Olympic Torch in Canada

Catriona Le-May Doan and Simon Whitfield, first torchbearers for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics

Image: from The Toronto Star, Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press

I was watching the news last night and saw coverage of the Olympic Flame arriving in Canada. There was a big ceremony in Victoria and I loved listening to the comments from the people they interviewed. One person said it was the first Olympic related event they had attended and they were now starting to feel the excitement. How I wish I was there! This is the kickoff to the whole Vancouver Olympics. I am so envious of the people in BC. I wish I could be there to see and feel everything being built and prepared for the Olympics. What a special time this is for all Canadians and especially those in Vancouver. I know there must have been some inconveniences and there will probably be more to come, but it must be so exciting. Vancouver and Whistler is in the news all over the world!
It's like I can't get enough of the Olympics. Its pretty obvious to me that this will probably be the only one that I attend, so I am going to make the most of it and take in everything that I can. I will follow the journey of the torch across Canada. I will also do my very best to be in attendance when it passes through Toronto in December. Those lucky torch bearers, enjoy the experience. I can only imagine what it must be like!
Come on Canada! Are you catching Olympic Fever yet?

Memories of a Year Ago

It was around this time last year that I got serious about going to the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and started to build my ticket request. Many nights were spent going over the schedule, ticket prices, events and dates. When I was finally happy with the schedule, it was submitted and then I sat and waited to hear the outcome. Had I known what the future would hold, I may have decided against the trip. About a month after submitting that ticket request, I was laid off from my job. Not knowing when I would be working again, the Olympics were the last thing on my mind. Days were spent job hunting with little or no results and all I did was worry how I was going to pay bills. In December, a few weeks after losing my job, we got the results of my ticket request. Two events, out of all that planning, is what we were awarded. At the time, I wasn’t even sure if I would ever get to the Olympics. Selling those tickets and calling off the trip was looking like a strong possibility.

Fast forward to April of this year and it was Day 1 of my new job. I was so happy to be working again, and more important, I was happy to have landed a good job. In May when I got notice of Phase 2 tickets going on sale, I knew that this trip was going to go forward. As I said in a previous post, I was going to make sure we got enough tickets to justify going to Vancouver. That phase of tickets was very successful for us and I was able to move forward with planning our trip. I’m very lucky and fortunate to be able to experience this. I really feel as though I am a part of a very special group of people. It’s truly a once in a lifetime experience.

If I didn’t get a job when I did, none of this would be happening. When I look back on the last year, so much has happened and I wouldn’t change any of it. These last few months have been so much fun for me. I think I appreciate this experience more because I did lose my job and thought that this would never be possible. It goes to show you that dreams can come true and I am living one of mine.

Christina Wallaert

Olympic Torch Relay

I've been hearing a lot this week about the Olympic Torch Relay as celebrity participants are announced. Back in June my mom told me about a website where you could enter your name to be a torch bearer. Being the Olympic fan that I am, of course I entered the contest. Unfortunately I wasn't one of the random winners chosen to participate in this exciting event. I assume someone must have told them of my inability to run. For all the people that did win, congratulations. Have fun. What a great event to be able to participate in. I guess for this part of the Olympics I will have to stand on the side lines and cheer on those who won. No problem. I'll get lots of pictures for my blogs.
If you want to know who the winners are and who will be carrying the torch in your area, go to Carry The Torch and search by name, day or map. I've marked December 18th and 19th on my calendar. That is when the torch will be passing through Brampton and Toronto.
For the full route and other information about the Olympic Torch Relay you can get information on the Vancouver 2010 website and check out their interactive map.
Bundle up and join me on the route to cheer on the Olympic torch. See you out there.