Valentine's Day

Valentine's day is a day to be spent with lovers or hot hot sexy men.  Ok, so not necessarily the second part but, I am sure that would be quite the plus!  Every Valentine's day, I spend the day with some people I love and cherish deeply (usually my family...) and this year was just the same.

The kids and I before launching the floating light

The story travels back a couple weeks ago with the floating lantern.... When I was in Kyiv with some friends, I saw floating lights and told myself that I HAD to buy some!   I tell people back home that my life here is like the movie Tangled. So any moment I get to have a Tangled moment, I jump on it. The flowers in the hair, the holiday festivities that sometimes turn into huge dance parties (just like in the movie), the summer greenery and flowers gives it that enchanted feeling, and of course-- the floating lights.  I did not know how much these floating lights cost, but regardless of the price I was already sold on buying them.  So even though I found out they are more expensive than I am budgeted to spend on random things, I bought it anyway and last night made it all worth it.  

I get really stoked about things like lighting a floating lantern in to the sky and it was that much more amazing to see the kids even more stoked than I was.  We all said what we loved about ourselves and then launched this lantern into the sky as a symbol of loving yourself and one another (as a bonus there was no fighting for at least 15 minutes!!!).  We all stood outside in the snowy dark night watching this floating lantern get higher and higher into the sky for about 10 minutes. I am almost positive they now all think that this is a common thing to do in America.

Though my time last night was not spent eating my favorite chocolate and wine, it was spent with some kids that I absolutely love and I am glad to have made this Valentine's Day a night to remember for them.  I love Valentine's Day.  It is a happy day whether you have a lover or not.  As long as you show people some loving it is an awesome feeling.  Every year when my nerdy self had no plans for the holiday, my mom and dad would always make me feel extra special and loved and that is exactly what I tried to do last night for the kids.  They enjoyed the chocolate I got them, but I think they enjoyed being able to go outside after dinner to launch a floating light.  So to all you lovely people out there, keep spreading the love even after the day is over.  And to anyone who plans to spend a Valentine's Day with me, I am almost positive I will be releasing a lantern into the sky every year.  It was that amazing. 

Our light floating with the snow. 

Until Next Time, 

з днем святого валентина 

Being a Big Sister to 39

After about 11 months of being in Ukraine, I have decided that it was a good time to self-reflect on my time here thus far.  At one point in time (maybe a couple weeks ago), I felt that I was wasting my time not doing anything.  When I spoke to a friend this past weekend, he made it so clear to me that these negative thoughts may easily come from the root source of comparison.

Oh the sweet sweet joys of comparing oneself to another (I do it way too often though I hate to admit it).  I have decided to stop comparing myself  in this country amongst what other volunteers are doing because I simply can't. Each person serving is on a completely different journey.  I don't think peace corps can emphasize the fact that each persons' journey during their service is, well... a journey!  You don't know how it will turn out, you can't predict the results of it- you just have to roll with the punches and take what it is that comes out at you.

Looking at the bigger picture, I do see that I am doing something.  I may not teach English or go to an office everyday and I may not have a whole bunch of grants finished and completed but, I do have about 39 little brothers and sisters who I have noticed look up to my like a big sister, and for me-- that is quite something.

I love these kids to death, and though at times they get on my last nerve, I still love them.  Even though they knock on my door ALL THE TIME at night and always get all up in my personal space, I still love them.  Every time I come back from a weekend trip, I am greeted with big smiles and hugs with girls saying "MORRRHAAN!!!".  When girls have boy problems they come "try" to talk to me about it, when the kids need help with their homework in more than just English I help them, if there is a fight for the most part all I gotta do is yell STOP and they (for the most part) listen, and if they want to play games they come to me because I am game master!

Living in the dorms is giving me a whole different experience than what it would be living in an apartment.  Though there are definitely many pros and cons to the dorm life, I think overall it is making my peace corps experience much more enriched with awesome relationships and unforgettable memories.  I have a special relationship with the kids who live in the dorms.  They are more than just students, they are becoming family.  Now this may sound like a good thing but, for those of you who know what the relationship is like between my and my siblings (or anyone like my siblings), it can get pretty intense.  But,  I am happy to say that I think I am growing up and am now able to control my aggravation and want to scream in their face by simply putting headphones on, locking my door, and I simply breathe and then I laugh.  Now that I wrote that, it sounds almost like I am a crazy person (which I guess I am). Overall, I have realized how much of a role model I am to these girls and boys.  I am happy that I kept my spunky self and my crazy style.  My act of confidence reflects back on these kids, and I am not starting to see it.  I have finally realized what is really needed at this school.  It isn't new books, new windows, a better stadium, or any of that.  It is giving the kids I live with the confidence to believe that they can do whatever they set their minds to. This school needs the girls to be empowered to be strong, independent, and educated females.  These kids need an older figure who is always there for them.  Not just in times of disciplinary actions, but also in times of celebrations.  I am that person to many of these kids, even though I didn't realize it.  I am "like [their] mom during the week", according to Sonya a 4th grade girl who lives across from me.  These kids need to find their talents and hobbies and be encouraged to master them.  They need someone to notice the subjects they have a hard time in and have someone take the time to help them understand it better.

My role as a peace corps volunteer is a youth development volunteer, and in my journey so far, that means being a big sister to 26 sisters and 13 brothers.

Until Next Time,
*bada bapbada-- I'm lovin' it*

The 3 month catch-up

Here is to a New Year (kind of crazy to think that 1 month has almost passed us by, already). I know it has been a little over 3 months since I have last updated my blog, but the way I look at it, it is because I am finally in the groove of things I don't think there is much to update.

That is false.

I am just lazy.  The past 3 months have been filled with crazy adventures, frustrating situations, AMERICA, many firsts, and a new year: 2012.

The only possible way I can even think about doing a catch up blog is by simply doing highlights of what has happened (granted the last week will be more emphasized hence it being so recent).

October Events
-Went to go visit the host family and had a blast!  ate some ice cream in cold weather and right after that I got a cough (it is the ice cream I am blaming....)
-I am pretty sure I updated about my birthday, but again, I had a wonderful birthday celebration

November Events

my first Thanksgiving plate of many

-For Thanksgiving, I went up to my friend Maria's site in the Rivnenska Oblast in a little town called dyadkavuchi and celebrated the holidays with some wonderful American friends along with a couple Ukrainians.  The cultural exchange that occurred was priceless and will definitely be one of the most memorable Thanksgivings.

December Events
-I went back home to the good ol' USofA and had a very wonderful Christmas holiday with my family.  Hawaii definitely was very much needed and all that ono' food that I ate was so tasty!  Seeing the Unkos Cuzzins and G-parents was a great treat!  I can't wait for the next family vacation!!

They like to wear matching luau shirts

-California was alright, too, minus all the Doctor appointments that I had to go to.


 **But I am very thankful my mother took initiative by dragging me by the ear to go see a doctor even though it really annoyed me at the time. Though I didn't get to eat all the food I wanted to eat while I was there, I still got my El Faro burrito, so it is all OK!
-New Years was exciting like all other New Years!  Stayed at home with my dear friend Caitlyn Arigo who put up with my sick grumpy self for a couple days, watched the countdown, said WHOOO, and then went to bed.  That was my last day in America and I was ready to head back to the good ol' country of Ukraine.
January Events
-I arrived back in Ukraine the evening of the 2nd and had another wonderful transportation adventure.  After a random mini bus, trolley but, marshutka, and train- I made it to my host family's house 4 hours after landing at the Borispol Airport (NOT BAD timing!!)
-I spent a good week at the host family's house celebrating Ukrainian Christmas and enjoying the company of the best Ukrainian sister ever!  I would just like to re-emphasize how blessed I am to have had such an amazing host family because going back there gives me the feeling of going "home".  They even put up with my sickness and laughed at my diet, but were totally supportive!

Nadia at the Sanatorium

* to give an update on my health issues, I still am in the process of getting everything taken care of, but I feel 5 times better than I did.  But I will keep everyone posted with what is up.  (not that it is that exciting). I did get to do a wonderful gluten free, dairy free, meat free, and tomato free diet.  Yes tomato free diet!   I have not had ketchup/ chili sauce in exactly 3 weeks and starting tomorrow I will make sure to have a meal with just that.  I am pretty sure that was the longest I have ever gone with out ketchup, so I am very proud of myself!

The kids singing me a song in their costumes

-After my host family visit, I arrived back at site with no running water which was just lovely!  Butttttt-  My leaky water is now fixed, finally!  After about 6 months something has changed!!  There was no school, so I had another week of break, so i went to the Sanatorium where several of the students were staying for the holidays and hung out with them, celebrated Nadia's birthday (the coolest girl ever), and had an all around good time!  One day I showed up and all the kids were lined up on the other side of the door dressed as doctors and sang me a song.  It was a Ukrainian holiday (I forget the name of it, but they dress up in costumes, go door to door, and sing carols for money/candy).
-We had our oblast collaborative meeting the weekend before school started so I got to visit Elyse at her site which was just lovely. That weekend is when it actually started to snow, and it has not stopped since. WHOO HOO!!
-Went sledding for the first time on Monday (I have been saucering before but, sledding was different!)  I also went down the hill on plastic bags which surprisingly went fast!

Language Refresher Events

Group 41 friends hanging out at the lake

*Last week was Language refresher, and I have absolutely no idea where it was.  Either in the Rivnenska Oblast or the Volynska Oblast.  Either way, the Sanatorium where we stayed was beautiful.  Winter wonder camp is how I can best explain it.  The more and more peace corps events that I attend, the more and more awesome people I meet.
-Monday had a good night out in Rivne with some awesome friends went to an irish pub and had a rice noodle avacado salad which was delicious!  Went out with the Ukrainian workers from that Irish Pub and had a great night
-Got to see an awesome clustermate Jesse and caught up with him throughout the week of L-ge refresher.
- Roomed with Megan and Kristen and reminisced on the good times of summer camp/ used the dance moves we learned from camp.

The castle in Lutsk where the snow ball fight occurred

Firsts
-snow ball fight that was like a re-enactment of civil war
- rocked heels in the snow
- Farkled
- snowball fight IN A CASTLE
- a Ukrainian interaction **

Weekend in Kiev
*After language refresher, a group of us went to Kiev for the weekend.  I had some delicious food, got some fast wi-fi internet, and one hell of a night.

After deciding not to eat Chinese food for dinner, myself and several other Americans decided to meet up with some other friends at this cafe.  Turns out the guy who owns it is not even from Ukraine and has actually lived in Miami, California, New York, and maybe some other places. This dude HOOKED it up!    We had the entire cafe to ourselves.  I asked if he had Hip-Hop music and let me go behind the bad to make a playlist myself.  We had a dance party, delicious food, good company, and what not.  He let us stay there as long as we wanted.  Though he usually closes at 12, he said he would keep it opened for as long as we want.  Someone even brought some "hyphy" music into the mix and I got to go dumb and thizz (not literally... just the dance moves).  All I gotta say is California Volunteers definitely represent!


Overall, things are looking up.  I have decided that 1/2 of it is the way I look at it.  It can either be just wonderful or not.  Each experience comes with the good and bad, and right now at this moment, the good outweighs the bad.

So Until Next Time,
Yay for snow!!!

Mo Cho

OK, So I forgot a little bit of important facts from the past week or so.
Some more firsts:
- straddled a suitcase for about a 45 minute bus ride singing and dancing-- AMAZING!  **Once we left language refresher, there was a bus headed out to Rivne and a bus headed out to Lutsk.  We were supposed to meet out by the gate. Me and my 2 lovely roommates for the week definitely went to a different gate.  Thanks for the people looking out for me, they found me and got me on the bus before it left without me.  Anyways, there was no more seats so I just got to enjoy a wild ride on Ben Cox's suitcase!!
- We stayed at this new hostel in Kiev called "The Hub".  When we checked in, they were literally putting out bunk beds together.  First sign of something exciting to happen.   After a late night of dancing and hanging out with fellow Americans, we claimed our beds and 4 of us girls decided to have "girl talk".  Kristen and Becca were on Kristen's top bunk and Tondraya and I were on my top bunk.  All of a sudden we heard a snap and we all froze.  About 15 seconds later I see Becca and Kristen go down along with the top bunk. The top bunk completely snapped and went crashing down.  Thank goodness there was no one the bottom bunk.  I just remember laughing my head off and telling Ton to get off my bed right away.   It was by far one of the funniest things I have witnessed.  This also happened about 10 minutes after I was 1/2 joking about why the top bunk was better than the bottom bunk for that very reason.


Also, it was a great welcoming back to site because once I flagged down a taxi at the bus station, the man surely did know me.  He knew me from soccer (like everyone else in the town). I found out that he was not only a taxi driver but also a teacher at a school.  It now has me wanting to talk to all taxi drivers to ask them if they are more than just a taxi driver!

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.

Baseball, Fighting, and Confusion

3 weeks have passed since school has started, and though it seems like it has been longer, I can't believe it is almost October!

The first couple weeks have been filled with confusion, small talk trying to get to know the teachers and staff at the school, and  a miracle.  The Director put me in contact with the football trainer of Kremenets, and he agreed to help me start a girls' football team at my school.  Not only did he just do that, he has been picking me up 3 days a week to go play with the college/institute boys and girls at the stadium in the center.  It is awesome because it is has been a great/easy way to make friends and, there is nothing I like better than to go outside and play soccer.  (football is soccer here, if you have not caught on to that yet...)

Besides the soccer deal I got going on, everything else is pretty much at a standstill.  I am having a difficult time getting English Club launched simply because of schedule conflicts.Overall the "work" related aspect of my service has been an "odd" 3 weeks with confrontations, mis-communications, traveling, and figuring things out slowly but surely.  But I can reassure you that me hanging out with the kids, playing, etc.  is very successful (I guess that is kind of my job?)--I am not too sure...

Kremenets Internat Little League team 

Lucky for me, there is a little league baseball tournament this weekend.  Vasyl Tarasko is the Director of Little League baseball in Ukraine. He is from America but is Ukrainian and came here around 20 or so years ago.  It was awesome being a part of his "project" and I think it is awesome how he went back to his roots to help improve the lives of the younger generation.


Saturday the kids had a lottery raffle for baseball hats, shirts, balls, mits, etc.  Of course, there is always that one special kid you spot out right at the beginning and he becomes your "secret" favorite.   Well this boy, Tolik, proved his special place in my heart.  Each kid received a raffle ticket-- then, all those raffle tickets were used as the order of who got to pick an item.  Vasyl went through the numbers 2 rounds and was about to start going on the third.  I looked at Tolik and he had that "why wasn't my number called looked?" and I knew something was up.  Finally, I asked him how many times he got to pick an item and he told me 1.  He was just sitting there not saying anything, already grateful for what he got the first time.  I was on a mission to make sure he got to get at least a baseball hat. I told Vasyl and Samantha (another PCV) what was up, so when Samantha started calling out numbers, She just called out Tolik's so that he could get a baseball hat.  She then found Tolik's number on the table (it never made it back in the bag), so we put it back in the bag just in time for the "surprise presents" raffle. When Vasyl pulled out the ticket-- It was Tolik's!!!  He recieved a Poland/Ukraine EuroCup scarf, a Boston Red Sox hat, Yankees hat, 2 baseballs, batting gloves, and a new glove.  At first I thought he Vasyl rigged  it because he felt bad, but he really did pull out the missing number!

Tolik opening his surprise box

Anyways, he was the happiest kid ever!  And I was happy too!  He thought I was his fairy godmother for doing something!  I love when the appreciative, polite, and happy kids get things!!

Fiesty girls- they are great! 

So the baseball teams stayed in the dorms too, and was it exciting!!  There was so much going on this weekend for everyone--I loved it!    Yesterday the teams were all leaving but, the team from Luhansk, Lutuhyne wasn't leaving until 1am to catch a 3 am train so I got to hang out with all the internat kids, Tolik, and his teammates. I guess I have now faced reality with what really goes on in some of these kids lives.  There was so much fighting I didn't know what to do!  I physically had to break up 3 fights yesterday and finally had the most ridiculous conversation with about 15-20 kids telling them that it is SO not cool to fight-- but I had no idea how to say fight, so I just acted it out.... I am not too sure how affective that was- but at least I know I should practice some disciplinary Ukrainian.  I just threatened to take my soccer ball and not play with them anymore.  It seemed to work-- and at dinner the ones involved got in trouble by the teachers on duty so they were not allowed to go outside after dinner.  I thought--GOOD!  It was bad.  Anytime someone accidentally got hit with a ball or didn't get their way, they would start crying and act out in fighting.  So that is my next project-- teaching them how to handle their quick angered emotions and not retaliating with violence.

So to wrap it up-- Everything is going well!  I know that with time, I will find my place here and will feel the comfort of "being home".  And I have decided that I hope to have a soccer girl and a baseball boy someday.  God willing.  :)

Until Next Time,


Play Ball!