a quick video clip of my dormitory/ apt.

A quick clip of my apt.

The 9 days of change and adjustment

After an hour to try to get photos uploaded--it isn't working, so apologies to the lack of color/pictures in this LONG blog....

I am slowly settling in to this new/ancient town of Kremenets in the Ternopil’ska Oblast.  It is much larger than Kulykivka, but it still has that “small town” feel to it.  Ok, maybe more of that “medium town” feel. 

Let’s rewind a couple days, though.  I know it has been awhile since I have updated this blog, so bear (or is it bare?) with me on this long and adventurous post (yes, it will be long—brace yourself because Morgan is about to do some story telling…)

On the rainy morning of the 13th, I had my bags packed and was ready to leave.  Mamma and Katya sent me off the same way as they welcomed me, only this time, it was so vivid.  The first day arriving to Kulykivka it was snowing.  As I stood in the center of what seemed to be “boom town”, I saw Mamma Inna walking on the other side of the street in high heel and I thought to myself – “ARE YOU SERIOUS?!”.  I also remember Tato pulling up in a TINY car with his friend (although I didn’t know who was who—let alone try to figure it out).  They MADE all of my luggage fit… and again, the same thought popped into my mind— “ARE YOU SERIOUS?!” kind of embarrassing, but at least I remember it.  After that, it was pretty much all a blur except for me thinking that Mamma Inna said she has a one year old daughter, which turned out to be 15 year old Katya.  But leaving was a different story….   I knew exactly where I was going, and I knew exactly who I was leaving behind.  Coming, it was all a mystery, but now I honestly felt like I was leaving home all over again.  That thought of “boom town” turned out to be a very warm, friendly, and upbeat place and the center which didn’t seem like such a “center” at first is a place where a lot of my memories in Kulykivka were held. 

Anyways … I said my “see ya laterz” and was off to Kiev.  After several days of “very interesting and fun” meetings (sarcasm), I swore in to become a Peace Corps Volunteer.  It was a great feeling and it is so nice to finally say that I am a volunteer. My host family came to the swearing in ceremony, but unfortunately I had to scadaddle quickly to get to the bus on time to go to the train station.  Olena, the psychologist at the boarding school I will be teaching at…..    Ooops.   Rewind again.

On the 13^th, when I arrived in Kiev, the first thing that was done was site announcements.  The magical time had finally made it to the present- and I found out that I would be going to Kremenets working at a boarding school.   Boarding schools here are different from what I think a boarding school is, so if you are more interested about it, just let me know. 

Ok, fast forward again.  So Olena, is one of my counterparts.   After talking to some PC staff, I realized that it is possible to have many counterparts, which is what seems to be happening.  Olena and I got on the train—we rode Kupe cart (ya—living large!)  J From 7 pm- 2 am we were on the train and from the train station, her son, Sasha picked us up and drove us an hour and a half to Kremenets.  Of course for all of those who know me, I passed out.  Olena practically yelled at me to wake up so that I could see some things on the road (even though at times I didn’t understand what she was trying to show/tell me).  But, once we drove to почаїв (Pochaiv), she woke me up and there I saw this HUGE Monastery and it was absolutely gorgeous.  It was lit up and everything –I felt like I was part of a fairy tale or something! Short story that was turned into a long story short—made it to the school at 3:30 in the morning, carried my luggage up to the 3^rd floor of the dormitory and saw a first glance at my new home for the next 2 years.  I am living in school, in the dormitory section—but my place is amazing!  I have lime green see-through curtains and 2 comfortable beds (there was originally 4, but I took 2 of them out)—what else can I ask for?!  Plus, there is a перегід—(a hallway that connects 2 buildings together) from my dormitory to the school which means that in the wintertime when it is storming—I don’t even need to walk outside to get to work!!!  HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!

Anyways, I have not even been here a week, but honestly I am lonely.  Ian has been such a blessing (a fellow PCV sitemate) with showing me around and making me feel welcomed.  Even though it was a short time we were sitemates, it was definitely worth it. –So Ian, thank you for everything and the best of luck in the future.

It is really hard to live on your own in a different country not knowing anyone, and I know it will get easier and I am sure I will make friends in no time, but man—these last couple days are going by a little too slow.   And, it doesn’t help to not have internet (but, by the time anybody reads this, I would have gotten internet by now).  So this is a little ad:  Anyone who wants to come visit—you have a free place to stay in a very comfortable bed right next to me +  I will even cook you some delicious Ukrainian food (or anything else). 

Just to wrap this up, because I can go on for quite some time, Kremenets is a really cool town.  There is so much history here and I have been enjoying my time learning about it all.   I am still interested to know if there is a Wikipedia thing on it (thanks for getting me hooked Carly and Ryan) because it is really fascinating.  I will make another post sometime soon on the history behind the town if you are interested—or you can check out Wikipedia and see if you find anything.

I guess I am going to wrap this baby up!

Until next time,

Try buying a baguette and a doughnut for under a dollar…

Ya, I did that today!

Love, Mo

Say Farewell... For Now.

The countdown is a whole WHOPPIN 2 days!

In 2 days I say goodbye to my host family of the last 3 months.

In 2 days I need to pack all my stuff and wait to find out the mysterious oblast, region, city/village that awaits my residence for the next 2 years of my life

In 2 days I leave the great town of Kulykivka that has really felt like home.

In 2 days I get to start all over again

In 2 days I am reunited with all the fellow PCTs



All in all, the time flew by so fast and I have NO idea where it went.    Not only is time flying by fast here, but back home as well.   So many friends graduating, getting ready for babies!!, marriages right around the corner, and especially my siblings getting older....   (weird!)

This is a big week for many people, and I know next month will be an even bigger month for some.   Congratulations everyone on their success, completions, and new additions to family.

This Ukrainian sunshine is amazing, and I don't want it to leave as quickly as it came.... but boy do Ukrainians tan nice!!!

Until Next time,
Happy Summer and enjoy the sunshine!

Love Mo.



Please, don't forget to watch this slideshow!   If you have time, it is the summary of some of the things I have done here in Kulykivka in the past 3 months.  (It is in 2 parts until I can find a way to upload it as 1 part)
PST video Pt. 1
PST video Pt. 2

Final Countdown

As I have less than a week until I find out where I will be living for the next two years, and the excitement is starting to kick in!

I will officially be a Peace Corps Volunteer in 9 days!

I just want to give everyone the heads up that I am planning on posting a PST summary slideshow/video before I leave for Kiev, so stay posted!

Until then,

I hope you Nor Cal friends get some nice weather soon!

Love  Mo.