This past weekend was my birthday, and I am pleased to say that I got to have a completely new and different experience on said birthday. In the US, one can go out to eat, or gather with close friends and family and blow out some candles on a cake, which is generally what I've done on my birthday for my entire life. However, being here, in a new country, away from the people I love and care about the most, I was not really...excited or looking forward to a birthday celebration. Despite these low expectations, I was completely and pleasantly surprised on Sunday when every one of my classes whole-heartedly congratulated me on my day of birth. Everyone was very sincere, wished a variety of pleasant things upon me (most common = to always find love, to always smile, to be healthy, and happy), and gave hugs/kisses. A few students even brought small gifts! I was amazed, partly because of the grand display of affection from people I don't really know, and partly because on Sunday, I have four classes of people that I see only once a week. I had briefly/off-handedly mentioned that Sunday was my birthday during class the week before, and every class not only remembered this fact, but made an effort to do something nice for me!
The last class I taught on Sunday was the most amazing. They are one of the favorite classes that I teach, as each student is very creative and spunky, and we always have a very fun time together, despite the fact that we only spend 2 hours together per week, and that they are only Level 1 students. On my birthday, a few of the girls came in and congratulated me personally and brought in some small gifts, but then, they laid down their things and left again. No one came into the classroom until two minutes after class had officially started, but when they did, they formed a semi-circle around me, sang happy birthday, and presented a cake and a bottle of champagne! Later in the hour, we had a little party together, and did a traditional Ukrainian birthday toast--each person said something genuinely great that they wished for me during the next year, and we all commenced to sip champagne. Of course, I was smiling constantly, and was very impressed at the honest and sincere way my students helped me celebrate my birthday in a country far from home. I was floored by the compassion of these almost-strangers. :)
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
TOO COLD
Apparently, it is about -13C-ish right now. According to the weather report, it is supposed to stay that cold until at least this coming weekend, so this week will be a week of doing things inside. I have no plans to leave my apartment today until I go to work at 4, which kind of saddens me. Oh well, I will continue to stare out my window and hope for warm weather (I've heard the rumor of an early spring!), and remember warmer days.
A few weeks ago, myself and a few friends went out on the first really sunny day since I'd been in Ukraine. We took the metro a few stops, got out, and walked along a street that goes along the top of a ridge that looks over the Dniepr River. We walked through a park and looked at a few memorials to the victims of Ukrainian famine, and ended up at the base of the the big Kiev statue, 'Rodina Maat,' which means 'Native Mother.' She is basically a symbol of the motherland, and was erected after WWII to demonstrate the strength and fortitude of the Soviet people. We also stopped at a huge lavra, or monastery, on the way back. This monastery is famous as the "Monastery of the Caves," because you can walk deep underground through tiny little claustrophobic tunnels and see dead priest-saints laid to rest there. After visiting the caves, we stopped for a bite to eat at a monastery kitchen, where we could actually see the ladies who worked there making borsch from scratch in huge pots! Of course, it was delicious.
Needless to say, I can't wait to have more days like that. Go away, Siberian-esque weather!!!
A few weeks ago, myself and a few friends went out on the first really sunny day since I'd been in Ukraine. We took the metro a few stops, got out, and walked along a street that goes along the top of a ridge that looks over the Dniepr River. We walked through a park and looked at a few memorials to the victims of Ukrainian famine, and ended up at the base of the the big Kiev statue, 'Rodina Maat,' which means 'Native Mother.' She is basically a symbol of the motherland, and was erected after WWII to demonstrate the strength and fortitude of the Soviet people. We also stopped at a huge lavra, or monastery, on the way back. This monastery is famous as the "Monastery of the Caves," because you can walk deep underground through tiny little claustrophobic tunnels and see dead priest-saints laid to rest there. After visiting the caves, we stopped for a bite to eat at a monastery kitchen, where we could actually see the ladies who worked there making borsch from scratch in huge pots! Of course, it was delicious.
The memorial to the famine victims, complete with the saddest little girl statue you will ever see.
RODINA MAAT
Us being tourists, like hella.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
24 hours
A usual weekday:
Wake up at 11ish. Make coffee, sit in the kitchen and drink it while looking out at the view. It's kind of like watching TV, except better because it's real-life, and things are actually happening. Continue to slowly get ready for the day/prepare for class.
By about 2pm, ready to get out of the apartment. Sometimes, go to Russian class, other times, go buy some fresh bread or other groceries either from the shop on the first floor of the building next door, or from the rinok (market). There are 2 big rinoks not far from home, and a small one just down the street, where old grandmothers and grandfathers sell mysteries in jars and piles of potatoes, all produce from their dachas (cabins) outside of the city.
Head to the metro at 4 or 5pm, and ride for about 20-30 minutes to get to work. Monday/Wednesday, work at Nivki location (far Western part of the city), and Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday, work at Klovska (more Central). Teach for 4 or 5 hours (9 on Sunday), then head home. Sometimes, meet friends at a bar in the center, but usually catch the metro before it closes at midnight.
Once home, commence bullshitting with the roommate about the day/life/thoughts. Sometimes cook food (the most recent late night project was roasting peanuts), and usually make it to bed by about 2 or 3am. Read a book to fall asleep (now it's A Tale of Two Cities--thanks Brother), and pass out till about 11am.
Of course, weekends (Friday/Saturday) are more fluid, but usually involve a metro ride to some new location and the purchase of some new interesting thing/food item. Exploring the city will become easier as the weather becomes more complacent: right now it is difficult to be outside for too long purely for the reason that it is unpleasant. However, every time the sun shines through the clouds and gives color to the usually grey-toned landscape, you can feel that spring is getting closer, and days of walking the city will become more frequent. !
Wake up at 11ish. Make coffee, sit in the kitchen and drink it while looking out at the view. It's kind of like watching TV, except better because it's real-life, and things are actually happening. Continue to slowly get ready for the day/prepare for class.
By about 2pm, ready to get out of the apartment. Sometimes, go to Russian class, other times, go buy some fresh bread or other groceries either from the shop on the first floor of the building next door, or from the rinok (market). There are 2 big rinoks not far from home, and a small one just down the street, where old grandmothers and grandfathers sell mysteries in jars and piles of potatoes, all produce from their dachas (cabins) outside of the city.
Head to the metro at 4 or 5pm, and ride for about 20-30 minutes to get to work. Monday/Wednesday, work at Nivki location (far Western part of the city), and Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday, work at Klovska (more Central). Teach for 4 or 5 hours (9 on Sunday), then head home. Sometimes, meet friends at a bar in the center, but usually catch the metro before it closes at midnight.
Once home, commence bullshitting with the roommate about the day/life/thoughts. Sometimes cook food (the most recent late night project was roasting peanuts), and usually make it to bed by about 2 or 3am. Read a book to fall asleep (now it's A Tale of Two Cities--thanks Brother), and pass out till about 11am.
Of course, weekends (Friday/Saturday) are more fluid, but usually involve a metro ride to some new location and the purchase of some new interesting thing/food item. Exploring the city will become easier as the weather becomes more complacent: right now it is difficult to be outside for too long purely for the reason that it is unpleasant. However, every time the sun shines through the clouds and gives color to the usually grey-toned landscape, you can feel that spring is getting closer, and days of walking the city will become more frequent. !
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
it's a beautiful day here
Wow! Today I started using a new toothbrush and went out and bought some new clothes, so why not also start my blog?? The weather is beautiful here (warm enough to unzip your coat and ditch the gloves!), and everyone looks excited and refreshed. The babushkas and dedushkas are relaxing on benches by the river, the kids are chasing pigeons, and even the stray dogs are ... barking a lot and running around like crazy. I wish it would stay this beautiful, but I have a feeling we may get some more nasty weather before spring really sets in.
Over the past month, I have been getting comfortable in Kiev. My apartment finally feels like...mine. I am comfortable at my job, and with my students (they are all amazing people!). I have been integrated into the AEC teacher's social circle, and have found a smaller group of people who I spend most of my free time with, and with whom I've already established some promising friendships. I am getting used to daily life in Kiev, from getting groceries at the markets or at the small shop right outside my apartment, to riding the metro and marshrutkas (transport vans/buses) every day. I even have a month-long metro pass--crazy! I really live here!
Well, time to run to work (mid-terms today!), but I'll share more in the near future!
Over the past month, I have been getting comfortable in Kiev. My apartment finally feels like...mine. I am comfortable at my job, and with my students (they are all amazing people!). I have been integrated into the AEC teacher's social circle, and have found a smaller group of people who I spend most of my free time with, and with whom I've already established some promising friendships. I am getting used to daily life in Kiev, from getting groceries at the markets or at the small shop right outside my apartment, to riding the metro and marshrutkas (transport vans/buses) every day. I even have a month-long metro pass--crazy! I really live here!
Well, time to run to work (mid-terms today!), but I'll share more in the near future!
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