Winter Exploration 2014 Final

I could use Nothing better to start this blog but a loud and long laugh. A laugh of happiness, a laugh of sarcasm, a laugh of confusion, and a laugh of pure and utter bafflement. As things took a quick turn, old memories revived, new experiences to ok place and connections were made. Myself being a local Cantonese girl, have not experienced much of snow, and matter of fact, this is my second time only, seeing snow. I saw how busy everyone were, how much extra work was put just to get out of the house every morning. Over the last few days, I went paint balling, the metro zoo, visiting schools, visiting friends, having a vigorous night tour, and meeting new people. When I went paint balling with everyone from Trans Can, the memories of our teamwork and laughter came before me once again. Those moments where we shielded each other from the gross and sticky paint, those challenges, and those moments of joy seeing our teammate fail laughing, and those times where we would make nonsense out of everything we see on the sprinter once again reminded me of my times in monticle. Afterwards, I spent several hours learning how to play FIFA on the xbox and once again spending those quiet moments where you sense your own stupidity while making the best out of it. Then, I visited the Metro Zoo, though starting in the morning with hectic messaging trying my best to gather as many of my friends possible, seeing them for the last time. Billy then took me and my family visiting schools, where Calvin made extremely interesting comments and gave extraordinarily weird advice. With the original objective of this entire trip to be visiting schools, I found it very rewarding. To sum up the trip, I have met several new monticle members (well members whom I have never met but heard loads about). For example, today I met lemmy's mom Shelly, a pleasure. When she told us about her shovelling snow out of her driveway. I didn't think it was a big deal until I tried shovelling the snow, and was extremely impressed by her power and ability. Ultimately I had a blast with everyone! I will miss the meaningless snow fights, the endless nonsense blabber we call conversations, and the happy times we've ever had. Thank you lots! Will see you guys again very soon!

2014年2月2日
今天我要坐飞机回家了。但是早晨我们接到一个特別的任务:昨天雪暴冻住了一台大车，我们需要将车合力推出来，然后把停车场上的雪铲开。我们几个人齐心协力，试了好多次终于将车推了出去。来帮忙的同学越来越多，我们用了所有工具铲雪。不得不说冰雪太硬了，我用尽全力铲了差不10分钟才铲下一块冰。不过最后我们一起合力清完了冰雪。我累得手脚酸痛，但是觉得很值得，这是又高兴又难忘的经历。

Winter Exploration 2014 Day 11 - 13

Over the past two days we have been in Montreal. It was very different from Toronto and what i've usually experienced. Though it brought back memories from Trans Canada where we had to load up, unload, arrange and clean certain things, it also gave me new memories. The time when Billy and my dad cooked, where Vingi and my mom bonded, where Hazel and my sister shared happy times, and where the rest of us and SHING teased each other. On Montreal day 1, we first made a stop for breakfast where I had my first experiences being an unofficial waitress. Then, we made our way to fort Kingston where I found out JJ got into one of the best Military schools in Canada, and since it was the first day of Chinese New Year, we had a wonderful meal. (as planned, we had a ton of left overs where we put into use, as breakfast, as lunch, etc.) By spending the first night watching a movie, laughing at Edwin's red face (after beer), and playing endless games of Monopoly deal and cards, we went to sleep and found ourselves woken up and preparing breakfast in no time. So on Day 2, as promised Billy took us to the famous science center, in which we tried many different interactive activities to understand certain scientific facts and theories. One of the most memorable activities was the Mind Ball. Failing terribly at first, I gradually built my stance in the game with the help of Billy, defeating my peers, one by one. Well when the ultimate challenge came, I literally put my head into the game, sticking my face as close to the ball as physically possible. It was a challenge to remember as I was ever so close in winning "The Boss" but ultimately defeated as the game began to come to an end.
We moved on soon enough, fully aware of the fact that we just spent 3 hours on a game for toddlers. We had a fantastic lunch at a local Vietnamese place and commenced into an ultimate snow battle. Making numerous trips from the parking lot to downtown Montreal, we used the piled up snow wisely. By shoving it down each other's shirts, smothering each other faces and kicking it towards each other (so smart). Afterwards we arrived Sail, where Billy found the Bag of his dreams with the woman of his dreams, then Costco to pickup supplies for dinner. The students suggested the food, and as anticipated, it was steak and pizza. We then met Billy's generous friend whom lent us his home to stay in. (Judging by the fact that he was a chef, I think the frozen pizza might have ticked him off) and so to wrap up our entire day, we pushed Alvin out in the snow in shorts and a T-shirt under a dare and attempted to build a snowman then ultimately ending up in a gigantic snowfight. It was an entertaining night. Day 3, Montreal adventures. We woke up, made breakfast, then loaded up and head onto our last stop, the previous Olympic stadium. Taking a rather brief tour, we then took a last stroll around then headed onto the highway. That was when I blacked out, as if I was drugged then woke up for lunch and blacked out again. I really wonder why I was so sleepy, but I guess thats just the way things goes. So summing it all up for SHING (today being his last day) we had dinner and said our last goodbyes to him. It was truly a pleasure meeting SHING as I saw qualities I've never seen before. A person being so interesting and fruitful is hard to find. Also his imperfections and charismatic personality really brings joy to the Monticle operation. Great job SHING! We all look forward into seeing you once again! (Or should I say, $150 U.S.? **inside joke**) Well, tomorrow I am incredibly excited into seeing my old friends, and possibly, returning Calvin's Jacket. Thats it for now I guess. Billy says he needs to talk to me (for those who've been to Monticle, I think you know what that means).

2014年1月30日
今天我们开了一天车去蒙特利尔。蒙特利尔是法语城市，英语再好在这里也没有用。我们也得到机会参观加拿大的军官学院。里面都会聚了全国最优秀的人，然而训练还是非常严格，所以那些人体质都非常好。今天是加拿大的大年三十，我和同学们吃了丰盛的年夜饭。其实能够有这样的一个时机一起吃饭，是非常巧妙和让人珍惜的。
2014年1月31日
今天是大年初一，祝所有人新年快乐。我们在早上参观了蒙特利尔科学馆。这间科学馆是全加拿大最大的科学馆。和多伦多科学馆不同的是，这里多了一些有关科学和创意的摆设，而且它更多聚焦在启发儿童和鼓励儿童热爱科学上，这一点他们做的很好。科学馆里有一套用脑电波操作的游戏，哪个玩家的脑电波更强，小球就会滚向那个玩家的对手。两个人比赛的关键是用脑电波的作用将小球推向对方。下午我们参观了蒙特利尔老城区，这里充满了欧洲的风味，景观都很精致漂亮，让人差点忘了这里是北美。晚饭后我们还在入住的小屋附近打雪仗。蒙特利尔的旅程差不多结束了，总得里说我玩的非常开心。
2014年2月1日
今天是我在Monticle的最后一天。回顾我在冬季训练里的生活，我觉得我收获到了很多东西。首先是我游历了更多的地方，看到了很多人文风景。我接触到一些国际学校的学生，也看到了加拿大许多生活化的一面，体会到了他们以人为本，尊重生命，培养人格的精神。我也在阿岗昆公园中体会到了极寒的生活，并且顺利完成了里面的课程。更加重要的是，我学会了团队合作的精神，初步懂得怎么和别人高效地工作，我也学到了外国细致，礼貌的交往方式和感受到了轻松，有意义，注重实践的教育氛围。有时我会因为丢三落四手忙脚乱，有时我也会被导师和同学们捉弄。这十多天里我学到了很多东西，也很热情地参与活动。但是我还有不足的地方，比如一开始丢三落四，做事没有条理，还有一些东西讲完以后很容易又忘了。我还欠缺观察问题独立解决的能力，只会向别人问工作内容。我的口语不怎么好，只能和人们讲白话，我有时还把时间浪费在打游戏上。总的来说我对我的表现仍然非常满意。我有信心进一步使自己更优秀，我做得到！