Chapter Text
Shane HOLLANDER
90 University Private, R140
Ottawa, ON K1N 1H3
Canada
Tim WALKER
Moscow State University
Apartment No. 5, Room 341
Moscow, 119991
Russia
Dear Tim,
Hey! How are you doing?
As per your request before you left, here I am, writing to you. Like I told you, I’m not really used to sending letters (unless it’s to my extended family, and even then, maybe once a year). But I guess I can see the appeal. It does feel more thoughtful than a text. Even if, honestly, waiting days and weeks for a reply is kind of nerve-wracking, haha.
Anyway, how’s life at MSU? I hope your semester’s going well so far. Your replacement on the team is a bit rough around the edges, but we’ll figure it out. How’s the hockey team over there? I’d be curious to know how different their play style is from ours. Are they giving you minimal ice time, since you’re not staying long term? Though knowing how you play, any decent team would be stupid not to use you.
Also, turns out I didn’t manage to find a new roommate. Everyone I talked to either ghosted me after a few messages, or I had to veto them. One guy straight-up told me he “needed” to bring someone home every night. No, thank you.
It’s fine for now, even if things are a bit tight financially. But all that to say… if you didn’t already have plans for when you come back, the room’s yours if you want it. If you could let me know as soon as possible (maybe by message, not letter…), that’d be great.
I think that’s all for now. I’ll let this get to you, and hopefully we talk soon.
Take care,
Shane Hollander
Илья Розанов
МГУ им. М.В. Ломоносова
Квартира N.5, комната 341
Москва, 119991
Россия
Shane Hollander
90 University Private, R140
Ottawa, ON K1N 1H3
Canada
Shane Hollander,
Hello. You are looking for a roommate in uOttawa? My name is Илья (Ilya) and I am interested.
I received your letter today. Sorry to have read something not meant for me, but Tim used to live here, it is true. He moved out a week after classes started, to stay with a girl he met. I do not think it was real love, but I just wished him luck anyway, since I got the place to myself after that.
I almost threw your letter away. I thought, “boring letter, weird handwriting” but then I thought “no. is perfect!” You see, I want to move to North America. Ottawa is not my first choice, but it will do. So I am very interested in your offer.
About me: I am 185cm, hot, muscular, funny, sexy. I will probably bring people home at night, but not every night. And I can cook. I include picture for proof, to show I am real. Are you? I hope so.
You play hockey, right? I do too. That is why I was living with Tim. I am captain and best player on the team.
Let me know when I can move in. I can figure out my school enrollment once I have a place to stay. I look forward to hearing from you, Hollander.
With love,
Илья Розанов
PS: Мне пришлось пользоваться словарём, так что и вам стоит.
Shane HOLLANDER
90 University Private, R140
Ottawa, ON K1N 1H3
Canada
Илья Розанов
Moscow State University
Apartment No. 5, Room 341
Moscow, 119991
Russia
Dear Mr. Ilya,
First of all, I am sorry. I tried to translate your last name, but I was not sure that I got it right. Rosanov, maybe?
But more importantly, and more sincerely, I deeply apologize for the confusion caused by my previous letter (that wasn't addressed to you at all). As I mentioned, I did not manage to find a new roommate, but I am also no longer actively looking for a new person outside of my circle. I’m deeply sorry if what I wrote gave you the wrong impression.
I managed to get in contact with Tim, and he gave me his new address outside of the campus, so I will not bother you further. I simply did not want to leave you hanging with hopes that I could not fulfill (beside, if you truly do want to come to uOttawa, you should do researches before deciding anything. There is a lot of necessary paperwork). I hope, once again, that you can look past this misunderstanding. I’m honestly a bit embarrassed.
I wish you the best of luck with your plans to move abroad.
Best wishes,
Shane Hollander
P.S.: I did look up how to translate your sentence. Et ça, tu peux le lire avec l’aide de ton dictionnaire?
P.P.S.: You shouldn’t sign off your letters to strangers with “with love”. In English, it is meant for people you are close to. It could get you into trouble.
Илья Розанов
МГУ им. М.В. Ломоносова
Квартира N.5, комната 341
Москва, 119991
Россия
Shane Hollander
90 University Private, R140
Ottawa, ON K1N 1H3
Canada
Mr Shane,
So formal. Is it a Canadian rule to apologize at least three times per letter?
You are missing out on the best roommate you could ever have. Did I mention I am hot and muscular? Also very helpful with chores, if that is important to you.
But fine. Too bad. I will find another way to North America. Maybe it will be easier to wait after uni to find a job there, I can be patient.
But it does not mean we can't keep talking. Is fun, no?
You know things about me, and you said nothing about you in return. Boooo! So, you have to write back again to keep it fair. I will tell a little bit more about me, and you will do the same.
I am Ilya. 21. I study economics, because my father would not accept anything else. That is part of why I want to leave. Classes are fine, but boring, so I will not talk about them.
Since my last letter my friend Sasha moved in with me. So I have a roommate again. My other friend, Sveta, her dad is famous hockey coach in Boston. She travels there often and it is where I would like to go.
Also, I looked up your name. Mr team captain. We could have been a good team, too bad we are both playing center. Would not work. I would have to kill you (joke!).
I drew you, since you did not send a picture back. You will now, yes? Is only fair. I also drew a dog I saw.
Write back, Hollander. Don’t be boring.
Целую,
Ilya RoZZZZZanov
Shane HOLLANDER
90 University Private, R140
Ottawa, ON K1N 1H3
Canada
Ilya ROZANOV
Moscow State University
Apartment No. 5, Room 341
Moscow, 119991
Russia
Dear Mr. RoZanov,
I'm not boring. I'm suprised that you searched my name, though I suppose that’s fair curiosity in this kind of situation where you do have my full name.
Since you want to be fair so bad, I looked you up too. Did not find much I could understand, sadly. A bit about your father. He’s an important guy, right? Would explain why he would be strict with your major, I guess. I’m sorry that you’re not studying what you want (Which is, what exactly? You did not say).
I told my friend about how I ended up sending a letter to the wrong person, and she encouraged me to keep the conversation going. And I suppose that I can admit that you make me curious.
Do I make you curious?
So, fine, some information about myself: I’m also 21, from Ottawa. I study sports medicine. I’ve been skating and playing hockey for most of my life. I honestly don’t know what to say about myself that doesn’t revolves around that.
I’d rather not send a picture. We’re still, technically, strangers. But I liked your drawing, so I tried drawing you. Sorry, it’s not great. Like I said, most of my time goes into hockey.
Kind regards,
Shane Hollander
Илья Розанов
МГУ им. М.В. Ломоносова
Квартира N.5, комната 341
Москва, 119991
Россия
Shane Hollander
90 University Private, R140
Ottawa, ON K1N 1H3
Canada
Mister Artist Shane,
I love this drawing!!!!
But is still unfair, you have my picture in good quality for reference, and I have nothing but grainy online pictures! Come on, Hollander. We are not strangers anymore, I think. Weeks of writing and sending, we are bonded now.
And yes, you also make me curious. Obviously. A lot.
Even if your life in Ottawa sounds very very boring, but it is what it is. Can’t expect much more from a Canadian, I suppose. But i am, i guess, a bit fond (is the right word?) of it.
I did not tell you what I would rather study because I do not know. For long long time I didn’t think I would ever have the choice to pick something I like, so now I think that there are many things to try. Like you, I like hockey, but i also like literature (Russian literature, of course, i do not care for English). My father and brother would really laugh if I told them this, I am sure.
Maybe I will just do sport medicine so I can be better than you at hockey AND job.
XOXO,
Ilya
PS: Maybe you will stop thinking we are strangers if you really really see me, so here is another picture. Just for you ;)
Shane Hollander
90 University Private, R140
Ottawa, ON K1N 1H3
Canada
Илья Розанов
МГУ им. М.В. Ломоносова
Квартира N.5, комната 341
Москва, 119991
Россия
Shane Hollander
90 University Private, R140
Ottawa, ON K1N 1H3
Canada
Busy bee Hollander,
Hello, it has been a long while since I sent last postcard, but I guess you might be busy. I am too, but I will take time for you.
I thought maybe my last letter got lost?
Or maybe the picture was too much? I am sorry. I did not mean to assume you would enjoy it and make you uncomfortable. I did not mean anything by it, it was just teasing.
But I did mean that I do not think we are strangers. I enjoy talking to you (or writing and reading) so I would much prefer if you enjoy it too. Is just for fun, no?
I put with letter a USB key with some of my best hockey games that were recorded. I thought that since you are a hockey nerd you would enjoy watching tapes, maybe. Make you understand me better, get closer.
Send some back, or I will assume you are studying my play to defeat me later (impossible).
Please write back. I like your letters, even the boring parts. This semester is a bunch of nothing, even more than usual. I’m going to die of boredom soon.
Waiting for your reply,
Ilya
Shane HOLLANDER
90 University Private, R140
Ottawa, ON K1N 1H3
Canada
Ilya ROZANOV
Moscow State University
Apartment No. 5, Room 341
Moscow, 119991
Russia
Ilya,
I’m sorry for taking so long to write back. As you guessed, things have been busy.
One more little fact about me, since you seem to like those, is that I tend to overthink, and new situations overwhelm me sometimes. And I didn’t expect to get attached to receiving letters from the other side of the globe. It hasn't been that long. And we’re just so far apart, you know? So I freaked out a bit, I guess.
Reading this back, I’m not making much sense. But basically, I just needed some time to think about some things.
I’m sorry again (and you can laugh at me for being very Canadian, again).
And you, how have you been?
I did receive all your letters. The card was funny. And thank you for the tapes, I genuinely enjoyed them. You’re an incredible player. It’s very satisfying and motivating to watch you move on the ice. Your team is obviously struggling behind you.
Still, now even more than before I am convinced that I would score against you. But at least it would be a good fight.
Like you asked, I found and put together some tapes
of my own, so I hope you enjoy watching them. Let
me know what you think, I'd love to know your thoughts.
Best,
Shane