haven't touched French since May during the IB examinations!
At home, I mainly speak with my host parents in Russian. While they are curious about how to say certain household items in English, our conversations are mostly basic Russian. I try to maintain good grammar when speaking in Russian, but when I don't have the right words to say, I don't mind breaking a few rules to communicate better. My family consists of amazing people: a mom, dad and two sisters--of 14 years and 7 years. They teach me new Russian words everyday, and make me feel comfortable in the house.
At home, I mainly speak with my host parents in Russian. While they are curious about how to say certain household items in English, our conversations are mostly basic Russian. I try to maintain good grammar when speaking in Russian, but when I don't have the right words to say, I don't mind breaking a few rules to communicate better. My family consists of amazing people: a mom, dad and two sisters--of 14 years and 7 years. They teach me new Russian words everyday, and make me feel comfortable in the house.
Monday, September 5, 2011
A Small Visit
Today we, the three AFS students from Gymnasium 1, visited School No. 46. We've accomplished a big feat by guiding ourselves through the public transportation by ourselves! We knew just enough Russian to get to our school to the next by marshrupka. It was a proud feeling that we did not become lost! It was an even better feeling to see the other Americans for a while. It's only been a week since we last saw each other, but it was nice to play catch up for a little bit. Their school is very nice, and I am a bit jealous that they have such wonderful, young volunteers there.
I lost my red jacket in the McDonalds nearby their school on Sunday, but now there's nothing much I can do. In addition, I left my yellow shirt near my laptop once at camp, but when I returned, the shirt disappeared. Sigh. I cannot be too upset about losing items; it just happens sometimes when I'm careless. I would just like to think someone else will be putting that item into good use. Anyhow, on a more exciting note, that particular McDonalds is famous! I saw that the regularly run commercial was filmed in that restaurant. I think the interior decor is gorgeous, hip and comfortable. It is less crowded than the two floor downtown McDonalds despite being smaller.
I lost my red jacket in the McDonalds nearby their school on Sunday, but now there's nothing much I can do. In addition, I left my yellow shirt near my laptop once at camp, but when I returned, the shirt disappeared. Sigh. I cannot be too upset about losing items; it just happens sometimes when I'm careless. I would just like to think someone else will be putting that item into good use. Anyhow, on a more exciting note, that particular McDonalds is famous! I saw that the regularly run commercial was filmed in that restaurant. I think the interior decor is gorgeous, hip and comfortable. It is less crowded than the two floor downtown McDonalds despite being smaller.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Don't Touch the Moonstones
Downtown Cheboksary is lovely. The buildings are so pretty, and there are also many shopping centers. One of them has a big cinema, where Ira, Tasha, Nadia and I watched Apollo 13 in Russian voice-dub. It was a funny experience that the Americans were "speaking in Russian" and complaining about Russian cosmonauts in space. Tasha and I found it very ironic when the Americans asked where the Russians were on the Moon, but maybe it's just a bad joke between us. We looked around . I gave her a funny look and whispered, "Well...they're right here. They're all around us/"
Surprisingly, it was very easy to sit through, and although the plot was rather sad and plain; the Russian was easy enough to understand. The ending where the ill-fated astronauts said "I am going home" in English was translated over to Russian "I am flying to you" = "Ya lechy tebe" instead, so not all of the film was direct or literal translation. The vocabulary was fairly simple: "moon"="luna", "Russian"="russki", "astronaut"="kosmonaut", etc.
Earlier in the day, the family and friends had a backyard barbecue when we came home from school. Sadly, the rain and "veter" (wind) hit us like Niagara Falls, even our little tent could not prevent us from the damp rain. We rescued the dishes and leftover meat, and evacuated to the garage to finish our meal. We were on a good laugh when I started eating one of the still-raw meat without even realizing it.
Surprisingly, it was very easy to sit through, and although the plot was rather sad and plain; the Russian was easy enough to understand. The ending where the ill-fated astronauts said "I am going home" in English was translated over to Russian "I am flying to you" = "Ya lechy tebe" instead, so not all of the film was direct or literal translation. The vocabulary was fairly simple: "moon"="luna", "Russian"="russki", "astronaut"="kosmonaut", etc.
Earlier in the day, the family and friends had a backyard barbecue when we came home from school. Sadly, the rain and "veter" (wind) hit us like Niagara Falls, even our little tent could not prevent us from the damp rain. We rescued the dishes and leftover meat, and evacuated to the garage to finish our meal. We were on a good laugh when I started eating one of the still-raw meat without even realizing it.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
September 1st
The first day of school was a ceremony rather than class, so the foreign students shortly introduced ourselves, then gave flowers to teachers. I had a great time watching the dance and song performances of the grade school children; they were very well coordinated. Afterwards, I spent time with Tasha and Nadia. For lunch it was Pizza-Nitza--super crowded today afterschool.
After, we went to the shopping center across from downtown mega McDonalds to browse. Then, we walked to amusement park near the Volga River. The ride was slightly scary, but to everyone else, it was a child's show. We also bumped into Pear, our third AFS student in Gymnasium 1, there!
After grocery shopping, the family went to the sushi bar near the house. Of course, there was a great deal of mayonnaise in the rolls. I still find the love of mayo fascinating and strange to my taste buds, but never the less, I found myself very full off "Kalifornia Maki", "Kappa Maki" and "Filadelphia Maki". On the side note, "Smetana" means sour creme, and it is also very prominent as a condiment in Russian cuisine. Go dairy!
My host family drinks kefir sometimes, which is a bit like sour liquid yogurt, but they don't mind if I abstain. I've never liked it before. For everything else, I have eaten or drank. There is also a drink called "kampota" which is similar to watered down apple juice, where the fruits flavor the water. Still, the most popular drink is hands down "chai"--tea! Food and drink in Russia is 10 times better than I had expected, especially since my mother is a skilled/magnificent cook!
After, we went to the shopping center across from downtown mega McDonalds to browse. Then, we walked to amusement park near the Volga River. The ride was slightly scary, but to everyone else, it was a child's show. We also bumped into Pear, our third AFS student in Gymnasium 1, there!
After grocery shopping, the family went to the sushi bar near the house. Of course, there was a great deal of mayonnaise in the rolls. I still find the love of mayo fascinating and strange to my taste buds, but never the less, I found myself very full off "Kalifornia Maki", "Kappa Maki" and "Filadelphia Maki". On the side note, "Smetana" means sour creme, and it is also very prominent as a condiment in Russian cuisine. Go dairy!
My host family drinks kefir sometimes, which is a bit like sour liquid yogurt, but they don't mind if I abstain. I've never liked it before. For everything else, I have eaten or drank. There is also a drink called "kampota" which is similar to watered down apple juice, where the fruits flavor the water. Still, the most popular drink is hands down "chai"--tea! Food and drink in Russia is 10 times better than I had expected, especially since my mother is a skilled/magnificent cook!
Return of the Breakfast Monster
I woke up at 6AM, early so I can add a quick post before my First Day of school. I hope it will be a fun day, although I probably cannot understand most of the Russian for today.
On a lighter note, I was reminded of camp during the last two breakfast meals. During camp, students had to dip their hands in soup to find a secret message, afterwards we cleaned our hands in a nearby stream. It was already uncomfortable, but then we had another food-related task.
We dug our hands into a bucket of brown rice, and after ate a handful of "kasha". Normally, I wouldn't mind grains, but I worried too much about sanitation. The fact that I had to put my hands into the bucket with other people's hands was very off-putting to me. I was over-thinking the task, and managed to gross myself out. Still, I finished.
However, breakfast was an entirely pleasant experience. Kasha was served on a plate with butter. I ate it, and it was delicious. I guess it was just my mind-set that told me that I felt sick. Brown rice is actually quite yummy.
On a lighter note, I was reminded of camp during the last two breakfast meals. During camp, students had to dip their hands in soup to find a secret message, afterwards we cleaned our hands in a nearby stream. It was already uncomfortable, but then we had another food-related task.
We dug our hands into a bucket of brown rice, and after ate a handful of "kasha". Normally, I wouldn't mind grains, but I worried too much about sanitation. The fact that I had to put my hands into the bucket with other people's hands was very off-putting to me. I was over-thinking the task, and managed to gross myself out. Still, I finished.
However, breakfast was an entirely pleasant experience. Kasha was served on a plate with butter. I ate it, and it was delicious. I guess it was just my mind-set that told me that I felt sick. Brown rice is actually quite yummy.
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