Maail Tiiime!

Jessica Strickland, PCV
Karla Libknekhta
building: 56, Apt. 4
Stakhanov, 94016
Lugansk Oblast
UKRAINE

вул. Карла Либкнехта, 56/4
м. Стаханов 94016
Луганська
UKRAINE


1-17-2010

Happy New Year! I hope that it is a year full of happiness for you all. My new life in Ukraine has been very busy, thus far. As you know training is over and I am now living at my permanent site in Stakhanov. I’m still deciding if I want to live in the dorm for two years or move into an apartment to insure my privacy. I am looking at a large apartment this week with my dear friend Tanya, so I will make my decision soon.
I had a severe case of chronic bronchitis for 3 weeks! It took me forever to heal. So I missed American Christmas, New Year, Ukrainian Christmas and Ukrainian Old New Year. I was sick for all of the celebrations.

But I’m happy to report that I am very well now and last week I finally visited the University where I will be teaching. My students are wonderful. I’m teaching 4th year college students—meaning this is their final year before earning their BA. And I’m also teaching the post-graduate students. They’re all very eager in the classroom and genuinely pleased that I am here. Which is a great relief! I am very fond of the English teachers at the University. Sasha, Anna, Svitlana and Tanya have all been very kind and welcoming. I am teaching one of Svitlana’s classes and two of Tanya’s. I believe I will also be teaching one of Anna’s English classes and lecturing occasionally at Sasha’s Country Studies class. I’ve already begun teaching and I’m having a marvelous time. I’m so thrilled to be here in Ukraine, teaching in Stakhanov, and a Peace Corps Volunteer once again.

Right now, my internet access is extremely unreliable. I’m hoping that I can have internet access in my home by my birthday. And according to my friend, Tanya, I will! I realize that many of you have sent emails trying to communicate with me. As of right now, I use the internet maybe once a week, and cannot always open my email. So please be patient with me. Trust me, as frustrated as you are with the lack of communication, I’m 10 times more annoyed! For now, I’m encouraging everyone to send letters. Well, I’m always encouraging snail mail. Nothing makes me happier while I’m away from home then receiving mail! As for my mailing address…It is in the above box. I wrote it in both Russian & English. The majority of Ukrainians do not speak English, so it is difficult for them to understand what the letters intended destination may be. I strongly recommend printing the address above and pasting it on whatever you would like to mail me. It will be easier for everyone, I believe. Later I will get a P.O. Box and that will make it easier for you to send mail. And, yes, for those of you who have asked, I am dreaming about things from home. Like peanut butter. :-) And I’ve compiled a “Care Package Wish List,” for those of you who are interested, and it will be updated as often as I can manage. Thank you to everyone who has already sent letters, cards and packages. I cannot tell you how much this means to me. And I’m in the process of writing everyone back; I promise a response will be mailed presently.
I shall write again soon! Take care always.

More to follow…


CARE PACKAGE WISH LIST
HEALTH & BEAUTY
• **Swim-Ear Drying Aid (found at Target or Kaiser)
• Clean & Clear Advanced Acne Spot Control
• Tylenol Cold (daytime & nighttime)
• Sudafed PE Severe Cold
• Imodium
• Mucinex
• Antibacterial Hand Gel
• Urban Decay Eye-Shadow Primer
• HALLS Cough Drops
• Robutusin Cough Gel Tablets

FOOD
• JIF Creamy Peanut Butter!!!
• Veggie Soups
• Peanut Butter Crackers
• Bisquick
• Corn Bread Mix
• Kraft Macaroni
• Cookie/Brownie/Muffin Mixes
• Vegetarian Chili
• Crystal Light—peach tea, lemonade, tea
• Baking Powder
• Taco Seasoning
• Any/All Spices!
• Hot Cocoa Mix
• Ginger Tea
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Baking Chips
• Peanut Sauce
• Sweet Tarts candy
Vanilla Extract

MISC.
• Febreze
• Coffee Filters (so I can filter my water from the tap)
• Books
• DVD’s
• iTunes Gift Cards
• Scented Candles
• Photos of family & friends
• Potato Peeler
• Can Opener
• Tide Stain Remover Sticks

TECHNOLOGY
• 1 TB External Hard Drive (mine broke)
• Electronic Book to read PDF files

CLOTHES
• Sweaters (XL)
• WigWam warm Socks (shoe size: 11)
• Thermal Silk Long Underwear (XL)
• Anything Warm! :-)