At the very least, you survived them right? Yup, thats me – always looking on the bright side of things!
Posted in General | Leave a Comment »
It’s 2012 – and completely ignoring anything that horrible movie said about it – I, for one, am really quite excited about it.
Let me clarify, however. I am NOT a person for new year’s resolutions. I think they are kind of silly. I do still see a new year as a sort of new beginning though. After two weeks away from school we’ve had a chance to hit “reset” on our semester; we get a chance to shake off the bad habits that we started sliding into in November and December and go forward purposefully into exams.
What about you? Do you now feel ready for that final push to exams?
Posted in General | Leave a Comment »
What am I talking about, you ask? 
Christmas of course!!
Ask anyone – I love Christmas. Seriously. And no, shockingly, it isn’t because of the presents (although I do like them!). It’s also not because of the two week break we get… but I do like that too!
I think my favourite part about Christmas is seeing all sorts of people suddenly putting aside their own wants in order to think of someone else. Sometimes that means finding the perfect present for someone, true. But here at MSS it also means getting involved in the Food Drive in order to re-stock the Foodbank and Soup Kitchen, creating backpacks for Angels with Backpacks, and family sponsorships in order to make sure a family suffering a bit of a set-back gets to experience a truly memorable and joyous Christmas morning, to mention only a few.
I do admit, though, sometimes I have a hard time getting into the ‘Christmas Spirit’. It seems like things are so busy and so rushed that I’m not quite ‘there’, you know? Fortunately, I also know that as soon as I start to put up the tree everything will start to come together.
See, in our house, putting up the tree was something that we did all together. Every year we each got a special ornament that was just for us and in the following years we would share stories and memories as we decorated the tree together, making sure that each person got to hang their special ornaments themselves and in a spot that everyone could see it whenever they went by the tree. So… whenever I find I’m having a hard time finding the ‘Christmas Spirit’ I know that it is time to decorate the tree and let all those memories come flooding back. …and it doesn’t hurt to play my super-secret-I’m-not-telling-you-because-you’ll-make-fun-of-me movie that I sing along with as I decorate, too!
Well.. now that you know what I like best about Christmas tell me – what is your favourite part? Best memory? Coolest tradition? Favourite song or movie? (My favourite movie is still Charlie Brown Christmas. Linus makes me cry every year! And Little Drummer Boy is the best song, ever!!)
…and Merry Christmas, with love. ♥
Posted in General | 3 Comments »
Have you ever been to Christian Island? If not, you really should go. There’s lots to see and all kinds of fun to be had – just ask the members of the NAC2O Native Studies class!
Of course, the awesome-ness was helped by the fact that we had fantastic guides showing us around, NDN tacos and a killer take-no-prisoners (but-don’t-throw-an-elbow!) indoor soccer game.
The day started with an adventure-style car ride through Lafontaine (thank goodness Landon was reading the directions for Mr. McDonald!) to the Ferry launch. After a wee bit of confusion and small wait by the heaters that was made fun because Vicki M-L brought Timbits, we climbed aboard the Indian Maiden and travelled over to Christian Island. (Did we mention that it was kind of funny watching Jordon try to get cell phone reception? Hee hee!)
We got off the ferry to see the happy, smiling faces of classmates Sid, Emily, Josh and Diablo waiting for us. Okay, okay. So Diablo isn’t a classmate but rather Josh’s dog, but whatever, he was friendly so I say we make him an honorary member!
Saying goodbye to Diablo, we all got on the bus and took a student-guided tour around the Island. It was really cool to see where everyone lived, hung out, had major ATV wrecks (yikes!) and all kinds of other stuff. Plus? Having the MSS & St. T’s classes doing stuff all together was pretty neat too.
After the bus ride we got dropped off at the community center where we finally found Shane! He was in the kitchen already working on making the fry-bread. (Oh my goodness is he EVER good at it! YUM!!) Emily, Josh and Sid showed the rest of us around and then we went back into the gym and goofed around for a bit. Before Ms. Prince embarassed herself too badly at basketball (she was really terrible, even after Vicki B. and Landon tried to teach her how to shoot a ball) Josh set up an indoor soccer game and organized everyone into teams.
It was epic!
We learned that Emily is amazing on defense – she was like a brick wall that no one could get past! – and that Sid is pretty competitive and was everywhere! In fact, Ms. Prince tried to guard Sid a few times going into the corners and we were lucky she made it out alive!! In fact, everyone was pretty competitive including Dustin, Steven, Brad and Vicki. No one gave an inch all game but at the same time stayed pretty friendly. We had to call the game off because it was time for lunch. And that meant…
NDN Tacos!! And oh-my-goodness were they ever good! (Did we mention that Shane is kind of amazing?!? ‘Cos he did a great job!)
Sadly, after hanging out for a while over lunch it was time to head back. We were having such a great day that the time just flew by. But, like all great days, this one had to end too and after posing for a class picture we got back on the bus and headed back to the ferry and then to school.
Its too bad that it ended so soon but hopefully we can do something like it again. And we totally need a re-match in that soccer game…
Posted in General | 2 Comments »
Its that time of year again; time to stop, take a moment and remember those who fought for a better world.
On one hand, I find it sad that we need to be reminded to pause and show our appreciation for what those brave men and women have done (and are still doing) on our behalf. On the other, I guess its kind of cool that we live in a country where war and destruction aren’t a main part of our daily lives. Another thing to thank a veteran for, do you think?
Martin Luther King once said “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
Pretty much sums it up, I think.
And so… on behalf of my family, I thank those brave men and women who made the decision to stand for our country and all that we as Canadians hold dear.
Posted in General | 1 Comment »
Quick and Dirty!
Well… at least, thats what the hair gel said. (Notice the hair?!? Scary!!)
On Friday the Boys Soccer Team became involved in one of the most exciting playoff games in MSS Soccer History. It only seemed right though as this has been one of the best soccer teams in MSS history too! Although they lost to a favoured ODCVI (2-1) the <cough> ‘Greased Up’ Marauders played with heart and determination, fighting until the final whistle. After falling behind on a penalty, the team refused to give up and finally scored on a Wil Truscot “how did that happen?!?” one-timer.
And then??
The boys kicked up another notch as all players put forth their best effort all season and dominated the play for the rest of the game. Kevin Helt, Jesse Leadbetter, Dave Marshall, Stevo Dufour, and Morgan Gillies all came very close with tremendous effort but unfortunately, it just wasn’t to be.
Tim Miller, Mike Jarvis, Nick Renouf, and Brody Monk also helped to keep MSS in the game with their effort and leadership.
The boys should be congratulated on a great season. You made your coaches and your school very, very proud!
Posted in General | Leave a Comment »
”For real?” – my first thought.
I know. Profound, right? But it was hard to believe. Gadhafi has been such a big part of the world political stage that it seemed hard to believe that he was gone!
Gadhafi has been called so many things, by so many people – “Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution”, “The Mad Dog of the Middle-East”, the “King of Africa” and the “Picasso of the Middle East”. And now he’s gone! No more “Green Book”. No more long-winded (and lately, weird!) speeches in the UN. No more changing sides in a very unusual political game. …And no more attempts to set up his massive silk tent (with crystal chandaliers!!) in the middle of Central Park, NY! I think it will be interesting to see how he is finally remembered by history.
And even more interesting? To see what happens to Libya and its surrounding area now that he’s gone. Will the ‘uprising’ and revolution be considered over? Will the violence end? Will there be stability in the region or even more chaos? And what will be the political fall-out in the rest of the Middle East? The rest of the world?
Oh, we truly do live in interesting times, don’t we!
Posted in General | 1 Comment »
I don’t know about you, but I always feel like things get cranked up at school in October. Sure, we were busy in September – we started new classes and routines, some of us started new jobs, sports teams got going again, we did the Terry Fox run, classes changed again … and so many other things happened that I’ve kind of lost track… but it never seems quite real until October. Things just seem more intense when October hits. …Or am I just imagining things? (No need to answer that, actually.)
But seriously. How have things gone for you so far? Do you feel like you’re in a groove now or do you feel like you’re barely keeping your head above water? Have you been checking the site if you’ve missed some classes?
Let me know! Don’t be afraid to tell me if you need help… or just need to talk something out. Email or message me. Because to quote Red Green, “We’re all in this together!”
Ms. Prince
Posted in General | Leave a Comment »
Yay for blogging! Yes, I have entered this century!!!
Why do you care? Well… first? It’s kinda awesome. (Just agree with me here, alright!?!) Second? Here is a place for you to stay connected with our class and to learn/discuss things in a different way! If you miss a class – check here. If you miss a handout – check here! If you want to review an article or powerpoint or anything we’ve done in class – check here!!
Posted in General | 2 Comments »
