“First, I’d like to start off by thanking each and everyone one of you TAFers out there for making this week so amazing for me. Multiple things had been on my mind prior to TAF, and I had been looking forward to the week to take my mind off of things and boy did it do just that!
First Day
I woke up Sunday morning surprisingly not as excited as I had been the past couple of days. I guess it just didn’t seem real yet that TAF was really here again and that I’d be back at Manchester College in just a few hours. During the bus ride, it was fun getting to know new people, talking to old friends, and watching a little girl ask Derek for his number over and over again 
hahaha. The anticipation of getting there was great too. I kept trying to spot landmarks that I remembered from last year, but I honestly didn’t know how much longer it’d be until we finally passed by a huge sign that said “NORTH MANCHESTER.” We finally stopped at Oakwood first, and I decided to jump off and say hi and give hugs to some people I knew there. I had watched it all happen last year, and it felt great to be able to take part in it this year. The bus driver apparently unloaded all of our luggage there…so us youthers walked over to Helman and were greeted by cameras on the way. This year I made a promise to myself that I’d be more outgoing so instead of shying away from the cameras like I did last year, I waved happily. First main thing I remember: hugs hugs hugs! It was so nice just seeing everyone again and being back at TAF. I joined in icebreakers enthusiastically and just tried to soak in all the energy of being with everyone again.
Roommate/Suitemates
So Alicia and I had originally requested to be roommates, so I had been looking forward to it. When I got there and found out we weren’t together, I was actually pretty disappointed. I’ve never been really good with initiating conversations and getting to know other people, and I was worried that it’d be an awkward week. Luckily I knew Carolyn, one of my suitemates, already so that made it slightly easier. I met Sophia and Olivia later the first night, and I decided that I’d try to make the best of it. It did take me awhile to open up and become more comfortable, but one night about halfway through the week, Sophia and Olivia discovered their common interest in music. From then on, we grew closer, and I was able to open up to Olivia about stuff that had been going on at home. I think the best part was Friday night when we all decided to share our TCs (I actually didn’t have one then…so I was bouncing ideas off of them, haha). Then after lights out, Sophia and I stayed up for awhile longer talking about the week in general, and I didn’t think it had been so bad after all. Sure I missed Alicia (I love you!) but it was just another new experience that I gained at TAF, and I won’t be as worried in future years if I’m put in a suite with people I don’t know. Thanks for a great week, Sophia, Olivia, and Carolyn!
Small Group
Finding our small groups was a bit of trouble for me. I wasn’t sure if “pita” was supposed to be bread or chips, haha. When I first saw the people in the chips group, I thought to myself, “I can’t possibly be in this group. Why would they put me with these people?” I have to admit, I was kind of worried when I first saw the group. I knew 5 of the 8 other people in our group, and I didn’t think that I should’ve known that many people with it only being my second year. People found out last year that April and I were childhood friends, Eric and I had talked a lot this past year, Kelly goes to my school, I’ve grown up with Allen, and I briefly knew Jason through our families (although he didn’t know that ). I think my worries sprouted (haha! Okay, lame, I know) from the fact that I feel more comfortable opening up to strangers than people I briefly know. Part of what made me so comfortable about opening up last year was knowing that these weren’t people that I’d see on a regular basis, so when I found out that Allen was in my group, I was kind of hesitant about opening up. Luckily, the week proved me wrong, and I could not have asked for a better small group! Our small group discussions were taken to a completely new level than I experienced last year and even on the first day, people were opening up easily, and my worries slowly disappeared. I also liked the fact that I didn’t want small group time to end. I would’ve been disappointed when Jeff and Christina decided not to have small group time on Saturday morning if I hadn’t been so tired. Even after it was done, our group still hung out together. As Jeff put it, “You guys are so cute, you’re always together!” A big thanks to Jeff and Christina for making us all so comfortable and making it an awesome week! It wouldn’t have been the same without you guys. GO SNUG-WOW!!<3 April, Kelly, Eric, Richard, Jason, Allen, Leo, Andrew, Jeff, and Christina, I love you guys 
One word: wow. Bum Kim is such an amazing speaker! I never once nodded off during his speaker sessions, which was a big change from last year. With this year’s theme being Ethics & Values, I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into the week. I’ve always believed that I have very strong morals and values, and I wasn’t sure if I’d take away anything from the week. I know my own flaws and I know what I need to do to change them, but I also know that it would take a LOT for me to change. Even though I still feel like this now, I feel like I did take a lot of things out of this week although it may take me awhile to figure out what those things actually are. Last year, I struggled to figure out what I was supposed to take away from the speaker sessions, but this year, Bum’s questions guided us, and our small group actually took the time to talk about them rather than just being like “uhh…okay…” I think the thing that really helped me was when he addressed those of us who don’t really have big family problems. After hearing everyone’s stories during the identity dialogue, I wasn’t really sure what I was supposed to do. This year I saw TAF’s ability to truly help people through hard times in their lives…but what was I supposed to do if I didn’t really feel like I had anything to get off my chest? Luckily the next morning, Bum talked about how our job was to be other people’s “janitors.” I guess I had known that in the back of my mind, but I’ve never really known what to say when people are venting to me because I haven’t experienced anything like it. I’m still not sure how I’d deal with something like that, but I think it’s gotten me to think slightly more. I still don’t think I’ve changed much, but I do see the potential now.
Little Sib
I was looking forward to the idea of having Juniors as sibs this year because I love little kids. My sib’s name was Kelly, and she was quite the character! (in a good way) haha So the first thing she asked me was “How much do you weigh?” and I was kind of like errr…Then she proceeded to ask if she could pick me up, so I let her…and everyday since she asked me if she could give me a piggyback ride whenever I saw her. She could pick up Richard too! It was pretty crazy. Overall, I had a really great time with her, and she’s already e-mailed me! I’m glad that she enjoyed the week too.
The People
I was looking forward to seeing everyone again! The people were really what brought me back this year. I decided to put myself out there this year and although I already knew people from last year, I also realized that there were many many more for me to meet. During free time I’d go around and talk to multiple people and for the most part, not let myself stick with just one group of friends. Of course, I spent a lot of time with our small group too and that was awesome. One of my goals for the week was to not be afraid of making a fool out of myself. I think for the most part I achieved that goal. Although I was still cautious at times, I definitely had some not-so-great moments. I also found myself screaming my head off during games and actively taking part in a lot of the activities. It felt great knowing that I could just put myself out there and not have to worry that other people would judge. This week flew by way faster than last year, and I still can’t believe that it’s already been another year. I met so many new amazing people, and I got to get closer to people I already knew. I think I can safely say that I’ve made some lifetime friendships. I LOVE YOU ALL!!<3 Keep in touch!
Other Stuff
I absolutely love TAF! I left last year thinking that I did, but I know for sure now. This year I saw the depth of TAF, not just the social aspect, and I wish I had found out about it earlier. See you all at TAF 2010 hopefully! (Aww man…2010 already…? I’ll have graduated by then…crazy!)”
This was Joy’s second year at TAF and she was part of the Youth program.
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thanks for sharing!
Comment by sherry August 10, 2009 @ 10:16 pm