1 month-averssary and the land of the Poles!

I bought my host parents flowers today to celebrate me being here a month! Well, it's actually been a little over a month but whatever. I'm alive! haha. It's been an interesting month but it's been awesome. And like everyone said, it's gone by too fast. At first I was telling myself that time goes by fast so these three months will fly by. But now I don't want them to.

My trip to Poland was unbelievable. My feet needed to be amputated by the end but I saw so many cool things that the pain was absolutely worth it. I don't have time to explain all of it so a short run-through will have to do. On tuesday night we got on the night train at about 11:30ish. The train left at midnight. Night trains are interesting. (insert sarcastic tone here) I'm glad I had the bottom bunk because I wouldn't have been able to get on the top one. I was in my own little area while the other girls were all together. I got a good night sleep. It was a bit cold and I was at the back so I would get a whiff of the rather disgusting bathroom, but now I get to say I've been on a night train. I really cannot remember what time  we got into Lyviv but we spent a few hours walking around the city before we met our bus driver and drove to the Ukraine, Poland border. We got to the border at midnight and it took us 3 hours to get through. We arrived at the salt mines at around 6 in the morning. We slept (or tried to) on the bus until it opened at 8ish. Some girls stayed behind while me and about 10 others toured the salt mine. It was amazing; lots of cool sculptures, a chapel, a ballroom, and even a place where you could bunjee jump. After climbing at least 400 stairs, licking some walls, and sending mail from 130 meters underground we got back on the bus and drove to our final destination, Krakov. Our hostel was called the Joker Hostel. There was graffiti on the walls and a full coffee cup table inside. It was pretty neat. We separated into three rooms and hungout for a while before deciding to go to Schindler's factory. It was a good walk to the factory and along the way we got to see a little of Krakov. Immediately we all fell in love with the city. It was clean, there were no stray dogs, people were smiling and best of all, it didn't smell like cigarette smoke! After figuring out how to use the tranist system, with help from a polish man, we made it to the factory. The factory itself was made into a museum. There were lots of exhibits explaining first how the Nazi's took over Poland and then how Oskar Schindler employed the POW's and eventually saved them from being killed or taken to concentration camps. There were some moving accounts from men, women and children about their experiences during this time. I hope people were able to look at pictures that I posted on fb. All of the stuff in the museum, except for his desk and a few other things, were all props but they still made for some interesting pictures and helped you visualize the environment. By the time we left the museum and were walking back to the hostel, I was seriously considering asking someone to carry me the rest of the way. For some reason I thought it was a good idea to wear flip flops for the day. Lesson learned.  That night a few of us decided to get pizza at a place not to far from our hostel. Ok, Friday. In the morning we had arranged to have a English tour guide take us through Aushwitz. We woke up around 5:30ish and had to be ready by six to get on the bus and be at Aushwitz at 8. Once at Aushwitz, we met up with our tour guide and with headsets and cameras in hand, we began at the front gate. Rather than explain everything on here, go look at my pictures on fb. I give detailed explanations of everything in the camp. Walking through the camp, it didn't affect me as much as I thought it would. Thats not to say that what I saw wasn't moving and I did tear up a few times but I wanted to remain strong. I feel silly saying this but the photographer in me was paying attention to the details all around me. The lush trees, the green grass and the way the sun was hitting the buldings made the camp look beautiful. It didn't seem right to me. When I was home and editing the pictures, I didn't feel like the place deserved color. Thats why, if you look at my pictures, you will notice they look dull. Anyways, after we toured Aushwitz we made the short drive the the much bigger camp, Beirkenau, built soon after Aushwitz. In fear, Hitler ordered that the crematory as well as most of the camp be destroyed in 1945 before the liberation. Aushwitz was where people were murderd, mostly in the gas chambers but Beirkenau was where the prisoners were housed. Alright so we drove back to the hostel at around 1 in the afternoon. One of the girls in the group organized to go on a walking tour of Krakov. At first, because it was a walking tour I was hesitant, because of course my feet were hurting but I knew that if I didn't go I would be missing out on a good experience and the chance to learn about Poland. So feeling somewhat reluctant, I joined the other girls and we met up with our beautiful tour guide, Marta (? I think that was her name lol.) Again, rather than explaining everything here, go to my fb and look at my pictures. We went inside churches, saw the presidents house, visited the university and took pictures at a renaissance square. After a picture with Marta (?) we went our separate ways. After buying some art in the center square we decided to get some ice cream from a place we passed a few times. I don't think some of the pictures from this part of the day uploaded but this was THE MOST AMAZING ICE CREAM I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY 19 YEARS OF BEING ON THIS EARTH. That is capitalized for a reason. I'm not exaggerating. I got three scoops but I wish I got 248. Honestly. We found out later that it was homemade. Oh my goodness, it was heaven. Ok, enough about ice cream. By the time we slowly devoured our ice cream and got back to the hostel it was time for bed. We woke up the next morning, feeling really bummed that we were leaving Poland and also for the long bus ride back. That bus was squishy and hot. But the highlight of the ride was going through the border. One of the girls in my group (sorry Sammi, haha) has a pretty awful passport picture and each time we had to give the officer's our passports we eagerly awaited to see the look on their faces when they saw hers. 2 our of 4 grinned and one actually laughed after we all started laughing. We got into Lyviv about an hour before our train was to leave. Hungry and tired, we walked a short distance to a burger place and got what looked and tasted more like a cabbage salad rather than a hamburger but it did the job.

Alright so theres my trip to Poland in a nutshell. I can never seem to write a short blurb about anything lol. The next trip is already planned and payed for. Ready? I'm going to Prague, Budapest, Drezden and Vienna!!! It's a 9 day trip and we leave on the 21st!

Until next time, paka!

Forgive me!

I said I would update this regularly and I haven't. I don't have a lot of time to use the internet so I usually wake up, check my facebook and email my mom all within 30 minutes. But since I'm sick and have been banned to the couch by my wonderful host mom Julia, I thought this would be a good time to start.

These past 2 weeks I've been riding an emotional roller coaster. The first few days were awful. Teaching was a nightmare, riding the bus for 20 minutes to and from my apartment was terrifying and I felt so alone. Ask my mom, I was ready to get on a plane and leave this unfamiliar place day 3. I was convinced it wasn't going to get better and that I was doomed to live in hell for 3 months. Dramatic, I know. My mom kept telling me that you can do anything terrible for a short period of time and that I needed to push through my feelings of horror towards the situation I was in. I didn't want to hear it. I had my mind made up.

Within a few hours after emailing my mom, I got to the school knowing it was going to be another miserable day of dealing with kids that couldn't understand a word I said and knowing that I wasn't getting through to them. But when I saw the other girls feeling the same way I did and seeing that negative attitude consume them and virtually suck the life out of them, I realized that I had to change the way I was thinking. I couldn't let this beat me. I had to prove to myself that I am strong. I didn't want to be known as the girl who gives up. I told myself to suck it up, and go teach freakin english to these kids. By the end of the day I was exhausted, sweaty and on edge, but I walked home with my head held high. I changed my attitude and felt like I had a new lease on life. I did a 180 from that morning and since then I haven't looked back. I can't let myself feel like that again. I have to stay here and deal with whatever happens the best I can. I've always hated people who constantly were wallowing in self-pity and I was totally what I hated. It was pathetic. I feel so much better now. My moms emails really helped me come to that realization and I love her to death because of the constant support shes given me. It's also been comforting knowing that there are people at home rooting for me to succeed.

Anyways, on to happier thoughts! I am happy now and I am looking forward to experiencing new things in this beautiful city. I've already seen so much that has helped me realize this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I can't throw it away because some kids were yelling Russian at me. Looking back at the emails I sent my mom, I feel silly.

So far I've been to 2 cathedrals, walked cobblestone streets, and taken 1000 pictures of anything and everything. The buildings are so magnificent. I kept telling Julia that all we have at home is metal and glass. I've eaten several different unidentifiable meats and more potatoes than I've had in my life.  I've been huged by a giant Spongebob in center square and I shuffled with street dancers outside an underground mall. Tomorrow we are going to a football (soccer) game and while we were in center town a few of us bought tickets to the nutcracker at the opera house! I am beyond excited. Having things to look forward to is keeping me going.

There is no need to worry about me. I am fine. I was sick the past 5 days but I'm feeling better. Julia has been pouring lemon medicine down my throat like I needed it to breath and like I said earlier I haven't been allowed to move from the couch, except to pee and go to my bed of course. She's even been putting my food within arms reach. And max has been like a paper weight further preventing me from moving. I'm being treated so well here I might not want to come home. Just kidding! haha.

I will go back to teaching tomorrow and then to a football game tomorrow night with my fellow teachers and good friends.

Well, Rouslan wants to use the internet so I must go. He can't speak any english except for super!, hello and ford mustang (he LOVES cars). His ring tone is the sound of an engine revving ... Dad if your reading this, you and him would get along great, except for the whole language barrier thing. He is giant. He kind of reminds me of a really friendly, slightly less smelly and really tanned shrek. I say slightly less smelly because the men here shower at most twice a week. Right now he is laying on the couch and its funny because the couch is half his size. It looks uncomfortable. He told me to tell my family back home that he says hello. Just imagine this brown  Russian shrek waving frantically at you with a huge smile from ear to ear. I'm sure that before my time here is up I will be greated with a big bear hug from Rouslan.

Thats all for now. Das Ve Danya

This is it...

It's been a long time coming but I'm finally leaving to Ukraine in a few days. My mom and me are driving to Lethbridge tomorrow and then to Salt Lake City on wednesday, and I get on a plane thursday morning. I FINALLY got my itinerary today. The flight schedule is insane, but it will an adventure and I couldn't be more ready. To say I am really excited would be a lie. I am excited, don't get me wrong but I am more nervous for sure. I get butterflies everytime I think about it. I want to do this so bad. I am ready to experience new things and meet new people and eat a whole lot of borscht. Here is my official schedule and it is a crazy one...

1 Sept 2011:

United 659 Salt Lake to Washington D.C. (Dulles) 8:10 am to 2:12 PM

1 Sept 2011:

Lufthansa 417 Washington D.C. (Dulles) to Frankfurt 3:25 pm to 5:20 am (arrives next day)

2 Sept 2011:

Lufthansa 1490 Frankfurt to Kiev 9:55 am to 1:15 pm

 

OMG, I am excited. I am also beyond releived that 16 other people will be flying with me. I don't think I could find my way through the Frankfurt airport on my own.

 

I have to thank all of my family and the people in my home ward. Everyone have been so supportive and it's been amazing to know that I have people I can fall back on if I need to. I know this will be an experience I won't ever forget.

 

The people of Kiev, Ukraine better hold on to their fur hats...

Ok people

I didn't want to do this but, I'm desperate. When I was in Utah for training we got a list of supplies to bring with us to teach. Basic little things like markers, construction paper, tape ect. If you can spare any of these things I would be soooo grateful. It's not for me, it's for the children! I need as much as you can give. It has to last me 4 months and of course I will be buying stuff but the less I have to buy the better. I will come to you or you could send it to me, whatever works best for you! I know the list is long, I was kinda shocked at how much I we need to bring but it's all stuff you can find at a dollar store (thats where im gonna buy most of it)

Aprons
Assorted Candy
Balloons
Beach Balls
Brad Fasteners
Brown Sugar (lots, they don't have it Ukraine. Or if you find it it's really expensive)
Bubbles
Buttons
Cake Mixes (brownie, muffin)
Candles
Card Games
Cassete Player
Childrens Book's
Childrens Cookbook
Clothespins
Any old costumes
Colored Pencils
Coloring Books
Construction Paper (I need like a million pieces!!)
Contact paper
Cookie Cutters
Cooking Utensils
Cotton Balls
Dice
Dixie Cups
Duct Tape
Erasers
Face Paint
Felt
Food Coloring
Frisbees

Glitter
Glue Sticks
Googly eyes
Jell-o
Kool-Aid
large Mixing Bowls
Legos
Magnifying Glasses
Markers
Marshmellows
Masking Tape
Masks
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Mirrors
Modeling Clay
Muffin Cups
Nerf/Koosh Balls
Notebook Paper
Paint Brushes
Paper Bags
Paper Plates
Pencils
Pipe Cleaners
Plastic Cups
Plastic Cutlery
Plastic Wrap
Play-doh
Popcorn
Popsicle Sticks
Powdered Sugar
Pudding Mix

Puffy Balls (poppoms)
Puppets
Q-Tips
Rope
Rubber Bands
Rulers
Scissors
Scotch Tape
Small Toys
Sponges
Spray bottles
Stamps
Stapler & staples
Stickers
Straws
Stuffed Animals
Styrofoam
Tempera Paint
Tin Foil
Whistles
White Paper
Wigs
Yarn
Ziploc Bags


Thank you sooo much, I love you all!

I'm feeling slightly terrified...

So as some of you know I went to Utah for training last weekend. The drive was long (the roads were terrible), the training was somewhat boring and I have to be honest, I had no idea what I was getting into. I'm really excited but I'm really scared. Don't worry, I'm not going to back out. I can't. But I just hope I can do this.

The first day of training started at 8:30. We all gathered at our tables according to what country we were going to. At first it was awkward but we soon started asking questions and getting to know each other and that was fun. In little Innisfail there aren't any LDS girls that I'm best friends with and so I was excited to meet people with those same values as me and that were as excited to work with children as I was. Over the course of the day we were learning about how to teach these, kids who can't barely understand you, English. The instructor had us role play what a typical lesson would be like. I had to think like a five year old. Seriously. We all felt pretty stupid acting like we didn't know what a marker was. "This is a marker. This is MY marker." Haha. Anyways, I won't go into detail. It's not that exciting, trust me.

The next day of training we went into it hoping/knowing that it was going to be more fun than the day before. At this training there were five girls going to Ukraine including me. Two of the girls are going for the summer, I think for a month and a half.  That leaves three of us going in the fall. There are more but we don't know who they are. We were put into groups and had a past volunteer assigned to talk about her experience and what she learned, loved or hated about her time in Ukraine and Russia. It was nice to hear her perspective. I was trying to pay attention so I could get as much out of what she was saying as possible. We had lunch and then the program director talked to us for at least 4 hours about anything and everything. He was funny. We needed to laugh after sitting for that long.

Long story short, this is what I learned:

- Ukrainian's are VERY superstitious

- The men have an alcohol problem, which makes them want American women (EEEKK!) Lots of girls have been sent home because they developed romantic relationships with them. The director told us they are extremely persistent

- The food is bland but you are forced to eat lots of it

- No one smiles, ever

- The language is difficult and language classes won't help

- Your babushka will be your best friend

- It's cold

- The four H's of culture shock (Honeymoon, Horror, Humour, Home)

- The water is not safe

Ok, well I've got that to look forward too. Although the life that I'm going to live in Ukraine doesn't sound glamorous, I am so ready to challenge myself. I want to learn and grow. I know that I will laugh, cry, yell and probably bleed but nothing that's easy is worth doing. I'm so lucky that I get to have this experience. Not many people will get to say that they lived in a foreign country for five months. I'm just now realizing this is a long post and people (including me) hate long boring blog's. I'll end by saying that I appreciate everyone's support, especially my families. It'll be awesome to come home right before Christmas and get to hug everybody.

Ps. I think I'm going to miss my dog the most! lol