Scrappy

As many have seen in the news, several weeks in & Ukraine's protests are still going strong. 

The city center remains taken over by masses of people who disagree with the President backing away from EU agreements & heading toward getting in bed with Russia.

A surprising number of people are there day & night - the shot above was taken ~3pm yesterday - a Monday

While the sheer numbers of people are impressive, I've also been amazed by the scrappy, determination & organization at the protests.   

Barricades from 'recycled materials'

Including parts from the center's Christmas tree

Trash can fires as warming stations

 A free clothing tent to help stay warm

Makeshift kitchens preparing & serving meals

Even an info station

WIFI passwords for networks in the area

And of course, plenty of spirit & expression...

And while no one knows which way things will go - the protesters are clearly hunkering down

For the most part (x 1 government 'beat down' & attempt to clear the square) the protests have been relatively peaceful.  The atmosphere in the center is determined & scrappy - but also friendly - even somewhat zen.

With the exception of a school closure day last week related to the protests (due to traffic & Metro station closures), things are almost surprisingly status quot.

(the kids didn't mind the inconvenience at all)

During these past few weeks we've almost guiltily continued day-to-day life

Ice Skating with Quincy

Cinderella on Ice with Xavier's class

(funky picture for sure - but even funkier show!)

Ukrainian Girl scout holiday party with Zoe

Yet we are all hoping for resolution that enables Ukraine to continue on a forward path AND hoping things don't have to move away from zen & determined to get to it

Here's to being scrappy

Hairy Situations

Global news is reporting on the protests taking place in Kiev - and around Ukraine.  My simplified account:

• Ukraine is in a bit of a tug of war - caught between deciding who to cozy up to - join Russia's economic bloc or the EU's trade & political association agreement 
• Most see becoming part of the EU would be a step forward - enabling Ukraine to develop economically and socially 
• Looking at the numbers alone, there's an equal amount at stake - as trade volumes to / from the EU and Russia are similar.  E.g. get in bed with one and you risk the other punishing you trade wise.   So a bit hairy
• That said, everyone expected Ukraine to sign an EU trade and association agreement last week - essentially bringing Ukraine toward eventual EU participation
• Last week, Ukraine officials abruptly decided not to sign this agreement - allegedly due to economic pressure from Moscow
• The people of Ukraine are pissed - and hitting the streets to show their disgust with this unexpected u-turn that is seen as a step back

A quick snapshot of what that looked like at noon today

LOADS of people on the metro heading into town.....

People literally pouring into the center....

(I've heard reports of 100k, 300k, 1m were there - not sure which is accurate - but it was a lot)

Many waving Ukraine flags....

Gathered chanting "freedom Ukraine" & preparing for a march

The energy was palpable and totally contagious.   I'd describe it as a positive, optimistic vibe - no brick throwing or tear gas in sight.....

Clearly a complicated situation - and an impressive display of people banding together to take a stand and make their collective voices heard.   I commend the Ukrainian people for being courageous and bold!

On a much lighter note, at home today we celebrated Thanksgiving again (Logan was traveling on Thursday).   In preparation for the occasion, Xavier & I headed out shopping (I bribed him with a doughnut to come with).   In quest of a full bird, we hit the market first...

We hit the jackpot with a big one (8.5 kilos), but at a price - Xavier declared "I don't want a doughnut anymore - I think I've lost my appetite"

And in the excitement of finding such a big bird, we didn't look close enough to realize just how hairy he still was.   Logan - who had volunteered to cook the bird - didn't realize he was signing up to groom it first....

But all's well that ends well - the bird was tasty.  

But most important was celebrating all we have to be thankful for.  This week's protest in Kiev remind us just how much that is

Here's to being thankful for all we have & standing up for what you believe in

Let's choose Thankfulness

“To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness."
- Bertrand Russell

Ironic – but true.   Since moving here, things I completely took for granted have become ones I cherish:

• Garbage disposals
• Drinkable tap water
• Cake mix & sprinkles
• Websites with opening hours
• Fresh raspberries year round
• In general, food quality you don’t question

The list could go on….

But this is the week for Thankfulness – and there are always 2 sides to a story.   

So let’s practice the art of seeing the ‘optimist’s view’ around Kiev.  

·  FAIRY-TALE BACKDROP

      While Kiev has its share of Soviet & grey, the charm is equally plentiful

·     

      




  ABUNDANTLY FLEXIBLE PARKING: One could easily focus on the hassle of getting boxed in - a car parking you in OR one breaking down in place 

      (post accident you aren't allowed to move your car until the police arrive; the one shown above, merely had a dead battery, after the driver (outside the kids school) spent all morning on electronics plugged into the car outlet)

      The rosy view: one can find a spot anywhere

·     

   ADVENTURES IN GROCERIES: ‘Negative nelly’ would tell you it’s depressing when the best broccoli looks like this.  

      And exasperating when your favorite cheddar cheese, Greek yogurt, hair dye color of choice you discovered & came to rely on suddenly vanishes from shelves     

      But, in the thankful spirit, one must admit its pretty fab to have farm fresh everyday

      (So the farm stands only have what’s in season – isn't that how farms work?!  On the hair front, I suppose the positive is there’s no chance to get in a rut)

·      

  FORCED SLOW DOWN:  OK, this one requires some major re-framing & stretch to see the positive.  Put bluntly, our internet is crazy slow during peak evening hours & our WIFI sucks.  
      
      The thankful view: 

• poor WIFI = keeps living space Facebook free (much better connections in the office)
• slow internet afternoons = a chance to see some of Kiev’s finest free WIFI cafes 

· CHEAP THRILLS ARE EVEN CHEAPER: The glass half empty view is that things are not as abundant, there is less choice in stores & its just harder to get - especially when it comes to festive, seasonal items. 

      (after driving an hour in quest of X-mas trees, we arrive to find the nursery is ONLY OPEN on Saturday & Sundays)

     
      But Santa's watching - so we must not whine.  
      The merry view: 

      When we do find what we're looking for, the thrill is high

(we bought about a million of these magnet Santas)

      
     When supplies imported via suitcase save the day, it's another happy charge
      

(yes I hear you can make a pumpkin pie from scratch - but come on, I'm American!)

   And when we can share the USA loot wealth, it's an even bigger high.  Where else can a hostess gift of chili powder elicit more joy than the wine? 

      And when we achieve success - overcoming the obstacles - we we experience a high disproportionate to the results

(this is the most loved Charlie Brown Christmas tree ever)

CONFUSION CREATES COMMUNITY: Cyrillic alphabet, impossibly confusing websites, inventory that comes & goes.   You could pull your hair out - but the serious blessing to this is how lack of clarity bands people together.  While we may have had more visitors had we moved to London or Sydney, I am not sure we would have had so many fantastic friends - at the ready to band together go hunt down ground cumin 

(our 2nd annual PTA Newcomers Market Tour - we tour shops, markets & kiosks showing those new to Kiev the nuances of where to find things)

Here's to focusing on the rays of sunshine
Happy Thanksgiving!

Hamburgers & Hammy's Revenge

Logan has been away for 2 weeks+ on a series of work trips – so we've been rolling as a single parent household

Since over half of his time has been in the States, we've been suffering from USA jealousy.  In order to distract ourselves, we tried a new-ish hamburger joint  - “Beefy’s”

We found:

Generic interior with American influence……

Milk shakes that didn't cut it

(basically milk with flavoring & syrup around the rim)

Pasta that did

(honestly, how would one screw that up?!)

Burgers that got 2 thumbs up   

(I’d liken it to a non-dollar menu fast food burger)

And one too distracted by fries to vote

With the steep prices (~$50 for 3 meals + shakes), I’d put it at about a 3 at home, but grading on a ‘Kiev curve’ a solid 6-7

At home, our time without dad has included extra kids - sleeping over, coming to play - resulting in a pretty kid-centric household. 

Since you can guess my perspective on this, let's look at the past 2 weeks from the pets' eyes……

Loads of togetherness

(recovered after an attempted Hammy escape)

Dressing up

Playing with toys

Going on rides 

(Hammy's being towed in the basket)

Seeking Escape

 (Hiding in the cat post - we know how you feel Hammy)

And alas, protesting the mayhem - Hammy took his frustrations out on a couch cushion 

Clearly the kids & I are not the only ones getting squirrelly with Logan gone so long - thankfully no one else in the family is taking it out on the furniture

Long story short - we’re all looking forward to Logan's return - AND I don't know HOW single parents do it.  

Hats off to all parents going solo out there.  You deserve a medal, an honor, a babysitter & a drink.