two thousand and nine – reflections.
Well, another year has gone by and this has to have been the best year yet. 2009, thank you. I have not only gotten older, but I feel like I have grown, learned a lot, and have also completely developed a new perspective on life.
To all of the great people I have been privileged to meet and share this year with: THANK YOU. I cannot possibly thank you enough. You have been: inspirational, loving, fun, supportive, amazing, and a whole other adjectives that I can’t possibly think of.
I have no idea how long this year in review summary will go as it is my first one I have ever done, but here goes…
January
Prime Earth: Oh my goodness! This is when first started working on our ideas. It was a blast having meetings over the winter break. Looking back, I am amazed at how much this has developed
School: When I headed back to school, I was probably excited for all of the possible things to happen in the new year. Although I wasn’t too excited about the schooling, I knew that this year was going to be a really exciting one.
Random life tidbit: Looking back at my calendar, this seems like the time when I just started to help out a LOT more at PW – I think it was when I started to really take on more roles and stuff around the school. (Although I’ve been helping out before, this was when I felt it really developed into something much more substantial).
The “entertainment” aspect in my life: This was the best time of the year because Flashpoint returned to CTV with a whole new season. I was pumped. I also got into some new shows like Being Erica and CBC Marketplace… Music wise: I was probably still jamming to the hits of yester-year.
February
Prime Earth: More development and planning. I think we were prepping our incorporation documents around this time to send to the gov’t.
School: Getting busy! Lots of stuff happening as well. I see that we had one major project due at the end of the month for english – haha. On the 16th, it was a big day for students in Vancouver as we were to find out if school would be cancelled during the olympics – obviously not a lot of students were happy about the verdict.
Random life tidbit: Around this time, my sister was in and out of home because she was traveling across canada for her interviews for med school. I also worked(tech-ed) at two major events this month – one for a photographer (outside rental), and another was my first pro-d meeting for a math teacher’s conference.
The “entertainment” aspect in my life: Chuck returned with a new season… other than that not much of a change.
March
Prime Earth: Not too much happening… as we all busy ourselves with school work.
School: Science week! That was fun as I volunteered this time – I remember how much fun I had when I participated for my year. Spring break was the 3rd week of this month – didn’t do too much this time around. After the break, it was event, after event, after event! Pep rally, 30 Hr Famine assembly, PW Idol, TREK Fundraiser Night, and the Sustainable Design Ideas Fair.
Random life tidbit: Not too much… I got a haircut on the 15th though! haha. Oh! and on the 16th, I became an official Vancity Member, along with Colin, as we just setup a new bank account for our media stuff.
The “entertainment” aspect in my life: Almost everyday had a TV show I would have to follow. Let’s just put it that way.
April
Prime Earth: New projects were in talks and we were planning on holding more meetings.
School: Arts and Culture week was amazing – many different performances.
Random life tidbit: Went to Musqueam Golf Course for the first time and had a fun time with the PE class.
The “entertainment” aspect in my life: Some shows finishes their seasons and others were winding down…
May
Prime Earth: Officially incorporated on May 1st 2009. This is a date to remember. As soon as we got our documents mailed to us, we were stoked. We also got more involved and also met with the PW PAC asking for their support in our projects as well as for the PW Community Garden.
School: Spring musical… didn’t help too much this year, but it was still a substantial event that happened. After that we had the PW Talent Show, Student Council elections, the two Jr/Sr Spring Concerts, Undergrad Awards Ceremony, and the Fashion Show. There was this fun French video project which was about a Wedding Disaster.
Random life tidbit: Registered for Chem 11 summer school during this month and I picked up my first Vancity starter cheques.
The “entertainment” aspect in my life: Pretty slow… Flashpoint finished off this month, so I was eagerly waiting for the next season.
June
Prime Earth: Game Time. The PW Community Garden got its big break! The video that we produced did its job and showed that we were serious about what we wanted to do. It was a blast filming it and it was very nice to see Churchill and General Wolfe’s gardens.
School: Now it finally winds down. I only had to take 2 provincials and a cross grade this year, so it wasn’t too bad.
Random life tidbit: Started working more in the office and around this time is when I officially became a VSB employee.
The “entertainment” aspect in my life: Way too busy to even bother watching TV… not that any of my fav shows were on, so it didn’t really matter.
July
Prime Earth: Focused tremendously on the Garden around this time.
School: School’s out for summer – but I still went back for summer school.
Random life tidbit: Almost daily visits after “school” to the office and helping out with whatever I can. Near the end of the month, I went and had my first big We Day Volunteer orientation. After that meeting, I the energy started to build up. Didn’t get too excited for the fireworks this year.
The “entertainment” aspect in my life: I was starting to get introduced to the hits a la The Beat via Tanya. (did that make sense?)
August
Prime Earth: Starting to slow down again, as everyone’s out on break.
School: Finally! Freedom! Summer school is now over…but I still stuck around.
Random life tidbit: Now is when I *really* worked in the office a lot… it was so fun hanging out with everyone. Esp Eunice and Tanya.. oh, fun times! I also went to Saskatoon to visit my sister there for the first time – furthest east I’ve been to date. That was so fun, although I didn’t go anywhere much. Bussing was crazy and so was the weather – haha. You know what was even more sad? I missed out on the grand opening of the Canada Line because I was busy trying to board a plane! When I got to YVR, they just let the first passengers on.
The “entertainment” aspect in my life: The Beat shortly became a part of my daily routine… woke up to Kid Carson every morning (I know they talk about the most random and weirdest things, but I listen to it cause it’s kinda entertaining, in a way.)…
September
Prime Earth: Shota finally came with us to Vancity for a singing to add him onto the account. We also held a meeting and reviewed stuff and thought of what we’re gonna do in the future.
School: Starting back up again. It kind of just hit me, unexpectedly. I was like oh, wait… I have classes now – I’m not walking into the office every morning anymore.
Random life tidbit: MacBook became a CrackBook again… went for the second time to replace the keyboard part. Not the best way to start off the month, but the ending was a blast: We Day Vancouver! After a meeting with our SPAT Team (Seating, Parking and Transportation) earlier in the month, I couldn’t wait to see what happens a few weeks down the road. When the time came, man it was crazy. Intense training sessions, for me and for the volunteers my team and I had to train. My head was buzzing, and when the day came – I only had about 3 hours of sleep for an 11 hours day of intense awesomeness. Quick thanks to my fellow volunteers, FTC, and M2W. Although I was going insane and was hearing voices after that, it was worth it. Shortly following that, though, I was sent to the beach. No, it wasn’t a vacation/celebration, rather, it was for the Grade 8 Activity Day – stupid me for singing up for volunteering at the ultimate station – my legs were so sore and I could barely even hold myself up. Man I was tired! (and it was only Tuesday! how I managed to get through the week, I will never know).
The “entertainment” aspect in my life: Flashpoint came back! Yippee! The Beat was still my daily morning wake up station. Glee was introduced to my life… and that’s all I will say. Some other shows came back this month as well.
October
Prime Earth: Inauguration! No, not of Obama… of our PW Community Garden! It was a last minute, spur of the moment decision, but it was worth the shopping trip and digging and stuff. It allowed us to be finally “established” and showed the school community that we are serious. In this month, we sent off our first major shipment for Think Recycle.
School: Classes are in full throttle by now. On the Pro-D day this month, there was an Art Conference at PW for all of the art teachers – this was my second pro-d conference I have provided tech support for.
Random life tidbit: I found myself still quite busy this month… not much change though.
The “entertainment” aspect in my life: Still, daily morning The Beat-listening.
November
Prime Earth: Talks of a Youth Forum take off. This month was when we discovered that our Think Recycle shipment was lost in the mail!?!? :(
School: Classes, classes, classes.Oh! and a lot of quizzes and tests too. We had a post secondary info night, which I helped tech. This was the first year where I actually took the time to sit down during a presentation and look into possible universities I’d apply for. I remember a particular English project which caused me to stay up until 4am on my birthday!
Random life tidbit: I didn’t celebrate my birthday much at all this year… but, I kinda celebrated when I got my Learner’s permit two days later! This month, I saw New Moon… wow the screaming girls! Anyway, yeah that was kind of fun as I never really liked the twilight series (I still don’t like it much, but I wouldn’t mind watching it). I also saw 2012 – wow was that movie ever amazing… there’s so many things I could say about it, but I think that everyone would pretty much say the same thingsif they saw it. So, if you haven’t seen it yet, go check it out!
The “entertainment” aspect in my life: Still, daily morning The Beat-listening. Flashpoint finished yet another season… still waiting for it to resume.
December
Prime Earth: We managed to get Shaughnessy Elementary and Trafalgar Elementary on board for our recycling program.
School: Classes wind down again… lots and lots of tests before the break. We had the junior/senior winter concerts, a melee tournament, as well as our infamous holiday variety show!! This time, I participated in a little bit of it, dancing the Oprah 24th season kickoff dance with a bunch of other walesmen. That was a blast – lots of practice and lots of fun!
Random life tidbit: I went go-kart racing for the second time this month… that was a good way to finish off school and get ready for the winter break. I also went on my first dinner cruise ride around false creek.
The “entertainment” aspect in my life: Still, daily morning The Beat-listening. However, I have gotten a new bedside companion which also lets me dock my iPhone in… so I’ve had mornings waking up to the beat as well as mornings to some of my music – my first wake-up song that was played on that was Vanilla Twilight.
So, that’s pretty much where I’m at now. This past year has been great to me and for me, I’m not hoping – I know that 2010 will be an amazing year to come. I am looking forward to it already… so without further adieu, let’s welcome the next decade. It’s gonna be a hell of a ride.