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Harry on set for the Watermelon Sugar Music Video

📸 by Keith Bennet

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Hello there

Clearly it has been a really fucking long time since I posted anything here but you know what, that’s life.

It’s wild that the last time I posted I was getting close to finishing up my first summer in Ukraine and now I’m nearly at the end of the second. I can’t believe how time has passed. 

Life is absolutely crazy right now. I have been so insanely busy this summer with summer camps, travelling and work in Chernihiv. 

In May, Carly, mum and dad came to Ukraine. We spent a weekend in Kyiv and I dragged them on a marshrutka to Chernihiv (they hate me for that). Then we hopped on over to Paris. Paris is definitely one of my favorite cities. I just love the history and the culture there. Afterwards we parted ways and Carly and I ended up in Edinburgh while mum and dad checked out Dublin. Scotland is my favorite place I have ever visited (so much so that I’m going back in November before I head home). Then we all met up again back in London. I miss them all dearly but I’m so happy that they were able to visit. 

June was a month of camp. Well not quite a month but three weeks. The first two were Camp Future in the Carpathian mountains. The scenery there is absolutely beautiful and I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes hiking. The kids at camp were amazing as always. After that camp I hopped on the sweatiest train of my life and got back to Chernihiv the day before my organization started our summer camp. Our camp was called Leadership Camp 2.0 and we helped participants to create some sort of project that would help our community. My organization is the best and this camp was amazing. And immediately after camp I went to Kyiv for Pride. The last week of June I slept 😂😂

July was essentially just as crazy. I closed a grant to immediately open another one within the first 4 days of the month. Then Kendall arrived! We spent a weekend in Kyiv, going on an awesome walking tour, meeting one of my Ukrainian friends and eating all the dumplings. Then we headed to Lviv and spent a couple days there. Lviv is such an interesting city. Kendall said that she ate some of the best food of her life there. Next stop was Split, Croatia. All I can say is holy cow. Split is a beautiful city with amazing people and food. We got to see some old ruins, go to Krka national park and eat seafood on the beach. Also our Airbnb was legit on the sea and that is how everyone should live their life. The last place we visited was Budapest. I had been there before but damn I didn’t really experience the city the first time. 

Obviously August isn’t over yet but it has been really hectic already. I popped down to Mykolaiv and Voznesensk for legit 23 hours then immediately went to another summer camp. This summer camp was maybe the best one ever. We had great counselors and even better kiddos. 

Now comes the stressful part of my life, figuring out what’s next (and surviving September). 

Countdowns 

7 days until birthday number 27, 28 days until Natalie is in Ukraine, 45 days until I’m running another half marathon, 78 days until I’m seeing Lizzo in concert in Glasgow (I’M GONNA DIE OF HAPPINESS), and only 90 days until I’m back in sunny San Diego. 

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I'm like super coordinated. But for reals I totally would have won. 😁💪🥇🏆🥊 #notcoordinated #isuckatlandsports #imprettysureweshouldntbesmiling #funtimes #iswearwedidworktoo (at Novhorodsiverskyy, Chernihivs'Ka Oblast', Ukraine) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrFq3_tHdFB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=p2e91rejz77a

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GUYSSSSSSSS. I just had the most amazing week at the PC Ukraine PEPFAR conference. I got to spend the week with the most amazing kids and Ukrainians. The best moment this week came today when the three girls from my oblast, who usually look at me like I'm crazy, gave me an amazing group hug. We all bonded this week even though they don't speak much English and I don't speak much Russian. There are some small moments that speak more than grand gestures. Also a massive shout out to my wonderful friend Vika who makes me feel so loved. ❤💛💚💙💜 #pepfar2018 #feelingsoinspired #thesekidsarethebest #gonnagocrynow #feelingthelove #thelaughsmightbefake #buttheloveisreal (at Конференц-Хол Ірпінь) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq0CyGslkoj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1j37cday0wpuw

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Sometimes you just need to be a bit ridiculous 😂😂😂 #workshenanigans #almosthalloween #imnotactuallywearingthis #gonnabewednesdayaddams #causehalloweenisonawednesday #andimpunnylikethat #alsowatchingmakingamurderer #causeitsoctober #andilikecreepyshit https://www.instagram.com/p/BpPiR-hBazA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=zbt8vi50wyse

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HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for welcoming me with open arms to the Chernihiv oblast of awesome and then becoming my peace corps appointed bestie!!!!! I hope your birthday is as wonderful and glamorous as you are!!!! Love you!!! 😘🎉🎊🍾🍷🍸🍹🍺🍻🥂🥃🎂 #happybirthdaymattieropes #letsgetreadytopartyyyyy #ikindahateyouforleavingme #nowihavenofriends #jkjkistillloveyou #andimsoexcitedtoseewhatyoudoafterpececorps #causeyoureaboss https://www.instagram.com/p/BpGrlBQh-OC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=y5368b8h2960

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Happiest of happy birthdays to my dear @kenkenhosh 24 never looked so good 😎😉 I hope you have a fabulous day and I can't wait to celebrate with you when I come home #middlesistersunite #werefuckingweird #loveya #wishicouldbewithyoutocelebrate 😘😘😘😘 https://www.instagram.com/p/BpBw13agvhW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=t4j3cc2p66tm

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There is so much beauty in the broken places. . . . Today was an insanely humbling experience and made me really think about how life can truly change in overnight so you should live the best life you can with the time you have. I honestly cried and it was an uncomfortable experience but I am so glad we went. (at Chernobyl, Ukraine) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoSCYosF55N/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=smel5artuwx0

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Yesterday I spoke about taking risks at a conference I was definitely not qualified for and my coworker took awkward pictures of me by the river #chernihivbwconference #ilookawkward #thankgodforpockets #idontknowwhattodowithmyhands #biggerriskgreaterreward #thisisthemostdressedupiwilleverbe (at Чернігів) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnZRXMelj0s/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mxsp9qjlolb8

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This is pure bliss. I love Pixar #californiaadventure #carsland #bestdayeverrr #thankskarisa #disneyasanadultisfun #takemeback #imighthavebeenalittletipsy #shithappens (at Disney California Cars Land!!) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmzvrlyF5Qs/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1x05cnqgsnery

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The past two weeks I had the honor of working at the CACTUS forum in Ternopil. It was such an amazing experience with amazing people that I will never forget. Love you all and hopefully I will see you next year! ❤💙💚💛💜 #cactusforum18 #bestteamever❤️ #exceptforyegor #justkiddingggg #loveyouallsomuch (at Тернопіль) https://www.instagram.com/p/BmLGd5qlM5F/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1sf2c6xbvle3o

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY @water.to.fire !!!!!! I hope you have an absolutely amazing birthday! Miss you and our shenanigans so much! ❤💙💚💛💜 #princesspeachandbowser #fbftowagnerandfoundation #loveyouloads #itsyourgoldenbirthday (at Wagner College)

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HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS OF ALL TIME 😘😘😘 I hope you have a wonderful birthday, maybe rest and sleep a bit after comic con all week lol love and miss you! Can't wait to see you soon!! 🥂🍾🏖🎉 as every year deserves here's an awful picture of us 😂😂😂

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Anyone who knows me knows that yellow is my favorite color. You can say I was definitely one happy camper today 🌻🌻🌻 (at Berezna, Chernihivs'Ka Oblast', Ukraine)

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Happy second birthday to my beautiful baby. I miss you so much and you are so loved. My heart is broken that you won't be there when I come home next month @kenkenhosh and @madelinehoshko give him all the good snacks today 😭❤💙💚💛💜💔🐶

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It's July already in case y'all didn't notice

Wowza June went by so freaking fast. I spent 12 days in the Carpathian mountains at summer camp, went to Kyiv for pride, went camping with my organization, and hosted and directed a week long summer camp. I'm not gonna lie, I'm proud of myself!

Countdowns:

23 days until CACTUS (edit Community ACTion Ukrainian Style I had it wrong before). 44 days until San Diego (like holy balls that's so soon). And only 48 days until Carly's wedding!!!!!

Until next month 🖐

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PILOT! Camp this week was so great but now I want to sleep the whole weekend #campofopportunities #itwassogood #butineedtosleep #likefor3days (at Чернігівський обласний молодіжний центр)