My Host Family

Well, some people have been asking for a more complete description of my host family, so here is the cast of characters:
1) The Host Mom
Her name is Elena, but I never use it, I never adress her by a name in order to avoid akwardness and because she speaks very little English, so we have to be in the same room to alk so that we can sign to each other. She is very nice and likes to cook. If she were not here I do not know how the family would function, she does all of the cooking, laundry, and cleaning. She even cleans up after her children when they eat. She is a teacher at the local high school (chemistry, I think) and tutors in the flat in the evenings.

2) The Host Brother
His name is Pasha (that's actually the diminuative, but that's what I was told to call him). He is 21 and he studied computers at school and is the one the family turns to when there is a technology problem. He spends almost all of his time in his room with the door closed and the music on. He speaks more English than his mother but still does not speak much, plus he seems to be naturally quiet.

3) The Host Sister
Her name is Katya and she is the one I talk to the most. At some point in high school she studied in New York ro a year, so she is fluent in English. She is 20 and majors in foreign languages at University. She also knows Spanish and had taken German. She's a lot of fun and very friendly. She is usually very patient when she needs to explain things to me and is often the only one I talk to once I get home for the night. She was also kind enough to let me read the books that she has that are written in English, which included Agatha Christie's The Man in the Brown Suit, Brimstone, and The Peacock Throne.

4) The Host Aunt
Her name is Natasha and I have only seen her a few times. She is extremely outgoing. She often acts like one of Katya's friends rather than an older relative. She took me out one night and tried to get me drunk. She speaks English pretty well, but often has trouble finding the right words. She's a lot of fun to hang out with and I should try to visit her before I leave/

5) The Host Cousin
His name is Slava. he is in high school (he's not quite sure wht grade it translates into, but I think he's a sophomore). He will be studying in the States next year, but does not know where yet although we are both departing Russia on the same day. He seems rather quiet, but curious. He is learning English, but his vocabulary will be greatly improved by a year in the States.

Next time I will describe my two teachers, maybe that will be after the final, who knows.