Week 7 (Really week 10 of 11 for PST): I almost ruined my chances at marriage…

I don’t even know where to start with this week. It has been my toughest one yet. Not so much from the activities of the week, I am just mentally and emotionally at a low point. I am worn out from attempting to learn this language what is at the slowest pace possible sometimes I don’t even feel like my brain retains anything meanwhile my cluster mates can drill through a list of 25 vocabulary words and then have it down. At a frustrated but funny losing it point this week, I proclaimed to my cluster and LCF that I might just be the dumbest PCT out of all 100 and something of us but by God my babusci (host grandmother) loves me! I have given up on achieving in the lang. class and I’m starting to measure my victories in laughter. I don’t hold super deep conversations but I can confidently say I make my host family and random people I interact with smile and bust a gut almost every day. My language isn’t universal but my sense of humor is.

This Tuesday brought our second and last self-assessment interview from the PC office. They asked a bunch of questions to see how far we have come in training and random information to share with us about our last week of PST (pre service training). Besides the anxiety and stress of leaving our current host families, relocating to a new village/city and starting a job that we have very little experience, my cluster and I face the challenge of a Language Proficiency Interview this coming week. This means I will sit down with a PC staff member who I have never met before and have the challenge of holding a 30 minute conversation with them about my life here in the village, my background and any random topic that comes up in the interview. Let’s just say this makes me want to cry. I am able to do what I have to survive using my broken broken Ukrainian plus a lot of charades (which aren’t welcome in the interview), but this just seems impossible. They will give us a ranking from low to intermediate mid to excellent with many levels in between those. Day one here they told me not to worry about my level just try to learn as much as I can. It still is frustrating to know that I’m going to score so low. The coordinator while giving us information about the LPI told us “Don’t worry about the LPI, life will measure you.” I’m pretty sure that is even more frightening to me. This experience for sure has been the most humbling and challenging task of my young life.

After our language lesson on Tuesday was over, I was beyond the point of frustrated. I was so worked up I couldn’t even cry. And that my friends was a perfect time to receive mail. I got 8 pieces of mail; I think my cluster hates me because two people haven’t gotten any letters yet. I got two from my pops and KS, and one from my momma, CD, Karen and RA. You have no idea how much mail means to me in this experience. It is a good way to distract myself from stress while feeling connected to home. So thank you to those who send mail. I’ll be getting replies back to you hopefully this weekend.

Speaking of mail as much as I don’t want to say it, don’t send me any new mail right now. If you forget or don’t read this until later it is no big deal. I will still receive that mail but it will be quite some delay. Because in two Mondays, I’ll be switching my site and I will have to set up mail there. PC will receive any mail you send and get it to me the next time I car is in my area or I’ll pick it up the next time I’m in the office. So continue writing it just stockpile it until I have my new address. Believe me when I say the first thing I’m plan on doing after unpacking on the 17th or 18th is locating the post office to set up a PO Box so I can receive snail mail and finally packages.

Thursday was my first solo teaching experience. I taught the 5th form about present and past simple verbs while introducing new reading passages and vocabulary. I was a little nervous so at the beginning, I read some things too fast but overall the lesson went well. I had some children who don’t normally want to volunteer to speak raise their hands and participate so I count that as a victory. Their textbooks aren’t the best and as PCTs we have to create all of our in class material which means no photo copies or provided worksheets, all of that is done by hand. So let’s just say it forces the creativity which is a good thing but there is a lot of prep work. If I ever decide to teach in the states, I am going to feel like I have every resource at my figure tips. Lessons taught: only 3 and I’m headed off to my site in a little over a week…oh, it is going to get interesting.

I must say that Fridays are my most favorite day because I have the whole weekend to not be stressed about learning the language. It also means a lot of chill time with my host family. They invited me to a family friend’s birthday party. Can’t believe it but I can’t remember the lady’s name. Anywho, she was turning 49 yesterday and I got to be there to celebrate. For you outsiders, this means a lot of vodka. When having a big get together it is very customary here to start with a toast before shooting the first shot. Many people sit around what normally seems like an incredibly too small of table with food on every inch of it. Everyone has their own small plate. You load it with food. When people’s food is gone this means another shot. This continues for a good while. Let’s just say by the time we were eating Tort (cake) everyone minus the one weak American had at least 8 shots. The bottle of vodka never really seems to lessen. I’m starting to think that instead of water, vodka flows from the tap.

At this dinner, there were 12 adults and 4 children. Across the table from me there were three sisters. They all looked very similar and had the head scarf which means they are official babushkas. Age here is something that is not taboo to ask about so I found out they were 51, 55 and 60. The all looked a few years older than their actually age. It was amusing to watch them interact with each other. The youngest sister was social and often combated with the oldest sister for the table’s attention. She had the softest face and looked the most youthful. The oldest sister was the jokester and full of energy. Her years showed on her face by the count of many earned wrinkles. After telling a joke or story, she would nudge one of her sisters who were sitting on both sides for their reaction (this would be me if I was Ukrainian and 30 years older). The middle sister was very reserved and mostly just observed all that was happening at the table. But throughout the course of the dinner, we would look at each other and smile almost in agreement about whatever crazy interaction was happening at the table.

Last night, I also had the chance to experience the most “interesting” dish since being in Ukrainian. For lack of better explanation, it was chicken jello. It was pulled apart chicken meet with little flavoring in gelatin. When my host mother offered me the dish and very closely examined it, the entire table was curious to see what my reaction would be. Without the table’s pressure, I probably wouldn’t have tried it. I put a tiny portion on my plate and an even smaller portion of that in my mouth. Again “interesting” is the appropriate it word to describe that experience. After swallowing it, I made the statement chicken jello. Apparently, they have jello here and the table erupted in laughed.

And if you are wondering where the title of this blog comes from sit down it is time for a little cross cultural lesson. Normally, at family get togethers/dinners many people are crowded around too small of a table. My host grandmother wanted me to sit by her at the table and realizing that there were still many to sit down I pulled my stool a little closer to hers which landing me in the most taboo place a woman could sit: the corner. It is said that if you sit in the corner you will have bad luck and you will not get married. The three sisters across the table started talking loud, really fast, and with a lot of hand gestures it took me a moment to understand that they want me to marry and that I should sit on the side of the table. There then was a joke about how I must marry a very, very tall Ukrainian man. Regardless what country I visit people seem to understand that couples should match in height. So here is to finding a tall Ukrainian husband.

I think we arrived to the friend’s house around 5:30 and did not leave until 9pm. I think they left so early because they have the American with them who had training in the morning. I find it so interesting and amazing that my level of Ukrainian is probably that of a 3 year old but so much can still be shared between people. Ukrainians at first glance aren’t the warmest of people, but when you are brought into their inner circle you are warmly received. At the end of the night, I was walking down the street arm in arm (acting as a brace because you never know when you will trip up in a pothole) with my host sister, mother and grandmother sinking only one verse of a Ukrainian pop song that I know. I’m going to be really sad to leave in a little over a week.

Hope everyone is well. Have a great December and Holiday Season and remember Jesus is the reason for the season.

Interesting fact: perfume, when translated, here means toilet water. It made for a very amusing moment in English class.

Also check out face book I have posted some videos of life here in the village.(Don’t judge error didn’t have time to proofread)

A Few Kodak Moments

Last Chance

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Week 6 : A Lot to Be Thankful For!

Monday was my first day of teaching. I co-taught 5th form (grade) with Allison. We did a review session themed the Olympics. The students responded really well to our lesson plan and I mean who wouldn’t we gave candy to the winning and losing team. Overall, it was wonderful to get to do my thing in the classroom.

Tuesday was our cluster field trip into Kiev. We left our zoopinka (stop) at 7:15am headed into the nearby city to catch a marsuka to Kiev. It was around hour and 45min, two hour ride. I slept pretty much the whole way. We went to the train station to get familiar because most likely we will be using it to get to our site or visit the PC office in the future. After, we did around a 15 minute walk to the Peace Corps office. I had been there my very first hours in Ukraine but for the rest of the cluster it was their first time. We talked to one of the coordinators about our community project, used the computer s real quick but most importantly we got to chit chat with current volunteers as well as PCVs who just ended their service. They gave us some insides and told us that it only continues to get better after training. After the office, we did a little walking tour of sights and monuments of Kiev (check out facebook for photos).

Wednesday would have just been another day of class and tutoring besides the fact my stomach did not want to be nice to me. I’m sad to say that I probably spent way more time than one person should in our LCF’s outhouse. Let’s just say even if you try not to breathe, one can taste the horridness. I eventually just went to home where I hangout in the bathroom for a good while before just laying on my bed asking God why? By early afternoon, I felt much better.

Thursday Den Podyakey (day of thanks aka thanksgiving)!! PC gave us the day off of lesson but we still were scheduled to teach and observe classes at our school. Again Allison and I co-taught the 5th form. They enjoyed learning about Turkey Day and making hand turkeys (check out fb to see a couple great photos). After, Allison and I ran home to change real quick before heading into the city. We also picked up couple of pevo-s (beer) to have a celebratory toast on our way in. We met up with a group of PCTs at a pizza restaurant and enjoyed just kicking it with fellow Americans. Then headed back into our village before it got dark. Overall, a pretty enjoyable thanksgiving.

Friday is funday only because the weekend is here after I finished technical tutoring at 3:30pm. I came home to an empty house, read a good 70 pages to finish “Running the Amazon.” Typed up lesson plans for the resource book we are making for school’s English teacher to use. Chilled with the family in the kitchen for a good hour and half, eating searnick (fried little dough patties) with homemade jam while watching “The Poseidon Adventure” dubbed in Russian.

This is the end of my 6th week in country but really the end of the 9th week of training which means we only have two more weeks before heading out to our sites. I’m excited (probably more excited about finally being able to shave my legs than being sworn in) but at the same time I worried about adjusting all over again and without the help of my amazing cluster. Please pray that I’ll not be too stressed in the next coming weeks and that I’ll be able to transition smoothly into my new home. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and is gearing up for Christmas!!

Kate

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The Facts and Numbers

Remember when reading not to judge. I am sharing (probably too much) because I want you to have as realistic picture of me here in Ukraine.

45: roughly the number of cows I walk to and from school with
38: pieces of mail I have sent either solo or group mailed
15: lbs I have probably gained from eating ungodly amounts of potatoes
12: kool-aid singles my cluster went through in a Saturday night of drinking
10: times I eat ice cream weekly (at least)
6: letters I have received
5: the weeks I have survived of training
3: cats that live in my house (Kanopa, Lana, Sonia)
2: times I almost pooped myself
1: book I read in the very first week of being here (“Zeitoun” great read)
0: times I have shaved my legs since arriving in country

If I could have over 2 people tonight for dinner: my Grandma Nita (bc she is the bestest) and KS (to compare PC notes)
Favorite food here in Ukraine: borscht
Food I miss the most from home: salad & anything that doesn’t make me feel like I’m 500lbs
Biggest thing I underestimated: how difficult learning a language is
What I’m most thankful for: ending up in cluster with amazing people
Biggest frustration: slow rate that mail gets to me
Biggest challenge: navigating the streets and not ruining my Nikes
If I could have anything three things from home: SD card with every episode of “Friends” on it, another good book to read, Whitey (my beloved Saturn)
What would I have not brought: so many socks & button up shirts
What I am glad I brought: laptop, warm slippers, & bible (God if your reading it isn’t in order of importance)
Overall low: the realization that I can’t be two places at once & I’m going to miss big events in my family and friends lives
Overall high: God giving me the strength to do Peace Corps & also realizing I am blessed with having amazing family and friends who are supportive of me.

Week 5: I Almost Drown

November 20, 2009

From the title of this you are probably wondering how that is possible considering my village isn’t close to a lake or river, nor do I have a bathtub in my house. My cluster buddy, Allison, and I had enjoyed Thursday evening in the city using the internet. Also before leaving, we totally indulged on probably the most delicious McDonald’s Cheese Burger I have ever eaten. Funny because I can’t really remember the last time I ate Mickey Dee’s in the states, I was always more of a Wendy’s frosty kind of person.

Any who, Allison and I got back to town around 7pm-ish. Now understand that it had been pitch black since 4:30pm. So with flash lights in hand and just chatting about the ways Americans and Ukrainians act toward foreigners, our lives almost came to an end. We had almost fallen into one of the largest mud puddles I have ever seen in my life. We both dramatic reacted with a “whoa” followed by a lot of laughter. Man, the dangers of living in a small village without any real paved roads.

Yeah, week 5 has flown by. Of course, we still have one more technical session tomorrow with our link but for the most part the stress of language is over. Actually this week I wasn’t too bad. I really enjoyed our first LCF returning for our last weeks of language. Regardless of my small knowledge of Ukrainian, I am starting to understand things in the class room a little better. I still don’t know much but I’m relaxed and not stressing about it. Also the end of training is rapidly approaching so I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

But as I’m calming down about learning the language, I’m starting to get anxious about having not taught any classes yet. Hopefully, we will find out tomorrow morning at technical training if the quarantine has been extended one or two more weeks. This is the wrap up of my 5th week of training but in reality it is the end of the 8th for the rest of the group. So we have week 9, 10 and 11 left. Monday morning of the 12th week is when we head to Kiev for swearing in and all that other good stuff. So everyone think happy thoughts. Otherwise, I’ll be freaking when it gets close to the time to move to our sight and start our jobs if I haven’t ever taught in training.

This week started to prepare my cluster for the changes that are coming. On Monday, we had our second mock language proficiency interview. I was pretty nervous before it. I sort of had the same feeling as I did in French class in high school when I was praying not to get called on. Over all it went pretty well. I don’t have an ungodly amount of topics I can hit but the ones I do know I feel like I can say correctly. I’m telling myself if I have the basics down in the language I can survive. Right now I’m capable of going to the store to buy food, using public transportation, sending mail from the post office and random greetings & small talk vocab. We have our real LPI in week 11 where PC rates our level of language.

This past Tuesday, we also had a visit from the office for our Site Placement Interview. Pretty much it boils down to expressing yourself in a way that you think you are going to get the placement you want. I didn’t really go into it with that big of an agenda. I just talked about my back ground from being a small town, and having worked as a Resident Assistant as well as coaching different levels of basketball for summer camps. I’m hoping for a small community similar to what I’m leaving in now but I’m really not reading into anything too much. I have faith in the system that has gotten me into this community, host family and cluster I have fallen in love with. As much as the days I’m walking in the rain and stepping in cow poop/mud and dreaming of the warmer and dryer Turkmen climate, I can’t really imagine not being in Ukraine. I have definitely found a home with the 37th training group.

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving this coming Thursday. I might be celebrating at Mickey Dee’s with my fellow cluster mates. Also good luck to all my NCC buddies with finals coming up this week.