This is what happens when I don't make a post in a while. I sit down to write an update and I can't even think of where to start. So, instead of stressing about it, I'm just going to go with it. Here I go.
So, I've now been living in Ukraine for almost 2 months. I can't believe how fast the time has flown by! My days are pretty packed here lately, but one of the things the Peace Corps tells you from the get go is that the first few months of training are intense. My schedule is filled with Russian lessons, homework, projects, lesson plans, teaching, chores, field trips, and studying. As you can imagine, free time has become a thing of the past for me right now. I just keep telling myself that after these first three months of training, I'll be able to slow down and take a deep breath. Until then, just call me busy bee.
I have now officially celebrated my first Ukrainian holiday (Easter or Paska), eaten salo (raw pig fat), taught 9th and 10th grade classes in Russian (thanks to a lot of pre-made posters), walked around the city by myself, and I have become a bus riding pro. I won't bore you all with the rest of my Ukrainian firsts, but I have to admit that I am pretty darn proud of myself for all of the things I have accomplished or experienced just in 2 months!
I'm not going to lie and tell you that everyday is wonderful. I'm sure you wouldn't believe me anyways. Their are days where I ask myself what the heck are you doing here? But then I'll have these moments where something will happen that makes all of the bad completely worthwhile. For example, the past 2 weeks I have been extremely overwhelmed with my growing amount of work and extremely homesick. I was finishing up a lesson plan with my friend and group mate Becky. We were both tired and just ready to get it done. As we are working, her host grandmother (or Babushka) approaches us and hands me some flowers she picked for me. This small, but beautiful action was enough to bring tears to my eyes. In that moment, I was reminded that I am having the experience of a lifetime. It's in these moments that I'm reminded why I am here. I'm here to see a whole new world. I'm here to grow as a person. I'm here to help a growing and developing country in any small way I possibly can. More importantly, I'm here to live. This has been my dream for as long as I can remember. The fact that I'm currently living that dream puts a big smile on my face and gives me the motivation I need to make it through the tough times.
Lately, I have been thinking to much about myself and not enough about why I'm here. I am going to do my best from here on out to take things in stride and not get caught up in stress. In the long run, deadlines and projects do not really matter. It's the people I meet and the things I experience that really count and I don't plan on missing out on any of them.
Oh, and here are some pictures of Paska and the picnic I attended with my host sister :)
Me and my host sister, Sveta
Holding Paska. A necessity for Ukrainians on Easter.
Me and my PC friend Ben. Oh, and yes. We are wearing newspaper hats.
My Ukrainian pals :)
So, I've now been living in Ukraine for almost 2 months. I can't believe how fast the time has flown by! My days are pretty packed here lately, but one of the things the Peace Corps tells you from the get go is that the first few months of training are intense. My schedule is filled with Russian lessons, homework, projects, lesson plans, teaching, chores, field trips, and studying. As you can imagine, free time has become a thing of the past for me right now. I just keep telling myself that after these first three months of training, I'll be able to slow down and take a deep breath. Until then, just call me busy bee.
I have now officially celebrated my first Ukrainian holiday (Easter or Paska), eaten salo (raw pig fat), taught 9th and 10th grade classes in Russian (thanks to a lot of pre-made posters), walked around the city by myself, and I have become a bus riding pro. I won't bore you all with the rest of my Ukrainian firsts, but I have to admit that I am pretty darn proud of myself for all of the things I have accomplished or experienced just in 2 months!
I'm not going to lie and tell you that everyday is wonderful. I'm sure you wouldn't believe me anyways. Their are days where I ask myself what the heck are you doing here? But then I'll have these moments where something will happen that makes all of the bad completely worthwhile. For example, the past 2 weeks I have been extremely overwhelmed with my growing amount of work and extremely homesick. I was finishing up a lesson plan with my friend and group mate Becky. We were both tired and just ready to get it done. As we are working, her host grandmother (or Babushka) approaches us and hands me some flowers she picked for me. This small, but beautiful action was enough to bring tears to my eyes. In that moment, I was reminded that I am having the experience of a lifetime. It's in these moments that I'm reminded why I am here. I'm here to see a whole new world. I'm here to grow as a person. I'm here to help a growing and developing country in any small way I possibly can. More importantly, I'm here to live. This has been my dream for as long as I can remember. The fact that I'm currently living that dream puts a big smile on my face and gives me the motivation I need to make it through the tough times.
Lately, I have been thinking to much about myself and not enough about why I'm here. I am going to do my best from here on out to take things in stride and not get caught up in stress. In the long run, deadlines and projects do not really matter. It's the people I meet and the things I experience that really count and I don't plan on missing out on any of them.
Oh, and here are some pictures of Paska and the picnic I attended with my host sister :)
Reading this just makes me happy. I know how long you've dreamed of being in the Peace Corp and it just makes my heart warm to know that you're really doing it! Thinking of you!
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