A Quilting Group.

My new friend, M, here in Kyiv discovered a quilting store downtown. The store is amazing and has wonderful fabric and things, but they also offer a quilting class or quilting group. It is for ladies to come and spend time together – either working on whatever project they have individually, working cooperatively on the group project (which is a quilt that will be auctioned off to raise money for an orphanage the shop supports) or they have random classes’ to introduce new products and things the shop owner has discovered.

When I met M last week for lunch we happened to start talking about quilting. I began telling her how I was trying to learn to hand quilt. I told her about the project that my Aunt K (who is a pro at all kinds of quilting) had set me up with. M invited me to go along with her to the quilting group today.

It was a blast! I had so much fun. I was amazed at the number of women there – some of whom were my age. Today was one of the days where the shop previewed new stuff, so I did not end up working on my quilting, but I did paint fabric! In two weeks, the shop will have a mini gallery of the women’s work done today (painted and quilted, of course) and the best work will win a prize.

It was so neat to go to this shop and spend over two hours just listening to them speak. There was a lot of Russian and Ukrainian and I am certainly tired from straining to hear words I recognized; even though we do not speak the same languages there was a camaraderie that let me feel welcome. I think I even joined the group today! Haha. I only hope that these women will allow me into their lives, that they will become my friends and together we will learn many new things!

Now, I have got to find a sewing machine of my own …

Like Owner, Like Dog.

I do not know how many of you have seen 101 Dalmatians, but there is a scene where the puppies are looking out the window at all the dogs and their owners passing by. Each owner resembles their dog in some manner. I have always laughed at this part of the movie because in real life its true – people do often end up looking like their dogs (or vice versa).

Yesterday, I got an email from Mum … and well, friends … it has officially happened to me. Yes, that is my dog doing the exact same thing I was a few days earlier! This is part of his normal "post lunch" routine and Mum happened to catch a picture of it. I taught him well.

Success ... Sort Of.

I like the metro. Its fun to ride, gets me where I want to go whilst keeping me warm and it speeds along the process of arrival somewhere. Also, on the metro no one talks to me. If they do it is simply to ask if I am getting off at the next stop and I have mastered hearing this question and responding appropriately - otherwise, I can enjoy a quite, non-threatening ride to where ever.

This is not the case with the grocery store. The chance of having someone speak to me increases by about 100% at the grocery store. This of course then leads me to have to respond. I've been working on my facial responses to inquiries, but sometimes the blank (and often freaked out) look on my face betrays me. This is what happened to me today.

I decided that I would run an errand that I knew I could manage alone and on the way out the door one of my housemates asked me to get some fruit from the grocery store for her. "Sure," I said. Knowing I could go to a certain grocery that I have been to several times and like the metro manage to get through the one question they always ask (do you want a bag? because we have to pay for them if we want one). This is where I made my fatal mistake ... rather than walk an additional twenty minutes to that grocery, I made the brilliant decision to go to the grocery right by where I was. Oops!

At this new grocery the produce section is not self-serve. Problem number one. I successfully said I did not speak Russian to the girl at the counter and we played the point and nod game for her to price my produce. Then came the check out line (where I am capable of answering only the one question) with the lovely lady scanning groceries. First she asked me if I wanted a bag, to which I said no. THEN she proceeded to ask me three other questions before she would give me the total for my purchases?! This is where the bewildered look on my face betrayed me ... I couldn't even get out that I did not speak Russian because I was so confused. I just stood there staring at her and she started back at me. Finally, she pressed some buttons on her computer and gave me my total. I paid her, took my groceries and ran home!

So I successfully bought groceries on my own - but I am not so sure I successfully navigated the language barrier this time. All I can say is "am I glad language class starts on Thursday!"

I Found It.

I found it - my sunshine, that is. Even though the temperature did not make it out of the mid 20's today ... the bright, shiny, glorious sun has been out nearly all day.

The New Place.

I have finally gotten unpacked and most everything has a home. I just wanted to share a quick glimpse of my place ... if you suffer from motion sickness, I apologise ahead of time ...

I am also very proud of my organisational skills up to this point - I got quite a lot of stuff into one wardrobe. I still would like a few other baskets and things to complete the project, but for now this will do (I am also on the look out for some curtains and a rug).

The apartment is pretty modern and there are not may oddities about it. However, one difference is our drying rack is actually built in to the cabinets. Whilst I still have to wash the dishes there is a nice little place to hide them away while they dry. Genius!

There is a quick tour of the apartment. It is a nice little joint and I am thankful for it. I am looking forward to many fun times here. I feel good to have everything unpacked and put away. It was a big step for me to put away my suitcases today - putting them away was such a commitment (as if I have not already made a commitment). I am here for the duration, to stay, to live, to love and to grow.

Oh Where is My Sunshine?

How quickly things change. Only six days ago I was enjoying a nice quiet afternoon on the back porch - nearly forgetting that it was technically still winter. Yet here I am revisiting winter. The kind of winter that includes snow. And clouds. And freezing temperatures. And Rain. And no sun. Jealous?! I knew you would be.

A Picture.

"I know it looks like I am trying to help you pack ... I just really wish I could go with you."

Breathing.

Packing my life into four suitcases has made for a long day.

What to take? What not to take? What to leave because it just does not fit in my suitcases? Do I simply have to much? What if I end up needing something I do not have? How much can I afford to purchase when I get there? What do I want to take to make it feel like home? What am I willing to leave because it just does not fit?

These are all questions that Mum and I have been asking all day long. We started after breakfast, took a lunch break and finished cleaning things up and putting things away about dinner time. Its been a while since I put in a full days work ... whew! I am tired. Without Mum's help I would have never gotten in as much as I did. Thanks Mum! And a HUGE thank you to B for the weight lifting and to Pop for a delicious dinner at In-N-Out.

Now all that is left is to wait out the ball of nerves forming in my stomach ....

My Family.

Pop is a hydrogeologist. Mum is a geologist. Hydrogeologist plus geologist plus children equals many weekends traipsing around the middle of nowhere looking for cool rocks, discussing road cuts, driving up (and down) washes, looking for petroglyphs, reading maps, trying to get the GPS unit to work and just seeing what can be seen. We always have fun together and it is more than entertaining. What?! You do not believe me?

Here is the proof:

Nevada is home to loads of wild horses - we were privileged to see a wild pack whilst we were out on Saturday. This is the first time I have ever seen them in the wild. It was quite a highlight.
And just to prove that he will do anything for money; B went for a "dip" in the watering hole! Hehe. Was that mean of me to even offer him money to do it?! Ah, my wonderful little brother. We do enjoy coming up with these moments of entertainment (I think I enjoy it most!).