It's been a week

Dear Readers,

It has now been a week since I got home, and it has been filled with highs and lows. It of course was wonderful to see my family and friends. Every day at l'Arche during prayer intentions I would say: Ya khochu pomolytycya za moyu cim'yu i moyi druzi v Kanada--I want to pray for my family and friends in Canada. And finally I got see them.

It's also been a little bit tough coming back. One of the first things I have noticed is the difference in food. I had a Tim Horton's breakfast sandwich the other day, and it was just really gross and fake, but I ate it anyway because otherwise I wouldn't have had breakfast. The culture of convenience in which we live where we must have everything right now is really frustrating for me having lived in Ukraine for three months. Our culture of convenience leads to so many problems, one of which is that we substitute garbage like McDonald's, Wendy's, and yes, even Tim Horton's, for real food. And, when it comes to food, this leads to all kinds of health problems. But it also leads to a culture where people get so stressed over the smallest things. Since everything must be the way I want it exactly when I want it, if I don't have what I want when I want I have to get all bent out of shape. It seems to me that this attitude is quite prevalent in North America. For those who are like this, God help you if you go to Ukraine, or to any developing country for that matter. You will be confronted with frequent water issues, internet issues, and all other types of issues. But you just can't get all bent out of shape over them. If you did, you would go crazy.

Another tough thing I have experienced is that many people close to me somewhat turn off whenever I start talking about Ukraine. I have so many things to share, and I am so enthusiastic about my experience, but others, having not experienced the same thing, tend not to share my enthusiasm. I saw a bunch of the other Intercordians from this year on Thursday, and that helped a lot. They said that they experienced the same thing.

But, like I said, my return has been nice. I'm back in the land of my birth and of my upbringing: the true north strong and free. I am able to see my grandmother, who is still recovering from the broken ankle she suffered a couple months ago. I have been able to catch up with many of my friends already, and will continue doing that.

Overall, I am happy to be home. But at the same time I miss Ukraine dearly, and all of the people I met, lived, and worked with. And now I am even more frustrated by the negative Westernisms which are sadly so engrained in our culture.

I have not left Ukraine entirely. I plan to attend a near-by Ukrainian Catholic Church regularly now. I went there off and on before, but now I plan to go there every Sunday and holy day (there are other and more important reasons why I am going there though). Nevertheless, that church will be a constant bridge between Ukraine and myself until I can go to Ukraine again. And I will go back to Ukraine. It's not a matter of if, but when.

Until next time,
Michael