Bugs, Water, and Beautiful Cities

Priviet!

So I now know what the real PC experience is allll about: big bugs, lack of water, etc. As of last week the water in my host home officially only works at night. I don't know why this is and most of the time the water is freezing. Last week I had to go without a real shower for like 3 days. Meantime I was able to take freezing cold sink baths and run my hair under the faucet. Only as of yesterday did my host family introduce me to the 'summer shower.' For some reason we get water out in the garage for showers but not in the home. Hmmm...don't know what's with that. Now I just have to find out when I can do laundry. I guess this will be the time I learn to handwash.

And last week a huge bug invaded my room and tried to eat my face off! (Those of you who are familiar with my bug phobia may find this story interesting...just image what I was doing!)

I was just sitting there minding my own business and doing my homework while enjoying the cool breeze flowing through my window when this massive bug tried to enter my window! I freaked out and shut the window. I stood there for a several seconds contemplating what to do. Normally I would cry for my mom or Aaron to come and kill and dispose of this bug for me. But I have not yet learned how to say "save me from this huge bug!" in Russian.
Since I had my first self-evaluation coming up I decided to grow up and take care of the bug myself. My mom would be so proud! :) So I smashed the bug in the window and tried to shoo it outside. But that didn't work bc he fell into my room! aaagghhh! What to do?! I thought about calling my host sister to help but again decided that my host family would tell the PC that their volunteer is afraid of big bugs and cannot handle them on her own. So I grabbed the nearest shoe and smashed him! Then I was looking around for some paper to use to pick up the guts when my host papa came out of his room and saw what I was doing and came to investigate. Only then did I try to describe the invador and his intentions. Papa thought it was hilarious and ran to tell mama and Anna before being a great host dad and getting rid of the bug carcas.

Anyhow...last week we also took our first trip to Kiev. (Yes, I swear this time that pictures are coming!) We visited the PC office, a couple of churches, Independence Square, and the Dnipro River. It was a great day!

We had our LCF rotation this week - aka we got a new Russian teacher for the next 3 weeks. She's great. It's hard to believe that we're halfway done with training! We also are done teaching in the schools next week which I'm super stoked about! Teaching is hard enough for me bc I have no experience...you can't even imagine how crazy it can be being a rookie teacher and having to teach in another language that you've been studying for only a month! But all things considered it's been going well. I'm excited for us to start working on our summer camp and community project next week.

We had another adopt-a-cluster (current PCV) visit our site this week. I think that that is the best program that PC has during training. It gives us a chance to speak with PcVs and get real stories about their experiences, not just the amazing flowery stories that PC tells you.

Well my computer is having low battery and I'd better go. On the agenda for tomorrow is (seriously) getting my pics posted online. I know everyone is anxious to see them!

Love!