July 19, 2008

Twenty days that felt like twenty minutes... twenty hectic, glorious days at Shad Valley Trent and when one finds the time to reflect (a rarity, for sure), they are at a loss for words. Most Shads are watching a movie downstairs (excluding yours truly), exhausted after another grueling day.

Today was unique in that most of the time was spent on DE projects, but despite the lack of activities, it was no less satisfying.

Laptops were a Shad’s best friend; well, to those fortunate enough to have one, and worked tirelessly under their inquisitive, determined, sometimes frustrated stare. Keyboards underwent a torrent of typing, and if one were to measure the brain activity of all Shads, the results would have been phenomenal. Lunch was a blur peppered with laughs and jokes about how much potato we don’t eat every day. Recreational time came as a relief, sort of like a cool drink. Shads bonded over music and dance, which added a vibrancy to the atmosphere that pulsated with sheer passion and talent. The more energized of us played sports. Then it was back to work.

Stress. What a universal word. Although we all must have felt it one way or another, the way we all shared it and bulldozed through together gave me a true sense of warmth and belonging. Today, Shads’ brains were stretched to new dimensions, not merely intellectually, but emotionally as well.

The absence of lectures was a sort of withdrawal experience. In its place, however, was something equally intellectually stimulating. Working with such amazing, motivated people is indescribable. I once heard a quote that went something like, when a person learns a new idea, their mind will never be the same again. Well today we learned about a thousand different ideas, and I can’t wait for more.

Shad Valley 2008 is something truly...magical, and I will never, ever forget it.

Bo Min
Shad Valley Trent
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta