Two weeks and we are now entering our third week in the Ukriane. Not much going on as we are just trying to keep ourselves busy. We went to a lovely birthday party for a one year old and it was at a place where they have most of the parties for the folks that work with M.
It is out in the country and just beautiful. We ate outside under a cover and the table had linen table cloths and benches with rugs covering them. The food was awesome and the wine was even better. I had red wine because the safety director at Chernobyl said it would cure any radioactivity I had taken in.
Working on our Russian phrases and just counting down the days until we can get into our cottage. I am trying not to mind doing laundry in the bathtub. It is crazy and time consuming.
We will be sending a bag of N.'s stuff to the laundry service. I hope that gets us somewhat caught up.
Until later
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Found a Cottage
Yeah Us! We have a cottage the only problem is that we cannot move in until August 1st. The present occupants won't be able to move into their new digs until the end of June so we said we would move in August 1st.
It is exciting because N will have her own little apartment with her own bathroom. There are 2 1/2 baths in the house with 4 ladies so that is good. Poor M.
The kitchen is small but the yard is nice and big.
We have been doing laundry in the bathtub in the hotel until we found out that the hotel had a service. We sent mostly M's stuff because they also iron. I have been doing the girls things and mine so we can save a little money.
They are trying to get us a temporary place so that way we don't have to keep eating out all the time. However, it is quite cheap so it has been nice for us. The staff are very kind to us and usually have a little something for Z or C to eat or drink. They really are the best.
I will have to figure out how to send them a thank you note in Russian so they know how much their kind actions and wonderful food have ment to our family.
Tomorrow we will be heading out to a birthday party in the country where they will have games and pony rides. Z is very excited. We bought gifts today - I haven't found wrapping paper.
More to come later about my trip to Chernobyl City and Prypiat! I hope to figure out how to possibly post pictures.
It is exciting because N will have her own little apartment with her own bathroom. There are 2 1/2 baths in the house with 4 ladies so that is good. Poor M.
The kitchen is small but the yard is nice and big.
We have been doing laundry in the bathtub in the hotel until we found out that the hotel had a service. We sent mostly M's stuff because they also iron. I have been doing the girls things and mine so we can save a little money.
They are trying to get us a temporary place so that way we don't have to keep eating out all the time. However, it is quite cheap so it has been nice for us. The staff are very kind to us and usually have a little something for Z or C to eat or drink. They really are the best.
I will have to figure out how to send them a thank you note in Russian so they know how much their kind actions and wonderful food have ment to our family.
Tomorrow we will be heading out to a birthday party in the country where they will have games and pony rides. Z is very excited. We bought gifts today - I haven't found wrapping paper.
More to come later about my trip to Chernobyl City and Prypiat! I hope to figure out how to possibly post pictures.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Been here a Week
Well we have been here a week and survived everything except the jetlag! Slavutych is a lovely little town. Everything is within walking distance.
Rule one: They have western products. If you are thinking you need to stock pile your shampoo or toothpaste no need. They have the most common products. They even have their own products from Ukraine.
The food is amazing. They are lovers of the mushroom. You just have to be careful where they come from. The local mushrooms are off limits because they are radioactive. However, as I understand it, they have their mushrooms shipped in. I did watch a BBC program that showed the mayor of the city out in the forest hunting mushrooms and eating them. The host of the show had them tested at a center here (I am not sure it is still open) for testing radioactivity in the food and they were very dangerous.
We are eating at one of the local restaurants for all of our meals and they are just lovely to us. It doesn't help that we have cutie C. There really is no "non-smoking" section. My life span has been cut in half by all the second hand smoke I have inhaled. They have an outside patio which is a smoking section but with a nice breeze it is better than the non-smoking section.
Rule 2: The way the change money is very different than what we are use to. They have these guys that hang out infront of the bank and have a little bit better rate than the banks. Then they pull out a wad of money for your American dollars. A little tip that we found out and
Rule 3 is you should go to the same money changer because they like banking loyalty. They get jealous if you use another changer. M had to use the bank because our guy wasn't anywhere to be found, so he didn't feel so bad. M said it seemed so much more official because they have a money counter and he got a receipt for his exchange.
We have someone looking for available houses or cottages. We looked at two on Wednesday the first day we were here and found both acceptable. We liked the second we looked at because it seemed a little more modern and less that we needed to do with the place. So, we began negotiating with the babushca. If you are looking for a place in Ukraine as a foreigner you must get your landlord to sponsor you and do your residency paperwork this is Rule #4. Many do not want to do this, but without it you are not allowed to work or stay in the country. Well you could but, hold your hat Americans -you would be an illegal immigrant and could be arrested or deported.
The cottage had a very lovely kitchen that had windows that opened up to the garden and let a ton of sunshine in. It had an updated stove and fridge. They had internet access hooked up to the house and a big luxurious air conditioning unit in the living room. As an added attraction they had a sauna in the basement. The garden was gorgeous and was going to be kept by the babushca. It had two little patio areas for the girls to play and the kids would have had their own rooms. A nice big master bedroom but only one bath.
Sounds great, however, there is another little rule that you should know if you are looking for a place to live and plan to rent. Rule 5: Any family member can veto the idea of the home being rented. In this case the woman's daughter did not agree to rent out the cottage so we are now out of luck.
The good news is that the first house we looked at is still available at the end of the month when the westerners that live there now move out to a different place. We will look at a third place sometime this week but it looks like we will be moving in to the first place. It has a nice big yard for the girls to play just a few hazards that we need to keep on top of.
The hotel where we are staying is very nice and we have a sitting room and then a bedroom. It also has air conditioning in both rooms that we have taken. The bathroom is very big compared to European standards. The WiFi is only in the lobby which is why it has taken me so long to update my blog. The people are kind, but there really is no eye contact and very little acknowledgement of each other. If there is it is very subtle - no smiles. They walk what I have named the communist walk. Head held high looking straight forward but with a vacant look in the eyes. Not really looking at anything except where they are going. They are usually carrying something in one hand like a bag full of groceries or lunches or books. The children seem not to have this walk down yet they run from here to there. They don't seem to have a care in the world. They play in the city fountain on hot days.
Well it is off to do a load of laundry in the bathtub and then hang it to dry on the line I have strung from one towel rack to another. I really hope the chambermaid doesn't kill herself on it.
Thursday I will be visiting the dead zone and getting a tour of the accident area and learning what M is working on. M will not be with me as he has to go to Kiev to go through a series of medical tests.
Rule one: They have western products. If you are thinking you need to stock pile your shampoo or toothpaste no need. They have the most common products. They even have their own products from Ukraine.
The food is amazing. They are lovers of the mushroom. You just have to be careful where they come from. The local mushrooms are off limits because they are radioactive. However, as I understand it, they have their mushrooms shipped in. I did watch a BBC program that showed the mayor of the city out in the forest hunting mushrooms and eating them. The host of the show had them tested at a center here (I am not sure it is still open) for testing radioactivity in the food and they were very dangerous.
We are eating at one of the local restaurants for all of our meals and they are just lovely to us. It doesn't help that we have cutie C. There really is no "non-smoking" section. My life span has been cut in half by all the second hand smoke I have inhaled. They have an outside patio which is a smoking section but with a nice breeze it is better than the non-smoking section.
Rule 2: The way the change money is very different than what we are use to. They have these guys that hang out infront of the bank and have a little bit better rate than the banks. Then they pull out a wad of money for your American dollars. A little tip that we found out and
Rule 3 is you should go to the same money changer because they like banking loyalty. They get jealous if you use another changer. M had to use the bank because our guy wasn't anywhere to be found, so he didn't feel so bad. M said it seemed so much more official because they have a money counter and he got a receipt for his exchange.
We have someone looking for available houses or cottages. We looked at two on Wednesday the first day we were here and found both acceptable. We liked the second we looked at because it seemed a little more modern and less that we needed to do with the place. So, we began negotiating with the babushca. If you are looking for a place in Ukraine as a foreigner you must get your landlord to sponsor you and do your residency paperwork this is Rule #4. Many do not want to do this, but without it you are not allowed to work or stay in the country. Well you could but, hold your hat Americans -you would be an illegal immigrant and could be arrested or deported.
The cottage had a very lovely kitchen that had windows that opened up to the garden and let a ton of sunshine in. It had an updated stove and fridge. They had internet access hooked up to the house and a big luxurious air conditioning unit in the living room. As an added attraction they had a sauna in the basement. The garden was gorgeous and was going to be kept by the babushca. It had two little patio areas for the girls to play and the kids would have had their own rooms. A nice big master bedroom but only one bath.
Sounds great, however, there is another little rule that you should know if you are looking for a place to live and plan to rent. Rule 5: Any family member can veto the idea of the home being rented. In this case the woman's daughter did not agree to rent out the cottage so we are now out of luck.
The good news is that the first house we looked at is still available at the end of the month when the westerners that live there now move out to a different place. We will look at a third place sometime this week but it looks like we will be moving in to the first place. It has a nice big yard for the girls to play just a few hazards that we need to keep on top of.
The hotel where we are staying is very nice and we have a sitting room and then a bedroom. It also has air conditioning in both rooms that we have taken. The bathroom is very big compared to European standards. The WiFi is only in the lobby which is why it has taken me so long to update my blog. The people are kind, but there really is no eye contact and very little acknowledgement of each other. If there is it is very subtle - no smiles. They walk what I have named the communist walk. Head held high looking straight forward but with a vacant look in the eyes. Not really looking at anything except where they are going. They are usually carrying something in one hand like a bag full of groceries or lunches or books. The children seem not to have this walk down yet they run from here to there. They don't seem to have a care in the world. They play in the city fountain on hot days.
Well it is off to do a load of laundry in the bathtub and then hang it to dry on the line I have strung from one towel rack to another. I really hope the chambermaid doesn't kill herself on it.
Thursday I will be visiting the dead zone and getting a tour of the accident area and learning what M is working on. M will not be with me as he has to go to Kiev to go through a series of medical tests.
Monday, June 28, 2010
хороший пока
What I am really hoping is my good bye translation is correct. Wow, I can't believe the day is here. Leaving our home and community. I hope M - finds what it is he is looking for. Yesterday the girls said good-bye to their house and tortoise. We left our house in really good hands and I am at peace knowing that a good family will be enjoying the safety and love of our home.
I am going to miss me mum terribly. I cannot put into words how much she means to our family. Watching her with our little girls is an awesome sight. The run her round and keep her young.
So, movers came on Monday and packed us out completely. M and I were working one room ahead of them and hoping to keep up. We purged a lot of things for M and me. After that we just kept getting the place ready for our friends to move in. I took a day to enjoy a spa package that M & the girls bought me for my birthday.
Friday, I kept being "called" to go to our house. No reason, just felt I needed to be there at 8:00. Thank goodness as the movers were just unpacking their moving things to get started on hauling all of our things out of the house.
They were done by 3:00, M & I had so many other things to do we took turns watching the movers and running errands. By the end of the day we both wanted to just cry. But the house was empty and the cleaning continued.
Packing began in earnest Saturday night. We have too many suitecases and they are all too big! M is a packing machine. We finally finished at around 12:00am. Mostly because I couldn't take it anymore and was ready to just leave everything except for a package of underwear and a light jacket.
We will leave this morning not too early which is nice and will eat breakfast in Seattle.
I hope to post at both of our stops.
I am going to miss me mum terribly. I cannot put into words how much she means to our family. Watching her with our little girls is an awesome sight. The run her round and keep her young.
So, movers came on Monday and packed us out completely. M and I were working one room ahead of them and hoping to keep up. We purged a lot of things for M and me. After that we just kept getting the place ready for our friends to move in. I took a day to enjoy a spa package that M & the girls bought me for my birthday.
Friday, I kept being "called" to go to our house. No reason, just felt I needed to be there at 8:00. Thank goodness as the movers were just unpacking their moving things to get started on hauling all of our things out of the house.
They were done by 3:00, M & I had so many other things to do we took turns watching the movers and running errands. By the end of the day we both wanted to just cry. But the house was empty and the cleaning continued.
Packing began in earnest Saturday night. We have too many suitecases and they are all too big! M is a packing machine. We finally finished at around 12:00am. Mostly because I couldn't take it anymore and was ready to just leave everything except for a package of underwear and a light jacket.
We will leave this morning not too early which is nice and will eat breakfast in Seattle.
I hope to post at both of our stops.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Movers here today. All household goods have been packed and put on the truck heading for Ukraine! Later in the week they will come back for our household goods to be stored. Everything is in boxes. We will stay and my mom & dad's until we leave.
We are still waiting on our visa's hope that all works out because without the visa's we aren't going anywhere.
Going to lunch tomorrow at the Deli with my friend S.T.
Night.
M
We are still waiting on our visa's hope that all works out because without the visa's we aren't going anywhere.
Going to lunch tomorrow at the Deli with my friend S.T.
Night.
M
Monday, June 21, 2010
Still Packing
Oh, God make it end! We have finally finished typing up all the books that we are going to take. We have weeded out what we think we absolutely don't need. The movers start to pack us out tomorrow.
E & N were here today helping with the typing and making adjustments to N's things that she will be bringing. I am excited for her and hope that she won't be disappointed in joining us. I hoping to make a couple of trips for all of us in the first month or at least right after we find a place and get settled in.
Rose & I are going to practice our Russian now.
Night
E & N were here today helping with the typing and making adjustments to N's things that she will be bringing. I am excited for her and hope that she won't be disappointed in joining us. I hoping to make a couple of trips for all of us in the first month or at least right after we find a place and get settled in.
Rose & I are going to practice our Russian now.
Night
Books
According to my sources you must have all book titles, authors, and publishers typed up and in your packed goods to Ukraine. I have presently141 titles with about a couple million to go. Well maybe not a couple of million but it sure seems that way. I have a stack for N and my stack for teaching support. I have to put the rest of the books in storeage.
M has been busy working on plumbing issues in the house and is doing an awesome job. Z went to play at a friends house and boy are we thankful. C napped and we still squeezed in some time for father's day.
I have most of our stuff in the staging room and will figure out what the movers want use to do with Ukraine vs. Storeage stuff.
I am tired so Nite!
M
M has been busy working on plumbing issues in the house and is doing an awesome job. Z went to play at a friends house and boy are we thankful. C napped and we still squeezed in some time for father's day.
I have most of our stuff in the staging room and will figure out what the movers want use to do with Ukraine vs. Storeage stuff.
I am tired so Nite!
M
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Saying Good-Bye
Who says saying good bye has to be painful. We said good-bye to our wonderful family night friends. What fun. I need to get the game things before we leave so we can share it with new friends in Ukraine. Although I am not sure GTG's body parts will show up in that game.
After a hilarious round we decided to try our hand out Scattagories(sp?) and well it was ugly. After that we traded stories and memories. We were all laughing so hard we began calling those who were with us.
Much fun and singing was the highlight of the night when we broke out the Karoke(sp?) machine. My fave of the night was M and T singing Cherry Pie! M even took down his hair and jammed out. O.K. I took down his hair and was a great sport! That is why I love him. He completes me, no he tolerates me.
Thanks to our couples and we look forward to our first night together when we return. And yes Virginia, Whipped Cream Vodka is the bomb!
After a hilarious round we decided to try our hand out Scattagories(sp?) and well it was ugly. After that we traded stories and memories. We were all laughing so hard we began calling those who were with us.
Much fun and singing was the highlight of the night when we broke out the Karoke(sp?) machine. My fave of the night was M and T singing Cherry Pie! M even took down his hair and jammed out. O.K. I took down his hair and was a great sport! That is why I love him. He completes me, no he tolerates me.
Thanks to our couples and we look forward to our first night together when we return. And yes Virginia, Whipped Cream Vodka is the bomb!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Schools OUT
Well school is finally out. Both for teaching and graduate school. I had my last class on Wednesday and was surprised at how well I had done on an assignment I had turned in. Felt like it could have been better, but I have been a bit busy!
I turn in my keys tomorrow and feel very emotional about that! I know it is only a job, but it was something I was good at. I know your thinking, get a life, but for 7 years teaching has been my life. I cannot wait to start focusing on my own children and their lives. Both girls have been so much fun this past couple of days that I have been home. Of course, mommy has been crazy busy and now things are starting to focus more on the move and protecting the girls from what we are heading out to.
We met with M's new boss and the assistant to the project. They both seem very sweet. I think they think we are a little nuts, but they want to make sure our transition is as smooth as possible. I like that because it makes me feel like someone is looking out for us. The last time I was overseas, the Army put me on a plan and basically said look for someone who looks like you and they will drive you to the base. I was only 18 and had barely been outta Kansas. So this is feeling way more in control even though there is a lot outta of my control
Just go our tickets today and N's. I am so excited that she is coming with us and hope that she doesn't regret coming. I really do want her to have an amazing (but not too amazing) time in the Ukraine. I hope to get her around to see a ton of things. I am going to miss her mum a ton. I can't believe how much they have become a part of our family. O.K., enuf mushy, E is gonna kill me for being all sentimental.
Next - movers are coming. I know M won't read this so I can report that we bought him a watch that keeps time in two places and his Yaktracks. Actually I bought Yaktracks for everyone. Then we purchased a couple of small portable transformers for the electronics that we will bring. I also purchased some plug converters for those things we won't need a transformer for but don't have the right plug tips.
I also must finish typing up the books we are taking. I also need to finish the homeschooling information.
For those of you who are friends and family, I am trying to remember not to put our names in the blog or too much identifying information as we are going out of country and I want to share the experience but also want to keep the family safe. So any comments on the posts try and keep them on the D.L. Thanks
Cheers to you all
Nite
I turn in my keys tomorrow and feel very emotional about that! I know it is only a job, but it was something I was good at. I know your thinking, get a life, but for 7 years teaching has been my life. I cannot wait to start focusing on my own children and their lives. Both girls have been so much fun this past couple of days that I have been home. Of course, mommy has been crazy busy and now things are starting to focus more on the move and protecting the girls from what we are heading out to.
We met with M's new boss and the assistant to the project. They both seem very sweet. I think they think we are a little nuts, but they want to make sure our transition is as smooth as possible. I like that because it makes me feel like someone is looking out for us. The last time I was overseas, the Army put me on a plan and basically said look for someone who looks like you and they will drive you to the base. I was only 18 and had barely been outta Kansas. So this is feeling way more in control even though there is a lot outta of my control
Just go our tickets today and N's. I am so excited that she is coming with us and hope that she doesn't regret coming. I really do want her to have an amazing (but not too amazing) time in the Ukraine. I hope to get her around to see a ton of things. I am going to miss her mum a ton. I can't believe how much they have become a part of our family. O.K., enuf mushy, E is gonna kill me for being all sentimental.
Next - movers are coming. I know M won't read this so I can report that we bought him a watch that keeps time in two places and his Yaktracks. Actually I bought Yaktracks for everyone. Then we purchased a couple of small portable transformers for the electronics that we will bring. I also purchased some plug converters for those things we won't need a transformer for but don't have the right plug tips.
I also must finish typing up the books we are taking. I also need to finish the homeschooling information.
For those of you who are friends and family, I am trying to remember not to put our names in the blog or too much identifying information as we are going out of country and I want to share the experience but also want to keep the family safe. So any comments on the posts try and keep them on the D.L. Thanks
Cheers to you all
Nite
Thursday, June 10, 2010
SHOTS
Ouch! What a day. Good news only two of us needed shots the eldest didn't need anything except the typhoid. They now come in pill form.
I have made appointments for Monday to get TB tested.
We are all getting pretty excited and spend more time thinking about what we want to take with us. I am of the mind that if it can't go in a suitcase do I really need it. If we can't buy it in Ukraine did any of us really need it?
I am really about the experience of living in Ukraine as one of its citizens. I am do not want to go and become an American living like an American in the Ukraine. Although having a dishwasher and washer and drier are nice to have. Maybe they will make me appreciate what we have or use less clothing. I mean seriously, I could probably go a month without doing laundry. Is that necessary. Simplifying our lives, I can't imagine since I just bought a new laptop to stay in contact with the outside world. It will be interesting this little cultural experiment we are embarking on.
So, in 18 days life will be slowing down a ton for us. I mean literally the world will turn whole lot slower for our family.
I have made appointments for Monday to get TB tested.
We are all getting pretty excited and spend more time thinking about what we want to take with us. I am of the mind that if it can't go in a suitcase do I really need it. If we can't buy it in Ukraine did any of us really need it?
I am really about the experience of living in Ukraine as one of its citizens. I am do not want to go and become an American living like an American in the Ukraine. Although having a dishwasher and washer and drier are nice to have. Maybe they will make me appreciate what we have or use less clothing. I mean seriously, I could probably go a month without doing laundry. Is that necessary. Simplifying our lives, I can't imagine since I just bought a new laptop to stay in contact with the outside world. It will be interesting this little cultural experiment we are embarking on.
So, in 18 days life will be slowing down a ton for us. I mean literally the world will turn whole lot slower for our family.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Medical
Today, Michael had a series of shots for the trip. He found my old shot records from the military and his in our files. What a miracle we were able to find these things. The only record we don't have is the eldest, just need to call the Dr.'s office to get a copy of the eldest's, so not too bad.
However, I still have to go the appointment by myself with both girls. That ought to be fun!
Finished my annual today and will go in for the old lady mammogram. My advice to anyone reading this, don't get old!
Tomorrow I have class and a major assignment due. I haven't looked to see if I have a reading to do either but if I do, I am screwed.
I will get the girl's haircuts Thursday and will be having lunch with the American team that will be "taking care" of us while in Ukraine.
On a personal note, I am very happy to have school be over!
However, I still have to go the appointment by myself with both girls. That ought to be fun!
Finished my annual today and will go in for the old lady mammogram. My advice to anyone reading this, don't get old!
Tomorrow I have class and a major assignment due. I haven't looked to see if I have a reading to do either but if I do, I am screwed.
I will get the girl's haircuts Thursday and will be having lunch with the American team that will be "taking care" of us while in Ukraine.
On a personal note, I am very happy to have school be over!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Schooling
O.K., Just sent an e-mail out to the school district to find out what materials they will supply for home schooling. Another thing to remember is you are going overseas with kids is their education. You don't want to plunk them down in a classroom when they return with just the "experience" of living overseas. They need to stay with or above their peers.
I let you know how that worked out. I also need to call and cancel the crappy newspaper for our town.
I let you know how that worked out. I also need to call and cancel the crappy newspaper for our town.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Getting Ready
So my family and I are still in the United States and are preparing ourselves to travel and live in Slavutych Chernihivs'ka oblast, Ukraine.
What does one do when they are preparing for a trip aboard and living in a land where you don't know the language. I don't really know. You take the essentials and if you have two young girls like myself you take the necessary items they will need to make life easier for them and to begin educating them at home.
The first problem I have encountered is finding out information about this former Soviet town. I have been so trained as a westerner to believe that every town and country has Realtors and they would have a website with all the available properties and schools. No, not true. Even though this town was developed in 1987 there is nothing known about it on the world wide web except its very limited history.
So what is your plan you may ask? The answer is simple, document our existence and share it with everyone else. Others plan to come and help with clean up so why not make information available to them.
I have a mission and time and hopefully an open enough mind to create the perfect travel log for someone moving with a family to have enough information that they feel a weebit in control.
To all my friends who may follow this adventure, being in control for me will be interesting.
What does one do when they are preparing for a trip aboard and living in a land where you don't know the language. I don't really know. You take the essentials and if you have two young girls like myself you take the necessary items they will need to make life easier for them and to begin educating them at home.
The first problem I have encountered is finding out information about this former Soviet town. I have been so trained as a westerner to believe that every town and country has Realtors and they would have a website with all the available properties and schools. No, not true. Even though this town was developed in 1987 there is nothing known about it on the world wide web except its very limited history.
So what is your plan you may ask? The answer is simple, document our existence and share it with everyone else. Others plan to come and help with clean up so why not make information available to them.
I have a mission and time and hopefully an open enough mind to create the perfect travel log for someone moving with a family to have enough information that they feel a weebit in control.
To all my friends who may follow this adventure, being in control for me will be interesting.
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