Ge Li

A while ago, we had our last parent meeting/dinner for Global Perspectives.  Since then, school has ended which means that our last day of Global Perspectives has as well.  It feels so surreal to think that one year ago, 28 of us were brought together to make a change.  Thus began our journey of bottle drives, scratch cards, meat sales, and our Global dinner.  Now, we can safely say that we have made a difference in someone or some people’s lives.  It’s hard to describe the feeling that comes with that.  It’s hard to believe that we have something in common with Terry Fox, or Rick Hanson, or any other individual who has made a difference in this world.  However, we could not have accomplished this as individuals, only as a team.  Each one of us has a T-shirt.  On the shirt it says: We Are One Team.  I will always treasure this shirt because I think it holds the most important message of all.  We accomplished this as a team.  Without the help of every single individual, we couldn’t have done it.  Global Perspectives isn’t about any one individual.  While we may have gone into the program as individuals, we came out as one team.

Now it’s time to take our experience and share it with the rest of the world.  Be it right at home in Vancouver, or somewhere else in the world, we will use what we’ve learned in Global and continue to make a difference.  That is one of the main messages of this program anyways, to not only go through this experience but to take it and continue on doing what we did here.  Our Global Perspectives journey may have ended but our motivation certainly hasn’t.  While it is sad to say goodbye to some fellow Fijians, we will meet again someday.  In 2021, when we open our time capsules, we will be back together as a team and we will share our stories and adventures with each other.  At that time, the memories from Fiji will also come flooding back.  To say that Global Perspectives was the best part of high school would be an understatement as it could very well fall into the best part of my entire life so far.  So, as I bid farewell to the program and some of my Fijians, I wish them all the best with their future endeavours  and to always keep the Fiji memories alive whenever possible.  To the Batswana, enjoy every single moment and good luck forming your own team.  We’re proud of you.  Teachers, you know how we feel.  There are no words.  As this story comes to an end and I end off my last blog post, I want to say what I have been saying in my blogs all year.  Don’t forget.  Why we were chosen and why this year was our moment.  Vinaka, my Fijians, for the ride of a life time.

All we ever need, is you and me. – J-Co

‘Fiji 2011

Love, Ge

I know people put “annnd scene” when they got back from Fiji, but I wanted to wait until the two most important things in the past two years of my life were both complete until I officially ended the scene.  What a crazy ride these two years have been.  From the first email ever from Mr.Matheny that started out with “CONGRATULATIONS” to the last Blitz Bar I had a Nadi airport.  From the first “interview” with Mr.Vicente to the final essay on my French Paper 2.  These two things pretty much dominated my life these past two years and looking back at it when it’s basically over, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.  Have there been times when the fundraising got so frustrating that I didn’t want to continue anymore? Sure !  Have there been times when I was staying up writing a design lab wishing I could quit IB? Absolutely!  Looking at it now, all of that was just part of the experience of life.  I have no regrets looking back at it and I realize now that IB and Global had a closer connection with each other than I thought.  From Global, I learned the importance of getting things done early.  When you have a big event to plan, you can’t just say I’ll do it later.  You have to stick to it and get it done.  Having been through IB, I realize it’s the same concept.  You can’t cram for a big exam the night before and expect the result to be perfect.  Therefore, for you to do your best, you have to start early.  That is one of the reasons why our dinner was such a huge success.  Of course there is always the value of teamwork in both IB and Global that I could take with me into next year as well.  This journey has been long and tough, but the memorable moments cancels everything else out and in the end, I’m proud I accomplished it all.  I’m almost at the end of my journey at Richmond High and with it, IB and Global, but I know that the valuable knowledge and experience gained will never die and that it will continue into the next part of my life.  This is not the end of the story, but only a portion of it so instead of saying ‘the end’, I guess i’ll just say ‘annnnnnd … SCENE’.  I am ready for the next scene of my story.

Don’t Forget.

Ge

Howdy, guys and gals!

Well, here we are.  Officially halfway through my exams and can’t wait for the other half to finish.  I REALLY miss Global.  Like REALLY.  I cannot WAIT to be back in that classroom after exams.  I’m so thankful for Global this past year.  Being in that classroom was like having all the stress from school taken away from me and it’s hard to explain, but Global gave me motivation and I really just enjoyed every minute of it.

Right before writing this blog, I thought about how important it was to incorporate some travelling into your life.  I realized that if you’re constantly living a routinely life, then you are so sheltered from what is out there.  Of course this all has to do with “I do and I understand”.  This experience showed me how much you can learn from others and yourself if you just step out of your daily routine for one day and try something different.

Before this entire experience, I didn’t really like talking to strangers.  That may sounds weird since we’re always taught not to talk to strangers but I think so many of us now are so drilled into that principle that we live TOO cautiously, where if someone tries to strike up a conversation with us on the bus, we would be afraid to talk to them.  I think I want to change that for myself now.  Just the other day, I was sitting beside a lady on the bus and she was talking to me about the Canucks.  Now I don’t know much about them at all but we managed to talk for the entire bus ride.  She was telling me about hockey when she was growing up.  After that conversation, I felt so good because I learned something new that day and I will now have that story to remember it by.  We all made goals in Fiji about what we wanted to do once we came back to Canada.  A lot of those goals were a big step for us and may take us a long time to achieve it.  However, little things count too (like talking with someone on the bus…obviously keeping in mind of safety concerns).  My little goal will be to be more open minded towards people and listen to what they have to say.  Little things in life to get you out of your cycle may be surprisingly enriching.

Don’t Forget.

Ge

I will begin by saying that I am officially finished 3/14 IB exams.  The topic of “value of education” continuously revolves around my head.  When I think about why I want to do well on my exams, I think it’s because I want to get into university.  Lately though, I have been questioning further into why I want to go to university.  I came to the conclusion that it’s because I want the university education to eventually develop into a good career.  I thought about Mr.Singh.  It recently hit me just HOW hard he must have had to work to be a lab technician at Richmond High today.  Before this trip, I didn’t pause to think how easily accessible post-secondary or any kind of education is for us.  For the children in Fiji, such as the bright young boys we met in the village, just getting to their education takes 5 hours of walking per day.  We have the luxury here to get a ride to school or drive when we live 15 minutes away.  Hearing about what it took for Mr.Singh to be here, and then reflecting back on my life in the last 13 years, I realized there is definitely room for me to improve my appreciation for education.  It’s unfortunate that it took actually witnessing the education that the children get in Fiji to appreciate my own but that’s why the saying is “I do and I understand” right?  Starting with these IB exams and furthering into university, these lessons are something I will always treasure.

Two days ago, I walked past the Global room to see the Batswana hard at work preparing for their fundraisers.  While I know that one of the reasons why this trip was so special was because it was unique and once in a lifetime, I can’t help but wish I was back in that room to start all over again.  This trip is so incredible that I think going through it a few times will not take away any value.  However, that is the past and though I will never forget, it is time to move on.  It’s time to look forward to participating in programs like this next year.  If there isn’t a program like this, we will create our own.  No matter what we choose to do next year though, we know that we will ALWAYS have the support from each other, our Fijian family.  After Fiji, I’ve realized that there are some things you can’t waste time thinking about.  If you want to get something done, then go for it.  Why did the two weeks in Fiji feel so long?  It was because we were doing something every minute of the day.  Everyday was filled with so many events and adventures that at the end of the day, I would feel so fulfilled.  We didn’t waste anytime hesitating or moping.  If we made a mistake, we learned from it and moved on.  I think that is what I need to do.  So my advice to myself and my family is : never forget about Fiji, but it’s time to live in the moment.

Don’t Forget.

-Ge

I’m not kidding when I say there are at least 5 things that I do in a day that reminds me of Fiji.  When I think of one thing, the entire experience comes back to me.  Looking back on all of the class time we spent talking about issues of shelter, food, and water, I realized I never truly understood.  In my mind, I felt sorry for the villagers.  I thought they must have been so unhappy living there.  No matter how much I tried to understand, after going on the trip, I realize it was impossible to do at the time.  The villagers were not unhappy.  In fact, they were happier than a lot of people here in our perfect little world.  That was an experience I never would have understood has I not been there.

No one, not even the past grads, will understand some things the way 30 of us (plus teachers) did.  Everyone had different experiences and everyone learned different things.  I realize everything that the Mongolians told me a year ago was true.  They told us to treasure every moment, and to start getting close to your classmates before the trip.  They were right, but because I didn’t get to experience it at the time, I forgot. However, as class went on, we still tried our best to understand what Fiji was like.  We would see pictures of Fiji that Mr.Matheny sent to us and for me, I remembered them.  I remembered a beautiful village of luscious palm tress and bright sunny days.  Hearing others talk about it or looking at pictures won’t help you understand.  It’s about actually being there in the moment, getting the hands on experience, developing the bonds for yourself.  That, is how you understand.  A year from now, the students of Botswana 2012 will be back here and they will have understood things I will not be able to.  I may be able to relate and make a connection, but to be there, is how I would truly understand.  Throughout this year, I have heard and forgotten, I’ve seen and remembered.  In March 2011, I achieved the last part of Confucius’ famous words, and that is: I do and I understand.

Don’t Forget

-Ge

First of all, congrats to the thirty of you who made it !  Be proud for getting this far already, it’s a great accomplishment !  Secondly, I AM SO EXCITED FOR ALL YOU “BOTSWANANS”!  Being in the classroom with you guys today was complete deja vu for me.  I could picture the exact moment one year ago when I sat at the front of the room with Erin sitting beside me.  Mr.Matheny flipped over the flag first and the room was silent because no one knew where that flag was from.  Just as he said it, someone yelled “FIJI” and the room exploded with cheering and screaming.  That was definitely one of the highlights of my Global experience.  Even before that though, when I walked into the room and saw 29 other classmates of mine smiling, I knew that this trip was going to be the best thing that’s happened to me so far.  I knew it then, and I have no doubt in what I said a year later.  I know that this trip will be the same for you and that you will take away just as much from it as we have.      Throughout our trip, we had some amazing adventures together and I wish that when your moment comes, you will find it just as rewarding and build those unbreakable bonds with your Botswanans as well.  One thing that I’ve said before and I think all the past grads can agree on is that the work week (week 1) is the best part of the whole journey.  While the tour week may be relaxing and a good reflection period, the first week is where all the memories and bonds were created.  To me, the villagers are a part of our global family and will forever hold a place in my heart.  So if there is one advice I’d like to give to you, it’s to treasure every single moment you have with your classmates and the villagers.  Before you know it, you will be heading to a whole new setting and be wishing you were back in the village.  I know that this may seem far off as you are only on the fundraising stage, but I hope you will remember it when the time comes !  As for fundraising, I wish you luck in that as well and I challenge you to beat the past records.  Just remember the journey leading up to the trip is just as important for building relationships with your classmates and teachers.  Every one of you deserve to be here so you all share something in common already.  When the time comes, you will understand how important building those relationships are.  I have to stop myself now or I might keep writing forever instead of studying for IB exams..

Again, good luck fundraising and with your project! Make us proud !

Don’t Forget (I always end my blogs with this.  It’s a reminder for my Fijians and myself , and now you guys, to never forget why you are in Global Perspectives.  Don’t lose your drive, you were chosen for a reason)

Cheers to the Colts to Botswana 2012!

Ge

Ever since I stepped off the plane at YVR, I have done nothing but smile.  I wonder to myself why I am not in “withdrawal” mode like a lot of my classmates, wishing longingly they were back in Fiji.  How is it possible that I bawled my eyes out as much as the next person on our last night yet I am as happy and as excited as I am now.  Truth is, I miss Fiji like crazy.  Fiji is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.  Do I want to be back there? Absolutely.  I’m not leaving it behind me or “pushing it aside” because it’s really not that easy to do.  Everything reminds me of Fiji as well.  So do I care? 100%.  However, I came to the conclusion with myself that this is MY withdrawal.  This is how I’m dealing with it.  I think I’m following an old quote I once heard, “don’t cry because it’s over.  smile because it happened”.  This quote represents me perfectly right now.  I am just so caught up in what happened in the best two weeks of my life that I have no chance to be sad.  Every memory of Fiji makes me happy and light up.  Every inside joke we shared together, every road we walked upon, every person we had the honor of meeting, and every connection we made with each other will never be forgotten.  Everything that reminds me of Fiji reminds me in a good way.  I saw Mr.Matheny in the hallways today and he said “you look happy”.  I was.  I was ecstatic to see him because just seeing him reminds me of everything.  It reminds me of his goofiness on the trip, his encouragement, his dedication as a teacher, husband, and father, and his character being a role model for a lot of students.  Lastly, it reminded me of the opportunity he gave me exactly one year ago.  Now that I’ve gotten the chance to live this opportunity, I can’t help but smile.  Smile because we’ve made change in the world.  Because of us, people will be protected from storms and be able to gather together as a community.  Smile also, because this opportunity changed ME.  I’ve learned in the past two weeks to appreciate the people who are close to me, appreciate water and animals, and appreciate education.  I’ve also learned that you can live a perfectly happy life as long as the ones you love are by your side.  You don’t need much else besides your vivale.  That, I’ve learned well from the villagers.  I have to admit that it feels weird not waking up to people snoring, moaning or talking.  I am proud to call each and every one of those people my friend.  Fiji is over but the memories will never be lost.  Even though we’re all going to be moving around next year trying to find our way in life, we will always be connected by those memories.  It is those memories that will make us inseparable where ever we may be.  I’d like to take the time now to thank the teachers for being the best role models I could ever ask for, the dentists for the love and kindness in their hearts, my parents for their support and most of all, the people whom I will never forget.  Thank you to my classmates..my friends..my family.

Thanks for a fulfilling experience, Fiji.  It’s time to say goodbye but i’ll never forget.

Don’t Forget. I guess this can have a double meaning now.  Don’t forget why we were in Fiji, and don’t forget everything that happened in Fiji (not that we will).

Love you all,

Ge

Today is our last day at the work site as tomorrow will be the closing ceremony.  Two more sleeps at Hotel North Pole and then we’re on the road again for our second week of tourist-ing.  It’s going to be really sad to say goodbye to the villagers, I wish we could stay a few more days!  A first I didn’t understand the past grads when they said that they like the first week better than the second because I always wondered how working could have been better than travelling.  However, I realize now that nothing can be compared to the bonds we have made with the villagers this past week and I would gladly give up a couple of days in the second for to stay longer in Wavuwavu.  Everyday is a new adventure.  Sure there have been a LOT of sweat but no tears because we are all so happy to be building this project.

Yesterday, I was working with the dentists and one little boy was terrified at the thought of getting his teeth pulled.  After many attempts and tears, the boy finally agreed.  The dentists weren’t going to force him to do something he didn’t feel comfortable with.  The thing that really stood out to me at first was that his mother was quite angry he didn’t want the dentists to pull his teeth.  Then her friend came up to me and said that in the city, pulling one tooth costs 20 Fijian dollars and getting a check-up was 10 Fijian dollars.  I was really shocked for a second because 20 Fijian dollars is only around 10 Canadian yet the people in the village could not afford to go to the dentist.  Instead, they have to live everyday with tooth decay and toothaches.  The woman then looked at the ground and kept repeating something.  At first I couldn’t make out what she was saying but then I heard that she was saying “We’re so lucky, we’re so lucky”.  That made my entire day to know that we were helping them free of charge so that they can use their money for other daily necessities.

While I am looking forward to the next week, I am going to miss and forever remember this experience and I know that this project will enable them to stay sheltered and safe during hurricanes.

Love and miss everyone back home.

Ge

Today is our third day in Fiji and it gets better and better everyday.  Yesterday, we finished putting up the walls on our school and we also finished digging the hole for the washroom..doesn’t sound like much? It took 16 hours.  I really admire our determination and teamwork.  We have become such a family now.  We kept encouraging and helping out our teammates as much as we could by getting them water and hoe-ing the dirt.  It’s tough work!  When I recall it in a blog, it may not seem like we’re doing much by “pounding nails” or “digging a hole”.  Trust methough, it is way harder than it sounds.

Today, I got to witness something very emotional but life-changing.  The villagers here donated their pet goat to us.  This is a big deal beacause this is their family pet and they are very proud of it.  I got to watch the villagers sacrifice the goat.  Some people were very emotional which I can completely understand because I have to admit I started to tear up too.  Even though at home I know that they do have to sacrfice animals so we can eat, I never got to experience where our food actually comes from.  For lunch today, we ate goat curry.  I have to say that I looked at the curry in a completely different way.  Any other day, it would have looked like just another meal but today, it was not the same.  Knowing that this was the same goat that I saw alive and well then being killed 5 minutes later made me appreciate my food so much.  In my head, I thanked the goat because this goat sacrificed itself so we could have food on our table.  The goat was also a living creature just like me but it gave up its own body so I could put food in mine.  It’s hard to describe how I felt about my lunch other than appreciation but in reality, there was way more emotion.  We didn’t work on the center today because we also hiked up a mountain.  It was hard and took about 2 hours.  The view from the top of the mountain was also indescribable.  We had the view of the entire village, other mountains, and the beautiful blue waters.  I’m going to keep it short (kind-of) and wrap it up.

I love you all back home and I miss and think about you … sometimes (JUST KIDDING I THINK ABOUT YOU A LOT)

Love, Ge

Okay , I only have 10 minutes to write this blog and I probably just wasted one minute writing this…

Today is our second day here. Yesterday we had the ceremony and it was amazing. When we came, they greeted us with fresh flower leis and then danced for us. The music and dancing was so different from what we do in Canada so it was fun to watch (we danced with them too!). The foundation for our community center is done and by the end of this week, the entire center will be built by us. My thoughts are kind of scattered so I’m just going to write them down as I think of them. Just a few minutes ago, we were watching a cow being milked. I can’t believe everything that i’ve gotten to witness already in just two days. The village is beautiful with lots of gorgeous green coconut trees and clear blue waters.

Just some things that I’ve notice yesterday, everything we have talked about in class with the class difference and gender roles were witnessed. During dinner, we noticed that the boys got to eat first, then the girls following them. The boys were also allowed to eat at the worksite whereas the girls were either eating with their mothers or eating at home. When we were passing the village, we also noticed that there were small houses as the bottom of the hills and at the top, were more beautiful luxurious houses. This just shows the class distinctions between the Fijians here.

Today, I gotten to do things i’ve never gotten the chance to do before. I cut wood, dug holes, and painted the center. It may not seem like much, but it’s a hard 8 hours! I’m loving every minute of it. Just one thing that I noticed today, tnhe workers were not wearing shoes, they do not eat with eating utensils like we do, and they only get $3 US per DAY. It’s really all kind of hard to take in.
Being here is a completely different world than the one in Canada. There are no malls or developed infrastructures here, just grass and trees and small huts. To be honest, it’s nice getting away from all of that and just enjoying nature. It can be overwhelming sometimes how simply they live but everyone knows everyone here and everyone it’s a really nice community here. What an experience… I have to wrap up now but I’ll write again really soon! Mom, Dad, George, and friends, I miss you all !

See you soon!
Ge