Cirque du Soleil: Amaluna

on saturday i had date night with my hubby.

we drove to Toronto

after a stop at my parents' apt. we were on our way.

First stop: Tuckers Marketplace for supper.

where is it?

it used to be there.

oh well...

Boston Pizza for supper.

mmm cactus cut potatoes.

Then to the Big Top.

parking.. no problem.

we were fifteen minutes early

(for entering the outer tent..so 75 mins. early for the show.)

we walked around the streets, 

just checking out the area.

The Toronto Skyline looked amazing.

storm clouds overhead, with some sun fighting through to reflect off some windows.

i didn't bring my camera - 

no photos allowed in the show and i wasn't going to leave it in the car. 

Into the outer tent.

and yes, that's what it was.

ooohhh i love the circus feeling.

Cirque du Soleil gave that feeling but so much more too.

i was there not to watch a variety of acts...

but to watch a performance.

after a chilly wait outside for out door to open.

we were in.

i entered into a different world.

i, honestly, can't describe it.

(believe me, i tried and then had to delete it since it didn't do it justice)

Then it began.

the characters began to mingle in the crowd.

peacocks, drums, clowns, lizard (?)

so much to see, not enough eyes to see it.

a story woven together through circus style performances.

laughter..

mouth dropping awe...

teeth clenching nervousness...

wanting to see everything, but missing some.

Live music, 

playing with the performance, 

guiding it, yet, following it.

i tried.

i don't know how to explain it.

go see one and you'll understand.

the problem with a production like that is..

it has to end.

i anticipate, 

i am in awe

it ends.

we wanted McDonalds Milkshakes on the way back to my parents'.

first location:  

"our system is currently down for 5 - 10 minutes" 

second location:

"we are currently have no milkshakes"

third location:

success!

we wanted to stop at a 4th McDonalds just to see if they could give us milkshakes.

what an amazing date night.

thank you daniel for those tickets.

thank you for loving the arts as i do.

*sorry no pics of the night*

Cirque

This weekend I have the opportunity to go see

Amaluna.

i am so excited.

i have been wanting to see a Cirque du Soleil for a while.

My amazing husband got tickets for my birthday

and this Saturday we go.

a prayer for the Cast of our Christmas Performance.

It's raining out.

the crazy snow we had is melting.

there are 11 days until Christmas.

but only 3 nights until our Christmas Performance.

A JOURNEY HOME

this week is crazy.

i am at the church every evening.

Last night i stayed after the rehearsal to prime the stairs, on the set.

i got home at 2:15am.

tonight is dress rehearsal #1

"Oh Lord, please help us all know our lines.

Please don't let us play a character, but let us BE that character.

when we step on stage, each night, i ask that we see through our character's eye, speak with his/her voice.  hear with his/her ears, may our actions, mannerisms, laughter, be the character we have become.

Thank you for the talent of the people involved.

i love them like family Lord. 

I am so honored that you allow me the opportunity each year to be able to be a part of these performances.

May the performances this year be pleasing.. very pleasing to you.

You have gifted us.

Our directors, writers, tech guys.

our builders, painters, creative geniuses.

our actors, stage crew, prompter.

and everyone else involved that i have no idea about.

Thank you for our families

who allow us to take the time to be out there doing what we are passionate about.

Help us as we strive to bring you the best.

to bring the community of Huntsville the best.

Help us not be shy, not be distracted, not be sick.

Help us to be confident, be strong, bold, healthy.

I ask for your blessing on those of us in this production.

i ask for your blessing on each of the audience members.

some don't know if they'll go yet. 

Use us to show them who you are.

Thank you for Christmas.

Thank you for sending Jesus, your son, as a baby.

thank you for easter, Lord.

without Christmas, Easter would not have happened." 

"Wow, Anna, it sounds like there might be a lot more to this story!" - Gail



36 things

today is my birthday.

I turn 36.

instead of thinking how I'll be 40 in just 4 years :) 

I will spend it being thankful.

(in no particular order - just how they came to mind)

1. as a little girl I had great walks with my dad at the beach throwing stones.

2. my two beautiful children

3. cats I loved and cherished as i grew up. (especially skippy who shared my pillow haha!!)

4. opportunities to take part in dramatic productions. (many over the years)

easter performance

5. crushes who helped me see what I hoped to find in a husband... and what I hoped not to find.

6. i am a child of God.  I made a decision to accept Christ and thankfully even when I mess up He still holds onto me.

7. a husband even better than I could have ever imagined.

8. a big brother who has always made me laugh.

9. a house to call my own.

10. being there when Joe Carter hit the World Series winning home run.. and almost being thrown over the edge by my brother when he hugged me. (we were sitting on the 200 level)

11. being encouraged to pursue things I love.

12. road trips with friends/husband (arkansas, florida, wv, manitoba)

Gilbert, Arkansas: me, nog, andy, jen

13. train trips across Canada

14. worked at Camp Widjiitiwin for many years - love being a part of camp life.

15. dual citizenship

16. amazing in-laws.

17. my camp name: felix.  I love it.

18. Maple Leaf vs. Red Wings games at Maple Leaf Gardens (against the glass)

19. trip to Germany in grade 10

20. amazing trip to Northern Ireland and England (cambridge & birmingham) in grade 7.  watching my dad become like a child as he returned home.

dad, tim, mom, me

21. playing smurfs with my brother outside in our backyard.

22. a husband who can fix my car, fix everything in the house and loves to teach me how to do it all too.

23. opportunities to take care of amazing kids (dylan, luke, dallas, eden, paige, teagan to name a few)

24. being able to read.  (such a wonderful ability i never want to take for granted)

25. friends.

26. late night talks with my mom.. and I do mean late night.

27. room/housemates i've had (rusty, elisa, cheryl, jen, theresa, ak, heather 'ditto', michelle 'fugee')

Manitoba: jen, theresa, me

28. amazing nieces and nephews

29. my blanket - even though my brother lost it when he hid it on me... i still think granny stole it.

30. winter doesn't last forever.

31. a husband who encourages me through my fears.

32. trips to Mexico and Nicaragua - able to experience their world and have them share Christ's love with me as I help build there.

33. creativity

34. rain (i love it's rainy today on my birthday)

35. hot days, cool nights

36. sisters (erin, rusty, elisa, heidi.  again, to name only a few)

dreeeeam, dream, dream, dream....

So, I have a friend who blogs.  Vanessa.

I read her blog today and it got me thinking. 

She posted some of her dreams, some pretty sweet dreams that I hope she is able to accomplish.

and at the end she asks the reader what their dreams are. 

Vanessa, and my faithful follwers, here's my list:

(in no particular order)

• to sit in the sunshine atop a mountain (preferably surrounded by mountains)
• take my kids canoeing on the Buffalo National River, Arkansas
• share Christ confidently
• publish a book
• learn to weld
• sing a solo or duet in front of a crowd
• perform Shakespeare on stage
• rappel something high and overhanging
• travel to New Zealand and Australia
• read all of CS Lewis' works (except maybe his science fiction)
• go to Northern Ireland with my husband, kids and my dad - so they may see it through his eyes.
• skydive
• sell some of my photography
• hear God speak to me. (like Samuel when he was a boy- - verbally)
• bike downhill without using my brakes.. no fear!
• run 10km
• backpack throughout Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand or Australia
• wear my Birks all though the winter without cold feet or socks.
• to have dreads to my mid-back.
• learn spanish
• love who God made me

everyone has dreams. 

these are some of mine.

dreaming

what are yours?



2010 - what i learned

2010 was a year of learning for me.

as I go into this new year i pray that I am able to remember what I learned in 2010 and grow into a stronger person, with a strength of character that cannot be shaken and a faith that is solid and rooted and cannot be ripped away.

what did I learn? 

in no particular order

I love dreads. 

I got them in March and though there are days I wish I had straight hair again, 99% of the time I love my dreads.

i have 2 beautiful children i need to be thankful for - even when they're cranky and fighting.

They are to be cherished and i need to lead by example because they are watching my every move, listening to my every comment, sigh, complaint.  they see my smiles, my tears, my frowns.  They need to be taught that I love who God made me, and who He made them.  I love these kids.

I love my husband.

He is my best friend, and I had forgotten how true that is.  He is amazing and I need to remember to cherish him, to tell him how much I love him,and am thankful for him.  I need to pray for my husband daily, that he may be the man I know he truly is, and who God created him to be.  He needs to be my best friend.  I need to respect and love him.

Depression is all consuming.

It is real.  it is destructive.  it is powerful.  i never knew how much it truly tears apart someone's life - every aspect of the life.  it affects everyone who loves the person.  Depression is serious.  The person feels alone.  I've discovered that most people don't know what to say when depression reveals itself...so they avoid it, or don't say anything... for someone who feels alone, this is not good. 

Communication is so important.

Suicide is not selfish. 

I always thought it was selfish.  although it appears thay way, it is really a way to 'remove the burden'  from those the person cares about. unfortunately the 'burden' is the person.  and ending one's life isn't the answer, but the person who attempts or 'succeeds' truly believes they are out of options and believes it is the only thing they can do.  it is, in their mind, truly unselfish.

Forgiveness is essential to healing.

marriage is sacred.

people now a days seem to say their vows but not truly believe them.  i heard this year that 5 years is the average length of marriage now.  so sad.  marriage is a covenant with each other, not to be broken.  It is so easy to end a marriage now, and so common practice.  That saddens me. 

God is in control

...still working on this.  I know it as truth.  I believe it as truth.  but do I live it as truth?  i have a hard time - when things are tough.  but this past year I was reminded of the truth of it a lot.  and looking back - I do believe it, but in the hard times it's so difficult to remember it, and rely on it.

i love dance.

I love to dance. I love watching dance.  I love So You Think You Can Dance (U.S)  I love the arts!  singing, music, drawing, acting, painting, creating.   

Those are a few of the things I learned in 2010. 

J@de

I have 5 nephews and 3 nieces. (i hope I counted right)

Today my oldest niece turns 17.

me and J@de

I first met Jade (she prefers to write it J@de) when she was a baby.

I know that sounds like that is the most expected thing, but Jade is in no way blood-related.  

although I think she is.  

Her mom and my brother dated when Jade was a baby and I wanted her to be my niece back then. 

it took a few years but Jade is my niece.  

and I am so glad she is.

Jade is a beautiful young woman with a huge heart.  

She loves everyone.

family is so very important to her.  

friends are the world.  

God is crucial to living. 

I am proud of the young woman she has become.

She is extremely gifted in the arts - drawing, photography, and drama is in her scope too.

She loves music - music is her soul. 

I think she is overlooked too often because she is so willing to give of herself to her family and friends (and as a teen I know it doesn't come across so obviously sometimes)

She is quiet, but funny.

She adores her step-dad, my brother, and loves to go to his comedy shows.  

What a support and encouragement I know she's been to him as he starts off his comedy career.

She loves serving God - even though it is a thankless job a lot of the time.  

(on mission trips, and at camp)

I have a gorgeous niece and i pray often for her.  

I see myself in this girl who joined our family at a young age.  

i adore her.  

She is wise - but doesn't realize it.  

She is absolutely beautiful, but doesn't realize it. 

I am blessed to have her in my life.  

She is an encouragement to me in many ways. 

I pray this next year of her life is full of many unexpected blessings, many friendships strengthening and forming, many dreams accomplished and dreamt. 

Love you J@de.