Grocery store and "wish list"

Today I walked around the grocery store and Walgreens in my town, just for a re-adjustment to American stores. I planned not to buy anything at the grocery store, simply because I knew the "novelty" of all that was available and my slight hunger would get the best of my wallet.

I marveled that everything was in English (and occasionally Spanish), because it meant that I could understand all the labels instead of just guessing or going with only the ones I recognized.

In Ukraine, you cannot buy a lot of pre-made soups or mixes or meals, where you only need to add a few ingredients. This proves to be both a blessing and a curse! You know exactly what is going into your meal, you can be creative with ingredients and seasonings, and there are few preservatives. However, the "curse" is that it takes MUCH longer to prepare meals and bread, dairy, and produce go bad faster.

I do have the luxury of the US commissary, which is on the grounds of the US embassy. This little store, with maybe 2 aisles and 2 freezers, is about the size of my grandparents' living room. They stock American products, but some are 2-3 times as expensive as in America. The commissary is a nice place to go when you are just missing American flavors or products that can't be found in the Ukrainian stores. The food that I purchased here would often be put in the cabinets and saved "for a rainy day," or a special occasion, or for when I just didn't feel like cooking.

This mentality has continued now that I'm back in the US. In the cabinets of the home where I babysit, there are boxes of macaroni and cheese, jars of peanut butter, etc. I see those and think to myself, I shouldn't use those right now; let me find something else that I could make.

In a strange way, I miss not cooking my own meals every single day (or living off of the leftovers). In the fall, within maybe a month of my return, I plan on having a "housewarming" party since I will be living in a new place. I look forward to having my friends over for dinner. :)

The following are things I'm planning on buying this summer to take back to Ukraine with me...but if you would like to support me by purchasing them for me, or giving me a gift card, that would be greatly appreciated!

*Note: Generic equivalents are acceptable.

Foodstuffs

*Creamy peanut butter (20 oz size--just ONE is needed)

*Salsa (16 oz size--if it's in a plastic container, all the better for packing)

*Cake mixes (like the Betty Crocker box type)--of any kinds, including coffee/crumb cake!

*Brown sugar

*Jello: cook and serve vanilla or chocolate pudding, and also strawberry jello mix

*Old Bay seasoning (ONE small package)

*Peppermint tea (NOT green tea)--Celestial Seasonings has this

*cheddar Goldfish crackers

*Jolly Ranchers and Smarties for my students

Other

*Postage stamps (the "forever" kind)

Сила моя в Тебе, Господь

Tonight at church (in MD), we sang this song in English--You are My All in All. I was certain that I had the lyrics either printed or on my computer in Russian at home, and wished that I had the song memorized (in Russian).

When it came time to sing the chorus, I sang the first line in Russian, but couldn't remember the word for "worthy", so I couldn't sing any further. (It's достоин if you were wondering.)

Here are the lyrics in Russian, with my rough translation. So rough, in fact, that I'm not going to use Google to help me. You can find the English translation on the web, but this a taste of what it is like for me on Sundays in Kiev. Most of the time we sing songs that I know, but I don't know all the words in the Russian versions. Often, I pull out my dictionary or ask someone what a word means, just to better understand what I'm singing.

Also, notice the difference between the title below (in bold italics) and the first line of the song. They are exactly the same words, but the italics makes the letters become cursive, and so some are written differently!

Сила моя в Тебе, Господь

Сила моя в Тебе, Господь,

Ты исцеляешь мою плоть,

Мой Всемогущий Бог.

Где бы я ни был, Ты со мной,

слышу повсюду голос Твой,

Мой вездесущий Бог.

Иисус, Агнец Божий

Достоин имени своего.

Взял мой позор, мой грех, мой крест,

Благословлю имя Твоё

Ты для меня всё.

Я упал вниз, Ты поднял вверх,

Жаждал я, Ты мне дал воды,

Ты для меня всё.

My rough translation:

My strength's in you, Lord
You [?] my [?]
My almighty God.

Where I would be (?), You're with me
I listen [?] your voice
My omnipresent God

Jesus, lamb of God
Worthy is your name

[?] my [?], my sin, my [?]
I thank your name
You're for me always
I [? ?], You [? ?]
I [?], you give me water
You're for me always

PS I found these lyrics online and saw a word I didn't recognize--"весздесущий". It reminded me of "всемогущий", which means all-powerful (literally, something like all-able). The word above had "здес", which means here, and a similar ending, so I knew it was an adjective. I wondered if it might mean omnipresent, but when I checked on Google translate, it didn't work. I looked more closely and thought, what if I take out the "с" before the "з" (s and z sound similar)? Maybe the с shouldn't be there--sure enough, that worked, and I got my correct translation--omnipresent!

This is a scary thought that I can find typos in Russian--and this is not the first time!

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Despite all this external chaos and internal disorientation--and I'm writing this as a thunderstorm brews--we are called to be still before the Lord. He reminds us multiple times in this passage that He is with us, He is our fortress, He is mightier than the forces of humanity and of nature. He is guiding me through this time of transition, while I am stateside for 2 months.

"Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God you are higher than any other
Our God is Healer
Awesome in power
Our God, Our God"

"and if our God is for us
then who could ever stop us
and if our God is with us
then what could stand against"

That's Different, but That's Okay

You may be wondering what life is like in Ukraine. Here are some tidbits from my first year (with more to come as I remember them).

Daily Routine

1. I walk approximately a half mile to the bus stop. On my way, I recently have seen an older lady with light pink hair, and also The Mumbler (who might be drunk). This old man rambles -- rather loudly -- and I don't understand a word. Even if I was fluent in Russian or Ukrainian, chances are I STILL wouldn't be able to understand him.
2. No, I do not teach classes in Russian. I do, however, take Russian lessons once or twice a week, and use some Russian when teaching English at Obolon.

3. Quite often I need to bodyslam my apartment door in order to lock it.

4. Normally we ride public transport to school, but for the past few months, one of the missionaries has driven my roommate and I to school so I can be there to tutor. We are happy for these driving days because it means we don't have to walk as far, and we get a free ride in a private car.

5. To pay for bus fare: there are 2 methods. The first is to pay the driver directly or the serviceperson who is sitting up front or patrolling the vehicle. The second is to take your seat, and pass your bus fare to the person sitting in front of you. If you don't have exact change, you must tell them how many you're paying for, and they will pass it along to the person in front of them, until it reaches the driver. When the driver pulls out the change, he will pass it along the same way it came to him. It's like a game of "Telephone", only you will actually receive the exact change needed. Everyone remembers who they gave the money to, and who they received it from.

Food
1. Salads aren't as leafy here--in fact, they are more like cole slaw or chicken salad.

2. You can buy milk in a bag. The first time I bought milk-in-a-bag, I made a dreadful mess trying to put it into a pitcher. I realized there was no use crying over spilled milk. :)
3. Most food is not made with preservatives, which is both good (healthier for you) and bad (it spoils faster than you would like).

4. I'm not supposed to drink the tap water, though I use it to wash fruits/veggies and to brush my teeth.

5. Milk is available to buy in cartons, plastic bottles, and soft-sided bags.

6. Often, feathers/skin are still slightly visible on the carcasses of chickens/turkeys. You have to burn those off.

7. Ice cream also comes in a plastic bag, almost like a huge sausage link 3" in diameter. It's best to slice and serve.

8. To buy produce at the grocery store, you put as much as you want into a bag and take it to the weigher-lady (that is my phrase, not a translation). She places it on the scale, presses the code for whatever fruit/veggie it was, and prints out a sticker with a barcode and price for the amount of kilograms. Some stores do this at the cash register. Sometimes if you forget to take it to the weigher-lady (like I have), the cashier will say (in effect) "Sorry, it doesn't have a sticker" and won't let you buy it.

Living in Ukraine in general

1. Electric plugs here have 2 circular prongs. The outlets are small recessed circles, about 1.5" diameter, within a 2" square outline.

2. Our washer often sounds like a spaceship taking off.

3. We don't have a dishwasher.

4. I often see men that, as they walk down the sidewalk, pause to blow their nose. However, they do this without using a tissue or handkerchief.

5. There are no places like CVS or Rite-Aid. Rather, to buy things like contact lens solution, I have to go to the "apteka"(pharmacy). Everything is behind the counter or in cabinets, and I have to ask for what I need. Other basic toiletries and personal care items are available in the local grocery stores.

6. When you reach the cashier at the grocery store, she will ask you if you have a discount card, and if you need any bags for your groceries. Even though the bags only cost a few cents, we come prepared to put the goods in our own purses/backpacks, or bring our own used bags.

7. In order to pay my bills, I take the bills and cash to a cashier at a local bank. There, the lady takes my money, stamps the bill, and gives back the stub.

8. Pillows for beds are more square-shaped. Here's an analogy: A4 paper* is to US Letter as American pillows are to Ukrainian pillows. (*See note in "School Life" category)

Church

1. I attend an all-Russian language church. Fortunately, many people there speak English (including the pastor), and often I hear a translated sermon. Sometimes I'm lucky to hear a guest speaker who preaches in English!

Cultural things

1. Don't sit directly on concrete floors--have another layer like cardboard on top of the floor.

2. People don't smile at strangers here, though I have had 2 babies, 1 babushka, and a young girl smile at me (I keep track!).

School Life

1. Our printers and copiers use A4 paper, which measures 8.3" by 11.7". Now US Letter-size paper (which is 8.5" by 11") seems oddly wide and short in comparison.

June 2010 Update

Hi all,

This will be my last update from this side of the world, as I fly back to the US on Monday for 2 months (June 14-August 17).

Last week of school....
Last week was the last week of school, and it was a flurry of reviewing for exams, collecting textbooks, grading exams (2 of mine were entirely multiple choice), and making sure my students signed my yearbook. The last day of school, June 4, was a very hectic day. We started the morning with a "last bell" assembly, featuring musical performances by all the elementary grade classes, plus the HS/MS choir; the administration also recognized various seniors and the departing teachers. The choir sang my favorite song in Ukrainian, Молитва за Україну (Prayer for Ukraine), which happens to be the only song I know in Ukrainian. Click here for a video of last year's performance. After this assembly and the class parties, we ate lunch and traveled to the graduation location. During the reception, I enjoyed the chance to chat with some parents and students one last time before the fall, and to say goodbye to the seniors and the teachers who wouldn't be back.

Then it was off to the Skinners' dacha (cottage) for Josh's 13th birthday party. Imagine a small cottage/shed, with a plot of land just enough for camping out and playing volleyball, and oh yes, add an outhouse off to the side. Here I helped with some of the festivities while Josh and his friends celebrated a birthday, the end of school, and the beginning of summer. It was fun listening to the students play "Mafia" and just chatting with them.

On Sunday, I was supposed to teach English one last time at Obolon, but it turned out that the pastor had forgotten and had planned something else. Oh well--I just stayed in the service instead.

Transitioning....
Whew. What a busy week! Right now my roommate and I are in the process of moving out of our apartment. Yesterday the movers came and took practically everything, and today my stuff will be carried to various places across the city (depending on what it is and where I will be when I need it). We've kept ourselves entertained by devising new ways of cleaning or using common items (did you know a vacuum cleaner can also be used as a chair?).

On Monday June 14, I will be flying back to Maryland, where I will be staying for 2 months. During these 2 months, I will be visiting friends and family, restocking on various supplies for life in Ukraine, and perhaps even working (if I can find a job).

Jumping in my suitcase....
For the 2010-2011 school year, I will need to raise between $11,000 and $12,000 in order to support the ministry here. You too can be a part of my ministry here by continuing to pray for me or contributing financially. This cost can be raised if just 40 people pledge $30/month for each month that I am in Ukraine. I would also love the opportunity to share in your local church or small group. Please contact me and let me know when I can come and share about ministry at KCA and throughout Ukraine, or how you would otherwise like to join with me in the ministry of KCA. You may not be able to jump in my suitcase and actually travel with me, but by contributing financially, you will be a partner in this ministry here in Ukraine.

For another brief update from a few weeks ago, please visit this link. http://ukrainejh.blogspot.com/2010/05/crunch-time.html

Prayer Needs
*For God to provide the financial support for this next school year
*A summer job, if that is God's will
*Safe travels while heading back to the US

Praises
*the school year is over! God has brought me through my first year of teaching/serving overseas!
*I have been able to see how God has used me over the past year!
*another new teacher and I have a place to live, and the rent will not be as expensive as I had thought!
*Passion World Tour conference was amazing, and there were so many young people there worshiping God!

Thank you again for all your prayers and support--for being my "great cloud of witnesses" as I serve God here in Ukraine.

In Christ,

Jessica

Creativity and Flexibility

Today was move-out day from our apartment, which was sold. So Cliff, Bob, and Trino came to discuss where things were going to go, and then to help pack and organize. Then we had 2 Ukrainians come to do stuff with the washer/dryer, and then the van driver came to help load everything up.

When I say "everything," I mean EVERYTHING. Jodi and I were ready to eat our casserole leftovers from last night, which we had to take out of the fridge when the mover guy came. Then we were going to heat it up, but the movers had taken the microwave. Most of the furniture was gone, so I sat on part of a desk chair while Jodi sat on the vacuum. We also needed to eat the strawberry yogurt before it went bad, so we were going to use plastic ware to save from washing more dishes. However, we didn't have plastic spoons, so we ate our yogurt with forks.

I've also devised new games to play in this now empty living room. One is to slide across the floor from one end of the room to the other, while on the desk chair (you know you've done this before!). Another is to slide while wearing slippers. There's another that I created on my balcony the other day, while getting rid of the пух (fluff) that's been in the air. I used the vacuum nozzle to clean the пух off my bags and the floor, then caught the little pieces in mid-air. Quite fun.

You become quite creative with limited materials, especially after one's first year of teaching/living overseas. :)

As Robyn said this weekend, it's been a long (school) year.