1 Month!

Hello,

It's been one month at Pearson today. That seems so crazy to me! Both because "I can't believe it's already one month" and "has it only been one month?". I feel so grateful and happy to be a part of this community, next to the Pacific, in the middle of nowhere.

Whenever I see the sun hit the wispy strands hanging from the trees, or Pedder Bay glinting in the sunlight, or hearing Dina cackle, or squinting at Morgane, or hugging Marta, or smiling at everyone and saying hello, or hearing "How are you? Really really how are you?" at least once a day. Whenever these things happen I'm so happy to be reminded that I am here, because it's easy to get swept up in it all, and forget where you are. And how special a time it is.

Which is why one month hitting is a weird feeling for me. The time has been spent so fully, and so meaningfully for me. A week ago, I couldn't believe it had only been 3 weeks since it felt like 3 months! Maybe it's just the word "month" that makes me change my view. I've been thinking about the construct of time, and how I interact with it, and what it can do for me (a good reminder to do things that have a time limit) or what it does badly for me (make me dwell on a number that I have no control over). It's a confusing thing, but I'll keep thinking about it.

Academics are going a bit slowly since it's the start, but I'm on top of my work. School life is packed with homework, socializing, CAS, student jobs, and other duties around the school. I hope to sit down tomorrow and try to remember what I wanted to do at Pearson before I arrived, and to see if any of it is feasible. But right now, I'm off to bed!

Goodnight.

UWC Day!

UWC Day was held on the 21st of September 2017, coinciding with International Day of Peace. This celebration is meant to mark a day in all of the 17 schools that make up the UWC movement, and encourage a celebration and reflection on the unique situations that we all find ourselves in. The theme this year was “celebrating the power of diversity”.

At Pearson, it was a decidedly low-key celebration. We had classes as normal, though apparently last year there were no classes and many people did workshops, games, art, etc. But this year we had a few events after classes; including a football game & choir performance to bring together people from different backgrounds in order to appreciate time spent with each other, and we had a workshop on linguistic inclusion at Pearson.

The workshop was facilitated by Kim, the English B teacher and one of the Victoria houseparents. The first part involved everyone in attendance filing out an anonymous survey about ourselves, with questions on gender, socio-economic background, sexuality, race, discrimination, neuro-status, and other factors of ourselves. The surveys were collected and redistributed randomly and then one by one the options of the survey were read out and anyone who had a survey with the option was asked to stand. It was a fascinating endeavour, especially as it really opened my eyes to how in some cases we’re very diverse (race, socio-economic background, sexuality, mental health past), but how in other ways we are not diverse (disabilities, belief in the UWC mission). It just gave me a good reminder on the realities of being in this place, and provided me with lots of food for thought.

After the survey exercise, we moved onto linguistic inclusion exercises, including drawing language circles for everyone, where people drew circles based on their comfort in a given language. Then we taught our languages to each other, and my housemate Foday taught me some Creole from Sierra Leone which was a great exercise, and now I’m learning more Creole! We also had discussions on how we can become more inclusive of linguistic backgrounds, the use of English as a major language around the world (why? how?), and we even practiced a new common language of our own “Muglish”, which eliminated words and relied on expressions and shared signs. 

During dinner, which was probably the closest I’ll ever get to Chinese food in the caf (it was dumplings!), I laughed so so much and was just so filled with joy. It was my second year’s birthday, and Yousra came down to the cafeteria in her sunglasses and spent the entire meal indoors with sunglasses that genuinely made her look like a Bollywood star and I had dared her to do it at lunch and was so surprised that she had even remembered! I was also overjoyed to be surrounded by such fun, smiling people. I witnessed Bei-Yi take such a large slice of the delicious cake that it more than filled her plate, and Dina and I tried to start a announcement but no one joined in so we were just banging randomly on the table and I laughed so hard I fell!

After dinner, there was a student-led discussion on diversity in the Max Bell, and I was really grateful to have been a part of such wide ranging and honest discussion. It saddened me a little to later look at other groups who’re meant to be discussing but were all just on their phones. It resolves me to spend more and more time off of my phone. I am here to experience this world through my eyes, not through a screen. 

UWC Day at Pearson might not have been as intense as at some of other other schools, but I believe that it was a day that was entirely up to the student body, and next year I’d like to organise a few more activities. But also I believe that everyday at Pearson is a UWC day, So many times in a regular week (is any week ever really regular at Pearson?), do I feel that “this is such a UWC moment”. For that, I am grateful to be in an institution that so deeply embodies these values. Happy UWC Day to all.

Love,

Theo

Dancing!

Wow - long time no update. Pearson life swallows you up, and doesn't really ever spit you back out. It has been such a beautiful time though. Orientation ended, and just like that classes started. First week was a bit slow, as they always are, but I'm at the start of my second week of classes and am gratefully starting to get a little bit more comfortable with how things are going! I was pondering switching Philosophy to History, but an interest in the subject's abstract thinking forms & newness to me have convinced me otherwise!

One moment I'd like to blog about what Yorle's birthday last week. At Pearson, birthdays are a beautiful special day, and September has had tons, some days there are 3 birthdays at once! I've not been closely involved in planning one, but from observation and participation, it seems that we normally sing the birthday song at least once every meal time, which is preceded by loud banging on the caf tables (the best way to get quiet during loud and noisy mealtimes!). There's also normally a party held somewhere on campus, with a birthday video where people around campus wish many happy returns, and sometimes there is dancing following the video. The dancing really depends on the person whose birthday it is - so I was excited for Yorle's party, as I knew there was sure to be exciting Latin music and dancing. I wasn't wrong!

What took place after her video was so exciting, vibrant and colorful. The beat of Latin music is so infectious that it fills every pore of your body and just begs for you to move. To sit back and watch my beautiful friends glide and move and feel the music through their body was an incredible experience, and I'm so excited for more!

Orientation Ramblings

I am sitting in the library, in a circle of very comfortable armchairs; Matilda & Daniel sit opposite me. Here are a few thoughts I have been having - mainly inspired by the back issues of 'The Log' (Pearson's version of a yearbook).

It is crazy to me to see familiar faces in these logs, I found a letter my mother wrote about her second years and how much she misses them. Will I feel the same way? The topic of the year ending comes up sometimes but is quickly brushed over and dismissed with a "let's not talk about that", which is only a temporary solution. At the very least it leaves us in bliss.

I never use my computer or phone here. Granted, I have 'misplaced' my phone (a word I use to mask the fear that I've lost it), so maybe that helps a bit. To be fair, I have been told by everybody that things just pop up here, so I will just wait for now. I tried to Skype my mother last night, but it didn't work out. I feel strangely detached from the world outside of Pearson. The whole of the Goose just feels like an extension of campus, so it's sort of like you never leave. Now, gone are the feelings of needing to catch up with everyone's Instagram post, read all the captions and comments. Gone is the need to post a picture, upkeep my streaks (those are unfortunately long dead). It is so incredibly liberating, who knew it could feel so freeing. I wish the world could go back to a time before social media.

Yesterday I put up my decorations in my room. Marika & Emily helped me collage my photos, covering up the peeling paint from the walls. Now when I walk up the steep stairs to my bed I get hit by a wall of color and faces and places, which I find so wonderful. There's also a wall of photos that I've taken by myself which is so cool, and has not really happened before. It is nice to be able to say "I took these photos".

On Monday night, we all gathered in the Max Bell Theatre to sing together. I found it totally beautiful, group singing is so therapeutic in the way that you really do feel connected to other people. There were a bunch of second years who started to cry, and that made me feel really sad. I found out later that we were singing one of the songs that they used to say goodbye to their second years.

After choir, we had a tone setting meeting. It involved a few moderators who organized the discussion and second years stood up to introduce different topics they felt needed to be a part of the tone that was set. The moderators framed it as a discussion between first and second years, and we discussed sex in rooms, use of phones, respect for each other, and a few other topics. I felt that while overall the productivity of the meeting will be difficult to really ascertain, their were a few aspects of the meeting that I disliked. This included the use of moderators to curtail fellow students' thoughts. I understand that for some there is a want to not spend hours discussing things, but I feel that we should really weigh the importance of what we are discussing, and treat it with the respect that it's importance demands. For a tone setting meeting, with an aim to establish a base understanding amongst students, I was surprised that people were wanting it to end as quickly as possible. It feels like such an important topic should really just be given as much time as possible. I also feel that the notion of not wanting to sit in the Max Bell for forever listening to others lends an air of disrespect towards fellow students. Yes, some people may talk for too long and stray off topic, but there seemed to be an undercurrent of 'we have something better to do', which I felt was antithetical to the whole mission of Pearson.

Already I am finding it difficult to remember the specificities, and little beautiful moments, that have occurred. I guess there is a solace in simply knowing that moments like that did exist, but it also makes me more focussed on trying to keep up with my writing, both here & in my journal. It is really hard, but I'm going to try my best! I also don't want to be too swept up in writing, and not actually live in the moment.

Until next time,
Love
Theo

Update

Hey! Sorry for not posting for a bit - Pearson has this great thing where there's no wifi in the house for the first two months of the year to encourage socializing, so wifi can be found in the student commons or in the library. I've not spent much time on the internet at all, so I've not been down to the library much, and have really just been typing blog posts in my notes. I finally just posted them though - after a slight delay.

It's been 5 days here at Pearson now. Orientation is in full swing! I went kayaking this morning while another group took the vans to East Sooke Park. The weekend was wonderful - two walks to Matheson Lake, then further onto the cliffs for cliffjumping & Cougar Ridge (what a stunning view). Sunny, lake swimming. It felt almost like a holiday! I've also misplaced my phone on campus so I'm trying my hardest to find that, and this is also the reason I've probably not replied to your messages, but don;t worry, I'm alive.

I've made good friends with my Italian housemate, Marta. As well as Morganne, and Adrita, and Alma. I also get along well with my coyears like Lara, Anne Sophie, and of course my roommates are really starting to bond with each other (I hope).

Will write more soon (and definitely upload pictures, as soon as I find my phone!).

Bye!
Love,
Theo

Last Night

Last night, was incredible. It felt like such a “Pearson moment”. 

But before that - I want to write that I bay jumped for the first time on the afternoon of the 31st! And wow! It’s absolutely completely freezing (but of course), but holding hands and jumping into the water is very fun. My East House co-year, Marika, told me that for Year 44, the goal is to do 44 bay-jumps over the two years here, but I’m not sure if I can jump in 43 more times since I spent a while after shivering on the docks!

The moment started at 7:30, when all the East House firsties gathered in our houseparents’, Theron & Elizabeth, house to meet and talk to each other. We went around in a circle sharing one thing that we brought from home. It was illuminating to see what my dear coyears held close to their hearts, and to see the first signs of enormously talented individuals (Theron played the flute, and Joanne played the violin!). Afterwards we played a clapping game which I was quite bad at, but it was definitely still funny. Theron & Elizabeth have two children - Solomon & Mirabai, who are adorable and playful, plus a dog named Bear, who is very friendly and just loves getting patted and scratched and whatnot. Elizabeth made us some delicious brownies, and after the games, we all sat or stood around their kitchen and ate brownies while chatting to each other. I spoke a lot to Lara & the Dutch girl from Nova Scotia (names are still not coming to me yet!). (I’m coming back to this blog post later on, and her name is Marika!!)

After that we all congregated at the East House Box (one of many perks: all meetings take place in front of our house). Everyone had been told to meet there at 9 for a walk to the soccer field. As is the norm at Pearson, we ultimately waited about 20 minutes for other people to come along before we eventually departed. We walked about 20 minutes through the woods past the tennis courts and eventually made our way into a football field, which was perfect since I love wide open spaces. And of course, the stars were glistening in the sky, and the moon! The moon was so bright up in the sky, it was so beautiful. We all stood in the biggest circle of people I’ve ever seen, and then were told to spread out, look up at the stars and spin. It’s called star spinning, and it was such a disorienting, giggly, experience. At one point, a flashlight was shone, and as instructed we were all to run towards it. Of course, this resulted in staggering and bumping, and a few very funny falls! Then we all lay down, looked up at the stars and thought about someone we love, or someone who helped us to get to Pearson. It felt like such a beautiful moment where all our energies were syncing and intermingling with each other to create this cosmos of stars on the ground. I felt so connected to these relative strangers, their willingness to accept all these new people openly and kindly was so felt at that moment. After this, we got back into a circle and ‘popcorn style’ called out someone or something that we were grateful for. It was again so gratifying to hear the love of all my fellow students. 

At this point, jet lag was fast catching up to me, so I lay back down to look at the stars, and while everyone else walked back to school I stayed there with Carli, Veli, and Emilio. We spoke about subjects and life, and laughed a lot. We started to walk back to school, then I realised I had left my phone at the football field, so we walked back and luckily found it :) 

When I got back home I was delighted to see some people in our day room, even though it was almost 11. They were talking in what’s called a ‘cuddle puddle’ - where they all lie on each other and talk. It’s an intensely intimate thing for me - and I was surprised to see myself joining them when they asked me. I guess that;s something I’ve learnt though - to just take the risks, push my boundaries, and say yes even if I’m not sure. And I’m glad I said yes - it’s a very nice and reassuring thing to do. 

What a night on Vancouver Island - a magical and fulfilling night. Here’s to more of them. 

Love,

Theo

First Two Days

Hi! I’m writing this to you from the East House day room , listening to the sound of practicing violins, and watching the late afternoon sun drift through the windows. It is a beautiful sight. 

It’s also something that I’ve got to do more here - meaning, making sure to appreciate the smaller moments, and imbue them with greater meaning and significance. I’ve got to remind myself that my greatest memories needn’t be ones with ‘huge’ (exciting/momentous) things taking place. 

Well, it’s been two days here at Pearson so far! I arrived yesterday around 10am, driven by my mama’s old Pearson co-year Robert! He told me lots about his work as a First Nations lawyer, as well as a brief overview of the history of First Nations in Canada. It definitely made me more interested in finding out more about their history. 

It was really strange driving back onto campus; there was a sense of familiarity. No doubt from when I first was on campus in 2012 for Mama’s reunion, but it was definitely weird to see pictures and videos of the place that I’d been looking at for the past few months suddenly appear as real life in front of my eyes. This was incredible! A few things that struck me about the Pearson campus on my first revisit/entrance: the bay is absolutely beautiful, the hills are steeper than I could’ve imagined, the campus is larger than I expected, and the grass is very very dead. Once out of the car, I went to the Admin building, and got my stuff sorted to go to East House, where I’d been told I would be living!

The rest of the day was a blur, already so much has happened and I don’t know how best to describe it without going overboard! Let’s try to streamline things: I met my 3 roommates all at different times; Martha from Oman when I entered my room, Thompson from Brazil when we played icebreakers on the East House Lawn, and Iñaki from Argentina/France when his bus came at 8pm. I toured campus twice: first with Eric (Norway) when I first arrived and was lost as to what to do, and then again with Yucheng (China), my buddy, when he took me around. I am most struck by the spiritual centre, art building, the hammocks on campus, and the deer. 

It seems crazy to me how in only two days, I feel quite at ease on campus already. My first day did feel at times completely overwhelming, but as long as I expressed how I was feeling to people, they were always understanding and caring. I definitely had to go into the library a few times to just be quiet and read a little throughout the day, but I think it’s natural to want to have moments to yourself at times. Life here so far seems inundated with things to do and people to talk to, which is totally great, but also exhausting. Once I hit my pillow, I fall asleep almost instantly, and I’m waking up early too! I think this may still be jet lag hitting me, so I’m not sure how much longer it’ll last, but it has been nice to be up early to catch the last bits of sunrise & be one of the few early birds at breakfast.

That’s all for now - I hope everyone at home is doing well. I will include some pictures down below.  

8000m

As I write this, I am about 8000m above sea level, in between Seattle & Victoria. It’s been a pretty harrowing flight experience, but I was lucky enough to have my uncle pick me up on my five hour layover in Seattle and drive me to Angle Lake Park, where we sat under the trees and talked whilst eating Chicken Shawerma -“the best in Seattle”-, and deliciously ripe nectarines - “the fruit of the summer”. 

I’m at once nervous and excited about going to the college in two days. I cannot wait to be back in a small, tight-knit community, and am looking forward to living closely with people again. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared of the IB, the work that lies ahead does frighten me! I can only hope that I’ve chosen subjects that I genuinely enjoy learning about, so the effort put in doesn’t feel like a chore. 

I’m nervous about making friends all over again - and conscious about first impressions and what not. I normally feel quite scrutinised in these situations, but I also don’t want to be a idealised version of myself just for the sake of first impressions. My sister Anya told me to carefully peel back layers of myself, and this sounds like a good idea because then I’m not trying to necessarily disguise myself as anything, but just being aware that there’s no shame in opening yourself up slowly in a new environment, to a lot of new people. 

The landing announcements are being made now - hopefully my study permit on arrival works out. I’m staying with my mama’s old Pearson friend, Robert Janes, in Victoria. Will update as soon as possible! Goodbye for now.