Canada Day 2017

On July 1, we celebrated Canada Day and 150 years of Confederation. There were all kinds of celebrations to make this milestone, and I spent Canada Day in my hometown- something I haven't done in years! I am a little late in sharing how I celebrated the day, but better late than never!!

It was a jammed pack day with a ton of things going on!! I spent the day with my family, and we started at about 9am where my dad unveiled a clock and encapsulated a time capsule. 

 

Next we were off to a local park, which was where our City's celebration were taking place. The festivities were officially kick-off and included an appearance by our Town Crier! 

A portion of the street was shut down and filled with food vendors. The park hosted a variety of activities- face painting, arts and crafts, games such as bubble soccer, inflatables, and even activites out on the water.

And of course there was live entertainment- musicians, magicians, singers, and dancers. 

We took a break in out day to head down to the Flatwater Centre and take in some of the races for the Dominion Day Regatta. 

What is a Canada Day celebration without fireworks?! We finished the day on the bridge watching fireworks over the water. It was a spectacular show and a fantastic day!

Tu Vas Nous Manquer, Rocky

Today I am saying goodbye to Rocky, someone I have known my entire life. His wife and my mom were good friends in high school- and still are to this day. His daughter is around my age, so I spent a lot of time with her when we were growing up. Throughout the years, Rocky and his family were part of my life.

 

Last Thursday, Rocky passed away. It was rather sudden. My heart goes out to his wife, children, and siblings. I can't imagine what they are feeling and are dealing with. 

Rocky was also a politician, so I would see him on a regular basis at events and public meetings. He always made the point to say hello to me, ask how things were going, and to update me on his kids. Whenever I was in Chambers, he would make the point to come sit with me in the gallery for a few minutes and chat. He would also let my dad know I was there. Rocky was always looking out for me, making sure I was taken care of and that I was ok.

 

He was dedicated to his community and the people he represented. No issue was too small for him to look into and he always did what he could to help people. Rocky was also a proud francophone. He was an advocate for the francophone community, always advocating for the importance francophone culture. There was no one more passionate about the preservation and promotion. 

I'm struggling with what to say...nothing sums up what I feel, how much Rocky will be missed, or the impact he had on our community. I feel that I will never be able to do him justice.

 

Rocky- I didn't have the chance to say goodbye to you. My heart hurts knowing I will never see you again, never sit in Chambers with you again, never talk to you again, never hug you again. We never had a grand adventure or a groundbreaking experience, but our interactions were of the small, ordinary kind- which I think is more significant. The role you played in my life, the fact that you were part of the day-to-day is more meaningful than a one-off big memory. I know that you would have done anything for me...I appreciate that, I really do.

I consider it an honour that I was part of your life, and you mine; and honour that I knew you since I was born. You were hardworking, dedicated, and passionate. Even though I am not a francophone, I will continue to learn about and support francophone culture in your memory. 

 

Merci pour tout ce que vous avez fait pour notre communaute, et pour moi. Je me souviendrai tourjours de toi. Tu vas nous manquer, Rocky. 

 

Jusqu' a ce que nous nous retrouvions.

Message From Canada: You're Great America

With the American election weeks away, the world is watching to see who will become the next President of the United States. We are well aware of the circus that has been this campaign and the high entertainment the debates have been. 

Now, if this was happening in Canada, we know the US would be making fun of us...kind of like you did with Rob Ford (RIP). And while Canadians are questioning if this election is a joke, and we are questioning how America has let it come to this...we are also, well, Canada.

So, of course, we do what Canada does and instead of making fun of America and belittling you, we give you, America, a pep talk. 

So Canadian. 

No matter what happens on November 8, no matter who the next President of the United States is, we still think you're great America. 

Hey, It's Ok!

With Amber from Airing My Dirty Laundry  

To have a had a great Thanksgiving...it was great to celebrate with family.

 

That, after watching the first two debates, I beyond thankful that I live in Canada. 

 

To, after watching the first two debates, not understand how Donald Trump is candidate. It's a joke, right?

 

That I am crossing all of my fingers and toes in hopes that everything goes according to plan. 

 

To not be loving this season of How to Get Way With Murder. It seems kind of...anti-climatic after the first two seasons. And I have no idea who they are killing off...I don't really want to see anyone go. 

Toronto 2015: Pan Am Games- Day 1

I have already shared details of the Chairman's Reception and the Opening Ceremonies for the Pan Am Games. Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be talking about the sporting events I attended. I was lucky enough to have a VIP pass- and I found out the second day of the Games, that my pass got me into all Pan Am venues. I had originally planned to attend the flatwater sports, which is what I did.

The first day of the Games, was a beautiful, warm and sunny day!! You really couldn't have asked for a better day, especially for canoe/kayak!! 

 

As a VIP, we had special parking, close to the venue, and we also had our own security line- which was basically not waiting in line to go through security. There was a VIP seating area, which was in the grand stand, closest to the finish line. VIPs also had access to the viewing platform, which is where I watched 95% of the races. The platform offered the best view of the course and podium.

 

The viewing platform was right beside the clock tower, the media tower, the announcer tower...each level of the tower was 'home' to a specific function of the games.

Looking at the tower from the platform

Pachi, the official mascot also made an appearance on the first day.

Watching Pachi from the viewing platform. Podium is in the background

There were four races that day- a medal race, two heats, and a semifinal. Flatwater racing is kind of like the horse races; you watch the race for two minutes and than you wait forever until the next race. The first day's race schedule was 9:05am, 11:00am, 11:10am and 12:15pm. So, lots of waiting around.

 

The very first race, was the Women K4 500m, which was also a medal race. It was so much fun to watch Team Canada compete and cheer them on to a gold medal!

Watching the Women K4 500m

Since the very first medal of the games was won at the flatwater centre- and by Team Canada- I got to witness it, which was so awesome...and just watching them win, but seeing them have their medals awarded and the playing of our national anthem...really tough to describe. But I promise, it was really cool and something I won't forget. 

Women K4 medalists walking to the podium

Medalist on the podium

Team Canada with their medals!

I just have to share this video...Team Canada getting their medals!

Toronto 2015: Pan Am Games- Opening Ceremonies

Last week, I shared details about the Pan Am Games Chairman's Reception. This week, I thought I would share the Opening Ceremonies!! The Pan Am Opening Ceremonies are VERY similar to the Olympic Opening Ceremonies. 

From the Chairman's Reception, we were escorted down to a box in the 200s section of the Rogers Centre.

Crowd at the Rogers Centre

I THINK we had good seats, but we actually decided to stay at a table in the box as we had a clear view of the stage. We felt if we went to our seats, we might have people blocking our view. Plus, if we stayed at the table, we had servers that would come to our table to our drink order/deliver our drinks. They also had food available for us in the box.

View from our table

 Cirque du Soleil opened with a fantastic show that represented all of the countries of the world.It was a great start!!

Performers entering the stage

Performers on stage

During the performance, they showed a video that showcased the Pan Am flames journey to get to Toronto. The video showed someone skydiving off of the CN Tower, aiming towards Rogers Centre. Donovan Bailey that entered the Rogers Centre with the flame.

Flame entering Rogers Centre

After the flame was brought in, there was a bit of a torch rally on the stage, with the lighting of the cauldron. After the cauldron was lit, Cirque continued with their performance. What I liked about the opening piece was that there was a focus on Native culture- which is so important to Canada and our Canadian history- and bringing the different cultures of the world together.

Performers again...can you spot the Native Hoop Dancer?

After the opening performance, the Canadian flag was brought in Rogers Centre by the RCMP and was raised. This was accompanied by the singing of the Canadian National Anthem.

RCMP and the Canadian flag

Next up was the Parade of Nations.  Since the Pan Am Games were started in Argentina, they enter first (just as Greece always enters first for the Olympics). After Argentina, the countries enter alphabetically by their Spanish name.

Team USA entering Rogers Centre

More of Team USA

Just like the Olypmics, the host country enters last. I can't even explain to you, what a thrill it was to be cheering on Team Canada as they made their entrance into the stadium. It was a great moment of personal pride, to be united with country, cheering and celebrating our athletes.

 

Team Canada!!!! Mark Oldershaw was our flag bearer...and I had the chance to meet him later on during the games.

 

That's a lot of red & white

Last picture of Team Canada

After all of the nations were in the Rogers Centre and seated, Cirque du Soleil came in as if the were part of the Parade of Nations, as the walked past the volunteers, the volunteers joined the parade and were eventually lead out of the stadium. This was a great transition to the next part of Cirque's performance. There were a ton of different scenes and 'stories' that was part of the performance. While I have tons of picture, and I want to avoid a 'photo dump; I am only going to share a few that highlight the performance. Here they are:

Suspended from the ceiling. There was also, later in the show, aeriel acts

They were tumbling over the fire...it was pretty cool.

Bike stunts

After the Cirque performance, the Olympic and Pan Am flags were brought in and raised. There were speeches, the athlete and official oaths were taken, more speeches, and finally fireworks from the CN tower! Unfortunately, I don't have any firework pictures, but they were spectacular.

While the Opening Ceremonies was LONG- it took forever for all the athletes to come, but was so worth it to see the Canadian athletes and cheer for them- and some parts were boring- I'm looking at you, speeches- it was over all a FANTASTIC event!!! I am so thankful that I had the chance to be there and experience it in person. Once in a lifetime opportunity that I will never forget.

Next week, I'll be sharing some of the events I attended!

Toronto 2015: Pan Am Games- Chairman's Reception

I've mentioned a time or two or ten that I had the opportunity to experience the 2015 Pan Am Games, which were hosted by Toronto. Pan Am is affiliated with the Olympics- and follow a lot of the traditions and celebrations of the Olympics- and is held the summer before the Summer Olympics. 

I was very, very, very lucky to be invited not only to the Opening Ceremony's, but to the Chairman's Reception as well. It was a once in a lifetime experience and something I'll never forget. I owe a HUGE thank you to my dad who brought me as his guest and my mom who decided not to attend, so that I could go in her place.

 

Pre-Reception Reception

All invited guests were invited to a hotel in Toronto to gather prior to heading over to Chairman's Reception or Opening Reception, both held prior to the Opening Ceremonies. The hotel reception was basically a cocktail hour, lots of mingling and people serving drinks. Not much else happened. 

The crowd at the Rogers Centre when we pulled up

From the hotel reception, we were escorted down to a nice coach bus and made our way- with a police escort- to the Rogers Centre, where the Chairman's Reception (for distinguished guests and "the movers and shakers that made it all happen"), Opening Reception (for family and friends of distinguished guests/movers and shakers, VIPs, officials from visiting countries, etc) and the Opening Ceremonies took place. 

Rogers Centre before they let everyone in

We were up pretty high at the Rogers Centre, in the Presidents Suite (I think). We could see the entire venue...it was so weird to be in the Rogers Centre with virtually no one in the stands. 

Pachi, the official mascot of Toronto 2015 (who has 41 quills to represent the 41 countries that competed at the Games), volunteers and the host during the pre-show

During the Reception, I noticed that there was some stuff happening on the stage, which I original thought was a sound check, and than thought it was a final run through, but was actually a pre-show for the Opening Ceremonies. I didn't pay too much attention to this, as their was a lot going on in the room we were in. 

Poutine!!

I have had VIP treatment before, but NOTHING can compare to the treatment I had throughout the entire Pan Am experience. At the reception, no matter what your request was, they were able to get it for you. The food was amazing! They really played up on Canada; Alberta and Ontario beef, BC Salmon, PEI Potatoes... Everything looked so good!! I only tried the poutine and the sliders, which were both delicious. Food is such an important part of an event, and they nailed it with their food selection. 

Pan Am Medals (ParaPan Am Medals are in the back row)

Being a VIP, you get to do things that most people don't get to do. Pachi, the mascot, came into the suite for a meet and greet. I had previously met him when the Pan Am flame first came to Canada and started the torch relay. We also got a first look at the Pan Am Medals!! It was cool to see them up close and in person- even if we weren't allowed to touch them.

ParaPan Am Medal

They also has the ParaPan Am Medals on display. I was surprised to learn that Toronto 2015 was the first time that Braille was used on the ParaPan Am Medals. 

Another important event component are your guests. They really can make or break your party. I had the opportunity to speak to a number of people there, including; Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Toronto Mayor John Tory and his wife Barbara (who has the same hometown as me...we bonded over that), Ontario Cabinet Ministers Michael Chan and Charles Sousa, Chairman David Peterson, and Pan Am Games CEO Saad Rafi. After the fact, I learned that Kim Cattrall (aka Samantha Jones, Sex and the City) was there and I was kind of disappointed that I didn't get to meet her; at least I can say that I attended a party she was at, so that's still kinda cool, right?

Some of the crowd at the Chairman's Reception

Who else was there? Who else did I met? In the picture above, the guy in the light blue jacket? Oh right...JASON PRIESTLEY!!! That's right, I met Brandon Walsh from 90210. My teenage self died. My adult self tried very hard to keep it together. Details of that meeting-which was by far the coolest and greatest thing I have ever done- will come in the next week or so. 

Overall, I had a fantastic time at the Reception. It a truly great and memorable experience! 

Details and photos of the Opening Ceremonies and the events I attended will follow in the coming weeks.

Fashion Friday: Pan Am Games

I was lucky enough to attend the first four days of the Pan Am Games, and even luckier to attend the Opening Ceremony!! Last Friday, I shared what I wore to the Opening Ceremony, which you can find here, and today I thought I would share what I wore Day 1-4. 

Don't know what the Pan Am Games are? You can find out more here...they are basically the pre-Olympics aka kind of a big deal.

So, what did I wear?

 

Skirt  //  Dress  //  Skirt  //  Earrings  //  Flip Flops  //  Necklace  //  Top  //  Top  //  Top

 

I attended the Canoe and Kayak events, which took place during the first four days of the Pan Am Games. Taking place in the morning and outdoors, since they are flatwater sports, I wanted to look classic, put together, yet relaxed. Being outdoors, I wanted some protection from the sun, but I also wanted to be comfortable and keep cool in the heat- hello skirts and light, breezy tops!

 

There wasn't a ton of walking to be done, as the venue was fairly small. I basically walked from the parking lot to the venue, and then between the grandstand and the VIP area (more about that next week). In the summer, I live in flip flops, and didn't see any reason to stray from my footwear of choice. They were so comfortable, went with my outfits and helped keep a laid back feel to my outfits. 

The dress was super comfy, although a bit dressy for the venue and events. I did get quite a few compliments on it, as well as the blue shirt.I kept my accessories to a minimum and didn't use a purse. If it didn't fit in my pockets, I didn't bring it. I wanted to make going through security as hassle free as possible and didn't want to worry about keeping track of a purse at the events.

I wore a lot of blue, but tried to incorporate some red into my outfits to show my Team Canada support. As mentioned in last weeks Fashion Friday post, I don't actually own the necklace pictured but it is the perfect accessory for the Games, these outfits and to show support for Canada. 

These outfits would not have been possible without the help of Robyn from LePrix Clothing. I met Robyn through work about a year ago. She is so nice, a ton of fun and has great style. I had never worked with a stylist before and thought it would be fun to work with Robyn for the Pan Am Games. I can't wait to work with her again!! Not only does Robyn do personal styling, but she also has a great collection of clothes and accessories, that you can shop online for. You can find Robyn and LePrix on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

 

Next week, I'll be sharing details about the Chairman's Reception, Opening Ceremony and Day 1-4 of flatwater events, including the athletes I got to meet. 

Hope everyone has a FANTASTIC weekend!!

Fashion Friday: Pan-Am Opening Ceremonies

Not only is today Friday (yea!) today is also the Opening Ceremonies for the Pan-Am Games. The Games are being held in Toronto this year- and in various cities near Toronto. I will be attending some of the games this weekend and early next week, which should be pretty fun. Do you know what else should be fun? The Opening Ceremonies!! 

I am very, very, very lucky to have been invited as a guest to the Opening Ceremonies tonight in Toronto. I will have a recap of the Opening Ceremonies (and the Chairman's Reception, which I will also be a guest at) later in the week. 

It has been ages since I have done a fashion post, I thought I would do one today and share with you what I'll be wearing to the Chairman's Reception and Opening Ceremonies. 

Dress (similar) // Shoes // Earrings // Necklace // Purse

First of all, how adorable is this dress?!?! I also have the dress is red (with white polka dots). I feel in love with it the minute I saw it. I got this dress from my favourite boutique, Hive, which is located in Bayfield, Ontario. 

The shoes...I actually got them from Payless!! They are pretty comfortable too and go perfectly with this outfit. 

Red stud earrings keep the outfit classy and timeless. I'll be wearing ruby earrings, but any red gemstone would work.

I don't own the necklace pictured, so I obviously won't be wearing it. If I did own this necklace, it would be the perfect addition to this outfit! It's a ruby (to match the earrings) maple leaf...for Canada! The maple leaf is a symbol of Canada...what a great way to show support of Canada and our Canadian athletes at the Games.

The purse came from a Le Chateau Outlet.It's a cream coloured canvas with red faux leather edging. It goes so well with this outfit! It has a gold chain strap or your can use it as a clutch.

I'm also bring a white cardigan with me (not pictured) in case it gets a bit cold. I couldn't find my cardigan online, but this is a similar one.

In the next couple of weeks, I'll share the rest of the outfits that I wore to the Games, as well as highlights for the events I attended. For a sneak peek, be sure to follow me on Instagram. 

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Charity Gala- Theme & Sponsors

Back in January, I mentioned that my dad appointed me to his Charity Gala. You can read about our first meeting here. We had a meeting in February, which was really just a touch base meeting. S and I broke up the sponsorship list for us to do follow up.

We had a meeting last week, which I unfortunately had to leave due to another appointment. But it was a productive meeting.

Sponsorship money and auction items are coming in! We have a title sponsor, confirmed an auction company to run our silent auction for us (this will be the fifth event I have done with this company) and have confirmed entertainment for the dinner portion of our event- a murder mystery! Things are really coming together and it's shaping up to be a great event. 

At this meeting, we also confirmed our theme...Drive In Movie! I had mentioned before that we had picked cars as a theme. After some discussion, we decided that cars were an element to a theme opposed to a theme on it's own. We have some really neat ideas on how to incorporate this theme into our entertainment and decor.

Hopefully next month I'll be able to reveal a little bit more about our entertainment...it's going to be pretty fun!

Charity Gala- The First Meeting

Two things that most people know about me are that I work in non-profit fundriasing and that my dad is a politician. So, it would only make sense that my dad would appoint me to the committee for his Charity Gala.

Earlier this week, we had our first meeting and I'm pretty excited about being on this committee. The committee is made up of two staff members, two friends of my father (who are brothers and I have known my entire life), two people who were on the committee last year (one of them representing the Charity that will be getting some of the proceeds raised), and a friend of mine, S.

S and I actually met through work; we had the exact same job, at different organizations, and met at a conference. Our paths would cross on occasion and she was always just a phone call away to answer any questions I had. I'm really excited to be officially working with her, even if we are both volunteers. 

We had a great first meeting, but it was very basic. The event will be taking place in the Fall, which might seem far away, but in event planning time, it's just around the corner! We reviewed the sponsorship package, S and I not only made several suggestions- we couldn't help it, this is what we do- but we also volunteered to look after sponsorship for the event. 

Discussions on entertainment options and potentially doing a silent auction took place. We also decided on our theme: cars! Our event will revolve around cars, but what exactly our theme will be- race cars, 50's era (think Grease), car show- will be revealed at a later date.

It's just the early planning stages, but this will turn out to be a great event! I'm excited to work with this committee, give back to my community and share the details of the planning of this event!