Vancouver 2010 Winter Games

It's over!

I know, I know... I haven't been nearly as diligent in updating this thing as I originally thought I would. I guess I got caught up in the Games! When I wasn't working, I was watching the events on TV or heading into Whistler to catch some of the amazing atmosphere! Now that the games are over, and I am back home, I look back on my time as an amazing experience that I will never forget! I have always been proud to be Canadian, and never really understood the term "Never been so proud to be Canadian"... until now. There were so many amazing things that happened out there that I got to see live, like the 1-2 finish of the Canadian women in the 2-man bobsleigh, or ones that I watched on TV, like Jon Montgomery walking through Whistler, accepting a pitcher of beer, or Joannie Rochette showing true courage in light of her tragic loss. This experience is something that I am always going to remember and cherish!

I was going through Olympic withdrawal this afternoon, and came across this video on YouTube, and thought that it really showed how proud Canadians are of their country, and their athletes!

No promises on when, but I am going to do a full post of all the athletes that I got to drive, and some of the other great things I got to do while I was out West!

Thanks for reading my blog!

V

February 24th was an AMAZING day!

I had the best day yesterday! I got to see the final two heats of the Women's two-man bobsled competition, and Canada won gold AND silver! It was freakin' amazing! Thanks to my friend for taking me with her and sharing her ticket! It was SO much fun!

In terms of work, I only have three days left, which is crazy! This time next week, I am back home in Ontario! Where did the time go! Anyways, I have more time tomorrow morning, so I will post more about the last little while!

Later all!

V

One week down, one to go!

What a way to end the first week of the Olympics! Last night I got to see Jon Montgomery get his gold medal (not only the first medal by a Canadian in Whistler, but it was Gold!!!) at Whistler Celebration Plaza. It was amazing! The place was packed and everyone was wearing their red and white with pride! The atmosphere was freaking amazing! On top of that, I got to drive a Gold medal athlete on Wednesday after he won the men's cross country sprint by a photo finish, I got to see Deadmau5 perform Thursday night which was amazing! He had WCP jumping! On Friday, I finally got to take advantage of the beautiful weather and a day off to catch a little bit of Men's Super G and then enjoy Symphony Bowl with practically no one around! It was fantastic! The weather has been stellar here since Tuesday, and people are loving it. The mountains look amazing in all their glory! Yesterday, I drove the bronze medallist for the Men's Large Hill ski jumping, which was cool. I know that I'm only 27, but these athletes look like they are 10, which makes me feel SO old!

I can't believe that there is only a week left to the Olympics! They are just flying by! It doesn't feel like a month has gone by! I don't want it to end!

Anyways, I will try to post some more pictures later today or tomorrow. I have the day off on Wednesday and get to see the Women's 2-man bobsleigh (hopefully) which should be awesome! I will try to figure out how to edit videos from my video camera so that I can post those here as well!

Later all!

I am loving my job! I got to hold a bronze medal on Sunday! It was for the Men's 10 Km Biathlon at Whistler Olympic Park which was won by a Croatian! They are SUPER heavy! And really big! Although we tend to sit around a lot, at least we aren't standing outside! The top picture is me catching up on some reading, while another volunteer stands outside checking parking permits etc. Despite a lot of hurrying up and waiting, I REALLY can't complain.

I may do a lot of reading, but at least I'm not outside! I have a cozy warm car to sit in. (Don't worry. I don't keep it running all the time! Just short bursts to warm up!)
By the way, the book I'm reading is Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson - strongly recommended!

Last night I got to go into the Medal's Plaza and enjoy some of the show! It's a big party! The days are long, but the people I am working with are awesome, so it makes it totally worth it!

So, later all!

V

The Opening Ceremonies

I'm watching the Opening Ceremonies right now, and they are pretty amazing so far. Nothing quite like the Canadian Team walking into the stadium and the crowds reaction was amazing!

I was very shocked when I heard about the Georgian Luger dying during his training run. I went into the village to check out the atmosphere, and people were talking about it but still seemed pretty upbeat. It was pretty emotional when the Georgian team walked out and took off their caps, and the crowd all stood out of respect. This is why I love the Olympics. In the face of such tragedy, there is an amazing sense of community among the athletes and spectators.

I start my shifts on Sunday, so I'm pretty stocked. I still don't know where or what event I am driving for. I had hoped to find out earlier this week. Although I think with the fog at Creekside and the death of the luger, there might be some changes to the schedule. I will try to keep you all updated when I know more.

I know that I haven't been so good with the updates. I spent from Friday to Tuesday driving around and getting to know all the different venues and getting to know the various drivers and such. We basically go to the events before they are finished, drop off the liaisons who go in and pick up the medallists (or as someone told me, the happiest people at the event!), pick them all up, take them to the village, and then wait around some more and then take them to the Medals Plaza in Whistler. Then we take them where they wanna go, so the Media Centre for interviews, Village to go to sleep, or leave them there to party! It'll be a lot of fun I am sure and I cannot wait. I will probably be terrified my first shift, afraid I am going to screw up, like drive over the athlete's foot!

Anyways, I will try to be better about the updates. I have pretty long shifts, but will do what I can! The pictures are our "fleet" of vans and the Medals plaza stage!

V

Peak 2 Peak

I took some videos on the Peak 2 Peak last Thursday. I just used my little pink camera cause I forgot to charge my video camera so the quality isn't the greatest. Hope you enjoy!

V

Heya

So, I know that I've been bad at keeping this updated, and I am going to do something more in-depth tomorrow, but I thought I would tide you over with some pictures from the last few days! Enjoy! Pictures are from the Whistler Sliding Centre, Whistler Olympic Park and the Torch Relay in Whistler. As I said, I'm going to do a long post tomorrow when I have time to sit down and write something out!

Later all!

V

Update

I know it's been a couple of days since I last sent you guys an update, but I am going to get one up. I've been having some problems with Facebook, and it's been taking up all my time! But here is a picture from the Torch Relay in Whistler last night!

V

Skiing Whistler

I went skiing at Whistler today and it was AMAZING! Went to Symphony which is an area with great skiing and great views, and it wasn't crowded and I just LOVED it! Than I went for lunch and met up with Steven and we skied the Peak to Creek. Peak to Creek is 7 Km of skiing and it was amazing! It took us about 20 minutes and my legs were burning by the end of it! It was an amazing day of skiing and I can't wait till tomorrow. I think I'm going to do Symphony again in the morning and then head over to 7th Heaven at Blackcomb in the afternoon.

Well, I'm going to go and watch some tv because Katie and Steven got cable in yesterday for the Games! Good times!

V

Spent some time wondering around the village after getting things in order for the Games. The village is starting to look like the Games are coming to town! I passed the Swiss House and could see where CTV are going to broadcast from the Village and even saw some athletes or members of an international team of some sort. I went over to Creekside for a short while where the Alpine events are going to take place. I'm going to ski Whistler tomorrow, which will be fun. Might even do Peak to Creek, which was highly recommended by some friends!

Right now, Steven and I are watching Quantum of Solace which is always a good time. I mean, come on! It's Daniel Craig!

Well that's my update for now!

V

Whistler

I arrived in Whistler yesterday after spending a great five days in Vancouver visiting with family and seeing some of the city. Did some shopping, saw Avatar, ate lots of delicious food and had a great visit! Yesterday, Katie picked me up, and we drove to Whistler with Cove in the back seat trying to find a comfortable spot between all the luggage! But we made it in one piece (despite all the "traffic pattern changes" they've made to the Sea to Sky!

Today, Steven and I went to Blackcomb to do some skiing, and I had a great time. Skied the Blackcomb Glacier (that's where the picture is from) and got my ski legs back. I am so looking forward to hitting the slopes when I'm not working. I go tomorrow to get some things sorted out and then start training on Friday. I am so excited and cannot wait!

Will write more later!

I have arrived!

So, I arrived in Vancouver yesterday and the sun was shining and it was around 9 degrees out. There doesn't seem to be that much snow on the mountains here in the city, but I am sure it'll all be good for when the Games start on the 12th!


As I was packing, I was making lists like a mad woman, and one of the lists that I made were the five things that I absolutely positively could not leave home without. So, here it is:



1. My skis - I think that one is pretty self-explanatory. I mean... I'm staying in Whistler. 'Nough said!


2. My video camera and camera - I am going to try to take as many pictures/videos as is humanly possible!


3. My toque and mittens - So while it's 9 degrees here, it's slightly cooler in Whistler - and besides, I have to wear my red mittens!



4. My journal - Again, this one is kind of self explanatory!



5. My toothbrush and toothpaste - Ok, even if I was just going to my mom's house for the weekend, I would bring my toothbrush and toothpaste, but good oral hygiene is very important! You wanna keep your pearly whites healthy!



So there you have it, my top five things that I HAD to bring with me!

Stay tuned for more posts! Hope you all have a great day!

V

25 days!

July 2, 2003 - the date Vancouver won their bid to host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games

2 years - How long ago I applied to be a volunteer

10 months - How long ago I went for my interview

5 months - How long ago I had to wait to hear back from VANOC

Another 5 months - How long I had to wait from being accepted to actually going

9 days - Number of days left till I'm leaving on a jet plane, Vancouver bound

25 days - Number of days till Vancouver welcomes the world for the XXI (21st) Winter Olympic Games!

After so much anticipation, I can't believe that I'm actually going! I don't think I will actually believe it until I am in the air, on my way to Vancouver. I decided to start this blog to keep track of my adventures! I going to post pictures and videos, and keep you all included in my adventures, so stay tuned for more posts soon!

Enjoy,

V