I like little things. I have always had an affinity for travel-sized shampoos, puppies that can be carried in a bag, and mini cars among many others. For me, finding something tiny and cute is like finding gold – and this can be applied to the details, as well. Yes, it is the fine details of my current life and living situation in Ukraine that I like to call my “little treasures.” Here are some of the things that bring a smile to my face every day.
This awesome poster is the first thing I see when I wake up:
I found this little thing in the sewing kit in the drawer.
It is actually a pocket knife! Who knew?!
When another teacher saw these slippers, he immediately assumed they came with the apartment. But, no, I actually bought them from the market. One of my best buys thus far!
I get joy when I see English words translated into Cyrillic. Take these books: Mogley (Jungle Book) and Hans Christian Anderson.
This is our vaccuum. I call him R2.
I love this mushroom jar!
We have laundry lines over the tub. It’s quite an interesting contraption. You pull the strings up or down to bring the laundry lines up or down.
Sparkly wallpaper!!!!!!!!!!!
These are just a few of the things I enjoy. There are also a number of things, or little treasures, that I can’t quite take pictures of. These might be little tid-bits of information that I can’t get past. Here are some of those jewels:
1 – It might shock and surprise you that it is quite common for people to just pay for their driver’s license instead of taking tests. Safe, no?!
2 – Dentists make more money than doctors here. And, if you want to have a good operation or care, you have to give your doctor a “gift”.
3 – The landladies here are just as crazy as they were back in Kyrgyzstan. They are known to just drop in and check things out whenever, and not quietly!
And there you have it – Just some of my little treasures from life in Ukraine!
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Monday, November 17th, 2008, 2:56 pm | 
Ukraine | 
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November 17, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Seeing the translations for Mogily and Hans Christian Andersen reminds me of a sight I saw walking through Moscow. I looked up and saw a red-and-white familiar looking sign with the Cyrillic:
Т.Ж.И. ФРАЙДИС
T.G.I. Friday’s…
Greg
November 17, 2008 at 11:50 pm
I love it! I think little things are cool too, like little tiny surprises just waiting to be discovered.
You are so taking that shoe knife thingy with you when you leave. You cannot leave without that, it might be the best thing ever!
November 18, 2008 at 1:13 am
Haha, Awesome about the TGI Friday’s! I love it. It’s funny because sometimes I will stand there and say a word in Russian and then realize it is just an English word in Cyrillic. So funny
Beth – you better believe it!!!!
November 19, 2008 at 11:09 pm
It is the little things that make life. Ukraine has to be an interesting place.
November 30, 2008 at 1:57 am
Interesting stuff, I always find this stuff fascinating myself!
February 7, 2010 at 5:50 am
It is the little things that make life. Ukraine has to be an interesting place.