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