So, as you can see I finally have internet! Yay!!! I ended up having to buy a portable modem so I just stick that in my computer and pay by the month. Not too shabby! Now that I have internet access, you can all skype me or chat with me on aim/gchat. Just post if you want my info!
So we have been continuing with our Ukrainian lessons and they have been very intense. Our teacher and mentor Ira is very nice and a great teacher. It's just so exhausting to have so much information pounded into your brain for 4 hours at a time everyday and then to have to go home and do more homework! I'm even making flashcards of our vocabulary as we speak. Ironically enough, Cyrillic was the thing that most people feared about Ukrainian and has actually probably been the easiest thing to learn. The hardest part for me is pronunciation and grammar. I can't roll my "r's" so that has been a problem. Also, there are just a crazy amount of consonants in Ukrainian words. For example, подороувати is podorojuvati or to travel. Also, the grammar is difficult because they have so many things you have to conjugate! You can't just conjugate verbs, you also have to have the correct pronoun and noun conjugation as well. For example, to say "I love," it's "Ya lublu," but if you want to say "I am 22," you have to say "Meni 22 roki." So much to learn in just three months! I really like learning languages so hopefully I'll have everything down by then.
Here's a breakdown of the typical day for me if you're interested:
7am: wake up and run to the outhouse
8am: breakfast/walk to Iras
8:30-10:30 : Ukrainian lessons with Ira
10:30-11:00: Tea time! Ukrainians are very big on tea and it is customary to bring cookies or biscuits for tea if you are going to somebody's house, even if you don't want to have tea!
11:00-1:00pm- More Ukrainian
1:00pm: Lunch!
Sometimes we'll also have technical sessions for a couple hours or we'll go to the school for class observations or one day we went to the bazaar to buy food, so there is always something going on.
Not only are we learning more Ukrainian everyday, we are finally starting to really get into our teaching training. We observed two English lessons today and on Monday we are already going to be teaching an English class! James, another PCT(Trainee) in our cluster will be teaching with me on Monday. We'll be teaching the 8th graders about books. Wish me luck!
So besides studying and more studying, I've been hanging out with my host family and cluster. We have made friends with the dog at Ira's house and he has subsequently been named "George Jefferies" by Paul.
My host family has also introduced me to Ukrainian vodka and moonshine. Who would have thought that I would leave Georgia to try moonshine in Ukraine??? Ukrainians are very fond of their vodka and it is appropriate to do multiple shots of vodka as long as you are eating after each one.
I'm not sure what to write about besides that and the fact that some angry geese chased me home today. Such is life in Ukraine!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
First week in Ukraine!
Wow is pretty much all I can say. Everything is so crazy right now. Right now I'm in a internet cafe in the closest town to our village, Obuhiv, and I'm surrounded by teenagers playing World of Warcraft and screaming at each other in Ukrainian/Russian. Some things aren't so different from America!
I've finally settled into my house in Hermanivka and gotten into a routine. I live on the outskirts of a village on a small farm in a small house with a small family. The family has a grandmother, a mother and father, and a 6 year old son. I have no running water or internet. At first I wasn't sure if I could deal with having an outhouse and a bucket to shower with, but I've gotten used to it. The family is so nice and welcoming that it makes up for the lack of amenitites. The grandmother cooks my meals and I have quickly learned the word for "EAT!" as I hear it fairly often. I have also learned to only eat when my babusya (grandmother) is in the room as otherwise she will insist that I eat more of it and I can't speak enough Ukrainian to tell her that I've already had some. The family speaks no English and I speak barely any Ukrainian. Things have been challenging, but not too difficult. I made friends with the 6 year old, Sasha, by letting him play Angry Birds on my Ipad. He is now obsessed with the game! He is much like any typical American boy who loves video games and Spongebob. The mother and father work alot, but have been very friendly to me when they have been around. The babusya even taught me to milk the cow!! Not something I saw myself doing a year or even a week ago! On the farm, there is a cow, chickens, pigs, dogs, and cats.
Everyday, I'll get up around 7am and have breakfast with my babusya. After that, I'll head over to our Ukrainian language teacher's house, Ira (short for Irina. So many Irina's here!). We'll have about 4 hours/day of Ukrainian lessons Monday-Friday. We also have a technical teacher who is in charge of teaching us about teaching English effectively in Ukraine. We'll do classroom visits to observe other teachers as well as make lesson plans and teach ourselves. They keep us really busy! On Saturdays, we meet up with another group (our "link" group) and we have a technical class. The other group is in Obuhiv and they all live near the internet cafe and have running water and are able to go places at night. In our village, there is nowhere to go at night and the only bar is not a safe place to be. There are ups and downs to living in a city/town v. a village. Everybody already knows us in our village!
While a few of us live on farms, one of us actually has his own house. His family set him up in their two story guest house complete with a sauna. He has a sauna and I have an outhouse. Typical. At least I'll have an authentic experience!
We do have free time at night and as there are no street lights in our village or anywhere we can go, most of us have been staying at home with our families as well as watching movies and reading. I've already read about 3 books since coming to the village. I'm going to run out soon! Hopefully I'll be able to get some more if the internet will work in my village. So apparently the school in our village has internet and we are allowed to use it, but as we aren't going to the school often, I don't know exactly when I'll be able to update next. We are going to see if the internet modem you can buy will work in our village and if it does, I will get one. I really hope it does because I don't like not being able to keep in touch with you guys and from whats going on the in the world.
There is mostly schools and government buildings in my town (a hospital, admin building, museum, schools) as well as two cafes, only one of which we were advised to go to and only during the day. For the most part, our host families provide food for us. All I can say is that I've never eaten this many potatoes in my life! One day I had leftover mashed potatoes for breakfast, mashed potatoes for lunch, and then potatoes in my borscht for dinner. Almost everything that I have eaten has been really good though. I did try some Ukrainian salo (pig fat), which is an experience. I actually liked it! It was my host sister's birthday and her husband pulled the salo out as well as a bottle of vodka. A very cultural experience! The people are very big into canning food. I've had lots of called tomatoes and pickles already. Ira is going to teach us how to can food and I'm really excited to start making my own pickles and whatnot so I can have them during the winter!
Ok, well I'm gonna go before I run out of time at the internet cafe. I'll try to update when I can! I'll try to get postcards out when I can, but I'm not sure when. Miss you all!!
I've finally settled into my house in Hermanivka and gotten into a routine. I live on the outskirts of a village on a small farm in a small house with a small family. The family has a grandmother, a mother and father, and a 6 year old son. I have no running water or internet. At first I wasn't sure if I could deal with having an outhouse and a bucket to shower with, but I've gotten used to it. The family is so nice and welcoming that it makes up for the lack of amenitites. The grandmother cooks my meals and I have quickly learned the word for "EAT!" as I hear it fairly often. I have also learned to only eat when my babusya (grandmother) is in the room as otherwise she will insist that I eat more of it and I can't speak enough Ukrainian to tell her that I've already had some. The family speaks no English and I speak barely any Ukrainian. Things have been challenging, but not too difficult. I made friends with the 6 year old, Sasha, by letting him play Angry Birds on my Ipad. He is now obsessed with the game! He is much like any typical American boy who loves video games and Spongebob. The mother and father work alot, but have been very friendly to me when they have been around. The babusya even taught me to milk the cow!! Not something I saw myself doing a year or even a week ago! On the farm, there is a cow, chickens, pigs, dogs, and cats.
Everyday, I'll get up around 7am and have breakfast with my babusya. After that, I'll head over to our Ukrainian language teacher's house, Ira (short for Irina. So many Irina's here!). We'll have about 4 hours/day of Ukrainian lessons Monday-Friday. We also have a technical teacher who is in charge of teaching us about teaching English effectively in Ukraine. We'll do classroom visits to observe other teachers as well as make lesson plans and teach ourselves. They keep us really busy! On Saturdays, we meet up with another group (our "link" group) and we have a technical class. The other group is in Obuhiv and they all live near the internet cafe and have running water and are able to go places at night. In our village, there is nowhere to go at night and the only bar is not a safe place to be. There are ups and downs to living in a city/town v. a village. Everybody already knows us in our village!
While a few of us live on farms, one of us actually has his own house. His family set him up in their two story guest house complete with a sauna. He has a sauna and I have an outhouse. Typical. At least I'll have an authentic experience!
We do have free time at night and as there are no street lights in our village or anywhere we can go, most of us have been staying at home with our families as well as watching movies and reading. I've already read about 3 books since coming to the village. I'm going to run out soon! Hopefully I'll be able to get some more if the internet will work in my village. So apparently the school in our village has internet and we are allowed to use it, but as we aren't going to the school often, I don't know exactly when I'll be able to update next. We are going to see if the internet modem you can buy will work in our village and if it does, I will get one. I really hope it does because I don't like not being able to keep in touch with you guys and from whats going on the in the world.
There is mostly schools and government buildings in my town (a hospital, admin building, museum, schools) as well as two cafes, only one of which we were advised to go to and only during the day. For the most part, our host families provide food for us. All I can say is that I've never eaten this many potatoes in my life! One day I had leftover mashed potatoes for breakfast, mashed potatoes for lunch, and then potatoes in my borscht for dinner. Almost everything that I have eaten has been really good though. I did try some Ukrainian salo (pig fat), which is an experience. I actually liked it! It was my host sister's birthday and her husband pulled the salo out as well as a bottle of vodka. A very cultural experience! The people are very big into canning food. I've had lots of called tomatoes and pickles already. Ira is going to teach us how to can food and I'm really excited to start making my own pickles and whatnot so I can have them during the winter!
Ok, well I'm gonna go before I run out of time at the internet cafe. I'll try to update when I can! I'll try to get postcards out when I can, but I'm not sure when. Miss you all!!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Hermanivka, Ukraine!
So, I just found out that I'll be spending my next three months in the small village of Hermanivka, Ukraine! It's located in the Kiev Oblast about 55km from Kiev. I can't believe I'll be in such a small town!
During our training, we'll be learning lots of Ukrainian as well as doing teaching training. It's all very exciting. I can't wait to meet my host family!!
I won't have steady access to internet as the only internet available is at a local school. Luckily, the principal has agreed to let us use it when we need to. I'll try to update when I can!
During our training, we'll be learning lots of Ukrainian as well as doing teaching training. It's all very exciting. I can't wait to meet my host family!!
I won't have steady access to internet as the only internet available is at a local school. Luckily, the principal has agreed to let us use it when we need to. I'll try to update when I can!
Finally in Ukraine!!
We are finally in Ukraine! We got in yesterday at about 1pm Ukrainian time and we were all so tired. I tried to stay awake to see the countryside, but it was all but impossible. We got into our room at our hotel, which is pretty nice and then we had a welcoming ceremony with bread and salt. After that, we had our first meal in Ukraine. Chicken and rice!! Some of us had to get some vaccinations. I had four shots. FOUR. My arms are still sore, but better safe than sorry! They also gave us a medical kit to take with us.
After dinner, I went to sleep at about 8pm and woke up about 7am today. We had some more sessions on what to expect, what we will be doing as teachers, and did some other bureaucratic things. After lunch we will have our first Ukrainian session! I'm very excited. It seems that more people are learning Russian than Ukrainian, which is surprising. I'm excited to learn Ukrainian as I feel it's a language that most people don't have the opportunity to learn.
Tomorrow, we will meet our host families and go off to live with them! We will be in a "cluster" with 4 other volunteers who will live in the same village. We will also have another cluster that will be our "link" and we'll be able to visit them and hang out. I can't wait to meet my host family. Will they have kids? heat? toilet? I guess I'll find out tomorrow! Everything is moving very fast, but very efficiently. Ok, well I'm off to my first Ukrainian lesson. I'll try to update after if I can.
After dinner, I went to sleep at about 8pm and woke up about 7am today. We had some more sessions on what to expect, what we will be doing as teachers, and did some other bureaucratic things. After lunch we will have our first Ukrainian session! I'm very excited. It seems that more people are learning Russian than Ukrainian, which is surprising. I'm excited to learn Ukrainian as I feel it's a language that most people don't have the opportunity to learn.
Tomorrow, we will meet our host families and go off to live with them! We will be in a "cluster" with 4 other volunteers who will live in the same village. We will also have another cluster that will be our "link" and we'll be able to visit them and hang out. I can't wait to meet my host family. Will they have kids? heat? toilet? I guess I'll find out tomorrow! Everything is moving very fast, but very efficiently. Ok, well I'm off to my first Ukrainian lesson. I'll try to update after if I can.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Leaving tomorrow!!
Just got back from a cruise to the Bahamas with the fam! It was really nice and relaxing. I'm glad we got to have some family time before I left for Ukraine. I'm nice and sunburnt now :)
In four hours I leave Atlanta for DC for Staging! I'm super excited and nervous. I hope my bags will be fine and I haven't forgotten anything. Hopefully I won't fall asleep during the sessions. Tomorrow is when it gets real. Luckily, I'm going to have dinner with some of my best buddies in DC, so that will be a nice farewell. I'm going to miss my friends and family so much.
Leave me your address if you would like a postcard! I'll try to update again tomorrow or when I have internet access in Ukraine. Oh, also, I'll have my cell phone with me in Ukraine (just got my brother's old international blackberry woooo) so you can contact me if you really need to.
<3
Erin
In four hours I leave Atlanta for DC for Staging! I'm super excited and nervous. I hope my bags will be fine and I haven't forgotten anything. Hopefully I won't fall asleep during the sessions. Tomorrow is when it gets real. Luckily, I'm going to have dinner with some of my best buddies in DC, so that will be a nice farewell. I'm going to miss my friends and family so much.
Leave me your address if you would like a postcard! I'll try to update again tomorrow or when I have internet access in Ukraine. Oh, also, I'll have my cell phone with me in Ukraine (just got my brother's old international blackberry woooo) so you can contact me if you really need to.
<3
Erin
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Leaving March 21st, I hope?
Nothing like a reminder that you work for the government....
Dear Group 41,
A few of you have contacted me recently with questions regarding the effect a government shutdown could have on your departure for Ukraine. Today, Congress agreed in principle to pass a Continuing Resolution that will fund the government through March 18th. While the extension is welcome, I know that it would be poor timing for all of us if the government were to then shut down just prior to your departure on March 21st.
Rest assured, a government shutdown would only delay the departure of your class until the budget is resolved. The Peace Corps would plan to send your group of volunteers to Ukraine as soon as possible. The new date of departure would be contingent on: 1) when the new budget is passed and 2) when we are able to book new hotel rooms for Staging and arrange new flights to Ukraine for your group. In the event of a shutdown, I anticipate being deemed “essential personnel”, so I will send you updated information as I receive it.
At this point, the decision ultimately lies with Congress and we will base our plans on the timing of the budget they pass. As always, our priority is getting volunteers into the field and we will be aiming to do that as soon as possible.
Regards,
Lenny
Lenny
Monday, February 28, 2011
Timeline Fail and Everything is Finally Real
Ok, so I basically failed on the timeline. Sorry guys!
Basically, I totally forgot about my blog for awhile. I'll try to sum up my timeline since my medical process. Note that my medical clearance was expedited because there was a trial program in DC where the PC provided a doctor that would take care of all of the tests (not dental or blood) at once. Basically, I was medically cleared in October and officially invited at the very end of October. I sent in my acceptance on November 1, 2010. You will be an application update which will say that you have been accepted, but of course doesn't tell you to where so if you have to work two jobs like me, you have to wait until late at night to find out where you are going! The packet is full of information and forms to fill out and send back in. Basically, once you fill everything out and send it back, you go into radio silence from the PC. Its a bit nerve racking not hearing anything for months!
I finally got an email on January 7th, 2011 clarifying that our group, TEFL, would be combined with Community Development and Youth Development for Orientation/Staging to make one of the biggest groups in PC history! That's pretty cool. We got the official email with all of our Staging info, plane ticket info, ect on February 18th, 2011. It is such a relief to know that I have a ticket and I'm really going. I've joined a Peace Corps Group 41 on Facebook and it's really cool to talk with people I'll be with in Ukraine in under a month.
Staging/Orientation will be in Washington, DC on March 21st. We'll do orientation stuff all day, spend the night, and then more orientation on Saturday and then we are off to the airport! We go through Frankfurt, Germany and then will end up in Kyev, Ukraine.
I just moved back to my parents house in Atlanta and it just made everything so real. I have three weeks to buy everything I'll need for Ukraine and get all of my affairs in order. I really can't believe that I'm going to be living in another country in just a few weeks.
I'll try to post regularly with photos and everything so you can all stay in touch and updated on what I'm doing!
PLEASE leave me posts and let me know that you're reading! If you want a post card, post or email me your address! I can't receive any packages in the mail until I move to my site (June 16, 2011) so I'll post more about sending me stuff (which you totally should do :) later. That's all for now!
<3
Erin
Basically, I totally forgot about my blog for awhile. I'll try to sum up my timeline since my medical process. Note that my medical clearance was expedited because there was a trial program in DC where the PC provided a doctor that would take care of all of the tests (not dental or blood) at once. Basically, I was medically cleared in October and officially invited at the very end of October. I sent in my acceptance on November 1, 2010. You will be an application update which will say that you have been accepted, but of course doesn't tell you to where so if you have to work two jobs like me, you have to wait until late at night to find out where you are going! The packet is full of information and forms to fill out and send back in. Basically, once you fill everything out and send it back, you go into radio silence from the PC. Its a bit nerve racking not hearing anything for months!
I finally got an email on January 7th, 2011 clarifying that our group, TEFL, would be combined with Community Development and Youth Development for Orientation/Staging to make one of the biggest groups in PC history! That's pretty cool. We got the official email with all of our Staging info, plane ticket info, ect on February 18th, 2011. It is such a relief to know that I have a ticket and I'm really going. I've joined a Peace Corps Group 41 on Facebook and it's really cool to talk with people I'll be with in Ukraine in under a month.
Staging/Orientation will be in Washington, DC on March 21st. We'll do orientation stuff all day, spend the night, and then more orientation on Saturday and then we are off to the airport! We go through Frankfurt, Germany and then will end up in Kyev, Ukraine.
I just moved back to my parents house in Atlanta and it just made everything so real. I have three weeks to buy everything I'll need for Ukraine and get all of my affairs in order. I really can't believe that I'm going to be living in another country in just a few weeks.
I'll try to post regularly with photos and everything so you can all stay in touch and updated on what I'm doing!
PLEASE leave me posts and let me know that you're reading! If you want a post card, post or email me your address! I can't receive any packages in the mail until I move to my site (June 16, 2011) so I'll post more about sending me stuff (which you totally should do :) later. That's all for now!
<3
Erin
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