Well

That was quite the weekend, no? What with the Valentines day (the first in memory I really wasn't disappointed as I didn't have even the slightest expectations or hopes) and Chinese New Year and the Olympics beginning and it seemed like so much going on, too much to fit into one tiny weekend.

I really think BC needs to adopt Family Day and quick. February is a long month without a stat. Even though it's a short month. Haven't had a break since Jan 1st. Won't have a break til April. Doesn't that seem overly long? (Have my sad puppy dog eyes worked yet? Do I get today off? No? What if I bat my eyelashes too?)

I don't want to talk much about the Olympics, what with its controversy and the tragedy from Friday and all, I'll just say this; I was incredibly moved by the opening ceremonies and I really enjoyed them. And I'm very proud to see the eyes of the world looking at my beautiful home town and home province.

In case you missed it, let me share with you the words of Canadian slam poet Shane Koyczan who was asked to read his poem, "We Are More." I thought it was perfect. Well said Shane, and well read. We are indeed more. And happily so.

We Are More
by Shane Koyczan

Define Canada
You might say the home of the Rocket
Or The Great One
Who inspired little No. 9s and little No. 99s
But we're more than just hockey and fishing lines
Off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes
And some say what defines us
Is something as simple as 'please' and 'thank you'
And as for 'you're welcome,' well, we say that, too.
But we are more than genteel or civilized
We are an idea in the process of being realized
We are young, we are cultures strung together then woven into a tapestry
And the design is what makes us more than the sum totals of our history
We are an experiment going right for a change
With influences that range from A to Zed
And yes, we say 'Zed' instead of 'Zee'
We are the brightness of Chinatown and the laughter of Little Italy
We dream so big that there are those
Who would call our ambition an industry
We reforest what we clear
Because we believe in generations beyond our own
Knowing now that so many of us
Have grown past what we used to be
We can stand here today
Filled with all the hope people have
When they say things like 'someday'
Because we are more
Than a laundry list of things to do and places to see
More than hills to ski
Or countryside ponds to skate
We are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can't wait
We are first-rate greasy spoon diners and healthy living cafes
A country that is all the ways you choose to live
A nation that can give you variety
Because we are choices
We are millions upon millions of voices
Shouting, "Keep exploring!"
We are more
We are the surprise the world has in store for you, it's true
Canada is the "what" in "what's new?"
So don't let your luggage define your travels
Each life unravels differently
And experiences are what make up
The colours of our tapestry
We are the true North
Strong and free
And what's more
Is that we didn't just say it
We made it be