last post

Everything in Ukraine was so much different from what I was used to in Western Europe, different buildings, different language, and a really different culture. It took me some time to get use to all of it but once I did I really learned a lot. After a while I even started to call this place my home.  This place has stolen my heart and it's hard to leave.

Even though this was not my first choice as in internship I can say that I never thought I would learn so much and enjoy my time here so much as well! The main goal I had when I got here was to learn some Russian. however I never thought I would learn so much more. I learned how to become a better teacher, not only in English but in other subjects as well, also a better listener, and a better friend.  I have learned how to read maps better and how to be more aware of my surroundings so I don’t get lost and also to avoid bad situations when I see them.

There is loads of things that I have done here but that never feels like enough. I've partied at clubs with friends, gone to countless restaurants for dinners and lunches, seen boat loads of sights in Kiev, gone outside of the town on weekend adventures, and I have even danced with old people in metro stations. I know parts of this town like the back of my hand, able to navigate where I needed to get to without getting lost. I know some parts of this town better then my own town, Pataskala and I am completely ok with that. I feel like this is home for me and I love it.
 

My name is Darla Holland. I am 20 years old and live in Kiev Ukraine. I have been through teaching crazy little Ukrainian kids, standing awkwardly as people talk to me in Russian, a revolution, brink of war and this is my last post as in American in Kiev. tomorrow I will make my long way back home to Ohio. I will miss everything here terribly. I just wish I can put down on paper everything I learned here from this experience but then I would be writing a novel. 

I am going to miss everything here in Kiev Ukraine so much. I cannot put in words how much I will miss the things here. I have grown from this, all of it, I am a better person because of it. I am going to miss the friends I have made, the family that I call mine, the old communist buildings that I think are now beautiful, the Roshen Chocolate, and my kids that I have taught for the past 4 months. I'll miss Toma and his Pirate ships , Misha and his toothless smile and his enthusiasm for life and Spiderman, and Masha and how she tried so hard to do everything right. These kids stole my heart.

 I am frustrated at myself for going home. I should have tried harder to stay. I don't want to leave. this is not bitter sweet to me, just bitter. however I feel blessed that I have had the opportunity to be here in this time.

I have one tip for anyone who is reading this. do something unpredictable or completely different because life is too short to live in the same little town and do the same little job. learn a new language, a new skill. just go on an adventure.

it's been a blast

Darla

 

Birtdays, friends, and family.

This is a really short post about the friends I have made here and my birthday. everyone that is working for ILP with me is absolutely amazing! they all have their differences but I need every single one of them in my life. this trip has been life changing, it really has.

ok for my birthday, this has to be one of the best birthday weeks in a long time! I don't remember when I had such a great birthday as the one I had this year.  it just doesn't seem to end! The activities that I have done with friends this past week has been so fantastic, I just can't explain how much I have enjoyed spending time with them.

Starting off my birthday week was Saturday. First Saturdays party was filled with dancing in metros and the London Pub Bus and also the park. The day started off with the park. I ran around with friends through open fields, danced on a hill like no one was watching, and took loads of photos. 
at first I just was planning on going to the park and going home afterwards. I didn't know that we were going to the London Pub Bus, in fact everyone left the park early, leaving me and Camden alone.

I was bummed out at first when everyone left because I wanted to spend time with everyone but Camden and I had loads of fun walking around the town. He just makes me smile, that kid is so funny. I am happy that he decided to come with me to Ukraine and try something new. But eventually we made our way to the London Pub Bus. The hot chocolate is just the best hot chocolate ever. it's cheep and rich, what more do you want. but it's on a bus! I love it. one of the reasons I like it so much is because it's called London Pub I do not feel guilty for using English and that is the only restaurant that I will speak English in.

Camden wanted to get hot chocolate so we walked in to find every one of my friends there waiting for me!  Marilee planed the whole thing for me. I am just grateful that I have such a great person in my life. she is amazing. then she took me to the metro but didn't tell me where we were going. we got off the red line and made it to a metro stop close to the town center. as we got off music filled the metro and it only got loader as we made our way out. it was Metro dancing!  The dancing has to be by far my favorite that night that we did. Old men kept on asking me to dance like I was the only girl there. They would also show me new dances and how to do them, even though I do not speak Russian that well (hardly at all) I understood what they were telling me to do. The music that the live band was paying was up beat and fun. it was just really fun all together!

on Sunday I got to go out with my host family. we got to go to St. Sophia's church. it's one of the oldest churches in Europe, dating back to the 11th century. Sadly I didn't get any photos of inside the church because it wasn't allowed (fearing that the flash would damage some of the tiles) but it was breath taking because of the oldness of it. They decided not to refurbish it so the church was covered in old fading paintings on the wall as well as mosaic's and graffiti that dated back 1500's. In a way I kind of liked not taking photos because I tired to imagine a time where this church was in it's prime, when people worshiped often and feared God with all their might. it was magical. Because they didn't refurbish it, it almost like you where seeing it for the first time before anyone else.

My Birthday was on Monday and that was great as well! Marilee planed another great adventure for me. we went to a huge mall across town off the blue line. this mall has everything, including a water park. but we got to go ice skating! I used rentals but even with rentals I was able to do some tricks like Mohawks. it made me miss my skates back home for sure. We also got fish messages and ice cream! The fish message was amazing. I couldn't stop giggling for the first couple minutes because it tickled and felt funny!

After teaching my host family made me Pizza (yulya makes the best pizza ever. it is by far the best thing she makes. she won't tell me how she makes it either! :( ) and we had soda. they even got sprite for me! They know I don't like any other soda then that and they picked it out for me! they got me flowers and earrings that are so beautiful! my host mom even said she loved me! I got a little chocked up, really. I never thought I would care for them as much as I do. I love them so much! they are great people! we also had cake, witch I cut myself (I am not good at cutting cake but they wanted me to cut it). and to finish up an amazing day I helped Maxim (my host brother) with a piñata he had to make for school. needless to say, one of the best birthdays I have had in a while.

weeks update

as my time in Kiev winds down it's hard to believe I only have two weeks left in this town. I have fallen in love with my family, the kids I teach, the culture, and the Russian language. I have gained a love for different languages and want to keep up learning more languages and expanding on them. Because I travel so much at this time in my life the need for me to know these languages is high. my fear is that I will lose them once I don't need them. Someday I want to find a job that I can use them or keep on traveling. I have worked this hard to learn them I want to keep them and learn more. starting with French and moving back to Russian. I have gotten the Russian stare down! it only took me 4 months but I can do it, kind of. I love the culture here and how the people react to things differently. people are interesting, that's all I can say.

this week was hard getting back into teaching, well the first two days where kind of hard. after the vacation I still had the vacation mind set. it was hard to focus and start to teach again and have my mind in the lessons I was teaching. Although I am starting to get back into it. The time started to speed by again as I explored the city before school, then taught, and then went home for the night to spend time with my family. This weeks highlights include dancing withhold men in metros, buying shoes from a street vender, cooking party at Marilee's house (because her host family was out of town), and last but not least party with other Americans.

Dancing was amazing it was totally unexpected too. we were going to go out for pizza and outside of this metro on the red line there was a live band playing Ukrainian folk music and old people dancing. I watched for a little and tried to dance by myself to understand their footwork but eventually an old man came up and asked me to dance. he knew no English but yet it was still cute that he asked me to dance. he showed me dance moves and how to do the steps right. we didn't stay every long dancing though and I was a bit sad because of it. I was grateful that we did spend at least 45 minutes there because it was amazing.

At Marilee's we cooked muffins, brownies and pizza! it was great because there was a couple other people over so it was like a small party. Camden came over and so did Brendon, and Alysha. we just joked around and cooked. because we were the only people in the flat it felt like it was Marilee's place and she owned it. it felt like we really lived in Kiev and we were locals and we were here to stay. the friends didn't stay super late, till 10? I stayed though because it was just easier to spend the night at her place.

I got Toms at a street vender! I haven't used them much but they are super comfortable! I plan on using them once I get back to the states. I'm sure I'll use them around campus.

it's sad to think that I'll have to get back to boring America soon. honestly I don't want to think about that. there is a part of me that is accepting of going home but then there is a part of me that says I'll go home kicking and screaming. I want to keep on traveling the rest of my life. so I plan on doing just that.

Euro trip!

so this past week all the teachers in Kiev had a week vacation. Because of visa rules we had to leave the country for a little, it almost renews the visa in a way. so me and almost all the teachers went to 5 different countries in 7 days. yup, it was that crazy. But it was also amazing and full of great stories and laughter. However I don't think I would do something like this again. don't get me wrong, it was great fun but it was just too fast, like in Vienna I only have 6 hours in the city. it was not enough time to see what I wanted to see. but I saw A LOT. it was like a huge road trip across Europe.

We started off the trip on Saturday. Yulya ad Taras took me to the international train station were we where getting on the bus at. We left in the mid morning and drove all night until we made it past border control and ended up in Budapest Hungery at around 8 in the morning. because I was still sick no one wanted to sit by me so I got two seats to sleep on were most people had just one. during the night I had a fever and at one point I woke up to someone putting a blanket on me, I have no idea who this person was but I was grateful that they gave me it.

When we got to Hungary we had the choice to walk around the town or go to the spa. I chose to go walk around so me and a hand full of people walked around town. some of the people I was great friends with like Thomas, Camden, and Marilee, but there was another girl that tagged alone as well. we saw a lot of old building and sights in the mere 3 hours we had to ourselves. we road the metro and got breakfast from a street vender. I fell in love with this city with the warm sunny weather (a great change from cold kiev), flowers blooming in the parks, and the laugh people on the streets. it was amazing and much different from Kiev. during the time I was here I couldn't help but think about my great grandfather that I never got to meet. he was Hungarian and grew up in Budapest. I walked the streets with him in mind, wondering if he walked the same streets at one point. that night we got to go on a river cruse of the city. it was completely worth the money I paid to go.

next was Vienna. this was such a royal town and I couldn't help be feel like a princesses as I walked down the streets. there was artwork everywhere in this city, from the buildings to the art on the side of buildings, everything was so perfect here. However I didn't like it as much as I did Budapest. it could be that I didn't spend as much time here or that it was pretty cold but it didn't feel like home. it was beautiful and I would love to go there again but I don't think I would want to live there. Every building there was in this town had something on it like a face or a statue on the buildings. the town felt like a museum, my head was always up in the air, trying to soak it all in. it was really amazing.

Prague was next! this town we had 2 days in. I did a lot and saw a lot. when we first got there we had a tour of the town and then we had time to walk around ourselves. we split up into small groups and we somehow lost Camden in the mess but we found him a few hours later with some Russian tour group. when the sun started to go down most people went to go on a river cruse but I decided to stay behind and walk around. I got to ride a Segway in the town center witch was pretty awesome. I also got to live my dream of riding a bike through a big European city! three hours of going up and down hills, through small roads, and big roads. it might have been the high light of the trip for me. after that we walked around town just on our feet. we even got to see the Eiffel Tower in Prague. pretty cool! and with the sun gone and the whole city lit up from the tower it was something magical. after such a tiring day I was the leader and managed to get everyone home safe and sound! Mom would be so proud! I could never do this come only a few months ago.

next was Dresden. this town was amazing. I had never heard of this town before getting here and I was pleasantly surprised in what I found there. it was full of modern shopping malls but also old castles and other old buildings. it was the best of both worlds! and I got to do some shopping witch was awesome. I didn't get much for me but Doug wanted some European swim shorts so I got him some. they are short, like mid thigh, I know he'll love them. we also went out for lunch with a small group of friends.

last but not least was Auschwitz. this was... Depressing but I felt like it is something you need to see at least once before you die. it was terrible to see what the Jews had to go through during WW2. it was really sad and I did tear up in a couple places because of it. Because my great grandfather from Hungary was Jewish I felt like some of this history was my own. At one point on the bus Camden just wrapped his arm around me and I tear up into his shoulder. he is such a sport, putting up with me.

but over all, it was amazing! It was so much fun! I pretty much eat my way through every country we stopped in, between gelato, sausages, soups, and sandwiches I think I gained 5 pounds on this trip alone. but I don't regret any of it, I had so many good foods! at one point I was in three different countries in one day. so breakfast in Prague, lunch in Germany, and dinner in Poland. it was something else and something that I don't think I could manage again.The trip was so much fun and I was glad I got to go. I made new friendships and built on my old ones!

Just some of my photos from my eurotrip. I hope you enjoy them all :)

 

and that's it!

house arrest take two and..... action.

This weekend I was supposed to be in Lviv, sunny, warm Lviv. As you can tell I did not make it to this lovely place. On Friday morning I got an email from the head director of ILP saying that we are to remain in the city for the weekend because of the referendum. I spent $30 on the train ticket and I never got to use it and sadly, I don't get a refund. Of course I was a bit mad at this email but at least we got the chance to see Lavra on Saturday.

This church was just about 1,000 years old. It was absolutely amazing. It wasn't spectacular, like covered in gold or anything but it was just amazing because of the history of it all. We explored some caves under the church with mummified monks and the only light was from the candles we held in our hands. because it was a church one of the monks yelled at me in Russian for wearing my skating pants so lucky me, I used my scarf as a skirt. it looked like a kilt. I was probably the most fashionable person there. but he didn't just yell at me, he yelled at almost every girl that was wearing pants. the others got to use tie skirts that the church provided. We also hiked up a hill to see the view of the whole town of kiev. It was magical even though it was cold and threatening to rain soon.

Now today is Sunday and we are under house arrest, take two. at least we got to go to church in the morning. It’s been raining the whole day and windy. It’s been dismal. Me and Marilee were joking but also kind of serious saying that this was God showing his emotions towards the situation. No one knows what is going to happen tomorrow but I don't want to be under house arrest again. Been there and done that, not fun. and honestly pretty boring. I want to leave the house and walk around the town as soon as possible. I pray for peace in this country that wants it so badly. 

The government started a draft for the military here. Any able man between the ages of 18-40 will be entered into the draft to serve the country. I never thought I would see my host mom more in fear like that one day three weeks ago when there were shootings on the streets but I was wrong. she looked so worried about this, even more than three weeks ago. My host dad, he seemed cool but I could tell he is nervous about this as well because he's 38 and could be entered into the draft.

What’s scary is that I could never see my host dad in the military. He’s a chemist, he works in a lab, he’s not huge or muscular for that fact. I don't think he's even sporty. My host mom told me today that she wouldn't be surprised that ILP would get kicked out of the country soon. This was the first time she's said something about this to me. I have already made plans for if I get kicked out but I want to finish my internship.

It’s odd because my family has started to make plans for the worst, without power, without running water. This is the true meaning of food storage right here. We have been told to do this as all members of the church but they could use this now more than ever.
 

I have never looked forward to church more than I have in the past month. I find myself relying on the people there and the feelings I get while I attend. I feel safe there, comforted, calm, like everything is fine and ok. I feel really blessed that we live in a country that is stable, yes we have a cruddy president and yes we have corruption but it's not nearly as bad is it is here. I am grateful for what the Lord has given me and raised me in but I am grateful that he lead me here.
 

some of the walkways in Lavra

this had just been newly remodeled within the last 25 years or so because it was bombed heavily during world war 2

This is the older part of lavra and me looking out at it. photo creds go out to Thomas for this one. the scarf is for going into the churches.

 

 

Maidan

Two days ago we got the chance to go to Maidan with our head coordinator, Tanya. Maidan is in the center of the city where all the governmental buildings are. It’s like our Washington DC. I had already seen it on Monday with my host family (it was by accident that we ended up there and we decided to look around even though it was not allowed for me to go yet.) but I wanted the chance to see it again so I went again. Both times I went I felt completely safe even though, at one point it was a battle front. It is really surreal to be there in the center of all of it. For months we have seen it on TV, heard about it on the news, been under house arrest because of it, but we finally got the chance to see it in person. I didn't know what to expect when I went, but what I experienced was something I never thought of. 

The reason we got to see it was because even though there are still protesters there they are peaceful. The coordinator thought it was safe enough for us but also thought that it would important to see what has happened with our own eyes. As I walked the streets I expected the protesters to be holding up signs and causing a ruckus but what I saw was completely different. I saw them sitting in chairs, talk on the phone, listen to music, and talk to friends, and cooking meals by fires. Just like normal people do however they are living in tents in the city center. like a huge camp out. As I walked around this area with some of the girls I teach with I couldn’t help but notice the atmosphere is something for respect. People are still grieving for the people that lost their lives just a mere two weeks ago when things got suddenly so violent on that Tuesday night.

I was surprised that the protesters were still here. they got what they wanted or so I thought. I asked why they are still here and our coordinator replied that they are going to stay until the new president is elected. They want to make sure the government lives up to its word with all the promises that they gave to the protesters. They are also still protesting because they don’t like what the new government is doing right now. They have already made some poor decisions and they are not happy about them. So they will remain here until May (or maybe later) when the new president will come into office and put together some new change, some real change that the people want.

 Nothing is cleaned up over there. The streets are still missing loads of stones from the walk ways, the streets are covered with blacken soot from burning tires, and windows still remain shattered. It looks like a movie set. There is a huge building that is blackened from fire in the middle of the square that the president caught on fire, this still remains a reminder of what the president has done to his people. There are still barricades on the streets but they have opened up some different entrances so people can wander in. families now come with their little ones and old couples walk around to get a feeling for what had happened just a mere few weeks ago.

I think it’s truly amazing to care about something so much as to go and spend months in one spot and even risk your life for it. I have never felt like that before in my life about something. However I hope that someday I will feel so passionate about something that I might be able to change it for the better.

 

I got interviewed for a national news show because I played the piano in the background :)

anti war posters

protesters still here

Andrew's descent

On this last Saturday Camden and I went to this place called Andrews descent. It’s right off of the blue line under 215 (if anyone cares to stop by ;). It’s part of the oldest part of town as well. I didn’t know what I was excepting it to be but when I walked out of the metro stop and down the road a little we found this windy road that was made of cobble stones and old buildings lining the streets. The buildings were all so beautiful and ordinate. This was something out of a fairy tale story more than anything. I hard a heard time believing that this was in Kiev out of all places. I can easily say this is one of my favorite places in Kiev alone.

After we walked around some, hiked up stairs for views that could take your breath away, and exploring random roads, but we eventually got to the top of the hill where the church was at, Saint Andrews church (in English). This church has been at the top of this hill for over a hundred years and has faced major repairs during this time as well. It was made by an Italian artist who painted the inside of the church as well as helped design it. He only did two churches in this town and the other one I managed to see a month ago.  

When the sun started to set I decided to go home. Camden long ago left me to join his host family for dinner, but I didn't mind walking the streets alone. This past Saturday was a national holiday called women’s day. It celebrates all the women in our lives, not just moms but girls and grandmas as well. I think it’s a fantastic holiday and that the United states should do this instead of mothers day. Normally people give small gifts to women like flowers or chocolate. So because of this before I was about to go home I went to the store and picked out some flowers for my host mom. I also made her a small card to tell her thank you for all that she has done for me. It was a small act of gratitude but I think she really liked it. They also got me something, it was a fancy hair brush that I really like and works well with my hair.

I’m just really grateful that I have such great people in my life like my host family. They are truly great people and I love them.

three emails and one angry email.

Over the last three days I have gotten three emails from people that I have never met from BYU-I. They all expressed concern for me over in Kiev. One of them even was asking my boss to send me and all the other teachers home as soon as possible. When I saw that I got really frustrated. They had NO right sending that email. They are NOT my parents. They should NOT tell me what to do, especially when I don't even know them. They do NOT know the whole story in what is happening here. To let out some of my steam I wrote an angry email to one of the people. The email asked what my honest opinion of the situation here in Ukraine and I just merely responded and I quote,

"my honest opinion of the situation is to stay the heck out of my business. If you would read the news you would know that the real danger is 12 hours away by car. You should have sent this email about a week ago when people where actually dying on the street in my town by the snipers on the roofs.

have a great day :)

Darla Holland"

Of course I never sent this but it felt awfully good to get it out there. no matter who read it. But for everyone that is worried about me, I AM SAFE. I am safer then I have been in a couple weeks to tell you the truth. Things are looking up for Kiev and the country as a whole. There have been some major changes that have happened and they are looking good. Even though things are tough now I have faith that they will get better. I know they will, it just might take a little more time. 

There really isn't much news other then that. Russia looks like they are backing down, maybe? we hope. But then again it’s Russia... and I have learned they don’t do things that normal countries do. I have had the same dream for the past three nights about us getting evacuated out of the country. It’s always messy and we always take a different way of transpiration, first plane, train, the bus. We somehow end up in Poland every time. Dreams are funny that way I guess. it's probably just my over active imagination running at high speed.

hanging out with durnk men

First day of spring was yesterday! YES! The weather should start to warm up soon. Fingers crossed. To celebrate this time of year a lot of Ukrainians go to parks to eat, drink, and be merry. So we did the most logical thing, we did the same. We went to a huge outdoor museum on the out skirts of town. it was full of old buildings that they collected from around the country to put in the park. We spent most of the day walking around and enjoying everything. It was about 15 minutes outside of the city so there were no high raises, no large buildings, just fields, lots of fields. it was hard to believe that we where not even that far from the city yet it felt so much like we where in the country.

During this time of celebration Ukrainians eat a lot of what they call "pancakes" but these are not pancakes that we are used to back in the states. These are crepes that they eat with loads of different things stuffed inside them. I had a crepe with ham and mushrooms inside, which was amazing! it tasted really great, but it was also freezing outside so it warmed me up a little. I also had this mushroom soup that was great as well! With all the food I ate I only spent about $2.50. Something I love about Ukraine is that the food here is cheap. No matter where you go, it is all affordable, even if you go to a sit down restaurant for sushi it's only going to cost you $10. Yesterday was cold, really cold with the high of only about 29 F and so the hot food was great. I also was super smart and forgot gloves so I loved holding the food to try to heat my hands.

Not only did we eat great food but we also got to ride a carriage around the whole park for only a dollar for each person that rode with us. I love that some things here are so cheap, it's fantastic! It was relaxing just to sit down see what the park had to offer without walking around the whole thing by ourselves. It was really huge and I don’t think I even saw all of it.

 I guess normally the first day of spring there is still snow on the ground so it was odd that there was nothing even though it was cold. A lot of our group left at two but I and a few other people stayed until four. We decided to rough it and look around some more even though we were all freezing. When the rest of the group left we walked around a little and ended up hanging out with some slightly drunk Ukrainian men. There was a bit of a language barrier but it was really kind of fun to see how they partied and seemed to forget what was going on in their country, just for a little bit. They kept on offering us Vodka and we kept on refusing however they did give us pancakes witch was cool. They were really funny, all seemed to flirty and I don’t think I’ll forget that memory any time soon.
 

Needless to say it was great to enjoy life and good friends after being under house arrest last weekend. Because sadly I don’t know how many days I’ll have like that in this country

the men that we partied with :) pretty cute if I do say so myself.

 

carriage ride with the whole group!

 

more of us

The Russians are coming

things are changing by the minute here and it's crazy. I never thought I would be in a situation like this in my life. as most of you people would know Russia has invaded Ukraine. so fart there has not been any deaths but I really have not been following it for the past two days because I have been busy. there has been no word from the US embassy but I am worried in what will be the out come of this.

Obama gave a speech to Russia a couple nights ago warning that if they invaded Ukraine there would be consequences but so far America has done nothing about this. I knew we wouldn't do anything though. it's just the way the president is, kind of cruddy when it comes to foreign affairs. this makes me frustrated though, more then it has in the past. this already fragile country is starting to crumble under the ground it's standing on, starting with it's Hryvnia witch has already started to sink even farther down.

when I saw stuff like what is happening here or in other countries on TV back in the states I cared about it but I didn't, if you know what I mean. it's hard to explain, like it didn't really apply to me so it's not like I followed it religiously. However, now that I have been here and have lived though a lot I have a knew desire about international affairs because even though sometimes our country feels like it is the only one that matters all countries are connected and I truly believe that everyone should have a right for the pursuit of happiness.

I am hopeful, I am hopeful for Ukraine's future but on thing is for sure, it's not going to get better in a blink of an eye but if enough people care and try to make things better, it will get better.

Tchaikovsky

Lavra, add that to the now overflowing list of places we cannot see in Ukraine. One of the oldest and most historic churches in Kiev is now off limits, the reason being, it’s Russian orthodox and is unfriendly to Americans and Ukrainians a like. They support Russia and are upset that Ukraine wants to be part of the European Union. I find it sad that churches are now starting to participate in this bickering between the two sides. Churches are supposed to be helpful in times like this but yet they are picking sides. I don’t think it’s right. It’s sad really.

For the most part things are starting to turn back to normal where I am at right now. People go to work and carry about their normal life even though there is a war threating to break out in the midst of all of  this. We are able to go on adventures before classes again and enjoy being outside. However we still can’t be out at night and we can’t visit anything in the center of town (were there is protesting still happening). Sadly the center has the most history out of any of the other parts of town. I really hope to see the center soon. if not I might have to get 'lost' and go myself. I think I would be ok.  

On an adventure we took yesterday we stumbled upon a museum of the most famous composer in Ukraine’s history. The tour was free and it was in ENGLISH! It was broken English but I was just greatful they put in the time to tell us about the composer and his life. At the first floor there was information about where he grow up and his family. The second floor was his house and there were all original furniture and items that belonged to him. We were able to look as long as we liked and take at many photos as we liked. It was amazing! There also was a piano in almost every room. I got to play one in his sitting room. To fit the mood I played Yann Tiersen’s Comptine d'un autre été. After I played the song the tour guide said that this piano was played by tchaikovsky himself! Amazing! knock that off my bucket list! We also got a CD of his music for free and a post card, for free! The guides were so kind and I would easily go back and pay money to go there again. It had to be one of the best adventures so far! just think, we stumbled on this all by mistake as well. it makes me want to get out and get lost more other because you don't know what kind of amazing things you might find. 

on most nights after dinner my family likes to watch films with me. I enjoy this most of the time but sometimes I almost fall asleep during them because we put them on late sometimes. I force myself to stay up though because I don't want to seem like they bore me, I just get really tired. Most of the time they pick out the films but sometimes they ask me what I like. So last night we watched the movie the hunger games. I told my host dad about this book a couple weeks ago and said that I really liked it and the film was good as well so last night he wanted to watch the film. Not a good choice. The government is rich and powerful and makes it’s people work to the grave, the president is evil and has loads of money and it’s about the people overthrowing the government. it sounds so much like a Ukrainian's life right now. I didn't even think about it until half way through the film. 

Normally after the film we talk a little more, sometimes about the film, sometimes about other things, no matter how tired I am or they are. I could be practically falling asleep on the couch but they will still be talking to me. They are so funny.  but anyhow last night  after the film all they said was that it was good and then we all went to bed. I’ll chalk that up to being one of my opps moments. I don't think they liked the film to much.

the piano it's self was beautiful.

peace corps

Even though they are changing the government, parliament, and at some point even the president,  you would think this would solve a lot of the problems that needed to be fixed. You would be surprised to find out that even though the protesters are getting almost everything they want everything is not ok, it's still not safe here. Because of these resent changes it has put friends against friends, kin against kin, and east against west. I just got an email from the US embassy saying that all Peace Corps people have been sent out of the country. I have a gut feeling that we will be soon to leave as well. I really don't want to leave. I have made great friends and memories but if this is what I need to do I will.

Because I could go outside yesterday (freedom! YES) I went by myself to some underground markets and got some hats for a great price of only about $10. I plan on doing so more shopping soon but I'm just enjoying not being under house arrest. I plan on going out early today as well and just walking around even though the weather is kind of dismal and cold.

Being here has given a new meaning to, live life to the fullest because you don't know how long you have. I feel like this in Kiev, live, try new things, don't regret because you don't know when we'll have to go.

Next update will be soon

Darla

off house arrest!!!

After a long 5 days of house arrest I am glad to say it has been lifted and we are going to teach again today. Hopefully things will go back to normal soon but my head teacher has reason to believe we could be placed back under house arrest... that will be a day.

There were times when I thought I was going to go home. I guess that is still a possibility that we could still leave but it got to the point where I was making back up plans. I was talking to my friends in England and my friends in France also putting in job applications in Italy. If I had to leave the country I was going to try my hardest to stay in Europe for as long as possible.

On Friday the house arrest was kind of lifted. it was more like temporarily lifted. I was allowed to go with my host family to the park as long as I was back before dark. I then was able to go across town by car to another coordinators house witch we had dinner out altogether. it felt great to be out again and be with friends face to face! Sadly the house arrest was put back on when we got back to her place so me and Marilee where stuck on the other side of town with no way back for the night and another day. so needless to say we spent the whole weekend over there. It was fun but I was glad when I was able to go back to my host family. 

The president is out of office! There are photos of his house that is going around online. It just makes me sick to see all the money he stole from his people to make himself and his family rich. He had no right being president and I am happy to say that he is gone. Ukraine has the right for the pursuit of happiness and the freedom we enjoy. I hope that someday soon they will have all of this.  

Out of this whole weekend I learned patients, and how to deal with problems calmly. I also learned to rely on the Lord and understand what ever happened, it was all part of his plan and I should comply with it instead of being my stubborn self.

            Things have gotten better; however things are not completely well. There are still protests going on in the center. Not many people can say that they were in a middle of a revolution in a foreign country for their internship. This is one of a kind and I will never forget this moment in my life. It has changed my outlook on a lot of things. I have already learned so much. I would never change this experience for anything.

 Till next time,

Darla

update status

Things have not gotten any better here. At first today we were going to teach and I thought it could be improving but I was sorely mistaken as the early morning faded into mid morning. In fact they have gotten much worse then things that had happened yesterday. It has all gone south. All the teachers have been placed under “house arrest” again but this time I’ve been talking to friends and family to make time past faster. Thank goodness for Skype! but I have been in my room talking on the computer and watching shows.

Some of the things that I have heard that has happened during the day today. There was a drive by shooting that happened just 20 minutes away from where I live. Some unknown people burnt down a building where injured protesters were (a make shift hospital of sorts). Young men called Tatushiks walk around doing small crimes because the police are not doing anything. The metro is still shut down. people are under the belief that they are transporting weapons through the underground.  as if this was not enough, now they have blocked off all roads across the river and have started to shut down roads around the town as well. I am officially locked into the city. I can't leave even if I wanted to.  

My host family has been clearly upset by this whole thing as well. My host brother, Colia, the 3 year old, has been acting odd since last night, throwing tantrums and crying fits without a reason. I believe he knows what’s happening as well and shows his fear in a different way then all of us.

For weeks I have said to my friends and family, “I feel safe”. However within the past couple days I have not been able to say this with much confidence.

 It’s really sad for them because here I am a foreigner in this area and I can go home whenever I want to. My home is safe. This however is their home and the government is crumbling right under their feet.  It’s scary to see them for the first time, not know what tomorrow will look like.

One thing is for sure, there is no bright light out of this tunnel anytime soon.

house arrest

Conditions in Kiev.

The conditions in kiev have gotten worse over the past day. Now over 30 people have died and they have started to burn buildings in the center. In Lviv it is even worse. All the government over there has been dissolved and now the opposition is running the government.  On the eastern side the opposition does not have a powerful hold on the government but I believe it’s only time until it becomes as bad as it is here.

All these facts seem to be out of a movie or something that you would hear about from a faraway land. However I am in the middle of it and it is real. We have been placed in what I would like to call “house arrest” for today and I think it might last longer then just today. We are not supposed to leave our houses for anything, we can’t even go to the supermarket for food. 

then there is social unrest, it brings out the best and worst in people. The cops won't respond or help because there are bigger issues to worry about, petty criminals know this and are starting to use the chaos to their advantage.

I wanted to know what happen for it to get this bad. My host family broke it down really well and it shined some light in my eyes. I hope it does the same for you guys back in America.

It all started last year in November. Ukraine was about the sign an agreement that made them part of the European union but we all know that on the day of the signing, Ukraine backed out. Because of this back out about 100 university students went to the town center to protest and they got beaten badly for it. When that came on to the news that night the public people were angry. The next day even more people came to protest, not just university students but people of all ages. The reason for the protest, to punish the people that gave the commands to beat the kids. They wanted justice for what the government did. 

However the president didn’t listen to his people, in fact, he took a holiday to Russia for two weeks during this time. When he came back there where more people protesting, not only for a punishment but now they wanted the president to step down from his possession, and also to join the European union. Instead of listening once again he left witch caused more people to come and protest, their demands remained the same plus one more, for the government to be dissolved completely and everyone to be reelected.

Now we are here. People are protesting to change so many things in the government. they demand change and change is coming. we see it now, it's changing so fast it's almost hard to keep up with it all.

This all started with 100 brave kids, no older than me and my friends  that are here. Who ever said kids can’t change their future is wrong because it’s happening now.

castle city

This past weekend me and all the other teachers made a trek across the country by train to a small town called Kamianets-Podilskyi. It was a 7 hour train ride over night. Sadly because it was only 7 hours we didn’t get a sleeper car. So for 7 hours I slept off and on in an uncomfortable chair against Camden the whole night. It was surely an adventure but it was totally worth it because the town that we got to was amazing.

Since I never remember what the town is actually called I just call it castle city because it had two castles within about 15 miles of each other. The town it’s self was built around 13^th century. It was absolutely beautiful and full of history with its intercut building designs and its weathered roads. The two castles themselves are not in working order and because of that we had free range to go and explore where ever we wanted in the castles. Of course there were some places blocked off in both of these places (more in the second one then the first one) but we walked all over the place in both of the castles.  

I loved the first on the best because it felt like no one had ever seen this castle before and it had been lost for years and we were the first people to find it again. No one was there beside us. I think mainly because it was still really cold outside but I loved it, I loved being on of the only people there. It’s walls were crumbling and there were remnants of other structures that must have attached to the castle at some point but now they did not. but all of this was so beautiful. We exploded the grounds and walked around the deserted hallways of the castle itself. I personally could have spent all day here walking around and enjoying the scenery.

The second one was cool as well, but in its own way. This had more visitors but it still wasn’t may people there because it’s still kind of in winter. This one had more hall ways and passages but it had barely any grounds at all. It also over looked the town and gave amazing views of it.

us standing on some old remnants from the first castle we saw

Camden and I at the first castle. this was my favorite and you can see why! the grounds where enormous!

inside the second castle!

the view of the second castle from the city it was connected too

the city was full of these kind of buildings!

 

 

Over all the weather was great, 45F and sunny the whole day! I couldn’t believe it. It was so nice to get into the country again and feel the clean and clear air hit your face as you walked down a cobblestone road. it was something like a fairy tale.

ballet and bazaars

Over the course of the last couple days I have been on quite a few adventures. On Wednesday a teacher in our group had a birthday. We all went to her host family's house played games and had dinner. Because of the protesting that is still going on, me and Marilee spent the night and left the next morning to go teach.  I am starting to become really good friends with the other teachers here.

                We went on a small adventure on Saturday and when I say small I mean huge. I left at 11 and didn’t get back home till 11 and night. We went to this bazaar kind of place on the out skirts of town and also went to a metro stop on an island in the middle of the river called hydropark. Because this is more of a summer place to hang out and swim, our group was pretty much the only people there, except this naked man that jumped into the frozen river. That was interesting.

                On Sunday I got a chance to see the ballet swan lake at the opera house. It was absolutely amazing. The dancers dance with such precision and the music was perfect. This is something I want to do again. The building itself took me back and I couldn’t stop thinking about the whole time I was there. I dreamt of doing stuff like this and now I can’t believe that I am living my dream.   It truly shows that you should reach for the stars because you can really accomplish anything you have your heart set too.

                I am getting better and following maps. (Mom would be proud) and I am glad to say that I have not been lost since my first week here. I have gotten to the point there sometimes if I have free time I ride the bus or tram one extra stop to see where it goes or get off at the right stop but go another direction. I have found some really cool things doing this but most of the time I don't find much. I just really like walking around and seeing new things. I do a lot of this stuff on my own but I don't mind it. sometimes Marilee comes with me or even Camden but I am fine on my own as well.

most of the group at Hydropark. it was a ghost town and freezing cold!

the end of the red line!

first week of work!

First week of work. Well for start off it was crazy! The kids are a hand full but I’m starting to get the hang of it. It’s just a different way of teaching that I’m use too and it’s only going to take time to learn the right way. You have to be on your toes but I think the hardest thing is, trying to get them to learn more English and teach it in a way that they will learn the best. They are so much fun but after 4 hours you just want to do something mindless like watch a TV show.

There are some new things that I have found out about this city and the people that call it home. Most families eat late and so most of them go to bed late, like 12 on most nights. Even the 3 year old from the family I’m staying with goes to be at this time. I am not a night person but I have found myself often going to bed at 11. My goal is to try to go to bed maybe 30 minutes earlier.

we had our first day off today in a week. we got to walk around town and see some sights with the other teachers like some churches with gold roofs and even went to a chocolate restaurant (witch was fantastic!). we also went around the center of town and saw some barricades up and smoke rising over the cities buildings. It felt like something in a movie or a town in the middle east that you see on the news, not eastern Europe.

The protesting is getting worse here. We have been encouraged by the US Embassy to not be out after night and do not travel in large groups. I had not noticed anything wrong in the past week that I have been here. it doesn't feel like the protesting is right in this town even and how out of control it has gotten. It wasn’t until yesterday that I noticed some different things that stood out to me while going to school. There were some people wearing ribbons that had the European Union flag on it and just right across the road from the school I teach at it looked like some men where burning what looked to be a sign.  I didn't get a close view of what the sing said though.

I almost want to say “fire is catching” from the very popular Hunger Games book because that is what it feels like to me. I’m in the heart of a revolution and it’s spreading.

buildings close to the center of town have the most history and I think are the most beautiful. they look more like the western European buildings I'm use too. 

Camden and I in from of the berricades in the center where people are protesting currently. and my new fur coat! :)

earmuffs and lost people

Over the course of a few days there have been some things that I have noticed that are different in America. Like for one, if a guy thinks you’re pretty he might touch you, like your coat, hair, something like that. I was on the metro a couple days ago and a random man just rubbed my ear muff. I gave him a look of sheer bewilderment and then gave the same look to my friend I was with. At home people don’t do that. It’s not normal or even sane for that matter.  I learned that you can not smile at people after they do that or even look at them. they might think you like it , so from now on I plan on keeping my eyes on no young man.

I walked home from church a couple days ago all on my own. I have lived in this town for a total of a few days  and I had the best idea to walk home alone. My host family asked if they could pick me up but I wanted to see if I could get back on my own. I thought I could. I knew I could. It should have only taken me about maybe 2 hours max (I took a longer way on purpose to drop Camden off at his metro stop.) but I got lost a couple times after I dropped him off and so it took me about 3 ½ hours to get home. At least I made it.  I ran into some friendly missionaries that helped me out as well.

I also got a chance to go shopping with Camden and a new friend Marilee. What is odd is the shopping mall is normally next to the super market or sometimes the super market is in the mall it's self. We walked around looking at random things aimlessly as we spent a couple hours there. I didn’t get anything but I am thinking about getting a fur collared coat. They are really beautiful and with my bright red pea coat I stick out like a sore thumb. If I got a fur coat I would look a little less out of place.  

I have found that over the past couple days that I have walked around that this city has started to grow on me. The simplicity of it and the little things that are beautiful catch my eye as I walk through the frozen streets. The people are friendly and helpful even though most of them don’t speak English. however most of them do not smile at you, just this death glare they give. I have not been able to reenact this face nor do I think I will ever because I can't help but walk around with a smile or a smirk on my face. But it doesn't bother me that they do not smile back at me. I hope that someday I will be able to look at people and not smile at them but it'll take some practice.

as for the protesting in the center of town, I don't even know what is happening just a few miles down the road. I saw video and heard about things getting violent but women still carry on in their glamorous fur coats and high heals and the men carry on much of the same as if nothing is wrong. or maybe they just choose to believe that things will get better. I feel safe and comfortable here just as I would if I was walking around Columbus.

for another time,
Darla