BC students (PC years 35 and 36) at RaceRocks, taken by Mark Kelsey. Spring 2010.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

First Week Back


Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours. ~Swedish Proverb

Man, that's a smart Swedish proverb. Unfortunately we don't have any Swedes at the College currently, but hopefully we will soon.

So I just thought I'd give you an update on what it's like to be back at Pearson after a rejuvenating break with my family.

It was lovely to see everyone again. Reunions here are great to watch...and remarkably the food for the first few days was amazing! Most things were the same, although sadly a couple students elected not to come back for personal reasons. I know they will be deeply missed. The schoolwork I was dreading turned out to be pretty non-existant for the first little bit. I've got a couple tests in the next few days but it's all very manageable. The academic rigor here is something I am getting used to...it's definitely quite intense. Especially for Second Years.

UWCs go way over and beyond what the IB requires (and the IB requires a lot!) so we're often faced with the three S's: sleep, study, or socialize? I think I've been great about sleeping 8 hours, pretty good with meeting new friends, and good/satisfactory with studying. I find that the courses I have chosen don't have an excess of homework, but still require a lot of dedication.

Here are some projects/activities/news we've got on the go:

- The second year theatre production, "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" is in full swing of rehearsals. I am gladly doing costuming and will soon begin to fit the actors. I'm sure it will turn out great!

- I forgot my camera charger at home, so photos are going to be on hold, I'm afraid.

- Dance practices for One World (Pearson's amazing diversity show that happens in March in downtown Victoria) are beginning. Tango is lots of fun, and salsa is back-breaking (3 back-bends in a row!). I'd like to do some sort of Indian dance, and maybe a little singing. Thank goodness they put a limit of 3-4 acts per person, otherwise many of us would want to be in everything!

- Calgary House's awesome housefellows, Samuel (my math teacher from Guatemala) and Berenice (a wonderful, warm housefellow from Mexico) had a GORGEOUS baby girl in November called Sarahi and I have been visiting her nearly every day. It is so comforting to hold a baby! I think this may be the beginning of a baby-visiting addiction. They also have an ADORABLE little 2 year old boy named Diego that everyone loves to play with.

- Activities have started up again and I am trying out Special Needs Music for the first time on Thursday - super excited.

- We have a lot of efforts in the works to do something about the devastating quake in Haiti (one of our studentws is from there) including donations and a fundraising musical cafe.

- The campus is as beautiful as ever.


- There is a fair amount of homesickness/adjustment time for quite a few students. I definitely miss home and family, and I'm happy to be back.



Well I better get back to studying now. Drop a comment if you'd like! I'd certainly like it :)





All my love,


Em

2 comments:

  1. Hey Emmy!
    I just found your blog and it made me so happy to read all of your entries! Its like hearing your voice even though we havent heard from each other in a long time. I can literally feel your joy about staying at Pearson in every word you write! Well I knew you d have a great time because you just have a talent for meeting amazing people and making the very best out of basically everything but its still great to know everythings going that well.
    Keep on rocking and have a great 2nd year!
    Lots of love all the way across the Atlantic! Johanna xoxo

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  2. oops! i meant to comment on this one not the last one...anyway, looks like you're spending your time doing some incredible activities! a little jealous, but very happy for you :)

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