Now we're back in a world of almost unlimited travel opportunities. Being a US citizen is a huge blessing for those with wanderlust (and funds); the planet seems full of open doors and I hope many of you out there are walking through those doors. Travel is not on the horizon for us, though. Student loans + the average vacation policy (2 weeks a year?) will keep us "States-bound" for at least the next twelve months.
Maybe this is just a stage of some hideous reverse-culture-shock that's hijacked my brain. What they're saying in this article sure sounds like a familiar tune. There certainly are bright spots still in life and I'm not sure why this other feeling is heavy enough to outweigh all its companions. But from here, today, it looks like just as we exchanged war for peace, the hidden cost of that trade was passion for a quiet despair. It's been 2 months, 1 week, 2 days and despite everything, I still miss Ukraine.
PS: If you want to leave a comment on this post, please share some happy news from your corner of the world or your life! Positivity is most welcomed : )
I think one reason I've headed back to Vietnam is because there's still hope and change and energy. The world isn't all doom and gloom. :)
ReplyDeleteIt helps to have a goal for the coming year. Maybe it's to explore the locality, maybe it's to learn or do something so that you keeping growing instead of stagnating. I think that's why I've been learning Korean, because it was an interesting (and productive) distraction. It's hard adjusting to life back home.
Also just because you've left Ukraine, it doesn't mean you can't/won't go back in the future.
That's true... although sometimes I'm not sure how much of it will be left when all the dust settles. Ugh, anyways...
DeleteThank you for sharing your update, Ruth Elisabeth. That's double good news actually, both that you're tackling a new language and that you're off to Vietnam again : ) How cool! Will you resume teaching English there?
I hadn't seen the new design on your site, btw. Looks great and the color choices really capture my attention!
It's hard to tell what will happen, but people are surprisingly resilient.
DeleteYes, I'm teaching English again but with a different school and different students. I want to keep learning something new, both in teaching and outside. I dithered over starting a new language but I half justified it because I thought I could write better beginner posts on More Vietnamese if I was a beginner again! Glad you like the new design. :)
Wistfully looking back, yet you have a whole new future to explore!
ReplyDeleteI returned to UK in February, after 24 years overseas, primarily Middle East, and even though I miss the dynamism of the region, my personal feelings of security and liberty are priceless.
No knocks on my door, as happened frequently in Kyiv, by plain clothes policemen on the take; let alone the interruption to my coffee shop meetings by State Security in UAE, as they tracked my location by mobile signal!
Freedom is a wonderful thing and something not truly appreciated by the population!
Onwards and upwards young lady :-)
I'm still eagerly awaiting your blog, Rupert : ) Are you writing again?
DeleteYes, that feeling is an invaluable one and I wish it applied for more people throughout this world, not automatically having to keep a wary eye on police or "officials", not having such a daily confrontation with corruption and paranoia. While those things do exist here, it's nothing like it is in other places. I eternally appreciate the security here and D does even more so, having grown up without it entirely.
Speaking of upwards, I think you'll like the next post : )
My old blogs, Business and Ukraine continue, with an addition to the stable: http://rupertbu.blogspot.co.uk/ , unfortunately as I establish myself in a physically demanding job, my first in 24 years, my rest time is dedicated to recovering and my new output is limited, but I must get back in to the swing with regularity.
DeleteYes always look up, possibly you will find some older architecture to attract your lens! ;-)
Ah, yes, I found that blog before but never had the chance to sit down and go through it, so it's good you reminded me. Looks like you had a good time exploring the city this summer! Hope you're able to rest up and hit the streets again soon.
DeleteI miss Ukraine too! After living in Kiev for 2 years I moved to Poland which is a great country but I left a bit of myself in Ukraine. Maybe someday I'll return. Almost daily I share stories of my Ukrainian students with my Polish students and they are all interested in what is happening in Ukraine. There is a lot of strong sentiment here in Poland for the people of Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from another expat in the same boat : ) Poland must be an interesting place to live these days. Do you keep a blog? I'd love to read it!
DeleteI don't keep a blog but might start once I get everything situated here in Warsaw. I believe you taught at AEC. Am I correct? I taught at AEC in Kiev (Rusanovka and Nivky) for 2 years. Did you happen to meet Brian, a young guy who had taught in Georgia, while you were in Kharkiv?
ReplyDeleteWow, small world! There was a Brian briefly in Kharkiv... just a few weeks if memory serves. Smart guy, red-headed, on the way to grad school, is that the same Brian?
DeleteKeep me posted on the blog : ) Hope to see it happen!
That's the guy. We trained together in Kiev.
ReplyDeleteHave you heard anything about the immigration people going into the schools and stamping US teacher's passports if they do not have a work permit? AEC actually had my passport illegally stamped by a border agent - showing that I had left Ukraine in March and returned in August. It was a nightmare dealing with Olga Black, even though Linda and Beverly, her roommate were my friends. The sad part - they condoned what was being done. When I asked Linda about the taxes being paid as in our agreement with Renie Williams - she hesitated. I said there were no taxes being paid and her reply was, "you didn't sign anything". Beverly's comment to my passport being illegally stamped was "the government is corrupt - that is how the system works here". I really miss working at the Nivky location and had a great director, but in hindsight it was best to move on.
Did you happen to know Paul at Donetsk? He might have trained around the same time as you. I'm still in contact a few of the teachers from Rusanovka and Nivky.
My name is Warren
Nice to meet you, Warren!
DeleteYep, heard about that happening in DP and Kharkiv. Anywhere else? I know it's a nightmare to get visas now and all, but you'd think a school that promotes "we have native speakers!!" so heavily would do the follow through for those employees. Back when I started the job came with an actual visa, at least. But who knows what's going on behind the scenes... maybe their hands really are tied. Pity because it sure was nice teaching with them!
There was a Paul in town for a while, though he was a new guy. The name rings a distant bell, perhaps there was another Paul in training? There were some really cool people in the training group but afterwards everyone quickly scattered with the winds.
Okay, Warren, I'm really, really, really waiting for your blog to start!! : ) Eastern Europe can always use more good bloggers!
To be honest with you.... I do not know how to start a 'blog'... :)) If I do I would want to somehow use Ukraine in the title.
ReplyDeleteWell, if you ever want to chat about it, my email is katherine at english-ghoti dot com. It's pretty easy to get started- just pick wordpress or blogger and learn more as you go. Your name could even have some kind of Ukraine-to-Poland hint maybe :) That's an interesting progression of countries.
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