home is where your h e a r t is .

Life in Katimavik has been intense, however beautiful in so many ways. The last week has been so crazy. Going back to last Tuesday- more more and more planning for debriefing, collective project, goodbye party, all that jazz. Wednesday regular French lessons, and it was our last actual lesson because this week our teacher is just coming to do a supper with us as a special touch, I believe we are having an acadian dish, I am so excited! Thursday we all went to youth night as our last Thursday youth night. Of course we outnumbered the kids, and we played games, and had some good laughs.

After work Friday we set off on our beautiful excursion to Prince Edward Island the katima family was jumping with excitement. We haven't went on an excursion yet, so that was a big deal for us. We had spent the weekend before with the PEI group, and we fell in love with them. They brought me home with their energy, and wonderful vibe! We left the house at like 630, and all the girls minus Marina KB drove in Denis our PL'S van. As we left the Boutouche katima group was arriving at our home because they stayed here while volunteering the weekend here in Moncton. We were a little disappointed because we haven't spent much time with their group. They were so happy that we let them stay here, and they left us orgami swans and they are so beautiful! 

Going over the Confederation bridge in to PEI was so cool, it was dark out although you could still see the lights, and it was cool to say I have been on one of the worlds largest bridges! We arrived in Charlottetown at 830 and we were greeted by more smiles and hugs. They were jumping to welcome us in to their lovely home. Indeed it was lovely, lots of space, and they had bigger bedrooms of course, every katimavik house is so different. You could have a brand new home, or a really old one. As soon as we got our stuff in we had a dance party, and I was loving every moment. After dancing we went for a walk, and most of the group went skating. We went over to the water, and enjoyed the life of a small town. 

Saturday we volunteered at Jack Frost the annual winter festival Charlottetown has. David and I worked at the tubing hill, and pushed kids down. When I went down I thought I was going to die, it was intense! They had performances there, beautiful ice sculptures, skating, everything winter. I can admit I was chilly, but It was a fun day! Supper went smoothly with two groups, it is very interesting to have 22 people in one house, trying to function, but I really wouldn't have it any other way. After supper our group went to watch the fire works at the festival and I must say I was surprised on how good they were.  I don't think they would beat Onanole, Manitoba's July 1st fire works! When we got back to the house everyone hung out together, and it was special. There group has three accordions and one of them plays the violin and of course Chelsea has the guitar out. I love hearing music like that, and being surrounded by such diverse people. It was one of those moments I wanted to have frozen. I will never forget that night. I also laughed so much with our PL it was ridiculous we have come to the realization we can't sit beside each other and be serious. We also played a fun game, and I didn't want the night to end.

Sunday up and out of the house for 9:00 AM, another interesting challenge for such a large group with only 2 bathrooms with only one of them having a shower. We set off for a lovely beach on a cold cold day. I could hardly handle it, however the ocean was beautiful and the wind almost took me down literally. Our next stop was Anne Of Green Gables. It was so interesting to go to the house and see the area, the downside was the tour guide didn't show up, so we didn't get the chance to actually go in. It was better than nothing. After that we went to another water front, and we all realized it would be so amazing in the summer time. After all the wind, and chills, we were freezing and thankful to be on our way home to Charlottetown. We stopped at a cute bakery on the way home, and stocked up on sweets. After lunch we went to an art gallery downtown, and after most of us got ice cream. I once heard you can't go to the east coast without getting ice cream, even if it is winter! When we arrived to the katima house there we were all packed up and ready to head back to our reality in Moncton. We were all disappointed because we had such a great time with their group. On the way back, Josie our PSL took us to a place where we could get a group picture in front of the Confederation bridge, it was also at sunset, this made it more beautiful. 

We arrived home to a quiet home, and I have realized I am at home where ever my group is. We all unpacked, and David and I started planning our katima wedding for the following Monday. It gets better..

Monday was Valentine's Day, and we definitely celebrated it the best way possible. The cake was cooked, the flowers were bought, the house was decorated. It was a Katima Wedding and I was the bride. The pictures you will see will tell it all. Our PL was the priest and he was dressed so funny, and I will never forget Kyle as the flower girl. The supper turned in to a wedding reception even with speeches, and we ended the night with a dance party, after a special presentation by Chelsea and Evan, and thats all I will say on that one. Evan was so cute, and bought the girls a Heart Shaped box with chocolate in it, and the guys were mad because they were not as clever as he was. I never enjoyed Valentine's Day, and I think I found a new meaning to the special occasion. 

Today I woke up sore from how much I laughed yesterday, I still can't get over it. David and I as newlyweds went off to our shared job at the ymca. We got home early, and I started to cross things off my to do list as it is very long and I have to start crackin' on all of this katima wrap up business. Our PC was here for supper and it was nice, and she was happy to see us laughing again with everything we have went through before our new PL.

I am so happy and enjoying every second in Katimavik, and the group is getting closer everyday. 

love love love,