Thursday, July 16, 2009
As usual, we had breakfast at 7:30am. Then at 8:00am, we had a Whole Group session for which we arrived for at “Shad time” (meaning 5minutes early). Today, Rob Gorbet (a faculty member) gave us a lecture about defining art. It was interesting to see that art could be anything (including a toilet), as long as there was a creator who made something with the intent of making an art piece.
After the intriguing lecture by Rob, it was time for us to attend our last day in Workshop Series B. I was part of the digital animation workshop and today my group finished making our final product. We linked a series of stop-motion photos in order to make a short film about Minnie Mouse, Pikachu, Misty, Nurse Joy, Goku, Luigi, and Serverus Snape on a Mario Cart Race around campus. We were proud of this production with its special effects (like floating characters) and edited background music.
Lunch at noon was uneventful except for the fact that most of the Shads were panicking about our design projects, which are due tomorrow. We were uneasy through the “Drawing on the Past, Communicating with the Future” we worried about getting our projects finished for tomorrow. Finally, at 2:30pm everybody rushed to different parts of the campus building to tackle the final parts of the design projects. After 3 hours of hardcore working, we had dinner and recreation. For recreation, we were split into 6 teams and raced against the clock as we tried to beat the other teams in the Amazing Race. All the Shads required a hot shower after that…
Unfortunately, the relaxing showers ended all too quickly as everyone got back to working feverishly on their projects. Many people stayed up late in an attempt to make their projects even just a little better. By 1:30pm tomorrow, this will all be over and we will all feel accomplished and proud of ourselves at finishing the process of design.
Minnie Kwak
Shad Valley Waterloo
Hometown: Oakville, Ontario
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
With a quick shower and a swing out the door, it was off to the gorgeous Carleton dining hall, only to be appropriately met by an order of fried eggs – sunny side up. No sooner nourished for the morning, did an eager group of Shads embark into the morning sun, bound for the Minto Centre for Advance Studies in Engineering-the site for the mornings events.
Having received the latest headlines in the form of none other than interpretive dance, did Shad Speaks commence. Describing experiences from the fables of Aesop to the commitment of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, each Shad was left pondering, yet inspired. Contemplating life all before 9:30, workshop groups were formed, as I prepared myself to learn the science of robotics. Laced with captivating knowledge, intricate machinery as well as firsthand experience with the technology itself, the seminar broadened the already bursting ranges of interest within the group.
As yet another fantastic meal was consumed, it came time for a Red House project gathering to begin, as our Friday deadline rapidly approached. Customary to the group (as well as the envy of all other houses), the meeting began with each member hugging two others, before tumultuous productivity ensued. With long hours of brainstorming, rationalizing and conglomeration propelling into the evening, Carleton Shads were presented with not only insightful discourses on sustainability and public presenting alike, but a dramatic work as well.
Presented in the beautiful architecture facility, I felt privileged to the share the stage with fellow thespians, sharing the theme of sustainable living from an incredibly proactive group known as the Otesha Project. At last, to mark a stamp on yet another day for the journal was the Green House hosted late night – a celebration of activities brimming with recycled newspaper costume contests, games of Twister, and salsa dancing alike.
Tonight, I recollect in a state of both astonishment and gratitude; astonished at the capabilities of a group of young people, so driven as to change their world for the better, and ever grateful to thrive in their presence. As night falls in the Ottawa Valley, I know I have never been further from home, yet closer to my dreams.
Nicholas Fleming
Shad Valley Carleton University
Hometown: Corner Brook, Newfoundland
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Bilingual Post Bilingue!
Durant les journées avant mon « blog day », il fallait que je décide dans quelle langue j’écrirai : en anglais ou en français. Je n’ai pas pu choisir. Dans l’esprit de notre communauté, je pense que mon blog doit être rien d’autre que bilingue.
Today was probably one of my favourite days at Shad so far. To start it off, the room key that I had lost two days ago was returned to me! After breakfast, we all headed over to our next activity, me, with Chamomile tea in hand. We completed a simulation in which we were analysts and traders, selling and buying carbon credits. Despite the hectic atmosphere in the room, with Shad traders yelling “BID 40!” “AT 50!” and Shad analysts banging on the windows making signals to their partners, my roommate and I somehow managed to figure out somewhat of a strategy. After the simulation, Jenn and I were feeling good about ourselves- we ranked 4th in terms of profit- but the PA's taught us that we could have easily doubled or tripled our profit had we only sold less and bought more carbon credits.
Après, nous sommes allés pour l'activité physique. La plupart des gens ont joué au frisbee, mais il y en avait qui sont allés faire du jogging. Moi, j'ai pratiqué notre danse en style Bollywood pour la nuit Multiculturelle qui s'approche. Je ne suis pas danseuse, mais j'adore le chanson "Jai Ho" alors je me suis encouragée, et j'ai pu apprendre une grande partie de la danse. Le souper (spaghetti) était vraiment délicieux; j'ai mangé vite et alors j'avais presque 2 heures de temps libre, durant lesquelles j'ai pratiqué pour la présentation de notre projet vers la fin de la journée.
While my house's last presentation hadn't gone as well as we had hoped, this presentation went quite well. The compliments were received with flushes of pleasure, the questions answered with alacrity. The constructive criticism was insightful, and the suggestions useful; we left the presentation room excited and proud of our project and our hard work. To top off the day, one of the houses organized a pajama dance party for Late Night. Complete with loud music and delicious snacks (apples and nutella!), everyone enjoyed themselves.
With less than 10 days left of Shad, everyone is full of mixed emotions: scared that the project is due so soon, shocked that the days have flown by so quickly, and mainly sad at the prospect of leaving all the wonderful, unique friends that we've made.
However instead of counting the amount of days left, I'd rather count much happier things: the amount of times my friend Ellery corrected my french grammar (12), the amount of laughs while lying on the grass (thousands), and the amount of unforgettable experiences I've had thus far (infinity and beyond!)
Zamyla Chan
Shad Valley Laval
Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia
Monday, July 13, 2009
After lunch, we split up into our house groups to work on our projects outlining our creative inventions in our business plans. Some of the students also participated in a question and answer session with the Pavillion Lake Research Project crew.
Next, we watched the documentary, “Occupation 101,” focusing on Palestine and its various internal and external conflicts. The video was quite emotional, leaving many of us in tears and in deep discussion.
Following dinner, the swimming at the UBC Aquatic Centre was a well needed break, to stretch out our stiff muscles.
The little things in between, the walks to and from lectures, late night talks, and movie watching, is what really brings us together. When I heard the stories from Shad alumni about how they had become a family, I was quite skeptical. How is it possible to develop such deep relationships in such a short period of time? With such likeminded people surrounding you, the answer is, it’s impossible for you not to create and sustain relationships. Talking about leaving is a sin. I have not felt this alive, peaceful, and content at the same time in a long time. I don’t fly as one here, but as a flock.
Sunita Kheterpal
Shad Valley UBC
Hometown: Brossard, Quebec
Sunday, July 12, 2009

Over the past two weeks at Shad, I’ve had to come to terms with one simple fact; Shad Valley is busy. Insanely busy. The constant onslaught of exciting, challenging, stimulating activities is enough to make even the hardiest of us a tad weary.
Today was different, though. It was the first time in the entire two weeks that we were given a substantial amount of free time. The three hours we were allowed may not seem like much, but to us Shads, it seemed like an eternity. There were so many possibilities such as shopping, watching a movie, or sleeping. But guess what we chose to do? We worked, of course! My entire house got together and worked on our design project for hours on the one day that we could have done whatever we liked!
Yet there wasn’t a single frown or complaint for the entire time, and every person put their whole heart into the prototype, design, or business model that they were working on.
At Carleton, we call it “Shadditude” and it’s the passion for learning, respecting others, and driving to succeed. It is inside every Shad. And we will need every ounce of passion and drive we have in order to meet the upcoming deadlines and successfully complete our lengthy design project.
After a number of fascinating lectures and a workshop on creating simple computer games, it was time for my team, the green house, to present the product design we’d been working on for days.
As the deadline for our presentation slowly drew closer, any minor quarrels we may have had with each other melted away. We became a well-oiled machine, each piece fitting perfectly and our ideas combining to form one vision.
Many of us were quite nervous about presenting to the panel of judges. We heard that they were brutally honest and any weaknesses in our product would be exposed. To our great delight, the judges responded to our project well and gave us some excellent suggestions.
Walking back to the dorms, a collective sigh of relief came from the green house for the fabulous feeling of a job well done. And that is what this whole thing is about. Shad Valley is made up of a lifetime’s worth of life-changing activities and experiences, lovingly crammed into one furious, passionate, soul-altering month.
Yes, Shad Valley is delightfully busy, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Ben Barrett-Forrest
Shad Valley Carleton
Hometown: Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Having already experienced the stress and sleep deprivation outlined an alarming number of times in last year's blog, we slept in and woke up to a casual breakfast in the downstairs cafeteria. Our CT projects were already taking a toll on our sanity, and a relaxing morning was much in demand. Our Program Directors, Ian and Julie, always stress the importance of balance in everything we do, and of course that was not limiting to the variety of food our staff had to offer.
We divided into our groups of six in the courtyard and smiles were all around – we got that beautiful sun everyone were hoping for, and we were off on our way! The community here in New Brunswick is warm and welcoming, and the market place was alive with regulars, visitors, people sipping fresh-squeezed juice and taking everything in. A snapshot of the vibrant community that is Fredericton, the tightly packed area was buzzing with the organized chaos of traffic of people squeezing between the aisles. It was on the way back that we learned the people here rarely lock anything. In the words of Ian – “why?” This community that’s welcomed us for a month this Summer opens its arms to everyone. This is something we should all strive towards: the realization that there is no point in creating harm.
After some delectable shopping (samosas! yummy), we walked down to the river and had a lazy picnic along the riverbank, stretched out on the sun. It allowed time for some personal reflections and room to breathe – and of course, more eating!
A little while later (my definition of time has completely changed with Shad – they kind of just melt into one another), being Shads, we could not help but visit the local hotspot – Geek Chic. In there, we found all sorts of goodies -- from laser keyboards to witty t-shirts, I’ve never felt so at home. Our group then visited the local barracks, a second-hand book store that went on for miles, and “Tiny Music”, the biggest music store in the city. We also got to see the changing of the guards at the City Hall – it was quite a sight, seeing red-uniformed soldiers marching down the sidewalk to a drum beat, and better still, waiting at the crosswalks for the pedestrian light to change.
The surprises continue with our Coffee House night. I was lucky enough to host the night with my friend and keeping with the spontaneous spirit – we did it gangster style, and showed off some map rhyme skillage. Or not. Cheesy emceeing and nerdy jokes aside, the acts were delicious. From poetry about protractors, heart & soul (and not just the song), faux breakdancers, standing ovations over a capella crooners, “legit” poppers, guitarists, and group singing, complete with the Titanic reenactments. Even the PAs pitched in, gracing us with Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” – complete live rickrolling.
Yet another day in the Shad program. I can’t believe these busy, laughter-filled days have flowed into one another. I’m excited by all the potential around me, and the warm fuzzy feeling when I look around. It feels like home, and these people are my family.
Through any uncertainties that may come, I know that these people will no doubt play a significant part in my life beyond the few weeks in which we laughed, ate, and rapped together.
Yours,
Kerri Lu
Shad Valley University of New Brunswick
Hometown: Richmond, British Columbia
Friday, July 10, 2009

After lunch, it was our turn to prove our worth: Shad seminars! Everyone was given a 10 minute opportunity to teach or discuss something of interest to them. While I have had the fortune of meeting some incredibly talented and diverse people in the past, today truly opened my eyes to how there is always something more to learn, and that each of us has something unique to offer to the world. Learning to order Korean food (always impressive on a date), write credo poems (very humorous), fit your entire body through a single sheet of paper (yes it’s possible), and about the ‘science’ behind science fiction were just a few examples of this collective expertise!
The guest speakers Josh Vanwyck and Ben Best, two recent graduates of UW’s Systems Design Engineering program joined us after an exceptional dinner to offer valuable insight regarding the intricate process of social change and how it applied to our design projects. It was another very useful speech and the duo left a positive impression of the university’s program.
To finish off the day, all four ‘houses’ gathered to participate in a friendly (which inevitably escalated into a somewhat competitive) game of Cranium. Many laughs were generated amidst the ‘acting’ and ‘sculpting’ of varying degrees of aptitude. All in all, it was a great way to finish off this action-packed day!
Having described today as ‘another day’ at Shad Waterloo would have been misleading on many levels, as each day is indeed an adventure unto its own. Even with the daily schedule, it is nearly impossible to predict what is going to throw at you next! While the events and activities may be scripted, the experience is not. Your reaction to it, the impact it has on you, and the powerful aura of support and passion at every turn is what makes each moment unique. This is what I have to come to find makes Shad so incredible!
Josh Segeren
Shad Valley Waterloo
Hometown: Chatham, Ontario