Bonjour Moncton, New Brunswick
I don't even know how to begin this blog post, Im like a mixed tape- with a pulsating migraine screaming at moi. The environment changes and lack of sleep have been hard on my mind. Sunday after I last posted we continued packing and that was a huge struggle for me; I realized I have way too much stuff. Then I had to pack a box to go home, and then I sent one ahead to New Brunswick. Monday our lovely Katima Cousins from Elliot Lake came to our house to begin debriefing. It was a full house once again, but it was comforting and nice to have so many people. Im getting used to the busyness of 11 people, whats another 11 people thrown in to the mix with a few Katimavik Staff to run things? At this point it is the norm for me. As soon as Elliot Lake pulled up, a huge snowball fight began, and after much fun, one window was broken, that was interesting.. especially with our Project Coordinator watching. A great way to kick off the next couple days with her ha ah. But it was okay, kind of I think? Who knows. We started debriefing with a workshop for our Project leaders. Each group had to trace someone and make the person look and represent characteristics, images, and feedback of how we saw our project leader, and their roll as one. Ours was perfect, the fedora which he always wore. His pipe in one hand, his old fashioned chained pocket clock, and his sandals which he wears even if the winter, and everything else was on there all the important jazz. However, it was all good reviews.. it is very weird having a new PL. Although, we are adjusting. Anyway Elliot Lake made us supper that night and it was really hectic but all was well when we got through it. Feeding 26 people is interesting. After supper we did our final presentations to show each other. Our group did the Katima Casserole presentation again for Elliot Lake. Elliot lake had a cool song they did, with guitars with everything having their own part. And they had the coolest video ever! It was a lot of fun, after everyone went out after to play in the snow. After everyone was in the family room, and there were a couple guys from the other group jamming with their guitars and we were all singing. It really brought me home, it was so comforting to here guitar again. I wish we had more music in my group. It is my favorite sound, guitar that is. I also played cards with Chelsea- I learned how to play speed and I just lost, but I enjoy learning new games!
The following morning David and I woke up at like 5:30 to make pancakes for everyone. And I had only went to bed at like 20clk AM..That made for a very exhausting day.. Anyway after spending 2 and a half hours making pancakes with a couple burnt made for a wonderful breakfast. After breaky we broke in to groups called "Tribes" the point was to communicate with different groups which had different perspectives and ways of life. Mine was called the "Silent Tribe" and we couldn't talk and we liked physical contact. So basically after making a flag, with our rituals and where we came from- all the tribes met and went to a "gathering" staying in character communicating with each other. It was funny, because some tribes were super joyful and excited jumping everywhere. And we were basically like touching everyones faces and doing eskimo kisses. And like communicating with our hands, and meditating and such. We also did the rain game, and everyone participated. For those who don't know who that is, it is like creating the noises of a thunderstorm. SO you rub your hands together for a softer sound, then you clap your fingers on your other hand making rain noise, and like stomping your feet. That was something our group lead because we couldn't speak anything- and we could communicate through that. During discussion after the workshop, we compared it to meeting other katimavik groups, and comparing different characteristics, and insiders within groups. When we spend time with Elliot Lake we can tell they are more touchy feeling with each other, and have different insiders. Just like our differences our group has which becomes evident to them. It was cool to gain insight from that perspective.Tuesday after lunch, another busy meal- we were free to do anything.. with the guidelines to get out of the house. Most of us went down town to a cute little cafe. I had a delicious iced coffee, in the winter yes. I always get the most weirdest reactions when I order something "iced". Anyway after that Johannie from Elliot Lake did a "Reikki" session with me. Doing the different touches on me. It really relieved stress and it was interesting because I am studying Reikki right now. I hope to be able to do Reikki soon! Tuesday evening we ended up playing some games. We taught "Screaming Viking" to everyone, and that was great fun. Elliot lake did a game with us, then the other leaders did, I love high energy games! All that fun brought us to about 11 PM- and I was like a zombie by that point. It was sad saying Bye to our project coordinator, she was an interesting person, and I enjoyed her company! However she left Tuesday night so we all had our hugs.
WAKE UP CALL! 3:15 AM. Oh wow.. I went to bed at like 1:00 AM. So that was interesting. We had a school bus pick all 21 of us up. It was so sad leaving the house, we have had such an intense experience there, and thats where we became a family. However movin on' we got to the airport at like 4:30 AM, and we got on a tiny jazz plane heading to Toronto. I must say I didn't think I was going to survive that plane. There was a storm, and the turbulence was crazy. I was like holding on to the person beside me, I feel bad for her having to listen to me freak out. When I got to Toronto, it turned out that 4 of us didn't have a seat on the flight to Moncton. So thats when I had to be independent in the Toronto airport, and figure out how to switch flights. SO I switched my ticket to a Ottawa to Moncton flight with Katie, and the Elliot Lake group. We also got like a $200.00 credit each for air canada that was cool. And we ran in to other Katimavik groups. That was likely, since all groups were moving on the same day, and Toronto is such a central point for traveling. I enjoyed the bigger air canada flight to Ottawa, I felt more safe. Even though there was tons of turbulence, although the flight was only like 20 minutes. Then I was in Ottawa, I never thought the day was going to come that I actually would be in Ottawa. And some of you know why I say that, it was a weird feeling! Our layover was not that long in Ottawa, like an hour I believe, and I like almost missed the flight, because the first boarding call turned in to like final boarding call. And the plane was about to leave, it was the first time I have ever ran for a flight. It was like a movie! Ha ha, in my head. Then I got on another lovely jazz flight... That was interesting but it was only like an hour and a half!! I love short flights, less time I am panicking.
Arriving in Moncton, felt weird. They lost a few peoples luggage. That was not cool at all, I was fortunate to have mine. A big bus awaited us, it was our katima cousins formally known as Elliot Lake, they are now in Richibouctou and the other group we hadn't met yet who are in buotouche which is very close to us. They were in Ontario before but too far from us, so we never had met them, all three groups took the bus, and we were the first stop since we are right in the city Moncton! Now we have another group close to us that we can get together with. I can't imagine having like two other groups in a whole house with ours. CRAZYNESS, that would be. However I bet it will happen. Arriving at our house was so exciting, we were all screaming. And we were greeted by a pheasant, which resembles a cross of a giant bird and chicken. I thought of Kayla when I saw it, I knew you would appreciate it. Or Katie when she had that wild chicken visiting her in her backyard. Apparently they are all over this area, and we now see them all the time. The house is super cute, and kind of looks like our old house with the white, and it looks like an older house which it is, with some renovations. All the girls are in one room, and the guys have the other room. Two bathrooms though, that makes up for only 2 bedrooms. Our project leader seems cool, he is bilingual, and comes from Nova Scotia. He even has an accent.
This place is super unique, the city is completely bilingual, and I can hear accents. The population of this city as a whole is like 200,000. I am not used of such a huge city. I live in Greater Moncton. Which is traditionally separated in different regions, example as one of the areas is called Dieppe. However, it is like just Moncton the whole city as a whole. It's just so confusing, because some people call different places, by different names; Instead of calling the whole city Moncton. Anyway the first night we all crashed at like 8:00 PM, I was so exhausted. Since I hadn't slept in like two nights, I couldn't function anymore.
Thursday Morning we started workplace tours, to learn about our options for our full time jobs during the week. We visited 2 Boys and Girls clubs, which are non profit day cares. The YMCA, which would be like working with adults with disabilities; doing activities with them, going swimming and all that cool jazz, they also have a food bank, thats my first choice! Anyway there was a french school, red cross office, united way, cancer society, and ste. pats which is like a day care and a community centre with a gym and pool too. Thats where we get our memberships to workout. Anyway, it was really interesting however most of the jobs, deal with kids or are office jobs which is too bad if we all want diverse jobs. However it was cool that it was all bilingual, and I will be working with french people. My choices from 1-3 are the YMCA, then 2 and 3 would be either or boys and girls clubs. Since i enjoy working with children, and it would be fun, and kids are always so happy!!!
Thursday evening we worked on our resumes, to have them ready for interviews. I enjoy having less space, because we all are forced to hang out in the same room. So we had a lot of fun, just hanging out together while working on our resumes. Now it is Friday evening. This morning we had to do group contract, and language contract. After lunch we went for our interviews. I had an interview at YMCA, and the Boys and Girls Clubs! And I got my first choice at the Y! David got that job too, so we will be working together there. I am Super Duper excited to work there. I love working with disadvantaged persons, and also helping out for those in need with the food bank on Mondays.
Other than that, before super we all went on a trip to the HUGE mall here. Every store I could imagine is here. Even H&M. Winnipeg doesn't even have that store. Anyway, Im not much of a shopper anyway. So it doesn't matter too much. It was just nice to get out, and walk around and meet some locals. Chelsea and I walked home and we got ourselves in to a pickle- thinking we could take a short cut home. Well, We ended up like trudging through forest, around a river, over like 2 straight up hills, with poisonous plants, and it was dark. We were also walking along sketchy train tracks. At one point I started screaming, then a bit of crying, and then just frustration. It was interesting, Chelsea and I were like oh my god. When we finally got to the house, I think I had tears of joy. It was such an adventure; we thought we were going to be late for supper which we would have. However supper ended up being later than six, and we just looked stupid to go through extreme levels to get home on time. Well you know, new PL I didn't want to be on his bad side already. It was so ridiculous, a video will be on it's way of this journey. I would say it's more traumatizing if anything.
Before I peace out, I must share a funny "Pretend" reference letter my work partners gave me, with me thinking this was my for reals reference letter..
-This is to confirm that Amy Smitzniuk gas completed her volunteer placement at the Sault Ste. Marie Soup Kitchen Community Centre. Amy worked full time and was involved in various aspects of our centre's day-to-day operations.
Amy spent time in the kitchen, in the office and on the road representing the Soup Kitchen.
In the kitchen, it was difficult for Amy to be productive as she claims to be a vegetarian and shys away from meat products. Not only that, she was caught many times socializing more than actually prepping food.
Amy's time in the office was even more distracting. Her shrill- which she referred to as a laugh- could be heard continuously during her time in the office. This laugh, as she called it, interrupted phone calls, meetings and side-tracked everyone in the office from doing their daily work. Moreover, we had an incident earlier in her placement when she ruined several copies of one of our books, as she bound the books incorrectly.
Lastly, we determined it was okay to allow Amy to go on Soup Kitchen related runs to represent the kitchen. This was a mistake. All she would do is laugh, and laugh and laugh. And not a great image for the Kitchen.
We have purposely excluded her accomplishments, or lack thereof, with the children's after school program.
And I would remised without mentioned she has a bizzarre fascination with some game that no one knows what she's talking about. And from the onset, we were a little put off by her willingness to admit she was a bit of a pyromaniac and even set a scarf on fire at her Katimavik home in the Sault, not only endangering her fellow house mates, but the entire city.
My best suggestions, would be "buyer aware." Everyone can change and maybe she will, but i highly doubt it.
Good luck and perhaps a mental evaluation should be in the offering.
Hahaha, oh my god. I was like WHAT!? Before Ed passed me my real nice reference letter. Thank god. however lots of that is true. I usually started laughing way too loud when someone was on an important phone call, and yes you all know I have fire starting problems, and I usually do socialize and throw people off track. But they must think more of me, with the wonderful reference letter i received.
Well sorry for my novel, I have been building off of this post for like four days.
It has been really difficult to adjust to a new environment, and a new project leader. Everything happens to fast in the Katima Life. However I know what I am doing is so meaningful to these communities, I am learning so much about myself, and giving so much back. All is well on my end, and I am currently researching and applying for more volunteer programs, such as my application for Canada World Youth, and I am also looking in to Orphanage Work over seas, among other things that interest me. My brain is just lit up, with ideas which I want to do. Decisions decisions, but things are starting to make more sense to moi.
Lots of love always,
Amydawn<3
The following morning David and I woke up at like 5:30 to make pancakes for everyone. And I had only went to bed at like 20clk AM..That made for a very exhausting day.. Anyway after spending 2 and a half hours making pancakes with a couple burnt made for a wonderful breakfast. After breaky we broke in to groups called "Tribes" the point was to communicate with different groups which had different perspectives and ways of life. Mine was called the "Silent Tribe" and we couldn't talk and we liked physical contact. So basically after making a flag, with our rituals and where we came from- all the tribes met and went to a "gathering" staying in character communicating with each other. It was funny, because some tribes were super joyful and excited jumping everywhere. And we were basically like touching everyones faces and doing eskimo kisses. And like communicating with our hands, and meditating and such. We also did the rain game, and everyone participated. For those who don't know who that is, it is like creating the noises of a thunderstorm. SO you rub your hands together for a softer sound, then you clap your fingers on your other hand making rain noise, and like stomping your feet. That was something our group lead because we couldn't speak anything- and we could communicate through that. During discussion after the workshop, we compared it to meeting other katimavik groups, and comparing different characteristics, and insiders within groups. When we spend time with Elliot Lake we can tell they are more touchy feeling with each other, and have different insiders. Just like our differences our group has which becomes evident to them. It was cool to gain insight from that perspective.Tuesday after lunch, another busy meal- we were free to do anything.. with the guidelines to get out of the house. Most of us went down town to a cute little cafe. I had a delicious iced coffee, in the winter yes. I always get the most weirdest reactions when I order something "iced". Anyway after that Johannie from Elliot Lake did a "Reikki" session with me. Doing the different touches on me. It really relieved stress and it was interesting because I am studying Reikki right now. I hope to be able to do Reikki soon! Tuesday evening we ended up playing some games. We taught "Screaming Viking" to everyone, and that was great fun. Elliot lake did a game with us, then the other leaders did, I love high energy games! All that fun brought us to about 11 PM- and I was like a zombie by that point. It was sad saying Bye to our project coordinator, she was an interesting person, and I enjoyed her company! However she left Tuesday night so we all had our hugs.
WAKE UP CALL! 3:15 AM. Oh wow.. I went to bed at like 1:00 AM. So that was interesting. We had a school bus pick all 21 of us up. It was so sad leaving the house, we have had such an intense experience there, and thats where we became a family. However movin on' we got to the airport at like 4:30 AM, and we got on a tiny jazz plane heading to Toronto. I must say I didn't think I was going to survive that plane. There was a storm, and the turbulence was crazy. I was like holding on to the person beside me, I feel bad for her having to listen to me freak out. When I got to Toronto, it turned out that 4 of us didn't have a seat on the flight to Moncton. So thats when I had to be independent in the Toronto airport, and figure out how to switch flights. SO I switched my ticket to a Ottawa to Moncton flight with Katie, and the Elliot Lake group. We also got like a $200.00 credit each for air canada that was cool. And we ran in to other Katimavik groups. That was likely, since all groups were moving on the same day, and Toronto is such a central point for traveling. I enjoyed the bigger air canada flight to Ottawa, I felt more safe. Even though there was tons of turbulence, although the flight was only like 20 minutes. Then I was in Ottawa, I never thought the day was going to come that I actually would be in Ottawa. And some of you know why I say that, it was a weird feeling! Our layover was not that long in Ottawa, like an hour I believe, and I like almost missed the flight, because the first boarding call turned in to like final boarding call. And the plane was about to leave, it was the first time I have ever ran for a flight. It was like a movie! Ha ha, in my head. Then I got on another lovely jazz flight... That was interesting but it was only like an hour and a half!! I love short flights, less time I am panicking.
Arriving in Moncton, felt weird. They lost a few peoples luggage. That was not cool at all, I was fortunate to have mine. A big bus awaited us, it was our katima cousins formally known as Elliot Lake, they are now in Richibouctou and the other group we hadn't met yet who are in buotouche which is very close to us. They were in Ontario before but too far from us, so we never had met them, all three groups took the bus, and we were the first stop since we are right in the city Moncton! Now we have another group close to us that we can get together with. I can't imagine having like two other groups in a whole house with ours. CRAZYNESS, that would be. However I bet it will happen. Arriving at our house was so exciting, we were all screaming. And we were greeted by a pheasant, which resembles a cross of a giant bird and chicken. I thought of Kayla when I saw it, I knew you would appreciate it. Or Katie when she had that wild chicken visiting her in her backyard. Apparently they are all over this area, and we now see them all the time. The house is super cute, and kind of looks like our old house with the white, and it looks like an older house which it is, with some renovations. All the girls are in one room, and the guys have the other room. Two bathrooms though, that makes up for only 2 bedrooms. Our project leader seems cool, he is bilingual, and comes from Nova Scotia. He even has an accent.
This place is super unique, the city is completely bilingual, and I can hear accents. The population of this city as a whole is like 200,000. I am not used of such a huge city. I live in Greater Moncton. Which is traditionally separated in different regions, example as one of the areas is called Dieppe. However, it is like just Moncton the whole city as a whole. It's just so confusing, because some people call different places, by different names; Instead of calling the whole city Moncton. Anyway the first night we all crashed at like 8:00 PM, I was so exhausted. Since I hadn't slept in like two nights, I couldn't function anymore.
Thursday Morning we started workplace tours, to learn about our options for our full time jobs during the week. We visited 2 Boys and Girls clubs, which are non profit day cares. The YMCA, which would be like working with adults with disabilities; doing activities with them, going swimming and all that cool jazz, they also have a food bank, thats my first choice! Anyway there was a french school, red cross office, united way, cancer society, and ste. pats which is like a day care and a community centre with a gym and pool too. Thats where we get our memberships to workout. Anyway, it was really interesting however most of the jobs, deal with kids or are office jobs which is too bad if we all want diverse jobs. However it was cool that it was all bilingual, and I will be working with french people. My choices from 1-3 are the YMCA, then 2 and 3 would be either or boys and girls clubs. Since i enjoy working with children, and it would be fun, and kids are always so happy!!!
Thursday evening we worked on our resumes, to have them ready for interviews. I enjoy having less space, because we all are forced to hang out in the same room. So we had a lot of fun, just hanging out together while working on our resumes. Now it is Friday evening. This morning we had to do group contract, and language contract. After lunch we went for our interviews. I had an interview at YMCA, and the Boys and Girls Clubs! And I got my first choice at the Y! David got that job too, so we will be working together there. I am Super Duper excited to work there. I love working with disadvantaged persons, and also helping out for those in need with the food bank on Mondays.
Other than that, before super we all went on a trip to the HUGE mall here. Every store I could imagine is here. Even H&M. Winnipeg doesn't even have that store. Anyway, Im not much of a shopper anyway. So it doesn't matter too much. It was just nice to get out, and walk around and meet some locals. Chelsea and I walked home and we got ourselves in to a pickle- thinking we could take a short cut home. Well, We ended up like trudging through forest, around a river, over like 2 straight up hills, with poisonous plants, and it was dark. We were also walking along sketchy train tracks. At one point I started screaming, then a bit of crying, and then just frustration. It was interesting, Chelsea and I were like oh my god. When we finally got to the house, I think I had tears of joy. It was such an adventure; we thought we were going to be late for supper which we would have. However supper ended up being later than six, and we just looked stupid to go through extreme levels to get home on time. Well you know, new PL I didn't want to be on his bad side already. It was so ridiculous, a video will be on it's way of this journey. I would say it's more traumatizing if anything.
Before I peace out, I must share a funny "Pretend" reference letter my work partners gave me, with me thinking this was my for reals reference letter..
-This is to confirm that Amy Smitzniuk gas completed her volunteer placement at the Sault Ste. Marie Soup Kitchen Community Centre. Amy worked full time and was involved in various aspects of our centre's day-to-day operations.
Amy spent time in the kitchen, in the office and on the road representing the Soup Kitchen.
In the kitchen, it was difficult for Amy to be productive as she claims to be a vegetarian and shys away from meat products. Not only that, she was caught many times socializing more than actually prepping food.
Amy's time in the office was even more distracting. Her shrill- which she referred to as a laugh- could be heard continuously during her time in the office. This laugh, as she called it, interrupted phone calls, meetings and side-tracked everyone in the office from doing their daily work. Moreover, we had an incident earlier in her placement when she ruined several copies of one of our books, as she bound the books incorrectly.
Lastly, we determined it was okay to allow Amy to go on Soup Kitchen related runs to represent the kitchen. This was a mistake. All she would do is laugh, and laugh and laugh. And not a great image for the Kitchen.
We have purposely excluded her accomplishments, or lack thereof, with the children's after school program.
And I would remised without mentioned she has a bizzarre fascination with some game that no one knows what she's talking about. And from the onset, we were a little put off by her willingness to admit she was a bit of a pyromaniac and even set a scarf on fire at her Katimavik home in the Sault, not only endangering her fellow house mates, but the entire city.
My best suggestions, would be "buyer aware." Everyone can change and maybe she will, but i highly doubt it.
Good luck and perhaps a mental evaluation should be in the offering.
Hahaha, oh my god. I was like WHAT!? Before Ed passed me my real nice reference letter. Thank god. however lots of that is true. I usually started laughing way too loud when someone was on an important phone call, and yes you all know I have fire starting problems, and I usually do socialize and throw people off track. But they must think more of me, with the wonderful reference letter i received.
Well sorry for my novel, I have been building off of this post for like four days.
It has been really difficult to adjust to a new environment, and a new project leader. Everything happens to fast in the Katima Life. However I know what I am doing is so meaningful to these communities, I am learning so much about myself, and giving so much back. All is well on my end, and I am currently researching and applying for more volunteer programs, such as my application for Canada World Youth, and I am also looking in to Orphanage Work over seas, among other things that interest me. My brain is just lit up, with ideas which I want to do. Decisions decisions, but things are starting to make more sense to moi.
Lots of love always,
Amydawn<3
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