I’m having trouble starting this last entry and I can’t be to sure why. I’m actually a little glad the blog will be over simply because it has stolen my stories away from me. Moments that I would have shared with friends face to face became public and seemed to take away those funny moments that friends share and help create that bond. So in saying that, it has been quite a year.
I will miss my class mates and friends most of all this summer. My year started out being thrown into a cabin with Derrick and together we battled the great Kidney Lake mouse invasion that brought twelve mice (twelve that we caught anyway) into our cabin. Neither of us came down with a case of hantavirus so in the end, it was pretty cool that we had a mouse invasion and one day I will share the story with my grand children about how Derrick and I defended our home for six weeks. There were the late nights around the camp fire telling scary stories with whom ever seemed to make it up that late. Kirsten and the bearbanger incident, and although I never fired it, sorry Brian it was mine. The numerous treks through the bush with Danielle, I appreciate how we were never in a hurry to get anything done and just seemed to enjoy what the day had to offer. Late night crib games with Stacey and Sammy while eating whatever scraps of food we could muster together. Rayanne and her strange cooking concoctions running around the camp with a big pot of rice pudding and a big trail of guys following her with bowls and spoons. My goddaughter does the same thing with food and I hope neither stop experimenting with ingredients as I believe that it is a bigger metaphor for how they look at life. The fire guys, especially Rob, Dan (who still has yet to beat me at tap-tap even though I let him say he wins all the time), Brent, and Jerret, who organized a fitness test for some of us to take at camp. It was during that fitness test, when the water bag had leaked over over me and my pants were down dragged down to my crotch that I looked around and thought ‘what am I doing here’ and, of course, that is when Dan drove by in the NAIT truck and said ‘good job, hurry up’ to Josh and I. So, as told, we hurried up. Phil, who with great Rocky stories, encouraged me to go for Rocky Mountain House and always seems to have a great passion for food. It makes me wonder if one day he will end up being a chef in a five star restaurant. Which leads me to Lars, and although we differ in musical tastes, some of my best memories this year are driving the truck while Lars DJ’ed from the passenger seat. The campfires at the house where Rob and I are staying were always good fun, and next year I hope more people just stop on by for a fire. I like having and open house where people feel comfortable to stop by out of the blue. I’ll also miss partnering with Prem on some of the field labs. Somehow we always end up having a philosophical discussion about love and life, and with him being buddhist his advise is always quite sound and if I were to boil it down it would sound like this ‘be good in every thought and action and goodness will come back to you’. Sound advise for anyone really. Then there isHanna, who taught me how to rock climb (or wall climb) which I then used those skills to shared with my goddaughter, thanks Hanna.The nicknames that were thrown around; Plant Boy because Rob wants to be a superhero, Mountain Girl because she climbs mountains, Bombay Sapphire because that is what she drinks and Prairie, who people think has that name because she comes from a farm, but actually has it for a different reason all together. Maybe one day I’ll tell her why.
NAIT’s Forest Technology Class of 2010.
Family is also important when one decided to go back to school. My parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins have all been there to help support me and help me through those moments when I wasn’t sure what was going on. Without them, well, without them I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Friends are also important in life as well, Lana, James and Tracy, Jen and Ken, Dennis, Chandra (who took me on my first plant walk), are all people that encourage me in one way or another to go back to school and follow the little dream. Of course I couldn’t have done this with out my dog either, she really is my best friend and I feel comforted knowing that she is now taking care of my dad.
We lost a couple of people this year and they will be missed. I won’t mention their names but class truly isn’t the same without them.
What else happened this year? Well I decided that I wasn’t going to date anyone for the first year of school. In the past I went from relationship to relationship and never gave any of those relationships the chance they deserved. I believe I was truly loved once and I broke her heart, I believe that I loved once and she broke my heart. So rather then running into a relationship and ruining something that could be good I decided to take some time to let my heart heal and figure out what I want. And although I got over it a long time ago I did say that I wasn’t going to date the first year of school, and so I am looking forward to Wednesday, not because I have a date, but because I can again. I’ve also learned that I will not go to Starbucks for a date.
Fight club also happened and although it was fun learning numerous ways to hurt someone, I think next year I am going to take dance lessons or go to painting classes. I miss being able to tap into my creative side and next year will let that happen.
So what about school itself? Well, I’m not sure. School is school and it is the instructors that make it what it is and we have a pretty good crop of instructors. Each is unique in their own way and challenges us in different ways. It is easy to pass off quick remarks or simply dismiss them as teachers but the reality is they are more then that. Each once cares about all of us and want us to do the best we can. The lend an ear when needed and offer advice when suited. So far all their advice has been pretty solid and that could be because they are all solid characters. They, not their assignments, will be missed as well.
So until next year (maybe). Have a great summer!