Sadly no pictures today...got a bunch from a very busy and exciting day at the Games, but they just don't seem to want to cooperate today. Hopefully I can get that fixed before I return.
It was an unbelievably exciting and tiring day today, following the trend of each day being even more than the last. Today we started with a group of Grade 5's (who I am sure know that they must hold the 'shift' key down to make letters capitals, especially on their names) come visit in the morning - they learned a little about Right to Play and then played a wicked game of human foosball. A great way to kick things off.
Then we did a flash mob dance thingy where people 'spontaneously' appear out of nowhere to dance as a big group - and when I say 'spontaneous' I mean, in this case, totally planned, collaborated on, a rehearsed. It was fun none-the-less and I hope to teach you guys at home this little dance so we can continue to spread the word (hopefully it will be up on YouTube tomorrow).
And then of course we finish the day with another gold medal (WOOOOOOOHOOOOO!) and a stressful win over the Swiss in hockey.
The win touched off a celebration in this city I have yet to see, further proving hockey to be #1, and I think was made all that more explosive and awesome because it was so stressful! Literally the city exploded....it was awesome!
Once again, thanks so much to everyone who has commented (you can view your comments for each entry by clicking at the bottom), especially those who have cleaned up their grammar act. 'U' is not a word!
To answer a few questions posed in the comment section: yes, I am loving my time here; no, I haven't met too many athletes; and if I were to be an Olympic athlete at these games I would be a hockey player (yeah right) or compete in the biathlon!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
IT'S NOT JUST ME DOING GREAT STUFF!!
Once again I appreciate beyond measure everyone joining in on my experience here in Vancouver. As you have lived through what I do, I have to tell you, part of what makes this place so exciting and electric is the fact that everyone, and I mean everyone, is in town and they are all loving what they are seeing.
To prove this point, my friend who I am staying with is a chef at a restaurant called the "Italian Kitchen". It is such a great restaurant that it hosted me on Valentine's Day (which means I own my financee big time) but also the president of Latvia, and more importantly, Wayne Gretzky. So while you live through my experiences, I live through the experiences of others...a pretty awesome circle and one I am glad to be a part of. I mean after a long day of work, where my man had to serve the likes of Wayne Gretzky (a stress I couldn't imagine), he got to sit down with the "Great One" who just wanted to say thanks for some awesome food. Could you imagine Wayne Gretzky saying thank you to you? I couldn't before today! And it is that possibility that brings this city alive, because you just never know.
A signed "No. 99 Wayne Gretzky Estates" bottle....cool.
Today gave me the opportunity say hello to a couple of our Athlete Ambassadors - first up was Chris McElroy, the captain of the Edmonton Rush of the National Lacrosse League and then it was ZachPlavsic , a Canadian Olympian in wind surfing. While these guys might not be the most recognizable of athletes what they do to raise awareness of of what Right to Play does cannot be under-estimated. They bring energy and a love of sport, along with their excellence that takes them to the top of their respective sports, to the children of the world. Fantastic!
Chris McElroy - awesome lacrosse player, captain, Edmonton Rush
Zach Plavsic - 2008 Canadian Olympic wind surfer - a true believer!
And of course, with everything I've talked about and how it makes this city jumping, another medal takes it to another level. The Olympics are great!! And today will bring even more I am sure...awesome!!
To prove this point, my friend who I am staying with is a chef at a restaurant called the "Italian Kitchen". It is such a great restaurant that it hosted me on Valentine's Day (which means I own my financee big time) but also the president of Latvia, and more importantly, Wayne Gretzky. So while you live through my experiences, I live through the experiences of others...a pretty awesome circle and one I am glad to be a part of. I mean after a long day of work, where my man had to serve the likes of Wayne Gretzky (a stress I couldn't imagine), he got to sit down with the "Great One" who just wanted to say thanks for some awesome food. Could you imagine Wayne Gretzky saying thank you to you? I couldn't before today! And it is that possibility that brings this city alive, because you just never know.
A signed "No. 99 Wayne Gretzky Estates" bottle....cool.Today gave me the opportunity say hello to a couple of our Athlete Ambassadors - first up was Chris McElroy, the captain of the Edmonton Rush of the National Lacrosse League and then it was ZachPlavsic , a Canadian Olympian in wind surfing. While these guys might not be the most recognizable of athletes what they do to raise awareness of of what Right to Play does cannot be under-estimated. They bring energy and a love of sport, along with their excellence that takes them to the top of their respective sports, to the children of the world. Fantastic!
Chris McElroy - awesome lacrosse player, captain, Edmonton Rush
Zach Plavsic - 2008 Canadian Olympic wind surfer - a true believer!And of course, with everything I've talked about and how it makes this city jumping, another medal takes it to another level. The Olympics are great!! And today will bring even more I am sure...awesome!!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
WHY I'M HERE!
Before we get to anything important, let me just say - WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Been an exciting day today for so many reasons! WOW!
And now back to the regular scheduled programming - I've got to get a couple of things off my chest:
First, thanks so much to everyone who has taken the time to read my stuff, and to make a comment or two. I am really having fun with it all, and having you participate with me makes it all that more special. Thanks.
However, and this is the second thing, please make sure to at least put in some effort when leaving a comment (especially those Grade 5's of mine - I know who you are because many of you leave your names!). I have no problem with the odd spelling mistake or missed letter, but not having capitals in certain words (especially your names!!) or at the beginning of sentences is crazy!
I believe, and you should too, that you always put your best foot forward in whatever you do, but especially when putting something out there for the public see (in this case the small group of people who read this). It doesn't have to be the best, but it has to reflect your best - missing capitals says to me, "I'm lazy." I know you're not, but others who are reading this might think so - I couldn't bear to think people believing my students lazy (because again, I know you're not) and you shouldn't either.
Which brings me to my point about why I am here.
Many may think it's to watch the men's and women's hockey teams kick butt (which is kind of true and this city if going crazy because of it) or to practice my skipping skills (I am already an awesome skipper, just like I am also a very fast runner, but I could always get better). It is also however, to continue my own learning about our world (one thing I need to learn is French - it's an embarrassment that I do not) and to get a better understanding of this organization Right to Play along with its profound effect on children and adults around the world.
Today at the Right to Play "World of Play" pavilion, it was a bit slow - we had over 10,000 visitors on Sunday and were down to about 3,000 today - I think it had something to do with those puck-chasing Canadians, so I took the opportunity to document a few of the reasons others have chosen to get involved with bringing sport to thousands of children around the world.
Inspirational words for sure! And just in case you didn't know who they were, Ban Ki Moon is the head honcho of the United Nations, Lance Armstrong is cycling's answer to Wayne Grtezky, Wayne Gretzky who is Canada's answer to just about everything, and Clara Hughes, our most recent flag bearer. I think sometimes we take for granted the wonderful lessons that can be learned through play - not just sport, but play. Team work. Equality. Effort. Respect. I could go one, but you get the idea. Playing is awesome! They think it. I think it. And I am pretty sure you think it. So wouldn't it be nice if we could all play? Yes, yes it would.
But back to today.
As I said, it was slow today at the pavilion, but really only at the pavilion. Throughout the city, things were electric. Gold medals won. Hockey played. Red and white worn by thousands! Being here and experiencing the passion, goodwill, and general happiness that I get to experience each day has been something I will cherish forever! Whether it's Team Canada in hockey, another gold medal, or kicking butt in curling, this city is alive and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to take it all in. Thanks for joining in.
Entrance to the Molson Hockey House (our pavilion neighbour - and no I can't get in!)
**As for those autograph requests, I will get you one or two as soon as I get myself one or two - which hasn't happened yet....so, good luck!**
And to answer one comment/question that was left about the player I would choose to start my dream hockey team, it has to be, and always will be Wayne Gretzky - the guy's magic and our answer to just about everything!!
And now back to the regular scheduled programming - I've got to get a couple of things off my chest:
First, thanks so much to everyone who has taken the time to read my stuff, and to make a comment or two. I am really having fun with it all, and having you participate with me makes it all that more special. Thanks.
However, and this is the second thing, please make sure to at least put in some effort when leaving a comment (especially those Grade 5's of mine - I know who you are because many of you leave your names!). I have no problem with the odd spelling mistake or missed letter, but not having capitals in certain words (especially your names!!) or at the beginning of sentences is crazy!
I believe, and you should too, that you always put your best foot forward in whatever you do, but especially when putting something out there for the public see (in this case the small group of people who read this). It doesn't have to be the best, but it has to reflect your best - missing capitals says to me, "I'm lazy." I know you're not, but others who are reading this might think so - I couldn't bear to think people believing my students lazy (because again, I know you're not) and you shouldn't either.
Which brings me to my point about why I am here.
Many may think it's to watch the men's and women's hockey teams kick butt (which is kind of true and this city if going crazy because of it) or to practice my skipping skills (I am already an awesome skipper, just like I am also a very fast runner, but I could always get better). It is also however, to continue my own learning about our world (one thing I need to learn is French - it's an embarrassment that I do not) and to get a better understanding of this organization Right to Play along with its profound effect on children and adults around the world.
Today at the Right to Play "World of Play" pavilion, it was a bit slow - we had over 10,000 visitors on Sunday and were down to about 3,000 today - I think it had something to do with those puck-chasing Canadians, so I took the opportunity to document a few of the reasons others have chosen to get involved with bringing sport to thousands of children around the world.
Inspirational words for sure! And just in case you didn't know who they were, Ban Ki Moon is the head honcho of the United Nations, Lance Armstrong is cycling's answer to Wayne Grtezky, Wayne Gretzky who is Canada's answer to just about everything, and Clara Hughes, our most recent flag bearer. I think sometimes we take for granted the wonderful lessons that can be learned through play - not just sport, but play. Team work. Equality. Effort. Respect. I could go one, but you get the idea. Playing is awesome! They think it. I think it. And I am pretty sure you think it. So wouldn't it be nice if we could all play? Yes, yes it would.
But back to today.
As I said, it was slow today at the pavilion, but really only at the pavilion. Throughout the city, things were electric. Gold medals won. Hockey played. Red and white worn by thousands! Being here and experiencing the passion, goodwill, and general happiness that I get to experience each day has been something I will cherish forever! Whether it's Team Canada in hockey, another gold medal, or kicking butt in curling, this city is alive and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to take it all in. Thanks for joining in.
Entrance to the Molson Hockey House (our pavilion neighbour - and no I can't get in!)**As for those autograph requests, I will get you one or two as soon as I get myself one or two - which hasn't happened yet....so, good luck!**
And to answer one comment/question that was left about the player I would choose to start my dream hockey team, it has to be, and always will be Wayne Gretzky - the guy's magic and our answer to just about everything!!
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