“First Day
I arrived at TAF not knowing what to expect being that it was my first year coordinating. I basically took a lot of pictures but I sucked because I did not know how to work my camera that I got a week before. I was skeptical at first finding out there were only 26 girls but I knew Jessica Fu was going this year so it was cool. The Bus ride was a terrible unnecissary 5 hours but once I arrived to TAF I felt instantly welcomed and happy to see everyone. Group games and Icebreakers are not my thing, I would have rather introduced myself more formally. I was so lost on finding my small group I was Pepper flakes or something and I didnt know how to act it out. Overall it was a good day.
Small Group
I was really excited to get Andrew Lo and Helena who I have never met but I thought looked like Jackie Hsia. I remember Sunday I was like Matt Chen wouldnt it be sick if we got into the same small group and I actually did have him so I was excited. Honestly Our small group was really happy and Didn’t really share anything personal so I was alittle dissapointed but I didn’t really mind; cause I don’t have anything too serious to share anyway. Our small group chant was so amazing though, we were the Big Egos and I came up with the rap so I was pretty estatic about that. Small Group time is my favorite thing to do at TAF and it still is because you share things you normally wouldn’t and you see that other people are going through the same thing.
Little Sib
Tony the Tiger was so chill. I loved my little sib so much he was just a funny kid and he was really out going. Tony was everywhere giving people highfives and being really friendly so me and him hit it off from the start. This year was probably the best year with writing letters to my little sibs, me and Tony had 3 paragraph essays written to eachother. I remember right before we wrote our sibs letters, nick and emmeline was telling us how we should ask alot of questions that would get responses or our little sibs wouldn’t write anything. I didn’t need to do anything Tony just poured himself to me haha I love that kid. I also liked the (parent group)? The small group that Tony was with that got paired up with ours. Jessica Jou was in it and she was mad cool and we got to know eachother pretty well this year.
Coordinating
At First I felt left out being a yearbook coordinator because Eddie did the uploading of the pictures and the announcements and basically knew what was going on. Later on through the week I did alot of work with collages so I gradually felt more involved. Coordinating killed me this year because I went to bed around 3:30 almost every night, I had no idea about the commitment behind yearbook coordinating. A fun suprise was the second small group which was the coordinator meetings everynight, as much as I want to get to work right away and have more sleep, it was worth it. Alex Yang and Harmony were the CoCo’s and I knew them pretty well because of my brother but this year I got to know them on a more personal level. I would see Alex alot at the YMCA and he was a pretty big dick sometimes rejecting my questionaire but I learned alot from my CoCo’s. I appreciate the no bs policy from them in the end.
TAFers
Each year I can honestly say I come back to TAF because of the people. The family atmopshere and being in a safe space where you can share anything. I brought 2 of my friends; Jamie and Ryan hoping they could have the same experience and they loved it so mission sucess. The Friends that you make at TAF are so different from the friends you make at school because at TAF theres unconditional love. Bum Kim talked about In order for your love to grow you need someone to keep filling your cup and Comming to TAF my cup is definetly filled. Ill have to admit I haven’t felt like I’ve grown or learned too much about myself from TAF after comming for so many years. However TAF jumpstarts me into the school year and I feel more outgoing and a better person outside of TAF.
Identity Dialogue
This year was very productive with the mixed groups in identity dialogue. For me venting out isn’t my thing and I don’t keep it in, It doesn’t phase me too much because I look at different perspectives of whatever im in conflict with. For some people venting out their problems lifts a heavy load off their shoulders and I was really happy to just listen and lend a ear to someone in need. I actually prefer smaller groups because more people can share, and Id also like to see the person because I recognize their voice anyway. But I thought Identity Dialogue was very productive for a few people.
Roommate
Me and Justin Ku and Jamie and Ryan Yang requested eachother but I only got Justin Ku which was fine because Jamie and Ryan should meet new people. Justin and me hit it off right away at TAF because we talked so much before and after TAF. Me and Justin would normally stay up talking about girls for my case Jessica Fu hahaha no and a couple others. But I had yearbook coordinating so I came back at like 3 at night and he was still up and we talked about girls for like an hour. Im sorry for waking up my room mate countless times late at night and early evening.
Final Thoughts
I loved this year at TAF and it has passed by faster then other year. I think mostly because of the sleep lost and I was delirious most of the time. I just think TAF is a great place and I wouldn’t be the same person without it. Looking back at TAF I realize how TAF is made up of self sacrifice and servant leadership. How Staff gives up time from their summer vacation to serve at TAF just amazes me, and without the continued servant leadership from each generation TAF would be no more. Thank you all for such a wonderfull experience.”
This was George’s ninth year at TAF and he was part of the Youth program as a coordinator.
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