Kim in Ukraine

Friday, December 10, 2010

Random thoughts for week 25

A busy week for me. Finally, a project comes into fruition and it only took 6 months. The Peace Corps told us that might happen. Many volunteers even mentioned it. And thus here it is 6 months at site and I am finally working hard on something that will actually happen. This project has everything to do with career development and women's empowerment. I will be working with my local unemployment center and various other volunteers will help me get things started in other parts of Ukraine. Stay tuned who knows where this will go. We have BIG ideas!

Been home for 2 whole weeks. I am finally relaxed and feeling good about a lot of things. Just in time though since I will be leaving for Egypt in less than 2 weeks. It has been nice not traveling all the time but low and behold this will start all over again in a few weeks. Working groups will start their next round of meetings as the new recruits, trickling in this week and next, will have settled into their sites and will be ready to join some working groups. Each one of my working groups has projects that are also coming into fruition for the new year so that is very exciting. Camps for next summer are being planned, ski trips and marathons, all kinds of fun and exciting projects.

A huge event happening next year for Peace Corps is their 50th Anniversary! So much planning will need to take place amongst the volunteers in each country where PC serves. It is a very exciting time to be a PCV. I am really excited. I am unsure of what we will do as PC Ukraine but I happy to be a part of it. In March when President Kennedy signed the official order for The United States Peace Corps is when everything will begin. There are already several events planned in The United States almost every month next year to celebrate the anniversary of PC. I hope we come up with something fun! Suggestions? Don't be shy.

Also, this week...How to Walk in Ukraine in the Winter! So it has been a few weeks since we have had snow on the ground and I am finding that there is a systematic way to walk in this weather. First of all get yak traks that have prongs and not coils. Coils just make you skate on the ice they don't actually penetrate the ice. Secondly, pay attention to the weather. The snow is not going anywhere. There might be days where there will be more snow than the next or days when there is less but there is always snow. I have come to realize that when it rains it is best not to walk if you don't have to because the rain, in this temperature, only causes the snow to become ice and in a city where plowing happens only on the roads and major sidewalks, walking is a skill that must be learned here. The snow becomes ice and you can begin to train for the icecapades. It takes double the time to get anywhere since you have to walk that much slower to avoid falling on your ass. And trust me you almost fall a thousand times anyway! It is actually kind of like a game. How many times can I almost fall on the way to.............! But when the snow falls again it lays over the ice nicely so that now it is much easier to walk. Like today. It rained all night last night so I figured I wouldnt have to get up and run this morning since there would be nothing but ice on the ground but at some point it snowed and it layered the ice so that you can walk on it without slipping. I enjoyed walking today without sliding around. It was a nice change. And how much more can I say on this topic? Moving on.

After yet another presentation from an Amway representative in my town I am home now and reflecting. Today I was sitting in my favorite coffee shop thinking about my family and how much I love and miss them. I had just been on facebook and noticed that it was my Aunt Lucy's birthday so I sent her a happy birthday message and then I started to cry. I haven't seen my Aunt Lucy, or any of my family, in months and I had an overwhelming feeling of sadness while looking at a picture of her, her husband and all of her grandchildren. Which by the way are all girls! Just thinking about how happy they looked in the picture together! Being so far away from my family has given me such an appreciation for them that I don't think they will ever realize. It pains me that I will not be with them for the holidays this year but they know I will be home soon and that I need to do this now and they are so proud of me. I couldn't imagine my life without them.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

A week of firsts

This week was a week of firsts. That is the life of a PCV though for most if not all of his or her service. You are always learning and things are always new. At least that is what has happened so far. It was the first snowfall on Monday, the first of December which is also the first day of winter (which is kind of a holiday here), the first time I got to hear Alex and Peter play the according and the first time I was ever interviewed let alone the first time in Ukraine. This week was about Volunteerism, Disabled People, HIV/AIDS and Anti-Slavery. We had a lot of volunteer projects going on around the world in PC and probably other organizations. It was a big week for some volunteers.

I had a human trafficking project going on at my site. I brought a guest speaker here to provide new information to the psychologists of some of our schools here in Konotop and to the specialist at our Unemployment Center. They were take the information back to their respective schools and conduct their own seminar with this new information on Dec 2nd. Which in the states is anti-slavery day. I attended the seminar at our Unemployment Center and it went great.

For volunteer day one of our other volunteers in Konotop did a presentation at the "Volunteer of the Year" Event. And that is where I was interviewed. Our local Konotop channel asked me a few questions about why I volunteered, what motivated me to do so and a few other questions about how long I have been here and what language I study. Very basic questions. I did it all in Russian but I was pretty nervous and couldn't understand some of the questions so we had to stop a few times. It will air in Konotop on Monday or Wednesday at 815pm.

This is the first weekend I am spending in Konotop in a few weeks. I definitely need the relaxing time. Unfortunately, like most weekends I didn't rest much. Another first I forgot to mention is that for the first time I celebrated Hannukah with some friends. I have certainly attended some Jewish holiday gatherings before but I do believe this was my first Hannukah celebration. It was a really good time. The Ktop four got together and some good food and good converation.

Another first for the week...I haven't had much luck at the ATM recently and this time was no different. So I went to the ATM on Saturday all ready to renew my PO Box and go to the bazaar for some food and after I took the money out I was certain I put my wallet in my purse. Several minutes later on the walk to the bazaar I fell down a hill from the snow, which was histarical, but it made me take a peek into my purse to make sure everything was there. That is when I realized I didn't have my wallet and after looking all around the white snow for my white wallet and it was no where to be found I figured I might have dropped it on the ground at the ATM by mistake. I was certain that I put it in my purse. So walking fast back to the ATM sure that someone had picked it up by this point and only hoping that they took it into a store to report it lost I got to the ATM and there was my wallet. Lying safe and sound exactly where I had dropped it and not touched. Maybe it is a good thing the wallet is white. So that is the second time I lost something and it was exactly where I left it when I returned... But I am not planning on making a habbit of that!

Monday, November 29, 2010

From the West to the East...

I need to update you on a few things from the last few weeks. Let's start off by acknowledging the fact that it is winter in Ukraine officially. Today it is snowing really hard. I started my day on an overnight train from Lugansk for the Thanksgiving holiday. As we (John, Arden and I) we entering into the Sumska oblast we notice the snow on the ground. When I arrived into Konotop there wasn't any snow but shortly thereafter it started snowing and now it looks like a blizzard! It is really beautiful actually. I am not a big fan of snow and cold but it is a pretty picture.

It is already getting dark and it is only 330pm. That is the downfall of winter in Ukraine....much shorter days. I was in Lugansk and watching the sunset at 330pm was just a little depressing but such is life. Only 3 more months of this and the sun will start coming up at 330am!

I spent the weekend in Beregova 2 weekends ago in the Karpatski oblast doing some marathon planning. Another volunteer there is putting on their 3rd annual marathon and she requested some assistance. I think it will be a lot of fun. And it is a good thing bringing a marathon to her area because she lives in a very beautiful little town close to the border of Hungary.

Lugansk for Thanksgiving was the next best thing to spending it with my family and friends. We had a lot of laughs and we had so much food. It started in Konotop on Thursday with my English club. Everyone brought in a dish and we had a real thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving day. Then we headed to Lugansk on an overnight train and had another feast. Friday we made some salsa from scratch and some quessadillas and had a little mexican treat followed by delicious spaghetti in red sauce and spaghetti in pesto and then some awesome date and chocolate chip cake for the November birthday gang (Arden and myself). Saturday was our official Thanksgiving dinner feast with Turkey, mashed potatoes, salad, apple, pumpkin walnut concoction, three pies, stuffing, delicious homemade gravy and much much more...it was fantastic. A little tast of home.

And just a little update on my actual volunteer work. I had a break through with the Blind organization last week. It seems that they have now figured out how difficult it is to write a grant and they are requesting more time to write it and they now understand the civic educational component of it and they are willing to do some real research and work with lawyers to help with the legislative part of the project. I think I have time now that we can learn how to manage an NGO together which will be a lot of fun for us.

I have another project idea for our Unemployment Center. For those of you who know about Streetwise Partners in the states I think we can duplicate that program and do it here in Ukraine. Empowering women in and out of the workforce. It is a great idea and my contact at our Unemployment Center loves it!

This and some side projects is enough for me for now. I feel like a real volunteer now..."sigh"

To all my friends and family...I missed you on Thanksgiving Day but I was with you and you were with me in spirit. I love and miss you and I am thankful for each and everyone of you!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

This Just In: ATM Eats American's Money...

When you are at the ATM and your money comes out GRAB IT! Don't stand around messing with your wallet. Well I did that and guess what...ATM Ate My Money!!! So I am hanging out for a few days until I can get it back. You would think I would be mad about this thing but after the first 5 minutes I couldn't do anything but laugh. I went to the bank to see how I could handle this situation and they were on break...for another 1/2 hour. GREAT. I needed to grab my counterpart so she could help me with the bank attendant as that conversation was going to be really difficult.

Tonight I went to the Ukrainian version of a home interior party. AMWAY is a big thing over here. I didn't mess with it much in USA because it was too expensive well it isn't cheap here either. It was a good time though. We watched a presentation with food and then we got to eat it and that is always fun. It was all in Russian and I understood some of what was going on.

Things are a little bumpy with the blind project. Just when you think you have all the answers reality comes in. But we had a strong meeting today and I think things have turned around for the better. I knew this would be hard. I have never written a grant nor have I helped an NGO improve their organization and this organization has never written a grant so it is kind of like the blind leading the blind! I really want something to work out. And I know that they are encouraged to do something as well we will just have to keep working at what that something is.

Heading to a town called Ujgorod this weekend. For a little rest and relaxation.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

"When the sky is darkest you can see the stars"

I spent a wonderful few days in my new life in Ukraine this past weekend. Friday was birthday and I had an opportunity to see how integrated I am in my town. There are some really amazing people in this town and I have built a nice family around me here. I spent time with Alla, Lena and Posha, Oksana, Luda, Diana, my director and of course my American friends on Friday night for some cake at my apartment. The cake came from one of our Technical School's cooking class. Alla had set up a lunch with them onThursday and they made me a big beautiful cake. It was the perfect way to invite my new Ukrainian friends to my house! We had a small dinner party at work on Friday as well to celebrate me, my director and another colleague that had birthdays this month. Of course vodka was involved and it got way too crazy too early but it was a great time.

I received some great gifts from these amazing people. They gave me a nice plate and sugar bowl that says "My Ukraine", a bag, flowers and a decorative bowl (and a really nice but creepy card - that is for you Rose!). It was way too much and an absolute surprise. I had no idea. All this time I feel disconnected in this experience and on this day I realize that maybe I am touching these people as much as they are touching me.

Thank you to my wonderful friends and family and to my new friends in Ukraine!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Social Workers Day

After Jud's celebration I had a work event on Friday night. It was social worker's day on Wednesday and since I work for the Department of Labor and Social Welfare I went to a party on Friday that was put on by my work. We rented a cafe and had lots of food and of course VODKA. It was a good time. After all the shots of vodka it really didn't matter that I didn't speak the language. The language of drunkiness is universal. We played some games after we ate (for example...paper skiis, pop your opposing teams balloons, make a paper airplane as a couple using only one hand each). It was a good time. After all of that we started dancing and that is all she wrote. Across the way another party was going on and some of us (myself included) went over there to make new friends. I left at 1030pm and the party was still jumping. I have a limitation with my Ukrainian friends especially when I work with them!

Over the weekend I just chilled out. I have been moving and shaking for several weeks so I needed it. I went to the bazaar on Saturday morning and did some shopping. There is something really nice about perusing the bazaar and buying food and products out in the open and from people who know you by your first name. I even got a carrot for free this time. And there was a presentation going on with a vegetable peeler. I was even standing there in amazement because I haven't used a vegetable peeler in 7 months. So I bought one because he started using it on cabbage and I hate cutting cabage but peeling cabbage...well there you go. So I buy it for 15 UAH not at all bad. I get home and what do I find? I find the vegetable peeler that I brought from the USA. Oy!

Unfortunately, my weekend of relaxation was at the cost of not spending the weekend with some good friends I have met here. Group 35 PCV is going home this week and we had a party for them in a nearby town. Two people are leaving and even though I just saw them I felt bad for not going and hanging out. I will see one of them in Kiev on Wednesday but I still missed out. What I have learned here is that entirely too much goes on that takes you away from site. I literally could spend every weekend somewhere else! I don't think that is what PC wants.

I was productive this weekend. I finished up the lesson plans for the next three English classes and then I am done teaching English...YAY! Not for me!

Thursday, November 4, 2010