Everything is Illuminated

Hi all,

So, I know I just posted about going home and thanked everyone for taking this journey with me, blah blah blah, but I have one more really cool thing to show everyone before I leave Ukraine for real!

Last weekend, my friend Alia and I went to visit my great-grandmother's birthplace. I had done a little research in the past 2 years and knew the my grandfather's parents were born in Ukraine, and asked one of my cousins about the exact details, because he had done a detailed family tree a few years back. He didn't know much, and my internet wasn't fast enough to allow me to really research, but when I was visiting my host family last week (for the last time-SAD!), I had the time and internet to do some serious research. And, with my cousin's help, here's what we found out-

My great-grandmother's name, before she immigrated to America, was Malke Sirota. She lived in Bratslav, Ukraine, which is about 3.5 hours away from my town (Berdychiv). Her father is buried in the cemetery in Bratslav. I even found her name and information on her ship's manifest on the Ellis Island website and sent it to my grandfather (who didn't really know any of this information either). Here's the link to that manifest- http://www.ellisisland.org/EIFile/popup_weif_5a.asp?src=%2Fcgi-bin%2Ftif2gif%2Eexe%3FT%3D%5C%5C%5C%5C192%2E168%2E100%2E11%5C%5CIMAGES%5C%5CT715-0436%5C%5CT715-04360105%2ETIF%26S%3D%2E5&pID=102503080855&name=Malke%26nbsp%3BSineto&doa=Mar+15%2C+1904&port=Hamburg&line=0008

So, once I found all of this out, I decided it was time to visit Bratslav. The town itself is only 6,000 people, so it's small and there's really nothing to do there but visit the cemetery. But seeing as it's one of the birthplaces of my ancestors, I wanted to see it anyway. And share it with all of you. Alia and I called this my "Everything is Illuminated" trip. For anyone who doesn't understand that reference, you should definitely see that movie. Just sayin'. So, instead of me telling everyone about Bratslav, we thought it would be fun to video tape it. So here you go!

I have tons of pictures too, but they don't really show as much as the videos do, which is why I didn't post them. But, if anyone wants to see them, let me know!!!

Can't wait to see everyone! 3 more days!

So, I only have 12 days left here!!!

Things have been wrapping up smoothly. I've been travelling around the country saying goodbye to my friends and Ukrainian family who live in other parts of the country. Since I'm leaving soon and am really bad at writing reflection pieces, I figured I'd make a list of things that have happened to people and places near and dear to me over the past 2 years:

One of my friends got pregnant AND had a baby.
2 of my friends (one from high school and one from NY) are pregnant and about to pop.
My host mom had a cutie patootie baby who's now 1.5 years old.
My sister arrived AND left Cambodia AND found a job.
My brother got a grown up job.
When I left our economy was ok.
2 of my friends have gotten married (and one more is getting married the week I get back).
Love.


I feel like all the other things that have happened to me are reflections just for myself- sorry.

It's been a great journey, and I want to thank all of you for taking it with me. I love you all.