Ukraine Has Been Invaded

Over the last month, Oreos have been spotted all over the country of Ukraine; information gathered from face book statuses.

Past Week in Blurts

School is still crazy. Even more crazy when kids try to change into their gym clothes while you are still in the classroom. Makes for real awkward moments. Tutoring is a lot of fun. 9th and 10th form girls really seem to enjoy it as well as slowly improve. Also I’m falling more in love with 6th B and 5TH A. I absolutely love teaching those classes. Only wish I felt as strongly about some of the other not so awesome 45 minutes, I spend in front of a class.

Thursday, reconnected with two friends of the former PCV in my town. The two girls and I went to a local pub/pool hall/restaurant/strip club (only on Saturday nights). Again, we went on THURSDAY evening to catch up over a beer and talk about life. The funniest part of the conversation was about their ‘men of interest.’ Oh, how people like to talk to big mama about their love problems.


If you look really close you can see a huge mound of beets! Dwight from “The Office” would be very impressed (they are partially being covered by blue tarps).

Saturday was an official cleaning day. Did a good amount of laundry by hand as well as gave the kitchen a good scrub. I still haven’t figured it out why in some cultures people sweep their floors with a broom that doesn’t have a long hand. Really how much more expensive can a stick be so you don’t have to hunch over. Some things I will never understand.

Sunday, I went into the nearby city to help out with English club. It was a non-film day; we discussed Thanksgiving while enjoying pumpkin pie, ginger snaps, and Ukrainian cakes. Oh, and over coarse it goes without saying over a couple of tea. After, the American convey (myself and the 3 other PCVs closest to me) went out with a group of Ukrainians that had attended the club for dinner.

The Three Most Interesting Sidewalk Sightings of the Week

1.I was walking to English club and noticed that a person had fallen and was lying on the ground at the corner on the opposite side of the street from me. I thought “Oh my gosh, an old babushka.” It reassured me that a man had taken her arm and was trying to help her up. As I approached, I was surprised to discover that it wasn’t a woman, but a huge dog. Literally, this dog was the size of a person. It was lying on its back wanting its belly to be rubbed. Meanwhile, the man is yelling at the dog to get up and yanking at its collar with no success of budging the dog.


Weeding through all of the mail that has been sent to me throughout my time here. I’m going to bring the keepers home with me.

2.Walking home from the Thursday market, I saw probably the most dangerous mode of transportation. An old man probably in his late 60s early 70s was riding his bike. Normally, in a small town like the one I leave in I wouldn’t categorize this as a dangerous way of getting around if it weren’t for one small or big reason. The man had a circular saw blade the size of a bike wheel through his handle bars. So if for whatever reason, he stopped quickly or God forbid his chain broke his face, chest, even neck would be the first thing to be sliced. Oh, Ukrainians…

3.Sunday, I had gotten off the marsuka at a stop to then get on a city bus to make it to the library for English club. Normally, I can wait anywhere from a few seconds to 15 minutes at the bus stop. Getting off the bus, I noticed that two dogs were tail to tail. I thought that’s sort of funny, but didn’t really think much of it. Then with my back to them as I faced the street waiting to spot my bus, I heard one of the dogs whimpering. I glanced over my shoulder to see the dog trying to pull away from the other dog still tail to tail. My first thought was “Did some cruel person tie the dogs tails together?” Then watching for a few more seconds it became very clear what was going on; let’s just say somehow in their ‘love making process’ they became stuck together and this was no longer a good time for the shorter male dog.

Well that’s about it for this week. 29 days until home and couldn’t be more excited about it. Miss you and love you all.

Kate