Day Eighty Two

Work is over now, and we are getting into the debriefing/packing mode. But first, we should probably clean up the toilet paper, blown-up condoms, packs of chips, and discarded felt. Or I could explain the reasoning behind it all. I choose the second.

Stephane's birthday is coming up, and since we aren't able to celebrate it properly with him on the day, we celebrated it last night. As a special treat, Stephane made us supper. We came down stairs to a huge spread layed out across our tables of meat, vegetables, cheese, pickles, rice, and fondue pots. It was absolutly delicious. We ate more than our fills, then craftily got Stephane out of the house.
Frantically, the ten of us (Kaley took Stephane out for a walk to discuss some (made up) problems she was having) ran around "decorating" the house. We blew up the few balloons with "Bonne Fete"scrawled across them we were able to scavenge, and when those ran out, we broke open the condom tin and used those as balloons. They were oddly translucent, slippery and only slightly phallus shaped when inflated. But when you are in Katimavik, you learn to improvise. That sort of thinking is probably what led us to our next decoration idea: toilet paper streamers. Using electrical tape (yes, electrical tape) we strung up the T.P. and the balloons ("Bonne Fete" and other wise) all over our house.
As Anna put it "I'm pretty sure we are the only ones who would actually TP our own house." That's Katimavik for you.
Soon, once the strobe light was in place that is, we ran and hid in the entrance room, and anxiously awaited Stephane's arrival. When the door opened, we all jumped out, up, in and shoated "SURPRISE!" and started a rambling chorus of Happy Birthday in French.
We then led him in to the dining room where two cakes in the shape of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (or Turtle Ninjas if you are Kellie, love that girl) faces were waiting for him. He looked like a little kid. As he opened his presents, he kept thanking us. He said that this was the best birthday he has had in a long time. We were so happy that we were able to make him enjoy his birthday.

Today is the start of our Debriefing. We have hoops to jump through, papers to write, and activities to participate in. Its bitter sweet. I love Quebec, and have thoroughly enjoyed it, but I feel like Quebec has so much more to teach me, and I have so much more to discover that our departure is premature. Yet on the other hand, I am setting out on another adventure. One that will no doubt be as amazing as we make it, and with a group like this, how could it be anything but?

Katimavik has showed me that I can be independent, yet accept help. It has taught me that group dynamics don't always have to bite us in the behind. I have learned so much that I don't know if any one can really appreciate how much this type of an experiance can change you.
I can see my life changing in front of my eyes, and I have these people, these places, these months to thank.

My parents are coming tomorrow. The snow is making me anxious for them to travel, but I cannot wait for my parents black Malibu to come rollng down my little street. It will be surreal to have my real life and my Katima-life mingle like that.
Living in this crayon box, you can sometimes forget that there is a world beyond it, one with out Katima-rules. It will be strange to go back to it.. eventually

Everyday is a new adventure, so no worries.