Oh and did I mention ...

The Democratic National Convention was like, the night time theme of our week? Made our vacation just that much sweeter! The Clintons did a magnificent job, John Kerry and Al Gore also impressed me, and candidates Barack Obama and Joe Biden were absolutely tremendous. I can't wait for the election ... and for January, to see the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream is alive and well!

Home again home again

So guys I am back from vacation!

I can't tell you how great a week this has been - Sunday I went to a little reunion gathering with some high school friends, and it was nice to spend some time with them, just hanging out and shooting the breeze and finding out what they'd all been up to the last seven years! Then Ari and I made the trek out to Sauble Beach, where we've spent the last week. I can't tell you how much fun it was to have a week to just be ME and relax - no pressure, no drama, just me and my husband, a stack of books, a cute little cottage, decent weather and certainly one of the nicest, if not THE nicest, beach in Ontario.

We put our vacation on pause Friday to help my brother and his girlfriend move into their new apartment in Toronto - I want to take this time to congratulate them publicly, and wish them so much happiness on this new adventure together. I think Kyle has found an AWESOME girl, and I can't remember the last time a move was actually fun - they were both so thankful Ari and I took the time to help them out on this big step, and it definitely feels nice to be appreciated - thanks to THEM for being so easygoing on a day that they must have been going nuts!

And that was our week - tomorrow I'm putting the finishing touches on my classroom before school starts in ... well ... almost exactly 36 hours! I'm actually looking forward to it; I miss my kids and my coworkers, and just being productive and working, and will be happy to see everyone again after two months. Meanwhile though I intend to enjoy my last day of summer vacation and wish everyone a good one as well - hope it's been a great summer for you, and that it continues into September. Happy Labour Day!

Vacation

So tomorrow Ari and I are going away to Sauble Beach for the week. I'm hoping to find an internet cafe or come home for a day in between to at least check phone and email messages as we are waiting on a few important contacts - but obviously I won't be blogging even semi-regularly. So I want to let you all know if you haven't heard from me by labour day to tune in then and I shall be back! Have a great last week of summer tout le monde. KISSES! MWAH!

Martin Luther King Quote

The quote from Martin Luther King in the previous music video is from his last sermon before his assassination, hours before he was gunned down:

"I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land."

How prescient, and how much I hope Barack Obama is here to lead our American neighbours out of the past 8 years of tyranny, constitutional faux-pas, and illegal war and into the promised land of peace; of healthcare for all; of safe, rare, and legal abortions; of repealing irresponsible tax cuts which only benefit the very rich; of turning around the damage the Bushies' oil buddies and others have done to the environment; where children are very much left behind ...

On to the brighter future MLK promised all of us!

My American Prayer

Did You Know

- did you know that an afternoon with a couple awesome girlfriends is a lot of fun?
- did you know there's a tremendous feeling of accomplishment in a clean house?
- did you know a working car radio is a very precious commodity and I'm glad to have one?
- did you know you should use good judgement, before questioning someone else's?
- did you know honesty is the best policy and I think I used it well yesterday?
- did you know I mean that even if it didn't get me quite the result I'd hoped for?
- did you know the Hills is actually a really interesting social commentary?
- did you know accepting your limits, and then stretching them comfortably, is exhilerating?
- did you know that's especially true when it comes to roller coasters?
- did you know vacation provides an awesome thing to look forward to?
- did you know this summer has been a real time of self-discovery for me?
- and did you know I've ended up quite proud of myself at the end of it?
- did you know that being sure of yourself, and then questioning that certainty, is good for you?
- did you know that's especially true when it makes you even more sure of yourself than before?
- did you know I'm proud of people who are strong and fight for what's important to them?
- did you know that goes even when I don't agree with them?
- and did you know of those people, I am most proud of my grampa, the best fighter of all?

And lastly ...

- did you know that 'did you knows' are really annoying? take note WWE ...

lol - Have a great rest of your week everyone. :)

Book Recco

I succumbed to the hype ... I bought the "Twilight" series this week - it's a set of four books, "Twilight", "New Moon", "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn" - which basically deals with the dark and occultish like Harry Potter, but instead of witches and wizards it's vampires and werewolves. It's geared towards older teens, but it has a very high vocabulary and interest level and I have to say Stephenie Meyer is one of the best contemporary writers I have had the pleasure of reading. These books are not light beach reading - they are about 4-500 pages each - but if you enjoy sort of gothic romance/suspense/teen angst/star-cross'd lovers/horror type things, and want a good, long epic of a series to ... erm ... sink your teeth into, then it's highly recommended. Enjoy!

To debunk Urban Legends

I would like to debunk for all the urban legend that you can unlock your car with your cellphone when you've locked your keys in it. This is based on the concept that I use my cellphone to call the holder of my extra keyless entry remote - Ari in this case - and have him aim said remote at the phone he's using, while pointing my cell at the car. The theory is that the radio waves are carried through the cell and unlock the car.

While in theory this is possible, as RKE (remote keyless entry) systems are no longer on infrared but radio waves, they are on a completely different band from cells. And I would like to save anyone who has places to be and is desperate to get into their car and on the road the embarrassment of falling for this when they seek aid online for a similar situation.

On the plus side, I got everywhere I needed to be today *except* school, where I'd intended to do my classroom set up that seems to keep getting put off (this weekend I GOT there, but my key's been deactivated for the summer). I can just go in tomorrow so it isn't that BIG a deal, but annoying - and the panic of 'will I catch the correct bus and get everywhere on time' is never fun. Additionally on the plus side - walked more today than I have since we moved to Kitchener. Oh screw it ... lol this was annoying. But how'd I do for looking on the bright side? ;)

Also anyone who wants to make me feel better with silly 'locked the keys in the car' stories can feel free to post them here as well. ;)

It's the Weekend!

And it's going to be a productive one!

Today I'm heading into the school to get my class set up and tidy, and get some plans in order for Sept. Tomorrow Ari and I are helping out at the Family and Children's Services booth at KidsPARK, which is basically a combination fun event for families with activities, games, food etc., and where some community organizations who might have a children's bent (such as FACS, Block Parents, the Safety Village) can set up info booths and let the community know about the services they provide, and how to get involved. We'll be handing out tattoos, information, and playing games with interested passers-by, hopefully recruiting some new foster parents and volunteers.

And then it's one more work week for Ari until we're on vacation - and that week should be fun in the meantime. As well as my usual tutoring, I'll probably need to go in at least once more to get stuff organized and planned at the school, which I am SO ready to get back to at this point, let me tell you! And there may or may not be a trip in the works to Canada's Wonderland with cher in the works, depending on how we get our schedules together as it's a busy week ahead for her it sounds like, and mine's not TOO busy but the stuff I DO have to do is kind of broken up - an hour here, an hour there. We're thinking Wednesday is probably the most likely at this point. We'll see.

She's leaving again this weekend, :'( which makes me sad - this was a shorter visit than usual, and the poor girl has had to split her time a bit more as it's been harder to get mutual friends together, plus her parents are now BOTH in Kitchener - but we're going to make the most of this week! :D Even if Wonderland doesn't work out, we're getting together with our moms sometime this week, and it sounds like she's having some kind of get-together later this week which I will be at so ... cool. :D Some good times w/my best girlfriend.

And then it's time to visit with some old friends from high school, and Sauble, and then back to work! The summer is really winding to an end ... I feel like I didn't make the most of it in some ways as I've spent so much of my time getting the house in order, running errands that I hadn't gotten around to, tutoring (which has been an enjoyable way to make money through the summer and doesn't take up a LOT of my time by any stretch, but is just sort of timed in the middle of the day to make it difficult to do much else), getting the last few things ready to be approved to adopt, and now waiting for 'The Call' and feeling like things aren't quite complete around here until we get it.

But then I realize I DID tutor and enjoy it, I managed to completely move in to and SETTLE in to my new house, which I wouldn't have been able to if I were working full-time, I've gotten a lot accomplished, and still found time to go to some Highland Games to cheer on my brother, Canada's Wonderland, the beach at Port Dover, visits with parents for dinner and swimming, the zoo with friends, dancing, rediscovering church ... it has been a good one after all and I think I'm finally actually learning what my mom has been trying to tell me all these years - enjoy what's happening in your life while it's happening instead of stressing about the bad stuff and just looking forward to the NEXT good thing. Good things happen all around us, and we should be thankful for that. What are YOU thankful for?

Creating Positive Energy

So I've been thinking that I''d like to encourage my readers to comment more on my blog - I mean it isn't all about me, lol, MY life this summer has been boring and I'm sure you're all so much more interesting ;). And I've been thinking I write an awful lot about myself when there are so many BIG DEALS happening out in the world - for example:

• The war between Russia and Georgia, and the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
• The upcoming US presidential election, which perhaps shouldn't have quite the bearing in the entire world that it does, but it DOES so is therefore a big deal
• The Olympics being held in an undemocratic and oppressive country which won't even allow a very cute, sweet nine year old to go out and sing in public because her teeth are crooked
• The propane explosion in Toronto and the incompetence that brought it about
• The murder of Tim McLean on the bus in Winnipeg

But then I got to thinking ... as much as those are the Big Stories these days, how negative! How terrible! Is there nothing happy, and positive going on in the world? Don't get me wrong, I'm a political and news junkie I could analyze and tear those things apart, but why would I bring myself, or you guys, down by devoting so very much time to those things? Some thanks for y'all reading my blog, eh, "Sarah's tearjerker news story of the week".

And then I read Alex's blog yesterday (or maybe it was Tuesday), where she finished requesting comments about one positive thing which had happened this week. And I'm going to open that up to you all - please comment on one positive thought or event or conversation you had this week. I'll start; I've had two.

1. After what has felt like a bit of a quiet and boring summer, I applied to direct a one-act play for a local theatre group here, to be mounted January - they'll decide in September if they accept my submission but I was told it looked good, and I was just proud to get myself out there again after a fair sabbatical from the theatre world. And
2. I spoke with the woman whose mat. leave I've been covering this week about back to school and she was so supportive, encouraging, and fun to talk to - plus the other French teacher at my school called me up just to see how I was doing, which was so sweet.

So again, no big life-changing events or anything for sure or that, just those nice, positive moments that make one's day brighter. Anyone have any of those to share? Please do!

From God's Arms to My Arms to Yours

I'm going to see if I can find the actual song this is set to but I thought I'd share the lyrics here - as an adoptive-mom-to-be, this poem I found today touches me right to my heart. It can be so hard to put ourselves in Birth Mom's shoes sometimes - this was probably Ari's and my biggest weakness in this process, having never been in that situation before ourselves - but this does such a great job of reminding us that it is not just "us and our baby" in this process ... and that the decision to put a child up for adoption is not selfish or irresponsible, but in fact just the opposite. And BM (birth mother), whoever you are, thank you so much in advance for giving us the greatest gift that no one else could.

From God's Arms to My Arms to Yours ...

So many wrong decisions in my past, I'm not quite sure
If I can ever hope to trust my judgement anymore.
But lately I've been thinking,
Cause it's all I've had to do.
And in my heart I feel that I
Should give this child to you.
And maybe, you could tell your baby,
When you love him so, that he's been loved before,
By someone, who delivered your son,
From God's arms, to my arms, to yours.

If you choose to tell him,
If he wants to know,
How the one who gave him life
Could bear to let him go.
Just tell him there were sleepless nights,
I prayed and paced the floors,
And knew the only peace I'd find,
Was if this child was yours.
And maybe, you could tell your baby,
When you love him so, that he's been loved before,
By someone, who delivered your son,
From God's arms, to my arms, to yours.

This may not be the answer,
For another girl like me.
But I'm not on a soapbox,
Saying how we all should be.
I'm just trusting in my feelings,
And I'm trusting God above,
And I'm trusting you can give this baby
Both his mothers' love.
And maybe, you could tell your baby,
When you love him so, that he's been loved before,
By someone, who delivered your son,
From God's arms, to my arms, to yours.

What a lazy weekend ...

But well worth it! Way too many movies, and way too little productive accomplished, but lots of sleep and time spent with my husband caught up on ... much needed. :) I even got to church yesterday, which was nice - I find myself sort of wondering where my life is going these days - I'm on a track professionally and personally that many would kill to be on, and I'm happy with 99% of it, but the devil's in the details often (for example; I want to teach, but am I teaching the age and subject I want to be teaching? so excited about adoption and wanting to keep an open mind about all that, but what's 'keeping an open mind' and what's 'settling'? etc.) ... it was nice to just have some time where I wasn't lonely and kind of bored, nor busy and surrounded by people, to just be at peace, and think.

My brother's off to Scotland as of yesterday, and I hope he got to the airport and in the air safely given the major propane blast in Toronto - my prayers are with those affected by that accident, and thank God that so few people were killed or injured. My prayers are especially with the family of the firefighter who died and the missing employee of the propane plant - while I thank God most people only had to face the inconvenience of an evacuation, I of course feel for those facing more.

We're going, I hope, to Canada's Wonderland today. It should be fun! Although it's forecasting thunderstorms so perhaps we'll just get the chores done around here we should have all this weekend ... though I really, really need to get out of the house. Bare minimum, we have ballroom dancing lessons this weekend which is exciting. :) So hopefully it will be a good afternoon, and I wish everyone else a good one as well! Peace.

My shame and pride in John Edwards ... and RIP Bernie Mac

First, I want to start with the second part of that title - funny actor and comedian Bernie Mac died at the age of 50 yesterday of pneumonia. I was never the biggest Bernie Mac fan, although I found him entertaining when I watched his work; I mainly remember him from Charlie's Angels II, and an episode or two of the Bernie Mac Show. But anyone with a family who dies at such a young age deserves to be mourned; he had so much living, loving, and entertaining to do, and it is unfortunate that his life was cut so short for a disease that so many of us overcome with proper medical treatment. My thoughts are with his family at this time.

Speaking a family my thoughts are also with, my thoughts go to Edwards family right now as well. John Edwards, for those not into US Politics, was John Kerry's Vice-Presidential running mate during the 2004 presidential election, and was running against Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination this year. In recent months, an affair he had in 2006, while his wife was recovering from cancer, has come to light. In his statement to the press admitting this affair yesterday, John Edwards acknowledged the affair, said he had already spoken to his family about it two years ago, and that they had healed and continued to heal together.

It's tough to know what to think here - on the one hand, it always disappoints me to hear of these things. To me, affairs are the ultimate betrayal of a marriage and should be rare, if they happen at all. And yet it is sadly common amidst celebrities, athletes, politicians - the people that unfortunately we look up to and admire the most - to the point it feels like 'everyone does it', which they shouldn't and in fact don't. But given that those famous people are in exactly the situations that make affairs most likely - often away from family, in high pressure situations that no one else could quite understand, feeling isolated and alone, being idolized and worshipped in an inappropriate way by the rest of us - is it that surprising? And does an (admittedly huge) personal transgression that lowers my respect for John Edwards as a man and husband, mean that my respect for him as a politician should be lowered as well? He had many, many good ideas as a presidential candidate, and if I were an American he would have been, andI think still would be, my choice for the next POTUS. And yet ... I find this reprehensible.

And while perhaps I no longer feel bad for his family in the sense of they've gone through this and dealt with it and moved on - having it dredged up again in the press cannot be easy, nor can it be fair. I regret that, if this has indeed been cleared up in a private and mature way, as it should be as a private matter, that it had to be dragged out for public consumption. Should it have ruined his marriage? Perhaps. Should it ruin this man's public reputation and political career? I don't think so; and if Elizabeth can forgive him, than perhaps the rest of us - to whom he has done no harm - should too. Especially since he conducted himself in a more respectful manner than most other philandering politicians; he admitted this to his wife and cleared the air almost two years before being outed, with no threat from the press that this story was about to blow. That takes some kind of guts, that he took private responsibility without being 'outed', and without dragging his poor wife out on all kinds of public mea culpa speeches (paging Elliot Spitzer).

I guess here's my bottom line - John Edwards' behaviour was reprehensible towards his wife and family, and it is their prerogative to forgive him or not. However far as the public is concerned though, this is a two-year-old story, no longer news, for which the main people affected have forgiven him. It is not an ongoing affair, nor was it soliciting prostitution, nor did he subbourn perjory ... whatever we decide to allow to become of the man himself politically, I do hope this story doesn't get dragged around in the papers for weeks where all it will do is hurt the innocent bystanders of this story - his family.

That's hot!

You have GOT to check this video out - even if you aren't into politics, and even if you aren't into Paris Hilton, this is the funniest thing I've seen in a long, long time. Checks'er out!

See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die

Personal Notes

So I made mention this weekend in my blog that I had been feeling very down and lonely, and I had been happy to see friends and family this weekend etc.; now it's time to name names and give more specific and personal thank yous. Form letters were never my style. So here goes - and in NO particular order, I'm appreciative to all of you, every one right now.

Alex: Hanging out with you and Don and the kids on Saturday was great fun. You remind Ari and I every time we see you guys why we want to be parents. :) You're awesome. You've supported us through every step of our adoption journey, and that's something I definitely don't take for granted, and am humbled by. Thank you for the high chair, and darling - happy, happy anniversary. Per your blog, things might have gone quickly for you two to start, but I have no doubt we'll be talking about anniversary number TWENTY-two when we're old and grey and grandparents. :) And about that grandparent thing, just remember - you may be younger than me, but you'll probably be "Grandma" first. ;)

The Meldrums: Thank you for inviting Ari and I to Denis' concert. Licia, you are like the kid sister I never had and always wanted, and I'm so glad even when things get rough for one or both of us, that we can always get through it, lending each other a hand and being a support for one another. You've found such a great blessing in Scott and I am so happy for you about that. Kendyll, I love that we can go years without seeing each other and you are still warm and friendly and approachable - never change! You're amazing. Meldrum Parents: thank you for raising two beautiful young women I respect so much - it was a pleasure to meet you finally (and Denis, to hear your music) , and if your other daughters turn out even HALF as well as the first two you will have done a spectacular job.

Esther: I don't know HOW you knew I needed to hear from someone friendly last week, but you did and thank you for Facebooking me. :) Can't wait to see you this month and relive some of our great times together without other stupid university drama clouding any of it (and you know what I mean! :P)

Joanna: OK so I didn't get to see you this week like the others but one of my most constant source of smiles this summer has been having the time to watch Kieran grow through Facebook, and in person once or twice. So thanks for sharing, and like Alex, thanks for being such a support through the adoption process. You're awesome, and I only hope to be as great a mother, wife, and woman as you are.

Nick: I know you haven't had the best week ever yourself by any stretch, and yet you still found time to meet up with Ari and cher and I the other day; to call me today; you're just so easy to get along with and you make me laugh more than anyone, and that is SO great. You're my ex-bf, you're one of my best friends, but you also just 'get it' - you're easy to talk to, and even my hubby likes you! :D So, thanks for fitting in so well into my crazy life. You're awesome.

OK and my last two, but certainly not least - :D -

Mom: I am amazed at how you are able to take charge, be helpful, supportive and such a great guide through life, even at my ripe old all-knowing age of 26 (har har), without (honestly!) coming across as naggy or preachy or judgemental. I wish everyone gave advice in the same way with the same tone as you, and I want to thank you for that and apologize for not realizing that until I was an adult, but I guess "Who does?" right? A much needed kick in the butt conversation with you earlier this week, but done with love, and you'll be with me on that journey - I can't wait for September!

cher: Thanks for being in town. Thanks for talking with me today, and putting up with me talking. Thanks for making time for me when I know it's a short visit and hard to see everyone. Thanks for being my twin, my sister, my friend - the BEST I have. Much like Kendyll, I love that we don't miss a step for being far apart. I loved catching up with you this weekend and today, and let's keep doing that, hmmm? :D Welcome home!

Oh ... and one more!

Ari: I didn't forget you. This isn't my Oscar Speech where I forget my hubby. You just put up with my moods so well last week, even when in one yourself at times, and you're there every day, even when the above people can't be. It's you who wakes up to me and you who's around until bed time, and as much as I love everyone on this entry, I don't know if I could put up with that from too many people. In fact only two people on this list can say they've lived with me other than you, so they know I'm not always the easiest and I'm sure they don't envy you your job every day. I know I don't. But thank you for doing it so lovingly and gracefully. I adore you for it. :) MWAH!

:D

Been kind of depressed lately ...
Friends busy or out of town,
And I'm not a great one
For picking up the phone.
Issues w/former best friend
As described.
Husband working, I'm not.
But today ... whole outlook changed.
Went out with close friends
And their kids to the zoo.
Such fun! Just pure,
Pressure-free fun.
Tonight went to a concert
With my other best friend
(The one who still speaks to me)
And met up with another close friend
- If I were to say at this point
I had another best friend
It would be this guy,
My ex, my 'step-brother',
Who even Ari likes -
After the concert for dinner,
Along with cher.
By the way, cher looks great,
Has lost so much weight
And gained so much confidence -
The opposite of myself of late.
I am now inspired,
By remembering I am loved,
And by seeing her example,
To pull myself together,
And head in the right direction,
Inside and out.
Thank you everyone for bearing with me.
If every small journey
Begins with a single step,
Today was mine.
Watch me run!