Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday Dad (and Godfather next week)
Happy birthday to you :)
I've been getting a lot of requests for an update recently so here goes...
Thanks for the packages in the past few months. I played UNO for the first time today with the English club kids and they loved it. I realized during club that UNO doesn't actually involve speaking much English at all, but it was very popular so I'm sure we'll play often. They also love prizes, Marianne's Chinese yo-yos are sure to be a hit. Thanks for the socks, Nana. My gas was never turned off, but it does get pretty cold in my apartment (I'm happy when it reaches 60 degrees in there) so warm clothes are always welcome!
I hope you all received your Poland postcards. I was there for a few days after Christmas. It was absolutely FREEZING but a good time. The city impressed me even in the winter and I've heard that the summer is absolutely amazing. The people were friendly, which is always a pleasure after living in Ukraine- the land of occasional customer service, hardly ever with a smile.
I've been keeping myself busy. I've got sixteen lessons a week plus an hour or two of English club. I also tutor a university student who wants to work in America this summer and a married couple in my town who want to be able to talk to their son-in-law and his family is Norway. Lida and Ivan are two of my most enthusiastic students and I really enjoy working with them. Plus they cook really well and let me use their washing machine which doesn't hurt.
Spring break is coming up and I'm hoping to finally make it down to Crimea. Hopefully the weather will warm up- we've got a few feet of snow right now and I'm really, REALLY ready for spring to come around. I'm also hoping to make it to Prague in the beginning of May. A few of my friends are training for the Prague marathon May 10th and I would like to be there to cheer them on.
I've also got some plans for the summer in the works. I'm working with a group of volunteers and Ukrainians from five different oblasts (sort of like states) on an English language/leadership/project planning camp to be held during July and August. I'm responsible for coordinating the arts curriculum (don't worry, my staff is much more artistically inclined than yours truly) which will include theatre, dance, music and visual arts classes. We are writing a number of different grants to get the camp funded. Look out for emails on how YOU can contribute-- THANKS!
I taught a lesson yesterday that I specifically remember teaching a year ago. Hard to believe how fast time has flown. Only ten months or so and I'll be back in the good old U.S. of A. Keep in touch and see you soon :)
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2 comments:
Well I hope updating the blog didn't inconvience you too much. It was so good to talk to you the other day. Really glad to hear you are keeping yourself busy. You sound great and I continue to be amazed at your ability to make tough situations seem like no big deal. Definitely keep us updated on the camp front ,and we'll see what we can do to support your efforts from this end. The renovations are coming to a close, and all of the work should be finished within the next few weeks. Can't wait to get the house clean and back in order. I love you tons! Mom
Hello Caitlin Anne
Good to hear from you - your Mom said you were working on an update, but I was VERY tired of waiting!
Can't believe you have less than a year to go. We loved our Poland postcard. Not sure if you and Amanda's travel schedules are going to jive or not.....
A is going to Lexington, VA for Spring break to work on Habitat for Humanity homes. She will be gone the first wk of March. I guess you and her share a love of volunteering and adventure.....
You sound very happy and that you are enjoying your students. Looking forward to getting more details about your summer camp. I feel like I need winter to end, but your winter sounds much for extreme. Good for you for hanging in there!
T is starting to look at colleges, working on his driving and preparing for SAT's. Remember all those things??? He and Peter visted A last night at NU. He's decided he really doesn't need to finish high school and should launch right to college. Guess the visit went well!
Talk to you soon. Miss you lots!
Love ya,
Aunt Tery
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