8 months in Ukraine, revisited

I don't know how this has happened, but another 8 months have flown by after making that phone call back in March... bringing us to a grand total of 16 months in Ukraine.

16!

That sounds so long! Almost enough time to get an associates degree or have two babies! But I'm glad I chose Ukraine for this period of time instead of more education or starting a family. I think it will prove just as rewarding in the long run.

The past 8 months have been very different from the previous 8. Remember Кто не рискует, тот не пьет шампанское from June? Since then I've been trying a ton of new things. 

This summer I did a weekly English Game Night with another teacher.

Blogging, as you can probably tell, has become more than just a hobby. It's become a lifestyle and I love it.

I started volunteering with a local social service agency this fall, offering English to its employees weekly and hanging out with the children once or twice a month.

D and I have begun work on a website to help others learn Russian. We started from scratch but it's coming along pretty well. Just have a couple more things to do before it's ready to be shared with all of you!

8 months in Ukraine

Well, it's done. Alea iacta est. A phone call to the director, a brief email to HR, and I've signed on to teach in Kharkov for another semester. This is good, of course, especially since it's the most obvious option at the moment. The last 8 months have been fantastical, yes, fantastical and challenging and transformative and I'm proud of where I am now... but I can't stay here mentally. There are changes ahead.

Work, for example. I feel like I've passed the peak, the point where the newness of the job translated to enthusiasm, nervous tremors, and actual care. Now it's harder to care. Every day is just another day at work. Even though I still enjoy teaching, it's hard to feel excited about it. I used to feel like I made a difference, like I was helping people. The one thing I am excited about now is a side job I've taken on as an IELTS tutor. That's pretty interesting and new, but sometimes my regular classes feel like babysitting. Or pulling teeth. Yikes.

First Thoughts

Last night I found an old journal entry scribbled in the back of a book. I must have intended to post it in an earlier blog, but it was forgotten and waited on the bookshelf for years. The first sentence is-

Your journey begins in the railway station, where a sign on the cashier window informs you: Cashier does not give answers.

As unpleasant as those words sound, if you love Russia and Ukraine then there's something about them that intrigues you. You think- what? why? no answers? why not? what's up with that?

If you don't love Russia and Ukraine, then you probably think- what the hell? Forget it, I'm going to Cancun! (And I think you're probably not going to be interested in this blog :p )

But back to those who will... no matter how many times you get frustrated or don't get any answers, there's still some beauty that keeps bringing you back. It's like dating someone who usually treats you like dirt but you keep thinking the relationship can be saved because of the occasional "perfect" moments. Tell me now, readers- is it okay that I'm moving to Ukraine with those expectations? Or is it simply natural? I'd like to think that this is normal whenever anyone studies a foreign culture or language. I'd like to think it's not a bad relationship that I should turn away from to avoid heartbreak!