One Week

I find it difficult to believe that I leave in only one week. When I signed up for this back in September, early May seemed so far away. Now, I have begun the one week countdown.

I am very excited, and quite nervous. I have tried to prepare the best I can, however you can never really prepare for these things perfectly. No matter what I do, I will probably realize that I should have packed something I didn't pack, or that I should have read something I didn't read, or whatever. So, I am not going to sweat over this too much.

I am starting to really think about the every day items I will need, and so I am stocking up. This morning I bought a headlamp, a super absorbent travel towel, and a travel pocket to clip on to my pants--to prevent pick-pocketing. I have my reading list set up, my Ukrainian language books ready, and my journal to write in hopefully every night.

Also, I have decided to give my host family a small gift when I arrive. I will give my host father a bottle of Canadian rye whiskey, and my host mother a bottle of pure maple syrup--distinctly Canadian items. I figured the whiskey would be received especially well, considering it's Ukraine. The Ukrainian word for 'water' is 'voda'--one letter away from 'vodka.' Coincidence? I think not.

I still have one pesky exam to write on May 6th. That one lasts from 2:00-4:00 in the afternoon. Then, I am home free for the summer! Until the next evening of course, when my plane takes off.

A few nights ago I was sitting in my living room reading a book and I had a 'holy crap I am leaving next week moment.' I find I spend a majority of my waking hours at home reading books that have nothing to do with school. I won't be able to do that in Lviv! I'll be able to read of course, and I plan to, but I won't be able to read at home! Oh well, such is life. I will get over it.

As for reading, I will bring along my Bible (duh!), Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina for pleasure reading, and a book called Poustinia for spiritual reading. Catherine Doherty wrote Poustinia to bring Eastern Christian spirituality to western Catholics, like me! She was, among many other things, the wife of an Eastern Catholic priest.

I have to go do other things now, but I will continue to update the blog, both before and during, and hopefully after my stay.

Until next time,
Michael

Thank you very much! Дуже дякую!

I have now reached my fund raising goal of $2,500, and I cannot thank all of you enough. In thanksgiving, I would like to recognize of all those who donated.

Kevin and Laureen Hayes - My parents, who have supported me in this project and in all other worthwhile projects I have set out to achieve.

Fr. Nino Cavoto and his parish (Our Lady of Sorrows Church-Etobicoke) - Fr. Nino is one of the most loving, gentle, and devoted priests I know. His parish is very beautiful. Visit it some day!

Daniela Petchik - A super awesome U of T mediaevael studies MA grad who I ran into by chance (aheh, divine providence) one day at Croissant Tree on Bay Street last year. We were never able to have too many good conversations because she had to go back home.

Albert and Alma Wiebe - My amazing grandparents from Alberta. They are model grandparents, model parents, and model Christians. Lovely people!

Ken and Marcia Janzen - My mother's sister and her husband. Always a joy to see them whenever I go to Alberta or whenever they come here.

Marie and Dermot Sweeny - The parents of my wonderful friend Siobhan. She is also doing Intercordia this year.

Mary Hayes - My grandmother who I have lived next door to my whole life. I am going to miss going to Church with her this summer, and I think she will miss going to Church with me.

Harout Kevork - My grade 12 calculus teacher. He was one of the most influential teachers I had in high school. It is too bad he is going to retire in the next couple of years.

Mark Palmieri - One of my best friends. It is too bad that Croissant Tree on Bay Street is now closed. I miss my Thursday afternoon arguments about politics, theology, and philosophy over coffee.

Laura Giovinazzo - An awesome co-worker of mine for the last three and a half years. We had to deal with many interesting things at the pool together.

Alison D'Souza - A wonderful friend of mine, and a former Intercordia participant.

Nikita Pchelin - We sat beside each other in grade 11 chemistry when he first came to Canada from Russia. Not only did he donate, but he hand wrote a letter and he sent me an icon of St. Tikhon, the patriarch of Moscow who brought Orthodox Christianity to North America. Although I am not Orthodox, this gesture meant a great deal for me.

Bruce Crowther - A long time friend and co-worker of my father. I don't see him very often, but whenever I do he is always in a cheerful mood.

Chiara Ubertino - A lovely fellow student at the University of Toronto.

Rick Wiebe - My uncle on my mother's side.

Tim Wykes - My cousin on my father's side. We spent many weeks together for many summers when we were younger.

Johanna Miller - A really awesome McMaster graduate, passionate about what she does.

Blaise Alleyne - A really cool guy, with really cool hair!

Abigail Sequeira - A U of T engineering grad. I hadn't heard from her in a while. It was really nice to reconnect.

Aidan Loureiro - My GO Train buddy. She has made many a GO Train ride far more enjoyable than it would have been had she not been there.

Therese Miller - One of those out of the blue donations! I had yet to meet her and she sent me a donation. Thankfully I have since met her. Really cool person!

Of course, there are so many of my friends who, although they were unable to donate, encouraged me and prayed for me. There are so many of you, and for you I am very grateful.

Until next time,
Michael

My Flights are Set!

Dear Readers,

I now have the itinerary for my flights to and from Ukraine!

On Thursday, May 7th, I leave Pearson International Airport in Toronto at 6:20pm on Air Austrian flight 72. After eight and a half hours, I will arrive in Vienna, Austria at 8:50am on Friday, May 8th. After a few hours in Austria, I take-off again at 1:15pm on Air Austrian flight 381 to Lviv. I land at 3:35pm.

I leave in 20 days!

Until next time,
Michael