Summer Time is the Best Time!

I just absolutely love summertime. Fresh, cool air breezes through the city and brings with it the aroma of sizzling meat on the barbecue. In Vancouver, the groups of people clustered on Robson Street signal the latest in-store sales and product promotions. In Toronto, the  GO trains become packed with Blue Jays fans waiting to see Ricky Romero wind up on the pitcher’s mound. Ahhh, summer.

This past Saturday was a great summer day for myself and some friends. If you live in Vancouver and were anywhere near Gastown this past weekend, you know that the Vancouver International Jazz Festival was on. As we strolled down Water Street, the atmosphere surrounding us was uplifting. Magicians and jugglers lined the streets, welcoming any and all spectators. Nearby pubs were packed with jazz fans yearning for a pint. Lemonade stands and corn on the cob stations offered food to satisfy anyone’s taste buds and two different stages hosted the smooth, rhythmic beats of Jazz.

Looking around, I couldn’t help but really feel a part of something that day. People lucky enough to live in Gastown hung out their windows, watching the live performances from the comfort of their own home. The crowds watching the shows were both young and old, tourists and Vancouverites alike – all coming to enjoy the same genre of music. It was a great day!

If you didn’t get the chance to go out this past weekend – shame on you…buuuutt don’t worry. The Jazz festival will continue until July 4, 2010.  For more information on show times and locations, visit the website.

Canada’s First Olympic Gold!!

So i’ve been bitten…by the Olympic bug that is! Most of my weekend was spent glued in front of some form of a screen in order to catch every nail breaking and teeth grinding Olympic moment. I would say I am more of a summer sports fanatic myself; however, there is no denying the Winter Games buzz that is reverberating around the entire world. I have not been able to tear myself away from both the men’s and women’s Moguls, the speed skating and of course the figure skating! I was fortunate enough to catch two out of the total three glorious moments for Canada in making it to the podium. Woohoo Go Canada! Just in case you aren’t aware but Canada has already won 3 medals-one gold, one silver and one bronze- staying strong behind the US, Germany, Switzerland and France. Our Olympic gold Medallist was Alexandre Bilodeau in the free style skiing-men’s Moguls with a winning score of 26.75. His run was phenomenal in terms of his turns and the amount of air he got on his jumps! For sure the gold standard!
Jennifer Heil, who many thought was the one and only contender for the Gold in the ladies’ moguls, ended up with a silver medal in the event. Some sensed a little bit of disapointment by Heil during the flower ceremony but we are all proud of her amazing accomplishment anyway. Then last but not least the wonderful Kristina Groves, just with sheer determination was she able to hold onto her bronze medal with a +2.31 second difference from the top time. All of these events were truly thrilling for all of us spectators…maybe 2012 i’ll be in the stands cheering on the world athletes in London. A girl can dream right?