Russian Language "Click"

I seem to have “language spurts” the way children have growth spurts, and am in one right now. Because Russian words are so different from English, sometimes when I try to learn them, they just won’t “stick”. It can be frustrating. However, for the first time ever, suddenly words I have obviously heard, but don’t actually know have been coming to my mind. Yesterday I arrived home thirsty from the transitional home, went to the kitchen for a glass of water and the word “zhazhdooshee” popped into my head.

From time to time, as a child does, I repeat words because I like the way the sound. I started doing that with this word, “zhazhdooshee”. I poured my water, then, wondering what the word actually meant, looked it up in the dictionary. You could have knocked me over with a feather – the word was “thirsty”. I had no idea! (If you’re wondering how I could possibly live in a country for 6 years and not know the word for “thirsty”, when you’re thirsty here, you say, “I want to drink.”) This has happened to me many times over the last several days – words I don’t ever remember hearing suddenly pop into my head at the right time. It’s very exciting!

When in Doubt, Wear Pink

Effective January 1, 2008, Russia implemented a law that has been like a bit of gravel in the shoe of foreigners living in Russia. Basically we are allowed into Russia for three months, then we have to leave for three months, after which we are allowed to return for three months, etc. Lots of people were forced to leave because of the expense and inconvenience (children disrupted at school, etc.).

I've decided to remove the gravel from my shoe by studying Russian. You can stay in Russia for a year at a time on a student visa. In 2008 many people enrolled in language school. I chose not to because of the time and expense involved (not to mention Russian grammar!) However, after living with this law for a year I see the benefit of not constantly thinking about where you're going to be in three months.

On Tuesday I decided to wear my one dressy outfit - hot pink shirt and black pants - when I met the Director of the language school. As I entered the door, she was standing alone behind her secretary's desk, and her first words were, "We love that colour!"

I glanced around, wondering who "we" was, and she quickly explained that she and her secretary had just been talking about hot pink.

We spoke no more than 8 minutes in her office, five of which were about how dull and grey St. Petersburg is, and for so many years there was no colour here, and how we need more of this colour to brighten things up. She asked me a few questions, I asked her a few questions, and then she said, "Well, that does it! You wore this colour, you're accepted into our school. You just have to wear it every time you come! Do you speak Russian? Good. Talk to my secretary. She will tell you what we need."

I left a bit dazed, discussed the necessary documents with the secretary, and left. Once home, I called my teacher to tell her the news. "I know." she said, "The Director already called and said you would be studying with me."

"Did she say anything about my shirt?" I asked.