Halfway done with the week, and so far I've loved it! Jet lag wasn't the greatest, but compared to some of my fellow teachers, I've adjusted quickly. January 7 is Russian Orthodox Christmas, so the kids aren't in school right now - they're here with us just to practice English. And have fun. We have been living, eating, and teaching at a boarding school in Boyarka (approx. 40 minutes outside of Kiev) and will be here next week as well.
I've enjoyed the food, for the most part, but what's not to like about potatoes? Breakfast is always my favorite, and Christmas breakfast was the best! (Pictured above). Blini is everything I've heard and more and can we please have Borscht everday? We have three normals meals everyday and two snacks that are called Second Lunch and Second Dinner, but it's usually just cookies and tea. I'm probably going to get really fat here...
On Sunday we took a 30 minute bus ride to attend the International Branch. They meet in the building right next to the temple, which is beautiful. It's mostly comprised of Senior missionaries, temple workers, the Mission President and his family, and the young missionaries. Everyone knew we were the new ILP teachers as soon as we walked in; they were so welcoming and friendly! I don't think I have ever shaken so many hands at one time. I sound absolutely pathetic saying this, but it was also really nice to have reliable internet, because the Church always does.
After church we took the Metro to the center of town and explored Independence Square until it got dark. There is a super-duper fancy candy store near IS, which is delicious AND cheap; hurrah for living in Eastern Europe!
On Monday morning the kids showed up and we started classes. There are 11 kids, five of them are in my home group. The oldest of the kids is 14, the youngest is 6. It has been really fun having most of the kids stay at the school with us - Tuesday night involved a traditional dance with candles and an epic Hide & Seek (it was cray cray) and on Wednesday we went to the cinema (I have no idea what was going on in the movie) and made sugar cookies.
Overall this is what I have learned about Ukraine: don't step out of bed without shoes on, do NOT sit on the ground/floor, clocks are super loud, they talk fast and quiet, there is fur EVERYWHERE, everybody smokes, the buses are disgusting, the Metro is great, and I love being called "Mees Queen."
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