I was little boy lost and I was little boy blue

Hello to everyone in the wonderful world of blog land.

things are as always going really well here. I'm enjoying the wonderful world of Ukrainian winter and the snow, which I'm ready to get rid of, but accepting as a part of the general existence here. Still, the thought of summer tends to creep in my head and I can't help but think of all the things that will be possible once the snow is gone and I'm able to walk wherever and spend time outside.

This week, life has been pretty standard. I've been teaching, as per usual, and just kind of taking time to lesson plan etc. This week we had visitors from AISEC, which I believe is some sort of students exchange program for people from different countries who speak english to run programs in other countries, again, in English. So, we had visitors from Turkey, Brazil and Taiwan come and visit our school and let the kids know about different countries etc. etc.

Suzanne came down to visit today. Had a wonderful time walking around the city despite the cold and enjoying the company for the late afternoon.

I'm making progress with my 3rd formers, something that bolsters my confidence if only a little bit. I also successfully taught my 1st formers under over and on and so we're working on questions like where is the ball.

At the urging of my mother, I'm updating the wish list on the right. so take a look.

What else can I say. . . big day tomorrow. Elections here, don't know which candidate will win. I live in the west and so Timonshenko is favoured here, but who knows what the outcome will be.

The best part about tomorrow is it's burrito cooking nite at Dan and Lesya's with Linda and Christie Anne, so I'm happy for even more company.

Let's see what insights can I leave. Peace Corps time passes quickly and it often seems as if nothing is really going on. I like to take moments each day to think about what i could've done better and also what I did raelly well. No matter how boring or self-indulgent it seems. I finished reading Bill Moyer's on Democracy this week, lent to me by another volunteer. It's filled with quotes that make you want to get up and do something. I try to remind myself that in my own small way I am doing something. It's amazing how much you can trick yourself into thinking you've never done anything. By Ukrainian standards, I'm an old maid. I'm 25 years old, no husband, no kids and no long term job. I kind of bounce around doing whatever. But I tell myself that the whatevers that I've been doing for however long are, despite the fact that my life is small, still salient and important. i think we all crave to be the big person every now and again. To have the personality and power to influence others and make a difference in how things happen. We fantasize about what we would be doing if only guaranteed the appearance in some cataclysmic or climactic moment. The truth is, I've thought, more than once about sending a letter to obama about my reflections on America living my post college career out of the country. I tihnk in some ways, I've forgotten that even though I'm not a HUGE personality, I'm still doing something that is worthwhile. this isn't to say I question my peace corps decision in anyway. I'm more than committed to my work and school life here. But, I will say, working in Education can wear you down, I suppose working in any field can, and some days when nothing seems to sink in it's hard to remember why you're trying to teach anyone anything.

On a more positive note, I've finished 13 books in my 19/20 weeks here. I'm grateful for teh simplicity and the time that my life offers. There's nothing quite like knowing that you will have the time to enrich your soul and mind.

FOr teh first time this week I rode a mashrutka at rush hour. mistake, I've been squeezed in ways I never thought possible and now have a thorough sympathy for sardines and chinese acrobats in boxes.

love and hugs to all