I know what you were talking about earlier, the fact that when people here the word free, they tend to abuse it. My hobby is remodeling houses,but is not my job. Being somewhat of a handyman,I have people all the time wanting me to fix their electric, plumbing, even putting on a new roof for free. I used to do that till I realized I had no time for myself. Now I just give advice! By the way, Do you ever sleep?
I tend to think that if a Russian child of 3 can learn and speak Russian, then Im bloody sure at 40 I can do it too :o))))
The rolling R in Russian can be a real bugger, but I understand completely Ptichka when you say you had problems with the English R to begin with !!
I suspect you had to do the opposite to our problem, and unlearn to roll your R`s ? !!!
Im sure thats just as hard as trying to learn to roll them !!!!
Well TimH I was a little bit lucky to have a great teacher at my beginning of learning English, she actually learnt me how to say different sounds, and she got me completely interested in English. I was interested before I met her, but after it became my biggest dream to learn English:))))
As for "R" sound, it is still a very different from Russian "R" sound for me, so I don't mix them up :)
I can see that I am going to have to pratice rolling my tongue before my trip; and yes, I am still talking on the subject of the letter R! (I think) ;)
lol. (you're still on my wavelength, Tim, aren't you?)
yes, somehow I think I will master this action very quickly. The female Russian voice is something that grabs the full attention of every part of me.
Back to aviation (Tim); Did you know that many computer based voice systems installed for pilots are female based for the reason that the pilots (predominantly male) would pay more attention and do what they're told? lol :)
"Did you know that many computer based voice systems installed for pilots are female based for the reason that the pilots (predominantly male) would pay more attention and do what they're told? lol :)"
dma, do you know one Russian proverb: “Listen what a woman tells you and do everything visa versa”. lol
Del` Im always on the same wavelength as you mate :o)) Its always been a problem for me to roll my tongue around my R`s !!! But I do like to practice :o)))
Regards the voice systems, no mate I didnt know that, but it does make a lot of sense in many ways, and would make even more sense if its a sexy voice too :o)))
"Listen what a woman tells you and do everything visa versa" I had heard that one Ultra :o))) Though I suspect its not one that Russian men shout about too loudly for their own safety :o)))
Sorry to break up the whole conversation about the rolling R's...
I just returned from Kiev today after a two week visit. I am sorry to notify you that a certain Ekaterina from Kiev is no longer available - if in fact that is the girl you were looking for. After about 6 months of correspondence, chatting, flowers and phone calls I made my trip to the Ukraine to visit her and only her. I met her mother and had a very nice little conversation (Ok, maybe more like a KGB interrogation). I saw how she worked and lived in Kiev during her normal life and had a good sample of what being a Ukrainian in Kiev is really like through her eyes.
After the first week I proposed to her and she accepted. Wish us both the best and good luck in the future. ;-) We will now be working on our K-1 and making preparations for her arrival in Los Angeles.
My advice to you all though, 1000 written letters will mean nothing to the girls unless you get off your ass and visit in person. Just be sure of your intentions and go for it - that is if you are truly ready. Until then most of the girls just consider letters sort of a romantic fantasy that they can only hope and pray may become true.
Also, I wanted to put in a plug for the Katrin Agency. Yes, they are legit and did a great job on putting together the apartment arrangements and things for me during my stay in Kiev. I was greeted at the Barispiel airport with an agent and driver, taken to a local grocery store and then to my private apartment and had a very good explanation of Kiev and some of the transportation options, Metro locations, etc. from a map that was provided of Kiev and then a quick walk around the neighborhood for orientation. My only advice is to treat your agency well there. They make very little and if you treat them like real people and respect them they will go above and beyond for you and provide some little extras and help during your stay. Just my 2 cents though...
If possible, I recommend having your lady translate for you if she knows english and whenever possible have her make all taxi and payment discussions. No prices anywhere are what they are listed so everything is haggled and taxi drivers always agree to a fixed price before you enter them. Getting into a taxi waiting at a curbside is just asking for it - since no Ukrainian would get into one since they are just waiting for a rich foreiner to charge maximum fairs.