Last year around this time, I came back home from a long exchange in France. The departure ended a life accustomed to the countryside. I still recall the farewell in front of Notre Dame that was bitter and sweet as I parted les Fraudeaus; we've just spent an amazing week in Paris.
Today I wrote my last final to formally ended my Freshman year at McGill. I've been thinking about home and my summer plans, but today I put all that thought on-hold and traveled back in time; back to the freezing, snowy, January. Nature had inspired to me think differently of the "end".
I didn't know why but there always seems to be something...magical before an end comes. As humans, we always find ways to make the ending memorable; be it the final sprint down the straight-way or that good-night kiss to end the perfect date. Nature, too, seems to have its last moment before an end. It threw us the last snow storm before the formal arrival of summer. The "bit of something before an end" certainly agrees with natural law, but, is there not an emotional dilemma here? Why create such good memory when the good memories will only makes suffer worse? Had our friends be strangers, we wouldn't have to go through the emotional turmoil of missing them when they depart from us.
I found a new explanation in why we celebrate the end; it is because we are optimistic. We want what we can't have, but secretly, we know there is a possibly that we could. An end is not an end. We throw those going-away parties because we know, or hope, we will one day reunite with our departed friends. Moments bond people, it connect memories from different individuals into a large network of friendship. We create good memories to override the inevitable not-so-good-moments.
Here is to an unforgettable freshman year @ McGill. Time to celebrate!
Friday, April 30, 2010
The Late April Campus Scene
The subtle hints of summer
Spread over the late April campus
Fair weather, centered a gorgeous sun
The tiny tip of tender buds
Peeking in the gentle showers
Blossoming to be May flowers
The urgency of examination
Spread over the late April campus
The unceding neon light
Shining midlight library bright
Deep into the night
Reaching for extra height
The peace and cavalier
Spread over the Late April campus
Frisbees afloat, as soccer balls roll
Basking bodies dotting across the Beach
Debate Voltaire, Hobbes, and also Niesche
From such, from which, truth behold
New visitors, future Martlets
Spread over the Late April campus
Some have chosen, some yet choose
Concise advice, the current telling the new
This charming school that we adore
McGill's the place forever more
written @ the lower field
Spread over the late April campus
Fair weather, centered a gorgeous sun
The tiny tip of tender buds
Peeking in the gentle showers
Blossoming to be May flowers
The urgency of examination
Spread over the late April campus
The unceding neon light
Shining midlight library bright
Deep into the night
Reaching for extra height
The peace and cavalier
Spread over the Late April campus
Frisbees afloat, as soccer balls roll
Basking bodies dotting across the Beach
Debate Voltaire, Hobbes, and also Niesche
From such, from which, truth behold
New visitors, future Martlets
Spread over the Late April campus
Some have chosen, some yet choose
Concise advice, the current telling the new
This charming school that we adore
McGill's the place forever more
written @ the lower field
Saturday, April 24, 2010
My Mentors: Top 10
I feel like the luckiest guy in the world because I surround myself with beautiful people.
. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. .. . .
The great Mentor of Telemachus exists beyond literature. In this note, I'll discuss the 10 most influential mentors outside of family I had thus far. I hope you too can find people like them in your lives.
To be on this list, the individual must have fundamentally changed the person I am in a significant way I may not have otherwise evolved into. These people must be 'real' people in my life, therefore, Steve Jobs and Atticus Finch do not make this list.
Here we go, my 10 greatest Mentors.
*some names have been changed to protect privacy*
#10. Le Enlightened: Mme Fraudeau
During my stay in la France, Mme Fraudeau was my mother. Everyday she would sit down with me and teach me a few specifics about the French language. As my French improved, so did the quality of our conversations. From her I cultured the essence of a proud nation.
#9. The Innocent Devil: Someone named "Stacy"
My first girlfriend and ex-girlfriend, gave me the memories of gold and coal..the first taste of love, the first breakup that is unpleasant yet strictly necessary. That relationship taught me the double-sidedness of people that can be deadly. It dragged me out of a child's "perfect" world. I learned from it the superficial, ingenuity and fakeness that may much be disguised under appearance, especially that of beauty. But since then, I officially entered "the Game" ;)
#8. Capt'n Derro: Derek Doiron
If you consider yourself a reader of my super-awesome logs, you'd probably have came cross the name "Derro" more than once. Yup, this is him. Derek is simply the coolest guy in high school. I was a freshman when Derro was a Senior, but luckily he left high school just a year before I did. Wild spirit, unreal optimism, zero fear, unshaken loyalty... he is "THE man". I swear on my first day at the Cross-Country, I promised myself I'll be like him someday... and Derro should be very proud I became just like him ;)
#7. THE girl: Katy "Gee"
If that saying "there's a woman behind every successful man" is true, and I am successful, Katy would be one of those women I want standing there. But, the fact is that I am not even mildly successful yet. Her having such a good heart contrasts my "bad-ass". When we dated, she made me want to become a better person. Although I have probably argued with her more than any other girl, I still very much enjoyed having her around. Katy has a deep mind with deep thoughts, and sometimes that inspires me when we used to have our debate across topics. If you know me well, you know that very rarely do I apologize, but katy always had the magic to melt a heart of ice into water. Ohhh Katy, she certainly redefined the qualities I look for in a girl and changed me in subtle ways.
#6. The arch-enemy: Bell
Alright. "Hate" may be strong word, but I'm not afraid to use it. I do not hate many people, but I used to absolutely HATE this guy...let's call him "Marvin Bell - the school guidance counselor". Our "feud" started in Grade 10, and it continued on the eve of Graduation! So, apparently he didn't like the ideas I like, such as taking Gr.12 calculus course in Gr. 10, or go on an exchange in France, or taking full courses AND be involved in every aspect of the school life... He had set so many obstacles along my high school academics. He's someone trying to keep me being an "average student". One moment, he'd act as the most supportive person when I call on my backup, good ol' Princi-"pal" C to have a lil discussion with him. However his attitude would change instantaneously by a pi/2 phase shift as soon as we are alone face to face.
Prior to high school graduation, he wanted to pull one last rabbit from his hat: he tried to nail me so I can't graduate. But...he failed...again. No rabbit for you! Through the brick walls he put up, he made me a fighter, a passionate guy who's going to fight his way to get what he wants. Thank you Mar-vin! ;)
#5. The Pal: Phil Matheee-a
Mr. Mathia was a teacher, coach, and most of all, a friend to me. In Rookie year of cross country, he would lead the boys during our interval runs. Every race, he'd for sure be there to cheer me on, whether I am leading the pack or trailing last (although I never trailed last, but I'm sure he would still cheered for me). An amazing runner himself, he taught me to be a runner. I love his sincerity; I swear whenever I PB or win a race, he'd appear as if he did!
Off the track, we often discuss the course of business and economics. We share the best of our knowledge about the ever-rapidly changing global economy. Mathia has lots of youth in him. Throughout high school, we had this thing going on where I had to deliver a super-flirtatious line to a girl when opportunity arise, and he will then judge how well it was carried out afterwards ;) sometimes he makes an improvement, other times he just nods and gives his mischievous smile. Great sense of humour, cheerful, athletic and well-rounded, Mathia was a definite role model for me.
#4. The believer: William Flaherty
Aside from the greeting you give to teachers when you see them in the hallway, the first time I talked to Flaherty was for my interview to get on the school senate. As it played out, I got on board, and ran for president. The day after I gave my speech in front the entire school, Flaherty came to me after the assembly and congratulated me on a well-done "performance". As the result unfolded few days later, I had won the election and became the youngest president in school history as a sophomore. But little do I know the lack of experience would come to bite me. The first few months of my "office", the senate and I went through great turbulence, but he believed in me. Doesn't matter how much I screwed up, he believed me. He was patient, and through the rough times, he supported me and developed me into a real leader.
In my senior year, Flaherty was my last-period philosophy teacher. I remember the after-schools I stayed to have debates and discussions with him. Our battle of wits continue this day; my view on determinism vs his spiritual autonomy. Little did I know at the time that I have now came to realize, he was encouraging me to abandon the cold sciences to pursue a liberal arts education. My ultimate decision to study Arts and Science is the difference between ME and Me ;)
#3. "L'Empereur" Mathieu Provencher
Provencher, my favourite professor I've had thus far. In early September I sat in one of his lectures, ECON208: Microeconomics theories and analysis, and instantly hooked onto it. For an "Arts and Science" student like me, Economic falls somewhere in the middle; it isn't exactly a natural science, and it isn't completely a social science. It was my first econ course, and believe me, I struggled so hard up to midterm that I took the option to not write the midterm and take on an 100% final. But as it turned out, I got an A in that course. Personally, I no longer believe in the McGill myth of the non-existence of "A".
Provencher made his lecturing entertaining. He broke down the concept and found specific examples that directly demonstrates the points he's making. But these aren't the reasons why he is on this list; he influenced me to lean towards the Keynesian economic school of thoughts, and completely changed the way I view economy and economists. Because of him, I reaffirmed my support for communism.
#2 The Ultimate - Albert Tschirhart
You knew it, you saw it coming all along. Here's to my track coach. Teenage years are like an unfired clay; how you mold the clay determines what you get out of the furnace. Under Tschirhart, I was molded into a guy with a never-say-die attitude in the daily push to get faster, stronger, those repeated cycles of trashing and recovery. It gave me the confidence and composure to face the world. 'Nuff said.
#1 The New Alliance - Stephane Vaillancourt
Who is this guy? I bet you didn't see this coming. M. Vaillancourt is the former vice-president of Bell Canada, current CEO of YMCA. The first time I met him was at a restaurant called Eggspectation in Montreal, and since then we have a good relationship. Besides emails, I drop by his office once in a while to chat him up. M.Vaillaincourt is like me, I think that's why he likes me. We both share interest in a variety of things, from classic literatures to nanoscience. With an MBA on top of an engineering background, he knows exactly how the world works. Lots lots lots lots lots lots lotsssssssss lots to learn.
Over the months, well, my first year in college, besides offering me free Y-passes, he's given me great insights to the business world. From him, I sort of, subconsciously, developed a life plan ;) How close will I follow it? Only time will tell.
. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. .. . .
The great Mentor of Telemachus exists beyond literature. In this note, I'll discuss the 10 most influential mentors outside of family I had thus far. I hope you too can find people like them in your lives.
To be on this list, the individual must have fundamentally changed the person I am in a significant way I may not have otherwise evolved into. These people must be 'real' people in my life, therefore, Steve Jobs and Atticus Finch do not make this list.
Here we go, my 10 greatest Mentors.
*some names have been changed to protect privacy*
#10. Le Enlightened: Mme Fraudeau
During my stay in la France, Mme Fraudeau was my mother. Everyday she would sit down with me and teach me a few specifics about the French language. As my French improved, so did the quality of our conversations. From her I cultured the essence of a proud nation.
#9. The Innocent Devil: Someone named "Stacy"
My first girlfriend and ex-girlfriend, gave me the memories of gold and coal..the first taste of love, the first breakup that is unpleasant yet strictly necessary. That relationship taught me the double-sidedness of people that can be deadly. It dragged me out of a child's "perfect" world. I learned from it the superficial, ingenuity and fakeness that may much be disguised under appearance, especially that of beauty. But since then, I officially entered "the Game" ;)
#8. Capt'n Derro: Derek Doiron
If you consider yourself a reader of my super-awesome logs, you'd probably have came cross the name "Derro" more than once. Yup, this is him. Derek is simply the coolest guy in high school. I was a freshman when Derro was a Senior, but luckily he left high school just a year before I did. Wild spirit, unreal optimism, zero fear, unshaken loyalty... he is "THE man". I swear on my first day at the Cross-Country, I promised myself I'll be like him someday... and Derro should be very proud I became just like him ;)
#7. THE girl: Katy "Gee"
If that saying "there's a woman behind every successful man" is true, and I am successful, Katy would be one of those women I want standing there. But, the fact is that I am not even mildly successful yet. Her having such a good heart contrasts my "bad-ass". When we dated, she made me want to become a better person. Although I have probably argued with her more than any other girl, I still very much enjoyed having her around. Katy has a deep mind with deep thoughts, and sometimes that inspires me when we used to have our debate across topics. If you know me well, you know that very rarely do I apologize, but katy always had the magic to melt a heart of ice into water. Ohhh Katy, she certainly redefined the qualities I look for in a girl and changed me in subtle ways.
#6. The arch-enemy: Bell
Alright. "Hate" may be strong word, but I'm not afraid to use it. I do not hate many people, but I used to absolutely HATE this guy...let's call him "Marvin Bell - the school guidance counselor". Our "feud" started in Grade 10, and it continued on the eve of Graduation! So, apparently he didn't like the ideas I like, such as taking Gr.12 calculus course in Gr. 10, or go on an exchange in France, or taking full courses AND be involved in every aspect of the school life... He had set so many obstacles along my high school academics. He's someone trying to keep me being an "average student". One moment, he'd act as the most supportive person when I call on my backup, good ol' Princi-"pal" C to have a lil discussion with him. However his attitude would change instantaneously by a pi/2 phase shift as soon as we are alone face to face.
Prior to high school graduation, he wanted to pull one last rabbit from his hat: he tried to nail me so I can't graduate. But...he failed...again. No rabbit for you! Through the brick walls he put up, he made me a fighter, a passionate guy who's going to fight his way to get what he wants. Thank you Mar-vin! ;)
#5. The Pal: Phil Matheee-a
Mr. Mathia was a teacher, coach, and most of all, a friend to me. In Rookie year of cross country, he would lead the boys during our interval runs. Every race, he'd for sure be there to cheer me on, whether I am leading the pack or trailing last (although I never trailed last, but I'm sure he would still cheered for me). An amazing runner himself, he taught me to be a runner. I love his sincerity; I swear whenever I PB or win a race, he'd appear as if he did!
Off the track, we often discuss the course of business and economics. We share the best of our knowledge about the ever-rapidly changing global economy. Mathia has lots of youth in him. Throughout high school, we had this thing going on where I had to deliver a super-flirtatious line to a girl when opportunity arise, and he will then judge how well it was carried out afterwards ;) sometimes he makes an improvement, other times he just nods and gives his mischievous smile. Great sense of humour, cheerful, athletic and well-rounded, Mathia was a definite role model for me.
#4. The believer: William Flaherty
Aside from the greeting you give to teachers when you see them in the hallway, the first time I talked to Flaherty was for my interview to get on the school senate. As it played out, I got on board, and ran for president. The day after I gave my speech in front the entire school, Flaherty came to me after the assembly and congratulated me on a well-done "performance". As the result unfolded few days later, I had won the election and became the youngest president in school history as a sophomore. But little do I know the lack of experience would come to bite me. The first few months of my "office", the senate and I went through great turbulence, but he believed in me. Doesn't matter how much I screwed up, he believed me. He was patient, and through the rough times, he supported me and developed me into a real leader.
In my senior year, Flaherty was my last-period philosophy teacher. I remember the after-schools I stayed to have debates and discussions with him. Our battle of wits continue this day; my view on determinism vs his spiritual autonomy. Little did I know at the time that I have now came to realize, he was encouraging me to abandon the cold sciences to pursue a liberal arts education. My ultimate decision to study Arts and Science is the difference between ME and Me ;)
#3. "L'Empereur" Mathieu Provencher
Provencher, my favourite professor I've had thus far. In early September I sat in one of his lectures, ECON208: Microeconomics theories and analysis, and instantly hooked onto it. For an "Arts and Science" student like me, Economic falls somewhere in the middle; it isn't exactly a natural science, and it isn't completely a social science. It was my first econ course, and believe me, I struggled so hard up to midterm that I took the option to not write the midterm and take on an 100% final. But as it turned out, I got an A in that course. Personally, I no longer believe in the McGill myth of the non-existence of "A".
Provencher made his lecturing entertaining. He broke down the concept and found specific examples that directly demonstrates the points he's making. But these aren't the reasons why he is on this list; he influenced me to lean towards the Keynesian economic school of thoughts, and completely changed the way I view economy and economists. Because of him, I reaffirmed my support for communism.
#2 The Ultimate - Albert Tschirhart
You knew it, you saw it coming all along. Here's to my track coach. Teenage years are like an unfired clay; how you mold the clay determines what you get out of the furnace. Under Tschirhart, I was molded into a guy with a never-say-die attitude in the daily push to get faster, stronger, those repeated cycles of trashing and recovery. It gave me the confidence and composure to face the world. 'Nuff said.
#1 The New Alliance - Stephane Vaillancourt
Who is this guy? I bet you didn't see this coming. M. Vaillancourt is the former vice-president of Bell Canada, current CEO of YMCA. The first time I met him was at a restaurant called Eggspectation in Montreal, and since then we have a good relationship. Besides emails, I drop by his office once in a while to chat him up. M.Vaillaincourt is like me, I think that's why he likes me. We both share interest in a variety of things, from classic literatures to nanoscience. With an MBA on top of an engineering background, he knows exactly how the world works. Lots lots lots lots lots lots lotsssssssss lots to learn.
Over the months, well, my first year in college, besides offering me free Y-passes, he's given me great insights to the business world. From him, I sort of, subconsciously, developed a life plan ;) How close will I follow it? Only time will tell.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
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