September 19th was my village’s “birthday.” It was the day our village was officially free from soviet oppression. There was a kind of rally in the park with speakers, singing, some student performances, and so on.
I like this photo for two reasons mostly: the smoke in the air (as this was directly after a shot) and the kid in the background freaking out. After these guys shoot (at pretty much every gathering), 5th and 6th form boys run around and collect bullet…casings? shells? whatever it is that falls to the ground.
Some of my great 10th formers! No, they are not in the army. They were part of the performance.
Yup say hello to the cutest form ever!! <3 <3
Yaaaay! Some of my favorite kids 
5A. Notice their great traditional Ukrainian costumes. <3 So presh!! The girl on the far right with the red headband said, “Jilly,«how do you say каса?» ” “Cashier.” “CAAASHIER! CAAAASHIIIER!!”
All the classes set up little stands and sold homemade decorated cakes, fruit, vegetables, juice, honey, bread, and various other things (all local and homemade/grown). I tried to buy something from every one of my classes. I bought: apples, potatoes, honey, cookies, watermelon, jello with candied lemons, juice, aaand…
these tasty morsels. They were only a hryven each, so I bought four (about $.50). I couldn’t resist eating one before I took a picture.
So it was a pretty super weekend and reminded me that I love shopping at bazaars. I really wish my village had one…ah well! I know the nearby town does, so if I ever wanted to get up at 5am on a Saturday and take a 40 minute marshrutka ride maybe I could shop at a bazaar. Or just wait until I get back to the US and go to the farmer’s markets 
Today also marks ONE YEAR IN UKRAINE! I could do a whole long reflective piece blahblahblah, but I think the last year can be summed up in a few words: there were ups. there were downs. it’s been a wild ride where I’ve learned a lot about myself, my job, and (I think) other people. My friends back home have been amazing, my family rockstars. I’ve survived… what else can I say?
Love&&PEACE!!
I love the pictures–the kids are beautiful, although most of the boys look like little devils. The girls look sweet and demure. Good job making a year in PC and let’s celebrate only one year left!
I love, love,love your blog. I usually wait until I know I have enough time to really savor it as I read. Try to take it all in and imagine your world. The kids are pretty cute and those little lobsters(crawfish?)look like a couple lemon wedges and dinner is served. Keep blogging….we need it here in our mundane little world. Congrats on surviving a year in PC, I don’t think I could have done it. Mouska would have run me off the first week. Love you, proud of you, miss you, inspired by you…….Mommy
PS…you look GREAT!!
LOL CASHIER! The bazaar sounds awesome and I vote that you go to the nearby town and take lots of pictures. <3
BTW can we use your school address again that you gave us last year? Or is there a new one?
Yup that’s still the one to use
I can get anything there- envelopes, postcards, etc.
(This next part is for anyone concerned:) As far as STUFF shipping options, I think the USPS mid-size flat-rate box is the best value for large items, and the flat-rate mailer/envelope for flat items (really cheap to use bubble envelopes). There’s MEEST, but it is often slow and expensive, and they’re difficult to deal with. I’ve had really good luck with the USPS.
School address is still best, Cali. Also I second Mom’s second comment.
Congrats on your first Peace-iversary! You look happy, healthy and beautiful, and it makes me happy. <3
LOL that kid freaking out. OMG WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS, PRAWN? They look huge for prawn. I like how I only really ever comment on food here :/ <3 HAPPY ONE YEAR, JILLY. WE LOVE YOU.