Monday's Memories: First Bell

Mr. YH was only the second scholar to be assigned to Ukraine. The first was there in 1996, just 5 years after the wall came down, and they waited until 2003 to send another because they wanted to give the nation a bit of time to smooth out the rough edges. He had planned on attending the Taras Schevchenko University which was right across the street from us. This is the well-known red building on campus.

In short, things just weren't working out. VERY long story. They put him in freshmen gym class if that tells you anything! So he left after a week and enrolled in the National Aviation University. The Olmsted Foundation asks the officers to be enrolled in a humanities field (because this is where ideas fly and discussions flow on higher levels which will enrich the experience of becoming culturally smart on the country/region). Although an absolute bonus, actually getting the degree is not a requirement by the Foundation or service. And it quickly became apparent that the Ukrainians weren't going to help make things happen at this university, so he just attended classes and learned to be ok with the fact that he would not get a degree out of this (that's why we're in CA now). I joke with him that he got a certificate of participation.


The Foundation asks us to organize a reception when they come into town with our national friends/teachers/etc. as guests- it's a PR thing and we had a lot of fun with Col. Yablonski (USAF, ret.). Here we are at our April 04 reception with one of the most charismatic professors Mr. YH had.


Rinat was head of something at the school and the Foundation gave him this metrushka doll as a gift.

Among our school memories:

• Mr. YH was often invited to faculty parties, and he got very good at giving impromptu toasts.
• He presented a research paper, written and presented in Ukrainian, and received an award for best paper.
• One of his professors had us over for dinner and I found a worm in my compote drink. I didn't say anything because they would have been as mortified as I was.
• Girls passed him notes in class. He took to wearing his ring on the right hand so they'd understand he was married.
• We met one of our best friends, Vova, that first week at the National University.
• He played in a band for an undergraduate talent show as a favor to a friend.
  

Today, 6 years later, Big Girl begins 2nd grade. The books are ready.

Hopefully, The Boy will be motivated to learn his ABCs.

We're going to do our best to finish up the first 18 weeks before we pack out in December so we can have a month or so off during the move.

No more daydreaming!
I've gotta run- we have class!

For other Monday's Memories, go here.