Derek & Rita
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Posts posted by Derek & Rita
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Perhaps you're mispronouncing it. Ona is pronounced "ah-NA", not "OH-na"
Certainly you can't go wrong if you just ask "Kak Katya? (or whatever your daughter's name is)"
No, I am using the correct term. I've been talking Russian this whole time with her since we've met, and my russian has improved tremendously during these 20 months. She doesn't speak english, but she is trying to learn. I learned Russian just for her. I know the pronouns. I know how to say them. This particular instance happened during a text conversation, so I know that pronunciation had nothing to do with it. I just figured it was a cultural issue or something. Sure, I could use her name every time, but just wondered if there was something I wasn't understanding. It just baffles me that pronouns seem to confuse her as to whom I am speaking (or writing, as the case may be) about.
What I can't wait for is when she learns enough english that she starts translating some russian sentences into english, and she makes those mistakes. For example, I can see her saying "and fish and steak" instead of the correct "both fish and steak".
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Yes, Alla was surprised at this also. "Why do Americans have so much stuff and sell it so cheap?" A like new pair of "Rollers" (roller blades) for $3. Shortly after she arrived my gas weedwhacker gave up the ghost and I took her when I cruised around some garage sales and picked up one for $5 That hooked her on garage sales. Now on Saturdays she goes "sale-ing"
With the Rollers she even questioned the person "What is wrong with these? For $3 there must be something wrong with them" No, just don't use them. "But they cost a lot of money, why did you buy them if you don't use them?"
Alla, pay the lady!Well, I hadn't even thought about garage sales. I bet my wife would love that. My sister goes all the time. My wife has never been to a zoo, or to the ocean either, so I can't wait until we are together and I can introduce her to these new experiences. Hmm, another thing that might be interesting is Seaworld, or an IMAX...
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Something that gets me - I talk to my wife about our daughter, and I ask "so how is she?" and she replies with "kto ona?"... is that a common thing where in russian you don't use a pronoun to refer to a third party you just talked about? I get this about half the time, and I don't understand why...
Any native russian speakers here care to elaborate?
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I live in Moscow right now and found it very easy to obtain. I just went to the MVD (Ministry for Internal Affairs) after someone on VJ directed me there. It took a few weeks and it was free! Don't go to the local station as that's when you get stung!
Failing that, the Russian Consulate in your fiancee's country will provide a service to obtain the necessary records (the Russian Consulate in the UK, for example, advises that it takes somewhere between 2-4 months for them to obtain it on your behalf), hence removing the the need to 'bribe' someone or to provide a 'limited power of attorney' to someone sketchy!
Where is that place? My wife has to go there soon. I'm hoping that the certificate is valid for about 6 months, so she can get this done before we get the appointment. That will make things a lot smoother.
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Hello everybody,
My American sister-in-law(Missy) and I are going to Russia in April.She will be applying for a homestay visa. My mom had applied for an official invitation for Missy and I received it today. That`s when I noticed that the dates on it are April 27th through May 26th. Our flight for Moscow leaves JFK on April 26th... It arrives in Moscow on the 27th. Is that a big problem? Will she be able to enter Russia? Where will she be going through immigration and customs? In Moscow or JFK?
I've done it several times, never had a problem. Customs and Immigration in Russia first, then in USA coming back.
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Great write-up. Thanks!
@James
I've heard the term "Russian dollar" before. As I understand, it means US money that is almost new. The money should be crisp, no tears, no folds and security strip in place. I've really had a problem exchanging money but one time I got the stink eye and asked if i had better bills for some $100 I was trying to exchange. I thought the money was in good shape just a little worn.
My experience is the opposite. They wouldn't take the "so straight it looked like I ironed them" bills, but they would take the slightly worn ones.
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I never thought of Arizona as a place to ski.
Yea, just don't let her know that the snow is made from treated sewage.
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Eyelashes are important for some reason. Alla always checks mine and says I have "good eyelashes".
I am allowed to drink cold things because I have a "strong North American immune system from generations of people living in the forest"
(My grandfather moved here from England in 1912, my father was born and raised in Lake Forest, IL...shhhhh. Maybe that counts as a "forest") I have been warned not to "poison" the boys with cold drinks, coca-cola and French fries & Gamboorgers. Too late. They both drink ICED Tea by the freaking gallons! Alla is sure they will die young now. Yea, cold things are bad... except icecream...
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OP: Three words of advice that have kept my marriage hitting on all cylinders: Choose your battles.
You are correct about hair not growing back in thicker. And you'll still be correct while sleeping on the couch.
Well, so far she's not the type of person to get so mad as to punish herself by sleeping alone.
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My opinion? Ignore it. It's all nonsense, but it's engrained into them, and they don't want to be wrong and will argue. It's not worth it.
I have long since given up. My wife has a nursing degree, and a high degree in Veterinary Medicine. But she is absolutely convinced (and simply won't be told otherwise) that a draft will make her ill. This is just my favorite in a long list of her old wives' tales...
Yea, mine has a nursing degree as well, with a specialization in immunology... and she still thinks a draft will make you ill...
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perhaps it would help if you look at it for what is probably is.... culteral differences. that may also be why she discusses things like hair cuts. it is really a matter of respect for you.
be well friend.
Oh, I am sure it is just out of respect for me, but what I don't get is when I say "don't cut it" she argues with me. My view is - if you wanted my opinion, and you got it, why are you arguing with me?
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So today, as before, my (Russian / Tajik) wife goes "we should cut the baby's hair so it grows back thick!". I tell her "there is not any scientific evidence that this is true, it's just a myth." She goes "no, its true, my mom didn't cut my hair and you see how it is thin?".
I don't care either way, but saying that it will be thicker because you cut it? That's nonsense. I don't get why I have to tell her whether or not she is allowed to cut our daughter's hair.
MIL was saying that if I whistle near a baby it is bad, or looking at her so that my face appears upside down will make my daughter stupid. Her MIL can spout her old wive's tales somewhere else. I flat out told her "no, that's not true" a few times when she tried that ####### with me.
Anyone else have these or similar stupid arguments? I love my wife, and we get along great, what I don't get is how they can believe these tales.
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My fiance is from Kazakhstan but lived in Moscow for a couple of years without being officially registered there. (She arrived on a tourist visa and stayed a bit longer than she had planned...) She is very concerned about not being able to get a Russian police certificate and since police certificates are mandatory for a K-1 this could be a problem. I'm sure she's not the only person who has been in this situation. How have people handled this? Is it just a matter of bribing the right person somewhere to 'solve' this problem or is this a big deal? Any help on this would be much appreciated.
Not too sure about it. My wife is in a similar but not quite situation. She's registered in St Petersburg, but not Moscow, because she is living with a friend and her husband doesn't want to pay higher taxes. I suppose she could request a police certificate from St Petersburg... yours is different though, If she were arrested, I'm sure she would be on the books there, if not, well they might be able to provide that clean certificate for a "processing fee".
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Congratulations! That's a big step, but probably a pretty darn easy decision to make.
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Found it on hulu for those of us who haven't seen it yet (like myself).
And I just finished. Well, is that what those tours are like? It's kind of a strange way to meet someone I guess, but anyway, I thought the movie was good. I like the ending when he eats the "chicken".
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Speaking of RUB-related television, has anyone seen "Two Brothers and a Bride?" Not that good, but definitely relative to RUB!
Found it on hulu for those of us who haven't seen it yet (like myself).
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I understand "unofficially" just any old Russian male dude get's chocolate from his girlfriend on DOFD. OK, good for them.
Officially it's about the Red Army, and it has absolutely nothing to do with America.
True, however, as an honorary russian male, I am glad that my wife celebrates it.
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Wow, someone really got a burr under their saddle. Lighten up. Just because my wife and I suspect other wives choose to celebrate this day honoring their husband does not take away from the many veterans of the Soviet Union. Or would you rather that all the people that come to America completely forget that holiday?
From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defender_of_the_Fatherland_Day
Officially, as the name suggests, the holiday celebrates people who are serving or were serving the Russian Armed Forces (both men and women), but unofficially, nationally it has also more recently come to include the celebration of men as a whole, and to act as a counterpart of International Women's Day on March 8.
The holiday is celebrated with parades and processions in honor of veterans, and women also give small gifts to the Russian men in their lives, especially husbands (or boyfriends), fathers and sons. As a part of the workplace culture, women often give gifts to their male co-workers. Consequently, in colloquial usage, the holiday is often referred to as Men's Day (Russian: День Мужчин, Den' Muzhchin).
And from the russian version: http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%94%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%8C_%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%89%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0_%D0%9E%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%87%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B0
Сегодня 23 февраля в России является неформальным народным праздником мужчин, который празднуется как коллегами в своих коллективах, так и в семьях, и носит массовый характер. В этот день поздравляют также и женщин — ветеранов Великой Отечественной войны, женщин — военнослужащих.
So, yes, traditionally and officially it has been the 'Russian Army Men Day' but it's grown to become more than that to a celebration of all men. Just as Christmas became about buying presents and celebrating family more than celebrating the birth of Jesus.
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Hey guys
Can anyone share their experiences of flying into Washington (DC) on VWP whilst applying for CR1? I know each POE is different and the deal with travelling on VWP but just wondered if anyone had any positive or negative experiences?
Thanks all
Can't do it.
VWP is for people who are not intending to stay. Filing a CR1 clearly states you do intend to stay. I don't think they will allow it. If you do manage to get by passport control, it will only be by sheer luck. Don't risk it.
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Maybe one of the CO's missed something, thought she'd been there longer. Anyways they have passports so they are free to move to the US whenever they (well, you!) want.
Well, not quite. Since they are also Belgians (assuming based on the flag), they have to follow all their rules for allowing citizen minors out of the country.
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I'll probably hear about this from the wife when I get home tonight. After all, I did serve, just not for the Soviet Union.
I didn't even serve, much less for Russia, yet I still got a lovely poem. It's becoming less about the army and more about men. Especially since International Women's day is March 8th. (its good that they have this holiday to remind the guys).
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No X-rays for women who are pregnant or THINK they could be pregnant. Pregnant women cannot even be in the vicinity of the x-ray room. That applies here in the US of A. Don't know about other countries and if they are aware of dangers of radiation to a fetus, but I think they should. The Embassy/Consulate should not demand an x-ray for a pregnant woman.
I watched a documentary on pregnancy in the USA on how its so different from other countries. Here you have your baby in a hospital, where in other countries it is done with a midwife. And they killed a lot of babies in the old days by doing hip x-rays on all pregnant women.
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Alla is going out with her girlfriend Friday night! Pasha and I will hit it!I had no idea you guys were swingers!
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Yes it's a problem. She is married NOT single. She must file "married filing separately" or "married filing joint". Separately would be better if she isn't in the US. She can file for head of household but she STILL needs to file as "married"
This is incorrect. You need to amend your tax returns to file "married filing separately". Aside from it being the proper legal route you should get a bigger return.
Which is incorrect advise for them to give her. They would write "NRA" (for Non-resident Alien) in the SSN section when filing married filing separately.
Almost correct. I suggest the OP read these:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=96467,00.html
Married Filing Jointly
Generally, you cannot file as married filing jointly if either spouse was a nonresident alien at any time during the tax year. However, nonresident aliens married to U.S. citizens or residents can choose to be treated as U.S. residents and file joint returns. For more information on these choices, refer to Nonresident Spouse Treated as a Resident.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=96734,00.html
How to Make the Choice
Attach a statement, signed by both spouses, to your joint return for the first tax year for which the choice applies. It should contain the following:
A declaration that one spouse was a nonresident alien and the other spouse a U.S. citizen or resident alien on the last day of your tax year, and that you choose to be treated as US residents for the entire tax year, and
The name, address, and social security number (or individual taxpayer identification number) of each spouse. (If one spouse died, include the name and address of the person making the choice for the deceased spouse.)
Now, if the spouse does not have a SSN, you must use the ITIN. What is an ITIN? Idividual Tax ID Number. You'll have to request one, and it takes 6 to 10 weeks. At this point, you'll need to file for an extension as well. You'll need to fill out a W-7 and submit it to get your ITIN.
usage of pronouns?
in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus
Posted
Oh, it's quite an unusual language, but after listening and speaking with russians for a while, the ending of words kind of becomes automatic, like ending a direct object with "y" (oo sound). I usually place those at the end of the sentence, that makes it easier. Phrasing something so it makes sense is more difficult. I have to keep my sentences short to avoid mixing in too many words or ideas which might change the endings, or be ambiguous.
I do enjoy when the languages seem to use the words the same ways as English does. For example, the word "right" has different meanings, but in Russian it's used similarly to english.
Right - as in "turn right" (naprava)
Right - as in "I have a right" (prava)
Right - as in "He's right." (prav)
I keep getting confused on the 13 / 30 - but that's something that even native English speakers sometimes have trouble with...
Ex: Did you say "thirty"? No, I said "thirtyn". (sic)
But quite a few times, I've been asked "kto ona?" when I've used a pronoun to talk about someone whom we were just talking about.