Archive for 'Russian life'
Let’s Rock! Posted by yelena on Jul 8, 2011
Psst, want to know a secret? The awesomeness of this blog is mostly due to its readers, especially the ones who respond through comments either here or on the Learn Russian Facebook fanpage. But of course, that’s no secret. I’ve said so before. You also know that I love having guests over on this blog…
The Amazing Russian Pop – 80s Edition Posted by yelena on Jul 5, 2011
I’ve been very busy «на прошлой неделе» [last week]. What was I so busy with you might ask. Well, I was wasting time doing research on YouTube. All those hours of watching and yes, singing, Russian hits from late 80’s and early 90’s… I am no «меломан» [audiophile]. Instead, «что для меня ценно» [what matters to…
What’s a Russian Picnic Without Kebabs? Posted by yelena on Jun 16, 2011
What is one summer must-do thing that is «романтично» [romantic], hot, takes place «на природе» [out in nature, outdoors] and can’t be done «без мужчин» [without men]? It is, of course, «шашлыки» [shish-kebabs] – favorite past-time for the short Russian summer. If there were a single maxim about «шашлык», it would be «шашлык это не…
Moscow, Again, or What Is It That Flows Together? Posted by yelena on May 18, 2011
Alexandr Pushkin, that most famous of the Russian poets, wrote «Москва… как много в этом звуке Для сердца русского слилось!» [Moscow… how much there is in that sound That flows together for the heart of the Russian!] If we approach the problem from a strictly «количественный подход» [quantitative approach], there are «почти девять миллионов» [almost…
May in Russia – Celebrate, Study, and Plan for Summer Posted by yelena on May 6, 2011
«Май» [May] is my second «самый любимый месяц» [most favorite month] to be in Russia. The first one is «август» [August], «по личным причинам» [for personal reasons]. «Весна в разгаре» [Spring is in full force] or to recall the famous line of a fairly obscure poet: «Это май-баловник, это май-чародей» [It is May the…
Walking Around Moscow Posted by yelena on May 3, 2011
I’ve got good news and more good news so which one do you want to hear first? If you chose good news, here it is. You can now watch some of the iconic Russian movies online for free at Mosfilm’s official YouTube channel. Even better, many movies are digitally restored and subtitled in English. More…
Bottles Under Table and Other Rules of Marital Bliss Posted by yelena on Apr 28, 2011
I disagree with the classic who once wrote «Все счастливые семьи счастливы одинаково» [All happy families are alike]. Do you know who wrote this? How about the book that starts with this famous opening line? Back to business, however. As the saying goes, «браки заключаются на небесах» [marriages are made in heaven] meaning that you…