Back Stateside!!!

Well, due to various reasons (nothing bad!) I've gotten to return to DC early! I'm done working on my project in Kyiv and back to working in DC (similar to what I was doing before). Being in Kyiv was certainly a cool experience, but really I'm glad to be home! Sortof a shame that no one except my bro got to visit me, but I can show you all the pictures! Plus, soon enough (although hopefully not for at least a year) I'll be headed off to some new part of the world!

My dog Belka got to come with me! She did really well on the plane, and liked staying in the hotel. I think mainly because I always took an extra piece of sausage from the breakfast buffet for her! Now we've moved into a temporary apartment for the summer that is really nice and near the Pentagon City Mall. Don't tell the tenants in my house, but I think it's nicer than my apt! Smaller though which would be more of a problem with 2 people and 2 dogs (and a 3rd person on the way!!!)

It's great to see friends and family again, although things have been so hectic I've only gotten to see a few friends. I'll work on it and see everyone soon!!!

For now, check out my new дом... I mean home!
~L

Pysanka!

I made my first Ukrainian Pysanka! It was pretty fun. We used a traditional looking tool for applying wax that we melted into it's little cup with a candle. Our teacher was a famous Ukrainian Pysanka artist who has made 1000s of eggs and her eggs are in the Pysanka museum! Really very fun. We even learned a little bit about the history and some of the symbolism used on the eggs. Enough for me to at least know that the wikipedia page is fairly decent! Really interesting read... Strangely, my dad had made eggs similar to this (I think) but as Christmas decorations. And I don't think he knew at the time that he was making Ukrainian art!
~L

Flat Stanley in Kyiv!

Flat Stanley at St Sofia's

Flat Stanley at St. Andrew's

Flat Stanley shopping at the Spusk for Ukrainian souvenirs

Flat Stanley at the weird park

My niece Malaina mailed me a Flat Stanley. He travelled all the way from Indiana to Kyiv and got to see some of the sights! I'm going to mail him back, but here's a sneak preview of his travels! He was lucky that Belka did not eat him, but he did accidentally fall between the cracks of a bench / sculpture. Luckily we were able to fish him out with a stick! Now he's going to head back to Indiana, although it might take a while!
~L

Stupid Dog Whisperer... (says Belka)

Just thought this is a funny picture. I have been catching up on the Dog Whisperer and I think maybe it's starting to help me be calm and assertive towards Belka. But I don't think she likes the show...
~L

Нет много собакы!

Well, I've done my part to not create any more wild dogs in Kyiv. Belka has gotten spayed. I think it went ok, but now she seems kindof sleepy. She had to stay over night at the vet so she probably didn't sleep very well. But now she's back home and relaxing on the couch. A pretty good life. And the best part is now I don't have to worry about the wild dogs wanting to mate with her! She looks like a dork though because she has to wear this silly shirt to keep her from eating her stitches. Poor Belotchka! :) (Honestly, I don't think she has any idea what happened, just that she was in a weird place for a night.) I actually think it looks like she's ready to star in an 80's aerobics video...
~L

How cold is that in Fahrenheit?

Wow. So it's definitely cold here now. Tomorrow's forecast is for minus 30 C!!! One of our favorite jokes is to ask "How cold is that in Fahrenheit". The answer is always "frikkin' cold!" We're still doing work, although the workers do get to take coffee and tea breaks to try and warm up a little bit. Belka still does not seem to mind the cold, but it's now even harder to go for long walks because the sidewalks are still icy and snowy and now it's also freezing. Even my house is a little cold but that's what blankets and sweaters are for. It really makes me nostalgic for those too hot summer days! I'm going to make some hot chocolate.
~L
p.s. the -30 includes windchill at least. and the equivalent is -16 F

Happy Holidays from Kyiv!

Well, I've missed Hannukah and "Roman" Christmas, but there's still New Year's and Orthodox Christmas, and then Old New Year! So Happy Holidays!
~L (and Mike and Belka!)