Wow. 16 goals in the first game and 10 goals in the second is a pretty good way to kick off the tournament, don’t you think? Sure, it would have been nice if it was a bit warmer outside but this is hockey people. It’s supposed to be cold!

By all accounts, it was an excellent first day here at Credit Union Center and the majority of fans went away happy. It sounded like the CUC crowd would have preferred a Slovakia win in the second tilt of the day but the way those teams played, I think you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who didn’t enjoy the game and the atmosphere.

WorldFest
WorldFest continues tomorrow with a packed lineup including Brad Johner in Saskatoon and Men Without Shame in Regina. After all the goals scored today, it might be nice to take a breather and listen to some good music.

The lineup for tomorrow is:

In Saskatoon

11:00 A.M. Doors Open WorldFest
11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M MC & Videos WorldFest
1:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. Game 5 – AUT vs SWE Brandt Centre
3:00 P.M. – 5:30 P.M. Game 6 – USA vs SUI CUC
5:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. Game 7 – CZE vs FIN Brandt Centre
7:00 P.M. – 9:30 P.M Game 8 – SVK vs LAT CUC
9:30 P.M. – 10:00 P.M. MC & Videos WorldFest
10:00 P.M. – 11:30 P.M. Brad Johner WorldFest
11:30 P.M. – 1:00 A.M. Hot Rod Hollabaloo WorldFest

In Regina

12:00 P.M. Doors Open
1:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. Game 5 – AUT vs SWE Brandt Centre
3:00 P.M. – 5:30 P.M. Game 6 – USA vs SUI CUC
5:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. Game 7 – CZE vs FIN Brandt Centre
7:00 P.M. – 9:30 P.M Game 8 – SVK vs LAT CUC
8:00 P.M. Men Without Shame WorldFest
10:00 P.M. Street Heart WorldFest
1:00 A.M. Close WorldFest

Find out more details about WorldFest at Hockey Canada’s website.

50/50 Draw
The 50/50 draw winners hit it big today. The new ticketing system helped push the draw to what could very well be record numbers as people were able to see the pool ring up in real-time on displays at each booth as well as on the scoreboard.

Glenn Duke won the Canada-Latvia draw with ticket number A-59033. We’ll have confirmation on the winner in the second game as well as amounts for both later tonight or tomorrow.

Ok, no games have officially started but behind the scenes, it’s in full swing and the ice is just dying to have a game played on it.

In the meantime, the ice will have to settle for a practice by Team USA who was at the rink bright and early this morning. They started off with a quick soccer warmup and then it was on to the ice to get ready for their game against Slovakia tonight. The goaltenders were out first learning the boards and were joined shortly after by the team including touted Canucks draft pick, Jordan Schroeder.

And remember, it’s not just about the hockey! The councourse is starting to fill up with game programs, souvenirs and silent auctions. If you missed any Christmas gifts, now would be a good time to make up for it with an autographed Sidney Crosby or Luke Schenn jersey.

And don’t forget the party that is WorldFest. It opened up at 11:00 this morning and won’t close until 1:00am tonight. If you don’t have tickets for any games, WorldFest is the place to be. If you do you have tickets, make plans to head there and check it out after the game as your game ticket gets you free access. It’s going to be “off the hook” or whatever hip term is in use today.

Team Canada and Team Latvia kick things off at 3:00pm CT today followed by Team USA and Team Slovakia at 7:00pm CT.  Tickets are still available if you’re looking to avoid the Boxing Day crowds.

We’ll be providing some live behind-the-scenes updates as the day goes on so stay tuned!

Bruce Gordon and his announcing crew for the University of Saskatchewan Huskie men’s hockey team has pride in doing the job right.

The group was  just as excited as the players when they found out they were going to get a slice of the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship in a pretournament competition between the Huskies and Team Slovakia Tuesday night.

Take a look at what Bruce and crew did to prepare for the Slovakian names.

The results of the Boland KeyHealth and Malibu Open are on the Tournament Results page.

The other day, my friends and I were on our way to see the Tennessee Williams play “A Streetcar Named Desire” at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). We were braving a blizzard (which ended up setting a record for snowfall in New York). It was fun, but frigid (the snow was so cold it burned my eyes and face).

So, we stopped into a store, Carol’s Daughter—1 South Elliott Place (Corner of Dekalb Ave.) in Brooklyn—and had a wonderful time because of the young man behind the counter, Brian. He welcomed us in, told us to warm ourselves up, gave us magic wands (yes, really) and let us try the yummy bath and beauty products. He even gave us a recipe for making our own scrubs. We had such a good time, we were almost late for our dinner with our theater companions. We left with shopping bags filled with wonderfully scented soaps, lotions, and potions! If every store had employees like Brian, we would not be suffering from an economic recession. He was friendly, helpful, a good listener, customer-service oriented and he really liked his job.

If you love first-rate theater, do yourself a favor and get out to Brooklyn to BAM. And, make a night of your evening. There are wonderful restaurants throughout the neighborhood (we went to Chez Oskar, but we also go to Juniors, and I like Thomas Beisl). When you go, don’t forget to visit Carol’s Daughter.

PS — Cate Blanchett and the entire ensemble, in Liv Ullman’s Streetcar, were sublime!

The North Branch community gathered for the annual performance of St. George and The Dragon on Friday, December 18th. After the 1:30 matinee, the snow began falling fast, reaching 21 inches, (and more in some areas) forcing the 7:00 performance to be canceled. However, it was a wonderful play, enhanced by many lovely seasonal songs such as “People Look East,” “Stephan,” “To Drive the Cold Winter Away” and others. This year’s performance was dedicated to Sarah Gerome, our beloved art and Primary teacher, who is leaving the school after eleven years of teaching. Despite the shortened schedule, it was a beautiful start to the winter break. More pictures (including St. George, the dragon and the giant) and video to come…

Guitars waiting for their musicians

Most of the cast singing "Villagers All"

Who knows? This is likely my last cycle doing this. But here goes. Spring scheduling has officially started.

Juniors turned in elective preferences and college preferences Wednesday and Thursday. And seniors had small-group planning meetings all day today.

There may still be time to revise… but the college will likely get locked in fast.

If you are among the 14 seniors or 8 juniors who have not met with me… you know.

Sophomores, freshmen, your schedules stay the same.

Except seminar. Everyone picks new seminars. Even me.

(wandering campus?  children’s literature?)

South African Brandon Laubser who was awarded an International Wild Card to the 12s boys at the Optus Australian Championships won his first round 6-3 6-2, beating Australian Alex Furniss.

Unfortunately he lost in the second round to Australian Marc Polman, who is in fact an ex South African, 2-6 2-6. Marc has gone right through and is in the finals.

Brandon went on to win his next 2 singles matches in the back draw. However he and his doubles partner Caleb Boland (AUS) lost their first round match 2-6 6-4 3-10.

Attention Girls under 16 Platinum – please check the revised Order of Play for your venue.

For more information and directions to venues please go to www.wptennis.co.za

December 16, 2009

Dear readers,

I plan on having the gift guides ready next week. Yay! They’re one of my favorite things during the holiday season. For a moment, you can pretend that you’re really going to buy that log-shaped pillow, or those curry mints.

Has anything nice happened to you lately? My physics teacher is bringing cookies on Friday Yum. It’s really nice of her to do that, God knows the junior class needs cookies. Today’s pep rally was funny because every other class would be cheering for their classmates and the spirit yell at the top of their lungs, and then there would be us, half dead. There’s a reason we’re fourth place in spirit points.

I wonder if I should leave my friends for good. Why do I stay with them? Out of habit, because I know I always have a place there, even if that place is labeled, “cheap fool”. I’ve found new friends, certainly, but I’m always unsure that I have a place in their circle. This is all wandering thought. I like to think out loud. A lot of people take it for uncertainty, or for quixotic foolishness, because I say even my strangest ideas.

I really liked this quote from “Million Dollar Baby”, which we’re watching in contemporary media, and I’ve practically posted it everywhere:

It’s the magic of risking everything for a dream nobody sees but you.

It’s the magic. And it’s the loneliness.

Today, I realized most of the world, if not all, is wandering around blindly. We all have tunnel vision – no one sees the big picture. We blame each other for situations we do not completely understand. And those, my friends, are the basics of human relationships.

It’s very rare that you find someone who truly cares about you and is supportive to seemingly the very end. I think I’ve found people like this, and I need to show that I care about them back. I’m not a very physically emotive person. I don’t express things on my face or in my voice – only through writing and well, movies, I suppose. When I sit here and write these posts I am at the perfect balance between serene and wildly foolish. My mind clears and I am who I imagine myself to be.  

Which is why, in the middle of the school day, I frantically search within my head for that balance and for the person that lives in that balance. The personality that appears when I’m writing.

Love,
Katherine 

P.S. All this gift negativity is bringing me down. What was the best gift you ever got?

The Order of Play for the WP KeyHealth Super 7 is now up on the Draws page.

Baby Phat Camisole and Capri Pajama Set for Juniors Review

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Remember that teacher who said, “There are no dumb questions”? Well, she was wrong.  I occasionally answer questions on Yahoo Answers just to be a nice person in case there’s anything to that karma notion, but sometimes the questions are so foolish that I can’t believe someone asked.  I politely answer but then the next day, someone else asks.  I answer, a bit more tersely.  Then a week later, someone else asks that same question.  So I’m writing the answers here in the hope that they google the question and find the answer.

Here are a few of the dumber questions, with the answers:

1. Are these PSAT scores good?

Questioners on Yahoo Answers ask that every day — actually, several times a day.  My answer is always, “Are they good for Harvard? No.  Are they good for community college?  Sure.  Are they good if you’re an honors student getting A+ in everything?  Nope.  Are they good if you’re flunking out of high school?  Probably.”  The question really means, “Can I take the SATs without doing any more prep?”  And the answer is get out a prep book and start working, you lazy bum!

2. I missed the deadline for sending my SAT scores to colleges.  Can I still send them?

The answer is a deadline is a deadline.  That’s why they call it a deadline.  You didn’t do it – now you’re dead.  Figuratively speaking.

3.  My PSATs are really bad.  Can I improve?

Haven’t you seen all those ads for SAT prep classes?  Do you think they’d offer them if people couldn’t improve?  One complaint that academicians have against the SATs is that rich people have a huge advantage because to a small degree classes help but to a greater degree private tutoring helps.  I’ve tutored kids who have gone up 250 points in one category alone.  More common are increases of 50 -100 points in each category.  So yes, read some suggestions on this blog, go to a class, hire a tutor and you can and will improve.

4.  How do I send my scores to colleges?

If you can’t read the instructions on the website, you’re probably not ready for college.  Both the SAT website and the ACT website give very clear directions on how to order official copies of your scores to send to colleges.  You need a credit card and the name of each school or program that you want to get your scores.  They send all previous scores unless you block specific dates or tests.

5.  The college admissions website says I need to have the College Board send my scores, but they’re on my application.  Do I still need to pay to have the College Board send them?

Yup, that’s why the website says to have the College Board send them.  The first college test is if you can follow the application directions.  And you could put anything on that application.  Your guidance department might put the wrong scores on your transcript.  It’s going to cost a fortune to get through college.  It will cost less than $100 to send your scores to your schools.  Just do it.

6. Are the SATs harder than the PSATs?

Why not take a practice SAT and find out, you lazy bum?  There is a free SAT on the College Board website. Sit down and take it timed and you’ll have a reasonable idea if the SATs are harder than the PSATs.  People are different, but most consider the SATs much harder than the PSATs, so don’t get too excited by your decent PSAT scores.  The SATs are longer.  There’s an extra year of math.  The reading selections are longer and more boring.  There’s more difficult vocabulary, both in the sentence completion questions and embedded in the reading selections.  And don’t forget that there’s an essay on the SATs.

7.  I’m a senior and I’m taking my SATs for the first time next week.  What can I do to prepare?

No, I’m not kidding.  Before every SAT, this question is asked by several people, usually followed by a growing string of exclamation and question marks as the test gets closer.  If the test is a day or two away, I usually suggest they look for schools that don’t require any standardized tests.   I also recommend they read the March 2009 entries to this blog (this one and this one) which contain last-minute hints, like bringing plenty of candy and iced tea to the test, changing the calculator batteries, and wearing a watch.  Hey, you too can read all the suggestions — why am I repeating them here?

8.  My grades are really awful.  Can good SATs or ACTs overcome a bad GPA?

No.  Let me say that another way:  NO.  Unless you have a very unusual and serious reason for low grades (a hospitalized parent, frequent moves to different high schools, a documented mental or physical health issue), colleges care more about how you do in your classes over a period of time and the rigor of those classes (you know that photography isn’t as impressive as honors physics, right?) than they do about how you did on your SATs.  Get off the internet and start studying for that U.S. history exam!

9.  Can I get into [name of college] with these SATs?

Why are you asking random strangers?  Go to princetonreview.com and see what the average SATs are for colleges you’re interested in.  Understand, though, that colleges are looking for much, much more than a good SAT score.  They want kids who will fit in with their school’s atmosphere, who will add to what they already have at the school.  They want kids with intelligence, ambition, concern for the wider world, an upbeat attitude, an interest in sports, a willingness to volunteer, an ability to lead — you  have all that, right?

10. A college I’m interested in is coming to my high school.  Do I have to go to that meeting?

My, you are lazy!  If you have a school or two or ten that you’d like to check out, the more contacts you make with that school, the better.  Sign up for information on their website.  See their reps at college fairs.  Talk to their admissions counselors when they show up at your school.  Call the admissions office to ask questions for which you can’t find answers on their website.  Take advantage of the opportunity to visit the campus.

———-

Do you have a dumb question you want to ask? Go ahead. I’ll try to answer without being snide.  And I promise I won’t put your name on a future edition of “Dumbest Questions.”

Wendy Segal

The Western Province KeyHealth draws are now up on the Draw page.

Please note revised draws for the following have been uploaded:

Boys under 14 Platinum Main and Qualifying draws

Girls under 18 Platinum Main and Qualifying draws

The junior class recently visited Natural Bridge. Although the weather was cool and somewhat rainy, we packed our umbrellas and boots and headed out. It turned out to be a lovely day, and we were able to have lunch in a shelter that had a fireplace going. After an interesting visit to the wax museum, we headed down the many steps to the bridge.

Walking to the Monacan village

We spent about half an hour listening to the Monacan guides telling us about life in the village. One of the most surprising moments of the tour came when a guide blew a conch shell horn. They were used to  call in children from the woods or to sound an alarm. It was astonishingly loud! The huts are primarily built with cattails and wood.

Dixie shows the class how the Monacans used beaver pelts

Learning how the cooking was done

We went inside one of the huts, which was completely dry. Dixie explained that all cooking would have been done indoors on such a rainy day. The hut was mostly smoke-free and well-ventilated through the ceiling.

We learned how tasks were assigned in the village

We had a very peaceful and interesting trip to the Monacan village. We were the only group there and it was relatively easy to imagine what life might have looked like in the past.

Jordan Widdicombe

PITTED against leading junior golfers from across the state, top Jamberoo junior Jordan Widdicombe performed very creditably at the Jack Newton Junior Champions Trophy at the Mount Broughton Country Club last week.

Jordon, who equalled the Jamberoo course record playing in the club’s junior championship in September, was the scratch runner up on count back in the Boys 14 to15 age group.

The 14 year old, playing off six on the very demanding Mount Broughton course, finished two under his handicap after three rounds in two days.

Well done on your performance Jordan, and for flying the Jamberoo Golf Club flag amongst others representing golf clubs the likes of The Australian, NSW, Bonnie Doon, The Lakes, Muirfield and Concord.

Social Accountability International (SAI) focuses on several major issue areas: business and human rights; monitoring of labor standards in workplaces; and elimination of sweatshops.

Internship Description for 2010

Projects will be selected based on students’ interests and the changing needs of the organization, but the intern may:

• provide research and management support for programs in China, Vietnam, Italy, and New York City, and development of potential new programs in India and Brazil
• provide research and management support for a joint project of the six leading labor rights code programs (SAI, ETI, FLA, CCC, WCR & FWF), seeking ways and means to work cooperatively, to be tested in Turkey
• collect and organize data for country diagnostics on labor issues and on country labor legislation
• organize a portion of the annual SAI conference and special event
• perform case studies and cost/benefit analyses relating to working hours, living wage, and other aspects of humane business practices
• maintain office systems and management and organize new systems
• manage incoming information requests and database tracking system
• identify and research potential sources of grants for SAI and assist in preparation of proposals and progress reports

Desired Qualifications

SAI seeks highly motivated interns interested in research, management procedures, and the elimination of sweatshops worldwide. The position requires a person interested in how businesses implement standards for respecting labor rights and addressing overall workplace issues, including costs and benefits.

The ideal intern is a self-starter who is open minded, detail oriented, organized, and flexible.

No language requirement.

Located in the Yatsugatake Highlands in Kiyosato, Yamanashi, Japan, KEEP is an economic and community development project rooted in Christian faith. The organization was incorporated in 1948, and founded on four ideals: Food, Health, Faith, and Hope for Youth. KEEP introduced and encouraged dairy farming in 1947 as a viable solution for the local challenges of high altitude agriculture. KEEP continues promoting and teaching sustainable farming techniques to this day.

KEEP has grown to include environmental advocacy work and international outreach. KEEP provides a place for educational and cultural exchange between people of different backgrounds, languages, cultures, and religions to create and strengthen mutual ties dedicated to community development. KEEP has annually welcomed trainees and college interns from outside Japan since 1982.

KEEP’s mission has remained constant over the years: to offer program participants and visitors alike a new perspective, a stronger spirituality, a deeper cultural understanding, a richer appreciation for the ties that bind all people, and an opportunity to learn valuable agricultural, environmental, and community building skills.

KEEP provides programming for all ages from preschool children to seniors. Both Japanese and international visitors can enroll in educational programs on the environment, farming, and cross-cultural understanding in day programs or overnight camps. Last fiscal year, more than 32,400 people participated in educational programs at KEEP. Over 130,350 people visited KEEP’s three museums. Approximately 1 million tourists visited KEEP during the year.
Internship Description for 2010:

Interns in the Environmental Education Department will assist KEEP staff with program development and implementation. Summer season is very busy in the Yatsugatake Highland with many people visiting our nature museums. Interns will assist museum staff and learn about KEEP’s approach to promoting environmental stewardship. KEEP offers visitors experiential programs to connect them with nature, thereby inspiring people to work to preserve and protect the environment. Duties will include assisting programs held in the forest and fields on KEEP property. Same sex dorm accommodations with other KEEP staff and interns.

Desired Qualifications:

An interest and/or background in cross cultural work, environmental education, and non-profit work desired. Must enjoy working outdoors. Should be able to on hike on a trail of moderate level difficulty. Japanese helpful, but not required.

Flexibility and patience will enhance an intern’s experience in the cross-cultural working atmosphere. An eagerness to learn about Japanese work styles and an easygoing approach to new situations helpful. The ideal intern Works well both in groups and individually.

No language requirement: Japanese helpful

Last Wednesday (9th Dec), the annual Handel House School Christmas Carol Concert took place at Parish Church, Gainsborough. With one audience member stating that it was the best Nativity play that he had ever seen, the night certainly did not disappoint. Pupils performed recorder recitals, sang hymns, said prayers and acted in a modern take on the traditional Nativity play, entitled “Jesus’ Christmas Party”.

The Shepherds arrive in sunglasses because the star is so bright!

At a full inn located in Bethlehem, an innkeeper and his wife are kept awake all night by strange goings-on with “that Mary and Joseph” in the barn “round the back!” Throughout the evening, they are visited by people from all over the world, including angels, shepherds and three kings! With the younger pupils acting out the roles and the Junior pupils providing the voiceovers, the whole setup proved throughly entertaining!

The Nativity Scene

Special thanks go to Mrs Holden and Mrs Crow for their musical support and organisation.