Happy New Year to everyone! Over the winter break, I went to a 3-day seminar from Life Academy called "Power of Change" on 12/29-12/31. This was a unique and memorable experience that I won't forget.
Not only do I see life in a different perspective, but I also made many new friends, most of all were the people in my group. You guys made the whole class worthwhile. 
I'll talk a little about what we did, but I really encourage you to go see for yourself what it is like. Although it is kinda pricey ($1400 -- $1200 if you can get a discount), I think it is one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
Everyday we would get up at 7am and then have class until around 1am. It was pretty exhaustive and energy intensive. Besides lecture, we had various activities. Here are some of the highlights:
1) walk on fire -- yes, I actually did this! well it was burning hot coals... but anyways you get the point. surprisingly you don't feel anything at all when u step on the coals, but the cold asphalt hurt a lot more.  this was a lesson in confronting your fears.
2) walk around blindfolded -- this was a lesson in trusting your partner. you and another guy, both blindfolded, had to walk around the place not being able to see. and it wasn't all flat surface either...
3) and various other ones... some of them got quite emotional w/ stirring music to get those emotions rising, hahaha.
also, i thought some of the testimonials really moved me and some even brought me to tears. I can't express how special these 3 days were to me and I hope to keep in touch w/ my group long afterwards.
ok, on a somewhat related note: I saw the Taiwan bei yi nu (first girls high school) marching band at the hotel we were staying at (Pacific Palms in city of industry). they were there participating for the rose parade and I would see them every morning and night going and coming back from practice i guess.
I must say, some of them were quite tall... even taller than me! I think some would make great models.  | 