I can’t believe I didn’t post anything the whole time I was in Kyiv this past weekend! Maybe it was partly to do with hanging out with Debski ☺ Or the power going out while no guests were at home or 6 new houseguests on Saturday night! Oh well ☺
I always wish that the marshutka rides were less bumpy so I could scribble my thoughts as I ride. There is always something interesting that we pass on the 1 ½ hour trip. Yesterday was a huge wagon being pulled by a team of horses on the road. The wagon was loaded down with hay and the driver neselted into the top holding the reigns. On moments like those, I wish we had our own car so we could just pull over and take a picture! We also always travel through a small town that’s right on the river. Since spending time on Cape Cod out on a boat, going into the ocean until you can only see the light from the lighthouse, I’ve always loved coming back ashore with all the houses that are on the water have an American flag, hanging proudly atop the flag pole, blowing in the wind. When I was playing soccer in Belgium 10 summers ago, I had the same feelings of joy. And it’s no exception here in Ukraine. I know in different places on the way to look to the right or left to see that blue and yellow flag waving and being reminded once again, yes, I am in Ukraine and it’s not dream ☺ and to pray for the people and country. I love the fact that my husband is proud to be Ukrainian. Many people you pass on the streets (especially in Kyiv) are copying the latest European styles. It always warms my heart to see a national Ukrainian shirt being worn. Ukraine has such a rich history (maybe one day I’ll learn it all… hmmm, maybe when helping kids with homework? heh) that I love to see people being patriotic. July 4th is coming up soon. Will we celebrate? Maybe not, but I will make different things that we always did up on the Cape! And we’ll have our own, small celebration.
We are still looking for a place to live :-/ We have exactly one month left here in the house we’ve been looking after. I’ve started packing things up, but not 100% sure how to do that yet! My parents are graciously allowing us a high up place to store some things that we want to for sure keep, but we never really use… In another 2 weeks, well start going through and putting the house back together. Well, it’s still in tact but we moved the furniture around to fit in the computer and tv in the living room! (and the dining room table my parents gave us that’s over 100 years old)
If anyone wants some paperbacks, let me know, who are in Ukraine! Lil’ Paul gave them to me before they left…. For the most part, murder myteries. Free to a willing home! They could be good summer books to pass the time ☺ Michelle? Cara?
Kolya continues to work at the house for the Crowe’s up the street putting in an average of 50 hours. It’s been fun to see the progress taking place and even being able to dream of building our own house one day, or even a fixer-upper! I spend a couple hours a day up there, reading or handing screws to the guys or putting the kettle on for coffee/tea break and sweeping up some of the rooms so they’ll be ready to paint! I must say, once I’ve swept and then someone comes in a makes a mess again (well, not a mess, just lots of dust) it is quite disheartening. I’m glad at least at home, well, it’s also an old house so it is sometimes disheartening after spending the morning cleaning, you can’t even tell! But, in my mind I know it’s clean. Mumsie, who knew I’d be such a neat freak, heh.
I’ve also been on a reading rampage. Getting books finished that I’ve borrowed from my parents and others. It feels good to have them read and back to rightful owners! I have one more borrowed book that I hope to finish this week and one dvd to watch. I’ll share thoughts on those at a later time… For now… need to fix lunch for my hubby ☺
