Сколько лет, сколько зим

Сколько лет, сколько зим or "how many summers, how many winters" is how Russians greet one another when it has been a long time. Consider it the idiomatic equivalent of "long time, no see!" Somehow it seemed an appropriate post title as I've been incommunicado for a while.

My life has been consumed by a new study schedule and life rhythm these past five weeks. Enrolled in an intensive Russian program, I have the privilege of taking time off of work for full-time language study. Indeed, I do feel lucky. I've tried often in vain to simultaneously study language while working abroad, and it is very hard to make much progress with so many demands. It is also insightful for me to be on the other side of the desk once again as a full-time language student. I have been thinking so often of my former Georgetown University students from the Intensive English Program and empathizing with their overloads and concerns. It's interesting to be in small groups (we are only three at the moment) for so much study and in such a codified program. The inner teacher in me has a hard time turning off from monitoring the "how" of our learning. My fellow students are incredibly hard-working and motivated -- I feel as if I have to run to keep pace with everyone and not fall behind.

Most notably, I have felt incredibly tired. My daily routine consists of an early wake up, 2 hours of self-study at home or in the library, my bike ride to work--35 minutes of phonetic drills in my ears so that I can repeat aloud and look looney to other commuters, 2 hours of class, 1 hour of lab, 1 hour of lunch/study, 3 hours of class, bike ride home (without phonetic drills--for this one I stare into space, dazed), dinner, study, and sweet, sweet sleep. All just to keep pace. It feels something like writing all day with your left hand - possible with concentration, but, ultimately, exhausting.

Speaking of writing, I now can read and write in Cyrillic. It's not as tricky as characters or Arabic script, but I did learn to write cursive. Last week during a lecture in English, I noticed myself at a loss for how to get some cursive letters in English started. Sheesh!

I am sure that once my brain is better conditioned, I will start to fall into a routine and feel as if the language learning schedule is old hat. Until then, I am trying to be patient and get plenty of sleep.

As a plus, TIME magazine ran an article Why Speaking More than One Language May Delay Alzheimer's, so my mental health may ultimately be the better for it as well!