You Didn't Let Me Go, So Here I am

Let's talk about September 1st in Russia, also known as the Day of Knowledge. Slow Russian Podcast Transcript and audio download for $20 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/slowrussian Join my free email course with A LOT of useful materials for self-learning – http://realrussianclub.com/subscribe My premium step-by-step course for Russian language learners – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/ Get all three levels together and save $102 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/bundles/all-of-from-zero-to-fluency UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA (new cultural course, no knowledge of Russian language required) – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/understanding-russia Here is the transcript: Первое сентября в России называют Днём знаний. Это первый день нового учебного года. В этот день школьники идут в школу после летних каникул. Многие дети приходят в красивой одежде: мальчики часто в рубашках, девочки в платьях или блузках. Учителя тоже готовятся к этому дню заранее. Во многих школах утром проходит торжественная линейка. Ученики стоят во дворе школы, слушают директора, учителей и музыку. Первоклассники часто приходят с большими букетами цветов. Для них это очень важный день, потому что они идут в школу первый раз. После линейки обычно начинается первый урок. Часто это не обычный урок математики или русского языка, а разговор о школе, дружбе, планах и будущем. Для родителей первое сентября тоже важный день. Они фотографируют детей, волнуются и иногда вспоминают, как сами когда-то ходили в школу. Translation: September first in Russia is called the Day of Knowledge. It is the first day of the new school year. On this day, schoolchildren go to school after summer vacation. Many children come in nice clothes: boys often wear shirts, and girls wear dresses or blouses. Teachers also prepare for this day in advance. In many schools, there is a formal assembly in the morning. Students stand in the schoolyard and listen to the principal, teachers, and music. First-graders often come with big bouquets of flowers. For them, this is a very important day, because they are going to school for the first time. After the assembly, the first lesson usually begins. Often it is not a regular math or Russian language lesson, but a conversation about school, friendship, plans, and the future. For parents, September first is also an important day. They take pictures of their children, feel nervous, and sometimes remember how they themselves once went to school. ⸻ Personal insta – https://instagram.com/dasha.savage Slow Russian Podcast Transcript and audio download for $20 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/slowrussian Join my free email course with A LOT of useful materials for self-learning – http://realrussianclub.com/subscribe My premium step-by-step course for Russian language learners – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/ Get all three levels together and save $102 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/bundles/all-of-from-zero-to-fluency UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA (new cultural course, no knowledge of Russian language required) – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/understanding-russia

Let's talk about August in Russia: the end of summer, watermelons, harvest season, and preparing for the new school year! Slow Russian Podcast Transcript and audio download for $20 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/slowrussian Join my free email course with A LOT of useful materials for self-learning – http://realrussianclub.com/subscribe My premium step-by-step course for Russian language learners – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/ Get all three levels together and save $102 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/bundles/all-of-from-zero-to-fluency UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA (new cultural course, no knowledge of Russian language required)– https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/understanding-russia Here is the transcript: Август в России – это особенный месяц. С одной стороны, лето ещё продолжается. На улице тепло, люди ездят на дачу, купаются, гуляют и едят арбузы. С другой стороны, все уже чувствуют, что осень близко. Вечера становятся прохладнее, дни становятся короче, а в магазинах появляются школьные тетради, рюкзаки и ручки. В августе многие семьи готовятся к новому учебному году. Родители покупают детям одежду, обувь, канцелярию и школьные принадлежности. Дети обычно не очень рады, потому что каникулы заканчиваются. Но иногда им интересно снова увидеть друзей и узнать, кто будет их новым учителем. Ещё август это время урожая. Люди собирают яблоки, огурцы, помидоры, кабачки и ягоды. Многие делают варенье, солят огурцы или замораживают овощи на зиму. Поэтому август часто чувствуется как месяц между свободой и подготовкой. August in Russia is a special month. On the one hand, summer is still going on. It is warm outside, people go to the dacha, swim, walk, and eat watermelons. On the other hand, everyone already feels that autumn is close. The evenings become cooler, the days become shorter, and school notebooks, backpacks, and pens appear in stores. In August, many families prepare for the new school year. Parents buy children clothes, shoes, stationery, and school supplies. Children are usually not very happy, because vacation is ending. But sometimes they are interested in seeing their friends again and finding out who their new teacher will be. August is also harvest time. People pick apples, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, and berries. Many people make jam, pickle cucumbers, or freeze vegetables for the winter. That is why August often feels like a month between freedom and preparation. ⸻ Personal insta – https://instagram.com/dasha.savage Slow Russian Podcast Transcript and audio download for $20 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/slowrussian Join my free email course with A LOT of useful materials for self-learning – http://realrussianclub.com/subscribe My premium step-by-step course for Russian language learners – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/ Get all three levels together and save $102 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/bundles/all-of-from-zero-to-fluency UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA (new cultural course, no knowledge of Russian language required)–  https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/understanding-russia

Let's talk about summer at the Russian dacha: gardens, fresh vegetables, berries, shashlik, and why dacha can feel like both rest and work:)  Slow Russian Podcast Transcript and audio download for $20 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/slowrussian Join my free email course with A LOT of useful materials for self-learning – http://realrussianclub.com/subscribe My premium step-by-step course for Russian language learners – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/ Get all three levels together and save $102 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/bundles/all-of-from-zero-to-fluency UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA (new cultural course, no knowledge of Russian language required) – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/understanding-russia Here is the transcript: Летом многие русские семьи любят ездить на дачу. Дача – это небольшой дом за городом, где люди отдыхают, работают в саду и проводят время на свежем воздухе. У кого-то дача большая и удобная, а у кого-то совсем простая: маленький домик, старый стол, несколько грядок и яблоня во дворе. На даче люди часто выращивают овощи, ягоды и цветы. В июле уже можно есть свежие огурцы, зелёный лук, укроп, салат и клубнику. Иногда кажется, что дача – это не отдых, а вторая работа. Нужно поливать растения, собирать ягоды, бороться с сорняками и чинить всё, что сломалось за зиму. Но всё равно многие любят дачу. Там можно пить чай на улице, слушать птиц, жарить шашлыки и долго разговаривать вечером. Для многих людей дача – это место, где лето чувствуется особенно сильно. Translation: In the summer, many Russian families like to go to the dacha. A dacha is a small house outside the city, where people relax, work in the garden, and spend time outdoors. Some people have a large and comfortable dacha, while others have a very simple one: a small house, an old table, a few garden beds, and an apple tree in the yard. At the dacha, people often grow vegetables, berries, and flowers. In July, you can already eat fresh cucumbers, green onions, dill, lettuce, and strawberries. Sometimes it seems that the dacha is not rest, but a second job. You need to water the plants, pick berries, fight weeds, and fix everything that broke during the winter. But many people still love the dacha. There you can drink tea outside, listen to birds, grill shashlik, and talk for a long time in the evening. For many people, the dacha is a place where summer feels especially strong. ⸻ Personal insta – https://instagram.com/dasha.savage Slow Russian Podcast Transcript and audio download for $20 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/slowrussian Join my free email course with A LOT of useful materials for self-learning – http://realrussianclub.com/subscribe My premium step-by-step course for Russian language learners – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/ Get all three levels together and save $102 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/bundles/all-of-from-zero-to-fluency UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA (new cultural course, no knowledge of Russian language required)– https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/understanding-russia

As I've mentioned before, a lot has changed in my professional life recently. I've shifted my focus, and these days I mostly do individual psychological work:) But almost every day, I still receive emails, messages, and questions from you, my dear listeners, asking when new podcast episodes are coming. And to be honest I'm still surprised.  So I made a promise to myself that I will find time for new episodes, at least once a month, and maybe sometimes once every two weeks. I don't want to disappear from the lives of people who have listened to this podcast for years and still want to keep listening. Thank you! 

Dear friends, I would love to invite you to my summer course at the University of Colorado! You do not need to be a registered degree-seeking student to join. The group is small, only 14 students, and we still need 9 more people. If you know someone who might be interested, please share this with them, or join us yourself. I would be absolutely thrilled if one of my podcast listeners became my student this summer. *** The Program in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies at the Univesrsity of Colorado Boulder is planning to offer an online section of RUSS 1010, Beginning Russian 1 in Summer Session B (June 30 – July 31, 2026).   The classes search site is now updated with Summer 2026 classes. Students can add classes to the shopping cart on: 2/18/2026 The summer non-degree application opens: 2/18/2026. The application is in the 'Non-degree' section.  Enrollment for non-degree students into Boulder Main Campus and Continuing Education sections of courses begins: 3/9/2026 Summer 2026 You can search for your desired courses on the class search site classes.colorado.edu by checking the term, and searching for RUSS 1010. At this time, you can take summer classes for credit as a CU Boulder non-degree student without transferring or going through the traditional admissions process. Your home college or university has the final say on the applicability of CU Boulder credits toward your degree. Many students find transferology.com helpful in determining how credits will transfer. How to Apply Apply by completing the summer non-degree application for non-degree/guest students. The application is free, non-competitive, and takes about 15-20 minutes. You will receive a Welcome Message email with your student ID number and how to access your student portal once your application is approved. If you include a copy of your unofficial transcripts within the application, you will need to have it manually reviewed by a CE advisor for courses that have requisites or restrictions. Follow the instructions for Non-Degree Requisite Approval. How to Enroll in Classes The enrollment process is listed on the Summer Session How to Enroll page. Here is how to add a class through your student portal. Search for classes at classes.colorado.edu.  Advising Continuing Education academic advisors are available to assist you—schedule a phone or video advising appointment. After logging in, click on the black Continuing Education tile, then select "Academic Advising" from the dropdown list under Select a Service.  You are also welcome to contact the course instructor, Daria Molchanova Non-Degree Requisite Approval If you have requisites from another university, or are having trouble self-enrolling, you will need to contact an advisor to manually review and approve your outside transcripts. Follow the instructions for Non-Degree Requisite Approval. You can also schedule a phone/video appointment with a Continuing Education academic advisor here: https://cu.my.site.com/continuingEd_login. Click "Schedule an Appointment." After logging in, click on the black Continuing Education tile, then select "Academic Advising" from the Select a Service drop-down. Select an open time with an advisor.  Important Links: Summer Session Website Dates and Deadlines for Boulder Main Campus classes Tuition and Fees for Boulder Main Campus classes, online and in-person Tuition, Fees, Dates, and Deadlines for Continuing Education online classes How and When You Pay Financial Aid Summer Housing at CU Boulder. Housing is run through Housing and Dining. Please contact University Housing for any inquiries related to housing on campus. On-campus housing is limited and may be unavailable for non-degree students. Term Calendars  

Grab all three levels with 60% off here: https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/bundles/black-friday-2025 *** If you've been thinking about learning Russian "one day", that day is now!   For Black Friday I'm doing something I almost never do:   you can get ALL THREE LEVELS of my course From Zero to Fluency with a 60% discount.   That's 6 months of step-by-step Russian learning with a university professor, for a tiny fraction of what my university students pay.   What you get when you join Levels 1, 2, and 3 of From Zero to Fluency   30+ interactive video lessons per level   Mini-stories to get you speaking from the very beginning   Online and printable homework (write by hand if you like!)   Games, quizzes, and final tests for every module   A friendly community of fellow learners   Lifetime access — your access never expires   Downloadable materials so you can study online or offline   By the end of Level 1 alone, you'll be able to talk about yourself, your job, hobbies, family, and more!   Black Friday details:   🔹 Discount: 60% off all three levels   🔹 Offer ends: in just a few days, on Sunday night   🔹 Access: lifetime, with downloadable files you can keep forever   Once the sale is over, the price goes back up and I don't know when (or if) I'll do this again.   Grab all three levels with 60% off here: https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/bundles/black-friday-2025  I'd love to see you inside the course and hear you speaking Russian soon!   С любовью, Daria

Join here – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/products/digital_downloads/Bundle

Let's talk about the difference between УЧИТЬ, УЧИТЬСЯ, ИЗУЧАТЬ. Slow Russian Podcast Transcript and audio download for $20 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/slowrussian  Join my free email course with A LOT of useful materials for self-learning – http://realrussianclub.com/subscribe  My premium step-by-step course for Russian language learners – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/ Get all three levels together and save $102 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/bundles/all-of-from-zero-to-fluency  UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA (new cultural course, no knowledge of Russian language required)–  https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/understanding-russia    Here is the transcript:Я всегда хотела учиться в США, потому что американские университеты дают хорошее образование. Когда я училась в Университете Колорадо, я изучала славянскую культуру и славянские языки. Сейчас я профессор и работаю в университете, и мне очень нравится учить других. Это прекрасная профессия. Я часто говорю студентам, что надо учить стихи наизусть, это полезно для памяти. Вообще, всегда учиться чему-то новому это очень важно. Например, сейчас я хочу учиться играть на пианино и танцевать. I have always wanted to study in the USA because American universities provide a good education. When I was studying at the University of Colorado, I studied Slavic culture and Slavic languages. Now I work at a university, and I really enjoy teaching others. It is a wonderful profession. I often tell my students that they should memorize poems by heart—it's good for memory. In general, constantly learning something new is very important. For example, now I want to learn to play the piano and dance. *** My Instagram – https://instagram.com/realrussianclub  Personal insta – https://instagram.com/dasha.savage  Slow Russian Podcast Transcript and audio download for $20 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/slowrussian  Join my free email course with A LOT of useful materials for self-learning – http://realrussianclub.com/subscribe  My premium step-by-step course for Russian language learners – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/ Get all three levels together and save $102 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/bundles/all-of-from-zero-to-fluency  UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA (new cultural course, no knowledge of Russian language required)–  https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/understanding-russia 

Let's talk about the Buran :D  Slow Russian Podcast Transcript and audio download for $20 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/slowrussian  Join my free email course with A LOT of useful materials for self-learning – http://realrussianclub.com/subscribe  My premium step-by-step course for Russian language learners – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/ Get all three levels together and save $102 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/bundles/all-of-from-zero-to-fluency  UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA (new cultural course, no knowledge of Russian language required)–  https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/understanding-russia    Here is the transcript:Программа «Энергия» — «Буран» стала знаковым проектом в истории советской космонавтики. Это была многоразовая транспортная космическая система (МТКС), созданная как ответ на американскую программу «Спейс шаттл». «Энергия» — «Буран» была одной из двух реализованных в мире систем такого типа. The "Energia" — "Buran" program was a landmark project in the history of Soviet space exploration. It was a reusable transport space system (RTSS), developed as a response to the American Space Shuttle program. "Energia" — "Buran" was one of only two such systems ever implemented in the world. Единственный полёт корабля «Буран» состоялся 15 ноября 1988 года. Он прошёл в полностью беспилотном режиме. Программа стартовала в 1974 году, но уже в 1993 году работы по проекту были официально прекращены. Главными конструкторами системы были Юрий Павлович Семенов, ответственный за разработку «Бурана», и Борис Иванович Губанов, руководивший созданием ракеты-носителя «Энергия». The only flight of the "Buran" spacecraft took place on November 15, 1988, in a fully unmanned mode. The program was launched in 1974, but by 1993, work on the project was officially terminated. The chief designers of the system were Yuri Pavlovich Semenov, responsible for developing the "Buran," and Boris Ivanovich Gubanov, who led the creation of the "Energia" launch vehicle. Программа обошлась бюджету в 14 миллиардов рублей. Сюда не входят дополнительные расходы на постройку самого «Бурана», ракеты-носителя и запуск. По другим оценкам, общая стоимость программы достигала 16,5 миллиардов рублей. The program's cost was significant for the state budget—14 billion rubles. This estimate does not include additional expenses for constructing the "Buran" spacecraft, the launch vehicle, and the actual launch. According to other estimates, the total cost of the program reached 16.5 billion rubles. *** Slow Russian Podcast Transcript and audio download for $20 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/slowrussian  Join my free email course with A LOT of useful materials for self-learning – http://realrussianclub.com/subscribe  My premium step-by-step course for Russian language learners – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/ Get all three levels together and save $102 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/bundles/all-of-from-zero-to-fluency  UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA (new cultural course, no knowledge of Russian language required)–  https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/understanding-russia 

Nightmare before Christmas in Russian is one of my favorite cartoons :) I hope you enjoy this version as much as I do! Slow Russian Podcast Transcript and audio download for $20 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/slowrussian  Join my free email course with A LOT of useful materials for self-learning – http://realrussianclub.com/subscribe  My premium step-by-step course for Russian language learners – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/ Get all three levels together and save $102 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/bundles/all-of-from-zero-to-fluency  UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA (new cultural course, no knowledge of Russian language required)–  https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/understanding-russia    Lyrics: Дети разных возрастов Час покинуть отчий кров Путь теперь у нас один - В королевство Хэллоуин Это Хэллоуин, Это Хэллоуин, Тыквы пляшут меж руин Это Хэллоуин, Смерть кругом и ты один Хэппиэнд невообразим! Жуткий страх,ты один В королевстве Хэллоуин -Я кровожадный кошмар под тахтой Зубастый,глазастый и страшный собой! -Я хоронюсь под ступенями днём А выползаю во тьме пауком!   Это Хэллоуин,Это Хэллоуин, Хэллоуин,Хэллоуин,Хэллоуин,Хэллоуин Город дрим,город дым Под названием Хэллоуин   Гостя мы Всегда хотим Удивить, так удивить Аж до седин! Упыри здесь кругом В каждом парке за улом Ждёт тебя какой нибуть уродец или гном   -Город! -Хэллоуин! -Из гробов -Из трясин -Страшно,да? -Никогда! Скажешь раз,скажешь два, Вот и с плеч голова С нами оттопырешься - не уйдёшь! Покричим, Порычим! В королевстве Хэллоуин   -Я злобный клоун с пустой башкой Вродебы весёлый,а так просто никакой -Кто здесь так кто,это просто я Холод в груди,паронойя твоя -Тенью возникну на фоне луны Мышью летучею влечу в ваши сны   Это Хэллоуин,Это Хэллоуин, Хэллоуин,Хэллоуин,Хэллоуин,Хэллоуин   Вряд ли круче есть азарт Жертве подарить инфаркт -Просто служба, здесь она И опасна и трудна Всякий раз, как в первый раз В обморок с гарантией Отправим вас Жуткий Джек возьмёт правильный разбег И рухнет вам на голову как первый снег   Это Хэллоуин Факелы запалены Время пришло Для главного героя шоу Призрак Джек ставит шоу много лет Салют,Джек,Повелитель Тыкв! Это Хэллоуин,Это Хэллоуин, Хэллоуин,Хэллоуин,Хэллоуин,Хэллоуин Мой и твой дом родной За родину за нашу Да хоть в омут с головой Ла ла ла ла ла ла ла ла.... *** Slow Russian Podcast Transcript and audio download for $20 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/slowrussian  Join my free email course with A LOT of useful materials for self-learning – http://realrussianclub.com/subscribe  My premium step-by-step course for Russian language learners – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/ Get all three levels together and save $102 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/bundles/all-of-from-zero-to-fluency  UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA (new cultural course, no knowledge of Russian language required)–  https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/understanding-russia