Pep Talk Letter (Part II)

Credits to hakanphotography (c) Bloomwood

I had in mind that the event existed to build leadership, teamwork, and character, to give you guys the opportunity to learn about the outside world, to learn a new skill or perhaps hone an existing one, and to have a good time; basically everything you’d expect an event to write in their mission statement. These may or may not have changed with this event, but we’ve got to change the definition of ___. There is a need for structure and order with the existing/future crew. Build goals that all of you work on together and pledge by. Don’t deviate unnecessarily; everyone should be focused and not disarrayed. The last thing you want is walking away from this experience with regret about things that could have been done better or problems left untended.

(pg 02) 

Pep Talk Letter (Part I)

Dear ____s,

It’s ______ here. Some of you know me personally way back when, or perhaps through last year’s ___ where I made a small (and yet sudden) appearance. Whatever goes they say, more importantly so, I would like to congratulate each and every one of you on a job well done with ___ 2013. While you guys were hauling sand to build this castle, I was away in a foreign land buried under piles of journal articles. I may have my academic life in motion, but I couldn’t help thinking about you guys at times. I am therefore grateful for the advancement of technology; I was able to monitor the event’s progress via Facebook, more so through words of mouth from fellow friends, fans, cosplayers, and your senpai-dachi. One thing that definitely defines our event team since 2009 is this: despite all calamities, ___ prevailed again.

Sure feels great doesn’t it? With the event finally over, you’re back to the reality of college, work and perhaps your loved ones. Not only that, you realized that the sandcastle you all built together over the year left you ecstatic. People who went to see your masterpiece were in awe by its attention to details and dedication it served for fellow anime fans. Job well done. This simply means that in the future, you have to strive better to meet the expectations of everyone. That is the FACT, was what I wanted to say but take a second to reflect on your goals as a group for future events. 

(pg 01)

Q: No. Just say NO.

So I got this terrible ulcer on the base of my bottom jaw. It was driving me nuts with the whole change in diet. No spicy or fried food, for the past few days. Never mind that, talking became a punishment. The friction between the ulcer and walls was torturous, like rubbing salt on an open wound. But it got better today, and I rewarded myself with a Subway sandwich. Not only just any sandwich, but one of the teriyaki chicken flavor. Man, that was one satisfying lunch.

Tonight I’ll be heading over to Ankita’s place for dinner. She’s cooking fried rice. I feel bad for freeloading meals ever so often. Need to prepare something for her next time.

While I suffer the canker sore, DS is fighting the pain with the wisdom tooth. And that ought to make me feel better right?

Turn back,
Vonnie S.

Q: Short game, perfect for you.

I have a reason to eat decently this coming weekend. A stranger whom I met on eBay will be purchasing close to $400 worth of posters from me. I won’t be getting all the money, perhaps only half of the amount. Still, that pays for 25% of this month’s rent. In fact, when I told mom about it, she went all “HAAA!” I had the same reaction when I found out that the one poster I bought for $5 at Otakon went up to $100. On top of that, this collector purchased multiple copies of posters. With that, I kindly threw in a free copy of Shana poster.

I sure hope that I remember to harvest more merchandise next year to sell. I need to buy a poster tube to boot. Gah, the ecstatic feeling of making good sales!

Swaying bridge,
Vonnie S.

Q: It seems like you're going to have a good payday!

With Subway doing their $5 foot long sandwich promotion, I became one of their loyal customers overnight. Strictly speaking, it’s going to be so just for the month of September. Heck I even bought a $25 gift card. But then, I realized that I have more cards to carry around. I got con by the marketing strategy again. Pfft, a free six inch sandwich and drink. Sigh, I am getting pathetic by the day.

Drunk,
Vonnie S.

Q: I had to step out for a while to catch a breather.

Today I got up early to soak the last of the summer sun. Ran downtown to the post office and dropped off three tubes, each heading toward their new owners. On top of that, I sent out a package to PJ and Davion. It is meant to be their early Christmas present. It was a great three hour day out. I mean I used up a birthday voucher at Noodles and Company for a bowl of Chicken Japanese Pan Noodles. Honestly, don’t ever order that. I wouldn’t ever next time, even if it’s for free. Should have listened to my gut and choose Pad Thai. Never mind, I’ll have leftovers for dinner anyway. Wow, Godiva gave me $10 to spend. And because the storekeeper took his time to talk to me and stuff, I went ahead and used the vouchers on five truffles. Yesh, those small balls of chocolatey goodness are not cheap. But the guy was cute. There, I said it. Just kidding. I was more attracted by the fact that he talked to me about his day. Cos most of the time you know that those behind the counters are only doing what they call customer service to ask about your day. That went well. I hope this monologue did too.

Submission,
Vonnie S.

Looking for the Beauty in Life (Part II)

I stood there in the false dawn, I looked up for a moment and as I did an iridescent blue butterfly the size of my palm fluttered down and rested on the sleeve of my coat just above my wrist. It was winter, it was cold and I knew the Okanagan Valley, where I had lived most of my young life did not harbor huge, shiny blue butterflies, not even in summer. I remember stripping off my gloves and cupping the insect in my hands, lifting that exquisite creature to the warmth of my mouth in the hope I could save it from the cold….I cupped that delicate butterfly in the hollow of my hands and ran back to the picker’s shack in the hope that somehow the warmth from the morning fire in the woodstove might save it, but when I reached the door and opened my hands, the butterfly died.

I do not know what strange Santa Anna, Squamish or Sirocco jet-steam wind blew that sapphire butterfly from far off…to this valley. I only know the butterfly found its last moments in my hands. I have never forgotten it and know the encounter changed me. There are mornings in our lives where beauty falls into our hands and when that happens, we must do what we can to nurture and protect it. That we sometimes fail must never preclude our striving. The day the beautiful creature died in my hands, I looked up in the dome of the hard, cold sky and I swore to whatever great spirit resides there in the dark clouds that I would live my life to the full and, above all, I would treasure beauty…”