I just wanted to be your moon alone in your night sky

The past few weeks have opened up a new world. In other words spring is here in full force, sunshine, daylight savings time and general pleasurable wonder. The kids at school are getting anxious for everything especially being outside. They come early to school these days fitting in a game of soccer before classes start, which seeing them so active about something makes me happy. I cant say I like having kids playing soccer right outside my window at 8am (soccer field is right outside my window) but I'm happy for them to enjoy the weather and breathe the air. I've been taking more walks although not taking pictures (half of new years resolution accomplished half not)I feel like the world has opened to a new town. I live in a completely different city with completely different people. I enjoy things that otherwise would've been dull and I feel the interest of spring and promise of a new existence bubbling under the surface of everything. My mood is really enthralled, ecstatic and some what uncontrollably happy.

Section One: Work Life
feel free to skip sections as you feel fit. First: I'm teaching my "new" counterparts lessons these days amounting to about 22ish hours a week. It's a lot to get used to and a lot of prep work. Some days are better than others but overall I'm ok with it. I know there are only 3 teachers in teh department right now handling at the very least 72-ish hours of English lessons, so it's normal that I"m teaching right around 20/22. The other teachers have a lot of lessons as well, so I'm not complaining. My troubles with discipline are still present; I'm slowly trying to work through them and have been taking advantage of the willingness of the other teachers or sometimes administrators to sit in on my classes to control the discipline. Discipline is super challenging for me here. I've probably said this multiple times in this blog, but honestly it's tough and something that most people in peace corps that I've talked to face. If you have any suggestions about classroom discipline I'll take it. I will preface by saying since reading Punished by Rewards I can't bring myself to do stick and carrot methods, so I never make threats to my students. I impose consequences after the action has taken place and explain why I want the action to stop as a means for stopping it. This obviously isn't working for me, but I won't change to stick and carrot, so if you could give other options between the two it'd be appropriate. Secondly, my projects are starting and I couldn't be more exciting. Thanks to my mom the local AAUW is donating their leftover childrens' books to my school. THe problem is I have to find a way to get CHEAP shipping. Meest from my research is the best option. If there is anyone out there who is willing to donate money to have these books shipped to Ukraine please contact me via the comments and I will give you my mom's info and the book collection info! Also, my darien Book Aid order is still being processed. Hopefully we'll get some good books. Secondly, I started the beginnings of a project this week as I'm going to start writing a grant for my school to get help in funding for their gym building project. It will take about 3 months as I've calculated for me to write the grant and I will be only helping them do this project, but I'm excited about the process. It'll be a partnership grant basically pooling on my resources and networks back at home to help raise funds and money!!! Thirdly, I'm working on developing some teach-ins and workshops in conjunction with the opening of the gym. I'm hoping to pair up with teh other volunteer in Lviv and have his Physical Ed. Master's students come and run a Girls' Sports day. Gender empowerment and just general community building. THere's also another volunteer about two hours away hosting information on Special Needs concerns. I would really like to finance/bring two educators to one of his sessions. I'm hoping as more volunteers come around the area I can build a network of service opportunities for the kids at my school. My dream is not only to help their English, but a little civics and service can go a long way!

Section Two: Easter Preparations
So, Easter prep is in full swing. According to Ukrainian tradition this is the week to clear and clean out to prepare the way as it were. I've bought about 5 Ukrainian traditional eggs. Pictures to follow later. And I bought a traditional willow branch bundle instead of Palms for palm Sunday. It's fun to see the mood of everything change. I even have some days off of school this week and next (bonus!) I'll take what I can get let's be honest

Section Three: Discovering my city
I've been privileged the last couple weeks to have some visitors and people here give me time to explore my city. I've been as I said earlier walking more and appreciating what there was. But I've spent time with Dan and Lesya (I've talked before of my general love of them). They graciously got me information about a wonderful yoga studio here in Lviv where I can take two yoga lessons per week for a very small 150grv per month (equiv. of 20 dollars/month) and Dan also found some information about me being able to trade English/Ukrainian lessons, another huge boost to acclimating to life here. I can finally say I feel like I"m becoming a part of my city discovering markets, bazaars and bounds of other places with the help of people here has made my mood sky rocket that much more. Linda and I went on our Sunday walk today. We snaked through center and markets and parks. I just feel like every new corner of the city is a new place where I feel at home. Ukraine I don't think will fit like France did. But the more and more I'm here and living life on my own, making my own way, I feel better and better. Having Linda and Dan and Lesya and Scott along for the ride sure helps!

That's all for now, a long and wordy entry without pictures nonetheless. I'll try I'll try. As the weather gets nicer and the sun is out longer it'll be easier for me to do this. I'm thinking a daily walk around 4pm everyday is going to be a must.

loveall