Triple Celebration!

My experience started off like this…

On June 17, 2007, was the day of my 18^th birthday. It was a wonderful and sunny day - a great way to start this year's unique birthday celebration.

To sum it up - my experience was great!

GK Youth Build, where I'm an active volunteer, scheduled one day to volunteer and help at the Good Shepherd Centre. We were put into two groups: our group was further broken into pairs: one pair was me and Tito Junnie, the other was, Tita Michele and Tita Maro. We were assigned to fix the beds, put bed sheets and also to do the pillows. It sounded easy but it was hardwork too.

And the other group composed of mom, Tita Premie and Tita Maripi, was in the kitchen making lunch.

Each room had 4 bunk beds, or 8 beds in all. Kuya Junnie and I were only able to finish one bunk bed, or 2 beds, because we were kind of slow. It sounded easy listening to and watching our host's instructions and demo, but apparently was the opposite. It took us 30 minutes to finish the two beds. Not bad, but the other pair finished four beds. After, we were just happy to know that it was time for lunch. The food was so GOOD. (Probably helped by GKYB volunteers :). Everyone had a great lunch. I had vegetables, potatoes, macaroni and cheese. After we ate lunch, we switched our shift assignments.

The 2nd group that was assigned in the kitchen switched with group one. Group two had to do the beds and group one had to go to the kitchen. As for me, I didn’t go with group one because someone had to show the new group to do the beds. I volunteered to show them how. Group two finished the beds in the basement in 30 minutes and then after we were done with the beds we had to fold the bed sheets and pillow cases. I did some bed sheets and then later I was getting tired in doing the bed sheets so then I folded the pillow cases. It was fun but tiring, folding the pillow sheets. By 4PM, we were all tired but pleased with our volunteer work.

In the afternoon, we were joined by Tita Elvie and went to Tita Maripi’s house which was close to Good Shepherd. I brought my birthday cake candles that had a big 18 on it and an extra candle for a wish. After the cake, I got presents… YAY!! I got earrings from Tita Elvie and a note book to write all the things that will happen in the Philippines and for me to share it here on the GK blog. The cake was good and creamy and very green. After sharing my party at Tita Maripi’s house, we went to the rooftop which had the gardens of tenants. It was very beautiful and from the rooftop, you could see the view of Toronto and also of the CN Tower.

That’s my entire story that happened on that day of my party… it was a triple celebration, it was Father’s day aside from my birthday…and a day of community work at Good Shepherd!

-Christine A.

Note:
More pictures here