Sitting on the steps of the Max Bell balcony, in the midst of a One World rehearsal. There's 3 weeks left till this crazy amalgamation of a show, and what with recent fevered discussions about the relevance of One World to the Pearson experience; and proposals of doing One World every 2nd year, it's a little confusing to be in the motions of putting the show together at the same time.
It's undeniable though, that it takes over your life! This morning for example: I was up at 8:30am (on a Saturday no less!!) and went to Ukrainian Dance rehearsal for 2 hours, after which we had Bollywood rehearsal and then a Choir rehearsal. It is definitely intense, but I can't say I'm complaining about all the things that we are doing; it feels much more accomplished to trudge down to breakfast after 3 hours of rehearsals, instead of stumbling out of bed at noon :D
But, I'm writing this post to try and counter an overwhelming sense of apathy that I've been feeling recently. I can't pinpoint when, nor why; but there are so many possibilities! Maybe it's been the work, and how deadlines and assignments have seemed to blur together; then being a lack of time to enjoy the slower more personal moments of Pearson life? Maybe it's an impending sense of fear that time is for sure passing, and so quickly at that; time towards the end of first year, goodbye to second years, the assumption of all that (I'll admit, dreaded) responsibility! But, I think that I will try not to think about 'the end' too much because we're really just past the middle now.
I've not been journalling so much anymore; 'no time' is the excuse easiest to give. But, Raquel an alumni from Spain spent a month at the college and was such a magical, beautiful example of how beauty in souls can never fade; and are certainly not limited to exposition here on campus. Snow fell finally this week! I have been waiting for so long, to see the campus blanketed in a white layer of gorgeous fluffy snow. And everything looks so completely different! Wow! The forest was like entering a new place, like Narnia, and I was completely enraptured by how different a few hours of precipitation could be, oh if only rain made things that wonderful...
Project Week is beckoning - I'm feeling very nervous of the unknown; and to be away from the college. While I definitely need the break from academics, a part of me wishes I could spend the week with all these 200 people, and just not have to study or do homework at all. Engage in all the things I love; painting, walking, reading, tea with friends, rehearsing for dances or plays, climbing roofs, discovering new places, going on adventures, sleeping, watching movies together, dancing in the common room. I wish we had the chance to do these things, at this point now where we're more comfortable with each other, not stuck in the awkwardness and freedom of Orientation!
Special Topics Day came and went - I was really happy to help plan it and the 24 hours of no wifi was just an incredible feeling! I really would like to see more of these days happen, where it feels like the whole campus simultaneously took a deep breath and exhaled. I feel that it would be incredible to challenge ourselves to continue in our daily lives without the use of technology, as I'm sure it can be done.
But, I've got to get back to rehearsals now. I'm not really sure who is reading this, but it seems that someone is - so whether you're a friend from home, or a potential Pearson student, or whatever - have a beautiful week!
theo
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
First Term?!
Can't really believe first term ended - what an insane, crazy, experience. I've written a first term reflection for my advisor, sitting on the maintenance docks and playing music while looking out on the water, the birds really were swarming in the December cool.
Our last two weeks on campus before we left, we were blessed with the most gorgeous weather I've ever seen since Orientation and September. Every day we saw aquamarine skies and the sun filtering through the trees, and an incredible crisp air (you could wear just a shirt! no jacket!). And I went for so many walks, and adventuring. The one downside was that the sun sets everyday at 4:00pm, which is just sad to be honest. The day seems so short, and when there's so much darkness, I feel uncomfortably like there is something I am missing, 16 years of 7pm daily sunsets really affects you I guess.
But wow, first term. 1/4 of the way through. Kira said that after Ukrainian practice in the last week, and I was really surprised. But, I don't want to think of time at Pearson as something as mechanical and cold as a fraction. It's so much more than just 4 parts. Besides, divisions of time are ultimately meaningless I believe.
And now we're 2.5 weeks into Term 2! Already! And I've taken time to readjust myself, and it feels a little strange sometimes to remember that we even had a Christmas break. When I first came back I was really confused by how different life at Pearson is compared to life outside. The schedule, the invisible routine, the language and vocabulary. For whatever reason, maybe I didn't allow myself enough time to adjust, I felt largely apathetic my first few days. I could not feel the excitement and joy I wanted to feel when I met my friends again, did not feel overwhelming joy or anything. Maybe it's the weather - cold, grey, rainy. Incessant rain, endless. It makes you feel a little bleaker inside.
But, now things are looking up. For one thing, there is still a little bit of navy blue left in the sky now at around 5:30pm, no more 4pm pitch darkness black anymore! Which is joyful. There is so much swirling around us; the common room is reopening, but the pool is closed now; One World auditions came and went so now rehearsals have begun in earnest. First year theatre students are helping the second year theatre students with their production of 'The Laramie Project' (I am an Assistant Director!). There is a lot being mixed around in the atmosphere, like sediment being stirred up in a cool river bank.
But -- thankfully my friends Adela & Marta are back on campus after being delayed at home. It is a bit strange to have a person missing, suddenly your daily movements become different, like a puzzle that's missing one piece; their absence is very noticeable.
With love, and more updates frequently hopefully,
Theo
Our last two weeks on campus before we left, we were blessed with the most gorgeous weather I've ever seen since Orientation and September. Every day we saw aquamarine skies and the sun filtering through the trees, and an incredible crisp air (you could wear just a shirt! no jacket!). And I went for so many walks, and adventuring. The one downside was that the sun sets everyday at 4:00pm, which is just sad to be honest. The day seems so short, and when there's so much darkness, I feel uncomfortably like there is something I am missing, 16 years of 7pm daily sunsets really affects you I guess.
But wow, first term. 1/4 of the way through. Kira said that after Ukrainian practice in the last week, and I was really surprised. But, I don't want to think of time at Pearson as something as mechanical and cold as a fraction. It's so much more than just 4 parts. Besides, divisions of time are ultimately meaningless I believe.
And now we're 2.5 weeks into Term 2! Already! And I've taken time to readjust myself, and it feels a little strange sometimes to remember that we even had a Christmas break. When I first came back I was really confused by how different life at Pearson is compared to life outside. The schedule, the invisible routine, the language and vocabulary. For whatever reason, maybe I didn't allow myself enough time to adjust, I felt largely apathetic my first few days. I could not feel the excitement and joy I wanted to feel when I met my friends again, did not feel overwhelming joy or anything. Maybe it's the weather - cold, grey, rainy. Incessant rain, endless. It makes you feel a little bleaker inside.
But, now things are looking up. For one thing, there is still a little bit of navy blue left in the sky now at around 5:30pm, no more 4pm pitch darkness black anymore! Which is joyful. There is so much swirling around us; the common room is reopening, but the pool is closed now; One World auditions came and went so now rehearsals have begun in earnest. First year theatre students are helping the second year theatre students with their production of 'The Laramie Project' (I am an Assistant Director!). There is a lot being mixed around in the atmosphere, like sediment being stirred up in a cool river bank.
But -- thankfully my friends Adela & Marta are back on campus after being delayed at home. It is a bit strange to have a person missing, suddenly your daily movements become different, like a puzzle that's missing one piece; their absence is very noticeable.
With love, and more updates frequently hopefully,
Theo
a tsunami alert
It was 3:30am when Thompson came into the room and woke us up. He was talking rapidly, inserting Portugese words into his sentences. I was confused, bleary eyed, and wondered why I was awake when the view from my window was pitch black. Thompson quickly rattled off that there had been a earthquake near Alaska and now there was a tsunami alert, and we had to go to the Max Bell. And to dress warm.
Next door you could hear people talking, and from outside as well. I pulled on clothes and walked up. There was a stream of people going up, and it was lightly raining. Once in the Max Bell, we sat in our rooms, and waited for more information.
Ty gave us an update about 15 minutes after we got there, and told us that at around 1am there had been a earthquake off the coast of Alaska and a tsunami warning for 3 hours later was in place for the British Columbia southern coast. We were waiting for the Metchosin Fire Department to call and let us know that the warning had been cancelled which happened at around 4:30am.
Apart from a few jokes about just having a village gathering there and then, the hour went by pretty slowly. I was far too exhausted to even talk to people, but others were flitting around talking and laughing. But, it was an exciting time. It occurred to me today, talking to Annie Dina and Cindy, that not once did I ever feel unsafe, or worried, or nervous. I was just thinking that I was safe, and there was going to be a tsunami. Unfortunately, due to the more horizontal nature of the plates' movement, there was a tsunami no taller than 20cm.
Then we were done, and the first two blocks were cancelled, and we went to bed. I fell asleep soundly, not waking up till 9:30, which was the best feeling I'd had in a while.
Now, I am waiting for a power cut that lasts a few days!
Next door you could hear people talking, and from outside as well. I pulled on clothes and walked up. There was a stream of people going up, and it was lightly raining. Once in the Max Bell, we sat in our rooms, and waited for more information.
Ty gave us an update about 15 minutes after we got there, and told us that at around 1am there had been a earthquake off the coast of Alaska and a tsunami warning for 3 hours later was in place for the British Columbia southern coast. We were waiting for the Metchosin Fire Department to call and let us know that the warning had been cancelled which happened at around 4:30am.
Apart from a few jokes about just having a village gathering there and then, the hour went by pretty slowly. I was far too exhausted to even talk to people, but others were flitting around talking and laughing. But, it was an exciting time. It occurred to me today, talking to Annie Dina and Cindy, that not once did I ever feel unsafe, or worried, or nervous. I was just thinking that I was safe, and there was going to be a tsunami. Unfortunately, due to the more horizontal nature of the plates' movement, there was a tsunami no taller than 20cm.
Then we were done, and the first two blocks were cancelled, and we went to bed. I fell asleep soundly, not waking up till 9:30, which was the best feeling I'd had in a while.
Now, I am waiting for a power cut that lasts a few days!
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
gnocchi making!
tonight, in valerie's apartment, we made gnocchi with ragu sauce. thank you marta for leading us <3
"make a small serpenti..." - marta
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
November / Spontaneity
It is now November, and though I try my best to denounce the formal measurements of time, it is still a bit unnerving to see the seasons change. But, I am happy with my time here. I do not feel like I have wasted much of it, and I do feel that I am garnering some deep relationships with people, which I appreciate very much.
I realised that much of what I love about the college is to do with spontaneity. Planned things are a great joy, but often nothing beats the night walks into the forest, or to Weirs, or the impromptu bay jumps or fires, or even the weekend trips, the bike rides to Metchosin, the movie nights. Conversations that randomly spring up, sometimes they just last until 5:30am, and you’ve no idea how you conversed for 5 hours.
Middle East & South Asia Regional Day is coming up - and I’m excited! Sadly, it’s the last regional day of the year, and the last time that I’ll be able to represent myself at a Regional Day, but that’s ok! It’s been very fun, but also sometimes gets pretty stressful.
I wrote my first Philosophy Essay last week - it was not as difficult to write as I thought it would be, but I’m sure there is much to improve! I will really try harder to start writing more about what goes on here, but these past few weeks I have found it to distill the days into one blog post. One thing that retrospectively was beautiful, was the sheer excitement that people brought back from CAS week when seeing each other! Running down East House lawn to hug Morgane, or looking for Marta while she looked for me and then reuniting in front of the first floor bathroom in East House and screaming!!
This weekend we had a East House sleepover in the dayroom, where we gathered to watch Fight Club (which was really interesting, but I did not enjoy the violence), and talked to each other, and slept in the dayroom. I really love being in East House - the people are so wonderful, and full of life, and I think we get along with each other. Which, I really appreciate. It helps to create such a essence of home, and whenever I walk in through the door I feel this comfort in my heart, that I can’t really explain.
Theo
refugee day
Refugee Day was this Sunday. Starting from 11, the campus became a hive of people, smiling faces, joyous laughter, and raucous dances. No, I’m not describing the students of Pearson College, but rather the refugees from Syria that have settled in Victoria.
The day was really eye-opening for me. I loved feeling happy based off of other people’s happiness. There was a big dance party in the caff, and to see my friends so happy and at home amongst the music and dances, a comforting reminder of the fact that we’re all from such different situations, and that the college embodies a new lifestyle for everyone, but that it does skew closely to North American high school traditions.
I learnt how to play checkers, and managed to spend 40 minutes playing against a lovely girl, we shared in each other’s delighted cackles or groans, and eventually we realised each of us was too stubborn for the game to ever end, so we cut our losses and declared it a win on my behalf.
My friends played soccer in the rain with the children, and I also learnt a few arabic phrases. I think most importantly though, that it isn’t about what I learnt from the experience: it’s what my efforts gave to other people. I think that the day really showed me how to be selfless, and I was just glad to see the pure happiness around campus.
Theo
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
the goose
over the weekend, my roommates and i went for a room bonding. 'bondings' at pearson, is the colloquial term used for any sort of time spent together with a certain group of people. there are regional bondings, large groups of 40-50 people separated into the 6 main regional groups of pearson. there are smaller, still based on origin country, bondings either based on single countries (germany, usa) or on smaller geographic locations (nordic, provinces of canada). there are also bondings based off of the languages we speak (francaphone, chinese/mandarin). there are house bondings, either separated by gender, or first year/second year, or altogether as a house! but most commonly, there are room bondings, where you organize an event or get together solely with the three other members of the space that you share and live in, in order to become more closely knitted.
we decided to sign out a few school bikes, and bike on the goose to metchosin, where my-chosen cafe lies. the cafe is a popular destination for pearson students, since it's essentially one of the 2-3 restaurants in walking distance (which is still about an hour!). the poutine, burgers, and general food is excellent. there's pizza which can sometimes be seen ordered to the college. there's also an excellent ice cream parlor, with supposedly great milkshakes and banana splits.
on saturday, the goose was utterly different from about two months earlier, when i'd last taken that part of the goose to metchosin. though still mostly green, now the sky was grey, and it was raining cold droplets. the best part, was the sea of yellows and oranges that covered the ground of the goose. as we sped by trying our hardest not to freeze, i was struck by such a beautiful image. i'm very grateful for the conversation and fun we had at the cafe. grateful to have such lovely roommates, who are funny, kind, honest, and respectful of each other.
we decided to sign out a few school bikes, and bike on the goose to metchosin, where my-chosen cafe lies. the cafe is a popular destination for pearson students, since it's essentially one of the 2-3 restaurants in walking distance (which is still about an hour!). the poutine, burgers, and general food is excellent. there's pizza which can sometimes be seen ordered to the college. there's also an excellent ice cream parlor, with supposedly great milkshakes and banana splits.
on saturday, the goose was utterly different from about two months earlier, when i'd last taken that part of the goose to metchosin. though still mostly green, now the sky was grey, and it was raining cold droplets. the best part, was the sea of yellows and oranges that covered the ground of the goose. as we sped by trying our hardest not to freeze, i was struck by such a beautiful image. i'm very grateful for the conversation and fun we had at the cafe. grateful to have such lovely roommates, who are funny, kind, honest, and respectful of each other.
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