post 22 april

The cue to write this blog post came about twenty minutes ago, when I looked up to the sound of thunder and shouting and saw a dozen or so [make it ten or so—everything's metric here] kids playing football [by which I mean soccer] with a basketball.

As spring ripens and the end of the semester shows up ahead of schedule—making room nation-wide for the Euro-2012 Football Championships—I’m increasingly sensitive to these scenes. The odd combinations, the unexpected signs and the big and little changes—these moments and pictures seem especially important to remember. A green car full of balloons parked at a playground. Twins trying to lift each other up to monkey bars neither is tall enough to reach.

My mom visited recently, and we had an excellent time. The best part was spending time with her, of course, and with friends and relatives who brightened the whole trip. It was also a chance, though, to see this world with different eyes, to take a step back and appreciate what’s here. Lots of photos, discussions about observations, and reflections resulted.

Yes, I’m growing more contemplative as my time remaining grows shorter. I’m keenly aware that April 15 was my last Easter in Ukraine, that I won’t be around to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day or American Thanksgiving, and that at this time next year, I probably won’t be able to buy peanut butter halva.

I still have work to do here. I have a few more classes, with teachers and students, a final exam to give in Country Studies, two more Writing Beyond Reality seminars, an English Teacher Camp to plan and carry out, and Camp ACT to help swing into motion. I’ll visit friends, run in the second 10-K of my life, and welcome my dad when he visits in late May. I’ll celebrate the excitement of Euro-2012 as the madness envelops Ukraine.

However, I need to be thinking ahead, too. So, I am looking for one job while doing another. 

I've put off the job search for some time, have vaguely browsed on occasion or clicked on links that appeared in front of me. Now, finding I am somewhat overqualified for some positions and vastly underqualified for others, I am running out of combinations to search. For now, I'm bowled over by Boolean, AND OR I will look more later.

Still, I don't want to think about leaving Ukraine. So, let's leave that leaving alone for now.

For now, peanut butter halva, training for a race, and taking lots and lots of pictures.

:)