My Secret Diary

When I was little, my mom would threaten me by telling me that she would throw my diary into the collection box at the library if I misbehaved. Oh boy, did that work! I was on my best behavior for twenty straight years.

Now, as I read my diary from my 10-year old self, I can't help but burst out laughing at the major life dilemmas I faced as 3rd grader: Kathy didn't share her scissors with me during art class. I'm not talking to her anymore! Tomek is cute, but he won't ever walk with me, even though we walk home the same way. My mom is making me clean my room again. Life is so unfair!

I still write a lot to this day. I keep a journal (not a diary! those are for kids). I have lots of random notebooks of reflections, feelings and ideas. Actually, it's so nice to see how much my grammar and sentence structure has improved thorughout the years. Phew!

I wonder if ten year from now, when I read what I write now, I will be laughing at myself too?

I guess that is just part of growing up.

Grade school: Olena & Kathy (and Kathy's little sister).

My sleeping arrangements at age 10.

10 Things We Can Learn From Dogs

Ever notice the uncontrollable pure bliss of a dog as you barely step foot through the door? Dogs never fail to take pleasure in the simplest of things. Just seeing you, and they become ecstatic.

I've never had a dog when I was little because my mom always told me she was allergic. However, now that I'm older and gave it some more thought, I have become suspicious that those allergies were all just a scam because she didn't want to get stuck doing all the work.

Over the last few days, I've been hard at work dog-sitting two adorable pooches. My job description entailed ball tossing, smothering the pooches with attention, napping, swimming in the pool, and strutting my stuff.. err I mean, walking the dogs around the block. Spending my days with these pooches, they've taught me a thing or two. Or ten...


Here are 10 things that I've learned from these simple furry creatures:

1. Be hysterically excited to see everybody. The second you hear the doorknob turn, jet uncontrollably towards the door an jump all over the person in front of you. I mean, doesn't everyone want to be greeted with such enthusiasm every time? If we humans could add a little (or a lot) more pizzazz into our greetings, I think the world would be a better place.


2. Your good looks can let you get away with anything. I mean, who can resist that adorable puppy face? At the very least, it's always worth a try. 


3. Smell everything. A dog's nose is always twitching, sensing the world around them. We, too, should be smelling everything- food, flowers, treats, new people, potential mates and everything else in between. 


4. You're never too old to learn a new trick, or two. Yea, it's always hard in the beginning, but in the end, it may bring you never-ending amusement and satisfaction.


5. Nobody wants to be left alone. A quick run to the store left my dogs in despair. I couldn't even sleep in another room or take a shower without them scratching at the door. 


6. If it's not wet and sloppy, it's not a real kiss. Can't argue with that.


7. Always be curious. Who knows what you may find around every corner, under the rock or behind the bush? The world is a fascinating place, so never stop exploring.


8. Grooming is important, but sometimes you just gotta get down and dirty. Don't slack off on your personal hygiene, nobody around you likes that. But sometimes you may be offered with an opportunity to run wild, play in the dirt or swim at a beach. Don't ever pass up those moments of diversion and revelry.


9. Take lots of naps. A nap is the answer to any problem. Whether you're overworked, underpaid, overwhelmed, or undersexed-- a nap lets you recharge and gets you ready to tackle anything. 



10. Cuddle whenever possible. Period!

Trying to do some work on my computer, but somebody strongly insists we go for a walk instead.

Worldly Possesions

My backpack is small, overstuffed and there are more souvenirs than anything else. But its not the size that matters, because I´m bringing back with me so much more than what can fit in my backpack.

Just few things I picked up along the way:

• Honorary badges of blisters, bruises and travel wounds

• New vocabulary of Spanish swear words

• Tasty & exotic culinary recipes

• A horribly-attempted English accent

Walking on Sunshine

As I walk to the train station in the early morning, with each step it gets lighter and lighter as the sun lazily creeps into the sky. I am most definitely not a morning person, but I woke up extra early to catch a train to my next destination.

The sunrise reminded me of my dad. He would always call me "sonechko," meaning sun in Ukranian. He'd especially use the nickname for me whenever I would get up in the mornings (usually late mornings), saying "O, sonechko stalo" meaning "aww, the sun is finally up."

Now that I think about it, I find it ironic because I´m always grumpy in the mornings. Regardless, I was always his sunshine. That's why he named me Olena, my name meaning "light."

The last time I heard my dads voice was one year ago, when he called to wish me a happy birthday.

Semester Course Schedule on the Road

Course overload? Yes, traveling is a 24/7 classroom. I've learned so much about everything and anything. Every city I visit has its own history, culture, people, language, politics, art, and more. It's incredible how much you learn just from travelling.

This Semesters Course Schedule:

• HISTORY 256: Ancient European History

• POLI_SCI 356: European Union Politics

• ITAL 150: Introduction to Italian Culture and Language

Dear Amigos, Thank You For Your Support

On the road

(Im)Patiently waiting for my train, I realized I would never have survived this far if it wasn't for my freinds and family. So many of the things I carry with me are from you all.

Daniel, my life is in your backpack. And your watch has kept me on time everywhere I go. (But it beep-beep-beeps way too softly so I never wake up to the alarm).

Zach, thanks for those sunglasses that I stole from you. I wear them everyday and my eyeballs are in tip top condition!

Basia, I rock your G-unit jacket with pride!

Re-Visiting My Childhood Playground in Ukraine

Whenever I think of  Ukraine, I always remember the childhood days I'd spend with my dad and family. My dad grew up in a tiny village a few hours away from Lviv called "Hlibiv." When I was little, I used to come visit my dad every summer, so I spent a ton of time exploring, playing, and getting in trouble in this little village.

When I got older, my dad moved to live with us in the States  so my yearly trips to Ukraine ended. It's been over five years since I've last been back.

Re-visiting Hlibiv meant more than ever to me this time around because my father was no longer here.

"Scusi Scusi, Pizza e Vino. Grazie. Ciao."

Peet-tsahhh!

My two previous attempts of learning Itallian failed. Playing Super Mario Bros. and watching Jersey Shore Season 2 were probably not the best ways to approach it.

My "Zia Katerina" was visiting from Italy and she's been teaching me a thing or two. I'm going to visit her next month in Italy. I bought an "Italian for Dummies" book and hope to learn at least some basics before I go to Italy. My goal is to learn Italian on this trip.

So far, I think i'm already an expert. This is what I know:

• Pizza (pronounced peet-tsah)
• Spaghetti (spah-geht-tee) 
• Mozzarella (moht-tsah-rehl-lah)
• Cappuccino (cahp-poo-chee-noh)
• Vino (vee-noh)
• Amore (ah-moh-re)
• Ciao! (chah-oh)

Well thats probably all I'll need, anyway. Right?

(Super Mario Bros and Jersey Shore weren't a complete waste of time either. Mario taught me how to pronounce words (I imagine I'm Mario and pronounce everything just like he pronounces "it's me Maaario!" And Jersey Shore has taught me just about everything I should probably not do. Thanks.)

America, The Land of Comfort and Convenience

Living in the U.S., we may take many of the little (and sometimes big) comforts for granted.

Within a day in Ukraine, I had to get accustomed to a completely different lifestyle here. My grandparents live in the countryside far from the city. It's absolutely gorgeous out here—but very different from the city life that I'm used to back home.

First, indoor bathrooms don't exist. Your only options are the stinky outhouses that are filled with flies, or finding a hidden spot somewhere out in the field. My personal fave: the cornfields.

Cornfields = bathroom

Second, showers are impossible. There is no indoor plumbing, so if you need water, you have to walk to the well with a couple of buckets to get some clean water. Using the well is bicep workout in itself. Then you have to lug the heavy buckets back to the house, trying your best to spill as little as possible. And of course, the water is freezing because it is from underground, so you have to get the wood to start the fire in the oven. And then when the fire finally gets burning, you can heat that pot of water up so you can wash all your important places.

Air-conditioning is non-existent here. Sure, finding a shade from the sun can help and drinking the ice cold water from the well helps, too, but public transportation in this sauna is a nightmare! Not only is the 100 degree weather a pain on its own, but being cramped into a bus full of other sweaty (and stinky) commuters is the worst!

What's more, there are no paved sidewalks or roads in the countryside, only beaten and/or stoned paths. Riding on these uneven rocky roads makes everything shake, jiggle, and bounce. Good luck just trying holding on to whatever (or whomever) you can to keep yourself up.

Electricity, too, is a problem in some areas. Although my grandparents do have it, it's only available during certain hours of the day. You're usually in bed by the time the sun is down, or it's dim candlelight while you try to wash up before bed, or if you're like me, write before bed.

so ....

... As all of you sit in your comfortable lazyboy chairs in your lovely air-conditioned suburban houses filled with toilets, running water, and constant electricity—take a moment to appreciate all those little comforts that you have at your disposal.