A wind has blown the rain away and blown the sky away and all the leaves away, and the trees stand. I think, I too, have known autumn too long. - e.e. cummings

Hi.  Hello.  It's been awhile. It's officially fall time in Ukraine.  As usual, I am behind on updating my loved ones and random individuals who read this about what has been going on over here.  I really do apologize.  I have come to the conclusion that blogging falls onto the long list of things that I'm not particularly good it (This list includes such things as whistling, penmanship, and walking without falling)  However, I have convinced myself that "blogging" is important and therefore that means that I must persevere until it is something that comes more naturally too me (I have given up on penmanship and walking without falling). Now that I have my useless introduction out of the way, let's proceed, shall we?

Here's what I've been up too lately:

1.  I turned 24.  I was in Kiev for an environment training, so I got to celebrate in Ukrainian style (Minus mesh and glitter.). The night before my birthday, I went out to eat with several friends and had Indian food for the first time. My mouth fell in love.  The day of my actual birthday I had seminars, but I was able to celebrate that night with someone quite special and with that someone quite special's family who was visiting him from the states.  They surprised me with a Ukrainian milkshake, which is called a milky, which is a pretty accurate description of a Ukrainian milkshake because I didn't taste much shake.  More milk.  It was a lovely evening spent with a lovely someone and that lovely someone's lovely family.  Happy birthday to me.

2.  I went to an environment training hosted by the U.S. forestry department and by Project Learning Tree, which is a wonderful organization that I am happy to have learned about.  The training was done by 3 American women who were absolutely wonderful to work with.  They gave us a plethora of materials that I am very excited to turn into lesson plans for my clubs.  Did I mention that they put us up in a nice hotel for the week?  Because they did.  Let me just say, I felt like I was living the high life in my small hotel room that came complete with air-conditioning and hot water.  It's the little things.  

3.  School started back.  And it started back with a bang as you might would say (I probably wouldn't because I don't use phrases like that.  Until now.). Ukrainians like to celebrate.  So, why not celebrate starting back to school?  They have what's called a first bell ceremony which basically involves the following: welcoming the first graders to the school, giving out awards, elevator music,and the ringing of a bell.  Throw in a lot of camera flashes and a lot of speeches and you've got yourself a Ukrainian first bell ceremony.  One of my favorite traditions so far in Ukraine is that the students give their teachers flowers at the first and last bell ceremonies.  So, even though I only know some of them, I still got loaded down with beautiful flowers that make my apartment smell and look pretty.  Yay for sweet Ukrainian children and polite traditions.

4.  I went to a Ukrainian wedding.  My host sister got married this past weekend and I'm honestly still recovering from it.  Ukrainian weddings are completely different from American weddings in the fact that they last all day and most of the night.  That couldn't happen in America, because most brides turn into bridezillas and no one wants to be around them for long periods of time.  I'm kidding.  Kind of. So, the day started at 11 a.m. and ended at 1:30 a.m..  There were a lot of photographs, a lot of flowers, a lot of dancing, and A LOT of shots.  It was by far one of the most culturally interesting times I've had so far in Ukraine.  It made American weddings seem about as fun as watching PBS cartoons.  I had a blast.  I now plan to encourage all of my Ukrainian friends to get married so I can attend another one.  

5.  I now have a pretty set work schedule that makes my OCD heart very happy.  I'm going to be running four different clubs (along with my delightful site-mate, Jessica) four days a week and I'm also going to be co-teaching some English and healthy lifestyles classes.  I'm really excited about finally getting to work.  I have a lot of ideas that are dying to come to reality.  I just hope I don't scare off the students with my ridiculously excited-ness. (It probably scares them that I smile so much.) More on my clubs in another post.  

That's all I've got for you right now friends.  Life is good and I'm one happy girl.  Here are some pictures of my latest adventures.

Sunset in Kiev

Environment training

Jessica, Ira, and me at First Bell

Flowers from students

Lydia and I were very confused throughout most of the wedding festivities.

 Ukrainian wedding spread.  

Sveta and Vulva (Yes.  That really is his name)