Learning to Read

Well, you'll be pleased to hear that now that I'm 29, I am finally learning my alphabet. :) I am practicing the Russian alphabet and can sound out words now!!! I was studying the alphabet during lunch and then rode back to the apartment in a Mercy Corps car to meet the IT guy, who set up my internet connection from home. On the ride, I was sounding out words and triumphantly shouting words like an elementary school child. I also thought of one of the simplest words I know, which is thank you (sounds like "spah-see bah" in Russian), and phonetically spelled it. After lunch I showed it to Meerim (my teammate), and she changed one letter. Otherwise, it was correct! I was so proud!

So, mama, if you are still working with Cedric, tell him that I feel his pain but that being illiterate is incredibly difficult. I should know. If people give me directions, now I can sound out the street signs to see if I'm on the right street. Otherwise, who knows? Or if people tell me to meet them at Karpinka for drinks, I can read the sign and know if I'm at the right place. Ah, I feel so happy. I'm going to practice my alphabet now like a good girl and listen all weekend to the "learning Russian" CDs that Heidi bought me. Yay!