Day 7: Wayne who?

We live in the town where Wayne Gretzky grew up. Nearby is the Wayne Gretzky Sports Center and we drive on the Wayne Gretzky Parkway everyday. According to Wikipedia, Wayne Gretzky is "the greatest hockey player ever."

At church last week a very proper looking older woman in pearls and a fur wrap told me that she lives on the same street as Wayne Gretzky's family. She asked if I would like her to get Mr. Gretzky's autograph for my children.
Looking back, what I should have said was "How kind of you, that would be lovely."
Instead I said "My children have no idea who Wayne Gretzky is."
She looked as if I had slapped her.
I blundered on "We really aren't hockey fans at all."
Again the astonished look.


"But he owned the Phoenix Coyotes- they're an American team. He played in America for American teams." She continued to splutter, as I tried to make her understand that I had never even seen an entire game of hockey played.
Luckily another woman came along to save me, telling me about their planned youth activities.


So, sports fans, would you be astonished if someone had not heard of, say, Michael Jordan? Jerry Rice? Joe Montana? STEVE YOUNG?!

Day 5: Settling in

I wanted this blog to document our journey from Utah to Canada. I wanted it to have photos and posts along the way, with experiences and memories and places we visited. Unfortunately the journey started badly, so I was not in a pleasant mood the entire (long, painful, exhausting, hellish) trip.
Definitely not in the mood to blog.

That is why we are starting on day 5.

Today is Deven's first day at North Park Collegiate Vocational School (Go Trojans!?)
They only have four classes at a time, so all he has to take is English and math and he chose Sculpting and World Religions as his electives.

He asked the guidance counselor if he was allowed to carry his Boy Scout pocket knife to school.

"Absolutely not. We have a no weapons policy. Canadians do not have the right to bear arms."
"It's not a weapon. It's a tool."
"You would set off a wave of panic and the school would be locked down."
"But can't anything be weaponized? Pencils?"
"We are a peaceful people. There will be no need for weapons."

I think he's off to a great start there.

The other kids seem to like their school, and are making friends. French class is going to be a challenge. They start French in Fourth Grade, so Beef is not as far behind as Emma and Christa.

With the kids meeting new people and having lovely cultural experiences, I am wondering what I should do to get the most of this experience. My laundry is done, carpet vacuumed, dishes washed.
Now what? Brush up on my French? Take up Curling?