Monday Oct 31st 2011

Recently in the papers there has been a story going around about the Neepawa Natives hockey team. It has made the front page of the Winnipeg Free Press and other news outlets in Manitoba.
As a part of an  initiation the rookies were to preform certain tasks in front of the veterans to officially be a part of these teams. Initiation's are normal for teams to do at the start of every year to there rookies, but the Native's took it way over the edge this year. The rookies were made to do some pretty awful things to themselves and were caught, and are now having to suffer some very severe consequences because of it.
Now I know that this kind of stuff happens all the time throughout the world. I know I have taken part in some sort of initiation for joining sports teams in my years; of course none were to the extent of this stories, but even still; we have all been there.
This story has more to it than is initially presented I think. I know when you first read the article you are disgusted with the players and coaches who were supposed to be there as someone for you to look up to and to guide you as leaders. That is what I first thought, and then as I thought about it more I became more aware at how drastically this man's life will be now that this story is out. He is going to be scarred for a very long time and this is something he is going to have to live with for the rest of your life. That injury is going to be more painful and last longer than the physical damage done if you ask me. What was also very sad about the story was that when this man went public about this, the team did not automatically apologize but criticized him for coming clean about what had happened.
In closing I am so disappointed in these young men. The scars that will be left with the rookies that had to participate in these acts of hazing and bullying will last a long time. I hope that this is a lesson for any other teams out there as well that do any kind of cruel behaviour to there teammates.
When I think of a team, this story is not the first thing that comes to my mind, I just hope now for others that it won't be as well because if it has, than it might have ruined some peoples idea of a team and what a team is supposed to do and what they are really supposed to be for each other.
Team :

Come together as a team to achieve a common goal

Teammate :  
A fellow member of a team

Thursday Oct. 27th 2011

"Somewhere behind the athlete you've become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back... play for her."
- Mia Hamm


Tomorrow is our first regional play off game  for soccer. You have no idea how nervous I am. I came into playing soccer this year with not much thought. I had never taken the sport that seriously and I was coming here to play volleyball as well, a sport that I liked more anyways. I cannot believe how much my attitude has changed in the past 2 months though. I love playing soccer. I really think that it helps that I am surrounded by people who love the sport and who are so passionate about playing the sport that you feed off of that energy. Tomorrow we play Faith, we have beat them before, but stats do not mean anything. I am going into the game with the mindset to play the game I have fallen in love with and not forgetting the reasons that I have. I want to make my family, teammates and myself proud this weekend. I want to go out onto the field and leave it all on there. I am going to play hard for 1800 minutes of soccer. I know that I can do it, and I hope that you are coming to watch. 
It is hard knowing that in two days soccer for this season is going to be over. I don't want that, so I am going to remember why I love the game, think of all the time and effort I have put into it, remember the time that others put into it as well, and hopefully leave the fields knowing that all of the hard work and passion that I have and have put into the game is not wasted. Being nervous is good. It shows that you care! 
So tomorrow and Saturday at one o'clock, come and support your teammates! Go Prov!! 

Monday Oct. 24th 2011

What is enough?
A movie star now a days is not someone who acts in a film directed by a film director like it used to be. No, today a movie star is not just someone who can act because really that is not good anymore. When we used to think of a movie star who has the whole package, we saw talent, looks and skill to do with the career that he or she has chosen. But now, to have the whole package a movie star must also have a major record, a perfume fragrance, a clothing line which includes accessories, a cooking book, and a famous husband with famous kids on the rise, whether they are biological or adopted... Usually it is the adopted ones that make the headlines, so they might go for that to boost there status.
I'm sorry, but it is getting ridiculous. The sad thing about it all is that the celebrity who starts off as a actor/actress is usually not that good to begin with, so instead of working to get better at the job that they started they instead decide to sing, design, adopt and whatever else they can do to make money for themselves. Why?! I do not understand why they are so obsessed with themselves and feel the urge to always having to be on top of everyone else.
Really, if you can't do the first thing that you attempted to do great, do not try to be a better at something else only to make you money. It's sick.

Friday Oct. 21st

So as I'm sure everyone has heard now; Muammar Gadhafi was murdered yesterday. I personally do not know a lot about the politics in Libya and did not know who Gadhafi was prior to his death. (it's interesting how much more famous people become after they are dead) For a little background, Gadhafi was the Libyan automatic ruler for 42 years. He was the fourth longest rulings non royal leader according to Wiki.. He believed in political ideology and was a huge influence on the economic costs of oil in Libya. He was part of terrorism toward the USA and killed people without remorse.

Now, yes I do think that he was a terrible man who did many terrible things. I do not think that he should have been in power for as long as he was and I don't think that any type of government can work under one person for over 40 years. It just doesn't work.

I am in shock though of how graphic the footage was of him being murdered. On almost all broadcast stations have footage of Gadhafi being murdered and carried through the streets with rebels all around him. I do not think that this footage needed to be shared to the public. There are a lot of youtube hits on this footage as well, with a lot more dislikes than likes. So, I wonder how so many people wanted him dead and wanted to see him suffer the way he suffered many other, but watching the actual footage of him getting murdered was to much and was not liked by many? What is appropriate to show and where does that line draw with broadcast media?

Wednesday Oct. 19th

And the Leafs take the win!

Tonight the Winnipeg Jets (1-4) came to the Air Canada Centre to face the Toronto Maple Leafs (4-1). With Winnipeg scoring the first goal set the tone for the game to begin with. The Leafs replied though with a goal tying it at one all at the end of the first period.
As the second period finished up the Jets were ahead three to one. At this point I was getting pretty discouraged. As much as I hate the Leafs, I still have to cheer for them. Trust me when I say this; it is a curse in my family. As far back as I can remember, my great grandpa to my cousins to my dad to me. You aren't part of the Gillingham family unless you are a Leafs fan. So when they were losing today it was hard to watch. They seem to always just set us fans up for discouragement. I understand the whole never give up Justin Bieber pep talk, but I did not think any sort of comeback was in the making. But...
After the third and final period, here we go... The Leafs have the game tied up three all. The game goes into overtime. During the overtime there were no goals scored... That means a shoot out. I HATE shootouts. It is the absolutely worst way to win a game. It shows no indication of who played better and who deserved to win. Whatever though, what has to be done will be, and the team that came on top tonight ladies and gentlemen; the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Tonight was a good night. The Leafs win and the Jets get a point, which they do need. Hopefully the Leafs continue there streak tomorrow as the face Boston and here's hoping the Jets can pull of a win as well tomorrow! But for right now, goodnight!

Tuesday, October 18th

Who are we? What are the important moments in our lives? How do we know when they happen? Will they change us forever? Can people even change? Do all the little things that we do in our everyday even matter? How do we know when the answers are right in front of us but we cannot see them?

These are questions that I have been asking myself recently.
How do we know who we are? - I thought that we were suppose to figure that question out while going through high school. When I graduated I thought that I had a pretty good idea of who I was and what I was going to do with my time and life after high school. Truth is, I have no idea. I am glad that I came to college, but I don't know if high school was supposed to shape who I am now, or if who I am is going to be shaped for the next couple years. How do we know when we are who we are?
What are the important moments in our lives? - I thought graduating was, but looking back now I don't know if I think that or not. It was a significant moment sure, but all the hype that it has, really? I know that I was always supposed to graduate, just like I was always supposed to brush my teeth in the morning, but I don't get a big celebration for that.. I don't know. I think now that getting a degree is a way bigger deal than getting a diploma. So at the time, the moments that seem to be shaping our lives seem to be a big deal, but are they really?
How do we know when they will happen? - I don't think that we ever do until we look back and can say, that's when it all changed. Everything. I want to have that moment.
Will they change us forever? - Depends on the next question I think.
Can people even change? I used to never think that you could. I believed that you are who you have always been. I think that you can lose yourself and maybe lose your way and do things that aren't you, but at the end of the day; you are who you've always been. I don't think that will ever change. Maybe sometimes you are hiding who you really are as well... I don't know. Tough question.
Do all the little things that we do in our everyday even matter? - Does getting up and going to 4 hours of sporting events everyday really matter when I am 45 years old? Will I look back and think that I wasted a lot of time doing that? I hope I don't.. It may have not helped my academics, but I can say that I know it makes me happy doing my sports, so is it a waste of time? Maybe not. But what about all the other things..
How do we know when the answers are right in front of us but we cannot see them?  -  I don't know how to answer this question. I wish that I could though, it would make my life a lot easier!

All of these questions that I have been thinking lately are questions that I think not only me, but others struggle with as well. And as much as others say that everything happens for a reason and we are who we are today because of everything we have been through, it is hard to believe that sometimes and remember that in the moments. I would love some answers though for these questions.. That would be fantastic ! Thanks.

Blog 18

JETS, JETS, JETS!!!!

Everybody loves Canada's old new favorite hockey team, The Winnipeg Jets. Welcome home boys! Now, I know that the Winnipeg Jets have maybe not done as well as what was expected from all the fans and people who have been working very hard to bring back the Jets and wanted them to excel this season. To me, the fact that they now have lost every one of there regular season games is not a huge shock. When the team came back to Winnipeg they did not have a winning record or the players needed to make a great Stanley Cup winning team. Also if you think about how incredibly overwhelming it would be for the athletes who are used to playing in an arena where they didn't even get a half a sold out crowd for a playoff game to a sold out crowd with millions watching for a exhibition game, it would be very intimidating.
 So why all the hype? I love it, I am a fan of the Jets coming back to Winnipeg. I think it is great for the town and we should be proud of our teams. I think also that I love cheering for the Jets because of what they stand for. They are a team that is doing the best they can with what they've got, and it might not be a winning team, yet... but at least they aren't like the Toronto Maple Leafs who should have made the playoffs for the past five years but don't. If you think about it, it is pretty ridiculous that the Leafs play in front of sold out crowds every night and have all the money that a team could want and fails every year to produce a winning team. You might not know by the sounds of it, but I am a Leafs fan (a curse in my family) but my goodness is it frustrating to watch them loose when they shouldn't be, where as the Jets; maybe are not winning as many games as they should be, but you can tell they play with heart, they appreciate the people that are coming to watch and to me; they deserve to win a lot more than some of the other teams in the NHL right now.

Blog 16

For the past couple days there has been a big technologic issue with the Blackberrys. You probably have heard about it, everyone has. It consumes my Facebook and Twitter pages as well as most of the news online. 

I think that this is absolutely ridiculous! Yes, I do understand that you pay a lot of money now a days for phone that has data and a 'msn' like messaging system; but really? I do not think that it is something that needs to be made into such a big deal, by blackberry users or any other people. I know that it isn't just the blackberry customers that are upset by this as well. As I am saying that it shouldn't be a big deal I am the one who is consuming my time talking about it but what can you do! 

The thing that bothers me the most about this whole ordeal is how it just goes to show how crazy people are about getting there information right at there fingertips and how much they rely on something like a messaging service to get ahold of someone. Really? You can't send a normal text message to a certain someone? Or even better, you can't just call them? You can't go to your library to have an internet connection? Come on people! I don't think that this is such a big deal, it just gives the people something to talk about and it is negative media which the people love as well. I think that we should take pride that a Canadian company did such great things with our technology and realize some good things about blackberry instead of all of this insanity about one app not working. 

Blog 15

I have a younger sister named Alexis. She is in grade 12 this year and over the weekend she was telling me about a kid in her class that said something that really bothered her, as well as myself.
In my sisters ELA Lit. class they read a book called Night. This book is based on a true story of a man's struggle through the Holocaust. It looked like a really interesting read and something that you could learn from. A girl in Alexis's class said that this was a really stupid book, and that she hated it. She then went on to say that history is really stupid and it doesn't matter what happened then because it had nothing to do with her. WOW. When I heard this I was so infuriated. How can someone be so insensitive, stupid, thoughtless to say something like that. Words cannot even describe.
Alexis did the a very similar thing that I did when she heard about that, she wrote about it, like I am going to do now. I do not for the life of me understand how anyone could say something so shallow. I love history. I think it is something that we need to learn and understand. If men did not die for my country so I could be free I would not be here right now. So for someone to say that history has nothing to do with them is such an understatement. History is what you are. It is amazing how selfless the people were for us now. People that they had no idea were even going to exist, but they still went and died for us. For you to say history doesn't matter shows how selfish you are.
I could rant for a very long time about this topic. It is something that young people NEED to learn about. It is something that needs to be respected and remembered.

"if we don't learn our history, we're doomed to repeat it".

Blog 14

I am from a really small town. When I say really I am not joking. We have about 1 000 people living in and around Rivers. My high school ( 7 - 12 ) had 156 bodies in it, so that includes staff! My graduating class had 27. I loved living in Rivers my whole life, but since coming here to Prov I have really began to understand what my parents meant when they said that there is a life outside of Rivers and you can always come home, but you need to leave for a while. Now, I understand that Prov isn't the biggest schools to go to of them all, but it is still a totally different experience than what I am used too!

In my school there wasn't a lot of diversity and so it was really hard to be different or like different things than what was 'cool'. One of my favorite things so far about getting away from Rivers and coming to Prov is that there are so many different groups and people that you can be friends with and different things that you can get involved in which I think is really cool and good for you.

So far everyone here is really nice and I have already made some great friends that I would never have got to meet if I stayed around my hometown, like my parents said; you can always come home: I will always have the people who were there for me through everything but like they also said; you need to leave: which so far I am happy I have for all the great opportunities I have had so far, and it's only October:)

Blog 14

This weekend I went and saw a movie; Moneyball. It is a film about the GM of the Oakland Athletics and how they did not have a lot of money or resources to build a team after a tough year of losing some of there key players.
If you did not know; this is a sports movie about baseball. A sport in which I am not very familiar with at all and do not follow. I really do not have very much interest in the sport and would way rather go and watch golf or curling.
My blog today is not a movie review though, I went into that theatre thinking that I would sit and watch a movie, a movie that I had no expectations or thoughts about at all. Since being at Providence I don't really get to watch a lot of movie trailers since I do not watch a lot of TV, which I'm actually not minding! In any case, I went into the movie theatre with no expectations and I came out amazed! I loved this movie. It is funny how when we don't have any expectations we are usually not disappointed which isn't something that you should do all the time; but in this case it wasn't a bad thing.
I thought it was so amazing how something that you have no idea what it is about or have no idea of the background to can be so amazing and moving. I don't want to ruin the film for you, so I will stop here. But I recommend this movie for anyone; whether you love the game of baseball, or sports, or whatever.
It was really nice to go into something and be so surprised with something!
 The highlight of my weekend for sure.

Blog 19

We were given an assignment this week to participate and observe in an event of our choice then were supposed to write about it in our blog posts this week. I chose to write mine about my soccer game last night at 5.30. (Reason for being so late)

Usually I do not sit on the bench while playing soccer, but I was injured this week so I got to play a little and sit on the bench as well. When I play soccer usually I am focused on what I am supposed to be doing and do not worry a whole lot on what the fans, officials, and coach’s are saying.

The person who I was most surprised with was while observing the game was my coach! I usually just try to tune other people out, besides my teammates while playing so it was really interesting to sit back and listen to Dante talk (yell) about what we are supposed to be doing and where we are supposed to be on the field. It was interesting to watch his facial expressions as well. When he got really upset he would start talking in Spanish as well, which was something that I never have noticed before!

Another thing I noticed when watching the game was how some of the players on the team really worked well together and how some did not gel quite as well. Some of the girls were really good at communicating with each other, which ended up in some really good goals; which did lead to a win! It wasn’t as if the other girls did not play bad, just they didn’t seem to have the same chemistry as the other girls.

Overall I thought that it was a really interesting assignment and it was really cool to sit back and notice things that I didn’t realize were happening before. I think that it was also benefit my game play now that I have done that as well, to see how the girls play and how our coach talks to us; it will only help my game out in the long run! So thanks Dr. Greco!

Cheers!