tag:blogs1.targetx.com,2008:/emich/Svitlana//135 2007-06-05T12:19:45Z Movable Type 3.34 tag:blogs1.targetx.com,2007:/emich/Svitlana//135.2391 2007-05-18T01:23:25Z 2007-06-05T12:19:45Z

Good morning, friend. It is a really quiet morning, too - I don't have to get up early, run through the big-hearted Pray-Harrold, and no hurry with German homework or fights with our capricious printer... The semester is over....

Svitlana It is a really quiet morning, too - I don't have to get up early, run through the big-hearted Pray-Harrold, and no hurry with German homework or fights with our capricious printer... The semester is over. The last day, 28th of April, seems way too early to me - summer vacation in Ukraine starts at least two months later. Although I didn't realize it till I actually was finished with all my final exams - when I am busy like that, I think only about making it through the next day. Suddenly one day I was done with everything, the weather turned beautifully warm, my roommate went home for the summer, and so did half of the people in my dorm. I had a long day of packing up and saying good byes ahead of me. It was depressing, so, at first I honestly procrastinated with all of it; then I tried to get it over with fast, but it got only sadder. Something that I like the most about the dorm life was gone - its busyness, laughter, somebody's music in the community bathroom, people walking everywhere. I grew up in apartments, in the full of friendly neighbors house, and maybe that's why I feel at home when I hear people's voices behind the wall, and when somebody randomly runs in my place to borrow salt or pepper... Anyway, I didn't stay on half-empty campus for much longer, and went to the friend's house, counting days to my flight home. Strange how long 9 months away seem to be and how short they actually are. It's hard to believe that I would see my family soon, walk on familiar streets of my beautiful town, and meet my old friends. It's always a shock, you know - whether coming to a foreign country or to your own after a long time away. As an exchange student, last year I even had a special orientation just to prepare me to face the life back home - can you imagine? Although I wouldn't refuse from one right now either - every time I enter another country, it's like entering a completely different life, with its unique ways, people, its advantages and disadvantages. It's overwhelming, truly; and as overwhelmingly beautiful. After all the necessary evil of packing suitcases, weighting them, and repacking; after saying bye to my favorite people in America; after few nerve wrecking nightmares about being late for my plane, I was ready to leave. It was the day that I had to get through with the help of God and my headphones. I closed my eyes, flew to Paris, enjoyed there an 8-hour layover on the colorful couches from the picture above, and arrived the next morning to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. And these were my last days in the USA this spring, friend. My EMU story stops here, just to start over next fall, even earlier - since I was invited to be a group leader for an international student orientation in August. I am already impatient to come back! Really, it was a wonderful year, and thank you for being there for me. I will miss you in summer. You know, I do have one regret after all - that I'm missing out on the most beautiful time at Eastern - the blooming trees time. Keep in touch. Your friend, Svitlana ]]> tag:blogs1.targetx.com,2007:/emich/Svitlana//135.1615 2007-03-06T21:12:49Z 2007-03-10T01:10:48Z

Guten Tag, my friend! Yes, I finally got into Beginning German class - my love for languages is neverchanging. Why German this time? There's something harsh, rough, and rectangular in its pronunciation, there's beautifully illogical grammar and there's a challenge...

Svitlana Guten Tag, my friend! Yes, I finally got into Beginning German class - my love for languages is neverchanging. Why German this time? There's something harsh, rough, and rectangular in its pronunciation, there's beautifully illogical grammar and there's a challenge in imitating seemingly impossible for me throat sounds. I'm absolutely charmed by German! My story with learning a language repeats - I used to be passionately devoted to English... Another thing - I want to do international business, and you can never know too many languages for that. First thing I learnt in class was "Textbooks for foreign languages are expensive". Since that time I mastered the elementary vocabulary for the basic everyday activities, some grammar and this little of phonetics. Good thing I have class everyday - it's never enough time to forget what I have learnt the day before - since I discovered that for some reason language is much easier to forget than anything else. Take my native one - Ukrainian. Whenever I talk to my parents on the phone, every third word pops up in my head in English, so that I have to quickly think how to translate it to Ukrainian. People here often ask me - "So, do you even think in English now?" Yes, most of the time I do, without even noticing it. And yes, it feels great to be fluent! Though I hope it won't take me 10 years to become fluent in German, - that's exactly how long my love affair with English language lasted... I'll let you know how that goes. Stay with me. Svitlana tag:blogs1.targetx.com,2007:/emich/Svitlana//135.1613 2007-03-06T20:53:31Z 2008-01-30T02:42:26Z

How are you? How is your cold hard-working winter day?? My day is singing and dancing of happiness around my dormroom right now - because I'm finally finished with one of the most fun art pieces I've ever done....

Svitlana My day is singing and dancing of happiness around my dormroom right now - because I'm finally finished with one of the most fun art pieces I've ever done. To be honest, I really like how it turned out. You know, the idea to draw this portrait was totally random, though I did take time to choose a model. Why Jack Sparrow? Because his dramatic face features are wrapped up in the outstanding charisma. Because he's a pure charming selfishness - doesn't that make a perfect model? By the way, just yesterday I made an accidental discovery that Johny Depp is an absolute favourite of the Wise Hall - every third room had a full-size poster of this Main Pirate of All Times. Hey, would you make a perfect model, friend? Let me know if so... Actually, portrait genre really interests me at the moment - especially when I see so many different faces everyday. Often looking at somebody I think whether he or she would make a good model for a drawing. A person doesn't have to be beautiful in the classic sense to be interesting; it can be the outstanding feature of the face that makes me pick up a pencil, or something special about that person's style that I want to reflect in his or her portrait. Diversity of people here inspires me so much! To mention, I came out of school with only 21 kid in a graduating class that I literally grew up with... Art is one of the few things that bring me relaxation, when something bothers me, or when I'm just tired and quiet. You know, sometimes I wish I was an art major, so I would have more time and reason to draw or paint. Nevertheless, I know I won't swich to it - because then my inspiration will die a slow death. I meet so many good artists around. Take my favourite roommate Lucy - her works are the best ones I saw done by a student. Take people at my work that suddenly turn out to be painters. Or a girl in my German class, or a guy at Facebook. My special "thank you" to the person who draws announcements for theater plays - you know, those whole wallpapers displays in my dear Pray-Harrold. They are my treats in the hardworking mornings. I like to stop and look at them when all the people are rushing to their classes behind my back. My favourite was the walpaper for "The Streetcar Named Desire"... this is part of it. Anyway, the weekend is coming up, so don't even bother to drop in before noon - I will be deeply and happily sleeping. The rest of the time truly yours - Svitlana ]]> tag:blogs1.targetx.com,2007:/emich/Svitlana//135.1490 2007-02-22T00:41:00Z 2007-03-09T04:54:59Z

Wednesday, friend! It means I can come home from my German class and happily fall asleep. Or I can forget about my General education meeting and go have dinner with my roommate Lucy, talking about nothing. Or I can...

Svitlana Today it feels good - because of staying up all night long writing some essay and not being tired after. Because of the finished portrait that really turned out good. Because they gave away hot cocoa in the cafeteria, and there was nowhere to rush while drinking it. Because I suddenly found my favourite old CD and understood that it really is my favourite... Because it's Wednesday, and it's my day off. ]]> tag:blogs1.targetx.com,2007:/emich/Svitlana//135.1507 2007-01-26T02:56:14Z 2007-04-17T07:14:18Z

Dear friend, honestly, how much time does it take you to write an average-sized paper? Do you put it off till the day it's due, or you get it done and out of the way? Last night I spent 6...

Svitlana empty bench, bump into each other, wear wierdest outfits, sip hot soup being bent over the laptop, gossip, and desperately wish they could take a good nap... Often looking at somebody I enjoy imagining what this person is like according to the way he or she dresses, behaves or talks. Then, of course, one day I meet that person, and he or she turns out completely different from what I thought. I smile and promise myself to not trust the first judgement. Then I smile again, because I know that I won't keep the promise... That was my Pray-Harrold experiment. You hold on and keep your promises - Svitlana P.S. Read such a funny saying recently: "If you put off the paper till the last minute, it only takes a minute to do it". Do you agree? ]]> tag:blogs1.targetx.com,2007:/emich/Svitlana//135.1485 2007-01-15T19:22:47Z 2007-03-09T23:51:19Z

So ... back to school. You know, the first question you'd hear on the January 8th would be: "Well, how was your break?" I always would answer: "Wonderful". Two weeks ago I went to Florida. For the first time!...

Eastern Michigan University So ... back to school. You know, the first question you'd hear on the January 8th would be: "Well, how was your break?" I always would answer: "Wonderful". Two weeks ago I went to Florida. For the first time! People in my country get to see it in only the movies:) As soon as I arrived there, I understood that summer is my favorite season - and there's nothing wrong with Santa Claus in shorts! I loved it - swimming in the ocean when all the Michigan wears Columbia coats; walking bafefoot on the thickest grass after hot sand; taking thousand pictures and being more relaxed than afternoon breeze. While being there, family of my friends and I went to the Disneyworld. My strongest memories from there include fantastic gollogrammes during my first (and the last) scary ride (one in the Hollywood tower); beautiful shows; unbelievable lines; truly magical evening lights; and a smell of roasted almonds. There was so much to see, and I always was behind - taking pictures, of course:). I really want to come back to Florida one day. Now that I think of it, I wonder about how unpredictable life can be. Just a year ago I wouldn't even dream of waking up on the Christmas morning and see the ocean out of my open window. Now I work on the scrapbook about it. Anyway, back to where I started. Beginning of my second semester has been busy. My schedule changed drastically - no more 8 o'clock math classes! Instead I have to be awake by 11, which is a blessing for me, a stay-up-late person. Of course one has to pay for the luxury of sleeping in: working from 5 to 9 pm was my only option with a new schedule. That's why you'll rarely see me out on the school night now:). Still, I like it better than the first semester. What a great idea - to let students make their own class schedule! My compliments to the US universities... That's it for today. Hope to hear from you sometime soon! On my side, I promise to keep you updated.]]> tag:blogs1.targetx.com,2007:/emich/Svitlana//135.1484 2006-12-08T18:51:45Z 2007-04-17T07:13:54Z

How have you been, my friend? Today I was asked whether I had an exciting day. The answer was:"Yes, I did". It was just a typical Monday, but there's more to it than a beginning of a new working week....

Eastern Michigan University How have you been, my friend? Today I was asked whether I had an exciting day. The answer was:"Yes, I did". It was just a typical Monday, but there's more to it than a beginning of a new working week. Take morning coffee, lecture on Buddhism, piano in the Downing hall, running into friends, my favorite corner in the library, facebook message, paper finally done, Lucy's - my roommate's - stories and lack of any desire to do my homework... Take it and multiply by the number of tracks in my headphones. To mention, this applies only if I got enough sleep. Another way I'll also lack desire for everything except going back to bed. Sleep! Something that you really learn to appreciate being in college - through neglecting it. I don't know where my passion for staying up came from, but it definitely doesn't help me much. Sometimes it's the hardest thing on Earth for me to make myself wake up and go to the first hour. Those are the days when I have to steal 15-minute naps in between classes and hibernate the rest of the time. I like that whenever my math teacher makes a mistake in calcuations, he always says: "it's ok - it's too early in the morning" as an excuse. Truly - I have his class at 8am. For that reason, and for the sake of my sweet nightmares, I have to go to bed now - it's already late. I'll talk to you sometime soon. And yes, have an exciting day tomorrow, friend.