Wimbledon!!

Well, due to the teacher strike in England, I was not likely to work today. I woke up about 5:40am and walked down to Wimbledon Park to join The Queue around 6:30am. It was the perfect time to go, as not many people were there yet.

It was a really quiet queue day, so it was probably a good day for me to have picked. It was the most organized process I have ever experienced. Kudos to the Wimbledon organizers for figuring it out! I got into the grounds no problem, and only paid 16 quid for a grounds pass, instead of 48 quid, which would have gotten me into Court 1 (not even the big action on Centre Court). I first watched Martina Hingis/Lindsay Davenport (former singles stars) up against an unknown (to me) doubles team. It was game, set and match from the start. Those two are phenomenal! Martina's reflexes were unbelievable. They really were a sight to see. I had a COURT SIDE seat for that match. REALLY COOL!

Court Side!!! For Hingis/Davenport doubles match


Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis - tennis legends!!

That match was over in about 40 minutes, so I walked around to check out the rest of the grounds. I heard someone say Rafael Nadal was practising on Court 15, so I raced over, and sure enough, there he was...in all his Spanish gorgeousness! Bless him - he was practising with a junior player. It was really neat to sit and watch him give the junior some pointers - what a practise that must have been for that lad!

Rafa and the luckiest lad in England!

Rafa being whisked away quickly by security - bless him, he was trying to sign as many autographs as possible!

I walked around some more...watching some Centre Court action on Murray's Mount, and collecting my free strawberries and cream snack (courtesy of HSBC).

Murray's Mount

Enjoying my free strawberries and cream!

I watched a few more matches and generally just enjoyed being a part of the action. Before I left, I stopped and watched World No. 2 - Novak Djokovic practising. Very cool as well!

The future talent is looking good!


Novak in fiiiiine form!


Signing autographs after practise

All in all for 16 quid, I'd say I got my monies worth - Nadal, Djokovic, Davenport, Hingis AND strawberries and cream?!

Kendle and Meaghan are coming up tonight, and we are celebrating Canada Day in Trafalgar Square. Happy 144th Canada Day to everyone...I guess I shouldn't fret too much about 25, eh?!

Much love. xo

25 and just another day

Now I sound like my dad! I had a nice chat with him tonight, even after he pointed out my "quarter-century". After I fired back that he was over 2 quarter-centuries, he argued that he was better. Totally something I will be saying in 25 years...probably to Oscar and Jessie...haha.

No matter how old I get, I still need my mama! Unfortunately she wasn't home from work when I called home tonight. Not a proper birthday without your mom being apart of it. I am laughing at the memory of a past birthday...when I was in high school. I remember coming home after working all day, and feeling like the "middle child" because no one, but my mom was home. Although, beig my mom, she still made me feel special and made a birthday cake and sang to me. At the time I probably called her a nerd or something similar, but she made me feel really special and I love her for doing that in all her unique ways. I can just picture her standing in fromt of me (with my middle child face on) and her holding the cake and singing to me.

I do have a lot to be thankful for in my first 25 years of life. More recently completing my academic era and the decision to move my life across the pond. I think I can be proud of everything I've done up until now. My philosophy continues to be that no one knows what tomorrow will bring, so its important to carpe diem.

I just got a message that my mom is home, so I'm cutting this short so I can talk to my mama!

Thanks to everyone for their birthday love today xx

Much love back at ya! Xo

going to bed 24....waking up 25

Now I know a lot of you won't have much sympathy for me, but turning 25 seems like a pretty big milestone for me. I feel like a lot of my friends use their age to direct where they should be in their lives (married, having children, career, etc). I have come to realize that age is simply a number, and you have to just live life. Being 25 and not having money, a full time career, a boyfriend, debts the size of Mount Everest seems to pale in comparison to what I do have: an amazing family that continues to support and love me in all that I do, my sense of independence and adventure I have come to embrace, a loving and caring "family" in England that always ensure I am taken care of, friends that continuously support, surprise and motivate me. I have a very optimistic look on life and view it as a "glass half-full" experience. I love the life I have lived for 25 years, through the challeneges, heartache, loss, joy, triumphs, success and failures. I truly am a lucky lady and I want to say a personal thank you to everyone who has been a part of my life. Obviously a big thank you to my parents for raising me to strive to be my best. No grandkids yet, but I think my maturity level should fill that void for a few more years ;)

Good night all - much love xo

Busy Week

Hello all,

I found out yesterday what my Olympic ticket is for: Athletics (aka Track and Field!). I am very excited, as this was an event I really wanted to see. Its on August 3rd, 2012 for most of the day featuring first rounds of Women's 100m, shotput, hurdles and many more! Should be a really cool experience!!

I've had 5 days of work this week, which has been great and a bit of networking as well. Hoping to save enough through the next 4 weeks to get me through the summer. I've been at 2 all girls schools, one which has been an absolute dream!

My body is pretty much...dare I say...recovered. I still have the biggest and grossest bruise on my hip, but its healing up quite nicely. I am looking for my next physical challenge to work towards. I'd like to do the Cardiff half-marathon in September, or something similar. I think I need a break, psychologically, from my mountain bike.

I am thinking I will go take my free trip to Ireland on the weekend of July 22nd. School is finished that day for the summer and its just before my parents come over at the end of July.

Less than a week now until I am a quarter century old!! Crazy...was hoping to take my Ireland trip this weekend, for a birthday present to me, but don't think I should take this weekend off work as I just had last weekend off. Next Friday is Canada Day, so the Cambridge Girls are coming down to London and we are heading to Trafalgar Square to celebrate with thousands of other Canadians. They are going to have Timmie's, Blue Rodeo, road hockey, Molson and a ton of other truly Canadian things!! Looking forward to it!

Time for bed, much love! Xo

Mayhem!

Well...I'm not really sure I can summarize my experience of Mountain Mayhem, but I'll give it a shot!

I fully expected this experience to be completely physical and mental. What I did not expect, was the amount of emotions and high degree of difficulty involved. After my first lap, I was already emotionally and physically exhausted. The course was just over 10 miles long...up mountains (REALLY!), down singletracks, through mud, stones, rocks - basically every kind of terrain that I did NOT train on. It was extremely technical. As in, one imbalance on your bike, or wrong turn and off you went. I personally lost count of how many times I came off my bike. I came to know the areas that were most difficult for me (technically and psychologically) and just sensibly walked my bike down (or up) to avoid serious injury.

Eastnor Castle Deer Park - STUNNING


Getting My Bike Number Fitted


Last minute bike tune up

After my second lap, and many, many falls, I was completely lost it. I cried twice during that lap. I'm not sure exactly what it was, perhaps the realization that I was in WAY over my head with this course, or that I was stunned at how physically and mentally exhausted I was early on. It was extremely frustrating. (Mom, don't read this next part)...during my 2nd lap, I stopped off to see a race medic as I had fallen and hit my head on a rock earlier, and wanted to ensure I was ok. It was at that point, I lost it...just completely crying like a baby. I was fine, and well looked after - took a 30 minute breather and then they let me back on the course. I had about an hour or two to stop and collect myself when I got in after the 2nd lap. My competitive nature and emotions were arguing over whether or not to get another lap in before it got dark (I made the decision I would NOT cycle the course in the dark, as I knew it would be extremely dangerous for me, and I did not feel comfortable doing it). I ended up going out and had the best lap of my race! I didn't fall ONCE and just enjoyed the entire course that time. As I was coming around completely my lap, I heard "GO EMILY GO!"...now there were a lot of people there and I was getting pretty weary at this point, but I was kind of thinking that sounded like Catherine (who sadly couldn't end up going because Oscar had chicken pox). Anyway, so I kept on going and completed my lap. Sure enough, as I passed the line, Catherine, Gareth, Oscar and Jessie were all smiles cheering me on! It was one of the coolest moments I have shared with them. I was completely exhausted in every way, but was so overjoyed to see them and SO completely thankful for them making the 2 hour trip!! If it hadn't been night, I probably could have managed a few more laps after seeing them, it really uplifted my spirits.

St Greg's Crew - Duncan, Nick, Dave, Me, Kate & Nick

I got about 4 hours "sleep" that night...and got up about 4am to get my bike and things sorted to head out at 5 am. It was nice and quiet on the course, but I had another bad fall, and decided I had better call it quits while I was still able to walk. All of my falls landed on the same hip...so currently I have a basketball sized, black, blue, purple, pink bruise on my hip. It is repulsive, but I am strangely proud of it, and have been showing whoever will look! I went through a lot to get that bruise! I was finished about 9am...even though the 24 hours was up at noon. I was able to get some ice on my hip and get some of the swelling down, and cheer on the rest of the St Greg's team when they came in.

Lots of characters at the event

All in all, it was a great event. I learned a lot about my capabilities as an athlete. Initially, I thought I would never do it again. I have come to my senses today and realized I probably will attempt something similar in the future.

Thank you to everyone for their support. Especially Catherine and Gareth - its always hard not having my family close by, especially at sporting events. My parents have ALWAYS gone above and beyond for me and supported me in everything I've done - like drive over 3 hours - one way - to watch a 1 hour ringette game. It was hard not having them there, but I knew they were proud of me. Having Catherine and family come out and support me meant a lot.

So that was my Mountain Mayhem experience...in a very small nutshell.

Enjoy these pictures...


Much love xo.

Pre-Mayhem

Right, so the culmination of 6 months worth of training is finally here! We are now on the eve of my 24 hour mental and physical adventure. Arguably the biggest yet, of my life. I am eagerly anticipating what I'm really made of, considering its meant to rain all weekend. I am just waiting to meet up with the rest of the crew before we leave Oxford for Herefordshire, specifically Eastnor Castle.

I made this adventure a little more personal for myself as well. I decided to use this opportunity to raise money in support of the Canadian Spinal Research Organisation. An organisation my friend Jason (who most of you know, suffered a C3 spinal cord injury in 2003 and is now a quadriplegic). He has been more than an inspiration to myself and our whole community. He is an ambassador for CSRO and in 2003, our high school girls hockey team named the Crone Cup game in honour and support of him. The game will celebrate its 10th annual next March. I was able to raise over $500 with the support of friends and family.

Off I go....can't wait to share the experience with you all! I'm sure ill win....I saw the babbas today, and Catherine made me homemade granola bars to take :)

Much love xo

Happy 30th Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Hello all...

A few things to talk about today - first of, will start with the most important: my parent's 30th Anniversary is today! June 13th, 1981 was the day my dad told me this morning "feels like yesterday". An amazing milestone, and a great example of love from my parents. Thank you and congratulations!

I'm not working today, so starting to think of plan B if this next month doesn't provide me with a lot of work. I will definitely have to move by mid-July and find some sort of other job to get me through the summer months. I know I am staying for another year - there is no question there. Just need to figure out how to sort myself out until the pay rolls in in September.

Although on days I don't work, I feel pretty hopeless...there is always something in the day to make it worthwhile, and today is no different. I am continuing my reign over the world of contests! On the weekend I won the concert tickets, previously I won a Lonely Planet guidebook of Great Britain, and TODAY I won....a 3-day trip of Northern Ireland! Pretty awesome. It is true; you gotta be in it to win it!

So the concert was a pretty cool experience!! It's not something that I would necessarily seek out to purchase tickets for, but I did enjoy it. Kerry Ellis has teamed up with Queen guitarist, Brian May to form The Anthems (she was the lead in We Will Rock You..on Broadway?). Anyway, I have NEVER heard anyone with a pair of lungs on them like her...she really belted out the tunes! Brian May was just ridiculous on the guitar....so mesmerizing.

Brian May doing an acoustic version of a Freddie Mercury song

I got to tour around the Palace before the concert too - it was REALLY neat. Felt very much apart of the Tudor life as I was walking around.

You had to get there early for the good seats...

Out in the Palace Gardens

Olympic Ticket!

Hello all...

Well today was an interesting day...I won a pair of tickets to a music festival at Hampton Court Palace (Kingston-upon-Thames) today from the magazine that has weekly contests (one of which I have previously won!). I am going tomorrow night after work to see Kerry Ellis and a dude from Queen! Should be an entertaining night! The tickets for tomorrow night are regularly 60 quid!

I was also checking out my online bank statement...and noticed a transaction for 26.00 GBP that I did not recognize. I googled the origin and turns out it was for....LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC TICKETS!!!!!! WOOOO! Well...just ticket! The money came out on the 31st of May...but I won't find out until later this month which event the ticket is for. I applied for; opening ceremonies, diving, beach volleyball and athletics (track and field). Definitely a cool feeling, as I haven't heard of anyone who has gotten any yet!

I am working about 10 hours at the bike shop this weekend, will be good to have a few hours - enough to keep me out of trouble.

Hard to believe I was in Canada just a week ago! This week has FLOWN by.

Next weekend is the bike race...eeek! Coming up quicker than I imagined....

Much love xo

Back in Londontown

Hello...

Well I never considered my trip back to Canada a holiday...but you do think that a week off work will be SOME what relaxing. Anyway, good thing because, as expected, it was a busy and chaotic week of getting in visits. I was glad to see all the people I did, although it made each visit short...but very sweet!!

I flew in just about an hour late (which is pretty good for Air Transat). My sister was waiting for me at the airport, in her own "special" way!

My sister with a sign...just incase I forgot what she looked like!

We then took the bus into the city and met my friends (who drove 2.5 hours just for dinner) from London, Ontario and later on 2 more friends, who live in Toronto, came for a drink as well. It was really great to see them. I felt so special that they would make the trip. Made me miss living at home and seeing them on a regular basis...but it just makes the visit that much sweeter.

Chillin with my sister and some university friends: Becky, Lisa, Duane & Nathan

Monday, I woke up about 5:30am (Toronto time) and spent the day with my sister. We had a very fun day and got a lot of things accomplished! First, we had a cute little breakfast - and her boyfriend even cleaned up after us...talk about well trained! It was nice to see their new place and spend a bit of quality time with them.

A nice welcome home sign at my sister's place!

We took the subway (which seems SUPER ghetto and small compared to the tube) to downtown Toronto to meet my aunt for lunch. She had a busy schedule but was able to find some time for lunch with, it was was great to see her and have a brief visit! She gave us a tour of her office too...over looking the water, very nice! Straight after that, Joel had arranged a VIP Steam Whistle Brewery tour for Katharine and I. We felt very taken care of! It was a tour most Canadians have done (or should do!), so it was something I wanted to do while I was home.

My first brew...fresh off the line!

After the tour, we just walked around Toronto...did a bit of shopping in Kensington Market...ran into a store where a friend of mine was working, and got me to the bus station in time to get my 2 hour bus to St Catharines.

My grandma and Ross were waiting for me at the bus terminal in Welland and took me to my aunt Audrey's for a visit with most of my aunts and cousins. It was nice to see them all - but VERY brief! We had a nice catch up, and although I had just seen them in January, it was very good to see them all again. Very weird though...as it was the first time I was back with my family since my Granny had passed away. I had a talk with my grandma about it...she said it almost felt like Granny was just away and she would be back soon.

I spent Monday night at my grandma and Ross's house. I pretty much went to bed when we got back...it had been a VERY busy and long day. On Tuesday we met Ross and his daughter, Karen for coffee at none other than TIM HORTONS!!! Ross bought me my first Tim's coffee in over 4 months. Even though I didn't have any sugar in it, it was soooo SWEET! It was nice to catch up with Karen too...I have spent a few summers with her and her family at their cottage. They got some new water toys too that I am dying to try out - sea doos!

My grandma, Ross and I then took my Great Aunt Pearl out for lunch. It was a nice visit with her too. I found out she is 89 - would not put her a day past 75. She looks amazing.

My grandma and I then started the almost 4 hour trek back up north to Owen Sound. She let me drive her car the WHOLE way...first time I had driven in 10 months...but no speeding tickets and NO driving on the wrong side of the road - extremely successful trip.

We stopped about 30 minutes from Owen Sound at my cousin Becky's house. She has a busy household, but it was good to see her and all the kids! I hadn't met my cousin Wyatt yet - he is a cutie. I had some time to play with the little girls too - missed them lots. Spent a lot of time at their house when I was living at home.

Playing with Emma & Julia in their cardboard fort...and finally meeting little Wyatt!!

FINALLY got back to Owen Sound. Was nice to see my mama and dad. I went in to my little brother's house later that night to see him as well. I was home! I got spend a few extra days with my Grandma too!! I felt very special that I saw her for most of the week!

little Grandma and big Philly!

I had a lot of busy days and nights seeing as many people as I could. As nice as it was to see everyone...I may have to keep my next visit on the DL. It's exhausting and very limiting to get anything done when I am on such a schedule. I left in such a hurry when I came to England in September, so it was good to find some time to go through my clothes and belongings taking up a lot of space in my parent's basement. I did manage it fill a garbage bag of clothes to get rid of.

On my last night in town, my cousin Monica took Phil and I for our first ever corvette rides!

My sister and Joel made an amazing meal on Saturday night. I didn't fly out until midnight, so we had a nice (non-rushed) family dinner to celebrate my mom and dad's 30th anniversary. Good to sit down and visit as a family.

All the tv's at the airport were playing the Vancouver/Boston game...so the 3 hours went by VERY quickly! I even had the row of 3 seats to myself on the plane...it was a good trip back!

Not much work this week - kind of expected after half-term...but I'm working tomorrow at an all girls school.

Mountain Mayhem is just 9 days away!! Hardly seems possible....what did I get myself into!!?

Much love xo