language

One of the difficulties of coming to a new country is learning the language. We have discovered that you can manage to live without the language. Sign language is universal and you can get most things with a point or fingers for counting. Our work is mostly done in English - and occasionally a translator when needing to follow up with a local. When all else fails - google translate works.
Ron has been very studious - and quite academic in his language learning. He sits with his books each evening and so is becoming quite accomplished with the theory of the language. Now he needs the practice. The russians at work often want to learn english - but in recent days have become more committed to teaching us Russian - so we share a little of each others language.
Of course with Russian it has been a whole new alphabet. for example - how many of you when reading the blog title have prounced mockba - as in mock - ba - when what it is pronounced as moscva - the russian word for moscow. m is the same - then the o sound - but a c is an S and a b is a V and the the ah sound. - confused???? It has taken me until now to have the alpahbet click in my brain. There are 5 letters that look the same as ours and are the same - about 8 that look the same but say somthing completely different and then throw in the funny shaped letters that have sounds and there you have it. It is also differnt because you cannot just replace a russian letter with an english letter - they have some english words that have differnt endings and then a whole dictionary of words you cannot guess what they are. One good thing is that they ghave phonetic spelling. But our english rules are replaced with equally difficult rules and then gender endings that change not only the nounds but the verbs and the adjectives. Now I did not take to English language learning - so all these rules for language really !!!!
Having said all that we are learniong slowly and whilst it will be a long time before we can really have a conversation - we are beginning to manage the greetings and counting - so some progress is being made.

So as I sign off tonight - I need to say - dasvedanya ( which if I had a russian keyboard would look nothing like that)

July already

I think we are all suffering - the speed of life is so quickly passing us. Can you believe the year half gone already! And we are now rapidly approaching one year since we left Australia for this 3 year term in Moscow. In fact one year ago we were on holidays in the packing and preparation stages.
Our trip has been amazing so far as we have settled into life here in Moscow. We have had the opportunity to travel into Georgia, Moldova & Ukraine as well as a short trip into Lithuania. The work has been interesting as we have grappled with the world of projects and community development practice.

The challenge of separation from family and friends has been interesting to deal with. And I am not sure who feels it the most - us here or the ones at home. But life goes on and we at least these days have the luxury of skype - for cheap phone calls or free to computers. so we make the most of any opportunity to connect back home. Facebook is one way we hear the latest news in the army world. We hear more from our neices and nephews than ever before through their facebook and this has been an interesting and enjoyable connection. We have recently begun to use the internet to play simple games with our grandsons - and so we do puzzles, sink ships, play dominoes, hangman and tic tac toe - the video camera allows to feel their excitement as we play the games. So we look forward to the little voice on the computer screen - have you got time for a game poppy?

Our work at the moment is about consolidating systems. There is some good work being done but over the years there has been some difficulty with recording and reporting and so we are trying to put some better accountability in place - with more regular reporting back to sponsors. It takes time and we are so dependant on people down the line doing their jobs - so we spend time in mentoring and coaching - hopefully it will reap some benefit down the track.

Officer changes of appointments has opened the way for Ron & I to now be involved in Cadet training which will be new experience for us. The training College here will welcome 10 new cadets shortly and so we feel it a priviledge to be asked to become part of the training experience. Today some long standing ex-pats (American Officers) have left Moscow to take up the role of Regional commander in Georgia, so we will pick up some of their classes later in the year. With the reducing number of overseas personnell serving here we have such a great opportunity to fill different roles - we just need to decide 'which hat' am I wearing today!!!

This weekend we have had a quiet catch up time - limited the shopping and sight seeing - and settled for housework and quiet time at home. Ron recommences his study this week - and so I have to quieten my lifestyle a little as he get s the books out - but 2 units to go and he finishes!!

So until next time - Greetings to you all from not so sunny Moscow!