ahhh classic Ukraine: Tanks and babies in Snow Suits the second they step outside...

the banks or "beach" of the Dnipre River

The break concludes...

On Friday we toured Kremenchuk...which took all of 2 hours...and then wandered around the University, grabbed some coffee, sat by the "beach," and finished up the day at Home Group. This is a group of high-school/college age youth from a local Ukrainian church. Lisa works with the youth and attends this Home Group every Friday night. They asked me a million questions...and following a study in Philippians, we got into a LONG discussion about whether or not dancing is a sin...it was great to share about my experience at PBU in that regard;)

Saturday we went back to Kiev, as Lisa wanted to see some of the BIG city and attend a SEND commissioning service. We jumped on a train and were back in town by noon. I showed her around, we did a little shopping, a little eating, and attended a commissioning service for 3 SEND units heading out to Russia (hopefully) in May. While the pre-meeting was long, it was neat to meet most of the SEND Ukraine Team and worship together on Sunday. It was a great conclusion to a good Spring Break!

pictures....

My host in Kremenchuk, fellow short-termer, Lisa...and yes that is a tank in the background.

Spring Break...until Thursday.

The students of KCA were on spring break this past week (as I may have mentioned) but I was busy exploring, doing lesson plans, and finally conquering my cough...with sleep of course and lots of prayer!

I believe I last updated you regarding my visit to the baby-house...that was Monday.

Tuesday I worked on lesson plans and visited the Seminary for the a little coffee break with my host, Superwoman Lois.

Wednesday was more lesson plans... and preparations for a small-scale adventure...

I left on Thursday to go visit another ministry site where SEND has units, the small city of Kremenchuk (and boy was it small). I rode for four and a half hours through the country on a "MARSHRUTKA" or little bus, and arrived in the evening. I was going to visit Lisa, a friend of mine from our pre-field orientation in Michigan last fall. When I arrived we went to Chelentano's, a Ukrainian pizza shop that rivals the best of America.

RANDOM STORY #1: While there, we ran into an American "freelance missionary" who spoke loudly and assumed it was fine to sit with us for his entire meal. Lisa and I had already finished and were about to leave when he decided we were his dinner company;). So we sat politely, listening to his random stories. We were never able to draw a conclusion about what exactly he does in Ukraine other than get robbed and work with "boyscouts," but it made for a funny story...pictures to follow!

and last but not least...KCA

This is the upstairs hallway of the school where I am working. My middle school classroom is the third door on the right...the one that opened a bit.

Lviv...perhaps one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

Kyiv Theological Seminary

The SEND office is in this building, as well as my dear host, Lois. She teaches English to the seminary students...and makes me coffee. As you can imagine, I frequent her office for little visits!

Rodina Mat

A statue facing Moscow...not a one of us is exactly sure what she symbolizes. Casually referred to as the motherland statue, she is 102 meters high...and weighs 530 tons. She's huge. I see her each morning as I cross the river on the school van.

another couple of pictures...

well it is spring break here in Kyiv (well at KCA)...and the flurries are flying. apparently Kyiv is known for its crazy weather this time of year...one day last week it was freezing in the morning, warm and sunny by noon, and snowed at least three times throughout the day. today was rainy for the most part, and then sleety, and then snowy. i guess that is why people go AWAY for spring break. and because of this notion...i have decided to go away...to Kremenchuk.

this location is by no means tropical...nor will the weather be any more consistent...but it's a new sight to see. a girl that I was in short-term training with is serving there for 8 months. i'm headed down to her for two days, and then she's coming up here to see the city before we attend a mission-wide commissioning service. it should be a nice conclusion to a long spring break.

but most of my lesson plans are completed for my entire time here...

enjoy a few shots from downtown Kyiv...i'll be sure to include more pictures from Kremenchuk as well!

week one.

week one of school has come to a close (i've been in Kyiv for two).

this week i learned a TON about my school, met lots of new people, and am settling in. while there are a few comforts of home that i am missing--watching march madness for example-- i am surviving without. the aforementioned void, however, has been filled to some extent thankfully...

a family from school invited me to their house last night to watch the opening round on their british satellite! so, lucky for me, i was able to watch my UCONN huskies die in the first round...live. at least wvu is still in it;)

it was a very nice evening and it was great to get to know a few more people.

went to a coffee shop for a little reading this morning of school materials...then shopped for a new watch since mine died. i was successful in finding one...and it was on sale;)

it is a beautiful day in Kyiv. walking around was amazing. i think today may be the first of my 15 here, that have been so bright!

anyway, English club this afternoon at hope church, work at a baby house on monday, and school clean up work day on thursday. lesson planning in between. should be a full week even though it is spring break.

the cough is significantly better...but still not gone;)

it seems funny to not be home for easter...but it is not easter here! easter celebrations will take place next month here in ukraine...

happy easter to all of you in the states!

hmmm kyiv...

DAY 3...

well day three has come to a close...school was long...but fun. i didn't arrive at home until after six tonight...TRAFFIC in kiev is apparently worse than washington DC, so reports the KYIV POST. i ride a school van to and fro, and thus travel time can vary tremendously.

my cough is still quite pesty...but alas i am sleeping soundly. praise GOD.

after this week, my school goes on spring break...so i will have quite a bit of time on my hands. i'm hoping to help out at SEND and perhaps visit a ministry site outside of the city...or maybe a friend or two;) we'll see.

missing march madness basketball that begins tonight...a family at school invited me over to watch a few games on their british satellite...which means the games will be live! imagine that...

i've been grading lots of analytical essays, making photo copies and chatting with students. learning about their experience growing up overseas is rather enlightening...

the best part of the week so far? small group. my roomate's church meets on tuesday nights and while they spoke entirely in russian (most speak russian even though we are in ukraine) it was amazing to pray together and watch them study they word and struggle with concepts...they are brothers and sisters in Christ...they love the same God, and i can't understand a word they said. it was sweet. anyway...

The First Day of School

My first day was very good. Although extremely different from my last teaching experience-my public school placement-this new school will be an adventure.

I rode a student van for the hour commute, which turned out to be quite the blessing. Not dealing with public transportation at 6:20 is fabulous.

I will be teaching American Lit. to 11th graders, Brit.Lit. to 12th graders, and Grammar to 6th and 7th grade. It's quite a few preps, but I need something to keep me busy.

Attached is a picture of a sign for McDonalds in Ukraine. Sorry it's a little blurry, I took it in a hurry:)

The cough continues but I'm headed to bed early...

i almost forgot...

please pray for my cough...it started when i got here...and is not getting better. it's pretty constant...and annoying. it will be rough to teach if i can't kick it in the butt. we're thinking it might be allergy related...but who knows. i'm waiting it out for a while longer. but keep if you think of it...pray that it will go away by the time i start teaching;) thank yous in advance.

HERE!

Well, it is Sunday evening on my side of the world...and I'm getting ready for my first day of school! My sister and friend flew out this morning. I had lunch with a lady here who has been my "host" and spent the afternoon with her.

I'm taking the school van tomorrow morning for the 1 hr. ride, and will take the Metro home everyday. Hopefully public transit won't be too crazy in the evenings...we'll see!

I met my co-operating teacher last week and hope to know what I am teaching any day now. The school goes on Spring Break next week, so I will have a week to plan for my instructional time.

I will share details of my first day tomorrow...now I'm off to get ready for the day. No late nights for this college girl...I have to catch the van at 6:40 in the am!

One down...

One to go. I completed my first student teaching placement today...I then proceeded to come home, finish packing and I'm about to attempt to get some sleep before the big adventure tomorrow. The countdown is almost over.

One week from today...

Exactly one week from today I will be in Kiev Ukraine, arriving on one of the most widely celebrated holidays of the year, International Women's Day.