The Moody Blues!!!

My parents are self-described "concert junkies." Music (especially Rock music) has always had a prevalent place in our home. While doing chores as kids, we'd be blasting Rod Stewart, AC/DC or The Rolling Stones over the stereo (according to Murray, this isn't really very normal... his family was washing dishes and vacuuming to the harmonious backdrop of the Rankin Family).

So it's not surprising that my first concert was years ago, when I was 10 - we saw the Moody Blues play at the outdoor stage in Deer Lake Park.

Fast forward 18 years, and there we were again, rockin' out to "Your Wildest Dreams", "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" and "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock And Roll Band)". And, yet again, they were live in concert.

A fan-freakin'-TASTIC concert!!

The back-up drummer (Gordon Marshall) is AMAZING. This guy clearly lives and breathes the music. His body rocks with the rhythms and he is in constant motion on stage. Beats flow through his muscles like they were born there. I've never been so blown away by a dude on a set of drums!

The keyboardist was likewise very entertaining. Jenn and I just couldn't help but laugh every time our attention was turned to him. He was just so... goofy! (Unexpected for this genre of music, I know). The guy, unlike every other clad-in-black band member, was sporting a white and orange t-shirt. Probably the least Rock 'n Roll shirt I have ever seen. And his hair was the product of a JustinBieber/BeachBoy mash-up. But he was fabulously charismatic and highly entertaining.

The Blues themselves were also great. Though the sound system left something to be desired, the words we could make out were at times funny and at others interesting. Graeme Edge, having recently turned 70, shared a few humorous anecdotes and danced a little jig (with better moves than the New Kids on the Block, I might add) before casting aside his tambourine with a flourish. Bear in mind, the Blues were old dudes even when I saw them as a kid... and, well, they haven't gotten any younger. But they've still got the moves, let me tell you!

From the first chord of the first number, I was brought back to my childhood again. Granted, we didn't watch tonight's concert from under an umbrella, and we didn't have to walk ten thousand miles back to the car afterward. But it still transported me back in time to that first concert experience with my Auntie Carol and Ray. I've always had a special little place in my heart for the Moody Blues, and tonight's concert just cemented it in.

HUGE thanks to my Mom and Alan for the last-minute idea and the ticket gift. You guys ROCK! (hahaha... I'm so punny!)

Overheard by a Canadian: Episode 10

More of a conversation this time, but still super-cute.

After opening a thermos full of soup for a student in my Grade 1 class:
Me: "It's because of my super strength. I'm a superhero."

Kid: "You can't be a superhero!"

Me: "Why not?"

Kid: "Because Mr.Parker [the Principal] already is one!"

Me: "Well, can't we have TWO superheroes at this school?"

Kid: "No! *pause*  But you can be his sidekick!"

My Church Family

Today I am thankful for... my church family, whose members love and support me with a depth equal to that of my relatives.


It started when I moved to Victoria six years ago and had every intention of "church hopping" until I found a community I could be fed by and could serve in return. One Sunday, Nathan and Brittany invited me to theirs. That first Sunday (which coincidentally was Student Appreciation Sunday - gotta love a basket full of goodies!!) was the first of many - I never left. The community was welcoming and friendly (and helped me navigate what felt like ten different worship hymnals and books). They've only become more so over the years.

And now that I'm back and re-establishing a life here, it's great to have people who support my career, my home-search and my tummy (um... what? Yep, my tummy. Big thanks to the McKenzie family for feeding me dinner tonight!).

These people have real love for me. They are proud of me and are excited to see me succeed as a Teacher. They hugged and welcomed me back when I returned from London and are oh-so-thrilled that I'm among them again.

And I have real love for them. I feel pride for my Youth students, whom I've watched grow up over the past six years. Many of them have graduated from high school now, which is as unbelievable to me as it is to their own parents. I am so happy to be among this "chosen" family again. I feel safe and welcome. I feel Godly love when I'm surrounded by them.

So... thanks, Church peeps. U da bomb.

A Network of Support

It's Gratitude Month. I don't have a verified source on that one, but honestly... who cares? Shouldn't we all be a little more thankful for what we have? I made "Thankful Trees" with my students today, and they came up with all sorts of stuff they were thankful for (although I did make an "only one toy" rule...). So, it's my turn.

Today I am thankful for... a support network of wonderful and generous people, some of whom have made good on the promise of a spare bedroom to crash in.

How many times have you heard someone say, "you know, if you ever need a couch to crash on, you can stay on mine!"? And how many times have you dismissed this offer because, A) you didn't think they really meant it (it's just a thing people say, but don't really mean, right? or B) you are the kind of person who is too proud to ever admit that you might need this kind of charity? Well I'm a big ol' dismisser of this kind of offer.

Until now.

Having spent seven very financially irresponsible months in Europe, I am beyond broke right now. Add that to a healthy dose of stubbornness, and you'll find me currently living in Vic with nowhere to actually live. I came over three weeks ago with two suitcases and a third one chalk-full of faith (sidenote: what's the origin of the phrase chalk-full? Am I even saying that right? My family DOES have a habit of changing these things...). Fabulous Set of Friends #1 saved the day and offered their spare room. And so, I've been living with Kate and Jon since then. But the agreement from the get-go (with their landlord, that is) was that I would be gone by October 1.

Since I still don't have a permanent place to call home (or any money to pay for a first months' rent plus damage deposit), Fabulous Set of Friends #2 (known in local circles simply as Scott and Thomas) have stepped up to the plate and I'm now in their spare room. Which is awfully convenient, 'cause I hang out there most days anyway :)

Moving *back* to a city definitely has its perks. I am ever-so-thankful (hence the inaugural "thankfulness" statement) for these friends (and more, who made genuine offers that still may be taken up). In a very real sense, I have been given a roof over my head - not too shabby a gift, if you ask me!