More medals for Canada, Olympic art and some links

And then there were four! Canadian athletes have captured three more medals today in London in the sports of Judo (men), weightlifting (women) and platform diving (women).  In Beijing, we went for 8 days before winning our first medal, and now just four days in we've won four! The prognosticators are calling for a top 12 finish and 22 medals for Canada, and with the way our athletes are lighting things up we just might do it! Go Canada Go!

And more congratulations need to go out to Michael Phelps, who today became the most decorated Olympic in history - way to go Michael!

This weekend I decided that my Olympic display needed something, so I stitched a garland of plastic canvas flowers inthe Olympic ring colours.  I got the idea for the flower shape from a plastic canvas group that I belong to on Facebook; they're cut from PC stars.  I filled all of the petals in with white, and then did the border stitching in the ring colours.  The next step was to join them together.  It took me a couple of tries before I came up with a method and layout that I actually liked.  The final step was something to hang it up with.  I used gold and silver wired ribbon loops at each end.  Here's the final result:

When I was looking up the lyrics for the three songs I posted on the weekend, the site that I used for "I Believe" and "The Power of the Dream" had videos on them!  Follow the links below to see them.

http://www.metrolyrics.com/the-power-of-the-dream-lyrics-celine-dion.html

http://www.metrolyrics.com/i-believe-lyrics-nikki-yanofsky.html

Until next time,
J.

Do you believe?

The Power of the Dream

Going into the London Olympics, Emilie Heymans had a dream: to be the first Canadian Olympian to medal at four consecutive Olympics Games.  Today, on just day 2 of the Games, Emilie's dream came true.  She and partner Jennifer Abel won bronze for Canada in the 3-metre synchronized diving event.  In addition to being a history-making medal for Emilie, it's also Canada's first medal of this Games.  (In Beijing, we waited until over a week into the competition before any of our athletes won a medal.)  Let's hear it for Girl Power!!

In honour of Emilie's dream-come-true performance today, I have for you this song by Celine Dion.  She performed it at the Opening Cermonies of the Atlanta Summer Olympics in 1996.  The thing I love about this song is that it's not only applicable to the athletes competing on our behalf; it's aplicable to our own lives as well.  My favourite line is this: "It's the moment that you think you can't you'll discover that you can".  Take a read and see if you don't find something in it that speaks to you.

"The Power of the Dream" - Celine Dion
Deep within each heart, there lies a magic spark
That lights the fire of our imagination.
And since the dawn of man, the strength of just "I can"
Has brought together people of all nations.

There's nothing ordinary in the living of each day;
There's a special part every one of else will play.

Feel the flame forever burn, teaching lessons we must learn,
To bring us closer to the power of the dream.
As the world gives us it best, to stand apart from all the rest,
It is the power of the dream that brings us here.

Your mind will take you far, the rest is just pure heart,
You'll find your fate is all your own creation.
And every boy and girl, as they come into this world,
They bring the gift of hope and inspiration.

Feel the flame forever burn, teaching lessons we must learn,
To bring us closer to the power of the dream.
The world unites in hope and peace, we pray that it will always be,
It is the power of the dream that brings us here.

There's so much strength in all of us, every woman, child and man;
It's the moment that you think you can't you'll discover that you can.

Feel the flame forever burn, teaching lessons we must learn,
To bring us closer to the power of the dream.
The world unites in hope and peace, we pray that it will always be,
It is the power of the dream that brings us here.

Feel the flame forever burn, teaching lessons we must learn,
To bring us closer to the power of the dream.
The world unites in hope and peace, we pray that it will always be,
It is the power of the dream that brings us here.

The power of the dream, the faith in things unseen,
The courage to face your fears.
No matter where you are, reach for your own star,
To realize the power of the dream.
To realize the power of the dream!

Until next time,
J.

Do you believe?

Game On!

So...who watched the Opening Cermonies last night? I actaully manged to see the whole thing...albeit in two sittings.  I missed the first half hour, but after the news CTV showed it again so I was able to see what I missed.  I really liked the first part of it that showed the history of Great Britiain.  But once they got into the children's literature and that weird dance sequence, I kind of lost interest.  I did like the doves.  And I always enjoy seeing the different uniforms during the Parade of Nations.  And that cauldron! I think that's one of the coolest Olympic cauldrons I've ever seen!

Speaking of cauldrons...here's a picture of my finished Olympic display.  Because of the lighting, you can't really see it, but there is actually a candle inside the "cauldron".  I used a flameless votive so as not to set anything on fire.

Holly Jayde is the Canadian cheerleader, and Sarah Dana is is the USA cheerleader.  They're joined by their friends Chinook and Pierre for Canada and America and Spangle for the US.  And in honour of the host city and country, we have Jack.  If I can find Gourmand the moose, my Canadian and USA Coca-Cola beanies will also be coming to join the party.

I think the highlight of the day so far has been the men's 400 Individual Medley race in swimming.  The big story around this of course has been the Phelps-Lochte match-up.  In stunning style, Ryan Lochte took the gold medal beating out his teammate; Michael Phelps ended up coming fourth and missing the podium altogether.

Here's another favourite Olympic song; this one is also available on iTunes.  Stephan Moccio wrote the most beautiful theme song for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, and he found the perfect the perfect person to give it voice in Nikki Yanofsky.  This year, the Canadian Tenors have released their version of the song (which is also amazing).

"I Believe" - Nikki Yanofsky
There comes a moment when my heart must stand along,
On this lonely path I've chosen, like a house that's not a home.
Somtetimes when I feel I've had enough, when I feel like giving up,
You willed me to all I can be,
Now nothing can stop me!

I believe in the power that comes from a world brought together as one.
I believe together we'll fly; I believe in the power of you and I.

This is the moment we have dreamed of all of our lives.
We'll be the change we wish from others; we'll stand tall for what is right.
And in my heart there'll be no doubt, the arms of the world will come reaching out
And embrace me to be all I can be,
Now nothing can stop me!

I believe in the power that comes from a world brought together as one.
I believe together we'll fly; I believe in the power of you and I.
I believe the time is right now, stand tall and make the world proud.
I believe together we'll fly, I believe in the power of you and I.

I believe, I believe, I believe in...
I believe, I believe in you.
I believe, I believe, I believe in...
I believe, I believe in you.
I believe, I believe, I believe in...
I believe, I believe in you.
I believe, I believe, I believe in you!

I believe the time is right now, stand tall and make the world proud.
I believe together we'll fly, I believe in the power...
I believe in the power that comes from a world brought together as one.
I believe together we'll fly, I believe in the power of you and I.
I believe the time is right now, stand tall and make the world proud,
I believe together we'll fly, I believe in the power of you and I.
I believe in the power of you and I.

Until next time,
J.

Do you believe?

Let the Games begin!

As I'm writing this, CTV is broadcasting the Parade of Nations from the opening ceremony of the London Olympucs (currently Panama is coming into the stadium).  It's exciting just watching the athletes coming in; I can't even begin to imagine how the athletes that are there are feeling.  The excitement, the energy, the anticipation, the adrenaline...it must be absoulutely incredible!

This is the first of many Olympic-themed posts I'll be sharing over the next 17 days.  I'll be sharing Olympic music, Olympic memories, moments that make Olympic history, recaps, all kinds of stuff! Stay tuned later for pictures of my 2012 Olympic display.

To get things started, I've got the lyrics from "Bang The Drum".  This song was performed by Nelly Furtado and Bryan Adams at the opening ceremonies in Vancouver.  It's a great song! If you haven't heard it, run, don't walk, to iTunes and buy it now!

"Bang The Drum" - Nelly Furtado & Bryan Adams
You and I, together we reach for the sky;
It's not about winning, it's all about playing the game.
From the east, from the west, each of us trying our best;
Chasing the dream, burning to follow the flame.

Bang the drum a little louder!
So the whole world can hear, the whole world can hear.
Sing the song a little longer!
So the whole world can hear, the whole world can hear.

From near, from far, it's clear wherever you are...
This is your moment, your time to run like the wind.
Dream big! Aim high!
Even believe you can fly!
Give it your all! Let the Games begin!

Bang the drum a little louder!
So the whole world can hear, the whole world can hear.
Jump up a little higher!
So the whole world can see ya, the whole world can see ya.
Sing the song a little longer!
So the whole world can hear, the whole world can hear.
Bang the drum a little louder!
For the whole world to hear, the whole world to hear.

Bang the drum a little louder!
Sing the song a little longer!
Bang the drum!

Until next time,
J.

Do you believe?