These past couple weeks I have been having major Ukraine withdrawals! I think it has been a combination of a few things. I think I get bored very easily and I am addicted to new things. Since I have been back from my time in Ukraine I have not tried anything new, I moved back to California, done that, then back to Hawaii. Don't get me wrong I absolutely love California and Hawaii but...I feel as if I need something new in my life. Therefore I am missing the adventures of the unknown in Eastern Europe. About a week ago I took a week long trip back to mainland and saw some of my friends who lived in Ukraine with me, this probably added to the feelings I have been having.
So Ukraine!! Oh how I love you so much! I learned a lot, oh how I learned A LOT!!
I love my alone time very much, so some days I would wander around the city and just soak it all up. This is real, I am really living here. That was one of my favorite things to do, actually probably my favorite things to do. To play tourist and look at all the beautiful buildings!
I had never been to an opera or ballet before Ukraine. They were amazing. The Opera was in Italian (if I remember correctly) and translated into Russian. Haha I didn't speak either of those languages. Luckily it was My Fair Lady, so I knew how the story went.
Big Mama as I heard other Americans call her. Mother of the motherland. Also compared to the Ukrainian Statue of Liberty. On top of the WWII museum. Very cool to see the war from a point of view other then America. They have information cards in each room translated into a few different languages!
My host mama, Lena, my host sister, Sophia and me. First time (maybe second time?) I have ever been to the circus! It was so much fun to have a girl day with my family and see all the awesome tricks the animals could do.
UKRAINE! I have decided. By 2015 I will have plans to return for a visit!
Me, Adam and our children. These kids were amazing! They were so difficult sometimes, I did loose my patients a time or two. But they will forever have a place in my heart. I miss them like crazy. It is sad that they will forget me, I will be replaced by the next set of teachers. But I will never forget the. They would sing, dance, meditate, fight, pinch, smile, laugh, cry and hug! They were perfect!
My American family in Ukraine. I could not have asked for a better group! For the most part we all got along, probably better then any other group. We went on all our adventures together and celebrated every birthday together.
This is my girl Devin! She is amazing! I have to say I actually did not like her in the beginning. For some reason I thought our personalities did not fit and I would get frustrated and annoyed when I was around her. Once I actually sat down and talked with her, I learned that she is one of the most amazing girls I have ever met. Some of my fondest memories are sitting with Devin talking about life. She has become my favorite in the group I would have to say. I love her now with all my heart! Every month or so we have little Skype dates and it brings so much joy having her as a friend. I am so glad that we have been able to stay in contact and keep up our friendship!
The temple! This was my first Sunday in Ukraine and I remember it very well. One of the few time I went to church. The people were so sweet. I met a girl at my Metro stop, she took me to the bus stop and we traveled to the church building. I think after that I would be able to find it on my own, I did not live to far but I was always too afraid to try. After church, and pictures in front of the temple, Devin, Jon, Carly and I traveled downtown and saw Zoloti Vorota(the golden gate), the opera house, St. Sophias and Michaels and souvenir street. Then we went our separate ways home. I remember being freezing cold, my toes were hurting but I was so excited to soak up everything. I wanted to see it all! When I got to my metro stop I could not remember which way to exit out and of course I pick the one that is farthest from my apartment. I learn later that my stop has like 6 exits. I come up onto the road and I am lost. I wander down the strew, still freezing cold, I am loving the challenge of finding my way home but not today. Today has been long and cold and now it is become night. Just when I think to turn around and go back down to the metro and try again I see it. I see a building that look familiar, a building that is on the corner of my street. Haha and I am a few streets away going over a bridge. I eventually make my way to my street, climb up 6 flights of stairs, fiddle with my keys and get in the door. I had never been so happy before, but at that moment when I felt the heat rush into my body. I remember sitting at the kitchen table telling my host mom all about my day.
She told me once she loves it girls talk because she can't always think of questions to ask in English. I told her or I can do that, I have no problem talking :)
Pedestrian bridge! I zip lined across this river when summer time came. I was so much fun!
Last weekend in Ukraine. The snow is all gone and now it is summer. It actually got pretty warm that day, I got sunburned. So worth it though. I go to see all my favorite spots one more time. I cannot wait for the day I get to go back.
One day I would love to take my future husband back here, show him the streets I walked everyday, the schools I taught at. My favorite place to buy hot hot chocolate, and where I would sit on the steps at Maidan Nezalezhnosti metro station and Skype my mom.
The first apartment I have ever lived in. It was a huge adjustment, a big culture change, but I would not change any part of it!
Ukraine reunion in Utah. It was so great to see everyone again, about 5 months later. Jon still had some chocolate from Ukraine, we finished that off for him. It felt good, catching up, talking about old times and seeing how every one's lives are going. These people are amazing. I had the time of my life with them on the other side of the world.
See how great it was. Yes it was hard but so worth it! I miss that country like crazy. I need a new adventure. I need a change. I love Hawaii, and I am so blessed with my life here, but I have been feeling lately, my time here may be coming to an end. It might be time to switch things up again!!!
Remember :)
Life is good!
No comments:
Post a Comment