Monday's Music Lyrics -- One, by U2

Without a doubt, One by U2 is my favourite song (with Fields of Gold, by Sting a close second). The lyrics in this song can be interpretted in many ways... conveying varying meanings to whom the intended audience is. I've always considered this song to speak to the notion that each and everyone of us are connected (as stated in the lyrics) and the power of love to empower humanity or to degrade it, in its absence. Often, we are too blind to see this power and function in isolated cylos. Many have theorized that this song was in fact written about the German population's need to come together after the fall of the wall in 1989. While, others have theorized it is about the presence of homosexuality and HIV and the need for the human race to come together and care for each other.... Either way, this song speaks of power through unity to me... It strikes a strong cord with me and always moves my soul when I hear it... "We get to carry each other."



Is it getting better
Or do you feel the same
Will it make it easier on you now
You got someone to blame
You say...

One love
One life
When it's one need
In the night
One love
We get to share it
Leaves you baby if you
Don't care for it

Did I disappoint you
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without
Well it's...

Too late
Tonight
To drag the past out into the light
We're one, but we're not the same
We get to
Carry each other
Carry each other
One...

Have you come here for forgiveness
Have you come to raise the dead
Have you come here to play Jesus
To the lepers in your head

Did I ask too much
More than a lot
You gave me nothing
Now it's all I got
We're one
But we're not the same
Well we
Hurt each other
Then we do it again
You say
Love is a temple
Love a higher law
Love is a temple
Love the higher law
You ask me to enter
But then you make me crawl
And I can't be holding on
To what you got
When all you got is hurt

One love
One blood
One life
You got to do what you should
One life
With each other
Sisters
Brothers
One life
But we're not the same
We get to
Carry each other
Carry each other

One...life

One

Passport to the XIX Commonwealth Games Village

An inside look at the 2010 Commonwealth Games Athlete Village in New Delhi, India.... After some bad publicity leading into the games New Delhi, delivered a fruitful experience for myself and my teammates.

Reflecting on Breast Cancer Awareness

It’s been just over a year now, since I found a lump in my breast, and had it removed… That period of my life, was certainly one of my scariest moments. With October and Breast Cancer Awareness at hand, I thought I would take a moment and re-post a blog I had written weeks after discovering my lump. Ironically, when I wrote the blog, I had thought I was in the clear, but upon further examinations including a biopsy my lump actually was ambiguous. I eventually had to have it removed, to be sure that it was in fact benign. I consider myself fortunate and blessed, however, that experience will forever be tattooed in my mind!

I love the month of October, because it unites everyone in educating and supporting the battle against breast cancer. The progress that the Susan G. Komen Organization has made since its inception in 1982 has been incredible. If memory serves correctly, I believe the survival of breast cancer since 1980 has moved from 30% to 70%... perhaps in another decade it will be 100%. Let’s not wait for it to affect someone we know before getting involved and supporting the cause.

BLOG: A Lump in the Breast - Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Getting Involved,
Niocle

Monday's Music Lyrics -- You're Beautiful by James Blunt

Over the years, I've received some pretty random emails... And I do mean random.... Some have been quite funny and humbling at times. In truth it is awfully nice for someone to take the time out to email you and let you know how you influence them, or the support they have for you... The other day, I received one email that really made me smile. It was this song "You're Beautiful" by James Blunt. I've always loved this song... even if it is a tale of unrequited love...

Since it made me smile so much, I thought I would choose it as my song of the week... Enjoy... We're ALL Beautiful!


You're Beautiful lyrics

My life is brilliant.
My love is pure.
I saw an angel.
Of that I'm sure.
She smiled at me on the subway.
She was with another man.
But I won't lose no sleep on that,
'Cause I've got a plan.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.

Yeah, she caught my eye,
As we walked on by.
She could see from my face that I was,
Flying high,
And I don't think that I'll see her again,
But we shared a moment that will last till the end.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.
You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
There must be an angel with a smile on her face,
When she thought up that I should be with you.
But it's time to face the truth,
I will never be with you.

Farewell Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games Day 7 Recap

Well it’s been a few days since my Commonwealth Gold Medal performance in New Delhi, India. There is so much that has run through my head since that time, but probably the most profound thought, is that of gratitude. It was only 4 years ago, that I had an unexplainable performance at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia and I found myself crying so hard, underneath the stadium after the competition…. I was ranked to win and came last. My parents had flown to Australia to watch and I had felt I had let them down, my team, as well as my country…. And I couldn’t wait to come back in 4 years time to compete and win… only this time I wasn’t ranked to win.

Sunday, I entered the competition with only one goal in mind – to win! As I stood on the top of the podium and proudly sung the Canadian anthem, I soaked in every second of it… knowing that this would be the last time I would ever compete at the Commonwealth Games. Since 2008, I have said that unless the high jump ceases to be fun, after London 2012 I will retire. So, after 4 Commonwealth Games it was truly wonderful to leave with a gold medal in hand and to hear the stadium blaring with the Canadian anthem.

I am excited and look forward to the next 2 years of my career. There is so much still to accomplish in such a short window. But, if I’ve learned anything over the years, I can say with most certainty, anything is possible and really the sky is the limit. Moreover, for some reason I seem to like to save the best for last...

I can’t help thinking of how I watched the 1994 Commonwealth Games with such admiration and inspiration, never dreaming a day would come I would compete at the Commonwealth Games or the Olympic Games. And here I am an Olympian and Commonwealth Gold medalist. All I can say is ‘Wow!!!!’ I hope to continue to demonstrate the power of persistence, and the realization of dreams coming to life. 2011 and 2012 should offer some exciting moments! But, for right now, I’m going to continue to enjoy Sunday’s victory! Oh CANADA!!!!

One last note, I am overwhelmed by the support and congratulations I’ve been showered with. And as I’ve said too many times to count, “if I’ve achieved greatness, it’s because I’ve stood on the shoulders of giants.” So, to the many giants in my life, I’m so profoundly grateful for your involvement in my life.

Life is good and truly there for the taking. Live with no regrets!

Thank you and Oh, CANADA!

Much love,
Nicole

Taking a stroll down memory lane and a look forward to Londond 2012

In the spirit of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and my road to London 2012, here is a look back at some of my high jump performances at major championships... It is very easy to get caught up in constantly striving for improvements, sometimes forgetting to take a moment of gratitude to recognize our achievements. Making this video was truly fun, and nostalgic in some ways..... Looking forward to the next 2 years with my love, the high jump!

Commonwealth Games Blog -- Jai Ho!

Well… I’m here… in New Delhi, India for the Commonwealth Games and it is fantastic! In the true spirit and quality of the games, India is doing a great job. The opening ceremony was spectacular, the food is great and the village, as well as, the amenities available brings back memories of the Beijing Olympic Games. One really cool feature of the village that I like is having a practice track stadium within the village. Most times the practice facilities are outside of the village and a 30min, sometimes even an hour drive.

The Commonwealth Games is the LARGEST multisport event of the year, involving 71 countries and occurring once every 4 years! The games began in 1930 and were originally called the British Empire Games. As long as I can remember, I’ve always watched the Commonwealth Games, with much admiration and excitement.

In fact, the Commonwealth Games are very dear to me, as it is one of the first major teams I was a member of. I can remember watching the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, British Columbia with awe and excitement, never dreaming a day would come when I would participate in the games, much less the very next one – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I have since gone on to run in the Queen’s Baton Relay, be a member of 4 Commonwealth Games teams, and win a bronze medal. I am blessed! It just goes to show, you never know what dreams the future will deliver!

With much respect to my competitors, I look towards New Delhi with great personal expectations! In the words of the Black Eyed Peas, “I gotta feeling, that New Dehli is gonna be a good, good, games….woohooo!” Let the games begin!

Jai Ho! (Be Victorious!)
Nicole

Monday's Music Lyrics -- Right Now by VanHalen

I have always loved this song… In fact I’ve found the lyrics and video incredibly profound and the words too TRUE…. Often tomorrow or next time is our resolution! But, in truth, yesterday is gone, tomorrow isn’t promised and all we have is RIGHT NOW! Make it happen!!!!

Don't wanna wait 'til tomorrow
Why put it off another day?
One by one, little problems
Build up, and stand in our way. Oh

One step ahead, one step behind it
Now ya gotta run to get even
Make future plans I'll dream about yesterday, hey!
Come on turn, turn this thing around

(Right now) Hey! It's your tomorrow
(Right now) Come on, it's everything
(Right now) Catch your magic moment
Do it right here and now
It means everything

Miss a beat, you lose a rhythm
An nothin' falls into place. No!
Only missed by a fraction
Slipped a little off your pace. Oh!

The more things you get, the more you want
Just trade in one for another
Workin' so hard to make it easy
Whoa, got to turn. Come on, turn this thing around

(Right now) Hey, it's your tomorrow
(Right now) Come on, it's everything
(Right now) catch that magic moment
Do it right here and now
It means everything

Said a lie to me
Right now
What are ya waitin' for? Oh! Yeah!
Right now

(Guitar Solo)

(Right now) Hey! It's your tomorrow
(Right now) Come on, it's everything
(Right now) Catch that magic moment
And do it right, right now (Right now)
Oh, right now!

It's what's happening
Right here and now
Right now, it's right now
Oh!
Tell me, what are ya waitin' for?
Turn this thing around