A Place To Rest Our Heads!

One of the most important things tour has taught each of us is the beauty of a bed – whether that means a foamy, an air mattress, a bay window, a couch or a box spring- if we can sleep on it, we’re grateful for it. Yes, we will lay our ten little heads down wherever our billets put us, and we will love every second of it! Speaking of both billets and sleep…our time in British Columbia has been sprinkled and stuffed with both. Sprinkled with sleep, and stuffed with billet love! Not only have we had a bed everywhere we go (even if it’s in a rock climbing cave!) we’ve gotten to eat (huge, delicious amounts of food prepared by wonderful and talented hands!), we’ve gotten to explore (downtown Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna…and more!) we’ve had adventures (like sailing!) and mostly, we’ve been shown what kindness is in every form. Although we had to get through some snow and some bus trouble to get there, we had a warm welcome to Vancouver Island.

Meeting Jacob’s parents was truly a treat (his Mom had no idea he talks about her every day!) and his friends all brought scrumptious treats to share, and our weekend only got better. We were privileged to have a native of the city and got to explore downtown Victoria, see a Hillsong United concert, drive in a seventies Volkswagen van, sail, and look out over beautiful Brentwood Bay all weekend. After the much needed recharge, we headed up the island for the week, where we met…MORE people! This is where sleeping in the bay window comes in – we were staying in a beautiful home on the edge of the world – or at least, that’s what all the ocean looks like twenty feet away and through the giant windows!

From Hamilton all the way to the edge of the West coast, we have been welcomed with open arms. Canada is where many call home, and that’s where we are always made to feel – at home. The truly special thing about this tour and the billets is just that. We are not only fed and bedded, we are welcomed home. As we prepare to leave the Westest of the West, (even with all our recent bus troubles) we say goodbye to oceans, mountains, the Malahat and Kokahola highways, and to people we now consider our families, because that’s really what it’s all about. Family is where you go to feel accepted, safe, and welcome. As Sarah often says, accompanied by her famous laugh…the West is the best. Our tour bus is home to our little LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute) fam jam, but our LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute) family now extends across this great country. We’ve seen mountains, the two J’s (Jacob and Jenna Lane) have jumped in lakes, the prairies were flat, and we’ve logged too many miles to count – but we know we’ve always got a place to go home to, even if we aren’t exactly sure where or who it will be next. And that’s something each and every one of us values more than we value our beds.

Leah, a School of Leadership Student on the Road

Day 6 – Shack Experience – “Only One More Day”

Day 6 of the shack experience, day 56 of living in Mexico and I think that I’ve started to go a bit crazy because I didn’t think twice about the rooster that just walked by me in the yard (we don’t actually own roosters). I’ve started to be able to tell the time by how far the sun is away from the power lines across the road from us and the only music I whistle is the jingle from the gas truck that drives by every hour blasting the music through a speaker on its roof.We got to sleep in, even if it was only till 7am. With our backs trying to stop us with every move, the team managed to crawl out of the shack one more time. On this morning the sun had just woken up itself to give us light for breakfast. We ate quickly as we still need to walk our “kids” to school before meeting the van for 7:30am.We arrived at the beach and met a man with his wife and five-month baby boy who every day comes to this same part of the beach and looks for what ever rocks were in demand. Today he instructed us that we were going to be looking for medium to small black rocks, which need to be smooth and rounded. We thought it would be reasonably easy considering we were on a rock beach, kind of like what you would find on the East coast of Canada. But we soon found out that it was no easy task. We got into pairs and picked a spot on the beach, sat down and started looking for black, smooth, round rocks. We dug and threw unwanted rocks out of the way to hopefully find one we were looking for underneath the one being tossed. As soon as you were about to go nuts from not finding anything you would see one that fits the bill. You would quickly throw it into the bucket and keep searching.Lunch consisted of two hot dogs wrapped in tortillas, hard boiled egg, one carrot – and five cookies which were the best part of every lunch we had. Once lunch was over we continued to pick rocks. Mid-afternoon our team combined all the rocks we had picked and put them on a tarp so the man could sort through them to see which ones were good. Our combined effort was only about seven, five gallon buckets full. This is only worth 70 pesos of income. A regular day for the family we worked for is about thirty buckets between the two of them. Even though we worked hard we still didn’t even meet the quarter mark. It was our first day…When we got home we started our routine of going to the market to get groceries for supper that night plus breakfast and lunch for the next day. Some people washed clothes that were in desperate need of cleaning, some took cold water bucket showers, and others wrote in their journals. Around 5pm we started the fire and got the water boiling for supper which was going to be pasta with tomato sauce with carrots, green peppers and onions. Plus five cookies for dessert with some saved for a late night snack; and by late night I mean 7pm.Around 7:30 we all crawled into our spots in the shack for bed and hoped that the bugs will not intrude into our sleeping bags during the night. We all talked to each other until one by one open conversations were replaced by closed eyes, ready for what ever sleep would come that night. Our sleep was not only interrupted by lumps in the dirt digging into our hips and ribs, or a sore arm that has been laid on too long, or the snoring of someone that was getting sleep besides you. But this night was special because it was not only interrupted by all these normal things but this was the night it rained. By rain I mean spraying the hose on the roof of our shack for twenty minutes. The sound of water hitting plastic that is three feet above your head is a sound I will never forget. Its the sound of “please don’t leak, please don’t leak” to “push that low spot up and get rid of the pooling water“. Then came the sound of screaming from the girls side of the shack because the water that had pooled in the corner of their roof, gave out and flooded their room. Its also the sound of Shane and Matt talking to each other saying that we were thankful we put cardboard and strips of wood across under the plastic to reinforce the roof. No leaks for the dudes, but for the dames it was another story. After it rained the girls dried off as best they could and went back to sleep. As we closed our eyes to get back to sleep, all that was in our minds was that there was just one more day in the shack and we could pull through. We also thought about all the people who deal with this every time it rains, which is more than you think when you think of Mexico. I’m thankful for just having to go through it one time, and will never forget that night.Matt and Shane, School of Leadership Students living in ‘The Shack’

Day Five – The Shack Experience – ‘Inga’s Story’

This morning we woke at 5:00am to do our regular morning routine by flashlight – fill our water bottles, brush our teeth and eat breakfast. We walked a few blocks to our designated ‘bus’ pick-up point. As we walk down the streets we usually see other people also waiting for their bus to head out to the fields.When we got to the field it was still very dark so we got to relax for a few minutes until the sun rose enough that we could see. Our job in the field today was to go along the bottoms of the tomato plants and tear away all the leaves so the tomatoes could be exposed to the sun before getting picked. We started tearing away the leaves and realized that once again the Mexicans were way faster than us.We were all working on a row together to try and catch up to the others when we began to talk to Inga. She has a story that I wouldn’t have ever expected to hear. Inga is the mother of four daughters; they all attend school. She gets up early in the morning to prepare breakfast and lunch for her family. She goes to the field by 6:00am and the girls rely on their oldest sister to take care of them before and after school. We then asked if she had a husband. She told us that she does but that he goes to the United States for six months at a time to work as a landscaper in Utah. He comes home for two weeks at a time and then goes back for another six months. He sends them money and tells his wife not to work – but she doesn’t like to just be at home all the time so she comes to work in the field. Her husband got his papers to work in the States in 1980. Inga and their girls could possibly get their papers in the next year and then hopefully move to the States so the girls can get a better education. As we listen to her story I think to myself, “Why would anyone choose to be in the field when they could be at home?’ They go home with sore legs, knees, and backs and blistered, dirty fingers everyday.It’s hard to believe that for decades people can live seeing their loved ones for only four weeks out of a whole year. It really makes you realize that you shouldn’t take for granted the time you do have with the people you love – even when it is for more than four weeks a year.Jessica, a School of Leadership Student living in ‘The Shack’

Day Four – The Shack Experience – ‘Share Some Love’

Em woke me up by yelling “I hate the shack! I hate bugs!” in her sleep. I rolled over and tried to go back to sleep. As excited as we were rolling into a day without work, we all wondered what exactly does such a busy nation do with spare time? A ‘sun’ day it was indeed! Our plastic insulated shack keeps us warm at night but boy oh boy, as the sun hit that morning it became much to warm to sleep in.We made scrambled eggs over the fire so the first people to eat had a clean pan and the last people had very burned eggs. Some of us had a bucket shower and washed some clothes. Almost dreading a whole day of what we thought would be excruciatingly boring, we soon felt the true spirit of being Mexican. On our day without pay we worried we would be eating another day of rice and eggs. But how wrong we were! By living in a warm climate culture the saying “what’s mine is yours and what’s yours in mine” is quite literal. Our next door neighbours invited us over for a lunch of ceviche and pop (not to mention some American television but shhh, don’t tell the LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute) staff). We played with their puppies and baby boy. We picked up some groceries for supper and then other friends up the road invited us over for carrot cake. We played la loteria (bingo) and won chocolate coins.As we headed to bed around whatever time the sun went down, we realized how important it is to appreciate and share love with those around you. It doesn’t matter if you have no money or all the money in the world – everyone has some love to share (and great memories to create).Em and Zoe, 2010 School of Leadership students living in “The Shack”

Day Three – The Shack Experience – ‘New Appreciation’

It’s about 4:30pm and I’m currently sitting in front of a pot of water waiting for it to boil for my instant noodles…We woke up early to work with a family who picks rocks to sell for landscaping. We had to pay for a babysitter to take care of our ‘kids’ while we went to work. The family we were supposed to work with did not show up. Our neighbor pointed out that this happens often, people show up for work but are then told that there is no work for them that day. So people have to go without pay and are left wondering when the next day of work will be. In our case today, we were fortunate enough to find work doing landscaping and odd jobs.  After a hard days work, I struggle to understand how people do this on a daily basis, yet get paid so little. How do they still have enough energy to function – to cook supper, care for their families, and prepare lunch for the next day. At home in Canada after a shift at work I would go straight to bed or to the couch for a nap and then do nothing for the rest of the day. And now I know the true meaning of exhaustion and have a whole new appreciation for people who are stuck in a cycle of poverty that forces them to get up and do this every day of their lives.- 2010 SOL Student currently living in ‘The Shack’

Real Mexican Life.

Many people in Mexico live in what we call a ‘shack’ – a shack is made up of any random things you can find. Cardboard, crates, plastic, garbage, etc. Let your imaginations wander, because what you can imagine…is probably correct. This has become something that I’m very used to seeing, as when I look out my window I see them all over. Never did I think that I would get to live in one of these shacks.Starting on Thursday (Oct. 21st) the seven of us are moving out of the house to experience real Mexican life. We went into stores’ garbage dumps and walked along the highway to find pieces of cardboard, wood and plastic to make a house. By house I mean shack. Our shack is just across the street from our house, in a lot that has a smaller house on it.To experience real Mexican life, we will be working jobs that Mexicans here would work, such as clamming (finding clams in the sea at whatever hour of the day…or night…the tide chooses), rock picking (literally…picking nice rocks on the beach for landscaping), working in the fields, or lawn/maintenance work at houses. We’ll earn 300 pesos a day in total (just under $30) and will be deducted randomly on some days various bills that a Mexican might face, like someone stealing their frying pan or unexpected medical bills. We have to pay rent and for our own clean water, firewood and food. We have a very limited packing list…and it all sounds very scary! I am a bit nervous – just because I’m unsure what to expect. But I am excited. It will definitely be an experience to see what people here in Mexico, here in our neighbourhood even, go through every day. Go team!!Jessica Maynard and Alex Pearce, School of Leadership Students living in Mexico

Cleaning and Clamming!

Ended up being a beautiful day for the first day of the shack week. They dropped their stuff off at the shack first thing this morning, walked their kids to school and then came back to the Big House to do some work. They washed windows inside and out, cleaned the patio (which was disgusting after all the rain washed the dirt off the roof), washed all the dishes and organized the cupboards and started sweeping the driveway.

Matt, Em and Shane disappeared while they were supposed to be sweeping. Turns out that they went back to the shack to change into shorts. No one was impressed when I docked their days earning 10 pesos each for the three people that left the work site without the permission of the boss.

After a lunch break we headed off to meet the clamming crew. After a few hours we had a total of 43 clams that were big enough to keep for a total income of 120 pesos. Nicest possible day for us to do the clamming after a couple days of rain.

It took them a while to get organized when they got back from the store with their groceries. They were pleasantly surprised at what they were able to get with their money and still have leftovers. David and Maggie came by to check on them and gave them a hand with some plastic David got from the ranch he works at, helped them get a fire going and showed them how to clean up the few clams the guy let us take home. They were in good spirits most of the day. In the evening Angelina taught me how to make tortillas and then she insisted on taking some fresh ones with butter over to the students. They are definitely being spoiled by their friends/neighbours. But it seems like that’s what people do for each other here.

Tomorrow it’s off to work in the tomato fields.

Rose, School of Leadership Mexico Facilitator

Always Have A Home With Them

With house dedication day came lots and lots of rain…and you know what they say about rain in the Baja…nothing much because it doesn’t really happen (but of course, if any group could bring it to town it would be us) but never to worry, we’re always up for the challenge. 

Our morning started by getting ready to present the house in what all of us could only imagine as “The Ultimate Christmas.” But as we strolled around the mercado (store) we couldn’t help but think how these basic items we have at our disposal at all times could be such a gift? It was a realization to all of us. It was so easy to talk the talk about knowing the difference between a “want” and a “need”? But do we really grasp the concept in our everyday North American lifestyle based on consumerism and greed? How do we define a want and a need? How could it be that two cultures have such different ideas and concepts of these two simple words? It is unimaginable. How does this family wake up everyday with a smile on their faces, barely able to provide the basic necessities for their children, when we wake up everyday feeling as though our day is “ruined” when the internet isn’t connecting.

To watch the father and mother with pride swelling in their eyes, with the sheer knowledge that we could provide them with something they’ve worked everyday to obtain as a lifetime goal, was a feeling so rare and fulfilling. It is a change of heart; it is a feeling of ultimate compassion and love. As you walk away at the end of a week, there is not a day that a piece of you isn’t with that family and most of all, a piece of them is within your heart. I believe the most rewarding gift at the end of this week was to hear the words they spoke to us – no matter where life takes us we always have a home with them. We will always be a part of their family, and a part of a new life they have the opportunity to build on for a better tomorrow.

They taught me that no matter what the circumstances, no matter where life has taken you in the past or plans to take you in the future, just remember there is always a better tomorrow.

If you have passion for change, then you have passion for action.

If you are capable of giving love, there will be love to receive. 

Keep your hearts and minds always open and there is always opportunity for a new beginning. 

Emily, a School of Leadership Student living in Mexico

Volunteering at The Good Samaritan!

Well this week we volunteered at a home for the elderly called The Good Samaritan, which has about twenty residents living there. It is a great nursing home in Vicente Guerrero, just about a ten minute drive from were we live. People who live here are usually dropped off by the family never to be seen again or are found wondering the streets. But some families put them there because they just can’t care for them anymore.

The opportunity to be able to volunteer here is especially special to me because I work in a nursing home back in Ontario as a resident assistant. Doing this reminds me of home so much and makes me miss all the people and residents I work with. The work we do here is a little different then what I’m used to, but it’s still great to help in any way. We volunteer here once or twice a week, depending on how busy we are with other things. The jobs that we do consist of  cleaning duties, helping with lunch like preparing food, setting up tables, doing care for the residents, and also bringing the residents to the dinning room to eat. Matt and I have been working on the washing machine, trying to help set it up and get it in working condition as the old one is broken. We got it set up and thought it was good to go but when they put a load on, the timer to tell it to stop putting water into the machine didn’t work, so it keep filling until it over flowed with no one realizing until the entire room was flooded. It was not fun to clean up to say the least, but Paty, one of the workers there, helped me.

It is so hard to have a language barrier when meeting or just trying to get to know someone at the home. Trying to talk to the residents or staff is very hard but we manage to get by with common and familiar words. There is a resident named Maria who speaks amazing English and whom Matt has become special friends with. The first day we visited the home and after they met they talked for half an hour. It is also great to see the staff care for these people. They have big hearts and work with smiles on their faces. Taking time to chat, as well as care for them. I know how easy it can be, after working there for awhile, to slip into just physically caring for them and forgetting the personal side of the care. A touch on the arm as you walk by, or a five minute conversation can change a residents day for the better. The whole team loves going and loves being around the residents. We can’t wait for the next visit!

Shane, a School of Leadership student living in Mexico

QUEBEC!

September 22^nd, 2010, our first arrival in Quebec! A good long nine or so more hours of driving. Finally arriving in a town called “La Tuque”. When we first got there we were welcomed by the teachers and slowly started to unload our gear into the gym and get ready for tomorrows performance, we also ended up sleeping in the school so we had the whole place to ourselves! We woke up around 6am the next morning only to be eating large muffins and setting up the equipment for the show. We ended up having a “Think Global” right before the show, where we had a small presentation in a class and sat down with students in groups and discussed issues going on in our world today such as “Poverty” and how it differs from each country and what we can do to help out and make a difference.

Finally, the show. The school was small, only having around 78 students in total. But this was super awesome as we really got to connect with these students personally through our presentation. The best part of all is that they all spoke French, and it was so cool, the fact that they are Canadian, but speak French. I loved it! We also got to learn a couple words as well and hangout and talk with everyone.

Best part of the day; yeah you guessed it, the poutine! The whole highlight of my tour, the one thing I was looking forward to the most. Having a poutine, right here in Quebec. The cheese, gravy and the fries just made my day.

This whole tour has been LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute)ly amazing so far and I know it can only get better. The fact that we can enter a school and talk to teens around Canada. Giving them HOPE, letting them know that they are all so important and that their lives have so much purpose and no matter what they have been through, there is still and forever will be hope.

Next stop Gaspé