Summertime, and the livin' is easy...

Wow, so many things have happened since I last wrote. I am sorry I have been so neglectful these past weeks, to say life has been a whirlwind of events and adventures would be a huge understatement! I will do my best to recap all that has happened!

Map of Ukraine showing where everyone in Group 43 is going

I guess the biggest news is that I am now an official Peace Corps Volunteer! We had our swearing-in ceremony in Kiev the last week of May. It was so awesome to see my fellow Group 43-ers and spend some quality time with them before being shipped off in opposite directions all over the great country of Ukraine. The weekend long retreat included meetings and seminars as well as allowing us a chance to be introduced to our counterparts (Ukrainian representatives from where we will be working who act as our liaisons to our communities).  We made sure to take advantage of the down time and had a great weekend celebrating all of our accomplishments and preparing for the huge adventure ahead. While there I was lucky enough to be voted in as the Youth Development representative of the Training Advisory Group! I am so excited and honored to be a voice in helping shape the incoming Group 44’s training! Swearing-In retreat was such a blast and made me realize how much of a community Peace Corps really is and how lucky I am to be a part of it all!

After swearing-in at the US Embassy in Kiev, I was the first one to depart to my new home! My site is in the city of Shatsk (шацьк) located as far north and west as you can go, right near the borders of Poland and Belarus. My assignment is at the Shatsk Forestry College located in the middle of the town. Shatsk is a BEAUTIFUL area surrounded by forests and lakes, with Shatsk National Park about 10 minutes outside the heart of the town.  It is a very popular summer destination for many Ukrainian and Polish citizens because of its beauty. I am so lucky to call it home! While at the Forestry College, my assignments include working with the environmental club as well as bringing in the arts to the college. I know, how perfect right? My first semester includes teaching yoga, American music, an American culture seminar, healthy lifestyles seminars and working with the environmental protection organization…let’s just say no complaints here! Over the next two years the college wants me to start a drama and film club as well as lead a career seminar and a leadership club. I am SO excited for what is expected of me and what these next two years in Shatsk will bring! I truly don’t think a better match could have  been made! 

The lake I go to just about everyday, no big deal 

Of course it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. My housing situation still isn’t finished, so for the time being I am living in a dormitory. It isn’t a huge deal, just a little different than what was expected.  The only inconveniences are sharing the one shower with the other residents (yes, ONE) and having the electricity turned off at 11:00pm every night.  The other hiccup was that about a week after arriving my counterpart received another job offer and had to resign as my counterpart. I am so thankful for the time I did have with her seeing as how she handled my registration into the country which is a HUGE stress and a mess of paperwork and dealing with Ukrainian bureaucracy. However, I am confident my relationship with my new counterpart will be just as successful. He has a very laid back approach to things, so I am sure we will get along just great!

What else…oh, the EuroCup! So Ukraine and Poland hosted this year’s EuroCup and to say it was a big deal doesn’t even begin to cover it! Between preparing for hosting the event as well as having Ukraine playing in the tournament, soccer was all anyone was able to talk about for about 3 months straight. Sitting in the cafes and watching the games allowed me a chance to meet a ton of locals as well as get a better sense of the community and integrate a little bit more! It was such an exciting and entertaining time and I am so happy to have been able to take a part of it!

About  two weeks after arriving in Shatsk, the college was the host of a Peace Corps led summer camp called CAMP ACT (Action Creativity Teamwork). Peace Corps Volunteers from all over the region I live had been working their buts of the past year planning this camp and they were sweet enough to save me a spot to work in it!! Meeting all of these INREDIBLE volunteers and working with such amazing Ukrainian children during Camp ACT changed my life. It was without a doubt one of the best weeks in my entire life. The passion and general energy these volunteers had just showed me what being a Peace Corps Volunteer is about and what I can expect my next two years to be like. I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to work camp and meet these volunteers who are now some of the best friends I have ever had in my life. It was without a doubt the PERFECT way to kick off my Peace Corps service!

The best staff ever! Region 5 what up!!

So now it is summer and my days consist of going to the lakes to swim, sun tan and read. My evenings include studying some language and watching Game of Thrones (literally the best show ever. If you haven’t watched it yet, reassess your life). I am learning to cook a little (thanks Val showing me the ways of cooking  fried rice), outlining some lesson ideas and planning some future trips I would like to take in my down time (helllooo Prague, Budapest, Istanbul…)! To say I am happy doesn’t even begin to cover what I am feeling. For the first time in my life I am not stressing over the future or what I will be doing in a few months…I am just LIVING. And I am LOVING LIVING. Sure, the language is still kicking my butt, but it hasn’t stopped me from making Ukrainian friends who don’t speak any English or buying food from the bazaar. I have learned and grown so much these past months in Ukraine. Thank you to whoever is reading this blog and sharing this journey with me. It’s going to be an exciting ride. Hell, it already HAS been an exciting ride! And the most exciting part of it all is -we’ve only just begun…

Little Town, It’s a Quiet Village…

Hermanivka. The name and location of the little village I call home in Ukraine. Picture a village in which everything is within walking distance. A village where everyone greets another as they walk by. A village where farming and good weather is a reason for parents to keep their children home from school. A village where there are as many dogs and chickens running around as there are people (possibly more). Have you got it? Now make sure to remember not to include any modern amenities and conveniences in this village. There you go. Now, my dear friend, you are picturing Hermanivka.  This little place tucked away in the fields of Ukraine is a special place full of interesting and wonderful people, all living their lives with the sole purpose of survival. It is a place full of more hard working people than I have ever met in my entire life, and a place where the Soviet era still hangs heavy in the air.

Many people were surprised and confused when I told them I was going to Ukraine for the Peace Corps. They assumed that it was a country that didn’t really need help because:

 A) it is so near to Western Europe and other more established countries that they lump it in with countries like Germany and Poland

B) it has a handful of big cities and therefore is developed and functioning fine

C) the Soviet Union doesn’t “exist” anymore and therefore Ukraine is independent and can do its own thing

 D) when compared to certain countries in Africa or Central/South America, Ukraine is in great shape!

I kid you not, these are just a few of many reasons I have heard as to why Peace Corps should not be in Ukraine. As much as I can try to understand some of these assumptions, the fact of the matter is Ukraine is a country in dire need of help.  It is a country torn apart by its dark history. Ukraine is a newly independent country, having only declared it’s emancipation on August 24^th 1991. With this independence came a new national anthem, language (Ukrainian instead of Russian), and yet another political corrupt society in which the people are still fighting for rights and fairness. So many of its people are still accustomed to living in a Russian speaking, oppressed country. However, many realize that although change has happened, there is still a need to continue evolving and growing. And with the Orange Revolution still fresh in the minds and hearts of many people (specifically the young adults to middle aged), the constant battle for the voice of the people to be heard is going strong. However, the political corruptness and unjustness plaguing the country only adds to the grey and dim attitude of this soviet torn land. 

So why am I here? I am here to help with developing a country that so much longs to be its own. To show its people that although the past may still cast certain shadows, the future is promising and bright. To help teach its children how to be functioning, independent and strong members of communities - in every aspect of the word. And to help the people show not only the world, but their fellow county men that Ukraine IS a strong country with a voice that will be heard. Unlike some countries where help is not wanted and is sometimes violently pushed away, Ukraine WANTS the help Peace Corps offers. This is why Ukraine has the most Peace Corps Volunteers over every other country in the world. It is a peaceful exchange of cultural and ideas. We are working together for a common cause. We are helping a country find its voice. I am proud to be here working with these beautiful people. This is why I am here.

I am now halfway through my training. I can’t believe how much I have seen, experienced and been taught in the short time I have been here. Pig’s being slaughtering, vodka being chugged, children riding on bikes with machetes in their hands, not having taken a legit shower in over a month, riding in buses where I literally feel every curve of the persons body behind me as it is pressed into mine,being woken up in the middle of the night with a mouse in my bed, men in monkey suits declaring their love to me…It has definitely been an adventure! I am so thankful for my family and friends for their love and support, and especially thankful for my amazing cluster. These four incredible people that I spend day after day with help paint this world that I am living in with laughter and light heartedness. Their ability to be an ear to listen, a hand to hold, a mouth to laugh or a soul to share with has made this journey so much easier. I am so thankful for them and our unique and amazing dynamic. Oh Hermanivka, my little town, my quiet village. However unlike the song, everyday here just never seems to be like the one before…and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

*Side Note* I wish I could upload pictures, but the internet here is very slow and it takes over 10 minutes to get halfway through uploading one haha, so I am going to hold off until I have a stronger connection to put up some pics! And expect the next blog to be less "why am I here" and more "here is what I have been doing and seeing". <3

"It's been One Week..."

Wow oh wow has the past few days been crazy! I can’t believe I am already in Ukraine and settled in to my community! So much has happened these past few days it’s hard to believe.

We arrived in Kiev without any issues (minus a landing that was a little less than scary…) and after going through the Diplomats  entrance into the country (no big deal), we were taken by bus to a hotel in a neighboring city where we had our orientation. Orientation covered things such as safety, history of the country, banking info, and sessions on our specialty. It also gave us more time as a training group to bond and get to know each other better.  More exciting than all that however was finding out who was in our cluster and link groups (cluster- about 5 people living in the same community and working with the same language teacher.  You take all your classes with these people and work on projects with them. Basically, a cluster consists of the people you will be spending the next three months with. Link-when two clusters in nearby communities meet up to work together). We also found out who our language teachers would be. I am BEYOND thrilled at my cluster group and LCF. I literally could not be more excited about whom I am with and our group dynamic, it is a match made in heaven! And our language teacher is the sassiest of sassy. Perfection.  

My cluster group is stationed in an extremely small farming village about 2 hours from Kiev. When you think of under-developed Soviet Ukraine, this place is exactly what comes to mind-and I love it. I live with one older lady and am the only one in my cluster without running water or plumbing. I thought not having running water would be more challenging, but it actually isn’t really an issue. I have learned how to boil water for everything and take bucket baths like a champ. We have an outhouse we use during the day, but because we live on a farm and don’t want to disturb the animals, at night if one needs to use the restroom one has to use a bucket that is located in the middle of the kitchen. Needless to say, I have become a pro at using the bathroom while the sun it out and waiting till the morning to use it again haha.Our farm has pigs, chickens, rabbits and of course, our ever watchful dog that barks at anyone who even thinks about walking down our street.

I absolutely adore my host mama. This lady is amazing. She is a nurse/doctor (still haven’t figured that one out yet) as well as farmer. Although she speaks no English at all, she is so attentive to me and loving that I feel super spoiled. She is a beast at cooking (many things coming from out back in our farm), and an awesome chai maker. She is never satisfied with how much I am eating, and every time I say I am full, she motions for me to take 3 more bites and literally counts down till I have completed the three bites haha. She is precious. Every night after dinner she sits down with me and has me show her my homework and tries to talk with me about it. We are already so close, I feel like she is a long lost grandma I never knew I had.

I still am trying to get used to the random sites I see while walking around town. Yesterday I watched the cleaning and decapitation of a pig that was about the size of two of me. Today I saw a kid on a bike ride by with a hatchet in his hand. Two days ago I noticed some local children standing a bench looking over my fence to watch me eat dinner. I don't know if that was the first time they did it or the first time I noticed, but I thought it was hilarious. What is so interesting about watching me eat? Everyone knows about the Americans here in town, and we are constantly stared at. I guess I now know what celebrities feel like to some extent. As amused as I am with the sites around here, I feel that the locals are just as amused by me. Literally 7 people stopped what they were doing to watch me get water out of a well haha.

So, no plumbing, no internet, and no cell phone service …and I am so happy. I never expected a Soviet torn area of the world to become not only a welcoming community full of beautiful, warm people, but to become a home to me. And although the language is kicking my butt (such a struggle!), I know that it will come easier with time. I can’t believe it’s only been a week. Week 2, show me what you got. 



So, I haven't taken many pictures yet. I promise to be better and upload more showing my home and town later. But these pig ones had to go up asap.

D.C. in D.C.

Holy smokes! The past 24 hours has been such a whirlwind of information and crazy fun!! I am happy to say

that staging was beyond successful and I am so in love with my fellow peace corps trainee's. PCT 43 is the ish, hands down. I have had a blast meeting amazing people and beginning new friendships. To top it all off, I was able to squeeze in some sites! Staging was incredible and only fueled my excitement for this adventure! I'm at the airport now getting ready to board the flight to Frankfurt, and then fly from there to Kiev. I just wanted to update this real quick to keep everyone posted! Love you all <3

Washington Monument!

WWII Memorial

Typical- yoga in front of the Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln!!!

ps- again, bonus points if you know what this blog title is a reference to!

A Heart Full of Love

Wow. I can't believe the time is finally here. To be honest, I am not sure how I feel about it. I feel like I should be nervous or excited or some clear, tangible emotion. But really all I feel is drained from packing and saying goodbye to loved ones! I guess I am both emotionally and physically exhausted (then again, it is 3:30 am and I have to leave for my flight in about an hour and a half...).

This past weekend has been one of the best ever. I was so lucky to have been able to spend my last weekend in Florida with so many people I love. However, saying goodbye to them was nearly impossible. Considering I am usually never in one place more than a few months and am constantly jet setting about, I am used to leaving  and saying "see you later" to everyone. I never thought this time it would hit me so hard. I have found myself in a constant state of waterworks since Saturday morning haha. I guess it is understandable seeing as how I will be gone for two years this time. I am not really worried about keeping in touch with people though. I know that those who truly love me will meet me halfway in communicating. And with how advanced technology is, it shouldn't be too difficult! But still, there is something extremely bittersweet about this goodbye...

So here we are. I leave for my flight to D.C. in about the time it takes to watch a good movie. From there it will be a whirlwind of information and meeting people and airports that before I know it I will be in Ukraine. It's time for me to leave behind everything I am used to and dive head first into a unfamiliar and different land. Time to turn the page in this book of life and begin a new chapter. And although in this moment I may be tired, overall I truly am excited for this adventure! I can't wait to see and experience so many new things, as well as learn and grow as a person.

To my family and friends- thank you for all your love and support. Your encouragement has meant more to me than I can say, and  I am so thankful and lucky to have you in my life. I guess all that's left now is to stop, breathe, and take the next step.

Let the journey begin.

25 or 6 to 4

I can't believe there are only 25 days left before I leave! I haven't really been paying attention or counting down, and when I found out today there were only 25 days left...well, lets just say I definitely felt the butterflies start fluttering around inside of me!

Everything is going pretty great though! I had to re-do my dental and the paperwork that goes along with that and re-send it in. Thankfully there were no issues and Peace Corps responded super fast - it was cleared within a few days. I have gotten a ton of emails from the Ukrainian headquarters regarding staging information as well as  PDF's and links to websites full of helpful advice and facts/statistics on what to expect living and working in the Former Soviet Union. Yesterday I called the Peace Corps travel agency and reserved my airline ticket to D.C for an early Monday morning flight on the 12th. Things are happening and happening quickly! I can't even believe it.

So now I have 25 days to start gathering my life together and figuring out how to pack it into a few suitcases. I am trying to eat as much Chick-fil-a, chinese food and tacos as possible before I am faced with the daunting task of eating beets and  meat jello on the daily ( I kid you not- its jello with chunks of meat in it...please see attached picture). I am drinking rum and tequila before its vodka central (which really isn't a big deal, lets be real), and hitting the beach before I am 27 inches deep in snow haha! Living it up here in sunny Florida makes it so much easier to dive into this crazy, exciting adventure head first with the biggest smile on my face. Although I  love Florida so much, I truly can't wait to begin my Peace Corps journey!

 I will be updating again soon closer to my departure! Time to buckle down and start preparing! Ah!!

Mmm! Meat Jello! Yumm!

p.s.-bonus points to anyone who knows where the title of today's blog comes from!

40 Days and 40 Nights

I decided that although I still have a few weeks to go until I depart for the Peace Corps, I might as well get this blog thing set up and running. I really am challenging myself to keep up with this blog so I can document this amazing journey I am about to go on as well as share with everyone back home my new life in Ukraine! I mean, I'm pretty terrible at doing the whole journal thing, but I figured its worth a try!

I'm still having a hard time believing that I am really leaving...maybe because I have been in this spot before...My original invitation was to Guatemala leaving January 3rd 2012. We were called 17 days before departure and told that they were cancelling our program due to how unsafe and unstable the country was. Yeah. That sucked. I know it was for the best and everything happens for a reason and all that jazz, but it still was terrifying to feel like I was suddenly having to start over. Thankfully the Peace Corps reacted like pros and I received a new assignment pretty quickly. So now I am off to Eastern Europe! The entire process that has been my Peace Corps journey has been such a crazy and emotional ride. I get asked all the time if I am nervous or scared, and to be honest, I never have been until this past week. It really hit me that this born and raised Florida girl is moving to weather that has been hanging around -17 degrees for about 5 days. THAT'S what I am scared about! The whole cold weather and layering clothes and proper shoes (aka not flip flops) thing...ah!! Hahaha! But in all honesty, I am not at all nervous. I'm excited. A little overwhelmed. But more anxious than anything. I want to be there and learning new languages and ways of life and meeting people and laughing at how ridiculous I will look in 38472 layers! I am beyond ready to finally DO it. So, 40 days to go before I finally get to begin my dream of Peace Corps service. But who's counting?