Renewal of Relationship in Dominican Republic

[SANDRO43]

LanguageShe has repeatedly said that she will take English lessons, and she seems to have a good aptitude for it with excellent pronunciation. 

Gator, aside from formal lessons, I would suggest you give her books/magasines dealing with subjects she's interested in. This encourages reading, and thereby subconsciously absorbing the language, and a known context often helps in "guessing" meaning without tedious recourses to a dictionary. 

I inadvertently followed this route when I started learning English at 12, and discovered that a news agent had the original versions of Walt Disney's comic books (I didn't care about English then, I was only interested in Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse ).

[TexasBoar]

Sandro's got a good point . . . it's a strategy I use in my ESL classes, actually.  And magazines in particular have lots of photos and illustrations, which is yet another time-tested and field-proven ESL strategy.

Great TR, by the way.  And, although I'm sure you already know it, let me just say that she's adorable and the two of you look great---and really, really HAPPY---together.

~Boar

[SANDRO43]

. . . it's a strategy I use in my ESL classes, actually.

Am I right in assuming there are not that many FSUW in YOUR classes (otherwise you wouldn't be here) ?

[TexasBoar]

Am I right in assuming there are not that many FSUW in YOUR classes (otherwise you wouldn't be here) ?

LOL . . . I teach high school, Sandro. 

Did have a Ukrainian kid my first year.  Good student. 

~Boar

[SANDRO43]

LOL . . . I teach high school, Sandro.

Oh, sorry, somehow I had gathered here that ESL classes were English classes for foreigners (English Study Lessons ?). Why don't y'all call a spade a spade and a high school a high school, you acronym maniacs ?

[TexasBoar]

Oh, sorry, somehow I had gathered here that ESL classes were English classes for foreigners (English Study Lessons ?). Why don't y'all call a spade a spade and a high school a high school, you acronym maniacs ?

This is Texas. 

I guess I should explain, lol.  Here in South Texas, we have a steady influx of immigrants both legal and "wet" across our southern border, as well as oil business/refinery/chemical company people from the Middle East (I've had a few Pakistani students, too), India, Ukraine, and so forth.  Over in Houston the public school system serves over one hundred languages . . . and since NO school could ever provide a bilingual education or translation services in that many different languages, BUT a "free and public education for every child" is part of the American way . . . well, that's where ESL comes in: both to help students get up to speed in English, and to provide content area support strategies that don't depend on translation.  Most of my work is actually the latter.

~Boar

[Muj]

Good TR Gator.  Do you have experience with kids living with you?

[Gator]

I am impressed.  Many of you have written kind words.  I thank you, especially for the words of encouragement.

To answer a couple of comments:

Zmejka,

There is much more to the story about her husbands.  She had known both men a long time, she liked both (just did not feel the Big Love), both were interesting and handsome, both bathed her in luxury, she was young, and she was responsible for a young child.   Many a RW has married much worse RM and AM.

The Cossack had been a little pampered in her early years.  The two marriages  plus the past seven years on her own have taught her much about life and has clarified what is important.  She seems to have learned well.  She has repeatedly told me that she will not marry without feeling love.

Muj,

I enjoy all kids, and raised two sons, one still living with me in my Golden Years.  I became really attached (and still am) to the two children of my ex-fiancee. 

The Cossack's children are very delightful.  The 18-yo daughter is very voluptuous and has young men calling her all the time.  She prefers family; however, that may or may not change when she meets the "one".  And the daughter really likes me.  The young boy is remarkable.  He has the charisma of an actor, the wit of a comedian and the size for sports (he is a head taller than other kids in his class).  He also talks about me all the time.

[David1963]

It's a nice TR but how many times have you visited her home town?  Many women like a vacation which it sounds like you've now taken her on 3 of them.  Do you think it's important to visit her family and friends?

If I was this woman I wouldn't think you are serious about a relationship just looking for a vacation friend.

Good luck, I hope this one does work out for you.

[Zmejka]

Thanks Gator for your kind answer to my not very kind remark. I wish you all the best with your woman.

[Gator]

David,

Been to her home and met family and friends.  Good people.  Happy people too  (they smile much more than average Russian families in photos).  I need to learn Russian to spend a long time there.




Family tea time with blini and homemade jam (I'm in the mirror).

[Gator]

Some more photos.  The "beach" photo taken in early July speaks volumes to me.  I thought it was a bad January day in a Florida.

[Muj]

Gator,  Ok you show kid skills.  Obviously the C misunderstood your intent previously.

[Jumper]

Gator-
nice trip report!
Thanks for all the photos also,it looks like a great time for sure.