So this week started off amazingly. All of my group (Kyiv 2) and half of Kyiv 1 went to lunch after church at...you guessed it! Our favorite place, Pyzata Xata. We chilled there for almost 3 hours, no exaggeration. Just like most places that are not America, it's totally acceptable, and even expected, to take a loooooong time at a restaurant. Although sitting at a restaurant for 3 hours doesn't sound exciting, I'm so glad we did because our group now feels pretty solid and comfortable with each other.
After a quick trip to the Lviv Chocolate Factory to get warm, (and chocolate, duh. Thanks for splitting a cup of melted chocolate with me, Clari!) we headed over to the Cathedral Hill. I have no idea what the actual name of the area is, but it's the part of town with St. Sofia's and St. Michael's, so in my head it's Cathedral Hill. It's my favorite part of town. We spent about 45 minutes wandering around, looking for the Opera House, which we found just in time.
Then came the best part: the ballet! I don't even know how to describe to you how wonderful it was. I was in raptures. You know those Victorian novels that talk about the rich people sitting in boxes at the opera, being able to see everyone else in the theater, etc? I can finally picture exactly what that looks like in my head. The ballet was The Lady of the Camellias, which is based off the book by Alexandre Dumas. I don't know too much about ballet, but it was beautiful. The theater was beautiful, the dancing was beautiful, the costumes were beautiful, the music was beautiful...I was going to go on, but I realized that half of this post was just about the ballet, and more than just Sunday happened this week, so I better stop rerapturing and continue on with my week, because I could go on forever. But first, some photographs:
As it is the beginning of the month, I can't forget to include this month's challenge: Budgeting
Set a budget and follow it. Many hardships come from stressing over money. If you set a budget, it allows you to become more aware and be able to fix money spending quirks you've got. Set a budget, follow through, and observe. I don't have much else to add, cause I feel like budgeting is fairly straightforward. It's hard, but do it, you won't regret it!
All in all, I have loved my first month here - yes, as of February 2, I will have been in Ukraine for an entire month! Per popular demand, my mailing address:
Feel free to send me peanut butter, letters, Valentine's candy, extra socks, and birthday presents. Cheers to Week Five!
After a quick trip to the Lviv Chocolate Factory to get warm, (and chocolate, duh. Thanks for splitting a cup of melted chocolate with me, Clari!) we headed over to the Cathedral Hill. I have no idea what the actual name of the area is, but it's the part of town with St. Sofia's and St. Michael's, so in my head it's Cathedral Hill. It's my favorite part of town. We spent about 45 minutes wandering around, looking for the Opera House, which we found just in time.
Then came the best part: the ballet! I don't even know how to describe to you how wonderful it was. I was in raptures. You know those Victorian novels that talk about the rich people sitting in boxes at the opera, being able to see everyone else in the theater, etc? I can finally picture exactly what that looks like in my head. The ballet was The Lady of the Camellias, which is based off the book by Alexandre Dumas. I don't know too much about ballet, but it was beautiful. The theater was beautiful, the dancing was beautiful, the costumes were beautiful, the music was beautiful...I was going to go on, but I realized that half of this post was just about the ballet, and more than just Sunday happened this week, so I better stop rerapturing and continue on with my week, because I could go on forever. But first, some photographs:
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| Photo Cred: Clari Burton |
On Saturday we had a birthday celebration for one of the girls in my group that included bowling, pizza, and T.G.I. Friday's. When we had gone bowling with the kids a couple weeks ago, no one believed me when I said that I was a terrible bowler. But then I got a grand total of 16 points the first game, and now everyone believes me. I really am a terrible bowler, and I claim that fact proudly. T.G.I. Friday's was delicious. And that's all that needs said, because how can you say more?
Mackay made me start Operation Sexy Beast this week, and I am so sore. But it means I won't feel as guilty about all of the deliciousness I eat, so I do it without too much complaining. Usually. Sunday includes another ballet, which I'm even more excited about than this week's: it's Sleeping Beauty!! Details will be included next week, of course.As it is the beginning of the month, I can't forget to include this month's challenge: Budgeting
Set a budget and follow it. Many hardships come from stressing over money. If you set a budget, it allows you to become more aware and be able to fix money spending quirks you've got. Set a budget, follow through, and observe. I don't have much else to add, cause I feel like budgeting is fairly straightforward. It's hard, but do it, you won't regret it!
All in all, I have loved my first month here - yes, as of February 2, I will have been in Ukraine for an entire month! Per popular demand, my mailing address:
Feel free to send me peanut butter, letters, Valentine's candy, extra socks, and birthday presents. Cheers to Week Five!
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