Entry Seven December 5th, 1852

I haven't seen Ivan around, not since I so rudely left him standing in the middle of that street like a moron. Katyusha says that he has been taking extra shifts to fill his time, though he rarely gets any sleep. I think it's my fault, since I was avoiding him after the incident. No matter, I must deal with that after, today I have the day off and am spending it with Yakov. As we walked down the street, talking in our native tongue, we gained several glares from the Americans here. Some even said cruel comments and spat towards us. On even dared to try and trip Yakov right in front of me! I left him with a nice, big bruise on his shin from where my foot collided with is leg.

Entry Eight January 23rd, 1853

It's almost been a year and I still work at the same place, though Mr. William divorced his spouse. His son, Alexander, seems to take after him more than his mother, treating me as an equal. Mr. William kindly gave me a promotion, raising my pay a whole ten cents a month! It isn't so bad here, I've gained some respect from the people around here because the two William boys talk such great things about me, and it makes me blush. It's still a bit disappointing that some of the people here still treat us immigrants as disease ridden rodents. I do enjoy that fact that I have made many American friends here and Yakov has been smiling more often these days.

Entry Nine February 18th, 1853

America has and yet, hasn't been what I had expected. I thought it would be and advanced world out of a book. I thought the people here would be accepting to all but I was dead wrong about that for some. Yet, even though all this has happened, I am content here and Yakov seems to be as well. I think I chose the right thing for us. This is the best thing that could have happened for us. I just wish mother and father were here for it…

Entry Ten March 13th, 1853

Well, this is what I have been through Malvina. I do so wish you were here to see it. Sadly, you died from cholera before you could even read the content of this. So your husband Luka promised me he would give this to you still but I still have so much left to write to you, so much more to say. I do hope you could let me hold onto it just a little while longer, just to tell you more. I'm just so happy that now you can see what I see, that you can watch over me. Well, I have to go, have to get to work. I promise to do something exciting though so I can write and tell you about it afterwards.

Да пабачэння старых сяброў у мінулае.
Наталля Arlovskaya.

(Goodbye old friends of the past.

Natalya Arlovskaya.)