One Rising Star

To all of my  family and friends  who listen to me, who support me, who encourage me, who comfort me and who laugh with me... THANK YOU  for being there for me throughout all the ups and downs of 2014.    "Family and friends fill our lives with happiness and laughter giving us memories to treasure today and forever after"   Hong Kong                                                             India   Colombia     USA                                                             China Canada   Dubai Looking forward to many more memorable moments in 2015!

Turning 30 isn’t just like any other birthday -  It’s a milestone! I once read : 30 - That's when you start being considered "old". YIKES!  In exactly 6 months from today, I will be reaching the BIG 3-0! Though at times it does sound a little scary to get older, when I take a look back at everything I’ve experienced and accomplished before turning 30, I can’t help but be happy for all that's happened and be excited for all that is to come. Before turning 30, I have... -graduated from university -got a good job  -been successful in a variety of sports and activities -been on some of the most life changing humanitarian trips  -accomplished my dream of living and working abroad -travelled to over 20 countries around the World -... AND...AS OF LAST WEEK...I HAVE FINALLY COMPLETED MY MISSION TO VISIT ALL  NEW 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD Christ Redeemer, Brazil - My trip to Brazil was absolutely unforgettable! It was my first bi

Well well well... Another summer vacation has come to an end, but thankfully, I created some great memories! Let's take a look... I must admit, the greatest highlight was simply spending time with my family ; sitting together, exchanging stories, sharing laughs, singing country music, going out to dinner, watching my brothers play hockey, spending time with my mom, having my dad act like my client at the gym... I love my family!!! Other summer highlights: A stop in Geneva, Switzerland exploring the city and watching the World Cup with people from around the World 4th of July weekend in Michigan, USA spending time with family on the Lake A trip to Bogota, Colombia exploring the city with a friend and her family A weekend in Toronto studying to become a personal trainer and spending an evening with my brother and his girlfriend at the aquarium A weekend in Montréal, spending time with a childhood friend and attending her wedding Of c

The people around me who never give up always inspire me. I’m thinking about those people who face challenges, but who choose to react to them in a way that allows them to grow into some of the strongest people I know.  Once again, the past 10 months living in Dubai have been filled with many challenges; some at work, some in my family life, some in my social life and some in my personal life. I've struggled to work through some of these challenges, but in the end I've also realized how strong of a person they've helped me to become.  "I am an unfinished work in progress. One of the good things about life's challenges: I get to find out that I am capable of being far more than I ever thought possible." One of the biggest challenges I have faced in recent months is being away from my family during some difficult times. As many people know, this past January, just a few days after his birthday, my brother Nic was the victim of a ver

Over the last 6 weeks, I have been "mentoring" two Grade 5 students with regards to their Exhibition project about racism in sports.  These students have blown me away with their passion for their chosen topic, their commitment to their project and all of their great work habits. Tonight, they presented their work to their families and a variety of other individuals. They demonstrated great confidence and great knowledge, while explaining and answering every question ever so accurately. They spoke about their research, field trips, interviews, and positive actions, while sharing valuable facts, findings and opinions.  The students created a large presentation board integrating a variety of subjects, strands and skills.   It's truly amazing to see such young kids produce such amazing work!  The students made it out to one of my soccer (football) games! What a great experience!  When I began "mentoring" these two stu

On Friday, April 11th, I made my way to Canada to surprise my mom for her birthday and for Easter. Some of us had been keeping this secret for weeks! A Masters Golf Party had been organized by some of my mother's friends and I arrived with my father around 10:30pm. My mom's reaction was priceless. Tears were shed, laughs were shared and big smiles could be seen all around the room.  It was absolutely great!  The love between mother and daughter is forever Deciding to go back to Canada for my spring break this year was a wonderful decision. After a difficult start to 2014, I knew some family time was necessary. Now, of course, my primary reason for going home was to surprise my mom, however, I knew that I could benefit from this trip just as much. Going home allowed me to spend time with some family and to reconnect with a few old friends, work colleagues and students. It also allowed me to lay around...to be lazy...to sleep...to watch TV... to get pampered...I mean

  After about two months of ups and downs, twists and turns, I'm glad to say that this past weekend, I felt like I found myself once again. I absolutely love how travelling can give me such a sense of excitement and pleasure! “Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.”   “Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” On Thursday night - early Friday morning, the quest to see another one of the New 7 Wonders of the World continued in India. I was ecstatic! My short 3-day Indian adventure began and ended in Delhi, where I got to visit many monuments, do some shopping and experience the true chaos of a large Indian city. The masses of people, the traffic, the constant honking, the wild driving, the dirty narrow streets, the pushy salesmen and the continuous hunt for a “tall white girls” photograph were all part of my amazing experience! Cycle Ri

Just about a year ago, I made a goal of running a marathon. On Friday, January 24 th 2014, that goal was finally achieved! Of course, my time could have been much better, but I told myself that for my first ever marathon “It was not about perfection, it was about the effort.” I truly just wanted to make it from start to finish and that’s exactly what I did. In approximately 5 hours, “I learned that finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement. It's a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible." I know many people are wondering if I will ever do another marathon again, but I truly don’t know quite yet. It’s a very grueling experience! Right now, I need to take some well-earned rest time before I set any future fitness goals. Throughout the past 12 months, I have done a few 5/6 km runs, one 10 km race, two half marathons and last but not least a full 42km marathon. I have trained many hours at the gym with some am