Author Archives: abalonik

Here is my final project where you get to meet my family and learn what a Russian Thanksgiving is like!
I hope you enjoy watching it!
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Unlike my previous posts, this one is a bit more serious and gives more background of some of the struggles and experiences my family has been through while immigrating to America and making this life for themselves and our family. I decided to interview my mom to ask her a few questions about her immigration … Continue reading My Mom’s Point of View → Continue reading →

Before coming to Dickinson, I couldn’t read or write in Russian; it was soley conversational. I’ve always gotten away with slurring endings and mixing and matching them to my nouns and adjectives with my family and native speakers. (I never really thought much about grammar, I just spoke the way I heard words and phrases my whole life) … Continue reading Learning Russian in The Classroom → Continue reading →

My family has instilled some superstitions to live by. These may seem a little crazy and out there, but I promise you, my family and many other Russians swear by them 1. Spitting or touching wood Russians believe in the evil eye and fear it. If someone compliments someone else’s child, health, future, or vacations; … Continue reading Top 10 Superstitions Russians Live By → Continue reading →

Let’s face it, growing up in a Russian family and household is a great time; but there are some challenges that go along with good. Here’s a list of some of the challenges I’ve faced growing up Russian in America 1. Learning English for the first time in kindergarten The first day of kindergarten will … Continue reading The Ugly → Continue reading →

Welcome to my very Russian yet very American life, that to me, seems completely normal. Recently I discovered that the blurred line between my cultures isn’t considered “normal” to most people. Thanks to my boyfriend’s shocked face in the middle of the dance floor at my cousins super Russian wedding a few weekends ago, I knew I … Continue reading What is “Bring on the Borscht” ? → Continue reading →