Diary of winter

Long time no notes, at least here.

The winter has 1 more week and that’s all, so it’s the right time to look back and see what happened. And now is the right time –as I have an “after conference” mood, that has been very awaited moments for me, from the first time I felt it many years ago... It’s smth that gives you so many feelings and thoughts…It’s kind of addiction. But I’m glad that I have it J Actually to some part, all of people has similar addiction – necessity of feeling happy. All life We are searching for things/people that make us happy – pursuit of happiness.

Anyway, this winter…

December

Actually don’t remember much. Except 4 moments.

1^st one was when I was rejected by Brazilian very cool company.

2^nd is very fast and intensive studying week – that I was happy to finish!

3^rd –trip to Lviv, meeting Mikhed, Olya-lya, Morga, sisters Nemesh, Domo. Cool weekends in the cool city! =)

4^th –and the best moment of the month – New Years meeting in Lviv!!! Super cool and a lot of pleasant dear people with great emotions!

It was really cool start of the new year 2010 :)

January

SO the begging was great , and the following events as well.

At 6^th of January – exactly at our Holy Dinner I had interview with HR manager ))

7^th of Jan I got the email with big letters saying that probably my time to turn the life in some exact way came. I was selected to internship!!! Still I am realizing what decision I took, and still need time to see all the outcomes of this important step.

The Xmas itself was very warm , family and pleasant time.

After that I suppose came time to think once again why I need to do this internship right now, and specific this choice and persuade my family in it =)

Also there was cool Old New year celebration, that will be in memory for a long time J

The next is coming Winco 2010. It was unplanned and spontaneous decision for me. Very challenging time, with a lot of important conclusions and learning. I felt that some my intensions/dreams came true and actually what you really want is come true with time and hard work. For me it was some kind of H4tF conference for myself, even though I was a faci. It was a feeling that I was able to share a lot with people that were seeking for the knowledge, skills. Once again feeling great to be involved into conference and spending great time with old and new friends – very smart and intelligent people! J

After that was time for being sick, studying a bit.

1 week ago I was in Kyiv, meeting brother of my very good Brazilian friend/ Was happy to spend time with cool people.

And probably the last my conference for now in Ukraine –it’s regional LCC in Lviv. That finished just yesterday. It was definitely cool 3 days!!! Amazing place, cool atmosphere, a lot of nice and smart people. Very important that I saw my LC – new people, that are maybe 5 years younger than me, but I’m calm for the future of LC and it’s the most important! With good emotions, motivated to move and energized with positive mood, now I have ahead “interesting”, challenging time to prepare myself for the next step- internship, to solve all logistic-official tasks. Training my patience and solving skills J But the most important in all this staff is people. If you have right environment u can do a lot.

So it seems the winter wasn’t so boring at all J

Anyway winter is time for “rest” and soon is coming spring with its energy, promises and “wind of change”;)

autumn (yellow and grey)

I adore sun and summer, but it's also good that I'm from the country where you can observe beautiful moments of autumn.

Nowadays it's more usually grey and foggy, but through it you can see golden leaves of the trees:)

some thoughts

just synopsis or fragments of today thoughts:
- be professional!1) ur work will influnce most probably (life) people. doesn't matter what you do...we remember only teachers that were doing their best to teach us...
- cherish every period of life and close people (family).even though I can't still enjoy every single minute, I know that life is so short...
-one big period of life has ended...new one didn't start, or I didn't feel (let in) it in my life...feels like still in the search of the comfortable place for me.it doesn't mean it needs to be calm...i got used to movement, challenges and new discoveries...i need it as air...or i need to find out smth new...tring to figure out it for already 4 months...
- I see some things now from different point. I'm already tired and fed up with unprofessionalism of some people, people that belong to the org. that I will thank always. but they constantly disapoint me. and smtimes i can't do anything. but it hurts...
-everything has its time limits...friends - rarely u have the same friends from childhood to the pension. nowadays more and more widespreaded is changing jobs every couple of years, 2-3 husband/wives a life, few cities/countries changing through life...i need to go forward, but where is it -the place, I didn't find out yet...i'm still in waiting, and it doesn't feel comfprtable, as the curcumstances (environment) push me to make a choice, and I dont' have real choice...th eold environment with all its flaws was so goooood for me, but its time already passed( expired). and I only hurts myself staying and being so close to it, trying still to be active part of it..it's not the same and I can't get the people behaviour the same...
-from positivism -to ordinary-ukrainian-previous-traditional-girl...it seems to me, i'm loosing .that part of the sun inside of me, that i found out last year...
-"never say "never" -2nd time I proved to myself this proverb :) jokes of life...i'm still hoping to fix situation for better or discover that actually it's better ;P

-people are going away from ur life...but memories stay...and u can't influence it anyhow...it's so hard to say goodbye...and know u will never see her/him again, or don't know..

actually all this was initiated by "sad news" about one of my very good teachers...I just wanted somehow to express the feeling of gratitude for everything that he made for me, and even he will not know it, but his life isn't in vain, only because he made contribution to my head and soul and we will remember him with huge THANK YOU!

iLOVE - I Think

iLOVE - I Think

recent reflection

I know, I owe tons of posts about all my trips, new countries, new amazing XPs and so on...but now is happening smth inteersting an dmaybe I want to write about it:)
I'm finishing my amazing "fairy-tail" about me and Puerto Rico - the place on this earth , that smth like 15 months ago I even didn't have any idea about :P ...Now things changed.. I know the place, I know people, I have a lot of memories , amazing XPs and so on. PR is very very special place for me :)
Why? Cause first time is always special :) and te place is also itself is special ))
I have many "first times" here - first time so far away, Spanish for first time -ttally unknown, firsttim eso long , first salary and living almost alone, first island, first time I lived near sea, the position and work that is giving u always a lot of challenges and opportunities to grow, first time Caribbean amazing and wonderful (except May :P) weather and climate...so many many things that makes this XP -unforgettable and so valuable, that u don't want to finish...But there is smth inside u (1 part of u) that tells u: "it's ok that u need to fly away now - u need to look fo rnew horizons , u need to see another parts of teh world, to live another XPs, to meet another people...anyway, if u want to back - u can..always can" :)) It's probably the voice of some ambition and wisdom and leadership is talking :) There is another voice - that tells U - "ho wwill u back? Visa, money, blabla-bla...?" and u feel a bit scared...as U were always afraid to lose some opportunity in this life, some life-needed option...But this dialog is the evidence , that everything in our life -depends on our point of view - HOW we see it - problem or opportunity ;)
I became more optimistic this year :) It's what I wanted always - to be more optimistic, relaxed and not to take myself so seriously, as I usually do :) anyway, I had a lot of suffering because of all my nature this year :) But I did it - I took from PR - this mood more relaxing and happy:) I was noticing every day , while walking to the office -sun and bauetiful trees nearby :) I loved coqui -small melody of grey frog -special for PR :))
Recently I was searching ways to reflect and I didn't know which Qs should I ask myself, with whom to talk, where to be...but it happened today very natural and pleasant for me:) I was at sea side and just started to think about some things and after I asked to the sea to tell me the story :) (don't think I'm crazy :) I 'mnot :) and I know that sea can't talk:) but when u are near such beautiful and relaxing place ur brains are starting to use imagination very actively, so in few minutes I noticed myself -deeply in some dreams and just thoughts , that were about future - maybe small things -but very pleasants :) and after , when I was on my way back home - I started to think how I wil write this post and make up the text . u know it;s very cool, I started to follow my thought, and asked myself - so why am I suferingor have this internal dialog?What is better for me -to stay here or to go to new place -to challenge myself? WHat does it mean to me PR and if it's really so strong love to this country that I can back here, even if it's a bit hard and a lot of fuss?...I discivered and really calmed myself :) I understood - that it's like test that lovers have when they need to live in different cities/countries. In that time u can understand if u love this person so much that want to reunion with her/him and stay forever...the same is happening with me and PR :) I love this place, I adore it, I;'m deeply-madly enjoying everyday staying here. but I need to go for a while to see another places, to see if my love will last for a long time and to see if I want to back...so now I'm leaving with more clear heart and less worring and doubts of i did right....but anyway, I know myself and I know that I'm very loyal to people and things that I love :) so probably my story will need to be continued...here...;)

soon coming ;)

I feel that I need to make public promise, than probably it will happen :)
So soon, wait the post about my amazing March -discoveries about Mexico, Guatemala.
And also the post about Dominican Republic and the last conference in my AIESEC career...

coming soon :)

month post

Good tradition :))
15 day of month came and I see , I need to write smth about life here:)at least to leave some memory about this crazy,happy, contradicting time...
In 1 month a lot of things happen:)especially recently.
During this month I had exellent opportunity to train my flexibility and especcialy adaptability, ability to work in open space, to be more flexible and adapt in rapidly changing environment.
My life in the West of PR started somehow I was frightened how I will deal and live not at my place, somewhere with another family , how will it to work without office with some extraactivities sometimes.
BUt I'm very happy -I overcome it -I become more flexible and get things not so "close to heart", don't worry, just try to do the best :)
I really like that I was there -I integrated more into their company, I saw that they are really working and commited (I always knew it, but now I proved it with my eyes).
I had amazing opportunity to live in PR family! U know, that they say -at least once u need to live in the family to get the culture and true country spirit. I think I almost get it:))
at least I saw how the almost average family lives, eats, has rest and works. It's sometimes hard, cause u need to be in the same flow with them, but it's cool to see.
Sometimes I missed my mom, and I recalled her, and wish she could talk to me, as Carissa's mom toalked to her about some details of her work, day, food, cooking, some things that I always passed through my ears as I didn't have any time always for such simple but needed communication. With time, I think I will change more and will cherish and behave according to it with my relatives...
I had just amazing working place, and with it I also understood what disturbed mein the past, and see that I'm enough flexible, and for work only need table, chair and Internet :D
I saw and lived in Mayaguez -I undersatood the city (somehow:)still missing taking the picture of the Plaza:)
I got more skills in coaching, especially on-job-training:)
I spent many evenings (especially Thursdays and Tuesdays) in Borders (US bookstore), I was reading-studying Spanish, some books in HR management.
Also big big + (even that I could finish all needed stuff-as always:(() was that I almost didn't work after 6, at least I didn't stay at office:))
During this month I applied to big conference in Iberoamerica and I got place-it was really unexpected:) Now time to get all logistics done, and I will write about everything in next edition:))
I got through very important and at the beggining scarry decison making process - we selected next MC team. I know already my successor. She is just amazing! I loved her from the first day after elections;) SO I really see the big opportunity for growth in the next term. And it makes me happy:)) but at the begging I was so nervous, cause a lot of different people, and decision making never was my strongest side :S BUt I learnt a lot and I thnked this XP:)
I also started to get used to know that from now on , I'm not alone and I need to think how to make the best and leave "in peace". Time is coming,...I know, I'm draging my decision about next steps, and it's foolish , but it's liek this, still can't undersatnd myself...
At last week I got so effective and quick executing , that I really amazed myself and it seemed as from my dreams. I hope to keep on in the same path!at least I need it like this!
I got to 2 really beautiful places - "Gozalandia"-hidden waterfalls and "Playa sucia", where I had been before already:) Also first time I was sunset in the sea -just amazing!
I subscribed to 4 classes -2 HR management and 2 Spanish (mostly writting) ,but got there only once, as I moved to Mayaguez for 3 weeks, have to back this week again and start to study really :)))
It's pretty all, that I can remember now.. month seemed to be full of different learning and cool stuff. I was really really happy to work and live in Mayaguez! It was so brave for me step , but I really satisfied w ith everything and wish to back there another day:))

moving, running:)

Just have mood to share and tell:)
Yesterday, first time in my life:
-I was running (or jogging) in the stadium of University -nice place;
-doing sport excercises on the grass, watching dark sky and stars...
amazing feeling:)
Today I can feel all my muscles :) But it's so pleasant feeling...
Want to repeat such nice experience and so healthy...ah...:))
Thanks to Carissa and Cristina (amazing "trainer":)

at last, I'm back here:)

yesterday I had mood for reflection and sharing:)
so what I reflected:)

A bit about my cultural experience here;)

Yesterday was @ Christmas party at the “mansion” of new LCP. Very nice place with a lot of nature around, swimming pool, amazing , breath-taking view from the yard and a lot a lot space for cozy friendly talks –a lot of coffee tables and chairs, benches, couches – lovely placeJ

The interesting point of party was meal. It supposed to be traditional Puerto Rican food. SO we had sandwiches with “mescla” – it’s mix of cheese and ham, red pepper(sweet one) – smth like “massa for bread, rice – prepared specially with beans and some meet, platanos (banana –green)-boiled and with vinegar sauce , pork –I think, backed. And for dessert we had sweet rice and donuts (thanks to US influenceJ-donutsJ). Usually here people drink – “sangria” –mix of wine, juice, a bit fruits, rum (If I’m not mistaken)and of course ice. Also we had just wine, just mix of vodka and juice wit ice (we have a lot here drinks that called “vodka” even at label)J , Puerto Rican beer –that is not so delicious as oursJ

The party was going from 3 pm until 1am. But people started to come somewhere nearly 5pm. And till the night traditional Christmas songs were sung and played. The hostess have some instruments –that is very interesting – the look and soundJ once I’ll take photo of them, promiseJ

Also I enjoyed my time on hammock – the thing that I wanted to buy from nearly the first day staying hereJ I don’t have space at my flat, but my MC team mates moved to another place with huge terrace –would be perfect to put there hammock. But this hammock was so huge – it’s for 2 people, actually, and u can sleep there ;)

Also that day I made one small step to knowledge of my Spanish -20-25 min of talk rich in content – it’s my private pride and achievementJ

Also recently I got certificate that I finished basic classes of salsaJ it’s funny, cause still have to practice a lot to enjoy and show this dance at decent level, but I have a diploma.

I’m so getting used to the place, people, environment…J

Also already I got used to music – salsa, bachata , merenge, rega-ton. Rega-ton it’shard for me- a bit too tough music sometimes , as I like more relaxing, but all other types- it’s cool …

Next post will add some photoes -illustrations to my cultural experience here:))

up-dates...

briefly about events of last 2-3 weeks...time is running so fast, so fast:)))

Moments of life…

1) Visit to alumni – founder of AIESEC here. Very great woman with passion and enormous energy, that drives her through all life. She looks I think 10-15 years younger. I really enjoy meeting with her , at her cozy house, in the very good district, 5 meters from sea shore…house and owners are matching each other.

2) Alumni official dinner – it was great.40 anniversary AIESEC in Puerto Rico – man that establish AIESEC here 50 years ago, woman that separated it from USA branch, a lot of interesting and powerful people, people that built aiesec successfully and now with the same success build their life. The most important for us is that people were satisfied with event. And it can’t but make us happyJ It’s really motivating when people thank u for the work that u do and recognize ur efforts and how it’s important for them.

3) Exhibition about Moscow. Ahhhhh…it was unbelievable. I enjoyed it a lot. To see familiar photos, places, to talk about Russia and Ukraine, to be in nice atmosphere and new environment. It’s really amazing. IT happened unexpectedly , and I’m very glad that I agreed to go there. To be so far away and to visit such event- it’s so many emotions. Indescribable

4) Ocean. I like it! I adore it! And I know there is no magic behind it .any more. I now understand that we can be the same happy and sad everywhere. The place doesn’t make u happier. Yes, it could assist u to feel better. But happiness must be inside u, only in such way u will be happy.

5) Windows…I want a lot of things to have, to happen , to be…but now extremely want to have big and beautiful window to watch the shower that is going outside. Wishes,wishes…I want not to have them, then it´s easier just to live and enjoy life. Cause life itself is very very interesting and amazingJ

6) New discovery of Sunday – yoga…wanted to start for a log long time…first step is done! Now just need to follow upJLike it really much! After first hour, the exercises seem to be not so hard, but all body has pleasant pain in muscles. I need to do more physical exercises!!;) yeyehhh

7) HR conference and exposition today!!!! read more here - mcpuertorico.blogspot.com :)

for health ;)

Health...
we usualy talk about it a lot , but what we do for it?
- a lot of stress,
-bad sleep
- not regular meal, probably jank food
- staying at office late
- all time in the close space (without fresh air)
- of course not walking and spending time in front of TV ???
aha!?
and with all this we are so much caring about our health....
really???
When did u last time do smth for ur health???
I just did:)))
proud and happy....
...just back from swimming pool
small step in our future :)

about Brazil

Didn't have much time to think and reflect everything that happend.
but write couple of thoughts :)
here are they :)

Yes, Brazilians tend to have 3 bathrooms in a house(at least they are striving)

2)they eat rice, beans and farofa ( as my friend told “sand” –some vegetable ), don’t eat much bread

3)have a lot of fruits and they are cheaper ;)

4) they are in mad love with football , it’s family tradition to be a fun of one foodball team

5) they can easily approach u and try to kiss at 30^th sec (not mine but opinion of my friends)

6)the water in ocean is much colder then here, in Puerto Rico-cause now they have "winter "time:)))

7) they are the BEST in hospitality in the world :) and care about their guests so much!

8) they can easily change plans (actually as some people from central/latin America that I met recently do the same. I kind of getting used to such culture.

9) their language after Spanish seems so cute ;) and funny to me:)

10) they like to go to beach and I support it!!!

11) they have variety of different races, colors, as natioanality (I was told like this -it's true)

12) contrasts of richness and poverty.

13) “love” relationships between citizens of Rio and Sao Paulo (it's funny to listen how they talk about each other)

13) one language at such huge territory -it;s interesting fact :)

14) so many different people – it’s true that Brazilian passport was the most popular on black market because of it

15)When Brazilians dancing samba - “African type of dance”(I call like it for myself) they get into trance. Very interesting to see.

shortly it;a all about this so close for me now, and so far away from my homeland country:)

what is going on with me?

evetrything is ok:)
International congress...Brazil...A lot of undefined expectations...A lot of people...A lot of sleepless days and nights...
Unbelievable month! Challenging month! Full of memories month!
here is the more information what is happening at IC - enjoy - http://mcinpuertorico.blogspot.com
Greetings from Brazil
Katya

again a road is forward me:)

It was very tough timeJ and still isJ just magic of travelling and changes environment a bit make everything smother.

What were these weeks? Members at last back to school , so now I met all people (or almost all ) that will work with during next 6 months).it’s more pleasant to communicate with people, see them and get to know the true situation by ur own eyes. And here it works better if u know person and saw her at least once. So time to get to know came. Now it’s time to move things further! As usual I’m doing it not in the very usual way. Yes, I moved to Brazil. My preparation for Brazil – it’s better to say – 4-5 hours of packing, 2-3 day lunches in searching stuff to buy. And short talks with my Brazilian friends , that I don’t know what I’d do without them.

My ukr friend came to visit me and see what is PR . she was satisfied. I’m very happy that she liked. I took her to Culebra – beautiful place , for us, ukr, image of paradiseJ here , for local ppl – just the best beach in PR and second beach in the world :)

Now I’m in Sao Paulo alreadyJ!!! One hour till my flight to Rio. Still it’s hard to realize all my routs that I made during the last 2 months. ..when I see the map , my heart starts to beat faster and I feel some special enjoyment … I like to do such unbelievable for some people things:)

I’m very ordinary person. Sometimes even too much.There are a lot things that worry me every day, make me happy , crazy , sad every day .There are the best moments and moments when u want to cry or shout from the pain…strange human beings nature. But very important is to remember that everything that happens to us is only up to us. And we can change all flow of our life story. And we can and should enjoy this life. We were born to be happy:)

I love my team! I love MC PR:))

I like people with whom I work! I like people , with whom I live! I have people with whom I can share my best and worst times...and IT's really really important and good!
Tonight nothing special happened. Me and my dear co-worker Fati stayed at home- partly bacause of "budgeting issue"-in 10 days we are going to Brazil and Rio also...so imagine, saving money nowadays is extra important:))
But as it's Saturday and Fati at last bought her tickets to Brazil we felt, and me especially, felt that we need celebrate it!
So.. I felt this kind of wierd feeling that says - "lets drink ukrainian vodka!":)) and realization of my "wish" came true couple of hours later, when my dear mexican co-worker and friend was @ready for drink ukrainian drink. So after 2 months of living here I remember the taste of Ukrainian vodka again:) no big deal, it seems. But U can't say it. if u don't live far away of ur country, and u don't really know, that if next 11-10 months u will have smth from ur native country:)
It's really wierd feeling, When u begin to cherish really simple staff, which u got used to and never noticed. I don't mean vodka:) ...but it's also kind of special feeling - when u drink at Puerto Rican kitchen, with Mexican girl, and she keeps repeating "druga za druga":)
I love my XP here:) and it's only one episod from whole chain of events and moments in my amazing life here, in Puerto Rico... I need to be happy:)) I need!!!!
and decoration of the end of this amazing "calm fiesta a la casa":)

My MC life....

I'm not writting here much about my work and MC life..kind of official and what I do the majority of time.
But I want to say about yesterday meeting. It was inspirational one. after this I thought that work in MC it's kind of challenging and meanwhile developing XP. and MC in Puerto Rico is so special and exciting. in comparison to another MCs - here U work ur memmbers every day...U talk to the, they just come to LC-MC office. U share some moments with them. U call them often.U communicate with LCs so often...It's kind of different for me, from another MCs that I knew before. I knew that it's be like this , and now it's time to live this unforgetable experience.
Yesterday I proved once again that I'm getting inspiration when I'm with people -talking to them, having meeting, discusing and brainstorming. Creation of new ideas is smth that makes u feel so increadible and proud of what u are doing.
i liked yesterday IC delegation meeting. It was very spontaneously and very cool.
i felt soooo motivated after this meeting , thought it was pretty late and Ididn't eat anything from lunch...
I like to be in these moments of motivation and inspiration by people that U are working with:)

three wishes, or how my dreams came true suddenly..

Cabo Rojo (my first picture about Puerto Rico...)

OK, I haven't been here for ages...
moments are going and life is running so fast.I don't believe sometimes, but it's true. I'm here already for almost 2 months.
This time I want to tell about all trevels that I had here...
my wishes came true...I was in these 2-3 weeks ,when I can feel "magic" in the air.
I've been to ocean every Sunday 3 weeks in a row. After it u feel so relaxed and calm and great.
All my weekends I spent so great that I was feel ready for next working week. I like this feel ing! It's kind of feelingthat u are really have professional job and u dont' work when U have time, but U have full day job and full weekends off. It was what I was searching for a long time...
about places and wishes...
I bought camera!!! So now I'm able to take pictures whatever and whenever I want:) yehhh
I had very very good and relaxing evening at my friends house. with barbeque, vine and just nice atmosphere around...nice house, nice people...what else u need for great time?
Next day I unexpectedly went to the most North-Western part of Puerto Rico - Aquadilla. It was actually the trip of my dream. all life I had somewhere in thoughts this weird dream to take car and just go through the island, watch the sea/ocean and admire the feeing of some kind of freedom...It's so amazing...and so unbelievable...that now I can't even believe that it was with me. It was really with me:)...

after that 2nd wish...
I was dreaming about going to Caribbean seashore....from my arriving here. I was waiting for it for a long time...
and it happend:) I was there. actually I went for coaching LC visit, and LCP with VP TM took me and CEEDer from Czech Republic to very very beautiful place in Puerto Rico. special place for me. Because from there (from place with name Cabo Rojo) my advanture with Puerto Rico started. when I was searching for any pictures from PR for first time in my life - I got the first and it was from Cabo Rojo - the fantastic and super romantic place...I fall in love with this place. of course, there are many things that brought me here...but this place is so meaningful;) and so great to see it by ur own eyes, and to compare ur imagination and how it's in reality.

and 3rd wish...
I was thingking about tropical forest...how is it? and wanted to watch it also...and I got it out of sudden:)uph...these weeks were full of unexpected things!
on Saturday when I didn't plan anything particular, suddenly interns came and I went to National Park (tropical rainforest ). It's amazing! Different that I was expected, but also different from our forests:)

It was good! To be on the nature..I like it. and I'm glad that I spent so great Saturday!
Yes, I saw a lot already. and I hope to keep such active rest further;))
out of all this I understood : I have really strong habit (from my last years inUkraine) to do smth all time.I can't just stay at home and doing nothing...It's unbelievably boring and insain...on this land, on this island...:)

intercultural communication

I like such words, as intercultural communication, multicultural environment, cultural sensitivity...and so on...but one thing it's read or going to read or to know about it, and another thing is to experience it and to know how it feels when u are trying to explain person from different culture and country some peculiarity of life in your country -ur past life:) I'm working and living in multicultural environment not first year. and I'm very happy to have such opportunity for almost 4 years. and for now it's the most intensive experince that I've lived ever. and It's what I like and passionate about in this life. I like when u everyday communicate, work and have fun with people from different countries - it enriches u , develop ur communication, negotiation skills, for u the world become one step closer;)
yesterday I was talking with my Puerto Rican friend here, and I got this feeling , that intercultural communication is interesting , amazing thing , and sometimes it's not the easiest one. sometimes in ur country u can misunderstand person and what to tell if u are from different cultural backgrounds, with diffrent past and "maps of this world" in ur head.

But there is one recipe to not have problems with it, (as for me)don't worry about this too much- anyway u will have funny and not very moments. but the more u know the person the smoother it'll go:)

cultural dinner - use this opportunity

I like my organization of many many reasons - and one of which is cultural diversity here and that we recognize it and actully productively use it with pleasure and "enjoying participation".
So my cultural XP here: (small schedule):
last Thursday - I was at salsa concert that was organized in one part of San Juan by major of this area. so it seems for me like ukrainian outdoors concerts at big holidays - but less people here and everybody was dancing salsa. Even I got to know 2 basic steps . and now I want even more to know how to dance it:) so will search for classes in autumn. :) it was very great - to be among people that are dancing and having fun ina bit different way, that we got used to in Ukraine;)
second - it was yesterday - Ukrainian dinner :)
It was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!a lot of work and worrying from my side:) Mexican assistant when I was chopping potatoes and very good feedback from all guests that we had in our house:)
I really like the idea - it's delicios and great way to get to know more about other countries, to use AMAZING opportunity and condition taht we have - as here right now we have people from Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Belgium, Ukraine, France, Ecuador and of course - Puerto Ricans:) soon it'll be even more - Italy,Hungary and Brasil will join our lively company. So...yeh it's the moment and we need to catch it!:);)
and here it's what I cooked yesterday;)
and it;s only the begging:)

my past year

Now it's history:)