c'mon perry, it's time to go home.

It's about 10pm here. I've got about 3 hours until we are being picked up in the big green bus again to leave for the airport. I figured I better post before I still have some composure and am not bouncing off the walls.

Where do I even start..

I am so glad I did this. I do not have one regret about coming to Ukraine. If I could rewind, I would do it again. Being away has made me appreciate everything about home but I don't want to go off on about all of the comforts I left of to come live here for 5 months... You know. Everything is SO different and I have fallen in love. Everything about this country is so ironic and unexpected. Like on my way home, a random fire started at the bus stop. No one really cared. lol

I have changed. I met some of the most amazing people. I have jumped over the edge, knowing nothing of the fall. I had no idea what was to come. I can't really describe how amazing this whole experience has been. Good and bad. I'm glad it happened. I had this wonderful opportunity to really learn what service is. I am so greatful for it. I learned about myself and I have seen God's hand in my life every day. I am not sure of where I would have been if I had not come to Ukraine. It has been such a blessing. I realized about the second week I was here that, this is not chance. We are all here, at this time, with these particular people for a reason.

We did it.

The tears, the stress, the sickness, and missing home was all worth it.

Thank you to my group for putting up with me, everyday for the past 5 months. They are troopers. We have turned into some weird kind of family. I don't know what its going to be like not seeing them everyday. We are all SO different but it is so wonderful at the same time.I'll miss them.

Graduating and leaving high school is hard. Moving away to college is hard. Leaving boyfriends at the airport is hard. Saying goodbye to your best friends is hard. I can honestly say that none of those compare to what I am feeling right now. It never really hit me until I had to start saying goodbye.  Leaving this country and my kids is possibly the hardest thing I've done thus far.

But I'm ready.

I am more nervous about going home than I was coming here I think. I can't believe its actually happening.

I can't get too sentimental or else I'll start to cry. I'm about to go say goodbye to my best friend until I get to see her in July. Katroosa- you are my rock.

It is time. I'm so excited. My bags are packed. I'm shaking with excitement. 

Well kids, 

It's been fun. 

до свидания. Я люблю Україна!

2 little indians...and a quaker.

the little devil himself.

Today I was taken down by a 3 year old. As it turns out, Illusia can throw. Like, REALLY throw. I gave this kid a football and he hucked it across a rather large room, perfect spiral.. weird.

Anyway, I let down my guard for two seconds..Illusia found a toy ring. Target practice! Smack in the nose, blood everywhere. Oh yes, he is three.

On a lighter note..


Today was spectacle. My kids are SO cute.


I hate that 5 year olds have no concept of forever. I am never going to see them again. It kills me.  I had no idea how hard it would be to leave them. I have no idea what I was expecting either..maybe a picture and huge group hug..? Well, I don't really remember what it was like to be five..but it is the end of school and they just wanted to get out of there...so they did. My heart is kinda in shambles...but that is ok. I only cried a little.

I can't believe it is over. I can't believe I will never be in that ghetto school ever again, wondering what electronic it will fry of mine this week...or what scary thing is going to be served at lunch...or which chunk of wall is going to come down next..


For now... CUTENESS!
It was amazingly awesome to see how Ukrainians think "westerners" look. Some of them did nail it on the head though. I'm so proud! Awe tear.

3 sitting ducks

Before you read! Scroll down and click play on the video. This is the kind of post that needs background music. 

Is it playing? Ok, you are free to proceed. 

Today was the very last day of teaching, minus the spectacle tomorrow, but no teaching required there. It still has not hit me yet. Hmm. Oh well. 

Today I saw a shirtless man, that really should NOT have been shirtless..and wearing short shorts.. He couldn't really have been wearing less. EXCEPT he made sure to put on long black socks with his sandals. Way to go mister green shorts. 

I am going to dedicate the remainder of this post to an object that cost less than $1 but is filled with a lifetime of laughs. This is the best souvenir that anyone could have ever bought. Super Pooper. Two words, so much meaning, especially when you have little old Ukrainian men trying to sell you them. 

I am hoping to find one of my very own tomorrow. 

Two things that remind me of my best friend. Super Pooper and Noah & the Whale. 

Enjoy:]

t-4

Six hours. One paper. done. 

Japan and their weird cultural habits are keeping me grounded. 

I refuse to let myself feel, its too much trouble at this point. 

Bags are 90% packed.

We don't have a scale.. hmm. 

Slideshow for spectacle. done. 

Skype date, then bed. 

One more day of teaching:]

Carpe Diem?

t-5 a sweet disposition

There are so many Americans! I've never seen so many Americans in my life! Guard your bags..
St. Andrews has never been so crowded. But for one lass horray, it was worth it. I wanted a t shirt, but who wants to buy a t shirt in Ukraine that is in english. NOT ME! I got some super cool stuff though. 
Cherry vereniki is best in air conditioned pzahta hatas:]
"Lets be tourists".. says Kaitlin...Why not..
Somehow, our artist drawer man decided that I have bucked teeth. This is what I get for letting my american show.


Ice cream is way too good here. 
"Can we go run around the corner and cry??" Yes. 
What kind of drunk would YOU be??


Britney, what will make you feel better?- Natalie
Dumping this bottle of water on Derricks head.-Britney
*SPLASH*

a moment.

a love.

a dream.

a laugh.

a kiss.

a cry.

our rights.

our wrongs.

just stay there. 

<3