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