This is the end –
This story’s old but it goes on and on until we disappear.

- Play Crack in the Sky, Brand New

It’s official. Just thirty-five minutes ago, the end to a 5 day journey was signified with hugs, congratulations, and an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment. And wow, did it feel good.

It seems like only yesterday I was rushing back from the airport and trying not to stress-out about my lack of preparation for the week to come. But, the fact of the matter is: it is not yesterday. Yesterday, we had no idea what we had gotten ourselves into. Yesterday, we believed we were prepared for the challenge ahead.

Yesterday, we had no idea what this campaign would mean.

If I had to try and put into words the things that were done and said to me over the past 5 days, I would be mute. If I had to try and comprehend what I have learned over this week, I would be disabled. And if I had to try and explain what living homeless has felt like, I would be crazy. I would be exactly where I am, right now: mute, disabled, and crazy. I can’t put into words what I’m feeling, I can’t seem to operate properly with my new knowledge, and I know I won’t seem sane with the explanations of my experiences.

But you know, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

To Evan & Jeff: Thank you for getting me through this week. You two are some of the most incredible individuals I have ever snuggled with. I have an appreciation for you both that inspires me to be more light-hearted, more open-minded, and incredibly comfortable with the male species. I love you guys, and consider you both two of my closest friends.

To Taylor, Jess, Jenny, Ryan, Rachel, Dani, & John: Our organizing committee. Without you all, none of this success would have EVER been possible. Your dedication to our campaign, passion for the cause, and unbelievable sacrifices this week have moved me to tears. I love you guys too. Know that.

To the volunteers, faculty members, & administration that supported us: You were the cherry on top. You constant words encouragement and offers of help created a solid foundation for the team. I couldn’t have asked for a better support system.

To the Laurier community: Wow. I can’t even describe it any other way. Every moment I spent outside this week further increased my love for this school, and made me so much prouder to be a Laurier student. Your outpouring of food, your consideration for our needs, and you indescribable random acts of kindness have changed me as a person. Thank you, more than you’ll ever know.

To all the people who donated and told friends about the cause: You are the reason we made this campaign so successful. With the hurt and suffering that still goes on so frequently in this world, it is unbelievable to see (first-hand) the selfless acts that are just as present in society. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

As I sign off for the day, I can only help but think one thought:

We have made unbelievable steps this week, ones that will surely last for years after we go. And one thing’s for certain – we made one hell of a difference doing it.

Much homeless love. xo

Just wanted to send some Laurier pride over your way, as it is Laurier’s Open House today!  Could you think of a more awesome way to end of what has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life?  I know I couldn’t.

As I sit in the clubs office, preparing to face a group of prospective students with grades that are older than my great grandma, I find myself wondering what the group will think of me.  Take a second to ponder this thought:  a group of academically exceptional students are going to be faces with an un-showered, un-groomed, and sleep-deprived Laurier student who is supposed to convince them to enroll in my program.  Tough sell?  I’m starting to think not so much.  The amount of support, both on and off campus, towards our campaign has been more than I ever could have imagined.  Without words of criticism and negative feedback, communities in and around Laurier have banded together to raise over $5,000, in addition to food that is continuing to pile-up in our abode.  It makes me speechless.  Thus, I type.

Last night, which was literally our last night, had to be the highlight of this week so far.  Joining Evan, Jeff, and I were 3 brave souls from Little House Residence (they won the residence challenge of raising the most money - $300+), the Investment Club President, a dear friend of Jeff’s, and an amazing reporter from the Kitchener Record.  From singing along on guitars to eating our body weight in food, I can’t describe to you how strangely sad I was to be waking up knowing that my journey into a completely different life was coming to an end.  As Evan put it so nicely:  “In an extremely odd way, I’m going to miss our home”.  And that’s just it.  It has become our home.

Although I have to run off to impress all the aforementioned students, check out my blog again in a couple hours for a further heartfelt recollection of my homeless experience.

AND DONATE!  We need to blow $5,000 out of the water!!

Loves.

“Cc… cc… cc… hotel.” Ah mom, you’re a doll. Thanks for visiting, and letting me poke fun at your girliness. Oh, and big shout outs to my grandma (Baba)! She’s awesome and brought me some delicious treats.

So, for those of you avid readers of my blog (again, my mom): I apologize for today’s lacking posts. Honestly, I don’t think I can do this anymore. Between my 8:30am classes, group assignments being due mid-afternoon, dinners I had already RSVP’d to, prepping for Laurier Day, and giving 5158 interviews - I AM DEAD. I guess you could say today, I am definitely feeling the effects of one looooong week.

Firstly, our Dean of Business & Economics (Ginny Dybenko) slept out last night! Wow, talk about a riot. She was awesome, and to many people’s surprise, managed to stay out with us until 7:30am this morning! We spent the whole evening laughing (she is a great audience, laughs at all my jokes), eating, and chatting with the odd passerby. I think my favourite times were when Ginny was completely zipped up in her bag and we made her laugh. All you heard was “< giggle giggle > … < silence >” and some bouncing around her cocoon-like bag. Not too long after it turned into “< silence >” and no movement. We knew she was a goner at that point. Anyways, Ginny: THANK YOU! You really did make a huge difference in the campaign!

Well, ladies and gents, I can barely keep my eyes open. I cannot believe that tomorrow is our last day. Did I mention WE SURPASSED OUR $5000 GOAL!?!?!? WOOOOOOOO!!!! That moment, when we hit $5000, well.. that was really what solidified how much this campaign as officially accomplished. Go team.

I’m off to nap/snuggle with my boys, but I promise continuous updates tomorrow from homebase via blackberry. Love and kisses to all my loyal readers.

You guessed it: our first sight of precipitation.  Snow.  Or the little white devil, as I have now dubbed it.  Not only am I subjected to 9 layers of clothing, the insole of arctic boots, an unflattering hat that makes me look like a boy, and a cocoon-like sleeping bag, I also must now sport a tarp.  Just think of people not fortunate enough to have all those things.

I am tired.  I can’t keep my eyes open, whether in class (no offense to my wonderful profs) or my group meetings (no offense to my talented group members).  When I sleep, I sleep short, hard, cold, and uncomfortably.  And that’s if I can manage to find the quiet and the time to rest.  I don’t think I could have picked a worse week with the number of assignments and group presentations fast approaching. 

Part of me just wants to collapse in the 2-4 lounge for the night.  That is, until the other braver and more ambitious side remembers why I’m doing this in the first place.  From the fact that we’ve almost reached 50% of our goal in just over 2 days to news that the campaign has reached television, radio, and newspapers across Ontario to the opportunity to speak to students about the growing concerns of homelessness in the Kitchener/Waterloo region, it’s all worth it.  Every lost moment of sleep.  And I guess every snowflake for that matter… although, that doesn’t mean I still don’t have words for Mother Nature right now.

“This shouldn’t be someone’s home.” – Evan, Sam, Jeff, & John

Wow, being homeless is exhausting.  With that in mind, Jeff:  I am very sorry you had a less than stellar sleep last night.  I can’t speak for everyone else, but in response to my own sleeping habits, I have been known to twitch.  My sincerest apologies.  I will sing you to sleep this evening.

Another night down, and still 3 more to go.  I must give the highlight of last evening to a gentleman who I have now deemed my “makeshift cook”: Aldaine.  This beautiful person swung by last night with 3 individually packaged dinners (in containers he purchased himself), which consisted of homemade breaded chicken drumsticks, rice with jerk sauce, and steamed broccoli.  Did I mention he also included juice and cookies for dessert?  Yea, I love him.  To Aldaine and every other person who has popped by with food, THANK YOU!

So last night we had 4 members of the organizing committee come out and spend an evening with us!  We banded together and built an exceptionally well-structured bed out of a collection of materials we found on campus.  First, we strategically filled the area with 4 crates to lift us off the ground in case of potential flooding.  Next, we filled the slots in the crate with newspaper for insulation and covered with tops with cardboard boxes.  That, combined with the copious amount of snuggling kept most of us pretty warm and comfortable for the night (again, Jeff, I’m sorry).  Although I konked out early, I heard there were chicken wings, sing alongs, and much laughing to compliment the night.

I would also like to take the opportunity to let you all know that I am learning things about boys that I really wish I never had to know.  The number of coin phrases, terms, and bodily functions I am being subjected to is both unruly and disturbing.  I suddenly feel like marriage might not be in the cards for me… thanks Evan & Jeff.

Before I sign-off, I would like to add some additional points to Jeff’s list of tips:
1. Ensure you are middle “spoon” (middle of the snuggle party) at all times.
2. Don’t fall asleep before 12:00am; chicken wings are known to arrive soon after.
3. Cherish copies of the Cord that people don’t read; they will keep you warm.
4. Instead of allowing the food to pile-up, encourage people to bring it downtown to shelters or donate in monetary form.
5. DO NOT sleep beside Evan.  You do not want to know why.
6. Be prepared for the most amazing random acts of kindness.  You’ll feel your heart grow.

And to my best friends Liam, Connor, Mike, Scott, Carlene, Marc, & everyone else across the country:  You guys rock.  Much love in this cold weather. xo

Check out the newest celeb to be caught on camera! … I wish.

At 5:00, 5:30, 6:30, & 10:00 I will be strutin’ my stuff on Rogers First Local TV!

Let me know how I’m looking

Night 1 = Complete. And what a night it was.

First off, the Laurier community has been absolutely overwhelming with their donations. A little summary of some of our gifts:

- Tim Horton’s soups, sandwiches, & coffees [family]

- Potluck dinner, including: quesadillas, stir-fry, salads, drinks, & cookies [SBE Student Council team]

- Extra bedding, pizza, & water [from Bricker Res]

- Cookies (in the shape of people) covered in lime green icing (our participant t-shirt colours) that were labeled with a giant “5” & skor cookies [Mac House]

- Hot oatmeal [Mac House]

- Bag of chocolate & candy [friends – Hayden!]

- Apples, cookies, & gum [family]

- Coffee [everyone!]

- Hot chocolate [friends]

I can’t even put into words what this list says about the generosity, support, and unbelievable good nature of the Laurier and outside communities. To everyone who took the time to visit us, thank you – from the bottom of my heart. Also, a SPECIAL thank you to both the SBE Student Council (SBESC) and 5 Days Organizing Committee. The SBESC put on an amazing dinner for the group, which was then followed by the presence of 3 brave sleepers: Taylor McGuire (Project Manager), Hani Migally (Executive Assistant to the President), & Alex Fitzgerald (Director of Faculty Relations).

Secondly…

The 5 DAYS ORGANIZING COMMITTEE IS UNREAL! From the set-up to hanging out post-kick-off event, they have been with us supporting every step of the way. I am so proud and unbelievably moved by their coordination, planning, and passion for the campaign.

As for the actually sleeping, news reports hinted that it was close to (if not lower than) -20°C without the wind-chill. For those of you up north (in places such as Alberta), that might not be so bad. However, for us down here in Waterloo: man, it was cold. In fact, I woke up at 4:30am shivering and unable to sleep. Thankfully, the campaign allows us to move inside if temperatures become low enough to create health risks (roughly -20°C with wind-chill), so I did just that. From 4:30-7:30am, I snuggled inside the doors outside our Terrace food court. The same can’t be said for Jeff & Evan, who stayed strong in the arctic weather. Props to my boys, and sorry for being such a suck! I am convinced that tonight will go much better!

Being homeless sucks.

Sam xo

As I sit here in the School of Business & Economics Student Council office, wearing upwards of 4 layers and looking quite disheveled, I can only seem to think one thing: it is going to be one cold week. After a fantastic weekend in Edmonton for the EnCana Roundtable conference, Evan & I flew back at the crack of dawn to make it for the 4:45pm start time. Managing a smooth appearance at 4:40, the newspaper ribbon was cut and my journey into 5 days of homelessness began.

I’ll be completely honest with you: I don’t camp, I don’t hike, and I don’t do wilderness adventures. If I had to choose between being cold and dirty and being warm and clean, well… I think you get it. Could you think of a better candidate for this absolutely amazing campaign? For the next 120 hours, track pants, Tim Horton’s coffee, and a cardboard bed will be some of the most coveted items in my life. As you can probably imagine, this is going to be incredibly tough for me. Between the intense snuggle-for-warmth sessions and begging for some chapstick, I will be forced to test my powers of persuasion and patience for sweaty, smelly boys. Yuk.

Although, I must admit: as much as everyone else seems to be terrified for me, I am actually incredibly excited for this week. As someone who has been very fortunate in life, I am thoroughly looking forward to the chance to see and experience things from the other side of the fence. I really think I am going to learn some valuable lessons.

So, make sure you tune in daily for what I promise will be an interesting read! And to my amazing friends from UBC to Concordia who are also partnering in this campaign, “Sammy Bear” wishes you the best of luck!

See you tomorrow morning