Under the Rainy Weather

Can't say I'm not excited for the World Cup! (last trip to Lviv)

Well it is going on two weeks now that I have had a lovely cold as probably allergies thrown into the mix. I was supposed to go to Voldymyr-Volynski this weekend to celebrate Aidan and Allison’s birthdays but made the grown up decision to stay home and rest (making the good decision canceled out a lot of fun with other volunteers, but it’s Ukraine so there will definitely be another time).

Hmm… what happened this week that is note worthy? Wednesday, I had another meeting for my English club for high school age students from other schools as well as 20-somethings who want to keep learning English. I was surprised when 18 people showed up (17 girls and 1 guy, not surprised by that). Did a warm up
activity/icebreaker from my days of being a resident assistant. Next, we watched an episode of ‘Friends’ and two groups of students raced to reorganized events from the episode into the correct order. Since many weren’t at the first meeting I did the same intro power point presentation to share a little about myself and what Peace Corps does in Ukraine.

Thursday, I joined a group of 10 students from my school at school number four in our town to present about Ireland. The district schools hold a Europe Week in which different schools pick different countries to represent. I briefly shared about my great great grandparents having Irish roots. I think my school had the best presentation because not only did they have me as part of it they also danced an Irish jig, baked a traditional pastry as well as gave a power point presentation.

Friday, I taught 5th and 3rd grade classes. During my first 3rd grade class, I had the other half of the class started to attempt to come in the class room (it was an abnormal schedule so pretty much as soon as I started teaching class was technically over and the class is so large it is divided into sub-groups). So three students went to the door and pushed it shut against the force of half the class who were on the other side. Meanwhile, I’m standing at the front of the class looking like victim and having no control over the rambunctious third graders who wouldn’t take their seats. Just another day in a Ukrainian classroom.

Other than that nothing too excited happened this week. Didn’t run a lot because haven’t been feeling the best. Plus, it is spring like weather, one moment sunshine and the next a down pour. Today is pretty chilly with a cold breeze with off and on again rain/drizzle.

Hope all is well. I’m excited to report only 7 classroom days of teaching left (insert two thumbs up here). Bring on summer. Miss you all.

Kate

Funniest moment of the week/top 5 of Ukrainian moments: my friend Tanya (current medical intern) was visiting and since I wasn’t feeling well she brought me some apples, bananas, and oranges. I thanked her for them and told her how much I love fruit especially apples. I also told her about how much I love to eat apples with peanut butter. I explained it is like Nutella but made with peanuts. I then made the comment “I would sell a kidney for a case from America.” She replies “so you would sell your nipple since you have two.” I was dying laughing. She eventually explained that there is some universal medical language or something. I’m still not too sure about what she was saying but did realize she was taking about kidneys and not nipples. It was too funny.