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