Рассказ (a short story)

Oh, the roads I've walked (literally) to bring those d2b home! Today I had to take a copy of my lease to the local reps office. When I got there, there were no English-speakers at work today. This is the story I told them of my trip. To disabuse you of the notion that I *speak* Russian, I'll give you a literal transcript:

Hello. My name is Kate Christian. I have home book...home papers.

Documents?

Yes, I have documents.

They talk about how Viktor told them I would come with documents and offer me tea or coffee. I decline. It is obvious that I've had trouble finding them because a security guard had to help me find the office, so I offer this story:

Today, very difficult. At metro AvTOva-

AVtova (she corrects)

-AVtova, thank you. I don't know where. I ask a girl, "Where is 9 9 (couldn't at that moment remember 99) Street Stachek (That's right in Russian). It's a big shop. The girl says, "Not far. To the left." I walk left. I think, "I don't know..." I ask an old lady, "Where is 9 9 Street Stachek?" Old lady says, "VERY far!" I ask, "Very far? It is a big shop, many shops." Old lady, "Yes, big shop, very far, to the right." "Over bridge?" I ask (miming with my fingers) Old lady--yes. Girl--no. So, I don't know. I to the right. I walk and walk. Bridge (miming again). Here! I need lift, office. Now, it is good. Everything is good. Today, I walk and metro. I don't know the word... (needed to say "next" or even "another") After time, I car.

We laugh. I say goodbye and leave.

I will say that my pronunciation, according to everyone Russian, is very good. I'm proud of that. [Although, several times I've been asked if I'm from Finland. I guess that's closer to Russia-and Russian-than the US and English...and my Russian teacher is Estonian (the language is similar to Finnish).] My grammar is passable, but I tend to speak primarily in the present tense. My inflection and story-telling abilities are excellent! ;> But, my limited vocabulary is frustrating. I just want to speak! I'm getting better...I think it's time for more flashcards.