Winter Break

I'm deeply sorry for the lack of recent posts. I think I just got swept away by block week (exam week before break) and a host of other things, and before I knew it - I was back home with no blog posts for a few weeks!

Before I begin, I just wanted to thank you again for reading. Recently, a couple people whom I thought would never be keeping track of me said they had been reading this blog....and it made me so happy! I partly do this for myself, but I think this could be a medium for anyone to get a taste of the wonderful world of UWC. Also, if you know any student in grade 11 who is actively and passionately trying to create a better world PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell them about the extraordinary experience Pearson has to offer. Forward them this blog address or to the www.pearsoncollege.ca and click on "apply." Applications are due in February I believe.

Here are some of the events that occurred before I left:

- Our house (like the other 4) had a secret santa thing going on for a couple weeks and it was plain astounding to see what kind of surprises were in store. People left sweet notes for each other, hung signs/poems/posters around campus about their buddy, left candy and chocolate, made people's beds, did their cleaning duties. Some people went above and beyond the call of a Christmas buddy. Some made videos in dedication of their buddies, some held a candle-lit dinners, some made scavenger hunts. I was blessed with an AMAZING buddy (who turned out to be Rita from Portugal) who among other things: Hung a mobile above my head with a picture of me saying I was beautiful, hired someone to walk in my room wearing a santa hat while I was sleeping and proceed to dump hundreds of Hershey's kisses on my bed, and THEN hang the HUGEST sign across the whole math room window saying,
"EMMY, WHO CAN'T LOVE YOU?" with balloons over my name. To say the least, I was in awe and helplessly grateful. I really appreciated everything she did for me.

- We had a delicious house dinner full of multicultural food that we all made ourselves. It was a really cozy evening, we sat on the floor and talked and laughed and ate.

- After House Dinner there was a night skating trip for anyone who wanted to go. It was beautiful to see people who had never skated before learning from Canadians and those who live in colder climates. Some students improved immensely. We all had a blast - holding hands and playing tag and falling on our faces.

- Block week consisted of 2 classes a day for 2.5 hours each for 1st years. In all my classes except for 2, we watched movies, so it was exceedingly relaxing and enjoyable. In my Marine Science class we went on a fun expedition in the Bay and I had a math exam. However, for second years they had some serious examinations and they were more than relieved when the week was over.

- On Friday the 18th, everyone packed up their bags, woke up at the crack of dawn, and jumped on the bus/ferry/airplane for our 3 week Winter Break.


It is a delight being home. The word "home" now has double meanings. I miss everyone at Pearson - but I'm enjoying the space, quiet, and family that I can experience here. I am looking forward to chillaxing and reading lots of books and doing a minimal amount of work. I really appreciate certain aspects of a home now. For instance, a kitchen. Or a queen sized bed to myself. Or being 10 minutes away from a grocery store. Or being able to drive around town with my Mom.

Warmest holiday wishes to all of you.

Lots of cyber-love,
Em

Change of Pace Day & Christmas

So to switch up the pace on our beautiful campus, we occasionally have "Change of Pace" days or special topic days. Last Tuesday we had our first one of the year and it was quite enjoyable!


The theme was sustainability and the environment so we heard presentations from BC Hydro, the water supplier, and our natural gas supplier. In addition we had group discussions about several issues. I participated in the renewable energy resource one. We also had a garbage audit in each house and separated everything that could have been recycled, this being a bit of a messy endeavor. In the afternoon, we created promise flags inspired by prayer flags and wrote down a pledge. Those flags are now fluttering beautifully in the wind, taking our words with them.

In other news, McL's dayroom is looking flashy and awesome with all our Christmas decorations up. It was a great bonding experience and I'm looking forward to our house breakfast, house dinner, and cookie making.

Three girls' rooms in McL received a wonderful surprise yesterday. We were all sent little Christmas presents and cards from the Zonta Club in Washington State. Everything was personalized and ever so sweet....thank you Zonta club! You definitely brought some huge smiles to our faces!

Holiday smiles to you all,
Em

PS: Happy belated 16th birthday to my awesome brother, Danny.

Makyla

My dear friend Makyla from Ontario recently got quite injured and broke her ankle in 3 places. Subsequently she had to go to the hospital in the middle of the night and get surgery... she is one of the bravest people I know and I know she will recover quickly! I visited her in hospital and am trying to help her hobble around campus now. It's so awesome to have her back. She is very spirited, determined, and beautiful!

Go Makyla!

Asia-Pacific Regional Day

It was a delightful Saturday regional day featuring: delicious food, fascinating workshops, beautiful costumes, a music-award themed dinner, and a video-game themed FABULOUS show!

I was a server at the dinner and loved the beautiful Kimono Maki from Japan leant me.

It was also really nice to have my parents come and visit on the regional day and see the awesome show that Pearsonites have been working on in a few short weeks.

Enjoy the photos! I wish I had more!

Weekend at Home

So living in BC and attending Pearson College is in some ways a blessing, others a curse. One blessing I am so grateful to have is the ability to come home after a few months. I was having a bit of a frustrating time (I think it's the immense grey rainy cloud that has literally hung over my head for weeks) and really in need of a break. So I grabbed my wonderful friend Makyla from Ontario and the two of us set off on the trek back to Vancouver for a couple days. The 5 hour bus/ferry journey was well worth it because we spent some rejuvenating hours relishing all the space we had in my basement.

It was so lovely to see my family again.

We went downtown, but it was a really ugly day so we had to consult our two most reliable therapists to get rid of 'the grumpies' : chocolate and shopping! What else do you need? We also did some face masks, trashy tv, and a yoga class in the morning. I'm so glad I have the opportunity to visit home now and then, and bring friends with me.

I love you Mom and Dad.
Thanks for coming with me, dear Makyla.

Less than a month away from Winter Break. Time has slipped away unnoticed.

Hugs,
E

The Vow of Silence

...

Could you live for 24 hours without uttering a single word? From 6pm today until 6pm tomorrow some Pearson students (including myself) have gone silent. We've been walking around campus with duct tape over our mouths as we stand in solidarity with those (especially children) who do not have a voice. It has been an interesting endeavor already. A minority of other students have been somewhat "superior" towards me, saying things they wouldn't if I was able to talk back. It is fascinating, this power imbalance. It's also a good lesson in listening for me, it's amazing how much more you pick up when you aren't trying to blurt out every thought that comes into your mind.

Tonight is the Leonid Meteor Shower and despite the cold and rain I think some Pearsonites are sleeping over at the Observatory. The Observatory is on the top of a large hill and is an absolutely stunning place to view the night sky. I only hope it isn't too cloudy and that we can see some meteors. I've never seen one before and it sounds so cool.

Asia-pac dance rehearsals have been numerous and I'm so excited for my parents to come visit on Asia-Pac regional day.

I've got two tests tomorrow so I better continue with my studying. Did I mention that we only have 4 hours of classes a day? The rest is devoted to non-academic learning which I believe is just as or even more, important. Some days we only have classes in the morning and we have a speaker or a village meeting in the afternoon. I really really really love the system.

In general I'm just so glad I'm here. I feel like I belong. I feel like I don't have to struggle against any teachers or systems or peers that don't want to actively make the world a better place. I cannot describe how refreshing it is. You must come and visit!

Peace and love,
Emmy

Newsflash!

Life at Pearson has been action-packed since we arrived home from Project Week. And that is what it was like - arriving home. I think there was a significant shift after PW where a lot of us felt more comfortable and out of the "newbie" stage. If you had walked into the caf for dinner on the day we returned, you would have been so inspired. Simulaneously everyone was hugging and kissing and reuniting with their friends. It was joy everywhere and love that filled you to the brim.

Besides getting back into the swing of classes, life for 2nd years has been a little bit stressful lately. A lot of big assignments are due and university deadlines loom above their heads. I'm thinking of organizing a relaxation workshop where I can incorporate some of my yoga experience. "Relax" isn't really a buzzword here. Life is always on the go and many of the students operate on very little sleep. A new rule was implemented this year called the 10:30 rule, where students are not allowed to be in anyone else's room after 10:30pm. Although some people say that we're receiving more sleep now, some students had some initial resistance to the rule. I find it works fine and I try to get to bed at 11pm at the latest (mind you, this doesn't always work out how I want it).

It's funny how the basic needs are sometimes the hardest to fulfil here.

I have been living in the Max Bell Building, and namely on the stage. As our magnificent stage manager, Salome, says as she points at the wood stage, "This is your home now." I am a theatre student and I love it. Last night we performed our first year production called, "Agents Provocateurs." What an unbelievable experience it was - being part of a Pearson production. We all grew so close and spent many many many hours rehearsing. In the performance I particularly enjoyed being Princess Chitra, an Indian warrior princess.

In other news, Asia-Pacific Regional Day is coming up, so dance rehearsals have started. We have a Christmas concert or two for choir, winter break is a month away, and it's gotten quite wet and cold. I am enjoying life here more than ever and I have grown close to many of my peers here. This place has become my home, and these people part of my family. Although, I do miss my family and Vancouver, and I think I'll go back and visit soon. I feel blessed to live so nearby.

Please leave a comment if you can:) or write me some snail mail. I long to hear from you!

Smiles,
Emmy

Project Week Photos

One more important note:

During Project Week my parents in Vancouver agreed to host 7 Pearsonites as they did their volunteer work on the Downtown Eastside. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I know that my friends were deeply grateful and that my family was delighted to have them. Maybe we'll host some more students in the future....

Project Week: SaltSpring Island!

Imagine a week where you can go on adventures with some of your closest friends from around the world. A week where you are free to accomplish something you've always dreamed of: something challenging, unique, beautiful. Imagine the opportunity to hike in the glaciers or camp in the wild. Imagine meeting new people and learning about communities in a hands-on way. There was no need to imagine all of this at Pearson College because it was the wonderful reality of Project Week.

In late October Pearson students embarked on journeys they are sure to remember. Most projects are student-led and the options were incredibly diverse, although all fit into a creative, action, or service category. Some examples of what you could do: sail, kayak, hike, camp, read books at a host family's, travel to San Francisco or Vancouver, bike, volunteer, surf...and so much more. I truly believe that Project Week encompasses the ideals of Pearsn College and United World Colleges as it gives students the opportunity to learn from and experience the world in a very unique way. We learned to approach obstacles with an open mind, to work together in groups, to network and build bridges with so many organizations and places.

The project I chose was working with an organization called SOLID (SaltSpring Organization for Life Improvement and Development) on SaltSpring Island. SOLID works with African communities facing HIV/AIDS through a number of grassroots projects (eg. planting fruit trees, supporting education and a girl's shelter, nutrition). So when Project Week rolled around the four of us - Amirah from Malaysia, Levi from France, Hieu from Vietnam, and I - set sail for SaltSpring. We grew really close as the week went on and had a lot of fun together. It was an awesome time filled with many learning opportunities and unique experiences like:

- Our first night we were taken to a local birthday party in a beautiful hemp bale house (basically made of straw) where we enjoyed a fiddle jam session
- We painted, sorted, and nailed crosses for an art project that symbolizes the 8000 people who die of HIV/AIDS every day
- We attended a reception where we met representatives from several NGOs on SaltSpring in a beautiful home overlooking the ocean. All the people were so kind and warm.
- We met with the local global awareness club at the Gulf Islands Secondary School, as well as the "Knit Wits" - a group of elderly ladies who knit for Africa
- We worked at the SOLID exchange, a store that benefits projects in Africa
- We explored the beautiful island - went to a cheese factory (AMAZING goat cheese), a chocolate factor, a mountain, the town, a park...
- We helped to faciliate a Peace Tiles workshop with a local girl guides to make a mural
- We enjoyed Halloween by watching fireworks downtown
- We savoured every delicious meal that Shirely so kindly made for us (at her B&B, On Duck Creek). Shirley and her daughter Meron were so generous to let us stay for free and provided some wonderful food for us. Thank you!!!
- Saw the Olympic torch relay as it passed through SaltSpring
- Met so many lovely people and got to know each other better in a supportive and welcoming environment.

When I look back, Project Week was a phenomenal break where I gained many valuable skills, tools, and contacts. I had time to relax and rejuvenate and SaltSpring was the perfect choice. I'm grateful to Meron, Shirley, and SOLID for agreeing to take in 4 Pearson students and set up things for us to do. Project Week is definitely an idea that every school should put into practice!

All my love,
Emmy

PS: I'll do a general update soon and upload some photos of PW.

Long time, No post

Hello lovelies.

I apologize for the significant lack of posts lately - that can be attributed to me coming down with the flu. Let me just say it sucks to stay up all night with no parents (or houseparents) with a fever. Thank goodness I'm feeling better!!!! And starting to catch up....

Well the most exciting thing that happened recently is Middle Eastern/Indian Subcontinent Regional Day!! It was truly fabulous! It went remarkably well. I led a small yoga workshop in the spiritual center (which by the way, is such a glorious location). Later on, we had a GREAT dinner in the dining hall. Because Regional Day coincided with a UWC International Board Conference at Pearson we had 80 extra people. Let's just say it was a mighty crammed cafeteria! The naan was piled high and we had bakclava and lassi for dessert! Butter chicken, aloo gobi, rice, and naan for dinner. It was awesome. I had at least 10 girls come running to me for clothes, and I gladly handed out Indian suits. Everyone looked beautiful.

We had a wedding theme for the show and my dear friends Itamar and Zahida had a marvelous Jewish wedding while we observed so much wonderful Middle Eastern/Indian culture. I was initially rehearsing for 4 dances but was only able to do one. It was well worth it though. I'll try hooking up a link to the video, don't know if it will work. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=528445313&ref=profile#/video/video.php?v=1249058831240&ref=mf

I'll attach some photos soon.

Besides that, it's our last week before project week!!! I'm headed to Saltspring Island.

I'm going to go catch an early night (breakfast duty tomorrow).

Love you all,
Em

Profile on UWC Site

I hope that every student in the world who wants to, has an opportunity to apply and attend a UWC. It is truly a powerful and transforming experience.

Please encourage any of your friends/family who are (for Canadians) currently in grade 11 to APPLY! Don't hesitate to forward them to either http://www.uwc.org/ or http://www.pearsoncollege.ca/


Here's my profile on the UWC site: www.uwc.org/uwc_life/student_profiles/emmy.aspx

A Month and A Bit

I'm baaaaack!

Sorry it's been a while since my last entry...I don't know if it's because not a whole lot happened, or I just couldn't find time to write about what did happen.

Well where to start? We are in the midst of organizing our Project Weeks at the moment. Now if you have never heard of Project Week, I think it's one of the best initiatives Pearson has in practice. Pretty much they just shut down classes for a week and we go on adventures (the only limits are $400 and our imaginations). I'm going to beautiful Salt Spring Island to volunteer with an organization called SOLID. And I'm excited for a group of students who are volunteering on Vancouver's DTES to be staying in my basement! Thank you Mom and Dad!

There is a host of amazing opportunities that people have presented. Everything from survival in the woods -bringing no food - to "book worm" project week where you stay at a host family's in Victoria and read books. From sailing to kayaking to biking to hiking the Glaciers....everything is possible. I really value this down to earth perspective on education.

Today I co-chaired our first village meeting with Irene from Spain, and it was wonderful! Basically village meetings are when all 250 members of our community sit in a circle and can bring up topics for discussion. We used a talking "feather" technique which replaced a speaker's list, and combined Open Space with full village discussions. It was definitely an experience standing up in front of everyone and trying to keep us on track for time. I was so happy to finish within the allotted 2 hours!

Right now I'm really busy with acting in Connor's Independent Project. An IP is for Theatre students in their second year where they write, direct, and produce their own performance. I'm the narrator in his Seuss-inspired "Milton Hears a Who." It's a riot.

Besides that, I've been busy with schoolwork and a ton of dance rehearsals for our upcoming Indian/Middle Eastern Regional Day. So far I'm part of a traditional Indian girls' dance, belly dance, Jai Ho, a bollywood number, and maybe an Israeli dance.....

Random tidbits:

Someone has been very sneaky in my house and keeps stealing my yogurt.

I'm coming home in a few days for Thanksgiving! YAY!

Our housefellow is giving birth right now! We'll soon have a baby nearby.

Some people from Burma are visiting the college this weekend.

I'm going to perform a song with my friend Makyla at a musical cafe

I've been doing yoga with my friends....

--

Life has been a little challenging this past week... just trying to navigate interpersonal things, but it's all settled down. Let's just say avoiding someone and avoiding issues is impossible here. The community is too small and I'm glad.

I still can't remember a happier time in my recent years. I feel like I'm really living my purpose here. Really on track.

Hugs & see you soon,

Emmy xoxoxo

Photo Journal (North American Regional Day)

We Day

On Tuesday Sept 29 about 25 Pearsonites (including myself) woke up at the unappealing hour of 5:30am and jumped on a bus, boarded a ferry, and alas one more bus until we reached my beautiful city of Vancouver.

Little did we know 16 000 other young people were waiting in GM Place ready for inspiration.

Me to We Day is an annual motivational event put on by the organization Free the Children. This year they had an impressive line up of musicians and speakers including: Jason Mraz, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Jane Goodall, Mia Farrow, Kn'aan, Sarah McLachlan, if and many others. It was spectacular.

We had random dance moments, too many standing ovations to count, and listened to important ideas on how to make the world a better place.

The Dalai Lama spoke of how the 21st century should be one of peace and compassion, and how we should all aspire to be as warm hearted as our mothers. He spoke of how we must first cultivate inner peace and then outer peace. Mia Farrow was a truly impacting speaker as she spoke of the horrific genocide in Darfur. A former child soldier spoke very eloquently and powerfully about his past. We all bonded and felt connected to a greater whole of people who care. It was an amazing synergistic atmosphere.

For more info and maybe to watch some of the performances: http://weday.ctv.ca/

On another note is was slightly strange coming back "home." I've been away for more than a month now and seeing my old city without seeing my family or house was weird. It felt different. Both of my former schools were there and I saw some of my peers. Some of them (including teachers) weren't even aware that I didn't go to their school anymore! I left feeling a little empty. My guess is that my closest friendships will be the same, though, and unfortunately I didn't get a chance to see any close friends.

I felt relieved to be on the ferry back to Pearson. It seemed familiar.

On a totally unrelated note: I was chatting with David Hawley - the Director here - and he said he'd like to put my blog on Pearson College's new website!!! How exciting!!!!!!! We'll see what happens but just thought I'd let you know.

I'm looking forward to coming home Thanksgiving weekend and hosting some wonderful friends in November.

Peace and love,

Emmy

Soaking up the Sunshine

The weather has been beautiful, September always is. It has set a perfect backdrop for the multitude of adventures that occur on a daily basis.

Recently it was my good friend, Erik from Saskatchewan's birthday!! To celebrate we made the most delicious chocolate cake with strawberries on top, cookies, jello, and brought lots of goodies on a night hike to Matheson Lake. We left at about 10pm and got back after midnight. It was so much fun!

We tried to light some candles but it was a little too windy. Plus after walking for 45 minutes (we attempted to blindfold Erik for some of that) people were too ravenous to wait. So we devoured the cake and listened to music and huddled together under the night sky. Some crazies (including Erik) jumped into the freezing cold lake. It was a gorgeous night though.

On Saturday the 25th it was....NORTH AMERICAN REGIONAL DAY! Regional Days rotate every 2 years so it was the only N. American Regional Day I would attend and oh, it was spectacular.

It began with my reluctantly waking up early to awaken the rest of the campus. All of us North Americans grabbed our trumpets and trombones and loud yelling voices and threw open the doors of all the houses and yelled. It was magnificent. We even stood on David's lawn (David is the Director) and screamed, "HAPPY NORTH AMERICAN REGIONAL DAY!"

With the caf decked out in flags of Canada and the US we enjoyed a lovely brunch a la Quebec which included crepes, scrambled eggs, ham, fruit, and much more. I loved it . Later there was an assortment of activities including: Learn how to talk like a Canadian, eh.

For dinner, it was a Sadie Hawkin's date system (girl asks guy) and I asked my wonderful fellow BCer friend, Alistair. We were all the talk because instead of dressing all formally we donned wetsuits and masks and were a diver couple. It was quite outrageous and fun.

But the best part was the show. It began with a recorded tape and continued with an RCMP and a CIA agent on a mission (road trip style) to find culture in North America. Along the way they encountered Thriller dances, swing dancing - which I was happily a part of -, Single Ladies, story telling, poetry reading, songs.... it was wonderful. The finale was especially memorable because we all got up and danced to a Grease medley. People from Metchosin came to see the performance and I hope they liked it. After the show some of us partied it up in the barn. Or rather the student commons dressed up like a barn.

On Tuesday I'm super excited to see the city again. I'm coming to Vancouver only for a couple of hours (unfortunately) for Me to We Day. I'm so excited for all the speakers including the Dalai Lama and Jane Goodall and mostly for the motivational tone that Free the Children always manages to pull off.

I'll post some photos soon.

All my love,

Em