Friday, March 5, 2010

A Final Reflection...


Our adventure comes to a close as we slide back into our daily life in rural Alberta. My thoughts roam around and I am thankful for all that we experienced as a foursome... Thank you Vancouver!

The final words that I will leave you with come from Brian Williams from NBC via Mel Davidson, coach of the Canadian Women's Hockey Team...

Thank you, Canada:

 For being such good hosts.

 For your unfailing courtesy.

 For your (mostly) beautiful weather.

 For scheduling no more than 60 percent of your float plane departures at the exact moment when I was trying to say something on television.

 For not seeming to mind the occasional (or constant) good-natured mimicry of your accents. For your unique TV commercials -- for companies like Tim Horton’s -- which made us laugh and cry.

 For securing this massive event without choking security, and without publicly displaying a single automatic weapon.

 For having the best garment design and logo-wear of the games -- you've made wearing your name a cool thing to do.

 For the sportsmanship we saw most of your athletes display.

 For not honking your horns. I didn't hear one car horn in 15 days -- which also means none of my fellow New Yorkers rented cars while visiting.

 For making us aware of how many of you have been watching NBC all these years.

 For having the good taste to have an anchorman named Brian Williams on your CTV network, who turns out to be such a nice guy.

 For the body scans at the airport which make pat-downs and cavity searches unnecessary.

 For designing those really cool LED Olympic rings in the harbor, which turned to gold when your athletes won one.

 For always saying nice things about the United States ...when you know we're listening.

 For sharing Joannie Rochette with us.

 For reminding some of us we used to be a more civil society.    

Mostly, for welcoming the world with such ease and making lasting friends with all of us.

Friday, February 26, 2010

City Sights...

 
In one of the Skytrain Stations...


 Signs of great pride found everywhere... this one was in a coffee house along Hamilton Street.


Beautiful architecture of the Vancouver Public Library...

Science World where Russia meets Vancouver introducing us to Sochi where the 2014 Olympics will be...

One of the wee worlds throughout the Olympic Village...

One of the many painted eagles that adorn the streets of Vancouver...

 
Canada Hockey House where the line up was sooo long...

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

A Love Letter...

 
The extraordinary, majestic and beautiful Mount Baker in Washington state as seen from Langley B.C. Canadians and Americans have a unique, collaborative and compassionate relationship. We co-created these countries for safety and opportunity and the video presentation that Tom Brokaw produced before the 2010 Olympics speaks volumes... Enjoy!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

For Jack Poole...

Jack Poole was a marvel of a human being. Born in Ireland in 1933, he had an amazingly strong, tight and healthy relationship with his da... When his community was hit by a bomb, his dad had to identify a niece, only knowing her by a severed finger that held a ring. This had such a devastating effect on Jack's dad and within a few weeks, he too was gone from this earth. Jack made a decision to accept an opportunity to move to Canada and teach. As he flew over the northern shore of this massive country, he wondered why - to paraphrase him - one could grasp Ireland, toss it like a frisbee into this land and it wouldn't be found for a week. Landing in Edmonton the immigration officer asked him what he was coming to Canada to do? Jack replied by telling the man he was going to teach. This very wise and caring man looked directly at him and told him that he had better make this country better and to do good!

And... he did...

Mr. Jack Poole remained with us "until after the Olympic Torch was ignited in Athens and then died peacefully in Vancouver. He was 76." 

In Mortlach, Saskatchewan, where Jack once taught, a very special torch relay event was held in his honour - you can view that event here

The Unique Bouquets...

We have heard many people comment on the unique bouquets that the athletes are presented with during the medal ceremonies. Comments from "What kinda flowers are those?" to "Why are they getting broccoli?" The story behind the bouquets are as interesting as the floral designer who was granted the contract to create these victory arrangements...

June Strandberg is the executive director of "Just Beginnings Non-Profit Society, a flower shop and floral design school for women with barriers to employment. Many of the students are recovering from addiction, leaving prison, exiting the sex trade or are victims of violence."

You can follow the rest of this here Vancouver 2010 Victory Bouquet Story or @ Just Beginnings...


 Thank you June...

In the Right Place at the Right Time...

After a frustrating afternoon of being caught in a very thick crowd by Canada Hockey House, we wandered by the CBC Bread Basket on our way to BC Place where I decided to pause for a Latte. The Barista asked us if we were there to see Alex and while I racked my brain to think of a CBC personality named Alex, Max asked him if he meant Alex Bilodeau? "Yes!" he remarked... And so, we ordered our drinks, had a seat and were honoured to listen to an interview with the humble Olympian...
Now feeling more than satisfied we headed out of the Bread Basket and out on the street where Brent queried, "Is that Jennifer Heil?" The freestyler was just hangin with friends and was so gracious to have a few photos taken...
 
How cool is that?!
After a well-deserved commendation offered to Jenn Heil, we walked towards Smithe when we were surpassed by an interesting group who were also on their way to BC Place...

BC's own Rock sensation Hedley brushed by us and we were thrilled to have them entertain us following the medal ceremony that evening... Cha-Ching!

Monday, February 22, 2010

The Story of Our Medals...

Artist Corrine Hunt is a gentle and collaborative soul acknowledging and designing these amazing and unique medals. If you have not seen the vignette about the making of these you can view it here.