I believe the best way to get to know people is to collaborate with them in an intensive project that can be stressful and exert much pressure on the people involved. Under such conditions, you really get to know the people better, allowing you to build strong relationships.

I don't make half-hearted commitments, so joining EPIC meant reshuffling all of my other commitments because, as usual, I always have a lot on my plate. Since I was seeking opportunities to hone my software skills and to work with other people very closely developing at a technical level, coming on board as the primary web developer for EPIC fit the bill. Looking back now, it has already exceeded my expectations. I've had tons of fun honing my web development skills and being a better team player, but what gave me the greatest pleasure so far was leading and seeing another person grow.

There are no doubt many stressful times and friction from bumping shoulders with one another, but it's all part of working as a team and I believe this interaction pushes us all to grow and develop stronger relationships with one another.

After much sweat, tears, and headaches, you see your hard work succeeding - that's something I love so much about organizing conferences. There is very little that can match up to such joy of seeing the success of your own creation. That's why it makes me so sick working with complacent team members - complacency just drains your energy dry and you're forced to settle for mediocre. And that's why I've been truly happy to work with very committed individuals in EPIC!

I fell in love with conferences a while ago - and I wanted to share the love! I will be compiling my memories and stories into an album later, but here is my conference roll:

EpCon 2010

I am one of the organizers for this EPIC Conference slated to be held on January 15-16, 2010 at Waterloo Inn!
Find out more @ http://www.epcon.epictech.org

Canadian Undergraduate Technology Conference (CUTC)

Attended the conference as a delegate in 2007, became a Logistics Organizer in 2008, and joined the Executive Team as a Sponsorship Executive in 2009. CUTC has been a highlight of my University adventures - filled with many memories, stories, and good times with friends.
More CUTC info @ http://www.cutc.ca

Canada 3.0 Forum

Celebrating the University of Waterloo Stratford Campus and Digital Media. I was a volunteer helping with the conference that was organized by joint UW-Open Text collaboration. I also got to tour the incredibly inspiring Stratford Festival Theatre as a bonus!
Web presence has been established @ http://www.canada30.ca

OCE Discovery 09

The Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) definitely attracted a delegation crowd that I am not used to as a student. I also got to listen to and meet Nava, who is from Israel and involved with the Venture Capital industry there. Since I read a few really good Israel VC magazines prior to the conference, I was super excited listening to her speak on the panel and meeting her in person afterwards! And of course, meeting and speaking with Terry Matthews just leaves a lasting impression!
Photos and Videos are available @ http://www.ocediscovery.com

I wasn't supposed to hear that. I heard it by accident - that day in grade 8 when my best friend at the time voiced such alien remarks. It really shocked me because I had never noticed that she was so fed up with being beside me. And I hated the fact that she never told me to my face. Why didn't she tell me? Thinking back now, I realized the question I really wanted answered was: Why didn't I notice it before? Why didn't I notice that it was really painful to be beside me?

It's really painful to me knowing that I am causing you pain. Since it's so painful to be beside me, then I can only let you go. And I'll pray for your happiness even if it means you're not beside me.

I've walked on alone since then. Maybe it was since then that I've always wanted the strength to continue on alone - always needed to be able to continue alone or it would feel like I was losing. I knew that finding people that could walk beside me was extremely hard; at the same time, I would not throw away my dreams to simply settle for the comfort of others. The fear of being alone was not an acceptable excuse to lose my dreams. I couldn't accept that.

Maybe it was since then that I realized being relentlessly driven can make you so ruthless. If I was to weigh it out, my dreams beat out everything else in my life, including my friends and dating. The culture around me and whatever was "normal" was not good enough. I rejected everything that did not align with my dreams.

Circumstances have changed since then. I've met many incredible people since then. I want to be beside them. But, the belief that I can always continue on alone is really difficult to change. Even so, it's worth changing. The year 2009 has been an incredibly interesting year: Big failures, big changes, but also many steps closer to my dreams - and this time, I'm not alone.