People in Your Life

People come into your life for a reason,a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is,you will know what to do for that person...When someone is in your life for a REASON,it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.They have come to assist you through a difficulty,to provide you with guidance and support,To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.They may seem like a godsend and they are.They are there for the reason you need them to be.Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or dosomething to bring the relationship to an end.Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.What we must realize is that our need has been met,our desire fulfilled, their work is done.The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.Some people come into your life for a SEASON,because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.They may teach you something you have never done.They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons,things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.Thank you for being a part of my life,whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

Amazing Woman of the Week - JANE ROOS

Let me tell you a little something about my good friend Jane....

There are probably not enough words in the dictionary to describe her, but I'll do my best. Not only is she larger than life, but one of the most incredible women I have ever been fortunate to come across. She is going to blush when she reads this I'm sure, but I'm doing it anyways (love you Jane).

There are people out there that have an energy that is unlike anything you've ever felt. It's not that she just lights up a room when she walks into it, but she has the uncanny ability to inspire, motivate and fuel the people around her. She's magnetic. An athlete, business woman, wife, mother, artist, humanitarian...the list goes on and on. It's no wonder she's one of the most influential women in sport in this country.

The founder of the Canadian Athletes Now Fund, which has donated millions of dollars to struggling Canadian Athletes, Jane has dedicated her life to giving back and making a difference. She always leaves me in awe and I've said this before, but she makes me realize that the whole world is at the tip of my fingers.

Her overwhelming genorosity speaks volumes to the kind of person she is. Thank you for always sending out so much love, grace and strength into this world.

Adult Wonderland

Flying over the Grand Canyon on my way to Las Vegas last week I remember a sense of calmness that came over me. That would be the last time the word calm would come to my mind over the next few days. I was glued to the window on this tiny plane and couldn't take my eyes off the incredible view. It was a gorgeous day, clear blue skies and I could see the sandy desert and rugged mountain range that cuts across the south. I've traveled the world and haven't seen anything like it in awhile - actually not what I was expecting of Vegas.

When you think Las Vegas what really comes to mind? Let's all be honest - not the beauty of it.

Touching down I could already feel the energy rising on the plane. A group of guys on their way to a bachelor party - attempting to recreate 'The Hangover' I'm almost positive, couples looking for a wild weekend and girls leaving their boyfriends at home....the energy was rowdy and debaucherous and we were still on the plane.


The best way I can describe Vegas to people is an Adult Amusement Park. Anything goes and I mean anything. My shuttle bus driver to the hotel gave a little tour guide for all the newbies and you already knew it was going to be trouble. The amount of people, little rules, tons of distractions (in every kind of way) and entertainment overwhelms you. The strip during the day is still as incredible as it is at night. 6 miles long (wear flats ladies) stores, street performers, fountains, restaurants and loud music fill the streets. I'm pretty sure that no one should ever drive there as pedestrians couldn't care less about street lights, signs...basically anything that's in their way of more drinks and gambling.

I was in town for two days - short but definitely sweet. My trip was a whirlwind of little sleep and the most fun I've had in a long time. You literally feel like you're in another world....in over load. Met incredible people, pretended I was wealthy enough to go into all the designer stores and tried things on (so fun) and didn't wipe the smile off my face.

I'm keeping all the details my dirty little secret

Thank you Nevada and Good Night

Vegas Bound

I'm about to board my flight, but wanted to get this down before I forget that it ever happened because it kinda made my day. Actually, pretty sure it just set up my entire time in Nevada - thank god for that airport currency exchange lady or else waking up so damn early and fighting with my mother on the way to the airport might have ruined my day....

SO I breeze through security and customs down to the States (faster than normal) and get to my gate in one piece - after getting harassed by the creepy airport security guys (fuuunnn). I mean seriously, if you look down my shirt one more time and snicker to your little buddies behind your big, tough shiny table I might lose it.

I digress.

So I had some time to kill and was wandering around people watching, one of my all time favorite activities. When I see this currency exchange booth and I figured that it made sense to get some American dollars if I'm heading down to Vegas. Just being practical.

Here I am, chatting away with the very friendly woman who is probably about my mom's age behind the glass. She asks me if I like big bills or small bills and I say small - always love having cash on me for once (I'm hiding my bank card). She starts counting it out then stops and looks up at me (knowing that I'm going to Vegas) and says with a little smirk on her face - "want some one dollar bills too?"

It took me a second, but I got it. Vegas. One dollar bills. Awesome. So I laughed said well yes I think I may be needing those and she blushed a bit and said she knows what goes on in Nevada!

AMAZING - smiled all the way to the gate

Biting the Bullet

Things have definitely changed since we've all grown up. My parents live in our childhood house, my sister is off with her boyfriend and I've been a downtown single girl for awhile now. Getting ready for the next stage in my life I know I needed to make a big sacrifice and save up as much as I can to buy a place of my own. The first step in that plan was the unthinkable - moving back home.

So here I am - sitting on the same couch where I held hands with a boy for the first time, did my homework and collapsed on after a long day of gymnastics training

It's a little weird, but I'm surviving (acclimatizing I like to call it)

There is one thing that I never noticed before and I realize that I'm going to have to bite the bullet on this one and just keep my mouth shut - or else I'm sure there will be trouble. So I've become aware of my parents (mostly my dad) talking out loud to themselves on a pretty regular basis. It's not just talking to themselves though it's just saying out loud what they are going to do next. They narrate their lives. I mean, do I need to know that you're going to change your pants now because you don't have pockets and you can't put your keys in them when you go and work out, but only after you brush your teeth? Not really.

I love you guys, but it's an over share. I'm going to bite my tongue, but let's see how you like it when I do it :)

xo

Bittersweet

Since I was a little girl my parents always taught my sister and I that when you make a commitment to something you keep it. Your dedication and promise to someone or something meant more than just simple words. That is something that has stuck with me my whole life. When my athletic career began to take off there were times when I didn’t think I was strong enough to do it. Times when I was being pushed to my limits and wanted to be a typical 14 year old and bow out and quit. My parents have been and will always be my biggest fans and supporters. Even though they knew I had the potential to go to the Olympics one day, they would have let me quit if I wanted to. As long as my sister and I were happy, we could do whatever we wanted.

There was just one rule.

If I committed to competing for a season, I was competing for that season. The time, energy and sacrifice of so many people around me to prepare for a competitive year on the international gymnastics scene was huge. Everyone becomes emotionally invested because they are basically a team of people trying to get the absolute best out of you. I remember my coach would have trouble sleeping if I wasn’t training well before a big meet and my club and all the families would fundraise to send me to another world cup I couldn’t pay for. It wouldn’t just affect me if I stopped cold turkey, it would affect everyone around me and was ungrateful.

So even now, how many years later, I still keep that at heart. When I decided I needed to make a big change in my life, I did it and didn’t think too much about it. After two years of living with a great friend I just pretty abruptly got out of my lease. A few months ago it didn’t seem like that big of a deal, but as I began to pack up my things and say goodbye to the all the people and memories that have come and gone I wanted to go back on my word and stay.

There were definitely a few moments where I doubted if I had made the right choice this week. Standing on my balcony last night for the last time with my last roommate was hard. My room an empty shell, our place not ours anymore. It’s funny because I never thought I would get this choked up, but my life was that place. It was easy and comfortable and fun. I lived with my best friend for two years, it’s sad to think we’ll never be able to be that close again. I mean, seeing her struggle to get up and out of bed every morning is probably one of the most amusing things ever…going on last minute unexpected adventures in the city is up there too.

I spent my first night in a new bed, in a new room and it was weird. Something that will take time to get used to for sure. I know deep down that this is what I have to do and moving out on my own is a little scary, but it’s that next step. It’s time to grow up.

“last night in the condo. too blurryto even cry. music was just how i like it. deal with the ghetto. love you more than you know. brazilians what? 4am sweet potatoe fries. much love babe”

Learned My Lesson

I had a very humbling moment last night. I'm not even sure if humbling is the right word to describe it, but it was one of those times where you all of a sudden see yourself and your friends in a different light. A year ago this conversation would not have gone the way it did and that's ok, but it was different yesterday for a reason.

We get so caught up in the past and history and things that once seemed life ending that we forget how much we've grown and how far we've come from that point. I didn't see it until now.

I didn't give my best friend the credit she deserved, I didn't give her the benefit of the doubt that yes maybe she just did want me to be happy. Drama and scandals and gossip have surrounded my young adulthood and I couldn't open my eyes wide enough to see that we're past all that.

I sat across from her with an open heart for the first time in a long time and thought I would lose her. I was stupid to think that she would go anywhere. She's been there for me through everything and believe me I didn't have the typical problems that teenagers go through...but she never ran like so many others before her did.

I wish that I had realized we were grown ups a long time before I knew it, but maybe I wasn't ready to see it then.

Funny how life works sometimes.

As the words fell from my lips I knew that I had done the right thing. The last thing I have ever wanted was to hurt her, but keeping things hidden just makes it worse in the end.

Thank you for being such an amazing person. I don't deserve you in my life. I just wish I had been stronger to come to you earlier...

before i lost it, before i gave up on something,before i hurt him

I love you.