9/26/2010
Yesterday, Shannon finally got to come over for an overnight visit. It was amazing. Bogdan, Elena, Veronica, Sascha, Alla (Elena's sister and godmother to Veronica), and Roma (a friend of everyone) went on a night picnic close to my dom. We ate a bunch of food, shot a gun and Sascha brought me a guitar and I played songs for everyone. Shannon sang a song as did our Ukrainian friends (they sang several actually). Today, we went into town and played soccer at the school with some other PCVs, some local Ukrainians, and one of our language teachers. We split into two teams: Kyinka, where Shannon and I are from, and Slobodon, where the other group of PCVs are from. Slobodon won but we'll get them next week. Bogdan and our picnic friends came and watched as did our language teacher and technical teacher. I asked Bogdan if he wanted to play but he said he was too old (he's five years younger than me). Today he wore blue jeans, a dress shirt and black leather shoes to watch us play but after the half he decided he wasn't too old to play. So, he took off his shoes and shirt and rolled his jeans up past his knees and played for our side. One of our PCVs accidentally tripped him while he was at a full sprint and he slid across the field and skint his back up a bit. Then later he kicked the ball and drove his bare foot into the dirt and injured his toes. He walks with a limp now. Shannon tweeked her knee and I"m just sore all over but we had a lot of fun and I have pictures and video which I'll load up.
Also, yesterday our group of PCVs went to Chernigev, which is a fairly large Nashville-sized city. The best part about this part of the story is that we bought cell phones and Shannon's phone has been unlocked for international calls. I wanted so much to call home tonight but there are no international codes that I can find in the book that came with my phone and my host family doesn't know how to call the US. I will find this info tomorrow and call someone.
After the game, Shannon, Elona, Bogdan, Veronica, Roma, Alla and her eight year old son Nikita went over to Shannon's host family's house for dinner. It was fun. I was showered, teeth brushed, and shut up in my room tonight by 8:30. I've studied all of my teaching material and now I have to go study my language material. I told you about the first night when I couldn't speak Russian at all? Well, last night, Sascha was at the picnic and he hadn't seen me since my first day in Kyinka. He was amazed at how much Russian I could speak. Frankly, so am I.
Well, goodnight America! Goodnight Mom and Dad. Goodnight Lisa, Greg, Tyler and Brody. Goodnight Karen, Robert and Ryan! Goodnight Jeff, Lisa, Alex and Alison! Goodnight Lynne! Goodnight Shawn! Goodnight Jonathan! Goodnight Jessica and Beck! I love you and miss you! And now that I have a phone, I will talk to you soon!
