One hundred twenty five days.
I have been living in Tatamagouche for 125 days! thats insane! 4 months Saturday i arrived at the Halifax International Airport, from Zurich, Switzerland, after my adventure in Tanzania and Switzerland. 4 months ago yesterday, I arrived here at the Tim Horton Children's Camp in Tatamagouche.
It doesn't feel like it has been that long at all, but looking back, so much has happened. I've met more than 1000 kids from all over, I've made some new friends and saw some old ones, I've learned a whole lot, and so much more.
People ask me all the time "so what's it like living in Tatamagouche?" and all I can really say is "it's good". I mean, I don't really get out much. I live at camp. And, usually, I don't have a car, so its not like I can go anywhere anyways! But yesterday, my group left after lunch, and everyone else was gone, so I was here by myself. Wasn't too sure what to do with myself! Mom and Dad are on the other side of the world right now, so I have their car for a little bit, so i decided to head into Tata to see what was going on. I ended up at the grocery store, bought some fruit and some chicken, and came right back to camp. There isn't really much to do here I guess. Nobody was even at camp. Rachael and Jo were both off, so they weren't at camp. I wasn't hungry to eat the chicken I got. So I just sat for a few minutes, then decided to go and enjoy the alone time, and go explore camp without any campers. I grabbed Jo's macro lens and decided to go for a walk and see what I could find.
Camp is weird when nobody is here. It's quiet, and calm, and almost scary. I was in tata pines (small wooded area next the a field), taking some pictures, then just for a second, i put my camera down to enjoy the silence, and a HUGE bird flew out of a tree above my head! I don't really know my birds, but it looked like an owl or something! it was a rich, chocolate brown, and the sound of its wings scared me half to death! before i could get my camera back up to get a picture, it was gone. so i walked in the direction it went, but lost it so i continued taking pictures. i started to hear some crows making noise, and it went on for at least 5 minutes, so i walked in that direction to see what was going on. there must have been 15 of them, just screaming at each other. i wonder what they were talking about! as i got close to them, they all took off in the same direction. they must have been hunting or something. i kept walking, and stopped to snap a shot of the reflection of a tree in the mud puddle i was about to walk through, when that owl like bird flew out from a tree. again, i didn't get a picture, but got a better look at it. it was so cool! i tried to follow it, but it hid itself in the trees, and was nowhere to be found!
So, 125 days in Tatamagouche, and I have had very few days to be bored, or not sure what to do with myself. I guess theres always something to do. Keeping busy with work, exploring, or doing crafts! It's not bad here. Just 68 days left... not that i'm counting. WOW! just 2 more months! now that sounds crazy!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Secret little towns
I guess its not really a secret town, but i had never been there, nor heard of it. Perhaps I should update my knowledge on the small towns in Ontario. A few weeks ago I was traveling to northern Ontario with a brand new friend (we met the evening before) to take part in a CUI course. Both of us work for the Tim Horton Children's Foundation, but Cory works at one of the camps in ontario. anyways, during our 4 hour drive to Muskoka Woods, I began to realize I was no longer in Nova Scotia.
We were getting more and more north, and the senery changed from busy Toronto rush hour, to green trees and rock along the side of the road. Now, Cory loves to talk, and had some of the most interesting stories i've ever heard, but for a moment, the car was silent. no radio, no talking, just silence. I had the opportunity to just think, and enjoy where i was. I remember turning to Cory and saying "this place is beautiful". he gave me a funny look, as if i was joking or something. previously we had been discussing some of our travels, and sharing stories. he was telling me how he had spent some time in nova scotia a few years ago, and i think he knew more about the province than i do! I guess i don't take the opportunity to appreciate my home - and apparently he didn't either. he asked me to explain my thoughts on this "beautiful" highway. really, there wasn't much around. just some big rocks, and tall trees. but i thought they were beautiful. just as i was trying to explain how i thought the rocks looked cool, all different colors, and so big, my jaw dropped. Cory looked at me confused. Ahead of me was the coolest thing i'd seen in a while! there was an overpass we were about to go under, and on either side of us there was a giant rock! it looked just like all the other ones, but it was as if the centre of it was cut out for the highway, and they left either side of the rock there. the sides were so flat. now, knowing me i wish i was ready for it so i could have taken a picture, but i wasn't. my camera was all put away in the back. so, i told Cory that we would have to stop on our way back at the end of the course. He laughed slightly, thinking i was crazy, but said sure thing! I proceeded to think about this rock all week, and told everyone about it. I'm sure they now all think I'm the crazy girl from Nova Scotia, and apparently they don't have rocks in Nova Scotia either...
Well... here's my rock. we couldn't stop because it kinda snuck up on us, and there were lots of cars around. but i was ready this time - camera in hand. and was able to get a picture out of the back window of the van. I doubt anyone else will enjoy it as much as i do!
As we continued driving, we found our exit and proceeded to find out destination. we were a bit ahead of schedule, but wanted to find Muskoka Woods, as we were in the middle of nowhere and weren't sure if our directions were right. We had to pass through a small town called Rosseau in order to get to Muskoka. Muskoka Woods was just another 2 or 3 minutes down the road, so once we found it, we decided to turn around and go check out the town. we thought it would be a good idea to park and go walk around, so we did. there as a building across the street, which was a library, town hall and fire station.
We were getting more and more north, and the senery changed from busy Toronto rush hour, to green trees and rock along the side of the road. Now, Cory loves to talk, and had some of the most interesting stories i've ever heard, but for a moment, the car was silent. no radio, no talking, just silence. I had the opportunity to just think, and enjoy where i was. I remember turning to Cory and saying "this place is beautiful". he gave me a funny look, as if i was joking or something. previously we had been discussing some of our travels, and sharing stories. he was telling me how he had spent some time in nova scotia a few years ago, and i think he knew more about the province than i do! I guess i don't take the opportunity to appreciate my home - and apparently he didn't either. he asked me to explain my thoughts on this "beautiful" highway. really, there wasn't much around. just some big rocks, and tall trees. but i thought they were beautiful. just as i was trying to explain how i thought the rocks looked cool, all different colors, and so big, my jaw dropped. Cory looked at me confused. Ahead of me was the coolest thing i'd seen in a while! there was an overpass we were about to go under, and on either side of us there was a giant rock! it looked just like all the other ones, but it was as if the centre of it was cut out for the highway, and they left either side of the rock there. the sides were so flat. now, knowing me i wish i was ready for it so i could have taken a picture, but i wasn't. my camera was all put away in the back. so, i told Cory that we would have to stop on our way back at the end of the course. He laughed slightly, thinking i was crazy, but said sure thing! I proceeded to think about this rock all week, and told everyone about it. I'm sure they now all think I'm the crazy girl from Nova Scotia, and apparently they don't have rocks in Nova Scotia either...
Well... here's my rock. we couldn't stop because it kinda snuck up on us, and there were lots of cars around. but i was ready this time - camera in hand. and was able to get a picture out of the back window of the van. I doubt anyone else will enjoy it as much as i do!
As we continued driving, we found our exit and proceeded to find out destination. we were a bit ahead of schedule, but wanted to find Muskoka Woods, as we were in the middle of nowhere and weren't sure if our directions were right. We had to pass through a small town called Rosseau in order to get to Muskoka. Muskoka Woods was just another 2 or 3 minutes down the road, so once we found it, we decided to turn around and go check out the town. we thought it would be a good idea to park and go walk around, so we did. there as a building across the street, which was a library, town hall and fire station.
We walked over to the building, and saw some people standing outside. they were so friendly, and as we walked by they all said hello in a cheery voice, and a big smile on their face. we were clearly from out of town, and they were curious as to what we were doing. we got to talking, and one of the ladies just got back from a vacation in Nova Scotia. she was visiting her sister, who happens to live on my street!! how ironic is that! As well, Cory and i had just been talking about my trip to Tanzania, and how i want to go to South Africa. these ladies were a group of grandmothers who were having a lunch to listen to some ladies who went to South Africa to work with another Grandmothers group, who take care of all the small children in their community. it sounded so interesting! but we didnt have time to stay and listen. we did help them cary in all of their stuff and set some things up! they were so grateful! it was really cute.
we continued to walk around the block, and check some things out. heres what we found.
We also came across a general store. when we went in and commented on how they had everything, they said "yup! if we don't have it, you don't need it!" this was painted on the side of the old school general store.
When we got back into the car, Cory was saying how Rosseau reminded him of some places in Nova Scotia. I kind of turned my head, then again, was reminded of the fact that I haven't spent enough time exploring around here. perhaps that will be my next adventure. eventually we had to end our exploring around Rosseau, and continue down to Muskoka Woods for our CUI course.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Update...
So, it's been a while since i've last blogged... I started blogging before my trip to Tanzania and Switzerland. When i got home, i think i felt as though i was back to every day normal life, where nobody would care about what i was doing, or would they be interested in hearing about my thoughts anymore... after all, life back in Canada is just normal - not interesting.
I have come to the realization that I was wrong. Life back in Canada is very interesting, and who says anything is normal now a days. Below you will find a few reasons why i think my life is pretty interesting, and perhaps some of my thoughts over the last little while.
1) I work for the Tim Horton Children's Foundation. It is an organization dedicated to allowing kids to have the ultimate camp experience, in a place where they are accepted, cared for, and can have fun while being a kid. Over the past 3 months i have been privileged to meet 896 children from all over Canada, who each have a different story. Now, I can not tell you the stories of ever camper i met, but there are a few i will never forget. two in particular explain exactly why i love my job, and exactly why i hate my job.
WHY I LOVE MY JOB
Xavior, a camper from Ohio during session 1, was one of the coolest kids i met thus far in my THCF experience. One of the reasons i think i enjoyed him so much was the fact that he reminded me so much of my brother John. he was pretty short for his age, he talked of biographies and documentaries he watched at home, and the hard core metal music that he loved. on top of that, he had the longest, blondest hair ever! it was fantastic! other than being a pretty interesting kid, he said something to me once, that helped me remember why i returned to camp this summer. We were up at the frog pond, trying to catch frogs. it was a pretty cloudy day, raining on and off, so there weren't many frogs hanging around the edges. the group managed to catch a few, but strangely enough, the 9 and 10 year old boys didn't want to touch them and get dirty. Xavior decided that he'd give it a shot, because he has never had the opportunity to touch a frog before. He was all set, and about to dig his hands into the bucket of freshly caught frogs, when i stopped him and offered to roll up the sleeves of his sweater (the same sweater he had been wearing all week). as i was rolling them up, he looked at at me, with his blond hair his in face, and his round, hippie sun glasses covering his eyes, he said "motor, are you a mother?", i looked at him a little funny and said " um, no why?" and he replied with "well because you are really good with kids, and would make a great mother." i couldn't help but smile at him and say thanks. i'm not ready to be a mother, but i am totally ok with being here and hanging out with these really cool kids at camp. kids, like Xavior, are the exact reason why i love my job.
WHY I HATE MY JOB
Megan, a camper from New Brunswick during session 2 (or maybe 3), was the camper i think i spent the most time with all summer. She spoke less english than i did french, but was determined to hang out and laugh with me as we tried to communicate. he had so much energy, and just laughed all the time. she was a pleasure to be around, and was willing to take part in any activity. now, im not going to go into much detail for this story, mostly because it is explaining why i hate my job (but love it at the same time). After our final banquet, which is a special dinner on the last night of camp, which includes a slideshow of pictures from the 9 days that had just past, the cabins had all returned to their tables for snack before heading off to bed. as the groups were finishing up Sydney, Megans counsellor, approached me and asked if i was busy, because Megan wanted to say goodbye. of course i said sure! so she brought her over to me, and Megan was crying so hard she could hardly breathe. we sat on the stairs for a few minutes before i attempted to ask her what was wrong (in french). she didn't say anything for a few minutes, so we just sat, with her head on my legs, and she cried. eventually she began to speak, but with me not really understanding a while lot of french, and with her being upset, it was really hard for me to get what she was saying. i figured it was something not so good, so i knew i should be getting every word that she said to me, but i just couldnt understand. a friend of mine walked by, who happened to be bilingual, so i asked her to translate for me. she sat with us too, but as she was listening to Megan talk, she stopped translating, and just talked with her. i decided that, by seeing the look on my friends face, i should leave. later, my friend told me what she was saying, and she needed report what was said. Megan didn't want to leave camp, where she was comfortable, loved and was able to have fun, because she didn't want to go home where she was scared, and unwanted. That is why i hate my job.
2) reason 2, coming soon...
I have come to the realization that I was wrong. Life back in Canada is very interesting, and who says anything is normal now a days. Below you will find a few reasons why i think my life is pretty interesting, and perhaps some of my thoughts over the last little while.
1) I work for the Tim Horton Children's Foundation. It is an organization dedicated to allowing kids to have the ultimate camp experience, in a place where they are accepted, cared for, and can have fun while being a kid. Over the past 3 months i have been privileged to meet 896 children from all over Canada, who each have a different story. Now, I can not tell you the stories of ever camper i met, but there are a few i will never forget. two in particular explain exactly why i love my job, and exactly why i hate my job.
WHY I LOVE MY JOB
Xavior, a camper from Ohio during session 1, was one of the coolest kids i met thus far in my THCF experience. One of the reasons i think i enjoyed him so much was the fact that he reminded me so much of my brother John. he was pretty short for his age, he talked of biographies and documentaries he watched at home, and the hard core metal music that he loved. on top of that, he had the longest, blondest hair ever! it was fantastic! other than being a pretty interesting kid, he said something to me once, that helped me remember why i returned to camp this summer. We were up at the frog pond, trying to catch frogs. it was a pretty cloudy day, raining on and off, so there weren't many frogs hanging around the edges. the group managed to catch a few, but strangely enough, the 9 and 10 year old boys didn't want to touch them and get dirty. Xavior decided that he'd give it a shot, because he has never had the opportunity to touch a frog before. He was all set, and about to dig his hands into the bucket of freshly caught frogs, when i stopped him and offered to roll up the sleeves of his sweater (the same sweater he had been wearing all week). as i was rolling them up, he looked at at me, with his blond hair his in face, and his round, hippie sun glasses covering his eyes, he said "motor, are you a mother?", i looked at him a little funny and said " um, no why?" and he replied with "well because you are really good with kids, and would make a great mother." i couldn't help but smile at him and say thanks. i'm not ready to be a mother, but i am totally ok with being here and hanging out with these really cool kids at camp. kids, like Xavior, are the exact reason why i love my job.
WHY I HATE MY JOB
Megan, a camper from New Brunswick during session 2 (or maybe 3), was the camper i think i spent the most time with all summer. She spoke less english than i did french, but was determined to hang out and laugh with me as we tried to communicate. he had so much energy, and just laughed all the time. she was a pleasure to be around, and was willing to take part in any activity. now, im not going to go into much detail for this story, mostly because it is explaining why i hate my job (but love it at the same time). After our final banquet, which is a special dinner on the last night of camp, which includes a slideshow of pictures from the 9 days that had just past, the cabins had all returned to their tables for snack before heading off to bed. as the groups were finishing up Sydney, Megans counsellor, approached me and asked if i was busy, because Megan wanted to say goodbye. of course i said sure! so she brought her over to me, and Megan was crying so hard she could hardly breathe. we sat on the stairs for a few minutes before i attempted to ask her what was wrong (in french). she didn't say anything for a few minutes, so we just sat, with her head on my legs, and she cried. eventually she began to speak, but with me not really understanding a while lot of french, and with her being upset, it was really hard for me to get what she was saying. i figured it was something not so good, so i knew i should be getting every word that she said to me, but i just couldnt understand. a friend of mine walked by, who happened to be bilingual, so i asked her to translate for me. she sat with us too, but as she was listening to Megan talk, she stopped translating, and just talked with her. i decided that, by seeing the look on my friends face, i should leave. later, my friend told me what she was saying, and she needed report what was said. Megan didn't want to leave camp, where she was comfortable, loved and was able to have fun, because she didn't want to go home where she was scared, and unwanted. That is why i hate my job.
2) reason 2, coming soon...
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