russian/mandarin

i want to learn russian and mandarin. can someone who knows either or both of these languages be my mentor?

I personally don't think it a good idea to learn russian. Way too complicated grammar considering the uselesness of the language itself.
Feel free to ask me whatever you don't understand about it.

>>2
why ukranian women are so slim and sexy?

>>2
will you teach me from scratch?

No way, sir. Read your textbooks and ask me once you don't get something.

do you recommend any textbooks?

Well... I can't really think of any.
For starters, you can give a once over to "Russian for Dummies". Don't take it seriously trying to memorize anything. 'Cause I don't like trasliteration being used troughout the whole book like it's some kind of tourist phrase book. So read it just for getting  a general idea. Meanwhile I'll think of something better. You can download it here
https://www.u-cursos.cl/usuario/cc5ce5405bf442d82b0bdadbf6cf4e6c/mi_blog/r/Russian_for_Dummies_(2006).pdf

What are you reasons for learning it BTW?

if i say just casual interest will you not recommend me the best book?

I don't think casual interest is enough to learn a language. I for example am learning japanese because of tons of games, anime and books I'd like to read. Yet even then I sometimes feel dejected at my slow progress.
Anyway I believe that book of quite ok for a complete beginner.