Madisen Steele

This is a blog for all the kids going to Fiji next year. If any one of you needs any advice, or tips on what to do next year feel free to ask not only me but any of us. I know that I speak for the whole group when I say, we are absolutely up for giving you guys help. I know how tough the first little while can be in Global. It’s extremely intimidating. I can see you guys may be feeling a bit overwhelmed and I’m sure that all of us Mongols have been there. So FEEL FREE to just catch one of us in the hall and ask away

On a side note… I’ve been talking more and more with people about the trip, and about my experiences. It seems as though everywhere I go people want to know about Mongolia. This past weekend I spent time in Kelowna scoping out UBC Okanagan. It looks absolutely wonderful, and what was even better was the enthusiasm for world travel. They have a program called “Go Global” which sounds like a crazy experience. After going to Mongolia I know that travel is something that I want to continue, and it seems as though there will always be opportunities for it wherever I go. This just strengthens my belief that this year was not the end, it was only the beginning.

Cheers!!

-Madisen

Today it was my turn to present my picture, and what it meant to me. I found myself barely being able to squeak the words out. Recently it has been more difficult than ever to discuss my feelings with anyone. This is strange for me because I consider myself a very open person, too much so at times. In this blog, I’d like to thank Job for being so honest. I loved his presentation today because it made me realize that it is okay to be open in Global, and that it’s important to share the truth even if it is difficult. I truly appreciated everything that he said.

-M

Well, well. What a funky new website we have Fab!

So graduation is coming up very quickly and I’m pretty sure I’m not alone when I say I WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE. Even so… people keep telling me enjoy it while it lasts, because you can’t go back once it’s over. This reminded me of the trip. During the trip things were hectic. We were constantly faced with things that brought us back three notches. There were points where it felt like “two steps forward one step back”. Sometimes, these things are so prominent in my mind that I forget the importance of what we did. I realize now that, that may be because I didn’t take enough moments to just enjoy it. To live in the moment and think, “wow, this is something I will remember forever.” I didn’t think about how I’d miss people once the trip was over. I barely thought at all. Mainly, I was feeling. What this teaches me, is that maybe it’s time to slow down a bit. Time to take a few steps back and enjoy what’s left of my childhood, and of my high school experience. Maybe it’s better that I don’t rush through it, and instead stop to smell the roses.

-Madisen

I’ve had a hard time posting blogs recently. I just haven’t been able to. Time restrictions… and. Well, brace yourselves people I’m about to get very personal here.

In my life I’ve had different experiences. Experiences that have made me a little bit closed off. I don’t enjoy talking about them, however it’s true. In the past few years I have not been able to trust people, and I run from problems that I have. I avoid things that could potentially cause me emotional harm or anything close to it. Thus the problem with Global Perspectives. Since I was in the 7th grade I have known about this program. Respected it. I always dreamed that I’d be able to do something like this. Then, I was lucky enough to be one of the chosen 30. The half of the year before the trip I worked hard, just like everyone else did. I was a part of the team and loved it because in my mind, it would go on forever. On the trip, I realized that this was not true. On the trip I felt that being sick isolated me from the group a bit, and not to mention made me very grouchy. I was already behind on the bonding. Building the school was absolutely amazing, and that’s when I fell in love with it. I fell head over heels for everything that had to do with Mongolia. The people, the smells, the faces, and my classmates. Because my classmates are good people. As many teenagers learn… love will bite you in the butt. I was afraid that my love for Mongolia would do this, especially when we arrived home. I started to avoid thinking about the trip. Avoid talking about it. Not wanting to relive something so good and special. I didn’t want to admit that it changed me, because that would be admitting that I loved it and love hurts. As always, I was avoiding the problem and the hurt. Hurt that the trip was over and that it might break my heart. I think that it also has to do with growing up. Realizing that something that has been building up for me over the course of 6 years was now over. So I just hid. A larger part of me wants to continue to hide, and to avoid the class and focus on other things. That’s not right though.. is it? Something that the aftermath of the trip is teaching me, is that I have to face my fears. Especially the irrational ones. Sometimes you just have to let your defenses down and let people see the real you, even if that means you’ll get hurt. Sometimes you have to buck up and realize that just because something is over does not mean it’s OVER. Because that’s the thing about life… It goes on.

-Madisen

This week was our ‘no class week’. As the teachers had to give interviews, we have been… enjoying?… our lunches every day. I know that for most of the class, and for the teachers this is a sad time. I do respect that. For me… I find it more exciting than anything. Call me crazy. The grade elevens in our school this year are good people. Some of them outstanding. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know a few of them that have really stood out in my mind. I’m extremely happy for them that they get their chance! Their chance at something amazing that has the potential to do wonders for them. Now is not the time to be selfish. Now is the time to embrace change more than ever, just as we learned to do over, and over again on our trip. We need to be excited for these kids and realize that this means the program still exists. This means that we did such a great job on our trip, that it gets to happen for another year. And maybe another and another. This means that the program is staying alive. More alive than ever.

I am still finding little bits of Mongolia in my every day life. I went to the Black Eyed Peas concert on Sunday, not expecting much of it I have to admit. This may sound a bit strange… but Will I Am was talking. And he was talking about loving your family, and your friends. About loving what you do no matter what it is. He thanked all the fans and hoped that no matter how we got his music, whether downloading, copying or buying a cd that it brought joy to our lives. Then he started singing ‘Where is the love’. I almost burst into tears. It took all of my effort to keep them inside of me. All I could picture during that song was those kids. Those kids who have so little, but so much. Later on during the concert Will I Am mentioned the word, “segway”. I almost started crying, AND laughing at the same time. I’ve decided that one day I need to meet Will I Am and tell him about this. He sounds like the kind of man who would appreciate it.

I know that this is my first blog entry in a while, and I’m sorry for that. It has been difficult to try and articulate myself lately, as I am going through a lot of changes in my life. But I promise, If I find any more bits of Mongolia I will blog about them.

Very Sincerely,

-Madisen

Home again. It’s so strange. I feel like the culture shock coming home is worse than the culture shock was going there. Today was my first semi-recovered day from a cold/jet lag. It was pretty emotional. I woke up feeling tired after waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to get back to sleep. Once the day went on I started to feel better. Then my family got in something of a tiff. I went outside and sat down to get some air when I saw my dog playing with a rock. She started hopping around it and barking at it, not noticing anything else in the world. Immediately she reminded me of the children at the closing ceremonies. Running around, play fighting, having the time of their lives. Barely noticing anything else around them. They were completely happy and excited, even with conflict and problems so near by they were untouched by it. I found myself tearing up, watching my dog. I found a little bit of Mongolia in my own home. I think I’ll be spending a bit more time with the mutt

Another moment that I had today was in the grocery store. A bit strange I know, but I experienced the exact opposite of what I had earlier. I walked into that store and I could not stop smiling. Not for the life of me. My mother must have thought I was manic. I just grinned the entire way through the store. I couldn’t stop looking at the colours of the food, and the way it was all placed together. The sheer amount of food in there was impressive and a little revolting. But I could not stop smiling. Not because I was thinking about the people who were starving and needed food… but just because I was realizing how lucky we are here. And I found it sort of humorous the amount of garbage they were selling that we really don’t need at all. The trashy magazines, the fake pastries, processed garbage. I found it all very interesting. Who on earth needs lime green flowers?! I still cannot understand why they would be selling that anywhere! These are all things I would never have noticed before the trip. Things that seemed so normal. My senses need to adjust to all of this.

-Madisen

My dear family… The stories I will have to share with you when I get home. This has been both the best, and the worst week of my life. The project is so close to being done It’s insane. We have faced SO MUCH adversity I cannot even begin to describe it. What an adventure. I’d like to believe that the touring part will be easier than this, but for some reason I have my doubts. No matter what happens though I know that the coming week will be great. I have to wrap this blog up early as we’re going to practice the closing ceremonies at the school. But SYDNEY STEELE, If you are reading this I want to see your face at the airport when I come back. And I’m thinking about your Birthday which is in 4 days Mongolian time. I hope you have a crazy party! Danielle, I miss you too.

-Madi

Today has been my first full day working. And needless to say, it has been tiring. As I type I am surrounded by a construction site where my classmates are working themselves into comas, which will hit tonight at around 10 pm. We had an incredible lunch. It was delicious, traditional, Mongolian dumplings filled with meat. It was prepared by the students going to school next to the dormitory we’re staying in. It was great to see that culinary arts isn’t something that is only appreciated at Richmond High . We had another cultural last night with plenty more disco, games, and fun. This time though we got to see our teachers/adults butcher a Mongolian game. I got it on film, and yes, I will post it on facebook for whomever may be reading this…Just kidding Mr. Matheny. In all seriousness the trip has been incredible. I had a moment yesterday when I saw the decorations they had put up for us during the cultural event. They had a proper, large beautiful Mongolian flag next to a small, plastic Canadian flag. My first thought was, “where on earth did they find that” and my second thought was, “oh my god. That’s us.” It was hard to say why it affected me so much. I had to physically stop myself from crying. I think it was symbolic in some sense.. and the thought of them working to find, or make, that flag that symbolized our country, showed me how much they truly appreciated us being there. And how much they wanted a bond with us. And we’re going to have that bond. I know that the people here will never forget this, and we will never forget this. There will be pictures, and of course the physical evidence of the school, and maybe even an email or two, but the true solid bond.. it will be in all of our memories.

-M

First Blog of the trip. And what a blog it could be. Unfortunately we’ve been told limited time and space. So first I’ll say this, Hi mom, and dad, and Sydney, and Danielle, and Grandma and Grandpa (all four of you), and anyone else who happens to be reading this. I miss you all. Mongolia is incredible. Being laid over in Korea just made the anticipation that much worse, not to mention the fact that I became pretty badly sick. Despite almost running a temperature for most of the trip thus far, it’s been great. The people here are so beautiful, inside and out. They are “aggressively friendly”. I’ve already started making friends with some of the students my age. It’s difficult to believe that we are from different sides of the world, when we have so much in common. Never in my life have I wanted to know a language as much as I do right now. Mongolian is so different from anything I’ve ever heard in my life. Most people here speak some English as well, but not much. Strangely enough it hasn’t been much of a barrier. We just started on the work site yesterday, unfortunately. But we’re going strong and we’ll get it done. The food here has been surprisingly great. Meat, potatoes, rice, and homemade bread. The Gerrs were quite an experience. The night before last was the only night we will be sleeping in them. I have never, ever, been so cold in my life. The stoves were meant to be heated with coal but by some miscommunication we used logs and wood only. Everyone besides one group of students was freezing. The teachers and other adults spent all night heating our Gerrs and trying to keep us warm. Thankfully we’re moved to a dormitory now and had a GREAT sleep last night. I remember waking up to an orchestra of snores. It was  beautiful sound. I need to say again how great the people here are. Already I’m getting such a sense of family from some of them. The hospitality has been absolutely outstanding and I’m so thrilled to be able to spend time with the Mongolians. The opening ceremonies were unbelievable. They herded groups of us around different rooms in a school, teaching us how to dance, sing, and write Mongolian. Then they had a concert for us full of elaborate dances and songs all done by students. They even had a tribute to Michael Jackson which was the best imitation I have ever seen, hands down. (yes family, I took pictures). I think I may have one of the longest blogs so far, so I’ll stop there. But we will be updating tomorrow as well. ALL MY LOVE !

-Madisen

Today was our big surprise… And it was, to say the least, amazing. In case you missed it, I was the one fighting tears at the back of the room.

For me, meeting Mr. Matheny’s Olympian brother was not at all about the Olympics. It was about overcoming life’s most crucial obstacles. About knowing that we have the opportunity to pave our own way in this world and to make a difference for the right reasons. It was about re-examining why we are in this class, and what it means to help someone you’ve never seen or met before. It was also about education. Why it’s important, and what it does for our world.

Today was an incredible opportunity for all of us, and it’s something that we won’t ever forget. It inspired me to achieve my dreams, and taught me that you can take your education seriously, go to university, and that it won’t keep you away from your biggest aspirations. So, very exciting. Thank you Mr. Matheny!