Journal

My Trip to Tai Zoung

Soon after the winter vacation began, my friends in Black Ditch club and I went to Tai Zhong to have a three-day winter camp at Gu Guan. The winter camp was held by the president of the Taiwan Studies Club from TungHai University. Through the applied theatre theories in the courses, the president hopes that the students who attend the camp can discover the limited and unlimited part of themselves.

I was very looking forward to have the courses and hoping that I can gain something after the winter camp. However, just before we arrived Gu Guan, I lost my wallet on the bus to our destination. All my important documents and money were all gone. I was so desperate that I would do anything to get my wallet back. However, after numerous calls to the bus station, there was no sign for my wallet. Then I decided to put down all the negative feelings from the incident, indulge myself into the activities and join the group of people, hoping that there would be some one kind-hearted and send my wallet back to me.

The tutor of the course applied the theatre techniques into games. Through playing games, I found out that I was actually very suppressed in my life which led to my stiff body language. I didn't really like to talk to others about my personal life and what I was working on, especially to my family. Constantly I felt alienated from my friends and family because I seldom talked to them and I received no acknowledgement from them. After the series of courses in the camp, I felt better because there were many other people had similar problems as I did. I wasn't alone. And we figured out that it would be good if we can try to make some progress.

During the winter camp, I had more time to talk to my friends about the club I belong to, what I think about certain issues, and my concern about my family. The small talks really cheered me up that I felt optimistic and energetic as if I can do anything better. In addition, the physical demanding courses really helped me relax. My friend entitled the camp as “the liberation of body, spirit and soul” and I think surely it was. Now I am more confident and willing to tell others what I've been busy with.

A week after the winter camp, I had my wallet back. Someone sent it back to me and all my important documents were back. Sadly, I still had lost about four thousand TWD. I think this is a lesson for me that I should keep in mind. Next time when I go out, I should be very careful with my wallet.