My hometown near the main road to Lutsk.
Boy and Girl beer glasses (Travis is pulling a 'Wilson' from Home Improvement).
The two Illinois Chicks.
The crew heading down to the park for adventures.
Lutsk Castle (Travis, Allison & Kelsey).
Little pre-gaming and popcorn before singing our hearts out.
Allison's Ukrainian boyfriend; looks like she even struggles to find a guy tall enough.
This week for a reason that was never explained to me our school operated on the Monday schedule which was nice because Monday is one of the days I get to sleep in and start with the second period. Another bonus was being able to see the same classes four days in a row and being able to pick up where I left off. So I had classes in the 8th, 11th, and 5th forms which overall aren’t my most difficult classes.
On Monday one of the 5th form classes that I teach was having a hard time focusing. I stopped mid sentence writing on the board to get everyone to stop yapping with their neighbors, but one kid (one of the brightest students) kept saying “Miss Kate, Miss Kate.” Finally, I called on him thinking he is probably going to correct some Ukrainian word that I have written incorrectly on the board. I was surprised to hear, “Miss Kate you look beautiful today.” The reason was because my hair was down. All winter with the weather so cold, I normally wash my hair at night and have it half or completely pulled up in the morning when I go to school. But with the weather warming up, I can wash it in the morning and not have it freeze on the way to school. I smiled and don’t mind if my lesson is interrupted for those type of comments.
One of the days this week I was at the post office sitting writing address on the envelopes and this old Ukrainian woman started chatting me up. She noticed it was English on the address and asked where it was going. I said Chicago because no one is going to know Chillicothe or really Illinois. Most Ukrainians have some Al Capone connection when you bring up Chicago. Anywho, we sat there and chatted for a few. Mom, I think she made some sort of comment about how my handwriting is small so you have one more thing in common with Ukrainians.
What else interesting from the week...oh, I had some 8th grade boys who like to cuss. I was writing on the board and I could hear the boys behind me softly saying cuss words like ‘shit, damn, hell, f**k.’ I turned around they stopped but as soon as I started writing it started again (even with my vice principle who I teach with in the classroom). So I turned and say “Cussing. Awesome. I’ll give you a minute to say as many cuss words you know in English right now.” They quickly started blaming the boy on either side of them. I was like this is your opportunity. The rest of the class was laughing at them with how I was calling them out. Let’s just say I didn’t have much of a problem the rest of the class period.
On Thursday, this week my regional manager came out to my site. He was originally suppose to see me teach a lesson but because of a schedule change last minute, he only had the opportunity to meet with me, the school director, and the vice principle. We changed my schedule a little and also discussed the issue of locating me a flat. I’m trying to remain optimistic but I’m not getting my hopes up too high.
Friday, my region had a ‘meet your neighbor’ meeting at the university in Lutsk. There were I think of 12 of us. We got to introduce ourselves as well as talk about things we are experiencing, you know successes and failures. We also talked about the influx of volunteers with the very large TEFL group coming in this December. I learned that I might be getting a site mate either this May or later in December. I would welcome the idea of having someone to hangout with right here in Kivertsi even though it might change the dynamic of my experience not being the only volunteer in the community.
After the meeting, a group of eight of us PCVs (mostly my cluster/link mates from training) rented an apartment in Lutsk. PCVs like to party so I guess I’m living the party life that I didn’t have much time for in college. We went out to a few bars and restaurants as well as hit up a karaoke bar on Saturday night. Let just say that Blue Brothers, Spice Girls and the Rolling Stones have never been covered so well in Ukraine.
Besides partying we did some sightseeing. We walked through a park that had a very interesting playground for children (see photos on face book). We took the opportunity to snap many photos. Also went to a historical castle that was built in the 14th century by a Lithuanian prince. I embarrassed myself a little with getting a little freaked out by heights and unsteady wooden stairs. I think a photo from someone else’s camera will eventually show up on face book (bastards).
It was so much fun to hang out with 8 other PCVs. It sort felt like a tiny little American Village with how much language was spoken that I actually understood. Saturday morning, I especially enjoyed because some of us where in the kitchen cooking breakfast while others were cleaning up and making the beds from the night before. It was like we were a little family.
But soon enough Sunday morning arrived we cleaned up the apartment one last time before everyone headed back to their sites. Instead of heading back to the V.V., Allison came to my house. We had a lazy Sunday talking while watching ‘Mad About You’ episodes and listening to music. We even relived 7th grade study hall by playing the game M*A*S*H that predicts your future husband, job, how many kids you will have, etc. Dorky I know but we are pretty good at entertaining ourselves.
On Monday, Allison and I took in the warm weather and sunshine by walking out to the Kivertsi sign on the outskirts of the town. We also witnessed two men trying to tie up a huge pig to get it into the trunk of one of the tiny old Soviet cars. It was interesting. The best are some of the photos that are in an album on face book. In the afternoon, Allison accompanied me to the stadium where she is sat while I got in my first outside run. It wasn’t the most fun or fastest two miles but it’s the effort that counts.
One of the most intense moments was a marsuka ride today. Our driver got cut off by another marsuka driver so then they exchanged words and no so nice jesters. Then an old lady who was a couple of seats back from the driver started to yell stuff at the driver. Not a few moments later another car cut us off where the driver had to slam on the breaks almost sending me along with some babushkas to the floor. The driver blocked the car to the curb and then proceeded to get out of the marsuka to open the man’s door and yell at him. As soon as he got back into the marsuka the lady started yelling at him again. From what Allison could translate for me there was something about him being drunk and her threatening to call the police him. Oh, just another crazy day in Ukraine.
Random Observation of the Week: on a bench that would seat 2 Americans comfortably, 3 uncomfortably, Ukrainians are able to seat 5 with no hesitations or reservations about personal space.
Well tomorrow (Wednesday) I’m headed to the V.V. for a few days to enjoy my spring break with Allison, Aidan and Travis. They allow me to be a commuting member of the Voldymyr-Volynski gang. Hope everything in America is peachy. Miss you all.
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