#turnaround week

[kiwiko]

A Garden, A Reunion, and An Adventure ~ Pt 2

Continuing, Friday (25th) was perhaps the most influential day of my week. I was graciously invited to an alum panel for my old high school (Balboa high school for anyone in SF), to talk about my experiences in the CAST (Creative Arts for Social Transformation) pathway. The day began early with nostalgia as I walked into the familiar black gates of Balboa, recognizing the security guard at the entrance and slowly remembering the layout of the school I was once a part of 5 years ago. I wandered a bit, then found the room where the event was taking place, which I didn't recognize (because it hadn't existed when I was there).  I was greeted with educators from the bay area and beyond who were listening to my old teachers discussing the CAST program, the history of how it began, the struggles to build its foundation, and the rewards of such effort with CAST's current day success.  Listening in, I hadn't realized how much effort went into my well-being when I was a student there. All the little details that happened in the background just so I could go on a field trip or have an opportunity to apply for an internship made me really appreciate their efforts. The community at Bal, especially in CAST, is what makes me appreciate it so. Where 5 years can go by and the teachers remember me like it was yesterday. Where my old classmates greet me with open arms and old conversations pick up like no time has passed in-between. Where the atmosphere is filled with students who are proud to be there. Hearing the stories of other alums around me during the alum panel made me realize how lucky I was to be a part of CAST. That all these people around me appreciated the program just as much as I did, thankful for the guidance and inspiration that our teachers gave to us in years before. I realized that without being in CAST, I may have been a completely different person, pursuing a different life, living my life with a different perspective of the world. All the opportunities CAST gave me are so invaluable and I just feel lucky to have been a part of it while I was there.  I was really lucky I was fated to go to Balboa, a school that was nowhere near the top of my high school priority list when I was applying to schools. but was by far the best experience I could have had growing up~

[kiwiko]

A Garden, A Reunion, and An Adventure ~ Pt 1

What an amazing and eventful week I had~  It started off slow with an unproductive beginning, but quickly evolved into a turnaround week; stabilizing my sleep schedule, rekindling my motivations, and teaching me to re-appreciate the little things in life. My grandma asked me if I could help her garden on Wednesday / Thursday and that's where the turnaround began. With an early time of arrival at her place, the two days forced me to sleep early, ending my old habit of staying up late and putting me back into a good rhythm of sleep. For gardening with Po-Po (grandma), it was really nice to get outside and do some work around nature. My current game project is all about plants and being surrounded by the natural world gave me more insight into how the ecosystem of a garden works together. I always forget how tedious, yet rewarding it can be to garden. Where clearing a seemingly impassable clump of weeds suddenly brings out the natural beauty of the underlying flowers, the ecosystem of insects scurrying underneath, and the satisfaction that in a month or two, a clean garden will be bustling with new flowers and tasty vegetables.

From the two days with my grandparents, I've come to realize that I need to spend more time with them while they're still here and healthy. I'm here in the city for who knows how long and this is my opportunity to enjoy the moment and learn the wisdom of my elders while I have the chance~ More to come soon, those two days were only the beginning =]