SPROUT!

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Another AMAZING week this year…there is not one word I can fully describe TAF but here are some of my thoughts:

I honestly felt a little unprepared with TAF because I was already away from home, with clothes that I would just have to stick with for TAF.  In addition it would be my 3rd year without parental support of me attending TAF.  The past 3 times I’ve been to TAF I’ve asked for it as a birthday present, paid for it on my own, and then again this year.  I also had some personal problems that made me second guess my decision to go back this year but thankfully things were temporarily patched up and before I knew it I was on my way to TAF!

I was late for Staff day because my ride arrived back from New York the same day so we got a late start.  Nevertheless when we arrived it was such a relief seeing all the JH sTAFf there!  After weeks of SKYPING and planning things were falling together!  I was really really excited.  Watching the halls become decorated and names on the doors just brought that nostalgic feeling to me..

wowowow! seeing campers arrive and creating the TAFBRIDGE for them was a happy happy moment for me  Orientation was also funny and I just remember hoping that the new campers were fitting in more >.< Meeting my small group was pretty much one of the most anxious moments I had throughout TAF…but we bonded over creating a group name and I remember one of the campers suggesting an “okapi” and me and Frankie were like “huh?!” haha seems like everyone else knew what an okapi was and it merged with a COW and MERMAID to become the MERKAPOW!  I thought our cheer was pretty sweet

first full day at TAF! pairing up big and lil sibs together was so much fun and I loved how some of the campers wrote so much to their sibs!  :D and gosh…just watching them do tank and driver together was alot of fun and the introduction of swing choir…I knew it was gonna be a great week!

Project TAFway was a hit for all the campers and it was great seeing all the campers put their creativity into the theme “Taiwanese Summer Nights”  Later on we had Balloon Factory and I would say our group was probably the fastest.  I loved how everyone eagerly took on “positions” such as water filler, balloon tie, and runner!  Great system MERKAPOWS!!  The Angels and Demons seemed like a breeze to my group but it made me think of different scenarios that could’ve questioned my ethics and values… it was definitely an inspiring workshop! and…OMG WE GOT PRANKED BY YOUTH…haha but our retaliation was even better GREAT JOB JH!!!!

The week seemed like it was already flying by and our speaker ROGER had begun to dig in deeper with the theme SPROUT with the campers.  I just remember last year when he left the message “Be real with TAF and TAF will be real with you”…it just really hit me because it made me realize how someone like Roger..who used to be a camper now comes back to speak to younger campers really inspire the Taiwanese American community.  I know that that because of TAF, it really has taught me to be “real” and to also sometimes step outside of my comfort zone to lead, to try new things, to have fun, and to inspire.  I’ve taken this mentality from TAF and kept it as I became more involved in TASC- Taiwanese American Students Club at UIUC…I am now at the leadership position where I have more responsibility in leading the board and impacting the Asian American community and education the entire student campus on Taiwanese American issues and celebrating our unique heritage.

the water fight just so much fun and it got so wet wet wet…as part of the “human wall” i constantly was scared that i would get hit but luckily most of our brave guy sTAFfers were the victims…>.< it was weird knowing that the week was already halfway done but it made me have that extra boost to make the last half of TAF extra special  The Fast and Furious workshop was amazing and it taught me quite a few things as well as always TAF has taught both campers and counselors..and it makes me think that TAF is really for ALL ages

I woke up thinking it was Thursday and was really really confused!  It gave my suitemates quite a laugh when I was just lost…:P highlight of the day would be the TAF Carnival where I got to assist the King Cobra with his fortunes as his lovely Russian assistant: Ivanka…the hairy mole was just embarrassing…@.@ but I’m glad everyone had fun! another highlight would definitely be TAFLOVE..I’ve never experienced it before as a camper so it was my first time and it was definitely a tear-jerking session.  It made me realize TAF love even more and how it impacts each TAFer in different and similar ways…just WOW…

nooooooo last full day watching the JHers practice their hearts out at rehearsal was amazing and yea..BEST SWING CHOIR EVERRR I just remember thinking…youth wont know what hit them…>.< I didn’t really know what to expect of PARENT DIALOGUE later that day but I ended up leading the greatest group discussion ever!  I really felt like I had succeeded in finding some middle ground of understanding between the parents and campers while explaining both sides in parent-speak and camper-speak …i walked away with great respect for all Taiwanese American parents…and made me remember that TAF also seeks to create newfound respect for campers and their parents to have.

this one is itself a category!  everyone DID AMAZING..from the JH SWING CHOIR to the chinese yoyo to glow sticking to VIVA TAF LOVE FOREVER and of course the epic slide show!!!!!!

the celebration dance afterwards was a bittersweet one…last time dancing with the people I love sooooo much! but there is always next year

it was so sad to pack up and help campers leave :/ signing year books was hard too because I wanted to say so much >.<

my first posttaf ever! and i just gotta say it was amazing seeing TAFers outside of North Manchester…a little bit surreal i suppose but the hangouts were awesome and a great lead-up to my birthday which i gotta say thank you thank you thank you!

lastly, I just want to give some shoutouts to the JH STAFF:

thanks for being there for me before, during and after TAF…you made me feel cared for when I was at my low.  sTAFfing with you again this year has been an incredible experience.  I really appreciate your devotion to eating gross things to make campers say EWWW…makes me say EWWW too thanks

thanks for all your farts even tho I was never in the line of fire I appreciate you making our meetings feel light-hearted at the right moments.  I can definitely feel the TAF love from you and thanks sooo much for inspiring!!

my amazing co counselor I dont think I couldve asked for a better one this year…you have surprised me again and again with your ability to work with the campers and always pulling through for me!  we were such a great team this year and by golly..you’re the best TC ever

roomieeee <3 thank you so much for opening up for me and i loved talking with you!! you bring that sense of maturity to the campers and i really really admire that! thanks for being there for me during taf and all year round!!

it was awesome sTAFfing with you again this year! i love how you are just so so adorable and inspiring to our campers!! it was great being on sTAFf again!!

i always saw you as my brother’s friend but after getting to know you this year i kinda wanna steal you away…i loved our wardrobe dilemmas and finding those CORDUROY PANTS!!! GAHH success!!! and inspiring rest of sTAFf to buy some…hehe…and seriously we could be like twins..from the way we talk and walk..lol how did you even come to walk like that! SNAZZYYY!

im so glad you came back to sTAFf this year! I felt like it was too long since I last saw you (2007) i really appreciate the sense of calm you brought upon me when i needed the most…basically whenever i felt frazzled and ready to spaz >.< thanks so much ann

ahhhhh! i was so happy when i found out you were sTAFfing! GREAT job choreographing swing choir which i gotta say its the best..no lies and i love how your passion for TAF is contagious among everyone! thanks so much for spreading the TAFLOVE!

jess! i love how we laugh at awkward moments together! you are such a sweet sweet girl and i love how the girls look up to you!! <3

it was really awesome getting to know you better through sTAFfing this year…after all those years of visiting each others houses cause of our parents…i never really got to know you till last week!  and i gotta say i bet ive missed out on those years cause you are wayyyy cool! thanks so much for choreographing the swing choir with chelsea and you better visit TAFfers at UIUC boy…you’re close enough so no excuses

i loved being your lovely russian assistant it was great sTAFfing with you again this year and i really appreciate how the campers love your double identities…haha please make this a TAF tradition thanks for spreading the TAFLOVE

i loved your energy throughout TAF and i can tell it never faltered for the campers even tho you were pretty exhuasted at some points..you always make everyone smile and bring light to the room! you are a man of many talents: from chinese yoyo, to glow sticking, to junior campers-lifting (25 reps!!) to brightening everyones day…thanks for being that counselor/camper that everyone counted on!

new sTAFfer YAYAYAYAY thanks so much for coming to TAF lastminute! it wouldn’t of been the same without you! i loved how you tried so hard to inspire the campers in positive ways and got to know them on a personal level..seriously..super counselor and COACH!! come back next year please

another new sTAFfer! YAYAYAYAY seriously you are the chillest guy ive met..is it the cali air? haha let me learn your ways…you have just done an amazing job this year and i loved the workshop you hosted! truly inspiring man..i hope you left TAF feeling the TAFlove!

you are truly a stud and never cease to amaze me even tho we go to school together! D: i love spending time with you outside and inside TAF and i feel really lucky to be able to hang out with you after TAF…i will never forget HEAVENLY WATERS and your horse with ADVENTURE IN ITS EYES…

LASTLY to the MERKAPOWS:

Thank you for making our group so epically awesome! Each one of you guys have contributed to what it is…AMAZING! I hope you guys have all in some ways or another been inspired and felt the TAFLOVE because I have been i love you guys and ill see you next year!!

To the rest of TAF:

Feel and spread the TAFLOVE and KEEP ON SPROUTING!!!

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