Triple7 - Archived Blog Posts

[triple7]

This past weekend I attended a Global Citizenship Conference on my campus. It was organized by a working group of our PIRG, and one of the head executives is a really good friend of mine. It was an amazing conference and I'm so happy that I was able to be there. Stephen Lewis spoke on Friday, Rhoda Howard-Hassman spoke on Sunday, and panel discussions, workshops, and interactive meals occured inbetween. It was inspirational and educational. Loved it.

During some down-time I met this ambitious 18 year old, Jeremie, with a pretty clear cut goal. The organization he has started up will raise $1,000,000 in one night to go towards "Free the Children's" Adopt-a-Village campaign. Based in Toronto, but active internationally, the plan is to host community events and a youth rally (benefit concert) to raise expense money leading up to the big night- A Gala Affair. This evening will see celebrities, fashionistas, and those with deep pockets dining, being entertained, and donating $1,000,000 to create sustainable villages in developing countries. Like I said, this guy's ambitious. But hey, young people have managed to accomplish amazing things. Take Craig Kielburger for instance.

So Jeremie's project is called "The Million Dollar Youth Initiative" and he was at the conference to not only promote his organization and its goals, but to also recruit volunteers to his Steering Committee. We got to talking and he's really got me interested (and even excited) at the prospect of taking on the role of "Volunteer Coordinator". It's right up my alley with the experience I have gained over the years, and it would definitely provide a challenge that I would welcome. The cause is also one that I believe in.

There are some serious considerations though. Not only is it a volunteer position, it is likely to have some full time requirements. I'm almost done my term as VP with my current organization, and I'm looking to apply for a full-time position (Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations) for an affliated lobbying organization come May-- I don't know how much time I can truly dedicate to this unpaid job. I definitely can't 'not work' for the next 6 months (the transportation costs alone would be $1600), and my dad has already said his 'less than supportive' piece regarding my thoughts, but I can't see how often an opportunity like this will arise again anytime soon.

Also, this idea is exactly what I've been fantasizing about in my head for months now! Seriously, I've been day dreaming about putting on this huge gala addressing some social concern, and having all these stars (and politicians) attend, be educated, and donate their ridiculous amounts of money. And now I do have a similiar opportunity to be a part of something huge and empower youth to do the same. To top it off, Jeremie is pretty cute (18 and off-limits for me, but still- pretty cute) and he has this ability to just draw you in when he's talking about his goal. Makes you excited for it.

So here I am. Finishing off my resume to send to him, thinking of how I'm going to juggle all of this, and hoping that I don't get in over my head. I'll be honest though, I know I'll be getting in over my head-- but I'm used that by now.

j

 

[triple7]

Today started off on the right foot; my mood couldn't have been brighter and my energy couldn't have been higher. I swear that the sun shone for me, and Mother nature kept us at a high of 10 just so I wouldn't have to wear my winter jacket. It was a good day.

During this good day some good things happened. I finished writing out my nominations for a variety of awards that my organization gives out at the end of year banquet, cleaned up some administrative papers (note to successor: hire an admin monkey), and played with the most adorable shitzu puppy (the pic is a fairly good representation). Although the pup's name is Zepplin, we all agreed that it should be "Gizmo" and that he should come home with me. Unfortunately, the owner disagreed on both accounts. After work my guy and I enjoyed some delicious and moist chocolate brithday cake- courteousy of my cute roommate, who made it for my guy. Girls; you just gotta respect their thoughtfulness. So the day was good. Really good.

The night was amazing. Once again blessed by good nature, and led by a warm and caressing wind, it started off with my good friend and I headed towards the university campus down the street. Two of our friends were performing in a "Darfur Benefits" concert at campus pub. While we were primarily there to socialize and experience the music (Intransit and Prizefighter), the event really made us realize how little we knew about the issue of Darfur and of global issues in general.

I, personally, know so very little. And even after attending a Global Citizenship Conference and hearing the renowned Stephen Lewis speak on the subject (I had never felt so ashamed for knowing so little about Darfur and Afganistan) I still haven't made strong efforts to become educated. Now, in my defense, it's not as if I'm completely ignorant. I've read articles in the paper here and there; I agree that human rights issues are important, and that relieving unwarranted human strife is a noble objective, but honestly, my interests lie elsewhere. Let's talk about environmental development and climate change or have a discussion on the politics post-secondary education. Do I really need to be educated on all the negative, sorrowful, dispicable things that humans do to one another? I mean, if someone like Stephen Lewis can't convince our inept government to advocate for changes, what chance do we have? Can I not simply donate my money and be left without all the jaded anti-human sentiments? Of course I can. But it just wouldn't be responsible. For all of the luxury of living in a first class economy (that survives off the back of the developing economy) I should at least become educated, speak out, and support (if not join) the protests against sociopathic acts against humanity. Instead of being becoming depressed, I've become empowered.

So having learned the basics regarding the conflict in Darfur (genocide of over 400,000 and the displacement of over 2.5 million land-tilling people by the Sudan supported Janjaweed) from the concert (which raised over $1,600) I have decided to learn more:
Wikipedia: Darfur Conflict (studies have shown Wikipedia to be almost as accurate as the Encyclopedia Britannica)
and Save Darfur (an alliance of organizations)

and with that knowledge, I will do at least one thing that will help towards ending the conflict. I admit that I will not commit my life to the cause, but I will do what I can.

And now my night ends. The day starts-off bright and carefree and ends with positive political determination. If only everyone's day ended in such civic beauty.

 

[triple7]

Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day and I'm sure close to 50% of the student population was celebrating the life/death of a man who dedicated his being to converting the pagan people of Ireland to Christianity. And of course, in true secular manner, they celebrated by collectively getting drunker than a homeless person on mouthwash during prohibition starting at 11am and ending probably at 5pm.

I, myself, spent the good day sober as could be. Well, perhaps, I was "high on life" and of sunny disposition, but that's not quite the same. Never having participated in the liquid festivities in previous years, I was quietly upset that once again I would miss out. However, being my last year in university, it is slightly more unfortunate because it means that I'll never have the chance to celebrate a good ol' drunk St. Paddy's with my friends as an undergrad. In a way, one could view that as an accomplishment.

This Friday and Saturday saw me attending our annual "Fashion'n'Motion" where a hundred or so student volunteers showcased a year's worth of rehersed dance scenes and modelled a handful of in-season styles. Every year since my admission to university I have participated in the show in some form- for three years I danced as a performer, 1 year I was a "swinger" and acted and modelled within the story line, and this final year I volunteered my time as a fashion designer. As fancy as that sounds, it really just means that I had a hand in choosing scene costumes and spent an afternoon creating the clothes for one particular scene. I didn't do nearly as much work as the other designers, but regardless it granted me the responsibility of attending each show and matinee just in case I was needed backstage. So I spent my St. Patrick's sitting in the audience and watching the show because seriously, the guys didn't need me in the change room helping them get outfitted or watching them dress. Thankfully, during the day I received txt's and phone calls asking me why I wasn't out with everyone. Wheee!

Having not experienced it before, I can't fathom why people would want to drink all day long-- only to likely pass out by 6pm dressed like an overgrown leprechaun and possibly marinating in their own juices. Even at Pride, where I relish drinking under the bright sun, I never drink so boisteriously as to be completely incoherent before the sun even sets. However, although I can't fathom the hours of the drinking on end (and realistically, nor can I afford it) I did want to join them for at least the end run of it.

My week had been rather busy and borderline rough. I hadn't gone out dancing in a while, and I was really looking forward to some partying. After the show I got together with my boyfriend and we changed and made on the fly plans to hit up two parties and then go out to the club to dance. We weren't going to get drunk (maybe a little tipsy, I had downed 4 beverages by the end of my run) and the boyfriend wanted to be home early. "Fine," I lied to him. "I can handle that." Secretly, I wanted to dance all night long- hoping that he would come around and see my joyful ways! Yeah, didn't happen.

We hit up both parties and had fun (we overstayed the schedule time allotment afford by the boyfriend at each venue, but we enjoyed ourselves and that was all that mattered). What wasn't fun included: my friend/roommate bailing on me at the last moment (as usual) and having the boyfriend suggest that we forgo the club (because we'd have to leave in 20 minutes at 1am anyway) and go home. That right there pretty much killed my plans, my mood, and my demeanour for the rest of the night and pretty much up until this moment that I am typing. It didn't help that earlier in the night he'd made some disparaging comments about our earlier relationship as well as suggested that I'd only wanted to go to the club to meet up with this other guy whom I'd had previously had a short-lived relationship with. Lesson #32 on how to make your boyfriend not happy, right there. All I wanted to do was have some fun and dance. (The kicker was that in the morning he found out that his reason for needing to be up early wasn't as early as he had thought). The night ended with me being incredibly angry and sleeping on the couch, giving my boyfriend the silent treatment in the morning, and telling him that I'm in no mood to have anything to do with him until I've calmed down.

The whole point of this entry?
I've calmed down now, but I have no desire to reconciliate with him. I'm content with being annoyed. And it's completely irrational and petty (seriously, I'm like mad because I didn't get to go dancing). We used to date, broke up (I essentially was a bad boyfriend, according to him and his friends, and he was too demanding of me and was treating me like a 'makeover project' according to me and my friends) and then, because we still love each other, got back together. I don't even know if I still want to be with him. He's sweet, loving, and a bunch of other great things-- but the reasons why I was happy no longer dating him are still there. He's at a different level of relationship mode than I am and it's causing friction due to different expectations (he jokes about marriaged and comments on his friends being married or engaged), he still brings up the issues we used to have (not all of which are legit) and I was really enjoying the experience of just dating around (note: dating around doesn't equal sleeping around). And now this. I don't want to talk things out anymore. I don't want to have an emotional press conference everytime I 'step out of line' or he misinterprets something. And I feel that the simple fact that I have no desire to forgive him (or allow him to forgive me, depending on who is at 'fault') is a testament to this not going to work out. I just feel so resigned of this whole relationship.

Sigh. It's the cliche, "I love him, but I'm no longer in love with him".

 

[triple7]

It's the season of recognition.

Last week I attended the OUSA Partners in Higher Education Dinner where upon presenting past significant staff of OUSA with Honourary Memberships, we took some additional time to recognize the incredible work of our just recently former Executive Director, Scott. Now when I say 'incredible work' it really doesn't do Scott any justice. For the past two years this man has been the hand that guided our organization into long-term strategic planning, built partnerships with other like-minded organizations, and calmed the waters in regards to the relationships between the organizations in the student movement. We had an opportunity to speak our minds about Scott and there were tales of crisis management, strength, caring, raised expectations and true admiration. He's been a role model to us all, and although he is not going far, he will be missed.

It is a grand gesture to truly recognize someone great when amongst people who have been affected by him/her but may not have known it. They realize the impact this person has had on the lives of so many, the legacy that they will leave behind, and they are provided with a goal that they, themselves, can work to attain.

Just last night, the organization that I work for, WLUSU, had its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. A night where volunteers are treated to dinner, drinks and ceremony. In the background is a slideshow of memories, and the evening ends with a video compilation. Although it's not the only thanks they get throughout the year, it's definitely among the more 'elegant' events for them. We present awards to the most excellent professor, administrator, staff member, etc. acknowledging that there are those external personnel that also work to make our lives that much better, but most importantly we recognize the 'above and beyond' (a term loved by WLUSU) individuals within our organization for their efforts and contributions- for encompassing all that it means to be a WLUSU volunteer. It's an emotional time, as it should be. Tears are shed, cheers are made, and laughter is heard. We, the Vice-Presidents, each have the opportunity to speak about our departments and how proud we are of our volunteers-- sharing moments of selflessness and ingenuity, and naming our 'Departmental Volunteer and Coordinator of the Year'. Cheering and tearing.

Possibly one of the most significant awards presented that night is the 'WLUSU Lifetime Acheivement Award'. This beautiful glass sculpture honours the graduating member who has throughout their tenure worked to make the organization a better place. It is the moment in that member's life where they are thanked for absolutely everything they've contributed to the WLUSU because it has truly made a difference. I shed tears of happiness and pride when it was presented to a friend whom I had nominated. I was shocked and overwhelmed when a second and surprise award was presented to me.

At that moment, all the admiration I had had for others and all the pride I had had for my volunteers was now being directed at me by others. There was our President & CEO, someone whom I had known since our first year and have grown to admire, telling everyone of my accomplishments, my personality, my passion and dedication. I had friends and associates approach me afterwards with words of congratulations and testiments of how I had affected their lives. It's an overwhelming experience, but it's also a realization that we are rolemodels (regardless of whether or not we are formally recognized for it) and there are those who look up to us and learn from us. These people had been affected by actions, it only took a formal announcement for them to speak of it.

And as I have learned, it can be both a humbling and empowering experience.