I'm Glad I Live in Canada

As climate's change around the world, many unexpected things happen. Today, an earthquake struck Indonesia. A 7.6 on the richter scale, this particular earthquake took the lives of 75 people, and leaving hundreds of people injured. This is also not the first time this year that a disaster struck. On Tuesday disaster struck the Samoan Islands. An 8.0 on the richter scale is what happened. To make matters worse, a tsunami was the result of this earthquake. Not only were the islands rocked by the earthquake, the waters of the tsunami flooded what people had known as their homes. 111 people were killed in the storm.

This reminds me of how fortunate I am to live in Canada. I know every place in the world has it's downfall. Canada has a notorious amount of mosquitos, but we have to look at it this way. Would you rather live in a place where tsunami's and earthquakes happen everyday, or would you rather live with a few occasional blood suckers? I would take the mosquitos any day of the week. In an area where you have to deal with such disasterous things, you are always worrying about what you and your family are going to do to deal with these circumstances. You are always looking over your shoulder and wondering if this will be the last time you see your family. In an area like Steinbach, MB (my hometown), you don't have to worry about those types of things. Sure you have to deal with occasional mishaps, but nothing compared to what the people in Indonesia or Samoa feel today.

So in other words, be thankful for what you have and where you live. Be thankful that you don't have to deal with tsunami's, or disasters like that. Just know that God is watching over you and that He is doing what is best for you, and what is according to His plan.

Gang Violence

Today, 3 people have been charged for murder after beating a 16 year old honors student to death. It was a brutal attack. The three men charged used two by fours to beat Derrion Albert to a pulp. Even after he was down on the ground, he was continually beat.

All caught on an amateur video, this brutal attack has been linked to gang violence. This morning before I headed off to school, I was watching a little bit of CNN news. They said that the victim was beaten up because he refused to join the gang. He was standing up for what he believed in. He didn't want to join. Leave the kid alone. What drives people to do these sorts of things, I don't know. All I know is that these kids will have a long road ahead. They will have to pay for it.

Its Friday!

Today is the day of the week where people look forward to most. Most people, including myself will try our hardest to do as little as we can. Like today for example, taking notes is all I will do. I just don't have the motivation to do anything. When I try to focus on school or whatever else is on the horizon, my mind just goes for a spin. It's like I'm a little puppy. I see one thing now, but within a minute, my mind is off to someplace else.

I don't really want to do homework today, but if I don't I will have to do a ton of it on the weekend. And the weekend is for fun, right? Well, not much anymore. I will try to do fun stuff, but my mind has to be focused on school. Lets just say, I am glad we only have one Friday during a week. If we had more, don't count on me to do anything. I probably won't do it. Have a great weekend!

We Need Your Support

Basketball has been a big part of my life for a very long time. I have been playing the game ever since I was a little kid. But, as the upcoming year approaches, my excitement for the sport keeps rising. My expectations for this basketball season are extremely high. As it looks right now, we will be running a fast break type offense. We will at least try to run every chance we get. The best part about this style of play, is that it is one of the quickest ways to get the fans excited. And you need to have fans to feel confident in your abilities. They are a big motivation for players. The fast break style is very fast, and very up and down. Tons of shots are put up, and also the fast break style sets players up for a lot of scoring.

So if you plan on watching the Freemen play this year (which you better), be ready for a lot of scoring, and alot of excitement. We as players will do our best to please the crowd.

Bring Forth Your Troubles to God

Today, is Providence college's annual day of prayer. This day is a time to give your hearts and your troubles to God. In other words, give everything to God. Many people will have or will be participating in this event. I think it is good to pray with people. You need to be comfortable though. Don't think you have to pray with everyone just because everyone's doing it. If you are more comfortable praying by yourself, then do that. As long as the words are coming from your heart, then it is fine.

Prayer is a major part in your walk with God. It helps you get through tough times, and also helps calm the nerves. Pray in the morning before heading off to work or school, or pray before bed, or pray anytime during the day for that matter. Every time you pray, is more time you have to spend with the God that created you. Talk to him. He wants to hear what you have to say.

Also, good luck to all prov soccer teams as they head off to Kansas. Play hard but have fun. Also dont forget to pray.

"Blame Me"

Winning an NBA championship is one thing. Defending it is a way different story. The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to defend their 2009 NBA championship crown. In efforts to repeat, the Lakers signed NBA bad boy, Ron Artest. Not only is he hated around the league for his tenacious attitude, but also his tenacious defense. In my mind, he is one of the best defenders in the league today. The reason why this move is so significant is the fact that he was the only player good enough to "slow" Kobe Bryant down (slow meaning not very much). And now they are on the same team. The Lakers will now have the best offensive player in the game, as well as one of the best defenders in the game. Talk about unstoppable. Artest recently has stated that if the Lakers don't win the championship again, he will take all blame that there is. I don't know if that is the best way to go at things. Now there is a much heavier load of pressure put on the Lakers to repeat. But I think they will do it. They now have a much deeper team. They lost no one from the year before, plus they added Artest. It will definitely be a fun year to watch.

Crazy Sweet Weekend

Well, this past weekend was the annual freshman retreat. It was a lot of fun to say the least. I went canoeing for the first time in my life and it turned out to be a very memorable one. We (meaning Joey Traa, Justin Bonneteau, and myself) ended up tipping the canoe. The thing was, it was not supposed to happen. Joey kept telling us that the canoe would be pretty hard to tip, except the problem was that, all three of us weren't the best at canoeing. It happened like this. Joey and I were paddling while Justin led us in some sing-along songs. We were singing so loud that I am pretty sure that everyone near the lake could hear us. Anyways, we saw a paddleboat going into shore. They were pretty far away, but we thought we could catch up to it. We started paddling hard. Too hard. We were so close. Then, showing our inexperience, we tipped. Luckily, we were close enough to shore, so we could swim back ourselves. Then we realized we were missing a paddle. We looked around and found it probably 150 ft from where we tipped. Justin, in his screaming fit, had ended up heaving his paddle way out to blue yonder. And since he was a gimp, I had to go get it. It was hilarious. Then later on in the evening, Justin, Joey and myself, started to make a puzzle. With some girls. Whats up! Oh and Justin, eat some food before you go to bed! I am tired of hearing your complaining!

Freshman Retreat? Or Hookin' Up Retreat?

The weekend where friends meet, and where relationships begin. Well, at least thats what my brother keeps telling me. Lets just say Im glad the morning is over. This morning, my brother woke up all giddy. And the best part is he is 20 years old. He woke up singing and making me annoyed. Typical. Then he starts telling me about how I have to step up my game in order to hook up this weekend. The think is he didn't stop. Even while we were heading out of the house to go to school, he didn't stop. The funny thing is, I don't really feel like I have a game, as he likes to call it. I seem to always be stuck in the friend category. Worst spot to be in. Unless, you know how to work it. As of right now, I don't. Right now, in my mind, this weekend will be about making new aquaintences. And, if something transpires, then I will go from there. But, hey I won't complain if something transpires. Hey ladies!!!!

Behind Bars - And For Good Reason

As many of you have probably heard already, a student at Yale had been murdered. Annie Le, 24, was set to be married only a few days after the incident occured. On the day of her wedding, she was found stuck in a wall somewhere in a Yale laboratory. The police had taken in people of interest but hadn't yet found a suspect until earlier today. Raymond Clark, a lab worker at Yale, has now been charged with the murder of Annie Le. Now, the only question is, why did he do it? One can only assume the possibilities. One theory was that Clark could have been jealous that she was getting married. They had been known to have had an estranged relationship. All I know is that murder is disgusting. Plain and simple. What drives a person to kill is way out of my thinking, but it should not happen. If Clark is sent to jail, this sentence is clearly deserved, and I feel no remorse.

Time to Get Into Shape

The 2009-2010 school is beginning to get into the full swing of things. Not only are the classes starting, but the Varsity Men's basketball tryouts began yesterday. If you want to talk about being sore, well I am. It was pretty much a conditioning tryout yesterday. We ran, and ran, and then did a little bit of running. I'm not complaining, I'm just saying that I, as well as almost everyone else trying out, needs to start some sort of work out routine so that we are ready for the year ahead. The year will be a fun one. There will be many moments this year where we will feel like we are on a physical high. But on the other side of things, we will have moments where we will be physically drained. To ensure that we won't have many moments like this, we need to get into shape.

Your Sin Will Find You Out

OJ Simpson keeps getting himself in trouble. First, it was the murder case where his wife and her secret lover were killed. Then, there was the armed robbery where OJ claimed that he was taking back stuff that belonged to him. And even now, in jail, Simpson cant get out of trouble. The memorbilia dealer that Simpson robbed, is now suing Simpson because of heart attacks that the dealer had after the robbery. He claims that ever since OJ held him at gunpoint, numerous heart attacks have occured. Well, Simpson deserved it. He murdered those people, and I think that going to jail and him getting sued is just a little way of saying, right back at you.

Acting Like a Child

This morning, as I was reading CNN.com, I came across an article that was talking about the MTV video music awards last night. I have never watched the show in my life, but I couldn't help but read about it today. The award for Best Female Video went to the young, but extremely famous Taylor Swift. As she began to give her acceptance speech, a very familiar man came on stage. A man that always seems to be in the spotlight for the wrong things. For example, accusing Goerge W. Bush of being a racist, after a slow reaction in aiding New Orleans after Katrina. Or bursting into a hissy fit towards a cameraman at the LAX airport in Los Angeles. Last night was another terrible move in the resume of Kanye West. Coming on stage wasnt the problem. The problem arose when West STOLE the microphone away from Taylor Swift and started ranting about how Beyonce should have won instead. Talk about immaturity! After hearing something like his, I ask myself, why does everyone like him so much? First of all, he is super arrogant and thinks he can get away with things like this. And second, he is a terrible role model to young fans that look up to him. If he wants to leave a legacy once he dies, he needs to start acting like the man that people want to be like.

Dont Take Life for Granted

On this day, eight years ago, tragedy struck the world. Not only did the twin towers fall, but people lost their lives, families mourned, and people began to doubt the existance of a loving God. In my opinion, this was God's way of telling his people that they need to be ready for what is to come. Keep in touch with your families, and don't take life for granted. Don't say stuff like "I have plenty of time..", because frankly, there isnt much time. God is on his way people. Denying it will only make things worse. The time is now. With all the things happening around the world, how can' t you see it? Maybe I am crazy in thinking this, but why wait? Would you rather know you are going to heaven, or find out you were a little too late? To me that is a very simple question. Take my advice and know that if the Day were to come tomorrow, that you are going to be in heaven with the God who created you.

Anticipation and excitement. Two words that come to mind when thinking about the upcoming NBA season. Players and teams come together with one thing on their minds, winning that coveted NBA championship. But, with the salary cap going down because of the flucuating economy, a select group of teams have decided not to pursue those big name free agents. In and effort to save money, some teams are holding out this offseason so that they have money to spend in years to come. For example, the young and talented New York Knicks are in a pickle with two of their top free agents. The knicks top brass, meaning GM Donnie Walsh, are trying to work out one year deals with these players so that they have money for next year. The year when a bunch of big guns, namely Lebron James, go on the market. If I were a GM in the NBA, I wouldnt worry about what players are going to be free agents next year. I would be doing my best to get quality players NOW, instead of LATER. While saving money, of course. Teams like the Toronto Raptors and San Antonio Spurs are the type of organization that I would work for. Not only did they get good quality players this offseason, they also stayed under the salary cap. All that is left to do now for those teams is wait to see what the future brings.