#thirtydaysofsomething

  30 Days of back to my roots.

Day 2

Alright, enough slacking! Time to get back to work. I came to the conclusion to do thirty days of getting back to my roots. "What does that even mean?" you ask. Here is a bit of reference to this month's topic: contrary to belief, I am 100% Russian (not irish, but Russian)...technically Ukrainian but let's skip those details. I was born in Kiev, Ukraine and that is where my family immigrated to America from when I was about two years old. Growing up I spoke Russian in my home, ate Russian food, was read Russian books...but as I grew up those traditions sadly fell to waste side. Because we moved to Columbus, Ohio there wasn't a Russian or Jewish community in my school and I just got used to speaking English at all times. Although I could understand it when someone would speak it to me, it became harder and harder for me to speak it myself. Then, after college when I moved to Chicago, not only did I completely stop speaking and/or hearing the language but I never learned to cook my mom's food, so that tradition went out the door as well. I really value where I come from but I always just felt it would always be part of my life whether I tried or not, but looking now, it really isn't! I want to be able to speak to my parents in Russian and maybe even learn to read some really great books all in Russian! I want to learn to make some classic recipes and family history, so why not start now! 

I downloaded a Russian language game app called Bussu to help me on the go, but I also just purchased Rosetta Stone to help me with the alphabet and writing. 

Today I am going to try and make some classic Borscht! I've also, been using Pinterest to gather some super tasty Russian recipes. 

Not only will this thirty days make my mom super happy but there are a lot of things to do and hopefully this will inspire anyone out there to get back to THEIR roots or if you are a total mutt and have the background of the united nations, then choose something to make or do or learn about! It might actually be pretty interesting.