Home remedies

I've noticed that home remedies are very common for various illnesses in Ukraine. For example, my host father wrapped chicken wire around his head when he had a headache. The conversation we had went something like this:

Me: Shto eta?! (What's this?!)
Host dad: Moy golova bolete. (My head hurts)
Me: Isvinite. Tak...ya ne panimayu. Pachimu eta? (I'm sorry...so, I don't understand. Why this?)
Him: MOY GOLOVA BOLETE. (My head hurts)
Me: Ya panimayu...ti hochish tabletka? (I understand. Do you want a pill?)
Him: Niet spaciba. Mhe nada spat. (No thanks, I need sleep.)
Me: Horasho. Spakoyna noche. (Good, good night!)

My host mom also wrapped a towel around her throat when she had a sore throat, but I was able to convince her to A) take the medicine I offered her and B) go to the doctor because she clearly needed it, all in Russian. So, it's safe to say that my language skills are coming along. In related news, I've been able to explain things to my sixth graders (who are really really adorably cute) in Russian when they don't get what I'm saying in English, which is about right--I speak Russian like a sixth grader. You know, one who shaves and reads the Constitution of the United States for fun. Woohooo takings clause!
:-)

Oh, and I moved into my new apartment last weekend and it's great! It even has a shower, although there is a catch--to make the water hotter or colder, I need to mess with a little dial on the gas heater IN THE KITCHEN, meaning that I have to, you know, get out of the shower and go do that. My first shower involved about half a dozen trips into the kitchen, but I eventually got the hang of it. This is probably a good time to mention that my kitchen window doesn't have any curtains. I guess that's one way to get to know my neighbors. :-)

I love and miss you all!