24 days gone. 2 nights left. Nothing could compare to this unforgettable experience at UBC. Today marked another memorable time together at Crescent beach! We gathered in the common room at 0845 hours and boarded the yellow school bus with high hopes for a nice tan, good weather and fun under the sun. Our wishes were answered. While some lay on their beach towels to soak up the rays of sun, others played a game of soccer. The low tide provided us with ample space to run around and kick the ball. Unfortunately, I had a minor sprain of my left wrist during a game of FIFA World Cup back at rez the previous night so I was side-lined for the beach game. I occupied myself by collecting purple seashells and arranging them to spell “Shad Valley UBC”. Halfway through the first ‘l’, a Shad cut her right foot on a shell while attempting to gain possession of the soccer ball. Blood immediately spewed across the sand and the game was ‘cut’ short. She was swept up in a Shad’s arms and taken to the safety of a nearby log. The unconcerned lifeguard calmly sauntered over and placed gauze on the red mess. The Shad hobbled away from the incident with a poorly dressed wound and the guarantee of unlimited piggy-back rides for the remainder of the day. Lunch was enjoyed at a quaint Italian bistro followed by a sweet ice cream to satiate our hungry stomachs. At 1630 hours, we sadly ‘waved’ goodbye to Crescent beach and returned to Totem Park for Shad Speaks.
I presented my topic on optical illusions and how they can be perceived differently. Several Shads were interested in my closing YouTube video. It’s a palindromic sequence called Lost Generation. Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA. Other Shads taught us about the rules of rugby, the controversy on underage drinking and the Hindu dance called Bharathanatyam.
We then headed off campus to the Celebration of Lights, an international competition of fireworks, on the Jericho beach. The United States proudly performed their colourful display for 30 minutes. We were delighted with the beautifully lit view of the Vancouver skyline and the feel of the sand in between our toes. The tired yet satisfied group came back to home base for a midnight snack of potato chips and organized ourselves for Variety Show and Open House. We are excited to showcase our work to our parents and friends. Signing off for today.
Alicia Leung, Shad Valley University of British Columbia 2010
Hometown: Stittsville, Ontario
