Pre Camp Festivities

     Everyone is here safe now. The two teams from the States (Pennsylvania and Texas) as well as one from Manchester. They've done lots of sightseeing and walking and meeting and greeting in the past two days. The Texas team got in this morning and didn't get to crash until about 9PM tonight. I'm heading that way soon after my shower.

Summertime

     But the livin's not so easy. It's starting to feel like a Maryland summer here. The humidity and heat have moved in. It seems like there's a lot of heat going around the world right now. Luckily I'm able to enjoy air conditioning in my apartment.

Missing You

The founders of Kiev.

     One year. Without dwelling on it, it doesn't feel like it's been that long. But once I start to think of all the things I've seen and done, I realize that it really has been that long. I know for some other people (parents and friends) it might feel like longer. Well, they only have to wait a bit longer. Less in the case of my mom who'll arrive here next Saturday. For me, in a month and one week, I'll be departing for the land of my birth. With that in mind, I've prepared this post to remember all the little things I've missed since I've been gone.

Evil Minds that Plot Destruction...

     Just a short post today. If you've been reading the international news, you may have heard about the bombing that happened in Kiev yesterday. A Belorussian reporter named Pavel Sheremet was killed when a bomb planted under his car exploded. While it's not clear who the perpetrators were, and may never be, it is clear that this man was a strong voice against corruption. I'm just writing this to remind you, and myself too, that there is still a war in Ukraine. The casualties aren't only soldiers. Civilians who speak out strongly are targeted too.

Have You Ever Seen the Rain...

...coming down on a sunny day? I did. Monday the 18th was like that. And after the scorcher of a Sunday we had, it was a welcome change. Despite the humidity. Incidentally, that song (as referenced shortly prior) is my favorite song. Both the Creedence Clearwater Revival and Rod Stewart versions. Perhaps a bit counter intuitively and sacrilegiously, I like the latter better.     Well, I said I'd write about my 4th of July. In all the pandemonium of last week, I let it get lost in the fray. Too many other things going on to do it justice. I also wanted to write a bit about what's coming up in the next few weeks as well as just a few thoughts.

One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer

     Or rather, in my case it was a shot of vodka and two of whiskey. Believe me, I regret it now. I went back to my apartment on Friday with a dizzy head and promptly slept for two and a half hours. Now I can't sleep and it's after 2AM on Saturday. So I figured I'd start writing this so I can publish it later when normal people are usually awake.
     So what was it that induced me to drink collectively more alcohol than I've had since I left the States? Two very insistent Ukrainian parents. But I wasn't alone in the celebratory libations. I believe the uncorking of those bottles was in thanks to all the teachers from the States who participated in the camp. They all got a taste of it too. I managed to stay out of it as long as I could. As the "newbies" to the country, I thought they were the focus of the thanks. But I got roped in. Lets just say I don't need any more alcoholic drinks for a very long time. Perhaps years.

Fight the Good Fight

     Worthwhile things are rarely easy to obtain. This is doubly so when kids are involved. But, if you ask almost any parent, the outcome is worth the pain. It's a good fight to raise and train kids. That's one of the lessons I'm learning this summer. This camp has been hard work. And all I've had to do is teach. All the heavy lifting (literal and metaphorical) has been done. It's up to me to make the language make sense to these kids.

No Time

     Well, not exactly. But close enough. I know that if I don't do this now, I'll end up hopelessly behind in my writing for the week. And it's not going to be an easy week to recover from writing-wise.

A man (I thought) I'll never be

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