29 March 2009

Yesterday I was struck by how similar, and how different we all are.

Sitting at the dinner table last night, we were going around learning how to say `Hi my name is...` in each of our own languages: Korean, Portugese, Russian, Spanish, Icelandic and more. It was so cool. Sitting there it hit me how far we all came from, and how different each one of us really are.
Later that night, while celebrating Earth Hour, Filipe pulled out the guitar and we all sang song after song after song. While we each come from a different area, we are all linked together by music, Scouting, and so much more. I know, a little deep for the beginning of a blog, but it was awesome.

Yesterday I was in Catering, which is always really cool. I love helping out there, and there`s always work to do (which is a nice thing....most of the time). After dinner, like I already said, we had Earth Hour. An initative set by the UNEP (United Nations Environment Program), supported by WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and WOSM (World Organization of the Scouting Movement) and so much more. We were challenged to use no electricty from 8:30 to 9:30, and encourage others to do the same. I received an e-mail about this a couple weeks ago from the WSEP (World Scout Environment Program) through facebook, and I forwarded it on to Gillian, who helped set it in motion. While I don`t know if I started this, or it was already in planning, I was very excited to see it happen. We cut all power to the Old Chalet (because we didn`t have any guests in it), and turned off everything we could in the New Chalet (obviously leaving the fire alarm and fridges on due to Health and Safety Regulations). We then had candles in the staff lounges, made a fire (we were planning on having it outside, but the weather was miserable), and sat around singing songs and telling stories. While many of the LTS weren`t there, it was very cool and a lot of fun. We should do it more often.

Once Earth Hour was over, we all headed over to the IKEA Flat (on of the many LTS Flats paid for by the centre) to have a farewell party for Amos. Amos is from Kenya, and is leaving this monday to return to Kenya. He doesn`t want to leave at all, but he is starting work for WOSM, based in Kenya and they won`t give him an extension.

At the party, Amos and I were sitting beside each other and he turns to me and says `I`m thinking of taking you with me`. Not creepy, not romantic, just Amos, and I realized that, even though we`re only known each other for two weeks, I`m really going to miss him. Crazy how these things happen. I took a million pictures...actually, I took 5 or 6, but Lynsay and Dave took a lot on my camera too, so it`s all good. Seeing other people drunk here, and seeing as we still have to get up at 7 each morning, I stick to a 2 beer rule, unless we`re out for a much longer evening. This means I can still walk home, still have fun, and still get up. A perfect combination. Lynsay on the other hand lost track, and wasn`t feeling the greatest this morning. Regardless, we still have to work. Thankfully, I was in House this morning (cleaning, laundry, that kind of stuff), so Lou (in charge of House) let us have an easy morning giving jobs that required little to no thought, and little movement. Still, I felt like I was the only one working at times.

Sitting down to watch a movie at lunch break, I ended up falling asleep, but thankfully we all look out for each other, and Mark woke me up. This afternoon (because we ALL took naps) we were a little more lively and I also completed my second ever check in. This one went a little better than my first, so it`s good to know I`m inproving.

I now have to go help with the staff board (which is due tomorrow) and fill in my days off (I know, hard evening).

Love,
Creighton


OH! My hip is much better now, just a disgusting bruise, but it doesn`t hurt anymore...well, of course the bruise hurts when you hit it, but that`s just like any old bruise (this one`s just much bigger and has more variety of colour).

Night.