Could you slow down and repeat that, pazhalsta?

One of my greatest frustrations in Ukraine- regarding language learning, that is- was when people would talk at full speed and without enunciating. It usually annoys them when you have to ask them to slow down or repeat. I found that often they wouldn't actually slow down so much as get louder (and Russian tends to sound a little louder than usual anyway). That's frustrating, friends. And makes you feel like an idiot.

Well, at my new job I interact with several international students regularly. It's fun, and I feel a connection with them. However, it kills me when I watch other people interact with the international students and treat them like I was often treated; not necessarily in a mean way but in an I'm-not-sensitive-to-your-needs kind of way. I understand that when you live in the States you should speak English. That being said, it's not required that you speak like a native immediately, and it's totally ok for people to speak a little more clearly for you and respond patiently.

Life lesson learned in Ukraine: be kind to internationals. They may be trying as hard as they can- whether you think so or not.

Where ARE the light switches, y'all?

In Ukraine (and the rest of Europe, for that matter), light switches are located OUTSIDE of the room. This seems so super weird at first, given that we, as Americans, have been programed to reach inside of a doorway. However, it really makes a lot of sense. Think about all the movies in this world where people go into a dark house/room and are attacked/surprised by intruders because the light wasn't on. Not so smart. With the light outside of the door, you can see when you enter. It does set you up for disaster if you're surrounded by jokers who like to turn the lights off while you're showering...

Anyway, I have had a major issue recently with smacking walls with the aim of turning on lights. I've done it to my bathroom at least a gazillion times. It just makes so much sense to me now. Why is it, exactly, that we don't put them outside of rooms?

Up and running!

- Fully and completely moved into new house: check

- All toilets functioning appropriately after slight (major) flushing issue: check

- Discovery of slight flea problem (discovered by Erin finding 19 flea bites!): check

- Exterminator visit to deal with pesky flea problem: check

- Fleas totally gone: eh...not check yet

- Internet working at house: check

- 3 weeks of work down: CHECK

- Sister moved into freshman dorm: check

- Feeling like an awkward grown-up in a culture that I'm still not fully re-acclimated to: check

Pictures of the new place coming soon...

Still alive

I am still alive; I just have no internet at my house yet. Our landlord has been over many, many times at this point to help us get it going. It reminds me of when my apartment building in Ukraine would have electrical surges and leave me puzzling over how to prod my router into action.

The internet is ridiculously and intrinsically tied to life now, isn't it? Even if you're not using it merely for recreational purposes, you need it for things like checking your bank balance and forwarding forms that you've filled out. It's crazy! I feel sort of like it's my life jacket or something; it's that very comforting life line that feels somewhat necessary to survival, and if you don't have it, you feel like something vital is missing. I'm not necessarily pining for anything in particular, I just like knowing it's there if I need it.

When did the world become this way?

I'm always packing

Not ammunition. No worries.

I am, however, always packing a suitcase, it seems. Since I've been back, I've re-packed suitcases at least 6 different times. That's excessive, I think. Right now, in the midst of moving into my new places (which I will hopefully have pictures of soon), I have about 4 or 5 suitcases in the house, as well as a couple with me at my current location with my friend, Karen. I figured that since suitcases are kind of my life, I might as well use them instead of boxes.

As much as I love all the experiences I've had/am getting, I'm extremely tired of packing and unpacking. I think I'm turning into a wannabe homebody. How is that for readjusting to my home culture?

The cereal aisle: my personal Everest

Last weekend, I went to Kroger. I needed a few food items, and hello, I have a Kroger card. I've been into a grocery store or two since I've been back in the States, but I wasn't the one having to make a decision about what needed to be purchased.

This time, however, I had a list of items I was looking for, and cereal was one of them. I made my way to the cereal aisle, and once there, I stood stock still. Staring.

I couldn't function normally at that point; there were so many choices! My choice selection has been greatly limited over the past 2 years, so the overwhelming vastness of the choice paralyzed me. I literally just stood there. For SEVERAL minutes. My mom called while I was there and after finding out that I was just standing and staring- incapable of making a decision- talked me through the process. Once we narrowed down what kind of cereal to get, we had to narrow down the brand and price. I felt so helpless.

I think I felt like a foreigner.

I haven't been back to Kroger since.

First Day of Work = Not so scary

Thankfully, the Lord was gracious and granted me a wonderful first day. It was very low-key and everyone was extremely kind and patient. After New Employee Orientation during the morning, I met with my supervisor and received my first assignment: go home and acquaint myself with student information.

Why go home?

Oh, because there's basically no where to work in the offices, as the offices are being gutted and remodeled. So, I'm taking my lunch break at home. In about 12 minutes, I'll get back to the grindstone. I'm rather grateful that I'm not squished in the corner of a paint fume-y room reading files...

Stay tuned for upcoming conversational pieces like, "The cereal aisle: my personal Everest."

Something is wrong with me

I start my new American job tomorrow. One that I'm very thankful for and somewhat looking forward to. One that I'm also terrified of! I realized that I'm more terrified of restarting life in America than I was when I moved to Ukraine.

What's wrong with this situation?