Diversity Camp with Black Opal

I just got back from Diversity Camp with Black Opal. I had an amazing time and I'm really glad I went. It is camps like Diversity that help me focus and refine what it is in life that I want and matters to me. In additon I met some awesome people.

At first it was awkward because I didn't know anyone and none of the staff was around when we loaded the buses to camp but the girls were more than willing to help get me on the bus. However, the whole awkwardness that was there because none of the guys really knew me quickly faded because for the rest of the camp I had no problem getting people to lift me up steps, carry me, and push me. One of the best parts of the trip was a hike we took and there was a lot of up hill and of course down hill parts and I had two guys who were champions and pushed me and carried me up that mountain. We had a nice inside joke going on and got people to believe that they jogged all the way down the mountain with me. haha. Despite all there teasing I felt very safe with them though I am sure some people were somewhat nerves because the two guys were also the biggest jokesters at camp.

Although many of the activities we did were ones I had done before it was interesting for me to see it done different and with different people. I also realized (not that I already knew this...) that I still have so much growing to do and that my eyes still have so much to see and understand.

Tony's (coordinator of Black Opal) 2 year old son was also around and he was just the cutest thing ever. He stole my heart. He had so much energy and at meal times I would chase him around and he would chase me around. haha. When he said goodbye before he left kissed my face to death. haha. It is when I see little kids full of life and innocence that I remember how important it is to be to become a Child Life Specialist.

Changing the subject slightly....
Something ironic happen to me just before I left for camp. I was waiting outside Uni by the taxi pull out area. It was early in the morning and no one was around. This old lady comes by. She starts talking. I just thought she was the typical old ladies that come by me and say nice things, blah blah. Quickly I realized she wasn't one of those ladies and actually she was verbally attacking me because of my race. According to her the reason I am in a wheelchair is because I am Asian and that Asians are aliens and that the alien has kidnapped my body. She was vicious. I ignored her. She even said if she could she would hit me over the head...when she said that I knew I really needed to keep my mouth shut because I didn't need her to get physical specially since I was alone. 5-10 minutes later she finally leaves and I'm left baffled because I have never experience racism before. I've heard of it of course but never first hand. It was a interesting experience to say the least. Of course it effected me a bit but I think it was kind good (in a strange way I know) that I experienced something like that...to understand at least for myself how it feels to be in that position esp. since that is something I'm trying to fight, racism.

Anyways...one last thing. I wrote a poem at camp. It was "I Am" poem. Since I've written one before and trying to write another one like it is difficult I did one on Australia so far...I think it sums up pretty well everything...

I am from my first airplane ride alone
From my 5 hour lay over in LAX
And from my 13 hour flight to Sydney with the feeling of excitement

I am from my first few days at Campus East and feeling homesick
I am from feeling alone to quickly feeling at home

I am from my first look at Uni
Falling in love with it
Finding my favorite spot
And never seeing so much green in my life

I am from trips to the beach and getting lost in the mall
From Supree shopping and postcard picking
From spending to much money and not having a care in the world

I am from my first trip to Glassy's, Ivory, and Castros
From friends who take the taxi with me
From dancing the night away and falling in love with Aussie boys who dance
From late night singing sessions
And from caramel lattes to get me through the day

I am from tea time with sandwiches and nutella
From learning to enjoy cream in my team
And from learning the difference between jelly and jam

I am from 3 hour long dinners
From inappropriate conversations
And from being part of the loudest table but loving every minute of it

I am from midnight conversations with Ivan and Stefan
From becoming their "other" roommate
From movie nights, study sessions, and inside jokes
From YouTube videos and music that from now on whenever I heart it in my heart I'll always be dancing with them in the summer rain

I am from being spontaneous for once in my life
From free rides and living off of Hungry Jacks
From tourist spots to great outdoors
From first train rides and trips on the trolly
From walks on the harbour and never wanting to leave

I am from too many pictures but not enough
From laugher that being me to tears
Moments that I never dreamed of
And from finding more of myself while losing pieces along the way
I am from being here only 2 months and already knowing that leaving will be one of the hardest things I've ever done