The simplicity of Knocking

So the last several days I have been refraining from updating a blog filled with complaining, and I have done a good job on doing so.  You have to understand- living with about 40 little brothers and sisters can be a bit mentally draining.  I got all kinds of "little" ones: the one who screams, the one who stinks, the one who does not understand personal space, the one who asks a million questions, the one who doesn't understand no means NO, and ALL who don't understand the edicts of knocking.

I was told in my cross cultural training that I may experience the "open doors without knocking" experience.  I have a very long list "knocking" experiences  since living in the dorms, and I would really like to decrease this number.  Thank You for the invention of Locks!!

I have created a list of Knocking Edicts that I am sure you would never think twice to learn back home.

1. If the door is shut- KNOCK

• Do not just try shaking the door handle-- I LOCK the door both when I am inside and outside my room.
• if it is cracked open this does not give you the privilege to just walk on in and explore 

2. when you knock, several sturdy knocks should suffice.

• When you give me sturdy knocks- I hear it and I will come to the door as soon as I can.
• when you tap- I think it is the woodpecker outside my window
• when you knock constantly- you automatically annoy me and I put my headphones on and pretend to not hear you
• knock more than 10 times and no answer means: I either am not home, I am busy, or I just don't want to answer the door

3. There are time edicts for door knocking as there is for phone calling. 

• After "bed time" and 15 minutes before breakfast time don't even think about it. 

4. If you knock on the door and I answer and you just want to say hi, please don't knock on the door 2 minutes later to say hi again....  

So maybe this is a personalized list for my standards, but really.... 

Knocking and door positions is another special form of communication, and apparently it is not universal (just so you all are aware of that). 

The Story in my Host Sisters Eyes

My host sister wrote a story about my time living in her home while I was in training.  Because people always have different points of views to each story, I think you will enjoy what she wrote.  It is translated into English from her Ukrainian-- So I am sure you all can figure out the message.

 My host sister, Katya, and myself after making dinner for Mamma Inna

My American sister

By: Katya Yangol

My mom was first told about Americans from the "Peace Corps". At first, I did not care, but then I become more interested about it.
It is funny to remember those first moments when I saw Morgan. It was a rainy/snowy day and, frankly, I hardly remember how the first meeting went because I was very worried on what and how to speak with the American girl? All I remember is the moment when the car drove up to my house and it came out a short girl with dark beautiful hair. She smiled for all 32 teeth, but in the eyes I could read the excitement and fatigue. I gladly entered the threshold of the same broad smile, and when I was saying hello to the guest in her language, she was glad because I think she was afraid that she is in a foreign country with completely unknown people to her who even don’t speak English.
Within two weeks we became really close.
Every day, we did homework together, showed each other pictures of our friends, watching sitcoms, ate kilograms of cookies and candy. It was very cool! You could not tell that she is from another continent. 

We indeed have much in common. Most of what I liked in Morgan was her cheerfulness and optimism that have not left her, and eternal desire to help around the house and in the garden. By the way, she pulled all the weeds from the ground in the section I had to do, and for that I loved her even more.
I didn't feel any discomfort when she lived here. Even my mom and dad loved it like she was their daughter.
Sometimes I really want the days to return when Morgan lived in our house, because I at least had sister for a while to who I could tell everything to (besides near my family, and they do not understand what I mean). It was really cool!
While I didn't feel lonely, because not only did I have parents supporting me, but I had a new sister supporting me, too.
And I still regularly talk with her by phone and chatting on the Internet. In the summer I visited her in Kremenets, where she will live another year and a half.
The main thing I understood talking to an American, is that people are all really different, sometimes difficult to explain their behavior. But between us there is more in common than differences.
Here is an example: I did not feel that we were from different countries. Today I can say with confidence that people overseas are overall just like us.  There may be some different habits, languages, views on life but, when converge with a person for real, it seems that you have been together forever and have been going hand in hand all your life.

The Birthday Update

Thank You Ukraine for giving me a wonderful birthday celebration.  If one person finds out about your birthday--they all will know.  Today was just a wonderful day!

My new boots I bought to look more "professional"

Started my day off getting a phone call from my family which could not have started my day off any better.  Right after I got off the phone with them I put on my new heeled boots and went to the post office to get a wonderful birthday card from the parentals and then bought a doughnut for breakfast/  Right as I got back to my room the Director came and gave me chocolates and an espresso mug (had no idea how he knew about my birthday...).

I then went to the school stadium where I was greeted by all the trainers where they wished me a happy birthday.  This included all the old men giving me kisses wishing me good health.
**It is a Ukrainian tradition apparently, and I did not know about it until today.  I had received about 20 kisses from old men... I sure hope that it is only once a year that this happens.  I couldn't help but to laugh most of the time it was happening... Whoops!  There was one guy who had really REALLY bad breath that once I got home, I washed my face and brushed my teeth because the smell was "stuck" to me.  (sorry, that was kind of rude..)

All the birthday goodies I got today--can you say WOOOAH?

I then went to Pochaiv not really knowing why, but I went with the football trainer and when we got there I was informed that we were picking up 8 13/14 year old soccer boys to take them back to the stadium in Kremenets--- it was about a 20 minute "fast" drive.  Now a typical Ukrainian car is small.  So there were 7 boys piled in the back with the 8th boy sitting up in the front seat with me. Gosh, I love Ukraine sometimes...

After a whole bunch of soccer games, I then had my institute/college practice where all the girls gave me a ukrainian flower/ribbon headband and a soccer ball that they all signed.  Practice was then finished with some wonderful champagne.

Students ran all around school  to find me to give me a birthday "surprise"

Today was a great day.  I honestly felt so loved.  No one knew about my birthday until yesterday when Tanya randomly asked me when my birthday was...  and after telling her that it was "tomorrow" it obviously didn't take long for EVERYONE to find out.  I could not have asked for better day.  The weather was amazing with the sun was shining,  the temperature was decent, and the trees are just gorgeous with their fall colors.  Students brought me flowers, balloons, cards, and they all wished me a happy birthday in english.  The English teachers and Vasyl (the German language teacher) gave me a plant and a wonderful gift to remember Kremenets.

I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.  Though I am half a world away from most of my friends and family, I think this year was one of the most memorable and special birthdays.  Thank you to all who helped make this day so special.

Until Next Time,
I am 22 and this upcoming year I have a feeling is going to be a BIG one.