It's the magical moving Fridge!!

Sorry for the long wait for a new blog... I hope none of you have lost sleep over it. I find it harder to get to the internet now that the school year has started. So by far one of the most memorabel moments of my Ukrainian tour happened to me just a week ago right here in my little town of Novoekonomicheskoe!!! So when I moved into my new place there was only one very essential thing missing... a refridgerator. So, knowing that my host family is like a little friendly KGB in my village I mentioned to them that I needed to buy a fridge. So they found one... a neighbor had just bought a new one and would sell me their old one for $60... pretty good i though (PC paid for it). Well then there was one more problem... the fridge was on the other side of town and I had to get it to my home. My host family only owns a very old and little russian car called a Lada so they were not an option this time. Galina, the little spy that she can be asked around for a truck to use and it would cost 30 greeves ($6) but far to expensive in her eyes to drive 5 minutes down the road. So she and her husband Ivan came up with the brilliant idea that they would just have the 11th grade boys carry the fridge about 1.5km to my house. I told her that the fridge was to heavy and that this was a bad idea. I would just keep looking for a less expensive truck to use. But her mind was made up and the next day during the 3rd period she came into my office with a big smile. I knew something was up... It was a mischevious smile that grandmas sometimes get.. ya know? Anywho... she proceeded to tell me that in just a half hour the fridge would be enroute courtesy of the 11th grade boys who had my host dads shop class that period. So I'm dreading the fourth period... maybe I can talk Ivan out of it and how this is a bad Idea... it's far too heavy! I mean this isn't like college dorm room frigde... it's full sized with a freezer! so I'm sitting in my office and the bell that says 3rd period is over is ringing... I'm picking up my stuff to go and talk some reason into Ivan and as I look out the window, here comes my fridge courtesy of a motly looking group of Ukrainian boys. At this point it was too late to plead my case and the fridge was going to be moved regardless of anything that I had to say! So there was a group of about 7 Ukrainian boys and me with this huge fridge being carried down the street. I kept saying 'This is rediculous' and 'I can't believe this is happening'. And Sasha, the only kid who really speaks and understands most English heard me. He asked me what these words meant and then translated for the rest of the motly crew to know exactly what I was thinking. Well after about 25 minutes of switching off carriers the fridge finally arrived, in tact thank God!!! And now all the know exactly where I live (like I could have kept that a secret forever in my town). As we were walking back to the school, I felt like I was walking with the Jets in West Side Story , me and the boys all dressed in their Black Jeans and flipped up collared shirts and Black leather pointy shoes. They were cracking jokes and all fiddling with their latest electronic gizmo... At least I now know that I can use students for any manual labor that I need. I baked them a nice batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies (which are not a staple of the ukrainian diet) to show my thanks and gratitude.

The Ukrainian Ice Cream Man

Howdy friends and family!!! Fall has arrived in beautiful Eastern Ukraine, the temperature has dropped and the school year has started! Oh and in other exciting news.... I have my own house now!!! YAY!!! I have officially ended my probationary 6 months under the scrutinizing eye of a ukrainian mama and have finally flown the coup. It was a week long process but saturday night was my first official night at the new house. My host mom is afraid that I will starve and die or perhaps a wild gang of rabid chickens will attack but I've assured her that none of these things will happen. And it's not like I'm moving far away... I'm only an 8 minute walk from her house so she can monitor my health status. Actually, the move was a bit bitter sweet... I was excited to have a place of my very own were I didn't feel like a guest but I miss my home with Mama Galina and Papa Ivan. They were amazing host parents and I couldn't have been more blessed with a wonderful family. However I work at the same school as them and see them every day... so I think our relationship will continue to grow.
The school year has started... That's right I now officially have a job and am trying to chisel out a place for myself in the complicated process of the Ukrainian school scheduling process. I tought my first class today... It went better than expected considering I have to teach in Russian. Luckily, I have a young ukrainian teacher Svetlana Nikolaiovna who sits in with me to help when needed but she too doesn't speak English. I anticipated complete anarchy but there was no mutiny and the troops got in line pretty quickly. We even had a few smiles. All in all, a big accomplishment!
Finally, I have encountered the Ukrainian version of the Ice Cream Man... though he sells some thing else instead of ice cream, however I would imagine that an ice cream man business would be incredibly profitable cuz Ukrainains love their Ice cream... The Ukrainian version sells chickens! And not killed and barbequed chickens but live breathing chickens in a coup on top of his Lada (russian make that hasen't changed its body style in over 30 years). He has a bullhorn in which he tells the houses lining the streets that he drives fresh, Live Healthy chickens. He has done this every evening for over a week and a half. At first, I didn't realize what was going on... but now the actual humor of the scenario makes me chuckle everytime I hear him bellowing on his bullhorn 'Fresh, Live, Healthy Chickens' driving slowly so not to miss a possible sale.
This country never ceases to provide entertainment in the most unusual forms.... Take care you guys and God Bless. I'll see you all at Christmas!