So i'm not going to lie, the first week was pretty hard. All of you at home that told me that I was really brave for going to Ukraine were wrong, I was just really naive. I had no idea what I was actually in for when I got here. Anyway things are better now that i have been here for over a week. I can buy things by myself, but only if I can see the total on the cash register. It's amazing how much you forget about how important language is in america. I mean think about buying some meat. First you have to know the name of what you want. Then you have to say how much you want, and thats not in pounds anymore. And God forbid that they should ask you a question during the whole process. Anyway, it's for that reason that I haven't bought meat yet. I have a small group of friends that can speak english, but it seems to be growing daily to include more and more people. They all want to practice their english. I'm really trying to learn my russian as quickly as possible, but it can't seem to come quickly enough.
Viktor in his early 20's I think. He works at the international office at the school part time and he's really just my contact while i'm in ukraine, in case I need help. The longer that I stay here, the less and less that I see of him, but that is good because it forces me to make friends.
I can find my way around the city now without getting lost at all, and when I get a steady flow of internet I will upload some picture that I took of the city and the school.
Hey Tom! I'm so glad you're making friends. I've always thought that about language as well. Americans just seem to expect everyone to be able to speak English. I'm happy to hear you're learning Russian and I hope it comes along quickly for you. I look forward to seeing pics!
ReplyDeletethomas!!! i am so proud of you and glad you didn't cry yet ;p i can't imagine the language thing so funny you spent the first night for your birthday i would have been pretty to have that as a birthday present!! and all i can think about is "viktor, viktor" when you talk about the guy who helps you haha!! look forward to hearing more and also some great pics!!
ReplyDeletewhat i meant was it would have been pretty awesome being there as a birthday present and i can finally use me super hero name!!!
ReplyDeleteThomas, maybe you should just become a vegetarian? Hahaha, only kidding. But I must say that I am proud of you, you may not think it now, but you are very brave for going over there, especially by yourself. You know I would never be able to do something like that... I'd be crying everyday. ;P Anyway, good job!!! Cant wait to see pictures.
ReplyDeleteAND.....SEND ME YOU ADDRESS!!!
K, love you, bye!
olivia, it's funny that you should use that name. The other day I was walking past a wedding reception and I guy stood up and said that before taking a drink.
ReplyDeletekatie, i'll try to get my address out as soon as possible, but I want to test it first if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeletehola Tomas! I know what you men by the language thing, but you will pick it up more quickly than you think. In Spain, I carried around a little notebook with me EVERYWHERE and wrote down words and phrases that I learned/liked. Then at night or on the metro or whatev I would read through them. It was probably the best thing I did. But Russian might be trickier, I don't know. Glad to hear things are going better. My mom says hello also :) Oh, and I guess Tim does too? of course he does.
ReplyDeleteIs it cold yet?
Miss you!
that's something i will be talking about. the cold.
ReplyDelete