Yesterday was one of the best birthdays I've ever had!!
It was the last day of school before March Break and it was "Formal Friday" at our school. So all in all, couldn't have been a better day to have my 17th!!
I actually didn't sleep well the night before and I had to hand in the biggest assignment of my high school career so far too, but the day more than made up for it!!
My friends did the sweetest things for me after school, surprising me in a coffee shop by giving me a baseball glove.
I had dinner with my parents in the evening and then we had cake. Afterwards, we ended up talking for almost three hours about everything about life. It was the best ending to an AWESOME day.
I don't feel any different to be 17, but I'm just so glad my birthday was so fantastic!
-D
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Friday, 5 March 2010
Canada's Game
It's hard to believe that it's been almost a week since the Olympics drew to a close.
I didn't get a chance to update on the Canada-USA gold medal hockey game but you probably have heard that CANADA came out victorious in the end after a tense overtime goal by Sid the Kid Crosby, another person that will for sure be lighting the cauldron when the Games come back to Canada.
It's beyond my skill as a writer to describe what that gold medal, a record breaking 14th for Canada in Vancouver, meant to this country. The TV ratings averaged 16.6 million for the nearly three hour affair, making it the most watched program in this country's history. Keep in mind that Canada's total population is about 33 million. So having 16.6 million people watching that game would be equivalent to about 160 million Americans watching a TV program.
About 80%, or 26.5 million Canadians tuned into the game at some point. That's just absolutely incredible and I don't know what other event would even draw close to the same amount of people.
I'm not sure how to put the Canadian reaction into words but I think this video does some justice to what a victory that was for all 33 million hearts across this land: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHc6VGIK8-I&feature=related
-D
I didn't get a chance to update on the Canada-USA gold medal hockey game but you probably have heard that CANADA came out victorious in the end after a tense overtime goal by Sid the Kid Crosby, another person that will for sure be lighting the cauldron when the Games come back to Canada.
It's beyond my skill as a writer to describe what that gold medal, a record breaking 14th for Canada in Vancouver, meant to this country. The TV ratings averaged 16.6 million for the nearly three hour affair, making it the most watched program in this country's history. Keep in mind that Canada's total population is about 33 million. So having 16.6 million people watching that game would be equivalent to about 160 million Americans watching a TV program.
About 80%, or 26.5 million Canadians tuned into the game at some point. That's just absolutely incredible and I don't know what other event would even draw close to the same amount of people.
I'm not sure how to put the Canadian reaction into words but I think this video does some justice to what a victory that was for all 33 million hearts across this land: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHc6VGIK8-I&feature=related
-D
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Saving the Best for Last
For the third time in four days, Canada has won 4 medals.
The first one this afternoon came around 5 PM when our men's team pursuit trio beat the United States to snag the men's only medal at the Richmond Olympic Oval. That was Gold #11.
Then, barely 5 minutes later, Jasey-Jay Anderson carved his way to Olympic gold after 4 tries. Anderson made it through 10 runs before crossing the finishing line as Olympic champion. More amazingly, he made up a 0.76 second deficit in the final run. What a moment for him.
Up in Whistler, Lyndon Rush's four man bobsled team missed out on a silver medal by 1/100th of a second. Nonetheless, they do take away the bronze medal, which was also Canada's 24th trip to the podium, matching the record haul in Torino.
Finally, a couples hours ago, Canada's Men's Curling team, led by Skip Kevin Martin, beat Norway 6-3 to win our 13th Gold medal in Vancouver.
What a day it's been-we got to hear O Canada THREE times. We broke the record for the most number of gold medals won by a host nation. We tied the record for the most number of gold medals EVER by any nation at one Winter Olympics. On Wednesday night, Canada was trailing far behind with just 11 medals. Now, suddenly, we might ourselves in third place with 25 medals.
And it's not done yet! TOMORROW-this entire nation will watch what will be the BIGGEST HOCKEY GAME Canada has ever played in. If we win, it will be our 14th Gold medal and 26th medal overall. But more than that, we will have won our HOLY GRAIL.
*Fingers crossed*
-D
The first one this afternoon came around 5 PM when our men's team pursuit trio beat the United States to snag the men's only medal at the Richmond Olympic Oval. That was Gold #11.
Then, barely 5 minutes later, Jasey-Jay Anderson carved his way to Olympic gold after 4 tries. Anderson made it through 10 runs before crossing the finishing line as Olympic champion. More amazingly, he made up a 0.76 second deficit in the final run. What a moment for him.
Up in Whistler, Lyndon Rush's four man bobsled team missed out on a silver medal by 1/100th of a second. Nonetheless, they do take away the bronze medal, which was also Canada's 24th trip to the podium, matching the record haul in Torino.
Finally, a couples hours ago, Canada's Men's Curling team, led by Skip Kevin Martin, beat Norway 6-3 to win our 13th Gold medal in Vancouver.
What a day it's been-we got to hear O Canada THREE times. We broke the record for the most number of gold medals won by a host nation. We tied the record for the most number of gold medals EVER by any nation at one Winter Olympics. On Wednesday night, Canada was trailing far behind with just 11 medals. Now, suddenly, we might ourselves in third place with 25 medals.
And it's not done yet! TOMORROW-this entire nation will watch what will be the BIGGEST HOCKEY GAME Canada has ever played in. If we win, it will be our 14th Gold medal and 26th medal overall. But more than that, we will have won our HOLY GRAIL.
*Fingers crossed*
-D
10 Medals in 3 Days
Wow!
What a run in these last three days for Canada!
I didn't think they would even crack 20 medals after last weekend's choking orgy, but now, we are guaranteed to tie our medal count in Torino and very likely surpass it.
Last night was just so exciting in Pacific Coliseum. The short trackers of Canada finally broke through for two gold medals. Charles Hamelin snagged the Men's 500 Gold in an absolutely crazy last lap in which two skaters, including Sung Si-Bak, who was leading at the time, fell. Thanks to another controversial disqualification, this time to Apolo Anton Ohno, Francois Louis-Tremblay won bronze.
Then there was the relay, in which Canada ran a PERFECT race. The Men's 5000 M Relay in Short Track is probably the most exciting event of the discipline and it WAS extra exciting to see Canada win last night. The medal ceremonies were held on the rink last night and it was extra sweet to here O Canada played TWICE.
We also won a silver medal in Women's Curling. Probably 98 times out of 100, Canada would have snagged gold, but unfortunately, Cheryl Bernard choked two shots and we had to settle for second place.
More medal action today. There's speed skating team pursuit later this afternoon in Richmond. The Canadian men are guaranteed a silver. The Canadian women were eliminated yesterday by the Americans in the quarterfinals though.
Men's Parallel Giant Slalom Snowboarding is also underway at Cypress Mountains. Michael Lambert, Matthew Morrison, and Jasey-Jay Anderson are all expected to contend for the podium!
Runs 3 and 4 of the Four-Man Bosleigh are also scheduled for today. Canada 1 is currently in 2rd place, four-tenths back of the lead. Canada 2 is in 6th place.
We're also guaranteed a silver in men's curling this afternoon. Hopefully, Kevin Martin will bring us the gold!
More updates in the afternoon! Jam-packed day!
-D
What a run in these last three days for Canada!
I didn't think they would even crack 20 medals after last weekend's choking orgy, but now, we are guaranteed to tie our medal count in Torino and very likely surpass it.
Last night was just so exciting in Pacific Coliseum. The short trackers of Canada finally broke through for two gold medals. Charles Hamelin snagged the Men's 500 Gold in an absolutely crazy last lap in which two skaters, including Sung Si-Bak, who was leading at the time, fell. Thanks to another controversial disqualification, this time to Apolo Anton Ohno, Francois Louis-Tremblay won bronze.
Then there was the relay, in which Canada ran a PERFECT race. The Men's 5000 M Relay in Short Track is probably the most exciting event of the discipline and it WAS extra exciting to see Canada win last night. The medal ceremonies were held on the rink last night and it was extra sweet to here O Canada played TWICE.
We also won a silver medal in Women's Curling. Probably 98 times out of 100, Canada would have snagged gold, but unfortunately, Cheryl Bernard choked two shots and we had to settle for second place.
More medal action today. There's speed skating team pursuit later this afternoon in Richmond. The Canadian men are guaranteed a silver. The Canadian women were eliminated yesterday by the Americans in the quarterfinals though.
Men's Parallel Giant Slalom Snowboarding is also underway at Cypress Mountains. Michael Lambert, Matthew Morrison, and Jasey-Jay Anderson are all expected to contend for the podium!
Runs 3 and 4 of the Four-Man Bosleigh are also scheduled for today. Canada 1 is currently in 2rd place, four-tenths back of the lead. Canada 2 is in 6th place.
We're also guaranteed a silver in men's curling this afternoon. Hopefully, Kevin Martin will bring us the gold!
More updates in the afternoon! Jam-packed day!
-D
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Quadruple Medal Day
In the last few hours, on Day 12 of what has so far been a disappointing Olympics, Canada collected four medals.
First, it was Clara Hughes snagging bronze in her Olympic swan song. It was a huge performance on her part, laying down an Oval Record time of 6'55". But two youngsters from Europe, Stephanie Beckert of Germany and Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic outshined her. Nonetheless, she is now tied with the most decorated Canadian Olympians of all time with 6 medals. She is also the ONLY Olympian in HISTORY to have won multiple medals in both Summer and Winter Games.
Then, there was the exciting quarterfinal men's hockey game between Canada and Russia. When I turned on the TV and saw the score 4-1 for Canada, I was surprised but so happy. In the end, our boys smacked the Russians 7-3! Couldn't have been better. Let's hope they continue that performance!
Then, our Canadian short track relay team, with help of a disqualification of the Korean team, won a silver medal. The top three were all separated by quite a bit of time but the Canadians managed to hold off the Americans for what was initially a third place finish. And it was turned into a silver after the controversial disqualification.
Finally, Canada doubled medalled in women's bobsleigh. Canada 1 and Canada 2 laid down four amazing runs to claim gold and silver. That was a beautiful moment!
Joannie Rochette will do her free skate tomorrow. If she wins a medal, imagine the emotions!
-D
First, it was Clara Hughes snagging bronze in her Olympic swan song. It was a huge performance on her part, laying down an Oval Record time of 6'55". But two youngsters from Europe, Stephanie Beckert of Germany and Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic outshined her. Nonetheless, she is now tied with the most decorated Canadian Olympians of all time with 6 medals. She is also the ONLY Olympian in HISTORY to have won multiple medals in both Summer and Winter Games.
Then, there was the exciting quarterfinal men's hockey game between Canada and Russia. When I turned on the TV and saw the score 4-1 for Canada, I was surprised but so happy. In the end, our boys smacked the Russians 7-3! Couldn't have been better. Let's hope they continue that performance!
Then, our Canadian short track relay team, with help of a disqualification of the Korean team, won a silver medal. The top three were all separated by quite a bit of time but the Canadians managed to hold off the Americans for what was initially a third place finish. And it was turned into a silver after the controversial disqualification.
Finally, Canada doubled medalled in women's bobsleigh. Canada 1 and Canada 2 laid down four amazing runs to claim gold and silver. That was a beautiful moment!
Joannie Rochette will do her free skate tomorrow. If she wins a medal, imagine the emotions!
-D
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
GOLD #6
In less than 24 hours, Canada has struck gold for a second time.
At around 5:30 PM this afternoon, Ashley McIvor won the first ever gold medal in women's ski cross, an event that was held in challenging weather conditions. Despite the wind and the snow, a healthy crowd was there to cheer on Ashley as she crossed the finish line in first place, way ahead of a pack of skiers from Scandanavia.
She will collect Canada's 6th gold medal in Vancouver tonight at BC Place. It will be an amazing celebration, following that horrifically disappointing weekend for Canadians. Can't wait for the ceremony!
I hope we can keep up this pace of collecting old medals!
-D
At around 5:30 PM this afternoon, Ashley McIvor won the first ever gold medal in women's ski cross, an event that was held in challenging weather conditions. Despite the wind and the snow, a healthy crowd was there to cheer on Ashley as she crossed the finish line in first place, way ahead of a pack of skiers from Scandanavia.
She will collect Canada's 6th gold medal in Vancouver tonight at BC Place. It will be an amazing celebration, following that horrifically disappointing weekend for Canadians. Can't wait for the ceremony!
I hope we can keep up this pace of collecting old medals!
-D
Monday, 22 February 2010
GOLDEN MOMENT
After a weekend of disappointments, upsets, and crashes and burns...Canada has finally struck GOLD again!! This time, we delivered, and we delivered big!!
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are the new Canadian heroes! What a performance from them tonight!! Absolutely a gold medal performance last night and tonight. What a beautiful moment this is for the two of them. What a beautiful moment it is for this country!
I can't wait for that anthem in a few minutes!
Just simply: WOW!
-D
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are the new Canadian heroes! What a performance from them tonight!! Absolutely a gold medal performance last night and tonight. What a beautiful moment this is for the two of them. What a beautiful moment it is for this country!
I can't wait for that anthem in a few minutes!
Just simply: WOW!
-D
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Canada the Great Choke
Creds to my friend Varun for coining that term.
For the past three days, I've watched one Canadian after another (with the exception of the clutch performers Jon Montgomery and Kristina Groves) crash and burn, quite literally, as they chased for medals.
First there was Mellisa Hollingsworth, though I do sympathize with her. She is one athlete who is NOT making excuses and appreciates the magnitude of her disappointning performance. Then there was Denny Morrison who racked up a 13th place and then a 9th place finish in events in which he was a supposedly a medal contender.
Then there were the short trackers, Charles Hamelin and Francois Hamelin, who went out too fierce and watched in vain as the mighty Koreans and Apolo Anton Ohno sped by to claim the podium. Then there was the Men's Ski Cross today, an event in which Canada was hailed as a potential podium-sweeper. Chris Del Bosco ended up being the only Canadian in the final and fell on a landing close to th finish line. Oh and I forgot about Canada 1 Bobsled who flipped over on the notorious Turn 13 last night, dashing any hopes for a medal.
And tonight, Team Canada was defeated by the Americans 5-3 in what was an exciting hockey game. However, one moment struck me the most. Towards the end of the game, with his team leading 4-3, Ryan Kesler sprinted after the puck and dove and poked it into the empty Canadian net. That was the SPIRIT, I thought, which has carried the USA to their 24 medal performance so far. That was the SPIRIT that was missing for Canadian athletes this weekend.
Let's face it. We are not owning the podium in Vancouver. It will be a miracle if we crack 20 medals.
-D
For the past three days, I've watched one Canadian after another (with the exception of the clutch performers Jon Montgomery and Kristina Groves) crash and burn, quite literally, as they chased for medals.
First there was Mellisa Hollingsworth, though I do sympathize with her. She is one athlete who is NOT making excuses and appreciates the magnitude of her disappointning performance. Then there was Denny Morrison who racked up a 13th place and then a 9th place finish in events in which he was a supposedly a medal contender.
Then there were the short trackers, Charles Hamelin and Francois Hamelin, who went out too fierce and watched in vain as the mighty Koreans and Apolo Anton Ohno sped by to claim the podium. Then there was the Men's Ski Cross today, an event in which Canada was hailed as a potential podium-sweeper. Chris Del Bosco ended up being the only Canadian in the final and fell on a landing close to th finish line. Oh and I forgot about Canada 1 Bobsled who flipped over on the notorious Turn 13 last night, dashing any hopes for a medal.
And tonight, Team Canada was defeated by the Americans 5-3 in what was an exciting hockey game. However, one moment struck me the most. Towards the end of the game, with his team leading 4-3, Ryan Kesler sprinted after the puck and dove and poked it into the empty Canadian net. That was the SPIRIT, I thought, which has carried the USA to their 24 medal performance so far. That was the SPIRIT that was missing for Canadian athletes this weekend.
Let's face it. We are not owning the podium in Vancouver. It will be a miracle if we crack 20 medals.
-D
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