All of my life, I have walked to school. I'm comfortable with it and I enjoy taking simple ways to reach my destinations. I like things simple and consistent. I never wanted to take the subway because I didn't like it at all. It always seemed too crowded, and I came across weird people who smelled and looked at me.

Yet, all that is changing. I'm growing and learning to be independent. My life is expanding and ever growing more stressful. I also need to try new things and experiment with life's new challenges. Beginning Co-operative Education, a program that allows you to achieve credits outside of school, is what made me take my first step.

So, I have been 'riding the rocket' for about three months now. Everyday there is always something new. One day, a young woman stepped onto the train and demanded that an elderly man give up his seat so she could sit down. Now that is what I call rude! Yet, it never ceases to amaze me how many different people I come across of different races, cultural backgrounds and ethnicity. I'm more aware of how mixed Toronto is in ethnicity, and I now believe that it is one of the most multicultural cities in the world.

Another day, instead of the average three minutes, I waited for the train for half an hour! The station must have accumulated approximately two hundred or more people. People were nervous, upset, and impatient. The average rider would be accustomed to that delay, but for a rookie like me, it was pretty scary. My confidence got shaken a bit, but I managed to get a grip on myself. I even tried to calm down a woman who was starting to panic after only being there for about ten minutes. I tried to reassure her by telling her that everything is going to be alright and that she would get home. The funny thing is that everyone was reading a newspaper or a book and looking as calm as can be. And I was there, trying to get myself organized and trying to remain calm. Who knows? Maybe in a couple of months, I will be the one reading the newspaper or book and looking as calm as can be.

So now, not only do I walk places, but I also 'ride the rocket'. It's not as bad as I used to think. I have gained confidence by taking public transportation. Now I'm capable of going someplace without getting lost....well I try not to! One thing that I have learned is; don't say that you don't like something without trying it out first because you could be missing out on something really interesting. As in my case, 'riding the rocket' has turned out to be a great experience.

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© 1998 TG Magazine / The Students Commission