take a breath just to let it out again

So my mom has been asking me for weeks to post up a summer summary so here it is:

End of May: I finished school and enjoyed my first last bell ceremony. I was interviewed by a local news station, which in all honesty I thought was a video being made by our school to commemorate the end of the school year. Then later in the evening, I received texts from a Ukrainian saying that I had been on tv. ugh, well, at least no one other than the people who already know me in town would recognize me, one of the many benefits of being in a large city. After school ended, my friend Aida from Lac du Bois came to visit. She had been studying in Morocco for the semester and was touring around Europe before she headed back to the states. It was great to be able to travel and experience Ukraine with her. The country takes on a whole new vibe when you're able to travel with someone from the states who isn't here on Peace Corps Service. We traveled to some small towns around Lviv and, of course, spent some time in Lviv itself. After that, we headed to visit The Kyivska Oblast volunteer, Meaghan Joyce. We spent time in her town of Kovalivka which is nicknamed DreamLand. The local politician has rebuilt everything, this small village has some of the nicest roads I have seen in the last 10 months. Paved, no divits, it's pretty amazing. We got to dress like babas and go into the church and Meaghan was a great hostess ! We headed to Kyiv the next day to meet up with Linnea and see the city one day before we all parted ways. We walked all around the city, partly in thanks to my bad reading of metro stops. BUT we finally saw a good portion of teh city and the Chernobyl museum. At the Chernobyl museum, was a group of students from West Point, apparently learning about post-soviet Ukraine. After that, Linnea and I went on the pub crawl with the hostel and had a great time. The next day we split up, Linnea and Aida heading to the airport and I took a nite bus to Novodnistrovsk, the site of my cluster mate Joe.

JUNE: So, that brings us to June. Thanks to the pub crawl the nite before I really hadn't slept. SO, I took a nite bus to Joe's site and got there at about 5 in the morning. Joe, who had taken that same bus before had been waiting for me at the bus stop for an hour and a half because his bus had gotten in earlier. I slept off the rest of the travel while Joe helped proctor exams and then Joe took me on a tour of his wonderful town. I even got to take the nice hike down to the Soviet hydroelectric power station! BONUS! See pictures on facebook for the awesomeness that is said power station. Joe made a traditional Ukrainian dinner of Holobtsi, stuffed cabbage rolls. The next day, Joe gave me the grand tour of town, and we also got to hang out at his counterpart's house and had ice cream. Joe's town was super cute. Then, Joe and I headed to Chernivtsi with some of his students to take part in an English language drama camp. We met up with the students and took buses to a town in the Carpathian mountains called Vizhnytsia. There were about 40 students, I think, at the camp and Joe and I were there to help with English language, as teh students were writing their scripts in English. THe camp was great we were in the mountains and near the river. Joe and I really didn't have too much to do while we were there so we got to enjoy the free time of relaxing in the mountains, not a bad deal. One day, the whole camp took a hike up a mountain and had a cook out lunch. The weather was hot, but I had so much fun hiking up and picnicing with everyone there. Joe and I led some games and the whole week I played frisbee and catch with a lot of the kids. This was hysterical mostly because the kids thought that because I could catch a frisbee with one hand that I was an athlete, this however is probably teh furthest thing from the truth. Nevertheless, the kids were great, the plays were great and I had a pretty awesome time. I got home from the trip to camp and immediately started working again at my own site. The month of June basically consisted of me working two hours of playground duty per day and then starting my adult English classes. My adult English classes have been great, they allow me to work with students who want to learn english with no discipline problems etc. Plus the adults in my group are really funny and motivated. It's been a treat and has encouraged me to continue teaching for the year, something I was pretty down on at the end of the school year. Doing playground duty was generally hysterical. The camp was only for 1st through 3rd graders so I was working with all the tiny kids. I will say there is nothing better than walking into a room filled with tiny 1st graders and getting mobbed in hugs because they are happy to see you. The students at the school are so loving and just want to be told they're doing a good job. Somedays, I could've done without the playground duty, but seeing my favourite student a first grader or I guess soon to be second grader named Roma never gets old!

JULY: So after June passed with camp and work, July did the same. Joe came to visit the first week of July in tandem with the Fourth of July barbecue I held to welcome the new volunteers to the oblast. We have one new volunteer in the city of Lviv named Blythe who I think is wonderful! And two others in teh oblast who I've met and are also great! The barbecue was a lot of fun and I got to meet tons of new people, cook and enjoy the wonders of American independence. My security guard told me that all of America had come to my party, I told him while 30 is a lot of people, there were a few more Americans back at home still celebrating. After the barbecue, a group of us all left for Ukrainian language Refresher. I spent a week practicing Ukrainian, enjoying being with my friends and generally loving a week off of school. I came back to Lviv and started working again. But this time, only adult English classes. Since then, I've said goodbye to my friend Linda who finished her peace corps service and headed back to Seattle. I was really sorry to see her go eventhough I know she's happy to be back. Linda was a source of sanity for me and having her leave feels like my service will change somehow. I've also enjoyed some down time at my site just being able to read and do what I would like. I got pretty sick after language refresher and was out of commission for about a week. But now i'm back to healthy status and feeling ready for my upcoming month of freedom ! August will be open for me, no commitments and so I'm going to see my host family in mid-August. It's been a long time, but I'll be really happy to spend a weekend with them.

I suppose that's all. I miss home always and am starting to think about what life's going to be like when I get back. It's not that I countdown the days til my service is over, but with new groups coming and old groups leaving about every 3/6 months it seems like life is always changing and people are moving quickly on. Our next group arrives in country at the end of September and then the next group will be leaving in November/December; and of course the new group will be coming to site in December. It's hard to think that everything is moving so fast, but I suppose that's how time goes the older you get.

love and hugs to all!

there's something lost and something gained in living every day

The past month has whirled by through a series of visits (mostly), trips(one maybe two) and experiences that it's hard to remember what has happened. I always find when I get truly busy I have a hard time sitting down to write a journal, and thus, I normally don't write until so much has passed I feel like I can't catch up with everything that has gone by so quickly.

Let's start with what has happened since April in the event category. I travelled down to Drohobych where my friend Linnea lives to work a day camp for kids of like middle school to high school age. The day went well and it was my first experience in country working with any kids older than 7th grade which I enjoyed. Plus, there were a lot of volunteers from my group who showed up to work so I felt like we had done our part to add to an oblast friendly attitude. We played games and did learning activities and I felt like it was a good use of time. I enjoyed being with the kids and being able to recapture a part of myself I only really let out in the camp atmosphere. I think it's probably that I'm used to running around like an idiot whenever I'm at Lac du Bois so it makes it helpful here. Another volunteer who had brought her students had commented that her students said, "Kari has duracel batteries in her." Which I found amusing. I also got to see the fruits of my friend Matt's labours as he has taught one of his students to say "Suns out Guns out!"

After this, the visits began, on Thursday Meaghan another volunteer from Kyivska Oblast arrived. we had a blast being able to hang out before all teh rest of the people got there. The thing I like about having people visit is it gives me an excuse to play tourist in my own town. In all honesty, I don't get around Lviv that much. I stay at work most days and do a little walk around my neighborhood everyday but other than that I don't go into center but on the weekends. So I got to take lots of pictures and do some SHAMELESS people watching, which was in all honesty at a prime. The others all arrived into Lviv on Saturday, it was Meaghan Trout's bday and we took advantage of the long weekend for labour day to relax and spend time with one another. I had a great time with everyone. Though somedays I doubt my prowess as a hostess. It's hard for me to know what people may like to see in town. There are lots of churches, etc. But as far as anything other than just walking around the city I'm generally at a loss. The weekend was great, plus it was the "rascal" festival and so there were tents and concerts etc. all weekend!

After everyone had left from Lviv, my host sister and her French guyfriend came to visit Lviv. Things that make my head go crazy, trying to speak French, English and Ukrainian in one nite. it was as always great to see my host sister and meet her friend. The weekend after another group of about ten people came to Lviv for city day celebrations. The weekend was again crazy and organizing and trying to make everything work was tough. But we had a successful dinner party at my place and I enjoyed the weekend despite the rain.

This past weekend I went to a town about 3 hours North of me to celebrate the birthdays of some fellow PCVs and had a great time meeting more new people and catching up with people who I had seen in awhile.

Now let's see on the work front. Things are good and busy and good and busy. I'm working a lot writing tests, etc. for the end of the year. And I feel like I"m doing ok. I've become so tired that sometimes I feel like I"m somewhat impatient with the kids, but I"m trying my best to remain calm and have it work out ok for the end of the year. My first graders have taken to mob hugging me, which is cute and funny and generally funny. I like seeing all the kids in the hallway and saying hello and passing out stickers. I'm working with my director in English which has been nice. And she's offered me to take tennis with her tennis instructor. I've had about 5 lessons so far and am enjoying it.

Tennis class is something out of the story books in all honesty. I take lessons from one man who is older by older I mean I think his track suit is my age and his nephew or asst. or both I can't really figure it out. nevertheless, they are hysterical. The younger one who is probably in his 40s wants to learn English so he asks me to translate when he has a question, not too long ago he asked me what "Be Chill!" means. I told him it was something along the lines of take a rest. And so his next comment to me was, "OK, we will play 20 minutes then we will be chilll, then we will play, then we will be chill." Trying not to laugh during this encounter was extremely tough. THe older man, who I'm supposed to call Meister, tells me he likes my smile everytime we play.

My friend Irene, with whom I was speaking French moved to Congo about two weeks ago. I'm sad to have her go. We had a great going away/50th bday celebration at her house where a middle aged ukrainian man named Andriy asked me to dance and then told me I was a "perfect dancer" and followed it up with "you are like butterfly."

My friends Dan and Lesya had their baby! I'm excited for when I will be able to meet said baby! I'm going to try and let the schedule for both them and me calm down a bit and probably give them a call when summer comes. they're moving into an apt. and I'm sure have TONS of things on their plate!

I had a great dinner two weeks ago with my friends Linda and Christi Anne, fabulous Thai Food and company of course. I always love hanging out with them. It feels homey and comfortable.

My small Lviv family of expats will soon be supplemented by the addition of a new volunteer here in lviv, though from what I've heard said newbie will be in New Lviv which is like a 30 min bus ride from center and thus not close to me or Scott. The new training group will be sworn in in Mid-June and then will be out to site in no time.

Let's see what else, what else, I'm enjoying the many joys of spring time flowers and produce and loving that I don't have to wear a coat outside except for very recentely when there has been non-stop rain.

In other news, I started FINALLY my Ukrainian lessons just yesterday. I'll be taking two lessons a week with a teacher here at teh school, Lilia. I'm excited and feel like I'll finally be able to make some progress in the language. I know my skills have dropped off since training, but at the same time other skills in terms of confidence have grown. So there you have it.

In the coming months, I'll be on the road and so won't be checking emails etc. too often. My friend Aida from Lac du Bois arrives in just a week now and we will be headed to Kyiv together and then when she heads to Western Europe I'll be heading down south and going to Chernivtsi to do a camp with Joe for a week. From there, I'll head back to Lviv. I'm hoping at some point to head to Nosivka to see my host family but it's hard to find the time. After that summer will be in full swing! Thank goodness!!!!!

I suppose that's all for now.
hugs and kisses to all

You don't move me anymore and I'm glad that you don't

Well, the business and general speed of things has continued throughout these past weeks.

Firstly, I had a horrible encounter with a mosquito last week leading my eye swelling up like a golf ball. Head to facebook if you're interested while my dignity doesn't cover facebook it covers the complete stranger land that could although probably isn't my blog.

Headed down to the carpathians this weekend to hit up a Half Marathon. Had a great time riding trains. I realise when I look back at these posts that I never really explain socialising in Peace Corps life, perhaps it's my own fear of looking bad or unprofessional or something. Either way, I had a great time meeting new people. And even more, as always I was happy to see Andy again. I can't help the feeling of comfort that comes over me being with my cluster pals. I think it's mostly that I just feel protected maybe we protected each other too much in training. All the same, it is how it is.

Well, the highlights of the marathon were in no particular order: being with fun people, having a great time and enjoying the weather. Oh and Shashlik.

My plans continue to mount up and I find myself not remembering what I'm supposed to be doing. My place is a wreck despite my huge clean out over easter and I have dishes and laundry that are waiting to be done. It seems every weekend from here to the end of school something has come up and I won't have those free days to do anything. perhaps it's my own fault for over committing myself when I had gotten behind already.

I've been having missing home days lately too. I think with the coming of spring and summer I feel mostly disconnected from the garden oddly enough. I miss doing things on the garden with my parents. After France, there was a new zeal in me to help them and I always tried to help with mulching and a couple beds or so every year. I miss not having something to dote on and take care of in the form of the green and oxygen producing. We rode through the Carpathians on our train ride back, I told Linnea a few times. I know that life would've been hard and my life is tremendously more "liveable" in a certain sense living in Lviv. BUT part of me yearns to live in a village and do some farming. Or at least some gardening. Joe has told me about his chances to get a plot, I find myself decidedly jealous.

Other than that, I've returned to teaching of course this week. Filling out lots of paperwork as the end of the school year comes. Journals that I'm never caught up on and other things as well. Had a great class with my 3rd graders today. As always, they make me want to be a better teacher and do great activities with them.

OK, that's about all here. I'm putting out the call for new music. If you can send me things using Yousend or just recommend new albums it'd be greatly appreciated I'm needing a change to spring me forward no pun intended!

loveandhugs

What do they do with the light in the morning when they wake up alone?

A post concerning Easter and other holiday-esque details

Easter in Ukraine is a magical time filled with busy markets, busy people and more importantly days off of school. My counterpart has returned and with her my hours have gone back to normal (A miracle). I love my third and first forms as per usual and have been making headway with both groups. I know they're learning I just wish they'd talk more! We'll see what happens.

1. A box of books arrived from the United States (awesome) I'm working on a safety project and starting some grant work for my school. And hopefully, keeping busy doing other teaching stuff as well!

2. It's staying light til almost 8oclock at nite making my life that much more enjoyable. Oh yeah and there has been sun and warm weather.

3. An actual talk about Easter. What perhaps are you wondering are the Easter traditions that I so wonderfully experienced? Well, let's start with the fact that on palm sunday they don't use palms but willow branches. Accordingly, I bought a bunch from a baba selling by one of the churches and am now proudly displaying it in my house. I also bought many pysanky or Ukrainian Easter Eggs (think of the ones that most people think are russian in teh states but are actually ukrainian). I have a collection of about 5 or 6 and I'm hoping it will grow with me as my time here does. But of course I'll have to wait until next Easter (my last) to get more. I'm thinking of buying 15 next year (a hefty investment at about 120grv assuming the price is the same. Not much for the states only 15$ but still) I want to bring some back with me to decorate wherever I may live in the coming years. So, Good Friday I went over to Linda's to watch a processional from the church near her house. They have a representation of Christ on a cloth and to symbolize taking him down from teh cross to put him in the grave they process through the neighborhood. Thanks to Linda I got a prime location for watching on her balcony! Then, I hung out with Scott, Matt, Jordan and Linnea. Linnea and I made a spaghetti dinner enjoyed the many joys of bazaar shopping on Good Friday and bought a Pasca or special Easter bread with frosting and raisins inside. THe nite was wonderful, as it's always wonderful to have friends around and just enjoy time and life. Saturday Linnea and I shopped and enjoyed the center of town and then relaxed at my place until it was time to go out again. We rode the tram back towards center and saw tons of people lined up outside the churches with their Easter baskets waiting to have everything blessed. From what I can tell and what I've been told this is what happens. You fill a basket with eggs, salt, cheese, bread, sausage, pasca and a candle and go to church. A lot of people in villages go to church at 3 or 4am and wait outside to have everything blessed. Here in Lviv, we saw them on Saturday nite around 7pm or so. The priest comes around and blesses your food and there you have it. On Easter Sunday, I headed to the architectural gardens with Linda, Robin, Jim and Linnea and we watched an amazing version of leap frog, I bought a painting we walked around the park it was fantastic and filled with people. Then of course, we met up with Scott and Matt. Monday I took advantage of my day off and cleaned my place top to bottom. I was supposed to do this spring cleaning before Easter, but unfortunately only had time after. Such is life.

3. the week
I headed back to school on Wednesday. I was feeling ill from the weekend but enjoyed a "surprise" Easter lunch with the directors and administration at my school. They have been so welcoming and nice to me it's hard to believe that I've landed in such a great situation. Then on Wednesday nite, I had a great dinner with Dan, Lesya and Scott. I had made a baby blanket for them (Lesya's expecting any day now). We had a wonderful dinner, great conversation and played a board game. It was nice to have company as it always is. On Thursday I was feeling pretty bad, but made it through the day. Friday, at my vice principals urging I took a sick day, but felt better in the afternoon. It was Scott's birthday so I went to join him in center for dinner and had a great time with him and Matt celebrating. Finally, I had some holobtsi on Saturday. I have been craving them since training and enjoyed every moment! I also got to hang out with some other volunteers. And came back home to enjoy a nice quiet evening at home.

4. Other stuff
I've been walking every Sunday with Linda, unfortunately today I couldn't make it out feeling gross again. It's been great to have someone who has walked this whole city over and over show me where to go. All in all, I'm going to be really sad to see her go come July, and I hope that our new volunteer will be just as fun!

I'm going to finally get on top of starting projects, calling the person about trading English for Ukrainian and getting to the yoga studio this month. I feel like I can hardly keep my head from spinning on week days some times, but I really do need to get out and start having a week life outside of work and home which is actually work too.

I'm, as always, more than excited for summer and everything that awaits. I'm thinking about a couple of trips, a friend from my French immersion camp may come and visit so I may take her around Ukraine. I need to go see my host family. I'm hoping to go and visit Joe and Andy at their sites. And I'm hoping that I can go and see two of my friends, Matt and Scott coach at a softball camp over teh 4th of July week. Enough trips for the summer add in enjoying Lviv saying adios to Linda and all that and it seems like it'll fly. Plus there's the added bonus of canning!!!!

Love and hugs!!!

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

millions of creatures could open my eyes

The weekend was wonderful. My first successful train ride in Ukraine. I enjoyed the wonders of Platzkart which to be honest wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I took a train after my classes on Thursday and then had a run in with the trolley police. Well, not police but controllers. First my trolley didn't come. Then after walking to where my connection was I got on. I was a little flustered and well, I'm generally bad at punching my trolley ticket. Like I should definitely go to remedial punch my trolley ticket school. Nevertheless, the controllers showed up, told me my punch wasn't right. I insisted that I had bought the ticket and punched it there. The lady DID NOT believe me. I told her again that I had that I wasn't from Lviv, but that I had tried my best to do it. She again did not believe me pulling out her very thick glasses to check it and count the dots. She called her friend over, I acted like I was really upset about the whole ordeal repeating that I wasn't from Lviv. They eventually must have thought that no Ukrainian would've put up such a stink and let me go without a fee or any issues. For teh record, I did buy and punch the ticket that day, I'm just really really bad at punching trolley tickets. New skill list to acquire.

After that, I stopped to buy a drink from a lady at the train station and as I didn't have correct change and she being a place of business obviously had NO kopecks, she paid me my 45 kopecks of change in what, that's right strawberry candies. BONUS! a little bit like Christmas not going to lie. After a long wait for the train I have a habit of showing up to early because I get nervous about being late. I got on the train and enjoyed three hours of looking outside at the Ukrainian country side. Side bar: the snow in Lviv had melted giving way to spring, seeing earlier notes. I arrived in Ivano-Frankivsk to snow covered sidewalks much to my anti delight. Joe's bus ended up being late, um a lot late but we'll get to that. SO I took a taxi to John's house, the wonderful volunteer who put us up. I hung out with John a senior volunteer from the middle of Iowa who was fantastic and wonderful. Joe showed up at the place an hour and a half later. Turns out Joe was supposed to get in at 7 or so some Baba on his bus told him. Then when 705 came around he called me to tell me that she said they'd be another 20. Or she wrote down 20 and he wasn't sure if she meant 20 minutes or 8oclock. I waited until about 735 when joe texted to say I could leave if I wanted. Anyway, Joe arrived and it was great to catch up and have time with him just like cluster. SO, we were told some people would be getting in around 6am. Andy being the joy of life he is texted me at 4am asking me where I was. At 6am a head pokes into the room and who is it but an ELATED Andy at seeing Joe and I asleep in the room. Andy proceeds to first jump on Joe exclaiming, "oh my god it's Fluffy." and then heads for my bed. We woke up the next morning had great omelets and then headed to teh warden meeting. Always a joy to spend time with Serhiy Pashinskiy. After all the discussions, I told him I'd be willing to take on a project, sounds like I'll be doing something with a girl's guide to safety. Joe is doing a much cooler project on re-vamping the Emergency Locator Form.

After the meeting we went for waffles/lunch and then headed to bazaars while we waited for John to get back from a meeting. I had fun just wandering around talking and not talking to people. It made me realise as I was walking that everyone else was always looking for someone to walk with or follow. Unfortunately I was not born with this trait. Sometimes it seems like my ability to be just fine on my own can be detrimental. I can't help that I don't mind just being on my own. Life is what it is. On the good side, I got some fantastic gloves and learned the lesson, never settle for the over priced gloves on the stairs when there's probably a half expensive pair in the back stalls. Luckily, I got the back stall cheap gloves. Made John dinner and met Ruth and Alexis who were fantastic.

The next morning, Serhiy Pashinskiy drove us to Kolomiya where the other region had "meet your neighbor" I enjoyed the company of their region and most of all really felt like I was on a vacation for the first time in a long time. we stayed at a great b&b and I laughed teh whole time. I missed being with my boys; plus I met some really great people. The bed and breakfast in Kolomiya was fantastic and if you ever want to go to the Carpathian foothills in a cute town I recommend it. That night we went to dinner and bar where I had a great time and a russian guy grabbed my butt. Awesome. Spent the next day in town with Erin a volunteer from Zakarpatzka oblast who is organizing a half marathon that I'm volunteering at in April. Had a fantastic time. And then, I enjoyed the many joys of taking a late train back and fell asleep on the train. I was sitting up with my head resting against the side of teh car and I drooled down my sleeve, CLASSY! The guy across from me looked at me like I was nuts. So much for good impressions and cross cultural learning. Got home late and woke up to teach. Luckily, I got to sleep in a little.

Unfortunately, after my 3rd form class, they told me that my new counterpart is out sick as in in the hospital. Awesome, I'm a total curse on these teachers I swear. So, I'm covering her classes for who knows how long. That brings me to 21 hours of English (no more French since I'm covering all teh English classes) and then I'm doing 1 hour of English with my director and starting Friday will be doing one hour of English with the director of Education in Lviv. Work is work! Kids are good and bad, but nothing beats it when I feel like we're getting somewhere or they're learning. So that's life, a full schedule. Lots coming up actually. But I'll spare you the plan of the next few weeks. Also, the vice principal asked me to run a demo lesson for the other teachers of foreign language so that they can see my style of teaching, ask for details if you want to know but not something i'm going public with.

In other news, I hate teh fact that there was a freaking snow storm and now Lviv is once again covered in heavy wet dense snow. PLEASE SPRING COME PLEASE!

a side track

I liked this I will share it

Like you I
love love, life, the sweet smell
of things, the sky-blue
landscape of January days.

And my blood boils up
and I laugh through eyes
that have known the buds of tears.

I believe the world is beautiful
and that poetry, like bread, is for everyone.

And that my veins don't end in me
but in the unanimous blood
of those who struggle for life,
love,
little things,
landscape and bread,
the poetry of everyone.
Roque Dalton.