My current Obsession...

There is just something about Justin Nozuka's voice that puts me in the most refreshing state of mind. The one and only Leigh Kitlar took me to his concert here in Toronto a little while back at the Mod Club and he is even more hypnotizing in person. Right now his music is my obsession and GOLDEN TRAIN continues to be on replay on my ipod...

But tomorrow if a golden train came to take you away,
Would you go or would you stay

RIGHT TO PLAY @ Lawrence Park

This past year as an Athlete Ambassador for Right to Play I have had the opportunity to learn so much about this incredible humanitarian organization. I always thought I knew what Right to Play did, but I quickly realized it was so much more than I thought. After working with the incredible Team here in Toronto I'm still in awe.

Right to Play is currently reaching over 680,000 children each and every week through sport and play programs across Africa, Asia, The Middle East and South America. By using games and sport as tools for education, peace and conflict resolution, community development and disease prevention, Right to Play is making a huge difference in the lives of children worldwide.

Children who are marginalized based on gender, ethnicity, social background and religion. Children who live in some of the most disadvantaged areas in the world, heavily affected by war, disease and poverty. Children who feel guilty about having fun.

Right to Play gives them back their childhood. Our international volunteers coach and train local leaders and role models to run sport and play activities that can be sustained within the community. Using sport to make it a healthier and safer world for the next generation.

This morning I went to my first school visit on behalf of Right to Play in North York, right around where I grew up. It was a blast. The student athlete board is organizing a whole week of fundraising activities for Right to Play and we kicked it off with our assembly. Running some of the games that we use in the field with hundreds of high school students was the best part. At first they didn't seem too impressed that they had to participate, but by the end of it EVERY single person was smiling. It's incredible to see how the simplest games and activities can teach so much. Ranging from teamwork, multi-tasking to disease prevention and even creating an open, comfortable space to tackle serious issues in communities.

Text PLAY to 45678 to donate $5 to RIGHT TO PLAY Now

Haiti

I was running late for work today and flung myself on to the nearest seat I could find on the Northbound train. Vacant for only a few seconds, the seat beside me had today's Metro newspaper crumpled up on it. I don't usually grab it because I use my precious time on the subway to close my eyes and fall semi-asleep, but the front page caught my attention. The crisis in Haiti heightened with the terror and horror of a devastating after shock. My stomach dropped and as I slowly read the articles that exposed the dirty underbelly of the political instability, severe lack of medical attention, food and water my throat dried up. I suddenly found myself hit with symptoms reminiscent of claustrophobia. I closed my eyes and felt my head spin and chest tighten. A few deep breaths and the kind smile of the woman sitting across from me eased what could have escalated into a messy situation. I practically ran off the subway to get some fresh air and sat down on the nearest bench. Haiti. The image of the young boy pouring water from a broken pipe line into his mouth was burned into my memory. What was I doing to help? What could I do to help? I donated money to the Red Cross earlier this week, but that doesn't seem like enough at all. So I urge you all to help in whatever way you can, whether it's your money or your time, if everyone comes together we can do our part to give the people of Haiti a fighting chance to survive.

I was forwarded the message below this morning. It only takes two minutes of your time to sign the petition...

"The work ahead to recover from this tragedy is immense. So here's our goal: $1 billion for Haiti. That's how much Haiti owes to the International Monetary Fund, the Inter-American Development Bank, and a handful of others.

Sign the petition below to ask Haiti's creditors to act quickly and cancel Haiti's debts:

http://one.org/international/actnow/haiti/index.html?rc=haiticonfemail

As Haiti begins to rebuild we can help by lifting this debt."

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Haiti right now.

The Big 2-3

I woke up this morning with the biggest smile on my face. I'm not usually a huge birthday person and don't really care too much for the whole big she-bang, but I actually may have had a change of heart. What triggered this excitedness? I really couldn't tell you. All I know is that I was actually genuinely looking forward to being 23. Last year I had blown out my knee and was a miserable, grumpy birthday girl on crutches. I pretty much would've completely missed celebrating my 22nd year on this earth if it wasn't for my very good girl friends making sure that even though I was in a completely b@$%*y mood I still had to do something. When I look back on it, it was probably the most bizarre evening and led to an even more bizarre year. There were some definite highlights and incredible moments, but there were definitely some times where I couldn't wait for the year to be over too. Career-wise it was more than I ever thought it could be, relationship-wise let's just say I learned a lot (or finally got some sense knocked in to me...my friends can all breathe a sigh of relief), family-wise we've never been closer, but friend-wise there were a lot of growing a part realizations. All in all, I was on a constant roller coaster ride not exactly balancing everything the way I have been known to in the past. SO after the new year, along with some very demanding resolutions, I felt like things were different. I was dreading turning 23 a few months ago, but today I couldn't be happier. As I move further away from my young adulthood and into grown up life, I have to just smile. I've come so far in such a short amount of time and am a healthier and better person because of it. So thank you for all the birthday wishes, I know that I can achieve anything with having so much love around me. I will never miss another birthday again :)

2010

Happy New Year Everybody!!! I still can't believe it's 2010...kinda freaks me out a bit....but I was so ready for 2009 to be over. As fast as it flew by the last couple of months have probably been the most stressful of my entire life and just seemed to never end. I can't even believe that I made it through as unscathed as I did. I mean here I am, healthy and happy, surrounded by great family and friends...can't really ask for too much more than that.

A few weeks ago I fell into this pessimistic mindset (somewhere my mom is smiling right now...she is the ultimate optimist) and couldn't get myself out of it. I fully brought it upon myself by taking on way too much than I actually have time for, drinking obscene amounts of coffee that no person should ever drink, sleeping less hours than I have class a day and working as much as I can in a million different areas. Welcome to my crazy life. So this kind of life plus exams, plus travelling for all the really amazing things I get to do as a retired athlete, plus trying to get back in 'athlete' shape....drove me absolutely insane. Ask my poor roommate, she never saw me.

Anyways, moral of the story I needed the holidays to slow everything down a bit and breathe for a change. It was just what I needed. So as I rung in the New Year last night I made a deal with myself. When I feel like life is starting to blur again...slow down...make time for those stupid little things that make you happy...call an old friend (oh that's new years resolutin #2 -> actually pick up my phone/respond to messages)...and learn to relax (without someone telling me to...you all know how much I love that).

Excited to see where this year takes me.

Laugh. Live. Love. 2010

Gymnastics Deja Vu

So weird to have apparatus back in my hands...weird good :)





Remember this life?