Final updates

Meet the packing assistant.

(Warning: cat overload!)

He likes to test everything out- clothes, luggage, papers- by sitting on it exactly when you need it. I was trying to pack this suitcase, but apparently it hadn't passed the quality control inspection yet.

Russian summer school is coming...

It's almost time for Russian summer school! *slight panicky feeling* 

Last night I had my first dream about being in Russia. It was a confusing mix of trying to buy bread and water from a little kiosk, using wooden tokens to ride the metro, and getting outdated rubles from an ATM. Pretty sure reality won't look much like that, though. Right? But who cares, I'm SO excited!!!

Yesterday the school sent out a class schedule-

Snapshots and travel plans

It's been a great month so far!

Back in the day

Ukraine has been through a number of currency changes- the kupon, anyone?- but we're going a bit further back in time today. I've tried to find out as much as possible about these coins, but please jump into the comments if you know anything else!

This coin is called a denga (денга is actually written on it). My friend found it near Kharkiv, while digging at his dacha. Ebay lists these coins for $5-10 USD.

Is that year 1735?

Here's a five-kopek coin from 1789. You can find this coin on Ebay for $100-500. I have no idea how we encountered this coin. It looks like someone brought it to work one day and my husband took pictures of it.

Tea update

Even though it's been super hot lately, every day has been borsch day. Yum. It would make more sense to eat something cold, but D made a giant pot of the soup and I got hooked on it. He used a seasoning packet from the Russian store this time. It was okay, but I think he's actually really talented at just picking out random spices from the cupboard to use.

But- tea news!

So, I promised in February that the days of tea craziness would end. And they have. We still drink tea every day and every night, but the tea buying sprees are over. These past few months I was focused on drinking up what we had, not looking for new ones. Today I want to share just three teas with you: raspberry / currant, rose, and root beer.

Cooling off

It's pretty hot right now (and planning to stay that way all weekend!), so I'm trying to remember a few freezing cold days. Do you think this kind of mental exercise actually works?

Kharkiv summer storms

There is nothing as good as a summer storm. I'm talking about the kind that come out of nowhere- it's hot, it's hot, it's hot, and then, all of the sudden, dark storm clouds pop up and thunder rumbles. (But yikes, this storm is a little much!)

And since most apartments in Ukraine come with a балкон, balcony, you're all set up for the perfect (and dry!) viewing spot.