Трудное слово = difficult word

Трудное слово. Yep. Russian today. I think it is safe to say that a lot of русские слова are difficult. Note that the word for word changed slightly. That is because the one ending in O was singluar (which is neutral and generally neutral words end in O. The plural changes to something else, in this case, а is the ending.

In Russian the word difficult, an adjective, or any adjective (I only bloody learnt what an adjective is since studying bloody Russian) changes its spelling depending on the gender of the word it accompanies. So:
Difficult word (singuar = neutral) = Трудное слово
Difficult letter (singular = feminine) = трудная буква
Difficult umbrella (singular = masculine) = Трудный зонт

The important bit is obviously the start, which doesn't change, the root, which can help you spot what it means. When seeing it written down, it can also help you work out what gender the word it is with is. Feminine words generally end in ая или (or) яя. Masculine words: ой ый ий. Neuter words: ое (think there might be more but I forgot!)

Um... Oh also, Elena told me about the name thing, they do this patronym thing, a bit like other countries. Where as Iceland do the dottir and sson thing, in Russian people have their own name, then their second name is basically their fathers name, and then their surname. You would always call your teacher by their first name and fathers name, rather than surname, like you would in England.

So Elena, her name is: Елена Аьвовна (the на bit is like the daughter ending I think... her father is called Аев which is Russian for Lion but it gets changed slightly) Семенова.

Oh and I also learnt a really funny thing that they could surely only do in Russian/Slavic countries:
With years, counting is kind of funny. I knew that 100 is сто and года is years. Today I learnt that век is century. So I said, 100 years is a century in Russian and Elena corrected me saying that actually, thats wrong.

In Russian:
1 (year) год
2, 3,4 (years)года
5+ лет

Лет means summer. After 4 years, you count in summers, because in Russia, you only live in the Summer! Awesome. How true. So in actual fact, 100 лет = 1 век.

Not much else to report today. Work was stressful. I think I am due on, my boobs hurt. I have also been very moody today. My new glasses arrived but I am selling them already on Ebay as they are too small. Shame really I have such a massive head.

Timmy is off to Iceland with his brother Nic. I am not reall sure Iceland deserves to have that inflicted upon it... I am sorry in advance Kitty, I really am. I got you a nice pressie though. I hope it'll keep you entertained over the festive period, which for me is usually uneventful. I'm not all woe woe woe about Christmas, but I've had some really crap ones, and last year was nice as a friend came to spend it with me, but this year I am on my own again.

Also, it is a week, a whole week since pay day. How the HELL am I skint again? I am really holding out for my bonus, which should really sort out my fucking credit card, so I won't have to throw money at it to get it down from when I was in the States last. Of course, I will be maxing it again soon into the NY, especially if I want to be going to to San Fran twice and Iceland and London within the first three months.

Jersey will get an EasyJet route in March! Easyjet to Liverpool and then in April to Luton. Handy for Dad and London, as the train into London doesn't take that long.

I really want a French bulldog. I'd get a black one and call it Batdog or something crap like that. I want stuff like that for Christmas. Stuff that I have to get myself and couldn't have right now, as I'd need to move house and have friendlier hours and lifestyle for a pet. I'd like a decent relationship, or at least a fresh go of one for Christmas really. Saying that, in 2008 I think I will get what I want.


Doesn't hurt to be optimistic!