tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33481094774429447982024-02-19T02:48:47.985-08:00Come Fly With MeThe ideas and opinions expressed on this site do not reflect the views of the Peace Corps or of the U.S. government. What you have here are merely the everyday ramblings of a slightly idealistic and occasionally verbose 20-something from Ohio.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15549021014339956120noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3348109477442944798.post-33563368438103135542007-10-21T05:18:00.000-07:002007-10-21T05:19:53.429-07:00Bye BlogThe blog is on hiatus, perhaps permanently. Ukraine is still great. If you'd like to get e-mail updates send a quick e-mail to mybernath@yahoo.com to let me know.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15549021014339956120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3348109477442944798.post-18556072695904528282007-10-12T05:54:00.001-07:002007-10-12T06:04:31.774-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y6dePiLDo02mczXT0FqK3uFz2r9RzGWceouIy6njTDyStqXx_L0TSmNkH9BY9WkGASSDGz-fT87QBcsw12I8-wldFoLCGMq54zAEWVwXv8MbunXWxb1p9dxwHamw4r2qGdybm6TGSDM/s1600-h/08-23-07+ukraine+one+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y6dePiLDo02mczXT0FqK3uFz2r9RzGWceouIy6njTDyStqXx_L0TSmNkH9BY9WkGASSDGz-fT87QBcsw12I8-wldFoLCGMq54zAEWVwXv8MbunXWxb1p9dxwHamw4r2qGdybm6TGSDM/s320/08-23-07+ukraine+one+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120435256234621922" border="0" /></a><br />Just a quick note to confirm that I am here, safe and happy in Ukraine. I'm waiting for Peace Corps to approve my first blog post so for now please enjoy this picture of my amazing host family.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15549021014339956120noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3348109477442944798.post-19816994535507049402007-09-29T20:16:00.000-07:002007-09-29T20:43:14.809-07:00Leave a Candle in the Window<p class="MsoNormal">We came, we staged, and tomorrow we leave.<span style=""> </span>We leave and fly and then the plane lands and then it will be real.<span style=""> </span>I feel ready.<span style=""> </span>There are many reasons why I feel ready.<span style=""> </span>One major reason: the group of people with whom I will serve.<span style=""> </span>My fellow PCTs (that’s Peace Corps Trainees for those playing along at home) are friendly, kind, funny, creative and, dare I say, a little more alive than the average Joe(s).<span style=""> </span>Can’t express how good it feels to be in this together.<span style=""> </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The most influential studies of combat motivation suggest that when soldiers go into battle they are not motivated by patriotism or idealism.<span style=""> </span>They fight because they are fighting for one another.<span style=""> </span>While the combat experience is not a direct parallel to PC (if I drop my books and cower in the corner of the classroom my fellow PCV won’t be taking a bullet to the head), I think this research remains relevant to my experience.<span style=""> </span>I want to succeed as an individual but I also want to be part of our group’s success.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>There are other motivations, of course.<span style=""> </span>I will be motivated by a desire to serve the community where I am placed, a desire to serve <st1:country-region st="on">Ukraine</st1:country-region> as a whole, a desire to represent my country in a positive light, a drive for personal accomplishment, and the knowledge that success in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Ukraine</st1:place></st1:country-region> can lead to exciting opportunities in the future.<span style=""> </span>But when it comes down to those mystudentswon’tlistento meandallIreallywantintheworldisagrandeStarbuckschaiwith expressoandacopyoftoday’sNYTimes kind of days, I think it is the knowledge that there are 80+ others out there in the same position that will keep me motivated to try again the next day.<span style=""> </span>I didn’t think of that before I arrived here.<span style=""> </span>And it is a comforting thought.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>If you want to make me happy please send mail, e-mail, and blog comments.<span style=""> </span>I know I have an amazing support system at home.<span style=""> </span>That is just part of what made my decision to join a (relatively) easy one to make.<span style=""> </span>For the first three months mail can be sent to:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>Peace Corps <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Ukraine</st1:place></st1:country-region><br />PCV Amy Bernath<br /><st1:address st="on"><st1:street st="on">P.O. Box</st1:street> 298</st1:address><br />01030, Kyiv<br /><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Ukraine</st1:place></st1:country-region></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>I will write you back.<span style=""> </span>Promise.<span style=""> </span>The blog may be relatively dormant for a while.<span style=""> </span>I’m somewhat unclear on the guidelines for blogs and I want to avoid causing another <a href="http://www.peacecorpswriters.org/pages/2000/0001/001pchist.html">postcard incident</a>.<span style=""> </span>But I will be back.<span style=""> </span>Signing off from Philly and looking forward to checking in from <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Ukraine</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15549021014339956120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3348109477442944798.post-2023121427777084482007-09-25T15:04:00.001-07:002007-09-25T15:06:28.861-07:00The Best Thing in My Suitcase<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZJEgZEdpwGs4zsFP4-YlwbeEd0w_Wk3rukaI9Jj1vSdViKx99dg2mma64jmqEMVLW2NhnFFKShxTrRjwX7E8PQ3t9m6xr1qoJBtpuEFrtjJxhqi0S6fHq38cAapGDOXEVZFoPdmIEz8/s1600-h/08-23-07+057.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZJEgZEdpwGs4zsFP4-YlwbeEd0w_Wk3rukaI9Jj1vSdViKx99dg2mma64jmqEMVLW2NhnFFKShxTrRjwX7E8PQ3t9m6xr1qoJBtpuEFrtjJxhqi0S6fHq38cAapGDOXEVZFoPdmIEz8/s320/08-23-07+057.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114266467721821138" border="0" /></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15549021014339956120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3348109477442944798.post-20810480857379863172007-09-15T15:06:00.001-07:002007-09-18T15:04:03.148-07:00It Starts<p class="MsoNormal">To blog or not to blog, that was the question. Part of me feels presumptuous for thinking that others will want to read about my life. I do, however, enjoy keeping in touch with friends via their blog posts. And so today, in anticipation of the upcoming move to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Ukraine</st1:place></st1:country-region>, I make my humble entry into the blogosphere. We shall proceed now, dear reader, suffering together the slings and arrows of my outrageous fortune.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Enjoy. </p><p class="MsoNormal">T-minus 13 days until the flight to staging in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Philadelphia</st1:city></st1:place>.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>15 days until Peace Corps Ukraine Group 33 leaves <st1:state st="on">New York</st1:state> bound for <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Kiev</st1:city></st1:place>. I absolutely cannot wait, though there is much to do before leaving.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Most importantly, my thesis defense is set for Wednesday.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>The computer must be loaded with music, I should learn a little Ukrainian, brush up on the fundamentals of English grammar, perhaps familiarize myself with Ukraine’s political landscape.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>I may also want to pack a few bags and see a few friends in the coming weeks.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Family as well.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span>Busy and fun-filled days await me.<span style="font-size:0;"> </span></p>Is anyone interested in learning a bit more about Ukraine, my soon-to-be temporary home? For a map and the basic facts try <a href="https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/up.html">CIA World Factbook</a>. I’ve found <a href="http://www.brama.com/news/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Brama</span></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.brama.com/news"> </a>to be a helpful source for coverage of current events. Fellow future-PCV Suzy introduced me to <a href="http://ukraineanalysis.wordpress.com/introduction/">this blog</a> for straightforward political analysis.<br /><br />Look for more in the coming weeks and months. I just wanted to get my feet wet today with a test post. Thanks for visiting!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15549021014339956120noreply@blogger.com0