Two Dollars A Day

Photos and thoughts from the past and present and dreams about the future.

Friday, September 30, 2005

It Has Begun

So I am here in Chicago and I have survived my first day of staging. It was mostly a lot of getting to know you type of things as well as talking about the mission of the Peace Corps and the three objectives.

For those of you not in the know they are essentially this:
1) to provide resources for developing countries
2) to give America a face abroad and teach them about the American way of life
3) to disseminate what we learned about the other cultures to Americans at home

These are severely paraphrasing though.

Things are great and I am having a great time and learning a lot. There are so many people that it's impossible to learn everyone's name and story, but there are a lot of AmeriCorps volunteers, which always makes me happy and those of us from Philly have been good about taking care of each other. There have been a few points where I have been sad and whatnot, but you just can't let that get to you.

I am sorry about the phone too--I can't seem to find my cell phone charger so it shall remain off other than to check messages.

My baggage situation blows goats though--I packed wayyy too much stuff, even after hurriedly emptying out my huge pack this morning. I thought about mailing back some other items, but as they are mostly clothes, what is the point? It's not a significant amount and again, people have been helpful, so I'll stick to that.

We have free internet access here at the hotel, so I will try to check in again tomorrow. We leave on Sunday afternoon.

I'm excited to get this journey started!

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Leaving On a Jet Plane

Ah yes, that time has come.

And I am still packing, sorting, and getting ready.

Sometimes I really do hate myself. I should have done all of this earlier. But things are mostly done. Just need to sort through the 10,000+ papers that the Peace Corps has sent out since October and finish putting things away. The only stuff left to pack are travel guides and computer stuff.

My duffle bag is packed to the gills. It's crazy heavy. I am hoping that there will be no need for public transportation at all on my journey to my host family's home once I do arrive in Ukraine. I just don't see how I could manage to carry it and everything else.

For the record I have:
1 huge duffle bag weighing in at over 70 pounds.
1 largish back pack that I have attempted to keep under 30 pounds (PC only allows 100 max and I have no idea if they have maxes on how much 1 bag can weigh)
1 large garment bag that I will use as a carry on.
1 lap top bag

That's a lot for one person to carry, but I know that it can be done. Unfortunately I can already feel my lower back revolting. There will be spasms somewhere tomorrow.

In the meantime, in case it has been misplaced or unknown to you, I can be reached here until I do settle in. I have tried to keep this blog private, meaning unsearchable, and while spam has found itself here, I don't think that anyone else has:

US Peace Corps/Ukraine
PCV Me (use my real name here)
PO Box298
01030
Kyiv, Ukraine

if you need a street address for something, you can e-mail me about that and I can get it to you.

As far as my state of mind has been going, I have felt relatively calm if you can believe that. I do get waves of "ah! what am I doing?" or wishing that I have more time, or just wanting to cry, but I haven't broke down yet. My bet is that if it doesn't happen tomorrow at the airport it will happen the first night I will be alone in a room with a family who speaks little English. The water works will certainly be going then.

I think that I've mentioned this before as well, but for those curious about the schedule, what I know is that tomorrow we get some training stuff and then on Saturday it is more procedure stuff (you know, being culturally sensitive... something so many Americans are gifted at) and tips on how to keep safe. Don't worry folks, I already know what they are going to say: don't go out alone at night if you can help it and don't drink too much or at all. Since booze is not my poison of choice (ice cream is) I don't think that will be an issue. Sunday afternoon we take off for Germany where we arrive early Monday morning. From there we take off for Kyiv and then we wind up someplace in the outskirts. My bet is that it will be some sort of old fallout shelter/bunker so it will be somewhat ironic that Americans sent by the US government to aid another country will be staying there. But I could be wrong, it could be real posh. A Hilton maybe.

Also, I mentioned earlier today to someone that you can leave anonymous comments on here... When I checked that out I realized that being the crazy ultra private person that I am, I did not allow that. I fixed it, though, so if anyone has a question, comment, or whatever, you can go ahead and leave it without having to sign up. Always thinking about, dear reader.

Today I said goodbye to my only sibling, my father and one of my best friends. Tomorrow I say goodbye to life as I know it. But right now I've got some papers to sort.

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Off to a Good Start

This morning I woke up and was quite productive, at least until 11:30am.

I did manage to call up all my loan places and found out what I need to do, and will have to download all sorts of economic hardship and deferrment forms this evening.

I also inquired about insurance and will figure that out also this evening.

The rst of the day was spent trying to download music and making a grocery list. I did go out and purchase those items but am currently wondering how everything will fit in my bags. It's just not even going to happen. Plus, all the other things that I need to do just will not get done. Some people are a lot better about this kind of thing than myself, but as I told Leah last night, it just gets so overwhelming that I don't even know where to begin. Blah.

Monday, September 26, 2005


Picture of the day: Inside St. Isaac's Cathedral. St. Petersburg. Posted by Picasa

Getting Lazy With the Blog

...And everything else.

This weekend was awesome. I had a greate time with the few friends who were able to make it down to see me off to Ukraine. I am grateful to have such wonderful friends who make and take the time out of their busy schedules to come down and see me. I know that others are kept by distance, finances, or just life, but I want those to know who made it down that it really meant so much to me. And for those who gave their regards, I also greatly appreciate that as well. I am going to try and call, write, and e-mail as many as possible this week, but time is quickly running out and I've got to kick myself on overdrive if I want to accomplish everything.

Te weekend was also very relaxing, but I have really only begun today to think about the ramifications of my departure. Well, in ways that do not relate to me.

You see, I know that two years is a long time, but I suppose I never really thought about what that meant to other people, but in saying goodbye to some folks on Sunday I did begin to cry a bit. In some ways it's a big risk to leave, and as I told those present, I would not venture so far for so long if I didn't feel certain relationships to be so stable as to support that distance. But today, saying goodbye at the airport to a good friend with tears in her eyes I realized that it was not just me who would be upset by all of this. But later I realized that maybe she was just upset that she didn't get enough sleep the night before or that she left her cheese curls here. I dunno. But it hurt.

So I did what any good American would do. I went to the mall and bought an ipod.

And this was not just any mall. It was Delaware's finest shopping mall for tax free shopping, as the Christiana Mall claims to be. I've spent the rest of the day copying my cd's for it and having my computer overheat just about every cd. There is no way I will be able to get everything I want, so I have to make sure that I have enough Bono to keep me satisfied until I am able to come home in May.

Of course that is assuming that I last that long!

I just hope that the few of you who read this periodically are able to (and want to) go on this journey with me. I hope that I am able to keep the blog up and fill you in with the details of living abroad. It has promise, that is certain, but only time will tell.

I believe that I will also put out some cash for a better memory card for my digital camera, as currently the one I got free only stores about 35. I enjoy the photos most and running out of them has made me a bit sluggish currently. Well, that and reality.

And so again, thank you again to those that could make it. I love you all and will miss you deeply.

Later this week I will include my address abroad that can be used for the initial contact for me. When I settle in someplace, wherever that may be, I will pass that info along via e-mail.

Saturday, September 24, 2005


Picture of the day: Bridge over a canal in St. Petersburg. Posted by Picasa

Let's Get the Party Started!

Yesterday some friends arrived safely and soundly and this morning I'm heading over to the airport to pick up another friend. It's exciting to have people go through all that trouble to head down here, and I much appreciate it.

I'm not exactly sure what we will do today, but right now, I should be more focused on getting my behind up and out to pick up that friend at the PHL.

In other news, yesterday in preparing for this I had to clean up some of my room and I am aghast at how many clothes I have and by the fact that I am not really interested in getting rid of them. What the heck is my problem? Well, I know what one problem is. Having a functional wardrobe for someone size 8-16. Yup. It's like having a wardrobe for 5 people. So I have been narrowing down what I will be taking with me, selecting items that will be "professional" enough and then a few things that will be comfortable for hanging around in. Tons of packing needs to be done and I'm still excited about the prospect of an ipod. Goodness. I wonder if being American is all about consumerism sometimes. Depressing, but really...

At any rate, it's still up in the air what we will be doing today, but again, I should be getting myself ready!

Friday, September 23, 2005


Picture of the day: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (again) Posted by Picasa

Thursday, September 22, 2005

Picture of the day: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Only Eight Days!

And I am completely overwhelmed. And Freaking OUT.

There is so much stuff to do that it's hard to even figure out where to begin (this is what happens to me when I do feel overwhelmed, I easily shut down).

I know that I do have some awesome folks coming into town (perhaps even tomorrow?) so I need to clean. That is on the list.

I should also do some grocery shopping of sorts and at the very least get some balloons for those who are driving in. And Yuengling.

I am super excited that there are friends who were able to take the time to come down to see me. For those who were unable, I will this coming week devote some time to making phone calls and e-mailing. I will also need to send out postcards with my address on them--and probably also list it on here.

There are other things that I want to do before I leave, though, which include:

1) dancing OR karaoke.
2) Maryland style crab cakes
3) spending time with family
4) packing packing packing packing
5) practice with all my stuff to make sure I'm not going to have too much trouble
6) eat another awesome slice of pizza somewhere
7) see as many folks as possible, talk to those I can not see
8) try not to cry. period.
9) purchase an i-pod thingie
10) create a fabulous boxing system so that if I want my mother or father to send me something, it will be easy for them as everything will be labelled to the best of my ability
11) study at least five hours of Ukrainian. I've essentially given up, but that is not the attitude to have. I need to at least learn the niceities and how to use them.
12) read as much as I can
13) shop for stuff, including toiletries. I don't even want to think about Ukrainian feminine products.
14) use ingenuity for making things as small and compact as possible, including my down throw and down winter coat.
15) look into getting more memory for my little digital camera.

But of course none of these things are going to get done with me typing away here. Time to get started on the cleaning and cleaning out the closet. My mother will be so pleased!

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

The Gig is Up!

Today is my first day back from work, meaning that as of now, 11:38am, I should have done about sixteen different needed chores, but instead, I've been constructing e-mails and goofing off.

In my own defense, I was out late last night, meeting up with several folks who will be joining me on this whole Ukrainian adventure. I am extremely glad that I went simply to get an idea, or a picture, of who else is going, why, and what kinda folks they are. I had a blast, so I'm hoping that that is a good indication of what is in store for the next couple of years. Just about everyone has heard me complain about the lack of community there was at graduate school and how despite my better judgement, I am assuming that there will be community in Ukraine, to the same effect as VISTA. So far, it seems like an excellent possibility.

Now that work is over, I need to construct lists of things needed to do, things to buy, things to pack, etc, and start sorting through my bundles of stuff to try and get rid of some of it all.

In terms of work though, I was sorry to go. I avidly enjoyed my time at the newspaper, which I chronicled to an extent here, and met some really interesting people and felt very welcome. They all went above and beyond a call for me, and it was much appreciated. I also feel very fortunate to have been able to work with a new person and "train" her (it was more collaborative from my perspective) and get to know her--considering the short amount of time that I was there, and how interested I was in the beginning about just getting a paycheck, I was not expecting to meet such a cool and interesting person. It was a huge bonus and I hope that I am able to keep in touch.

Keeping in touch will be another entry for another day, though, I suppose...

Sunday, September 18, 2005


Picture of the day: Another shot of Church of the Spilled Blood, St. Petersburg. Posted by Picasa

Food, Glorious Food!

Today was the West Chester restaurant festival, which had tons of food from tons of restaurants in West Chester. Unfortunately, I only had one crab cake although there were many there. *Sigh*

It was cool though, as there were hoardes of people and crafts and booths and music and food, so honestly, what more could anyone ask for?

When we got back home, I put some of the things we brought home in the fridge until dinner time and later, when I went to get a Coke, I ended up spilling what I wanted the most all over the kitchen floor and the fridge. It was asparagus and crab soup. After a huge puddle had collected on the kitchen floor, I dipped my finger tip in it and sampled what was to be my dinner. It was delicious and made me briefly wonder how santitary it would be to get a straw and just suck it up from off the floor. I eventually decided against that and just cleaned the whole mess up and was thankful that I still had a couple little chicken quesadilas with blueberry chutney left. Oh, the tradegy of it all.

In other news, it seems that I might be able to meet up with some fellow Ukrainian Peace Corps folks from the local area. This would be great and hopefully give me that kick in the pants I've been needing. I am still having so many doubts about this--not about my decision as much about my capabilities. English is barely my first language... How can I teach this to University students? And of course the Ukrainian language is no picnic to learn, despite it being so interesting and beautiful.

For example, did you know that the months in Ukrainian do not follow the Latin names that so many other countries have? They take on a literal meaning according to what happens in nature during that month. I was born during Lystopad, which means falling leaves (November). Pretty nifty, huh? My mother was not impressed with her month, Hruden, which means balls, for snow falls (December), but whatever. I think it's pretty cool.

I am also freaking out about the amount of time that I have left, which is basically not a lot, and how little preparation stuff I have done. That is why I moved up my date to leave work, so I could spend this coming week handling student loans, that AmeriCorps ed award stuff, packing details, and cleaning for guests. So many people have started making the rounds and saying goodbye to folk, and I feel like I am so very behind, as I tend to deny these sorts of events or really attribute much sentimentality to them. It's too sad to do that. And I've said goodbye so many times.

So perhaps I should use this evening to do more reading about Ukraine, as I still have another travel guide to get through and stacks of books just collecting dust.

Saturday, September 17, 2005

Picture of the day: A shot of the garden

Once and Only Once...

I grew up in the country. The town has changed since my tenure there, with developments springing up, but there remains a certain charm about the place, a certain 'awayness' that has not deminished from when I was a little girl.

Growing up as I did, it was not uncommon for folks to hunt or to have guns in the house, and having an older brother who was interested in the sport, there was always a bb gun around. Only once did I ever use it without anyone's knowledge. I can't remember exactly how old I was, but I would guess that I was at least 10. I actually can't even remember exactly where I was when I did shoot it, but I remember my target.

In order to see exactly what would happen, I decided that I would have to aim it at a live animal. As I have always loved many mammals, I could not think of harming a bunny or a cat or dog, that would be entirely too cruel. What we always did have plenty of in the yard was birds. We had a bird bath and at any given time, at least 3 bird feeders and lots of birdseed spread under a tree. I decided that in order to test my Annie Oakley skills, I would try to hit one of the many songbirds in our yard. Sure enough, I only needed one attempt: I nailed one right on the first try.

I was entirely frightened by my own actions, that I had caused another living thing such pain. It fluttered and spun around on the ground and I was too ashamed of what I had done to even do the decent thing and shoot it again to put it out of its misery. I just ran back inside the house and returned the bb gun to the place I had found it and never felt the need to try that experiment ever again. I put it out of my mind as quickly as it had happened.

Perhaps a shot from a bb gun is not enough to harm a little song bird permanently. It's tough to say since I left the scene so quickly. But I sure hope that it flew away to tend to the wound. And I obviously do still think about it from time to time...

Thursday, September 15, 2005


Picture of the day: Sorry folks, I've been running out lately! This is of some critter we saw at Pictured Rocks National Park. Truth be told, Eric and I were not sure what animal it was. Posted by Picasa

Working Update

Well, the other day I told my supervisor what my last day of work at the newspaper would be: This coming Tuesday. *Dances*

Actually, I've really come to enjoy working at the paper. The people are overall really fun folks who make working easier. I've laughed, learned, and even groaned a bit, but it's all a part of growing, I suppose. And thinking and problem solving.

Learning new things from new perspectives in the area of any business can be extremely useful, as is learning how to deal with all sorts of people and personalities. I must say that I have been overall very lucky when it comes to finding jobs like this and typically finding an individual or two that I really get along with, respect, and look up to. This situation has been no different, and the only regret I have about leaving earlier is that I won't have more time to spend with those folks who make working fun.

Even though this work is not physically taxing or emotionally draining, I still find that when I come home from work, I am too tired to do much of anything, especially all things considered Ukrainian, which is the major reason for my decision to leave earlier. I'm beginning to have major doubts about my capabilities and my personal strength. I keep asking myself "why am I doing this?" but feel that this must be only normal for any major life changing event... I could call it cold feet, but I don't think that I'm going to dash. I just hope that I have the forititude and character to see it through, but as one of my oldest and dearest friends mentioned, what does it really matter as long as I'm happy. Thanks for that chat, Leah, it really helped me. I'll miss you terribly.

Now it's time to listen in on the President....

Sunday, September 11, 2005

My Weekend

This weekend was another jam backed one, as my deadline for Ukraine gets closer and closer. On Saturday I had noted that there would be a Ukrainian festival in Baltimore and a few weeks ago suggested to my mother that it might be something that we could go to together. I wanted her to get an idea about the country and culture that I will be experiencing in a month. As it is close to my uncle and aunt who live near Baltimore, mom suggested it to them as well. Being great sports, they took us into the city and we found our way to the 29th Annual Ukrainian festival where we enjoyed looking at touristy crafts from Ukraine, specifically the pysanki, the elaborately painted eggs. We also saw traditional folk dances and various foods. I had some borshch, which was delicious and only made me look forward to the tasty treats I will get to have soon enough!

On Sunday, I went with my father to a huge art show in Delaware. We looked at a lot of art and saw some really beautiful things. Some ugly things too, but a lot of neat stuff too. I ended up purchasing a bowl from a local woman, because I really regret not getting any pottery at Alfred. One day I will make it back up to Hot Dog Day just to endow some current students with a little spending case for Alex's. But until then, I am content to pick and chose at places like the Bradywine Art Show.

It was a fantastic weekend filled with lots of family fun!

The R5

On Friday I left the office to catch the train into Wynnewood, where I meet up with my mother to come home. It was like any other day, but I saw a woman looking somewhat confused as she approached me and sat further down on the bench.

She asked me how much to Suburban Station. I told her that I was unsure, but that it would probably be no more than $4.

She proceeded to chat with me about how she bought a car from Craigslist and how she has had an uncanny week in relation to cars: they are all out of commission.

We chatted for a while longer and it continued when we got on the train. She told me a bit about her life, her health, her unemployment and asked me about what I was doing. She also wanted my opinion about an incident with a guy she had been dating before her cancer came out of remission.

I was sad to have to leave the train so quickly, as I did enjoy talking with her. We all have stereotypes about people. She was a well dressed woman of a certain age, well dressed, and so on. She had a nice job at one point in time, before her health had suffered, but was suffering from huge amounts of debt stemming from her poor health and the lack of care for those on disability. Working on the Main Line has in general left me feeling unsympathetic for the people I see walking by on my lunch break. The men dressed in suits, going off to fancy restaurants to eat, talking about golf and business deals...the women dressed smart yet causal, usually with two blonde children in tow, the mothers always in pairs, talking about shopping, or play dates, or private day cares... Needless to say, it is a world very much unlike my own.

Meeting this woman, who likewise lives in this town, helped me to realize that not everything is as it appears, and that we are all fragile.

Tuesday, September 06, 2005


Picture of the day: Oslo Guard. Posted by Picasa

In a New York Minute

On Sunday, nearly on a spur of the moment decision, my mother and I decided to take the train up to NYC for the day. This was entirely possible because my dear friend was available to hang out with us and help shuttle us around the A train, because God knows I am not a fan of the NY subway system. I've always wanted to go and see the Cloisters and thankfully, it was something that my friend has wanted to do as well, so we ventured there for the afternoon, enjoying the wonders of art from centuries past. We were also able to enjoy a beautiful day, as the weather was perfect as well. After our trip to the Cloisters, my mother wanted to see Ground Zero. I've never really understood why this has become something that tourists want to visit and see. It was really crowded and there was lots of tourists taking pictures. Very strange indeed, but I must admit that I tried to not really think about what went on while we were there. After that we saw a quick glimpse of Central Park, but as we were only going there for the day, we did not have much longer to play and wanted to grab some food before we took back off on the train. We found an Italian restaurant that was very yummy and really hit the spot. My mom and I took off on the train for the long ride back, but we made it home safe and sound and I was able to get some ice cream from McDonald's in 30th Street. All in all a great day. Thanks again to my friend helping us out. We had a GREAT time and I can't wait to see you again in a few weeks!

Saturday, September 03, 2005


Picture of the day: Munising Falls near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising, Michigan. Posted by Picasa

I've Got No Skills

Language skills, that is.

Many many weeks ago (actually months, now that I think about it) I received the Peace Corps disk that includes all sorts of info that will be helpful to me, including language lessons. The request was to study this disk for at least an hour each day. Ha. At the time I was speedily writing my thesis and trying to get all of that done, but I had plans to dive right in when I had the time. Unfortunately, when I had the time, I thought that reruns of the Golden Girls and The Nanny were more important. Afterall, I told myself, I did just finish one monster of a thesis, and I deserved it.

Well, I did myself no favors.

When I finally did get around to it, I realized that my disk did not work the way that I wanted it to (where I could see and hear the new words at the same time). I asked someone to make me a new disk, thinking that there was something wrong with the first one, but actually no, my computer just needed to be updated. I asked a friend how I can do this, but it seems that I am still unable to do it, and I have less than a month before departure.

Craziness. I know only two or three words in Ukrainian, forget about sentences or phrases or anything. I am a huge loser and failure on this count and with working now, I am not exactly looking forward to coming home and trying to learn the language, but I'm going to suck it up. If I want to be effective, if I want to communicate, I will have to make the time and just do it.

Tomorrow my mother and I are off to the big city (NYC) to take in a museum for the day. Hopefully we will be met by my lovely friend who can graciously assist us in that huge place. The subway in that city has never really made much sense to me, and I'm not a particularly patient person. And my mother is even less so, sadly.

Thursday, September 01, 2005


Picture of the day: Barn near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan in Michigan. Posted by Picasa

Wow

So, like everyone else in the blogosphere, I have been watching on the news the destruction that Katrina has left behind.

For the first time since I don't remember, I sat in front of the TV tonight, with a plate of hot food, and wept because I felt so helpless. I looked at my food and just felt sick. Babies dying from dehydration and old people too. It's just so awful. I wish that I had done something useful in school like nursing, because then I'd have a reason to go down there and actually do something. Or perhaps even made the kind of money that would be more than a drop in the bucket. I am also tempted for the first time in like forever to donate blood. As some of you know, the last time I did that it messed me up for weeks afterwards including passing out on the T (God, that was embarrassing and totally ruined my night seeing the Kids in the Hall), but that's just a measure of how moved I am... Of really how all of us are moved. Well, maybe not all, as it seems that many folks are pointing fingers to the slow moving reactions from America and the government. This will take longer to figure out and it's just reactionary to place the blame on someone, but it is hard for me to not see who is sitting in the superdome (poor blacks) and make the unfortunate assumption that most people just don't care.

Actually, this is the same response I had and felt when I watched that Don Cheadle movie Hotel Rwanda as the Nick Nolte UN guard told Don that Americans just didn't care about what happened to Africans. It made my stomach turn. Why? Because unfortunately it's true.

Those who know me and dislike my politics may see my response as being purely reactionary. That not everything is based on race, gender, or class. But I humbly disagree. I also think that the Pres. should not stop when he flies over tomorrow. He might get himself shot. People are pissed. I just wish that when people in America get angry about such things that political action takes place. It's just so slow.

Like everyone else, my thoughts are with those people, and I am wishing that I could do something to help out, as I feel my money is too little, but at least it is something, I suppose.

The best thing that I did hear though from a public official was from either the head of Homeland Security or the Attorney General (sorry I can't remember, they went one right after the other on CSPAN) but they said that "reconstruction" will take place. Reconstruction, huh? That's every Southerners favorite word, isn't it?

Locations of visitors to this page