Happy New Year to everybody! I took some time off from blogging when I went home to America but I have returned and am starting again.
The holidays at home were more like a holi-daze, but I had an absolutely incredible time. I spent all of my time in Grand Junction with my family. Both sides of the family made the trip over the mountain from the Eastern Slope of CO to GJ for Christmas which was wonderful. My brother even took 10 days off of work to come home and visit. It meant so much that I could see all of them. My parents went above and beyond hosting me, my brother, and all of our guests. They made each day (and meal!) so special, I give all the credit of my amazing vacation to them.
Everybody asked me what the biggest difference was about being home. Aside from all the amazing food, driving of a car, and everyday conveniences I'm not accustom to, it was very strange to understand what was going on all the time. Something that I've gotten so use to here in Ukraine is not knowing 100% of what is going on, 100% of the time. Even as I write this, alone in my school flat, I am still not 100% sure that I am not supposed to be doing something else, or be somewhere else. I talked with other Peace Corps Volunteers about this, and they agreed, but to other people it's kind of hard to explain.
I've posted quite a few photos from my trip home, so take a look. This doesn't quite show everything (I practically to a picture of every meal I ate and I'm sure that would get monotonous...), but it does show some of the things we did.
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| Cookies! |
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| Making cookies like champs! |
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Most of the Vodka that I brought home to share!
And some chocolate, of course! |
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| After a great first dinner together |
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| Finally, snow in Colorado...not for long though. |
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| My Mom and I decorating Sugar Cookies. |
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| Professionally done by Momma Hogue and Honna |
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| Aggie Dog in all her glory. |
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| Shots of Jack before Christmas Eve Service...the Lutheran way |
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| Stockings hung by the fire with care |
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| Nooks from the 'rents |
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| Jacob with a few packets of Jacobs Coffee and Ukrainian Vodka |
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| Me with Aggie Dog |
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| Some snacks before Christmas Dinner |
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| Dad doing what he does best! |
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| Family Trip to Ouray |
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| Hot Springs, anyone? |
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| Colorado rules. |
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| Ice Climbing |
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| Close-up of the Ice Climber! |
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| Ice Canyon |
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| Mom's beautiful Ukrainian table runner and napkins |
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| Close up of the stitching |
Then it was time for Ukrainian Christmas when I got back. I left Grand Junction around noon on Wednesday, January 4th, and didn't arrive in Kolky until 9 a.m. January 7th. Luckily for me, the 7th was Ukrainian Christmas (Ukrainian and Russian Orthodox Churches use the Julian Calendar) I celebrated in style with one of my Counterparts, Natalia, and her guests. We had quite the spread of delicious food, tasty drinks, and good cheer. Christmas is strictly a religious holiday with Church in very early in the morning, from around 12 a.m. until 6 or 7 a.m. Then people nap, spend time with family, and prepare for the Christmas meal. Gifts are already given on New Year and Grandfather Winter (American Santa Claus) comes New Years Eve night.
Also Advent, for Ukrainians 40 days before Christmas, is a time of reflection and penitence. They have a very big Christmas Eve feast to celebrate the end of their fasting. They also do this 40 days before Easter, the same way we do Lent.
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| Time to break the fast...with LOTS of meat and mayo salads. |
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| Another mayo salad...and more meat! |
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| Anybody care for a drink? |
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My Christmas Dinner Companions
My Counterpart, Natalia, is sporting her Ukrainian Vyshyvanka |
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| Eating, dancing, singing, celebrating...the Ukrainian way! |
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| Sophia's First Christmas |
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| Didn't really put that thing down, except to eat! |
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| My turn for a photo |
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| The spread...half way though dinner |
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| Taking the Singing to the streets! |
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| Notice the lack of snow... |
Then came the snow...and boy did it come! For about the past 5 or 6 days, it has been snowing off and on...more emphasis on the on. Right now, it looks like about a foot and a half with no real sign of letting up. All the kids have been having snowball fights and making snow families. The teachers were so concerned this was going to be a "muddy Winter", so a sense of relief came when the snow finally arrived. Everything sure looks beautiful and the air feels fresh and clean, but our temperature now sits at a frosty 10° F most of the day.
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| First decent snow fall all Winter... |
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| and it just kept snowing. |
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| Ice-daggers |
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| The front of my flat with some slick steps! |
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| My little Snow Pup, Storm |
And just as quickly as I arrived, I'm leaving the country again! Yep, that's right -- tomorrow I head to Poland; Zgierz and Lodz to be exact. I'm going with 3 other teachers to visit our partner Lyceum in Zgierz. Not really sure why, other than to "have an excursion, take a rest in Poland, and reinforce our international friendships". I am also excited because the German teachers that came to Kolky Lyceum last year will also be in attendance in Zgierz. I probably won't be able to blog while I'm there, but I will be sure to post lots of photos and stories when I get back!
Sorry for the long post, but lots to catch you up on. I will be sure to respond to all the emails when I get back from Poland, too! Thanks for all the love and support!
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