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Two Years with Russian Blog! Posted by on Nov 9, 2009 in Culture, History, language, News, Traditions

«Да!» [Yes!] «Наконец!» [Finally!] Today is not just another day, today is «девятое ноября» [the 9th of November] and a very special day. Why? Not simply because today is «день рождения великого русского писателя Ивана Тургенева» [the birthday of the great Russian writer Ivan Turgenev] – happy 191st b’day to the author of «Отцы и дети» [“Fathers and Sons“]! – but also because «в этот день» [on this day] two years ago I published my first post here on this blog. So it is finally official: «я пишу для этого блога про русский язык, русскую культуру и русскую литературу уже два года» [I have written for this blog about Russian language, Russian culture and Russian literature for two years already]. «Ура [Hurrah!] I thought I’d take today to switch to a more personal tone in this post – something I rarely do due to the enormous amounts of grammar that constantly need to be dealt with and explained. Today I will tell you a little something about «моя жизнь тут в России» [my life here in Russia]. After all, most of the readers of this blog have probably noticed a steady decrease in the amount of post published here these days, and there’s an explanation for this. This explanation is «моя русская жизнь» [my Russian life]. Before continuing any further I would also like to say that – just like I did in my post a year ago – all of your comments are very dear to me! I love it when you correct me and my sometimes sloppy grammar (big shout out to all the native speakers who read this blog! Thank you! both Russians and native speakers of English, that is…). I love it when you share your thoughts and experiences from Russia with me, and I would very much like this dialogue between us to continue also in the future. So keep reading, and I’ll keep writing – anytime I get – and keep commenting! I love the comments. They give me so many new ideas of what to write about, so keep them coming!

 On nights like these I fall in love with Russia all over again…

What can I say about myself, then? When I started writing this blog two years ago I was 22 years old and living my fourth year in Russia. Now I’m 24 years old and this is already my sixth year in this country. Originally I’m «из Гётеборга» [from Gothenburg] the second biggest city «в Швеции» [in Sweden]. I moved «в Россию» [to Russia] in late August 2004 when I was 19 years old. First I lived in Saint Petersburg for a semester, while I studied Russian as a foreign language. In February 2005 I moved «в Омск» [to Omsk] «в Сибири» [in Siberia] where I also studied Russian as a foreign language. I stayed in Omsk for a year and a half and even though it is pretty much impossible to sum up that experience in just a few words, I can say this much: it changed who I am forever. Summing things up even more I can say that I have grown up in this country. When I arrived here I didn’t know anything. I was a teenager with nothing but a huge dream: I wanted to become a professor of Russian literature. But at the time I didn’t speak Russian at all. All I knew when I arrived were two words: «пиво» [beer] and «привет» [hi]. Needless to say, my first week in this country was splendid… I am living proof that it is actually possible to «выучить язык» [to learn (completely, fully) a language] just by living in a country and studying hard and trying with all that you’ve got. Now I wasn’t always the best student. Right now I am the best student I have ever been, as a matter of fact, but I’ve always tried hard and spent a lot of time with Russians. And that’s how I learned this language and this country’s culture – from spending a lot of time with Russian friends. If you don’t have anyone to talk to, then you’re not going to learn how to talk. So during these past five years and plus-two months I’ve done a lot of talking! That’s one of the best advices I can give to anyone who wants to learn Russian – find Russian speaking friends! If you’re not in Russia, then go to a language club or café and sit there with your little phrase book and try your best at making conversation. Who knows? Maybe you’ll not only learn something new, but also find a new friend in the process….

I moved «в Екатеринбург» [to Yekaterinburg] in late August 2006 and have been living here ever since. All the time I’ve been a student «в Уральском государственном университете» [at Ural State University], «на филологическом факультете» [at the department of philology]. Now I’m a second year student «в магистратуре» [in the Master’s program] and will be graduating in June next year with a diploma that says I’m «преподаватель русской литературы» [a university teacher of Russian literature] with all «отлично» [‘excellent’, the equivalent of an A or a 5] grades – so far, anyway (keeping my fingers crossed). I have already worked as a university teacher, though, at Ural State University since October 2007. But I don’t teach what I’ve actually studied; I teach Swedish as a foreign language. And that’s one of the main reasons as to why I don’t have enough time to write here as much as I would like to since the beginning of this fall semester – this year I have three groups in different levels and I teach three evenings straight a week, leaving me almost dead by Friday night. I have two hour classes every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 18.30 to 20.30. But I love to teach, and I love my Russian students. We learn from each other, I teach them Swedish and they teach me Russian, they teach me about Russian reality and I try my best to show them what Swedish reality is like. I would also advice anyone who ever gets to chance to teach abroad to take this chance – it can give you so much! You’ll meet lovely people, though – of course – there are going to be many though times and rough patches and hard obstacles to overcome. Thankfully, I only have lectures in the Master’s program on Mondays and Tuesdays, so that leaves me with enough time to prepare my own classes the rest of the week. When I’m not stuck reading tons of Russian literature for seminars, that is…

I love Russian literature. I don’t think I’ve ever loved anything as much as I love Russian literature (except for my family). That’s why I also love this painting of «Владимир Маяковский» [Vladimir Mayakovsky] that I came across on my way home one evening.

As you’ve probably noticed if you’ve been reading this blog already for some time, I have two favorite Russian writers that are dearer to me than all the rest of them (although I appreciate all of them equally!): «Фёдор Достоевский» [Fyodor Dostoevsky] and «Варлам Шаламов» [Varlam Shalamov]. My Bachelor’s thesis was on Dostoevsky’s time in Siberia, and my future Master’s dissertation will be on how he used material that he collected during his time there in his future novels. But in the future I would like to go on and research the connection between these two writers; I would love to write a doctoral dissertation on how Shalamov used Dostoevsky’s “Notes from the Dead House” in his “Stories from Kolyma”. To get even more personal I can reveal that I have applied to study at a graduate program in the U.S., but I’m not sure if I’m going to get in. Come early February and I’ll know where I’ll be headed next – perhaps, to California! If not, then I will continue to dedicate myself to Russian literature and Russian language somewhere else. Perhaps I’ll move back home to Sweden and start working at the university there instead. I would have loved to stay in Russia for all of my life, but for many reasons this is not the best place to start an academic career. And I really want to start an academic career! Does that sound silly? I suppose it is a little bit silly. But then again, most dreams are a bit silly… My ultimate life goal – or maybe it is just a dream anyway – would be to move back to Russia in a couple of years, once I’m done with my Ph. D. and go teach somewhere in Siberia. I love the city of «Томск» [Tomsk], where I’ve been twice, but I think I’d rather go to «Иркутск» [Irkutsk] and live there instead, even though I’ve never even been there… Not even traveled through!

I think it is true that once you’ve become very close to a foreign culture, when you’ve come to close that it has become a part of who you are, then you can never truly let go of it. Even if I’m not always going to live in Russia, a part of my heart will always belong to this country. People here often ask me about my future, and since I don’t know where I’ll end up, I always tell them: «Несмотря ни на что, душа моя требует России!» [Despite everything, my soul demands Russia!] There is still much in this country left for me to discover, and still I have many stories that I haven’t yet told anyone… This country has taught me a lot. And I am so thankful for everything that this country has given to me – education, experience, friendship. Maybe this sounds like I’m already saying «до свидания» [farewell] with another eight months left to spend here? That’s not entirely true. I’m just summing up what I’ve come to understand so far. And what I’ve come to understand is this – life is beautiful. And no matter what we must always appreciate, respect and love life.

 What it all comes down to is that I’m just «обычная девушка» [an ordinary girl] and like all other girls I love «пить вишнёвое пиво» [to drink cherry beer]. So is there a better way to end today’s post than to say «на здоровье!» [cheers!]?

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Comments:

  1. pup:

    Cheers, Jo!

  2. Alan:

    Josefina Hi,
    Thank you for your work with Russia Blog and the passion you bring to it. I fell in love with Russia in 2005 and for these past two years you have become my Russian Language, Literature and Culture “Mentor”. At first I could not understand your passion for Dostoevsky but after reading, on your recommendation I cannot get enough and it is the same with Bulgakov, Gogol, Shalamov, Mayakovsky and others.
    I watch and wait for each post, I copy, compile and reread them getting more each time from discovering the Multitran Dictionary, which I now use constantly, to your explanations of Russian grammar, clearer than I have found anywhere else.
    Your advice to find Russian speaking friends is exactly right but it is not easy to find people as passionate about the language and patient with a beginner. I started the “Sydney Russian English Language MeepUp Group” but my best contact is the grandmother of one of my classmates at Russian school who wanted help with English.
    I plan to live in Russia to teach English, learn Russian and build my business and I am grateful for the confidence your “Coaching” has given me. Josefina, I love you,
    Alan.

  3. Colin:

    You will make a lot of people sad if you stop writing your blog, Josefina! And there’s nothing silly about having a dream and following it to its conclusion, wherever that might be. If you are thinking of studying at UCLA (my old alma mater) then go for it! California is probably right at the other end of the scale from Екатаринбург, but is also a fascinating, vibrant, and exciting place to live and study – with the added advantage of the sunshine 😉 Academically, you’ll find a serious, intelligent, dedicated place to study, with staff who care about their subject and their students.
    Всего хорошего!

  4. Martti Mäkelä:

    This blog is a real eye-opener. My language hobby is advancing. I feel the distance to Siberia narrowing all the time.

    Best wishes for you, Martti.

  5. Piuma:

    Please stay a little longer! Non potresti innamorarti di uno dei tuoi professori? O almeno di Alan, che intende trasferirsi? Come faremo senza questo blog? Anyway, мы всегда будем помнить теба.

  6. John Turnbull:

    I always learn a great deal from your posts and greatly appreciate your labors. My hope is to move to Ukraine in 2010 and to experience this same joyous immersion … and to realize a dream long deferred.

  7. Alex Sutter:

    Hi Josefina, ‘Congratulations’ and THANKS, for having spent all this time and
    energy in Russia, so that we readers abroad, can read and admire and learn
    a lot from You, on this immense and most interesting, beatiful Country.
    I’m still at beginning-stage learner but your contribution gives me so much more
    willingness to even learn more and faster to improve my knowledge.
    Again Thank you and I hope, you will stay in Russia and keep writing for us,
    fo a long time to come.
    Best regards,
    Alex (Switzerland)

  8. Anil:

    Josefina, I’ve been following your blog for the past 6 months and it’s a pleasure to read from a fellow “Russophile”. I have been studying Russian for years (self-taught) and wish I had the time and energy that you have to fully dedicate myself to my number one interest. It would be a pleasure to welcome you to California for your Ph.D. and have a “potential” Russian Language professor close by.

    Anil
    Bakersfield, California

  9. English-Scholar:

    Hellu, im a new follower of your posts. So far i’ve read the flu one, the lucky ticket one, and the snow walks one. I think im going to follow your flog for a while, although i do have to read big articles like this in strides ^^

    Have you ever heard of Skype-English School? http://skype-englishschool.com/ It’s great for anyone who needs, or wants to learn english, they have plenty of teachers that help teach buisness english and conventional english, if you have any friends who need to initiate buisness in north america or England maybe they can help?

  10. Gerry Grable:

    Dear Josephina ( I hope that is your first name?),
    Congratulations to you and the great success of your blog. I only wish I had had access to it when I was in college studying the Russian language and literature.
    I share your love of Dostoevsky and the Russian giants, but I also admire many lesser known writers such as Yuri Olyesha and Yevgeny Zamiatin.
    I look forward to every post. Please keep writing.
    However, you are wrong about one thing. You are not “an ordinary girl.” You are most extraordinary!
    Good luck with your plans to study here in the USA. California is nice, but there is a huge population of Russians in New york City,
    Take care,
    Gerry (Poconos, PA)

  11. Kjell Nordh:

    Thanks a lot for an very interesting blog. I am studying Russian language since some years and your blog gives me a lot of good information and I learn a lot.
    Good luck and best regards from Vasteras in Sweden.
    Kjell

  12. Timothy Post:

    I enjoy reading your blog and just want to put in a plug for the Krasnodar Krai region should you decide to return after studying at Berkley (psst, psst, psst over left shoulder).

    Krasnodar is still the undiscovered gem of Russia and I have been fortunate enough to have lived here this time for 2.5 years. Great people and wonderful nature. We, also, have a great university here called Kuban State and I’d be glad to make some introductions for you.

    Congrats on 2 years blogging!!

  13. Svetlana:

    Josephina, hi again!
    I just saw your picture and it occured to me…
    They say, when you start learning a foreign language, you start to acquire some of the features of the natives. I mean, your appearences and character change slightly to suit the new culture better. It really seems to be true)
    So, the thought – if I saw you somewhere in the street I would never say that you are not a Russian. Looks like you really belong here 🙂 I don’t know your character, but there’s definitely something Russian in your looks)

  14. pup:

    Aha, the way she’s holding the glass. 😉

  15. Svetlana:

    The face and the smile, I just meant those two 😉

  16. Alex Sutter:

    Josefina,
    Sorry to read that you are sick, this is terrible. Every day there are new news around the world about how many people get affected and winter has not yet, really started where the normal flu, also comes naturally.
    All the best, I really hope you get well soonest and keep in contact.
    Best regards,
    Alex.

  17. Peter Morgan:

    Josefina,
    You are a great inspiration and true world citizen! The Baha’i Faith teaches that, while each culture should be preserved and respected, each person is also a citizen of the whole world, and recommends that a universal language be adopted.
    Why not Russian? It’s a wonderful exercise for the mind.
    Where ever you go, keep up the blog. I studied Russian years ago, and the blog keeps my brain young and keeps up my hopes for world peace.
    Peter Morgan (age 82)

  18. Lynsha:

    Hello Josefina,
    Thank you for your blogs, I look forward to receiving them. I am also a Russophile and your photograph of snowy Yekaterinburg had tears running down my cheeks I have been desperately trying to get back to Siberia/Moscow for three years now – I fell in love with Russia and her people, I have some dear dear Russian friends here in Australia and 2 girls we refer to as our Russian daughters in Barnaul and Irkutsk whom we love like our own. Thank you sooo much for keeping me updated and close to a country I love faults and all. Take care of yourself. l

  19. Karyn Dubravetz:

    Hi Josephina,

    Congratulations on two years of blogging! Sadly, I have just discovered you, but have been enjoying your posts the last several weeks. I just started a Russian blog of my own – 2 years seems so far away!

    Also, thanks for your advice to just practice practice practice!! For the last year or so, I have been attending a Russian conversation group and it has helped me improved so much!

    Good Luck to you in the rest of your studies! I hope you keep blogging, whatever you do!

    ~Karyn

  20. Lauren:

    Just wanted to say that I really appreciate this blog! I’m a second-year Russian language student preparing to go to St Petersburg to study next year, and I love reading this blog to learn new vocabulary and grammar and other interesting information. Thanks!

  21. Paul:

    Josefina,
    I discovered your blog only a few weeks ago, but at least once a day I read a new or old entry.
    You describe it so well, what people feel when the fall in love with Russia. Spending a lot of time in Piter at the moment, I have picked up Russian again after a long interruption and I love your description of the language and the customs. Желаю успеха!

  22. Charly:

    Better late than never:
    Congratulations on more than two years with this wonderful blog now! 😀

    I love reading your posts, especially those about Russian reality and those about literature! (I study slavic philology and literature, too. I’m trying to focus on Croatian/Serbian/Bosnian now, but Russian is where I started.) I’m checking all the time for new posts. 😉
    I hope the future will bring you all the opportunities you deserve!

    So Thanks for a great and to me also very inspiring and very motivating blog!