Here are 10 lessons I've learned (and some I'm in the process of learning) so far in the month-ish I've been here in Ukraine..
Lesson 2. Ukrainians like soup. A lot. I thought I liked soup, but Ukrainians show me up every time. Enjoy your solid meals while you can, young skywalker.
Lesson 3. Your joy cannot, I repeat, CANNOT be defined by your circumstances. Sometimes the director of the school will tell you you're doing everything wrong. Sometimes your students don't understand and mutiny on the day the head teacher just happens to be dropping by for a visit. Sometimes it rains and drips in your room, all over your nice pants so it looks like you peed. Hold your head up high. Sometimes you give a ridiculously big denomination at the supermarket because you didn't hear clearly the amount you owe and you get the 'are you stupid' look from the obviously perfect and superior cashier. Sometimes all this happens in one day, and sometimes this happens several times a week. If you look to yourself or what's happening in your life for the solution, you'll always be disappointed. Look to the Lord for your joy, affirmation, and peace. You can count on Him.
He is forever.
Lesson 4. Look for ways to serve others. Maybe it's letting someone cut in front of you in line, or maybe it's giving someone your seat on the bus. No matter what it looks like, do it. It might be the first time they've ever been served, and it will confuse them. Guaranteed.
Lesson 5. Lifts (elevators) are not reliable. Sometimes you have to use the stairs, even if you live on the 16th floor. But that's okay. Take it as an opportunity to work off all that soup.
Lesson 6. Don't try to cook in Valiya's kitchen when she's home. She will feign curiosity and soon take over the situation, and then how will you ever learn to make food beyond grilled cheese, jello, and toast? Go to Rochelle's or Kim's.
Lesson 7. Go to Humana (a second hand store) when everything in the store is about $1. Find H&M apparel for super cheap and warm winter clothes.
Lesson 8. Always wear a hat, even though you're not a hat person. It is cold in winter, even if it doesn't look like it from behind your window.
Lesson 9. Spend time with your roomies, even if you're busy. Encouraging them and learning more Russian at the same time is worth it every time. 7 months from now you won't have this opportunity. Take advantage of it while you can!
Lesson 10. You will look stupid. All the time. Try anyways. If you wait until your Russian is perfect and you know exactly how to do everything, you'll never do anything. Remember, humility is the name of the game. (See blog post: Leave Your Pride at the Border) Just try. Ask the bus driver if this is the right bus. Answer the old man's question about where the potatoes are. Answer your phone when an unfamiliar number is calling you. Go to the produkty (where you have to ask for each item in a specific way) instead of the supermarket (where you can grab what you want). Accept the fact that you will look completely dumb and go for it. Then, laugh at what happened and turn it into a blog post or a fun dinnertime story to entertain your roommates.