Just Life...

Ok, so, I want to tell everyone about what I am feeling right now…but I don’t have words, so here is what I am doing.  I am at the Radooga office.  It is Friday (my last day of work before returning to America to see my friends and family for Christmas).  Amberly left on Wednesday and I miss her tons.  Though, she did call me yesterday and is going to try and call again today.  We had a Radooga Thanksgiving at the Vasilevski’s house last night and it was good to hang out with the staff and share what we are thankful for.  I will go home and pack tonight.  Am thinking about going downtown just to see it at night one last time before I leave, but am not sure I will have the energy after work and should clean my house…but, we’ll see.  I will go to New Format tomorrow night to say “see you later” to all of them and am not sure if I will write again or now…depends on how much I get done (packing and cleaning that is) so if I don’t get another chance to write…see you in America!

 

Peace out.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. :o)  It’s supposed to snow again tomorrow :o) 

Wow. I was tired today and just wanted to sleep after work. I put on a movie while I made dinner and just chilled. It was sad without my rommie. Then, two of the kids from our English Class who live in the building next door came by and brought presents for me and Amberly. it was SO sweet. I can't wait to be back with them (and I haven't even left yet :o)

Peace out.

Lack of sleep may cause this blog to be somewhat incoherent.  Sorry for that.  I didn’t go to bed until 3 and Amberly left at 6:30 this morning for the airport.  I’m not sure she slept at all.  I miss her tons already. But know that she will have a good time with her family in America and I will be there in…4 short days.  Wow…does Calyn’s still say 8?  It doesn’t seem like it’s been 4 days since she posted last.  Crazy how time works.  My prayer for my time in America is the same as my prayer for my time here—that God will use it.  That He will give me opportunities to love and give me the strength to use them well.  I hope you Americans are having a good break for Thanksgiving and are ready to start celebrating Christmas.  (I’ve been celebrating Christmas for the past month or so here…ever since it stated getting cold :o).  The store here have already got all sorts of Christmas candies and such out.  Yea.  Ok, well, here we go…4!

 

Peace out.

a changing nation

So, this week they are having all sorts of cool stuff going on downtown for the 1 year anniversary of the Orange Revolution.  Very cool.  Today Amberly Dennis and I went to Krishatik to pay our rent and they were giving out flags and newspapers and stuff.  It was cool to see all the people gathered for just that event, I can’t imagine what it must have been like when the streets we all covered with tents and people actually lived there for weeks (some even months).  And to think that it was so cold.  I don’t think I would have survived.  Dennis was telling us that they had stands set up with hot tea and coffee and stuff for the people who were down there, but there wasn’t any alcohol at all.  Which is a big deal in this city.  I can’t believe it has been a year since all that was going on.  The Orange Revolution was a good thing, but we still have a long way to go.  I am honored to be here and be a part of the change that is taking place little by little everyday in this country.   Please remember to pray for Ukraine.

 

Peace Out.

Stuck on Snow

Ok, so I know that yesterday’s post was about snow, too, but I really just can’t get over how beautiful it is.  It is sticking to the ground now too which is amazing.  Amberly and I went to the service at New Life this morning and had some time before church started at the Nazarene church so we were just walking around the city and it was spectacular.  I felt like I was walking around in a snow globe.  It was magical with snow falling all around and capping the cathedrals and the trees.  I am so glad that we got to see it snow in Kiev before we left for Christmas.   

Jewels from Heaven

This morning we awoke to a SMS that said “happy first snow.”  It snowed all day today and it was incredible.  Snow falling on Kiev is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.  And so peaceful.  It glistened like diamonds as we watched it drift toward us and it would land ever so gently on our eyelashes and we would catch it in our hands and wait for it to melt away.  Amazing.  I hoped that I would get to see it snow before I had to leave.  What a precious gift from God.

Only becuase I can't tell Toddie no...

Well, Toddie tagged me, so here we go…

 

1. In Tallahassee I was so addicted to Dr. Pepper that the man who owns the Chevron between my house and Springwood knows my name, noticed when I moved to Graceville, noticed when I moved back home and often gives me free fountain drinks and/or cappuccinos.  In Ukraine there is no Dr. Pepper.  This is very sad.  I am now addicted to hot tea and coffee and drink at least one cup of one or the other everyday…often time both.
2. I always sit in the same seat on the marshootka (small bus used for public transportation).  This seat varies depending on the # of the marshootka and where I get on it from.  For Example I get on 45+22 from my house and I will sit in the second seat behind the driver.  If I get on it from the metro to come home I will sit in the second seat from the back.  If I am with Amberly I will sit in the aisle seat, but if I am alone I sit in the window seat.
3. When making coffee (we use the instant kind…but, don’t think that it isn’t good…we use the SUPER AWESOME instant kind that Jake E. Poo discovered this summer) I always put the coffee in, then the creamer, then the sugar.  Then, I use the spoon to stir everything together so that it is brown and white speckled before I add the boiling water. 
4. Lists.  I am addicted to lists.  I want to make one for everything.  I make the same grocery list almost every week.  We used to keep it on our white board on our fridge until Pasha took to erasing it every time he came over.  So we added “Pasha—DO NOT ERASE” to the top of the board and so Tyoma came over and erases it.  Now, we keep a hard copy instead and let the boys play with the white board.  But, I keep lists of other things too…people I am praying for, things to do at work, people to buy things for, people to e-mail, stuff to blog about, stuff to tell Calyn when she calls, now I am making a list of the things I make lists about.  I’m telling you, it’s bad.  I just looked down on my desk and there is a grocery store list on top of my calendar, a “things to add to the website” list beside my computer, a “people from team 6” list behind my computer, and a list of things to bring home next to my backpack.  Not to mention all the lists actually stored in my computer…oh, and look, this is a list of my weird habits…opa.
5.  I have an oral fixation.  I have to have something in my mouth all the time.  Not gum though.  I have slight TMJ and chewing gum hurts my jaw.  I bite my fingernails too much, but to try and avoid that I chew on other things.  Presently I have a small plastic fork I am chewing on.  I really like to chew on the coffee stirrers that we usually have at the office.  I also like straws and plastic spoons.  I’ll chew on a pen if that is all that is around.  I have never chewed a pencil, though working at an elem. School for 5 years, I have seen lots of pencils that have been chewed. 

 

There you go, the first 5 weird habits that I could think of.  I’m sure there are plenty more.  If you want to share more of my weird habits with the world feel free to post them as comments to this post. You guys probably know them better than I do.  Sorry, I’m not gonna tag anyone.  I told my roommate that I would boycott the game if it got to me and the next day Toddie had tagged me.  And since it is Toddie…well, I had to play. 

I guess I could remove the 2 previous posts, but no, I'll just leave them... Alright, I'm going to my own blog now. poka. -Calyn

What the heck!?

How did I get on Lori's blog!? Okay, this was Calyn. Sorry. Lori, I guess your thingmabobber came up when I signed in. Sorry 'bout that.
:0)

Are people really this stupid?

Miss Cindy sent me these pictures and they are awesome. Maybe you've all seen them before, I don't know, but they made me laugh.



Chances are if you're there, yesyouare.



Even at that price I don't think it's a good deal. :0) (I don't hate...)



I think usually the first two are reversed, but maybe things are different in Maine.



Well, gees, I guess they just wanna be confusing.



I guess they don't tax us enough. They gotta start renting out the jails too.



Apparently this is at a crocodile park in St. Lucia. My question is, what caused them to put up this sign????



Poor McDonald's. They're McConfused.



Don't let my dad anywhere near this one.



The fact that there's two of them makes this all the more sad.



I don't think this one needs any explanation...
Arrivederci!

For My Mommy

All I Want For Christmas Is You"
[Originally by Mariah Carey]

I don’t want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don’t care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is you

I don’t want a lot for Christmas there is just one thing I need
And I don’t care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree
I don’t need to hang my stocking way above the fireplace
Santa Clause won't make me happy with a toy on Christmas day
And I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Oh baby all I want for Christmas is you, you baby

I wont ask for much this Christmas
I wont even wish oh I wont even wish. I wont even wish for snow.
I’m just gonna keep on waiting underneath the mistletoe
I wont make a list and send it to the North Pole for St Nick
Wont even stay awake to hear the magic reindeer play
Cause I just want you here tonight, Holdin on to me so tight
What more can I do
Oh baby all I want for Christmas is you, oh baby

Oh our lives are shinin surrounding everywhere
Where the sounds of children’s laughter fills the air
And everyone is singin' oh I hear those sleigh bells ringin'
Santa wont you bring me the one I really need
Wont you bring back my baby to me

Oh I don’t want a lot for Christmas
This is all I’m askin for
I just want to see my baby standing right outside my door
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you, you, its you, you,
oh babyAll I want is you
[x4]You, you, you, you, you

I love my youth! (American and Ukrainian)

My youth from Tally had their anual winter retreat this weekend. It was the first one I have not been on since 1997. Wow, am I really that old!?! I hope you guys had a great time and that you understand a little better about the relationship that Your savior desires to have with you. That is my prayer for you guys (nd now for the New Format kids, too) everyday. I can't wait to see you guys. Two weeks from today :o)

This weekend we went to an American youth group meeting at a mission here (that a bunch of MK's attend) and they played Did you feel the mt's tremble. I forgot how cool that song is...God really used it to remind me of all He is doing all the time.

Did you feel the mountains tremble?
Did you hear the oceans roar?
When the people rose to sing of
Jesus Christ the risen one.

Did you feel the people tremble?
Did you hear the singers roar?
When the lost began to sing of
Jesus Christ the saving one.

And we can see that God you're moving
A mighty river through the nations
And young and old will turn to Jesus
Fling wide you heavenly gates
Prepare the way of the risen Lord

Open up the doors and let the music play
Let the streets resound with singing
Songs that bring your hope
Songs that bring your joy
Dancers who dance upon injustice.

Do you feel the darkness tremble?
When all the saints join in one song.
And all the streams flow as one river
To wash away our brokenness.

And here we see that God you're moving.
A time of jubilee is coming
When young and old return to Jesus
Fling wide you heavenly gates.
Prepare the way of the risen Lord.

Just thought I would share.

Peace out.

First Snow

Oh, my gosh, it's snowing.  IT'S SNOWING!!!!  Oh, my gosh, IT'S FREAKIN SNOWING!!!! 

 

Ok, here's the story...I am in my office talking to Romchick and Magdych and Magdych is asking me if I have warm shoes b/c I need warm shoes.  I told him that Dennis and Zimyatin took me to get warm shoes so I am good and he asks if they are warm or if I just think that they are warm. Like I know.  I hope they are warm I tell him and my phone starts ringing.  It is flashing Amberly so I pick it up and say "yes ma'am" and she says "Lori, come outside, it is snowing"  so I jump up and scream "Amberly says it's snowing" and run out the door.  Magdych and Roma close behind.  I get out to the steps of the office and Amberly is walking toward the office from the marshootka.  And sure enough there are small white beads floating toward the ground.  I catch some in my hands and can see them in Magdych's hair.  But he and Roma are both insistent that this is not snow.  But, it is.  Just b/c it isn't sticking yet doesn't mean it is not snow.  I am so excited.  Maybe that won't last long, but for now I am happy with the flurries and can't wait for it to actually stick.  I love living in Ukraine!

 

Peace Out.

Happy Birthdays!

Today is Josh Kulak's happy Birthday.

Today is Lena Vasilevski's happy Birthday.

I hope they are both amazing! I hope Joshchick's is dynamic!

this one's for Pauls

Dude, Pauls, it hasn't even been 5 days since my last post, but this one is for you....

Ummm...my life...I can't think under this pressure...I usually blog when I have something to say. I am listening to "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" gotta love the Beetles. English Club was a lot of fun last night. We talked about Travel and let them plan a trip. They decided to come visit me in FL and go to the beach. Nice. Syoma interpreted for us b/c Dennis has a meeting at his church and Katya was studying for an exam that she has this week. They usually interpret for us; so, yesterday morning at 10am we called Syoma to see if he could interpret that night. But, we woke him up. He is too good and told us sure no problem. Later that night when we saw him he was like "girls, you woke me up. I can't think in the mornings. I can't speak Russian in the mornings. English. that is just too much." So, today (and most days) Syoma is our hero. (still sorry we woke you up :o) Speaking of waking people up, I got woken up to a phone ringing at 8:30 yesterday morning. On the other end was Tyoma saying "I can come to you today. I will be there in 30 min." so I woke Amberly up and told her to get dressed, Tyoma was on his way. But, we had a good time. Had some tea and breakfast and just talked and stuff. That's all I've got for now. Vin--17 days and counting.

Peace out.

was there ever really any doubt?

You scored as The Amazing Spider-Man. After being bitten by a radioactive spider, Peter Parker was transformed from a nerdy high school student into New York's greatest hero. Peter enjoys the thrill of being a super hero, but he struggles with the burdens of leading a double life. He hopes someday to win the heart of his true love Mary Jane, the woman he's loved since before he even liked girls. Right now, he just wants to make it through college and pay his bills. The Amazing Spider-Man 96% Batman, the Dark Knight 63% William Wallace 58% Maximus 54% The Terminator 54% Indiana Jones 54% Neo, the "One" 50% Captain Jack Sparrow 42% Lara Croft 42% El Zorro 33% James Bond, Agent 007 25% Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0 created with QuizFarm.com

LaLaLa

I’m learning more and more that my strength is not enough.  Last summer God was teaching me a lot about how His strength is made perfect in my weakness, but I had forgotten much about that.  This week I have felt very drained.  Like I don’t have any more to give.  But, when I sat on my bed and said that to God I could hear Him telling me “Good.  Now I can use you, because it won’t be you, it will be Me.”  So good. 

 

This weekend has been really good so far.  Slept in this morning and went to Andrevski street this afternoon to try and buy Christmas presents.  Andrevski street is different in the fall than during the summer.  It was fun and we saw several venders we knew from this summer.  Plus now they have some Christmas stuff out…like ornaments and Santas and such.  Then New Format.  I was tired and kinda didn’t want to go, but it was really good to see little Jake and Syoma and Alisa and all our other youth.  I love that I am learning the words to the songs and beginning to understand some of them.  Really cool.  I also love that now when I look at a word in Russian I often see the word and don’t have to sound out each letter and then try and put them together.  Can’t wait to go to church in the morning.  I loved conference last week, but really missed going to church.  I still can’t believe I live in Kiev.  Amazing.  God has blessed me so much.  Thank you guys for all your prayers and support.  I couldn’t be here with out you.  I can’t wait to see you in less than a month :o)

 

Peace out.

Spectacular, Spectacular

On Tuesday night I met Amberly at school and her, her classmate Sarah and I went to the ballet.  SO good.  Oh my gosh.  It was in the Opera house…if you’ve been to Radooga you know the one.  “excuse me, where is the opera house?”  Well, I had never been inside.  Made me feel like a princess.  You got to check your coat and then you walk in and the zal is AMAZING.  I hope that I will get to take my mom to a ballet when she comes in March.  We saw “Don Quixote.” And it was a lot of fun.  Excellent dancing. It made me miss Beth a lot.  She is a spectacular dancer.  I hope that the Nutcracker will come while I am here.  I would LOVE to see the Nutcracker preformed by the Russian Ballet.  Ok, well, time for coffee and icecream.  I love you guys.

 

Peace Out.

I know Syoma posted several of the pics I will be posting, but my mom checks my blog and I want to share these with her....so, if you check Syoma's site sorry for the overlap. Mam, this is me and Amberly at the Sports Outreach thing that Nikita organized that I told you about. Syoma edited the pic :o) 

check out this hot chick. This is my precious Jaylyn and I can't wait to see her again. She is my cousing J's little girl and they live in Japan right now. I am very thankful for e-mail at this point in my life :o) 

Happy Halloween!

So today we missed dressing up and giving out candy and all that stuff that you normally do on Halloween, but, I wore an orange shirt.  We put up a paper Jack-O-Lantern that we made for English club last week.  And then Dennis (he’s so good) rang our doorbell tonight and when we answered the door he had a hat pulled down over his face and he jumped at us and said “trick-or-treat.”  We love Dennis :o) So, we made blinchki and pelmeni and ate lots of candy that we had left over from last Wednesday at English club too.  Oh, and of course, we watched Friends.  Good times.  Hope you guys have a great Halloween :o) 

 

Peace Out.