Saturday, March 28, 2009

Two days out

Hello dear friends,
So here it is, my first post to my blog. Peace Corps suggested (strongly) that we password protect our blogs since so many people in Ukraine are now on the internet. So you are receiving an email invite. Somewhere on the invite you can indicate that you want posting updates, then you will receive an email when I make a post. Which I will try to do often, but who knows??
Here's what I do know:
Monday March 30th at 7am I fly to Philadelphia where I meet up with the other volunteers going to Ukraine--there are about 50 of us. We have a 4 hour meeting in a hotel, stay overnight, then take a bus the next day to JFK where we fly to Kyiv (capital of Ukraine) via Franfurt. I think we will end up in Kyiv on Wednesday sometime. For the first two days we are all at a retreat center (in the woods outside of Kyiv), then we go in groups of 5 to the community where we will have our training for the next 11 weeks. We will each live with a host family and meet every day for language and other training, and will work on a community project on Saturdays. At the end of the 11 weeks if we pass the training, we will be assigned to our permament site somewhere in Ukraine.
So that's what I know and all I know!! What an adventure..... I will try to make posts as often as possible and send pics too. After talking and planning for this for more than a year, I am so looking forward to it really happening and seeing exactly what kind of adventure I have gotten myself into. I will learn a lot, that much I know.

24 comments:

  1. Barb- I look forward to reading your blog

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  2. I'm so glad you set up this blog. I was going to suggest Facebook so we could all keep in touch and follow your adventures, but this is even better! I hope you can post photos of your travels here.
    -Sandy A

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  3. Thanks Barb for including me in this adventure blog. I waS surprised at how many are in the Ukraine group. Enjoy it all.
    Jo

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  4. Hi Barb -- so good to hear from you. I've been thinking about you so hard and trying to figure out where you are (physically, at least) in this whole adventure. Break a leg! -- Carol

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  5. It was great to get the invite to your blog this morning! Can't wait to read more. xo Moire

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  6. Travel safely and we'll follow you as you go.
    Love
    Sara

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  7. uhm,
    this doesn't want to let me do a comment!
    will try again.
    Love
    B

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  8. it worked this time - I'm thinking of you every day Barbie. You'll have a great adventure - Spring in the Ukraine!! What flowers will be in the forests?

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  9. Good to see you today Barb. You looked relaxed and ready! I'm looking forward to keeping up with your adventure. Happy trails.

    Keelin

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  10. Yay for the Peace Corps! Yay for the Ukraine. Boohoo for those of us who are left Barb-less back in the USA. Enjoy enjoy enjoy. You will be in all of our thoughts.

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  11. Hey Barb!

    It was good to see you yesterday, tanned and happy and raring to go. We'll miss you, but setting this up is a great idea. Thanks and be well.

    Mary (who has grown to look like my best cat)

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  12. there has been great comfort all these years knowing we were at least on the same continent - this will be a challenge to my sensibilities, but probably a greater one to yours. Love you honey. B

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  13. Good to see you yesterday and meet some of the people in your life. You have many lovely friends and will be missed for sure. May your journey be stress free. Bon Voyage!! --sandy a.

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  14. Hi Barb, Beth is here and we are anxiously awaiting further news of your adventure. Fun.
    Jo

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  15. Barb,
    I don't know if you'll see this before you go, but happy travels and I look forward to reading about your new adventure.
    Take good care!
    Theresa

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  16. Barb, so glad that I can also follow in your adventures! Be safe and enjoy it!! Can't wait for more posts!

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  17. Barb, I am really looking forward to hearing about your experience - Jay and I are thinking we might take our own Peace Corps adventure some day. We can perhaps live vicariously through your posts for now and, of course, enjoy hearing all about your challenges (of which there will be many) and successes (of which there will be many more). *xo*

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  18. Hi Barb, welcome to Europe!!!
    Israel is close now, so I hope we will see you. Good luck and kisses and love from Ronit and Asnat

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  19. Hey Babs.....this is my first blog, ever......only for you!!! love buck

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  20. Hi Barb,

    I'll keep Kent posted . . . you the technology challenged brother :). Best wishes on your new adventure!!Love you. Murielle

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  21. Barbie, good luck and I really looking forward to reading this.
    There appears to be another Jo, so I will sign this, with lots of love.
    Johanna

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  22. Hi Barb - Sorry we haven't written; I was in the hospital again Mon-Wed, but home now. This is so neat. We are looking forward to hearing all about your wonderful adventure, but we miss you, Rosie, and Star. Hugs, John and Sharon

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  23. Jo Collins said:
    I just read your blogs or what was posted. Sounds like you are having a ball. Fantastic. I'll look forward to reading more of your adventures.

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  24. Hey Barbie, glad to hear all is going well so far. I am enjoying reading your blog and I looking forward to pictures. I have been you seeing in my mind's eye walking around the city, your families apt and in class learning Russia. Have you had a chance to use your recent vodka shots experience? Well if not, maybe later.
    Take care, Johanna

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