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Monday, November 21, 2011
AIDAN
Aidan, the class and I hope that your first day in the PAGE program has gone well! Here is where you can post to keep us informed on your experiences in the program. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Hey guys. It's only been one week but I feel like I've been away for a month! The first 2 days were hectic since they had to elect the new Speaker of the House(sorry, Patrick, that Donna Cansfield lost)and the Throne Speech had to be read. Wednesday was my first official day working and it was intimidating. Even though I knew the names and parties of all 107 MPPs, when you see them in person many it's hard to tell them apart. It's funny how similar men in suits with white hair look:) By Thursday I felt at home in the Legislature. The days are long and on the days that I work from 8:15 until 6:00, I only get an hour lunch and a 20 minute break. By the time I get home I'm exhausted and keeping up with school work hasn't been easy. Here's a run-down of the things I've experienced - both good and not-so-good. - I wake up at 6:00a.m:( and am on the subway by 7:00 a.m. I need to be dressed in uniform and ready for the day's briefing by 8:15 a.m. - The subway is packed like sardines and I stand most of the way - I have blisters on my feet from walking around in dress shoes all day long - Ms. Swanek,if you think we talk a lot, you have have to hear the MPPs (I don't think a single person finishes a sentence without someone else shouting out or interrupting).The Speaker of the House has to constantly referee the MPPs and even tell them to use "their inside voice". -I have met great kids from around Ontario that I work with. The MPPs are friendly and were very welcoming. I'm looking forward to having lunch with Laurel Broten who is the MPP of my riding. -At school and home, there are a lot of second chances if you do something wrong but it's not the same when you're working. There is a lot of responsibility and when they tell you something once they expect you to follow through. It's more pressure but it feels great when you know you've done a good job. -The feeling of being in the Legislature, and being around people who make decisions that affect our lives is unexplainable. Being a Page is better than I could have imagined. -I'm so much more aware of the issues and it's interesting to hear the parties debate back and forth. -Friday's are relaxed and there is always a trip planned. We went to the ROM and we had an organized tour of the different galleries. -Wednesday I'm being interviewed by the Etobicoke Guardian. I'm nervous but it's neat to think that they want to cover what I do. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to Week Two although I miss school and especially my friends.
are you going to answer us ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Sorry Guys. Kind of too busy to answer your questions daily. My uniform is kind of like a tuxedo, yes Konrad I meet all MPPs and leaders, and this Friday I am going to the Eaton Center.
I just finished my second week,and much like last week it has been eventful and fun. I'm getting to know the MPPs better as they are getting to know me, and this leads to lots of interesting conversations and fun discussions. Some of them joke around with us even though we are supposed to always act professionally. On Thursday one of the MPPs was trying to get me on camera just for the fun of it.As some of you might have already seen, the Etobicoke Guardian interviewed me about my experience at Queen's Park and published the article on Friday. On Wednesday, Laurel Broten (MPP for Etobicoke Lakeshore and Minister of Education and Women's Affairs)is taking me out for breakfast. I'm excited but a little nervous since it will only be the two of us (imagine how the Page who had to have lunch with Dalton McGuinty must have felt!:)My life is really busy. It's hard keeping up with school work when I come home. We have lessons on the political structure of Canada and we write tests and complete writing assignments during the day. At the end of my term, I will be receiving a report card and evaluation that will be part of my OSR so I need to make sure I do well. Then I have to come home and work on my projects. Even though I look forward to not feeling like I'm constantly worrying about school work, I am going to really miss my life at the Legislature. The Pages are fun and we've done a lot together and the people are so nice to us.
Hi Aidan, Wow that all sounds absolutely fantastic! Congratulations on the Etobicoke Gaurdian interview, and good luck with Laurel Broten, that's going to be amazing! Just wondering, when are you coming back?
did you get like atour when you first got there of most of that place it must be huuuuuge!!! when are you going to be back at school to tell us more about ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
hey what are you doing aidan???
ReplyDeleteHey guys. It's only been one week but I feel like I've been away for a month! The first 2 days were hectic since they had to elect the new Speaker of the House(sorry, Patrick, that Donna Cansfield lost)and the Throne Speech had to be read. Wednesday was my first official day working and it was intimidating. Even though I knew the names and parties of all 107 MPPs, when you see them in person many it's hard to tell them apart. It's funny how similar men in suits with white hair look:) By Thursday I felt at home in the Legislature. The days are long and on the days that I work from 8:15 until 6:00, I only get an hour lunch and a 20 minute break. By the time I get home I'm exhausted and keeping up with school work hasn't been easy. Here's a run-down of the things I've experienced - both good and not-so-good.
ReplyDelete- I wake up at 6:00a.m:( and am on the subway by 7:00 a.m. I need to be dressed in uniform and ready for the day's briefing by 8:15 a.m.
- The subway is packed like sardines and I stand most of the way
- I have blisters on my feet from walking around in dress shoes all day long
- Ms. Swanek,if you think we talk a lot, you have have to hear the MPPs (I don't think a single person finishes a sentence without someone else shouting out or interrupting).The Speaker of the House has to constantly referee the MPPs and even tell them to use "their inside voice".
-I have met great kids from around Ontario that I work with.
The MPPs are friendly and were very welcoming. I'm looking forward to having lunch with Laurel Broten who is the MPP of my riding.
-At school and home, there are a lot of second chances if you do something wrong but it's not the same when you're working. There is a lot of responsibility and when they tell you something once they expect you to follow through. It's more pressure but it feels great when you know you've done a good job.
-The feeling of being in the Legislature, and being around people who make decisions that affect our lives is unexplainable. Being a Page is better than I could have imagined.
-I'm so much more aware of the issues and it's interesting to hear the parties debate back and forth.
-Friday's are relaxed and there is always a trip planned. We went to the ROM and we had an organized tour of the different galleries.
-Wednesday I'm being interviewed by the Etobicoke Guardian. I'm nervous but it's neat to think that they want to cover what I do.
Needless to say, I'm looking forward to Week Two although I miss school and especially my friends.
Take care,
Aidan
That is so cool! What is the uniform?
ReplyDeletehey!!!!!!!!!!!! so do you get to meet the party representetives????????????????? how ever you say that.
ReplyDeletedo you visit other places other than the rom and why did they go there?
ReplyDeleteare you going to answer us ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
ReplyDeleteSorry Guys. Kind of too busy to answer your questions daily. My uniform is kind of like a tuxedo, yes Konrad I meet all MPPs and leaders, and this Friday I am going to the Eaton Center.
ReplyDeleteHey guys!
ReplyDeleteI just finished my second week,and much like last week it has been eventful and fun. I'm getting to know the MPPs better as they are getting to know me, and this leads to lots of interesting conversations and fun discussions. Some of them joke around with us even though we are supposed to always act professionally. On Thursday one of the MPPs was trying to get me on camera just for the fun of it.As some of you might have already seen, the Etobicoke Guardian interviewed me about my experience at Queen's Park and published the article on Friday. On Wednesday, Laurel Broten (MPP for Etobicoke Lakeshore and Minister of Education and Women's Affairs)is taking me out for breakfast. I'm excited but a little nervous since it will only be the two of us (imagine how the Page who had to have lunch with Dalton McGuinty must have felt!:)My life is really busy. It's hard keeping up with school work when I come home. We have lessons on the political structure of Canada and we write tests and complete writing assignments during the day. At the end of my term, I will be receiving a report card and evaluation that will be part of my OSR so I need to make sure I do well. Then I have to come home and work on my projects. Even though I look forward to not feeling like I'm constantly worrying about school work, I am going to really miss my life at the Legislature. The Pages are fun and we've done a lot together and the people are so nice to us.
Hi Aidan,
ReplyDeleteWow that all sounds absolutely fantastic! Congratulations on the Etobicoke Gaurdian interview, and good luck with Laurel Broten, that's going to be amazing!
Just wondering, when are you coming back?
did you get like atour when you first got there of most of that place it must be huuuuuge!!! when are you going to be back at school to tell us more about ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
ReplyDelete