~We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives~
First post in to the New Year. Happy New Year to all of you! <3 We brought the New Year in with the Richibucto Katima group. It was lots of fun, we danced the night away, lit sparklers at the final countdown clinked sparkling apple cider non alcohol style to celebrate the New Year. As a group we have really came together and made the most out of our time everyday. I am so happy I can start my year off in this program, surrounded by so much love.
I am going to go back to where I left you off, I am sorry it has been so long. I have tried so many times to sit down and post this however, things are moving so fast, and we are constantly doing something, and I feel as if I am losing my focus to keep this going. With saying that, I will get my focus back because this is really important to me. To keep track for myself as well as keep you all updated. Going back to last Monday; which was the regular KCC planning, and YMCA planning. It was a normal evening, other than Kyle and I beaking each other all night. As most of you already know, it is so easy to bug me, so you know how that one goes. It was fun, and made a boring night of meetings go more smoothly. My competency which I am in discussed how we want to go visit retirement homes, and get in touch with the habitat for humanity centre here. I am excited to be apart of this competency because I am always so motivated to seek out volunteer options, and be apart of planning these. Mitch, Claude, and Marina KB are in my group, and they are always motivated to plan volunteer activities for our group! As a long term goal I hope we can plan something to do to engage as a citizen in Moncton at least once a week. I believe thats a measurable goal. I am going to miss going back to reality where I can't just volunteer all week, not worrying about paying bills and what not. I can't believe I only have two months to plan what ever I want for myself. On that note- I will still volunteer as much as I can when I come home. I am not going to throw it all away, I am really proud of all the volunteer hours I have put in over the past four months, it inspires me to keep going. I came across a really nice passage on that note:
Strengthen Your Community "In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is power to do it." -Marianne Williamson
Tuesday of last week- Claude came with David and I to work, it was lots of fun! It was nice having fresh energy in the program, and the adults really enjoyed having her there. She enjoyed her day, as it was quite from not many adults being there since it was the holiday week. However she met my favorite lady who comes everyday, and she always asks about her now, its nice that other people than David know about my job, and what I do. It makes for good conversation when reflecting on my days at the YMCA. In the evening, we had good talks as a group, once again it was another night where our group started to find an extra bond. We are truly becoming a family. OH I love my Katima family<3 I am probably going to say that lots in this post.
Wednesday- Evan did a really interesting creative writing workshop with us. He is a very good writer himself, and it was so inspiring he could give us some insight in to what he enjoys most, his writing. He is always typing away on the computer on his short stories. He is a really insightful writer too, and always has really good ideas. I haven't heard many recently, although he is usually working on like 3 stories at once. I believe his writing will go somewhere one day, and his fortune cookie on New Years day hinted at that. Also on Wednesday I spent most of my spare time at work reading a really interesting biography of Mary Weiland its called "Fall to Pieces" Its about her addictions, modeling career, and bi polar disorder. It was a really inspiring book, and it grabbed my attention. I finished the book in like two days. It helped me understand, why people use drugs, and what keeps them going, many people don't understand why people do drugs, and their motives; thats why I appreciated this book. Also understanding mental illness, since she suffered from a Bi Polar disorder as well. That was also interesting because I never really understood this illness. Mary who wrote the memoir, was so honest with her experience. I suggest reading it, if anyone wants to burry their head in a book for a couple of days and forget everything else going on in life. :)
Thursday was the YMCA youth night. Patrick our PL brought his guitar and did a little workshop, and showed a couple of the guys a few chords, and an easy song. Afterwards we played some mixers and fun games. Our problem is, a lot of the kids just like to watch us play games, to be entertained because we get so loud and in to it. Often they are too scared. Although they are warming up to us little by little, so there is progress! We are hoping to plan more in advance, so we can do workshops and such with them. I am making a calender with Katie and Chelsea, to post so kids can see whatsup and when we want to do certain activities. We want to have a PJAY night with the girls!! I am excited. Fridays at the YMCA are more busy, as more kids show up. Usually up to like 45 kids, so it can be difficult entertaining such a large group. Good thing there is ten of us!
Friday!! As I started this post, New Years Eve. Unfortunately David and I had to work, as the rest of the group got to stay home and await the Richibucto katima group, but thats okay! It was an easy day at work at we got off at like 2:00. When we got home, the house was packed. When I say Richibucto I mean Elliot Lake, our katima cousins from Ontario. They moved here as well, and they live close to us again. Its really interesting that we can develop friendships with a different group, and spend time with others doing the exact same program as us. It makes for a very packed house when we meet, and a very confusing supper. However we have a system now, one group gets the dining table, and usually the other group gets the living room. When we have dinners in a living room it brings us back to home, when we have family get together, and we are forced to eat on coaches and floors. I love it! Anyway, as I said we danced lots, had a snowball fight, reflected on our past year, pondered on our future year to come, laughed, and had lots of fun!
New Years Day! We woke up bright and early for the Ste. pats resolution run. It was a energetic beginning to 2011. Everyone working was really positive, and the weather was beautiful. I was out on the route directing people. I was with a funny lady who was from Scotland. She was the most energetic, funny person I have ever met. The lady who left me there was like "She is a nutcase, you will love her" Everyone goes, oh great Amy and her will get along just great! Ha ha, apparently I laugh too much? Who would have thought? Anyway, I had a lot of fun with this lady. I wish there were more people like her. You know those people who are just so happy, and they leave such an impression on you? The world would be so much more happier with all these kinds of people. Or we would all just be nut cases ha ha. Overall, we will never achieve a perfect balance when it comes to the perfect mix of personalities to have around you. After this event we walked home, yet again it was so nice being outside getting fresh air. For some odd reason we have only had really nice weather on the weekends. When we got home I had the greatest idea yet, "Lets have our own New Years Day, Polar Dip!" After much debating, sighs, and "Amy, why would you think of such a crazy idea banter" everyone agreed and got their bathing suits on. It was so much fun. We had a snowball fight, and agreed we could wear shoes so we would last longer outside. We ended up staying out for like half an hour, and we were not even cold when we were coming in the house. Let me re phrase that, I was cold after I did snow angels in the snow. However, before that I was all good! Everyone had a grand time, and I am happy for my random idea thoughts at the perfect moments. We all decided to do more crazy things, it makes life more interesting. The funniest thing was. "Amy, is this a usual thing you do with your family on New Years Day?" Honestly I could see my family running around in bathing suits down the street, I really wanted to say yes, we go jumping in snow banks its a family tradition. If only, maybe I will start it next year;) Ha ha! For New Years Day supper, we went out for chinese and it was wonderful! It was nice to go out as a group, and have the evening off!
Sunday- We went to Humphrey Memorial church to help serve a supper which was out for the public to anyone who needs a hot meal. They do this once a month, and it was really close to our house, which made it easy to get there. They really appreciated our help, and like we always say, we are pro at cleaning up after events with all our experience. Especially with folding up tables and stacking chairs ha ha! New skills for my resume. How wonderful! Anyway, other than it being all rainbows and butterflies, my wallet got stolen. I guess thats what happens when I am working at a place with under privileged people. However my bag was in a sort of secure area, so thats why it is frustrating. I lost gift cards, cash, all my important stuff. It really sucks, I feel so lost without all of that stuff! I hope who ever had taken it used the money for something they needed. I wish they left my important stuff though. Oh well, I guess thats a lesson for me to not be so trusting all the time.
In the evening, we went to Tim Hortons to have our KCC meeting which was so funny because this meeting has to be really formal, and there we were in the corner of tim hortons with the laptop and all. After that we finally had the Tim Bit Eating competition between Kyle and Marina KB which we had all been waiting for for a really long time. I went on Kyles team because I knew he could eat more, I wanted to be on KB's team however I was saving my ass from having to eat a supper blended up. In total they both ate 20 timbits in the beginning, then they went on to six donuts each, Kyle finished it all, and KB couldn't eat the last few bites of the sixth! So yay, for my team winning. We were in tims for like 3 hours, chanting, and we even had signs. We thought about going to a different tims when we realized they were running our of timbits. Oh the joys of finding things to do that keep you entertained for your free time. They both felt really horrible after. But it was worth it, because we had been anticipating the competition for a long time.
Monday- That was yesterday, Yay I am finally catching up to reality, as of now. We had more boring planning for KCC, and YMCA, and we also started planning our high school presentation spiel for when we go next week. We are going to a french school, and an english one. It should be interesting, to get some recruitment going. Apparently right now for Acadians to get accepted in to the program its like guaranteed 100 percent. In all of Canada, in the program I am in, there is only 2 Acadians in total. Thats crazy! After that jazz, we had a spa night even with the guys! We made a face mask, with oatmeal and other things they blended up. I wasn't paying attention, but it was a trusting recipe I am sure. When we all had it on our faces, cucumbers and all. I did guided imagery, and we meditated. It was nice and relaxing, I am happy everyone enjoyed it! I also had yesterday off from work, however thats when I discovered my wallet being stolen and I spent the day figuring out all that jazz. I wish that was just all a bad dream.
Today is Tuesday, finally all caught up. I have to promise to update more often, because I am losing my mind trying to remember these details with a week past. I went to work, and it was back to normal with the attendance. David is house manager, so it was a busy day, doing everything on my own. I showed a group of them the card game "Cheat" also known as "Bullshit" we had a lot fun. Other than the ones forgetting they aren't supposed to admit when they don't have the number next in sequence. That was always funny, and me always calling cheat on someone, and being wrong. There was lots of laughs, and that always makes me happy.
Tonight, Denise our project coordinator came for a visit. She is just helping us with a few things, and it was nice to see her again. She is such a positive person, and brings lots of fresh energy to the group! I also received a card from Lena! Thank you so much, it made my day:)
p.s I am sorry if the post doesn't make sense at times, I am very tired.
I hope everyone is doing well,
I miss you all<3<3
Amy
I am going to go back to where I left you off, I am sorry it has been so long. I have tried so many times to sit down and post this however, things are moving so fast, and we are constantly doing something, and I feel as if I am losing my focus to keep this going. With saying that, I will get my focus back because this is really important to me. To keep track for myself as well as keep you all updated. Going back to last Monday; which was the regular KCC planning, and YMCA planning. It was a normal evening, other than Kyle and I beaking each other all night. As most of you already know, it is so easy to bug me, so you know how that one goes. It was fun, and made a boring night of meetings go more smoothly. My competency which I am in discussed how we want to go visit retirement homes, and get in touch with the habitat for humanity centre here. I am excited to be apart of this competency because I am always so motivated to seek out volunteer options, and be apart of planning these. Mitch, Claude, and Marina KB are in my group, and they are always motivated to plan volunteer activities for our group! As a long term goal I hope we can plan something to do to engage as a citizen in Moncton at least once a week. I believe thats a measurable goal. I am going to miss going back to reality where I can't just volunteer all week, not worrying about paying bills and what not. I can't believe I only have two months to plan what ever I want for myself. On that note- I will still volunteer as much as I can when I come home. I am not going to throw it all away, I am really proud of all the volunteer hours I have put in over the past four months, it inspires me to keep going. I came across a really nice passage on that note:
Strengthen Your Community "In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is power to do it." -Marianne Williamson
Tuesday of last week- Claude came with David and I to work, it was lots of fun! It was nice having fresh energy in the program, and the adults really enjoyed having her there. She enjoyed her day, as it was quite from not many adults being there since it was the holiday week. However she met my favorite lady who comes everyday, and she always asks about her now, its nice that other people than David know about my job, and what I do. It makes for good conversation when reflecting on my days at the YMCA. In the evening, we had good talks as a group, once again it was another night where our group started to find an extra bond. We are truly becoming a family. OH I love my Katima family<3 I am probably going to say that lots in this post.
Wednesday- Evan did a really interesting creative writing workshop with us. He is a very good writer himself, and it was so inspiring he could give us some insight in to what he enjoys most, his writing. He is always typing away on the computer on his short stories. He is a really insightful writer too, and always has really good ideas. I haven't heard many recently, although he is usually working on like 3 stories at once. I believe his writing will go somewhere one day, and his fortune cookie on New Years day hinted at that. Also on Wednesday I spent most of my spare time at work reading a really interesting biography of Mary Weiland its called "Fall to Pieces" Its about her addictions, modeling career, and bi polar disorder. It was a really inspiring book, and it grabbed my attention. I finished the book in like two days. It helped me understand, why people use drugs, and what keeps them going, many people don't understand why people do drugs, and their motives; thats why I appreciated this book. Also understanding mental illness, since she suffered from a Bi Polar disorder as well. That was also interesting because I never really understood this illness. Mary who wrote the memoir, was so honest with her experience. I suggest reading it, if anyone wants to burry their head in a book for a couple of days and forget everything else going on in life. :)
Thursday was the YMCA youth night. Patrick our PL brought his guitar and did a little workshop, and showed a couple of the guys a few chords, and an easy song. Afterwards we played some mixers and fun games. Our problem is, a lot of the kids just like to watch us play games, to be entertained because we get so loud and in to it. Often they are too scared. Although they are warming up to us little by little, so there is progress! We are hoping to plan more in advance, so we can do workshops and such with them. I am making a calender with Katie and Chelsea, to post so kids can see whatsup and when we want to do certain activities. We want to have a PJAY night with the girls!! I am excited. Fridays at the YMCA are more busy, as more kids show up. Usually up to like 45 kids, so it can be difficult entertaining such a large group. Good thing there is ten of us!
Friday!! As I started this post, New Years Eve. Unfortunately David and I had to work, as the rest of the group got to stay home and await the Richibucto katima group, but thats okay! It was an easy day at work at we got off at like 2:00. When we got home, the house was packed. When I say Richibucto I mean Elliot Lake, our katima cousins from Ontario. They moved here as well, and they live close to us again. Its really interesting that we can develop friendships with a different group, and spend time with others doing the exact same program as us. It makes for a very packed house when we meet, and a very confusing supper. However we have a system now, one group gets the dining table, and usually the other group gets the living room. When we have dinners in a living room it brings us back to home, when we have family get together, and we are forced to eat on coaches and floors. I love it! Anyway, as I said we danced lots, had a snowball fight, reflected on our past year, pondered on our future year to come, laughed, and had lots of fun!
New Years Day! We woke up bright and early for the Ste. pats resolution run. It was a energetic beginning to 2011. Everyone working was really positive, and the weather was beautiful. I was out on the route directing people. I was with a funny lady who was from Scotland. She was the most energetic, funny person I have ever met. The lady who left me there was like "She is a nutcase, you will love her" Everyone goes, oh great Amy and her will get along just great! Ha ha, apparently I laugh too much? Who would have thought? Anyway, I had a lot of fun with this lady. I wish there were more people like her. You know those people who are just so happy, and they leave such an impression on you? The world would be so much more happier with all these kinds of people. Or we would all just be nut cases ha ha. Overall, we will never achieve a perfect balance when it comes to the perfect mix of personalities to have around you. After this event we walked home, yet again it was so nice being outside getting fresh air. For some odd reason we have only had really nice weather on the weekends. When we got home I had the greatest idea yet, "Lets have our own New Years Day, Polar Dip!" After much debating, sighs, and "Amy, why would you think of such a crazy idea banter" everyone agreed and got their bathing suits on. It was so much fun. We had a snowball fight, and agreed we could wear shoes so we would last longer outside. We ended up staying out for like half an hour, and we were not even cold when we were coming in the house. Let me re phrase that, I was cold after I did snow angels in the snow. However, before that I was all good! Everyone had a grand time, and I am happy for my random idea thoughts at the perfect moments. We all decided to do more crazy things, it makes life more interesting. The funniest thing was. "Amy, is this a usual thing you do with your family on New Years Day?" Honestly I could see my family running around in bathing suits down the street, I really wanted to say yes, we go jumping in snow banks its a family tradition. If only, maybe I will start it next year;) Ha ha! For New Years Day supper, we went out for chinese and it was wonderful! It was nice to go out as a group, and have the evening off!
In the evening, we went to Tim Hortons to have our KCC meeting which was so funny because this meeting has to be really formal, and there we were in the corner of tim hortons with the laptop and all. After that we finally had the Tim Bit Eating competition between Kyle and Marina KB which we had all been waiting for for a really long time. I went on Kyles team because I knew he could eat more, I wanted to be on KB's team however I was saving my ass from having to eat a supper blended up. In total they both ate 20 timbits in the beginning, then they went on to six donuts each, Kyle finished it all, and KB couldn't eat the last few bites of the sixth! So yay, for my team winning. We were in tims for like 3 hours, chanting, and we even had signs. We thought about going to a different tims when we realized they were running our of timbits. Oh the joys of finding things to do that keep you entertained for your free time. They both felt really horrible after. But it was worth it, because we had been anticipating the competition for a long time.
Monday- That was yesterday, Yay I am finally catching up to reality, as of now. We had more boring planning for KCC, and YMCA, and we also started planning our high school presentation spiel for when we go next week. We are going to a french school, and an english one. It should be interesting, to get some recruitment going. Apparently right now for Acadians to get accepted in to the program its like guaranteed 100 percent. In all of Canada, in the program I am in, there is only 2 Acadians in total. Thats crazy! After that jazz, we had a spa night even with the guys! We made a face mask, with oatmeal and other things they blended up. I wasn't paying attention, but it was a trusting recipe I am sure. When we all had it on our faces, cucumbers and all. I did guided imagery, and we meditated. It was nice and relaxing, I am happy everyone enjoyed it! I also had yesterday off from work, however thats when I discovered my wallet being stolen and I spent the day figuring out all that jazz. I wish that was just all a bad dream.
Today is Tuesday, finally all caught up. I have to promise to update more often, because I am losing my mind trying to remember these details with a week past. I went to work, and it was back to normal with the attendance. David is house manager, so it was a busy day, doing everything on my own. I showed a group of them the card game "Cheat" also known as "Bullshit" we had a lot fun. Other than the ones forgetting they aren't supposed to admit when they don't have the number next in sequence. That was always funny, and me always calling cheat on someone, and being wrong. There was lots of laughs, and that always makes me happy.
p.s I am sorry if the post doesn't make sense at times, I am very tired.
I hope everyone is doing well,
I miss you all<3<3
Amy
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