Echoing What’s Important To You

Having been born and raised in a country with constant summer, it is nothing out of ordinary to want to be in a place where it actually snows for real. I’ve wanted to see, touch and feel real snow (not man-made snow from Snow World or what-not) for so long and I was often envious of my friends who had the chance to go abroad, whether to study or for a vacation.

And as the story goes, I finally got the chance.

In 2006, I was selected to represent my club and university to debate in the World’s University Debating Championship (WUDC) in Vancouver, Canada. WUDC is world’s largest non-sport tournament with participants from all over the world, and oddly enough, that very particular year, it was held in the one country that I’ve always wanted to go to, if I had been allowed my pick. I guess fate and luck coincides to make this happen (hah, such cliche) , as it would be my first and probably last trip out of Malaysia. I nearly had to empty my entire lifetime savings, but thanks to the university’s sponsorship and my mother’s help, I only needed to take out half of it.

Our squad of 5 people (2 two-people teams and an adjudicator) took off a day before Christmas and spent a night in Taipei in transit. We arrived in Vancouver just after Christmas, or the day the Canadians call the Boxing Day, which was lucky for us. Reason? Boxing Day sale! I bought a pair jeans and a halter top for less than $20 CAD. =D

The debate tournament was hosted by the British Columbia University (UBC) who did an incredible job conducting the event. Being one who’s only seen overseas universities from the idiot box, this was surely an eye opener. The university had huge grounds; you probably need a car to travel from one end to another. Did you know that UBC had their own forest grounds? They do, and it was the most awesome scene ever! (I didn’t have a clear picture of the ‘forest’ but the picture below is the next best thing)

Debating experience aside, I also discovered something important - they may have invented the light bulb, but not all Caucasians are as smart you thought they were. We, Asians, have always accepted the fact that ‘if you’re white, then you must be better than us’. Boy, we were all wrong. A lot of debaters (about 9 in 10 people) were often afraid to debate with these ’superior beings’, because 1) their English is way better than us, which unfortunately is quite true to most people, and 2) they’re white, so they’re good. Well, worry no more. That’s just your insecurity speaking. There are plenty of Caucasians who can speak very well, but have no content whatsoever in their speech. And in a debate, if you have no content, then you are speaking bulls.

I’ve also discovered another thing in Vancouver - good food! Vancouver is a very diverse state in terms of race and is populated by more Asians than in the other states, so they also have a variety of food. Believe it or not, sushi (okay, Japanese food in general) was the cheapest food we can find there. My friends and I stuffed ourselves with sushi and ramen when we ran out of money. Not to mention that they also give a rather big portion of meals. We went into a diner one morning and was given a plate of food that I could eat for dinner. If you’ll look carefully at the picture below, there are sausages, bacon slices, scrambled eggs (with cheese on top!) and potato on the large plate, and a yummy pancake on the smaller plate. It was simply scrumptious.

The Canadian culture was also very pleasing. They give full trust to the people (who are all very friendly and helpful). You need not insert your ticket into any machines (because there aren’t any) when you go onto the MRTs or buses; you are simply entrusted to do so. I wish that kind of system can be implemented in our country, but sadly enough I do not think our people can manage such ‘responsibilities’ yet.

Ah, snow. It was winter that time, and as it usually doesn’t snow in Vancouver, we went to Grouse Mountain just to play with snow. It was incredibly cold, but exciting at the same time. The public transportation were very convenient and affordable and it did not take us very long to get there. We had such fun pelting each other with snowballs (and acting like a bunch of 5-year-old kids).

Although I didn’t achieve much debate-wise, I did have an amazing time. I also happened to celebrate my 21st birthday while I was there, although to be honest, there wasn’t really a celebration to speak of. But how often can you celebrate Christmas, New Year and your birthday all at the same time in the one place that you’ve always dreamt of going?