Irina went visited Masha today, but her mobile phone ran out of battery whilst at work. Although a little inconvenient by itself, the fact that Ira’s friend lives in an apartment block that has two locked doors and a lift that requires a card to get upstairs meant that just visiting her was a PITA. Eventually, some other residents arrived at the door, and let her in, however I still had to try and explain to Ira’s dad that she was OK, no longer at work, seeing a friend, and that her mobile phone was not working. (They normally speak each evening, and he would have been worried if he could not contact her without knowing the reason.
Anyway, Masha’s son has already grown a lot since I last saw him, so perhaps personalized baby clothes would not be the best idea; maybe you can get personalised toddler clothes?
Before I had a mobile phone, I had a pager, so could at least tell when someone wanted to contact me, if I wasn’t at home; before that, I’m guessing public payphones had a lot more traffic…

To celebrate Dr Natalya’s birthday, we went to the ‘barrel’ restaurant yesterday. I have forgotten the official name of the place, but due to the use of huge barrels outside as dining areas (at least in the summer months), that barrel place is easier to remember
As well as Dr Natalya, her husband Sasha (when in doubt, if a guy is Russian, Sasha is normally a safe bet ), their daughter Sveta and Masha, we also had Balzhan and her son Ildar. We finally had a chance to pass on a couple of little presents for the kids (some toys and a British comic each) who seemed to enjoy them. Anyway, we had some salad (OK, I admit I just munched on the bread), a few plates of pork sashliq and I ordered some chips. Topped off with some ice cream, and a good time was had by all. Sadly Balzhan and Ildar can not make it this Christmas to Mum’s wedding, so it was good to see them again before New Year, which is a much bigger holiday/celebration over here, than Xmas.

On Monday, Ira and I went over to Masha’s flat to celebrate her birthday. We had a nice meal, a couple of drinks, and I got to meet her son for the first time.

Whilst there, I read my first ever Russian book. So what was it, I hear someone ask?
Perhaps a poem by Aleksandr Pushkin? Perhaps something penned by Leo Tolstoy?
Nope, it was Zimnaya Kolibyelnaya by Irina Gurina

Yep, a nursery school book, I read to Masha’s son.
Well what did you expect? I’m hoping to start my Russian lessons again soon, as my teacher has been away on a training course. Until I’ve progressed a little further, I’m very happy to have got as far as this book