My Thanksgiving (and Saturday, too)

It is rare that I write these posts prior to typing and posting them.  Presently (at the time of writing, not typing), I am on an elektrichka (an uncomfortable commuter train) making my way home from Kyiv.  It's about 4:15 PM and it is already mostly dark.  There is nothing I'd like to do right now but sleep, but I've lost my talent for sleeping on bumpy, abrupt rides; woe is me.

You may ask about my motivations for a day trip to Kyiv.  Quite simply, I wanted to go to T.G.I. Friday's.  Not only did I want to, I did go!  I had a Jack Daniel's Burger.  This was a large meat patty topped with cheese and bacon.  Lettuce sat underneath the burger, and there was a bit of Jack Daniel's barbeque sauce served on the side.  To say this was delicious would be an understatement.  This phenomenal burger was served with all the western decadence the T.G.I. Friday's brand name implies.  For such a large burger, I must have finished it in record time.  Not only did I finish the burger, I did everything short of lick the plate to capitalize on all that delicious sauce.  After such a meal, I may not be able to eat for the next couple of days . . . a Toby Keith song comes to mind; it's unfortunate, but I'm not as good as I once was.

It is Saturday today, and I'm pretty sure I will post this tonight, but I"m not positive.  While at Friday's I was shamed by the cover story of Kyiv Post, the English-language newspaper of Kyiv.  My burger cost 91 UAH.  Converted that sum is equal to about $11.50.  I will post a link to the cover story here:  "Living on 30 Hryvnias [Ukrainian currency] A Day."  The article discussed the Ukrainian national minimum wage which is currently 907 UAH.  Five people were chosen as volunteers to try to live for one month on the minimum wage.  It was almost impossible for them.  Only 1 out of the 5 volunteers completed the challenge.  Today I spent 4 times that 30 hryvnias per day amount on one meal, and transport to and from Kyiv.  While I am fully sated, this article has been a bit of a buzzkill.  Needless to say this isn't my proudest hour as a volunteer.  But, I'll just say it was a Thanksgiving present to myself.  For the record, it was 8 hours round trip for the T.G.I. Friday's trip, and I had no other business in Kyiv.

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In terms of Thanksgiving, I hope yours was wonderful.  Thanksgiving is a much different holiday when far from home.  A lot of the joy is taken, but the importance of the day is by no means cheapened.  Some things for which to give thanks have become even more apparent to me.  I hope I am home for next Thanksgiving, but it was intriguing to celebrate the holiday away from home.

On Monday in English club we read, translated and sang “Over the River and Through the Woods.”  We made hand-turkeys, fattening them up by naming Thanksgiving foods.  As no turkey would be complete without the stuffing, we stuffed the turkeys with things that we are thankful for.  This was followed by a pretty basic rendition of the story of the first Thanksgiving.  One of the things I was/am thankful for was/is my friend Yana for translating the story for me so I wouldn’t have to bumble through my broken Ukrainian.

Tuesday and Wednesday passed by pretty unremarkably, especially Tuesday, when I stayed up to follow the score of the PC – LaSalle game online.  I knew this would be a rebuilding year, but I didn’t expect Providence would be a scheduling, let alone losing to, a high school team (sorry A-10 fans, you know I can’t help these jabs).

That brings us to the day.  Thursday started off a bit rough.  While having my morning coffee I felt a sting of loneliness.  My heart and mind were both somewhere around the northern suburbs of Chicago.  This is the one holiday we generally spend with my dad’s side of the family.  Because I don’t get to see that side often, I really value the time we spend together.  But, around my final sip, I realized these were feelings and I stuffed them deep, deep down where they belong.

Peace Corps had granted us an unexpected holiday, but I elected not to use it, and went to school anyway.  I spent most of the day singing “Over the River and Through the Woods.”  The fourth formers were disappointed it wasn’t the “Hokey Pokey,” but they humored me and sang along; though I assume their thoughts weren’t on Grand Beach and football (of the American variety).

After school, it was time to start the celebration in earnest.  My site mate and I met to decide how to go about our Thanksgiving party.  The party was with our English club, and we actually had one of our best turn outs – 15 people.  During our meeting we decided on turkey (turkey breast, not a full turkey), gravy, mashed potatoes, and krabovyni salat (which is a salad with crab sticks, corn, cucumbers, potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and of course the ubiquitous mayonaisse).  All of these things were homemade, as Mr. Quigley once said, “no instant mashed potatoes in the Meegan household.”  I must say, I have a lot more appreciation for the Thanksgiving meals I enjoyed when I was younger after having to prepare this small-scale affair.  The shopping took over an hour, which left us with about 3 hours to make the food.  Unfortunately, my site mate had meetings all afternoon, so the preparations, and cooking fell largely on me.

I’ll admit that I probably did not have the turkey cooked enough.  There was still a bit of pink inside, but it was tasty.  I have no experience seasoning meat, or cooking anything other than eggs, pasta, potatoes, and onions, so I was pretty proud of the result (when I say it was undercooked, it wasn’t raw, it was in the oven for almost three hours, it just wasn’t dried out enough, nobody got sick, that I know of).  In terms of seasoning, we used some mixed herbs, salt, black pepper, and paprika generously smeared over the buttered-up turkey skin.  I really enjoyed it, and, afterwards was actually gnawing on the turkey bone getting the last scraps, though I probably should not publicly admit this.

We failed to procure any apple cider, and that was a bit disappointing, hopefully I can find a way to make some in the near future.  But, we did have delicious fruit juices, none of which were homemade.  When we got to English club, some of our members had brought food, as well.  There was another batch of krabovyni salat, some chicken wings (very tasty), and a number of desserts.  My site mate gave a short presentation on Thanksgiving (though, this New Englander, and Roman Catholic would argue some of her historical facts), and we ate.

Following English club, an American friend came to visit.  We picked up some chips, and some beer, and came to my apartment.  We chose not to stop by a café because the Patriots and the Lions were playing.  Now, I was once a Barry Sanders fan, but that was because I liked Barry Sanders not the team he played for, and I think this was the first time I ever met a real live Lions fan.  I thought they no longer existed.  We turned the game on in the second quarter (streaming online) with Detroit leading.  During the game, I learned that I am thankful for Alphonso Smith.  I wish more teams had cornerbacks like that for Patriots to run around.  In Smith’s defense he did take responsibility for how poorly he played:  I just want to apologize to my teammates because they played so hard.  I feel as if I was the catalyst for this loss.  I also want to apologize to the this organization and the fans."  I’m not sure apologies are going to help Detroit very much, though.


After the game, I was able to talk to my family on Skype.  Usually, when I say my family it means my parents, or perhaps my brother or sister.  This time I got the whole bag:  aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, siblings, cousins' children.  It was a lot of fun.  A half hour on Skype, and it was one of the best half hours I have had since being in Ukraine.  Hearing from friends and family, especially those I haven't talked to in some time exponentially improves my mood.  So, if any in the Thanksgiving crowd read this, thank you for taking a few minutes to talk with the prodigal son, and humoring his self-imposed exile.

But, that's about all I know for now.  A reminder to my stateside friends:  don't forget to watch The November Christmas tonight at 9 on CBS.  This year's Hallmark Hall of Fame Presentation is based on a short story written by my uncle, Greg Coppa, and it is sure to be terrific.  If the film presentation is half as good as the short story you won't be disappointed.

Be good, and remember only 27 shopping days left until Christmas!

Pete

Happy Thanksgiving

*Disclaimer*  Please forgive my lack of eloquence.  I haven't slept too well that last few days.

To my dear friends:

I spend a lot of time bitching.  It’s just habit.  I see things I don’t like, and I state the fact.  Subtlety has not really ever been much of my thing.  But, tonight, on the eve of Thanksgiving it is time I come to terms with the fact that I rarely state how lucky I am.

As you all know, I’ve spent the last 13 months in Ukraine.  Ukraine is a European country, no doubt, but it also a country in rough shape.  I generally call it a country of extremes.  By simple accidents of chance and birth I was not born in Ukraine.  I was born in the greatest country on God’s green Earth:  the United States of America.  For that reason, I am slightly homesick on this, of all nights; but also, I am ready to put into words some of the things I’m thankful for.  Some of the things I write are unique to me.  Some of the things I write are common to almost all Americans.

I am thankful for health and youth.  These are, of course, fleeting.  I’m currently reading The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, and he makes a point of expressing just how fleeting they are.  But, while they are here I shall enjoy them.

I am thankful for my friends and family.  I’m sitting in my apartment looking at a number of things that have been sent from home, or hand delivered.  Books, coffee, snacks, clothes, and the list continues.  I have already been visited by two friends, and by my parents and my sister.  Truly incredible when you think of the cost and time it takes to travel this far around the world.  Being halfway around the world has really put into perspective just how lucky I am.  I am going to be in mourning tomorrow thinking of the family gathered together, I assume in Arlington Heights as usual.  Hopefully I will get to speak with some.  I’m often told that in Ukraine family is much more important than it is to we Americans.  I think that anyone who says this should look at my family.  Either side would challenge that statement to the core.  Thought, I suppose, one example hardly makes a case.

I also realize how much I rely on my friends.  Sitting at home on Friday and Saturday nights I recall, sometimes hazily nights in Newport.  Going to wacky wings Wednesday at the Oak Hill Tavern.  Stomping around Providence, Providence College and the surrounding areas.  I think of all the people that have made the past 10 years of my life incredible.  I am humbled by the actions of those close to me, and feel forever indebted;  “Debts that no honest man could pay,” as Bruce once said in a song I’ve played on repeat a few times.

I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given.  I have been given an opportunity to travel the world.  I have been given the opportunity for a wonderful college education.  In short, most of the things on my plate have been put there with very little doing on my part.  For many of these things I deserve as much credit as the guy in the buffet line scooping up the last of the chicken fingers.

On down the line, I’m thankful for America, and all the opportunities we’ve been given as Americans.  Times may be tough now, but like every tough time before we will prevail, and be better for it.  I’m thankful that I’m 12 months from Dave’s Market.  I’m 12 months from my next visit to Updike’s Newtowne.  12 months until I go to my next PC basketball game.  I’m thankful I have a place to call home, and look forward to as much as I am looking forward to my glorious return.  It is a wonderful perspective I’ve been given, living abroad for the past year.  Living abroad, especially in a less than affluent place can show how grateful we should be.  We have received a gift.  Let’s acknowledge how great it is, and stop and reflect on life long enough to remember that it’s pretty damn good for most of us.

Now, I don’t know much about a lot of things, but these are a few facts I know without any doubt.  While I am deeply envious of all of you celebrating back home, I’m glad you will be.  I’ll join the celebrations as soon as I can.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Pete

The Beginning of the School Year

So, I was at school the other day looking out the window.  I saw the other building of my school and its corrugated roof, and remembered that while the novelty has worn off for me, this is still new and different to anyone who may be reading, and as such I should try to document it.  It is sometimes difficult to try to document without feeling as if I’m invading the privacy of my community, or acting a bit too much like a voyeur, but, as they say in Zhmerynka: “Whammy!”

Much has occurred since last I wrote.  The last things I wrote were about a trip in early August which was two and a half months ago.  Since then I have spent some time at a summer camp, celebrated Ukrainian Independence Day in Lviv, received a personal tour of a village close to mine, and the list goes on.  So, what to talk about is a considerable challenge.  Also, I’ve been home since I wrote last, spent a night in London, and a weekend in Kharkiv, the former capital of Soviet Ukraine. . . so,  I’m not sure exactly what is of interest here.  I’ll save the trip home for a different day, so I guess I’ll start from the beginning of school.

I think I’ll give you a quick crash course, and try to refocus my attentions on keeping this relatively updated.  The beginning of school:  The “Day of Knowledge” is the holiday that marks the first day of school on September 1^st, every year.  This is also called the “First Bell” ceremony.  The First Bell is a shorter day than normal.  It starts with the school assembling outside for a number of speeches, followed by the introduction of the new first graders.  The ceremony ends with a first grader being carried on the shoulders of an eleventh or tenth (whichever class is the oldest at the school) grader.  The first grader rings a ceremonial bell and this is, indeed, the “First Bell.”  Following the ringing of the first bell the young first graders are led to their classrooms by the members of the oldest class, and the first lesson of the year occurs.  The first lesson of the year is about the history and culture of Ukraine, specifically independent Ukraine.  There is a party for teachers after the students go home, complete with cognac and wine, dancing and singing, and usually salted fish.  I skipped out on the party this year, as I’m not a big fan of imbibing at school, but that’s just me.

The school year begins in earnest the day following the Day of Knowledge.  This is the first day of classes in the majority of subjects.  This period is a difficult period.  The reason is that no set schedule has been made.  It was not until the end of September that a real schedule had been created, a real schedule that would be as set in stone as things are here.  I still haven’t found out the reason for such a delay in creating a schedule, then again, maybe it’s something man wasn’t meant to know.

The days at the end of September and the beginning of October were, and are, some of the coldest days for me.  They are the days when fall is reaching her cold, clammy, gray hands on the country, and the body has not yet had time to adjust to the falling temperatures.  This is exacerbated by the fact that heat is, for the most part, central, and does not come on until someone actively turns it on.  This did not happen for me until October 15, when I had left site for awhile.  It did, however, mean that I was wearing long underwear at the end of September.  Luckily heat is now on throughout so I will not need long underwear for another few weeks, if the weather cooperates.

I think this will be a really brief post; we’ll call it a practice swing, a bit of a sound check, if you will.

The only other thing to report from this time is that I have moved again.  This is the fourth place I’ve lived in Zhmerynka, and the third apartment.  I did get it all set up with internet, though, so it’s in pretty good shape.  I even have a refrigerator and a shower!  The hot water in my shower here is better (at least temperature-wise) than the water back home, and there’s more of it!  If you want to hear the story about how and why I moved, email me.  It’s pretty funny, but I’d rather not post it here.  If you’ve spoken with my dad recently there is a good chance you would have heard it.

I think I’ll sign off there.  Next up: a trip to a bazaar and a castle.  Maybe I’ll write that today, maybe not.  Coming soon:  my trip home.

That’s all I know for now.  Be good,

Pete