My Last One...for now
Wow, I haven't written a blog in five-ever. It hadn't really hit me that this Leadership Retreat was one of my last--my attendance to the retreat felt as if it was an automatic invitation, even so, a routine. Therefore, now being my senior year--the last year of high school before I venture out into the new world--all of my lasts feel don't feel like my last. Thus, reflecting on this year's retreat, the first word that comes to mind is relaxing. Throughout the past years, I've observed the stress and the sweat that Mr. Ing had suffered--well, not suffered, but we will utilize that term for now because it seemed like he did--and admittingly, every year he seems to stress a little less and relax a little more. Now that I've been at the Punalu'u Beach House for the sixth time, along with Mr. Ing, we know what to expect, only to improvise with the minor inconveniences like forgetting things or not having certain kitchen equipment. Other than that, the course of the retreat has been very laid-back, and I enjoyed it myself for it was an amazing way to escape reality. However, allow me to go over some particular events that had really stood out to me.
One is Aunty Didi, I think... I am not sure because she hadn't told us her name. She was one of the caretakers of the property, and I found it hilarious that she had let her husband work while she told the leadership students and the chaperones folklore about the area we were staying in, which was Hau'ula and Punalu'u. I had always enjoyed Hawaiian studies in grade school, and I had always enjoyed storytelling, so the fact that Aunty Didi was there at the retreat was very entertaining and advantageous. It was great for the kids since it gave them something to indulge in for the gaps of free time that we had (yes, we had a loot of free time this year), and it was great for Mr. Ing as it had triggered a sense of nostalgia in him--his soft side, per say haha.
Another was being able to reconnect with Mr. Ing again. We had many deep conversations about the most random subjects. The one that stuck with me the most was his encounter with a food stocker at Ewa Beach Foodland. The "smell gouuuuddd" part, and the "one spray? two spray?" part really got me and invoked laughter that I hadn't really experienced in a while. I am not going to lie that I have been going through some rough patches recently in terms of personal life, so it was nice to converse with the chaperones and Mr. Ing as it reminded me that people still cared for me and enjoyed my company.
Most of all, it was great getting to know all the leadership kids more. I was able to test my observation skills and I have noticed various unique qualities of the class. Let me be honest here, I saw bulk of the class annoying. But as I got to understand and meet each individual, I got to explore more about them. Yes, you all and they all may be annoying, but you all growing up and still learning. I can't wait to see how your personalities develop. This class NEEDS a lot of improvement, but the diversity in personalities and outlooks on things could really shape a successful leadership class. I feel that they still need to sort out their differences, but it will be difficult to adjust. You all need to see eye to eye, and realize the manner in which we treat each other.
Anyway, I'd also like to mention my two favorite magic notes which came from Chanel and Alannah. I liked Chanel's magic note because I could feel the surge of motivation and inspiration that she had possessed. It was so great to know that I have inspired Chanel to achieve bigger and better things, and it touches my heart to know that I induced that drive. As for Alannah, the note was straight up entertaining, and it made me smile. Despite the spelling errors and grammar, I think Alannah grew as a person. Yes, I do look intimidating at times, and I do it purposely sometimes so that people don't bother me, but I really am a nice person (just clarifying everything... or am I a nice person?). But it killed me. It was the type of laughter, once again, I needed to feel once in a while. Alannah really filled my bucket, but in a humorous way, which is very rare to encounter in a magic note. Yes Alannah, I'll teach you how to do my eyebrows haha.
In terms of the other chaperones, I know that they will do great things when I leave. I love them all as individuals, and together they work well. It was nice to gossip with Kaya and Tiana. It was even greater to see my once group member, Jahlyssa mature to be such a kind soul, even though her head is in another world sometimes, haha, I love you Jah. And mostly Arianne. She is the first Freshman alumni to ever attend the retreat, I find that amusing. I've heard many things about her and the course of her leadership career, she must be that great that Mr. Ing would have the AUDACITY to invite a Freshman to the retreat. Wait, was I that Freshman? WAIT, WAS I A FRESHMAN WHEN I WENT TO RETREAT? Anyway, I'm proud of these chaperones because I got to see them develop throughout the years, and now I see them doing great things in high school.
In all, this retreat was a great one. I'm pretty nostalgic and sad that it's my last one and that I would have to find something else to do during fall break when I'm in college, but I had realized that it is ready to make new memories and experiences of my own, and to let the younger ones experience this amazing experience I had. The people and individuals that are produced through this leadership program always seem to come back, and if it weren't for Mr. Ing and the impact that he has made on the bulk of us, we wouldn't be coming back or caring at the most. Ok, I have to go back to work now, just know that I'm dying to write more but I can't. Do great things, and learn how to work together. Focus on your current class and short term goals, by doing so, you achieve great things that are equivalent to your bigger goals, if that makes sense. I don't know. Sorry, I tried to use generic vocabulary so please bare with me. ANYWAY, SEE Y'ALL WHENEVER I'LL SEE Y'ALL, thank you for the memories and experience!
One is Aunty Didi, I think... I am not sure because she hadn't told us her name. She was one of the caretakers of the property, and I found it hilarious that she had let her husband work while she told the leadership students and the chaperones folklore about the area we were staying in, which was Hau'ula and Punalu'u. I had always enjoyed Hawaiian studies in grade school, and I had always enjoyed storytelling, so the fact that Aunty Didi was there at the retreat was very entertaining and advantageous. It was great for the kids since it gave them something to indulge in for the gaps of free time that we had (yes, we had a loot of free time this year), and it was great for Mr. Ing as it had triggered a sense of nostalgia in him--his soft side, per say haha.
Another was being able to reconnect with Mr. Ing again. We had many deep conversations about the most random subjects. The one that stuck with me the most was his encounter with a food stocker at Ewa Beach Foodland. The "smell gouuuuddd" part, and the "one spray? two spray?" part really got me and invoked laughter that I hadn't really experienced in a while. I am not going to lie that I have been going through some rough patches recently in terms of personal life, so it was nice to converse with the chaperones and Mr. Ing as it reminded me that people still cared for me and enjoyed my company.
Most of all, it was great getting to know all the leadership kids more. I was able to test my observation skills and I have noticed various unique qualities of the class. Let me be honest here, I saw bulk of the class annoying. But as I got to understand and meet each individual, I got to explore more about them. Yes, you all and they all may be annoying, but you all growing up and still learning. I can't wait to see how your personalities develop. This class NEEDS a lot of improvement, but the diversity in personalities and outlooks on things could really shape a successful leadership class. I feel that they still need to sort out their differences, but it will be difficult to adjust. You all need to see eye to eye, and realize the manner in which we treat each other.
Anyway, I'd also like to mention my two favorite magic notes which came from Chanel and Alannah. I liked Chanel's magic note because I could feel the surge of motivation and inspiration that she had possessed. It was so great to know that I have inspired Chanel to achieve bigger and better things, and it touches my heart to know that I induced that drive. As for Alannah, the note was straight up entertaining, and it made me smile. Despite the spelling errors and grammar, I think Alannah grew as a person. Yes, I do look intimidating at times, and I do it purposely sometimes so that people don't bother me, but I really am a nice person (just clarifying everything... or am I a nice person?). But it killed me. It was the type of laughter, once again, I needed to feel once in a while. Alannah really filled my bucket, but in a humorous way, which is very rare to encounter in a magic note. Yes Alannah, I'll teach you how to do my eyebrows haha.
In terms of the other chaperones, I know that they will do great things when I leave. I love them all as individuals, and together they work well. It was nice to gossip with Kaya and Tiana. It was even greater to see my once group member, Jahlyssa mature to be such a kind soul, even though her head is in another world sometimes, haha, I love you Jah. And mostly Arianne. She is the first Freshman alumni to ever attend the retreat, I find that amusing. I've heard many things about her and the course of her leadership career, she must be that great that Mr. Ing would have the AUDACITY to invite a Freshman to the retreat. Wait, was I that Freshman? WAIT, WAS I A FRESHMAN WHEN I WENT TO RETREAT? Anyway, I'm proud of these chaperones because I got to see them develop throughout the years, and now I see them doing great things in high school.
In all, this retreat was a great one. I'm pretty nostalgic and sad that it's my last one and that I would have to find something else to do during fall break when I'm in college, but I had realized that it is ready to make new memories and experiences of my own, and to let the younger ones experience this amazing experience I had. The people and individuals that are produced through this leadership program always seem to come back, and if it weren't for Mr. Ing and the impact that he has made on the bulk of us, we wouldn't be coming back or caring at the most. Ok, I have to go back to work now, just know that I'm dying to write more but I can't. Do great things, and learn how to work together. Focus on your current class and short term goals, by doing so, you achieve great things that are equivalent to your bigger goals, if that makes sense. I don't know. Sorry, I tried to use generic vocabulary so please bare with me. ANYWAY, SEE Y'ALL WHENEVER I'LL SEE Y'ALL, thank you for the memories and experience!
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