it makes such an almighty sound

So, the first post in awhile. October finished out with the great gift of one week free of responsibility of teaching. I headed to Poland with Linnea and met Ama there. You can check out the pictures on facebook if you haven't already. There are a few great things about the trip: one, it was my first trip outside of Ukraine since arriving (otherwise known as in over a year) two, it gave me a much needed break from the day to day challenges of being a teacher in a culture you don't always understand and three: I got to see Ama; a friend from America who knew me before Peace Corps. Peace Corps has changed me in innumerable ways. I look different, I feel different, I speak differently. There's nothing wrong with any of these changes, but it was nice to tap in to who I was before I came here and feel comfortable being around an old friend. More than anything Ama makes me laugh and makes me feel a sense of stability. Krakow itself was amazing. I think that most people when they picture Poland actually end up picturing something a little closer to what Ukraine is like, but in all honesty Krakow is cleaner than Paris and is super accommodating in terms of English speakers etc. We got to see the city and have ethnic foods and go to bars which specialized in serving something other than borscht and vodka. An all together win I would say. I will say the trip included some interesting travel moments; but the best was being able to say I've crossed a country's border on foot. Now, if only I could travel across by bike I think I'd have most travel modes crossed off.

After Poland, I headed to Uzhgorod, my first time visiting the bigger city in Zakarpatska oblast. I had so much fun and I have to say that I"m glad that I didn't take an all day train to head to Kharkiv for the party out east. Matt, Scott and I dressed as Snap, Crackle and Pop and those pictures of course will be on facebook soon. I forget sometimes what peace corps gatherings are like given that I spend most of my time with Matt and Scott drinking at the same bar in Lviv. But it's nice every now and again to get a good taste of everyone else's peace corps existence.

Now, I'm back to teaching and looking to the future. Everyone can officially start the 12 month countdown because that's how long I have left in my service. It's amazing to think I've been here 14 months; time is funny in that way I suppose. My work here changes day to day; I mean I'm always teaching but I find I do a lot more supporting of my younger students and a lot more giving perspective to my older students. I don't know what to say about the development in Ukraine. In a lot of ways, it's moving so quickly and I'm in awe of what they're accomplishing on the outside. New buildings are always being put up and redone and in terms of looks the city is really changing and I can see the changes even from only the 11 months I've been at my site. But, I wonder sometimes if the Ukrainian mindset will change at the same rate; I know the answer is in theory no. . . I really don't know. Sometimes I see such huge changes in mindsets, with my kids, with other Ukrainians. There's one person in particular here who I really admire in terms of breaking outside the bubble and thinking differently. It's a girl I'm tutoring who is around 20, her name is Pasia. She's an artist and the way she thinks about things completely turns my pre-conceived notions about the Ukrainian mindset into peril. I'm always glad to talk to her and interact with her. She's one of the only people I've met who actively engages with people from other cultures and wants to learn.

So what will November bring; a little thanksgiving celebration and the booking of our Egypt trip. Soon enough it will be December and christmas will be upon us. I'm looking forward to the holiday season, especially knowing it's the last one away from my family.

love and hugs to all