While Karen and I were working at the Stampede we carved out some time to look for cars but couldn't find anything that worked. After returning to Lethbridge this week we looked at a Mazda 626 and then this afternoon we purchase a 1994 Mazda Protege DX with 185,000kms for $2000. It is the end of our Jetta era (340,000kms) and the beginning a new era.
Anywho, let's hope this one lasts another 185,000kms and that vandals don't like it.
This is a vid of Joshua singing in the Christmas concert at church. Ya, my camera skills need some work but you can still make it out. It's too bad we didn't capture the early service as he sang with his hands in his pockets rather than by his mouth. Oh well. Enjoy!
It started out as a typical Sunday; Karen and I racing around the house trying to get the boys ready for church. Then a leisurely afternoon spent grocery shopping and then it happened. It's official, the sibling rivalry has begun. In a bid to have control over a golf ball Joshua hit Jacob with the plunger and the only thing that we saw was the blood. We raced to put ice on the cut and then made a 'b' line for the hospital. To make a long story short we stayed at the hospital for just under 4hrs and Jacob received 5 stitches to the inside of his mouth. Unfortunately this is likely the beginning of many trips to the ER as a result of "boys being boys."
After lunch the students were given 3 hours of free time in an area of downtown Ottawa called Byward Market. Basically it's a glorified farmers' market with little touristy knick-knacks. It was fun and I bought some "authentic" items as souvenirs. However, the craziest thing happened when I entered the Chapters on the corner. As I opened the door I came face to face with my English-1900 Prof from the UofL. The reason why it's so crazy is I had just emailed her a couple of weeks earlier regarding our trip to Germany that is planned for Easter of 2008. Her mother survived the Holocaust and we wanted to have her share part of her experience. So they we were, in a Chapters in Ottawa, talking about an email sent in Lethbridge 3 weeks ago. A perfect example of the small world cliche.
Anywho, when we returned we set up for the banquet and all the students dressed in their formal attire. Each monitored called up their group individually and gave a little speech about the week. With the help of a Francophone monitor I put together a speech (4 sentences) en Francais. One of the other monitors used my camcorder to tape the speech but unfortunately, by a slip of my hand, I deleted the speech (je suis tres stupide). Oh well, c'est la vie.
After an evening of skits and songs the students are just now beginning the all night dance. Many of them will be staying up all night and I think I may join them (in staying up, not in dancing... I'm white). My bus leaves at 5am for my flight at 7:45 that will arrive in Lethbridge just after noon on Saturday. Here's to sleep deprivation!
After a brief classroom session on "what it means to be Canadian" it was off for the afternoon activities. By a stroke of luck I was able to monitor the Camp Fortune Aerial Experience (www.campfortune.com). See, what started out as a group of 46 wanting to attend turned into 82. Initially I was supposed to monitor the wall climbing activity but after we drew straws I was able to go to Camp Fortune. It was a blast. Up ladders, across rope bridges and down zip lines. Let's just say it did not disappoint... and ya, I'm missing work to swing in the trees.
After dinner we took a long drive out to Saunders Farms (www.saundersfarm.com) for a Halloween Spooktacular. It was pretty entertaining. We watched a cheezy stage show (that was actually pretty funny). They even had a joke about Miss South Carolina (such as, the Iraq, like Australians, etc - check out the link). The farm also included a Haunted Hay Ride, Field of Screams and Barn of Terror. It was really well done.
After the morning activity we were treated to an inspiring story by Elia Saiklay. His story was about finding your passion and was titled "Finding Life." I would not do his story justice to summarize so instead I'll provide a link to his website www.findinglife.ca. Basically this guy is an inspiration and an incredible public speaker. When I get home I want to make contact with him and ask if he could do a tour of southern Alberta next fall. Simply amazing.
After lunch the students participated in a workshop where they were faced with the issue of racism. After a brief break for fresh air the students returned to hear a presentation about fitness and nutrition... BORING. After the morning performance by Elia the afternoon speaker just didn't have the same pizazz and I found myself drawing on my show to pass the time.
In the evening the students were divided into provinces and asked to create a short presentation about their home province. I was a little concerned that the crew from Alberta would be blunt and come and say 'we're the best and you're not' and surprisingly... that was their plan at first. Fortunately their first plan was scrapped and they performed a wonderful skit filled with cow tipping, dinosaurs, deer road kill and a trip to Banff. Every province was well represented and even the lone Yukon student did a solo performance.
It was another great day in Ottawa and tomorrow it will likely be the same. On the agenda:
- Discussion on Peace
- Citizen project
- Possible afternoon activities: Aerial Experience, Wall Climbing, Amazing Race Ottawa, or Cycling the Rideau Canal
- Possible evening activities: Haunted Walk of Ottawa, Saunder Scary Farm, Ottawa Theatre
What a difference a day makes! Yesterday was hot sunny and 24 degrees; today was overcast, rainy and cold. But still an experience.
In the morning we went on a bus/walking tour of Ottawa. It was impressive to see Rideau Falls, the Dam and the Rideau Canal Locks. After touring the area you quickly realize that it would take you a week or more to truly see all of Ottawa. The most impressive sight was the war monument and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The afternoon outdoor activities were rained out so we did not participate in the slated volleyball, basketball and soccer tournaments. However we did have an amazing discussion about our linguistic duality (bilingualism). Every time I travel within Canada or abroad I quickly realize how much we need to stress second language training at home. So few of us in the West are bilingual and so many from the East are and I truly believe that we are missing out on a connection that could help us better understand each other. So much is lost in translation and it would be great if we could see some action on second language initiatives in our province. I know that I will be taking the next step and practicing my French when I return to Alberta. Believe it or not I finished honours French in high school and completed a 1st year university elective. However, having never practiced the language in the past 8 years has seriously depleted my ability to speak French. Last spring I downloaded a "learn to speak French" audiobook from iTunes and now I intend to use it.
In the evening we were able to spend 3 hours in the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Three hours was not enough. Just like I rushed the Louvre and the British National Gallery, I was also forced to rush the CMC. It is an impressive building from the outside and even more impressive from the inside. I started to dream about starting my own experiential ed class and simply studying the exhibits with a class and building a curriculum around the exploration of each topic in the museum. Oh well... instead I hope to sell future students on the idea of a trip that will explore history in their own backyard instead of a trip that takes them overseas. So much to see, so little time.
Tomorrow is a little more casual. We will have some sport specific activities in the morning (Ultimate Frisbee), then we will guide a discussion on racism and multiculturalism. After that the evening is filled with student presentations of their home provinces called - Canada 360 degrees. Should be fun.
After the visit to the Senate we broke for lunch and then after lunch we toured the rest of the Parliament building. I chose to tag along with the Francophones for the all French tour. With my knowledge of Parliament and my grade school French training I was able to muddle my way through. The most impressive view came in the Library of Parliament which has just been recently retouched.
The tour ended with Question Period. Students were escorted into the viewing gallery to watch the government in action and from my perspective it was quite a show. I have never experienced QP and let me tell you, if I could watch every QP live I would. There's something about being there in the flesh that gives it something special. CPAC does it no justice. Some students fell asleep (to my surprise) but I was thoroughly disappointed when we had to leave early.
Our last stop was a talk by former Senator Laurie LaPierre and he lived up to his reputation... as an ignorant fool. I could not believe the words that came out of his mouth. He dropped at least a half dozen overt sexual innuendos to an audience of 14-17 yr olds. If that wasn't enough, he accused British Columbians of wanting to be Americans, slammed Albertans for hoarding their wealth, and referred to those in the room who were not bilingual as dumb. That's just a small taste of his ignorance. That said, he finished his talk with a motivating 7 minute speech on the power that our youth has. Honestly, for that 7 minutes he was a genius and truly inspiring... however the other 30 minutes sounded like a rant from a senile old fart.
All in all a great day. Did I mention it was 24 degrees of pure sunshine and the trees are all sorts of beautiful colours? Wish you were here, eh?
So I've slacked on my predictions the last couple of weeks. Last week was a nice recovery (10-4). This week I look to gain some ground on the leaders (6 behind #1 in the pool). I've decided to go with my gut and not analyze the teams by W/L record, home field advantage or QB strength. Keep It Simple Stupid.
Browns over Rams
Bears over Lions (though I'm sure the Lions will win just to spite me)
Colts over Panthers
Giants over Dolphins
Titans over Raiders
Vikings over Eagles
Bengals over Steelers (not sure what Pitt team will show up this week)
Jets over Bills
Chargers over Texans
Bucs over Jaguars
Saints over 49ers
Patriots over Redskins
Packers over Broncos (though it will be a close one)
Redskins over Cards
Saints over Falcons
Ravens over Bills
Cowboys over Vikings
Patriots over Dolphins
Giants over 49ers
Bucs over Lions
Titans over Texans
Chiefs over Raiders
Bengals over Jets
Eagles over Bears
Seahawks over Rams
Steelers over Broncos
Colts over Jaguars
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