A life goal has been achieved. I HAVE A PUPPY!!!! His name is Freddy. Initially it was Franky but Anya (the lady I live with who technically owns the dog) kept calling him Freddy so it stuck. He is pretty much the cutest puppy ever. When I get the internet at my house (which is supposedly happening soon) I will be posting many many pictures... 6 months worth really. So now I officially live with an adorable lady, a kitten, chickens, rabbits, and a puppy. Gotta love that.
This weekend it is finally getting warm! Along with the snow and ice people's dispositions are melting. I have gotten a lot more preevets (hellos) on the street since the shift in the weather.
Today I'm in Kyiv, then on my way to Morozivka for Saturday and Sunday. Next week is my spring break and I think I'm heading to Odessa. I'm hoping to see the Black Sea, but it'll be way to cold to play outside too much. I also want to go to an art museum... we'll see about that.
Last weekend was one of the other volunteers' birthday's so we went out to a club called shtorm (NOT storm!). It was a hilarious club with a fake tornado in the middle of the dance floor and booths with huge leather couches. We were dancing and celebrating and all of a sudden there were two people dancing on stage... a man wearing a metalic colored vest and suspenders and a girl who had cut the butt pockets out of her jeans so it appeared that she was wearing funky chapps. They were certainly paid to be up there and their moves were hilarious. Vesty's move (singular) was to wiggle around and point at different points in the room. Great stuff. After the club we taxied it back to my friend Niko's apartment and absolutely devoured all of his expensive food. A lovely night was had by all.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Livin For the Citaaay
Hello,
This weekend I am in Xmelnetsky with two of my friends (Alei and Emily from training). Yesterday was quite a big day. I caught the 10:00 elecktrechka (commuter train). I knew I was headed to the First School, but I had never been there before and neglected to write down the directions. I got into the city and took a marshrutka (small bus type deal) to the center. One thing about Ukraine is that people LOVE to give directions and are really helpful if you stop them to ask a question. One of their national sayings is "your tongue will lead you to Kyiv" (ie if you ask people for directions you will get where you need to go). I asked the marshrutka driver if he would pass the first school and this started a riotous conversation among the whole bus about how to get me to where I needed to go. Needless to say I got there. At the school we had our "Meet Your Neighbors" meeting. Eleven volunteers and our regional manager got together to chat about life in our oblast. It was your typical meeting, ice breakers, new and old business.
After we ended up going out to lunch at a pizza place. One of us accidentally ordered a pizza with tuna on it which is pretty popular here. A few of the other volunteers had planned a taco night (Mexican/spicy food is pretty much non-exictent here). After a lot of himming and hawing Emily and I decided to go along instead of heading to her apartment as we had planned. In fact, everyone had the same idea. 9 people ended up going. We started off cooking the tacos together and talking. 9 Americans in a small apartment makes for a loud environment. It was great to get to know everyone a little better. After some DELICIOUS and very spicy tacos we decided to go to the disco. There was much dancing and more talking and lots of laughing. After the first disco four of us decided to head out to another club. This one had an excellent ambience and a light up dance floor. We finally made it back home pretty late and made ourselves cozy little beds on the floor. By which I mean I slept on the floor using my coat as a blanket. Haha good ol' Peace Corps. Anyway. Now I have 7 new friends.
This weekend I am in Xmelnetsky with two of my friends (Alei and Emily from training). Yesterday was quite a big day. I caught the 10:00 elecktrechka (commuter train). I knew I was headed to the First School, but I had never been there before and neglected to write down the directions. I got into the city and took a marshrutka (small bus type deal) to the center. One thing about Ukraine is that people LOVE to give directions and are really helpful if you stop them to ask a question. One of their national sayings is "your tongue will lead you to Kyiv" (ie if you ask people for directions you will get where you need to go). I asked the marshrutka driver if he would pass the first school and this started a riotous conversation among the whole bus about how to get me to where I needed to go. Needless to say I got there. At the school we had our "Meet Your Neighbors" meeting. Eleven volunteers and our regional manager got together to chat about life in our oblast. It was your typical meeting, ice breakers, new and old business.
After we ended up going out to lunch at a pizza place. One of us accidentally ordered a pizza with tuna on it which is pretty popular here. A few of the other volunteers had planned a taco night (Mexican/spicy food is pretty much non-exictent here). After a lot of himming and hawing Emily and I decided to go along instead of heading to her apartment as we had planned. In fact, everyone had the same idea. 9 people ended up going. We started off cooking the tacos together and talking. 9 Americans in a small apartment makes for a loud environment. It was great to get to know everyone a little better. After some DELICIOUS and very spicy tacos we decided to go to the disco. There was much dancing and more talking and lots of laughing. After the first disco four of us decided to head out to another club. This one had an excellent ambience and a light up dance floor. We finally made it back home pretty late and made ourselves cozy little beds on the floor. By which I mean I slept on the floor using my coat as a blanket. Haha good ol' Peace Corps. Anyway. Now I have 7 new friends.
Friday, February 12, 2010
If you're reading this you're awesome.
Hi gang. It has been a Ukraine minute since I posted last. My life is starting to normalize here (which is pretty bizzare in itself). I teach 3rd through 11th graders at the school where I work. I love my students and the other English teachers I work with. I started three English clubs 2nd-5th grade, 6th-8th, and 9th-11th. The most successful one is for the little ones. I had 42 show up to my first meeting last week and 51 this week (ballin'). We sang songs, talked about animals, and watched a bit of the Jungle Book. Let me tell you 2nd graders get rather squirrley during a movie in English when they don't understand a word. It was fun though, before the meeting started a bunch of my little guys came and colored with me. Many of them made adorable valentines for me. In my 6th-8th grade club we were writing childrens books and one of my favs from 7th grade drew the most hilarious picture I've seen in a while (I wish I could scan it in and show you). It's based on Little Red Ridding Hood (Red Head to him). It's a girl with buck teeth and red hair wearing a red army helmet standing over a dead wolf with two guns in her hands and money sticking out of her pockets in front of a flag that says Bart Simpson Forever! Maybe a bit innapropriate, but I didn't care because I was too busy laughing. It's after school anyway.
What else... I'm in Kyiv at the moment, hangin' at the Peace Corps volunteer lounge. I hit the jackpot on books today (there's a volunteer swap library with a lot of sort of trashy novels but sometimes a hidden gem). I found The Clan of the Cave Bear (the book that my friend Ayla is named after I do believe), and a Jodi Piccoult book. Those will hold my attention for a while. I also found a beginner pilates dvd and season one of Firefly. I am currently livin large. There are a bunch of other volunteers in here, so I'm picking up a lot of gossip while writing this.
In other news I should be getting the internet at my site (ie in my house) within the next month. So look for a lot more blogging and skyping and everything internet communication.
Love you guys! Happy Valentines Day!
What else... I'm in Kyiv at the moment, hangin' at the Peace Corps volunteer lounge. I hit the jackpot on books today (there's a volunteer swap library with a lot of sort of trashy novels but sometimes a hidden gem). I found The Clan of the Cave Bear (the book that my friend Ayla is named after I do believe), and a Jodi Piccoult book. Those will hold my attention for a while. I also found a beginner pilates dvd and season one of Firefly. I am currently livin large. There are a bunch of other volunteers in here, so I'm picking up a lot of gossip while writing this.
In other news I should be getting the internet at my site (ie in my house) within the next month. So look for a lot more blogging and skyping and everything internet communication.
Love you guys! Happy Valentines Day!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
One Christmas In the Bag
I have officially survived my first Christmas away from home. It wasn't easy,but I soldiered on. The worst part was waking up knowing it was Christmas morning (normally a magical time). But as the day went on the people here really showed me that they care about me and knew that I was missing home. At school I was given a stocking full of chocholates and a candy bar. The students were going to sing me Jingle Bells, but it didn't work out exactly (the thought was there though). After school I went with my counterpart to the police station to give my contact info and introduce myself. Then we had tea and hung out for a while. It was nice to be out and about. In the evening I had a lovely dinner with my new roommate Aunt Anya. I got to talk to my family and I watched Elf. All in all it wasn't too sad (except for missing the people I love of course). Soon I'll get to see a whole new set of holiday traditions, so there's definitely something to be said for that. Oooh I officially have a mailing address, however I can't post it on the blog (safety policy and whatnot). I'll get it to those of you who want it through facebook, just let me know. Have a safe new year!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Three Days Into Two Years-It's Official
I'm a terrible blogger. It's been a good long while since I last posted so if you're still reading this thanks for your patients. I am officially a Peace Corps Volunteer (not to be confused with a PC Trainee). I took part in a rather fancy-shmancy ceremony with the US Ambassador and a few members of the Ukrainian government. I raised my right hand and everything. Not I'm at my permanant site where I will live and work for two years. The second night I was here there was a rather adorable parade of Santas (Papa Moroz for those in the know), a Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, and a smll concert. It was a great start to my time here. Other than that I live with one woman in a very nice house with a very cute kitten. I have many more stories to tell, but they'll have to wait for another day. In good news I shoould be getting internet soon (soon being a relative term here) so I'll be in better contact with everyone!
I love you all. Happy Holidays!
I love you all. Happy Holidays!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
Hi everyone!
I finally have some more internet time and I wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all had a great holiday. I didn't have your traditional celebration. Instead one of the other Peace Corps Volunteers, my host sisters, one of their boyfriends and I spend all day yesterday baking and then had an epic feast for dinner. Everything we made burned terribly in the oven, but we managed to still have a good time. After our feast we were treated to an accordian recital by my host sister and then looked at photos for a long while. It was a great day! We were joking that it was very similar to the first Thanksgiving in that we were strangers trying to figure out how to live in a new place and the "natives" helped us find our way. I must say that it was a really good thanksgiving eventhough I did miss Pumpkin pie (my favorite kind of pie I'll have you know).
Other than that I have about two more weeks of training so everything is pretty hectic right now. There is lesson planning to be done and language testing and teaching demonstrations, oh my. I am really going to miss the place that I live now when I have to move. I really love the people that I've met and would love to stay here for the rest of the two years. Sadly that won't be happening. On to new adventures. I still have two weeks to enjoy though. I'll make them good : )
I finally have some more internet time and I wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all had a great holiday. I didn't have your traditional celebration. Instead one of the other Peace Corps Volunteers, my host sisters, one of their boyfriends and I spend all day yesterday baking and then had an epic feast for dinner. Everything we made burned terribly in the oven, but we managed to still have a good time. After our feast we were treated to an accordian recital by my host sister and then looked at photos for a long while. It was a great day! We were joking that it was very similar to the first Thanksgiving in that we were strangers trying to figure out how to live in a new place and the "natives" helped us find our way. I must say that it was a really good thanksgiving eventhough I did miss Pumpkin pie (my favorite kind of pie I'll have you know).
Other than that I have about two more weeks of training so everything is pretty hectic right now. There is lesson planning to be done and language testing and teaching demonstrations, oh my. I am really going to miss the place that I live now when I have to move. I really love the people that I've met and would love to stay here for the rest of the two years. Sadly that won't be happening. On to new adventures. I still have two weeks to enjoy though. I'll make them good : )
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Kyiv-a-go-go
Hi From Ukraine.
I've officially passed the mid way point of my Pre-Service Training. Woohoo! Life is still good here and getting better. For one, I finally got to Kyiv! On Friday my training group got up bright and early to catch the Marshrutka (a little bus)for our one hour tour. Once in the city we navigated the metro, figured out the train schedules (in Ukrainian I might add), and made our way to a main city square for lunch at the poyata xata (big belly house if you didn't know : )to eat a lovely Ukrainian lunch. From there we saw independence square, and two very large, very beautiful, very old cathedrals, St. Sophia and St. Michael's (google them, it's worth it). They stand opposite eachother on a short but histrorical stretch of Kyiv. It was totally breath taking to stand looking up at gold onion domes against the backdrop of a beautiful city only to turn around to see more of the same. Before I came here the onion domes were one of the only sites I could really picture and was totally looking forward to. It was everything I was hoping for and more. I can officially check that off the life goals list.
A gal in my group, Emily, generated one of the funnier moments that has happened since we've been here. In Kyiv we stopped to make a pit stop near a rather luxurious underground mall (literally underground, not like cool and funky). Emily is a lady who likes to shop and was looking longingly into all the clothing shops. She walked up to "Thomas" (the one and only male in our group), hooked her arm in his and looking doey eyed into the mall cooed "Oh Thomas, isn't this a tease?" He didn't respond right away. "Well, isn't it?" She looked up only to realize that this was a complete stranger. Haha, The look on both of their faces was priceless.
In other news (which I heard actually has made the news in the States) the swine flu has hit Ukraine in a big way. All of the schools in the entire country are closed for three weeks, and people are wearing masks in the streets. People are in a general panic. They are calling it the California Flu, which makes me a bit ill at ease. At least it's not the "American Flu."
In very sad news I found out this week that my Aunt Vickie passed away after a long battle with cancer. She was a beautiful, giving, kind woman and I will miss her a lot. When she got to telling a story she absolutely lit up the room. The memorial is today so which ever spiritual path you've chosen please send some positive energy toward my family.
Stay well and cherish the ones you love.
I love you all.
I've officially passed the mid way point of my Pre-Service Training. Woohoo! Life is still good here and getting better. For one, I finally got to Kyiv! On Friday my training group got up bright and early to catch the Marshrutka (a little bus)for our one hour tour. Once in the city we navigated the metro, figured out the train schedules (in Ukrainian I might add), and made our way to a main city square for lunch at the poyata xata (big belly house if you didn't know : )to eat a lovely Ukrainian lunch. From there we saw independence square, and two very large, very beautiful, very old cathedrals, St. Sophia and St. Michael's (google them, it's worth it). They stand opposite eachother on a short but histrorical stretch of Kyiv. It was totally breath taking to stand looking up at gold onion domes against the backdrop of a beautiful city only to turn around to see more of the same. Before I came here the onion domes were one of the only sites I could really picture and was totally looking forward to. It was everything I was hoping for and more. I can officially check that off the life goals list.
A gal in my group, Emily, generated one of the funnier moments that has happened since we've been here. In Kyiv we stopped to make a pit stop near a rather luxurious underground mall (literally underground, not like cool and funky). Emily is a lady who likes to shop and was looking longingly into all the clothing shops. She walked up to "Thomas" (the one and only male in our group), hooked her arm in his and looking doey eyed into the mall cooed "Oh Thomas, isn't this a tease?" He didn't respond right away. "Well, isn't it?" She looked up only to realize that this was a complete stranger. Haha, The look on both of their faces was priceless.
In other news (which I heard actually has made the news in the States) the swine flu has hit Ukraine in a big way. All of the schools in the entire country are closed for three weeks, and people are wearing masks in the streets. People are in a general panic. They are calling it the California Flu, which makes me a bit ill at ease. At least it's not the "American Flu."
In very sad news I found out this week that my Aunt Vickie passed away after a long battle with cancer. She was a beautiful, giving, kind woman and I will miss her a lot. When she got to telling a story she absolutely lit up the room. The memorial is today so which ever spiritual path you've chosen please send some positive energy toward my family.
Stay well and cherish the ones you love.
I love you all.
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