Campus Squirrels

I wasn't having the greatest today, so instead of digging those Physics problems at the library, I spent the afternoon watching squirrels.

Late autumn calls for a time of busy preparation; for the squirrels, it's to store food, for us students, it's to ace those final exams...for the Toronto Maple Leafs, it's time to win some games. But doesn't matter if you're a squirrel a student or belong to the Leafs organization, we all share the same sense of urgency that is presently felt. We have feel this urgency because we have dreams and goals to realize. But maybe I'm just too eager.

The campus squirrels are interesting to observe. Unlike the squirrels from the wild, these lil creatures thrive in the urban culture by taking advantage of the litterers. I've seen squirrels dragging full-sized sandwiches, crackers, and fruits to their 'hide-out'. For the sandwiches, the squirrels would hide it somewhere first, then break it down to smaller pieces and make several trips making the deposit. And before they do so each time, they always swing their heads around to make sure other squirrels aren't watching. They don't ever seem frustrated by the size of their findings.

If I can be a bit more like a squirrel, I'd take learning piece by piece, take some time off to examine the situation and focus on the big picture. Consistently and efficiently, I know I'll make turn that B to an A ;)

Maybe the Leafs, too, can win some games this way.

The Friday Flow

Woke up at seven
Felt the morning twist
Snapped my watch
Right on my wrist
Brushed up
Washed up
Ready to put on a show
Locked the door
Walked the floor
I was ready to go

Grabbed a muffin
a coffee
from Bee-Em-Ehchb (BMH)
Down the hill I went
On a lingering stroll
The fresh air
Clean hair
Being undoubtedly flair
like a new wall
Clean stall
make the bathroom glare

13km per hour
chilly wind blew
North to south,
a flock of geese flew

Now sitting alone
in this lecture hall
Waiting for econ
class to begin

Took out my pen
And scribbled down a verse
And a verse and a verse
Right after a verse
Them verses combine
Pieced into a poem
A space they confine
Some call it a home

Now that prof's here
I better go
Another lecture
A conjecture
To get with the flow
I hope you too
are enjoying this day
Watch out - stay safe
Avoid swine flu

The Ghost of the Plains of Abraham

Halloween 2009 is a dark and gloomy day; but at least, the weather is in sync with the spirit of Halloween.

I spent this day in Quebec City, some 300KM away from Montreal - Halloween marks the championship day of the Quebec Provincial Cross-Country Championships. Location: Plains of Abraham, Quebec City.

The Battle of the Plains of Abraham was arguable the most significant battle ever fought in North America. Ironically, our race on the same battlefield 500 years later is our most important 'battle' this season.

My team and I arrived on Friday night. After 3 and a half hours on the Coach bus through the weekend traffic, we arrived at our hotel, had our team dinner, and did a bit of team bonding before we rested our bodies for the final battle next day.

6:30AM, morning of Halloween, we awakened our bodies, and drained in some high-octane breakfast. By 9:30, we arrived at the battlefield, the Plains of Abraham. The Redmen sworn loyalty to their General; we will not surrender until the last man is down, we did not plan to "live" after we cross the finish line.

I've been through this before, many times. As soon as that number is pinned on my singlet, I'm mentally ready to race, going through the same emotions as if each race is a movie, and I've rewinded it and hit replay. I remember giving the talks on the starting line, I remember the huddles we used huddles, and connect our souls to the bodies next to us... no difference this time.

* * *

The first gunshot sounded at 11:15AM, signaling the beginning of the battle. Rain began to fall, mixing well with the dirt on the hills. The Redmen formed a long, thin line, two-men deep as historically strategified by General Wolfe. We bursted out towards the Western front. Fierce fighting began. Row by row, men fell and they were left behind the pack.

Five loops, 10KM, 98 men, the battle couldn't have been more intense. Sherbooke, with its veteran generals, dominated the front. Behind them were McGill and Laval, who matched shot-for-shot, man-for-man...stride-for-stride. At 61 pts a piece, we tied Laval for 2nd place. Laval reserve army, however, outnumbered that of ours, claimed victory, and a trip to the Nationals...

I clocked my personal best, finished better than what had been expected of me, but the day remained to be dark and gloomy. Despite of a personal success and a rare gratitude from the coaching staff, I was more hurt than ever. As cold and stoic as I normally am, I was uneasy with the latest defeat. Could I have possibly had the feelings to feel a heart-break? After all the miles logged under the shoes, the loops through the woods, the push-ups, the ice-baths, the pain the dedication, all there left to say is, "better 'luck' next season"?

I fell on my knees, soaking in the rain in the open field. Body trembling in cold, lips purple, with two soul-less eyes staring down.
I am the ghost, on the Plains of Abraham.