This weekend the Katimahouse in Chicoutimi is moving. On Tuesday night, we're leaving for Alberta. So basically, we are doing all the work in a move that makes almost no difference to us. But it's not bad. Packing the house is actually quite fun, as it gives us a chance to pick through all the over-stuffed cupboards and drawers that we haven't bothered to look at before now. Also, we are recycling all the various broken things in the house (which included, quite surprisingly, a rotary phone) and donating huge amounts of things to a local second-hand store, which always feels good.
The volunteering last Saturday night was decent. I doled out spaghetti sauce to about 150 people (there were supposedly 300 hundred in attendance and there were two sauce stations) and then helped with dishes. I assumed I was doing "my fair share" of the work, until Roo approached me and said I was working really hard and she appreciated it. While I did enjoy the recognition, it kind of irked me that my constant yet relaxed pace was comparatively that much. I had preferred to imagine that everyone was working, but apparently half the group was sitting in the dining room drinking coffee.
Sunday's trip to the Sugar Shack was a bit of a disappointment - even the francophones said so. Instead of being a rustic cabin with an all-you-can-eat, maple-syrup-based buffet, it was a backwater cafeteria that didn't even have real orange juice. The "tire à l'érable" (maple pull?) was great though - I took three helpings of the fresh maple syrup that they poured onto the snow. It was also great spending a bit more time with the Masteuiatsch group. They're going to help us move on Saturday too, and I look forward to it. It strikes me as unfortunate that we didn't spend more time with them. I think when we get to Medicine Hat I'll suggest we spend some more time with the other nearby groups.
On Tuesday, Barry and I went to a local seminary school to give some presentations about Katimavik. I found myself surprisingly at ease, talking in front of thirty people in my second language. Once upon a time, during a two minute speech, a teacher of mine said that the rocking I was doing was distracting. The only way for me to stay calm while giving a presentation was to rock back and forth on my heels. But now, I'm much more confident. I gave an hour long presentation, and I was completely comfortable. I felt very proud; I don't know when I developed this confidence but I am so glad that public speaking is no longer an issue for me. It's going to come in very handy later in life, of that I am sure. We have another presentation tomorrow morning, and I'm really looking forward to it. Now that I know how easy I find it - enjoyable even - I can't wait to share my experiences with another group of young people about to graduate. It sounds kind of cheesy, I know, but I hope that even one of those kids will try the program. It's an incredibly rewarding experience.
Though I am very excited to get to Medicine Hat and start a fresh adventure, I am really going to miss Chicoutimi. My work placement, especially, has been one of the highlights of this rotation. I adore every day that I spend at the shelter. I'm certainly ready for a change or two, but I doubt I'll ever forget the times I had there. I could make a woman's day just by helping her to make her bed, or telling her I like her shirt, or drawing some flowers and giving her the picture without her asking. The overall shelter experience seems to be fairly dull for the residents, so I find it's very easy to have a positive influence on their moods with the tiniest of gestures.
Today was B.C.'s 21st birthday but we went to the local pub last night, so tonight we didn't do much. We're all tired after all the packing we did anyway. Thirteen people (Roo's boss was helping us out) can sure make a lot of progress in an hour, but that one hour is some very hard work.
A day and a half left of work, a whirlwind of a move, and two days to "unwind" (I doubt that), and we'll be on our way. It feels so weird to think we're leaving! But I'm ready for it. Bring it on.
No comments:
Post a Comment