Bowling and lions that don't look like lions

Yesterday we had another opportunity to go outside and take a little drive around Boyarka. We went through the normal routine of teaching in the morning. It was animal day. I had the kids make origami lions. They didn't know what we were folding at first and so they had to guess as we went along. We got to one of the last steps when they finally guessed right. Well, honestly it wasn't super obvious that it was a lion. I tried... ;) haha

I also had the older kids play big booty. It was hysterical to play this with them; I was laughing the whole time. When the game starts and everyone says, "Biiiiig booty, big booty, big booty, big booty, oohhhh yeah!" all the kids would lift their arms up and shake them. And the look on their faces, specifically Lyova's face, made me die! I'm regretting that I didn't take a video of it. If I get another opportunity, I will not pass it up. 

After lessons and lunch, we piled in the buses again and headed to the mall. It was pretty cool. They have flat escalators that take you up to the next level. I like them better than the stair kind, first because they look cooler. Second because they are safer (Kaden never would have had that accident in Fiji on the escalator had they been flat like these). Also, they have a super market in the mall! That was different but very useful for us. We needed a few things, such as shampoo, soap, and ice cream;) 

But before shopping, we all headed up to the third level where they have a section of the mall with bowling, roller skating, a cinema, a bar with pool, etc. So we had the choice of pool, skating or bowling. We, the teachers, decided to bowl with the kids for some time and then go shopping for a while. I'm no better at bowling here in Ukraine than I am in Utah...

Shopping was fun. They have a lot of cute clothes and boots for a lot cheaper than in America. I didn't get anything this time, but will definitely be buying some boots later on. The ice cream that I bought this time though was not as good as the last. haha 

Today was another normal day. Our theme for lessons today was "around the world". I was focusing on Native American Indians, Haley did Hawaii, and Elli did Mexico. I had them make feather headbands (sorry if that is offensive to any Native American's but I couldn't think of anything else) and then we played some Native American games that I found on the internet. It was fun! The kids seemed to enjoy it, mostly :) They all really liked the the music that I was playing. They all looked so adorable in their headbands too. 

Then we had lunch like usual, and it was delicious! Borsch soup as always, chicken breast, pasta, and really yummy bread. The food is either really good here or I cannot eat more than a bite. Luckily it has mostly been good. We got the delicious wafer things for second dinner tonight. As well as almost every other type of cookie we have had. 

Still have no idea what I will have the kids do tomorrow, the last day. I should probably figure that out now.

This is the lion

DJ Denis 

Dancing and Watermelon Sour Patch

Wow, let me tell you, I am so ready for a nap today... It was a crazy day with all the kids! They are all seeming to get very comfortable and crazy for every lesson. I thought controlling these kids would get easier but it is seeming to be the opposite. haha but I'm still having a lot of fun. The kids are more fun outside of class, rather than in class trying to get them to do projects and things. However, when I think about it, this is our last week with these kids and that makes me a little sad. So I'm looking forward to having a great time with these guys this week.
Today we had the theme "Hollywood" so our lessons were supposed to be centered on movie, actors, TV shows, etc. For my first lesson, I decided to teach the kids the Hoedown Throwdown from the Hannah Montana movie. Yeah I know, ridiculous movie but a fun dance. So that was a lot of fun to watch the kids try to figure out the moves. And most of them enjoyed it, some were just being stupid... haha ;)
The second round, we played the flour game that I learned on the mission. It was a big hit with the kids! They had a blast. And they loved the watermelon sour patch as well, just like all the kids in Vanuatu did when I would get packages. What a fantastic candy...
The kids were getting really crazy today. At one point, Elli (another teacher) and I just decided to pull both our groups together and have them dance to all the dances they have learned over the years. haha when the kids stop responding to you, just turn on a song they know and they will come together and dance. The one they always ask us to turn on is the "Nae nae". Haha it is hysterical to watch them dance to it!
After lessons, we had some training from our head teacher, Kate, to get a better idea of what will happen when we start our actual ILP teaching next week. It's been a lot of fun getting to know these other teachers I'm with. They are so great and it's been fantastic talking with them each night.
Now we are starting Anastasia while the kids are having a "disco" again tonight :) Until next time...

Kiril after the flour incident 

Denis 

Annia 

"Ukrainians are not skimpy on the chocolate"

We started off early this morning. Getting ready was a little different. This week, the students that school here at the boarding school will be coming. So us four teachers had to move out of our room and in with all of the girls from the camp. Sleep over! haha This week will be fun, being very close with all the girls... ;) 

After breakfast, we all piled into buses and headed to the ornament making factory about an hour away. Many times while driving, I feared for our lives. On top of the roads being covered in snow and slush, the driver was making some crazy maneuvers. Of course it's normal for Ukranians, but for us Americans it was a little nerve-racking.  Actually, it was a lot like driving in Vanuatu, just with bad roads! At one point while driving on a pretty large highway, we did a u-turn along with 2 other cars! All at the same time. It was an experience. 

The factory was pretty cool. They walked us through, showing us how they make them, heating them and blowing them. They hand paint the ornaments which are all so beautiful! There were some with famous paintings on them. Of course I had to buy one (which it was only like 2 bucks here) so I hope it can survive the trip back home without getting shattered. 

We got back into the buses and headed back. Not as bumpy of a ride as the way there. We stopped at a little shop so the kids could all buy some snacks if they wanted. And us teachers bought some ice cream. I bought one that was kind of like a drumstick, but like 10 times better! It was chocolate and cream cheese flavor ice cream, because everything that is white is probably cream cheese in Ukraine. It was kind of like cheesecake flavor. Anyway, it had thick chocolate swirled inside the ice cream and the chocolate in the bottom of the cone. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Let me tell you, Ukrainians know how to do chocolate. And I love chocolate so that works out. haha There are these amazing straw looking cookies filled with chocolate and they are so die for. If I don't gain weight while I'm here, I would be very surprised. With all the chocolate and starchy foods. 

When we got back to the school, we worked on preparing our lessons for the coming week. Back to reality. Work is still here. It's going to be a fun week though. I'm looking forward to it. :) 

And now for pictures! 

Creepy Santa at the ornament factory

The boys

Today's dinner=delicious

     Our amazing group of kids

One week in Ukraine and I give into "the blog"

So after an amazing week here in Ukraine, I have decided that I need to make a blog. It's been awesome so far and the kids are fantastic!
The week started off with us four teachers arriving in Kiev, being greeted by the two sweetest ladies, Taunya and Olia. We then traveled to the boarding school where we would be staying for the first two weeks. We had a day to prepare for what was to come-- the children.
This past week has been good, bad, and just a little ugly. Well, maybe not really ugly. We all didn't know what to really expect with the kids. A group of about 30 kids ages 6-15 all knowing different levels of English. But I was excited to see how it would go!
I got the cutest and sweetest kids for my home group, the 9 and 10 year olds (or so I thought). They just came up and all hugged me. So cute. The first day was pretty great! The kids are all so beautiful and fun.
To make a long week a little shorter, us four teachers spent each evening this past week thinking of activities for all the kids and preparing crafts for them to do the next day. Then we would go to class rotations from 10-2 each day. It's a new experience each day. The kids are crazy but so cute and fun all the time.
Anyway, that very briefly catches me up to today. And today technically started our first weekend here Ukraine. And we got to go sledding with all the kids! We traveled to a forest close by that is honestly the most beautiful forest I have ever seen! We pilled out of the bus and the sledding began. But not just any sledding, it was sledding on plastic bags. Believe it or not, these bags were better than any sled I have ever used! We picked up some serious speed sliding down the little hill. The kids and us teachers were having a blast.
After a little over an hour, we were on our way back to the school for 1st lunch. Yes, I said first... It is the coolest thing here. We get 2nd lunch and 2nd dinner! It's pretty much a cooler name for "snack" and "dessert". But Ukrainians know how to name their meals ;) We have had some pretty awesome food while being here. Most of the food we eat is potatoes, some kind of meat, soup and LOTS of bread and pickles.
This evening, us teachers went out to the store for the first time on our own. Of course, for chocolate and other delicious things. The cashier tried to speak to us in Russian and we just stared blankly back, like the oblivious Americans we are ;) haha
And now I am going to post a bunch of pictures of the amazing week I have had and call this first post good. Hopefully this will be a usual thing, me updating my blog and all.

Arthur. What a handsome little "goober".

Going down the hill with Liza and Sasha

Miss Olia, our beautiful coordinator

Miss Elli, Miss Kate, Me, and Miss Haley

These children are honestly so beautiful!