Today We Change the World

Yes, it is not even the break of dawn yet but I am sitting here in the dark so as not to wake up my cousin Ate Laura's best friend Laura. Yes, you may have to read that last portion again to wrap your head around it. How is it that people are not only drawn to individuals that are so much like them, but also have the same name too?
I purposely (although I did bring it) did not do homework during the retreat this past weekend because it was intended to be a time of spiritual reflection (which homework does not achieve, not at all).
Thus, my 4a.m. wake up so that I can continue with the campaign of completing my homework at awkward hours since there are no other options for me right now with my busy weekend. This is the first time this month I have actually been successful with getting up within the minute after wake-up and doing exactly what I intended, so bravo for me today.
In 50 minutes I walk out this door and bus to the GM Place, where 16,000 students (and likely more) will attend WeDay Vancouver planned by Free the Children. This is one of the groups I wish I had been a part of in high school - children helping other children through education. I will be selling WeStyle and Free the Children books and CD's today to youth who could educate ME about all the FTC and W2M does. I may walk away from this event more inspired by their commitment and passion for change, perhaps even more inspired by the music and messages their honorable guests will have to give. I hope that these youth are the ones "the world has been waiting for." I also hope that it's not too late for me to be the same (perhaps I can do better now that I am older and getting better at knowing what I want and can be passionate about).

My final comment, my highlight of last night (aside from Purple Yam Gelato at Casa Gelato, Vancouver....mmm, delicious):
being 30m away from Jason Mraz during his soundcheck. Although he was under the weather and could not sing everything, he was just as into his music as he was at his concert last month. Only I could see without looking at a screen the expression. It really was artistry to the core.
Of course these are the moments where you wish you had your real camera (not the camera-phone, which I did try to attempt taking video with, but deleted of my own ineptness with my own phone -security will be happy). But I dare you to take those moments to really experience all there is when you are somewhere outside of your norm - don't take pictures, be in the moment and see what that does for you, instead of experiencing it through your pictures when you get home.
And my final comment to my final comment:
It's pretty awesome to now be going to school across the country, living in a city that is much like the hometown in that it is so cute, green, artsy and hippie-like, and is also so close to a major city - Vancouver. I trade Van for T.O., and T.O. for Van whenever I come and go, and if it is over the right period of time, I can have the opportunity to check out people and events twice over. For example, Jason Mraz Gratitude Cafe Tour last month in T.O., and now soundcheck last night in Van. (I would have been happy just seeing his performance from behind the curtain in the 300 level today). I never thought I'd be able to do his Dynamo of Volition dance (real simple, the everyday American and Canadian can master his three awesome moves) under his leadership again, but I guess I shouldn't live in such doubt.
The countdown of this likely exhausting day begins. And I won't be surprised if it continues into tomorrow with ferry rides and homework in every form.

My Retreat to Thetis Island (not the lake in Victoria, THE island)

I just want to set things straight before anyone reads on with this. I went to Thetis Island, the Thetis that takes a ferry from Horseshoe Bay to get to, not the Thetis that you miss when you blink along the Trans-Canada, barely outside of Victoria. Ok? Ok.

I got myself into and out of a lot of things this week. Global Medical Brigades. Neuroscience study. ASL classes. NO chem lab. Those would be the highlights.

I would not say that I'm being random right now. I'm simply allowing myself the liberty to actually do many of the things that my former over-acheiving self would have been interested in. And although it makes me seem wayward and absent-minded, it's very much where I am at with myself right now.

I'm beginning to think more and more these days that I initially came to B.C. for the wrong reasons, but that I was meant to find my way here and stay for a while.

So I went on a spiritual retreat with UVic's Catholic Student Association. Comparable to Bible School for those not of the religious nature. Everything always seems to exceed my expectations here, and this was no exception. Food was great. People were awesome. Weather a little unpredictable, but scenery cozy and amazing - look at the pics in wonderment, just as I did in the real physical space.

Still accident prone this month. Cut my knee open and grazed the whole lateral side of my right shin playing soccer. But all in good fun. I really do love sprinting- so perhaps that's the way I'll train with cardio.

Started reading my Green Bible and Three Cups of Tea. I'm very much into learning more about sustainable living and humanitarianism. I hope this is not some tree-hugging phase I'm going through because this could really direct how I complete my time in academia and attempt to direct my future.

It appears that I have forgotten most of the little filipino I actually know. I couldn't remember the Hail Mary for our rosary in different languages. Thus, we had no filipino representation. Forgive me.

Beachcomber

That is what I have become. It's simple, although you tend to forget where you are and why you really came out to the shore - the view of the ocean, the mountains! I end up looking down and not really ahead most of the time, which is not the way I lead...

I have discovered Wii Fit and I love it. Not exactly a way to max out but great for a day forced indoors, and especially for this place, where the ocean IS my background.

But I must return to my duties on the island. School, work, volunteering, (rowing)....? But I have plenty of enough there as well, especially with all of the stuff I have accumulated new AND second hand over here avec the Bittles.

When I finally have a real place of my own I must have a garden (and this is after I've mastered that cooking thing). Produce in your own backyard - convenient and makes meals interesting and flavourful I'm sure.

Miss Bella here is currently singing to my feet - their budgie that is more spoiled than most beautiful babies and more obedient and lively than a dog.

A wonderful and rare find in a pet.

I hope to come across some seal again, like the three I just caught hopping into the water as I reached the rocks I had to climb over due to the tide. They were a curious bunch - bobbing up every couple yards to stare at me again and again. But eventually it was time to walk away and not look back - leaving them behind until I visit Powell River again.

This Is Why I'm Here

For the past two hours I have watched the sunset above the ocean outside my cousin's close-enough to waterfront home in Powell River, B.C.

Scary start to the day, waking up 5 mins. before I intended to call my cab to get me to the closest stop to the ferry. But all ended well as I am here after all - three ferries with two windy interludes between gorgeous mountains later.

I have always had issues using chopsticks. I've had many mini-tutorials from family, friends, and classmates at a variety of respective restaurants with a variety of types of chopsticks, yet my performance has not been consistent. Until today. Apparently all I needed was a three-step instruction (with photo accompaniment) provided conveniently on the chopstick wrapping - which I have generously shared here.

Tonight I must make up for my lack of sleep (3.5 hours only last night as we took housemate Ryan to Sticky Wicket, Victoria, for the first night of many enjoyed downtown).

Tomorrow will be an exploration of this 10.000 populated town/village.

At a disadvantage

Sprained my pinky finger yesterday at work when it got caught in the chain of the back door I was trying to lower. Big ouch! I think I've sprained this one before, as I knew exactly what was happening to me as the pain set it, the skin swelled, and the colour began to change. It's really rather unfortunate that it had to be my left hand, and for that matter, my hand at all, as writing and typing are quite regular formalities for me (let's not forget texting, as I seem to do that far too often than I would prefer). Thus, I have forced myself to, yes, reply to my semi-urgent emails right now and even take some notes here as practice makes perfect, and I really how no idea as to how long I will be in such pains.

Today was day 2 and a half of my return to Victoria. New place, new roomies, a real new start of kicking on my own.

Turns out that Tuxedo Dr. as the landmark for when to signal my stop on the bus is quite flawed, as it appears twice on my route - once too early, and once right on the mark. So last night I thought I had undershot, and ended up walking almost all the way to Pat Bay highway. It made me kranky and depressed as I just wanted to sleep in my new, comfy, queen size mattress (far more than a person of my height and size ever needs). On the bright side (which I tried desperately to find on my backtrack) it gave me time to think about life sans Vikes rowing, which I would rather not comment on right now.

I think I'm going to get carple tunnel in my right hand - it's doing so much more work in compensation for my maimed left.

It's really too bad that I cannot use this sweet injury as an excuse for undercooking my pasta tonight. My cooking skills are a whole matter of their own- another disadvantage of mine.