tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27630203237881878752024-03-05T04:31:54.120-08:00Veronika's StudentsLive BlogWhat started out as a project for the Olympic and Paralympic Games ended as a personal blog about my life and my experiences. Read up.Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-44859347977068648022010-11-15T17:28:00.000-08:002012-08-23T00:08:04.125-07:00UpdateWhile I am not shutting this blog down, I will also no longer be updating it. It will stay as it currently is. You can find my new blog at: <a href="http://thoughtsideasandsparklythings.blogspot.com/">http://thoughtsideasandsparklythings.blogspot.com/</a>Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-49620595274220739702010-03-23T10:28:00.000-07:002010-03-23T11:09:54.118-07:00All Good Things Must Come to an EndWell, I can hardly believe it, but it's over. The Paralympic Closing Ceremony (which was amazing, by the way) has taken place. The StudentsLive experience, awesome as it has been, is also almost over. :( I prefer not to think about it too much, because it is too depressing. Then again, there's always London 2012. A couple of us had the idea to fundraise for money to go to the Summer Olympic Games in London in two years. And I am determined to make it happen!<br /><br />The fact that ordinary (and somewhat boring at times) life is about to take over is slightly depressing. But, of course, I don't have to wait for another Olympic Games to keep up the blog. After all, exciting things happen every day-you just have to know where to look. So... I AM GOING TO KEEP UP THIS BLOG EVEN AFTER THE GAMES ARE OVER. The challenge is finding the time to write and finding things to write about. But you (the people who read this blog, few as you may be) can encourage me to do so. However, given that I have been writing since I could hold a pen, that shouldn't be a problem. Grosso modo: This doesn't have to end if I don't want it to.<br /><br />However, I want to summarize these Games. Of course, all the words in the English language wouldn't be enough to properly describe the experience, but I'm going to attempt it by creating a sort of virtual photo album. So, without further ado...<br /><br />The Students Live Experience:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6aeDu37FXBdUT6dzLSIwDLkHAl1R5VfyLPwriQyAQ-Gmmcj2qEIDXzxCp5bznuOKKINV0TGxd9DKeOBPKrc2X29-t2XntcvetOPn59nr30KqPvELCGeOI6kptl_BSITVq-p0GOruo5eC/s1600-h/076.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6aeDu37FXBdUT6dzLSIwDLkHAl1R5VfyLPwriQyAQ-Gmmcj2qEIDXzxCp5bznuOKKINV0TGxd9DKeOBPKrc2X29-t2XntcvetOPn59nr30KqPvELCGeOI6kptl_BSITVq-p0GOruo5eC/s200/076.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451888716770488722" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzZYtcdsjgyF8ttR4OiYBVIGNIy_eVGqwHwPAFqsev8N-BTREjTt2XOdn244M0Trs978Ee7F_73U7vsJlbg_hA8st4FuBf65HuUencKdQBRePFzkqHF3_CsKRI_1t9Eaq39jjrAkYMNJN/s1600-h/069.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzZYtcdsjgyF8ttR4OiYBVIGNIy_eVGqwHwPAFqsev8N-BTREjTt2XOdn244M0Trs978Ee7F_73U7vsJlbg_hA8st4FuBf65HuUencKdQBRePFzkqHF3_CsKRI_1t9Eaq39jjrAkYMNJN/s200/069.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451889582257259010" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLnRCgzFK_n5wk0bR8N_9LtRxTVbzYejnnQE21X4hCYIKfkyCxd-wG29eKahFG4cZZ6hxkeze0x-9BgFASLTemAF7XC5oGatxolkzGLyVwWBDOOw4LltNm6hWuZV8aC9FMuUOES8rlr2q/s1600-h/118.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLnRCgzFK_n5wk0bR8N_9LtRxTVbzYejnnQE21X4hCYIKfkyCxd-wG29eKahFG4cZZ6hxkeze0x-9BgFASLTemAF7XC5oGatxolkzGLyVwWBDOOw4LltNm6hWuZV8aC9FMuUOES8rlr2q/s200/118.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451889950401236322" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaegRZ5yOwjH38K3h1szqVon0SuyPLkgmq9ykbRQK16y-Zle8wn7P86eGtLfGaGMa77TsoQu_Q-1Fp6p2b94e7AeGTYVbwT-3Kc5T0ScnE_DNJeXS3IZWB0qWfCeTFNaijYhKGw3uq6d-/s1600-h/372.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaegRZ5yOwjH38K3h1szqVon0SuyPLkgmq9ykbRQK16y-Zle8wn7P86eGtLfGaGMa77TsoQu_Q-1Fp6p2b94e7AeGTYVbwT-3Kc5T0ScnE_DNJeXS3IZWB0qWfCeTFNaijYhKGw3uq6d-/s200/372.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451890678801230530" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6YX0g7L29ZepFShWbgyJLrl5RAI1JHCJViYdSTcSDmknIOAcgv9gAfwumVNcDe95rH4nF2RlYaKusSQhqd5a4Y7hpAX608JfijS5UQJja-aoYV7zitW2W0T3G8wDn5mllTYwbaafv2lw/s1600-h/047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6YX0g7L29ZepFShWbgyJLrl5RAI1JHCJViYdSTcSDmknIOAcgv9gAfwumVNcDe95rH4nF2RlYaKusSQhqd5a4Y7hpAX608JfijS5UQJja-aoYV7zitW2W0T3G8wDn5mllTYwbaafv2lw/s200/047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451890901796195282" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjkE7s6W9Pvx-CxWzu1tktKRgFGyxfEtImwdohs81NsrkSec1G-hO67A6w8fqTNPBtLihf_ZYsy-N9S1j724RGZIFvC-yrwX5JwBOpU0YXX_DwwvArnn3-fFBKQbbOrw3BRSdJf-VjvGE/s1600-h/177.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjkE7s6W9Pvx-CxWzu1tktKRgFGyxfEtImwdohs81NsrkSec1G-hO67A6w8fqTNPBtLihf_ZYsy-N9S1j724RGZIFvC-yrwX5JwBOpU0YXX_DwwvArnn3-fFBKQbbOrw3BRSdJf-VjvGE/s200/177.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451891418998655170" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-pIrulAl3x8jJJTR1ga3j3WtyICQzQQaZAj1TVQf7ut9s1bd0Dol7kXDP7AVWogKxEqeEF8mTUQH51OWszFvmLBIdEBF5JG1frM2ENblrGhyphenhyphenKi0kBHmpFtt7hy2_OmTxmBXEkmx-hKDo/s1600-h/204.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-pIrulAl3x8jJJTR1ga3j3WtyICQzQQaZAj1TVQf7ut9s1bd0Dol7kXDP7AVWogKxEqeEF8mTUQH51OWszFvmLBIdEBF5JG1frM2ENblrGhyphenhyphenKi0kBHmpFtt7hy2_OmTxmBXEkmx-hKDo/s200/204.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451891591706337122" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGPiPQqH1Mm72P4DKnl57ipGc8ZWRn6NQPnNC8pyaoXtPDdGBGqgqBIQIVfDQ8AMQERaOXPzdlERe3qyCPNHdWHs7Uvj3cgykkQcro9aT5J39iceRUyem_mzguS8-V_3XZ48_UzSrqA6W/s1600-h/337.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGPiPQqH1Mm72P4DKnl57ipGc8ZWRn6NQPnNC8pyaoXtPDdGBGqgqBIQIVfDQ8AMQERaOXPzdlERe3qyCPNHdWHs7Uvj3cgykkQcro9aT5J39iceRUyem_mzguS8-V_3XZ48_UzSrqA6W/s200/337.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451891889889367394" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjey4jpl8xzG1lAJ5YjDQgWp56Y3H-wpgbrF-usyIlQIub9l_QqtAwUGNaGHKMpP8WWYSWb8yYdgTyGw6HeH8SfX2xEupY8czzHShMCn81izX93MDVvfPY_0a86aly7ZXKU8wpcg0kYBzq1/s1600-h/324.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjey4jpl8xzG1lAJ5YjDQgWp56Y3H-wpgbrF-usyIlQIub9l_QqtAwUGNaGHKMpP8WWYSWb8yYdgTyGw6HeH8SfX2xEupY8czzHShMCn81izX93MDVvfPY_0a86aly7ZXKU8wpcg0kYBzq1/s200/324.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451892529655061986" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WLCV2t1cNof-qnXOrCVIKEnyQUn93Gl84h_0M0AGSRf4WVZxFe1qHMZ9xx8YFi55XDbNKNPwJkIyPgKkOEYY2UU8HxwrFZFUHXZXZB24jEvmYTSFAve_fG2UvPalvt9BuU4doM2tzhY0/s1600-h/281.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WLCV2t1cNof-qnXOrCVIKEnyQUn93Gl84h_0M0AGSRf4WVZxFe1qHMZ9xx8YFi55XDbNKNPwJkIyPgKkOEYY2UU8HxwrFZFUHXZXZB24jEvmYTSFAve_fG2UvPalvt9BuU4doM2tzhY0/s200/281.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451892865364353106" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYX1cHxt9gFt-wHp7omjtgW9111fbwKDWdi-BYF4_XZPDzrHkF0g9FhyNAJ356KURBFDRW6wczzmAdeRvzbPA3mNtSoHakOH_XdMMRObhR9eM9F3TFvNvnAgtyUtpKfdoN97AMA5tGgjn/s1600-h/311.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYX1cHxt9gFt-wHp7omjtgW9111fbwKDWdi-BYF4_XZPDzrHkF0g9FhyNAJ356KURBFDRW6wczzmAdeRvzbPA3mNtSoHakOH_XdMMRObhR9eM9F3TFvNvnAgtyUtpKfdoN97AMA5tGgjn/s200/311.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451893012503205970" /></a>Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-72510063580449274882010-03-20T19:20:00.000-07:002010-03-20T20:28:43.572-07:00Some Major Paralympic HeadlinesIn my signature style, I am going to do a top-five list, highlighting some of the major events of 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. Obviously there are a lot more moments that are worth noticing, but for the moment I decided to write about the five that stood out for me.<br /><br />5. Japan gets its first gold medal. Cross-country skiier Yoshihiro Nitta finished the race thirty seconds before his Russian competitor. His reaction was very moving: "I have dreamt of this moment for the last year and this season I had imagined this victory every day before going to sleep." <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.vancouver2010.com/img/00/31/43/97838714_30imgFLead-gL.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 181px;" src="http://www.vancouver2010.com/img/00/31/43/97838714_30imgFLead-gL.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />4. Canada beat Norway at the last minute in that one game. It may have taken awhile and been a nerve-wrecking game, but the end was great!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://storage.canoe.ca/v1/dynamic_resize/?src=http://www.winnipegsun.com/sports/vancouver2010/photos/2010/03/15/031510WSparalympics7.jpg&size=640x480&quality=90"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 455px; height: 480px;" src="http://storage.canoe.ca/v1/dynamic_resize/?src=http://www.winnipegsun.com/sports/vancouver2010/photos/2010/03/15/031510WSparalympics7.jpg&size=640x480&quality=90" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />3. The United States of America won gold in sledge hockey! As sad as I am that Canada didn't even make it to the finals, I believe that if anyone deserved to win sledge, it was the Americans. The able-bodied men's hockey team looked so sad when they were receiving their silver medals... :( As you can tell, I am a bit of a bleeding-heart.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.morethanthegames.co.uk/files/morethanthegames/usasledgeicehockey.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 513px; height: 342px;" src="http://www.morethanthegames.co.uk/files/morethanthegames/usasledgeicehockey.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />2.What he wasn't able to achieve in the Olympic Games, he achieved in the Paralympic . Brian McKeever won his first gold medal in cross-country skiing. Way to go! My only regret is that they haven't let him compete in the Olympic Games.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://im.in.com/connect/images/profile/b_profile1/Brian_McKeever_300.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 360px;" src="http://im.in.com/connect/images/profile/b_profile1/Brian_McKeever_300.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />1. Lauren Woolstencroft, a name not a lot of people knew before now, ended up winning five gold medals and becoming the Canadian with the most ever gold medals at any Paralympic Winter Games in HISTORY. Now that's special.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.paralympic.org/export/sites/default/Athletes/Images/2007_12_Lauren_Woolstencroft.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 240px;" src="http://www.paralympic.org/export/sites/default/Athletes/Images/2007_12_Lauren_Woolstencroft.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-30920332917856267732010-03-18T10:11:00.001-07:002010-03-18T21:59:03.863-07:00The Biathlon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9Z6zrwhyuw1jner2c7ZWiznnI6NjgUavk7o7DSJI2QnrcCiADoehkmr2IiBSnV1O0IcR3WhF9MiMU5f47DLqsCD9y9nlsF_6vwEcc7fOk68g-70VFdea5zDnBcdQCMFzkfIR_stHgBID/s1600-h/97682565_82imgFLead-km%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9Z6zrwhyuw1jner2c7ZWiznnI6NjgUavk7o7DSJI2QnrcCiADoehkmr2IiBSnV1O0IcR3WhF9MiMU5f47DLqsCD9y9nlsF_6vwEcc7fOk68g-70VFdea5zDnBcdQCMFzkfIR_stHgBID/s200/97682565_82imgFLead-km%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450205005923594178" /></a><br />Yesterday was a very long (but fun!) day. At seven a.m., I was already at the Lonsdle Quay in North Vancouver, waiting to be picked up to go to Whistler. We then made the long trek up to Whistler, to see the Paralympic Biathlon. We were also supposed to watch the awards ceremony, but because of the time it was supposed to start, we weren't able to stay for it. That way, we'd end up getting home at around eleven. Shame.<br /><br /><strong>The Biathlon, Anyone?</strong><br /><br />-The amount of people that came out to cheer was pretty astonishing. Granted, some of them were from Squamish and some of the other surrounding areas, but a lot of them were from Vancouver, just like us. It's always nice to see so much enthusiasm for such an event.<br /><br />-Apparently, the biathlon is huge in Germany. Sort of like hockey here. I learned that from some German tourists that we talked to. One of them was the wife of one of the paralympians, Josef Giesen.<br /><br />-The blind do not compete against the amputees. Embarrassing as it is, I did not know that. But, hey, you learn something new every day.<br /><br />-There's actual snow in Whistler. Imagine that.<br /><br />-As we were heading down from the biathlon venue, we got to talk to a native carver, who was carving out a totem pole. He started at the beginning of February, but left everything until the last minute, so now he has to finish a whole totem pole (and paint it too) by Sunday. Good luck!<br /><br />-Whistler Village has a lot of Paralympic venues. A concert hall, a tent where you can learn about some of the athletes, a Paralympic store... It's awesome.<br /><br />-Check out the Cow's Ice Cream shop in Whistler. No more need be said.<br /><br />-Whistler has built a pretty cool accessible playground. What I liked best was that it was made so that disabled kids could play on it, but it is still fun for able-bodied kids. It encourages them to play together!Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-27131560165161018642010-03-14T17:15:00.001-07:002010-03-14T18:52:32.632-07:00Curling...It's true that you do not appreciate what you have until you lose it... like your voice. You don't really pay attention to it that much, but once it's gone... oh boy! That's what happened to me. I don't know whether I lost my voice from cheering at the curling game I went to last night or simply because I strained it somewhere else. My guess is that it's a combination of both. But still, to lose your voice at curling? That's unheard of. Then again, it's me. Weird things constantly happen to me.<br /><br />Anyways, like I said before I went to two wheelchair curling matches in the last twenty four hours-one last night and one this morning. I've never seen any type of curling live before, so it was pretty cool. But, I'll be honest with you, it still isn't the most exciting sport in the world to watch. But I appreciate curling, because at the games they had wheelchairs and curling stones for people to play before the game started. You could see what it's like for the curlers. And it's hard! I either pushed the stones too hard, so that they ended up flying off the course or not hard enough, so that they didn't even reach the circle thing. So, I am amazed at the athletes who are able to do it, especially those who are able to do it from a wheelchair.Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-27890872129287373022010-03-12T23:18:00.000-08:002010-03-13T12:04:53.341-08:00Celebrate the Spirit, Celebrate the Spirit, Celebrate the Spirit of the GamesThanks to Tanya (another StudentsLive blogger), I ended up with a last minute ticket to the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games! And I'm sure glad I did, because they were awesome! Better than the opening of the Olympic Games, even. At first I was convinced that it only seemed that way to me because I actually saw them live, but talking to people that watched them on T.V. confirmed my thought- this ceremony was even better than the Olympic one. So, without further ado...<br /><br /><strong> THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PARALYMPIC GAMES:</strong><br /><br />My getting to BC place in time is a story in and of itself, but unfortunately it is too embarassing to share over the Internet, so we'll just have to skip it and say that in the end, I ended up making there on time. Granted, after some considerable difficulties, but that doesn't really matter in the great scheme of things. Point is-I made it and I wasn't even late.<br /><br />Everyone had to come an hour early, because they gave you coloured ponchos to wear, white pom-poms to wave around and a bunch of other stuff that let the audience participate in the ceremony as much as possible. As usual, I was the last one to catch on and realize that the reason the audience looked so cool at the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies was because they gave them matching ponchos to wear. I thought it had something to do with the lighting. But hey, at least I know now. <br /><br />The Opening Ceremony was amazing. There's no other way to put it. It was beautiful and inspiring and awe-striking. I loved so much about it. I loved the fact that because the prices were more affordable, a much wider range of Canadians were able to attend. I loved seeing Terry Fox's parents carry the flame into the stadium. I loved the way the ceremony finished off, with the "Celebrate the Spirit" song. I loved the athlete's parade. I could go on and on about all that I loved about it, but I think that I'll do this in my signature style-write a top ten list. So...<br /><br /><strong>The Top Ten Moments of the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games:</strong><br /><br />10. Harper and Jean waving their pom-poms in the air like they just don't care.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpG7a0c0uTnRFypf5fe8-EqviDJsoaHwVoMtpM_uZ5e2tNLK4d0OfLrbv-yGXz4coBnTSrpHzENxD-6Qu4nAgPXaONiKluKQ-L_g6YVH8OSAqM5Y5B_YLioklHyIBwdT92B74S6TTt7foM/s1600-h/IMG_1214.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpG7a0c0uTnRFypf5fe8-EqviDJsoaHwVoMtpM_uZ5e2tNLK4d0OfLrbv-yGXz4coBnTSrpHzENxD-6Qu4nAgPXaONiKluKQ-L_g6YVH8OSAqM5Y5B_YLioklHyIBwdT92B74S6TTt7foM/s200/IMG_1214.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448208411473320610" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />9. Finding out that the word "Paralympic" doesn't stand for <em>paralyzed</em> or <em>paraplegic</em>, it stands for <em>parallel</em>. As in, in parallel with the Olympic Games. The same, but different. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7fYN5ZfNi8_j-ZPpPm-DB1QIsBUBhVbvEpG7on97HgQbzUv3x3tUQTq9oqIlN-NxZd58eJGaUxHfcQHIJ7RANRgO3Yx3_xzpoxCB5i51ABysgKC8z4qfoIhkOByCig6FoNgsPtaVdLAK/s1600-h/IMG_1282.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7fYN5ZfNi8_j-ZPpPm-DB1QIsBUBhVbvEpG7on97HgQbzUv3x3tUQTq9oqIlN-NxZd58eJGaUxHfcQHIJ7RANRgO3Yx3_xzpoxCB5i51ABysgKC8z4qfoIhkOByCig6FoNgsPtaVdLAK/s200/IMG_1282.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448209408393222658" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />8. The final song, "Celebrate the Spirit of the Games". It was so upbeat; it conveyed the <em> spirit of the Games</em> well.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPuv7Y50kybZW2puXCzEGbC8GOKN_gzdO_4YH253dSVgxPSDRSDfZB9OobcKJobSAraaMtG-5BaAzR5eHHXY6v0zh8136rCq_gwF7WrU2RzulCy2l0RI-20eKSqzU_TNZdqDjmmc4A-po/s1600-h/IMG_1335.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPuv7Y50kybZW2puXCzEGbC8GOKN_gzdO_4YH253dSVgxPSDRSDfZB9OobcKJobSAraaMtG-5BaAzR5eHHXY6v0zh8136rCq_gwF7WrU2RzulCy2l0RI-20eKSqzU_TNZdqDjmmc4A-po/s200/IMG_1335.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448210255902546434" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />7. Seeing the parents of Terry Fox carry the flame into BC place. I can't imagine anyone better suited for the job.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk-eKzoZSdQ_f-yV_r-WrrFSHWOEqFv536huPYlpGoWtI3_x_12v93Er_r4nF-9Ba5ueC6Tf_X2U4-5ZV-zuKT-pFCPN7O3CXPpLXv4V_dZenpAHu77KX_encJrcX9QZsSEnOnm29WK1i/s1600-h/IMG_1324.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk-eKzoZSdQ_f-yV_r-WrrFSHWOEqFv536huPYlpGoWtI3_x_12v93Er_r4nF-9Ba5ueC6Tf_X2U4-5ZV-zuKT-pFCPN7O3CXPpLXv4V_dZenpAHu77KX_encJrcX9QZsSEnOnm29WK1i/s200/IMG_1324.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448206276734055234" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />6. The performers carrying the balloons into the stadium. Then, using 21st century technology, having the images shown on those same balloons.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tOFAjZGRyA-InbjfNk6T-quqn8fYdfwfA2bxVjoh3t70sT_rQkkpD1pusc7FkhH6TmgcEu-Q5Bvv4Br3NkeElm0B0cpdO9_-yTwchJxUg1HMYLH7sz2EDyhu8xwEmzyjHfD5vnny6Wre/s1600-h/IMG_1277.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tOFAjZGRyA-InbjfNk6T-quqn8fYdfwfA2bxVjoh3t70sT_rQkkpD1pusc7FkhH6TmgcEu-Q5Bvv4Br3NkeElm0B0cpdO9_-yTwchJxUg1HMYLH7sz2EDyhu8xwEmzyjHfD5vnny6Wre/s200/IMG_1277.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448210245047478242" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />5. "We Rise Again" performed by Nikki Yanofsky and the Vancouver Choir. It sounded beautiful. Like nothing I've ever heard before. And I can't believe that I know some people in that choir-it sounded like it was performed by professional singers. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIAZfLThOX5WwreWINaicVtqqU6USwftk_SVprZLdywzfqmbNNN2ptQbyKNAQFWmLXvWSIwkplmnDFLXRZpHls7Kd5YjQESqmycsIPnMCZN2SJEY7g2v-RaOgnKCBRfo2Y8EbH3KsYWhT/s1600-h/IMG_1309.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIAZfLThOX5WwreWINaicVtqqU6USwftk_SVprZLdywzfqmbNNN2ptQbyKNAQFWmLXvWSIwkplmnDFLXRZpHls7Kd5YjQESqmycsIPnMCZN2SJEY7g2v-RaOgnKCBRfo2Y8EbH3KsYWhT/s200/IMG_1309.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448208395067360146" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInr7jJshzJjRZYljs_xdhyphenhyphenKLwHd1ZZhP36V1fHjtHwVkAXYPqBLQAc7OvvsF2NRpoEwleRqM1NgzB9b9xDwwiiPLyXX-j88DlO_vO78fU7ckPEhxqKZay7vEkCpwm88YjUIYSs7GVgEwr/s1600-h/IMG_1310.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInr7jJshzJjRZYljs_xdhyphenhyphenKLwHd1ZZhP36V1fHjtHwVkAXYPqBLQAc7OvvsF2NRpoEwleRqM1NgzB9b9xDwwiiPLyXX-j88DlO_vO78fU7ckPEhxqKZay7vEkCpwm88YjUIYSs7GVgEwr/s200/IMG_1310.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448208381678184898" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />4. A new generation of greatness: fifteen year-old torchbearer Zach Beaumont lighting the Paralympic Cauldron. In the words of Michaëlle Jean (at a different event) : "You are the future, of course. But you are also the present."<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpyDeWBNpoI6GZOKvpNXtQRQUT_TkZbjOL8-1ubdsV2comSv6dWQrxzpjznSZGb5i5tNXvOfAugFQ3Q6cshDAKBOCjD8qjdc97R7MDBiC-Qn1arXI7hX0VUHwdYzLTH_gbvB2a87v7GKh/s1600-h/IMG_1328.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFpyDeWBNpoI6GZOKvpNXtQRQUT_TkZbjOL8-1ubdsV2comSv6dWQrxzpjznSZGb5i5tNXvOfAugFQ3Q6cshDAKBOCjD8qjdc97R7MDBiC-Qn1arXI7hX0VUHwdYzLTH_gbvB2a87v7GKh/s200/IMG_1328.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448206285859106930" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />3. The amount of audience participation in the ceremony. The waving, clapping, cheering, signing and flashing (of the gold cards, I mean, ;)...) was incredible.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqG48RdbQXWE3qLQmFbom2nHwtIfGsQGv8hDVc3nui_gEHmxP9BKir1GDlqMTv2nTAg5ribvzYNIUMvQnPH2Oy5rP6uUbdGZCZ4Bn__di-Lw7xdn5YAq8_PNYaUokeZNOjTHdUMNNTTPZw/s1600-h/IMG_1295.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqG48RdbQXWE3qLQmFbom2nHwtIfGsQGv8hDVc3nui_gEHmxP9BKir1GDlqMTv2nTAg5ribvzYNIUMvQnPH2Oy5rP6uUbdGZCZ4Bn__di-Lw7xdn5YAq8_PNYaUokeZNOjTHdUMNNTTPZw/s200/IMG_1295.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448210237664503938" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />2. The flower and butterfly graphics all over the floor. Truly amazing 21st century technology at work again, people. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASsPh84CXmNKB5OeOebSkjtalpN64-VyHnJ1B0pg05wbSSi7OyZe-RKp5H-vPDRvXLFbK2XyHj2oMdSjLvCJqIrFIMMRzclfrVm6gxIJ7ZST2JuyceH7z9-mOSJaYr0l-tib6gxJ7QuaK/s1600-h/IMG_1304.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASsPh84CXmNKB5OeOebSkjtalpN64-VyHnJ1B0pg05wbSSi7OyZe-RKp5H-vPDRvXLFbK2XyHj2oMdSjLvCJqIrFIMMRzclfrVm6gxIJ7ZST2JuyceH7z9-mOSJaYr0l-tib6gxJ7QuaK/s200/IMG_1304.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448208401179451458" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />1. The Athlete's Parade:<br /><br />So many athletes that rise above their diability and go on to achieve greatness. I admire them even more than the Olympic athletes, because they had to work so much harder to get where they are now. I only wish we all had that much perseverance in us.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIiRil_ubJDaIlApjQJpRiczHrK_d0OxtZa6M5c82rxjbOUwVgJSJp08OgidqSBbyuPBGN6wTLRa0IyZR4WMk-3GFNg7cEHvSqGpDJWVvEEkkY2xOoM22Mk8drqrP2DuADHO9-JGuXLF-/s1600-h/IMG_1255.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIiRil_ubJDaIlApjQJpRiczHrK_d0OxtZa6M5c82rxjbOUwVgJSJp08OgidqSBbyuPBGN6wTLRa0IyZR4WMk-3GFNg7cEHvSqGpDJWVvEEkkY2xOoM22Mk8drqrP2DuADHO9-JGuXLF-/s200/IMG_1255.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448209398261591970" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And there's more. So much more... Maybe I'll do a part two, but for now these are the ten moments of the Paralympic Opening Ceremony truly worth mentioning.Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-85081837039724346562010-03-09T21:06:00.000-08:002010-03-12T14:29:42.936-08:00Hello!So, the Olympic Games are finished and I went back to the "school routine" aka catching up on homework, writing missed tests and so on and so forth. Naturally I neglected my Blog. But now I'm back. I am going to be blogging a whole lot more during the Paralympic Games (I have more tickets!), but for now I am just getting back into the "blogger mood".<br /><br /><strong>Life after the Olympic Games:</strong><br /><br />In a way, I am almost glad that I have been so overburdened with school lately, because otherwise I would probably just sit around and cry all day. Vancouver without all the crazy crowds is so depressing! :( But the Paralympic Games are coming up and that should be exciting because it's unlike anything I've ever done before. It should be cool.<br /><br />Anyways, talk to you later!<br /><br />VeronikaVeronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-58242924126792472512010-02-28T21:32:00.001-08:002010-03-12T14:38:14.818-08:00And They're Over... :(As quickly as they had come, the Olympic Games are now over. After all the excitement of the gold medal hockey game and the Closing Ceremony, I feel kind of... sad. The Games are actually finished. The Cauldron is extinguished. No more events, no more crazy crowds, no more hype. Vancouver will go back to being the city that goes unnoticed. Or will it? No, it probably never will. The legacy will remain. Let's hope that the memory of the Games will stay with not only us, but with tourists around the world. It's been an incredible two weeks. I will never forget them. The only thing that cheers me up at a moment like this is knowing that the memories that I made during the Olympic Games will stay with me forever... and the fact that I still have the Paralympic Games to get excited about!!! That will be a whole other wonderful experience. But for now I just want to go over some of the best moments in the final few days of the Games (anything that happened after I wrote my list of memorable moments thus far).<br /><br />So..<br /><br />The 5 Most Memorable Moments in the Final Days of the Games:<br /><br />5. The Canadian Curling Team won gold!!! And even though a lot of people like to poke fun at curlers, I believe that this sport is pretty cool. We are all so proud of our team, led by Kevin Martin. Way to go, guys!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.modbee.com/smedia/2010/02/28/19/817-954Vancouver_Olympics_Ice_Hockey.sff.embedded.prod_affiliate.11.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 432px;" src="http://media.modbee.com/smedia/2010/02/28/19/817-954Vancouver_Olympics_Ice_Hockey.sff.embedded.prod_affiliate.11.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />4. The women's hockey team winning first place against the U.S.A. And even though the women's hockey team doesn't get half of the publicity men's hockey does, that doesn't mean that their win is any less important for Canada. I think that hockey, no matter who plays it, is Canada's game. The U.S.A has baseball and football. Hockey is ours.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ctvolympics.ca/mm/photo/sports/ctvo/05/46/41/54641_m05.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 326px; height: 326px;" src="http://www.ctvolympics.ca/mm/photo/sports/ctvo/05/46/41/54641_m05.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />3. Canada winning fourteen gold medals- more than any one country had ever obtained in any of the previous Games. We're proud of our athletes, of course. But we are also proud of everyone that made it possible for the athletes to perform as well as they did- from John Furlong to the volunteers to the people that built the equipment necessary for the Games to take place. We appreciate it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://image3.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID1819/images/canada-mens-curling-team-2010.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 225px;" src="http://image3.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID1819/images/canada-mens-curling-team-2010.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />2. The clown at the Closing Ceremony. Who doesn't love a country that knows how to laugh at oneself? I couldn't think of a more adequate way to put an end to the Games- we are not ignoring the hydraulics fail that happened at the Opening, we are choosing to laugh about it and focus on the positive. That is the way Canada is.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.thewrap.com/files/u4383/olympics_clown.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 385px;" src="http://www.thewrap.com/files/u4383/olympics_clown.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />1. The Canadian Men's hockey team winning gold. OBVIOUSLY this event is where it is; the celebratory crowd after the game was like nothing I've ever seen before, comparable only with the crowds in Times Square. The happiness of the population was felt everywhere you turned. The fact that the situation in overtime was so perilous added to the excitement after the final goal was scored. And, if you check my other blog post about athletes that stand out, who did I predict would save the gold medal hockey game? None other than my favourite player and now the national hockey hero of Canada, Sidney Crosby!!! It was a wonderful game, in every way. To win the gold medal hockey game on home soil was more than anyone could have expected!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href=" http://www.cambridgenow.ca/images/newsimage/1780/sid6x4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 432px; height: 325px;" src=" http://www.cambridgenow.ca/images/newsimage/1780/sid6x4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-39903004190555623602010-02-26T17:20:00.000-08:002010-02-26T18:06:30.795-08:00The Olympic Games in Vancouver... In PhotosI'm going to switch gears a little bit and make this blog post entirely out of pictures (well, except for this brief little explanation). An artistic compilation, of sorts. So here are some pictures I took of the Games in my hometown- of people, buildings, events. Enjoy!<br /><br />Je vais changer de direction un peu et faire cette entrée de blog entièrement de photos (sauf cette courte explication). Quelque chose d’artistique. Alors voici sont quelques photos que j’ai pris pendant les Jeux Olympiques- les immeubles, les personnes, les événements. Alors, amusez-vous !<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEz6i21tc96n3c60H7vihDI18Y4eH1nU0XaJxe1U0ZjgQSyonu5Cvk3FZKeS5-U0-KyVQkAv7FFeucG9XUes-wkwOwgt4JffhhI_XLR4hCdTzf_JUlrOvy_p0brWwPxlWWbc9plX1zhgJ/s1600-h/IMG_0685.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEz6i21tc96n3c60H7vihDI18Y4eH1nU0XaJxe1U0ZjgQSyonu5Cvk3FZKeS5-U0-KyVQkAv7FFeucG9XUes-wkwOwgt4JffhhI_XLR4hCdTzf_JUlrOvy_p0brWwPxlWWbc9plX1zhgJ/s200/IMG_0685.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442732463250683778" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kfjDrTUwjRSzLr-oewWRzDrYhYV0vCiPXZ6X6NO6CKX81iEDO6EuTdCNNwLrB6owkszGTxWmuNBiusrT61tMm-G_LRxEW7Xoacy1WicKMN7xVaGbLrwW42FoBa0Q8Cpon8jpXHMB3GoQ/s1600-h/IMG_0698.jpg"><img style="float:left; 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margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxNuVWBpwxSNkRx4BsrnohKefPVraUXmV9NEJCQTGdojLvVsat2X3Jgm_wguzRUXQtHq6HZop_OIGSreQyEYwAY59s5o7x7DEnCWQNg43gRWk03dfKWiA1dQ9FYPaX4vHD3ebNyITk1IQ/s200/IMG_0198.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442728867126916322" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVHeGw8r13m_LB0vFPI1FFxxKLGjI4wPnsAdvVSZNRGhovDSTHjYIL2ighGjqg9bpadsuD1QhwrAPc-Pd2lhfWElkZIg2Kqwgl_Wt1RUoXB4Z2Ccjz3fcshM7WIEazNTbWvejpVSS-9Kv/s1600-h/IMG_0169.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVHeGw8r13m_LB0vFPI1FFxxKLGjI4wPnsAdvVSZNRGhovDSTHjYIL2ighGjqg9bpadsuD1QhwrAPc-Pd2lhfWElkZIg2Kqwgl_Wt1RUoXB4Z2Ccjz3fcshM7WIEazNTbWvejpVSS-9Kv/s200/IMG_0169.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442728860381170930" /></a>Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-76393898421717433132010-02-25T22:01:00.000-08:002010-02-25T22:47:13.213-08:00English:<br /><br />It's sad to believe that the Olympic Games are coming to an end... It seems like they just started! But nothing lasts forever and all good things must come to an end. Hopefully the legacy that these Games have left on our city will not be forgotten and will continue to draw many people to our beautiful city by the sea. <br /><br />And let's not forget the Paralympic Games that will be coming up in March, after the Olympic Games are over. True, a lot less people will be going to those Games and the media coverage won't be anywhere near what took place during these Games, but that doesn't mean that the Paralympic Games are any less important. Yes, there will be less cultural events taking place during those Games, but that will put more focus on the actual performances. I'm always awed by what humans can do despite their difficulties. The Paralympic Games will give me a chance to meet some truly inspiring people.<br /><br />But the Olympic Games aren't over yet! There are still three whole days left, which promise to be as exciting as all of the previous two weeks combined. I'd like to seem them beat that... But we'll see, we'll see...<br /><br />Today, we got the opportunity to meet John Furlong, the chief executive officer of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. It was pretty cool, because this is the man behind the Games. He literally made them happen. We got to talk to him, take some pictures, that kind of thing. He was really friendly. One thing he told us, however, was that as soon as the Games are over, he's leaving for a long rest! Understandable, considering how much work goes into these Games. I've just been blogging about them and I'm still exhausted!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WnlQAoa8fEQuSNmrtFMuxdOysCCFiMHOzEa5hD1quh-3NF5L5e_OoYK0bbBYRA_NMTW3J-WQtpRQ7_TAfRF5jPXNNuF9YxvO_b7tuH0mK0mbrX-dy04EZFcO1MkVmzIMpsfWEoE5Nya6/s1600-h/150.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WnlQAoa8fEQuSNmrtFMuxdOysCCFiMHOzEa5hD1quh-3NF5L5e_OoYK0bbBYRA_NMTW3J-WQtpRQ7_TAfRF5jPXNNuF9YxvO_b7tuH0mK0mbrX-dy04EZFcO1MkVmzIMpsfWEoE5Nya6/s200/150.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442439702810298834" /></a> -John Furlong<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Français:<br /><br />C’est difficile à croire que les Jeux Olympiques vont bientôt finir. Ils ont juste commencé, n’est-ce pas? Mais rien ne dure pour toujours et tout doit terminer à un certain point… J’espère seulement les histoires qui ont été faites par ces Jeux ne seront pas oubliés et continueront à attirer des touristes a cette ville fantastique.<br /><br />N’oublions pas les Jeux Paralympiques qui vont se passer en mars, après les Jeux Olympiques. C’est vrai que beaucoup moins de personnes viendront voir les Jeux Paralympiques et il n’y aura pas autant de media qu’aux Jeux Olympiques… Cependant, ceci ne veut pas dire que les J.P. sont moins importants que les J.O.! Oui, il y aura moins d’événements cultures pendant ces Jeux, mais comme ça notre attention sera attirée vers les événements sportifs. Ça m’étonne toujours de voir ce que les athlètes peuvent faire, malgré leurs handicaps. Les Jeux Paralympiques me donneront une chance de rencontrer des gens réellement incroyables! <br /><br />Mais les Jeux Olympiques ne sont pas encore terminées! Il y reste encore trois jours et ils promettent que ces trois jours seront plus excitants que tout le reste des Jeux Olympiques. Ça, je le croirai quand je le verrai… Mais on va voir, on va voir.<br /><br />Aujourd’hui, on a eu l’occasion de rencontrer John Furlong, l’officier exécutif des Jeux Olympiques de 2010. C’est assez cool, parce que John est la personne derrière les Jeux. Il a tout fait pour que les Jeux se soient bien passés. Nous avons parlé avec lui, pris des photos de lui, ce genre de choses. Il était assez amical. Une chose qu’il nous a dit, c’était qu’après la fin des Jeux, il ira quelques pars loin d’ici, prendre une longue période de vacances. Je peux le comprendre, considérant le montant de travail qui est nécessaire pour organiser les Jeux Olympiques. Tout ce que je faisais, c’est écrire des Blogs et je suis quand même crevée!Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-1962900179086345072010-02-24T17:34:00.001-08:002010-02-25T22:01:49.132-08:00Five Olympic Stories You Probably Haven't Heard AboutWe all know the scores and we all know who's leading in the latest hockey game (we are!). But what about all those little stories that do not make the front page of the Vancouver Sun, but are just as (if not more) interesting. So here are some of those stories that make the Olympic Games be about so much than just sports. <br /><br />5. Oprah Winfrey saw the infamous red mittens on TV and mentioned how much she liked them to a journalist. The Hudson's Bay Company then sent her three hundred pairs, which she distributed to her audience. The mittens are going global!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqRqMZ7R7_ZgViX2JZsw7DNI8icaa_NtSQYB6u73OMjK19cqHlgSAn1hNOR4mx7mtUef8eHjrzLJY0ZEwrZMAmJ5HxiEmGheA-G9R2D31qpM08iCl5sc9Hzy2p6unzkBlk8petdvivXBJ/s1600-h/red-mittens-300x300%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqRqMZ7R7_ZgViX2JZsw7DNI8icaa_NtSQYB6u73OMjK19cqHlgSAn1hNOR4mx7mtUef8eHjrzLJY0ZEwrZMAmJ5HxiEmGheA-G9R2D31qpM08iCl5sc9Hzy2p6unzkBlk8petdvivXBJ/s200/red-mittens-300x300%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442005113575167250" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />4. The Russian House had a major party yesterday, celebrating the fact that the next Olympic Games will be in Sochi, Russia. I had the opportunity to be there last night, because my family was invited. Prime Minister of BC Gordon Campbell and the current mayor of Sochi, Anatoly Pakhomov, were both there, talking about the Games on stage. A couple of Russian athletes that recently won gold medals (Nikita Krukov, for example) were also spotted, dancing to the music. It was quite a party!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2yX5oXxtTY5xUeZyvZ6WdfqHc0ND_cdmpDO3OWMHqsuGWTlWTeFyiQbqTIwAwBbTk01BUEznocR0Qs4mE6Y4kpvUSbNqd5h0ohs8ys5YHETLffiWaRIs0le6rmQT9P9EYziJiSjAHqdi/s1600-h/IMG_0829.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2yX5oXxtTY5xUeZyvZ6WdfqHc0ND_cdmpDO3OWMHqsuGWTlWTeFyiQbqTIwAwBbTk01BUEznocR0Qs4mE6Y4kpvUSbNqd5h0ohs8ys5YHETLffiWaRIs0le6rmQT9P9EYziJiSjAHqdi/s200/IMG_0829.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442012690249137826" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />3. As was expected, during the duration of the Games, a bunch of protesters were arrested by the Vancouver Police. Notably, a group of people wearing masks and hoodies had a <em>little</em> run-in with the police when they were caught smashing windows in the Bay and spray-painting cars. Now, I might not know anything there is to know about protests, but I believe that a protest has to show something. And what does breaking a window do to anyone? Nothing, really. But anyways, public protests weren't that big a problem during the Games. They expected worse.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmm7XpsTyD3Z9Qukbf2hiKupXb5K3gh6oz_rdxARdJPeDAQaBvy-f_5b1GYneJmBt0VlYnc4Unzp7IfV3chwJOrIsMmRqNDJPFjbqQWdBta8gfTJCqmldiUc3zah_RClLGonIOHR5JMdr/s1600-h/IMG_0188.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmm7XpsTyD3Z9Qukbf2hiKupXb5K3gh6oz_rdxARdJPeDAQaBvy-f_5b1GYneJmBt0VlYnc4Unzp7IfV3chwJOrIsMmRqNDJPFjbqQWdBta8gfTJCqmldiUc3zah_RClLGonIOHR5JMdr/s200/IMG_0188.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442012681454634178" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />2. Joannie Rochette, a figure skater from Montreal, performed her routine beautifully, going on to win third place. What's truly remarkable, though, is that she performed so beautifully less than forty-eight hours after her mother's, Thérèse Rochette's, death. I am amazed at her strength and perseverance and I admire her like I admire very few people in this world. Way to go, Joannie!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCy8RDF2I02jHSPFcnQWdb4u-0BFqChmOMVn4LrEEqZMkk1D-Xu7pIpAjQZe_UI-mqgyLFve3R6wyitrxAfu4kpM4kd9OP3-KE6awmbPsevtQGdd-Uwa4MtFijohG_wr108k-ExUf22goc/s1600-h/Joannie-Rochette_392%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCy8RDF2I02jHSPFcnQWdb4u-0BFqChmOMVn4LrEEqZMkk1D-Xu7pIpAjQZe_UI-mqgyLFve3R6wyitrxAfu4kpM4kd9OP3-KE6awmbPsevtQGdd-Uwa4MtFijohG_wr108k-ExUf22goc/s200/Joannie-Rochette_392%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442005532210003522" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />1. The Richmond Oval has also experienced some problems... The zambonis kept on breaking down. On numerous occasions the athletes were at the Oval, ready to compete, but the ice wasn't ready, because the zamboni experienced a breakdown and wasn't able to resurface the ice properly. Now that's a pickle no one counted on! Luckily, emergency zambonis were quickly driven in from Calgary and the athletes were able to compete without delay. Whew!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6N9HctKG_CVKxQgctBB_y6Wdlq4rL6AqXphHdhixMCIwGW7XE2_APjcGhbapmFYSUGDBb1QEaFHx2oD0cjt62uwWYaJQy0NZIXz3BE4sx3u7ybV0s8QNdfiLZH3WF9qAb9eK0A7lnA35r/s1600-h/oval.zamboni%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6N9HctKG_CVKxQgctBB_y6Wdlq4rL6AqXphHdhixMCIwGW7XE2_APjcGhbapmFYSUGDBb1QEaFHx2oD0cjt62uwWYaJQy0NZIXz3BE4sx3u7ybV0s8QNdfiLZH3WF9qAb9eK0A7lnA35r/s200/oval.zamboni%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442008780202441506" /></a>Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-3548591076333080362010-02-21T09:16:00.000-08:002010-02-21T10:12:01.914-08:00Athletes In the Spotlight<span style="font-weight:bold;">Petra Majdič:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HxSBHDu4OtnGoe7sgHd-jJJXMRoiqKM2-Qk_C0Tq1FBP7n6EQRU5bfeTYlICHYwZXteSfZduVoGdNUzvq13SWkHuP6pHDGA2-nMooFnZZ6NZU6RbGZDblrUI681Tc-WUmXhTBuCwX2X1/s1600-h/Petra_Majdic_1582649c%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HxSBHDu4OtnGoe7sgHd-jJJXMRoiqKM2-Qk_C0Tq1FBP7n6EQRU5bfeTYlICHYwZXteSfZduVoGdNUzvq13SWkHuP6pHDGA2-nMooFnZZ6NZU6RbGZDblrUI681Tc-WUmXhTBuCwX2X1/s200/Petra_Majdic_1582649c%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440760890238262514" /></a><br />Talk about sportsmanship... Petra Majdič, a thirty year old Slovenian cross country skier, really showed the true spirit of perseverance and what the Games are all about. While she was warming up for her event, the 1.4 kilometer classic sprint, Majdič skied off course and into a gulley. She then crashed on the rocks, breaking four ribs, both ski poles and one ski tip. Majdič was then taken to the hospital for x-rays. Nonetheless, she decided to return and compete. She went on to do the event despite the pain and even won bronze, becoming the first individual to win a medal for Slovenia in the last sixteen years. Afterwards, Majdič was taken to the hospital for treatment and rest. She still attended the victory ceremonies, however and at a press conference afterwards said that "Today, this is not a bronze. This is a gold with little diamonds on it". She couldn't have been more right. <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sidney Crosby:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl39oIwZs0YuQ_yYy_zV-flFOdUQQ3UIBEaUnApxaPH5JHwHWfmD9Q0Y36Wzb1E-u8wHaCbfqojbmgJlB601uwWSjdP6dH4q5OeGBOfJYL_M7rZO-AKgUPUHXMOurWM6puyVp2XhfXQAP8/s1600-h/ovechkin_2005_junior_Jeff_Vinnick%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl39oIwZs0YuQ_yYy_zV-flFOdUQQ3UIBEaUnApxaPH5JHwHWfmD9Q0Y36Wzb1E-u8wHaCbfqojbmgJlB601uwWSjdP6dH4q5OeGBOfJYL_M7rZO-AKgUPUHXMOurWM6puyVp2XhfXQAP8/s200/ovechkin_2005_junior_Jeff_Vinnick%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440759940087697666" /></a><br />But was that really that much of a surprise? His saving the Canada vs. Switzerland game was just a small taste of what he's capable of. Sid the Kid, for all of his twenty-two years, has talent that many professional hockey players only dream of acquiring later in life. Personally I wouldn't be surprised if he was the one that carried Canada to the gold medal hockey game. AND he's cute. We love you, Sid!<br /><br />P.S. I know that this picture isn't exactly related to <span style="font-style:italic;">these</span> Olympic Games, but I couldn't resist. Crosby vs. Ovechkin, anyone?<br /><br /><strong>Brian McKeever:</strong><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5O9lnEge3kv9rfKZpLw6srALEdsibthBO64vDTmnZ7EojFO5ulDXUptLpw0eeyroUToUTbzn9JQntcY3S7In7ssfTitQ1oQeNv6Ht3UdsQtP54rl7alxZ4Y-vCDOVovlt7SmBn0p2Fn2C/s1600-h/1814%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5O9lnEge3kv9rfKZpLw6srALEdsibthBO64vDTmnZ7EojFO5ulDXUptLpw0eeyroUToUTbzn9JQntcY3S7In7ssfTitQ1oQeNv6Ht3UdsQtP54rl7alxZ4Y-vCDOVovlt7SmBn0p2Fn2C/s200/1814%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440759244662092658" /></a><br />Brian McKeever is truly extraordinary because he became the first Canadian athlete ever to compete in both the Paralympic and the Olympic Games. Brian was diagnosed with Stargaard's disease, a degenerative eye condition that makes someone lose most of their vision, to the point of becoming legally blind. Nonethless, Brian continued doing what he loves best, that is skiing and competing in many competitions for the disabled. And now he even qualified to compete against able-bodied athletes! That kind of talent and perseverance is an inspiration to us all. Brian will be competing on the last day of the Olympic Games and we will be watching!Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-11728891171248026252010-02-19T14:51:00.000-08:002010-02-19T15:23:39.845-08:00The Games... The News...My Personal Compilation of the 10 Best Olympic Moments... So Far:<br /><br />10. The Canadian women's hockey team winning the game against Slovakia, 18-0. Scores like that <em>exist</em> in hockey?<br /><br />9. Shane Koyczan presenting "We Are More" at the Opening Ceremony. <em>We are more than a laundry list of things to see.</em> Despite hearing this poem several times before the Olympic Games, it still made me shed a happy tear when I heard it last Friday.<br /><br />8. The Nelly Furtado concert at the very first Victory Ceremony. <em>I'm like a bird.</em> We're all like birds, really.<br /><br />7. Sidney Crosby's goal in the shoot-out last night. What turned out to be a pretty nerve-wrecking game was finally won by Canada's own star, Sid the Kid.<br /><br />6. The Norwegian curling pants. Just look. No further comments. <br /><a href="http://www.mjtimes.sk.ca/media/photos/unis/photo_506270_resize_article.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 335px;" src="http://www.mjtimes.sk.ca/media/photos/unis/photo_506270_resize_article.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />5. Seeing Betty Fox, the mother of Terry Fox, carry the flag. Terry Fox, despite dying young, did not die in vain. His legacy remains. And that's what truly important.<br /><br />4. Both Maelle Ricker and Christine Nesbitt winning gold medals at the Games. I mean, they played the video of Nesbitt winning at our school. They didn't even do that when Obama was getting inaugurated.<br /><br />3. The seven hour line to try out the zipline. That goes to show that the world is full of crazy people.<br /><br />2. The Torch Relay. I went to the one in Richmond, but I'm sure they were just as good in all the other towns. Free Coca-Cola, after all, is hard to refuse.<br /><br />1. Alexandre Bilodeau becoming the first Canadian athlete to win a gold medal on home soil. The win caused quite a reaction. But that isn't why I put his win at number one. If you watch him running to his older brother a few moments after winning, you <strong>will</strong> shed a tear.Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-44472300384256525862010-02-19T14:06:00.000-08:002010-02-19T14:51:24.677-08:00Les nouvelles...Qu’est-ce qu’il y a de nouveau qui se passe dans notre ville ? Plein de choses. Par exemple, une patineuse de vitesse canadienne a gagné une médaille d’or. Ça, c’est excitant. Hier soir, des milliers des personnes sont allés dans les rues (ceux, qui sont fermées pour les voitures) de Vancouver pour célébrer cette réussite. C’était fou. Il y avait des gens qui hurlaient, qui criaient, qui bousculaient. Cependant, l’atmosphère était assez bonne !!! Les gens étaient fiers de nos athlètes canadiens.<br />Quant aux médailles d’or, au moment le Canada est en quatrième place. Précède par les Etats-Unis, l’Allemagne et le Norvège, c’est un bon départ. Qu’est-ce qui va se passer lorsque les Jeux Olympiques progresseront ? On va voir…<br /><br />Christine Nesbitt, la deuxième femme canadienne qui a gagné une médaille d’or dans ces Jeux Olympiques.<br /><br /><a href="http://media.bnd.com/smedia/2010/02/18/17/217-96Vancouver_Olympics_Speed_Skating.sff.embedded.prod_affiliate.98.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 403px;" src="http://media.bnd.com/smedia/2010/02/18/17/217-96Vancouver_Olympics_Speed_Skating.sff.embedded.prod_affiliate.98.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Hier, l’américain Evan Lysacek a gagné le championnat de patinage olympique d’hommes. Il a bien performé, gagnant la compétition avec juste un demi-point de moins que le médailliste d’argent, Evgeni Plushenko. Ce qui est intéressant c’est que c’est la première fois depuis 1992 (l’an de mon naissance!), que ce n’est pas un russe qui gagne cette compétition. Eh bien, les temps changent.<br /><br />Evan Lysacek et son coach, Frank Carroll <br /><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/Evan_Lysacek_and_Frank_Carroll_2007-2008_GPF.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 432px; height: 288px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/Evan_Lysacek_and_Frank_Carroll_2007-2008_GPF.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-90751850673802147052010-02-16T20:05:00.000-08:002010-02-16T20:42:10.047-08:00Men's Hockey<strong>Olympic News (Or the Stories Behind the Stories):</strong><br /><br />Canada beat Norway at men's hockey... though that's not surprise. You probably all know that we won 8-0, according to the news. It's when the score's this uneven that you know that it wasn't a fair match. Canada's team is obviously a lot better than Norway's, so this was almost like a warmup practice for them. I'm probably going to get bashed for saying this, but I think that our boys should have let the Norwegians score just once, for the sake of being nice. Stroke their egos or something. After all, it's not like there's any doubt about which team's better. Now when Canada and Russia play against each other, that will be a nail-biting game. Oh well, at least it wasn't as crazy as the women's game against Slovakia: 18-0. Granted, I'm no hockey expert, but I didn't even know scores like that existed in hockey. <br /><br />Canada won gold for the second time during the games. Yay! Congratulations go out to Maëlle Ricker, a West Van native, who won her first Olympic gold medal for the snowboard cross.I'm sure we are all very proud of her and wish her all the best. One interesting fact you probably didn't know about Ricker is that Brother Jorli was member of the Canadian snowboard team in the early 1990s. So it runs in the family...<br /><br />More updates to come!Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-52970062710426452482010-02-15T22:29:00.000-08:002010-02-15T23:13:10.445-08:00The GamesI'm back! Sorry it took so long to make my first official post after the start of the Games, but I was out and about doing stuff for most (no, all of the weekend). On Saturday I hung around downtown and- OH MY GOD. Vancouver has NEVER looked like this before! It used to be this quiet city that tourists liked because of its peacefulness. Well now there are literally hordes of people moving about everywhere! "It," in the words of a person I talked to on Robson street, "looks just like New York." Is that good? Well, depends on what you like, of course. But I, for one, love New York. It's my second home. <br /><br />So, if you were a tourist in Vancouver at this time, what would you do? Does flying over Robson Square on a zipline sound like fun? Well, you can do just that IF you're willing to wait SEVEN hours in line! Seven freaking hours! I was all excited about trying out the zipline until I found out about the wait. You'd have to be crazy to waste a day just to spend thirty seconds flying over the square! Then again, the fact that there even IS a seven hour wait speaks for itself. Has <em>everybody</em> gone crazy?<br /><br />Another fun thing that you can do in the city is check out all of the free concerts. Just today, I was in Granville Island listening to a free Garou Concert. Garou is a Quebecois singer with this amazing bass voice. Sponsored by Air Canada, he gave a free concert. It was a great concert, regardless of the fact that it started to rain halfway through. And guess who was amid the crowd, singing along and waving his arms in the air just like everyone else? Jean Chretien, former Prime Minister of Canada. I managed to sneak a few pictures of him, while he was being interviewed. :) And then I got interviewed myself. What happened is this- when the concert was over everyone started dispersing rapidly, because of the rain. We, however, stayed behind to buy a hot dog. All of a sudden a woman is running up to me, asking "Parlez-vous francais?" So I said yes and she asked if it would be alright if she asked me a couple of questions for a CTV news special that she was working on. So she recorded me teling her tape recorded what I thought of the concert. Cool, cool. I've never really been interviewed before.<br /><br />And then of course there are the non-free concerts, like the Victory Ceremonies. But the cost is relatively cheap($20-$50). I went to the Nelly Furtado one with my colleagues from Students Live. I would definitely recommend going- you get to watch the athletes get their medals AND listen to some great music. Only thing is, you'll be out of your seats many a time, because the national anthem of the country of the person that won a gold medal will be played each time the winners are announced. :)<br /><br />OLYMPIC NEWS:<br /><br />Protesters have been going at it, breaking windows and splashing paint all over the sidewalk on Granville Street near the Bay. In fact, a twenty-four hour glass repair company has been hired to be there at all times, fixing whatever the protesters decide to break.<br /><br />Tickets to the Gold Medal Hockey Game currently cost $3,500. Prices are expected to rise. That's more than a ticket to the opening ceremonies. That's enough for a freaking car. A pretty crappy car, I'll give you that, but still. What kind of audience are they trying to sell those tickets to? Because from what I know, an average person does not have three thousand dollars to spare.<br /><br />Canada won its first ever gold medal on native soil. Alexandre Bilodeau, the Montreal native, managed to get first place, beating out all of the other competitors.Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-25435270307165425992010-02-12T17:13:00.000-08:002010-02-12T23:19:17.350-08:00And It Begins... Et on commence...English: <br /><br />Hello, everyone. It is February the 12th and I have so many things that I want to write about.<br /><br />Less than an hour left before the official 2010 Opening Ceremony. Wow! But the funny thing is, it still doesn't feel like the 2010 Olympic Games are actually here. After all the preparations, the excitement, the changes in the city, the Games cannot possible be here yet! Or can they? But they are, as we can see by the obvious amount of hustle and bustle in Vancouver and its surrounding areas. Tonight’s the night, Canada. The night it all begins.<br /><br />I don't have tickets to the Opening Ceremony. I wish I did, but being a grade twelve student and a part-time English tutor doesn't pay all that well, so I obviously do not have that kind of money to spare. Hopefully, however, the T.V. will provide an awesome equivalent to actually being there in person. That's just one of the glories of our ever so quickly developing technology. I cannot wait to watch them and relate my experiences.<br /><br />On a sadder note, the Olympic Games didn't exactly get off to the best start. I would like to pay tribute to the Georgian luger who died today, while training in Whistler. Nodar Kumaritashvili, twenty-one years old, lost control of his sled near the end of the track, flying over the track line and colliding with an unpadded pole. They are now investigating the accident, trying to find out what could have caused it, who is responsible and so on and so forth. But really, I am less concerned with who is responsible for the accident than with how his family is going to take the news. I mean, Nodar is just four years older than I am. To have something so tragic happen to someone so young is just heartbreaking... I offer my deepest condolences to his friends and family.<br /><br />Luge is a dangerous sport, that much is clear. To be honest, I did not know all that much about this sport until I researched it after running into the Czech luge team in Vancouver. But after reading up on it, I came to realize that you'd have to be pretty fearless to be a luger, because nearly every moment of a luger's career is filled with life or death situations. Which fills me with that much more admiration for Nodar Kumaritashvili. But is luge too dangerous for the Olympic Games? Should, in light of what happened, it be taken out completely, no longer be a part of the Games? Or just be removed from these Games? Personally, I don’t know. But what do you think?<br /><br /><br />French: <br /><br />Bonjour! Aujourd’hui, c’est le 12 février et j’ai tellement de choses desquels je veux parler dans le Blog.<br /><br />Il y a moins d’une heure qui reste avant le commencement de la Cérémonie d’Ouverture de 2010. Wow ! Mais la chose qui me surprend, c’est que je ne croix encore pas que c’est finalement le temps pour les Jeux Olympiques. Après tout ces préparations dans la ville, ca ne peut surement pas être le temps pour les jeux maintenant, n’est ce pas ? Mais c’est le cas, comme on peut voir par le montant d’action à Vancouver et dans ses banlieues.<br /><br />Je n’ai pas de billets pour la Cérémonie d’Ouverture. Je serais très heureuse si je pourrais les obtenir, mais comme étudiante et «tutor » d’anglais, je ne gagne pas beaucoup d’argent. Je n’ai pas les moyens pour acheter ces billets, qui coutent un peu plus d’un mille de dollars. J’espère, quand même, que le reportage à la télévision offrira une version qui n’est certainement pas pire de celui à BC Place. C’est ça un des privilèges de la technologie qui évolue si rapidement. J’attends avec enthousiasme pour regarder les Jeux et relier mes impressions dans ce Blog.<br /><br />En fait, il faut que je mentionne quelque chose de très triste. Les Jeux Olympiques ne sont pas commencés d’une très bonne note. Je parle du lugiste géorgien qui est mort aujourd’hui, pendant qu’il pratiquait pour les Jeux à Whistler. Nodar Kumaritashvili, qui avait vingt-et-un ans, a perdu le contrôle de son luge près de la fin du piste, a été jeté dans l’air et a ete frappe conte une perche. Les officiels essaient d’investiguer l’événement, de trouver le responsable. Moi, je ne suis pas trop intéressée de qui est responsable. Je pense de sa famille, de comment ils vont prendre ces nouvelles. Il y a juste quatre ans de différence entre moi et Nadar. D’avoir quelque chose de si tragique arriver à quelqu’un si jeune est assez navrant. J’offre mes sympathies à sa famille et à ses amis.<br /> <br />La luge est un sport qui est dangereux, ceci est évident. Mais il faut que je sois honnête, je ne savais pas trop de ce sport avant que j’avais rencontré l’équipe de luge tchèque il y a quelques jours. Après ceci, j’ai fait un peu plus de la recherche sur le sport et j’ai réalisé que les lugistes doivent être très courageux. Chaque moment de leur carrière est remplis des situations dangereuses! C’est pour cela que je suis encore plus remplie avec l’admiration pour Nodar Kumaritashvili. Mais, après ce qui est passé, est-ce que la luge est trop dangereuse pour les Jeux Olympiques? Est-ce qu’il faut qu’ils l’éliminent, s’assurent que ce n’est plus un sport qui fait partie des Jeux? Personnellement, je ne sais pas. Mais les autres, qu’en pensez-vous?Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-53928655706172801392010-02-08T19:47:00.000-08:002010-02-08T20:00:52.808-08:00Olympic Torch RelayWell, they are carrying the Olympic Torch through Richmond in... one day. That's exciting. That's especially exciting because they're carrying it right by my house. Well, not right by my house (as in you cannot see it from my bedroom window), but pretty close to my house. And then at seven there's this big Olympic Celebration happening at Minoru. It's like a big party to kick start the Olympic Games. :)<br /><br /><br />Coca-Cola is sponsoring the event and they're giving out free bottles of Coke to the spectators. But what really shocked is the fact that you have to be fourteen years old to get a free bottle of Coke (I found this out from someone who lives in a place that has already had the Olympic Celebration). So now there's a legal age limit for drinking Coke? <em>That's taking it too far.</em><br /><br />But, anyways, it sounds like mucho fun, so I will definitely be at the celebrations tomorrow!<br /><br />Come one, come all.Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-3241772695190711792010-02-05T14:41:00.000-08:002010-02-05T20:37:28.597-08:00Les changementsPuisque tellement de monde a répondu au mon entrée de blog que j’ai écrit en français, j’écris un autre. Je remercie tous les gens qui ont répondu à mon blog- j’adore lire les commentaires des autres. J’ai remarqué que beaucoup de personnes qui ont écrit des commentaires habitent à Colorado. Est-ce que vous venez d’une école française ? Pourquoi tellement de gens francophiles qui habitent a Colorado ? Où avez-vous trouvé mon Blog ?<br /><br />Alors, j’écris un peu sur ce qui arrive dans ma propre ville. Il reste très peu de temps avant le commencement des Jeux Olympiques et le gouvernement fait beaucoup de choses pour décorer les rues pour cette occasion, autant a Vancouver qu’aux banlieues. Par exemple, Granville, une grande rue au centre de la ville, a été reconstruite, pour faire une sorte de promenade pour les gens. Il n’y a pas longtemps, on conduisait dessous. Maintenant, on ne peut plus la passer en voiture, car elle a été complètement transformée pour les Jeux Olympiques ; elle est bourrée des vendeurs de souvenirs, des chanteurs, des clowns et des exhibitions d’art. Je suggère au gens qui seront dans la ville durant les Jeux Olympiques (ou Paralympiques) de la visiter, c’est une belle façon de passer un peu de temps. <br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWBgXIUTk5051TeS7A1iI9jO-cQ6i0I5MeG-atv1t3dpJ3STZpca7a3XGJJErt7vfLx65La6r2aWKiIdj7DCwlvJHSq8yKIGbWJKeZlRpeYukq5_-SmoZhY_AZRfbF9LmUGJn-3kPtDGm/s1600-h/100125011052Photograph_and_Caption%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWBgXIUTk5051TeS7A1iI9jO-cQ6i0I5MeG-atv1t3dpJ3STZpca7a3XGJJErt7vfLx65La6r2aWKiIdj7DCwlvJHSq8yKIGbWJKeZlRpeYukq5_-SmoZhY_AZRfbF9LmUGJn-3kPtDGm/s320/100125011052Photograph_and_Caption%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434974777750364610" /></a><br /><br />Photo par AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck & Bev Yaworski<br /><br />Où j’habite, à Richmond, ils ont aussi construit plusieurs choses. Ce qui est le plus remarquable est l’O Zone, le grand site de célébration pour les Jeux Olympiques. Ça fait quelque temps qu’ils le construisent, alors je le passe chaque fois que je traverse Richmond en voiture. Au moment c’est impossible d’entrer, car c’est tout fermé par une clôture, mais les gens disent que l’Ozone sera assez chouette, lorsque qu’ils vont l’ouvrir.<br /><br />Contrairement aux compétitions de sport ou aux ouvertures des Jeux qui coûtent une petite fortune, l’entrée dans l’O Zone sera gratuite à tout le monde. C’est là-bas qu’on peut écouter aux groupes qui chantent sur une scène, goûter de la nourriture multiculturelle, même rencontrer quelques athlètes. Tout ce qu’on veut savoir des Jeux Olympiques, sera là…Au moment, l’O Zone est fermé, mais j’espère le visiter lorsqu’il ouvre. Quand je le viseterai, je vais écrire de mes expériences.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ9ELSqACP1NPzQDGK-qT5ODm2zN30PUKVzddiAVNhR5Rw2zlPk8Krt0VwAfyKnmACx7ixX7xCQYT4SwWMMbVawWig26qPqA9R0D_soJ6BkK-DoYz8iKr6G0rGYohPgXwV4fmR_-oRSTW/s1600-h/Our%2520Lady%2520Peace%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQ9ELSqACP1NPzQDGK-qT5ODm2zN30PUKVzddiAVNhR5Rw2zlPk8Krt0VwAfyKnmACx7ixX7xCQYT4SwWMMbVawWig26qPqA9R0D_soJ6BkK-DoYz8iKr6G0rGYohPgXwV4fmR_-oRSTW/s320/Our%2520Lady%2520Peace%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434975852807972418" /></a><br /><br /><br />Our Lady Peace, un groupe qui chantera a l’O Zone.Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-79192449067149923522010-02-01T09:55:00.000-08:002010-02-01T10:30:18.339-08:00Road Closures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItNKMcpf2saCqroL8b_t8Sw77A96Qe-blCIbF0VxxF0mAxB8lzq26DPsuO2tZ8wUajEwAgahfCclIL9YJstHY1I4nD-XSzcKupvByc8QCTP7Uwj1n82ugmawGjuvNLVdqWfcx-thvsBre/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 87px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItNKMcpf2saCqroL8b_t8Sw77A96Qe-blCIbF0VxxF0mAxB8lzq26DPsuO2tZ8wUajEwAgahfCclIL9YJstHY1I4nD-XSzcKupvByc8QCTP7Uwj1n82ugmawGjuvNLVdqWfcx-thvsBre/s320/images.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433343566923691826" /></a><br />Well, the Olympic Games are nearing at unbelievable speed and the effects of the Games are being seen far and wide. Like the Canucks' Olympic Break. Or all of these foreign news stations suddenly talking about Vancouver. Or the major road closures all over downtown. Which is particularly what I want to write about.<br /><br />Check out this link.<br /><br />http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/01/29/bc-olympic-stadium-raod-closures.html <br /><br />It's going to be hectic in the city during the Olympic Games. But it's not like we didn't know that already. I guess that's what you can expect when an event this large comes into town. What is not so ordinary is the fact that it's going to be nearly impossible to get anywhere in your own vehicle. You'll have to rely on public transportation a lot more often if you want to get to the Games. Will P.T. be an efficient and a relatively rapid way to get into Vancouver during the 2010 Olympic<br />Games? We'll just have to wait and see. What do you think?Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-24189583164387335262010-01-27T15:16:00.000-08:002010-01-27T15:35:56.878-08:00MusicI couldn't think of anything to write about, so I decided to write about the first that came to my head. And that first thing happened to be music, simply because I'm listening to a movie soundtrack right now. <br /><br />Despite all the complaining people in positions of authority are doing over iPods in classes, most people like music. I mean, who doesn't? I'm sure there's at least some kind of music style that speaks to you, whether you're a die-hard Greenday fan or one of those people who only listens to music while riding in someone else's car. The thing is, there's a time for everything. That's what people that are constantly plugged into their iPod, whether they are in class, at the dinner table or at teh doctor's office, fail to understand. And this is just personal opinion, of course, but I believe that it is impossible to fully enjoy your music, if you're listening to it 24/7. <br /><br />I've never been crazy about music as a child. I listened to it in the car, of course, but I never collected CDs or went crazy over boy bands. It was only in grade eight, when I got my first iPod for Christmas, that my passion for music started developping. And now... My taste in music is a bit ecclectic. I like the top 40, country, rap, broadway/theatre songs, soul, jazz... I can find something I like in every genre of music, though the reverse is also true- there's a lot of songs that do not speak to me at all. So really it's not about the gerne of the music, it's about the type of song, the beat of it, the lyrics...<br /><br />What is it that draws me to one song and not to another one? That I do not know. Why do we like some things and do not like other things? That is one of the mysteries of the human brain, one that the scientists were unable to crack just yet.Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-19715324107508110242010-01-22T21:16:00.001-08:002010-01-22T21:18:36.945-08:00En français!<span xmlns=''><p><span style='color:#7030a0; font-size:14pt'>Brief heads up: Someone suggested that I write a few of my blog posts in French, so that's what I'm going to do now. If you want to read this, learn French. Or hire a translator. ;) Et maintenant, en français....<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:#7030a0; font-size:14pt'>Bonjour! Je vais écrire cette entrée de blog en français, pour ceux de vous qui sont francophones. Pour commencer, je m'excuse pour ce qui concerne mes fautes d'orthographe- le français, ce n'est pas ma langue maternelle. Oui, ça fait assez longtemps que je l'apprends, mais malgré tout ça j'habite quand même en Colombie-Britannique. En dehors de l'école, il n'existe pas beaucoup d'occasions pour pratiquer cette langue. <br /></span></p><p><span style='color:#7030a0; font-size:14pt'>Je commencerai par vous racontant un peu de moi. Je m'appelle Veronika Bondarenko. J'ai dix-sept ans et je suis en douzième année à l'école secondaire Hugh McRoberts. C'est une école bilingue, qui offre un programme qui s'appelle<em> l'Immersion française.</em> J'habite à Richmond, une banlieue de Vancouver. J'aime bien Richmond, mais j'espère d'allez voyager ou vivre quelque pars d'autre lorsque je commencerai mes études secondaires. J'espère d'entrer dans une programme d'arts a UBC et plus tard, lorsque j'aurais eu la chance de terminer quelques semestres a UBC, d'aller faire un semestre en Europe ou a New York. Quant à futur, je veux être journaliste. Ce métier combine les deux choses que j'aime faire le plus- voyager et écrire. C'est la raison pourquoi j'ai voulu être un journaliste-étudiant pour les Jeux Olympiques de 2010, pourquoi j'écris ce blog. L'écriture, c'est ma passion.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:#7030a0; font-size:14pt'>Maintenant, parlons-en des Jeux Olympiques. C'est assez incroyable qu'ils s'approchent aussi rapidement. Je me rappelle du jour ou ils ont annoncé qu'ils auront les Jeux de 2010 à Vancouver. J'étais en école élémentaire et l'an 2010 semblait d'être quelque chose de très lointain… Et voila, c'est déjà 2010. Les Jeux de 2010 sont presque la. Suivez mon blog pendant que je couvre les Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques de 2010, en anglais et en français.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:#7030a0; font-size:14pt'>Veronika B.</span></p></span>Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-28294522639462959702010-01-21T16:53:00.000-08:002010-01-21T17:06:45.960-08:00Hey there...OK, I know that I haven't written in a while. And that is unexcusable. But, I am going to try to update more often. So... Updates.<br /><br />They put up Canadian flags all over my school <strong>and</strong> all over the nearby community centre where I eat my lunch on a daily basis, in spirit of the Olympic Games. <br /><br />Sort of like this, except more flags, all in the school foyer:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK96vqDS-5XT1v9jtPV5yzi8CHqNAYXSS4Df-zUBnMWTnIg1BoObbQiW3JMAiiBkm-fw-APQ4_3vWcQ0sGtMVtaGpwoUC5AvTO_LG11K5yMSNTQiVkpRrbx_8Pl-Q1QkdfSR_QoolJB3CO/s1600-h/800px-Canada_flag_halifax_9_-04%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK96vqDS-5XT1v9jtPV5yzi8CHqNAYXSS4Df-zUBnMWTnIg1BoObbQiW3JMAiiBkm-fw-APQ4_3vWcQ0sGtMVtaGpwoUC5AvTO_LG11K5yMSNTQiVkpRrbx_8Pl-Q1QkdfSR_QoolJB3CO/s320/800px-Canada_flag_halifax_9_-04%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429363433462276866" /></a><br /><br />And that is all good and well, of course, because I am personally excited for the Games. The problem is, what if someone is against the Olympic Games? How would they feel, seeing these babies everywhere? Not to mention that, patriotic as they may be, huge flags in a tight hallway is kind of... tacky. And what happened to the whole "Go World" idea? Or are we only cheering for Canadian athletes now?Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-70666692766099050282010-01-16T14:07:00.000-08:002010-01-16T14:41:38.320-08:00Hockey ManiaFirst off, let me start off by thanking the weather gods for all the sunshine. I was starting to forget what it looked like. It's amazing what good weather can do to lift your spirits. Doctors and anti-depressant prescribers should not underestimate the power of the sun. After such a gloomy week (school, lack of sleep, cleaning, rain) a few days ofsun was just what the doctor ordered. Not to mention that we started to take down our Christmas tree today- another sad affair. I don't know, I guess it's hard coming to terms with the fact that the holidays are actually over... But what can you do? Not stay in the past, but look ahead, I guess.<br /><br />So. Today's the Canucks vs. Penguins game. The long awaited one that I really wish I had tickets to. I've only been to one hockey game in my life (the Capitals vs. Canucks one in December) and I would love to go to more. Then again, hockey's a new passion. I used to find it boring, up until I discovered hockey players. ;) O'Brien. Crosby. Ovechkin. Linden and Naslund, when they still played. And on it goes.<br /><br />Back to this game, however, I don't even know who I'm rooting for. I'm torn between my undying love for Sid the Kid and my patriotic pride that doesn't allow me to cheer for anyone but Vancouver. The ultimate solution would be if both Sidney Crosby and Ovie came to play for the Canucks next year. Hah. Like that would EVER happen. Besides, the whole thing that draws people to Crosby and Ovechkin is that they're rivals. Like Lemieux and Gretzky. Bird and Johnson. Great players that cannot share the glory. Sports just isn't the same without them. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCsr9Wf4pfN77sKzbBueR7dqc4NkiHYym9iVRq6YCqLmpdQ5b4kBbG1wt4iF8AT67z-IKne3IZVjAzCANj8OrV-ryYAgnFY_c44bINYBxaRzJC3LRNt8_h-_2Ww2RJJJFY9jPlc8EgJzf/s1600-h/crosby-ovechkin%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCsr9Wf4pfN77sKzbBueR7dqc4NkiHYym9iVRq6YCqLmpdQ5b4kBbG1wt4iF8AT67z-IKne3IZVjAzCANj8OrV-ryYAgnFY_c44bINYBxaRzJC3LRNt8_h-_2Ww2RJJJFY9jPlc8EgJzf/s320/crosby-ovechkin%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427470951498152178" /></a><br /><br />Cutie and Hottie.<br /><br />Anyways, even if I will not be able to get into GM place without getting into some serious trouble with the police, I will be in the city on account of some people that I need to visit, so I'll probably experience the craziness before and after the game first hand. It's going to be an exciting night for sports, Canada. We'll see how it all goes. Which team's your money on?<br /><br /><br />P.S. Which sounds better Veronika Crosby or Veronika Ovechkina?Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2763020323788187875.post-85836895331739825522010-01-13T18:00:00.001-08:002010-01-13T18:27:24.439-08:00Back...Hey... As you may or may not have noticed, I haven't written for a couple of days. Well, I spent the weekend in Kelowna for a school ski trip and I spent the next couple of days recovering from the trip. I won't go into details, except to say that I came back very, very tired. Got about a combined 8 hours of sleep in those two days. And as I mentioned earlier, I am someone that needs her sleep. But now that a sense of normality has come back to my life, I'm going to start blogging again. Regularly!<br /><br />Today hasn't been that exciting because all I did was go to school, take pictures of the McRoberts Wood Club for the yearbook, hang out with a friend, go for a run and, ahem, clean my room a little bit. I'll also be going to dance in about an hour. Everyday stuff. Nothing to write an entry about. So I guess that I'll have to write about something other than my day (shock!).<br /><br />I was recently told that people love to read lists. And I love to write lists. So.. I'll write a list of things that I don't like. Because it seems that the list just keeps on growing, apparently.<br /><br /><strong>My List of Things that I Do Not Like, Of Sorts:</strong><br /><br />-people looking over my shoulder when I write, text, type or anything else like that<br />-when the thread in a sewing machine runs out halfway through a seam<br />-when people wear pyjama pants in public on any day that isn't PJ Day<br />-mixed messages<br />-when my locker won't open, even though I have the right combination<br />-stnading at the register, trying to find that nickel, while there is a long line behind me<br />-wimps and people that are so afraid of failure that they don't even try<br />-people being unable to pronounce my last name<br />-meaning to do one thing and ending up getting distracted with something totally different<br />-when you shake a Ketchup bottle and red water comes out<br />-wanting to volunteer for something, but being afraid to raise your hand because no one else is<br />-scientific movies that aren't Bill Nye<br />-when teachers take forever and a day to mark a really simple assignment<br />-late fees from Rogers and the library<br />-being the last one to understand a joke<br />-long lines<br />-cooking by myself<br />-when people whisper and/or talk in a foreign language around you<br />-coming to a pool twenty minutes before closing time<br />-five people all sitting in a room together, each playing games on their own device<br />-mocha (what a waste of hot chocolate)<br />-not being hungry, but helping yourself to the shrimp balls anyways<br /><br />To Be Continued, because I'm drawing a blank right now. But there is definitely more to come!Veronika B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034419907426705963noreply@blogger.com0