Looking for language exchange

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Originally Posted by Helenej

About your correction.

“Can a sober-minded person, having beaten up his neighbor even for a bad dead (deal), keep celebrating his victory every year?” Actually I meant deed instead of dead here. Whould this word be appropriate?.

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Yes, "deed" would be appropriate in that sentence.

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I think the problem of choosing the proper preposition in “to remind of” and ”to be proud of” is very much similar to one of choosing the proper case of a noun after a verb in Russian. I mean your question about using the instrumental instead of the accusative. The answer in both cases is “Just memorize and use this way.” Don’t you think?

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I do think sometimes we just have to memorize a way of saying something. But I usually try to change how I think about it so I'm more familiar with the Russian frame of mind.

I found your answer about holidays very interesting.
Я считаю ваш ответа о празники интересно.
Ваше мнение о праздниках мне показалось интересным.

Your ideas were very entertaining.
Ваш идеи очень забавная.
Ваши взгляды очень забавные.

You have a special situation there in the Ukraine, which I’m sure must be a curious way to live.
У вас есть в украине специальная условия, которая наверное любопитный способ жить.
У вас в Украине сейчас особая ситуация. Там, наверное, интересно было бы пожить.

I understand your comparison of old Soviet rule with what you have now.
Я понимаю сравнение старого советского управления с вашей современним жизнью. (It’s definitely not a word-by-word translation of “with what you have now”. But it’s cool. What is that? Google translator?)
Я понимаю ваше сравнение старого советского строя с вашей теперешней жизнью.

You’re right about politicians and their motives, but that’s not unusual.
Вы правильно об политике, даже мотивы на то, что не обычно.
Вы правы относительно политиков и их устремлений, но в этом нет ничего удивительного.

We have the same thing here, except that most citizens have enough freedom and possessions to keep them happy.
У нас есть в Америке все так же но то, что у большинство граждан достаточно независимость и веши для того, чтобы их довольное.
У нас в Америке такая же ситуация за исключением того, что большинство граждан имеют достаточно свободы и собственности для того, чтобы чувствовать себя счастливыми.

The freedom is the most important thing.
Независимость самая важно.
Свобода – это самое важное.

You describe your life well.
Вы хорошо изображаете ваш жизни.
Вы хорошо описываете свою жизнь.

In some ways I’m sad for you.
В каком способ я для вас печально.
В некотором смысле мне вас жаль.

I know you would like your life to be better.
Я знаю вы хотела бы лучше жизнью.
Я знаю, вы хотели бы, чтобы ваша жизнь была лучше.

Your description of Victory day is curious.
Ваш изображения Дня Победы любопитно.
Вы забавно описываете День Победы.

Sometimes European politics amazes me.
Иногда я считаю Европейские политики удивительный.
Иногда европейская политика удивляет меня.
Kevin, don’t believe Pozner. We do have logic. This sentence has the most common structure consisting of the subject and the verbal predicate. So there is no need to stray too far from the original.
The subject is European politics = европейская политика. The predicate is amazes = удивляет.
The direct object is me = меня (accusative).
When we put those together we get европейская политика удивляет меня.

Maybe America is not different in some respects, but I feel we value freedom in a different way than European countries.
Может быть Америка в каком способе не отличит, но я чувствую себя нам важно независимость отличающий от европейского странов.
Может быть, в некотором отношении Америка и не отличается от них. Но я чувствую, что мы ценим свободу иначе, чем европейские страны.
Very much the same. The subject is we = мы. The predicate is value = ценим. The direct object is freedom = свободу (accusative). The adverbial modifier of manner is in a different way = иначе. Мы ценим свободу иначе.

It drives what we do, and we seek to preserve it, I feel.
Это мотив для наш действий и я чувствую себя мы искаем этого сокранять.
Это заставляет нас делать то, что мы делаем, и мы стремимся сохранить ее.

I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on this.
Я любопытно для того, чтоб слышать ваш мысли на это тем.
Мне было бы интересно узнать ваше мнение по этому поводу.
Любопытный presumes that the person is curious about worthless triffles which have nothing to do with them. I’d say that a person is любопытный if they are always eager to know what your neigbor has for lunch today or who is the woman sitting with him in his car.

Religion is a strange subject.
Религия странный тема.
Религия это удивительная тема. Удивильный means exciting curiosity. Странный means the same with some negative attitude like weird.

Many people feel the way you do.
Много люди чувствуют себя так же как вы.
Многие люди считают так же, как вы.
Great. You feel comfortable leaving “do” out. Interesting.

Religion is also one problem that America has, because so many people are zealous about their faith.
Америка имеет это проблем, потому что много люди страстный об их веры.
Религия это также одна из проблем Америки, потому что многие люди слишком ревностно относятся к своей вере.
Too far from the original. The subject is religion. The nominal predicate is “is one problem”.
Religion is one problem = религия это одна проблема or религия это одна из проблем.
Своей вере instead of их вере because вера relates to the subject.

It is a cause for peace, as well as a cause for trouble.
Это причина для мира и волнения.
От нее зависит общественное спокойствие, и она же может стать причиной беспорядков.
Sorry, couldn’t make it shorter. This sounds pretty good.

Both live side by side, and presents a difficult problem for some people.
Живут вместе и представляют проблема для некоторые людей.
Они существуют бок о бок и представляют собой проблему для некоторых людей.

I have had my own resistance, as well as acceptance of religion.
У меня был своего сопротивления и приём религия.
Вместе с неприятием религии у меня есть к ней и положительное отношение.

Yes, New Year’s day is a pleasant holiday.
Да, Новый год прятный праздник.
Да, Новый год это радостный праздник.

I usually see that and Christmas as one extended holiday.
Обычно я соблюдаю Новый год и Рождество как один протянутый праздник.
Для меня новый год и рождество – это один большой праздник.

Since it marks the end of the year, I see those times as the most important to me, and probably my own favorite time of the year.
Потому что его называет конец года, я вижу его мне как самый важно и вероятно своя любимая время годы.
Так как он означает конец года, я считаю это время самым важным для себя, и, наверное, самым любимым в году.

It’s the time when the whole family comes together from wherever they are.
Это время когда всего семьи собирает.
Это время, когда все члены семьи собираются вместе, приезжая из разных мест.

We discuss our lives, and reaffirm our ties.
Мы обсуждаем наш жизней и вновь подтверждать наш связ.
Мы обсуждаем свою жизнь и сильнее чувствуем свое единство.

Sometimes it can be obligatory, but it should be enjoyed, I think.
Иногда обязательно я думаю но то, что любил.
Иногда это носит слишком обязательный характер, но, я думаю, надо уметь получать от этого удовольствие.

I’m sorry, Kevin. You can see what’s going on. Sometimes I have to ask you to keep closer to the originals. And at the same time some of my translations turn out to be so far from them. If I made them closer they wouldn’t sound Russian. Perhaps your sentences are too difficult to start with. Yet the originals are so simple in form. Maybe Eugene was right and you should take a textbook and start with “Меня зовут Кевин. Я живу во Флориде.”? :)
I feel disappointed. I don't seem to be of much help to you.:sad:

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Originally Posted by Helenej

I’m sorry, Kevin. You can see what’s going on. Sometimes I have to ask you to keep closer to the originals. And at the same time some of my translations turn out to be so far from them. If I made them closer they wouldn’t sound Russian. Perhaps your sentences are too difficult to start with. Yet the originals are so simple in form. Maybe Eugene was right and you should take a textbook and start with “Меня зовут Кевин. Я живу во Флориде.”? :)
I feel disappointed. I don't seem to be of much help to you.:sad:

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Well, you actually are a big help to me, Lena. But what I’m concerned about is taking up your valuable time and making you correct me so heavily when you’re so much more advanced in English. Don’t be embarrassed if you need to stop working with me. I don’t want to cause you a lot of trouble, you know. Really, you do help me, but if you’d like me to just write you in English I’ll be happy to do so. I’ll continue to help you with English. Let me know what you think about it all….

Maybe you would prefer shorter notes, too, Helene? I don't have to write so lengthy...lol

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Maybe Eugene was right and you should take a textbook and start with “Меня зовут Кевин. Я живу во Флориде.”?

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Did I say that? :wacko:

No, Kevin, I don’t feel like stopping our language exhange practice. I’m on it unless you put my corrections into the bottom drawer of your desk, saying, “I’m gonna look them through when I’m retired”. My doing that is not trouble at all because I’m learning in this process. I’m trying to remember your patterns, I’m constantly consulting the dictionary and my grammar guide. So I’m only doing things that one inevitably has to do while learning. There is only one new thing to me. I consult the Russian grammar guide, lol. Only some school basics ring a bell to me. I have to look up the rest. But I find it useful, it cannot be otherwise if I want to be helpful and explain Russian to the others here. Besides, I have always been into language mysteries. On top of that I highly appreciate your corrections and explanations. I need them. Who knows when I would stop saying “the more so” instead of “the more” and “to make lesser sense” instead of ”less sense”?:) As for the size of your work, I don’t mind any. I could only return your translations earlier if they were shorter. So it’s up to your choice.

And the last thing. Who knows, perhaps I have inferiority complex and teaching others makes me feel important?:)

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Originally Posted by Eugene-p

Did I say that? :wacko:

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I thought you did. That was the reason for my starting the thread “Let anyone have their own ways”. At least you were against word-by-word translation. I’m against it, too. But bursting into the thick of the language in contrast to gradual piling up words and expressions was Kevin’s choice. And maybe in a while he will prove us that he was not absolutely wrong doing that.

By the way, Eugene, once you are here. :) Can you tell me how can the following be translated?

For the record (or Just for the record or Just for your record) I wasn’t there yesterday.

Is it “к твоему сведению” or is there something else?

Thank you.

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Idioms

(just) for the record

1 used to show that you want what you are saying to be officially written down and rememberedJust for the record I would like to clarify something my colleague said earlier.2 used to emphasize a point that you are making, so that the person you are speaking to takes noticeAnd, for the record, he would be the last person I'd ask.

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record - Definition and pronunciation | Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

So it's more like "для протокола"

*winks*

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Originally Posted by Eugene-p

record - Definition and pronunciation | Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

So it's more like "для протокола"

*winks*

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I see. But how could I put it in Russian if I would like to say it in a friendly one-on-one talk? Let it be “For the record, I have always loved only you”? It cannot be “для протокола”. It would sound too official or maybe ironical sometimes. At the same time “к твоему сведению” sounds too dry and even hostile. Maybe I could say it in a simpler way like “Я хочу, чтобы ты знал”?

Helene it's you who's supposed to be Russian, so turn on your fantasy :)

Btw I doubt that a native English would say "Honey, just for the record, I love you so much!" :)

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Originally Posted by Eugene-p

Helene it's you who's supposed to be Russian, so turn on your fantasy :)

Btw I doubt that a native English would say "Honey, just for the record, I love you so much!" :)

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How should I know whether a native English says that or not? Maybe it’s quite common with them.
I think I’d better get prepared to that in case someone fancies saying that to me.:)

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Originally Posted by Helenej

How should I know whether a native English says that or not? Maybe it’s quite common with them.
I think I’d better get prepared to that in case someone fancies saying that to me.:)

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It's not inconceivable that someone would say that..."Honey, just for the record, I love you so much." In an argument, it's a snide way of making a point. It can also be said in a playful way. As always, the circumstances dictate how one takes it. But you're right Helene, "just for the record" is a very common phrase that's known by all, if not used. Personally, of the two Russian equivalents, I think "к твоему сведению" is probably closer to the meaning...."to your information".

I’m so glad you don’t want to stop, Lena. Your information is invaluable to me. Overall, I just feel that practice is important. Eventually, at some time, one has to begin making one’s own sentences, rather than spitting out memorized phrases. I’m finding out what I lack, for instance, I didn’t know that “сюда” was only used with verbs of motion, or that using “любопитный” is not preferable as a translation for “curious” unless it’s about a mundane trifle. My problem is that I learn slow…I try to remember as much as I can, but I’m bound to continue making mistakes until something “clicks” with me.
One of my faults right now is mistaking when the accusative is used. I also notice I have a problem using the instrumental in the manner that Russians do. It’s just a large amount of information I’m trying to assimilate and put to use. You know Lena, even though you say you don’t mind the amount that you’re having to do, I still feel I should make it easier for you and not get into lengthy work all at one time. I just appreciate so much your efforts, and want to do the same for you. So, let’s just have fun, and learn in the process. We’ll all be better for it, I believe :)

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Originally Posted by kgcole

“любопытный” is not preferable as a translation for “curious” unless it’s about a mundane trifle.

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Maybe I should comment on the word любопытный a little more.
I could apply this word to a woman that is cooking dinner and suddenly hears her neighbors speaking loudly. She stops cooking, leans out of the window and begins listening. Their talk has nothing to do with her. But she keeps trying to catch every word just out of curiosity.

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Originally Posted by Helenej

Maybe I should comment on the word любопытный a little more.
I could apply this word to a woman that is cooking dinner and suddenly hears her neighbors speaking loudly. She stops cooking, leans out of the window and begins listening. Their talk has nothing to do with her. But she keeps trying to catch every word just out of curiosity.

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See, now that doesn't sound too far off from the English meaning; yet, I understand what you were suggesting about using "...интересно узнать...".

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Originally Posted by Helenej

And the last thing. Who knows, perhaps I have inferiority complex and teaching others makes me feel important?:)

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Well, I think some people just like to help because they know someone needs it and it makes them feel good to help. That's the category I think you fall in...lol

Just a little side note here: One has to remember that often American humor uses something negative to mean something happy, or funny, or good; for instance, one might say "You look bad!". If you look the word "bad" up, it has a negative conotation. But when said as slang, it means "you look good!", "you look awesome!". Often Americans say mean things as a joke with someone they are comfortable with. It's called a "burn". If anyone can ever get the TV show "That 70s Show", it illustrates this all the time. A group of friends say mean things to each other all the time, but they do it because they love each other. It's ironic, and that irony is humor to Americans :)

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Originally Posted by kgcole

See, now that doesn't sound too far off from the English meaning; yet, I understand what you were suggesting about using "...интересно узнать...".

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“любопытно узнать” sounds like “I don’t mind knowing that. Yet if you don’t tell me I won’t be disappointed at all”.
“интересно узнать” implies that what the person wants to know is more essential and important to them.
A very subtle difference, though.

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Originally Posted by Helenej

“любопытно узнать” sounds like “I don’t mind knowing that. Yet if you don’t tell me I won’t be disappointed at all”.
“интересно узнать” implies that what the person wants to know is more essential and important to them.
A very subtle difference, though.

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Лена, спасибо для ваше обьяснения про “любопытно”. Его очень помогаюшего. Я надеялся, что вы были бы заметите про меня вопросы относительно прошедшую жизнь в киеве и как это сейчас сравнивает с своими жизню.

Thanks for your explanation on “любопытно”, Lena. It was very helpful. I had hoped that you would comment on some of my questions concerning life in the past there in Kiev, and how it compares to your life now.

Я сегодня не имеюсь никакого план. Я хотел больше писать и практиковать. Есть ли что-нибудь в новости, которые в ваше мнении интерсным?

I don’t have any plans for today. I wanted to write some more, and practice. Is there anything in the news that interests you?

Thanks for your explanation on “любопытно”.
Спасибо для ваше обьяснения про “любопытно”.
Спасибо за ваше обьяснение про “любопытно”.
Thanks for = спасибо за + accusative.

It was very helpful.
Его очень помогаюшего.
Оно было очень полезным.
Your version is too far from the original. We can remain your sentence structure and make a word-by-word translation here. There is no subject in your sentence, anyway. The word “его” is not in the nominative, so it cannot be the subject. The nominative of “его” is ”он”.
It also could be “Оно мне очень помогло.”

I had hoped that you would comment on some of my questions concerning life in the past there in Kiev, and how it compares to your life now.
Я надеялся, что вы были бы заметите про меня вопросы относительно прошедшую жизнь в киеве и как это сейчас сравнивает с своими жизню.
Я надеялся, что вы прокомментируете некоторые из моих вопросов относительно прошлой жизни в Киеве и скажете, можно ли ее сравнить с теперешней жизнью.
“Would” can have several functions in English.
1. the auxillary verb in the future tenses instead of “will” when we observe the sequense of tenses
2. the auxillary verb in the subjunctive mood
3. modal verb
Here you used “would” in the first function, just to indicate the Future Simple Tense. The action “comment” is not unreal like in the Subjunctive. Convert the original into the present to feel that. “I hope that you will comment...” So it should be rendered by the Russian future tense.
Относительно + genitive

I don’t have any plans for today.
Я сегодня не имеюсь никакого план.
У меня нет никаких планов на сегодня.
It is better to translate “I have” into ”У меня есть” and “I don’t have” into “у меня нет” in spoken language. “я имею” and ”я не имею” sounds too official, but it’s not inconceivable, as you said.:)
For today = на сегодня, today = сегодня.

I wanted to write some more, and practice.
Я хотел больше писать и практиковать.
Я хотел больше пописать и попрактиковаться.
I think you didn’t mean to say “I wanted to be in the process of writing”. You meant “I wanted to do a certain amount of work and finish it”.
So the perfective should be used here.

Is there anything in the news that interests you?
Есть ли что-нибудь в новости, которые в ваше мнении интерсным?
Есть ли в новостях что-нибудь, что вас заинтересовало?
I put the subject “что-нибудь” closer to the subordinate clause “что вас заинтересовало” which specifies it, so it can be perceived easier.
I transferred the subordinate clause into the past tense. It sounds more natural but I don’t know why.

Kevin, why are you sitting there twiddling your thumbs? I want to see my mistakes, too.:)

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Originally Posted by Helenej

Kevin, why are you sitting there twiddling your thumbs? I want to see my mistakes, too.:)

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ha ha....well, in that last message the only mistake I saw was that you misspelled "sequence" :) You're a very easy person to correct! lol

Kevin, don't you think that I'm overloading you with grammar? I just judge by myself. I know that I can only learn a foreign language by using logic. I want to understand. It's my frame of mind. Perhaps I would like to become a baby and have loving parents who would speak with me, showing me things and naming them and giving me speach patterns until I get used to them. I would like to listen to them for a year and then say my first word. Without any effort from my side, without this tormenting pain and disappointment. I don't have such a chance. I have to understand the rule and produce my own sentences applying it.
I know that different people may learn a language in different ways. Maybe someone can help learn in a different way. I wish I knew how.

Kevin, may I only answer short questions instead of writing essays, please? I've never been good at them.
Every time I start thinking over my essay even in Russian I've got a terrible headache. :)

I wanted to write some more, and practice.
Я хотел еще немного пописать и попрактиковаться.
It would be much better. My former version, being grammatically correct, doesn't sound good Russian.
Sound good Russian? I feel this doesn't sound good English, though. :)

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Originally Posted by Helenej

Kevin, may I only answer short questions instead of writing essays, please? I've never been good at them.
Every time I start thinking over my essay even in Russian I've got a terrible headache. :)

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That's fine Elena :)

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Originally Posted by Helenej

I wanted to write some more, and practice.
Я хотел еще немного пописать и попрактиковаться.
It would be much better. My former version, being grammatically correct, doesn't sound good Russian.
Sound good Russian? I feel this doesn't sound good English, though. :)

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My former version, being grammatically correct, doesn't sound (like) good Russian.

No, I don’t believe you’re overloading me with grammar, Lena. Your explanations are very helpful. You’re right about using logic to learn. I feel that sometimes I don’t use logic. I understand your thoughts about disappointment and difficulty. If we had learned when we were younger it may have been easier, but we are where we are! I just keep moving forward, and I think you have to do the same. Our practice makes us better people, I believe.

Нет Лена, я не поверить что вы мне перегрузились с грамматиками. Ваш обьяснения очень полезными. Вы правильно используете логику то, чтобы учиться. Я считаю, что иногда я не использую логику:( Я понимаю ваших мысли об разочарования и трудности. Если мы учились в своих молодости то, что следовало было бы легче, но зато мы точно здесь! Я же продолжаю направлять вперед и я думаю приходится так же вам. Наш практика нас делает лучше людей.

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Originally Posted by kgcole

My former version, being grammatically correct, doesn't sound (like) good Russian.

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Would "doesn't sound Russian" be correct? I mean if I wanted to say it without the word "good". Or I should say "doesn't sound like Russian"?

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Originally Posted by Helenej

Would "doesn't sound Russian" be correct? I mean if I wanted to say it without the word "good". Or I should say "doesn't sound like Russian"?

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Sure, "doesn't sound Russian" would be fine :)

No, I don’t believe you’re overloading me with grammar.
Нет, я не поверить что вы мне перегрузились с грамматиками.
Нет, я не думаю, что вы меня слишком нагрузили грамматикой.
The predicate cannot be expressed by the infinitive поверить, but only by finite verb forms.
You haven’t stoped believing, you are in the process of believing. Therefore you should use the imperfect.
“Believe” has two meanings.
1. to have an opinion, to think and corresponds to Russian считать, думать, полагать
2. to trust, to think that something unproved is true. In this meaning it corresponds to верить.
Перегрузить means to take a load and put it into another place or to take the load and put it at the same place once again. I just gave you too much load.

Your explanations are very helpful.
Ваш обьяснения очень полезными. (!!!)
Ваши объяснения очень полезны.
We have the compound nominal predicate here. It consists of the linking verb быть in the present tense, which is usually omitted, and the predicative очень полезные.
The predicative expressed by the noun, the adjective or the ordinal numeral is
in the NOMINATIVE when the linking verb is in the present tense or
in the INSTRUMENTAL when the linking verb is in the past or future tense.
Они полезные. Они были полезными. Они будут полезными.
Она моя подруга. Она была моей подругой. Она будет моей подругой.
Она шестая. Она была шестой. Она будет шестой.

You’re right about using logic to learn.
Вы правильно используете логику то, чтобы учиться.
Вы правы относительно использования логики при обучении.

I feel that sometimes I don’t use logic.
Я считаю, что иногда я не использую логику. (!!!)
Or maybe Мне кажется, что иногда я не использую логику. That implies a lesser degree of confidence.

I understand your thoughts about disappointment and difficulty.
Я понимаю ваших мысли об разочарования и трудности. (!!!)
Я понимаю ваши мысли о разочарованиях и трудностях.
We use “об” only if the folliwing word begins with a vowel like in “об oдном человеке”.

If we had learned when we were younger it may have been easier, but we are where we are!
Если мы учились в своих молодости то, что следовало было бы легче, но зато мы точно здесь!
Если бы мы учились в молодости, возможно, нам было бы легче. Но мы там, где мы есть.
The verbs in both clauses should be put in the conjunctive mood.
The following illustrates the using of “но зато”.
Я не постирала белье, зато я разморозила холодильник.
I didn’t wash the linen ... I unfroze the fridge.
I wonder how you would translate this.

I just keep moving forward, and I think you have to do the same.
Я же продолжаю направлять вперед и я думаю приходится так же вам.
Я просто все время двигаюсь вперед и думаю, что вам нужно делать то же.
Keep thinking = все время думаю, постоянно думаю.

Our practice makes us better people, I believe.
Наш практика нас делает лучше людей.
Я считаю, что наша практика делает нас лучше.

I’d like to comment on the word “зато” a little more. As I just looked up, it is used for balancing the bad and the good.
Like in my example “Я не постирала белье, зато я разморозила холодильник.” I denote a bad thing for me in the first clause and I am balancing it with a good thing in the second one (what about my tenses here?) You can look the English equivalents up. I keep feeling amazed (?) at the way we use so many words correctly without even knowing what they express, but only feeling that.

As for my comparison of our previous life here with our present life.
In the soviet time we used to live a satisfied and safe life in material regard. But at the same time it was a dictatorship, which I hated. I’m of a rebel frame of mind, you know. Now the life is much harder. Nevertheless it’s a life of freedom and big possibilities for everyone. I do think if you are talented and hard-working you can achieve if not everything but very much.

And a question for you. Which is more preferable in the US, the word "surname" or "last name"?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Helenej

And a question for you. Which is more preferable in the US, the word "surname" or "last name"?

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In the US most people use "last name". Surname sounds pretty formal to an American, and is used formally and informally in the UK depending on where you are there. Also rare but not necessarily unheard is "family name".

US English names in a nutshell in order of common usage (from my perspective, at least):
1. first name, given name, Christian name, forename (very unlikely to hear this in the US)
2. Middle name, second/third/etc name
3. Last name, surname, family name

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zxc

In the US most people use "last name". Surname sounds pretty formal to an American, and is used formally and informally in the UK depending on where you are there. Also rare but not necessarily unheard is "family name".

US English names in a nutshell in order of common usage (from my perspective, at least):
1. first name, given name, Christian name, forename (very unlikely to hear this in the US)
2. Middle name, second/third/etc name
3. Last name, surname, family name

---

Wow, it's such an irrefragable answer. I like that Americans are so logical in this line: first - middle - last. Easy to remember. Thank you.

I’d like to comment on the word “зато” a little more. As I just looked up, it is used for balancing the bad and the good. Like in my example “Я не постирала белье, зато я разморозила холодильник.” I denote a thing which is bad to me in the first clause and I am balancing it with a good thing in the second one (what about my tenses here? ) You can look the English equivalents up.
I keep feeling amazed (?) at the way we use so many words correctly without even knowing what they express, but only feeling that.

As for my comparison of our previous life here with our present life.
In the soviet time we used to live a satisfied and safe life in material regard. But at the same time it was a dictatorship, which I hated.
I’m of a rebel frame of mind, you know. Now the life is much harder. Nevertheless it’s a life of freedom and big possibilities for everyone.
I do think if you are talented and hard-working you can achieve if not everything but very much.

Я надеюсь, что я был обнадеживающим о ваших изучениях, Лена. Вообше-то, в вашем последнем ответе, есть нет какые-нибудь ошибки. Как я был бы говорить, «You should be pleased»?

I hope I was encouraging to you about your studies, Lena. Generally, there weren’t any mistakes in your last reply. How would I say, “You should be pleased”?

Мы ужинали пиззами сегодня вечером. Я ездил в гастроному и покупал что нам нужно то, чтобы это поготовить. Для десерта мы ели мороженое и мы разговорили.

We had pizza tonight for dinner. I went to the grocery store and got what we needed to cook it. For dessert we had ice cream, and we talked.

Вы прокомментировали относительно как мы использоваем словы, без знание их смыслы и я согласен. Мы использаваем как вы говорите, инстиктом. В молодости мы учиться как делаем сейчас, примером, пытаться с ошибками. Взрослый нас исправили и скажут нам правила как мы идём. Но мы должни делаем ошибки. Вы хотите Скайп попробовать на следующем уикэнде? Я буду стараться вас помогать по-английски :)

You commented on how we use words not even knowing what they really mean, and I agree. We use them, as you say, on instinct. As children, we learn as we’re doing now, by example, by trial and error. Adults correct us, and tell us the rules as we go. But we must make mistakes. Next weekend would you like to try and Skype? I’ll try and help you with your English :)