I took Zane on a long stroll today.  We crossed over to Power Ranch and played, watched the ducks, and enjoyed this perfect weather.  He spotted the playground-I wasn’t going to say, “no.”  So, to the playground we went.  He is so easy to get along with.  He found some kids to play with and joined the digging.  I sat on the sideline wishing I had a smaller booty so I could lay back in the stroller!

While I was wishing my booty away, I recognized some Russian being spoken next to me.  There were 2 ladies and soon joined by a 3rd.  I was using every part of my brain, trying so hard to plan out how I would surprise them and start speaking Russian to them.  Who speaks Russian in Queen Creek, I mean really?  Well sadly, my brain has dumped much of what I learned.  I was so disappointed in myself. 

I eventually got up the nerve to ask, “Are you ladies from somewhere in Russia?”  They confirmed and explained they were from Moscow.  I asked how they ended up in Power Ranch and I only got one reply-she met her husband in Moscow while he was working.  I was curious to know if they wanted to go back home, how long they had been here, who did they leave behind, how many kids do they have, do they find friends easily, what language do they speak to their kids, do their husbands speak Russian, etc.  I just wanted to spend the afternoon talking and talking. 

I decided to just let them enjoy the day at the park as friends and mothers.  I won’t hide the fact that I still tried to eavesdrop and figure out their whole conversations.  Don’t worry, all I could pick out was some HERE, THERE, LATER, PLEASE, LOVE, WILL BE, CAREFUL, MAY I and a few other combinations.  They could have been saying anything with those words.

I was a bit enthused and remembered so much about my schooling there in St. Petersburg.  I have some good memories-it changed me forever.

So needless to say, 12 years ago I knew lots of Russian, today I felt like I knew none.