In Memory of December 12th, 2018

Today was a day full of new experiences and people - it went by quickly but I savoured every bit of it. It made me really appreciate myself for who I am, but it also made me realize parts of who I want to become. While December 12th, 2018 might not go down in the history books or even my history books as a momentous day, it was a subtle day of significance. I am sure that I will forget it, so best to write it down before I regret it.

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A few months back Philman let me know about an opportunity to become a temporary tour guide for visiting Japanese students. I reached out to his contact and within the hour I was given the role. Today is finally the day that the Japanese students visit us at UBC so I'm feeling excited, but a little nervous. I meet some of the other volunteers and we mingle a little, we do the usual "Oh what are you studying?" and all that good stuff.

Eventually the students arrive and we split off into our groups. I let the butterflies in my stomach nearly get the better of me before I strengthen my resolve and become my nice and cheery persona. I wasn't really given many instructions as to where to bring the students around campus, asides from bringing them to the meeting spot at noon, so we just walk around looking at different things. We visit the Rose Garden (a shell of its summer beauty), cut through the libraries, stop by the Beaty museum to take a look at the whale skeleton, peruse through the bookstore, and then head to the Nest for lunch.

The coordinators of the trip let me know that I can go and encourage the students and I to say our goodbyes. It all came about suddenly, so I'm a little disorientated and I think the students are too. They thank me for my time and I thank the coordinators and the students for having me.

While we were walking around, one of the students started talking to her friends about something. It turned out that she had noticed that the pin on the back of my bag had dropped off at some point. I let them know it was alright and that I would go look for it later.

After the goodbyes, I backtracked and looked for the pin, but didn't end up finding it.

I head home shortly after the failed search, and take a nice nap on the bus. The final stop of the route is going through some construction right now and for the first time in my life I crossed the street between the stop and Vancouver Community College. It always looked like a nice crosswalk and I'm glad I got to confirm that today.

On the skytrain I manage to snag the single seat at the front and the awe that little Kevin had of watching everything from the front seat renewed inside of me. Usually the skytrain ride is what I consider the most boring part of the trip, but this time it was my favourite. Getting off the skytrain I make it to the last leg of my trip right on time - the bus towards my home arrives at the stop at the same time I do.

I make it home and relax for a bit before hoping on the computer to play some games. After a game or two of League with some friends from Alpha, I end up casting a League match between Alpha and Kilarney with my friend Aaron.

Much like earlier in the day, the experience was new and nerve-wracking, but after the first game Aaron and I settled in. It still seems surreal that we actually spent three hours of our lives just talking about League of Legends but we had fun in the end. The entire thing was not as bad as I thought it would be, and apparently the coordinators enjoyed it (enough so that we have been invited to cast the finals match for the tournament). Personally I think I could have done better, but we will see if I improve for next time :)

Ended off the night with some more League and then CS:GO with Raymond and his friends, and now I am here.

No studying done by the way :P

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Being a guide and meeting the Japanese students was an incredibly unique experience. You can usually spot a group of them coming to UBC every other month and they always look like they're having fun so I'm glad I was able to be a part of that this time. The students seemed to genuinely like me and it feels like it has been so long since I was able to just be myself and be liked for it. They said some really nice things about me and I felt super flattered the whole time. It was a well-needed boost to my self-esteem. I would be more than happy to volunteer to do this again.

I am bummed out that I lost the pin that Ka gave to me.

Casting was also an enjoyable and interesting time. I found a new respect for the people who do it professionally and I'm looking forward to the next time that I get to do it.

Looking back at the post, it definitely reads likes a page from a daily journal I kept in elementary school, but there's a charm to it. This post was more for me than for you, but I hope you enjoyed! Goodnight and sweet dreams :)