Well, I’ve been placed in Richmond BC. It’s really beautiful here. The cool thing is, I’m about thirty minutes out of Vancouver. But I’ve only been in once, which was for the Celebration of Lights. Richmond is definitely not like home at all. Not only the landscape, but also its different types of culture’s, and its weather is definitely a change. I get to see the mountains everyday, and farming is a big here. There are a lot of blueberries, strawberries, and different kinds of berries being sold here at the moment.
For my work placement, I’m working at Richmond’s Family Place. I work with kids 0-6, parents come in to the main site, which is basically a play and learn. The Richmond Family Place is a non-profit multi-service family resource program, and has been since 1979. Families play, then we have story and singing time, which is funny cause they sing songs that I remember singing when I was in pre-school and kindergarten. Richmond Family Place is also a place for families who are new to a different environment. The families that come through the Family Places’ main site, and off site programs vary from Caucasian, Chinese, Filipino, and many other cultures. I’ve had the pleasure to meet with many of the people who come through and its neat to be able to communicate with them with no words. I also have learned some of their language, but… I kinda, forgot it, oh well, I can just re-learn it.
My host family is stupendous! (No sarcasm intended) My host parents’ names are Heidi and Jose. They’re a married couple with three kids. The youngest just turned three last week, and the oldest is turning 11 this Friday (she’s really proper for her age though, I thought she was actually 12). The awesome middle child (like me) is eight years old, so I can’t exactly miss my two younger brothers when I practically have one here with me all the time. The family is great, they show my placement and me buddy Lynsey, around all the time. We’ve been to the library, art galley, museum, to the local parks, and a lot of other cool stuff around the area. Just this weekend, we drove into Vancouver for the afternoon, we walked around the downtown area and we saw the Olympic Cauldron, they had it lit for a special occasion. So I was so stoked I got to see it. Then we watched the fireworks from my host dad’s office, which was on the 34 floor of a building that only had 36, or 38 floors. I’m positive I’m never going to forget these people. Although, we do have our disagreements, (like every other family) and may not get along all the time just makes this experience even more like home! J
My time here is going my so fast, while viewing the city, hanging with my host family and Lynsey (my placement bud), shopping, and loads of other fun stuff. This is definitely an experience I’m sure I will never forget, and my family I will never forget. Lucky for my buddy, and me today Rebecca and Naomi came by to our placement home. So that was fun seeing them. I can’t wait until re-orientation, it’s gonna be the best time ever!
Justina is pictured above (second from left) with her placement buddy Lynsey and host family (minus host dad Jose).
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