as the year comes to an end, it’s hard not to look back and see what has passed. plus i’m a sucker for all things sentimental. and god, it’s been one hell of a year. this year brought so much change, challenges, and some of the lowest lows i’ve had to face alone. i almost gave up on my service in ukraine several times, every time i was pushed to my breaking point, but i learned i could go further, persevere, and overcome no matter what.
this year might have been most challenging i’ve had in ukraine. i had my fair share of the unpleasant, and difficult choices, but hardships don’t go without reward. i’ve certainly learned so much more about myself as a person, what i stand for, what’s important to me, and just how much the human heart can endure.
it seems like not all that long ago, before i left home, that i sat there reading the peace corps info packet, staring at the dates of service 2011– 2013. the year 2013 seemed so far away, but here it is. so as the calendar changes from 2012 to 2013, so with it comes the last leg of my journey and service in ukraine. so many times i thought it was impossible to get this far. but here i am, ringing in yet another new year in ukraine.
tomorrow night i’ll celebrate with my landlord’s family — it only seems fitting to ring-out to the same year i rang-in with ukrainians. surely it will be a night full of meats, mayo, salo, homemade vodka, toasts in russian, and my own clever ways of avoiding forced alcohol poisoning. it’s my last new years in ukraine, my last chance to celebrate ‘ukrainian style’, so i hope there will be stories to tell….well with the amount of booze that usually accompanies ukrainian holidays, i’m sure there will be stories to tell.
wishing you all a happy new year and the best for 2013.
2012 in numbers:
- photos taken: 6,163
- blog posts: 101
- blog visitors: 11,353
- pages written: 164 (in 11 point single-spaced helvetica)
- number of words written: 83,483
- countries traveled to: 3 (czech republic, united states, turkey)
- time in ukraine: 617 days (out of country travel accounted for)
- books read: 12
(13 ways of looking at the novel, the alchemist, animal farm, when you are engulfed in flames, extremely loud and incredibly close, what i talk about when i talk about running, the house on mango street, the girl’s guide to hunting and fishing, room, gilead, the motorcycle diaries)
2012 in photos:
Great post, Kristen. I’m going to borrow your “by the numbers” idea for my own year in review post!
thanks! please do!! i’m sort of obsessed with data like that : ) happy new year!
Thanks, same to you! I continue to enjoy your blog and it makes me feel like I still have a connection to Ukraine, despite having finished service.
we’re proud of you for staying and dealing with so many difficult things. The next few months will fly! You may not be aware of it, but you’ve made a big difference in the life of your students. They will always remember you.
Happy New Year!
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