Apartment 1, 2 and um 3?

Apartment hunting has been an interesting experience so far... I've had the song, "Be Optimistic" from an old Shirley Temple movie I watched as a kid. If you have never seen the movie, you should... And if you've have no clue about this song, here is the youtube link But be warned, it will be stuck in your head since it is quite catchy:) 

But anyways, yes, I keep telling myself to be optimistic and that I will find something in my budget to live in and have ready for when the summer intern comes (and potential other guest). 

The first apartment, it was okay. It was two rooms (here each room counts as a room, unlike in the states where only the bedrooms count), that for here in Ukraine, were not bad. But the bathroom, and the bath room (again, most Ukraine homes have the bath tub, and the toilet in separate rooms), well the toilet room and the tub room, were not that great. My word was "uncleanable" but my mom said that all in all that place was not bad. But again, it was lacking in the bathrooms, and also in the kitchen. NO counter space or cupboards. Not even a little table to eat at. However it was in a family focused area, and right across the street from a grocery store, which was nice. 

Now the second apartment, it was a 1 room apartment. You walked in through the door, and you were in the kitchen. It did have cupboards, and a small counter-top. And a little table to eat at. From the kitchen you could see the main room. A little square hallway separated the kitchen from the, what I will call the living space. In that hallway was the refrigerator, and the door to the bathroom. The bathroom and the toilet were actually together. It was better than Apartment 1's bathrooms, but still aged looking. Then the living space, looked very much like a college dorm room. It had 3 twin beds lined against the walls, and wardrobe, and lovely rugs hanging on the walls (please re read with sarcasm in your voice:) All in all though, it was in a good location, very close to transportation, and a doable place to live. 

And then there was apartment number 3, assuming it could count as an apartment. It was the cheapest option so far, which for those who know me, know, I am always drawn to a good deal, the less money spent the better. So I was excited to see this place because as we began to travel to it, I realized that it was actually in the neighborhood area, that my parents apartment is located. Being that I spent my high-school years, running with my dalmation, I knew all the little roads, and thought it would be great to live somewhere that I knew and spent lots of time already ( and I could be close to my mom's cooking and washer machine, did I mention that none of the apartments yet have included a washer?). So I get to this cute little house, with a nice gate around it, and I am thinking, along with those who were with me, that this is going to be too good to be true.... well yea, it was. We are led to a "summer kitchen" or a back house. It is 1 room to say the most. Four beds, in a small space. Little sink and stove in the same room. And seriously, we walked in, and my glasses fogged up right away, it was so humid in there, no ventilation. Anyways, then, we are showed the bathroom... 

 

A squatty potty. Okay, for those of you not accustomed to seeing this, this is a toilet, for both girls and boys to use. Most schools use these, and even public places have toilets like this. So it is a skill to acquire if you plan a trip to Eastern Europe, cause you never know where you'll be when you got to go, and what facilities will be available. So anywho, squatty potties are not how I roll, and I will not be renting option number 3, which is too bad, because it is a nice location. 

There you have it, the apartment hunting experience thus far. I will keep singing my optimistic tune, and just hope that I can find a cheap place to live, that well--- has a real toilet? Maybe I am being to optimistic? lol. But remember, good bathroom or not, I have to find a place soon, so please be praying that God leads me to the right one. And if you feel for me, haha, then donations are welcomed to the "Help Chelsey Afford an Apartment with a Real Bathroom" fund:) 

God has a plan, as he always does. And my true prayer is that, whatever the apartment looks like is not the issue, but its feeling God's peace when I walk into a place. Knowing that wherever I will be, it will be an opportunity to share Christ's love with a new neighbor, and new neighborhood, and who knows how else God will bring himself glory through all of this.... but you know I was relieved when option number 3 was not "the one"... Thanks God;) 

Side NoTe. 

First English Club went well. I love to plan, and I love even more when my plans come together and work:) Next week should be even better, and so I will save more on the club for next weeks post!

I love when in my classes, Ukraine, or the Soviet Union come up in discussion. I actually was reading about a L'viv "hero" Stepan Banderra, in class, and earlier that day, I got my haircut on the street named after him. Kind of cool to live where history happened:)

Well that is all for this post, I actually have more homework I need to accomplish before this night ends. Stay close to the shepherd, and pray for me, Radical Feet, and the People of L'viv.