It's been a wild and crazy trip!

So I think I have finally recovered from the Coordinators Conference and my trip to site... Do you want to talk about an emotional roller coaster??? It was a wild and crazy trip! But really... all turned out really well. I'll be living in a tiny little village called Novoekonomichskoe in the Donetska Oblast. Its about an hour from the city of Donetsk which is in the far east of the country. It's on the west side of the city. The closest large city that would actually be on a map to my town is Krasnyarmeyrsk. I'll be working in the only school in my town teaching civics and leadership skills. Nobody really speaks English... not even the english teachers really. So my Russian is going to be absolutely AMAZING by the time that I leave. The village is so beautiful though... I mean it looks like it hasn't been touched by any outside influences for the past 100 years. It's all little cute cottagey homes with daisies and tulips painted on the fences. I think it'll be a great fit for me.. Well its not too far from Kiev either, by ukrainian standards, only a 13 and a half hour train ride over night... It was really cool though. I really enjoyed the train ride and it's a great way to experience Ukrainian culture and meet some interesting people... now the toilets can sometimes leave a little bit to be desired for.... but I am an experienced hoverer or squater (turkish toilets, YAY!!!) by this point and even on a moving and rocking train I can still keep my balance! (Thanks Irish Dance Class!!!) I have two friends from my group that will only be a half hour away as well so I won't be too lonely. Well that's the update for now. only about 3 more weeks in Kalynivka then the volunteer swearing in will be on the 25th of May and off to site at the end of the month!!! Can you believe it's been 2 months already??? I know, tell me about it! Take care and I love you all so very much!!!