Ending the 09/10 ski season with a bang!

Growing up, I was not part of the 'sunny vacation' norm. I spent my vacations skiing in Alberta or Quebec, not tanning in Mexico or Florida like the majority of my classmates. My parents were always physically fit and often put me and my brother into various sports (gymnastics, baseball, tennis). Skiing was the only sport that seemed to stick and something we could enjoy as a family.

I became more involved in the ski industry when I was 16, I obtained my CSIA (Canadian Ski Instructors' Alliance) level 1 and my CSCF (Canadian Ski Coaches Federation) level 1.

Because of my school schedule this year, I decided to take the ski season off and focused on my studies. As the winter progressed I realized...snow is no fun if you aren't skiing on it! My lack of 'on snow' time and the passing of the Vancouver Olympics inspired me to get some skiing done before the snow melted, so this past week I went on my CSIA level 2 course. For those who aren't familiar with CSIA, the level 2 course is a five day evaluation, lasting from 9a.m. to 4:30p.m. each day, where you are graded separately on your skiing and teaching ability.

Our level 2 group - course conductor: Doug Leeming (far left) and Jim Morris (far right)

As of today, I am happy to say that I am a CSIA level 2/CSCF level 1. The level 2 course has reignited my passion for skiing and has inspired me to improve on my skiing and teaching abilities.

It's true what people say, you don't realize how much you miss something until it's gone. Luckily for me, winter comes back ever November. With the end of the 09/10 ski season just a week or two away, I have already started my plans for December, and there is no doubt in my mind that I will be back on the slopes! Maybe teaching skiing in Japan if I'm lucky? ;)

Introducing the newest Vancouver Olympic Mascot...Pedobear?

(Quatchi: Left, Miga: Bottom, Sumi: Top and Pedobear: Right)

Pedobear has been lurking around the internet for years, originally known as 'kuma' from a Japanese anime. He later became known as the infamous Pedobear on 4chan, and is used by internet-goers to humorously mock pedophiles and inappropriate photos of people who look underage.

This image of the Vancouver Olympic Pedobear was created by Michael Barrick last July, to poke fun at the mascots. This photo was originally sent to me by my boyfriend as he decided to quiz me on my Olympic Mascot knowledge. He asked me to pick out the mascot that was NOT one of the official Vancouver Olympic Mascots - I failed (picking Quatchi). I later quizzed my brother asking him the same question and he failed as well, picking Sumi. I guess Pedobear blends in well with the original three mascots. Others seem to think so too!

Within the last few months, the Pedobear mascot photo has appeared in several publications being mistaken as the official Vancouver Olympic Mascots. The publications include:

• 2 tv guide magazines - in Poland and Lithuania
• 2 newspapers - in Germany and Netherlands
  

Since Pedobear's first Olympic debut, Barrick has been swamped with media and has openly blogged about his experiences on his livejournal account linked above. He created a FAQ media kit portion on his blog for the media and public.

The Olympic Committee has not made any comment on the mascot photo, even though it has been used in several publications. From a PR perspective, I believe the Olympic Committee should put out a new release to let people know that this is in fact, not an official photo. A news release could prevent the Pedobear photo from appearing for a fifth time in Olympic media coverage. To build positive spirit and support for the Vancouver Olympics, our mascots need to be recognized for their significance to our country (native history and mythology) not for a Pedobear meme.

The second day into the Olympics and we have hit the ground running!

As a huge fan of the Winter Olympics, I spent the majority of my day glued in front of the T.V.

It was said by the media that Canada's wouldn't see any medals till the last 5-days of the Olympics. "As you watch the medals day by day, what you need to know is we don't expect Canada to challenge for the lead until the last few days of the Games," said Roger Jackson, CEO of Own the Podium, five-year plan to help Canadians dominate in the Summer and Winter Games.

But Jenn Heil has proven them wrong!!

Today in Freestyle Skiing (Women's moguls) Jenn Heil placed second, putting Canada on the medal count the first day of events! Heil was sandwiched between Americans, Hannah Kearney (gold medalist) and Shannon Bahrke (bronze medalist).

This is a great start for Canada in the winter games. Vancouver 2010 is the third Olympic Games that Canada has hosted: 1976 - Montreal (Summer) and 1988 - Calgary (Winter) and we have yet to win a gold medal on home turf. Come on Canada, we can do it!

2010 is the year!

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I am no snowbunny!!

With winter here and the Olympics just around the corner, I am finally in my element. For a Southern Ontario skier, winter is never long enough. You try to make up for the lack of ski time by running around your house in your downhill suit and goggles or making yourself a large fries with gravy and hot chocolate...but it's never the same as the real deal.


As a PR student and an avid skier I have decided to blog to the you and the internet about the happenings of the ski world. And there is no better time to do it than the Winter Olympics 2010! Trouble is already stirring due to the lack of snow and scary green patches...