Sooooo,
It's been awhile considering we've had no internet access, well I should say, I've had no internet access here for 5 days. This is because things in the camp have been so absolutely busy busy busy!
In fact, these have been the most exciting days thus far!
We went on a couple of excursions. First, we went to this ukrainian wellness resort which is just about the coolest place i have ever experienced. There are gardens, and ponds, and sunbathing, and exercize equipment...along with horseback riding and swimming and shopping:)
The hotel is literally the coolest place I've ever seen. It looks like a building right out of disney land. so, you walk around this place and see people getting massages in these serene, calming gazebos in the middle of beautiful, landscaped trees. Then you'll find all lot of ukrainians soaking up the sun.
BUT MY FAVORITE PART IS THE UKRAINIAN OBSESSION WITH WATER. We entered this building in the center of the resort where you can drink different types of water. They have different levels of sodium/sulfur and are various temperatures. This place is supported by an underground tap so it is completely natural. Only one thing, it smells like rotten eggs.
I was daring and decided to try some...i nearly puked my guts out because the taste is so raunchy and the smell is so potent. But the people here swear by it and swear it works. Many rich ukrainians come here strictly for the fact to drink the special type of water that the doctor prescribes to them. It's quite fascinating. In fact, one of our students spent her time there last summer, and she says she has not gotten a stomache ache since. I need this stuffffff. wow!
After this wellness resort, we went to this castle place which has three connected buildings. It housed the poor on one side of the building and then the rich on the other in the 16th century. Then in the center, there is a church. The main message of this building is to show the world that God brings all people together. I thought it was one of the greatest places I've ever been:)
Now close to this castle is a spring which also leads me to believe that ukrainians are obsessed with water. There is some old tale where a princess kept drinking from this spring and she became more and more youthful with each drink. So, some prince guy came along and drank from it, but drank too much because he turned into a baby. Haha. I'm sure I have this story completely wrong, but this is what I got out of the translation to english...
When we saw this spring everyone was drinking from it, and naturally, I was a bit hesitant because in the U.S. we would never drink from a river. EVER. But i filled my water bottle and it was indeed the best tasting water I have had!
Now the next excursion day we went to the mukachevo castle/city of mukachevo. this city is approximately 17 klm from the polish border, and it was super cool! The castle is situated on top of a huge mountain (of the carpathians) and there is a very scenic tour to get up there. Of course, we could see much of the castle itself, but the views were amazing!
And afterwards, we walked around mukachevo with the students to get some pizza because it is not served here in the camp. I think I mentioned before that they put corn on their pizza...yah and why I am still not sure!
Then after returning to the camp here, maja, nadir, and i were bored, so we decided to walk around the base camp...and maja wanted to see the swimming pool because she hadn't yet. Now remember it was probably 65 degrees farenheit this day, and YES my friends, as always, michelle went swimming. I was provoked to jump in, in my clothes...and it was great fun! the swimming pool is about 5 feet deep...it is a cemented block with water that is tapped from the neighboring river...so the bottom is slimey, but there is no fish or muck or anything like that...BUT I also got nadir to jump in because he loves swimmming....hahaha...it was one day i will never forget!
HOWEVER, i am definitely regretting my decision to jump in that water today...and yesterday...I AM SICK:( I couldn't teach my lessons today because it's difficult for me to talk, so arthur, the camp director, and irina, the camp doctor, took me to the mukachevo hospital. Have you ever seen the movie saw? well, the room I was waiting in for the doctor definitely looked like a scene out of this movie. At one pooint, some ukrainian nurse came in and talked to me...she popped out of some randoma entryway and scared the living daylights out of me. Then after this, we were sent to the throat doctor across town...this guy was so old and shakey and his office looked like papa's (my great grandfather's) old barber shop left over from the 1950's. Everything was primitively vintage...i mean he pulled this super old creaky lamplight type thing covered in dust to look down my throat. he even had one of those old headband magnifier things...wow wow wow is all i have to say. I wish you all could experience this!
So the wonderfully hospitable arthur and irina traveled to the drug store to acquire my proper medicines, and now I am happily taking them...according to their orders! I don't know how two people could be more accomodating, and I certainly thank them so much for all of their care!
Overall, I'm trying to power up so I can keep teaching these awesome students. I <3 them, and I <3 the AmEs summer camp!
Goodbye for now and God bless!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Hahahaha hi!
Howdy Y'all.
Today, Ukraine started out as a major pain. I wanted to DIE. I was so tired, probably because of stupid shenanigans I involved myself with last night.
So anywho, I have a constant sore throat here, and I am just so tired. It's hard for me to be full Michelley because it takes so much energy here. I just keep praying and praying and praying that things will continue to be ok. I just wanna be ok be ok be ok...I just wanna be ok today! :) But it has been a fun day...
And last nightw as a riot. Luigi, nadir, and i walked to the village last night @ 10:30pm. I was slightly fearful, as Ukrainians are the most friendly looking people. However, they are amazing! So we walked in the dark to this cafe Luigi had seen...and entered. I wanted ice cream of course...which their ice cream here kind of sucks. It is evident that they lacked the western european influence of gelato:( so sad! but some of the bars they have here are delicious. and what can i say? ice cream is fricken ice cream. Yah so I got ice cream haha and so did luigi and nadir. luigi also bought juice...and so we decided to walk through this cafe to find people to talk to. However, at first when we started to walk up the stairs, it appeared as if no one was there. literally no one. until we got to the top floor where there was a monstrous pool table, picture of an orgy on the wall, and about 6 ukrainians sitting on couches with a computer and cards. Nadir, who has been living here for 11 months and some odd days (he knows exactly), introduced us because he knows more ukrainian than luigi and i. So he says our names and the people just stare. The three of us stand there awkwardly for about 3 minutes...until nadir is eating his ice cream and it falls off of the stick onto the floor. they people just stare, while im laughing at nadir. and then one of the women, in perfect english mind you, says..."we prefer that you leave, so we can start to play"
What was going on in our minds? well, we contemplated the fact that perhaps it was some sort of orgy partay, or maybe a narcotics game...either way it was hilarious to experience their hostility.
and today was great fun...after i had my nap. the students participated in a quest game:) Yay:)
Have fun everyone!
God bless!
:)Michelley!
Today, Ukraine started out as a major pain. I wanted to DIE. I was so tired, probably because of stupid shenanigans I involved myself with last night.
So anywho, I have a constant sore throat here, and I am just so tired. It's hard for me to be full Michelley because it takes so much energy here. I just keep praying and praying and praying that things will continue to be ok. I just wanna be ok be ok be ok...I just wanna be ok today! :) But it has been a fun day...
And last nightw as a riot. Luigi, nadir, and i walked to the village last night @ 10:30pm. I was slightly fearful, as Ukrainians are the most friendly looking people. However, they are amazing! So we walked in the dark to this cafe Luigi had seen...and entered. I wanted ice cream of course...which their ice cream here kind of sucks. It is evident that they lacked the western european influence of gelato:( so sad! but some of the bars they have here are delicious. and what can i say? ice cream is fricken ice cream. Yah so I got ice cream haha and so did luigi and nadir. luigi also bought juice...and so we decided to walk through this cafe to find people to talk to. However, at first when we started to walk up the stairs, it appeared as if no one was there. literally no one. until we got to the top floor where there was a monstrous pool table, picture of an orgy on the wall, and about 6 ukrainians sitting on couches with a computer and cards. Nadir, who has been living here for 11 months and some odd days (he knows exactly), introduced us because he knows more ukrainian than luigi and i. So he says our names and the people just stare. The three of us stand there awkwardly for about 3 minutes...until nadir is eating his ice cream and it falls off of the stick onto the floor. they people just stare, while im laughing at nadir. and then one of the women, in perfect english mind you, says..."we prefer that you leave, so we can start to play"
What was going on in our minds? well, we contemplated the fact that perhaps it was some sort of orgy partay, or maybe a narcotics game...either way it was hilarious to experience their hostility.
and today was great fun...after i had my nap. the students participated in a quest game:) Yay:)
Have fun everyone!
God bless!
:)Michelley!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
I'm forgetting:)
Hi hi my people of the world!
The AmEs camp is my favorite!
These children are just so phenomenal...and guess what!? I'm not just wiping snot all day! haha jk:)
So, yesterday, I dressed up as the big bad wolf from the three little pigs because I am teaching a fairytales class. I'm pretty sure it was an amazing lesson because the kids enjoyed it, and I also had a great time.
I was telling them the true story of the wolf and that I really didn't want to eat the pigs, I just really love chocolate and thought they were chocolate pigs. haha, quite lame i know, but they really loved it. And so, they helped me, the wolf apologize to the pigs by writing letters and then they designed new house ideas for the wolf to build for the pigs. It was a blast!
AND TODAY WAS SO MUCH FUN :D we had a market/bazaar that was put on by the students. It was the students' responsibility to come up with some services/goods for us teachers...we got to use fake money and buy whatever we wanted. So for instance, there was massaging, sweets stores, jewlery, portrait drawing, tatoos, ukrainian lessons, and oodles and oodles of the cutest things I have ever seen. It was an absolute absolute blast!
And of course we still have our disco dancing every night, and our wonderful meals to eat. so delicious, i just keep reiterating that...
Also, last night was one of the instructor's birthdays so we had a bit of a partay! It was quite a fun time.
Other than that...we just have fun joking and laughing...
For instance, one morning, i wake up and i took a shower...then i hear in the other room where nadir, luigi, and chris are staying...
"Chris, you took my towel."
Then chris says..."Oh my Gosh, that was your's, I'm so sorry. Last year the hotel provided us with them."
(meanwhile I am laughing to the point of tears in the other room when I'm hearing this)....so chris toook nadir's towel and chucked it on the floor to sop up the water.
So hilarious...perhaps you have to know them to enjoy this story, but it is great!
Another hilarious thing is their pronunciation of FBI...they say "Fi, Bee, E" and I along with many others just start laughing...SO HARD.
Well, the point of this story is, I am enjoying Ukraine a little too much. It seems as though I have began to forget my life back home. It seems as though I almost prefer everything here much more. Yet, it does scare me a little to think that I have the ability to forget everything I love.
I miss cheese.
I miss driving.
I miss having a giant yard and my own room.
I miss peanut butter and jelly.
I miss my mother's cooking.
I miss the verre young eye clinic.
But I'm still laughing here:D :D
Bye for now and god bless
:)Michelley!
The AmEs camp is my favorite!
These children are just so phenomenal...and guess what!? I'm not just wiping snot all day! haha jk:)
So, yesterday, I dressed up as the big bad wolf from the three little pigs because I am teaching a fairytales class. I'm pretty sure it was an amazing lesson because the kids enjoyed it, and I also had a great time.
I was telling them the true story of the wolf and that I really didn't want to eat the pigs, I just really love chocolate and thought they were chocolate pigs. haha, quite lame i know, but they really loved it. And so, they helped me, the wolf apologize to the pigs by writing letters and then they designed new house ideas for the wolf to build for the pigs. It was a blast!
AND TODAY WAS SO MUCH FUN :D we had a market/bazaar that was put on by the students. It was the students' responsibility to come up with some services/goods for us teachers...we got to use fake money and buy whatever we wanted. So for instance, there was massaging, sweets stores, jewlery, portrait drawing, tatoos, ukrainian lessons, and oodles and oodles of the cutest things I have ever seen. It was an absolute absolute blast!
And of course we still have our disco dancing every night, and our wonderful meals to eat. so delicious, i just keep reiterating that...
Also, last night was one of the instructor's birthdays so we had a bit of a partay! It was quite a fun time.
Other than that...we just have fun joking and laughing...
For instance, one morning, i wake up and i took a shower...then i hear in the other room where nadir, luigi, and chris are staying...
"Chris, you took my towel."
Then chris says..."Oh my Gosh, that was your's, I'm so sorry. Last year the hotel provided us with them."
(meanwhile I am laughing to the point of tears in the other room when I'm hearing this)....so chris toook nadir's towel and chucked it on the floor to sop up the water.
So hilarious...perhaps you have to know them to enjoy this story, but it is great!
Another hilarious thing is their pronunciation of FBI...they say "Fi, Bee, E" and I along with many others just start laughing...SO HARD.
Well, the point of this story is, I am enjoying Ukraine a little too much. It seems as though I have began to forget my life back home. It seems as though I almost prefer everything here much more. Yet, it does scare me a little to think that I have the ability to forget everything I love.
I miss cheese.
I miss driving.
I miss having a giant yard and my own room.
I miss peanut butter and jelly.
I miss my mother's cooking.
I miss the verre young eye clinic.
But I'm still laughing here:D :D
Bye for now and god bless
:)Michelley!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Long time no talk:)
Hello everyone!
I miss you, and I've really missed my family these past couple days. It's been rather tough, but I'm still making it!!!
So I am in the AmEs camp, and it is the most phenomenal thing I have ever experience in my entire life. I am just so happy, so greatful, and just love love love this life.
I'll recap our trekk here...so maja and i had to wake up at 330 am i think to prepare for our journey to the carpathian mountains. We had to take a taxi to the main train station, and so I had to lug my giant luggage down the cobblestone streets around my flat. I'm pretty sure I hated it....
Then the train was just fabulous...First, we were jam-packed into one car...all the children, teachers and luggage. It was definitely an experience, but I just wouldn't have traded it for the world simply because the views I experienced and the feelings I had travelling through the carpathians just took my breath away. These feelings were like nothing else I have ever felt...
Imagine these huge mountains out of a fairytale with tons of pine trees...then there are the random villages with byzantine style churches and farms with old fashioned hay bales and pitch forks. I saw the occasional farmer chasing after his cow, and then there are also the beautiful rivers. It just brings tears to my eyes to think about:)
Now I am in the camp and this is a resort. so beautiful. I am staying in a room with five other teachers...so funny.
Everyday we have morning exercizes, then our meetings, then breakfast which is delicious...the food here makes me never want to leave like I've said before.
I taught my first lessons today, and I had just a ball! The students are soooo intelligent and their english is outstanding. I dressed up as a fairy and just went over the three little pigs...
then yesterday we played volleyball for about 2 hours...SO FUN:) and then danced at the disco. Although, my arms were covered in mud because the volleyball court is all dirt. It was hilarious.
As I have said before, I have my make shift father and grandfather here who enable me to survive. We have so much fun joking, and talking about seinfeld. We also just have the craziest intelligent conversations...
beyond this, you have to see what the students here put together. they are making advertisements, chants, projects and it is amazing. Also, these kids are the greatest dancers i have ever seen. I mean little boys maybe 10 are doing these crazy moves like they should be on dancing with the stars. They have the cutest outfits to accompany their performances as well.
LOVE IT HERE:)
God bless all!
:)Michelly!
I miss you, and I've really missed my family these past couple days. It's been rather tough, but I'm still making it!!!
So I am in the AmEs camp, and it is the most phenomenal thing I have ever experience in my entire life. I am just so happy, so greatful, and just love love love this life.
I'll recap our trekk here...so maja and i had to wake up at 330 am i think to prepare for our journey to the carpathian mountains. We had to take a taxi to the main train station, and so I had to lug my giant luggage down the cobblestone streets around my flat. I'm pretty sure I hated it....
Then the train was just fabulous...First, we were jam-packed into one car...all the children, teachers and luggage. It was definitely an experience, but I just wouldn't have traded it for the world simply because the views I experienced and the feelings I had travelling through the carpathians just took my breath away. These feelings were like nothing else I have ever felt...
Imagine these huge mountains out of a fairytale with tons of pine trees...then there are the random villages with byzantine style churches and farms with old fashioned hay bales and pitch forks. I saw the occasional farmer chasing after his cow, and then there are also the beautiful rivers. It just brings tears to my eyes to think about:)
Now I am in the camp and this is a resort. so beautiful. I am staying in a room with five other teachers...so funny.
Everyday we have morning exercizes, then our meetings, then breakfast which is delicious...the food here makes me never want to leave like I've said before.
I taught my first lessons today, and I had just a ball! The students are soooo intelligent and their english is outstanding. I dressed up as a fairy and just went over the three little pigs...
then yesterday we played volleyball for about 2 hours...SO FUN:) and then danced at the disco. Although, my arms were covered in mud because the volleyball court is all dirt. It was hilarious.
As I have said before, I have my make shift father and grandfather here who enable me to survive. We have so much fun joking, and talking about seinfeld. We also just have the craziest intelligent conversations...
beyond this, you have to see what the students here put together. they are making advertisements, chants, projects and it is amazing. Also, these kids are the greatest dancers i have ever seen. I mean little boys maybe 10 are doing these crazy moves like they should be on dancing with the stars. They have the cutest outfits to accompany their performances as well.
LOVE IT HERE:)
God bless all!
:)Michelly!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Hi Hi from Chris & Luigi's Flat
Hola Amigos!
I've had such an extravagant time today...
This morning I first woke up and felt a little trashed, however, this wore off after about a good two hours of me staring into my suitcase, attempting to choose what to wear out of my limited stash of clothing...
So, obviously I got ready, and then Maja and I headed to Castle Lion for our training again today. We had team building which is always a riot, and then tried to come up with stuff for interviewing the children's english level....
It was just so fun! But let me describe castle lion for you...it's wayyy better than anything american! I mean picture one of the buildings on lake dr. with a conference room and then you get to sit outside on the patio when we have our coffee breaks. There are random cats that walk around, and it's so peaceful, serene, and beautiful. There are white curtains which sway in the wind, and everyone has a smile on their face...from here we went to dinner...
We had a delicious chicken, cheese, and egg salad with mayo, some kind of borsch soup with pickles, black olives, and one caper...that i sadly ate, and then dumplings! delish!
Then of course, we all walked to the city center again! yay! first, maya and I dropped our stuff off at chris and luigi's flat then we were off to the opera house market again to buy souveniers....
we were shopping for everything of course. i bought a lot of presents:) so shhh i can't tell you what i got...but for myself I bought a beautiful handmade and handpainted tote bag that says I <3 lviv:) yaya :)
After this, maja and i continued our shopping in this mall like structure called maganus. we went to some store called reserve where i bought jeans for $20 and a shirt for like $8...it's much like an american store...however, for some reason people here are obsessed with strange things...all these t-shirts had the powerpuff girls on them and then some had snoopy and just odd stuff haha
So then, maja went to meet with maryana and i continued my shopping because as you all know, im a shopoholic. So i stayed in the maganus mall place and bought some junk...it is 6 stories, and in most of the stores the shopkeepers just stand at the door and stare at you, so i was afraid to go into most of the stores lol
then i went down the street to all these really cheep "dollar like" stores where i bought a sparkly candle to use as my wand for my fairy costume....eventually i made my way to the bank to exchange my usd and to the opera market where i bought chocolate and fanta and apples.......
i also wanted to check out the ecco shoe store which is hella expensive here. whoa....but overall, it was a good day...
i only almost got hit by a car crossing the street 3 times, and was stared at about 600 times...even though everyone here says i look ukrainian.
anywho, next time i travel abroad im going to a country where all the women are fat because seriously the women here are so skinny.. EVERYONE! I am tempted to stop eating, but the food is just so goood;)
Tomorrow we head on a 5 hour train ride for the camp...i don't know how much internet access i will have, but i hope it is enough. if not, i may go crazy! anyway have a stupendous day!
God blesss
:)shelly!
I've had such an extravagant time today...
This morning I first woke up and felt a little trashed, however, this wore off after about a good two hours of me staring into my suitcase, attempting to choose what to wear out of my limited stash of clothing...
So, obviously I got ready, and then Maja and I headed to Castle Lion for our training again today. We had team building which is always a riot, and then tried to come up with stuff for interviewing the children's english level....
It was just so fun! But let me describe castle lion for you...it's wayyy better than anything american! I mean picture one of the buildings on lake dr. with a conference room and then you get to sit outside on the patio when we have our coffee breaks. There are random cats that walk around, and it's so peaceful, serene, and beautiful. There are white curtains which sway in the wind, and everyone has a smile on their face...from here we went to dinner...
We had a delicious chicken, cheese, and egg salad with mayo, some kind of borsch soup with pickles, black olives, and one caper...that i sadly ate, and then dumplings! delish!
Then of course, we all walked to the city center again! yay! first, maya and I dropped our stuff off at chris and luigi's flat then we were off to the opera house market again to buy souveniers....
we were shopping for everything of course. i bought a lot of presents:) so shhh i can't tell you what i got...but for myself I bought a beautiful handmade and handpainted tote bag that says I <3 lviv:) yaya :)
After this, maja and i continued our shopping in this mall like structure called maganus. we went to some store called reserve where i bought jeans for $20 and a shirt for like $8...it's much like an american store...however, for some reason people here are obsessed with strange things...all these t-shirts had the powerpuff girls on them and then some had snoopy and just odd stuff haha
So then, maja went to meet with maryana and i continued my shopping because as you all know, im a shopoholic. So i stayed in the maganus mall place and bought some junk...it is 6 stories, and in most of the stores the shopkeepers just stand at the door and stare at you, so i was afraid to go into most of the stores lol
then i went down the street to all these really cheep "dollar like" stores where i bought a sparkly candle to use as my wand for my fairy costume....eventually i made my way to the bank to exchange my usd and to the opera market where i bought chocolate and fanta and apples.......
i also wanted to check out the ecco shoe store which is hella expensive here. whoa....but overall, it was a good day...
i only almost got hit by a car crossing the street 3 times, and was stared at about 600 times...even though everyone here says i look ukrainian.
anywho, next time i travel abroad im going to a country where all the women are fat because seriously the women here are so skinny.. EVERYONE! I am tempted to stop eating, but the food is just so goood;)
Tomorrow we head on a 5 hour train ride for the camp...i don't know how much internet access i will have, but i hope it is enough. if not, i may go crazy! anyway have a stupendous day!
God blesss
:)shelly!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Come on Everybody, Come to Ukraine:)
Hello everyone,
First of all, let me start by saying I miss all of my friends expect for those who are in Ukraine:)
I wish I could say hello, give you a great big bear hug, and give you a michelley hug!
But my blog will have to do:)
So, I had a superb day! It started out with Maya and I finding our way to the castle lion by ourselves....after taras giving us some amazing directional pointers, we were able to figure out the winding streets of Lviv! yay!
Our workshop today was so much fun:) we discussed movies we will show in the camp...I am responsible for showing the movie "when in rome" I hope it will be fun! Other than that we played the "crest toothpaste" game in which each participant goes around in the circle and says one new word of the sentence...I'm pretty sure it ended up something like "luigi went to the beach to catch sharks, then a big woman came along and luigi asked her out..." it was quite fun:D We were trying to come up with games for the children to play...but obviously ours got a little out of hand lol!
So of course we had a coffee break again today where I got to talk with the instructors which was a lot of fun (i am an esl teacher:))
Then we went back to planning and then we had dinner which was composed of delicious cole slaw, soup, and some kind of cabbage rolls! yum! then maja and i walked with don luigi and chris to the city center...
I call chris my surrogate father and don luigi my surrogate grandfather..I <3 them dearly...so much fun!
I'm pretty sure don luigi wants to adopt me because our sense of humor is so similar!
So first, maja, don luigi and i went shopping while chris was sleeping...
We went to the Lviv bazaar: let me tell you about this! so amazing! Just imagine the most inexpensive things you can and multiply this by 1 million...there were so many kiosk/stands on one street that it looked like a colossal american flee market! one giant section of it was devoted strictly to weddings...imagine these horrid, gaudy, pure white wedding gowns with corny jewels and lace...so ugly...but that's the ukrainian wedding way. I was attempting to find a fairy costume for my lessons, and this is why we ran into all of this wedding stuff. You would not believe the cheap prices, and the amount of people on this street. It is the craziest thing I have ever had the pleasure to witness........
so anyway, I bought this butterfly and dress for my fairy costume for my lessons...let me say...pure brilliance!
Then don luigi, maja, and I walked back to their flat where we saw papa chris...so chris was planning on going to this cafe extremely near to their flat...so we all joined him there:)
It was a brilliant time...I had three ukrainian beers which tasted like spotted cow, while chris and don luigi dined on cole slaw haha! and then eventually tania joined us after I met her at the opera house and brought her to the cafe.
We had such a great time:) I can't express it in words..if i tried to it would be 343,5555,333 smiley faces:D Let's just say I have earned the nickname of elaine from seinfeld and don luigi is george costanza's father! So much fun! I seriously LOVE these people...thank you everyone for a great night!
I miss you mom and daddy:) stay classy! <3 me
:)Michelley!
First of all, let me start by saying I miss all of my friends expect for those who are in Ukraine:)
I wish I could say hello, give you a great big bear hug, and give you a michelley hug!
But my blog will have to do:)
So, I had a superb day! It started out with Maya and I finding our way to the castle lion by ourselves....after taras giving us some amazing directional pointers, we were able to figure out the winding streets of Lviv! yay!
Our workshop today was so much fun:) we discussed movies we will show in the camp...I am responsible for showing the movie "when in rome" I hope it will be fun! Other than that we played the "crest toothpaste" game in which each participant goes around in the circle and says one new word of the sentence...I'm pretty sure it ended up something like "luigi went to the beach to catch sharks, then a big woman came along and luigi asked her out..." it was quite fun:D We were trying to come up with games for the children to play...but obviously ours got a little out of hand lol!
So of course we had a coffee break again today where I got to talk with the instructors which was a lot of fun (i am an esl teacher:))
Then we went back to planning and then we had dinner which was composed of delicious cole slaw, soup, and some kind of cabbage rolls! yum! then maja and i walked with don luigi and chris to the city center...
I call chris my surrogate father and don luigi my surrogate grandfather..I <3 them dearly...so much fun!
I'm pretty sure don luigi wants to adopt me because our sense of humor is so similar!
So first, maja, don luigi and i went shopping while chris was sleeping...
We went to the Lviv bazaar: let me tell you about this! so amazing! Just imagine the most inexpensive things you can and multiply this by 1 million...there were so many kiosk/stands on one street that it looked like a colossal american flee market! one giant section of it was devoted strictly to weddings...imagine these horrid, gaudy, pure white wedding gowns with corny jewels and lace...so ugly...but that's the ukrainian wedding way. I was attempting to find a fairy costume for my lessons, and this is why we ran into all of this wedding stuff. You would not believe the cheap prices, and the amount of people on this street. It is the craziest thing I have ever had the pleasure to witness........
so anyway, I bought this butterfly and dress for my fairy costume for my lessons...let me say...pure brilliance!
Then don luigi, maja, and I walked back to their flat where we saw papa chris...so chris was planning on going to this cafe extremely near to their flat...so we all joined him there:)
It was a brilliant time...I had three ukrainian beers which tasted like spotted cow, while chris and don luigi dined on cole slaw haha! and then eventually tania joined us after I met her at the opera house and brought her to the cafe.
We had such a great time:) I can't express it in words..if i tried to it would be 343,5555,333 smiley faces:D Let's just say I have earned the nickname of elaine from seinfeld and don luigi is george costanza's father! So much fun! I seriously LOVE these people...thank you everyone for a great night!
I miss you mom and daddy:) stay classy! <3 me
:)Michelley!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Greetings Earthlings
So remember how yesterday I said the American English School is basically amazing? Well take every single synonym of amazing in the english language combine them all into one great long adjective and apply that to the American English School. It is phenomenal.
I am so happy that I went on this project and didn't chicken out. I can see that I will have a brilliant time working with so many wonderful, welcoming people.
Today we had training for the camp and I had such a great time. First, Maja and I woke up around 8 and then got ready, we walked to the "castle Lion" for the training sessions. This was a beautiful scenic route to the building,and it is surrounded by the most architecturally beautiful buildings. I felt like I was in Paris. Like I said before, Lviv is beautiful!
Anyway, once we got to the trainings, of course, at first I was a little apprehensive and scared, but within minutes I knew I would enjoy what was going to happen.
We started with introductions and ice breakers which were a riot, so everyone got to know everybody. Then the schedule of the camp was laid out for us to see. Everything is clear for me now! No more confusion! yay!
After this, we had a coffee break and had delicious cake, fruit, coffee and tea. yum yum. It was such a pretty cafe:)
Then we went back to the Castle Lion where our training went on, and we started to discuss the lessons we would be teaching. Tania presented first, and then me. Of course, I was nervous, thinking O gosh what will everyone think of my lessons?! There is a doctor here who will be teaching and a professional, and all these experienced people. I think they will rip be to shreds! Especially since I plan on wearing a wolf costume one of the days....so I started to talk about what I will teach, and I was pleasantly surprised that they though it was good! I am so happy all of my hardwork planning paid off!
There were so many other good ideas from the other instructors...so I know all of the kids will have a super fun time!
When training finished, there was dinner provided for all of us who don't live in Lviv. Of course, we had more borsch, and some kind of pancake thing with meat, salad, and potatos with chicken & mushroom sauce! LECKER!
We had a lot of fun at dinner joking and getting to know one another...
So, after dinner, Nadir came to take Luigi, Chris, Maja, and I back to our flats. Because I personally had no idea where to go lol
We said by to Chris and Luigi who live right next to the famous opera house, and then kept going and going and going to our flat.
Up the cobblestone streets we went, and it started to rain. Luckily, I had my umbrella...
So we met up with Taras because he REALLY knew where our flat is, and after a good 20 minute walk through the seemingly anicient streets, we finally made it to our humble abode.
Yay:D
And so I am home now, trying to relax, and prepare for what tomorrow brings...
Also, did I mention that Maja and I almost got lost last night trying to buy bread and water...SHHHH don't tell my mom. Haha (even though I know she will read this anyway) The important part is: we didn't get lost, learned my lesson;), and I'll never do it again;)
Well, so long for now everyone! I hope you are in good spirits because I know I am!
God bless & Good day
:)Michelley!
I am so happy that I went on this project and didn't chicken out. I can see that I will have a brilliant time working with so many wonderful, welcoming people.
Today we had training for the camp and I had such a great time. First, Maja and I woke up around 8 and then got ready, we walked to the "castle Lion" for the training sessions. This was a beautiful scenic route to the building,and it is surrounded by the most architecturally beautiful buildings. I felt like I was in Paris. Like I said before, Lviv is beautiful!
Anyway, once we got to the trainings, of course, at first I was a little apprehensive and scared, but within minutes I knew I would enjoy what was going to happen.
We started with introductions and ice breakers which were a riot, so everyone got to know everybody. Then the schedule of the camp was laid out for us to see. Everything is clear for me now! No more confusion! yay!
After this, we had a coffee break and had delicious cake, fruit, coffee and tea. yum yum. It was such a pretty cafe:)
Then we went back to the Castle Lion where our training went on, and we started to discuss the lessons we would be teaching. Tania presented first, and then me. Of course, I was nervous, thinking O gosh what will everyone think of my lessons?! There is a doctor here who will be teaching and a professional, and all these experienced people. I think they will rip be to shreds! Especially since I plan on wearing a wolf costume one of the days....so I started to talk about what I will teach, and I was pleasantly surprised that they though it was good! I am so happy all of my hardwork planning paid off!
There were so many other good ideas from the other instructors...so I know all of the kids will have a super fun time!
When training finished, there was dinner provided for all of us who don't live in Lviv. Of course, we had more borsch, and some kind of pancake thing with meat, salad, and potatos with chicken & mushroom sauce! LECKER!
We had a lot of fun at dinner joking and getting to know one another...
So, after dinner, Nadir came to take Luigi, Chris, Maja, and I back to our flats. Because I personally had no idea where to go lol
We said by to Chris and Luigi who live right next to the famous opera house, and then kept going and going and going to our flat.
Up the cobblestone streets we went, and it started to rain. Luckily, I had my umbrella...
So we met up with Taras because he REALLY knew where our flat is, and after a good 20 minute walk through the seemingly anicient streets, we finally made it to our humble abode.
Yay:D
And so I am home now, trying to relax, and prepare for what tomorrow brings...
Also, did I mention that Maja and I almost got lost last night trying to buy bread and water...SHHHH don't tell my mom. Haha (even though I know she will read this anyway) The important part is: we didn't get lost, learned my lesson;), and I'll never do it again;)
Well, so long for now everyone! I hope you are in good spirits because I know I am!
God bless & Good day
:)Michelley!
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