From Bama to the Borderland: Winter

“A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water.”

-Carl Reiner

This is something that Mr. Reiner and myself have in common. Snow is something I've become quite accustomed to over the past few weeks. It came quickly and it came with a vengeance. Having never really been around much snow, I found myself to be somewhat excited about it. When it fell, it turned the scenery into something from a Christmas movie. The snow is beautiful, but the cold is not. I'm not talking about the pleasant kind of cold where you break out your favorite scarf and boots. I'm talking about the kind of cold that hurts your bones. The kind where frost bite is an actual worry as opposed to something you had heard happened to world famous explorers. It's so cold that school was cancelled for almost a week through most of Ukraine. That's a big deal in a country where snow is just a part of life. Over 100 people have died from it throughout Eastern Europe and half of those were in Ukraine. Many of them were elderly or homeless. Thankfully, Ukraine has set up over 2,000 shelters to try and alleviate this horrible problem.

Well, that was an uplifting intro, huh? In all honesty, I am fine. Although my apartment is quite chilly because the heating is set for the entire building, I'm making it. I am staying warm thanks to multiple layers of thermal underwear and the ingenuity of the snuggie that was so thoughtfully left behind for me by my site mate, Jessica. I knew what I was getting myself into when I found out I would be going to Ukraine, so I find myself laughing (a little) about how unprepared I was for this weather. Honestly, I don't think that there is anyway that a person who comes from a place where 50 degrees is considered cold can prepare for something like this. It had to come with experience, and boy do I feel like I'm getting that experience.

I've actually been quite a busy bee since my last post. Things at school have picked up a lot, so that is keeping me pretty busy. I co-teach 2-3 English lessons a day with my wonderful counterpart, Olya. The classes are for 2nd-6th grades and they are a hoot. Each week, I teach the 3rd grade classes an American song. So far, we have done "If You Are Happy, and You Know It", "The Hokey Pokey", "10 In the Bed", and several other ones that I can't recall right now. They love it and so do I! I also spend two afternoons a week at The Children's Center, which I would compare to a YMCA back in the states. There are a lot of arts and crafts, plays, and general silliness. I also have been filling my time working on projects. I am about to start writing a Partnership Grant for some some radio equipment for my school, but more on that another time. I'm busy and happy.

What else is new....

Two weeks ago, I attended what is called a language refresher. This is a kind of camp held by Peace Corps that basically serves as a quick re-cap over the language. It also serves as a big motivator for people like me who haven't been studying like they should. They have classes during the day and different activities at night (These activities include dance lessons, card games, clay and jewelry making and several others). It was held in Chernigiv, which is the city that I trained near. I actually got to go and see my host family for the first time since September. I was welcomed with kisses, calo, and vodka. A really good homecoming in my opinion. I also got to have the first sledding experience of my life. When I say sledding, I of course don't mean with an actual sled, because this is Ukraine and they have invented more fun ways of doing such old activities. There updated version of a sled includes large plastic bags with small chair cushions stuffed inside. I went with my host sister, Sveta, and her friend Max. They had more fun than I did because they got to laugh at me hiking through the snow and falling up the hill that I was suppose to sled down. (If you know me at all, you know that grace has never been of my best attributes. Add snow to the mixture, and you've got yourself a comedic routine.) I learned that snow is exhausting and sledding is hard work. By the end of the adventure, I was a wet mess with cold toes and a happy heart.

Oh, hey. Did I mention that I'm going to Greece? Because I am. Jesse and his dad have invited me to go to Greece with them at the end of April. I'm not going to lie. I cried when Jesse told me. I'm sorry, but getting to go to one of my dream travel destinations with the love my life was just too much for my emotional scale, so tears were in order. Knowing that I'm going to a Mediterranean paradise with my sweetheart and his wonderful father at the end of April is definitely going to help these cold winter months pass by.

That's all I've got for you right now. It's cold, but the love and happiness I am feeling is keeping me pretty warm. Cheesy, but true.

Here are some pictures of my latest adventures. Hugs and love to all of you.