August 30, 2004
truly inspirational...
maybe it's because i'm easily inspired, but i'd like to think that it's because i'd have the pleasure of meeting so many inspirational people. dennis, my co-counsellor this past week at camp BUCKO, is one of these extraordinary people. he embodies positive thinking and attitude. i've never met anyone who is so optimistic about life, burns or no burns. you see, dennis, like the kids i worked with this past week, is a burn survivor. not only just a burn survivor, but a survivor of 3rd and 4th degree burns to 70% of his body at the tender age of 14. he spent 8 MONTHS in a hospital, and spent the next 2 years in a self-imposed isolation because of his severe disfigurement. for several years he had to wear a full face-mask pressure garment and for several years he endured endless surgeries.
not only did he make a decision 35 years ago that he would not spend the rest of his life in a pool of his own misery, he decided that his burns were God's way of telling him what he needed to do with his life. he now spends every summer volunteering at burn camps all across north america. he spends the rest of the year doing motivational speaking at schools and instituions. you should see the way the kids at this camp look up to him with admiration. his personality radiates honesty, charm and warmth. from the moment you meet him, you see him beyond the burn scars and straight into his heart.
dennis, if you're listening out there, you've been a delight to work with for the past week. i feel priveleged to have met you and you are an inspiration to everyone.
the rest of my week at camp BUCKO (Burn Camp for Kids of Ontario) was quite a delight, a refreshing break from my fast paced city life. got to do all the typical camp stuff such as canoeing, kayaking, wall climbing and archery. even though it wasn't relaxing, it was a vacation for me. here's a picture of me and my kids and of course, the beautiful view that the ontario north has to offer.
 
just finished my GREs on saturday and i'm happy to report they went just fine. finished off the weekend by heading up to Des' cottage until Sunday. must say that's a beautiful cottage and i regret not being able to go up for the full weekend, either way it was a great time! thanks guys for organizing everything and making it so that all i had to do was show up and have fun! wee!
 
as for the rest of my post, i'm going to post a select few of long overdue photos, here's an assortment from the taste of the danforth and old mill. i love all the photos from the danforth, they turned out great!
 
 
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August 09, 2004
updates...
no more updates from me for a while. things'll be crazy. check back in a couple weeks.
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