Moments D671: Early bird catches the worm.....

.....or in this case the GOLD medal for men's hockey.

Mom, Dad & I were all up early this morning so we could watch the final match in men's hockey.   (After all, how could we call ourselves proud Canadians if we didn't?!!)

What an incredible game it was. They came out hard and fast, tweaked their game to better off-set the unexpected offence of the Swedes and kept fighting hard for the win right to the very end of the game.

It was a little surreal eating breakfast over a game of hockey, but I suppose that was a little less surreal than those drinking beer at 7 am today!

So very proud of our Team Canada this winter Olympics.  We ranked in third place in the medal standings in Sochi with a medal count of 25.  We had some spectacular moments this Olympics.  The first female bobsledders to earn two consecutive gold medal in the women's two-man event.   The bobsled crash, where no one was, miraculously, injured.   Sisters winning gold and silver medals in the same event.  Charles Hamelin, crashing out of his two top events.

Dreams being realized and others being dashed away.

We may not have topped our 2010 medal count, but Team Canada was impressive none-the-less.

Congratulations Team Canada.

Moments enjoying the Canadian sport of hockey.

Moments feeling pride for your country`s athletes.

Moments D668: Proud Canadian

This evening I found myself with a little more time on my hands than I had expected.  We had a snow storm.  Actually, we had an freezing rain storm that, North of the city turned into a snow storm.  Typically  on Thursdays I play volleyball in Markham.  Not so tonight as I was convinced by BFF & EQ to no take the chance of a questionable drive there and back. 

So I stayed home.  Instead of making use of this found time for my school readings, I decided to catch up on the Olympics.  (I figured it was my sport night, I might as well catch up on the day's activities at the Olympics if I couldn't be playing volleyball.  That seemed pretty logical to me!)

Earlier today the Canadian women's hockey team had won their game - to bring home GOLD!  I realized as I read up on their game play, that I was one darn proud Canadian.  There were a few Canadian-Olympic feel good stories that brought a smile and a warm heart and downright awe.   I'm so very proud of Team Canada and so very proud to be able to say that I'm Canadian.    

Today, my moment is appreciating my country.  The hard fought games and moments at the Olympics.  Even thought I'm no elite athlete, I have a sense of how hard our athletes train just to compete in the Olympics.  This year, not only did we compete (and do well), we also did so with kindness.  How very Canadian of us.

There are only a few days left in they Olympics, but I am looking forward to cheering Team Canada on to the very end.

Moments catching up on the Olympics.

Moments realizing just how fortunate and how appreciative I am to be Canadian.

Moments D113: Canadian Music

Now, I’ve have XM radio in the car for about 8 months now. I love it! But, I really haven’t had time to explore the hundreds of stations in any depth. Like any music on the air (no matter what the station or focus), the music inevitably begins to sound all the same. This morning I went searching for something new.

And new I found! My pleasant surprise: I found an XM radio station that was dedicated to Canadian indie musicians: The Verge

Now you may scoff at the idea (I nearly did!), but the line up of artists/songs that I heard en route to work was pretty great. Deadmau5, Sloan (one of my favs!), City and Colour (what a voice) and finally The Tragically Hip.

It was that moment that I realized: I really do love a lot of Canadian music. I can think of a few more off the top of my head. Alanis Morissette, Arcade Fire, Metric (LOVE THEM, and Emily Hanes on her own is pretty amazing as well - I particularly love “Dr. Blind”), Feist, The New Pornographers, and oh so many more. I was surprised (nearly shocked really) at the list I loved!

And so today it is a moment to celebrate Canadian Indie bands. In my search for website links, I came across this blog that summarizes their top 100 Canadian Indie bands. An impressive list.

So, take a moment and celebrate music.

And yes, I am a proud Canadian celebrating music that resonates with me.