Hello... My name is Amy and I'm from the US. My new goal is to learn Russian and more about Russia. I just happened to run across this forum, have been visiting a lot lately, and decided to join. Oh boy, I do believe I have my work cut out for me. lol I must admit I am quite intimidated by this language, but I'm up for a challenge and I'm finding it exciting. I don't know any other languages except English. I only took one year each of Spanish and German in high school and, unfortunately, didn't learn much in those classes due to being a goofy teenager who wasn't very concerned about my studies at the time. THIS language is very intriguing to me, so I think that is why I've developed an interest in learning it. I am a slow learner though and do realize that it will take me many years. I am very curious and ask a lot of questions. I just downloaded a Russian preschool alphabet app on my phone. I enjoy going through the alphabet and trying to learn the letters and their sounds, some of which I cannot make the sound at all. Someday I would like to visit Russia. First question... how is my name spelled and pronounced in Russian... the same or different than English?

This seems like a respectful, mature forum, and I look forward to making some new friends and learning a lot.