You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;;
Apparently I only update on Sundays, however its the only day lately which we have had time to catch up on other things going on in our life, or to even reflect. This last week was interesting, as I was in and out of work, and walking around in Zombie State. I was sick for a couple of days, and that took a toll on me. Anyway going back to where I left you off. Monday we have a food drive which i organized! We did the food drive for the YMCA food bank, apparently they have been really low recently and actually have had to turn away people. We went around our neighborhood collecting food, and lots of people were really giving and warmed me with their kindness! We ended up filling up the Katima van for the YMCA, and they really appreciated the turnout! It was also a good way to get in to the Christmas Spirit!
Tuesday I was supposed to volunteer at Toyland as I mentioned on my last post however thats when my sickness got the best of me. I was upset because I really wanted to go! Everyone who did go said it went well! Wednesday- hurrah I can spell that now! Ha ha, we just hung out, and I was passed out anyway. Thursday was Youth Night, but once again I was sick. I feel so unproductive, although I couldn't help I was sick. Then the group got a little ridiculous in the funniest ways possible, and thats all I will say on that note. It was a good night, for everyone, however I was still... sick. I think thats the only word I have used on this post to explain anything. However, it was a good night for everyone! Friday was a beautiful day, it brought snow. Well, you know a little bit to cover the green grass. And I actually made it to work, and I appreciated the walk to work. It was icy for once, but I enjoyed it because that is not normal here. Everyone in the day program was all excited for Christmas. It was so cute- at the end of the day they were all hugging each other, and they all gave me a hug so that was special for me! I enjoyed my walk home, and when I got home Chloe's package made me so happy, and then I heard news about my cousin expecting a baby. Life was wonderful!! Then we all got ready for Christmas Eve Mass. It was so exciting because we never get to dress up, so it was fun. French Marina curled my hair, and all the girls wore dresses! We went to a Cathedral church which was so beautiful! Apparently its a very popular church to go to for christmas eve mass. We showed up very early, maybe a little too early ha ha. We were like the only ones there, but that's okay. Apparently I am now an early bird, who saw that coming?
Christmas eve gave me mixed feelings, as we all had different traditions. And we were all making our own unique christmas tradition together, so it was an interesting feeling to be in a different environment for an occasion which we all have done and been in such different places our whole life up to this Christmas. Christmas Mass, was interesting because it was Acadian, completely french. I know I couldn't understand anything, however it was such an experience to be at a church hearing french. It was funny, because when ever they said to like get up or sit down, I wouldn't know I was supposed to get up or whatever, so I looked so lost. I would still be sitting down as everyone is standing already. Something else that happened was when everyone says "Joyeux Noel" to those surrounding them. It means "Merry Christmas" And I am like why are people saying things to each other, and a lady turned around and said that to me, and all I did was smiled, I felt silly. Also they had an Acadian Choir. And they are amazing, I have never heard such beautiful music in my life. It was unreal, the way they harmonized and ah I can't even explain it to you. Apparently the group has been together for a long time, and they rehearse all through the year anticipating the Christmas Season when they perform all over. So it's a serious thing for them, I couldn't imagine practicing christmas songs in the summer, on your vacation or something. I really appreciated their talent, and I am happy I had the opportunity to listen to them. When the church service was over, and I started getting tired of hearing my own thoughts in my head. Thats what happened when I couldn't understand what was going on, and I just ended up being lost in my own head. Anyway, when we were leaving, and we were outside the church bells started ringing, it was so cool. I have never heard that before, it was so loud.
When we got home, we had a late mac n cheese' dinner at like 10:00. We all shared our thoughts on the Mass, and it was nice. After a couple people were playing the guitar, and singing. We were all just hanging out, and sharing our own christmas eve stories. Evan and I opened up our christmas eve presents, that was so lovely, and it brought us back home. I always get Pjay's and slippers or fuzzy socks on Xmas eve. It was so nice to keep that tradition katima style. Before we all went to bed we wrote a letter for Santa! That was lots of fun, and we left a carrot, milk and cookies for santa and his reindeer:) Something else funny about Christmas eve, we were all debating about when we would open out presents. For the Quebec people- they always open theirs Christmas Eve, when it is past 12:00 AM. I refused because I have always had to until Christmas Day. It just happened most of the Quebec participants had that tradition, and Kyle really liked that idea. Then he started calling him self a quebecois. I stuck to my tradition, and we all agreed to just open up our present from our old PL Ben from Ontario. He got us a build a bear. It was super funny, because I was like Aw its a bear! And I was sitting their with it, and as the room was louder I accidentally hit something which made it talk. There and behold it was Ben talking to us. He would always say "Aw Muffin, and Wanna talk about it?" I like screamed and everyone freaked out. It was so exciting, we really appreciated it, and we miss you lots Ben!
Christmas Day, what a beautiful day! We woke up nice and early, and opened presents! It was so exciting to see what our homes sent us. I appreciated everything I got, and I was so happy. We went to our neighbors for brunch. It was so nice, their house was wonderful, and the food was even more wonderful. They were all so open to us being there, and sharing their Christmas with a little bit more than a few strangers:) They made the same hash brown dish that my momma makes, and I was like a little kid again!!! When I got home, I skyped my family, and that was nice. Around 3:00 we went to a group hope where people lived who were retired or on disability. It was nice to visit with some people, and play some card games. It was also good to keep busy on Christmas, and get out of the house again. Christmas supper was wonderful, and I give props to Kyle and Evan for the meal that they prepared. And the successful turkey they cooked. I don't think I could have pulled that one off myself. Everyone was happy, and enjoying the moment, even if we are all so far from our families. In the evening we all just hung out, and did the usual. It was good to be among lots of people. Marina's mom is visiting her right now, so she was at the house earlier in the day. She gave us all these little cube things, which are like really difficult and frustrating games to figure out. Well David challenged me to this really annoying one, and he used the phrase "It's impossible, and you can't do it" This really fired me up, and I spent two hours yelling at it, and I finally got it. He told me if I got it I could have any favor! So I proved him wrong, and he still didn't believe I did it myself, which I did! Anyway, hello one hour foot massage!! I believe that was the biggest accomplishment of my life, honestly I was like screaming when I got it! Chelsea has it all on video, so wait for that update, haha!
All in all, Christmas was so unique and I loved it, even if I was very far away from friends and family. I was still surrounded by so much love, and thats the most important thing. It was so comforting knowing I had everyone here with me, and so much more back home. I hope everyone has a nice day, and I am so happy I experienced a Christmas away from home, and I will always remember this special one with my Katima family.
Today was a lazy Sunday, with nothing more on the agenda other than our weekly KCC meeting. I am the treasurer and it is the easiest job ever. You get to present like one line of what we have left in our budget. Since we haven't spent any of our money yet, all I had to say was "You are all so Wonderful" It was funny, I have such a big roll being part of executive KCC! Anyway, the funniest part of the meeting was Comp 2 which is adopting multiculturalism and such. I don't know if you all know this, however Sam known as "Switzerland" is coming here in January to visit me. And he wants to have a Cheese Fondue night, because we don't know what real cheese is here, and he wants to share his countries cheese and such. So now it is a competency event, and he doesn't know that yet, but he will know that after he reads this. That was ridiculous, I never thought he would be a topic at our weekly KCC meeting.
..And there's my life story from the past week, I don't have to work tomorrow which is nice. More time to catch up on other things in life.
Peace & Love of course,
Amy<3<3
Tuesday I was supposed to volunteer at Toyland as I mentioned on my last post however thats when my sickness got the best of me. I was upset because I really wanted to go! Everyone who did go said it went well! Wednesday- hurrah I can spell that now! Ha ha, we just hung out, and I was passed out anyway. Thursday was Youth Night, but once again I was sick. I feel so unproductive, although I couldn't help I was sick. Then the group got a little ridiculous in the funniest ways possible, and thats all I will say on that note. It was a good night, for everyone, however I was still... sick. I think thats the only word I have used on this post to explain anything. However, it was a good night for everyone! Friday was a beautiful day, it brought snow. Well, you know a little bit to cover the green grass. And I actually made it to work, and I appreciated the walk to work. It was icy for once, but I enjoyed it because that is not normal here. Everyone in the day program was all excited for Christmas. It was so cute- at the end of the day they were all hugging each other, and they all gave me a hug so that was special for me! I enjoyed my walk home, and when I got home Chloe's package made me so happy, and then I heard news about my cousin expecting a baby. Life was wonderful!! Then we all got ready for Christmas Eve Mass. It was so exciting because we never get to dress up, so it was fun. French Marina curled my hair, and all the girls wore dresses! We went to a Cathedral church which was so beautiful! Apparently its a very popular church to go to for christmas eve mass. We showed up very early, maybe a little too early ha ha. We were like the only ones there, but that's okay. Apparently I am now an early bird, who saw that coming?
Christmas eve gave me mixed feelings, as we all had different traditions. And we were all making our own unique christmas tradition together, so it was an interesting feeling to be in a different environment for an occasion which we all have done and been in such different places our whole life up to this Christmas. Christmas Mass, was interesting because it was Acadian, completely french. I know I couldn't understand anything, however it was such an experience to be at a church hearing french. It was funny, because when ever they said to like get up or sit down, I wouldn't know I was supposed to get up or whatever, so I looked so lost. I would still be sitting down as everyone is standing already. Something else that happened was when everyone says "Joyeux Noel" to those surrounding them. It means "Merry Christmas" And I am like why are people saying things to each other, and a lady turned around and said that to me, and all I did was smiled, I felt silly. Also they had an Acadian Choir. And they are amazing, I have never heard such beautiful music in my life. It was unreal, the way they harmonized and ah I can't even explain it to you. Apparently the group has been together for a long time, and they rehearse all through the year anticipating the Christmas Season when they perform all over. So it's a serious thing for them, I couldn't imagine practicing christmas songs in the summer, on your vacation or something. I really appreciated their talent, and I am happy I had the opportunity to listen to them. When the church service was over, and I started getting tired of hearing my own thoughts in my head. Thats what happened when I couldn't understand what was going on, and I just ended up being lost in my own head. Anyway, when we were leaving, and we were outside the church bells started ringing, it was so cool. I have never heard that before, it was so loud.
When we got home, we had a late mac n cheese' dinner at like 10:00. We all shared our thoughts on the Mass, and it was nice. After a couple people were playing the guitar, and singing. We were all just hanging out, and sharing our own christmas eve stories. Evan and I opened up our christmas eve presents, that was so lovely, and it brought us back home. I always get Pjay's and slippers or fuzzy socks on Xmas eve. It was so nice to keep that tradition katima style. Before we all went to bed we wrote a letter for Santa! That was lots of fun, and we left a carrot, milk and cookies for santa and his reindeer:) Something else funny about Christmas eve, we were all debating about when we would open out presents. For the Quebec people- they always open theirs Christmas Eve, when it is past 12:00 AM. I refused because I have always had to until Christmas Day. It just happened most of the Quebec participants had that tradition, and Kyle really liked that idea. Then he started calling him self a quebecois. I stuck to my tradition, and we all agreed to just open up our present from our old PL Ben from Ontario. He got us a build a bear. It was super funny, because I was like Aw its a bear! And I was sitting their with it, and as the room was louder I accidentally hit something which made it talk. There and behold it was Ben talking to us. He would always say "Aw Muffin, and Wanna talk about it?" I like screamed and everyone freaked out. It was so exciting, we really appreciated it, and we miss you lots Ben!
Christmas Day, what a beautiful day! We woke up nice and early, and opened presents! It was so exciting to see what our homes sent us. I appreciated everything I got, and I was so happy. We went to our neighbors for brunch. It was so nice, their house was wonderful, and the food was even more wonderful. They were all so open to us being there, and sharing their Christmas with a little bit more than a few strangers:) They made the same hash brown dish that my momma makes, and I was like a little kid again!!! When I got home, I skyped my family, and that was nice. Around 3:00 we went to a group hope where people lived who were retired or on disability. It was nice to visit with some people, and play some card games. It was also good to keep busy on Christmas, and get out of the house again. Christmas supper was wonderful, and I give props to Kyle and Evan for the meal that they prepared. And the successful turkey they cooked. I don't think I could have pulled that one off myself. Everyone was happy, and enjoying the moment, even if we are all so far from our families. In the evening we all just hung out, and did the usual. It was good to be among lots of people. Marina's mom is visiting her right now, so she was at the house earlier in the day. She gave us all these little cube things, which are like really difficult and frustrating games to figure out. Well David challenged me to this really annoying one, and he used the phrase "It's impossible, and you can't do it" This really fired me up, and I spent two hours yelling at it, and I finally got it. He told me if I got it I could have any favor! So I proved him wrong, and he still didn't believe I did it myself, which I did! Anyway, hello one hour foot massage!! I believe that was the biggest accomplishment of my life, honestly I was like screaming when I got it! Chelsea has it all on video, so wait for that update, haha!
All in all, Christmas was so unique and I loved it, even if I was very far away from friends and family. I was still surrounded by so much love, and thats the most important thing. It was so comforting knowing I had everyone here with me, and so much more back home. I hope everyone has a nice day, and I am so happy I experienced a Christmas away from home, and I will always remember this special one with my Katima family.
Today was a lazy Sunday, with nothing more on the agenda other than our weekly KCC meeting. I am the treasurer and it is the easiest job ever. You get to present like one line of what we have left in our budget. Since we haven't spent any of our money yet, all I had to say was "You are all so Wonderful" It was funny, I have such a big roll being part of executive KCC! Anyway, the funniest part of the meeting was Comp 2 which is adopting multiculturalism and such. I don't know if you all know this, however Sam known as "Switzerland" is coming here in January to visit me. And he wants to have a Cheese Fondue night, because we don't know what real cheese is here, and he wants to share his countries cheese and such. So now it is a competency event, and he doesn't know that yet, but he will know that after he reads this. That was ridiculous, I never thought he would be a topic at our weekly KCC meeting.
..And there's my life story from the past week, I don't have to work tomorrow which is nice. More time to catch up on other things in life.
Peace & Love of course,
Amy<3<3
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