Friday, September 30, 2011

A SINGLE DREAM. A WORLD OF HOPE.

Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and raised in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, a community near Vancouver on Canada's west coast. An active teenager involved in many sports, Terry was only 18 years old when he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) and forced to have his right leg amputated 15 centimetres (six inches) above the knee in 1977.

While in hospital, Terry was so overcome by the suffering of other cancer patients, many of them young children, that he decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.

He would call his journey the Marathon of Hope.

It was a journey that Canadians never forgot.

After 18 months and running over 5,000 kilometres (3,107 miles) to prepare, Terry started his run in St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980 with little fanfare. Although it was difficult to garner attention in the beginning, enthusiasm soon grew, and the money collected along his route began to mount. He ran close to 42 kilometres (26 miles) a day through Canada's Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Ontario. However, on September 1st, after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 miles), Terry was forced to stop running outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario because cancer had appeared in his lungs. An entire nation was stunned and saddened. Terry passed away on June 28, 1981 at the age 22.

The heroic Canadian was gone, but his legacy was just beginning.

To date, over $550 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry's name through the annual Terry Fox Run, held across Canada and around the world.

On Wednesday, September 28th, my school had their annual Terry Fox Run to raise money for cancer research. Our run was very successful! Also, there were other fundraisers alongside the Terry Fox Run that also contributed to cancer research; Hennas, Volleyball Buy-In and Raffle Tickets were three other side charities that contributed to our overall success. Thanks to everyone who contributed; student government, students and teachers! Everyone did a fabulous job!

By Thursday, September 29th, 2011, my school, so far, raised over $10,300!
By Thursday, October 6th, 2011, my school, so far, raised over $15,000!

Environmental Council did something very inspirational and beautiful this year... They placed a prosthetic leg in the main hall, and filled the giant poster with Band-Aids to symbolize that we are doing everything we can as catalysts, by racing towards the cure to cancer. To speed up the healing process, the Band-Aids are filled with inspiring quotes that our students wrote as motivational tips! What beautiful and incredible work! Here they are:

In Memory of Terry Fox; (July 28, 1958 - June 28, 1981)... I do too believe in miracles too, I have to.. because you inspired me to, as well as inspiring millions of others. You are a true hero!

When: September 27

Where: Air Canada Centre

Who: 18,000 youth, educators and friends

Why: To inspire and celebrate the youth movement for global change

Join the movement: 'Like' We Day on Facebook. 1 like = $1.www.facebook.com/weday

Youth leading global change is the movement of our time.

We Day is the manifestation of this movement.

On Tuesday, September 27th, myself and others from my school attended WE DAY at the Air Canada Centre. It was an amazing experience and I was able to hear some amazing speakers, tell us stories about their experiences and what inspired them. There are other WE DAY events in other parts of Canada, so if you have the opportunity, I highly recommend you attend!

Above: The speakers and other guest stars that we saw were Craig and Marc Kielburger, who founded Free The Children in 1995, which is the organization that runs WE DAY and many other amazing events! Also, Nelly Furtado, who generously donated $1, 000, 000 to Free The Children, and touched everyones heart with her story, especially when Susan came on stage to thank Nelly.

Above: Spencer West, who is in the simplest of terms, inspirational and fantastic, and wish him luck in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in June 2012; which is his biggest challenge yet!

"As a kid, every time I went out, whether to the grocery story or a restaurant, people would point and whisper, "Where's that guy's body? Where's his legs? He looks crazy!

Nobody even asked me my name first. People were seeing my disability, instead of me. So I changed my story a bit. When asked, "Where are your legs?" I would say, "I left them in my other pants" or "I was swimming in the ocean and this shark swam up and BIT THEM RIGHT OFF!" If I could get them to laugh, people were forced to see me as a person.

But humour didn't always help me get noticed. Especially in high school when all of the guys started to play sports. I knew I couldn't play football or basketball, so I did what most guys do when they can't play these sports, I became a cheerleader! As a cheerleader I was known for my cartwheels, but they were not much help after high school. Or so I thought.

I was struggling to find my way when I was encouraged to go to Kenya with Me to We to build a school. Upon my arrival I was surrounded by swarms of school kids, who bombarded me with questions about my life. A little girl raised her hand and said, "I didn't know this sort of thing happened to white people, too."

Suddenly, I understood that instead of trying to be like everyone I was different for a reason. I was different because I needed to show others that it doesn't matter what your abilities are or where you come from in the world. If you work hard, never give up and laugh a lot, you can achieve anything. Now, as a motivational speaker for Me to We, I've spoken to audiences around the world about courage, shark attacks and making a difference. I've even showed off my cartwheels. Changing the world one cartwheel at a time!"

Other special guests who attended this incredible event were Joe Jonas, City and Colour, Rick Hansen, Nikki Yanofsky, Mary Robinson, Dalton McGuinty, Danny Glover, Dr. Patch Adams, Classified, Kardinal Offishall, Kenyan Boys Choir, Neverest, Shawn Desman, Munro Chambers, Alslinn Paul and more guests.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Revealed: The real Lucy in the sky with diamonds

Last updated at 12:20 01 June 2007

Forty years after The Beatles' Sergeant Pepper LP was released, a housewife from Surbiton is claiming she inspired the track Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.

Lucy Vodden, 43, was at nursery school in Weybridge with John Lennon's son Julian, who one day took home a drawing of a girl surrounded by stars.

When John asked him to describe he said, "It's Lucy in the sky with diamonds,".

Lucy Vodden, 43, was at nursery school in Weybridge with Julian Lennon

The painting that inspired the song

Julian later confirmed this: "I don't know why I called it that or why it stood out from all my other drawings, but I obviously had an affection for Lucy at that age.

"I used to show dad everything I'd built or painted at school, and this one sparked off the idea for a song about Lucy in the sky with diamonds."

Beatles biographers and account by band members confirm that she is the most likely source of the song.

A young Lucy O'Donnell

Mrs Vodden said: "I can imagine him saying, 'That's Lucy at school,' and his father asking questions like "What's that in the sky?'"

There has been much specualtion about the song, many believe that it is an ode to LSD.

"When I told a couple of friends that Lucy in the sky with diamonds was about me, they said, 'No, it can't be, it's to do with LSD.' I was too embarrased to tell them that I didn't know what LSD was."

Julian's mother Cynthia has said that she has kept the picture.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-459145/Revealed-The-real-Lucy-sky-diamonds.html

The Power of Words

Dear Mr Vernon,

We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong. What we did was wrong, but we think you're crazy to make us write an essay telling you who we think we are. You see us as you want to see us. In the simplest terms. The most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain...

and an athlete...

and a basket case...

a princess...

and a criminal.

Does that answer your question?

Sincerely yours,

The Breakfast Club.

"It is the rock upon which all human culture is built; it is what makes us human."

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Hi, Mommy.
I'm your baby. You don't know me yet, I'm only a few weeks old. You're going to find out about me soon, though, I promise. Let me tell you some things about me. My name is John, and I've got beautiful brown eyes and black hair. Well, I don't have it yet, but I will when I'm born. I'm going to be your only child, and you'll call me your one and only. I'm going to grow up without a daddy mostly, but we have each other. We'll help each other, and love each other. I want to be a doctor when I grow up.

You found out about me today, Mommy! You were so excited, you couldn't wait to tell everyone. All you could do all day was smile, and life was perfect. You have a beautiful smile, Mommy. It will be the first face I will see in my life, and it will be the best thing I see in my life. I know it already. Today was the day you told Daddy. You were so excited to tell him about me! ...He wasn't happy, Mommy. He kind of got angry. I don't think that you noticed, but he did. He started to talk about something called wedlock, and money, and bills, and stuff I don't think I understand yet. You were still happy, though, so it was okay. Then he did something scary, Mommy. He hit you. I could feel you fall backward, and your hands flying up to protect me. I was okay... but I was very sad for you. You were crying then, Mommy. That's a sound I don't like. It doesn't make me feel good. It made me cry, too. He said sorry after, and he hugged you again. You forgave him, Mommy, but I'm not sure if I do. It wasn't right. You say he loves you... why would he hurt you? I don't like it, Mommy.
... ... Finally, you can see me! Your stomach is a little bit bigger, and you're so proud of me! You went out with your mommy to buy new clothes, and you were so so so happy. You sing to me, too. You have the most beautiful voice in the whole wide world. When you sing is when I'm happiest. And you talk to me, and I feel safe. So safe. You just wait and see, Mommy. When I am born I will be perfect just for you. I will make you proud, and I will love you with all of my heart.

I can move my hands and feet now, Mommy. I do it because you put your hands on your belly to feel me, and I giggle. You giggle, too. I love you, Mommy.

Daddy came to see you today, Mommy. I got really scared. He was acting funny and he wasn't talking right. He said he didn't want you. I don't know why, but that's what he said. And he hit you again. I got angry, Mommy. When I grow up I promise I won't let you get hurt! I promise to protect you. Daddy is bad. I don't care if you think that he is a good person, I think he's bad. But he hit you, and he said he didn't want us. He doesn't like me. Why doesn't he like me, Mommy?

You didn't talk to me tonight, Mommy. Is everything okay?

It's been three days since you saw Daddy. You haven't talked to me or touched me or anything since that. Don't you still love me, Mommy? I still love you. I think you feel sad. The only time I feel you is when you sleep. You sleep funny, kind of curled up on your side. And you hug me with your arms, and I feel safe and warm again. Why don't you do that when you're awake, any more?

I'm 21 weeks old today, Mommy. Aren't you proud of me? We're going somewhere today, and it's somewhere new. I'm excited. It looks like a hospital, too. I want to be a doctor when I grow up, Mommy. Did I tell you that? I hope you're as excited as I am. I can't wait.

Mommy, I'm getting scared. Your heart is still beating, but I don't know what you are thinking. The doctor is talking to you. I think something's going to happen soon. I'm really, really, really scared, Mommy. Please tell me you love me. Then I will feel safe again. I love you!

Mommy, what are they doing to me!? It hurts! Please make them stop! It feels bad! Please, Mommy, please please help me! Make them stop!

Don't worry Mommy, I'm safe. I'm in heaven with the angels now. They told me what you did, and they said it's called an abortion.

Why, Mommy? Why did you do it? Don't you love me any more? Why did you get rid of me? I'm really, really, really sorry if I did something wrong, Mommy. I love you, Mommy! I love you with all of my heart. Why don't you love me? What did I do to deserve what they did to me? I want to live, Mommy! Please! It really, really hurts to see you not care about me, and not talk to me. Didn't I love you enough? Please say you'll keep me, Mommy! I want to live smile and watch the clouds and see your face and grow up and be a doctor. I don't want to be here, I want you to love me again! I'm really really really sorry if I did something wrong. I love you!

I love you, Mommy.

Every abortion is just…

One more heart that was stopped.

Two more eyes that will never see.

Two more hands that will never touch.

Two more legs that will never run.

One more mouth that will never speak.

DID YOU EVER LOOK AT A PICTURE OF YOURSELF AND SEE A STRANGER IN THE BACKGROUND?

IT MAKES YOU WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE PICTURES OF YOU,

HOW MANY MOMENTS OF OTHER PEOPLES' LIVES WE'VE BEEN IN.

WERE WE PART OF SOMEONE'S LIFE WHEN THEIR DREAM CAME TRUE,

OR WERE WE THERE WHEN THEIR DREAMS DIED?

DID WE KEEP TRYING TO GET IN, AS IF WE WERE SOMEHOW DESTINED TO BE THERE?

OR DID THE SHOT TAKE US BY SURPRISE?

JUST THINK, YOU COULD BE A BIG PART OF SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE, AND NOT EVEN KNOW IT.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

The lion and the unicorn were fighting for the crown.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

We shall never forget
We shall keep this day,
We shall keep the events and the tears
In our minds, our memory and our hearts
and take them with us as we carry on.

Whether it caused the fatal end of one person,

or three thousand people...

The tragic events and actions that occurred that day,

were both cowardly by the hijackers

and heroic by all those who helped at the World Trade Centre.

Thank you God for giving us these people who were kind,

noble and brave enough to face the dangers,

and darkness of that day, which most of us will never forget.

♥♥♥

And Aubrey was her name,
A not so very ordinary girl or name.
But who's to blame?
For a love that wouldn't bloom
For the hearts that never played in tune.
Like a lovely melody that everyone can sing,
Take away the words that rhyme it doesn't mean a thing.

And Aubrey was her name.
We tripped the light and danced together to the moon,
But where was June.
No it never came around.
If it did it never made a sound,
Maybe I was absent or was listening to fast,
Catching all the words, but then the meaning going past,

But God I miss the girl,
And I'd go a thousand times around the world just to be
Closer to her than to me.

And Aubrey was her name,
I never knew her, but I loved her just the same,
I loved her name.
Wish that I had found the way
And the reasons that would make her stay.
I have learned to lead a life apart from all the rest.
If I can't have the one I want, I'll do without the best.

But how I miss the girl
And I'd go a million times around the world just to say
She had been mine for a day.