Dear Family and Friends, I am writing you to ask if you can help me fund a grant I have submitted to the Peace Corps Partnership Program. I have the privilege of teaching in Ukraine at the Kazanka Gymnasium and Boarding School. This specialized school instructs 125 students with 60 of the students being residents [...]

Wow, I honestly and truly, been wanting to update my blog since May, but some how listening to music, watching movies, sleeping, etc has always took priority. But, NO MORE! A lengthy update of the last 5 months in Ukraine! Summer… The highlight of my summer and something I have been looking forward to since [...]

Ma, Maybe one of these days in Ukraine I'LL learn to make the borshch! Ha. Hahahahahaha. Okay, probably not. Dave, track down that recipe, por favor. K

Dave!!! I loved reading about your day of borsht! So wonderful that you have time to explore! (I know that is a different way to look at that). We miss you much back here in Ohio! You are in our prayers! Love, Meg (and Scott)

Hey Dave! If you get the secret recipe for borsht (borchst?) (whatever), please share it! I am sure Katie will expect me to make it when she comes home. Every time she travels, I need to learn to cook new things. Actually, it's pretty cool and I am happy for the additions to my simple diet. In fact, my Turkish friend has now become a huge fan of gallo pinto! Go figure. She's coming for breakfast on Saturday and I wish you and Katie could be here too. In December . . . if you'll book the flights . . . I'll make it for you! Can't wait to see you and my fabulous daughter SOON, Jane

What’s the secret? I still don’t know! The crazy Baba didn’t tell me. To rewind a little bit. Another day in Kazanka started as usual. I woke up around 11a.m. Power was out so I went to the store to see what I could eat since I was tired of apricots, chocolate, and bread. I [...]

I completely understand your frustration. One-third to one-half of my class does not speak English when they enter my class in August. Usually they are all hispanic/latino children, however they are not all from Mexico. All of them speak Spanish, but the dialects are extremely different. My students are only 4-years-old and are difficult to understand just as young children that speak English are harder to understand and use words incorrectly. I love the quote. I applaud your efforts and am comforted that children on the other side of the world behave the same as my students in the mid-west!

COUSIN DAVE!! I so enjoyed reading your updates since I haven't in awhile. It sounds like things haven't been ideal in Ukraine for you recently. I can definitely relate to the stresses of school, and especially the struggles of dealing with "middle school" students. Teaching is a difficult thing on its own even without including all the barriers you are facing with your students. Keep up the wonderful influence you are having on your students! Also, I was excited to hear about your running endeavors! So cool... as always!!

Mutual Exclusivity …” Small Children [Me] have difficulty believing that any one object can have two different names. The natural assumption of children… is that if an object or a person is given a second label, then that label must refer to some secondary property or attribute of that object. You can see how useful [...]

Hi Dave! You look good! Sounds like Young Life camp! Your mother remains worried about you and is very excited to see you! May you have the patience to endure the questioning and the hugs and the tears of joy! She is anxious to meet Katie! I love your T.S. Elliott quote - you are learning just how far you can go! We remain inspired and proud of your PCV journey!

As I sit here thinking about what to tell the world I realize that nothing is new. The same ‘ol same ‘ol. But, school has ended. I came back to Казанка to teach the 10th formers, but that ended up being a cram session for my counterpart to help prepare the class for their English [...]

Dave, amazing pictures! Can you please email me a couple of you and Katie? I miss my girl! Thanks!

How do I really explain a week long photo excursion with words? Doesn’t that kind of defeat the purpose of a PHOTO excursion. The excursion was based out of Гайворон, which is a small village in Ukraine, and was hosted by a national photography group with members from all over this country as well as surrounding [...]

On the train back to Хмельницъкий with Katie, Katie designed and planned an awesome summer camp for her kids and possibly other 5th-7th formers at her site! Tie Dying, Movies (I hope “The Incredibles”), Amazing Race, Scavenger Hunts, A massive water fight, and just fun all around. Probably the one thing that I am most excited [...]

It all started at the “A$$ crack” of dawn, 5:30, to get up and move my body to the trolley bus stop. Much, much, much harder than I would have expected. From there, Katie and I had to meet her host family at the University to catch a bus leaving for Хотин. Today, I was [...]

As promised, my first Ukrainian Easter. In short, Thanksgiving leftovers, naps, a big cupcake (ПАСКА), and BBQ. It started as I arrived to Хмельницъкий to be with Katie and her host family for the upcoming Easter weekend. As soon as I arrived, I was rushed to Katie’s host families grandparents house for the second round of [...]

I totally understand/agree. Between trying to speak Ukrainian, trying to find people my age, teaching unruly kids who somehow cant tell me their own names in English, and dealing with my INSANE landlord, I have had some of the worst days ever here. No one ever said this was going to be easy but good lord. Happy Easter

Picture from my school during English week. Peace Corps is hard. Yes, every situation is different, every site is different, and every PCV is different. But, I never thought being at site, teaching, and living as a PCV would have ever been this difficult. Beyond my passions, I feel like my community will never get [...]

First, let me just say that I am a master of all transportation. Somehow I have figured out how to travel and be okay (Body, mind, etc) after the fact. Friday, May 15 at 2:00 p.m. – Leave Казанка on a bus to Николаив to catch a train to Хмельницъкий by 5ish. Arrive in Николаив at [...]

I stepped on a frog. It finally happened. Not my photo. Taken at a Ukrainian Military base in the Arctic. This weekend I traveled to Хмельницький for Katie and a Oblast wide day camp for English students coming from all surrounding cities and villages. Basically, 15 Americans created 9 presentations about 9 countries around the [...]

Hello Spring! Finally, the smell, the growth, and the weather! This country is finally starting to come alive from the frozen tundra that I’ve only seen for the last 6 months! I can’t wait to walk through sunflower fields, lay outside staring at the stars, BBQ, massive selections of fresh fruits and vegetables in the [...]

Transportation is Ukraine has its moments, ups and downs, and sometimes just moments where you don’t know what to think. On my extended weekend to Хмельнецький, I tried to take some pictures of the 3rd class train cars that almost all PCV’s and Ukrainians use when traveling.  Needless to say, the train cars in Harry Potter [...]

International Women’s day: To all women out there Happy International Women’s Day! But, specifically to Katie, Mom, and Rachel! I love you! “We lay there and looked up at the night sky and she told me about stars called blue squares and red swirls and I told her I’d never heard of them. Of course [...]

February 27, 1987. My birthday. February 27, 2011. First birthday in Ukraine. Here’s how it turned out! The birthday weekend was kicked off by the wonderful Katie coming to visit Казанка. Excited, I played tour guide and showed Katie the entirety of Казанка which lasted 20 minutes… We tried to cook Apple Cinnamon Pancakes, Corn Muffins, [...]

What does my desk look like, you ask? My desk is the second desk on the right with the yellow-ish/red-ish mug on top! I was invited to play soccer with the teachers! Finally, some sort of integration. On Friday, I played as a teacher for the respect of my school, Kazanka Gymnasium, against other teams [...]

Burning fire, but letdowns. The past couple of weeks I have been desiring to get my feet wet. To roll up my sleeves to do something. To do any thing at my site. “No, you need to integrate!” “No, wait till next year.” “You are TEFL, you don’t need to do projects.” Other PCV’s said. [...]

7:09 am – Arrive and find a beautiful women waiting for me at the bus station. More or less like a movie; 2 people slowing seeing each other, making eye contact, move toward each other, and are united finally, hugging/kissing! In Katie’s and I moment at the station a man walks up to us and [...]

Yesterday, after an awful/dreadful/long/young/tired of talking kind of day I was easily the most overwhelmed I have ever been. But, not from the long day of teaching but due to the packages I received. THANK YOU KREIG AND MATT =) Packages included Seasoning Hot sauce Candy School/Card games BW3 wing sauce My cabinet now! How [...]

Just received my long-waited/infamous class schedule for the upcoming week. Let’s take a look. Monday – Unknown (Classic Ukraine)* Tuesday English 2(6) – 6th form; Group #2 English 6(10) – 10th form; Group #2 English 2(6) – 6th; #1 English 6(10) – 10th; #1 English 1(5) – 5th form Wednesday English 2(6) – #2 English [...]

I CAN and I DID push you down in the snow, AND I have video evidence to prove it! :) And a witness. Just saying. Let's get the facts right here, please.

Great Blog!!! But how does Katie feel about you having green tea with Jasmine. I'm happy that you are content and happy and safe and still smiling! All the best to you and Katie.

Хмельницькии Twice I journeyed to see the lovely and gorgeous Katie at her site (Хмельницькии). And yes, I have been blown away by her site. “FART” Cafe, Swanky coffee shops, beautiful parks and buildings, and of course their oblast beer. Organic, fresh, and tasty. What could make it more perfect??? Perfection. I was with someone [...]

Should just be able to write Mikolaiv, Ukraine and the USPS or UPS should know what to do with it. That's what other volunteers do and it works?

Would you translate your address for me? American postal workers do not like to read foreign words, or they go "postal." Please, please, please.

Dave, Merry Christmas! This morning I was at Scott and Megan's house for the Christmas Eve brunch and spoke with your mom briefly about how you are doing. A couple of days ago, Megan showed me this blog you are keeping and it was awesome reading all of your entries. The adventure you are having sounds incredible, as I am sure each day brings something new and exciting. On a smaller scale, I remember four years ago studying abroad in Wales and the excitement that came with each new day for the 6 months I was there. I also recall a sense of loneliness amidst all the fun and newness of everything. What you are doing with the Peace Corps is truly admirable, Dave. I have a huge love for adventure and culture so your blog is true entertainment for me. I will be praying for you and your life in the Ukraine. I didn't even know where that was until I saw it on a map. I am looking forward to continuing to read all of your blogs. As a fellow teacher and molder of minds, I enjoy seeing your pictures of your lessons and seeing you in teacher action. God Bless, Dave, and Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!! -Craig P.S. Tengo un familia grande, tengo una casa muy pequeno. Try using that in the Ukraine...it may help at some point. Or not. But I guess you never know unless you try.

Adventures? Yes, I finally ventured out of my village and met up with some volunteers in Кривой Рог! Thanks to the help of David, PCV not to far from me, we went by bus to the city. On my way to the Bus Station I had to ask for directions which is seemingly easy, but [...]

Дэйв Байс Николаевскя Обл. Пгт. Казанка Ул. Щкольная, 33 56000 Please send me a bunch of letters and packages!

Love seeing the pictures and learning more about your new world. Aunt Karen and Janet posted comments on this blog. I can't find them - just wanted you to know. YOU ARE MISSED AND LOVED!

A picture from Kyiv (Yes, I want to live there) and the Subway Today was interesting to say the least. Sitting there staring out the window at my desk thinking about my upcoming lessons; The secretary comes in and asks me to teach the 6th form. Of course, I love them! I went to the [...]

Whoa, so much has happened in the last week. First, I am A PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER. Yes, I made it to the big leagues. I moved to my permanent site on December 9, 2010 in a large village called Казанка. Right now, I am located in the southern part of Ukraine not far from Odessa. [...]

I love seeing your pictures, reading your stories and hearing about this amazing adventure! We miss you and I am sure the holidays are as hard on you as they are on us (esp. your Mom)! Thanks for keeping the blog updated! Totally amazed at your teaching ability; your creativity and your ability to learn these very complex languages. Who knew? Christmas won't be the same without you! You are loved!

Awesome Dave. Your mom and dad are so proud of you and we are too. It's really a weird yet great feeling when you look at pics of our kids and see them being adults. Fantastic. Charlie and Janet

So, it snowed. Alot. It was more of a surprise than a un-welcomed idea. In one night, we had atleast 12″ and still snowing. Now, I LOVE THE SNOW, but its cold. Maybe a different kind of cold here or maybe I shouldn’t wear normal socks and dress shoes. Looks like I need to break [...]

I want it to Snow… Today has been amazing day! Received one of the best comments from the PC staff one could have ever hoped for! Other weird things happened too… But, Ukraine has some amazing and pretty sunsets. Hmmm… Pictures are from our trip to Kiev. I am in Love! Teaching. and Random moments [...]

Your cows are probably saying to each other, "why are all these humans walking on our outhouse?"

I am still not used to cows walking me home. They just wonder around the city and talk to each other. After class today, I started to walk home and guess who’s next to me… A cow. “Moooooo!!!!!!” He says. As i walk faster to pass the smell, I see his friends “Mooing” back at [...]