[staff reflection] Embrace, change, and grow.
I was in Paris when this side of the world embraced the new year. Thanks to good weather and the week break, I was able to visit Paris for the first time and met Mona Lisa in person, among other things. 2008 started as a great year for me, I'm doing exactly what I want to do and a lot of happy news around work and family. My youngest sister got accepted to a prestigious school, I've changed jobs within the organization in a good way, and VVP is running smoothly with strong support from the staff here. The teens in VVP this year are extra hard working, diligent, and we can tell that they truly enjoy their time here no matter what we end up finishing. They are starting to take real ownership over their movies and learning how to present their work in a clear and cohesive way with others.
What I am most proud of is the way the group have come together to enjoy each workshop, and as one of the trainer in the program, I am humbled to be a part of the progress and learn from not just their mistakes but also my own. I love the overall harmony of the group that keeps us going each week. Each week we re-enforce big words like "digital media literacy skills", and with time, the teens are adapting to these skills in ways we cannot measure in numbers. I have a formula for program success, so I'm just going to toss it out there and see if anyone else can relate.
Positive attitude + strong program design + willingness to learn from mistakes and maintaining an open mind = SUCCESS SUPERSTARS 
It is often difficult for trainers, educators and professionals to realize that they are not experts, and the way we teach last year, or last month, might not be adequate for tomorrow. I think that's what I want to keep in the back of my head this year, and hope that others can do the same. Are we really embracing change, learning and growing from mistakes? Or are we making change slower than we claim to be? Are we honest with ourselves about the work we do with youth and the real impact on their lives - not for their future, but for right now?
A part of my new year's resolution is to get to know the teens better. Get to know them on a level that will last beyond our expectations. Like a teen said to me once, "keep it real miss", I obey.
