beginning of a new adventure.

I can't believe that I have been in Lithuania for a week now! Well, a week and a day. But it's all about the same. 

From the time I landed it's been go go go go go. Between training, teaching, and exploring I am completely exhausted. It is so worth it though. I forgot how adorable the kids are and how fun it is to teach them and see them having a great time! It has made me really nostalgic though. I am missing my Ukrainian kids a lot. I wish I could go back and see them and teach them for a day. That would be absolutely amazing! 

Being a head teacher is tough. Really tough. Which, luckily, I expected. I did not think that this would be a walk in the park. So at least I came somewhat prepared. This past week has been a lot of me trying to figure out how to teach things that I never taught so that I can help my teachers learn it so they can teach. It's been really difficult at times, but we are on the right track now. So everything is looking up!

I think the best part of being a head teacher is being able to spend time with the kids of all levels. They are all so fun and cute! I get to have conversations with the 8-11 year olds in the elementary class (this class also has a 5 year-old in it who is very very smart) all the way down to playing with the tiny 2 and 3 year-olds in Pre-K! It is exciting to do it all! I'm looking forward to seeing all of the kids progress.

We eat every meal at the kindergarten except on the weekends when we have to fend for ourselves. Every morning we are given mush. Sometimes it is yellow, sometimes it is white, and sometimes it is brown/gray. I always pray for the brown mush. It tastes the best. As long as I dump sugar and cinnamon all over it. We still haven't figured out what it is. Lunch has been pretty good. We've had rice, the orange stuff, chicken, and mystery meat that have all been good. I'VE HAD BORSCHT TWICE! I was so happy when I saw the soup. I jumped up and down. No joke. Dinner...has been our least favorite. Well breakfast and dinner probably tie. We never know what we will get. We had hard boiled eggs one night. And last night...well, we have no clue what last night's was. We took a tiny bite and then put it away. It was a little scary. But it's all part of the experience, so I will not complain. (mystery dinner pictured)

Parts of the city remind me of Kiev. The apartment buildings and the kiosks bring back memories of walking around Kiev. Vilnius is much cleaner than Kiev though! SO much cleaner. There are way less people here and they don't have a metro. I was a little sad about that because I love metros, but at least they have buses and trolley buses. Old Town Vilnius is absolutely gorgeous. I love it! We have gone down there quite a few times just to wander around because there is always something new to find. 

They have mexican food here. Mexican food that is actually really good. We discovered this little gem of a place thanks tour coordinator Dima who heard us talking about mexican. We ate there the next day. And we plan on becoming regulars. 

They also have frozen yogurt! Not like the kind we had in Odessa in Ukraine last year. That was frozen greek yogurt. This is actual frozen yogurt and it is delicious. It made us all so happy to see it! We ate that too. Not to mention they were playing Avril Lavigne the whole time we were in there so that made it fun too.

These two things make up for the food we eat at the kindergarten. They will save us in the end.

My apartment is pretty nice. It's a lot bigger than I expected it to be. So that might be why I think it's big. I have my own room and I am living with two other girls right now. One is supposed to be going with a host family soon though. Part of me wishes I was with a host family, but it is really nice having my own place. 

It was sunny the first few days we were here. It was even a little warm! But the past two days have been freezing and rainy. This winter will be exciting... At least it gives me an excuse to dress up all warm! Hopefully it won't be like this the rest of this month and we will get some more sun!

Living here for the next few months is definitely going to be another adventure. I am really looking forward to it.