Interesting Car

 GAZ Pobeda circa 1950's (Had to ask Mike- he's seen it around...)

Current Economic Situation in Ukraine

No coffee.

No flour.

No bags of sugar (just a few boxes of sugar cubes- I did buy a couple).

This guy was filling his cart with sunflower oil.

When we first moved to Ukraine three years ago, the exchange rate was 1 US Dollar (USD) = 8 Ukrainian Hryvnia (UAH). It had stayed steady at that amount (give or take some cents) up until several months ago.
In October of last year, it was about 12-13 UAH to 1 USD.
November through December: 14-15 UAH to 1 USD. And it kept ever so slowly rising (along with the prices of everything).

Friday, the 6th of February 1 USD = 16 UAH

Saturday, the 7th of February 1 USD = 25.2457 UAH

In just 24 hours, the hryvnia rose by almost 10! Can you believe that!
Not only that, but check out this equation that makes no sense:

Decreasing value of the hryvnia + Increasing prices = No change in people's paycheck/pension check

So basically, the price of everything here is increasing, but people are still making the same amount of hryvnia that they did prior to the increases. I don't know how most Ukrainians will survive on this current system, especially pensioners who were struggling when the rate was 8 UAH to 1 USD!!!

Hence, the photos above: people are stocking up on basic supplies before the prices go up even more.
I went to buy some sugar yesterday and I was surprised that there was none available at the store closest to us. I thought it was strange, but sometimes it happens. Today, I casually mentioned to Mike that Silpo (name of the store) had no sugar and maybe he could check today and see if they had re-stocked the shelves. He said that he had heard there was no sugar, or flour, available in any stores because people were buying it all up before the prices rose again. He went there and sure enough, no sugar, flour or buckwheat.
I decided to go out later to another store a little further from our apartment to find some sugar (we bake a lot :) ). This is where I took these pictures. It was so strange. The store was packed with people and they were filling up their carts and baskets with as many basic items as they could. So many people were on cell phones, calling people and telling them what was, or was not available, at this store.

It reminded me of the day before a snow storm in New York- people stocking up on items because they might not be able to leave their home for a few days.

This was different though, people stocking up on items because they might not be able to afford them in a few days.

Crazy.

Spring is Coming

Have we mentioned that March 1st is also the first day of Spring here in Ukraine? We have had another mild winter on this side of the Carpathians.

It has been very interesting to keep updated with our family and friends in the Northeast through Facebook- you all have been dealing with a lot of snow! Mike got a small taste of it when he was in the US in January, but here in Uzhhorod, we only had about 3-4 different snow storms that left any kind of accumulation worthy of taking out the sled. 

In spite of this, we are definitely ready for some warmer temperatures, longer days and grass.

This week began in the 50's (F) and looks like it will stay that way all week! We took advantage of it yesterday by hanging out on the playground. It was about 55-57 degrees, even though S and F look quite bundled up in the pictures (Mike says I'm turning into a Ukrainian mama)- but I didn't want them to get cold or feel a draft. Plus, it was shady here and there.

Speaking about drafts... This guy [Andy Frecka] lives in Moscow and writes about the culture- it is SO similar to the culture here in Ukraine: http://andyfrecka.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-chilling-draft-of-russia.html

The following are select excerpts from his post pertaining to drafts:

"If you are not from Russia, you must understand, that The Chilling Draft Of Russia is not to be compared with the elementary air movement you may sometimes experience in your home.  For The Chilling Draft Of Russia is to be feared.  At all times."

"One time I was riding a train in (the) Ukraine.  It was a bazillion degrees outside and I am not joking when I say the train was crawling at a snail's pace in the hot sun, from Kharkov to Kyiv.  This produced what is known as the "greenhouse effect".  It was so hot, my kids pulled out birch branches and started beating each other on the back.  If you know what I mean. [Annie's note: This is done in the sauna.]

My eyes darted around the wagon as my head swam from the sweltering heat.  With considerable effort, I stood up and managed to pry one of the windows open a few inches.

Immediately a unanimous shout rose from around the wagon, "THE DRAFT!!!!".

Because even in (the) Ukraine, heat stroke is a walk in the park, in comparison to The Chilling Draft Of (the) Ukraine."

Went outside to play on the "playground" (it's actually an area of outdoor exercise equipment- but most of it has had crucial elements rust away...)

Owl Hat- handmade by Chrissy Solanky (she is taking orders ;) )

Fedya- feeling reflective.

Life in a Ukrainian Kindergarten- New Year's Celebration

I know this post is way over-due, but I must share it. Solomiya's class at kindergarten had a celebration/pagent for New Year's. Each child had their own special role and lines to learn. Solomiya was a snowflake and had to wear a special dress and tiara. Here- she is spinning around in her costume- hence the blurriness.

Sweetie pie. She loves the camera. Most of the time.

At school during the celebration. The kids sang, danced and recited lines. They did a great job, especially for 2 1/2 and 3 year-olds. Solomiya knew her lines perfectly thanks to Mike who worked with her several times a day leading up to the celebration. Did she recite them there? Of course not. It's okay- she's only 3 and public speaking is a scary thing for most people. Maybe next time- I hear there may be another celebration for March 8th- Women's Day!

Each child received a gift from 'Did Moroz' or Father Frost aka Santa. (It was filled with chocolates.)

Group shot.

Solomiya and her dearest friend, Anichka. Too cute.

News and Updates

Solomiya took my phone and apparently was taking pictures of Fedya. Not bad, nice Ukrainian colors.

Solomiya enjoys playing with Fedya- he enjoys it too, even if it means allowing your big sister to put bows in your hair and fancy shoes on your feet. This is funny, because my sister and I did the same thing to our brother.

Celebrated my birthday by making an apple pie with a heart-shaped crust. Looks bleh, tasted good.

Also celebrated my birthday at the park. I will explain this picture: In the middle you can see several ladies standing in front of a white, wall-like object. It turns out, they were making a camouflage net to send to the Ukrainian army in the East. White- because it is quite snowy there. The ladies invited all the people who were passing by to tie strips of white material on the net. Very cool.

Mike had the opportunity to speak at a friend's church. AND- he spoke the entire message in Ukrainian. He was talking for like 25-30 minutes. So proud of him. Now- I know it looks like there was only 1 person there listening, but I assure you there were more. Maybe 40 people.

Life in a Ukrainian Kindergarten- The Business Side

"Pay your bills by the 10th of the month." and "Dear Parents, please do not come inside." (My translation)

Didn't pay your school bill last month? Well, everyone else is about to know... (Interesting approach though). Speaking of bills, I thought I would add a little commentary about money and kindergarten. When S first began back in July, we had to pay 1000r to the school and 1000r to the classroom. At that time- with the exchange rate then- it was about $200. The director and the teachers use the money to buy supplies, do remodeling etc. Every month we have to pay 30r (which now is like less than $2) to a "parents fund" (for events and such) and also about 40-50r per month for food- breakfast, lunch, snacks and a light supper if the kids stay that late (that is less than $5 a month!). I'd say this is a pretty good deal.

The play-doh showcase!!! They work with a play-doh-like-substance 1-2 times a week and the teachers display the skills they were working on and each child's work (the OT side of me loves this- thank you teacher for working on their fine motor skills). S's is the 2nd from the end.

This could potentially be the most important piece of paper displayed in the corridor- the Cookie Schedule. Each kid takes a turn bringing in cookies for the whole class for snack time. It works out to be every other month. Our next cookie day is February 23rd.

All of the kids birthdays displayed in a cool way- according to the season.

Art work! The teachers provide a written explanation of the specific skills/techniques they were working on that day. They display them in the corridor each week. Of course, this one is S's.

Another work of art- they were practicing circles.

"Ahhhhh!" That is what happened after I read this note. I didn't understand what the virus was, but I most certainly understood the word "Quarantine"! One of the kids had the Chicken Pox and they are required to post the news to all of the parents.

Fall and Interesting Soviet/Post-Soviet-Era Books

Another blog that was lost, but now is found. I kind of was going through a time-warp/black hole in the blog world for the past few months- hence, no blogs...

Interesting books I have read or am in the process of reading (I have a small obsession with Soviet/post-Soviet and Slavic culture):

The Tiger by John Vaillant

Excellent book that was recommended to me by my dad. It is a true story about a tiger hunt, but it also gives great descriptions of what post-Soviet life is like in the far, far East of Russia. The geography of this region was also amazing to read about.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Very interesting look into Slavic/Russian culture during this time period. I must say though, half-way through, I became a little bored with the story line. I have to pick it up again soon and finish it.

Winter Road by Andy Frecka

This American guy wrote down his adventures of living/volunteering in Russia. He works for YWAM. Such a good writer and such interesting stories. Definitely recommend it. This guy also has a blog: Eye on Moscow. If you're interested in reading/learning about Slavic culture, check it out! Even if you just want something interesting to read while you are waiting in line at the post office: do it.

Snow and Deruny – Ukrainian Potato Pancakes (Деруни)

Twas a slushy ride on the sled to kindergarten this morning. But, hey, we were just excited to use the sled again.

And I think it's so cool that we can travel by sled here- or that S can travel by sled and I can pull her.

In other news, finally made this (after living in Ukraine for 3 years...):

Deruny – Ukrainian Potato Pancakes (Деруни)

And- this website rocks!!!! : 

http://natashaskitchen.com/2011/02/28/deruny-ukrainian-potato-pancakes-деруни/