The Teaching Experience Begins

First real teaching last Thursday. Nothing exciting, I taught a lesson on personal banking vocabulary to a group of Business English students. It was only for half the class, and Svitlana covered the other half. Next Friday I am supposed to take the whole period, and I am supposed to take this class for one whole period a week from now on. They all seem enthusiastic and friendly, so we should have a good year, I think.

On Friday I had to meet up with Iryna to continue working on the perpetually incomplete visa paperwork. I met with her at the main building of the university, which is just a block or so from my apartment. It's a beautiful old building, like so many in these parts.

With my free time, I've been walking around the town.

This manhole cover is so Ukrainian. Hahahaha

On Friday I also had a chance to remake some of the recipes that Tanya showed me.

A word about Ukrainian produce: That's not a carrot. THIS is a carrot.

Last night I went to a folk music concert with Svitlana at the local theater. She said that it was modeled after the one in Vienna, and was over 100 years old.

It was a really beautiful building.

The concert was nice, too. It was like the Beach Boys singing folk music, lol.

Anyway, it's bedtime for me now. L'viv tomorrow! Hooray!

Getting Settled in Vinnytsia

Busy day today!

First, an appointment at the university office where my department is located. There I discussed my prospective schedule with Oleg and Svitlana. Scheduling is much more complicated here. It seems that I will be responsible for six classes every other week, and four classes on the off weeks. I have no idea which class is which, and when they meet, but it is hopefully all supposed to materialize soon :)

 Buildings 2 and 3 of the university, where my department and classrooms are located.

This main entryway is usually filled with students hanging out in between classes. I love the flowers.

 The building where my department is located. It's quite nice on the inside.

After my meeting, I went down to the university's main building to sign some more paperwork for my visa application. Then, later in the afternoon, I went back out with Tanya to buy my train tickets for next week-- to L'viv on Monday-Wednesday, then to Kyiv on Saturday. She let me attempt to buy them myself, but my Russian is just not good enough to be fully effective. Plus, people at the train stations are rather short with foreigners. I was really glad she was there to help ensure I got everything right.

After the harrowing train ticket experience, we went to a cafe in the mall for a cappuccino.

(this one was Tanya's... the leaf on mine wasn't as pretty. :P)

After our cappuccinos, we went on a little walk. We passed this beautiful collapsing building which Tanya told me had once been a hospital.

It was really quite something.

Then Tanya showed me a spot down by the river with a beautiful view.

 I think I'd like to go down there and paint sometime.

It was quite a long day for me, especially after the weeks without much activity. I am going to do my first real teaching tomorrow, so I should go work on my material and get some sleep.

Life in Vinnytsia

Yesterday was completely uneventful. I tried to post the video tour of my apartment, but it wouldn't work. It seems okay now, though.

Apologies for being a little out of breath, I had just taken out my garbage, and the dumpster is at the bottom of the hill, so I had walked back up the hill before coming back and climbing the stairs :P The tour starts outside, at the cute little cafe I told you about, so that you can see what my building and the outside of my apartment door look like.

Anyway. Today I met with the director of the university *dusts off shoulder* ...for like five seconds. He was super complimentary and so glad to have me here! Everyone is so happy I'm here and I haven't done anything yet, haha. I just hope I can live up to the hype :o)

I also went to the university this afternoon to sit in on another English class. The first half of the class was for the students to ask me questions about myself and the US, which I would answer as well as I could. One of the girls asked me, "Are the men better-looking in the United States, or in Ukraine?" We all cracked up. My answer: "If I told you 'in Ukraine,' would you think that was the reason I came?" XD

So basically, I've started "working" except I haven't actually had responsibilities yet. Tomorrow morning I am supposed to meet with Oleg to discuss "teaching methods" so I hope that means we will figure out what the heck I am actually doing. I know I'll be sitting in on Svitlana's class again on Thursday.

I've also been talking with Father Chrysostomos (one of the priests from the English Summer School I taught at 2 years ago) about making a trip to L'viv, and it looks as though I will be able to go there Monday through Wednesday of next week, if that doesn't mess up my teaching duties too much. I will ask Oleg tomorrow, and then Tanya will take me to the train station to buy my ticket, to ensure we don't have problems like I had in Kyiv :P I'm so excited about the idea of seeing my students and friends from the ESS again! I hope it all works out.

It seems there is a dearth of visual aids today. So, here are some random pictures:

My street (Arhitektora Artynova), which intersects with the main street (Soborna) A pleasant little street...

....but watch your step. (Especially in heels!)

And this one's for my mom, who was worried I wasn't eating enough whole grains: Krupa. This happens to be of the corn variety.

And, just in case you were worried about poltergeists...

These little stickers on each wall of my apartment mean that the building has been blessed. So you can rest assured. :o)