NEW PEOPLE

       Here, is like many other places where Ukrainians have come for a time to live during the war. 

     I have met many different Ukrainians. They have all been hard working and willing to learn about us and fit in. 

    One 20 year old showed up here about 2 years ago. She took a waitressing job at the Casino. We were there the night she started. Her English was very limited. The first night was nerve wracking for her and she dropped all her money on the floor. She worked hard at her English and became proficient with the language. She's here for a set time and then she has to go back. She's hoping her time will be extended. 

    So I got it in my head that we should do more to support and mix with these people in our country. I asked her the other day how to say hello in Ukrainian. You should have seen her eyes light up.  She wondered if my question was for real. So now I know one word in Ukrainian. So in Ukrainian hello is pryvit. 

     I'm going to ask the Ukrainian neighbors how to say thank you and then I can say thankyou to Karina at the restaurant. 

    I know that many people work to support some of the Ukrainians. I received satisfaction by seeing the obvious joy one little question brought.   

   So I will not be learning Ukrainian, but I will learn a few words. 

Ukrainian Christmas

       I always leave my outdoor Christmas decorations up until Ukrainian Christmas which is Jan.8. Why January 8, you say? The Orthodox church uses the Gregorian calendar so Christ's birth is celebrated Jan. 8.

       I'm not Ukrainian, but this area has a high population of Ukrainians. You can't help but have Ukrainian friends here. Today the celebration of Ukrainian Christmas is abbreviated as traditions are not held as strongly as the first emigrants.

 The celebration is full of symbolism and goes on for seven days.

      Now my knowledge of the celebration is limited but I hear about the well loved traditions. One meal consists of 12 courses.. one for each of the disciples.

      So to all Ukrainians who celebrate Christmas today, Merry Christmas. I wish I could write it in Ukrainian as I've heard it so  many times.

      So tomorrow my outdoor lights will go dark.

   

When Do I Turn My Christmas Lights Off?

       I turn my Christmas lights off when Ukrainian Christmas is over. Today is Ukrainian Christmas so my lights will go off tomorrow.

After six weeks the lights will be turned off.

     After I left high school I was always with some Ukrainian people. At Christmas they always talked a great deal about their Christmas celebrations. Ukrainian Christmas is Jan. 7  as it follows the Julian calendar which the Ukrainian Orthodox church uses.

    The Christmas celebration is full of symbolism to remember and celebrate Christ's birth. For me Ukrainian food is awesome. There are 12 courses in the Christmas meal representing the twelve apostles. All dishes are meatless. There are many other celebratory traditions from their rich culture. I will let some one else who is Ukrainian describe the celebration more accurately and fully.

    For me it's the signal to turn off the lights. I like to keep the lights on until the Ukrainians have finished their celebrations.

    Kistos Razdayetsya!