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Thread: Hello Everyone

  1. #1
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    Hello Everyone

    I would like to introduce myself, my name is Brian Mitchell and I am 31 years old. I actually registered on this site a while ago but this is my first post (I think) and the reason why I am here is because sometime within the next three years I would like to spend time in Russia, perhaps St. Petersburg.

    The first question people ask is “Why Russia? There are plenty of better countries.”

    I don’t have an easy answer for that but I can tell you that when I was young (during the end of the cold war) I remember the adults around me talking about the Russians (or “Reds”) and I remember their hate and mean jokes towards the people over there. Of course this intrigued me and I went over to our crappy knockoff of the Encyclopedia Britannica, looked up Russia, and saw my first glimpse of the Cyrillic language I was captivated by the pictures and little bits of text that our books had. I was also confused as to why everyone hated them so much because from what I saw they were the same people as we were; they had to go to work in the morning just like we do, they were worried about their finances just like we are, and they have to figure out the best way to raise their children just like we do. Needless to say, I didn’t learn a great deal but I think that is where the seed was planted.

    Many years later (almost present tense) I started working for a company called Cemex (I work in the IT field) and they had three people there from Russia who loved to tell me about the people, life, and especially politics of Russia. This was the catalyst that rekindled my desires to learn more about Russia and I am especially fascinated with their descriptions of the society of Russia, the way people live. I found myself comparing the US to Russia on a daily basis and the more I thought about it the stronger my desires were to learn the language and possibly work abroad for a year or so.

    Today I work for another company who has a presence in almost every country in the world and one of the things I will be doing for them is travelling to Moscow and St. Petersburg to maintain our sites. I don’t know when this trip is to occur but I suspect it will be mid 2008.
    So, I’ve finally decided that it’s time to get off my butt and start learning the language, learning the culture, and making new friends. This is why I am here.

    My favorite Russian learning thing to do is to listen to peoples’ stories about the Russian culture and Russian life-I’ve learned so much from my Russian friend here but I want to learn as much as I possibly can about the people, the foods, the activities, not so much the politics, the lifestyles, the careers, the educations …I could go on forever.

    One of my primary tasks now is to learn the language. Over the past two years I have purchased the Ectaco ER800, Both levels of the Rosetta Stone Russian and all three levels of Pimsleur’s Learning Russian (and converted them to MP3). I also have some miscellaneous workbooks to help me with beginning words (ok, they’re Russian Kindergarten picture books but they do have pronunciation keys) and a handful of flash cards. I have looked for professional classes here (I live in Houston,TX) but unfortunately there isn’t enough of a Russian presence to warrant such a thing. I can’t attend college classes because I have a full time day job so I am stuck attempting this on my own. It’s not all bad though because my Russian friend (Oleg) would like to help me when I get stuck or need help understanding concepts.

    I would, however, like to meet new people out there. If you are just learning Russian then we have something in common and if you’re already a pro maybe we can talk once I get a basic understanding. If you have stories about Russia, advice or just random thoughts about Russia I’d love to hear that too. I do use Skype and if need be I can purchase Skype out/in minutes to chat…but I must warn you, I have no grasp of the Russian language as of yet.

    I suspect that as I progress in my lessons I will have questions and problems and brain meltdowns so I hope that this is the kind of community that likes to help the poor soul like me. If not, I’m sure I’ll get a whole host of flames in the replies.

    Well, that’s it in a nutshell and I didn’t mean to give my life story, I am just trying to find the best place here for me to fit in but anyways I’d love to hear from the MastearRussian community and thanks for reading!

  2. #2
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    Great story! You've never been to Russia, as I understand it, right? Well, you're in for a surprise. Whatever you've visually imagined, it is going to be completely different when you go there. I don't know if you'll be pleasently surprised or not, but surprised you'll be! It will be a lifetime experience you'll never forget! And in the meantime, try posting here in Russian and we have some Red Grammar Commies (no Nazis here, only Commies) that will help you see your mistakes

    Welcome to the Russophile club!
    Hei, rett norsken min og du er død.
    I am a notourriouse misspeller. Be easy on me.
    Пожалуйста! Исправляйте мои глупые ошибки (но оставьте умные)!
    Yo hablo español mejor que tú.
    Trusnse kal'rt eturule sikay!!! ))

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by kalinka_vinnie
    Great story! You've never been to Russia, as I understand it, right? Well, you're in for a surprise. Whatever you've visually imagined, it is going to be completely different when you go there. I don't know if you'll be pleasently surprised or not, but surprised you'll be! It will be a lifetime experience you'll never forget! And in the meantime, try posting here in Russian and we have some Red Grammar Commies (no Nazis here, only Commies) that will help you see your mistakes

    Welcome to the Russophile club!
    I don't know, the first time I went to Russia it was pretty much as I expected.
    Ingenting kan stoppa mig
    In Post-Soviet Russia internet porn downloads YOU!

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    Wellcome to the board MagellanTX!

    And it was a very nice greeting speech Vinnie!
    Я так думаю.

  5. #5
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    The first question people ask is “Why Russia? There are plenty of better countries.”
    I'm pretty sure no one will question your motives here !

    And, really there aren't many better countries
    Вот это да, я так люблю себя. И сегодня я люблю себя, ещё больше чем вчера, а завтра я буду любить себя to ещё больше чем сегодня. Тем что происходит,я вполне доволен!

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    first of all... i speak english perfectly and i had a hard time understanding what you wrote...

    A few tips on ANY language...

    1. dont be upset that you cant translate your perfect english too russian... try dumbing it down a bit so you can learn the basics first.
    2. Once you do this, you will start to think in that language, making you able to create like you do in english.
    3. It's hella hard! but dont give up bro!
    Io seeeiiiii che non posso parlare il russo come tu....

    Da vero, sono Italiano!

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    I understood him perfectly, though. Good style. Maybe your English needs polishing, giovanni?
    «И всё, что сейчас происходит внутре — тоже является частью вселенной».

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    Yeah, he typed like an educated well meaning serious person, bro.

    He probly gots a hella good diploma from some off the chain university.
    I wonda how many stacks he paid for that sheet, damn cuz!
    Вот это да, я так люблю себя. И сегодня я люблю себя, ещё больше чем вчера, а завтра я буду любить себя to ещё больше чем сегодня. Тем что происходит,я вполне доволен!

  9. #9
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    ahaha... it was sort of a joke! Just making him aware that he will not be able to talk like this in under 10 years...

    but no bro, my english is fine... Only thing that needs polishing is my russian!
    Io seeeiiiii che non posso parlare il russo come tu....

    Da vero, sono Italiano!

  10. #10
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    Ah... Sort of joke similar to our «Многа букофф».
    «И всё, что сейчас происходит внутре — тоже является частью вселенной».

  11. #11
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    hi magellantx,

    what course material are you using to learn russian? i found the princeton russian course online which is free to download. i've also been waiting for the fsi language courses people to put the russian mp3s up but so far they have not.

    sun rat
    fort worth, tx
    sun rat

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rtyom
    Ah... Sort of joke similar to our «Многа букофф».
    Sort of, тока над его шуткой никто не смеялся

    Post Script...

    Where did Magellan go? I really liked him :*(
    Вот это да, я так люблю себя. И сегодня я люблю себя, ещё больше чем вчера, а завтра я буду любить себя to ещё больше чем сегодня. Тем что происходит,я вполне доволен!

  13. #13
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    Магеллан ушёл в большое плавание.
    «И всё, что сейчас происходит внутре — тоже является частью вселенной».

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rtyom
    Магеллан ушёл в большое плавание.
    Я бы тебе поверил, если бы наш Магеллан было постарше...

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Timofeev
    Quote Originally Posted by Rtyom
    Магеллан ушёл в большое плавание.
    Я бы тебе поверил, если бы наш Магеллан был_постарше...
    Я так думаю.

  16. #16
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    Hi Brian. Like you, I've been visiting this forum for a long while without posting. Now that my summer holidays have begun, I've decided to get some practise, start posting, and not be too uptight about making mistakes. (Thanks very much for correcting my most recent one, Leof!)

    I enjoyed reading your introduction - especially the part about growing up during the cold war and how that influenced you. I'm 37, and it had a similar effect on me, too. Even growing up here in New Zealand, there was a constant feeling of discomfort and worry just below the surface. And a fascination with the mysterious Russians.

    I hope your studies and travels work out well.

  17. #17
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    Good luck with your studies. I am starting out in much the same way doing a little bit of Pimsleur and Rosetta Stone. I am also starting a class on December 5th. It's only two hours a week for eight weeks but at least it will get me access to a native Russian teacher. Russian pronunciation is pretty tough!

    I can't wait to start classes and begin practicing in person with other students.

    Please post and let us know how your studies are going.

    Interesting that my fascination with the language and culture of Russia also started with an interest in history and the cold war.

    Take care!
    -Jason
    Джейсон

  18. #18
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    just to play devils advocate here... i wouldnt do rossetta stone! It's just a personal preforance. i mean, they say you learn the langauge by "actually speaking it" but this is stupid. They give you phrases which you might not even know what they mean. Some are common sense, but others are hard to figure out and it just doesnt work for me.

    But, if you really want to use them, i have both of them. Unless you have some other way to get them free... i can hook you up. My library has this site where it has EVERY pimsleur made... all i have to do is create an account for you. And i have all the pimsleurs on mp3. So just pm me and ill hook you up bro.

    Sorry for being long winded... and anyone else who wants pims or rosetta stone just pm me

    gio
    Io seeeiiiii che non posso parlare il russo come tu....

    Da vero, sono Italiano!

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by giovanni
    just to play devils advocate here... i wouldnt do rossetta stone! It's just a personal preforance. i mean, they say you learn the langauge by "actually speaking it" but this is stupid. They give you phrases which you might not even know what they mean. Some are common sense, but others are hard to figure out and it just doesnt work for me.

    But, if you really want to use them, i have both of them. Unless you have some other way to get them free... i can hook you up. My library has this site where it has EVERY pimsleur made... all i have to do is create an account for you. And i have all the pimsleurs on mp3. So just pm me and ill hook you up bro.

    Sorry for being long winded... and anyone else who wants pims or rosetta stone just pm me

    gio
    "every ROSETTA STONE made..." just to make it clear...
    Io seeeiiiii che non posso parlare il russo come tu....

    Da vero, sono Italiano!

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