8th day : First day of Volunteering

October 18^th 2012

I had my first bacon that morning, but it was not a pork bacon, it was a turkey bacon, and it taste great!

mine and Yen's

Ariane and I already promised to walk together to our work placement today. I went out from my house earlier, because I am afraid to get there late, because it was the first day of volunteering, and I don’t want to disappoint my work supervisor and also my work partner. I walked to our meeting point—the EAD space, about thirty five or forty minutes. I waited there like ten or fifteen minutes, I was worried that Ariane left me because she’s been there first. Then I saw her across the street and I can’t tell how happy I was!

We walked to Adsum House, as soon as we got there, we found out that we were too early, so we decided to walk around and chat. Fortunately we found a small park, near our work placement, and there we were, swinging and talking.

I remember she asked me, “Do you like your counterpart?” It was a nerve breaking question, because I did not sure what to say. To love somebody, it require a great amount of time for me, cause nobody ever made me in love so far, and even to like somebody, it is also a great deal for me.

So I answered, “I don’t know. Why do you asked that, anyway?”

“Well, I like my counterpart, and you seemed like you don’t really get along together with yours”, she replied.

 I took a deep breath, and I know the journey to work with this girl, is not going to be as smooth as I thought before. My work partner is an honest person, too straight forward, and it was quiet surprising. I believe, asking someone about their feeling for someone, whether she like or dislike someone, is a little bit beyond the line, because it was just the way I think before. Then I said, “So far, I am fine with my counterpart, and I hope it will last that way.”

Actually that was just the beginning of the program, where we have to adapt with another participant. Now I understand why did Ariane asked that question, and honestly I think she did a great thing.

Then we talked about her working experiences, we talked about our group dynamic, and so on, until I saw my watch, it was ten to twelve and I said to her it might be the right time to go to Adsum House. We knocked the door and the door was opened by a girl, her name is Linden. We waited for Jillian, our work supervisor at the living room of Adsum House. The living room is a big and comfortable room to gather together with friends and family.

We met Jillian, and she gave us a quick tour and a volunteer orientation package of our work placement. We began to work at 1 p.m till 3 p.m, helping people to collect clothes in the clothing room.

After volunteering at Adsum House, Ariane and I went to Tim Hortons at Quinpool Rd, and ordered everything bagel with plain cream and garlic. Later, we went to our own house. I was rushing to get home because I promised to help Yeniffer to prepare the dinner for us and our host parent.