Africa, America, Ukraine: Everyone Loves UNO

Hey Everyone,

I'm just sitting around in my free time thinking of new activities for my classes and English clubs. English reading materials are hard to come by as well as American games.

This is where I'm recruiting your help. I am asking anyone who is willing to send me magazines from this summer. Don't feel the need to go buy anything whatever you have on your coffee table will be fabulous. Really anything from Sports Illustrated, People, National Graphic, Shape, Men's Health, Automobile, magazines for younger kids, really anything.

I want to use them with the younger kids in 3rd and 4th all the way to people in their 20s who come to my English club that I have. You can send them in a flat large envelope for around $10.

If you really want to help my students and me out any UNO, Scrabble, Catch Phrase, Taboo, Monopoly or any other games would be absolutely amazing and provide a fun way to practice their English. So check your closets, dust them off and send this way. I know sending a pack of UNO cards cost around $5. Other games will be more but remember to just send the necessities don't worry about the original boxes. It will be greatly used and appreciated.

Hope everyone is well and your summer weather isn't hot as mine. Miss you all and thanks in advance for anything you send.

Kate

WRITE BOTH ADDRESSES
(otherwise it takes an extra time)

Кeйт Шмідт
A/Я 13
Bул. Шевченка 8
м. Ківерці
Волинська обл.
Україна 45200

Kate Schmidt
PO BOX 13
8 Sevchenka St.
Volynska Oblast
Kivertsi, Ukraine
45200

If You Build It They Will Come

Our Ukrainian 'Field of Dreams'


The Sharks who captured 3rd Place.


8 lovely Peace Corps Volunteers who do a fantastic job of representing America.


Me and Kate (she was the next PCV that my training family hosted). Super hilarious girl.


Matt (one of my favorite PCVs) rockin' the Magnum P.I. look.


Me today just so you don't forget how I look and just how nappy my hair is.

Well I am sitting in my room at my site and sweating as if I were in a gym in a unairconditioned gym in the middle of the summer playing AAU basketball. Just got back from the one grocery store in my town. There is a limited selection that I can buy there but normally they have all I want besides the family super size cereal that I like to buy. Feeling a tad homesick, my cure for that is American products. I bought a diet coke (never find Diet Pepsi) and a Kitkat.

This last week I was at a baseball/softball camp in Khmelnytsky, Ukraine which is southeast from my site exactly 6 and half hours on a bus. I had asked a co-worker how long it takes to get there and they guessed around 4-5. So the trip there wasn’t that bad because I just kept thinking it would be the next town for an extra two hours.

The camp was Sunday through Saturday (11th-17th). There were 8 Peace Corps Volunteers and around 60 Ukrainian participants from 13 to 30ish years old. We were assigned to a team and acted as a coach, player and umpire. My team was the sharks because of our royal blue t-shirts. It was fun to interact while playing the game. We taught them take me out to the ball game and other cheers such as “hey batter batter, hey batter batter, swing batter!”

Two of the fields were made on the soccer field at the local university while the other field was at a nearby middle school on their soccer field about a 5 minute walk away. The other volunteers and I stayed at the university’s dorm. Most of the nights, someone would have a recipe that they wanted to try so they would go buy the groceries and everyone would pitch in money. It was inexpensive and pretty delicious if you ask me. My favorite dish or dessert I should say was the ice cream sandwiches one of the girls made.

The first couple of nights were the last of the world cup games. We watched them at different bars. It has been really fun to watch how Europeans get so into “real” football as I have been taught to say. One of the nights, we even had the chance to watch the game with two South African guys. As much as I love Da Bears and Cubbies, “real” football is the world’s sport and really fun to watch during the world cup. I might just stay interested after getting back to the states.

Sunday morning, I caught an early marsuka to try to avoid the blazing sun and heat. It worked until I got back to Lutsk (the city close to my site) and had to catch a marsuka for the last 15K home. I get on with my big hiking back pack (really glad I bought it for PC, holds what I need and doesn’t kill my back regardless how many pairs of yeti shoes I put in it) but unfortunately there were no more seats and was forced to the last standing spot in the aisle. I’m standing there sweating holding on to the bar on the ceiling worrying about my forearm sweat dripping on the lady seating on the right side of the marsuka.

Paying enough attention to whip my forearms on my t-shirt to avoid this awkward situation, I start to think “have I just pissed myself?” At the last town before Lutsk (hour away), I finally bought a Sprite because I was dying of thirst. Normally, I try to avoid liquid but figured I was in the clear. As I’m standing there thinking how could I have peed on myself I realize that I’m sweating so much that it is running down my backside to my legs. Note to self: next time wear a white t-shirt to avoid looking like a man with all the sweat marks.

Yesterday and today, I’ve been lounging around trying not to get too sweaty. Today, I only did one load of laundry by hand because it looks as if it was going to rain. It eventually cleared up and my stuff dried on the line in no time. Washing stuff by hand isn’t the worst, but I will be excited to get back to the states to have soft clothes from the dryer. Not a big fan of crunchy socks and underwear. My babusci just came into my room to tell me that before leaving tomorrow to meet Allison in Lutsk I must wash my clothes that I have separated in different piles on the floor.

Leaving with my new babusci hasn’t been bad, but it still hope one day to have my apartment (even though I realize that is highly unlikely because I don’t think my school cares to look nor pay the difference of rent.) It is just sometimes I feel enough of a freak show walking around in Chacos, Nike bball shorts, t-shirt with my hair up in a messy bun and Ghanaian bag over my shoulder that I would really appreciate the non-judging free space of my own tiny apartment. I guess this experience will just make me appreciate it that much more when I do get my own place in my life plus I would miss out on the random vodka drinking that happens probably 3 to 4 days of the week.

Well I am going to make a fruit/yogurt salad with the fruit I bought from the market today. Didn’t proofread because I’m hungry, please forgive me. Hope everyone is well and know that I miss you all.

Kate

Oh, if anyone has read any good books and would like to send them to your favorite volunteer I would greatly appreciate it. I have three books left. One will be done this week. The others since they are light paperback books will probably accompany me on my back pack trip in August if I don’t read them before.

English Camp, Ukrainian Construction & American Celebration

Sasha being Sasha.


Group shot with the English flag which was weird for me.


The homestay work crew. Got to love the shirtless, funny hats and sandals look.


Allison keepin' it real with the booze, Kari throwin' a sign, & Me stating "What don't judge us."


People chattin' it up outside in between our little dance parties we had.

Well it has been a month since my last post, but I do have the excuse I’ve been on the move. I spent 3 weeks at a summer camp in Chernivtsi in the south. Then after only a couple days at home I traveled to Lviv to spend the 4th of July with other volunteers.

The camp was a three week overnight adventure. It cost around $500 per kid so almost every camper was from a wealthy Ukrainian family. There were 4 groups of rough 15-25 campers. Our group was special because we were the English speaking one. Roughly, we did 2 hours of English with the kids. Playing different games, activities, discussions about many things. We tried to keep it fun but still educational (sometimes we were less successful with that i.e. playing mafia and it kids throwing English out the window). Allison, Aidan and I were the only PCVs there. The head counselor of our group was a 23 Ukrainian guy, Stas. He had lived in New York City and runs an interpretation business with his dad so his English was excellent. Stas was enjoyed by the campers as well as the three Americans.

Overall, I enjoyed camp but weather kept it from being really great. The first four days were incredibly hot and humid. Then the rest of the time it was chilly and rainy which translated into many games of UNO, Scrabble and watching Disney and Pixlar movies on Allison’s computer. I still think kids enjoyed the camp despite the rain. I have many photos on facebook that show many of the talent shows/concerts performed by the kids.

To and from the camp I travelled by overnight train for a little over 12 hours. The set up of the train isn’t that bad. On the train, you have a mattress you can roll out and for a little extra money by a sheet and pillow case. The problem is that the windows don’t open which means a long ride in a hot box. It was especially hot on the way there it reminded me of in ‘Cool Hand Luke’ where the guy got throw in the hot box. The train is hot but I would prefer it to a long, long marsuka ride.

I arrived home on the 30th at 3:30am. Walked the 4 blocks to my house and by the time I got semi-settled in I was wide awake. Not being able to sleep threw me off for a few days. The 30th I just bummed around and watched “Breaking Bad” yet another TV show that I’ve started here in Ukraine. The 1st and 2nd of July, I headed into Lutsk to meet up with and bum around with Jon and Melissa, the two closest PCVs to me. Meanwhile back at the house construction was underway. My landlord’s son (late 40s), medical college housemate (17) and his friend (16) built an entryway room on the side of the house which also included a shed that is accessed by a door on the outside corner of the house. (I will posted the finished product soon).

Thursday night we drank for the concrete block walls being finished, Friday evening we drank and had an even bigger dinner because they finished the roof. Ukrainians are all about celebratory dinners and gathers. I’m only scared because after a long week of celebrating the 4th I don’t know if my liver can handle the gutters being finished today. Oh, bosha… (Oh, God).

Saturday moving a little slow from the night before, I backed my bag and was on a marsuka to Lutsk a little after 9am. Jon and I took a 3 hour bus to Lviv. We meet up with part of the crew at a pub. A group of us rented a flat near the center. The night of the 3rd, we enjoyed a few different places while watching the world cup games. Now that Ghana is out of it I’m cheering for Germany since I’m a Schmidt.

Happy 4th of July!!! Started off with a brunch meal at McDonald’s, the most American you can get in Ukraine. A group of us wandered around tourist-y market with the normal stuff as well as cool antiques. I bought a few things. Sweet basketball pin from the 1980s summer Olympics, the same one that the USA boycotted was my favorite find.

Around 2ish we got to Kari’s (PCV in Lviv) house. She lives in the same school she teaches at which made it a great place to have a cookout because she has access to the kitchen and dining room. Great food (see the spread on facebook), fun to meet new people, kicked back on drinks, threw around the pigskin and a dance party. I have to say it was one of the most memorable 4th that I’ve had in awhile. Hope next year is as fun.

Today, I started to get a crack at my huge laundry that I’ve accumulated over a month. Also still trying to catch up on emails and letters. Hope everyone had a great 4th of July. Miss you all.

Kate

It Does Get Warm in Ukraine

Allison and Inna, her student and daughter of another teacher, hanging out near the crick.


Baby Duck wanting to get her photo taken.


School #3 parading in for the field day competitions.


Dasha, landlord lady's grand daughter, lining up near her pre-school before the parade started.


Only girl sax player. You go girl!

Last week flew by. The warmer the weather the faster the week goes. Here is a breakdown of the week.

Monday- No School because it was Children’s Day. I did get to go to my friend Tanya’s house and get feed too much as always.

Tuesday- Celebrated Children’s Day with a parade around town of all the school children as well as a ‘Field Day’ competitions for all schools in the district to participate in. Craziest thing I saw was a girl running a 50 meter dash in a jean mini skirt and flats.

Wednesday- Camp at my school officially started. I hung out with the younger kids before teaching the 9th formers for an hour in preparation for their big English exam that they will have on the 14th. In the afternoon, I had English club. Small turn out again but none the less fun. Later, I got to chat with my sister for over an hour and saw many photos of Leo that Erik emailed to me. Definitely the highlight of my week.

Thursday- School again. Hour with the 9th formers. Teaching now that it isn’t officially the school year makes things a lot more laid back and I have enjoyed the students being calmer (you would think they would be hyper since it is warm and they are technically done, but Ukraine always surprises me). Later in the afternoon I headed to the V.V. to Allison’s place.

Friday- No classes at my school because of Ukrainian exams, so I went to Allison’s school’s camp. We hung out and watched them do different activities (see FB for hilarious photos). After we did some second hand shopping as well as planned our trip. Allison talked me into going to Budapest, Zagreb, Vienna, Prague, and Krakow in August when her sister comes. I’m excited for 5 new cities in 5 new countries. Grabbed pizza for dinner and got some drinks at the bar across the street from Allison’s place. All and all a pretty good girls’ night out.

Saturday- We headed over to one of Allison’s co-teachers house to visit and go to the nearby crick. I got to fish Ukrainian style with a net. Pretty much just enjoyed the day and worked on getting some sun.

Sunday- Headed back to my sight. Always an experience on the marsuka. I want to say the one I rode to Lutsk was more cramp packed than any Kenyan matatu or Ghanaian trotro I’ve ridden in. The most frustrating part is that despite being jammed to the brim with people the bus driver still makes unscheduled or unneeded stops to pick up more people. I’ve learned to take the inside seat when possible otherwise your space is being taking by someone who is standing in the isle. Once I got back had a lazy Sunday of sitting outside reading and journaling.

Today- I went to school at 9am. On my way I stopped at the post office. Booyah! I got a package from my pops. My favorite pair of Adidas as well as much needed khaki shorts for summer. But the best part was it also came with a small jar of peanut butter. Got to school and shared with some of my teachers because peanut butter can’t be bought here. They enjoyed apple slices with PB. Taught the 9th form class and then headed home. Now I’m just trying to get stuff done and organized.

Future- On Wednesday, I will head north to Kovel and there meet up with Allison and Aidan. Next all three of us will take an overnight train all the way down to Chernivtsi where I will be working at a camp from June 10th – 30th. I think I will have some internet connection (depending on how well my modem works out in the middle of nowhere). But most likely won’t have a lot of time to post blogs. So don’t worry if I’m missing for a few weeks. I will have many Kodak moments I’m sure to post after getting back to the old homestead.

Hope everyone’s summer is starting off well. To all of my graduating North Central friends, I congratulate you on your college careers and wish you the best in all that you have ahead. Miss you all. Much love YOs.

Kate

Say Hello To Mr. Leo

This photo especially I like to call him L.Dub


"Gerber Baby ain't got nothing on me"

Everyone meet the cutest addition to the Schnatz (Schmidt & Natzke) Family. Leo Walker Natzke! He was born May 20th, 2010 at 11:53pm, 8 lbs, 7.6 oz, 20.5 in.

Happy 2 Weeks! Now Titka Kate needs to find a doable flight home for Thanksgiving or Christmas to meet this adorable little guy.

Last Week, Last Bell

Younger students who danced in traditional dress.


Two of the guys who picked traditional wear.


Svitlana, Myself, Vice Principle Louda, My counterpart Halyna


Little students pinning on tiny bells to celebrate "Last Bell"


Graduation cake at the party.

Monday there was not school because of the Green Day. Tuesday I had off because my counterpart didn’t think students would focus enough to listen to me. Man, she really isn’t paying attention in my average class. Wednesday was the last day of classes. The normal throw the ball around the class and ask different questions followed by many games of Hangman. Also got some games of heads up, 7 up with the younger students.

Last Bell was Thursday morning. It was at 9 in the morning. The celebration is held right outside the front door of the school. Students are presented with sashes that say graduate on them. Also students who achieved different academic accomplishments through competitions with other schools in the district are recognized with certificates. The school flag is also passed from the current graduating 11th form to the 10th formers who will rule the school next year. Flowers are also giving from the students to the teachers thanking them for their work.

The last thing done outside during the celebration is one of the graduating 11th form boys hoists a 1st form girl on his shoulder and parades her around as she rings the ‘last bell.’ The 11th formers marched back into the school for the ‘last class’ with parents and former teachers as guests. There the homeroom teacher, who has been with these students since 5th form, shares about the class and wishes them well in the future. I was the 11th B class, they had prepared a slideshow as well as the teacher read short stories that the students wrote when they were in 5th form about what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Next teachers who have taught the students in different subjects stood and wished them things for the future. I was surprised to see some of the boy’s eyes even welling up, but it was clear that this class was really enjoyed by all the teachers. They had me speak. I kept it short because I’m not one to like to talk in front of parents and other teachers. I had to wrap it up because I felt myself getting emotional. It just exciting to see students feel so accomplished by finishing school and moving on to their next big adventure. After the students made their well wishes, parents went to the front of the class to wish them all well. I got the teariest during this. I just couldn’t help it with very proud and tearful Ukrainian moms talking.

After finishing up at school, a group of teachers headed to a local café to have lunch and celebrate the year officially finishing up. For some reason the male teachers didn’t attend so it was a group of 20 women and the male school director. I passed on the vodka explaining I didn’t want to drink and before I knew it I was getting poured many shots of wine. Apparently wine in Ukraine is not alcohol.

Friday, I lounged around the house before heading into Lutsk in the afternoon. Katie, Jon and I hit up a pizza café and enjoyed sitting out on the patio. After, we wonder around in a park near the river. Before coming home, I did a little shopping at Tam-Tam (UKR Wal-mart). If for a moment I get distracted enough and not listen to other people talking, I can almost forget I’m in Ukraine. Grabbed a few things before hopping the marsuka home. I lucked out with catching a spacious marsuka. About half way through the ride a mom of two sat down in the seats in front of me. A five year old was sitting near the window while the mom sat directly in front of me holding a toddler boy. The kid was super cute and pretty interested in observing all that was around him. I started playing peek- a -boo (don’t know how to translate that in UKR) while listening to my ipod. Then for some reason I started to tear up…again couldn’t help it.

Yesterday was graduation day. It started a little behind at 5:15 in the evening and we weren’t leaving school until 8:30pm by the time the last photos were being snapped. The boys wore nice suites while the girls wore dresses (prom like dresses). Students were presented with diplomas, there were more flowers exchanged between teachers and students, parents who had helped with different things throughout the school year were recognized. Also there were a lot of interesting fashion…crimes as some would call them, check out my face book photos to understand.

All of the students, parents and teachers headed to a café near the school. Very delicious spread, plenty of alcohol, loud music, and soft cake (rare thing to find here). I just kept thinking to myself ‘really this is peace corps’ as different UKR women tried to scoop more on my plate and the men filled more than one glass with vodka (3 to be exact). I had a lot of fun. Challenged my students to translate one last thing as I gave them a good luck toast. I danced a little bit (after good amount of UKR spirits) but was still hesitant being the only American at this shindig. I called it an early night at 1am, but the party rocked on.

Overall it was an emotional week for me. I have been bummed out not to be at home to see my sister’s new baby boy Leo. I miss home a lot. Well not so much home but just missing out on the moments. Also proud, tearful moms of students many who plan to go on to university. It is closing in on a year since I graduated from North Central. Not that I wasn’t ready to graduate or that I don’t like where my life is at the moment, I do still miss the college atmosphere. I loved interesting topics, readings, class room discussions, hell even a research paper if it is an interesting topic. I also miss great friends to have good conversations with while eating a frosty or whatever special mystery meat was being survived at k-man. Just sort feel old in a way I guess and jealous of the students who are just entering their college careers.

But didn’t sulk too much in those thoughts. Today, I sat outside for a good five hours reading and day dreaming while taking in the sun. I guess it is just a preview of what my summer looks like for the most part. Hope everyone is well at home. Much love YOs.

Kate

“They won’t listen to you, you’ll be free”

Workin' on our tan lines at the outdoor bar near the park.


All we need is a Ma and we got the Golden Girls of Ukraine. (Mine host babusci is the one in the middle)


One of the babusci said the baby must be big since I'm big which led them trying to figure out exactly how tall I am using the door frame as a measurement. Too funny.


Holodets: turkey jello. As you can see, I only took "cheut cheut" (little) after being forced and then put a good amount of ketch on it. I still gagged.

This past week at school was an easy one. I fewer classes than normal because of end of the year tests. Nothing too excited to report on that front. This Wednesday will be the last day of classes and today there was no school because of Green Day which is a national holiday. On Friday, I asked one of the teachers what she wanted me to do with my Tuesday classes. She responded with, “they won’t listen to you, you will be free.” Life is a little more laid back than at home so tomorrow instead of going to school I’ll be sitting outside finishing some books.

On Wednesday, I had another successful ENG club that I run out of a room in the library building. The first meeting I had 15ish people, second 18ish, this past one only 7. But they were an engaged and enjoyable seven. We went over vocabulary of places in a big city: hospital, university, theater, etc. Played a few games of taboo and charades with the vocab. Toward the end did an activity of building sentences with the vocab and making sure the correct tenses of verbs were used when talking about actions of yesterday and then plans for today and tomorrow. This week’s topic is music. Hopefully introduce a variety of my favorites: Dixie Chicks, 50 Cent and my beloved Celine Dion.

Friday morning was definitely the most excited day of the week. While I was walking to school at almost 8am in the morning my sister Tobey gave birth to a sweet baby boy. I got a few texts that day as well as a short phone call this weekend. Momma and Poppa Natzke along with my nephew are doing well and should now be back at home. It is hard to think that I missed out on the special moment. But that is the biggest trade off of getting to have this experience so far away from home; not being able to be in two places at once. Hopefully visiting via Skype until an in person meet is possible will hold me over.

After school on Friday, I met up with Allison in Lutsk. We did some shopping. Did pretty well with getting our checklist done but Allison wasn’t too successful when it came to finding a swimsuit. Let’s just say searching for a person who is blessed up top and then petite on bottom makes for some pretty funny cross cultural exchanges when trying to explain to a sales person that a tortilla chip would cover more than the bikini top trying to be sold.

The weather was gorgeous so we roamed around the center a little and eventually met up with a few other PCVs at a sidewalk pop up café. Enjoyed a couple of brewskies before heading back to my town. But not first without our traditional stop at Tam-Tam pronounced Tom-Tom which is the closest thing Ukraine has like a Wal-Mart. It is nice because there is cafeteria like restaurant at the back of the story. Pretty good veggie salads. Finished up there and then hopped a very crowed marsuka back to my town. I was ready with cookies and a chick flick but ole’ Allison tuckered out before 9:30pm.

In the morning, we both got up around 8:30am hoping to get to Lutsk by 10 to shop the market before hoping a bus back to the V.V. (Allison’s site, 1hour and half bus ride). Normally, I’m not a big breakfast eater here in Ukraine. I prefer a bowl of cornflakes and can be out the door in 20 mins. That didn’t happen.

Saturday marked the day of Mikola. Women in Ukraine have a patriarchal name. My host babusci’s father name was Mikola so we celebrated the day of Mikola which happen to be this Saturday. Not only did we celebrate her father we celebrated Baby Natzke. When we first sat down there were only a few dishes, but as Allison and I soon found out when two of her friends dropped by more dishes and alcohol got brought out. It wasn’t until a little after 11 that we left the table and a little tipsy at that. You probably think why not just say no thank you. Let me tell you I was influenced in high school to drink, I was influenced in college to drink, but nothing has compared to peer pressure or should I call it babusci pressure. She tells you to drink. You throw back, no questions asked. If you don’t believe me, you are more than welcome to come visit.

Finally after escaping to go catch a bus, Allison and I arrived to the V.V. around 2:30 in the afternoon. It was absolutely beautiful with blue skies and sunshine. Since we endured the heat of the bus ride, we thought we would reward ourselves with a beer in the park right behind the bus station. Four hours later with different PCV friends as well as Ukrainian friends, we found ourselves again tipsy but it was worth the good conversation and tan lines. Later we made our way back to Allison’s place dropped our stuff and headed to the restaurant across the streets in the company of Aidan. After a shared bottle of vodka, my chicken sashleka and salad, I was more than jolly.

Sunday was a slow morning. But eventually got moving and back outside to get some sunshine. We went over to Aidan’s place. I was able to get the rest of Grey’s Anatomy which I was so excited about. (FYI: probably the best season finale ever, too bad I had spoiled it by reading up online before watching it. I’ll would have probably cried even more if I wouldn’t have known what was coming) We had some afternoon ice-cream and eventually I headed back to my site.

Today I feasted with my babusci’s family for Green Day; a religious holiday celebrated 50 days after Easter. I’ve taken a nap, re-watched the Grey’s finale, watched the assignation of Jesse James, and now I’m working on my to do list. Hope everyone had a great weekend and the start of a good week. Later yo-s!

Kate

High of the week: finally becoming an aunt!!!

Low of the week: Two way tie. A drunken Ukrainian man using my shoulder as pillow for an hour and half marsuka ride and unfortunate tracks (ask me sometime in person).