Mother's Day, and My Mother is Home!

Only a helpful heel gives me the edge over the ten year old...long legged beauty she is! And you can't see it here, but Mom now has long flowing locks!!! Beautiful!

Arm around picture number seventy-two. It's classic.

LOVE the eyes!!!

My family is home, and it is goooood. Plus, a NWT license plate showed up on our driveway last night- surprise! Heather is home, too! Today we enjoyed a Mother's Day brunch, some tennis and supper with Aunty Carolyn, Bonnie, and Ronan. The squishability factor on this kid is excellent! Cuuuuutie petutie!
So Happiest Mother's Day wishes to my Mom. You're the best Mom a girl could ask for- love you oodles and so so so happy to have you home!!!!!!!!!!!

Nerd Day

Gorgeous!

Paving the way to Asia...

I'm feeling it today. It's that unlikable feeling I call the "friend void". My soul sister, Miss Sherri Kasper, is in Vancouver getting ready to fly over that big blue pond to Korea and beyond. Sher and her sister are traveling around Southeast Asia for the next year. Awesome, hey? I'm so pumped for them, and even more excited that we have plans to meet up somewhere during my spring break next year. How about the Phillipines? Indonesia? Cambodia? Vietnam? Sounds good to me! Anyway, tonight I went to Starbucks in honor of my friend- offered up a vanilla latte in memory of great conversations in that place. She's an amazing gal- I miss her already!
I'm just picturing her dancing up a storm in some Korean karoake hotspot...ha ha...something like this picture...love ya, Sher!!!!

Me and Don Narcisse

This week officially marks the beginning of the spring/summer sports season. I'm pretty excited about this. On Sunday, I tried something new- football! A friend of mine has been asking for the last 4 years if I'd come out and play, but the answer was always "I play softball", or "I'm leaving the country pretty soon". So this year I said "I'll probably play softball, and I'm leaving the country", but I'll play anyway! The first practice was really fun- I definitely felt like a tough football player running my post patterns and such. Ha, ha. It's cool, though- they taught us (the rookies) how to run different patterns out of the nifty little laminated play sheet. I feel like Don Narcisse already. Ha, ha! I'm not sure that I'll make the best football player, but I think it has the potential to be pretty fun. A fun group of gals- a number of them from my days with the Cougs.
Tonight I also played my first softball game in a couple years. Softball is home. No doubt- playing second base is oh, so good...and tonight I was a pick-up for a team, but the regular second base person broke her nose (that was not so good), so I moved in from good ol' right field. Pretty fun. A classic game- I bunted, grounded out, made it to first on another ground ball. Ha ha. Unfortunately it was really cold out, and my leg muscles that were already very sore from football, tightened up...leaving me waddling around like an old penguin.
I think I'll be kept busy enough with activity this spring, if my schedule on Thursday is any indicator. Basketball game at 4pm, football at 5:45pm, softball game at 6:45pm, marks due the next day. Next week we'll throw in tennis lessons! Life is good, hey?!
Go Phoenix....I really don't like the Lakers...AT ALL (sidenote).

Invisible Children

Have you heard about the night commuters in Uganda? Last week I watched a late-night Oprah that had me sobbing. I didn't know about this at all, nor did I know anything about the genocide that is taking place right now in the Sudan. The night walkers in Uganda are all children trying to escape the rebels, who kidnap the children and turn them into killers as members of the rebel group. The children walk 5 miles every night, going from the village to the shelter. Unbelievable.
3 guys from California traveled to Uganda and returned with a mission to end the crisis...they have started an organization known as the "Invisible Children". You should check out their website- it has a lot of videos and podcasts, and highlights a trailer of their soon to be released full feature film. I think it looks really good. I need to learn more about this, as well as the crisis in Sudan. If you find some good links, let me know!

Grandma's 89th Birthday

The thing about Steve Nash...

Is that he makes everyone else on his team so much better. Every player is a better basketball player because of Nash's influence on the court. No doubt he is an incredible athlete himself, but he just makes things flow in a way that few players can.
I spend most of my time thinking about how I can make myself better. I like the picture this guy is painting for me. Maybe it's my modern day parable- something like the love my neighbour idea, basketball style. Something to strive for- spending more energy devoted to making other's lives better, rather than my own.

Second best time of the year for sports...

I can't say it beats the Madness (what could ever compare?), but it's a sweet time of year for sports fans. I'm even finding myself quite interested in the NHL playoffs, which has happened rarely since Wayne left the scene. I say go Alberta when it comes to hockey- am I allowed to cheer for both? But on to the more intelligent game. Steve Nash is just so good. Wow- did you know that in the last 5 years, his team had led the league in offensive scoring? It's true! The Phoenix Suns led the league in all the major offensive areas this year. Oooh, they are fun to watch!
What I love about the NBA playoffs is that they actually come to play- even defense! Some, like this guy for instance (we've had many a debate in that household...I'm always outnumbered!), dread the final minutes of a basketball game. But I think it's beautiful. Oh, the strategy that comes alive! Clever substitutions for defense and offense. Big time decisions on both ends of the floor made my coaches. Pressure! Clutch free-throwing shooting. Monster defensive stops. Buzzer beaters. Three point plays. The drama is just so good. You know you love it, too!
Enjoy the spring playoff season, fellow sports fans!

Why I will not live in Italy...or Bulgaria

Roommate Tamara fed me a great procrastinating tool- the King of all stat sites! If you go here, you will find all kind of interesting stats from around the world. And so, the number one reason I will not live in Italy (followed by some other stats I found interesting)...

Percentage of students who report high noise level and disorder in classes (2000):

#1	Italy	46%
#2	Finland	42%
#3	France	42%
#4	Norway	39%
#5	Sweden	38%
#6	Belgium	36%
#7	Canada :)	33%

You could have guessed this one...

Percentage responding that they were proud of their nationality:

#1	United States	77%
#2	Ireland	77%
#3	Australia	70%
#4	Canada	60%

Why you should think twice about settling down in Bulgaria...

Percentage responding they are not happy or not very happy:

#1	Bulgaria	62%
#2	Moldova	56%
#3	Belarus	54%
#4	Ukraine	52%
#5	Russia	49%

And the explanation for your cheerful Venezualan neighbours...

Percentage of people claiming to be very happy:

#1	Venezuela	55%
#2	Nigeria	45%
#3	Ireland	42%
#4	Iceland	42%
#5	Netherlands	40%
#6	Philippines	40%

Sweet Marees

Aunty Love

Spring Break

It's been great so far! The only thing I'm missing on my collage is my afternoon of pirates and grounders at the park with Laurel and Karlie...I'll catch up when I'm back in Calgary later this week! Click on the image to see the bigger version.

Oh, WOW!

Well it's extremely late and I have to be up in about six hours and I've got eight to drive, but some things just need to be blogged.
If you weren't convinced, allow me to convince you today that I am indeed the "sixth" of six kids. As such, I confess to being the spoiled child. Spoiled by parents, and if wasn't official before, I'm making it official today- spoiled by siblings!!! Sheeeeesh!
I arrived home today to find a white Courier envelope on the table with my name on it, suspiciously from sister Tara up North. Hmmmmm!!! Guess, just guess what was inside????
Do you know?
It was a present from the cutest little fellow I know, that would be Elijah, of course! (Although I have this strange feeling his parents and Aunty may have been involved somehow) Anyway, Elijah couriered me a ticket to fly out of Calgary to Yellowknife over my spring break (which, by the way, started today! WOOO!)! I even get to fly back- that's a first! What a cool kid, hey?!!!
So, I'm pretty pumped. Currently weary, but thrilled all the same to have, in the next ten days, the chance to see my cutie petuties in both Calgary and YK! "Soooo good (as my Asian students would say)"! This is a big holla out to the YK clan...LOVE YOU!
Well if I'm going to be a cheerful Aunty tomorrow, I'd better get at least 5 hours of sleep. Yikes. Oh, by the way, this fantastic surprise has capped off a lovely week here in the Queen City. I enjoyed a string of really great conversations with friends this week- some random, some planned, some even found in parent-teacher interviews. More on that later.
And, I ended up with 24 roses by the end of Tuesday...all from ladies, of course- only the best!
Okay, I'm off to bed and I'm up to greet some of the finest women to the Gospel House of Love for a Good Friday breakfast shared among friends and mentors. Good Friday unites Good Women. I take no credit, or blame, for the aforementioned phrase...please direct to Miss Tamara Knutson.

Gospel House of Love Party!

Okay, 24 might not be all that bad...when you've got Gospel House of Love gals to celebrate with!

The silkiest smooth ice cream you ever did taste. Mmmm.

Close to home...

Today I shared on the topic "Christianity in China" with my Mandarin class. It got me searching on what's happening right now in terms of the underground movement. I kind of thought things were getting better as China's market is booming and things are opening up so much more than before. However, authorities seem to be cracking down on things in recent months. I read this article about the raid of a gathering right in Hubei- where I lived last year.
I'm going to copy a piece of it here, and leave with you a couple links if you're interested in reading more:

MIDLAND, Texas (Christian Newswire) -- China Aid Association learned one House Church pastor was detained on March 20, 2006 at Hubei Province. Pastor Lian Changnian is now detained at the Detention Center of Xiantao City, Hubei Province. Pastor Lian who is from Xi?an City, Shannxi Province was leading a Bible study of over 100 believers at a House Church at Xiantao City when the raid occurred.

CAA also learned 15 House Church Leaders are still detained, including a 15-year-old female evangelist, following a brutal police raid on a house church leaders? meeting in Henan Province. Two prominent human rights lawyers in Beijing agree to represent the persecuted church leaders. Sources say the pastors were accused of being ?illegal evil cult members? by the authority, however, these pastors are believed to be part of the Henan Fangcheng Mother Church group which is known worldwide as an evangelical House Church group in China.

There are some scary, yet very powerful stories of the faithful in China.
For a good news summary- "China's Christians Suffer for their Faith" (BBC- November 2004).
For a great website on Christian persecution in the world (updated very regularly), go here. At the bottom of this page you will find many recent articles related particularly to persecution in China. The most recent were written were "Open Season on Christians" (March 28, 2006), and "China Arrests and Tortures House Church Leaders in Crackdown" (March 22, 2006).
This is also an outstanding site, "China Aid", which tells the stories of many amazing brothers and sisters in China.

Spring has sprung!

What a lovely, lovely day in Saskatchewan! What an amazing difference a little sunshine can make. I enjoyed a walk around our downtown today. I should do that more often- I like being amongst the constant intersecting of all kinds of people- sometimes, anyway! I guess that's a good thing seeing I am moving to Hong Kong! Sheesh. Sometimes I also wonder if I am crazy to leave good ol' Regina for the madness of that mass of concrete and people!
Anyway, the certain indicator that spring has sprung in Regina is that driving down Victoria Ave. today, I saw a long line of ice cream hungry folks at the legandary Milky Way. Wooohooo! Now we just need the tennis nets up and we'll be flying!
I followed my brother to the library today. Being much younger in age, I strayed away from the large print section and headed for juvenile fiction. :) I'm starting to read novels as I start brainstorming for my Gr. 5's in the fall (which means I'm putting off the pile of Gr. 9/10 marking I have right now! Eeeek!). Here's what I picked up:
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Everest by Gordan Korman
Wayside School is Falling Down by Louis Sachar
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Tunnels of Time by Mary Harelkin Bishop
Have any other suggestions of great books I could read, or study, with a group of Gr. 5 kids?

The End of Kidtelligence = The Beginning of Harmony's Teaching Tickle Trunk

Regina is losing its only major teaching store- Kidtelligence, which isn't a very good thing for all the friendly teachers in town. But it has been a very good thing for me, as everything in the store has been 50-70% off. I think I spent less than $30 preparing for my high school classroom. I can't quite say the same about getting ready for my first elementary classroom! Stickers, borders, books, games, posters, galore! It's a whole new world!

Gravity? We're stumped.

mysterious birdie

(just checking)

You've seen this picture, right?!
Oh, it does an Aunty's heart good.

Field Trip Day

Today was Field Trip Day. In Mandarin class we went out for lunch to a local Chinese restaurant and filled ourselves on spicy tofu, ginger beef and wonton soup. Immediately following the Chinese feast, the Grade 10s and myself drove to the Legislative Building to sit in on question period, take a tour of the building and visit with our Regina Rosemont MLA, the Honourable Joanne Crofford. She is a fantastic lady and kindly introduced our class to the Assembly during the session. She commented on Western being a welcomed bright spot in our community as well as stating our "students seek a high standard for their life decisions"- or something to that effect, although it sounded better when she said it...anyway, it made me think, hey, that's a pretty neat thing to recognize in our kids. I have now taken both Gr. 4's and Gr. 10's to the Leg., and I'd have to say in terms of management, they work at about the same level...ha ha. Just kidding, they were good reps for our school.
So here it is just about 1am again, and I'm rounding up on the prep for tomorrow. I must say I am feeling somewhat lethargic about things related to teaching these days...I am ready for Easter! Oh dear. Things are lighter for me now that the hoops season is over, so I can't complain...and I really shouldn't. It's too easy to whine...oops, that's whining too, isn't it? You'd think I'd take the advice/orders I give my 9/10's everyday- "do not whine at me- I am not your Mother and you are not 5 years old!"
On a positive note, lately I have realized I am not socially inept, as I had feared I was becoming during the last few months in the height of teaching and coaching busyness. Birthday celebrations (Happy Birthday Crystal!!!! You're my Hero, the Funniest Distraction, and the Queen of Peppers), India buffets, plenty of March Madness, soccer, basketball, badminton, working out at the gym, a monster long chat to China...all these I have enjoyed in the past week. Now, I really must head for bed. It's better for all that way!

Passing on the love...

My favorite class of the day is the one I don't usually teach- Mandarin class. It is the students' favorite class, too. They call me a "co-teacher", but that's a pretty far stretch for a gal who spent a year fiddling with a language with less than great intensity. Our real teacher, Evangeline, is one fantastic lady. She works at QCC (the ESL high school that is located at Western). I teach one class a week (something related to my China experience, a craft, or a lesson on Chinese history, landmarks, geography or politics), while she teahes the other four. We've made spring rolls together, Chinese valentines, we've ate dry squid and fish, and a meal at a Chinese restaurant is in the agenda for next week.
Our little high school has really caught fire when it comes to learning about Chinese language and culture- it's really quite neat, and a unique experience for our kids. They're so excited about everything! Each student is also paired up with a Chinese student from QCC, and they hang out together once a week in an exchange of language and culture.
Today we spent most of the class working on our Chinese characters. A student and I agreed that it is such a peaceful thing to do. 20 people in a room working diligently on these little strokes that combine to actually create real words! It's hard for our English minds to figure out just how these picture characters have meanings.
It has been so fun for me- learning more Chinese everyday, getting to know another wonderful Chinese person, and having the chance to pass on my love for this country to my students.
Here's my homework from today!

I'm it...you're next!

FOUR JOBS I HAVE HAD
1. Subway Sandwich Artist (I look best in purple)
2. Bata Shoe Seller
3. ESL Homestay Student Assistant
4. Teacher

FOUR MOVIES I COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER
1. Notting Hill
2. Hoosiers
3. Two Weeks Notice
4. Cheaper By the Dozen

FOUR PLACES I HAVE LIVED
1. 7301 7th Ave., West siiiide Regina, Saskatchewan
2. 1751 Bond St., East siiide Regina, Saskatchewan
3. Gospel House of Love, East siiiide Regina, Saskatchewan
4. The Rooftop, Shiyan, Hubei, China

FOUR TV SHOWS I LIKE TO WATCH
1. March Madness
2. American Idol
3. Amazing Race
4. March Madness

FOUR PLACES I HAVE GONE ON VACATION
1. Muscat, Oman
2. Clearview Christian Camp, Kenosee Lake, Saskatchewan
3. Yellowknife is #1, baby! Summer, or winter..it's the vacation hotspot!
4. Beijing, China

FOUR FAVOURITE DISHES
1. Fajitas!
2. Anything Made By Mom
3. Colorful colorful salads
4. Chinese Green Beans, How I Miss Them!

FOUR WEBSITES I VISIT DAILY
1. gmail
2. myfamily
3. evergreen curriculum :)
4. all kinds of blogs! try this one!

FOUR BLOGGERS TAGGED
1. Tamara Tamala
2. Elijah's Dad
3. Water Lab Technician Boy
4. Dr. Slywka

She Loved Well

About a week ago, the Maxima and I journeyed together to Portage for my Aunty Laurie's funeral. Actually, it was not a funeral, it was a celebration. She would have nothing to do with funerals; she wanted her friends and family to get together and have a party in remembrance of her life. So that we did. We played bingo, listened to an Elvis impersonator, and later we ate pizza and cake, her favorites. We cried plenty too, and remembered all that Aunty Laurie gave in her life on Earth. The word that described her over and over was love. Love, love, love. It was a very good reminder to me that it really is all that lasts and endures. Love. People remember love- love as an action that helps and shares and gives. She loved like that and it touched people. We admired her amazing endurance through so much pain- she was courageous to the end.
I was glad that I could be there. It was the day before, though, that likely sparked some thoughts for me. I went to her viewing; I have never done this before. She is the first person that I really knew that has passed away. It was quite an experience for me. I was sad to see her there, because it meant Aunty Laurie had left us and I wouldn't know her here on Earth anymore.
But more than that, I felt an amazing sense of joy for her. She was, and is, free! The words that ran through my mind were "It's just a tent. This body is only a tent- nothing more". The flesh has lost the battle, but my Aunty Laurie is free. For the last week my mind has sometimes drifted to Aunty Laurie and I wonder what she is up to. What's it like up there, over there, wherever you are experiencing the other side of this?
Anyway, it is all leading me to think about how much time I waste on the surface level of life. It has helped me think about cultivating the spirit inside of me that my Father wants. I confess I am consumed by so much of what will pass away.
I've been reading Brian McLaren's book, "A New Kind of Christian". I happened to run into his chapter on "What is Heaven About Anyway?" the night before the service.
I think he has some good thoughts on how death teaches us about "becoming" in the now. I'll let him speak for himself:
"We are becoming on this side of the door of death the kind of people we will be on the other side. And for that reason, the reality of death gives us an important gift every day: it reminds us that we can't keep putting off the work of becoming. It tells us to prepare to meet God then by entering into a relationship with him now. It echoes the words of Jesus, "Turn, turn, turn to God...because the kingdom of heaven is near. Because someday it will be time to turn in our final exam. Someday the teacher will say, "Time's up. Pencils down". Someday the essay that we have written with our lives will be complete.
What we will have become on this side of the door, that we will be on the other. That fact means that we live every moment in the nexus of peril and possibility."

My Favorite Chinese Word

This makes me giggle everytime, so I thought I'd share it with you.
Next time someone asks you how your day is, and you want to say "so, so", you should not say "so, so" because this is not very exciting, or fun. Instead use the Mandarin translation of this expression- say "Ma ma hu hu". Isn't that much more enjoyable? If you become bored of ma ma hu hu, well then try the Cantonese version: "Ma ma fu fu". Hee, hee. Chinese is great.

Speak up, O Blogger

Many thoughts. Followed by lazy moments and not quite the motivation to put the thoughts together to make any kind of sense. So here we go, let's get back on the blogging block. I'm getting myself pumped up here. Woo, wooo!!!
Translation "Xiao Liu". This is a way to give little brothers or sisters in a family a nickname. So "xiao" (she-owwwww!) means "small" and "liu" (leo) means "six".

Mustangs from the Hood

Nothing Beats March Madness!!!

March is by far my favorite month of the year, hands down. The greatest sporting event known to mankind will kick off with Selection Sunday six days from now. Ooooooh. The NCAA Basketball Tournament. The 64 Team Showdown. The Big Dance, Baby!
There is nothing that moves me like a 14 seed pulling the big upset on the 3 seed...or a classic 8-9 match up coming right down to the wire. Seriously, buzzer beaters make me just plain weepy! Who will emerge as the cinderella story of 2006? Which number one seed will plummet first? Which kid will come out of the closet as the next top NBA prospect? How long can I sneak out of class to watch as many games as possible?!!!
I'll let you know about what I'm thinking on this year's bracket's...but not until our big fantasy league is underway. I'd hate to let my secret selections out of the bag. Ha, ha!
There's just something about the whole bracket thing that makes me
kinda goofy. Sheesh, I love those brackets! Every since high school, I get this tingly rush making my gambles and random guesses on teams, and then, oh the best- during the first two rounds...watching and updating as the scores pile up. Oh, admit it, some of you deep down feel the same way! So, if you want to join the bracket craze, send me an email and I'll get you signed up for a fantasy league with the hippest bracket junkies around.
Oh, and this year the Madness is even more intense because I'm coaching my way through a bracket! It was Selection Monday for us in Saskatchewan. I was a little disappointed with our seeding- 9th out of 16. I'm not convinced the strength of our schedule was taken into account as it might have been (we were 10-14 overall this season, and 5-10 in Regina playing against a majority of 3A and 4A schools), but oh well. That's alright! We're headed to Herbert to play in the tight 8-9 game vs. Radville. Should we be victorious in the Friday night game, next up will be the mighty Herberters?- the number one ranked team in the province. The slipper might just fit! Go Mustangs!
It's actually a pretty fun time for high school basketball here, with all of the divisions holding their regionals this weekend and then four from each will move on to the Big Dance- aka Hoopla, the following weekend in Moose Jaw.
Anyway...countdown to the Madness is on...I know you're counting down, too! :)

GOLD!!!

GO CANADA!

Progressive Folk Funk/ Newgrass/ Musical Beauty

Looking to diversify your playlist? Try Nickel Creek! Their latest cd, Why Should the Fire Die?, is definitely one of my current favorites. If you want a taste, listen to a couple tracks here.

Professional Development?

I spent the last few days committed to "professional development". What a great concept. This was the best professional development I have yet to experience!
My good friend and co-worker, Deanna (aka Miss Cook), jetted (that would be, West-Jetted) to Edmonton on Wednesday afternoon. We came back this morning after spending three days in Sherwood Park at an ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) teaching convention.
The convention was really good. I didn't take in all that much that was practical to my teaching, but I got what I needed more- some great encouragement, refreshment and spiritual challenges. Here are some things that I'm thinking about as a result:
-Bringing my thoughts captive to Christ. One of the speakers offered a really good word picture to help me understand this idea. Every time we buy the lies of the enemy, he adds a link to the chain, keeping us in bondage. I need to learn to cast away the garbage before the chain gets longer and stronger. The mind is a fierce battle field, hey?
-I am far too casual about our God's holiness.
-A living faith that dispels darkness...this was a good question for me to be confronted with- is my life dispelling darkness?
-Especially in the past six months, it has been easy for me to become defined by "outside" things instead of the foundation of my life being centered on the image of Jesus.
And my favorite verse of the week:
As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, he has given us all his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature...1 peter 1:3 and so on.
I can't even begin to say how good it felt to be free of responsibility for a few days. Ahhhhh.
One of the real treats of the week was staying with the Elford crew in Sherwood Park. It was wonderful to reconnect with a family I have always enjoyed so much. They have got some of the neatest kids around! Painting volcanoes a for science project, a ping pong marathon, watching the Olympics, and good visits were among the highlights.
So it has been a great few days of "professional development". Maybe I'm just a rookie and I'm off on this, but I'd say the greatest professional development for a teacher must be some high quality R & R!!! I'm glad to have had a little hiatus. Tomorrow it's back to marking and pla...well, you know. :)

A Very Poor Physical Specimen Am I

Oh dear. Tonight I realized the pathetic state my body is in! Let me tell you, I'm in terrible shape! How did I figure out the extent of this most ridiculous situation?
Indoor soccer. Ohhh, my lungs burn just thinking about it. It's a real pity because it was pretty fun (no, not as fun as basketball, it's just not possible), but fun all the same. My flubbery hips and the peanut butter sandwich in the pit of my stomach screaming for release with every breath were not helpful in my attempt to be effective! Ha. But hey, it was a good time. I haven't played soccer since Grade 12, and I've never played indoor before. I've been chicken of the game ever since my knee decided to get all grumpy on me. It felt pretty good tonight though (better than the rest of me!), so I may just try again. I think the best part is winding up and booting that ball with all your might. That's a good feeling. Thanks for giving me the chance to play, ladies!
Lord help me when I try to move tomorrow. Ai ya!

Small Town Hoops

I just returned from a weekend spent in good ol' Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan. We took the guys down for a bball tournament. I wanted to go to Gravelbourg for a couple of reasons- one, so that we could get out of the city and play some 1A teams our own size, and two, to give my guys a chance to connect with one of the best small town communities I know! On both counts, we were successful!
We started off with a shaky win in the first game against Gravelbourg. We rolled through the second game quite a bit more easily. Next was the final game against Rouleau (you know- the home of Corner Gas...the team is sponsored by the TV show). Rouleau had a kid drop over 40 in the semi-final game and it was pretty clear that he was the key to shutting down their offense. Bring on the ol' junk defense! We played a box and one the whole game, with our captain, top scorer and rebounder, matched up against their big scorer.
Three minutes into the third quarter, we were down by 16 and I thought things were slipping...but we went to our zone press and the guys hung in there and clawed their way back...all the way back! Ohhhh, the drama! But wait, it gets better. We end up tying the game at the buzzer and we go into overtime. Nothing is decided in the first overtime, and we go to a second. The second overtime is a repeat of the first, and the score remains knotted...so we go to a third! My oh my! Finally, we're down by one with 11.6 seconds to go, and we've got the ball. Somehow our low post is open under the basket and there you have it, folks...Western wins in triple overtime! Gravelbourg Tournament Champions! Wooooo! And we had most of the Gravelbourg church there cheering us on! Oh, it was quite a lot of fun. The guys were so excited, and so were the fans...and yeah, I guess the coach was a little excited, too. :)
Anyway, so the basketball part was great. But just as wonderful was the warmth and hospitality of our friends in Gravelbourg. Great homes to stay in, great food (must have been the pregame spaghetti meal that sustained the guys), and great fellowship. This morning the house was packed at the Gravelbourg church and some of the guys from my team had the chance to help out with the service- songleading, praying, reading and preaching. I'm lucky to work with such a neat group of kids, I can't help but get a little teary-eyed every once in awhile...I don't know how I'll be able to manage being a mother someday!
So, it's been a nice weekend. Personally, it was really fun for me to stay with Sarina and Tim, and visit with Lorna and Gerry, and other special friends in Gravelbourg. I don't get to do that very often, so it was a treat. They are pretty awesome people.
There you have it...another post-game summary from the world of high school hoops. Does it take you down memory lane?

Lessons from Grade 12 Guys

I wish I could tell you we were the giant slayers on the hardwood tonight, but the truth is we were most definitely the ones being slayed! This week we play the top two teams in the league, both teams having lost only one game all season. We were in tough. They were big, and unfortunately for us, big and reasonably agile. Anyhow, the score was a tad lopsided in the end...and you know how it feels to be on the heavily weighted losing end of a game. Not the most glorious feeling.
So there I am, wallowing in the beating and cursing my lack of a better game plan...oh poor me. Good thing for Grade 12 guys. We like to start and end our games in prayer, and so tonight, the same player who started, felt moved to end it. What a heart this guy has; his humility leaves such an impact on me. "Lord, we thank you for giving us this game. I thank you for letting me be on this team. And Lord, I think this team really earned this victory, and I thank you for giving them the victory, because they deserved it".
Lord, I'm thankful to have guys like this in my life. Forgive me of my pride, and help me to be more humble.

I would like to make an annoucement!

I'm moving! In August of 2006, you will find me amongst the 7,000,000 strong in Hong Kong, China!
Bring on a metropolis of the masses...the intense rush of the throngs of humans mapping their way through what many refer to as the "New York" of Asia!

I have accepted a Grade 3 teaching position at the Christian Alliance International School (CAIS). After a rather tiring decision-making month, I am happy to say that I am joining a great crew of servant teachers in Hong Kong. CAIS is a unique place- the great majority of staff members hail from Canada, and of that number, many come from Saskatchewan. In fact, the school is registered under Saskatchewan Learning and uses the Saskatchewan curriculum!!! Neat, hey?! The majority of the students at the school are Chinese, many of them Chinese Canadians, whose parents have relocated to Hong Kong. The students come from a very diverse range of faith backgrounds, and the school is eager to be a tool for sharing the Gospel. I am quite excited about joining in this effort! I am also thrilled to be a Grade 3 teacher!!! Oh, that will be fun!
Here is a picture of my school- I actually visited CAIS when I was in Hong Kong last year, interestingly enough. The school is located in Kowloon, which is on the mainland China side of Hong Kong.

So, that is the main news story from me today! I'm going to include Lonely Planet's introduction to Hong Kong... (oh, and yes, I'm starting my tourism campaign for Hong Kong...start planning your visit now!!! :)

Hong Kong has the big city specials like smog, odour, 14 million elbows and an insane love of clatter. But it's also efficient, hushed and peaceful: the transport network is excellent, the shopping centres are sublime, and the temples and quiet corners of parks are contemplative oases.

The best thing about being in Hong Kong is getting flummoxed and fired by the confluences and contradictions of a Chinese city with multi-Asian and Western elements. It's about savouring new tastes, weaving through a human gridlock and humming some dumb Cantopop tune while slurping your noodles.

Bank Shot Buzzer Beater....Game Winner!!!!!!!

Ohhhhhh my! What a game! I'm so hyper! Okay, let me tell you about it!!
57-57. 25 seconds remaining, Notre Dame steps up to take two foul shots. Time-out called. Notre Dame player misses the first. Makes the second. 58-57.
Western advances the ball upcourt...the clock ticks...11, 10, 9, ...Western's power forward steps outside the three, offers a prayer... and jacks one up...8..7...the ball bounces kindly off the backboard, and it's GOOD!!!! Western leads by 2. 60-58.
Time-out. 7 seconds remain on the clock. Western awaits a final shot...the Notre Dame player mishandles the ball and it flies out of bounds as the clock strikes 0!!!!!!
WESTERN WINS!!! WESTERN WINS!!! The crowd goes crazy! Victory!
Oh, what a joyful feeling. And yes, I shed a happy tear. I know, it's just basketball, but man...what a game. I get pretty pumped when I see guys starting to really get it- like my lightningquick point guard realizing that he can cause a lot of damage if he'll just drive and dish, rather than drive and throw up a shot among the trees. And our very own 6'7 Tree, catching on in the low post and snatching rebounds....oooh, now that's fun to watch. I've still got a TON to learn about coaching, but I'm having fun along the way.
Well there you have it...the play by play and post game commentary from the world of high school basketball!

Grandpa Turns 92 in Style

Coach Carter?

Have you seen the movie? Well this quote gets worked into the movie and comes from Marianne Wilson...perhaps you've heard it before, but it's a good one, and Samuel L. Jackson brings it to life again in the movie:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

A voice that lingers...

Music is definitely heart language. There's really nothing that compares. Tonight I was reminded of that- I went to an Amanda Falk concert. It was really good. I picked up her cd a couple months ago, and I have enjoyed it...but tonight brought the album to life for me. It's nice to get a glimpse of the writer's heart behind the songs. She's a neat person- transparent, thoughtful and a good ol' farm girl from small town Manitoba. She's got a seriously powerful voice- one of those voices that just lingers...

Real Life Monopoly Stinks

I picked up a nasty Community Chest card in the mail today...from the Calgary Police Service.
December 27, 2005. Failing to stop at a red light.
Total expense? $296.06. Burn....like Calgary needs money!!! Rich, bustling metropolitan!!!
Oh dear, painful lesson learned.
Just stop sooner.
:(

Favorites of 2005

The top 3...in no particular order...

Books
1. Revolution in Global Missions by K.P. Yohannan
2. Traveling Mercies by Anne Lammott
3. Hebrews

Albums
1. A Collision- David Crowder Band
2. When the Silence Falls- Tim Hughes
3. Look to You- Hillsong United

Movies
1. Cheaper by the Dozen
2. The Chorus
3. The Incredibles

Moments
1. Aizawl Airport, The Arrival
2. Regina Airport, The Arrival
3. Grandma's House Again

Thoughts
1. New Life
2. Freedom
3. Kingdom Living

New Tastes
1. Xi hong shi chou jidian (Eggs and Tomatoes)
2. Cold Green Tea
3. Singapore Noodles

Places
1. Yangshuo, China
2. Aizawl, India
3. Bridlewood Road, Millrise Close, Calgary

Gifts
1. (Tied!) Elijah Ray McMillan, Mareesa Janell McMillan
2. Gospel House of Love
3. My study/giggle group of three great gals

My Pictures

(This is my picture of the year!)

There is nothing like family

It has been a super holiday season for this young gal. My week in Calgary was very fun- lots of cuddling with babies, a whole lot of eating, a movie here and there, a bit of relaxation, a trip to the Zoo, the starting of a couple really great books, more baby time, enough games to last another year, shopping, singing and just hanging out with the family. After being a long way away last year, I had no intentions of taking any of these things for granted!
The McMillan New Year's was plenty of fun, too. We had quite the crew out for the day, and the definite highlight had to be the Paparazzi-like photo shoot of four of the new babies in the family! Picture ten or so Moms, Aunties, and Grandmas packed in a room squealing with glee and laughing goofily while the tiny babies sit on the couch blinded by non-stop flashes of light. It was delightful!!!
Though I would love to indulge in another few weeks of this loveliness, the "P" word is beginning to call my name. And so today, with the threat of losing time with baby Elijah, I started chipping away at the ice on the corners of my "P" binder. Just two weeks left to go in the first semester, a week of finals, and then the second semester will begin. I am looking forward to the change of subject matter, though more hesitant to say I'm looking forward to a new wave of yes, you know the P word...planning. :) Ah, it's all good.
Tonight I'm going to the Canadian Hockey Party at Party Central- the Slywka residence. Should be good times- shinny in the backyard rink and the semi-final game on the tube.
Check out the pics, but check your heart first...these are too cute for my heart, anyway!

New babies for Great Grandpa and Grandma- Elijah, Aaden, Mareesa and Ronan

This is better than Geddes. Way better.

Story-Telling Time...Now Laurel, let me tell you about when your Daddy was a little boy...

The Elijah-Aaden Showdown.

Oh, so squishable. (Baby Mareesa)