My Oma Came!

So you probably wonder how it's going for me... a trip to Poland, my last week in Ukraine and my 82-yr-old Italian granny came to celebrate with me! That answer is that it's great- VERY exciting, and wonderful.

Getting Ready

Oma told me today that after my Peace Corps experience I have become a "super woman." She noted that I can teach everything. I can talk with people. She marvelled at how much I carried home today without a grocery cart (two 5-liter bottles of water). She said I am an electrician because I fixed the broken light in my hall. She couldn't believe I washed my dishes with no water (I haven't had water for 36 hours now). Really it amazing to have guests to remind you how much you've grown in another country. For me it just seems like a relatively normal week.

My Ukrainian Boyfriend

The most amazing thing is that I received a surprise call that my granny bought tickets to Ukraine. Oma arrived last Tuesday night last week safely. She's been doing great here. Nobody believes how old she is, and you can't imagine the respect people have when she (at 82) tries to speak in UKRAINIAN and talk about politics. And of course the respect for her independence and courage. She's studied 11 languages, including Russian, but took the time to study Ukrianian for 6 months before coming here. What a woman!

She says she's perfect- eating and sleeping well. I'm happy that she's happy! I cooked borshcht and pancakes with cheese/ raisins. She loves the milk, the yogurt and the beer (with a little sugar added). We took a marshrutka to Lviv and saw the opera. We went to see monastaries and churches today, and my grandma is meeting all my friends. I think she's having the time of her life, and everybody is thanking/ surprising me... so I am having the time of my service too. It's unbelievable.

Oma and I

I'm sure I'll never forget the last two weeks I lived with my 82-year-old "Oma" in Ukraine! Her courage and strength, and commitment to knowledge is astounding. It's so interesting to talk with her- about the war, foreign literature, operas! She's such an example.

My 6th graders put on a play "The Little Red Hen," from books donated from Evan-Moore (a US company). The Ukrainian "boyfriend" is a gift from the kids at my school. Oma named him, "Ivanko." The weather has been sunny- and absolutely super too. Also unbelievable for November. Global warming, I suspect.

Oma and I in Lviv

The Red Hen