June 29 2011

The newest addition.

June 28 2011

June 27 2011

June 26 2011

The Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Day One: 105 km. Day Two: 104 km. These four took on the challenge along with around 2200 other bikers with the event raising over 8.6 million dollars for cancer research in Alberta.

I met up with Justin for lunch in Turner Valley (approximately 44 kms from the finish) to see how he was managing. Everywhere you turned you saw people soaking wet from all the rain. People were wrapped up in blankets and garbage bags trying to beat mother nature at her own game. Even after all of this everyone still had a smile on their face when they got back on their bikes.

As we were hanging out for lunch this cancer survivor starts chatting with us. She has a very rare type of cancer and said that without research dollars she wouldn’t be alive today. It stopped me for a second because she was probably right. Ten years ago the fight would have ended. Today, although the fight is tough and leaves her with little energy, she was still there kissing her husband good luck.

Everybody knows someone who has been affected by cancer. Unfortunately, in my life the list continues to grow larger and larger but all of them have found their inner strength to fight their own battle. Today these four fought fatigue, sore muscles, hundreds of hills, head winds, and the pouring rain. Coming out the other side they still look amazing and had the ability to inspire all the bystanders.

"During our lives...we experience so many setbacks, and fight such a hand-to-hand battle with failure, head down in the rain, just trying to stay upright and to have a little hope." – Lance Armstrong

June 25 2011

Southern Alberta snapped while out shopping for the garden.

June 24 2011

Langevin Bridge.

June 23 2011

 

This picture was featured in the Calgary Herald today along with an article about community gardens.

Click below for the full article:

Community gardens flourishing across city

June 22 2011

It was nice to see so many people outside utilizing these amazing green spaces we have in Calgary.

Fish Creek Park at its finest.

June 21 2011

Didn’t set out to take a picture today but this little bumble bee captured my eye. These are just amazing creatures..

June 20 2011

June 19 2011

To my Dad, Happy Father’s Day.

Everyone thinks that their Dad is the number one Dad but I have to say that mine tops the chart. My Dad has a silent strength to him, the kind of strength that can pull anyone out of times of adversity. The kind of Dad that can let you make your own mistakes but helps you if you need a hand. One who trusts his daughter to make the right decisions and challenges her when she doesn’t.

My Dad has guided me on a path that I never thought that I would be able to take. He gave me the courage to stay strong when I didn’t think I had it in me. A Dad who has supported me in everything that I have done (even if it something as crazy as running a marathon). He’s never questioned my ability to do something and always responds with ‘go for it’ or ‘how can we make that happen.’ The rock in my life. The ‘advice’ giver (yes, even when it comes to cleaning ). And the one who can brighten up my day with a corny joke.

Thank you for helping me become the person that I am today.

I Love you Dad, Happy Father’s Day.

(Old picture but necessary for a day like today!)

June 18 2011

Forbes and I having a moment together at the wedding (obviously!).

Congrats to Carol and Dave Shaw. It really was a beautiful day despite the rain.

June 17 2011

Andres Duany on Agrarian Urbanism. This was the white hat ceremony after his presentation.

For those of you who don’t know Calgarian culture, the white hat ceremony started in the 1950’s and is a welcoming gift for visiting dignitaries.

June 16 2011

This is Calgary. It really is an amazing city and I’m excited to get reacquainted with it.

June 15 2011

Abby getting her game face on.

June 14 2011

Hanging out at the garden. Today the lettuce ‘hatched’ as I like to call it.

June 13 2011

A garden is a place for contemplation, rejuvenation, and peace. The more love and care that you put into a garden the more it produces.

Today I planted mint, oregano, dill, tomatoes, green zucchini, yellow zucchini, peppers, purple snap peas, green snap peas, yellow and green beans, gold beets, red beets, lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, rainbow radishes, red radishes, basil, purple basil, parsley, potatoes, green onion, kiwi, and rhubarb. I probably missed some but it as you can imagine, it’s a lot!

June 12 2011

It just wasn’t the right time for the fallen petal to hit the ground. Something was there to catch it.

June 11 2011

Observing a child at play.

June 10 2011

Bark.

June 9 2011

Community garden has been planted. Prepare yourself for copious amounts of garden pictures.

A quote from one of the showcase schools at the Environment Expo: “Leadership”, our biggest fear is NOT that we are inadequate BUT that we are more POWERFUL than we can imagine!”

June 8 2011

There are those moment when you feel utterly lost and everything that you work for just falls slightly out of line. This could be for a few hours or a few years. Either way it feels like you’re drowning and you turn for help to find that there isn’t actually anyone there to help you. You’re on your own.

Everybody is strong enough to turn things around although sometimes we just don’t want to do it alone.

June 7 2011

Mayor Naheed Nenshi hanging out with the kids from the showcase schools. One of the girls was star struck when she saw the mayor today; adorable.

If you want to meet some inspiring young students come on down to City Hall for the Mayor’s Environment Expo this week!

June 6 2011

I find that the more time I spend in my garden the more I realize that it’s easy to live exactly in that moment of time. Not a thought or care in the world passes through my mind when I’m out there. It’s my own serenity, my heaven.

I wish everyone has the opportunity to find something that creates that moment of calmness.

Abby and I are patiently awaiting cherries, raspberries, and saskatoon berries.

June 5 2011

Another day in the garden.

June 4 2011

Fish Creek Park.

Those birds always have a song in their heart.

Jun 3 2011

The best dog you could possibly ask for.

#35–Graduate from University

It’s that moment that every person dreams of when they start their first class of their undergrad; graduation.

The first year at UBC was challenging in so many different ways. I started my life in Vancouver having nothing. No knowledge of living alone, living without family, and having absolutely no friends surrounding me. During the first few months here there were weeks that went by where I wouldn’t actually talk to a single person. I remember one day forcing myself to talk to someone on the bus just to keep me sane.

On Tuesday May 31 2011, I walked across the stage to get my degree. With that piece of paper not only came my education but included personal experiences that will change my life forever. I met people that have shaped me and encouraged me to push my limits. These really have been the best days of my life. Starting from nothing and building up a life that truly was amazing in so many different ways.

If you asked me four years ago if I would finish my degree I probably would have said yes. That was a lie, I really didn’t want to go back to UBC – at all. Today I am reluctantly starting a new chapter in my life and going back to Calgary. It’s an amazing place and I am proud to be part of the alumnae.

Things I learnt at UBC:

1. Studying is way more fun when you include the magic school bus.

2. Squirrels, crows, and pigeons do not get along on campus.

3. If you’re ever lonely go feed a pigeon. They really do keep you good company.

4. The aquatic centre is perfect for a nap. If you haven’t fallen asleep up there, you haven’t experienced UBC to its fullest.

5. Always account for at least a15 minute walk from the bus loop.

6. We have the best compost and recycling system in the Greater Vancouver Area but most students don’t use it properly.

7. Storm the Wall is the highlight of the school year.  

8. By the time you figure out how to do well in school you’re walking across the stage to get your degree.

9. Being part of the Land and Food Systems faculty ensures you will be attending the most unique potlucks and study sessions always come with great goodies.

10. UBC is the home of some of the most inspiring people I have ever met.

June 2 2011

And there it is all framed up!

June 1 2011

Visited the Vancouver Aquarium today. Another thing that I wanted to do while in Vancouver.