Rob Sings....In Ukrainian!

I am not a singer. I know this. I have always known this. But I understand that songs and music are a great way to learn a new language. Therefore, when my Ukrainian language teacher, Natalya, taught me this song, I learned how to sing it. It's far from perfect but that's mainly because of my voice. So I hope you enjoy the song, 'Несе Галя Воду'. It is a typical Ukrainian folk song about a boy and a girl meeting in the village. The girl (Галя) is carrying the water buckets with a yolk. Along comes Іван, looking for a drink of water. She invites him to come over to the orchard where the well is located. Lots of flirting and misunderstanding but still sparks fly. If any Ukrainians need to correct my version of the story, please feel free.

Несе Галя воду,

Коромисло гнеться,

За нею Іванко,

Як барвінок, в"ється.

- Галю ж моя Галю,

Дай води напиться,

Ти така хороша – You’re so beautiful

Дай хоч подивиться!

- Вода у криниці,

Піди тай напийся,

Як буду в садочку – When I am in the garden

Прийди подивися.

- Прийшов у садочок,

Зозуля кувала,

А ти ж мене, Галю,

Та й не шанувала.

- Стелися, барвінку,

Буду поливати,

Вернися, Іванку,

Буду шанувати.

- Скільки не стелився,

Ти не поливала,

Скільки не вертався,

Ти не шанувала.

One Half of "Несе Галя воду"

Press to Play

 Dyed Easter Egg

Natalya and Rob and Wizard's Hat

Шашлик Time!

Come read about a great picnic on WordPress!

https://rlopeacecorpsukraine.wordpress.com/2016/04/25/picnic-time/

HELLO From RELO

RELO is the Regional English Language Office (https://www.facebook.com/relokyiv/?pnref=story) which is part of US embassy (therefore a part of the State Department). I'm not sure how many embassies they are in worldwide but there is a very active RELO office in Kyiv. From what I can see they encourage the teaching and use of English as a second language in host countries. As with anything, the success of the organization depends upon leadership and staff and, boy, does RELO Ukraine have a winner with Kevin McCaughey. He is one of these people who was born to teach. I was lucky to see him at a TESOL Ukraine conference in Lviv in March. As with me, Kevin loves music and music history. I saw him teach how to use music in the classroom. He had his trusty ukulele present and got all of us singing. He also made a very good case for Ukraine and Eastern Europe as a catalyst of American popular music. Watch the video and enjoy. Also feel free to like the following American English for Educators Page (https://www.facebook.com/AmericanEnglishforEducators/)

Tea For Two

 Swinging Low

Singing Low

A Day of Fun and Learning

Last week we returned to the Sunshine Home orphanage to meet with the children and have some fun...and learn. This is fast becoming an important project for both me and my students. While we are still developing a plan of how we will work with the orphanage in the future, these visits provide us with an opportunity to meet with the children and see how we can best connect with them.  On this visit my students taught them a dance and then we all created a map of Ukraine. Take a look:

Tamila Teaches (the moves)

Students Turn

Movin' and Groovin'

Designing the Picture

 Materials for the Arts

Picture Perfect (Photo Bomba)

Creating

Creation

Happy International Aviation and Cosmonautics Day! (A Little Late)

I bet you didn't know this was a holiday, did you?  And neither did I! Yes indeed, 12 April is celebrated, mainly in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, as the day of space travel and cosmonauts. (http://noosphereglobal.com/international-aviation-and-cosmonautics-day/) This is a special day for many reasons, chief among those is that on April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin flew the first manned (not dogged) space flight and further freaked out the non-Soviet nations still reeling from Sputnik several years before. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmonautics_Day) This holiday is even more significant in my city of Zhytomyr because it is the home of Sergei Korolev, who many consider to be the father of practical astronautics. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergei_Korolev) For years his name was kept secret for fear by the KGB that the CIA would assassinate him. With the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, his vital role in the early success of the Soviet space program was slowly revealed. Not only is his home a museum but there are streets and squares named after him. On this day his home is open to the public and there are special events at the space museum across the street. Having that museum there must have inspired him to do his work, don't you think?  Or was it mere serendipity?

There was a special buzz in the town on this day. It started with a flower-laying ceremony at his statue in the main square. It was impressed by the respect that this town pays its heroes even many years after they have passed on. I expected a mainly older crowd but I was excited to find many young people there to watch the festivities. It stated at the stroke of ten when the bells chimed on the city clock. At that moment, a line of people marched towards Korolev's statue and placed flowers at the base. Next, an honor guard marched forward and then split to either side of the statue to stand guard. Finally, who units of troops smartly trooped the colors across the square. And with that the ceremony was over. But the festivities continued with a children's event at the space museum. Among the events was a picture exhibition. You can see some of the works of art displayed below. All in all it was a fascinating day.

 Lining Up, Not Quite 'Parade Rest'

 Getting Ready to Lay a Tree at the Base of Statue

 Flowers to Follow

Initial Guard

Marching! 

 Next the Public and Flowers

 At Attention, Awaiting Color Guard

 Picture Time 

 Special Space Gift

 Future Cosmonaut 

 Space and Imagination 

Cats in Space? Of Course! 

Sweet Song

These young woman sang this song before the beginning of a symposium. As is the case in Ukraine, all official ceremonies, meeting, etc. are usually preceded by local talent singing and dancing. This symposium included a singing/dancing presentation by First Formers, a solemn remembrance of war dead, and this young woman. If I remember correctly, the song is about the cycle of love so there are mentions on seasons, harvests, etc. In any language, it is beautiful.

You Don't Want to Go Behind Door Number One

Here is another post from my Wordpress blog. It's another important museum that is not talked about much (i.e. at all) here in Ukraine. Please follow link and read on.

https://rlopeacecorpsukraine.wordpress.com/2016/04/01/behind-the-doors-of-number-one/