Is Anybody Out There

does anyone actually read this???? if so leave a comment and then I will try to update soon...if not I am giving up on the whole blog thing becuase I am horrible at updating this thing

Hey everyone, I am once again awful at updating this thing. Things are good here. Summer camp plans are in full swing, which means lots of long days planning and figuring out what we all think would be good topics. It is funny I have fallen into such a routine here, its hard to believe that I will be leaving for a new site in about 4 weeks. I feel like I am just getting a feel for everything Fastiv has to offer and I have to leave soon. Also I am just getting to the point where I can have a long, meaningful conversation in all Russian with my family. I have become very used to life here that I sometimes have to remind myself that I am living in Ukraine and this is not how life has always been. I am sure I am in for a second wave of uncertainty when I move to my new site! Anyways, my mind has now gone blank on everything I wanted to say, so I guess I will stop, and hopefully I will remember to write this all in advance so that I can remember everything.

I promise a new post soon....and by soon I mean in the next two weeks, but hopefully tomorrow!

Finally a Post with Substance

So things have been going well here. 3 hours of Russian a day and then about 1 1/2 hr. of homework after that is starting to wear on me but I did successfully call my host family today and in full Russian tell them I wont be home for dinner, the volunteers are all going out, and that I will be home at 830. I was very proud...it was not perfect and I did not understand some of the things that she said back to me, but the message was recieved none the less! Its that moment that makes me want to learn more so that one day I will have a full conversation.

So I am about 1 hr. outside of Kyiv, in a city of about 50,000. It is really nice is easy to navigate. We taught in school today for the first time. Nothing is scarier then 25 Ukrainian 6th graders looking to you for a lesson for the next 40 minutes in broken Russian/English. It went alright for the first time. The kids were really invovled and participated when we asked them to, which I believe is half the battle. This Sunday we are going to Kyiv to explore and see the Peace Corps offices. I am really excited to go experience the capital.

The schedule is starting to become very hectic. We have 3 hrs. of Russian everyday, teach once a week, have 1 1/2 hr. of individual Russian tutoring, technical classes and tutors throughout the week, organization visits, and then homework. Plus, we have to start planning our end of training community project and summer camp for the kids. So far though everything we do is new so its interesting and pushes us to try new things.

Oh, and it was the Orthodox Easter this past Sunday. We woke at 4 am to be at mass at 5 am. It was early but worth it. Everyone had a basket of food they brought to be blessed and everyone lit a candle in their basket. Then everyone stood around the pond and with their basket on the ground and waited for the priest (I think that is the proper term) to come bless. Since it was still dark you could really only see the pond and the candles all around it. It really was one of the more beautiful things I have ever seen. Then we all went home and ate food.

Anyways, I think that is about it for now. Hope everyone is doing well at home. Fill me in on some news, I have no idea what is going on over there.

Ukraine!!!

So I am horrible at updating this thing and now my computer is about to die so I dont really have time to say much.....but I posted photos, so if you want to see them I need your email address and I will send you a link.

Things are good, update more later

AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




7 DAYS!!!!!!





(i am soooo not ready)

Party Time!!!

For anyone who has not heard about my going away party...

March 27th
7:30 p.m.
Harlings Upstairs Bar (Westport Rd. and Main)
Cheap Drinks and Possibly free food


All are welcome, the more the merrier!!!

First Vacation in 3 Years!!!

Megan and I in Cleveland

Laura and I in Philly

Karyn and I in Boston

I just got back in town after my farewell tour to America! It was a blast to see all my friends in different cities before I leave. I visited Cleveland (to see many college friends), Boston (to see Karyn), Philadelphia (to see Laura), Washington D.C. (to see Brandon), and Pittsburgh (to see Mel), as well as ending my trip in Evansville IN to see Rockhurst play in the conference tournament. It was a long trip with lots of driving but I learned alot and feel like I took a giant history lesson with all the historic places I visited! Boston loves to tag people of any significance as a patriot, Philly is famous for pretzals, and D.C. has everything for free, thanks government (at least your good for something!) A BIG thanks to everyone that took me in and showed me around their city!!!!! Only 3 weeks before I leave....I better get started on my mile long to do list.

Also a big shoutout to my Dad, GLVC Conference Coach of the Year!!!!

*I tried to put up a picture of everyone I visited but somehow Mel, Brandon, and Tiff I got no pictures with you...how did that manage to happen???

Paperwork

I wish I was at the place where everything is done and all I have to do is wait to leave. Instead I have mountians of paperwork that has to get done (its the government, so really I should expect paperwork). Oh and doing taxes is a lot harder then I thought it would be.

Starting a Blog

So I have decided to start this blog because I figured it would be the easiest way to update everyone with what I do and post some pictures. I will be honest I have never been very good a blogging. I can usually never convey what I am thinking or trying to say on a blog, but I am determined to keep up with it till I become an expert blogger with lots of deep insights and interesting tidbits about life as a volunteer. Currently, I am preparing to leave on March 30, just a little more then 2 months so there is LOTS to do. Not the least of which is start learning Ukrainian! I have starting learning a few basic words and phrases but nothing very impressive. I would try to type somethings here but since Ukrainian uses the cyrillic alaphabet, it would be a bit hard. Well, thats all I have for now, I gotta go do some studying!