2010 Award Ceremony

So after a year of intermittent blogging it is time to wrap up the year with some highlights and of course pictures must be incorporated otherwise it wouldn't be worth the blog.

And the awards go to...

1. The saddest moment shared between technology and myself. (cracked computer screen)

2. The best way to be apart of something. (Flash Mob

3. The perfect reason to own a home... so you can decorate.

4. The best love moment capture. (The chapel bells ringing)

5. The best way to experience the Olympics. (Tier 3 Driver)

6. The cutest couple who are just too photogenic.

7. The most delicious and perhaps creative birthday celebration.

8. The best DIY project.

9. The most educational family outing. (Capilino Salmon Hatchery)

10. The best time to be a Maid of Honor. (Nicole & Alejandro's wedding)

11. The best place to experience serenity. (Hornby Island)

12. The best time to get messy and creative.

13. The most entertaining and informative tour. (Underground tour in Seattle)

14. The best time to feel the Canadian Spirit. (Athletes Village)

15. Best living in the moment. (Candid jumping shot)

Dive into a good book...

...and let your imagination soar. Oh, the places you'll go!

Beware

Summer Wedding

I had the wonderful opportunity to join a friend on a wedding shoot this summer. I had a blast trying out new lenses, testing the capabilities of my camera, stepping out and trying something new. I have never taken so many pictures in one day.

The bride and groom picked a beautiful location at Capilano Park and were graced with fantastic weather. I loved the chinese umbrellas which allowed for some shade from the sun and was a great prop. The regional park provided a great backdrop for the wedding party shoots.

Check out Cheryl's blog for her stunning photos.

Anthroplogie

Just let the love begin. There are so many things to love in this store it is just too bad that there isn't one a little closer to home. Something about the vintage chic style, the freshly painted and decorated display areas, the texture and perfectly embellished clothes makes you fall in love with every item in the store. So a made a purchase partly because I just fell in love with the store and partly because it was a must have shirt that I now treasure and love the memories it conjures every time I put it on.

From House to a Home

I moved into my place over a year ago and love the transformation it has undergone to become a home. The DIY projects, garage sale finds, treasured items I have been collecting, photographs, and house plants all add to the details of making it a home. It all makes me happy every time I step in each room.

Jump

Jump

into the wind

take a big leap

don't hold back

don't look back

just Jump

Card Making for Father's Day

This weekend has been full of creativity and I wouldn't have it any other way. My sister recently bought a Cricut Expression and it has been fun cutting out various shapes. I can see this tool being very useful in my classroom, and wouldn't mind borrowing my sisters from time to time. We both plan on setting a few days aside in the summer to create different shapes and calendars to use in the classroom. In the meantime this is a card I put together for Father's Day. It was fun turning paper strips into ruffled paper, setting eyelets without an eyelet setter, and adding a touch of medal to this masculine looking card.

27@27

Olympic Montage

A glimpse of the cities first official day of the Olympics. All photos taken Feb. 13, 2010 as Sheldon and I walked around to absorb the Olympic fever.

1. Olympic relay torch 2. Heineken House 3. Heineken on tap 4. Holland House 5. Richmond Olympic Oval. 6. Elvis Stojko 7. Mitten Mob 8. Flag wrap 9. Outdoor Olympic cauldron

SIX

I have been nervously anticipating my first passenger who needs to be transported to their destination of choice. So far all my travels in the GMC Olympic vehicles have been either mock runs with fake passenger pick ups and drop offs or route practices.

Sheldon and I managed to be placed on the same driving team based out of YVR. We of course bring our school work to read during the long waiting periods in between vehicle request. As we wait under the white tent at the staging area, located in the long term parking lot, we share stories with other driving team

members. Most drivers haven't had to pick up any real passengers yet but have some familiarity with the routes due to previous mock runs while others are newbies.

The best part about the YVR routes is the unknown tunnel. This tunnel isn't even accessible to the taxi drivers but typically for service vehicles and temporary for Olympic vehicles. It is as if we have the secret code to some video game that will allow us to jump the cue spitting us out right at the loading bay for international flights.

Today was the day to test my knowledge of the streets of

Vancouver, to welcome the Olympic guest into my vehicle and judge whether the situation warranted a lively conversation, small talk, or peace and quiet. Today I had my first passengers, all of whom arrived at the airport wanting to be dropped off at their hotel, which will be their place of residence for the next 3 plus weeks.

"Charlie 1183 this is your blue team lead. Charlie 1183 come in."

"Blue team lead this is Charlie 1183 You have been granted pass through the tunnel and are to proceed to domestic arrivals level two staging area. You are to wait for further instruction from the load zone attended upon the particulars of your passenger."

I am second in line at the domestic area waiting with great anticipation for passengers to exit through those censored doors. The loading zone is scattered with blue jackets as we chat about who the possible arrivals are and where their hotels are located. We have a rough schedule of names and locations but unscheduled passengers seem to be more frequent than the known ones on this particular morning. There is talk that a driver may have to drop off a passenger at a hotel in Vancouver, along with the possibility of a Prince arriving, and Rebecca Scott, the Canadian cross country skier.

Well, we never did receive the passenger that was headed north, nor the Prince, but Rebecca Scott did walk through those doors and I was the lucky person, okay the next in the cue, to drive her to the Olympic Family Hotel.

My head was spinning as I was focusing on the road, trying to remember what streets I had to turn onto, asking if she was comfortable, trying to make small talk without making myself look stupid, and while all making it all look natural as if I did this everyday. Things ran smoothly.

Now, being an old pro after my first drive I could relax a little. My next passengers, or should I say cargo was headed to the Athletes Village. I followed Sheldon as he drove the Netherland coaches to their accreditation center in the village. We dropped them off and took a moment to snap some pictures next to the Inukshuk, hey we can be tourists too.

NINE, EIGHT, SEVEN

I was once told by a wise person that if you want something accomplished to ask a busy person. A busy person is able to manage their schedule in such a fashion that they could probably squeeze in one more task and are more than likely able to accomplish the task opposed to a lethargic person. I am that busy person; but loving all the excitement, hype, new faces, planning, and stories that is accompanying my busyness at the moment. Right now, my days are filled to capacity as I stand on the edge of today with my hand held at my brow peering into tomorrow. Teaching, interim reports, Olympic volunteer, workshops, SFU course work, Field Study project and my to do list, along with completing the daily essentials for existent currently keep me breathless.

So when one is given the precious gift of a day they don't waste it. My volunteer shift for the Olympics has been canceled for tomorrow which means, I won't have to wake up at 4:00 am to pack a snack or second breakfast, eat a hearty breakfast, and get ready to be out the door for 5:00. It means I won't have to drive into the heart of Vancouver before dawn to the Burrard compound. It means I won't have to check in to my volunteer shift and hurry up and wait for further instruction. It means I won't have to study the streets and avenues of Vancouver from a 8 1/2 by 11 coil bound book to decipher which direction is east and west. It means that I won't have to sit and wait for dispatch to radio in the next passenger pick up. It means I won't have to eat a surprise sandwich and packaged cookie in the common area. It means I won't have to make my way home after ten hours of sitting on my tush and take a nap so I can enjoy my evening. All because I have been given the gift of a day. I plan on taking full advantage of it.

Ten

10. Volunteering as a driver and meeting some international people.

9. Passing on the spirit of the Olympics to my students

8. Going for the Gold and keeping track of our athletes success

7. Swapping Olympic stories

6. Taping the opening and closing ceremonies

5. Wearing and being able to keep the cool Olympic volunteer uniform

4. Seeing the city come alive as they believe and spread cheer during the Olympics

3. Attending the opening ceremonies rehearsal

2. Being on the lookout for my brother during his creative movement portion of the Closing ceremonies.

1. Watching as many events as I can.

Eleven

The blue cast is now in position the sets are receiving their final touches, the camera crew are plugging in, the sun is about to rise, but we won't know it, and the world is tuned in...

...3,2,1

Take One.

"Burrard this is Charlie 1183, calling Burrard"

"Charlie 1183 this is Burrard go ahead."

"Burrard this is Charlie 1183, departing for YVR, picking up two passengers for 8:15 arrival time in bay 8, over."

"Charlie 1183 this is Burrard, copy that state once you have arrived over and out."

* * *

"Burrard this is Charlie 1183, calling Burrard"

"Charlie 1183 this is Burrard go ahead."

"Burrard this is Charlie 1183, I am departing from YVR with two passengers delayed 20 min and heading to OFH (Olympic Family Hotel). Do you copy?"

"Charlie 1183 this is Burrard copy over and out."

This is only one sampling of one of many conversations I have already rehearsed with dispatch using my two way radio system. I literally have to say Charlie because we are apart of the tier 3 drivers there fore we are assigned the letter "C" but the letter "C" is a homonym for sea and see, which could be quite confusing therefore someone assigned us with the name Charlie. I kinda of like it for the time being, not that I will respond to it, unless I am holding a radio with lots of background fuzz and have an important mission to accomplish.

This is Charlie 1183 over and out.

Twelve

Fellow blue people continue to cross my path during my early morning trek into pre dawn state of Vancouver. The residents are oblivious to the cities goings on at 5:30 am and why wouldn't they. As I cross intersection after intersection with flashing green lights anticipating the next pedestrian my body shivers with excitement. The excitement steams from this passion I have for the Olympics. I like watching the events and ceremonies on TV, following along with the medal count, learning interesting facts about the host city, and imagining what it would be like if I were one of those professional athletes.

This particular morning if felt as if I were apart of a movie set with the largest organized cast getting into positions. I am still on route to my final destination driving along the final stretch of road before I make one last turn off and scope out a parking space. I peer down many of the side streets along 2nd Ave running parallel to the athletes village and already many blue jacketed personal are manning their posts. My blue count doubles with each block I pass. I have passed blue jackets on foot, on wheels, ascending and descending stairs, and disappearing into waiting tents.

Flashmob Update

The official flashmob for haiti video footage has undergone quite the editing and rendering process and is now available for the public viewing.

Please check out this link and have as many of your friends and maybe not so friends help us increase the viewing count. This will be the video we are challenging big companies to match a dollar amount with the number of viewing hits it receives.

After you have check out the official Youtube and you are just dying to hear that song agai keep reading and clicking links because we are feature in some random persons blog. Yup, that's me leading the line. So glad you found this Tiffany and shared it on facebook.

Flashmob

Flashmob A flash mob (or flashmob) is a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual action for a brief time, then quickly disperse. And that is exactly what we did! We planed, practiced, practiced, and practiced again before we scouted out the area, plugged in the sound system, performed, and dispersed.

I have been watching flashmobs on Youtube for about a year now. Usually, when we gather as a group of friends someone is sure to volunteer the latest improve, or flashmob that they have recently viewed and of course we all huddle around the computer and are easily entertained for the duration of the 3-5 minute song. Some of my favorites over the year include: Oprah's Black Eyed Peas, Food Court Musical,Sound of Music, and Grocery Store Musical.

Peace Portal Youth organized, choreographed, and orchestrated a Flashmob event for anyone from any age from the church plus their friends to participate in. Of course I wasn't going to miss out on this one. We practice two Fridays and one Saturday beforehand to make sure that we looked somewhat polished. It was a blast having all sorts of people young and old coming together for for one fun event.

January 23, 2010 Metrotown Grand Court 150 participants one sound system hidden in a shopping cart a great time had by all

Can you spot us? I am in a turquoise top with a black scarf dancing away on the green circle. Megan is plugging her nose doing the underwater dance. Sheldon is wearing a black and white striped shirt. The sound system is hidden in the that blue toys R' us shopping cart. The red scarfs symbol Hope for Haiti with the hopes that big cooperations will donate. We are in the works of asking big companies to match the dollar value with the number of views our flashmob video receives on Youtube. I will post the link as soon as all the footage has been compiled. Stay tuned.

The spectators, some of whom may or maynot of been let in on the location to take pictures and support their friends and family. Thanks Mom & Janna for taking pictures. ;)

Left Right Reversal

So it is harder than you think. I wore my watch on my right hand for the entire day and glanced at it several times only to find it missing. A quick glance around the room to see if anyone notices as I switch my gaze to my left wrist and check the time.

Brushing your teeth with your opposite hands doesn't feel like it is accomplishing anything. I had to switch hands and do a once over just to make sure those pearly whites got what they deserved.

Passing the Challenge on

Left Right Reversal-step away from the normal and start a new normal

There you have it the challenge that was passed on to our Young Adult community is now being passed on to you. What you do with your left now do with your right, what you do with your right now do with your left. Reverse your habits. Awaken your senses. Re-train your brain. Be aware and conscious of your efforts.

Wear your watch on your right wrist, step off the curb with your left foot, brush your teeth with your other hand, sleep on the other side of your bed, you could even go as far as writing with your other hand but that might be pushing it. I will update you later in the week to let you in on my left right reversal efforts. Meanwhile whose up for the challenge? Let me know how it goes.

"and then it Happened"

I love being inspired. Today I was inspired to become an author, to use the power of words and tell a story, to want children to pick up a book because it is captivating, and to pick up a book myself and indulge in some reading. And that is just what I did. No not become an author, or write any story using powerful words, although I am writing this, and I didn't influence any children to pick up a book to read. So that leaves only one option after that long rambling rant... I bought a new series of books, with in total from "and then it Happened" by M & L Wade. You see Michael Wade visited my school today and left an impact. He told funny stories some from his childhood days of playing pranks and some from his upcoming books. For those moments we, the audience filled with grade 4 and 5 students and teachers, smiled, chuckled, giggled, and laughed.

We learned the lesson about the power of words and how changing a single worn in a written text can change the entire tone of the sentence.

"My dog Cooper likes to tear the stuffing out from his chew toys. When the doorbell rings my dog barks non stop until the door is opened. He greets the visitor by wiggling his bum and tail and by whimpering. He likes to lick the dew drops from the blades of grass on his early morning walks. My dog usually relieves himself in our front or back yard by peeing against a tree."

Now replace the word dog with dad and the entire grade 4 and 5 population will be engaged from beginning to end roaring with laughter. Yes, we can all write stories will a bit of humor in them.

"My dad Cooper likes to tear the stuffing out from his chew toys. When the doorbell rings my dad barks non stop until the door is opened. He greets the visitor by wiggling his bum and tail and by whimpering. He likes to lick the dew drops from the blades of grass on his early morning walks. My dad usually relieves himself in our front or back yard by peeing against a tree."

So here I am on a Friday afternoon, the school bell has long ago rung, in fact the clock hands have already traveled one full lap around since it rung and I haven't even dug in to the piles of papers on my desk. Many of the other teachers have already packed up their things and begun their journey home to their waiting families. Here I sit at my desk inspired to become an author and dreaming of my first successful novel.

What I will remember:

*Book number 7 is purposely printed with its cover upside down. It is too fool those teachers and parents who like to accuse children that they are not reading when they truly are. I confess I am one of those guilty teachers who have caught a student or two with their book upside down.

*Any average person can write

*25% of all books use basic words learned in grade 1. For example it, and, all, be, the, on, our, to, he, she, for, to, is, in, my...

*You exercise to get stronger. You read to get smarter.

I snap out of my daydream state, the the clock has almost completed its second lap and l I still have piles of papers on my desk. Daylight is turning into dusk, the last footsteps down the hall were heard 20 minutes ago and I still have to prepare my lessons for next week. I think I will begin a new read aloud to my class. After all, I have a set of brand new books and well, I might just be as interested in them as they are.

Check the series out at "And then it Happened"

I am just saying...

I could create art everyday if time and money would allow.

2010

Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. ~Hal Borland

yummy pictures

you make my life feel like a

pretty paper pinata

of course hand crafted by yours truly

embellished

and filled with

the most delicious

mouth watery chocolates

so heres to a new leaf

many plans for twenty-ten