Visions of Ukraine

I think it will be amusing to look back at what I thought Ukraine was going to be like after I actually get there and experience it for myself.

I must admit that I had never really thought of Ukraine before I found out that I was going there. 

It was only after I did some research and talked to people that I really started to get excited about going and about learning the language. Still, I know I have a lot to learn!  Looking through my very American idealistic crystal ball, I see visions of Ukraine. I see...

...a Yeti--which is really me trying to keep warm in the harsh and snowy winters

...a version of myself eating way too many Vereniky dumplings and, in turn, turning into one

...endless fields of sunflowers

...group camping trips with fellow peace corps volunteers and new Ukrainian friends

...a blur of shot glasses, cheersing friends, and empty vodka bottles (duhn duhn duhn)

...drunken sing-a-longs

...sexy ladies left and right

...this guy

Wish List

Books and school and art supplies for my students would be greatly appreciated! The quality of school supplies here is not so good, and it would be great to have more of these materials for my classes. Especially because I like to be creative with them!


Click this link for Kerry's Wish List!


I also want to say thank you to everyone (especially my parents) who has helped me get to this point! I wouldn't be in the Peace Corps if I didn't have such supportive family and friends! So thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Contact

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, if you miss me (because I know I miss you), or if you just want to say hello.

My address in Russian and in English (which both work!):

Керри Марино и Логан Бренан
АЯ 66, пошта 18
проспект 50 лет победа, 49
г. мелитопол   о. запорожская
украина, 72318

Kerry Marino and Logan Brennan
PO Box 66, Poshta 18
Prospekt 50 Let Pobedi, 49
Melitopol, Zaporozhskaya Oblast
Ukraine 72318

Flash Forward Summer

I'm going to open my eyes and suddenly, the summer will be gone and Logan and I will be on our way to Ukraine. There is still so much planning to do and my life is flashing before my eyes. I realize this happens as you get older; all your friends get busy, you get busy, and you have to plan everything out perfectly. Your life starts to be defined by a series of tasks, events, and milestones. Maybe it's also how you stay grounded. Maybe I'd be flying around like a goose if I didn't sit down and plan things out.

Logan and I have been super busy trying to raise money for our Peace Corps fundraiser. We're leaving mid-September for Ukraine and we need to raise enough money to pay the minimum balance on our loans while we're away (Sallie Mae is trying to ruin my life). We've made prints out of linoleum blocks and some handbound and illustrated poetry books by yours truly. I want to thank everyone that has made a purchase on our etsy site! I am not amazed by the kindness of others because there are so many good people out there. I'm so lucky to be surrounded by them. Thank you for your support!

I also want to thank Smiling Tree Toys for writing about our mission on their blog! They make these beautiful wooden toys for children. (My favorite is the balancing one.)

Alright, I just blinked and now it's time to leave for work. I bet I'll blink again and be home making more prints!