I've been reflecting a lot on the time I have had here and know with a doubt that this is where I was supposed to be. ILP has been such a blessing in my life; it has helped me meet the most amazing people, and have valuable experiences I wouldn't have had anywhere else. Being here during a time of such political unrest has been very interesting. I have come to realize that there is so much to be grateful for. So many of us spend endless hours filling our time with things that may not necessarily be bad but could be so much better. There is always room for improvement! Each day set a new goal; challenge yourself to raise the bar and make each day full of purpose. Make an extra effort to be a little kinder, smile more, enjoy each moment, notice the things that most people pass by. I have learned that as I prioritize my life and self-evaluate my daily progress, I can filter out the things that could be done without.
I have been slacking on my posts, but there didn't seem to be a lot to write about after such an eventful vacation! Now that I've waited so long there are plenty of pictures to show and stories to tell. I knew that the time after our vacation would go by quickly. Once we returned home I only had three weeks left here in Ukraine, and now i'm down to three days. It's hard to even comprehend leaving this place I have called home for three months. Lately, I've especially noticed all of the little things that have become part of my daily routine like driving by the beautiful lake in our village, riding the marshrootka and feeling proud that I can use the very limited amount of Russian I know to hopefully prevent me from getting yelled at by the driver, laying on the floor of the school, getting hugs from my kids, being called Miss Cake, rejoicing when we get to have noodles and soy sauce for dinner, drinking mint tea before bed, playing with the chinchillas, and coming home to a loving host family. I remember arriving here and feeling so lost and helpless. I couldn't communicate with most people, I had no idea where I was, I couldn't get around on my own, and most things seemed foreign and new. Although Kristina and I definitely have had our fair share of times we've gotten lost, I still look back and can hardly believe I am the same girl in the same city. M view on everything has changed; I have learned such an enormous amount about the world around me and myself.
I've been reflecting a lot on the time I have had here and know with a doubt that this is where I was supposed to be. ILP has been such a blessing in my life; it has helped me meet the most amazing people, and have valuable experiences I wouldn't have had anywhere else. Being here during a time of such political unrest has been very interesting. I have come to realize that there is so much to be grateful for. So many of us spend endless hours filling our time with things that may not necessarily be bad but could be so much better. There is always room for improvement! Each day set a new goal; challenge yourself to raise the bar and make each day full of purpose. Make an extra effort to be a little kinder, smile more, enjoy each moment, notice the things that most people pass by. I have learned that as I prioritize my life and self-evaluate my daily progress, I can filter out the things that could be done without.
1 Comment
2/4/2015 11:48:30 am
I have learned that as I prioritize my life and self-evaluate my daily progress, I can filter out the things that could be done without.
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Author“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Archives
December 2015
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