{ Who's got talent? }

This is a ridiculously funny and cute photo I snapped of Kona over spring break when we played with her on the beach at Whiterock, BC. She was shivering cold from the damp and the wind, but she couldn't get enough of chasing her frisbees through the tidepools, silly girl. She definitely has got that knack--or talent, if you will, to be fitting to my title--to win you over! We played frisbee for well over an hour, me with my ridiculously tight hood up over my head!

Speaking of talent, tomorrow is the first-in-a-long time Talent Show at K-School. My favorite student, Mohammed, wrangled me into setting up this crazy scheme sometime around Christmas. I never thought the day to do it all would actually come. I've been running auditions like a madwoman (American Idol style with golden tickets and everything!), learning how to work soundboards, ripping peoples' backtracks, and having dress rehearsals. Everyone told me that a talent show at K-School would not work; in fact, they said they have tried in the past (although quite some time ago) and that they have always failed.

It must be said, however, that things are going terrifically well, if I do say so myself. We had more people audition than we could allow in, which was the first unexpected item. Secondly, the people who were auditioning were surprisingly hiding these amazing talents! Take this tiny grade 7er I teach, for instance. He can't be more than four feet tall, he is just a tiny Lebanese boy, and yet he secretly has a brown belt in tae kwon do! He got up there and went through these perfectly controlled moves that I swear could kill a full grown man. I was very impressed. We have some amazing singers and dancers as well.

Today we put the finishing touches on a huge banner we've made for the gym, and tomorrow's the big day. Parents and guests from the community will be there to see how we do. I'm super excited, but a little nervous at the unpredictability of adolescents.

Wish us luck!!