Christmas, Among Other Things...

Christmas was fun, everyone got gifts from secret santa people in the group, and we went tobogganing during the evening. Everyone enjoyed themselves, even a visitor one of the participants had.

On a sadder note, another one of our participants is leaving, this time one of our french-speaking participants. That puts us down to one for the time being, until our new participant arrives in January.

Anyways, that's all for now.

Sad Day

We found out that one of our participants is leaving. He was one of the well liked members of the group, so it's a real surprise that he's gone. But sometimes, life throws you a curve ball, and you have to move on and face the day. A song by The Offspring actually kind of summarizes what I think of it all.

"I can't hold onto what's been done
I can't grab onto what's to come"

That's actually two lines of the first verse of "Can't Repeat". It's quite a good song.

Holiday Update

We have been making plans for our holidays, and have received some exciting news. We will likely be going to White River for our New Year's Holiday, and that we will be having everyone come to Wawa for Christmas. It's all totally awesome!

On another note, I learned how to pebble curling ice today. If you haven't played curling before, the "pebbles" are actually little bits of ice sprayed onto the curling sheets. When the rocks travel down the sheet, the pebbles turn to water, and creates a fast surface for the rock to travel on. They're even going to teach me how to use the ice resurfacer.

Christmas time!!!

Today was pretty cool, the township had their staff Christmas party today, which means that I not only got off early, I got to hang out with the other people for a while. There was free food, and door prizes (I won a hat!) Anyhow, I have my photo album up and running, just follow the link on the right. There isn't much there now, but be patient, I'll have more when I get them. I have a film camera, and have to get my pictures scanned to a CD when I order photos. Anyways, enjoy cruising through what's there, and have fun!

The house mellows out again...

Our temp PL left us tonight. There were some bitter feelings towards him, but the house is so quiet without him around to talk to, and we aren't getting someone for another five days. But the house will still be really quiet for some time.

On an unrelated note, I suck at ping pong! A bunch of us went to the local community centre to work out, and they had just gotten a new ping pong table. I already knew about it because I work with the Township, but that doesn't change the fact that I still suck at ping pong. Anyways, I lost. Miserably. I should probably cut this short because the PL needs the comp, so I'll go for now.

Of A Lack of Sleep and Other PLs

We had the PL from Dubreuilville come down to do some work because his computer wasn't working. He arrived shortly after 7 PM, and was asleep on the couch when I woke up.

With regard to a lack of sleep, that's generally what happens for me and the other guys in our group. We talk, laugh, fart, and laugh some more. We're really weird like that...

I think there was gonna be more to this post, but I'll put it up later.

Holiday Invasion Part 2

I found out immediately after dinner yesterday that the trip to Dubreuilville I was planning got called off at the last minute. We pushed the snowmobile club celebration over the limit of attendees placed on their licence for the event, so we were asked not to come. I got so pissed off when I found out, mostly because I had been working on the trip for the past few days, and was almost ready to send my forms to regional for approval. But life goes on. We still get to invade White River Later.

On another unrelated note, a bunch of us were issued CTI's last night (if you're in Katimavik, you'll know what I mean). I was one of them, but I wasn't even involved in the problem that made people get them to begin with, and the PL even gave one guy a final! All for talking a little loudly in the kitchen!!! Since this is a temp PL, I really don't need to say that everyone was pissed, but I will anyhow.

The Holiday Invasion

The holiday season is almost upon us, and that means a chance for the Katima-Groups to invade each others communities. I am presently organizing a trip to Dubreuilville, a small francophone community north of us for new years. Another member of the group is organizing a trip to White River, a community two hours north of here. They will be coming back to Wawa, but only for the rotation camp at the end of the trimester, then we won't be able to see them for a while.

PL B-DAY!!!

Some heavy stuff happened at the house, and a PL that I mentioned earlier in this blog was sent home. On a lighter note, we got a temp PL and today was his birthday. We helped at a food drive at the local Subway restaurant, and the owner gave the group free footlong meal deals for dinner, and free subs and drinks for lunch. He said that it was because they were grateful that we were there helping. It was cool, and I'm totally forgetting what I was going to write... GOTT VERDAMMEN ES!!!

OMG KATIMA-ALARM Part 2

The nearby town showed up in the afternoon, and we chilled a bit while some of them went to pick up proper boots at a nearby store. Afterwards, we all went on a hike near Lake Superior (really beautiful, I'll post pics later). When that was done, we came back to the house for dinner, which was easy to make because we had about six people in the kitchen working. After dinner, we all went to the local bowling alley for disco night. I wore a white t-shirt, and it drove me crazy how bright it was. It was fun anyhow. The other group left after bowling, and we went off for the rest of the free time.

OMG KATIMA-ALARM!!!

I just received word that another town in our cluster will be spending the day with our group. I'm House Manager, so I'm in a panic right now. I'll post later to let you know if it's as bad as I think it is.

OMG, I'm House Manager!!!

I've been scheduled to be house manager for the week. That mean's I'm off work, but I have to do housekeeping stuff. I'm hoping it won't be so bad, but I'll post as the week goes on to update on the experience.

Our Introduction

Today we had our work placement interviews and should be finding out about where we're all going tomorrow. Tonight was also a welcoming meet & greet held by the town. We got to meet some of the billeting families, as well as some of the work sponsors. It was just so amazing, it showed me just how much the town has benefitted in the past, and how much they were looking forward to having us in town. I'm looking forward to my work placement and the next couple of months here. Till next time, Don't Get Eliminated!!! ^_^

The Katima-Conference Closes:Interviews Tomorrow

The Mass Orientation ended today, and the final activity was to talk about what we'll be taking away from the experience. I talked about making new friends, and to lighten the mood, I turned to one of my friends next to me and yelled "I love you man!!!," with laughs coming from all around. Tomorrow is the interviews for our work placements, and I'm just so excited to be able to just get them over with.

The Katima-Conference: Mass Orientation

Today we began our mass orientation, otherwise referred to by the name in the title as "The Katima-Conference". This involves the other groups in the area coming to our town , and meeting with each other, and learning about what exactly we got ourselves into. After dinner, we all went outside and travelled downtown to do some shopping, and a small snowball fight broke out both en route to the respective shops, and in the street on our way back. About 20-25 minutes later, that turned into a full-scale snowball war with everyone making little alliances and pelting each other with snowballs. It was fun, then our Project Coordinatior (PC) came outside after the staff meeting, and we had to tone it down as the respective groups made their ways back to the Katima-Houses in their communities (some of them up to 2.5 hours away!) Otherwise, not much going on. All the action with the work assignments begins next week, so I'll keep posting as time goes on.

The Almighty Arrival

I've arrived in Wawa, and survived my first two flights (it was awesome, the clouds looked like a huge blanket).

My group got to our Katima-house around 11 PM, and I was playing cards until around 2:30 AM with some of the other participants, and from there didn't get to sleep until around 4 AM. I have no idea how long I was asleep, but my Project Leader (PL) woke up not long after I did (the PL won't stop singing either). I start my work assignment next week, and will fill you all in as soon as that happens.

Finally...

I never thought this would come, but I've finally hit the point where I have only one week until my departure. Hell, it seems like I was only hearing that I was selected yesterday. I'm so excited, and I'm kinda spooked at the same time, mainly because it'll be my first time travelling without my family in tow. The other factor is because I'll be on a plane, but that one is not much of an issue at the moment (I'm starting to get over it). Otherwise, my next post will be coming to you when I arrive at my first stop: Wawa, Ontario.

Wow...

I leave in a month... Amazing... I think that Katimavik (even before starting) is the most mentally taxing experience I've ever had...

So Clever I'm Stupid

It's close to five weeks before I leave, and I just leaped a major hurdle:how the hell was I going to pack my sleeping bag? It's mandatory to have it, so I can't leave it behind, but if I take it, I'm getting charged for excess baggage, right? Wrong! This is where I tell you the idea that inspired this posts title. I measured my carry-on, and discovered that it was a little smaller than a stuff sack, so I decided to test the idea of packing my sleeping bag in my carry-on, and it worked! All while staying inside the maximum dimensions set by airlines for carry-on luggage! Score one for the creative genius! Or am I an idiot? At least I found a loophole. I guess that makes me a genius.

6 weeks to the experience...

Hey everyone,

Wow, feels like forever since I last posted. Well, I've been officially accepted for Katimavik, and I leave in 6 weeks. Sad as it sounds, I've already started packing. Nothing too major, just a pile of T-shirts I don't wear, my dress pants, a dress shirt, and 2 golf shirts (dress shirt and golf shirts used to be work uniforms, go figure).

Counting Down The Days...

It's September now, and I should be hearing back from Katimavik soon about where I'm going, my insurance and what not. But otherwise, it doesn't really matter. I'm getting involved with donating blood (not nearly as painful as you think), and I'm gonna be looking for a second job soon. I've started a new website that should hold all the photos I take while I'm gone. You can visit it at www.katimavikadventure.piczo.com Till next time, don't get eliminated.

It's Official!!!

I have just received an Email from the Katimavik Participant's Office, and it says that I am now officially accepted to the program starting on November 16! I will be posting more info on where I'm going as I get it, so stay tuned!

It all begins...

Hey all,

Today is the beginning of the adventure of a lifetime. I just recieved a message saying that I have been selected for Katimavik, a nine month youth service program for Canadian youth aged 17-21. Although I don't start until November, I thought that now is as good a time as any to start a bit of a system, so that I could chronicle my journey. I look forward to telling you about this experience of a lifetime!