Surprise! Look who came to visit...

That's right, folks!  Mom and Pops graced Ukraine with their wonderful presence.  It was fabulous. Simply fab.

Their trip started off in Germany visiting some friends from our Alabama days.  Those friends now live in the picturesque, mountain town of Garmisch, Germany.

one of the views from their house...not too shabby, eh?

Soooo pretty.

After a few days in Germany, they came  to Ukraine and we were reunited for the first time in just over a year :) I ended up surprising them at the airport, which was a welcomed surprise because they didn't have any grieven {Ukrainian currency} yet and would need some to pay for a taxi.  I am still recovering from pneumonia and maybe mono as well {a whole 'nother story in and of itself}, so most of their trip, I sat around a lot of the time and let them do the exploring.  My energy levels are nowhere near where they used to be, but I'll talk about illnesses in a different post.  I'll let the pictures do the talking today.

One of the entire reasons for them coming--Ukrainian pysanka eggs {click here if you don't know what they are}.  Mom was in heaven when she saw this giant one in K-grad.

Visit to the host fam's home in Oster. 

Mom, Pops, Andrei, Gala, and Christy

Pops was most shocked at the amount of dishes I wash by hand on a daily basis. 

Mom got to go in the root cellar at the host fam's house.  I was never allowed to go down there because it was too cold...guess that rule doesn't apply to moms? :)

Pops was most excited to go to the post office in Oster and mail post cards.  I was less than thrilled on that dreary, cold day.

We didn't take much luggage to Oster.  Important things that were left behind when we needed them: gloves.  Mom and I shared a pair of mittens while walking around Oster on the coldest day of the trip.

One-mittened Lydia, outside of the gymnasia school where I taught during training.

dinner in K-grad with some of my fellow k-gradders.  

Angie, her mom Dorothy {who also happened to be in town for Easter!}, Mom, Lydia, Vicki, Dan, Pops, and Phil

this picture deserves a post in and of itself.  Photo credit goes to mom. See if you can find something that doesn't belong...

doing pysanky eggs at my office

obligatory pic with the map in my office, and counterpart, Olena

the kittens were born while my parents were here too.  

SO SO SO cute.

Easter meal at Olena's

"The Frost's Take Ukraine"--could be a book.

Pops needed a pic of me with my OU wall art.  

This is what I did most of the trip.  Rest.  

on their last night of the trip, Mom trimmed my hair...this was the first time I've had it cut {other than me chopping off my bangs} in over a year.  

good job, Mom!

Obviously, there's lots more to elaborate on, but this gives you a good overview of their stay :)  they arrived back in Oklahoma last night safe and sound.  Gotta get to work now...toodles!

One last thing...we got to watch some of the kids from my work practice in their dance class.  They are amazing.

out of the hospital... :)

I'm free from the reins of my first {and hopefully only!} Ukrainian hospital experience.  It was incredibly nice overall, and I was very impressed with how everything was run.  So, what's next?  I'll be on antibiotics for a while, in addition to a cough medicine.  I will be in Kiev a few more days...making sure there's no relapse and getting blood work done on Thursday.  Hung out at the office most of the day and came to my hostel a few hours ago.  Plan on lying pretty low tomorrow here at the hostel where the wifi is a bit better than at PC headquarters :)

A new group of PCVs makes the {incredibly long} journey to Ukraine today!! They will arrive sometime tomorrow...which means that my one year anniversary of being in Ukraine is approaching rather quickly.  I joked with someone in the office today that for my one year anniversary present, I got pneumonia.  I definitely am feeling better, and for that I am super thankful.  There were 4 or 5 days there where I wanted to curl up in a ball and not get up.

In honor of my leaving the hospital, I wore a NEW shirt.  New clothes are not a common experience for a PCV...and my new clothing items were from the good old США (USA)...which made them extra special :)   Right before Valentine's Day, I received a great package in the mail from one of my sweet youth family's in Oklahoma.  Normally, I would post this as a "way-back-Wednesday" post (with old pictures that is), but since I have tomorrow's way-back-Wednesday post almost ready, I decided to go ahead and post this today.

In my American box-o-goodies, was not one, but TWO t-shirts :)  

from the Passion conference (post about Passion here)--thanks Tino :)

an Oklahoma t-shirt from a new boutique in Norman (called Stash, look at the cute bag on the left...)

and because no care package is complete without a box of yellow goodness :)

Thank you, thank you Louy fam :)  and Tino too!  The Louy's are one of the sweetest and funniest family's I know.  And their last name is great because they can make lOUy specialized shirts.  Get it? 

David, Sarah, Lydia, Missy

I met Sarah when she was a tiny little middle schooler on the Boulder mission trip in 2008 and got to hang out with her at church on a regular basis.  I can't believe that she will be a SENIOR next year... :) And just because I love going through old pics... 

Sarah and Lydia--Boulder, Colorado 2008

Rylie, Sarah, Angie, Lydia--Boulder, Colorado 2008

Sarah and Lydia--before I left for the PC

So, thank you Louy fam and Tino for my lovely shirts.  I wore the Oklahoma shirt today for the first time and had lots of people notice it at the PC office!  And, everyone should be extra ready for a doozy of a post tomorrow.  Fair warning :)

Surprise package!

After work yesterday, I went by the post office with hopes of finding something waiting for me.  What I found was a surprise package from my parents that included some Valentine's Day goodies for my kiddos!!!  

My kids will sport some Snoopy and friends Valentine's Day cards...

And because no Valentine's Day celebration is complete without these guys: conversation hearts

There were a few other treats in my package...including some pretzel M&Ms (which may or may not already be gone...).  AND, some unprepared popcorn!!  I'm excited to try making it on my stove :)

Thank you Mom and Pops for the lovely surprise!  I was hoping that my kids might get some American treats for V-day!  Happy Thursday!

-25C

It's cold.  No ifs, ands, or buts about it.  This is the coldest weather I believe I've ever been exposed to.  People in Ukraine ask me what the weather is like in Alabama and Oklahoma.  "Not like this..." is all I can answer.  I'm a misfit because I'm not wearing a wolf (true story), mink, squirrel (also true story), or fox fur coat.    BUT, I can thankfully say that I am dutifully prepared now as of February 1st, 2012.  

Why, today, you ask?  Because of my most recent care package (still Christmas and birthday package...only 6-7 weeks late) that arrived today.  Behold, the Snuggie. 

It's not just a Snuggie.  It's an OU Snuggie.  

The fur hat also completed the look (relax, it's not real, PETA).

A lot of my PCV friends have Snuggies that have been sent to them in care packages.  I think friends and family send them thinking it's a funny joke, but in all actuality, it is the warmest thing I'm wearing at the moment.  I am now part of the CK (only a select few will understand that acronym) club of proud PCV Snuggie owners.   Thanks Mom and Pops :) 

It is so cold in Ukraine that schools basically throughout the country are closed until Monday.  The schools do not have the money to pay for the heat and it's too cold for the kids to work in a classroom.  I had one kid come to English club today.  There are lots of sad stories and articles online about this cold spell that is wreaking havoc all over Eastern Europe.  Say a little prayer for the people (and animals!) that are left outside in this weather.  It is truly miserable.  Read about it here.  I wanted to go to my favorite grocery store (a marshrutka ride away) but could not stand outside waiting for the bus.  I haven't seen any dogs the past few days...hope they're huddling together somewhere :(

In other news, my fridge (on the balcony) is completely frozen.  Good thing there wasn't any American food of high importance in there (like Velveeta!).  

Today's words of the day:

норка-mink

лиса-fox

You can probably guess why... :)

Goodnight Ukraine.  See you in the morning when it's going to feel like a balmy -30C (-22F).  Yep.

Better late than never :)

I am home safe and sound after a long hiatus of marshrutka rides, metro rides, bus rides, long and incredibly cold walks in the snow/ice, a visit to my wonderful host family, and most importantly, Russian language refresher!  I arrived home last night and made myself my first bowl of easy mac :)

 

It was phenomenal (thanks Hayley and 'rents!).  It tasted just like home.  

I went to work today and got our summer plans started for numerous summer camps and Europe trips and English clubs. However, today, the subject of the post is on a small victory I obtained:

I finally have a new PO box lock!!!!!!!!!!!!

It has only taken a month for them to find and install a new lock.  The good news?  The key works and I didn't have to pay for it! The bad news?  They only gave me one copy.  I'll be going to get a copy made very soon :)

Waiting for me in my PO box was a package slip (for a package from my bro and sis-in-law!), a letter from my Pops (complete with Zits cartoons and a $5 bill that I plan on showing students tomorrow), and a large squishy envelope from an address I didn't know.  I would normally not be able to contain myself from ripping into all of the packages, but since I had two other things to open, I managed to save my brother and sis' Christmas/birthday package to be opened on a skype date late tonight or tomorrow.

Upon getting home with my loot, I remembered that sweet Lyndsay had told me to be on the lookout for something in the mail.  The mail is still WAY backed up over here and I wondered how long it would take for it to get here.  This is Miss Lyndsay Jain, who in my phone is also known as Tarzan from a summer camp we did together in Toronto :)  Get it?  "Me Tarzan, you Jane."    

 Lynds and I on Senior Recognition Sunday (2010)

Also taking part in the package sending was Lyndsay's sweet boyfriend Matt Schlegel (or Schlegel as I have always called him!).  I have known Schlegel for a long, long time...like maybe since 2005?  I was trying to think back and remember the first time we met and I honestly couldn't remember.  Pretty sure the first trip we traveled on together was Choir Tour 2006 to Washington D.C.

3-d movie...Matt's in the blue striped shirt.

Ever since that trip, I have been all over the United States and Mexico and Canada with him...and Lyndsay accompanied us on a lot of those trips the past few years!

"The date train's a comin', the date train's a comin'..."--Juners 2008

caught in a bit of downpour in Glacier National Park (in Canada!)

at the double Quincieniera in Mexico (with Chris!)

surprise going away party, when I was about to leave for Ukraine...

Anywho, you see how much these two mean to me.  I could continue on, but let's just say that they are two of the sweetest and most genuine people I know.  They both have a love for life that is simply contagious and makes you always want to look on the positive side of things.  So, as I opened up my package, this is what I found...

I instantly recognized their own separate handwritings and was so excited to read their sweet HANDWRITTEN notes inside :)  And boy do they know me well...pics from home and Reese's Pieces?  

Inside the large red envelope (which was the last thing I opened) was one of the sweetest surprises ever:   

a Christmas card signed from a lot of my kiddos and friends at church :)

it made me laugh out loud and smile from ear-to-ear as I read each and every note on it.

Thank you LJ and Schlegel for going to all of the trouble of getting everyone to sign it.  And thank you to everyone who signed the card!  It absolutely made my day!  And let's just say that the Reese's were an added bonus :)

Happy Sunday :)

Let's see where to start this post.  I think I'll post a video from YouTube that a fellow PCVer posted on facebook.  I was dying laughing because so many of the things are true...people in America may not find it as funny as fellow PCVs, but let's just say that it is unbelievably accurate.

"So You Want to Join Peace Corps?"

Some of my fave lines from it:

"You will struggle to understand the children...and they will stare at you." (yep.)

"You will be sick most of the time from eating the local foods." (unfortunately true)

"You will sleep late and read novels that never interested you before to pass the hours." (hmmm...)

"Some days, you will not leave your home because you want to avoid your neighbors."  (I love my neighbors.  But, some days I simply do not leave.  Period.)


"You will leave your site as often as you can." (guilty)

"You will leave and go straight to the nearest air-conditioned fast food restaurant.  You will find your ex-pat friends there, also escaping the heat." (spot-on accurate)

"I will write letters in long-hand to my friends and family and wait patiently for the mail to arrive on horseback to my village." (I WILL write letters in long-hand and DO write letters in long-hand.  However, they are not delivered by a horse.  Ukraine is a little bit more developed than that...)

"You will bring your laptop and your 4G iphone..." (umm, yes.)

I'm still cracking up over a lot of those lines.  Moving on...



The big news today came at the gym:  I ran TWO miles without stopping.  I've never done that.  Ever.  Yesterday, I told myself I was going to try to work up to running for 20 minutes without stopping.  I've been doing 12-13 minutes max.  I think I ran for 16 minutes yesterday...and my goal was 20 today.  However, I switched things up a bit.  I ate breakfast this morning, let it settle for a good while, and then walked to the gym (20-25 minute walk).  Then, I ran.  And today, I was able to run for 26 minutes...a little over 2 miles (something like 3.5 km).  I normally don't eat breakfast before I go work out because I get sick.  Since today was Sunday and I had more freedom of when I went to work out, I was able to wait an hour or two.  Totally made a difference I think.  So, my question for all of the runners out there...how do you eat before you run?  I typically eat a banana and yogurt for breakfast.  Please help!

I felt like a million dollars finishing a two-mile run.  The girl next to me was running for most of that time to...and she didn't sweat one drop.  I, on the other hand, was so red-faced and sweaty you'd have thought I just ran a marathon.  I don't understand...it's like Ukrainian women don't have sweat glands or something...

The last news today was from a wonderful Skype session :)

front row: Meg, Maddie, Nathan, Schlouy, Liz, Rachel, Nathan

back row: Kira, Naomi, Alex, Isaac, Abe

Those are some of my kiddos at the bell retreat at Quartz Mountain.  Mad props to Rachel for taking her laptop and scheduling a time where we could Skype :)  Thank you thank you!

Much love,
Lyd

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, part 2!

After my unsuccessful day of shopping for a new PO box lock yesterday, I found myself finishing work and feeling brave enough to go deal with the post office lady on my own.  My counterpart was busy, and this weekend has yet another Ukrainian holiday (this time, Old New Year)...which means that the post office would be closed at some point over the weekend. 

I walked into the post office...practicing vocab in my head.  The same lady from all of the previous times saw me, barely acknowledged that I was standing a foot in front of her, so I did what any other American would do: I waited to be acknowledged.  I never know if they are working or on a break...and most Ukrainians would go up to the window and ask that.  And I guess I could, but I wasn't feeling that brave.  After a minute, I finally said, "Excuse me..." and got her attention.  

The look on her face was pretty priceless:  Oh good, it's that girl again.  

I quickly explained that I had been to the bazaar and looked at all of the shops for a new lock.  None of them have any.  Do you know anywhere else that I can look?  She informed me that the manager would be in tomorrow and that if I was available, I should come see what he can do for me then.  Victory!  After thanking her profusely, I timidly asked her if I could see in my post office box.  I cringed...waiting to see her groan and get out of her chair.  She calmly said yes, and even remembered what number it was.  It was all pretty harmless today dealing with her...somebody up above was looking out for me :)  

And...when she opened the case for me, I did in fact have a package slip waiting in my box!!!!!!!!!

As I left the building, I walked around the corner to go to the building where I pick up packages.  Then I saw the line.  

The window that I always go to pick up packages had a little sign in it that I couldn't understand.  The girl was sitting there, and I awkwardly asked her if she was working. She said no, and to get in another line.  

"Um, ma'am, can you tell me which line I need to be in?"

She hurriedly pointed to the longest line in the room.  Of course.  So, I moved to it and started waiting.  At least 5 more people came in after I did, asked the lady the same question, and got at the end of my line.  I had to avoid eye contact this entire time because people always seem to pick me of all people to ask a question to...like I can A) understand them and B) would know where to send them.  

We wait...the man behind me coughs ALL over my back...and picks his nose.  I turned around and glared at him a few times.  I was not having luck with public places today (this morning on my marshrutka, one of the kids had a dirty diaper.  It was almost bad enough to make me get off and walk...).  I texted a few of my PCV friends.  I wait.  One person in the line gets through.  Now there are only 6 people in front of me.

And then, the lady who normally helps me with packages magically decides to start working again and calls me over.  "девушка!"--meaning "girl!"  I quickly turned around and realized she was talking to me.  I squealed with delight (to myself) as I ran over and gave her my package slip.  She quickly went to find it in the back room...and I was home free.  No more coughing man.  No more nose picking.  

The grin on my face made my cheeks hurt as I rushed home.  

The package was one from my brother and sister-in-law.  I got to skype with them while I opened it...and it was full of surprises for both of us because it was mailed just over a month ago!  It included some Christmas things that I will still use...in addition to some stellar food choices :) 

**natural Jif peanut butter (which I've never had!)

**funfetti holiday cake mix AND icing

**marshmellows for s'mores (and for Ukrainians to see what a marshmellow is...)

**candy canes (these were because Ukrainians had NO idea what a candy cane is...)

**Reese's Pieces (I couldn't resist and opened them tonight.  Whoops.)

**DESIGN MAGAZINESSSSSS :)

and perhaps my favorite thing in the package:

pop-tarts.  oh.my.gosh.

Thank you thank you Jeremy and Tina :)  perfect timing because I'm just about finished with my bag of Chex mix from mom.  I don't know how long I can save pop-tarts.  Pretty sure I've eaten those things since I was probably 10 years old?

I am trying to play catch-up on all of these random Christmas/New Years performances I went to during the month of December.  This was a practice that I went to when Maria (one of my link-cluster mates and sweet, sweet friends!) was in town.  My counterpart and I were showing her around my work...walked in the dance room...were invited to come and watch...and I luckily had my camera.  These kids were precious...maybe 9-10 years old.  Enjoy!

Today's word of the day was cough.  You can probably figure out why.

кашель--cough!

Just your normal Ukrainian adventure...

So, I lost my PO Box key.  I normally do not lose or misplace things, but everyone has a slip up.  My post office is very similar to an American one in the way the PO Boxes work I think.  Well, kind of.  There are 5 or 6 big stands of post office boxes, and each of the stands has a big door that can open up (so the staff can put our mail in our boxes).  Then, there are individual doors for each PO Box.  Hope that makes sense.

Needless to say, I didn't think it would be a giant hassle that I lost my key.  I kind of lost it over a week ago...but have been waiting on Christmas/birthday packages to arrive in the mail.  And, I knew if I told my parents that I lost the key, they would think that me not getting my packages was somehow related to the missing key.  Totally not the case.  My mom is probably laughing and rolling her eyes at this knowing that I'm right... :)

The first time I went to the post office and informed the lady I lost my key, she opened up the big door and let me see in my box.  She informed me I needed to buy a "замок"...I memorized the word and ran home to look it up.  I was guessing that she told me I needed to buy a whole new lock, but when I google translated the word, it showed up as CASTLE.  Ha.  Not exactly a lock like I was thinking...

Then I got sick and barely left the house for a week (btw, just finished my last amoxicillin dose today!  yippee!).  I think I checked my PO box twice during that time.  Each time, the same lady was working and she got madder and madder at me that I hadn't bought a new "замок" yet.  I explained to her that I don't know Russian all that well and that I would be bringing a friend with me to help translate.  Then, it was Ukrainian Christmas and the post office was closed for a few days.  

Flash forward to Tuesday of this week.  Olena and I went to the post office to see about buying this new lock.  The lady not so kindly opened the whole door for us to look at what we needed to buy, and I got to look in my box and see that I had a package note waiting for me!  Olena asked the lady where we could buy this lock.  The lady (of course) had no clue.  She said she'd try the bazaar.  

So today, after working on my PEPFAR grant some (HIV/AIDS project grant), one of my EuroTrip travel buddies Zhenya (a high school girl in K-grad) was subjected to walking around the entire central bazaar looking for this mysterious PO box lock.  An hour and a half later, we had been to SEVEN stores, and not one of them had a lock.  Whyyy!?  

This is the pesky little item that I so desperately need...why does no one carry them?!

The post office is missing out on a prime opportunity to make some extra cash here.  After having tried 7 stores, I would have paid quite a lot to buy it from the post office if they indeed sold them.  But, they don't.  I don't remember ever taking a marketing class but that's a no brainer to me.  We ran out of time (and options at that bazaar) today...so tomorrow the hunt may continue.  Olena said we will go to the post office tomorrow and tell them they're no where in town.  Can't wait to see what the lady has to say about that...lol :)  just your normal Ukrainian adventure...

This is my weekly manicure, courtesy of Lyuda :)  I bought the nail polish in Poland for around a dollar.  

note the bedazzled ring finger...quite a popular trend here.

this is the longest my nails have ever been on their own...shocking, huh?

bling.  

I'm thoroughly engrossed in The Help right now.  I don't know what page I'm on (grr...that's my one complaint about the Kindle), but I'm 70% finished.  Itching to read some more tonight...that's for sure.

This is the second night this week my dinner consisted of homemade Chex mix.  This time, I at least poured it in a bowl so I would show a little self-control.  Then I filled it up again.  The peanut butter fudge my mom made was a hit at work on Wednesday.  I guess I'll have to be nice and share some of my peanut butter and make them PB&J's one day at work.  They won't know what hit them.

My last news for the day is that I'm trying to memorize at least one or two Russian words every day.  The blog may be my accountability partner for helping me go back through and remember past words.  Today's words included:

1)  замок--which can mean castle OR lock
2)  папка--folder (learned this word when writing stuff for my grant)
3)  найти--to find (verb).  As in, "Я не нашла ключ от моя почтового ящика," or "I have not found the key to my mailbox."


 It's almost Friday :)  maybe you should go get a blinged out manicure...they're quite the rave in Ukraine.


One more thing. No, two more things. 1) It SNOWED in Oklahoma, and not here?  What the heck is that about? 2)  enjoy the sneak-peak of a video from my work party.



Kym is dancing with a ribbon.
Mary-Kathryn is the other girl.
The guy in the red apparently works at my office, although I've never seen him before.
The guy in the suit is our orchestra director.
The guy in the red and black striped shirt is a great saxophone player/teacher.
We're dancing in the cafeteria, because that's where all great Ukrainian discos are held.

There's plenty more videos to post...slowly but surely :)

Merry Christmas AND Happy Birthday! :)

Only a Peace Corps Volunteer knows the feeling of walking down the street with a package.  And today, I had not one, but TWO packages waiting for me at the post office :) You see, it's not like I can hop in my car and dig into the thing right there.  First, I have to walk to the marshrutka stop.  Then, I have to wait for the correct marshrutka number.  When it comes, I get on and wait while we slowly make our way towards my apartment.  When we finally make it there, I wait for the street light to turn red so I can cross.  I'm on the homestretch.  I walk as fast as I can, past the old men playing dominoes in my courtyard who probably wonder, "Why does the American have a big goofy grin on her face?"  When I make it to my apartment, I drop everything, kick off my shoes, and barely remember to lock the front door.  I'm about to burst as I wonder what fills the incredibly heavy packages...one from my loving parents and one from Hayley and her sweet parents, Frances and Jon.  I've been waiting a little bit over a month for these packages (and a few others too...) but the wait was totally worthwhile for what was in these goodies.  

from good ol' Altus, Oklahoma!  Courtesy of the Holman fam :)

from my parents...with my mom's Russian cursive handwriting.  That's right PCVs.  Impressive, no?  I think my Pops can write in Russian cursive too.

Oddly enough, the main thing I requested was food. And boy did both packages deliver (sorry, couldn't resist the pun)...

I must have emphasized how much I love Reese's Pieces and how they are not available here... :)  this should last me for a few months.

These will be the first Cheez-Its I've had in almost a year.  I'm going to try to save them for a rainy day...we'll see how well that goes :)  

Both packages came with a Velveeta!  I can finally make queso.  And the Holman fam was smart and stuck in one of every kind of Rotel.  So. Excited.  

The Velveeta with a post-it note (from my mom) reads, "No point in wrapping the Velveeta, you would know it for sure!"  Very true.  I might have hinted that I really wanted some of it too... :)

And the blue box.  Need I say more?

 As I opened my parents box, I wondered why in the world they packed things in tins...

Little did I know what was INSIDE the tins...homemade treats, straight from Mom's kitchen :)

That's Frost Family recipe Chex mix on the left and homemade peanut butter fudge on the right.  It's okay to be jealous.  

The Chex mix was completely filling that tin...but I kind of couldn't control myself once I started eating it.  And the PB fudge is so rich and delicious that I might just have to share a little with K-grad PCVs if they read this message.  

I could keep taking pictures of everything in the boxes, but let's just say I'm pretty blessed and spoiled.  Yeah, we'll leave it at that.

Oh! And the last goodie which I've been wanting for a LONG time!  And Hayley or her mom must have been a mind reader...

 

This mini anti-bacterial has a cover that can attach to your purse.  PERFECT for unexpected snotty nosed kids sneezing around you on the go.  

I don't know if anybody's day could top mine at this point. :)  I ran a mile this morning (first time since Dec. 27...).  I ate homemade Chex mix and peanut butter fudge for dinner.  Yeah, it's a pretty good day :)  much love to my parents and Hayley and her parents. Thank you, thank you!