Breakfeast was more oatmeal but this time I made it myself and added red-river, and instead of chocolate, I had it with apple and raisins and it was super good!!!!! >.<
Had so much extra time this morning, `cause on Fridays, work doesn`t start till 9:30am, which is an hour later than usual. I even selpt in till 7am.
Work was swimming, pizza and juice boxes for lunch, and a games circite in the Youth Center. I started out by leading tug-of-war, but swtiched half way through with Summer and did the rind toss and that game where you knock down the pyramid with the ball.
Got home at 3:30pm `cause work ened at 3pm. Firdays are short days!!! So I used the extar time to set up some stuff for the french breakfeast, and did the french word of the week with its three pharses. Then I wrote down some notes about what I`d say to explain the French meal, and did some executive work, like making an agenda outline and coming up with some smart sounding stuff to say as chair. XP Although, the executive stuff wa actually after dinner.
Dinner was spagetti and MEATBALLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XD
We had a woman named Louisa Rose come over for dinner. Chris is trying to pursuade her to lend us some canvas so we can bluid our own mishwap. We were supposed to go to the YOuth Center tonight for our activity, but Louisa said she`d give us some canvas tonight, and because she`s planning on heading south in a couple weeks, we decided tonight was the night to bluid the mishwap.
On my part, it envolved a lot of heavy lifting and carring (canvas, ploes/wood, big rocks for the fire pit) and there was a ton of tieing knots!!! A portion of which I did wrong and I took like 15min to correct. The best part though, was when Pauline showed up!!! It was so much more fun once she got there, and who needs a ladder when you`ve got Pauline! XD But our nieghbour Jason was kind enough to help us get a ladder, which we did use.
At 11:20pm we had a mishwap!
Then some other people came over and we just laughed for like 5min straight, then Bauze creeped out some people.
........Ugh, french meal 1st thing tomorrow.......
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Chisasibi Week Three: Day One: July 21
6:30am, had the last of the oatmeal with chocolate chips (which porbably isn`t the healthyist but hey! who cares XP) I didn`t do any of the dishes (for once). Now, one of the guys was aslepp on the couch outside the girls room and his alarm was SO loud, but he had his headphone on so he couldn`t even hear it and it went off three times!! So one, he was being inconsiderate, and two, we are not supposed to sleep on the couches anyway!
Anywho, today I went to work alone because Syenthia said that Talia and I didn`t need to get to work till 9am when the kids actually show up, but I wanted to keep going for 8:30am anyway. The extra time lets me clean the classroom and do any perp that needs to be done.
It`s lucky I went early too, `cause Summer called in sick, so I was on my own without a lesson plan. Of course, Syenthis had been considering doubleing up the groups, but I went and did the stupid thing of saying I could manage it. --``
So I went with paper airplanes, colouring, and the bliuding kits. Everything was going okay too, and then Syenthis shows up with more kids from a different group!!!! (Again with the bike trip thing.) But the morning passed okay, while the afternoon was a nightmare! I just don`t know what`s up with the 8-9s, but I sure can`t handel them. Not to the mention the councilers aren`t much help, and nobody believed I was wearing my PJs (Even though I was!!!!!!).
Got home and did laundry. Then managed to get the executive together and go over some stuff, so hopefully the next CCK goes better. But Chris` teaching style is completely hands off, and I can`t help but get a little furstrated.
Dinner was veggie-lasaunga with eggs, (egg-lasaunga, who knew!!!) but there was also a beef add-on, which I had.
Highlight of the day was when Gordon`s Ipod played ``The Batty Wrap`` from Fren Gully.
After dinner, I also managed to get the OLC (Officail Languages Committee) together to try and set up the frnech meal for Saturday morning.
Tonight is free time, and we were lucky enough to get a fire going out back. Of course, I was downstaris blogging (not this entry --``) and no one bothered to tell me they had started. But I went up and saw it, then went out and had fun dancing and stuff with the neighbourhood kids.
I`m starting to think I actually quiet like kids.
Anywho, today I went to work alone because Syenthia said that Talia and I didn`t need to get to work till 9am when the kids actually show up, but I wanted to keep going for 8:30am anyway. The extra time lets me clean the classroom and do any perp that needs to be done.
It`s lucky I went early too, `cause Summer called in sick, so I was on my own without a lesson plan. Of course, Syenthis had been considering doubleing up the groups, but I went and did the stupid thing of saying I could manage it. --``
So I went with paper airplanes, colouring, and the bliuding kits. Everything was going okay too, and then Syenthis shows up with more kids from a different group!!!! (Again with the bike trip thing.) But the morning passed okay, while the afternoon was a nightmare! I just don`t know what`s up with the 8-9s, but I sure can`t handel them. Not to the mention the councilers aren`t much help, and nobody believed I was wearing my PJs (Even though I was!!!!!!).
Got home and did laundry. Then managed to get the executive together and go over some stuff, so hopefully the next CCK goes better. But Chris` teaching style is completely hands off, and I can`t help but get a little furstrated.
Dinner was veggie-lasaunga with eggs, (egg-lasaunga, who knew!!!) but there was also a beef add-on, which I had.
Highlight of the day was when Gordon`s Ipod played ``The Batty Wrap`` from Fren Gully.
After dinner, I also managed to get the OLC (Officail Languages Committee) together to try and set up the frnech meal for Saturday morning.
Tonight is free time, and we were lucky enough to get a fire going out back. Of course, I was downstaris blogging (not this entry --``) and no one bothered to tell me they had started. But I went up and saw it, then went out and had fun dancing and stuff with the neighbourhood kids.
I`m starting to think I actually quiet like kids.
Chisasibi Week Two: Day Seven :July 20: Pauline`s 1st Visit
Up at 6:30am, breakfeast was oatmeal with chocolate chips. Found my missing MP3 player in bed (I was sleeping on it. --``) and left for work on time.
The plan for was ballon rockets, and the 1st group (10-13s) did awesome!!! Then we were off to swimming, and I got to waer my swim cap (over braided pigtails XP). The only thing I didn`t totally like about swimming was that I was a Jungel-Gym.
Lunch was the home made pizza pockets that Brandon made. I was so excited for them, but I didn`t end up likeing them all that much......I think it must be the formate, cause the beard was good, and I love meat amd cheese and sauce..............*shrugs*
The 8-9s were so bad, I don`t even want to go there!!!! The 6-7s were okay.
After work, Syenthia brought out this huge box and we all got t-shirts!!!!! (They say camp staff!!! >//<) I got a yellow one (BooYeah!) and a pink one. They were both smalls though, which surprised me, `cause they fit wonderfully.
Walked home with Talia. Once I got home, I did dishes and had a shower.
Dinner was pinapple chicken with rice, steamed veggies and beard. I also had lots of tea and played cards!!! ^^
Now, Pualine came over and had dinner with us, and while the dishes were being done she just hung out. Once they were done, she sat down with us and told us all about Chisasibi. We talked about the hydro issues, and the trap lines, and almost everything!!!! (even little people and UFOs XP) But Pualine is SO COOL!!!!!! She works with Catherine at the MSDC, and she is fully tri-ligual (Cree, English and French.) She is smart, funny, nice, well, basically everything good!!! XP Hopefully she`ll be able to came back and teach us some Cree. She also really helps us out with community stuff, like staying informed. :)
The plan for was ballon rockets, and the 1st group (10-13s) did awesome!!! Then we were off to swimming, and I got to waer my swim cap (over braided pigtails XP). The only thing I didn`t totally like about swimming was that I was a Jungel-Gym.
Lunch was the home made pizza pockets that Brandon made. I was so excited for them, but I didn`t end up likeing them all that much......I think it must be the formate, cause the beard was good, and I love meat amd cheese and sauce..............*shrugs*
The 8-9s were so bad, I don`t even want to go there!!!! The 6-7s were okay.
After work, Syenthia brought out this huge box and we all got t-shirts!!!!! (They say camp staff!!! >//<) I got a yellow one (BooYeah!) and a pink one. They were both smalls though, which surprised me, `cause they fit wonderfully.
Walked home with Talia. Once I got home, I did dishes and had a shower.
Dinner was pinapple chicken with rice, steamed veggies and beard. I also had lots of tea and played cards!!! ^^
Now, Pualine came over and had dinner with us, and while the dishes were being done she just hung out. Once they were done, she sat down with us and told us all about Chisasibi. We talked about the hydro issues, and the trap lines, and almost everything!!!! (even little people and UFOs XP) But Pualine is SO COOL!!!!!! She works with Catherine at the MSDC, and she is fully tri-ligual (Cree, English and French.) She is smart, funny, nice, well, basically everything good!!! XP Hopefully she`ll be able to came back and teach us some Cree. She also really helps us out with community stuff, like staying informed. :)
Chisasibi Week Two: Day Six: July 19
( Brandon pointed out to me that it is a month till my b-day. XD)
Woke up and had pb and j on bread. Then I tired to wake up Brandon (he asked) but he is a heavy sleeper and all the methods he purposed for being woken up didn`t work.......This was at 6:30am.
At 7am, I tired again, to no avail. But I woke Talia up. And apperently what I do in the morning is called ``puttering.``
7:30am I had some bread with humus, finally got Brandon out of bed, and woke up Catherine. (Can you tell I`m a human alarm clock?) Anywho, once Brandon was up he made oatmeal, and I had some of that with chcolate chips in it.
Talia and I were the 1st at work, then Summer showed up. Today, a dental hygenist came in to talk to the kids, so 2 of the 4 classes we didn`t have to deal with. I was also given a toothbrush and some floss (sweet!!!) but I saw 2 different ways of how to brush your teeth and now I am confused.........
I couldn`t tell you what I had for lunch, but Summer brought me a muffin!!!! >//<
It was a long day all together, as for the 2 blocks we had, we were still scrambling for activities.
When I left for work, I ran into Catherine on her way home, so we wlaked back together (same as yestersay).
At home, I helped with dinner, and cleaned teh girl`s bathroom (again!!!). I have a feeling I`m going be doing a lot of house work even when I`m not house managing.
I also had some paper work to do today. Remeber how I mentioned that thing about unauthorized rides? Well today I had to fill out the form for my Final Warning (Gah!!!). I`m really disappointed that I got one, but now that I have it, I`m gonna be super careful not to get sent home!!!! I WILL learn form my mistakes!!!!
Dinner was Indian Tacos (Bannock w/ taco toppings) and Bauhze (however you spell it) ate with us. Then Gordon and I did dishes.
Tonight was free time, so I chose to stay home instead of going to a sweat. (Figured If I didn`t get to finish again I would rather stay home and rest, but truns out the group that went was back by 11:30 and had finished.....) But it wasn`t a bad thing. I got to relaxe, play cards, and drink LOTS of tea.
^//^
Woke up and had pb and j on bread. Then I tired to wake up Brandon (he asked) but he is a heavy sleeper and all the methods he purposed for being woken up didn`t work.......This was at 6:30am.
At 7am, I tired again, to no avail. But I woke Talia up. And apperently what I do in the morning is called ``puttering.``
7:30am I had some bread with humus, finally got Brandon out of bed, and woke up Catherine. (Can you tell I`m a human alarm clock?) Anywho, once Brandon was up he made oatmeal, and I had some of that with chcolate chips in it.
Talia and I were the 1st at work, then Summer showed up. Today, a dental hygenist came in to talk to the kids, so 2 of the 4 classes we didn`t have to deal with. I was also given a toothbrush and some floss (sweet!!!) but I saw 2 different ways of how to brush your teeth and now I am confused.........
I couldn`t tell you what I had for lunch, but Summer brought me a muffin!!!! >//<
It was a long day all together, as for the 2 blocks we had, we were still scrambling for activities.
When I left for work, I ran into Catherine on her way home, so we wlaked back together (same as yestersay).
At home, I helped with dinner, and cleaned teh girl`s bathroom (again!!!). I have a feeling I`m going be doing a lot of house work even when I`m not house managing.
I also had some paper work to do today. Remeber how I mentioned that thing about unauthorized rides? Well today I had to fill out the form for my Final Warning (Gah!!!). I`m really disappointed that I got one, but now that I have it, I`m gonna be super careful not to get sent home!!!! I WILL learn form my mistakes!!!!
Dinner was Indian Tacos (Bannock w/ taco toppings) and Bauhze (however you spell it) ate with us. Then Gordon and I did dishes.
Tonight was free time, so I chose to stay home instead of going to a sweat. (Figured If I didn`t get to finish again I would rather stay home and rest, but truns out the group that went was back by 11:30 and had finished.....) But it wasn`t a bad thing. I got to relaxe, play cards, and drink LOTS of tea.
^//^
Chisasibi Weel Two: Day Five : July 18: The 1st CCK
Woke up at 6:30am, just like I wanted. I`ve established that I want to be an early raiser. Breakfeast was leftover sweet potato soup with bread and tea. I had a shower, and puttered around. Then, due to some miscommunitcation in regards to alram clocks, Talia and I ran a bit late. But we were still the 1st people to get to work.
Today, Talia got placed in sports as an assisent, and I got moved to sciences to work with a girl named Summer. She is only 15yrs old, has pink hair, and knows her anime! XD The classes actually went pretty dran well, considering we had no plan and I`m not a siences person, but I had fun.
Mondays at work are swim days, but I hadn`t been sure, so I didn`t pack my swim stuff. I was, however, able to purchase a swim cap! (neon yellow) So I can go swimming on Wed.
Dinner was roast beef, mashed potatoes, and salad.
Then I sang some, read my Bible and played solitare. (not that I have any idea as to wheather or not I`m following the rules XP)
Then we had our 1st CCK, which seemed rather chaotic to me. I was very tried by the end of it. I`m not really a fan of Chris` teaching style. It`s a lot like Gobber`s from How to Train Your Dargon. ``I believe in learning on the job.``
Anywho, our meeting got inturuped by Bauhze (I have no clue how to spell it, In my journal I was spelling it Booze, but I don`t think that`s right. --`` ). He`s not a bad person (he`s only 16!!!!!) But he really freaks me out. I think it might be he`s lazy eye and his sence of humour........maybe......
CCK finally ended, but it was on a very low note, as the issue of theftiry is upon the house. I didn`t want to believe that anything has been stolen, or that anyone in our group would steal. But now my MP3 has gone missing, but I still have my headphones, which is weird.......
Today, Talia got placed in sports as an assisent, and I got moved to sciences to work with a girl named Summer. She is only 15yrs old, has pink hair, and knows her anime! XD The classes actually went pretty dran well, considering we had no plan and I`m not a siences person, but I had fun.
Mondays at work are swim days, but I hadn`t been sure, so I didn`t pack my swim stuff. I was, however, able to purchase a swim cap! (neon yellow) So I can go swimming on Wed.
Dinner was roast beef, mashed potatoes, and salad.
Then I sang some, read my Bible and played solitare. (not that I have any idea as to wheather or not I`m following the rules XP)
Then we had our 1st CCK, which seemed rather chaotic to me. I was very tried by the end of it. I`m not really a fan of Chris` teaching style. It`s a lot like Gobber`s from How to Train Your Dargon. ``I believe in learning on the job.``
Anywho, our meeting got inturuped by Bauhze (I have no clue how to spell it, In my journal I was spelling it Booze, but I don`t think that`s right. --`` ). He`s not a bad person (he`s only 16!!!!!) But he really freaks me out. I think it might be he`s lazy eye and his sence of humour........maybe......
CCK finally ended, but it was on a very low note, as the issue of theftiry is upon the house. I didn`t want to believe that anything has been stolen, or that anyone in our group would steal. But now my MP3 has gone missing, but I still have my headphones, which is weird.......
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Chisasibi Week Two: Day Four : July 17 : Sun Dance Final
So, I had an unpleasent awaking this morning when my left calf muscule spazed out. It already happened once to my other leg too, but this was more painful. *shrugs* I don`t knnow why I get them. Gordon says he gets them when he is adjusting to a new slepping environment, Mom texted me about more vitamins, and one of girls said to try streching my leg.
After that, I went back to sleep and didn`t wake up till 10:30am, so I didn`t go to church this sunday either. I`m still singing from the camp song book and reading my Bible, but I do want to check out the church at least once! As for the Bible, I`m still in Exudous and I just got all the blue prints for the tabernacle.........--``
Breakfeast was more leftover keenwa with corn on the cob.
Then I went out back and did some singing for a bit.....well......maybe like 2hrs....
Lunch was sweet potato soup with carrots, ongion, and garlic! It was so good!!!!! It was also very orange. XD
Then every one packed up and we all went to see the last day of the Sun Dance. Catherine and I wore our new skrits, and wore my jeans underneth cuase it was cold and cloudy! Pretty crummy for a Sun Dance if you ask me.
Anyway, 3 of us girls were on our time, so we couldn`t participate in the actual dance at all, but we were allowed way closer then I expected. Which was nice. The dancing wasn`t really what I expected (not as wild) but that was okay. The dancers were going without food or water for 3 days!!! They also had these whistles that they blew constantly, and I mean constantly!!
Chris had one too, because that morning he had gone the Sun Dance early and done a piricing ceremony. The kind where you get suspended form your back into the air. He was praying for his sister, `cause she wants to have a kid.
Overall, the day was okay. Chris later said it was a ``long day`` but I don`t really think it was, although it seemed to pass really slowly.
But I got snags in the back of my new skrit form sitting on wood! T.t
Dinner was veggitarien chilie, we were supposed to have raost beef and stuff, but we didn`t get home till 10pm, and Chris said he didn`t want us all up till 12 am waiting for dinner when we had work in the morning.
Dad texted me today and said that people at church were asking about me. *sniffs* I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!! >//<
After that, I went back to sleep and didn`t wake up till 10:30am, so I didn`t go to church this sunday either. I`m still singing from the camp song book and reading my Bible, but I do want to check out the church at least once! As for the Bible, I`m still in Exudous and I just got all the blue prints for the tabernacle.........--``
Breakfeast was more leftover keenwa with corn on the cob.
Then I went out back and did some singing for a bit.....well......maybe like 2hrs....
Lunch was sweet potato soup with carrots, ongion, and garlic! It was so good!!!!! It was also very orange. XD
Then every one packed up and we all went to see the last day of the Sun Dance. Catherine and I wore our new skrits, and wore my jeans underneth cuase it was cold and cloudy! Pretty crummy for a Sun Dance if you ask me.
Anyway, 3 of us girls were on our time, so we couldn`t participate in the actual dance at all, but we were allowed way closer then I expected. Which was nice. The dancing wasn`t really what I expected (not as wild) but that was okay. The dancers were going without food or water for 3 days!!! They also had these whistles that they blew constantly, and I mean constantly!!
Chris had one too, because that morning he had gone the Sun Dance early and done a piricing ceremony. The kind where you get suspended form your back into the air. He was praying for his sister, `cause she wants to have a kid.
Overall, the day was okay. Chris later said it was a ``long day`` but I don`t really think it was, although it seemed to pass really slowly.
But I got snags in the back of my new skrit form sitting on wood! T.t
Dinner was veggitarien chilie, we were supposed to have raost beef and stuff, but we didn`t get home till 10pm, and Chris said he didn`t want us all up till 12 am waiting for dinner when we had work in the morning.
Dad texted me today and said that people at church were asking about me. *sniffs* I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!! >//<
Chisasibi Week Two: Day Three: July 16 : Youth Gala
Breakfeast was leftover peita bread with peanut butter and jam (rasberry!)
When I woke up, Chris had left the house for the whole morning. On the table he left us a list of things he wanted us us to get done. Unfortunately, some people in the group didn`t get up till like 11am.
So, while we waited for them to join us, I did some cleaning (mostly sweeping) and ended up whipping down the basebroads.....O.o........I know right???
One of the things Chris had wanted us to do, was to get into our committees and work on getting some ideas together. But, with people still asleep at 10am, I was highly doubing anything would get done. Then at 11am I had all my committe mates sitting at the table with me!
*sighs* But man, do I have my work cut out for me! What with the executive, the committee, work, and helping the HMs. Although I am aware that I need to start learning to let go more, this is going to be hard.
After lunch, which was leftovers (I had more keenwa, corn-on-cob and lemon chiken) Chris gave us more free time, so Catherine and I walked to Northeren and FINALLY got skrits. (Well, they`re dresses but whatever!!!)
After we got home, there was still more free time. THen we all got dolled up to go to the Youth Gala at the Mishwap center. I wore my butterfly dress, with my black high-neck shirt undeerneth, highblack socks, and a pair of black shorts underneath. I also wore my cross necklace and my nice black dress shoes with the silver buckels.
The whole time, Julia and Cindy kept pressing me to straighten my hair (with cindy`s straightener) and change my clothes! (either by wearing on of Julia`s shrits or one of her dresses.) I don`t know what was up with that, but it was kind of annoiying. Although I did say next time we had something big, they could straighten my hiar.
We ate a quick dinner of pasta/tuna/forzen veggies before we left, but they had food when we got there.
The set up for the gala was awesome!!!! The decorations were so pretty!!!!! They used a lot of fabric and drapped it all over the place, all in these really nice blues and greens, and the soft lighting was beautiful. Chisasibi know how to throw down!!!!!
Now, I`ve never really been to a gala before, so didn`t know about all the talking that went on, but that was cool. Most of what happened was in Cree, and the MC was really drity (bleugh!) but there was one speaker who`s a player from the NFL, and he spoke in english. (He was cree.) Then there was this awesome surprise performance by Ceremony, who have apperently won Juno awards!!! (We even took a picture with them after!!! The one singer is really cool, `cause he sings the tradition cree bits, and he only has one leg!!! but he jumps all over the stage!!!!!! It was SO cool!!!)
Anywho, the only weird part was that this guy named Issac got totally into me or something.......and he had a weird way of expressing it. Part of which included kicked my legs in from behind, twice, (the 1st time I got really freaked out and almost choaked on the spoon I was putting in my mouth, second time I was braced, so nothing really happened) and grinnding at me along with Julia (did I mention she`s a lesbeian?). It was ackward and weird.......Oh! and he said he wanted to give me date-rape drugs. Which was NOT cool. Even if he didn`t really understand what he was talking about.
But finally we got to the dancing, which was pretty good. The music was so loud though! At one point, Cindy, Brandon, Catherine and I were dancing with a another girl who also up here for volunteer work, and we somehow ended up creatateing a show-down circle. People would go the middel and dance it out. There were a lot on on lookers but not a lot of participants.
Then Catherine and I went to rock out where there was more elbow room.
Most of the group left with Chris around 12am to go home. There was a bit of a rainstrom, with more thunder and lightening. Oh yeah!!! And while we were in the Mishwap Center, someone set off an alarm!!! I think it was `cause they tried to open a locked door, but the fire alram went off for almost 1/2hr.
Anywho, it was a good night overall. Apperently niether Chris nor Gordon were expecting me to dance so much. XP But hey! And I learned that Brandon has got moves, man!
When I woke up, Chris had left the house for the whole morning. On the table he left us a list of things he wanted us us to get done. Unfortunately, some people in the group didn`t get up till like 11am.
So, while we waited for them to join us, I did some cleaning (mostly sweeping) and ended up whipping down the basebroads.....O.o........I know right???
One of the things Chris had wanted us to do, was to get into our committees and work on getting some ideas together. But, with people still asleep at 10am, I was highly doubing anything would get done. Then at 11am I had all my committe mates sitting at the table with me!
*sighs* But man, do I have my work cut out for me! What with the executive, the committee, work, and helping the HMs. Although I am aware that I need to start learning to let go more, this is going to be hard.
After lunch, which was leftovers (I had more keenwa, corn-on-cob and lemon chiken) Chris gave us more free time, so Catherine and I walked to Northeren and FINALLY got skrits. (Well, they`re dresses but whatever!!!)
After we got home, there was still more free time. THen we all got dolled up to go to the Youth Gala at the Mishwap center. I wore my butterfly dress, with my black high-neck shirt undeerneth, highblack socks, and a pair of black shorts underneath. I also wore my cross necklace and my nice black dress shoes with the silver buckels.
The whole time, Julia and Cindy kept pressing me to straighten my hair (with cindy`s straightener) and change my clothes! (either by wearing on of Julia`s shrits or one of her dresses.) I don`t know what was up with that, but it was kind of annoiying. Although I did say next time we had something big, they could straighten my hiar.
We ate a quick dinner of pasta/tuna/forzen veggies before we left, but they had food when we got there.
The set up for the gala was awesome!!!! The decorations were so pretty!!!!! They used a lot of fabric and drapped it all over the place, all in these really nice blues and greens, and the soft lighting was beautiful. Chisasibi know how to throw down!!!!!
Now, I`ve never really been to a gala before, so didn`t know about all the talking that went on, but that was cool. Most of what happened was in Cree, and the MC was really drity (bleugh!) but there was one speaker who`s a player from the NFL, and he spoke in english. (He was cree.) Then there was this awesome surprise performance by Ceremony, who have apperently won Juno awards!!! (We even took a picture with them after!!! The one singer is really cool, `cause he sings the tradition cree bits, and he only has one leg!!! but he jumps all over the stage!!!!!! It was SO cool!!!)
Anywho, the only weird part was that this guy named Issac got totally into me or something.......and he had a weird way of expressing it. Part of which included kicked my legs in from behind, twice, (the 1st time I got really freaked out and almost choaked on the spoon I was putting in my mouth, second time I was braced, so nothing really happened) and grinnding at me along with Julia (did I mention she`s a lesbeian?). It was ackward and weird.......Oh! and he said he wanted to give me date-rape drugs. Which was NOT cool. Even if he didn`t really understand what he was talking about.
But finally we got to the dancing, which was pretty good. The music was so loud though! At one point, Cindy, Brandon, Catherine and I were dancing with a another girl who also up here for volunteer work, and we somehow ended up creatateing a show-down circle. People would go the middel and dance it out. There were a lot on on lookers but not a lot of participants.
Then Catherine and I went to rock out where there was more elbow room.
Most of the group left with Chris around 12am to go home. There was a bit of a rainstrom, with more thunder and lightening. Oh yeah!!! And while we were in the Mishwap Center, someone set off an alarm!!! I think it was `cause they tried to open a locked door, but the fire alram went off for almost 1/2hr.
Anywho, it was a good night overall. Apperently niether Chris nor Gordon were expecting me to dance so much. XP But hey! And I learned that Brandon has got moves, man!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Chisasibi Week Two : Day Two: July 15: Sun Dance and The Scare
Today we went to help set up the Sun Dance. It was a long ride out, but it was a nice one. We stopped and got out at the hydro-dam and took a group pic. (I will try to stalk my group mates on FB and get pics, but they are not uploading right now `cause internet is really slow.)
So, when we got to the dance site, it truns out to be scared, and all the girls need skirts, which we didn`t bring. So some of the others had to tie fabric around their waists. I was on my time, so I couldn`t do a thing!!! There`s also this stupid porimiatiy thing they have, so I couldn`t even go up close to where they were buliding the ldoge.
There also ended up being a big issues when 7/9 people in our group took ``unauthorized rides`` and broke the specific restriction rules, so Chris said we would all get Final Warning for Health and Saftey. That means that if we make the same mistake again, or a mistake in the same catagory, we are as good as gone.
Lunch was petia bread with cheese and i think we had pepperonie? (for got to journal this part.....) We also had plums and strawberries. Along with the ususal copped bell peppers, cucumber, carrots, and celerey.
Now, I freaked out, because I took the buses with the Day Camp, and I didn`t know if they were authorized or not. I figured they should be, but Chris had also mentioned that the day camp was a new work partner, so I had no clue. So all day I kept crying, and was fully convianced that I was going to be sent home. I even called Dad. Some of the others said they weren`t going to mention the whole thing, in case Chris forgot about their final warnings, but I felt like I needed to be honest, even if I was basically sending myself home. So I resolved to tell chris I had taken the buses.
Dinner was lemon chiken with keenwa and corn on the cob. (YUM!)
My name got drawn for dishes, so I started doing them and somehow, Chris ended up at the table alone, with no one else in ear shot. So I asked him if the buses were authorized, and her said they were. *Big sigh of relife!* So I go to stay, but of course, I felt silly about the whole thing.
Then I watched ``Glory Road`` with Gordon, Justin and Catherine. Because of all the emotionalness of the day, and the fact that I was tired, I ended up crying over the movie and got really into it. Then again, it was a sports movie based on a true story, I porbably would`ve gotten into it anyway. XD
Anyway, that`s all for tonight. I`ll try do do some more catching up tomorrow but no garentees.
Love yall!
So, when we got to the dance site, it truns out to be scared, and all the girls need skirts, which we didn`t bring. So some of the others had to tie fabric around their waists. I was on my time, so I couldn`t do a thing!!! There`s also this stupid porimiatiy thing they have, so I couldn`t even go up close to where they were buliding the ldoge.
There also ended up being a big issues when 7/9 people in our group took ``unauthorized rides`` and broke the specific restriction rules, so Chris said we would all get Final Warning for Health and Saftey. That means that if we make the same mistake again, or a mistake in the same catagory, we are as good as gone.
Lunch was petia bread with cheese and i think we had pepperonie? (for got to journal this part.....) We also had plums and strawberries. Along with the ususal copped bell peppers, cucumber, carrots, and celerey.
Now, I freaked out, because I took the buses with the Day Camp, and I didn`t know if they were authorized or not. I figured they should be, but Chris had also mentioned that the day camp was a new work partner, so I had no clue. So all day I kept crying, and was fully convianced that I was going to be sent home. I even called Dad. Some of the others said they weren`t going to mention the whole thing, in case Chris forgot about their final warnings, but I felt like I needed to be honest, even if I was basically sending myself home. So I resolved to tell chris I had taken the buses.
Dinner was lemon chiken with keenwa and corn on the cob. (YUM!)
My name got drawn for dishes, so I started doing them and somehow, Chris ended up at the table alone, with no one else in ear shot. So I asked him if the buses were authorized, and her said they were. *Big sigh of relife!* So I go to stay, but of course, I felt silly about the whole thing.
Then I watched ``Glory Road`` with Gordon, Justin and Catherine. Because of all the emotionalness of the day, and the fact that I was tired, I ended up crying over the movie and got really into it. Then again, it was a sports movie based on a true story, I porbably would`ve gotten into it anyway. XD
Anyway, that`s all for tonight. I`ll try do do some more catching up tomorrow but no garentees.
Love yall!
Chisasibi Week Two : Day One: July 14
Woke up around 6:40am, had toast, made lunch and chilled out. Talia and I left on time and I remebered my lunch!!!
At the day camp, in the youth center gym, we started with 6-7 G1, and theyw ere amazing yet again!!!! Then we had 6-7 G2, which didn`t go as well `cause they`re ``shy`` and the activities we planned didn`t work for them. That, and David (an other leader) ditched like 5 kids with us because he was doing a bike ride and those kids forgot thier bikes.
Lunch rolls `round, and I`m super irratated. I ranted a littel at Talia, which helped, and when she headed out to the store, I gave her some money and she brought me back an apple juice, which also helped.
In the after noon we had the 10-13s and the 8-9s, both of which went better than I expected. By the end of the day, I was too tried to be in a bad mood, but I don`t think I want the responciblity of being a leader again anytime soon.
Got home and did laundry and changed my sheets. (Chris says we have to change them weekly.)
Dinner was hamburger patties with a tomato sauce and spinach salad.
There`s also a scare in the house right now that someone things gotten stolen by another memeber of the house.
There was also a quick meeting where we discussed more about CCK and the committees.
There was a talent show at the Mitchwap (meaning tee-pee) Center tonight, but I stayed home, had like 5 cups of tea, ate some cheese pretzels and cinnanmin buns that Brandon made with Cindy, and worked on a tatoo design for Brandon.
I have been here a week!!!!!! (And I think we got our lst allowance today, as we are supposed ot get it every week. So a got 14$ plus the 28$ for travel expenses (food) and we have to sign for it. Which I think is funny XD)
At the day camp, in the youth center gym, we started with 6-7 G1, and theyw ere amazing yet again!!!! Then we had 6-7 G2, which didn`t go as well `cause they`re ``shy`` and the activities we planned didn`t work for them. That, and David (an other leader) ditched like 5 kids with us because he was doing a bike ride and those kids forgot thier bikes.
Lunch rolls `round, and I`m super irratated. I ranted a littel at Talia, which helped, and when she headed out to the store, I gave her some money and she brought me back an apple juice, which also helped.
In the after noon we had the 10-13s and the 8-9s, both of which went better than I expected. By the end of the day, I was too tried to be in a bad mood, but I don`t think I want the responciblity of being a leader again anytime soon.
Got home and did laundry and changed my sheets. (Chris says we have to change them weekly.)
Dinner was hamburger patties with a tomato sauce and spinach salad.
There`s also a scare in the house right now that someone things gotten stolen by another memeber of the house.
There was also a quick meeting where we discussed more about CCK and the committees.
There was a talent show at the Mitchwap (meaning tee-pee) Center tonight, but I stayed home, had like 5 cups of tea, ate some cheese pretzels and cinnanmin buns that Brandon made with Cindy, and worked on a tatoo design for Brandon.
I have been here a week!!!!!! (And I think we got our lst allowance today, as we are supposed ot get it every week. So a got 14$ plus the 28$ for travel expenses (food) and we have to sign for it. Which I think is funny XD)
Chisasibi Week One : Day Seven: July 13: Work!!
1st day of work was today, so I woke up at 6:30am. I got my lunch packed, swim stuff ready (it was a pool day) and made Talia`s coffee( she left me a note) and some other random stuff. Talia and I are the only ones that have to be at work for 8:30am, everyone else is a 9am, but everyone gets off at different times too.
Anywho, Talia and I left at 8am and got to work at 8:25am. We talked to the camp co-ordinater once we got there and we all found out that the leader (organizers) for the games/dance/drama sectionwas out sick, so the camp co-ordinator asked Talia and I to run the station. We said yes. (Oops!!)
1st we had 6 and 7 yrs olds (6-7 G1) and they were awesome!!!!!! >//< They were so co-operative and cute!!!! But there was TONS of running and tag. I was so sweaty by the end of it.
Then we all got on the buses to go swimming at the pool, which is a super nice facility. I ened up not swimming for two reasons, one of which was that I couldn`t buy a swim cap that day (they are manditory) and the other was a girl thing. Instead of swimming, I was able to run back to the house to grab my lunch, which I forgot in the freezer.......don`t even ask!
On the way back to the pool, I ran into a woman who worked at the pool and who did Katimavik when it was a 7 1/2 month programme. Back at the pool, Talia and I tried to do some planning for the other two groups I would have later that day.
My lunch was really good, dispite the sandwhichs extended stay in the freezer......the apple was good too. Then there was quiet time, which is where the kids play with jump ropes and hula hoops while the other kids finish their lunches. But it ended up lasting until 2:30pm, so Talia and I never had the 10-13 yr olds.
We did get our last group though, and they were 8-9 yrs old, and they were HARD to handle. I was so bushed by the end of the day, but it was a good tried.
Back home, I helped finish up dinner. Even though technically I was the one who was supposed to make it........We made a pasta-bake thing with a ton of portine subsitutes. And apperently I didn`t actually brun Talia garlic bread. Then I helped clean up the kitchen, but half way through I got side tracked and ended up organizing the tup-o-ware cupbroad (OCD much?) and made it beautiful. Actually. Then I put the leftovers away.
Then we had a group meeting to set up the Co-ordination Council (Finally) and because this is our french placement, we call it the CCK......not that I remember what that stands for......
We started by aggreeing that a winning vote needed to be majority plus one. (so 6-3.) Then we started nominating the executive, starting with the chair person. Justin, Gordon, Julia and I were all made nominees and then we were told to stand uo and give speeches. Wheather it was a joke or not, I ended up taking it seriously and did one, so then everyone else did one too. Then we had a sercret ballad vote (nomieens couldn`t vote for themselves) and CHris read the votes outloud. I won with 5/9 votes.
Talia became the secertary,a nd Vincent became treasurer.
Talia and I keep getting paired up together....... we are either gonna end up being best friends, or we will be totally sick of each other. We work together,and because we aren`t taking time off to house mange, we will end up doing that together (we have a gap of a wekk between getting off at the day camp and starting at the school) and we are on the executive together. Its a good thing we aren`t on the same committee!!!!
Speaking of which, they are as follows:
Officail Languages Committee: Cindy, Justin, Vincent, and I.
Activities committee: Gordon, Brandon, Catherine and Talia
Porjects committee: Julia, Brandon, and Vincent. (they do the news)
As you can see, volunteers can be on more than one committee.
Talia and I planned for activities for work at the day camp tomorrow, which Chris seemed kind of upset about because he says we aren`t there to ``replace`` staff, but Talia and I are following through with it anyway.
And thus norming begins!
Norming is one of the four stages of group development which Chris says we will go through. The four stages are :
The Honey Moon - 1st 2 weeks where everyone gets along.
Norming - Falling into routine and creating patterens.
Storming - Fights, issues and other unpleasentries.
Performing - We go above and beyond and Chris doesn`t have to do a thing! XD
Anywho, Talia and I left at 8am and got to work at 8:25am. We talked to the camp co-ordinater once we got there and we all found out that the leader (organizers) for the games/dance/drama sectionwas out sick, so the camp co-ordinator asked Talia and I to run the station. We said yes. (Oops!!)
1st we had 6 and 7 yrs olds (6-7 G1) and they were awesome!!!!!! >//< They were so co-operative and cute!!!! But there was TONS of running and tag. I was so sweaty by the end of it.
Then we all got on the buses to go swimming at the pool, which is a super nice facility. I ened up not swimming for two reasons, one of which was that I couldn`t buy a swim cap that day (they are manditory) and the other was a girl thing. Instead of swimming, I was able to run back to the house to grab my lunch, which I forgot in the freezer.......don`t even ask!
On the way back to the pool, I ran into a woman who worked at the pool and who did Katimavik when it was a 7 1/2 month programme. Back at the pool, Talia and I tried to do some planning for the other two groups I would have later that day.
My lunch was really good, dispite the sandwhichs extended stay in the freezer......the apple was good too. Then there was quiet time, which is where the kids play with jump ropes and hula hoops while the other kids finish their lunches. But it ended up lasting until 2:30pm, so Talia and I never had the 10-13 yr olds.
We did get our last group though, and they were 8-9 yrs old, and they were HARD to handle. I was so bushed by the end of the day, but it was a good tried.
Back home, I helped finish up dinner. Even though technically I was the one who was supposed to make it........We made a pasta-bake thing with a ton of portine subsitutes. And apperently I didn`t actually brun Talia garlic bread. Then I helped clean up the kitchen, but half way through I got side tracked and ended up organizing the tup-o-ware cupbroad (OCD much?) and made it beautiful. Actually. Then I put the leftovers away.
Then we had a group meeting to set up the Co-ordination Council (Finally) and because this is our french placement, we call it the CCK......not that I remember what that stands for......
We started by aggreeing that a winning vote needed to be majority plus one. (so 6-3.) Then we started nominating the executive, starting with the chair person. Justin, Gordon, Julia and I were all made nominees and then we were told to stand uo and give speeches. Wheather it was a joke or not, I ended up taking it seriously and did one, so then everyone else did one too. Then we had a sercret ballad vote (nomieens couldn`t vote for themselves) and CHris read the votes outloud. I won with 5/9 votes.
Talia became the secertary,a nd Vincent became treasurer.
Talia and I keep getting paired up together....... we are either gonna end up being best friends, or we will be totally sick of each other. We work together,and because we aren`t taking time off to house mange, we will end up doing that together (we have a gap of a wekk between getting off at the day camp and starting at the school) and we are on the executive together. Its a good thing we aren`t on the same committee!!!!
Speaking of which, they are as follows:
Officail Languages Committee: Cindy, Justin, Vincent, and I.
Activities committee: Gordon, Brandon, Catherine and Talia
Porjects committee: Julia, Brandon, and Vincent. (they do the news)
As you can see, volunteers can be on more than one committee.
Talia and I planned for activities for work at the day camp tomorrow, which Chris seemed kind of upset about because he says we aren`t there to ``replace`` staff, but Talia and I are following through with it anyway.
And thus norming begins!
Norming is one of the four stages of group development which Chris says we will go through. The four stages are :
The Honey Moon - 1st 2 weeks where everyone gets along.
Norming - Falling into routine and creating patterens.
Storming - Fights, issues and other unpleasentries.
Performing - We go above and beyond and Chris doesn`t have to do a thing! XD
Chisasibi Week One : Day Six: July 12: Interviews
This morning was uneventful. Just ate, read and got all dressed up for interviews. I wore my slack caperies (seim-formal) and my black high neck shrit. So basically all black, which went well with my silver belt buckle and silver cross necklace, and my good black dress shoes with silver buckels. XP
Lunch was something called a Weltzen Dog (sp?). It`s like a sasuage wrapped in bread and covered with cheese. ......Actually, they are just that. lol
Then we were off to the interviews, which were being hosted at the MSDC. Each work placement set up in a different room and we all did a cirket. We got there for 1pm, but we didn`t start till 2pm. (Northeren Time makes things later.....)
I saw the radio 1st, then the the MSDC, then the daycare, then I had to wait a bit, and I finished up with the hospital, and the youth center/ day camps (which transfers to the school in August.)
All the interviews went well......I think......at least they all seemed really short, and I was as honest and open as possible. It was funny! Gordon was doing the YC/DC interview before me, and I happened to hear/see him singing. So when I went in, I mentionded it, Then I ended up singing too!!!!! >//< I gave them the 1st two verses of ``There`s a hole in my bucket.``
Then all us volunteers had to wait while Chris took our top-three picks and deliberated with the work partners. It ended as follows:
MSDC: Catherine
Day Care: Brandon and Gordon
Hospital: Cindy and Justin
Radio: Julia
Youth Center: Vincent
Day Camp: Talia and I
When Nova Scotia gets here (our number 10 who arrives on the 25th) she will be working in the other day care. (There are three.)
Then we went home, but I went out again because I wanted to see if I could find a skrit, (since I didn`t have one for the sweat) and I needed sour cream dinner the next day. I didn`t end up finding any skrits, but I did find a dress that I could wear as a skrit. (Its got the stertchy top thing going on.)
Did some blogging when I got home, (not this one......... I`m over a week behind.........) and dinner was Shepherd`s pie. Then we found out that the people who were supposed to clean didn`t. So I cleaned the girl`s bathroom again, for the thrid time.
Then we did group stuff. We set up the house managers for our entire stay, and we did our group contracts. (Ecological/Environmental, Officail Languages, and Group Living.) For the group living contract, Chris wanted us to make a visual repersentation. So we made a tee-pee (sp?), the good place, and a bunch of dogs, the bad place, and a ton of shoes, which got labled things like respect, personel things, punctuality, etc. The reason for the dogs and shoes is because if you leave shoes outside here, dogs might steal them. I helped by making shoes; they were all mockosins (sp?) XP
Oh yeah. And if I didn`t mention it already, the trees are short, the land is relatively flat, and everywhere is sand.
Lunch was something called a Weltzen Dog (sp?). It`s like a sasuage wrapped in bread and covered with cheese. ......Actually, they are just that. lol
Then we were off to the interviews, which were being hosted at the MSDC. Each work placement set up in a different room and we all did a cirket. We got there for 1pm, but we didn`t start till 2pm. (Northeren Time makes things later.....)
I saw the radio 1st, then the the MSDC, then the daycare, then I had to wait a bit, and I finished up with the hospital, and the youth center/ day camps (which transfers to the school in August.)
All the interviews went well......I think......at least they all seemed really short, and I was as honest and open as possible. It was funny! Gordon was doing the YC/DC interview before me, and I happened to hear/see him singing. So when I went in, I mentionded it, Then I ended up singing too!!!!! >//< I gave them the 1st two verses of ``There`s a hole in my bucket.``
Then all us volunteers had to wait while Chris took our top-three picks and deliberated with the work partners. It ended as follows:
MSDC: Catherine
Day Care: Brandon and Gordon
Hospital: Cindy and Justin
Radio: Julia
Youth Center: Vincent
Day Camp: Talia and I
When Nova Scotia gets here (our number 10 who arrives on the 25th) she will be working in the other day care. (There are three.)
Then we went home, but I went out again because I wanted to see if I could find a skrit, (since I didn`t have one for the sweat) and I needed sour cream dinner the next day. I didn`t end up finding any skrits, but I did find a dress that I could wear as a skrit. (Its got the stertchy top thing going on.)
Did some blogging when I got home, (not this one......... I`m over a week behind.........) and dinner was Shepherd`s pie. Then we found out that the people who were supposed to clean didn`t. So I cleaned the girl`s bathroom again, for the thrid time.
Then we did group stuff. We set up the house managers for our entire stay, and we did our group contracts. (Ecological/Environmental, Officail Languages, and Group Living.) For the group living contract, Chris wanted us to make a visual repersentation. So we made a tee-pee (sp?), the good place, and a bunch of dogs, the bad place, and a ton of shoes, which got labled things like respect, personel things, punctuality, etc. The reason for the dogs and shoes is because if you leave shoes outside here, dogs might steal them. I helped by making shoes; they were all mockosins (sp?) XP
Oh yeah. And if I didn`t mention it already, the trees are short, the land is relatively flat, and everywhere is sand.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Chisasibi Week One : Day Five: July 11: The Sweat Lodge
Before I say anything else, I want to clarify that a sweat lodge is NOT demon worship. I ask that anyone reading this leaves all perjudiceses with these opening statements. I`m also going to be writing about the sprituality of the ceremony as if it were facct, but that doesn`t mean I believe it.
Okay? Thank you.
So, the funny thing is that Chris only just mentioned going to a sweat to us like two days ago, then BAM! an other one came up. Now, the thing about sweats is that they are ``scared,`` so girls have to wear skrits, which I didn`t have. So I had to try wearing a house skirt. There were two, which was lucky because Catherine and I both needed one. Unfortunetlly, neither was really long enough for me, but Cindy came to my rescue and let me use her skrit (which was super long and really nice) and she wore a house skrit. Catherine and I have agreed that at the soonist possible momnet, we are going to go buy skrits together.
Anywho, we all got to the site supre early, so we just hung around. At one point we helped stack some wood that was to help keep the scared fire bruning for youth week. Some of the others and I went into where the fire was burning ( in a tee-pee) and hung out with Nathan, whose job it was to keep the fire.
Unfortunately, Talia was on her ``moon time`` so she couldn`t do the sweat with us, for fear she would over-power the ceremony and everything would go out of wack. Example: if you asked for healing, you might get the opposite.
Because we were so early, we got to see them light the fire for the grandfathers (a bunch of rocks that spritis come to inhabit). Now, the actual sweat lodge was inside an other bigger lodge, so it could be left up year round. We went inside the outer lodge, and watched the prep for the ``pircing`` ceremony that the cheif and his grandson were doing for the sake of the youth during youth week. (Kinda like a flesh offering.)
Then they were ready to start the actual sweat. Now, there are four rounds in total, one for each direction (East, South, west and North.) Round one it was really crowded. Now the whole point of the sweat is pray and clensing, and while I did end up praying, it was to My Lord God, and I don`t know if the Cree people were praying to the same God or not, although they did keep addressing God in the sigular, which surprised me. I thought they`d talk more about different kinds of spirits.
They have very good reason to call it a sweat though. I don`t think I`ll mind saunas at all after this.
Anyway, round one was the east, I don`t remeber which spriti animal it was, but the cree people prayed for the enfants of the community.
Oh yeah, whenever you enter or exit the sweat lodge, you need to crawl on all fours. Part of it is because the logde is really low, the other part is that the lodge is symblois for mother earth`s womb.
........yeah........
Round two: I went back in early (there are breaks between rounds) and watched the grandfathers getting brought in again, but this time, one women was sprinkleing something over the rocks that made them go all sparkily. It turned out to be tabacco for blessing the rocks. And speaking of tabacco, I`m surprised I never coughed. A lot of people were smoking the entire time (outside) and there was sweet grass and stuff put on the rocks inside. Not to mention that other people who were smokers were coughing queit a bit......
Anywho, round two there was a bit more space in the sweat, it got hotter than the first round (of course) and the direction was south, and they prayed for the youth. I also noticed that there was more guteral yelling than the 1st round.
Then break again. I was actually surprised how level headed and aware I was, despite maybe being slightly light headed.
Round three we had even more room, the direction was west, and they prayed for the adults. Julis ended up laying on my lap for a bit, because when the heat becomes to much, they say to lay down on your SIDE to cool off. (and it really is way cooler!!!!) I had to bend my head down a few times, but I never laid down all the way while the door was closed. (It is pitch black inside, but I kept my eyes closed the whole time, so I wouldn`t start imaging I was seeing things.)
An other important thing to remember is to breath in through mouth and out through your nose. I had to keep whiping my nose with my towel because it kept running, but my sienceses were really clear after.
I wanted to stay and do the frouth round, but Chris said we needed to head home for our 12am curfew.
On the way back, we picked up a wagon off the side pf the highway to use for gorceiry shopping.
I wouldn`t mind doing an other sweat, but I hope I could finish the next one.
Okay? Thank you.
So, the funny thing is that Chris only just mentioned going to a sweat to us like two days ago, then BAM! an other one came up. Now, the thing about sweats is that they are ``scared,`` so girls have to wear skrits, which I didn`t have. So I had to try wearing a house skirt. There were two, which was lucky because Catherine and I both needed one. Unfortunetlly, neither was really long enough for me, but Cindy came to my rescue and let me use her skrit (which was super long and really nice) and she wore a house skrit. Catherine and I have agreed that at the soonist possible momnet, we are going to go buy skrits together.
Anywho, we all got to the site supre early, so we just hung around. At one point we helped stack some wood that was to help keep the scared fire bruning for youth week. Some of the others and I went into where the fire was burning ( in a tee-pee) and hung out with Nathan, whose job it was to keep the fire.
Unfortunately, Talia was on her ``moon time`` so she couldn`t do the sweat with us, for fear she would over-power the ceremony and everything would go out of wack. Example: if you asked for healing, you might get the opposite.
Because we were so early, we got to see them light the fire for the grandfathers (a bunch of rocks that spritis come to inhabit). Now, the actual sweat lodge was inside an other bigger lodge, so it could be left up year round. We went inside the outer lodge, and watched the prep for the ``pircing`` ceremony that the cheif and his grandson were doing for the sake of the youth during youth week. (Kinda like a flesh offering.)
Then they were ready to start the actual sweat. Now, there are four rounds in total, one for each direction (East, South, west and North.) Round one it was really crowded. Now the whole point of the sweat is pray and clensing, and while I did end up praying, it was to My Lord God, and I don`t know if the Cree people were praying to the same God or not, although they did keep addressing God in the sigular, which surprised me. I thought they`d talk more about different kinds of spirits.
They have very good reason to call it a sweat though. I don`t think I`ll mind saunas at all after this.
Anyway, round one was the east, I don`t remeber which spriti animal it was, but the cree people prayed for the enfants of the community.
Oh yeah, whenever you enter or exit the sweat lodge, you need to crawl on all fours. Part of it is because the logde is really low, the other part is that the lodge is symblois for mother earth`s womb.
........yeah........
Round two: I went back in early (there are breaks between rounds) and watched the grandfathers getting brought in again, but this time, one women was sprinkleing something over the rocks that made them go all sparkily. It turned out to be tabacco for blessing the rocks. And speaking of tabacco, I`m surprised I never coughed. A lot of people were smoking the entire time (outside) and there was sweet grass and stuff put on the rocks inside. Not to mention that other people who were smokers were coughing queit a bit......
Anywho, round two there was a bit more space in the sweat, it got hotter than the first round (of course) and the direction was south, and they prayed for the youth. I also noticed that there was more guteral yelling than the 1st round.
Then break again. I was actually surprised how level headed and aware I was, despite maybe being slightly light headed.
Round three we had even more room, the direction was west, and they prayed for the adults. Julis ended up laying on my lap for a bit, because when the heat becomes to much, they say to lay down on your SIDE to cool off. (and it really is way cooler!!!!) I had to bend my head down a few times, but I never laid down all the way while the door was closed. (It is pitch black inside, but I kept my eyes closed the whole time, so I wouldn`t start imaging I was seeing things.)
An other important thing to remember is to breath in through mouth and out through your nose. I had to keep whiping my nose with my towel because it kept running, but my sienceses were really clear after.
I wanted to stay and do the frouth round, but Chris said we needed to head home for our 12am curfew.
On the way back, we picked up a wagon off the side pf the highway to use for gorceiry shopping.
I wouldn`t mind doing an other sweat, but I hope I could finish the next one.
Chisasibi Week One : Day Five: July 11: Work Placements
Breakfeast was toast.....again.......I`m gonna miss having muffins, and biscuits, and pancakes......T.t.....
Anywho, today was the tour for the different workplaces. We started by going to the radio station. We saw all their equipment and stuff, but that was pretty much it, working there would mean getting your own radio show.
Then we checked out the Youth Center, which had a huge flat screen, an internet cafe, a broken pool table, and a gym. Here, you would either be working with Carel for the actual Youth Center, or you might work for the summer day camp that used the youth center as part of their facilities, along with the school (but we didn`t go there). After that, we went home, and had some free time before lunch.
For lunch, I helped Gordon and Catherine make tuna cheese melts. Unfortunately, I`m starting to think I might actually be a clutz. Everytime I go in the kitchen, something goes wrong. Wheather it be splashing water, bruning food or skin, or getting a cut. *sighs* Maybe I`m just not made for cooking.
After lunch, we went to see the hospital/clinic/dental clinic. It was okay, nothing amazing. It`s a really small buliding though.
Then Gordon, Catherine, Justin and I all went back to the house to clean while the others did the gorcery shopping. After I did my share of cleaning, I did my frist load of lanudry since getting to the house. XP
Later, when Chris and the others got home, he mentioned brifely that we might get the chance to go to a sweat lodge that night, then we were off to see the Multi-Service Day Center (MSDC). It was a really great tour. They have a great facility and Juac (sp?) is super nice and funny. Plus they do art with the cilents, but its all medical stuff. so there some confidentciality stuff (same with the hospital).
My perferances for the placements at this piont is: MSDC, Youth Center/Day camp, Radio, Daycare, Hospital.
Then dinner was vegitraine chesse lasangna. then we went to the sweat lodge, which I`m going to do a seperate entry for, so stay tuned!!! ^_^
Anywho, today was the tour for the different workplaces. We started by going to the radio station. We saw all their equipment and stuff, but that was pretty much it, working there would mean getting your own radio show.
Then we checked out the Youth Center, which had a huge flat screen, an internet cafe, a broken pool table, and a gym. Here, you would either be working with Carel for the actual Youth Center, or you might work for the summer day camp that used the youth center as part of their facilities, along with the school (but we didn`t go there). After that, we went home, and had some free time before lunch.
For lunch, I helped Gordon and Catherine make tuna cheese melts. Unfortunately, I`m starting to think I might actually be a clutz. Everytime I go in the kitchen, something goes wrong. Wheather it be splashing water, bruning food or skin, or getting a cut. *sighs* Maybe I`m just not made for cooking.
After lunch, we went to see the hospital/clinic/dental clinic. It was okay, nothing amazing. It`s a really small buliding though.
Then Gordon, Catherine, Justin and I all went back to the house to clean while the others did the gorcery shopping. After I did my share of cleaning, I did my frist load of lanudry since getting to the house. XP
Later, when Chris and the others got home, he mentioned brifely that we might get the chance to go to a sweat lodge that night, then we were off to see the Multi-Service Day Center (MSDC). It was a really great tour. They have a great facility and Juac (sp?) is super nice and funny. Plus they do art with the cilents, but its all medical stuff. so there some confidentciality stuff (same with the hospital).
My perferances for the placements at this piont is: MSDC, Youth Center/Day camp, Radio, Daycare, Hospital.
Then dinner was vegitraine chesse lasangna. then we went to the sweat lodge, which I`m going to do a seperate entry for, so stay tuned!!! ^_^
Chisasibi Week One : Day Five: July 11: Rain Storm
3:30am I was woken up by a rain storm. The window in the girls bedroom was open, and the windows like right next to my ear. So that`s what caused me to wake up. Once I was awake (...kinda) I thought I hread the tap running full blast in the kitchen (also oon the 1st floor) so, in order to prevent water damage, I got up to go trun it off. I get outside the bedroom, and find that the tap`s not running, but that both living room windows were left open. So again, I run over to check for water damage, and there wasn`t any. I closed the windows for sound control.
Then I went back to my bed, but the bedroom window was still open, and I couldn`t shut it without climbing into someone else`s bed. There is a curtain over the window, but I get the one strip of light right in my face. Then the rain started coming down even harder. It`s hard to discribe........but anyway, I looked out the window, and sheets of water were just pouring off the roof!!!!! After that, some thunder and lightning kicked in.
I got back to sleep eventually........XD
Then I went back to my bed, but the bedroom window was still open, and I couldn`t shut it without climbing into someone else`s bed. There is a curtain over the window, but I get the one strip of light right in my face. Then the rain started coming down even harder. It`s hard to discribe........but anyway, I looked out the window, and sheets of water were just pouring off the roof!!!!! After that, some thunder and lightning kicked in.
I got back to sleep eventually........XD
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Chisasibi Week One : Day Four : July 10
Actually kind of slept in. Nothing before lunch except hanging out.
For lunch Talia and I perpared and layed out all the leftovers in the house (except the spaggetti........) I had the sticky rice in some of the soup left over form Melina and Virgine. There was also a loft of banana bread!!!
Then everyone played the were-wolf/mafia game, and Apples to apples. Then Gordon and I hung out and had a neat chat about stuff like school and polotics. :P
Dinner was meatloaf, and it was the 1st real MEAT meal we`ve had since getting here. It was AWESOME! They even put chickpeas in it, which was weird but suirprisingly good.
For orientation stuuf, we covered a bit of scheudualing and calander things, and we went over the expecttations (PL of us, us of PL, us of program, program of us, etc).
While talking about the community, it came up that we might be able to attened a sweat lodge. Talia ened up giving the group a testimonily about her own sweat lodge experiances, and everybody aggreed that it would definetly be something to try before we left.
That night, we had to make our resumes, or voluntree porfiles, but after I finally got a computer and FINALLY got it formated (no mouse on these lap-tops) the printer or the computer decided that printing was over. So it was like 12am when i got to bed.
For lunch Talia and I perpared and layed out all the leftovers in the house (except the spaggetti........) I had the sticky rice in some of the soup left over form Melina and Virgine. There was also a loft of banana bread!!!
Then everyone played the were-wolf/mafia game, and Apples to apples. Then Gordon and I hung out and had a neat chat about stuff like school and polotics. :P
Dinner was meatloaf, and it was the 1st real MEAT meal we`ve had since getting here. It was AWESOME! They even put chickpeas in it, which was weird but suirprisingly good.
For orientation stuuf, we covered a bit of scheudualing and calander things, and we went over the expecttations (PL of us, us of PL, us of program, program of us, etc).
While talking about the community, it came up that we might be able to attened a sweat lodge. Talia ened up giving the group a testimonily about her own sweat lodge experiances, and everybody aggreed that it would definetly be something to try before we left.
That night, we had to make our resumes, or voluntree porfiles, but after I finally got a computer and FINALLY got it formated (no mouse on these lap-tops) the printer or the computer decided that printing was over. So it was like 12am when i got to bed.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Chsasibi Week One: Days Three: July 9
So, I woke up at 6:30 am in order to say good bye to Melina and Virginie, who said they`d leave at 7am but didn`t leave till 7:30, so I lost an 1/2 hr of sleep, but no biggy. So I gave them thier thank you notes and they left.
Then I had 3hrs to kill. So I sang some songs out of the camp song book that Em let me take, read my bible, and had a shower (not nessecarily in that order XP). Breafeast was more toast.
Then we had this question-sacvenger-hunt thingy. I got teamed up with Catherine and Vincent, which was awesome, cause they are bothe francophones, so I got in a little french partice while we walked around the town for 4 hrs. The town turned out to be quiet a bit bigger than I expected, and, of course, my shoulder got sunbruned. Even though I put on sunscreen!!
We had a late lunch of sandwhiches, and I helped by cooking the porkchops and chicken in a frying pan for sandwhich meat.
Then Chris gave us an activity de-brife and we all just hung out. Then Gordon and I took Catherine on a walk to keep her out of the house while the other`s made her a b-day cake. (She truned 19.)
Dinner was veggis chilie with some wicked garlic bread. The cake ended up being ``chocolate mayonnaise surprise`` and was decorated with whipped cream, nerds, gummie breas, and cotton candy. It also had a layer of gramcrackers at the bottom.
I finished Genisous.
The group had a pretty deep conversation about things like politics and religion.
Then I had 3hrs to kill. So I sang some songs out of the camp song book that Em let me take, read my bible, and had a shower (not nessecarily in that order XP). Breafeast was more toast.
Then we had this question-sacvenger-hunt thingy. I got teamed up with Catherine and Vincent, which was awesome, cause they are bothe francophones, so I got in a little french partice while we walked around the town for 4 hrs. The town turned out to be quiet a bit bigger than I expected, and, of course, my shoulder got sunbruned. Even though I put on sunscreen!!
We had a late lunch of sandwhiches, and I helped by cooking the porkchops and chicken in a frying pan for sandwhich meat.
Then Chris gave us an activity de-brife and we all just hung out. Then Gordon and I took Catherine on a walk to keep her out of the house while the other`s made her a b-day cake. (She truned 19.)
Dinner was veggis chilie with some wicked garlic bread. The cake ended up being ``chocolate mayonnaise surprise`` and was decorated with whipped cream, nerds, gummie breas, and cotton candy. It also had a layer of gramcrackers at the bottom.
I finished Genisous.
The group had a pretty deep conversation about things like politics and religion.
Chsasibi Week One: Days Two: July 8
Slept in a littel and had toast for breafeast.
We played a quick name game, then there was more ornientation, foucusing on the 8 compatencies of the programme.
Spagetti for lunch.
Then Melina taught us all how to make bread, and thanks to earlier life experiances, I am a pro bread-kneeder. Then an other local women came over and taught us how to make Bannock. I had mine with maragrine and icing sugar and MMMMMMM it was good. The Bannnock reminded me of having bakes at home. After that, we went over the food/nutrition aspects of being house manger (HM). Then we did a Blitz Clean. (A really quick clean of the entier house.)
I did the girls bathroom, and UGH, all that hair!!!!!!!! >.<
Dinner was vegitraine stry-fry (Talia`s a vegitranine) with sticky rice. And I think this was the day we had cake for Chris`s B-day. It was carrot cake. ^^
Then we ran over the cleaning aspects of being HM, and there are SO many chores!. I`m pretty sure my house back home was never that clean. (Not that my Mom doesn`t do an excellent job! Cause she does.) I think it might be a littel overkill......
Other than that, another good day.
We played a quick name game, then there was more ornientation, foucusing on the 8 compatencies of the programme.
Spagetti for lunch.
Then Melina taught us all how to make bread, and thanks to earlier life experiances, I am a pro bread-kneeder. Then an other local women came over and taught us how to make Bannock. I had mine with maragrine and icing sugar and MMMMMMM it was good. The Bannnock reminded me of having bakes at home. After that, we went over the food/nutrition aspects of being house manger (HM). Then we did a Blitz Clean. (A really quick clean of the entier house.)
I did the girls bathroom, and UGH, all that hair!!!!!!!! >.<
Dinner was vegitraine stry-fry (Talia`s a vegitranine) with sticky rice. And I think this was the day we had cake for Chris`s B-day. It was carrot cake. ^^
Then we ran over the cleaning aspects of being HM, and there are SO many chores!. I`m pretty sure my house back home was never that clean. (Not that my Mom doesn`t do an excellent job! Cause she does.) I think it might be a littel overkill......
Other than that, another good day.
Chsasibi Week One: Days One: July 7
So, it was our first full day at the house. I woke up at 7am and had a shower. Breafeast wouldn`t be till nine, so I hung out and read my bible and stuff. When breafeast rolled round, we had crepes! The food for the 1st couple days was awesome! Virgine and Melina were here helping out Chris, and they were the ones cooking for us.
Melina is a former Porject leader (PL) ((what Chris is for my group)), and Virgine is the reginal project co-ordinator for Quebec and the Atlantic region. Oh, and Melina had sweet dreads! (dread locks)
Most of what we did that day was orienatation (I won`t bore you) and games (....which i don`t remember). One local women stopped by, and we got to see her 2 month old baby. >//<
For lunch we had these GREAT kieches and salade. Then more orientation and free time, during which I walked to a local ``corner store`` and bought mints.
Dinner was a tomate-fish-cuscus thingy and was really good.
Then some local kids came over and we drew pictures. Apperently they like coming to the house. XD
Then we had a tour of the town, and Gordon beat me at checkers. (They have a table in the mall.) We passed the churches, one is Anglicain, the other is Roman Catholic. I hope to be able to attened the Angicain one.
There are a few smokers in the group, but there is tons of french!! Overall, it was a good frist day. The group also seems to be gelling really well.
Melina is a former Porject leader (PL) ((what Chris is for my group)), and Virgine is the reginal project co-ordinator for Quebec and the Atlantic region. Oh, and Melina had sweet dreads! (dread locks)
Most of what we did that day was orienatation (I won`t bore you) and games (....which i don`t remember). One local women stopped by, and we got to see her 2 month old baby. >//<
For lunch we had these GREAT kieches and salade. Then more orientation and free time, during which I walked to a local ``corner store`` and bought mints.
Dinner was a tomate-fish-cuscus thingy and was really good.
Then some local kids came over and we drew pictures. Apperently they like coming to the house. XD
Then we had a tour of the town, and Gordon beat me at checkers. (They have a table in the mall.) We passed the churches, one is Anglicain, the other is Roman Catholic. I hope to be able to attened the Angicain one.
There are a few smokers in the group, but there is tons of french!! Overall, it was a good frist day. The group also seems to be gelling really well.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
The Weekly
I decided that I`ll try to make this a weekly blog. I journal every night, then at the end of the week , I`ll post a run-down of what happened and any hightlights. If there`s a really big event, it might get a seperate posting. So this means I may not post for 7 days, but when I do, I might post 4 entries.
Also, this blog is going to be more about events and facts then my personal oppinions about things. Anything more than "That was really cool." or " It was alright." porbably won`t be disclosed on this blog. If you want to know my "real" feelings, you`ll have to wait till I come home. XP
Anyway, this all means I`ll generaly be posting on Wednesdays.
Till next time!!!!! Lots of love! <3
Also, this blog is going to be more about events and facts then my personal oppinions about things. Anything more than "That was really cool." or " It was alright." porbably won`t be disclosed on this blog. If you want to know my "real" feelings, you`ll have to wait till I come home. XP
Anyway, this all means I`ll generaly be posting on Wednesdays.
Till next time!!!!! Lots of love! <3
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Travel and The House
So, not much to say, all my flights were good. I always had a window seat. ^//^
I got to the hotel okay, and met my roommate, Talia. We talked till 1am......XP
Then the next day we all did AirCreebec and by the time we got Chisasibi, we knew all our group members. We got to the house, unpacked, and had lunch.
Then there was some orinetation stuff. Now we have a break before dinner and more orinetation after.
I am playing Apples to Apples. XP
I got to the hotel okay, and met my roommate, Talia. We talked till 1am......XP
Then the next day we all did AirCreebec and by the time we got Chisasibi, we knew all our group members. We got to the house, unpacked, and had lunch.
Then there was some orinetation stuff. Now we have a break before dinner and more orinetation after.
I am playing Apples to Apples. XP
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The Last Breafeast
Its my last meal at home. Dad is maken' waffles!! XD With strawberries and whip cream. >//<
My flight leaves at 11am, so I'll be hanging around with my dad 'till he drops me off at the airport. This might be my last post for a couple of days, until things settle down again. I'll try to update as soon as I have access to a computer.
Best wishes to everyone!!!!!!!
My flight leaves at 11am, so I'll be hanging around with my dad 'till he drops me off at the airport. This might be my last post for a couple of days, until things settle down again. I'll try to update as soon as I have access to a computer.
Best wishes to everyone!!!!!!!
Monday, July 4, 2011
The Last Day Home
Well, I leave tomorrow. I've done the final pack, and I'll have to pay $85 extra baggage fees both ways on air Creebec. (Weight limit is 44 lbs, and I'm 17 lbs over.) But because people are SO generous, that's not really a problem. XP
I also cleaned out my section of the school cupboard. I left some stuff in there for now, but eventually I'll move it all out. Later this afternoon I'm going to clean up my third of the bedroom (I share with my two sisters) and then that's that.
*breaths*
Oh boy. I leave tomorrow. ............>.< The adventure starts at dawn!!!!!! (or something.......)
I also cleaned out my section of the school cupboard. I left some stuff in there for now, but eventually I'll move it all out. Later this afternoon I'm going to clean up my third of the bedroom (I share with my two sisters) and then that's that.
*breaths*
Oh boy. I leave tomorrow. ............>.< The adventure starts at dawn!!!!!! (or something.......)
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Even More Generousity!!!!!!!
*crys* I feel so loved!!!!! I got even more cards at church today!!!! Its amazing how helpful people are! I feel so incredible blessed!!!
Anywho, I am leaving in 2 days. Whoa. ..........in anycase, I'm supposed to fly out of Victoria around 10am, have a delay in Toronto for about 45mins, then spend the night in Montreal at the Travel Lodge Inn, flying out super early the next mourning to get to Chisasibi.
I'll probably post again tomorrow when I do my final pack. Until then, hope you all have a great day!
Anywho, I am leaving in 2 days. Whoa. ..........in anycase, I'm supposed to fly out of Victoria around 10am, have a delay in Toronto for about 45mins, then spend the night in Montreal at the Travel Lodge Inn, flying out super early the next mourning to get to Chisasibi.
I'll probably post again tomorrow when I do my final pack. Until then, hope you all have a great day!
Surprises! and Generousity
Yesterday was Saturday, and I knew my Dad had invited a friend of mine over for dinner. So that afternoon, she and I went downtown and hung out at the book store. (I bought a journal/note book and a bookmark for the trip.)
We finally got home and I walked into the living room and SURPRISE! A ton of my friends were at the house for a surprise party! (It was a happy grad/going away/early birthday party.) It was awesome! There was a lot of visiting, and food, and I got to see some people I hadn't expected to see before I left, which was really nice. We even played some baseball! >//< Oh yeah, and a shout out to Em and her friends for making so many cupcakes!
I also got a lot of cards, most (if not all) of which had money in them! People are SO generous! and so many people came.....and so many people wished me well.......*sniff* I FEEL THE LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!
We finally got home and I walked into the living room and SURPRISE! A ton of my friends were at the house for a surprise party! (It was a happy grad/going away/early birthday party.) It was awesome! There was a lot of visiting, and food, and I got to see some people I hadn't expected to see before I left, which was really nice. We even played some baseball! >//< Oh yeah, and a shout out to Em and her friends for making so many cupcakes!
I also got a lot of cards, most (if not all) of which had money in them! People are SO generous! and so many people came.....and so many people wished me well.......*sniff* I FEEL THE LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Canada Day!
So, not totally related to Katimavik, but today is Canada day! It's my last holiday at home, so I'm spending the day with my family. We went to Fort Rodd Hill this mourning, saw the battaries (war heritage sites), the lighthouse, watched the 21 gun salute, and had a picnic.
Then we went to Thedious Lake, which was cool. Em's (my sister) friend was with us. I'm back home now, and later we are going to a BBQ at the house of friends form church. Then off to see the fireworks!!!!! >.< I love fireworks!
On a more Katimavik related note, my group number is 21169, and I am in the Cultural Discovery and Civic Engagement program.
I'm not sure if that's helpful for you or not but, *shrugs*, it won't hurt you to know. XP
Then we went to Thedious Lake, which was cool. Em's (my sister) friend was with us. I'm back home now, and later we are going to a BBQ at the house of friends form church. Then off to see the fireworks!!!!! >.< I love fireworks!
On a more Katimavik related note, my group number is 21169, and I am in the Cultural Discovery and Civic Engagement program.
I'm not sure if that's helpful for you or not but, *shrugs*, it won't hurt you to know. XP
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