2010 Olympic torchbearer

I am so excited!!!!!! In 6 weeks, 6 days I will carry the Olympic torch for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games!!!!!! It's only a 300 meters leg but it's still the Olympic torch!!!!!! And as a torchbearer (or torchbarrier as my birthday cake said) I had the opportunity to purchase the torch I will be carrying. It's quite expensive, and of course they offer a torch stand to go with it, but we figure it's a once in a lifetime opportunity so why not! So today I bit the bullet and put the 2 items on my VISA. The stand will be sent to me in 3-8 business days, and the torch I get the day of the relay after I've walked my leg.

The torch takes its inspiration from the cool, crisp and modern lines that are left behind in the snow and ice from winter sports. The maple leaf on the back of the torch has an important functional role as an air intake hole to ensure the Olympic Flame burns brightly. The 2010 Winter Games Motto With Glowing Hearts/Des plus brillants exploits is engraved opposite where the flame will burn.
Height: 94.5 centimetres/37.125 inches
Weight: 1.6 kilograms/3.52 pounds


Inspired by the lines and curves of the Vancouver 2010 graphic identity, the torch stand both complements and showcases the torch. Made of stainless steel, it is a solid and durable pedestal that allows for unobstructed views of the torch.
Dimensions: 7" tall x 10.5" long x 8" wide.

The finished product

Now I await the details on what time and where in St. John's I do my leg of the relay, as well as the arrival of my outfit. I've been working out quite a bit to make sure I look very sleek and slender in my outfit as opposed to a bit marshmellow. as I know I'll have to wear layers of clothing underneath.

Are you sitting down?

March 24, 1940 - August 1, 2009

This is what Danna had always told me she'd start our phone conversation with when my mom passed away. And the morning of Sunday, August 2, 2009 I heard those words. Danna called to let me know that on Saturday, August 1, 2009 my mom passed away in hospital. We immediately flew to Toronto to be with my family. My family had prepared ourselves as best we could because she was very sick for quite some time. However, when faced with the reality of it it was quite difficult. My mother didn't want a funeral nor memorial service and so we honoured that, but it made saying goodbye and having some closure very difficult. So the funeral home that was taking care of the arrangements she herself had made allowed us some time to see her body before she was cremated. It was an emotional and difficult thing to do, but I'm glad I did. It allowed me to say some things that were on my mind that I hadn't been able to tell her while alive, and gave me the chance to see she was gone and say goodbye. As much as my mom and I didn't see eye-to-eye (and it was often) I miss her alot. As hard as it was to get along with her, I loved my mother and always will. Death is so final and yet so abstract. Coming to terms with the fact that I will never talk to her again, that I will never see her again, and that she will miss many events in not only my life but in my siblings' lives, is extremely hard. However, I do have some peace in knowing she is no longer suffering or in pain. R.I.P mom, I love you.

2003

Thar she blows

Today we went on a whale boat tour with O'Brien's Whale and Bird Tours. We were quite excited to see Puffins and humpback whales. The Atlantic Puffin is the official bird of Newfoundland and Labrador. Atlantic Puffins are pigeon sized seabirds with a characteristic orange beak, that nest in colonies on small, rugged islands. It was at one of these small islands, Gull Island, that we saw thousands of these birds. It was quite the sight to see; tons of black and white birds with bright beaks sitting along the edge of the island. They were often in groups. They were also flying around in the sky and it was like when you see bats flying out of a cave on tv, there were that many. There were also seagulls and muirs (sp? could also be merr, murre or mur). Muirs look like minature penguins in colour and posture. They were so cute.

The boat

On the boat

Puffins hanging out on side of island. The holes in the island are their little homes with 2 compartments - 1 where they lay the eggs and 1 where they go to the washrooom.

Close-up of Puffins

Tons and tons of Muirs on the side of the island. The Muir seem to stay on the rocky part and the Puffin stays on the grassy part.

Close-up of Muirs (with 1 taking flight)

Birds flying around the island

After slowly coasting by Gull Island we went out into the water some more to look for humpback whales. Luckily we spotted 2, although we only kept up with 1. For the longest time all I (Bambie) could see was the water being sprayed from the blowhole, and then finally I saw the back and tail. WOW! It was beautiful. A couple times the whale would dive and we'd sit around for what seemed like eternity (probably 6 minutes) waiting for it to resurface. I never saw the head, and it didn't jump, but many times as we'd see the water spray from the blowhole we'd also see the back and top fin and beginnings of the tail. At one point the whale was quite close to our boat and right in front of us, and gave us a beautiful, close look at it's huge tail as it did 1 final dive before we left. Unfortunately I didn't get the full tail in it's glory, but I will post a picture of what it looked like. It was exhilarating to be that close to a whale. While I was hoping we'd see a pod, I would definately go whale watching again. The whole trip was breathtaking.

Back fin of whale. You can see the mist from the blowhole to the right of the picture.

Whale diving and tail just coming out of the water.

This is what the sequence looked like (not a picture I took).

Just as an aside, I brought Gravol incase 1 of us got seasick and it turns out it was a good thing I brought it too. Not for us as we were fine, but a man on the boat was seasick and I gave him a couple tablets. Why didn't more people think to bring Gravol though? *shrug* Oh well!

I got a new job!!!!!

Yep, without looking I got a waaaaay better job than I currently have. Chris was looking at jobs and saw one looking for a Clinical Research Assistant so I applied on a whim. 12 hours later I got a call for an interview. I had the interview that morning and received the offer of employment that afternoon. As a Clinical Research Assistant I will be doing data entry of the findings from drug studies (patients stats, side effects, etc...), filing, and regulatory duties (acting as a liason between our company, the sponsors which I am assuming are the pharmaceutical companies, and the ethics board). I actually am the only one given the regulatory duties as the VP was doing them and no longer wants to as she has other things she needs to concentrate on. Yep, that's right, I'm doing 1 of the jobs of the VP! So I will be making more money (score!), getting full benefits (score!), and this will look awesome on my resume and could lead to some great opportunities (score!). As well, the company is expanding and the VP told me the possibilities are endless for someone with my science background (she's already talking about me completely running Phase 1 trials). Only downside is it's in Newfoundland and we don't plan on being here forever. But at least it's a step in the right direction and closer to my education and what I'd like to do in the future than what I currently am doing.
I will still be working at the doctors' office 1-2 evenings per week - it's only 3 hours per evening clinic and since it's within walking distance of our home I'd be silly not to do it. It's extra money in our pocket.

Happy Anniversary to us!!!

June 10, 2009 marked our 3 year wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's been 3 years already. For our celebration we're going to see Cirque de Soleil but they're not in St. John's yet so we can't go until June 28. However, on the day of our anniversary we had a nice (meaning expensive) dinner at The Keg. It was delicious!!!

We've come to the realization that every anniversary has been spent in a different city; year 1 was in Paris, year 2 was in Toronto, and now year 3 in St. John's. We're hoping to spend our 4th anniversary in London, England.

So to commemorate the occassion I thought I'd post our wedding vows, a wedding photo, and a photo from this anniversary. Our vows still say perfectly how I feel about Chris.

I love you! You are my best friend, my love, and my future. I pledge to be true and loyal to you, to support your dreams, and offer you courage through all your endeavors. I promise all my heart's devotion and a hand to hold in yours through each tomorrow. You are my hope, my strength and my inspiration, and I promise to be yours. From this day forward, you shall never walk alone. My heart will be your shelter, and my arms will be your home.

Toronto trip

I finally was able to go back to Toronto to visit my family and friends from May 30-June 7/09. That meant that I got to celebrate my birthday with them, which was an added bonus. That also meant I got to go to my favourite restaurant for my birthday, which is a long-standing tradition. The trip was great, it was awesome to see everyone again. With my friends it was like I never left, it was great! I sure missed joking around with them. I loved spending time with my family, and seeing how much my niece (Maya) and nephews (Zachary and Oliver) had grown. Maya is turning into a beautiful girl who loves ballet (she kept asking me to make movies of it), Oliver is huge compared to when I last saw him (he's now almost 1 years old), and Zachary talks up a storm. I missed talking with everyone, and just enjoying their company. As if spending oodles and oodles of time with my friends and family wasn't enough, Soula's baby decided to enter the world 2 weeks early so I could meet him! He is such a sweetie, and so very adorable!! Thanks Milan for arriving early so Auntie Bambie could meet you when you were 2 days old. I also got to meet Milan's 6 week old cousin, Maria. That family definitely has good genes because both babies are soooo cute!! My trip was definitely the boost I needed to keep me going. Hopefully it's not long before I go back, and hopefully then it's for good!
Birthday dinner with the best friends ever!


When did they get so big? (Zachary, Oliver, and Maya)


Zachary very proud of himself for wearing Aunt Bambie's shoes


Family photo (missing a few key members)


Me holding Milan at 2 days old - I think a baby looks good on me.

Same cause, different city

On May 24 we will be participating in the MS Walk. It's our 2nd year participating, and we intend on participating every year until there is no longer a need. This is a cause that's close to our hearts because Chris' mom suffers from MS. Your generous donations can help find a cure! To donate online simply go to one (or both) of our websites:

Chris: https://msofs.mssociety.ca/2009walk/Sponsor.aspx?PID=1064094&L=2
Bambie: https://msofs.mssociety.ca/2009walk/Sponsor.aspx?PID=1064626&L=2

Thank you for your support!