Its so cold that...

Its so cold that...

the snot freezes in your nose.
tears are semipermanently on your lashes.
the smallest gust of wind makes you contemplate why you dared exit your warm house.
any exposed skin is numb in a moment.
your fingers and toes are stiff when you come inside and often painful.
three pairs of wool socks MAY keep your feet warm.
crossing the street becomes a hazard not for the vehicles but the ice rink you have to traverse.
I wonder if I will remember what warm sunshine is like.
when you hear 30 people have died in the last two weeks from the cold, your surprised the number isn't higher.
schools are closed (-25 C or more/-13 F).
people tell you to stay home from work and not to go out on the street.
people don't ask if you are cold but if you are frozen. (That is the direct translation people!)
braving the market for necessary food is more like wandering in the tundra.

I could go on people but lets just say it was cold, still is really but hoping it comes out of the ridiculous area soon. I have been surviving for sure but my toes are argueing a bit. I bought some really good boots for traversing all the ice (they just don't really plow here and salt is a "foreign concept") but they are not the best for warmth. Yet this cold spell will pass soon I hope. Actually one of the main reasons was that we got about a week of mostly clear skies but a significant drop in temperatures so it was not a fun week to leave the house in.

Okay, enough about the cold. I wanted to re-enter the world of blogging. I am sorry to say that for a number of reasons last fall went by without much word. But I am starting this year off right. I am on my way! It is already February and to say that January flew would be an understatement. I got to start the year off right with a much needed (for my mental health) trip back home. Coming to America! I was so excited I had to fight back some tears at customs. Honestly there was this video playing with all these pics of America and people talking about being American and I got a little chocked up. I was feeling a little ridiculous though so I had to control myself. I considered kissing the floor in the terminal as well but thought that might be a bit too much. It is funny, but I never imagined that being here would make me appreciate the USA so much. I am honestly so much more patriotic now. It is true not just for me but most PCV's feel this way. We talk about it sometimes about how living in a place that is so different in many ways has changed the way we see our own country and usually for the positive.

Sure we miss things, that is a given but it is more than that. It is a kind of sense of where one belongs. The phrase "my homeland" is really applicable. For Ukrainians, homeland is a really important thing. They place a strong emphasis on their identity as Ukrainian. They are the people of Ukraine. They say this with hands on their hearts and fists in the air, passion in their voice and mist in their eyes. They love their country and even though they hate all the troubles and would love to get rid of all the politicians, this is their homeland. They value tradition. In fact it is their traditions that really give them a lot of their identity.

Being surrounded by this for so long and being asked about American traditions, I have come to love and appreciate the things that make me an Амеріканка (Amerikanka). I love that this is often a really hard question to answer. American traditions: hamburgers, bbq, apple pie, Thanksgiving and Santa Claus sure but also tacos and burritos, bowling, chinese food and sushi, piñatas at kids birthdays and St. Patrick's Day. Its all American. We don't have one culture really. We are this hodge-podge of traditions and ideas, of beliefs and desires.

One thing I do pretty regularly is watch the online broadcast of NBC Nightly News. Brian Williams and I are really good friends (oh Brian). I love it because it make me feel at home but also because it has been great for keeping up with what is happening in the world. Lately, I have been watching a ton of stuff on the nominations race. I don't think I am going to make the effort to vote this year and I am fine with that but it is fascinating to hear from Ukrainians about the race. The local news stations here have been covering the race and it is fascinating. I don't know what things will look like when I get home in 10 months but I know my view of home will be different and I hope it will stay for the better.

Love to all my friends at home and remember how lucky you are to have free elections and a voice in your government as well as the ability to go buy your favorite burrito! (Oh Chipotle if only you delivered to Ukraine!)

Laura :)