English speaking room

So now I know what else I can read during my sleepless nights, that is the case often lately
It is now almost 8am and I am off to bed hopefully to get some sleep.

Hi ladies!

You are fast readers! Dear Ayisha, could you please tell us what did you hear about this book :"Little women" by Louisa M.Alcott? It's first time I heard this name.

I miss my family badly, too. They all live in Russia and we live in Los Angeles. Lo-o-ong trip... . Had not seen them about a year, already.

How is the weather when ever you are? We have gloomy cloudy day today. Really put me in the melancholic mood.

How are you guys going to celebrate Maslenica?

Hi Моментик,

I have heaard couple of friends talking about it and advising me to read it. As it was one of THE books they have read. And another day I was watching "Friends" and they mentioned it there too. So I decided to get it. I am now reading it. And so far I like it.

Well what can I say about the London weather? Here it is rare to have a sunny day. Most of the times it is cloudy. And there are some rare moments when the sun shows its beauty. And you have to be lucky to catch those seldom sun shines.

Concerning Malenica, we do not celebrate it. I know they have similar thing in French culture. They call it "la Chandler". I always told them that russian people have the same traditon of baking a lot pan cakes on that day.

We just have Maslenica party at our place. It was a lot of fun! Now I am really tired and sleepless.
I used Nastya's blini' - yami. The ones with chicken and mushrooms inside were really good/ everybody love them!
We have friends who live in England. They love the local nature.
Now I remember, I heard the dialog in Friends about this(Little women) book. Good! Another one to read soon!

Моментик писал(а):

You are fast readers! Dear Ayisha, could you please tell us what did you hear about this book :"Little women" by Louisa M.Alcott? It's first time I heard this name.

Momentik - it is a good piece of literature. I also believe it was listed as one of the 200 best books of all time by the BBC (there is a thread on the forum about it) and it is a classic. I read it when I was a teenager, and remember it as being a good book. I would recommend it

...

Splattie писал(а):

When reading this book...

Great boy I should say He seems to be always in the mood for joking! Actually, how are you going to use the knowledge, I wonder too.

Splattie писал(а):

Remeber, I mentioned my reading "Irish Murders"? Lately my husband said to me: - I am wondering how are you going to use all the knowladge you are gaining by reading the book. - I beg your pardon? - Well, when you read some cookery book, you then cook something new. When reading this book...

LOL You should give him an evil/mysterious smile and say "I am still thinking about it" (hehe - that should give him a bit of a scare)

Splattie,

You always make me chuckle

I used to love scary movies and books before. But this has phased out and with no injuries to anyone

How have you been doing girls? It seems pretty quite in here...

Ayisha писал(а):

It seems pretty quite in here...

Right you are! Our ESR has become the most silent place on the site
Neither new comers nor new ideas or topics. Bye! My daughter is skyping me/

Hi girls,

I want to share with you a wonderful news. My husband finally (after 1.5 months unemployment - scary times) got a job! I am happy!
Wishing you all the same! Be happy!
And we came back from Cancun, Mexico. Very interesting place. Surprising, not a lot of Russians around.

Let's talk about some interesting place. Where had you been on vacation lately?
What's your favorite place to visit?

"Irish Murders" - is that scary book?

P.S. I hope I am not a reason for silence here?



Wishing you all the best!

Моментик писал(а):

scary times) got a job! I am happy! Wishing you all the same! Be happy!

Great! I wish you and your husband all success!

Моментик писал(а):

I hope I am not a reason for silence here?

Nothing of the kind. The girls might be busy getting ready for spring and summer holidays. As for me my favourite holiday destination is Greece, particularly Greek islands. I've already been to the islands of Crete, Cypros and Rodos which has become the most exciting and fascinating travelling experience.
I told about it on the site.
http://forum.say7.info/topic7802.html
http://forum.say7.info/topic7964.html
This time it's going to be the island of Corfu, but I' m not sure if my dreams will come true due to the financial situation in the world which surprisingly has a grat impact on us, ordinary people, living in different parts of the world.

Nataly, thank you for congrats.
I've never been in Greece but really want to go. It should be really interesting.
I bet it's a lot of history there. We visited Maya pyramids, it was really impressive - feels like you touching the history.
I'll go to read your story about Greece now.

"financial situation in the world which surprisingly has a grat impact on us, ordinary people, living in different parts of the world. Embarassed Embarassed Embarassed sad" - no questions about it

Моментик писал(а):

bet it's a lot of history there.

You see people got used to thinking about Greece as the cradle of world history and plots for literature. For us it's a wonderful place to have a rest, meet friendly hospitable people, enjoy folklore parties with a lot of lovely music, dancing and local wines Sea trips on board a small ship to some remote places which are certainly full of history is great too! I have beem simply mad about Greek myths and legends since my childhood and at the university didn't have to reread them passing a test in ancient literature as I rememebered all the events and names they deal with. So you see when my love to the country began. I strongly advise you to visit it. Neither you nor your husnad will be disappointed.

I had a great time reading your vacation story. Thank you, Nataly! I hope I will come up with mine soon. I am sure we will not be disappointing by visiting Greece I think we will love it. I know a lot of Greek people, I really love their attitude and love for life, and optimism. And I love Mediterranean cuisine.

I am reading a book about Maya history now. I am horrified by their bloody sacrifices. It is good that we are not living in their time!

Hello ladies,

Ol'ga my sincere conratulations on your husband' new job!

Yeah so little we need to be happy

I see that you girls are evoking vacation themes. Ah I miss going on vacations. Last year due to the wedding we didn't manage to go anywhere. But this year after the birth of our little one we would like to go to some nice spots in Scotland. I hope it is still doable.

I have been in Crete as well. And I loved it. I still remember every moment of it. I like going to Turkey as my family will be in ease to speak with local people. And it is so much nicer when you speak the language. I like going in italian islands as well. We were in Capri and had a lovely time spent there. I learned couple of Caprese things to cook that I still love. Hmm, I see that I like turning around the Medditarenian

For the future perhaps we should try smth else in order to discover more of the world.

Thank you Ayisha.

I was in Turkey long time ago. It was really quick visit. I found that sellers on the market were a little bit annoying. and all Russian girls were called Natasha. and if you are blonde it is dangerous to be alone.

Mine favorite pace to visit for vacation is Hawaii. I absolutely love all of the islands. Each of them has it is own character.

Моментик писал(а):

and all Russian girls were called Natasha.

This is what people who have never been to Turkey got used to saying to demonstrate how much they know about the world. Mu granddaughter is Natasha as well as my son's wife who is a pretty young woman with blond (not too bright however) hair. Neither of them were treated unfavourably in Turkey. On the contrary Turkish peolpleappeared polite, friendly and thoughtful.
Once in the USA we, Russian teachers of English as the second language, were invited to the party. Each guest was wearing a name tag with their names on them. One American, Jack by name, came up to me, looked at my name tag and said "We call our cats Natasha" I in my turn responded that in Russia every second dog is Jack and turned my back to him. But I've never considered all Americans as disgusting as that man.

Lol NatalyS,

You made me laugh It is true that it is the matter of how far low you let yourself treat. And I am another person who says that people in Turkey are really nice! Otherwise we wouldn't be returning there every year. I can't imagine people shouting out Natasha or what so ever. Perhaps in bazars? I do not know. But you do not expect people to be of the same level of culturally enriched as everybody else. My sister has got naturally blond hair and both of us walking in Turkey didn't have problems. In stead they openly adored and made really nice complements like we would like our dauhtrers to look like you. And offering us some really good treat.
So I wouldn't put all of them in the same rane and call them all uncivilized people. Ah I am too fan of a Turkey anyway. One day when we have enough money I would love to buy a country house there. How is it for a change

Ayisha писал(а):

It is true that it is the matter of how far low you let yourself treat.

Really so! Things happen to people who are not ready for all eventualities while visiting a different country! Once in Crete my husband and I decided to have lunch outside the hotel and found a nice beach cafe. You know Greek people are very nice and hospitable maybe that's why one young waitor decided to please us demonstrating that he can speak Russian. He addressed me calling moya milashka. It didn't make me laugh or pleased, I did my best to explain to him that it's not polite as far as I'm too much older than he is and he shouldn't be so frivolous with ladies my age. Maybe it was a mistake as far as he didn't mean to offend me but on the other hand I never allow familiarities.
Next time he'll be more careful with foreignors.

NatalyS,

That is for sure. And he will never forget you, the lady who taught him that lesson.

When I first arrived to New York, I was really confused as all of a sudden people whom I do not know start calling me dear, honey and etc. And even in the restaraunts and cafes, it was all the time - did you make your choise my sweetheart? And so on. It was quite shocking for me. Even though I realized that it is just the way they talk, but I told to the man who served me every day, listen I am not your sweetheart and if you don't know how to address to me just call me miss!
I still think there is too much of politeness or showing openness when they do not care at all. It is just learning by doing I guess.

Ayisha
You see I was always addressed as madam or mam in the USA and never met any familiarity at restaurants, hotels. etc... People were always very polite.
Though tourist places is the horse of another colour. By the way tourists from Russia are very well bred and children are not noisy and have good manners. So when I hear someone saying that Russian people are notorious for their bad behaviour abroad I feel embarrassed.

Моментик писал(а):

My husband finally (after 1.5 months unemployment - scary times) got a job! I am happy!

Hi Olga
Please accept my congratulations

NatalyS писал(а):

told about it on the site.

NatalyS
Thanks for your story, I enjoyed reading it

Ayisha писал(а):

For the future perhaps we should try smth else in order to discover more of the world.

Ayisha
I support you
I like to know and discover smth. I remember my first Turkey vocation
I was so young It was in winter...after Pussians frosts we arrived there and I found myself in a fairy tale
I liked their nature walking on the shore, we were on a tour of the palaces - amusing places
Unfortunately I haven't an electronic photos...I used an ordinary camera that time.
I dream to go to Italy I heard more wonderful stories about their
tradition, culture, historical places/
I like their dish...I can eat pasta every day

sorry girls, some of you probably didn't read the whole sentence "I found that sellers on the market were a little bit annoying and all Russian girls were called Natasha"(by the sellers) So, yes, it happened in "bazar" or on the market. I didn't mean to offend all Turkish people. Also, sorry Nataly, (This is what people who have never been to Turkey got used to saying to demonstrate how much they know about the world.) but I was in Turkey Personally and it was MINE experience. It is what it is.
I also didn't mean to offend all girls with the name Nataly.
Speaking about names, my brother - in -law ( american) told me that mine name is old fashion and children make fun of it. He even proposed to me to change mine name. So, what who cares ... .


"Mu granddaughter is Natasha as well as my son's wife who is a pretty young woman with blond (not too bright however) hair. Neither of them were treated unfavourably in Turkey." - good for them. They probably stay all the time with their men.
I was with my young sister and they even tried to grab our hands in order to make us to buy something.

"It is true that it is the matter of how far low you let yourself treat." Well, were just passing by. What did we need to do - cover our faces?

Also, mine experience was quite a long time ago. Maybe a lot change now.

Моментик писал(а):

I was with my young sister and they even tried to grab our hands in order to make us to buy

You see sometimes things like this happen and not only in Turkey. It happened to me in Tunis and I had to be impolite with the man. He even called me a Russian bandit. Bu tafter I had said that I was a Russian professor and he was Arabic gangster he shut up. He made me do this! Once at the market in my town a woman who was selling something I meant to buy but didn't like the price caught me by hand and asked "Why don't you bargain!?" Don't you think that Arabic man and the woman have something in common? Though I admit that arabic people tend to be a bit naughty.