Hi, my name is Tanya Levushkana. I'm 16 years old. I came from russia, I moved to America when I was turning eight. I didn't understand any English, so it was pretty hard to make new friends, of course I knew the alphabet and how to read, but I couldn't form sentences together.
My babushka got me this big book of English, but she has now sadly passed away. I really miss her. If I had one wish, it would be to meet her, just one more time. To tell her thank you, for everything. Well, I used the book a lot. I was really determined to learn English. Since I was moving to America, I needed to learn it.
Why? You might ask. Well, my parents. They got married here, in Russia. My dad is American, and my mom is russian. He lived here for a couple of months, and decided it was too much nature for him. We had outhouses, and the dumps were filled up all the way. (might be a little uncomfortable with flies always landing on you.) we had a fly swatter there, for that reason.
After maybe a year, we moved to America. I was pretty excited. I had a little brother name Grisha. He was only 1 at the time. My mom, Grisha, and I were very inexperienced flyers. We didn't know how the systems worked really. I thought it would have been fun to fly on an airplane, boy I was wrong. It's so exhausting, I couldn't feel my feet after the whole day. I remember my mother asking me to buy some water for her with some airport money. I totally forgot what she asked for, so I used it on an apple. A big, juicy, red, apple.
I brought it over to her and she asks me "что это такое?" Which translates to "what is this?" She went on how she was super tired and all she wanted was water. Being the little me, I got upset. I tried to reason with her, that apples also had water. She laughed. When we finally got finished with the first flight, we landed in New York.
It was so beautiful, of course. I was only able to see it from the airport, but I couldn't even see the city really. I could only imagine. We got on our second flight, I got a seat by the window! But, it was too dark to see anything. My eyes were closing, I was too tired to do anything. So, I just fell asleep there, I swear it has only been 5 minutes and we have landed. Time flies when your sleeping.
We got off of the flight, to meet my cousins and aunts and uncles and grandparents, for the first time. I have been waiting forever, finally one of my dreams came true. To have a family again. It has only been me, mom, Grisha, and grandma. But, there was no grandma anymore. My family fell apart, I couldn't even see my step dad, just because he was in America. I remember the first time I met him. It's really too long of a story, so I won't get into it.
I saw all of their smiling faces, it was around 3 a.m. We were all very tired, except for me. I slept in the airplane for god knows how long? I have never seen our new house, the thought hasn't even crossed my mind on where we will sleep. I was way too excited about America. We drive for about another hour, to finally arrive at our new house. I was amazed, houses in russia were not as nice as these American houses I would say. I get inside the house, one of my cousins gives me a play dough set.
I was so excited, I kept on bragging to my mom. I've been wanting this toy for years, I've seen it so many times on TV back at home. I finally got it, I started to play with it, as any child would do. My cousins would play with me, until. It was time to go to sleep, I had a hard time sleeping. I slept on a big chair with a big blanket. I tried to close my eyes, but I couldn't.
"Shit, why is it getting so long? It's like explaining my whole life. It's only supposed to be a presentation. It's supposed to be only 2 minutes long! This will take years to read!" I pick up the 6 pages of paper and toss them in the garbage can next to me. "This will never be good! People always get so annoyed about me saying I'm russian. Their always like 'yeah, we get it. You're russian, just talk about something else for once.' Well maybe get your head out of your asses and realize how I left my country for this bullshit."
I sat there, talking to myself. I hear my door swing open. "Гриша! Уйди!" (Grisha, go away.) I always hate how he has to ruin everything, he ruins everything just by breathing. He understands russian and English but he can't speak Russian.
"No, you stupid bitch." Keep in mind, he is 9.
"Shut your mouth, you're too young."
"Sut yo motttt, bleh bleh bleh." He mocks me. He leaves my room, but doesn't close the door.
"CAN YOU BE ANYMORE ANNOYING?" I get up and close the door. I sit back down, and it swings open again.
"Что это было? Говори с ним по русски. Ты должна быть умным человеком, а не такой быть. Иди и извинись, сейчасже." (What was that, tall to him in russian. You are supposed to be the smarter person, not that way. Go and apologize, right now.)
Mom had her arms on her hips, with the angry looks she would always give me. I get up and walk past her to find Grisha. He was sitting in his room, playing his google.
"Гриша, я извиняюсь. Ок?" (Grisha, I apologize. Ok?)
"Get out of here, stupid!" He runs up to me and hits me, he then shuts the door in my face. Thanks to him, I have really good patience. Even though he really does piss me off all the time. People say I look mean, well thanks to Grisha, I have a resting bitch face. I walk back towards my room to draw. People say I have talent, but I really don't think so. I just doodle some girls and get on YouTube.
I loved watching aesthetic videos, like bullet journaling asmr and cooking asmr. My hobbies were Bullet journaling and cooking. Cooking and baking are my favorite, you never know if you will make something edible. If you do, you feel accomplished. I remember that one time when I was little, my grandma tried to teach me how to make an omelet.
Flashback
"Танечка, слушай внимательно. Для омлета тебе нужна 3 яйца, и молоко. Тебе это нужна всё смешать. Потом поставит на огонь. Поняла?" (Tenya, listen carefully. For an omelet, you need 3 eggs and some milk. You will have to mix it all. Then put it on the fire. Understand?)
I nod, I loved cooking with my grandma. I did as told, but me being little. I didn't do well. We just laughed it off. She made me the omelet and I went on to watch what was on TV, Avatar, the anime.
End of flashback
I miss her so much, I'm sure my mom does too. I just wish I could have her for at least one day, so she could live in America with us. We could have a big garden, and a happy family.
YOU ARE READING
Where I Belong
Random"Why don't you go back where you came from? You spy." "I'm, not a spy how many times do I have to tell you that?" I say with not hesitation. He looks at me disgusted. "Nobody will ever believe you. Because you're one of them."
