Living Inspired.

"Vinnytsia Is For Lovers"

(...sorry Virginia, I kind of took the liberty of stealing your state slogan.)

* On Thursday (9/23), I had the awesome opportunity to go on a little day trip to Vinnytsia with Ruslan and Archie. This is the city that I visited the first time I came to Ukraine when I was 16. Archie and I hung out for most of the day since Ruslan was away taking care of several different things around the city. I had forgotten how much I loved the city. So many good and precious memories flooded back as I walked around Vinnytsia. I couldn't help but smile most of the day.

Here's a list of how my day was summed up.

• Saying good morning at 5:30 a.m. Oof.
• Leaving house at 6:30 a.m.
• Attempting to open the house gate and looking like an idiot doing so
• Seeing the "old Tkachuk home"...hasn't changed at all
• Chilling at the O.M. (Operation Mobilization) house
• Meeting ladies from Ireland and Holland. I want their accents.
• Going to a Ukrainian jewelry store
• Walking through a beautiful park enjoying the fall weather. My absolute favorite.
• Hearing Lady Gaga's 'Alejandro'...for the 100th time.
• Purchasing "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" and "Sleepless in Seattle". Yes, they are in Russian AND English. Booyah.
• Staring at "Slumdog Millionaire" for about 10 minutes debating whether or not to buy it. Let's face it, I have a crush on Dev Patel.
• Discovering episodes of Rugrats, CatDog, Angry Beavers, As Told By Ginger, and Wild Thornberry's on DVD...I teared up a little bit.
• Trying to find Dr. Seuss in Russian...epic fail.
• Going to multiple Ukrainian souvenir stores for Archie's trip to the U.S.
• Comparing prices of Russian nesting dolls. 
• Remembering what apple juice tasted like as the sugar coated my throat
• Resisting the urge to indulge in a double cheeseburger, large french fries, chicken nuggets, M&M McFlurry, Dr. Pepper, chocolate milkshake, and soft serve ice cream from McDonald's. No judging please. Richard Simmons would be so proud of me.
• Eating a super delicious lunch at a potato restaurant
• Putting on my 'lollerskates' as the restaurant played Justin Beaver/Sean Kingston's 'Eenie Meenie'. Gross.
• Drinking my first soda in maybe 4 weeks? Sprite, I have missed your sugary goodness.
• Having many "real talk" discussions with Archie
• Trying to get Archie's passport stamped. Ridiculous.
• Waiting in the van while Ruslan visited the dentist
• Commenting on Ukrainian fashion: neon colors, tight pants, low-rise jeans, bright colored hair, metallic lipstick, animal print, sparkles, caked on makeup, super high heels, etc. It's a pretty princess parade (score for using alliteration).
•  Archie telling me about how there are an abundant number of pregnant women in the spring time. Wonder why...
• Stopping by to visit with Ira (family friend) and her two kiddos. Bless her heart. A mother's work is never done.
• "Uncle Roma" driving Archie and I home while Ruslan stayed in town to take care of some business.
• While going home, the 'Macarena' came on the radio. I couldn't help but dance along. Hello 90's one-hit wonder.
• Exciting day if I do say so myself.