Canadian Pride

I managed to catch part of the opening ceremony of the Olympics while at the gym today. I have to tell you, I was really gushing with pride. Even teared up a few times. What I saw, I thought was tasteful, varied, talented, and accomodating to many of the different nationalities that make up our great country. I loved seeing so many maple leafs! And KD Lang. What a voice! And in light of the horrific death of the luger from Georgia, everyone in that stadium did Canada and the Olympics proud with their respect.

It disturbs me to see people looking to find fault. I'm hearing comments that there was too much French. That English should have been spoken first, before French. Why do we have to complain? Can we not just, for once, celebrate our amazing country, and take pride that for the next couple of weeks, we get to shine in the world's spotlight?

We have so much to be thankful for in Canada. For some, maybe they should leave the country for awhile to see just how good we do have it. Then, maybe some of the frivolous whining will stop about which language should come first.

My own special Christmas

Well, I had an unexpected surprise today. I got a Christmas present! My mom had put a parcel into the post for me last November! We thought it had been confiscated, or just plain lost. But lo and behold, today, in walked the delivery man with the box tucked under his arm.
I was SO excited! You cannot imagine how it feels to be so far away from home, and then to receive this package all wrapped up in love and warm thoughts.
She clearly put a lot of thought into it. There was a penguin tree ornament (I love penguins), a key chain of a teddy bear with my name on it, a fridge magnet, cow candies from Poland (yummmm), a card, some chocolate, a tape dispenser shaped like a highheeled red shoe (don't ask), and, courtesy of my sister, Little Moo, a bag of Bran Flakes!!
Yippee!! These little bits of home go such a long way to making my time away less lonely.
I feel so loved today. And that is the best Christmas present in the world!