It was a busy Saturday for June 21, 2008. As you see from the photo. I had a lion dance performance at Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival. We have been performing at the dragon boat race for several years and the festival has been around for 15 years. I had a privilege to participate at the dragon boat race a decade ago. There's a funny story back in 1998, it was a rainy day and I tried to find my teammates and probably by purpose, I started to tumbled down the hill and my sandals flew in the air. What happened? Someone caught and somehow lay on the ground for a group photo. Memories at the dragon boat race have been great and funny. What also feels great to performing at the festival (aside from the long wait to perform) is having Max Keeping introduce us. It is great to see the Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival continue to prosper year after year. Check out the photos from the opening ceremonies from the dragon boat race. This time, the photos were used from the Canon EOS 30D. Another performance we had was at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and was for the Canadian Olympics Gymnastics Team Gala. The significance is that it counts down to the Beijing Olympics in August. After the performance, I decided to check out a house concert and the performing act was Canadian indie rock band, Shapes and Sizes. Here are photos via my brother's Flickr link. Last, but not least, this is my entry to finish off series 3 of my blog for the Summer break. I will be having a couple of Summer specials for the coming weeks and months. Series 4 will return sometime in the Fall.
Yes, it's the song from Nelly Furtado. I know some people will think that Nelly Furtado is a sellout and etc. I don't care if she is a sellout! I like this song but more to the message, this entry is considered as a "season finale" because it's the final day of classes. Actually, Tuesday is the last day. I am writing this entry as a sort of conclusion for my time being at Carleton University. In retrospect, I enjoyed my final year at Carleton University. I wasn't sure what kind of reception when taking the Canadian Studies classes. It really surprised me when the people in the classes were nice and outgoing. I really enjoyed the two 4th year classes that were taught by Peter Hodgins. I am also enjoying the other class with Peter Hodgins as well. If anyone reads this entry, all I can say to you for one last time, "you all ROCK!" One unique thing about the people in Canadians Studies (grad students included) is that half seem to be from Toronto and some from Northern Ontario. Some people live in the East end (aka Gloucester and Orleans) and none from the West end. It kind of felt depressing that there was no one "representing" the West end of Ottawa. The thing I will miss is being at the seminar room in the Canadian Studies department @ Dunton Tower because it was safety hazard. People will know how clumsy I am, but it was pretty hilarious having to do insane things in the room. Another joke is that I "live" in Canadian Studies lounge. Since the Fall, I kept being at the lounge due to the fact that I got wireless Internet. It was just luck having to get it. What I miss was the Fall term classes. I found it more interesting than the Winter term. I find that Winter makes everyone lazy and not having the energy. I miss the excitement from the Fall term. I kind of miss having class on Fridays. Call me crazy, I enjoyed the Friday afternoon class back in the Fall term. An ironic thing during my time at Carleton was being at unusual classrooms. Whether it is the 9th floor of Loeb to 4499 Mackenzie Building to Leeds residences, it has been a funny experience being in different places where I never expected.
Why I chose "All Good Things (Come to an End) by Nelly Furtado? As the title says it, I think I had a fun time taking some of the classes this year and meet interesting people, but all things come to an end and it's time to move on. Certain parts like "Flames to dust, lovers to friends, why do all things come to an end" bring an important message of moving on in life. Another part in the song which is edited off from radio is "and the sun was wondering if it should stay away for a day til the feeling went away, and the sky was falling on the clouds were dropping, and the rain forgot how to bring salvation." This part is near the end and I find it beautiful. I also feel that people I know will be leaving to other pastures and will have to move on without them. I am realizing that friends are getting married, moving else or having a career change, it is like the past has become a distant memory.
As I end this entry for the second season, I like to thank this person for keeping in touch for so long. It was fun having to message you during your program and making me laugh when you mentioned things on-air.
Update - April 19, 2007. In the light of the shooting at Virgina Tech, here is an image for the 32 people who lost their lives. I am just privileged to live in a safe place, but there should be justice to stop individuals who post a threat to society.
