(B)Logbook

In case of intermittent internet in Ghana, or wildly hectic weeks, or other blog neglect, there is a solution. The Sister Blog to Niki's Days: Canada World Youth, would be our group blog found at:

http://cwy-jcm.com/logbook-ghana-st-johns/

That will be a reliable source of events, as pretty much all of our group events will have some write up, be it in English, French, Fante, or Twi. Heads up, there is no Google translate for Fante or Twi, so maybe just rely on pictures for that one.

Women's Cafe Night with Karla Pilgrim

People were flocking to Marguerite's Place last night. There's a special event at the end of each month, and for September it was Karla Pilgrim.

She's a singer-song writer who supposedly got pretty far on Canadian Idol. As for last night she was play for a room of 30 lucky women, including out group.

I sat in the front row and recorded this for you.

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Mundy Pond

Just thought I'd share this sight, no praticular reason...

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Tah-chin

On Wednesday night some of the group member had signed up for an Indian cooking class, that we later learned was an Iranian cooking class. This was by no means a disappointment.
The class was put on by The Multicultural Women's Organization of Newfoundland and Labrador (or MWONL). The cooking class itself was held at Marguerite's Place, so I spent a huge portion of the day there.
The meal itself was a delicious Iranian dish called Tah-chin. It would be like a saffron rice dish with chicken, except with a most notable twist. It was cooked in a deep dish on stove stop, then in the oven. The rice on the edges turned crispy and dry. When the dish is done it's turned upside down and served as what is literally a rice cake. Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside.
Now if you're like me, you've never bothered to eat the crispy rice, bevause it resembles uncooked rice. Or maybe you're like my counterpart, Janice, and that is the best part.


Tah-Chin e Morgh (Chicken Tah-Chin)
By Leila Mikaeli (Iranian cook)
Ingredients:

• 3 cups basmati rice.
• 1 large onion
• 4 egg yolks
  4 tbsp butter
• 350 gms boneless Chicken breast

• 1 cup or 300 mls  plain yoghurt
   4 tbsp oil plus a pinch of saffron
   Lime juice and salt to taste
Preparation:
• Skin the chicken and cut into medium size pieces.
• Take a tsp of lime juice, a pinch of salt, mix well and marinate in the fridge for a few hours.
• Beat the eggs yolks, combine with the yogurt, and add a pinch of salt and the saffron.
• Pre-soak the rice a few hours.
7.  Heat the oil in a large pan with a lid
8. Next, add half the yoghurt mixture.
9. Add a layer of rice and press down into the yoghurt
Add the rice cook until it becomes soft to bite.
The rice should become long but not fluffy.
Remove from the heat and drain. 2.
Add the rice cook until it becomes soft to bite.
The rice should become long but not fluffy.
Remove from the heat and drain.
Boil a large pan of water; add a teaspoon of salt,
and a teaspoon of butter.
 Method:
5. Add the chicken, a pinch of salt and fry till golden.
6. Remove the chicken and set aside.
10. Add a layer of chicken and then another layer of both yoghurt and rice and continue until all the ingredients have been used.
11. After you add each layer, press down gently before you add the next.
12. Cook on a low heat for about 90 minutes to 2 hours. The longer you leave it the better the crust (Tah-dig) will be.
                     

Miss Representation at MUN

In addition to the landslide of activities we've been involved in (which posts will be made when pictures become available) we attended a movie screening tonight.

Not your typical movie. Presented at Memorial University with assistance from Marguerite's Place tonights documentary was Miss Representation.

It's a documentary film about the portrayal of women in the media. Before you think whatever you plan on thinking about this particular movie, watch the trailer, and see for yourself.


Miss Representation Trailer

Concert at The Ship

Friday night was spent at The Ship Pub, at least for those of us who made it.
One of the bands playing that night was my host father, Dean's band, Vegas Lounge Lizard (find them on facebook).

A very impressive show all around.

Haunted Hike

St. John's ghost stories came alive in our activity of the night. A walking tour of some of the sites of paranormal wonder, lead ,of course, by a most fitting guide.

Seek the truth at: www.hauntedhike.com

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Storm and Work

The theme of life since Tuesday has been two parts. Hurricane Leslie and the formal beginnng of our work placements.

No matter how badly each Cwy-syto volunteer had craved the opportunity to dive-in and embrace the first day of work, no one did. They schools -and several other buildings- were closed Tuesday for the storm. Sure enough the weren't kidding. We lost power that morning and we only got it back a few hours ago. Stuff was blowing around, trees had fallen down, it was serious stuff.

Wednesday became our new first day of work. It was quite a success from my point of view. I've thoroughly enjoyed the two days I've spent there.

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Work Partner Reveal

Yesterday's workshop on Educational Activity Day's (EAD's) finished off with the work partner reveal.

Since it would be too easy to just tell us where we were working, we had to eat it out of a cup of Jell-o. Yes, the answer to our biggest question was written on a piece of paper, sealed in tape, and then sealed in Jell-o.

After furiously consuming the grape Jell-o I can now tell you I'll be working at . . .

Marguerite's Place!

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Volunteer Placements

Hey just wanted to give a quick run through of the volunteer placements we met with today and yesterday.

1. Eastern Health
2. For the Love of Learning
3. St. John's Community Family Services
4. Refugee Immigrant Advisory Council
5. Multicultural Women's Organization of Newfoundland and Labrador
6. Independent Living Resource Center
7. YMCA
8. MacMorran Community Center
9. Association for New Canadians
10. Marguarite's Place
11. Bridges to Hope

I could never possibly give each organization the attention they deserve in such a short blog post. Nothing is that simple. For the most part, to simplify...


1. Eastern Health: Nursing home assistance
2. For the Love of Learning: Arts with at risk youth
3. St. John's Community Family Services: Hot lunch/ Breakfast programs
4. Refugee Immigrant Advisory Council: Cultural event planning/ skills training
5. Multicultural Women's Organization of Newfoundland and Labrador: Exactly what it sounds like!
6. Independent Living Resource Center:Variety of programs for people with disabilities
7. YMCA: fitness programs and administrative work
8. MacMorran Community Center: Programs and services for low income families (lot's of food!)
9. Association for New Canadians: Assistance with after school clubs for new Canadian youth and children/skills training
10. Marguarite's Place: women's center (not shelter), serving food and planning events
11. Bridges to Hope: dull the effects of poverty, prepare home cooked meals, bake fresh bread, toy lending library, and Christmas Hampers


I have five or more summary points for each organization that I plan to bring to tomorrows speed dating style interviews! Yay!

The Start of Cegep

As few of you probably know, this Canada World Youth Exchange is partnered with Cegep Marie Victorin to provide academic accredidation to it's participants. Meaning at the end of 6 months we will deliver a portfolio to Cegep Marie Victorin, it will be marked, and if all goes well each volunteer will recieve a Certification in Cross Cultural Relations and Community Development.

Today marked day one as a student at Cegep, we recieved our portfolios. This will undoubtably require time and the ability to focus in a variety of environment. So, today I went to start filling out the first few pages, and it didn't take long for my host family's 2 year old to take notice and bring over his trucks to play. When I'm not playing with him I'll have to make time for paperwork.

I'm still having a great time!

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Cape Spear

It was another beautiful day in St. John's.

Today, we visited the beautiful Cape Spear. By "we" I mean my counterpart and host family!

Because, us participants have been staying with host families since our arrival in St. John's on Friday.

I'll keep you posted on info about volunteer placements. The fog around this mystery should lift tomorrow.

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Flying to St. John's

I'm starting to write this from 12304 feet, 14 minutes away from my new home in St. John's.

Our debrief camp has ended. We wrapped up the fun with a campfire that I will surely never forget. Marshmellows, music, singing, dancing, ghost stories, and a chorus of stars lead by a full moon.

We filled out our evaluations and were on a bus to Halifax by 2:30. As much as I'd love to look out the window and tell you how inspiring St. John's is, I'm now understand the “It's cloudy” thing I always hear about. Dark, stormy and you can't see a thing. Sounds like an advenrture.