Winter Break

Yesterday, the first day of the winter break, we went to see The Nutcracker performed by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, always a great show.

And thanks to homestay families for sending some festive pictures.

We have several events still to come over the break--Kawaii Crepe and Christmas shopping in Osborne Village today, sushi next week, and ice skating next Friday.  Hopefully we'll have some ice!

Jets Practice!

Last week our students and many other international students from around Manitoba had the chance to see the Jets practice at the MTS Centre.  Thanks to the Manitoba Council for International Education for arranging the event, and to the Jets and Tim Horton's for the free coffee and donuts!

Warming Huts

 

Check out this article in today's New York Times about the warming huts along the river skating trail at the Forks in Winnipeg:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/21/travel/in-winnipeg-a-skating-rink-that-doubles-as-a-sculpture-park.html?_r=2

We'll be going skating at the Forks on January 2nd, and the huts may not be up by then--it depends on the weather--but we will be meeting and skating whatever the weather conditions are.  If we don't see some of the huts on that day, make sure to check back.

Christmas Party at Sturgeon Heights

Today, Sturgeon Heights had a Christmas party for the international students.

Thanks to Ms. K for throwing the party and inviting us.

Open House at the Legislative Building

This past Saturday we went to the annual open house at Manitoba's Legislative Building.  You get to walk all through the building and Members of the Legislative Assembly have their offices open with Christmas treats and snacks out for everyone who comes through.  There are also choirs, Santa Claus, and tour guides to talk about some of the special rooms. 

Students also got to meet the Premier of Manitoba.

And, here are some students ready for Christmas:

 

Carnaval Restaurant!

Friday was a day with no school so we took the opportunity to go to Carnaval Restaurant for some Brazilian food for lunch.  The food as always was great, and it was a good time.

Afterwards, a lot of the students went ice skating at the Forks.

At Westwood Collegiate

Here are some Westwood students playing ball hockey today at school.

Holiday Jukebox Downtown

If you happen to be downtown in the next month, keep an eye out for the Holiday Jukebox for a free hot chocolate, to play some music, and make a donation.

 

Holiday Jukebox

November 25 - December 20, Various locations

Help get everyone in the holiday swing when you spot the Holiday Jukebox out and about downtown. Enjoy a cozy spot to sip a free coffee or hot chocolate, and make a donation to Change for the Better to put on your favourite holiday tune in our record collection.

Parade, Reception, and an Opera

This past week was a busy one, starting with the Santa Claus parade last Saturday.  It was a cold evening but we had a lot of students come out to the event.

Then on Monday there was an annual reception at the Legislative Building in honour of International Education week, and several of our students were volunteers for the event.

Finally, Thursday evening was Student Night at the Opera, and several students came out to experience the opera. 

We've got a lot of activities lined up for the month of December, which you can check out here.

Santa Claus Parade This Weekend

 
 We will be meeting to watch the Santa Claus Parade this Saturday just before 5:00.

If you come downtown earlier, though, there are a lot of activities and block parties starting at 4:00, including street hockey (between Balmoral and Good St.), hotchocolate and cookies (Donald to Smith St.), photo booths (Good St. to Memorial), street soccer put on by FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 (Memorial to Vaughn, where we'll be meeting), a choir (Carleton to Hargrave), and a dance party at Portage & Main.  The full list can be found on their website here.

Last Weekend

Here are a couple of pictures from Halloween last weekend:

Yes, if you dress up and go trick-or-treating, you can get a lot of candy.

Also last weekend, several students went to the Art Gallery to see the Salvador Dali and  Masterworks from the Beaverbrook Art Gallery show.  It is a great show and definitely worth going to see.