Look who came to our school today? President Yuschenko was at school this evening to give the commencement address at our graduation ceremony!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Reactor Number 4Things that change your life!
Having lived 14 of the past 17 years abroad has changed my life in many ways. My thinking has changed and my expectations from fellow humans has changed. On Friday, April 10--Good Friday--I visited Chernobyl and the surrounding area. I had wanted to go for a long time and finally had the opportunity to go. Wow! What a sad sad site. I learn more and more about the human toll and the impact it had on regular Ukrainians daily.
I learned from a friend today that the woman who was the head of the school in Pripyat, the city where many of the Chernobyl power plant workers and their families lived, was threatened by the Communist party head because she refused to let the children play outside just hours after the disaster. Her husband was an engineer at the plant--in Reactor 4--when the accident happened and he told his family immediately. Armed with that knowledge, she was trying to protect the children--and was accused by the Party heads of spreading rumors and causing panic. She and her family left Pripyat four days after the disaster.
The city of Pripyat is abandoned and desolate. It is a ghost town that has so many stories. We weren't allowed to spend more than 15 minutes in the town, but that was enough time to imagine what life should be like. We were there on a gorgeous spring day. I imagined mothers walking their children down the street--the Ferris wheel spinning--and little old ladies and men sitting on the benches in the sun watching the world go by. The empty apartments and homes break your heart when you realize that their former occupants were told to pack what they needed for a couple of days and leave! They intended on coming back! But never did--never could. The buildings have been sitting empty for 23 years and are not structurally sound anymore. What stories lie behind the broken windows and crumbling walls.
This trip changed me. I can't articulate all the ways, but I can say that it did indeed change me. The people of Ukraine have been through a lot in recent history. They have tolerated a lot. When I talk to friends, I see resiliance in them--hidden beneath their mistrust for their government and its leaders. They have no choice but to look forward. Things can only get better--right?
Here are some of the pictures I took. There are more on my Picasa album page (link to the right).
This couch, or what's left of it, was in front of the hotel.
In the desolate town of Pripyat, this willow tree is blooming.
Old signage...
I learned from a friend today that the woman who was the head of the school in Pripyat, the city where many of the Chernobyl power plant workers and their families lived, was threatened by the Communist party head because she refused to let the children play outside just hours after the disaster. Her husband was an engineer at the plant--in Reactor 4--when the accident happened and he told his family immediately. Armed with that knowledge, she was trying to protect the children--and was accused by the Party heads of spreading rumors and causing panic. She and her family left Pripyat four days after the disaster.
The city of Pripyat is abandoned and desolate. It is a ghost town that has so many stories. We weren't allowed to spend more than 15 minutes in the town, but that was enough time to imagine what life should be like. We were there on a gorgeous spring day. I imagined mothers walking their children down the street--the Ferris wheel spinning--and little old ladies and men sitting on the benches in the sun watching the world go by. The empty apartments and homes break your heart when you realize that their former occupants were told to pack what they needed for a couple of days and leave! They intended on coming back! But never did--never could. The buildings have been sitting empty for 23 years and are not structurally sound anymore. What stories lie behind the broken windows and crumbling walls.
This trip changed me. I can't articulate all the ways, but I can say that it did indeed change me. The people of Ukraine have been through a lot in recent history. They have tolerated a lot. When I talk to friends, I see resiliance in them--hidden beneath their mistrust for their government and its leaders. They have no choice but to look forward. Things can only get better--right?
Here are some of the pictures I took. There are more on my Picasa album page (link to the right).
This couch, or what's left of it, was in front of the hotel.
In the desolate town of Pripyat, this willow tree is blooming.
Old signage...
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Monday, March 09, 2009
Riga and Basketball!
The PSI team with their second place trophy!
Riga! Look at the clear sky! What a refreshing weekend! Laura and I went to Riga this past weekend so she could participate in her first competative basketball tournament. She played well and learned a lot about competition! I enjoyed being back in Riga!
Laura and her best friend from Latvia, Anastasia...she came to watch the games.Monday, February 23, 2009
Ukrainian Dance
Late last week I saw an advertisement for a Ukrainian dance show to be held on Sunday. I recently counted the days we have left in Ukraine and decided we needed to take advantage of all the cultural events we could before we leave. Landon got us great tickets and we eagerly went to the Ukrainian Palace last night for the show.
There was extra security at the venue, which surprised us--there were MC's--which surprised us, and there were lots of people in their traditional Ukrainian dress--which surprised us. Eventually, I pieced it all together--along with a video--and determined we were at an extra special event. We were attending the 70th birthday celebration of a well-known Ukrainian choreographer. There were lots of speeches, flowers, and applause. Here are a few photos of the evening.
Late last week I saw an advertisement for a Ukrainian dance show to be held on Sunday. I recently counted the days we have left in Ukraine and decided we needed to take advantage of all the cultural events we could before we leave. Landon got us great tickets and we eagerly went to the Ukrainian Palace last night for the show.
There was extra security at the venue, which surprised us--there were MC's--which surprised us, and there were lots of people in their traditional Ukrainian dress--which surprised us. Eventually, I pieced it all together--along with a video--and determined we were at an extra special event. We were attending the 70th birthday celebration of a well-known Ukrainian choreographer. There were lots of speeches, flowers, and applause. Here are a few photos of the evening.
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