Category — Involvement/Leadership

This is a little late, but better late than never, eh?

I’m rethinking risks, education, careers, volunteerism, professionalism, success, friendship, networking, businesses. The future. I’m basically rethinking my life. I couldn’t be more stoked about possibilities, opportunities, and how I’m willing to grasp them.

Saturday I had the amazing opportunity to attend the 2011 Student Leadership Conference. Hands down it was the best conference I’ve ever attended. The keynote speakers, the feature presenters and the workshops each had their own impact on the way I view leadership and especially, how I am beginning to plan my future. So let me entertain you with the highlights of my wonderful day of “rethinking”:

Opening Keynote: Drew Dudley
This man is an amazing motivational speaker. He was funny, inspiring and left the stage with a standing ovation. He spoke about how we need to rethink success and goals, how they are more than just having an exceptional resume. I can’t really explain everything that I took away from his speech, but every single thing he said was relevant to my life. He talked about “lollipop moments”. Those times in life when someone does one thing, says one thing, or leads by example, and it changes your life, how we may have orchestrated a lollipop moment for someone else, but we just haven’t been thanked yet. This entire conference was one of many lollipop moments I’m sure I will have this year, and in all my years at UBC. Heck, even my entire life. What am I most excited about? Being a part of someone’s lollipop moment without even knowing it. I don’t need to, just the idea that somehow by just being who I am I can affect the lives of others in infinitely positive ways is enough.

Lunch Activity: Documentary – Ghana: A Digital Dumping Ground
I’m so glad I went to see this. It opened my eyes to a world that I didn’t even know existed. Before this documentary, I’d never really thought of where electronic waste, or e-waste goes, I figured someone was taking care of it in ethical and environmentally friendly ways. But why would that be the case? Anyway, this was the perfect way to get my social justice juices flowing and reflecting on how I can be a leader for human rights wherever they may be. Even if I am unable to majorly impact this cause, I’m grateful that I had an opportunity to be exposed to the horrors of digital dumping and now I can change my actions and hopefully inform others so they may change theirs.

Workshop #2: Young Professionals by Erica Baker
Fellow BlogSquader and self-proclaimed “hipster librarian”, Erica, led a workshop on the 7 things she learned from being Youth Mayor of her city. I really liked this workshop because she gave great tips that are applicable regardless of whether you are Youth Mayor or about to start your own business. The tips were really life tips and it was great to have a new perspective on how to handle difficult situations, make yourself presentable to others, and be open to all kinds of opportunities. The one major lesson I learned: challenge yourself. As Erica said (although this is not a direct quote because my memory isn’t that crazy-good), “If you’re not being challenged, you should move on to something else”. Thank you, Erica for helping me rethink how to challenge myself constantly, no matter what I do.

Featured Presenter #2: Andrea Baxter
Out of the two featured presentations, this one was my favourite. Not only was she insightful and funny, she really got me thinking about taking risks and going after what you really want. At one point in her life she was faced with the choice of taking an executive marketing position, or putting her full efforts into the small business she had started with a few friends. Of course she stuck with her business, a risk that brought Smart Cookies all the way to Harpo Productions and onto the Oprah Show. Now there is a possibility of having a Smart Cookies show on the new OWN Network. Listening to her stories of success and of failure (she’s been fired three times), was a great way for me to think about how much I’m willing to risk my confidence and so much more to go after opportunities that I feel will be beneficial to me. She helped me feel more secure that even if I take a leap and fall flat on my face, I can still get up and move on and try again.

Closing Keynote: The Buried Life
Probably the most anticipated event at the entire conference, and it didn’t disappointed. Listening to four passionate, amazing friends talk about making real change, not only in their own lives, but in the lives of others was beyond inspiring. I loved that they were funny, and intelligent (and come on, I can’t not mention it, they’re so cute!). What I loved most is that they really connected with Drew Dudley’s speech when he said that leaders don’t have to these extraordinary people by society’s standards (super academic, involved in so many things they don’t have time to eat), but are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. And that is exactly who the Buried Life are. Seemingly ordinary guys who would never take “no” for an answer and have done extraordinary things. They got me thinking about what I want to do before I die. Hopefully you’ve already begun to do the same.

In short: I learned about new ways to approach success and community. It is not about how great your resume looks but the people you meet along the way that help to shape your life. I has reminded to hold onto them. I started to rethink the way I approach risk-taking. And although it may be hard to take a risk and leap forward into something new; it is something that must be done. Finally, I left looking forward to the future with brand new eyes. I am starting to rethink what I will be striving to do in the future. I was constantly inspired by stories of success and motivated by stories of failure. I learned how to be professional and what it takes to really put myself out there and start a project that adds value to my life. The theme for this conference couldn’t have been been more relevant to my life. As the second term of my first year begins, I am faced with decisions about what to do tomorrow, next week, this summer. Even next year. I am constantly rethinking now, and I love it.

Most importantly, I’d say, is that I approach leadership differently now. I was so afraid before that I couldn’t call myself a leader because I didn’t have any solid proof to show for it. Instead, I am now confident that I can be a leader for my friends, my family and the UBC community at large, just by continuing to be myself and believe in who I am and what I do. If I wasn’t looking forward to the future before, I most definitely am now.

How has my exam break been? Between studying, eating, sleeping and more studying, here’s what I’ve been up to:

ONE: I started training at my job at the bookstore. I swipe your credit cards and scan your books/mugs/UBC clothing/pens. It’s fun. My last shift before Christmas break is Monday and I do like fun conversations when things are slow, so come on by.

TWO: I wrote my first university exam: Psychology 100. I studied my butt off, and I think it went well. We’ll see when marks are posted, but I definitely passed. To everyone who has already written one, I hope they went well. Or if you have yet to write one, or still have more to go, the best of luck. I’m sending good vibes to you all. Christmas break is just around the corner. I, myself have one more exam to do on Tuesday, and then I’m heading to the airport to go back to Ontario (eigdyafdyfaid!! so excited!).

THREE: I registered for Student Leadership Conference and I’m super stoked. If you have a chance to go this year, please do. It looks like it is going to be amazing! The keynote speakers are awesome (hello! The Buried Life?!), there are over 80 workshops/activities to do, so you’re bound to find something that tickles your fancy, and it should overall just be an awesome day of leadership building. It’s on January 8th and if you want to register, visit the website here.

FOUR: I volunteered at a homeless shelter yesterday with the Vancouver MOB. It was fun to give back, especially around the holidays when a lot of people are caught up in the hype of shopping and wants and lists. I helped stuff bags filled with goodies that some very awesome people will receive.

FIVE: I also went on the Christmas train and to The Naam again last night. Both were just as amazing as the first time. It was raining (of course, what’s new?) but I still felt an abundance of Christmas cheer. The train is still on until sometime in the beginning of January. If you’re around in Vancity for the holidays, I would totally check it out. It’s only a few dollars and it’ll make you feel like a kid again.

Well, I guess it’s time for me to study…or go to Chapters with Nicole…yeah. Ciao!

Well, not with me. But all you Vanierians can tomorrow night with your advisors in the ballroom, 8pm sharp. It should be incredibly hilarious and informational. If you want a laugh, ask an anonymous question or just simply listen and learn, then I would advise you all to come to Sex with Your Advisors. It just might make your night.

The past four days have been the most hectic and rewarding of my life:

Thursday, 4:30pm: Storm Rogers Arena (a.k.a GM Place) with 279 other crowd pumpers for We Day. Practice the We Day dance multiple times and stare in awe at an empty bowl that would be filled with about 18 000 cheering students in less than 18 hours.

11pm: Paint my nails with glow-in-the-dark nail polish so that I’m fully ready to rock We Day.

Friday, 4:00am: My alarm goes off after only three hours of sleep (I was that stoked). I ended up hitting the snooze button until 4:30, and raced around (as quietly as possible) to get ready. I left Vanier decked out in spandex and headed toward the bus loop. After 15 minutes, I am joined by a crazy amount of other spandex-clad crowd pumpers. We dominated that bus.

6:30am: Arrive at Rogers Arena, jittery and ready to be as crazy, and enthusiastic as possible.

9:30am: I probably scared a couple dozen people with my excitement as We Day begins. What can I say? I take my job seriously.

10am – 2:30pm: A fantastic blur of inspiring speakers and performers. From Craig and Marc Kielburger, to Martin Sheen, Rick Hansen and Jesse Jackson. And of course, singing along at the top of my lungs while Barenaked Ladies perform “If I Had a Million Dollars”.

3:30pm: Two other crowd pumpers and I head to Pacific Centre in search of pants. A very long story, but in the end, pants were found. We raced back to Rogers Arena just in time to take our seats as the stage audience for the taping of Shameless Idealists.

5:30ish-9:20ish: Craig interviews Al Gore, Martin Sheen and Jesse Jackson. I nearly pee my pants from excitement. Some where in there, I get to shake Martin Sheen’s hand.

9:30ish: Reverend Jesse Jackson gives me the biggest hug of life. No big deal, just the best day of my life. I pretty much died on the inside like a crazy, idealistic fangirl. I called my mother in Ontario (bad idea, it was past midnight) to share my news. She was pretty stoked, even though I woke her up.  (Thanks, Madre for putting up with me.)

11:30pm -4am: Make it back to rez, chill with my floor, share my We Day good vibes, and stay up for 24 hours. The first, and the last time I will ever do so.

Saturday, 1:30pm: I finally wake up. Grab breakfast and bum around, totally not doing my essay due on Monday. Around 6:30pm, I decide to go to Mongolian Grill off of Broadway and Cambie. Good eats and good times, but no homework was done that day.

Sunday, 10:30am-11:30pm: I re-watch We Day clips of Jesse Jackson and Martin Sheen. I do finally get around to doing homework, I’m not that much of a bad student. I holed myself up in a friend’s room and didn’t come out until our “campfire” with our sister house (whaddup Caribou!). I went back to edit my essay and as a celebration of finally being done, I lurked people on Facebook with my floormates. It was awesome.

And that my dear friends, was the best weekend of my life. Hands down. I hope all y’all had amazing weekends too, and continue to have a stellar week. I’m sending you good vibes, always!

Nothing is more inspiring than watching thousands of youth come together to make change. This Thursday morning I decided to watch the Toronto We Day broadcast on ctv.ca, and it was the best decision I made all week.

We Day in Toronto was the perfect chance to be inspired and hopeful in spite of so many things that happen daily that may weaken hope. There have been about 5 suicides in the past three weeks, ages ranging from about 13 to 19. Youth who felt that they had no hope, no chance and no freedom. Watching the We Day broadcast in my jammies (while eating a delicious bowl of Frosted Flakes) was the perfect start to my day. Everyday should begin with inspiring stories of change, of struggle and most importantly, of hope.

I was fortunate to hear motivational speaker Spencer West tell his amazing stories from his recent trips abroad, and Marc and Craig Keilberger’s incredibly keynote speech that resonated in the hearts of thousands of youth at the ACC, me in my dorm at UBC and the thousands of others watching online from Germany, Saudi Arabia and countless other nations.

If there is any other moment, any other time to feel a spark of change deep within your heart, and your soul, it’s now. Now is the time to stand up for what’s right and be aware of all the wrongs.

This year I have the amazing opportunity to be a Me to We (Mob)ilizer. A movement grounded in change and awareness, starting from the bottom up, coming together to be champions for freedom, rights and hope. I couldn’t be more excited to embark on this journey with youth just as motivated to change the world, one step at a time.

I hope that if you didn’t get a chance to watch the Toronto We Day live stream, you will watch the Vancouver We Day broadcast. It’s a few hours of your day to be a part of something big: a community of like-minded youth ready to change the future starting today.