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

Monday, February 28, 2011

Moving On

Today as I was painstakingly going through all these beautiful post-its and mementos from last year at Pearson, I nearly started crying.  It suddenly became apparent to me that this is going to end soon.  I couldn't bear the thought of leaving all these wonderful human beings who wrote me such wonderful notes.  It's breaking my heart.

I don't know what to do.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Cool Links

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

Amazing talk by an amazing woman


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYF0qU5WSew

Feist videos are the best


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQZhN65vq9E

We're doing this song for the musical cafe in the first ever all girl band at Pearson, "The Somethings"

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Sound of Silence



Lately I feel like I've been communing with nature more.  I went climbing outside on cliffs for the first time on Monday.  Let me tell you IT IS HARD.  I got maybe 5 feet off the ground, I think because you get so cold (it was drizzling) and there are no clear hand or foot holds, it's much more challenging.  I have so much respect for the incredible souls who free-climb (without a harness)....maybe it's a bit crazy but entirely remarkable.

After climbing I walked home through the forest. I'm a bit ashamed to say this but when I first got here I was a bit afraid of walking alone in the forest.  This time I fully appreciated and valued the experience.  It was beautiful.

Yesterday I had a lovely day.  Giving and receiving massages (so necessary in February), taking care of Mina, doing Waka Waka, an amazing dance for One World, and then....

WAKING UP TO SNOW!  It was so silent and still.  So pristine and white.  So stunningly gorgeous.

Everyone's complaining, especially Vicente from Brazil, cursing my dear old country, but to be honest, I wouldn't want the weather any other way right now.  It's a refreshing change.  Plus all faculty who live off campus cannot come to class....which means more free blocks for us.

It's food week, and a local lunch is sounding uber satisfying right now.

Lots of cold kisses,
Emmy


Monday, February 21, 2011

Jean Beliveau - Peace Walker

The other day we had an incredibly inspiring guest at the college.  Jean Beliveau, in the midst of a mid-life depressive crisis (the transition from adult to old) had the idea to walk around the world.  He began calculating how long it would take him to get from his home, Montreal, to New York.  Then he dreamed bigger until his walk spanned every continent, he kept his dream a secret for 8 months.  When he finally told his wife, she urged him to do it for peace, and coinicidentally his timing was perfect for the 2001-2010 - International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World. 

 It is a truly  remarkable feat that yesterday I believe, he began his final journey back to Montreal from Vancouver, starting off with a civic ceremony with mayor Gregor Robertson in attendance.  He has seen tremendous adventures and met children and people from 74 countries.  I am truly blessed and lucky to have had tea with him and hear some of his stories first hand (everything ranging from not getting hit by traffic to a "puma" or cougar near his tent).  He left with only $4000 and a buggy full of small necessities, on the way he has met many souls and has learned about what makes us all human.  His message of peace and safety for children is one that resounds universally.   He will have walked nearly 75000 kilometres across all continents.   A true inspiration he believes that in order for peace, we must see the world through "eyes of love."

http://wwwalk.org/en/

He relies on the kindness of people for places to stay along the way, so if you happen to be on his route through Canada, and have an extra couch/bed, please help this amazing man complete this amazing feat.

Keep going, Jean!  I'll be here cheering you on.


In Ethiopia, where Jean was so overwhelmed he nearly gave up.

In Iran, where the hospitality was incredible.

In Ethiopia, I believe

In India

In Peru

 
And finally, in his 11th year, coming home.




Lots of love and admiration,
Emmy

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Bucket List

So before I kick the bucket at Pearson, there are many things I would like to do.  I have made a version of list many times before so this is just going to be from the top of my head.  Part of me feels that this list adds a bit of pressure, but maybe it also motivates me to actually do the things I have waited so long to do.

1.  Run through a giant beautiful green Metchosin field, towards the ocean.

2.  Tell everyone how much I love them.

3. Make a movie (preferably a comedy)

4.  Go camping

5.  Go to the soccer field on a clear night and look at the stars

6.  Bay jump

7.  Find the other Pearson notes

8.  Sing at a musical cafe

9.  Explore the woods nearby

10.  Bike the seaside route and the goose and have a picnic with dear friends

11.  Do something wonderful for someone's birthday

12.  Make a decadent meal for someone deserving.


So since 12 is my number, I think that's where I'll leave it for now....

Thursday, February 17, 2011

A Mouse in the House

Okay maybe I conveniently ignored that my popcorn bag had been ripped into shreds and the kernels eaten and other presents left there in return.

Okay maybe we weren't hallucinating when we heard scrambling bodies in the wall.

Okay maybe I live in a renovated house, but there's still holes in the wall.

Okay maybe my underwear drawer and my food drawer are next to each other and closest to the wall.

Okay maybe I was in denial.

But when I heard my drawer rattling this morning (after sleeping in another room), I did not hesitate.  I grabbed Vageesha, a Buddhist from Sri Lanka, and sure enough there was a small brown mouse in my live trap.  Alright, now I can freely admit there was a mouse (or mice) living under my bed.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not a filthy person. Anything but.  But when there's a hole in the wall, what do you do?  You find a bunch of guys to set a live mouse trap because I think it was awfully gross and mean to see a poor little mouseys neck broken (as it was in Aaron's room and subsequently what he was trying to convince me to do).

And please do not think that Pearson College has mice in every room.  We absolutely do not.  I can only think of 2 out of 50 rooms that have.  Still it sucks.

I guess that's what happens when you live in the forest.

Sigh.

Yours mousily,

Emmy

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

It's A Crazy, Snowy, Lovely, Religious, English Oral Commentary, Math I.A. Life

"What do you think we should do, Ujamaa?" (My advisor asks the student from Sudan about how to deal with an icy mountain road and 10 feet of snow while driving in a prehistoric van-bus carrying 10 students and no snow-tires).

"I think you should just keep smiling.  Be happy always."

--

Well, I hope I haven't lost too many of you since my last departure quite some time ago.  I have been consumed!  From everything to God, to snow, to math, to English.  Let's start with some lovely good news.  I had possibly the most fun day of this year so far with my dear advisor group.  In order to protect his identity I will call my awesome advisor "S."   Now an advisor is someone slotted to your case to help you survive your two years.  I have definitely had my share of tribulations and I am very grateful for all of S's help and wisdom.  So S and his lovely wife N took 10 of us unruly students to Mount Washington (3 hours away) solely for our enjoyment.  Now I can't think of anyone else who would do that, buy us a picnic lunch, get us snow pants, and make us dinner and sundaes.

We're truly spoiled. 

So we had a great time rocking out to CBC and soft rock on the way.  The trouble began as our prehistoric Pearson van struggled and seemed to be out of breath and traction as we drove up Mount Washington.  We weren't the best equipped and after doing a series of very professional risk assessments, it was determined that the Pearsonites would be dropped off at the top and then S and N would drive down and park.   We had a delightful time tubing as you can see from the photos.  Then we all had to grab rides from people in the parking lot to get back to the Van-bus.  Driving home we stopped at my wonderful co-year Mark's house in the gloriously beautiful Comox Valley. 

Then we listened to soft rock tunes, felt the wind in our hair, and moseyed along home.   N made a delicious thai curry and we watched Up and ate ice cream.

It doesn't get much better than that.

And it definitely didn't that weekend.  I grossly underestimated my Math IA and stayed up till 3am and thus had a crappy Valentines (devoid of love, happiness, and sleep).  But that's alright because I had two days to prepare for my oral commentary in English and look forward to an awesome special topics day on religion.

Special topics day was amazing and I learned about witchcraft in Africa as well as a general overview of a ton of religions and religious history.

Just finished my commentary on The Great Gatsby and feel absolutely thrilled.

Just three more deadlines next week...

Then it's project week.

Just keep swimming.

Just keep swimming.

Just keep swimming

swimming

swimming.










(or tubing down a snowy hill, but where is the rope tow?)



**Photos courtesy of S

Friday, February 11, 2011

I Feel It All

Exactly how I feel (ignore the advertisement).  

100th Post

Can you believe it?  It's been 100 blog posts, 15 months, 280 new friends, over 100 countries, and countless adventures. 

Lately Pearson has been feeling pretty postcard-like, which is unusal for February. Despite the fact that I have a Math IA due on Monday, English orals on Wednesday, and the week after: a theatre presentation, a marine science IA, and french orals.  Oh and throw in an anthropology presentation, too.  Nevertheless here's what I've been up to recently:

- Soaking up the sun.  Yesterday it was a glorious day and I had precious time to hang in a hammock, chase little kids around on the lawn, attend a tea party, go to yoga, and just connect with people

- There was a phenomenal village meeting on Wednesday where I found myself dancing with 200 other people on the stage to Twist and Shout as well as talking about some very interesting things like leadership and the aim of the college, etc.

- Went climbing in the woods and unfortunately didn't get the chance to repel down a cliff like everyone else

- I am learning the famous gumboot dance, see video.  Also see the awesome Waka Waka video (also going to be in One World) from Afro-Carib Regional Day.  I remember watching gumboot before I came and just being in awe.  So crazy I am actually part of it now.

- We went to the beach with Marine Science and did a WONDERFUL scavenger hunt.

- There was a waterfront first aid drill yesterday where Sune, my friend from Denmark, had to play an injured diver.

- MC/Link auditions for One World.  All the auditions were breathtaking

Sometimes I am swept away in the sheer incredulity of it all. How did I get here? All I can do is say thank you thank thank you thank you.

Indebted to say the least.

Love,
Emmy

PS: Good luck to all those who are in the application process!!!