When we say "плавать" we usually talk about - repeated action - Я плаваю каждый день, Я плаваю летом - the action in different directions - Я плаваю вдоль берега, я плаваю в озере (туда-сюда) - ability to swim (in general) - Я умею плавать, я научился плавать когда был маленьким When we say "плыть" we usually talk about - one time action - Я плыву на восток (if we want to say that I do it every summer we say Я плаваю на восток as repeated action), Я плыву к дому - and usually, one direction where we swim - Я плыву к берегу (shore is our aim where to swim)

Готовить - это "cook", варить - "boil". Мы можем приготовить картошку разными способами : мы можем её сварить, пожарить и пр. То есть "варить картошку" - это уже более детальное действие, по сравнению с просто " готовить картошку"

First notebook entry: Introducing myself

I'm studing English because I need it everywhere: at work, while travelling. And it's so interesting to meet other people, with another culture, hobbies and thoughts. I have been studying English for many years with my teacher. But still I can't speak fluently, because I haven't had enough practice. That's why I'm looking for a person with whom we could talk. If you need Russian, I can help you with it. So, it would be an exchange of languages.