My random musings...

This morning as I walked to school for our lettni lager (summer camp), my mind was spinning with blog entries. And I haven't had a chance to write any of them down yet or type any of them out...so this blog entry may be a bit random as my brain works to sort things out. And it also may end abruptly when my host sister tells me she wants the computer. This is going to be a post with no pictures...and lots of words...so if those don't appeal to you, no need to keep reading :)

Today is Monday. This was the first day of our summer camp and also the day of our community project. It was also the day that I was in charge of the lesson plan being written, translated, and printed and ready to go for both the school and the gymnasia. This week we are conducting two summer camps: one at the school (Cassi and Mark) and one at the Gymnasia (Lydia, Jamie, & Brendan). The school camp is from 9-11 am...the gymnasia is from 10 am-noon. As part of pre-service training, the youth development PC volunteers have to 1) conduct a 3-5 day summer camp, and 2) conduct a sustainable community project. Easier said than done. We ended up painting benches in the city park...pictures to come. Too lazy now to post them. Let's just say there were a lot of uncertainities come 9 am this morning...but the benches got painted and the lessons were a success. I'll try to do a blog post about the community project later. Onto more Lydia thoughts...

I cannot believe that my time in Oster is almost over. I absolutely love this city and the people...even though I have only been here a little over 2 months. I can't imagine what it's going to be like when I will be leaving my permanent site after working with those people for 2 YEARS. Jamie, Brendan, and I were talking with our technical teacher yesterday over coffee about moving to site and all that it entails. On June 13, we will pack up and get on a bus that takes us to Kiev. We have to be in the city by noon that day and will find out at 1:30 where we will be placed for the next two years. It is a huge, huge ordeal...especially with 106 volunteers that are in this group of PC volunteers (group 41). Some people will go north, some will go south...some east, some west. We have absolutely no idea where we're going...and I'm completely okay with that. I wouldn't know what to suggest even if I were to request an area or region. I know that wherever I end up is where I'm supposed to be, and that I will undoubtedly grow to love that city and the people. Brendan brought up a very good point during our conversation with Lyuda (technical teacher). Everything we've been working to towards now has been focused on making it through pre-service training and getting to the swearing-in ceremony (June 16). But what are we going to focus on after that? I know that new dates will appear and will give me things to strive towards...but the swearing-in ceremony is something that I've been thinking of for months...even back in the states.

One of the biggest reasons why I was so hesitant to apply for PC was because of the food. As trivial as that is, I wondered if I'd be able to make it. And the answer is yes, without a doubt. I'm not sure what I'll end up eating when I get to site...because up until now, my big meal of the day (dinner) has been prepared for me by my host mother. But I know that I will not starve. The amount of fresh fruit and vegetables that is readily available most days is amazing. There have been some days that for lunch I might eat a banana, an apple, and a yogurt. And then have another apple or banana for a snack. And I love that. We have a favorite fruit stand here in Oster...with an older lady who owns it (or at least she does in my mind). She asked us early on what we were doing here in Oster and we explained to her. I try to frequent her store at least once a week, if for no other reason than to get a big hello from her. One time, her granddaughter was in the store with her. Jamie and Brendan were outside having already paid (the store itself is maybe 10 feet by 10 feet), and I was paying at the cash desk inside. The owner told the granddaughter to give us each an apple (of course I couldn't understand this at the time). I was confused and thought she was trying to get us to buy the apples...but the little girl walked outside and gave Brendan and Jamie each an apple and it was one of the sweetest things ever. Definitely a good business-lady because I've gone back ever since :) It's little stories like that make me love Oster. And I know that will be the case wherever I go...but I've already become attached to this city and the idea of leaving the people I know is incredibly sad. But it's something that must be done.

I can't remember what other things I wanted to write about...but I think I better go ahead and submit this and save some other thoughts for new posts :) hope everyone had a lovely Monday...talk to you soon.

Love, Lydia