I watched the right musical at the right time.

Between thinking about how I've spent my nine years after college (nine--can you believe it??), clarifying my "purpose," wanting the make a difference, and wanting to "go back to college," I realized that there are, indeed, so many things that a college degree will never teach you but real life will. Harshly sometimes, but quite effectively.

Throughout the production, I kept feeling little stings on my chest: Princeton looking for his purpose, Kate Monster singing about her dream, even Ron complaining about his messy roommate (hahaha) and Christmas Eve singing about how you hurt even more when you love someone. Most of the characters and the scenes formed a composite that looks A LOT like my life. (Avenue Q is a lot like our condo and the squacky neighbors we've got. Yes, I'm a little bit racist, too.) Or my fears. Or my regrets. Thank goodness I'm not a Gary Coleman yet--I haven't reached the peak of my career to say that it's all gone downhill from there.

And while it's all too tempting to sing "It sucks to be me" and "there's a fine, fine line between love and a waste of time" once in a while, I know that everything is really just temporary. So I will enjoy everything that I have "for now" because everything, too, will pass.

The best Coelho book since THE ALCHEMIST!

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"What else have you gained?"

"The joy of being alive. I know that I'm here, and that everything is a miracle, a revelation."

~ Edda and Athena, in The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho

This was one of the BEST musical events I have EVER attended!!! The students beat many of the professional producers, musicians, and event organizers we've come into contact with.

Will post a link to the show--plus a more proper review--very, very soon!

AMP 2008, you guys made us proud to come home to the music!Ü

Kids Ahoy! is a kids-centered, collaborative and socially-commited approach to Creative Play --dedicated to helping transform society through art and culture.

Kids Ahoy! promotes Creative Play through non-traditional educational activities and fun games/events which help children discover and hone their creative potential.

Kids Ahoy accomplishes this through:

1. After-school Creative Play: fun and educational activities for kids after their formal classes have ended for the day or during weekends. "After-school" Creative Play is guaranteed to be no further burden to kids -- just plain creative fun.

2. Creative PlayDates: this is a proactive way of promoting Creative Play among our kids. We encourage parents, schools, centres, and organizations to be PlayDate hosts by using our products, activities & ideas!

3) Creative Partnerships: we will collaborate with interested schools and organizations in (a) providing enrichment classes in arts and crafts for their kids and (b) reaching out to the larger community (through mall visits and activities, for example) to help promote Creative Play among a larger group of parents and kids.

4) Parents-on-Play: through a Parents' Group online, we are committed to transform Creative Play in ways that incorporate parents' suggestions and experiences in order to provide our kids a much fuller experience of play and creativity.

BE INSPIRED : Join us today!

Soon to be the ultimate cyber resource for families & kids: http://www.kidsahoyshop.com
Multiply: http://kidsahoy.multiply.com
Friendster: http://www.friendster.com/kidsahoy
Yahoo: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kidsahoy/

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It's no big secret...though a great idea can be started by one person, for it to succeed and impact more people, we also need more people to share in the vision. Many of you have asked how YOU CAN help Kids Ahoy, this is one of the ways.

PLEASE JOIN US IN DREAMING BIG THIS 2008!!!

Be Inspired!
From, Joanne Parsons and the rest of the Kids Ahoy Trailblazer Families

“ You will rise by lifting others. ”
- Robert G. Ingersoll (1833-1899)
political leader, orator

"To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." by Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead