Thursday, August 27, 2009

Amiee the Admirable Scampers around Ukraine

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Amiee. She was quite lovely with golden hair and extremely straight teeth. Throughout her life, she embarked on many fabulous adventures but none was so great as her adventure to the land of Ukraine.

Whilst in Ukraine, Amiee charmed the locals with those extremely straight teeth and the bubbly personality. She participated quite valiantly in many activities: child wrangling at the tuberculosis orphanage (never fear, her courageous pediatrician father will ensure that she is tested for tb upon her arrival at home), interference-running at English class (when Erin has to change the lesson on the fly due to an entirely new group of students...no prior warning from the administration), slave labor (cutting, glueing, sorting, washing dishes, holding various and sundry items, paying the money collector on buses), periodic emotional support (occasionally the sister-who-shall-not-be-named needs reassurance), toting (groceries have to be transported somehow), frisbee and ball thrower, and last but definitely not least trash-taking-out.

She won the hearts of everyone, and everyone totally loved her. Especially her sister. It will be a very sad day indeed when Amiee moves on from Ukraine in search of other adventures elsewhere (aka Alabama).




Love you, Amiee!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

I'm finished with my scampering...for now...

My apologies for not updating recently. Here are some pictures that I found from a couple weeks ago:

This is what Ukraine looks like in the summer. So pretty.

Amiee helping one team play Speed Scrabble at one of my classes.

Mom helping the boys' team...

Amiee and our beloved Nastia. Couldn't get by without her.

Now, Amiee and I look happy in this picture. Fact: we were playing a game instigated by these little precious ones. We were SO confused the whole time. And, this boy right here totally cheated to WHOLE game.

Amiee told "Daniel and the lions' den." This was our craft.

Posing with Pushkin.

Vlada, Amiee, and Ina on our 'excursion.' Aren't they the cutest??

Vlada, Mom, and Ina in the Center. Love them.

Me and Mama the night before her flight. It was FREEZING and we were dressed for the super hot weather that had been around every other day of the summer...except for this day.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Miss you, friends!

There was an incredible group of summer volunteers here for the past two months. Last week, they headed back home, which made me quite sad. They were able to accomplish so much work while they were here! I look forward to seeing how many of those projects and relationships continue to grow over the next few months.

Tuesdae and Page...on the marshrutka when Tuesdae sat in something questionable.

Amiee, Tuesdae, Felesha, Robby, me, Page, and Mindy at McDonald's.

Sasha, David, Nathan, and Vitya.

Page, Tuesdae, me, and Mindy