For the first time since 1992, the Chicago Blackhawks are in the Stanley Cup Finals. They haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1961, and hopefully they can end that streak. They will be facing the Philadelphia Flyers, and according to the numbers, which say that Philly is a 7-seed, this should be an easy victory for the Hawks, a 2-seed. However, we must disregard numbers, stats, and odds, and remember that the Flyers came all the way back from a 3-game disadvantage against Boston to win the series.
Jonathan Toews, obviously, will score some points for us, and Dustin Byfuglien, the 6 foot 4, 257- pound left winger scored a goal in every game of the Sharks series, including two game winners. The defenseman Duncan Keith, who lost 7 teeth in last Friday's game, will be huge in the series, as well as Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane, who've both been very useful and productive.
Some big threats on the Philadelphia line are Simon Gagne, the veteran left winger, Chris Pronger, the 6 foot 6, 220 pound hard-hitter, and Danny Briere. Their goaltender, Michael Leighton, performed very well in their last series against Montreal, but I think Antti Niemi is the better goalie.
GO HAWKS!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Tin Caps Game
Yesterday, after the Saturday night contemporary service, I headed to Parkview Field to sing the national anthem with my choir! There were some complications, though. The Tin Cap's game was rained out the day before, so they were finishing that game. It was a long, anxious wait, but finally the game ended in a 14-9 Tin Cap's loss.
The choir assembled outside to practice a few times, then stood by right field waiting for the teams to finish warming up. I was very nervous, and just wanted to get the whole ordeal over with, so I was relieved when we finally stepped onto the field and sang The Star-Spangled Banner.
I think the sopranos weren't loud enough at all, and there was way too much alto. Also, the baritones weren't loud enough (perhaps because we were missing our three best baritones). The only good thing about the national anthem were the small fireworks that went off in left field when we sang "and the rockets red glare". The crowd seemed to love it, and we got huge applause and a standing ovation, but I think we could've done much better.
After the national anthem, I walked around the new-and-improved stadium with Meron, Ashley, Nikki, Jessica, and Alison. There are so many things to do and see that we were never bored. In fact, the first time I sat down was in the bottom of the sixth! By that time, I had developed somewhat of a headache. I was uninterested in the game (baseball gets really boring, and the pounding in my head diverted my attention), but the Tin Cap's won.
Finally, the fireworks (which, for most of us, were the main event) began. It was a really good fireworks display, and it also was a loud one (the boys pretending to wield machine guns when a particularly huge boom sounded throughout the stadium).
After the fireworks, the kids got the chance to run around the bases on the field. After a long wait, Joseph, David, Luke, and Ben sprinted around the bases as if they'd hit a home run. I, on the other hand, did not run the bases, due to my head-splitting headache.
I was glad when we headed back to the van, and as soon as we got home, I popped an Ibuprofen into my mouth and went to bed with my head searing.
The Tin Cap's game was really fun (for the most part), and it was a great experience for the Junior Choir.
The choir assembled outside to practice a few times, then stood by right field waiting for the teams to finish warming up. I was very nervous, and just wanted to get the whole ordeal over with, so I was relieved when we finally stepped onto the field and sang The Star-Spangled Banner.
I think the sopranos weren't loud enough at all, and there was way too much alto. Also, the baritones weren't loud enough (perhaps because we were missing our three best baritones). The only good thing about the national anthem were the small fireworks that went off in left field when we sang "and the rockets red glare". The crowd seemed to love it, and we got huge applause and a standing ovation, but I think we could've done much better.
After the national anthem, I walked around the new-and-improved stadium with Meron, Ashley, Nikki, Jessica, and Alison. There are so many things to do and see that we were never bored. In fact, the first time I sat down was in the bottom of the sixth! By that time, I had developed somewhat of a headache. I was uninterested in the game (baseball gets really boring, and the pounding in my head diverted my attention), but the Tin Cap's won.
Finally, the fireworks (which, for most of us, were the main event) began. It was a really good fireworks display, and it also was a loud one (the boys pretending to wield machine guns when a particularly huge boom sounded throughout the stadium).
After the fireworks, the kids got the chance to run around the bases on the field. After a long wait, Joseph, David, Luke, and Ben sprinted around the bases as if they'd hit a home run. I, on the other hand, did not run the bases, due to my head-splitting headache.
I was glad when we headed back to the van, and as soon as we got home, I popped an Ibuprofen into my mouth and went to bed with my head searing.
The Tin Cap's game was really fun (for the most part), and it was a great experience for the Junior Choir.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Wet Basement
This past week has been overcast, dreary, and rainy. The gloomy, wet days were just a taster for the thunderstorm we had last night. Lightning streaked across the sky, and thunder boomed all night long. Rain and a bit of hail came down in torrents, drenching all the toys we had left outside and destroying plants.
~ I don't mind thunderstorms. In fact, I rather enjoy falling asleep with rain pouring on the roof and thunder shaking the foundations of the Earth (as long as there's a roof above my head and I'm underneath a warm blanket). Luke is quite the opposite. He covered his ears the entire night, and constantly asked us, "Is there going to be a tornado?"~
While the kids slept, my parents discovered that our basement was soaked. They stayed up until 3:30 ripping all the carpet out to protect it from the water seeping in from outside. Good job, guys!
~ I don't mind thunderstorms. In fact, I rather enjoy falling asleep with rain pouring on the roof and thunder shaking the foundations of the Earth (as long as there's a roof above my head and I'm underneath a warm blanket). Luke is quite the opposite. He covered his ears the entire night, and constantly asked us, "Is there going to be a tornado?"~
While the kids slept, my parents discovered that our basement was soaked. They stayed up until 3:30 ripping all the carpet out to protect it from the water seeping in from outside. Good job, guys!
Last Track Meet
Sadly, this track and field season has come to an end, but not without the city meet, which took place on Thrusday.
The meet was for varsity runners only, so obivously I was extremely nervous (and I didn't really want to compete). However, I was feeling really confident about long jump, my best event, because I had recently changed my mark to 79 feet, which was producing much better results.
The city meet is so huge that there's time trials for the 100 meter and hurdles. I finished third in the preliminary round, and then came in third again in the finals. I improved my 100 meter time significantly, and I also jumped 13 feet, 5.5 inches in long jump, a new personal best. Long jump was by far my most successful event. I actually finished first!
I waited about an hour, and then came the 200. I finished third again, and unfortunately did not improve my time (I was .2 seconds from beating my record). Immediately after the 200 was the 4x100 relay. Our relay team is not the best, and we finished fifth. We weren't too disappointed though, because we improved our time by six seconds!
Also, Nathan smashed his 1600 time, and came .2 seconds from setting a new school record for the mile. Sadly, we won't have him next year. I have a feeling our cross country team is going to suffer.
After the meet, we went to Pizza Hut to celebrate a great season. Coach handed out ribbons and medals, and I filled up my corkboard greatly!
GO CRUSADERS!
The meet was for varsity runners only, so obivously I was extremely nervous (and I didn't really want to compete). However, I was feeling really confident about long jump, my best event, because I had recently changed my mark to 79 feet, which was producing much better results.
The city meet is so huge that there's time trials for the 100 meter and hurdles. I finished third in the preliminary round, and then came in third again in the finals. I improved my 100 meter time significantly, and I also jumped 13 feet, 5.5 inches in long jump, a new personal best. Long jump was by far my most successful event. I actually finished first!
I waited about an hour, and then came the 200. I finished third again, and unfortunately did not improve my time (I was .2 seconds from beating my record). Immediately after the 200 was the 4x100 relay. Our relay team is not the best, and we finished fifth. We weren't too disappointed though, because we improved our time by six seconds!
Also, Nathan smashed his 1600 time, and came .2 seconds from setting a new school record for the mile. Sadly, we won't have him next year. I have a feeling our cross country team is going to suffer.
After the meet, we went to Pizza Hut to celebrate a great season. Coach handed out ribbons and medals, and I filled up my corkboard greatly!
GO CRUSADERS!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Old Fort Wayne
Yesterday, Sydney and I rode our bikes to the Old Fort, where there was a reenactment going on. Unfortunately, we were on a tight schedule, because Sydney had a soccer scrimmage at 3:00, and we left at about 2:30.
As soon as we got there, we watched the blacksmith making a tong for a fire, which is a really cool process. I found out that the metal is about 1,000 degrees when it turns orange. Pretty dangerous occupation, if you think about it!
We also saw soldiers marching and loading their guns, women working on looms, a wigwam, and lots of other interesting, historical activities.
We got back to Sydney's house with time to spare, and I hurried home to watch the Blackhawk's game.
As soon as we got there, we watched the blacksmith making a tong for a fire, which is a really cool process. I found out that the metal is about 1,000 degrees when it turns orange. Pretty dangerous occupation, if you think about it!
We also saw soldiers marching and loading their guns, women working on looms, a wigwam, and lots of other interesting, historical activities.
We got back to Sydney's house with time to spare, and I hurried home to watch the Blackhawk's game.
Komets Win Third Straight Turner Cup
Tragically, I did not see the Komets win their third Turner Cup in as many years, since I was stuck at home, babysitting, while my parents where at a card party.
I heard from Sydney, who attended the sellout game, that we took an early 3 point lead. I imagine the crowd (as well as the players and coaches) relaxed, sat back, and prepared to watch the Komets hoist the Turner Cup in the air. There was no way that the underdog Flint Generals could come all the way back and cancel out that three point deficit.
However, the Generals scored twice in the third period, and suddenly, the game was intense once more. If Flint won, a seventh game would be required to end the series and decide the Turner Cup champions.
Luckily, the Komets were able to hold them at 2 goals for the rest of the game, and we celebrated yet another Turner Cup victory.
LET'S GO KOMETS!
I heard from Sydney, who attended the sellout game, that we took an early 3 point lead. I imagine the crowd (as well as the players and coaches) relaxed, sat back, and prepared to watch the Komets hoist the Turner Cup in the air. There was no way that the underdog Flint Generals could come all the way back and cancel out that three point deficit.
However, the Generals scored twice in the third period, and suddenly, the game was intense once more. If Flint won, a seventh game would be required to end the series and decide the Turner Cup champions.
Luckily, the Komets were able to hold them at 2 goals for the rest of the game, and we celebrated yet another Turner Cup victory.
LET'S GO KOMETS!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Fourth Track Meet
On Wednesday it rained all day, so I was hoping that our track meet would be canceled. However, the track apparently is designed to drain water well, so the meet was not called off.
Not only was it wet and gloomy, but it was also around 50 degrees. Not the most ideal running conditions, but I had to suffer through the 100, 200, relay, and long jump nonetheless. I didn't improve in any of my events, but I did finish first in 100, and I was racing against varsity runners!
GO CRUSADERS!
Not only was it wet and gloomy, but it was also around 50 degrees. Not the most ideal running conditions, but I had to suffer through the 100, 200, relay, and long jump nonetheless. I didn't improve in any of my events, but I did finish first in 100, and I was racing against varsity runners!
GO CRUSADERS!
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