Test yourself on Kharkiv

Okay, Kharkiv friends and друзья, here it is-

Are you a true Kharkovian?   

(Тест на Харьковчанина)

The original test can be found in Russian here. Here's a translation (any errors most definitely mine): 

 

Answer the questions to find out if you're a true Kharkovian:


1. Do you give up your space for the elderly on public transportation?

Via an awkward inquiry in Russian, yep.

2. Do you throw trash and cigarette butts in the trash can?

I did.

3. Do you follow the rules of go-with-the-flow in the metro? (don't go against the flow at Radianska's crossing, keep to the right on the elevator, allow those in a hurry to pass you.) 

Um, yes. Out of fear of being crushed to death by the crowd at Radianska or beaten by a babushka with a handbag.

Christmas Fail

Apparently, this is pretty much the most ill-wishing, evil-eyed, bad-omened thing that you could buy for someone from Crimea.

Maybe you're already looking at it and nodding your head, thinking of COURSE! I'd NEVER buy that for a Russian! Duh!

Well, I thought it was cute. And useful. And a doormat.

Not a gateway of evil.

But here's what happened and why a doormat- esp this particular one- is such a bad gift idea.
(Oh, hindsight!)

8 things to keep an eye out for in Nicaragua

We've got a trip to Nicaragua planned. D was a little reluctant- "Where??"- but agreed after I promised him all the fresh fruit and ocean he could stand.

As we get closer to the trip, I've been telling him a little about the country. Here's the result of that-

8 Things to Keep an Eye Out For in Nicaragua

A cheap and easy snack! A famous poet! A dessert you'd better eat fast! A thing you need for air conditioning! A dinner with a face! A place to sit! Red-and-black painted anything! Painted buses!

The cat lounge

Once upon a time we would tiptoe through the Kharkiv cat mafia's alleyway on the way home from work. Portland, though, has a totally different feline scene.

A Tale of Two Thanksgivings

A Tale of Two Thanksgivings 

or 

How You Can Gain 9lbs in a Single Weekend If You Have Ukrainian Relatives :p

Rainy day quotes

The rain is finally here!

This fall I've been working from home as an online English teacher, meaning lots of peeking out the window at the rain + lots of weather updates from abroad. Most of the students are Ukrainians (hooray!) so that makes Ukraine seem a little less far away. All the students are reporting rain where they are too, but some also have snow on the horizon.... I'm kind of jealous! Hopefully Portland will get a snow day this winter. For now, we'll have to be content with rainy afternoons.

Snapshots of American Life: Halloween