Odesa Dreaming

[Trenchcoat]

Just looked up a few more women in Tinder in Odessa some had their profile statement in Russian well not English so it's looks like some of the girls are purposefully doing their profile in English. To my mind that strikes me as the girls to avoid as they most likely have an ulterior motive for doing so, either to get an English guy abroad or to get one who is local.

Obviously the girls with their profiles in Russian my not speak good English or want a Ukrainian/Russian/local language speaker so it's all a bit so so I guess.

[Dell]

I made my comment because you mixed the English translations of Russian and Ukrainian spellings.

You are completely wrong and far behind the times with respect to Official Ukrainian Government spelling of Odesa in English.

Here is from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

http://mfa.gov.ua/en/correctua

#CorrectUA | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

Copied in many publications including:
http://www.ukrweekly.com/uwwp/ukraines-foreign-affairs-ministry-issues-open-letter-on-correct-spelling-of-ukrainian-place-names/

Here is a more complete listing of cities ordered by population size.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Ukraine

Thank you Mr. Spell Checker for pointing out my how misspelled one word. Does that make you feel like a big man. Lol

Seriously pretty petty.

[Boethius]

Not to interfere in your p***ing match, but this is what you posted previously_

My spellings are right. Maybe you use the Russia spelling.

Ukrainian Одеса English translation Odessa

So was it a spelling error? 

The Ukrainain government has asked in the past that Ukrainian transliterations, including Odesa, be used.  I believe it is to distinguish themselves as an independent country.  Were that position not so precarious (as history has proven), it would not be an issue.

[Trenchcoat]

I'm just getting used to the new Ukrainian names for these cities. I think I might be getting to the point where changing back would be a pain. I then don't think I will know if I'm coming or going, if I'm in Ukraine, Ukraine or Russia, Ukraine.

I suppose at least the Ukrainian names aren't too dissimilar sounding or looking to the Russian versions. That kind of makes jumping over to their usage a little easier.

[Steven1971]

I'm just getting used to the new Ukrainian names for these cities. I think I might be getting to the point where changing back would be a pain. I then don't think I will know if I'm coming or going, if I'm in Ukraine, Ukraine or Russia, Ukraine.

I suppose at least the Ukrainian names aren't too dissimilar sounding or looking to the Russian versions. That kind of makes jumping over to their usage a little easier.

Mate if you can't alternate between Kharkov and Kharkiv, Odesa and Odessa and Kyiv and Kiev, then good luck learning Ukrainian or perfecting your rudimentary Russian.

[Grumpy]

I'm still struggling with Noviwhatchamacallit and Starrisomewheres. Deadherograd was much easier to remember and spell. 

[Trenchcoat]

Ok, so I've reached a point on this Forum where I no longer fancy getting involved in long lengthy argument or reading members long lengthy political diatribes (mostly US politics  ) between each other and often off topic to the original intention of the given thread. I also have less time on my hands to post on here as my property project nears an end allowing me to focus on other aspects of my life. I've learnt a lot on here over the past few years I've been on here and it's been great hearing members views of all the topics discussed. Moving forward as such I'll be trying to keep to this thread as much as possible as my main thread and trying to avoid commenting on other threads so much to keep matters concise and efficient.

So whatever happens going forward on topics like the Invasion of Ukraine or Coronavirus, etc I'll put my position here. For the rest it will essentially be focusing on me and my progress, not just on dating but in terms of self actualisation and trying to realise my vision in life.

So I decided that this thread I've already started being the most appropriate for this. My dream of going to Odesa and meeting a hot girl still holds despite the Russian Invasion though of course I won't be going there till the war had ended. Still the forward momentum in my life and Odesa being the place to manifest my dreams in life defines Odesa as the place for me. Until then of course I will update my progress in life on here and of course discussion on any other matters.

[Trenchcoat]

Ok so Odesa is still relatively unscathed and so the possibility still lies that at some point in the future I may be able to live out there as stated earlier in this thread.

So with that in mind I'm going to keep moving forward with preparations for such an event. Of recent I've decided to stick with learning Russian, I thought it through and listened to a bit of Pimsleur Ukrainian and to be honest I kind of think it would confuse my Russian learning. I think my efforts would be best spent learning one language better than learning two not so well. With that in mind I've been devoting about 15 minutes a night to learning Russian through audio learning, Pimsleur, etc. I figured this may be the way to go as it means I'm not put off by lengthy time commitments especially when tired and so can commit time more regularly. So far it's a strategy that is working quite well, I don't always get to do it every night but most nights I manage to and it's clocking up bit by bit.

Odesa of course is one of the more Russian speaking cities in Ukraine so it should be quite appropriate for that. At the moment there is no telling how the invasion of Ukraine will end but despite weapons from the west going to Ukraine I'm guessing the Russians will overpower Ukraine in the end. Mariupol unfortunately is devastated so lets hope that date is not in store for Odessa also.

Work out wise I've not done as much as I've liked. Kind of had other stuff get in the way plus also felt a slight weakness in one of my arms the past few weeks but that fortunately seems to be going now and I'm hoping to get back on track with that. The progress I made is still largely there but really want to move forward with that again soon I think.

So overall not found to bad with where I want to be with it all. The virus numbers are up way high again in the UK with the Deltacron variant. About 200 people in average a day are dying with it, apparently mostly elderly as it's been a while since they had their booster and of course the Deltacron variant can evade the vaccine more successfully. I kind of think that the loss if life to the virus now seems to almost have become normalised and the threat not recognised as it should be. We've moved to 'living with the virus' here, well the government have and to be honest I think it's a big mistake, it's kind of getting complacent and it's going to be kicking us in the rear very shortly in the coming weeks I fear.

Anyhow, that's about it so far, now that the warmer weather seems to be coming back I'll be able to move forward with more stuff, hobbies etc. I'm working on my social media pages of recent and will be continuing that. I've kind of neglected social media in the past as I kind of regarded it as a waste of time and productivity killer, which it can be. Of recent though I think it's becoming more relevant to dating FSW than it used to be, I don't really mean necessarily in terms of pulling them through social media busy in terms of seeing their lifestyle and them seeing yours and seeing if you might get in well together. So that kind of how I'm going to progress from here for the time being.

[Steven1971]

After taking a break from it in recent weeks I have been listening again to Pimsleur Russian 4 and it confirms what I thought the first time: Don't buy it.

The first 5 lessons I almost lost count how many times they use the phrase Как лучше добраться до центра? (What's the best way to get to downtown from here?)

Now I know Pimsleur is based on repetition, but 20 times is insane, especially when you listen to the lessons more than once. As Russian goes it isn't even a difficult sentence to remember. It takes up valuable time and really feels like padding.

There is another more difficult sentence which I'm not even sure is repeated. If so only once. I feel like spending money on Pimsleur 5 would not be worth the money.

1-3 I found ok in conjunction with the various Michel Thomas courses. Don't get me started on the incompetent male student in the early MT courses ..

Compared to French I feel like an absolute beginner still. Just about have the knowledge of a twelve year old with one year study in comparison.

Personally I am going to move forward learning the 3000 most used Russian words and learn the equivalent verbs that I know in French.

It might come in handy as a tourist, hopefully it will help retain my short and long term memory, but I can't see me having deep and meaningful conversations. If I were to establish a relationship with a Russian speaking lady hopefully what I know would be seen as a sign of respect and maybe a degree of intelligence.

[Patagonie]

After taking a break from it in recent weeks I have been listening again to Pimsleur Russian 4 and it confirms what I thought the first time: Don't buy it.

The first 5 lessons I almost lost count how many times they use the phrase Как лучше добраться до центра? (What's the best way to get to downtown from here?)

Now I know Pimsleur is based on repetition, but 20 times is insane, especially when you listen to the lessons more than once. As Russian goes it isn't even a difficult sentence to remember. It takes up valuable time and really feels like padding.

There is another more difficult sentence which I'm not even sure is repeated. If so only once. I feel like spending money on Pimsleur 5 would not be worth the money.

1-3 I found ok in conjunction with the various Michel Thomas courses. Don't get me started on the incompetent male student in the early MT courses ..

Compared to French I feel like an absolute beginner still. Just about have the knowledge of a twelve year old with one year study in comparison.

Personally I am going to move forward learning the 3000 most used Russian words and learn the equivalent verbs that I know in French.

It might come in handy as a tourist, hopefully it will help retain my short and long term memory, but I can't see me having deep and meaningful conversations. If I were to establish a relationship with a Russian speaking lady hopefully what I know would be seen as a sign of respect and maybe a degree of intelligence.

If you don't mind taking some lessons with a teacher I would advise you to make a move forward with Italki. Here you will find a bunch of teachers and tutors, and additionally, if you hire a Ukrainian one, it could help her 

[krimster2]

Communicate effectively with a woman?
Besides money?
100% of what ya wanna do is read a book called “She Comes First” The Thinking Man's Guide to Pleasuring a Woman (Kerner)
ok…
then you go the bania together NAKED (you get to covertly check out each other's "junk", BTW, try NOT to get "fully" "you know what", only about 50%*)
and then after you shower
then you look straight into her eyes and say in Russian,
“mogu ya potselovat' tebya tam vnizu” can I kiss you down there?
she’s not gonna say “nyet”, duh...
ok…
the rest is easy…
outcome is she will be cleaning and cooking for you for the next 20 years without the slightest complaint with a bright and cheery disposition, and REALLY what more could you want from a  woman?
but remember, once you bring it home and start feeding it, you have to be responsible for it and its offspring!

slovo to yur mamichka!

* if you ignore the 50% rule, then you're just gonna sit there with a "flag pole" while her LEGS ARE CROSSED and you're looking at her looking at your flag pole and it starts wilting...
so seriously, stick with the 50% rule, ok?

[ML]

. . . go the bania together NAKED (you get to covertly check out each other's "junk" . . .)

Nothing covert involved when people are naked !

[ML]

and then after you shower then you look straight into her eyes and say in Russian, “mogu ya potselovat' tebya tam vnizu” can I kiss you down there?
she’s not gonna say “nyet”, duh...
ok…
the rest is easy…
outcome is she will be cleaning and cooking for you for the next 20 years without the slightest complaint with a bright and cheery disposition . . .

I strongly disagree.

Women (and I am referring to a large sample size) do not appreciate orgasms (from any source or method) nearly to the extent that men do.

Sure they have the momentary pleasure and enjoyment.

But you can help a woman achieve 5, 10, 20 or more orgasms within 1-2 hours . . . and she can still find something to argue and harass you  about within about 10 minutes.

If a man were to achieve 2-3 orgasms even within 24 hours, he would be happy and appreciative for days to come.  Not so with women.

[ML]

then you go the bania together NAKED (you get to covertly check out each other's "junk", BTW, try NOT to get "fully" "you know what", only about 50%*)

Men can be grouped into 'showers' and 'growers'

For men who are growers . . . a banya visit will kill any future relationship possibility with the woman . . . unless they get far above 50% pronto.

[krimster2]

I ALWAYS tried to steer Russian girls to the subject of Bania,
I had a “formula” for it at the Four Seasons in Moscow which had a nice rooftop bania
take girl shopping all day, then get her drunk at dinner  and casually read from the Hotel Guest book, and ask her what “bania means”
when she tells you, you then beg her to go with you and then you phone in your reservation!!!

when you get there, act surprised and shocked that you have to “get nekkid” and sit naked inside on the bench while the temp is 120+ F or so….

The heat will relax your scrotum, so you do’t have any “sacck size”  anxiety issues in a bania!!

but damn, it sure is fun getting up to adjust the temp and casually dangle your willy 5 feet in front of a 20-something Russian woman and watch the expression on her face!!

[Trenchcoat]

After taking a break from it in recent weeks I have been listening again to Pimsleur Russian 4 and it confirms what I thought the first time: Don't buy it.

The first 5 lessons I almost lost count how many times they use the phrase Как лучше добраться до центра? (What's the best way to get to downtown from here?)

Now I know Pimsleur is based on repetition, but 20 times is insane, especially when you listen to the lessons more than once. As Russian goes it isn't even a difficult sentence to remember. It takes up valuable time and really feels like padding.

There is another more difficult sentence which I'm not even sure is repeated. If so only once. I feel like spending money on Pimsleur 5 would not be worth the money.

1-3 I found ok in conjunction with the various Michel Thomas courses. Don't get me started on the incompetent male student in the early MT courses ..

Compared to French I feel like an absolute beginner still. Just about have the knowledge of a twelve year old with one year study in comparison.

Personally I am going to move forward learning the 3000 most used Russian words and learn the equivalent verbs that I know in French.

It might come in handy as a tourist, hopefully it will help retain my short and long term memory, but I can't see me having deep and meaningful conversations. If I were to establish a relationship with a Russian speaking lady hopefully what I know would be seen as a sign of respect and maybe a degree of intelligence.

Lol, everyone says that about that guy on the Michel Thomas recording. Well I started with Michel Thomas first, went through the Basic, then Intermediate, then Advanced, I've got the whole set The basic is ok enough, the Intermediate is doable but the Advanced gets pretty hard I found, not quite sure if I finish that, either way I'm not sure that I took much of it in. I think I found the main problem with Michel Thomas, apart from the guy on the recording, is that while the easy Basic stuff is mostly easy to remember the rest is more difficult to recall longer term. Michel Thomas is nice in terms of pace not seemingly moving too slow or fast but with hindsight I think the Pimsleur drumming it in, in an over the top way is kind of needed for long term retention.

Pimsleur I didn't really like when I did a sample session hence why I went with Michel Thomas first. I found it slow and tedious going, it does improve once past the first track or two. Time over again I think I would choose to do Pimsleur first then Michel Thomas after as already being familiar with Russian would then suit the faster pace of Michel Thomas I think.

Thinking it through if you consider how a toddler learns the language it's probably through expose and constant repetition. So the Pimsleur method kind of goes with that its just kind of a wrench for us adults to sit there while someone is banging on with the same or similar phrase umpteen odd times. While I loved the pave of Michel Thomas my main grip was that I never really felt that I knew the language that well when over in Ukraine. I bought train tickets using it and asked where the Tube was, etc but for most stuff I felt like a lot of the learning I couldn't conjure up or even remember. It was a bit better than nothing of course but I just didn't really feel that I had much if any ability in the language.

Of course learning Russian is going to take time and it you think how much time kids probably spend learning a language its understandable that it's not going to be an overnight thing. I'm just coming up to half way through series 1 of Pimsleur, about 30 tracks in each series it seems. I can only really put up with 15 minutes a night as it does my head in with the back & forth repetition thing a bit. I'm not at all really gifted in learning languages, I found French quite hard, German a little less so but spent less time learning that at School. Russian is supposed to be one of the hardest languages to learn, it's a hard one but I think one that I feel so could potentially take to maybe.

I look going forward I will probably go through the rest of Pimsleur then go through the Intermediate & Advanced Michel Thomas ones again and see if I can retain more if that stuff. At some point I may get a tutor, quite possibly.

[Steven1971]

Compared to Russian, French is really easy to learn. And we first studied it when our brains were most adapted to learning languages.

Learn what you can but you will never be fluent and neither will I. It's nice to be able to say a few phrases to a potential girls partner, but that's it.

[Trenchcoat]

Compared to Russian, French is really easy to learn. And we first studied it when our brains were most adapted to learning languages.

Learn what you can but you will never be fluent and neither will I. It's nice to be able to say a few phrases to a potential girls partner, but that's it.

I studied French to GCSE level, German too but of course I started learning French at School when I was about 11 years old, German not until I was 13 years old. I'm guessing you started learning French about the same time to be honest I think it would have been better had they started earlier but I guess didn't want it to conflict with learning English.

I think in the main getting fluent with a language is best done while living out there. Learning from recordings or in the classroom is ok to get the basics down before you go but being out there means you can use it everyday. It's really how we learn English when we are young. That's not to say sone can't obtain fluency in the classroom but I think it's easier when out there emersed in the language.

I noticed you said you were after learning about 3,000 Russian words, I'm not sure how you are going to go about that. The first Ukrainian girl I met in Kiev from Mariupol I think I recall her saying she was tested and knew about 1,000 English words. Her English was very fluent, near perfect better than she thought it was and she understood pretty much everything I said to her. She had studied English up to Uni level alongside her actual degree so I think it's a handy example of how far the learning needs to go to get to a fluent level. Honestly her English was as good as most English people and you would hardly know she wasn't English.

English I think though is an easier language to learn than Russian, there are no genders in English apart from the gender of a species. Russian has some handy ways about it that makes it a bit easier but it's still quite a hard language I think. French got real hard I found in the final year of GCSE, it was either the masculine & feminine stuff and/or the past, present, future tense stuff - the whole world apparently completely changed in some cases and that for me made it really difficult to follow.

I think some people can really get into languages which is great for them. I myself have always struggled to obtain any grasp beyond basic, I hope to do better this time of course 

[krimster2]

when you're young go live there and get a "sleeping dictionary" and you'll be fluent enough to live and work there after about a year

before the war, I would've recommended going to the Medical School in Ternopil, WHICH IS TAUGHT IN ENGLISH!!! GOOGLE IT IF YOU DO'T BELIEVE ME!
I'd live "off-campus" in my own house/apartment!
your sex life would be 10 times more than what anyone here could ever even dream of...
with women that looked like super models, who after sex, wouls stay and cook your meals for you and cleanup after!!!
DAMN!!!!
--or--
you could just stay home and watch porn, it's YOUR LIFE, YOU DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY!! I DID!!!

[Trenchcoat]

So part of me has already been thinking about 'Reconstruuuksiya' after this war has all blown over, soon I hope for the sake of the poor Ukrainian people who are unjustly having misery inflicted upon them all.

For me though my skills are in the Architectural field with of course some knowledge of construction. So I figure my skills might potentially come to use in Ukraine to help with Reconstruuuksiya. Some places have obviously been affected more than others so far. Now I'm not sure how this Reconstruuuksiya will all go about the IMF have promised so much money though my guess is that might only be so if Russia doesn't succeed in its invasion. Things at the moment aren't going well for Russia so assuming that continues to be the case then possibly Ukraine might win through.

So how to go about this? Find out what Architecture companies might get the work? What companies might get the IMF money? Set up my own company and try and find investment? Or something more small scale and build up perhaps. The last option might suit me most but depends on what to do. Would be interested to hear on any idea on this?

[Steven1971]

I studied French to GCSE level, German too but of course I started learning French at School when I was about 11 years old, German not until I was 13 years old. I'm guessing you started learning French about the same time to be honest I think it would have been better had they started earlier but I guess didn't want it to conflict with learning English.

I think in the main getting fluent with a language is best done while living out there. Learning from recordings or in the classroom is ok to get the basics down before you go but being out there means you can use it everyday. It's really how we learn English when we are young. That's not to say sone can't obtain fluency in the classroom but I think it's easier when out there emersed in the language.

I noticed you said you were after learning about 3,000 Russian words, I'm not sure how you are going to go about that. The first Ukrainian girl I met in Kiev from Mariupol I think I recall her saying she was tested and knew about 1,000 English words. Her English was very fluent, near perfect better than she thought it was and she understood pretty much everything I said to her. She had studied English up to Uni level alongside her actual degree so I think it's a handy example of how far the learning needs to go to get to a fluent level. Honestly her English was as good as most English people and you would hardly know she wasn't English.

English I think though is an easier language to learn than Russian, there are no genders in English apart from the gender of a species. Russian has some handy ways about it that makes it a bit easier but it's still quite a hard language I think. French got real hard I found in the final year of GCSE, it was either the masculine & feminine stuff and/or the past, present, future tense stuff - the whole world apparently completely changed in some cases and that for me made it really difficult to follow.

I think some people can really get into languages which is great for them. I myself have always struggled to obtain any grasp beyond basic, I hope to do better this time of course 

This sounds about right to me:

People who know 250 to 500 words are beginners. Those who know 1,000 to 3,000 words can carry on everyday conversations. Knowing 4,000 to 10,000 words makes people advanced language users while knowing more than 10,000 words puts them at the fluent or native-speaker levels.

If the first woman you met knew 5000 words then of course she would know the first 1000.

I am 50 and I started learning French when I was 5 at a private school. When I started secondary I coasted for two years as I already knew what I was being taught. Only yesterday I learned the French word for stalemate as I watched C dans l'air on YouTube. I went half my life not knowing that, but I think it's best to focus on words you use most often.

To get anywhere in Russian you would need to dedicate one to two hours a day and stick to it. 15 minutes won't cut it. There are no short cuts to language learning.

I find masculine/feminine more challenging in Russian especially with cases, but your milage may vary.

[krimster2]

can I HAZ SALO?

[Patagonie]

This sounds about right to me:

People who know 250 to 500 words are beginners. Those who know 1,000 to 3,000 words can carry on everyday conversations. Knowing 4,000 to 10,000 words makes people advanced language users while knowing more than 10,000 words puts them at the fluent or native-speaker levels.

If the first woman you met knew 5000 words then of course she would know the first 1000.

I am 50 and I started learning French when I was 5 at a private school. When I started secondary I coasted for two years as I already knew what I was being taught. Only yesterday I learned the French word for stalemate as I watched C dans l'air on YouTube. I went half my life not knowing that, but I think it's best to focus on words you use most often.

To get anywhere in Russian you would need to dedicate one to two hours a day and stick to it. 15 minutes won't cut it. There are no short cuts to language learning.

I find masculine/feminine more challenging in Russian especially with cases, but your milage may vary.

Perfective/Imperfective is a PIA also.

[Trenchcoat]

Perfective/Imperfective is a PIA also.

Yeah that was a real irritation in French. I never really got what the hell they were on about, all just very odd.

[Trenchcoat]

"So part of me has already been thinking about 'Reconstruuuksiya' after this war has all blown over, soon I hope for the sake of the poor Ukrainian people who are unjustly having misery inflicted upon them all."

Dewd, Nyet, forget about working for someone else
ONLY work for yourself…

let me give you a plan Stan,
when the war is over, borrow as much money as you can on your UK property and rent it out
live with yur mom temporarily or something
then take this money and go to Ukraine
and buy 3 contiguous lots of land that have utility access (water, gas, electricity, cable)
then take whatever buildings are on it and fix ‘em up
and build yur own mansion with a swimming pool right in the middle
then surround everything with Apricot trees

you can do whatever “bizness” you want here, discreetly and without ANY interference
ZERO income tax to!

I ran three different "biznezz enterprises" out of what looked like a "Hill Billy Paradise" complete with copper moonshine still

Voila! "The Rancho Del Krimster", now in Russian hands!!!
Trench all this cost me about $60,000 for 3X20 soteks plus existing "shacks" and including an old Lada and a Zhighouli!!!
also about a year of my time, "doing stuff" mainly carpentry and plumbing and electrical

I ended up with what looked like a compound of some kind, that I later put a fence around to keep people out
plus I had straight access to a 480V transformer with .02 per killowatt hr cost and a big yellow gas line for cheap gas as well
ended up digging my own deep drill well for water and solar pool heater
with 2 car garage and huge Metal Gate
and NO POLICE to bribe!!!

I think you're dead right Krim, I think working for myself is the way forward, moreso in any Reconstruuuksiya in Ukraine enterprise. If I work for others I am just going to get the dog end tasks and even if I got a good task I wouldn't share in the outcome of my labour. Better to be a man in control of your own world. It's why I converted the terrace house to get away from the world of working for an Employer, gain an independent income.

I like the plan you gave Krim, it's small but not too small, it's doable and it could have good scope depending upon desired aim. I understand out in Ukraine at least last I heard buying land to build on for foreigners was not possible just buying old buildings like you suggest and doing them up. How are things for corruption out there at the moment? Do corrupt officials still try to steal property in Ukraine?

Anyway, it's definitely something for me to ponder and think what I could do with such a setup, many thanks