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Appreciation
May 16th, 2010“Appreciation”
It is June 14th, my last thought written was on June 3rd. I had mentioned in my last submission that I would write more about the ACCESS graduation that I attended as a guest on May 20, 2010. The dinner was splendid. I have to say that the event gave me some time to decompress from reality. The event could not have been better. There were dancers; jiggers and Scottish dancing, instrumental entertainers, and the bagpipes were even played by one of the Scottish dancers.
Aside from the graduates receiving their awards for Dental hygiene, Law, Nursing, and Bachelor of Arts, etc., there was this one lady that really caught my attention. She was a lady from I believe Nigeria and she had shared a song called “Freedom”. The story behind the song was derived from her home place. This lady shared about a woman that was seen on a street corner, but some of the people that saw her on the street corner, apparently they attended the same church as the woman. She was a quiet woman in the church, but this is where she had found some peace. It was not until one day when the people noticed the woman more frequently on this one particular street corner otherwise known as a corner for “street workers”. The people of the church began to wonder why and what was she was doing there? Of course, questions became of it and soon gossip. However, it was the pastor of the church that finally asked the woman what she wanted in life. The pastor did not pass judgment on this woman. What he did do was help her find her path. She apparently wanted something more than she already had, she wanted to fulfill her childhood dream. The woman was looking towards her future, but did not know how to reach it because she did not have the credentials or the money. The woman only wanted a trade that she was good at and so the pastor and the church members got together and had a meeting. This meeting supported the woman’s needs and the church helped put her through school. She received the proper training she needed to pursue her goal and it was then she had shared her success story. Whether it be in Culinary Arts, a Family Support Worker, Medicine, Nursing, Social Work, etc., anything is possible as long as we believe in ourselves.
As I left the dinner, I empathized with the story that was shared. It had a strong message to those that were listening. It made me realize myself, how many stepping stones are behind me and how many are ahead. The end result of these stepping stones on our learning journey is the multiple rewards it has to offer.
I mentioned before that I did not do as well in Biology as I thought I would. I never bothered to have any Voluntary Withdrawals in a course. Mainly because I was taught that old expression, “Finish what you Started”. I realized the importance of my GPA, I decided to ask for an Authorized Withdrawal. Of course, this is supported by letters of those that I have shared my concerns with about my career goal. I also talked with my sponsor and she is pretty reasonable and understanding when I mentioned the importance of the overall GPA. I was affected emotionally by this, not only because of the grade but the difference it made in my final GPA. If I want to get into Medicine I need to get a higher GPA, otherwise I may as well look for something other than Medicine.
On June 4th one of the students; Lisa at Aboriginal House had made dinner for the staff this spread was with moose meat stew, bannock, fish, Timmy’s cookies, and Timbits. It was recognized as staff appreciation and the students ate afterwards. I was asked if I would cook the following week. My response was, “If you guys want me to cook I can, because I love cooking…how about I make Indian Tacos?” Oh, they sure loved that idea. Lisa and I got together and discussed who would bring what. We were scheduled for Friday to cook this delight, but we were asked by some staff if Thursday, June 10th was possible. I decided later that it was a ‘go’ to cook. My friend Lisa had apparently did not get the Facebook message that was supposedly sent to her. When she showed up, I asked if she can make the second batch of bannock. I had a late start with cooking, because I had a meeting with Student Advocacy, and scooting over to Superstore for some last minute ingredients. The week prior though some staff members missed out, because some students helped themselves before making sure that all staff were served first.
The Indian Tacos turned out very well. I made sure all ACCESS and the Aboriginal Student Centre staff was served first and then the students. There were so many positive complements on the dinner and some even went up for seconds. I was offered donations, but I refused the offers. There was a lot of hamburger left over and I later discussed with Lisa if she wanted to come in the next day to make chili and bannock.
June 11th, we both arrived about the same time. Of course, we had a head start on the meal. I figured that there was no sense bringing all that cooked hamburger home when I can make something else with it at school. The staff, if I must say… have been pampered. Once again, the dinner was a success, staff members were served first and then the students. As I was sitting there having a bowl of chili, the director of ACCESS wanted to offer me a donation for both meals that were prepared. Student council also mentioned that they would pick up the tab on what I had spent for the meals. This was frustrating and how do you speak up without being frustrated. I was told by council that they can reimburse me for the money and I can also cook at other events. My response of course began with a sigh and my head tilted back saying, “Aah, it’s not about money…it’s about giving back to those that support us students in the decisions we may make. What’s wrong with just giving from the heart, in response to how we feel”. The ACCESS director was deeply moved by my comment and respected my response. She then gave me a hug and told me that ‘I was too kind and that I had a good heart’. My friend from Council still couldn’t believe that I would not accept anything. There was a good container of leftover chili, so I gave it to my sister and her children.
One of the teachings I learned as a child is that when you give someone something, you don’t look back on how much was spent or the time that was put into it. You do it because you want to and not because you have to. If people would just look at or pay attention to just being themselves, others will see the impact it has and realize that there is some much more to offer in our life surroundings.
June 13th, my tutor friend Sheryl and I have been working on a project the past little while. It was completed this past weekend and my long time friend Leslie had assisted us in making a video to put on Youtube. Apparently, she also added the video to Facebook. Sheryl and I made a Michel Faucault puppet together. The idea started when my 2nd year Sociology professor had presented the tinniest Michel Faucault finger puppet in class as a prop for one of the lectures. Even though I was sitting in the front row, I have to admit, I had the darndest time trying to see what the professor was trying to exhibit. I can’t wait to see the expression on his face when we present him with this gift. He may not have received a plaque for best teacher, but it’s how he impacts students by being himself in class. By this I mean, sharing life experiences and applying them to certain lectures.
Life events always to seem have a way of working themselves out, if we let these events run its course. The tools we only need to apply are the seven teachings in life: love, respect, courage, honesty, wisdom, humility, and truth. Some of us may not of been brought in the cultural awareness settings, but if we look at how we were raised; we can see that these teachings were passed down without being said. In my case, it is shown… in the nurturing of our parents at birth, enfant stages, learning to walk, and growth and development, etc. Do you see what I mean? The teachings were always there, we just didn’t know it.
Until next time, be safe and enjoy the video. Miigwech.