Wendy Huang

Revised from 'Long and distant...'

Sorry for the long awaited posts! I have been really busy with studying for my diploma exams!

June 26th was my last day of high school which I ended with a Social Studies diploma exam. That night, I had my first and last dance recital with Elite Dance Academy. I am very happy that it went really well for me as I gave it my best and enjoyed my time! Thought, I’m sad that it’s over. But with the end of something, it is the start of something new; I’m looking forward to attending a good dance studio in Toronto.

Now that high school is over, it’s weird. I don’t feel that I’m a high school graduate yet. I feel like I should still be going back to the familiar faces of friends and teachers, the pushy back hallways and endless homework and tests. Instead, I am moving onto a totally new environment with no one I know. Struck with nerves and excitement, I will first concentrate on my awesome summer.

With that in mind, my summer began right after my dance recital. On Saturday morning, along with my Mom and my sister, we started our 2009 road trip to Vegas, California and Ukiah. We began with a destination to Vegas, stopping in a small town called Lima along the way. In Vegas, I did 6 hours of shopping at the Premium Outlet.
Monday night, we arrived in LA around 11:30 pm. The next day, my Mom’s friend took us to the Desert Hills Premium Outlet and we went back again on Wednesday to finish up the shopping. Wednesday night, we got to meet up with two LA friends that I have known since I was three years old. I got a chance to chill with them again the following night. It was great to see them again!

On Friday, we made our way to Ukiah, stopping in San Francisco on the way. Ukiah is a small town near Santa Rosa. The reason for this road trip was to go to Ukiah for the City of Ten Thousand Buddha’s 30th Anniversary. My sister and brother had gone to school there in 1995 and 1996 and I have been visiting there since I was three. It felt great to be back there; it was different too because there was so many people. My sister and I ended up being volunteers on Saturday because they needed help. On Sunday, we stayed to watch the Dragon dance and had lunch with a few old friends and my cousin and his wife.

We started driving after lunch and slept in Spokane. We arrived back in Calgary this morning at 3:00 a.m.; we drove for 16 hours on Monday! It was very long and tiring but it was a great trip!

Now that I am back, I have so much to do in so little time! Ten days till I leave for Toronto; I am so excited and nervous at the same time! I still need to get my gown altered, buy my outfits and cocktail dress, find sponsors and prepare! In terms of preparations, I feel that my weakness has become my strength and I am really proud of that! I feel confident and ready to enjoy my experience!

Read below for the first MTC-W Contestant Blog Assignment! Keep checking back for the second assignment post!

For more pictures from my trip and the dance recital, click here.