Christmas has come and gone and we are now well into the new year. 2009, welcome. I'm glad you are here. It's a new year and (in two short weeks) a new place to live with a new language to speak. New beginnings all around. Exciting and scary, I must admit. I'm sad to say goodbye to all the people I've met and the places I've been. I've become very comfortable with this place. Even with the constant snow and cold, and the fact that there is very little to see and do, I can still see why people live in this small small town. The view alone is amazing and not something I am happy to be leaving. I have gotten used to seeing Terrace Bay spread out below me on my drive to and from work. I have become used to the rock face with it's frozen rivults of water. And I've especially become used to the people.
When we first came here and had our scavanger hunt to become acquainted with our town and neighbors, every single person we asked said that the people were their favourite part of Terrace Bay and Schreiber. I understand now why they said that. Without the people in these towns it would be unbearable to live here. Because we are so isolated and far removed from big cities and mindless entertainment, we do rely on ourselves, but also on our coworkers and neighbors to entertain ourselves and give us a source of interaction and human contact. The people here are so amazing and generous. Not everyone is well off here. Infact, compared to home, most people are much less well off than even my neighbors, friends and family. But everyone helps eachother here. We have had to ask on numberous occasions to borrow rakes, shovels, forks and casserole dishes, and people have always supplied them without questions or even due dates. Even the thrift store in Schreiber has supplied us with anything we NEED for free. Any kitchen things, lamps or even sweaters. If we need them, we can have them. How awesome is that?
This past two weeks, the belt in our clothes washer broke. When we go to our neighbors to ask if we can use their washer for our clothes, they never give us odd or suspicious looks like I'm sure would happen at home. They give us a laugh and welcome us inside. I was at my neighbors' house, Ron and Marie, this past Thursday with Sarah, my laundry and the laundry of two other people and Marie asked us if we wanted to watch TV while we waited for our clothes to wash. We weren't able to since there was a lot of cleaning to be done at our own house, but when we got our clothes two hours later everything had been dried and folded. for us. Everything. Now, just who in a big city would do that for anyone else. Who in a big city would come to your house with old lamps, couches or a mattress because they heard you needed one? Who would lend you 12 forks or two casserole dishes and not ask when they would be back, but trust that they would? Who would give us a bunch of cookies and chips because they know we can't buy them with the government money we are given. Not a lot of people, that's who. But here, everyone would. Everything that I have listed up there has been a seperate person. Not just one person here has been taking care of us, but everyone has. In fact, almost everything in our house, from all the chairs and tables in the living room and dining room and the cutlery and cups in the kitchen are all donated. It's amazing the kind of generousity that we can expect from absolutely everyone here.
Even though we are asked where we are from and what we are doing here, we have never been made to feel like outsiders, and for that I am thankful. We are full contributing members of this community, more involved than most of the teenagers that have lived here their whole lives. And maybe it's because we are new to this place and the newness hasn't come off yet that it is easy to be thrilled by every new thing we do and every new place we visit, where as for the kids who live here, everything is very much the same as it has always been. There is very little change for them, as is the nature of a small isolated town. But for me, the novelty of knowing all of your neighbors, their extended families and their friends hasn't rubbed off yet.
That is the biggest reason I am sad to leave here. I will never be a part of this small community again in the same way that I am now. I will never again be recognised on the street as 'one of the Katimavik kids'. I won't have the same sort of celebrity status we seem to have here. It's not really the fact that we are celebrities of a sort that I like, but the fact that we can walk down the street and be known and welcome. The towns are only getting bigger from here and more impersonal. It will be nice to be in a bigger town with more things and places available to us, but I will miss being known by everyone around me as a part of this group.
Showing posts with label Schreiber. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Schreiber. Show all posts
Monday, January 5, 2009
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
No Posts! Oh no!
I'm sorry. I truely am. It's not that I didn't have the time in the 10...no wait, it's been more hasn't it...the more than 10 days that I've been gone to write anything. I just haven't had anything to write about. Although the Quinton's seemed like a busy house...they aren't so busy when they are sick and both Tom and Sandy were sick the entire time we were with them. It was hard not being able to do anything all night long, but having Sarah there helped. And there was a TV, not that we used it much. Sarah spent most of her time on the computer, catching up with friends and family, and I spent most of my time reading. Sometimes I'd join Tom to watch some show or another but I've grown so used to not watching TV (not to mention that I don't know anything that is happening in my shows) that I've found that even when it's available, I didn't really need it. Also we had movies and cards to occupy us. I introduced Sarah to The Breakfast Club and Rocky Horror Picture. She really like The Breakfast Club. Rocky Horror? Not as much.
Speaking of movies, we are all testing ourselves using movies. We have been watching a lot of English movies with out subtitles and people have not needed a lot of translation. In fact I just finished watching Juno with Alyssanne and we only had to pause the movie two or three times to clear things up. I've been trying to test myself too. I have a movie called Bon Cop Bad Cop that I (and a lot of people) just love. They speak french and english in the movie but you can have subtitles only in english OR french, not both at the same time. There is also an option without subtitles for the bilingual viewer. Sarah and I were brave and tried that option while at the Quintons. Now I've seen this movie quite a few times so I know what is being said basically, but still, I didn't need to ask anything, and I actually was able to recognise what was being said just by listening. It makes me so excited to think just how far I've come from where I was. Just how much more I understand. I can listen to a conversation going on around me and get the general idea of what's being said, which isn't easy when the people speaking aren't slowing down for you. I can speak so much more french now and even though it is not very grammatically correct, I've got all the basic words I need in the right place. And before I didn't know anything. It's amazing what being even slightly immersed and just listening and TRYING to speak will teach you.
Today we had a bit of a short day at work. The clouds and radio station were both telling us that there was going to be a storm today and they were correct. I don't really know how much snow we got today. It was probably only 5-10 cm, but the wind blowing it around made driving a very slow and careful affair. Actually, Donna (my work boss) was saying that we may want to go home at noon or earlier if the storm kept up. As it was we left at about 2:00 or so because it was just too much of a risk to try to stick around. We also found out that they literally close the highway at 5:00 pm if it's been storming and we would have probably been stuck in Schreiber the rest of the night if they hadn't cleared up the highway. We had it all figured out though if that is what ended up happening. Everyone was supposed to meet at the library and if Terri hadn't come to pick us up 5 than we would go to the Press Box Restaurant until Terri could come to get us. If she couldn't she would call and we would get a room for the night at the motel attached to the restaurant. We are oh so prepared.
So that is my update for the day. It's been nice having a break from the Katima-house, but I think we all mostly prefer it to being away from eachother. Everyone was very happy to get back to the house and be close to eachother again.
Let the shenanigans commence once more!
Sara
Speaking of movies, we are all testing ourselves using movies. We have been watching a lot of English movies with out subtitles and people have not needed a lot of translation. In fact I just finished watching Juno with Alyssanne and we only had to pause the movie two or three times to clear things up. I've been trying to test myself too. I have a movie called Bon Cop Bad Cop that I (and a lot of people) just love. They speak french and english in the movie but you can have subtitles only in english OR french, not both at the same time. There is also an option without subtitles for the bilingual viewer. Sarah and I were brave and tried that option while at the Quintons. Now I've seen this movie quite a few times so I know what is being said basically, but still, I didn't need to ask anything, and I actually was able to recognise what was being said just by listening. It makes me so excited to think just how far I've come from where I was. Just how much more I understand. I can listen to a conversation going on around me and get the general idea of what's being said, which isn't easy when the people speaking aren't slowing down for you. I can speak so much more french now and even though it is not very grammatically correct, I've got all the basic words I need in the right place. And before I didn't know anything. It's amazing what being even slightly immersed and just listening and TRYING to speak will teach you.
Today we had a bit of a short day at work. The clouds and radio station were both telling us that there was going to be a storm today and they were correct. I don't really know how much snow we got today. It was probably only 5-10 cm, but the wind blowing it around made driving a very slow and careful affair. Actually, Donna (my work boss) was saying that we may want to go home at noon or earlier if the storm kept up. As it was we left at about 2:00 or so because it was just too much of a risk to try to stick around. We also found out that they literally close the highway at 5:00 pm if it's been storming and we would have probably been stuck in Schreiber the rest of the night if they hadn't cleared up the highway. We had it all figured out though if that is what ended up happening. Everyone was supposed to meet at the library and if Terri hadn't come to pick us up 5 than we would go to the Press Box Restaurant until Terri could come to get us. If she couldn't she would call and we would get a room for the night at the motel attached to the restaurant. We are oh so prepared.
So that is my update for the day. It's been nice having a break from the Katima-house, but I think we all mostly prefer it to being away from eachother. Everyone was very happy to get back to the house and be close to eachother again.
Let the shenanigans commence once more!
Sara
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Terrible Rice Accident of 2008, Quilting and Waxing a Boy.
Maddy and I have been trying to be healthy. Yesterday's meal was supposed to be baked tilapia and potato wedges, however we discovered that we couldn't bake the potatoes and fish at the same time since they didn't both fit in the oven. We therefore had to resort to frying the fish, making the meal decidedly UNhealthy. Delicious, but so very bad for you, especially when you add in the ketchup and mayo we ate with it.
Today we tried again. Stir fry. Just how badly could that be screwed up? Pretty badly apparently when you don't figure in the fact that rice can be tricky...especially when you don't pay attention to it because you are being distracted by howls of pain from the living room. But I am getting ahead of myself.
Maddy and I burnt the rice. We burnt it so badly there was smoke coming out of the pot. We burnt it so badly that the rest of the unburnt rice smelt and tasted like a fire pit (an unpleasant taste I found out). We burnt the rice so badly that we recommended to people NOT to eat it and to just have a bowl of veggies instead. We hoped that by pouring soy sauce over the rice and smothering it in veggies we wouldn't be able to tell that it tasted like acid smoke...but we could. Oh it was so bad. It's so frustrating because we made a bunch of rice so there would be leftovers and everyone would be nice an full, but instead everyone just ate PB and J sandwiches. And we have made rice before, so this wasn't just a beginner screwing up. Oh it was just so bad.
Suneet just called me! Hi, Suneet! She is going to a club and needs clothes. That is the only reason she called me. I JOKE! I know you love me. <3 class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Alyssanne went out and bought those Nair wax strips, they laid down a mattress in the living room and then started to film. Oh god, from the screaming laughs you would think that he was being tickled to death. It was so funny. He would yell and then laugh maniacally. And then I had to step in to see and I helped to teach them how to pull the strips off in the least painful way possible. Let it be known that having a mother who is an esthetician (I think I spelled that horribly wrong) has many benefits, and one of them is that you can wax boys chests and pluck boys eyebrows with some confidence. That's what I did last night. I don't know how really because I've never plucked a boy's eyebrow before. At least when I pluck a girls eyebrow I kinda know what I am doing since I do my own...but boy eyebrows are a whole other world. To get back on track though...
I waxed a boy's chest! And it was his first time (and last he says). And because we were distracted by the goings on in the living room Maddy and I let the rice burn. Sigh.
After that Simon and I went Quilting Club in Schreiber! A woman named Deb (who works in the Adult Learning Center and taught us about resumes) picked us up at 6:45 and drove us over. Simon learned how to crochet and I learned how to make a simple square with coloured corners. They look so pretty! I was able to make three in the time I was there and the ladies were very impressed with how quickly I picked it up. I may continue and do more squares. I was thinking of making on square for each of us and having everyone sign or scribble on their own square and make two pillows or a small throw or something. I don't really know right now. But they are so pretty!
Right now Alyssanne, Sarah and Rosie are in the office singing karaoke. Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys! I think I am going to sing karaoke too!
Sara
Today we tried again. Stir fry. Just how badly could that be screwed up? Pretty badly apparently when you don't figure in the fact that rice can be tricky...especially when you don't pay attention to it because you are being distracted by howls of pain from the living room. But I am getting ahead of myself.
Maddy and I burnt the rice. We burnt it so badly there was smoke coming out of the pot. We burnt it so badly that the rest of the unburnt rice smelt and tasted like a fire pit (an unpleasant taste I found out). We burnt the rice so badly that we recommended to people NOT to eat it and to just have a bowl of veggies instead. We hoped that by pouring soy sauce over the rice and smothering it in veggies we wouldn't be able to tell that it tasted like acid smoke...but we could. Oh it was so bad. It's so frustrating because we made a bunch of rice so there would be leftovers and everyone would be nice an full, but instead everyone just ate PB and J sandwiches. And we have made rice before, so this wasn't just a beginner screwing up. Oh it was just so bad.
Suneet just called me! Hi, Suneet! She is going to a club and needs clothes. That is the only reason she called me. I JOKE! I know you love me. <3 class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Alyssanne went out and bought those Nair wax strips, they laid down a mattress in the living room and then started to film. Oh god, from the screaming laughs you would think that he was being tickled to death. It was so funny. He would yell and then laugh maniacally. And then I had to step in to see and I helped to teach them how to pull the strips off in the least painful way possible. Let it be known that having a mother who is an esthetician (I think I spelled that horribly wrong) has many benefits, and one of them is that you can wax boys chests and pluck boys eyebrows with some confidence. That's what I did last night. I don't know how really because I've never plucked a boy's eyebrow before. At least when I pluck a girls eyebrow I kinda know what I am doing since I do my own...but boy eyebrows are a whole other world. To get back on track though...
I waxed a boy's chest! And it was his first time (and last he says). And because we were distracted by the goings on in the living room Maddy and I let the rice burn. Sigh.
After that Simon and I went Quilting Club in Schreiber! A woman named Deb (who works in the Adult Learning Center and taught us about resumes) picked us up at 6:45 and drove us over. Simon learned how to crochet and I learned how to make a simple square with coloured corners. They look so pretty! I was able to make three in the time I was there and the ladies were very impressed with how quickly I picked it up. I may continue and do more squares. I was thinking of making on square for each of us and having everyone sign or scribble on their own square and make two pillows or a small throw or something. I don't really know right now. But they are so pretty!
Right now Alyssanne, Sarah and Rosie are in the office singing karaoke. Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys! I think I am going to sing karaoke too!
Sara
Monday, October 27, 2008
Bread, Chickens, Hockey and my first day of work.
On Saturday the group went to a woman's house to learn how to make bread. Her name is Pam and her bread is amazing. She taught us how to knead our dough and how to shape our loaves after the dough has risen. Also, we need to use a LOT of flour or else it becomes a sticky mess. While the bread was baking (in their outdoor oven :O !) Pam and Maddy and I made cinnamon buns (which were fluffy and delicious) and then we ate our bread with some turkey and beef stew. Oh good lord was it tasty. And they had a cute dog named Mike.
Mike actually looks like a demon dog because of the red eye...but we will ignore that.
Then we went to a chicken farm belonging to a couple (betty and ...Ben?) and Maddy and I occupied ourselves with chasing chickens. And we have video evidence. It's actually really funny. Maddy kissed a chicken....and I pretended to.
We also made our group contract and promised to eat vegetarian for two to three days a week (because our PL is vegetarian and because meat is expensive) and we also vowed to speak only French or English on alternating days to try and help our second language abilities.
The next day we got to sleep in for the first time since we started the program. I slept until 9:30 am. Omg. 9:30 is sleeping in! When did that happen?
We had cinnamon buns for breakfast and made a huge GO! Diesels GO! banner (which is now hanging on our living room wall) and murdered the gold and black sharpie markers in the process. The Diesels are the very well loved local Junior AA hockey team. I just found out I like Junior AA hockey. All the boys are around my age in Juniour AA hockey. Mmmm hockey boys. Basically the girls and Simon spent the game oggling all the boys and being generally inappropriate. And their coach lives two houses down from our house! Mr. Bob Spadoni. So I guess that means that there will possibly be hockey boys around our house....maybe? Mmm hockey boys. DON'T WORRY! I promise that these next few months will not be an incubation period. There will be no bundle of joy. But we didn't spend the whole time looking at boys. We also actually watched them play hockey...but we mostly just debated who was cuter or taller or more muscly. Not that we could really tell with those helmets and padding. They won their game and that was exciting. It was against the Thunder Bay something or others and this win ended a five game losing streak. YAY!
So that was yesterday. Today was our first day of work. I was at Schreiber Elementary Public School and there is a population of around 40 students. ONLY. The whole school is 40 students. I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN A ZERO. So the class of 14 I was in was a mix Grade 4/5/6 class. :O And the teacher's (Ms. Wiznuik) daughter is in her class. Weird.
I did a lot of photocopying today because the teacher didn't know I was coming, but that's okay. I was a last minute addition. I was supposed to be at the Adult Learning Centre, but they wanted me at the school too, so Terri decided to change it. I can't wait to see what the library is like tomorrow. I really wonder what, besides stacking shelves, I'll be doing. Apparently I will be doing some after school programming and stuff. And they have everything there. A photo printing thingy (I'll be like you Suneet!) and guitar hero and the librarian wants to start a graveyard tour...And I would probably be running it. That would be so wicked, and cold, but mostly wicked. So if that is what she wants to do it would be fun. I realize now that I wouldn't be able to have the kids all day. They are kind of crazy.. I'll be happy of the quiet in the library.
Oh and we are figuring out what to do for Halloween. I think I'm going to be an alien. I don't have all the logistics figured out yet, but I will make this alien thing work. Only, I'm going to have to be something else for the school (she wants me to work there on the Friday for the party which will be lots of fun).
That's all Folks!
Sara
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Lake Superior
We went to a resume writing workshop today. It was really good because now I have a new resume that isn't out of date. We also visited Lake Superior and took video of everyone stepping in it for the first time. It was quite cold. Actually if you are submerged in it for 8 minutes you will die. So it's REALLy cold in the winter months. Today we had a high of 3 degrees. Chilly!
Yesterday we did a scavenger hunt which was awesome fun. We split up into two groups and Terri dropped us off in the middle of Terrace Bay and Schreiber. We had an envelope to open and then complete each assignment on the paper. Basically it was just to talk to as many people as we could and get familiar with the people and town. And then two and a half hours after that we switched towns for another two and a half hours. It was cold but fun. And now I know where the police station is and that they are very friendly and helpful there and that you can go up to random people on their driveway and ask them which is the oldest house in town and they will point out the wrong house but be very halpful when you ask to use them to spell the word FOX with their bodies.
And to let everyone know. On Sunday afternoon, Dad had an accident on the motorcycle and broke his right lower leg in two places and is having surgery today at 3:00 pm...I guess he's already out by now. SO I should be getting an update on that soon but Lia and Mom and Dad have all said that he is fine. Love you lot's dad and I hope you are enjoying your cocktail of drugs.
And to let everyone know. On Sunday afternoon, Dad had an accident on the motorcycle and broke his right lower leg in two places and is having surgery today at 3:00 pm...I guess he's already out by now. SO I should be getting an update on that soon but Lia and Mom and Dad have all said that he is fine. Love you lot's dad and I hope you are enjoying your cocktail of drugs.
Cheers.
Sara.
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