Things are looking up. Be it the arrival of spring, the end of the school year, the good and recent adventures in Kharkiv with dear friends, the nearness of seeing my family, or the feeling like maybe I’m finally integrating into the community here, something in the air is alive. And it feels good. I feel good.
So I thought I’d choose 10 of my favorite photos from the past couple months that best express these good feelings.
A joyful journey in jpegs:
The end of the school year ended in happy feelings. I love my young students, and they gave me drawings and candies and flowers and had me sign their little DIY yearbooks. Here is about half the 5th form class during Last Bell ceremonies.
They are my smart little bunnies.<33
Last Bell is also about ballgowns and flying. It’s a пташка; it’s a літак…No! It’s 11th formers. It’s not a great photo, but I…uh. wasn’t really expecting this.
4th Formers also know how to snazz it up. Plus they have the added bonus of being presh.
моя подруга, Lena!!))) posing cutely with…my village’s statue of Winnie the Pooh (“Vinny Poo” in Ukraine) and Piglet. Yes.
But a gal’s gotta have a rest. I went to Kharkiv a few weeks ago and spent it with some of my besty PCV chums. It’s tea.
We spent the weekend in the sun watching our friends play basketbol (or football or volleyball with basketballs). The weekend was lovingly orchestrated by the beautiful Whitney! <3
and what already awesome weekend wouldn’t be complete without an outdoor hip hop concert? Well, none.
Back on the home front there are always sleeping cats. And snuggly rainbow blankets sent by amazing friends from home.
About half of the translating I did last night for a friend. For which, in turn, I received two bags of chocolate cookies and a bottle of red wine :> Loving Ukraine right now!
In a few weeks I leave to help a PCV friend with her summer camp. I’ll get to see some old clustermate friends, teach younger kids cultural studies, and get some good camp/work experience. Then off to see my family in Scotland for 10 days
The days are getting long and filled with sunshine, Lena’s going to watch Matviy while I’m gone, I have the whoooole summer before me, and next year I’m teaching exclusively younger kids. Yeah life’s good!!
Love all the pictures! I’m glad that things are looking up for you. Can’t wait to see you in Scotland. We’re going to have a great time!
Is it weird that you’re being in Ukraine makes me miss you more than when you’re in the US, even though we’ve only ever met once in real life anyway?
I’m really happy that things are up for you. There are few things harder than knowing your friends are miserable and being pretty helpless to do anything about it. The pictures are great! I’m SUPER envious that you get your whole summer vacation off, while I had to take vacation days for the two weeks of summer I’d take and go home
Lucky jerk! Looking forward to the pictures!
I’m glad to hear you’re doing well! Those kids are adorable, and so is the kitty.
Let me know when you need a fresh shipment of spices.
(Also BLOG MOAR. I MISS YOU.)
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