I've already written on all the pages of my journal. To be eco-friendly, let's avoid using paper. ^^;;

I need a confidant/pen pal. Felicity talks to her Sally. 0 = ) Someone already volunteered her services. It's just been a long time since we last spoke.

I gotta rent the next seasons of Felicity. For now I have nothing to hide behind.

Two Lessons I Learned at Mass Yesterday
1. You must accept the way God made you.
2. Prayer is oxygen for the soul (so you gotta keep breathing!)

I have an SFC GA later. I'm looking forward to it. I just have to perfect my outfit. 0 = )

Samba Always Cheers Me Up

Samba (the music of my early childhood) is so uplifting. :)

Yay!

Dad bought Special K* and Oatmeal Crisp. Yay! :D

I had Special K* and Rainier cherries for breakfast.

As I was eating my next door neighbour made a noise showing me what I'll sound like in about 20/30 years. XD At least I can still laugh.

It's gorgeous out. I was supposed to go shopping for baking supplies with Ate Mar today. We had to reschedule our baking day though. My ultimate team has a game tonight.

Everything seems better when I have a good meal. I now know exactly what to say to a wonderful guy who just got in touch with me.

Today can be a good day.

To Do

Find out where I can take first aid

Iron

Laundry (ie. hide my laundry from my parents so I can do it myself)

Clean (My room, the bathroom, everywhere)

Putting the dishes away

You see I need to be given very exact instructions on what to do otherwise I become very paralyzingly anxious. I know I'm supposed to do more around the house though I am unsure as to exactly what. Right now I feel as if I have to clean my whole house. I find that quite a daunting task. I may be updating this page with what I remember or learn.

I'm in that paranoid sleep-deprived state where I'll become very anxious and go nuts from lack of an exact task that needs to be accomplished. I may find out about something that I need to do, but it may not be enough. What I do might never be enough. I must clean my house, find another job to supplement my current income, and finish driving lessons. That all seems too much (That's the depressed little me talking). Anyway, hope I can just be brave and get through this day.

I've been told I need to get out more so I'll be less sad and have a break from negativity.

When I'm doing well emotionally everything seems better. I'm a very emotional ("sensitive" - I answered yes to all ten of these questions: http://kandeethemakeupartist.blogspot.com/2010/07/10-questions-to-see-if-you-are-highly.html) person.

I live in fear. That's how I've been taught to live.

My Current Job as my Mission (Being Brought Back to God)

I just realized that my current (part-time) job brings me closer to God. I get very anxious having to call my department and doing my job as perfectly as I can. I have to pray a lot to get me through those situations. My job requires me to be compassionate and sensitive to the needs of my customers and to work with a team. It may be considered menial by some, but it is what I need right now. Aside from helping me pay bills and rent my job makes me rely on God when I so easily forget to acknowledge His presence. The skills and character I can build through my current job are valuable. As I search for another job to compliment my work week I must rely on and follow God more. Somehow everything's better when I just put God first.

Back to Web Design

I've taken it upon myself to update the family website. Unfortunately I've forgotten exactly where I put the layout template and pages for the site before it switched servers. @_@ I remember I even got the family to join some fanlistings. Grawr.

Edit: I found the old URL for the family site. Alas, it has not been archived in The Internet Archive: Wayback Machine. Since that old server shut down completely, I might have to restore everything from our older server (Geocities) by copying what was archived by The Internet Archive: Wayback Machine.

:)

Upon Seeing a Cross Country Runner from Eritrea on TV

I miss Fana.

Paralympic Memory

On my last shift Brad dug up the rod that we stuck in the snow. He became our enthusiastic tour guide.

Memory from the Paralympics

Steve found a guy at our workforce party who looked like a Na'vi from Avatar. XD

VVL Workforce Party

I got to the Village just in time to get all the food (and dessert ie. cake and strawberry ice cream) I wanted. We had goodbye hugs from everyone who left right after dinner. I got lotsa hugs from Robbie. He said he'll miss my cute little voice and said that I'm one of his favourites. Stephen gave a me a Team GB shirt :D , an "extra drink ticket" (he didn't take my drink ticket 'cause I "made everyone chuckle"), extra tea towels, and a Miga doll.

Stephen: *looking out from the shift gift area* Is Carmela still out there?
Me: *enthusiastically* Here I am! :D *waves and runs over*
Stephen: *hands me a Miga doll* Here you go.
Me: *big grin*
Stephen: Go on now, [go home,] bye.

Those of us who remained proceeded to The Sin Bin. We sat in the VIP Room with the Parking crew and got to watch the hockey game and listen to music. We introduced Monika to yam fries. She said if I need a reference letter I just have to email her. :D She said I can visit at VVL anytime I want during the Paralympics. I just have to let her know in advance. Will and I talked hockey e.g. about how I played like Jannik Hansen and about how Jannik Hansen was a fast skater and could be really good after another year of development. Will, Erin, and Collin were quite amused that I like the Red Wings. I told 'em I appreciate good, exciting, run-and-gun, fast-paced hockey. :) I told Will I loved the story of him and the woman he reunited with after 28 years. :D He and Erin were quite amused at how I looked up at them intently. I just wanted to a turn to say bye to Will. 0 = ) Will gave me a warm hug bye after we made sure we were covered (bill-wise). Erin generously paid for my food and drink despite my attempts to add bills to the pile 'cause "[I'm] a starving student."

Angela and I told Monika we like her Villages Team jacket with a heart on it. Monika and Erin gave me a hug bye. Roger told me to keep smiling and gave me a hug bye too.

I'll miss everyone from our Olympic Transportation team. We're gonna keep in touch via email. :D

Day 16 (Last Shift) at VVL

Monika told us to go to Stephen after we checked in. I was the ceremony veteran. :) I was leading the team to the busses, explaining how we'd hold the numbers and load the athletes onto the busses similarly to how it was for the Opening Ceremonies. Jacquie let us watch the last few minutes of the 3rd Period of the hockey game before we had to begin transporting athletes again. One of the drivers watching with us took a video of us cheering and watching the game in the drivers' lounge. He said he was gonna go outside to see everyone celebrate when the game ended. Parise scored in the last few seconds of the 3rd Period. The only American driver in the room celebrated. We then had to go to Stephen. I got the clipboards for the numbers. Terrance and Stephen retrieved us from the other side of the gate so we didn't have to go through mag and bag again. Terrance said we were the crew who were gonna make it happen. :) I texted Vetter to ask what was going on. He gave a wee update that we were in overtime. The guys at the Airport Check-In area cheered. I then knew one of the teams won. The bus driver I was with was American.  An Airport Check-In guy said that Crosby scored the game winner. We started hearing people celebrating from Cambie Bridge. :) I gave some French guys directions (in French) to the Airport Check-In. :) An older French guy winked at me. I held #6 when we loaded athletes, coaches, and officials onto busses for to the Closing Ceremonies. They were counted before they got to us. I only had Stephen the host, a fellow volunteer, with me. He checked the athletes' passes. One of the coaches was creepy. Some of the athletes and coaches tried to take my clipboard or flip the number over. Perhaps #6 wasn't the best number to hold up. O well. I loaded Team Italy, Team Germany, Team China, the Dutch Team, Team Norway, Team USA, and Team Canada. I think I loaded Team Russia too. I saw Team Cayman Islands and Team India. :) A nice fellow workforce member gave me and T smoked salmon. She caught the fish herself. She was offering that smoked salmon to the athletes. T and I agreed that it was nummy. Monika gave me a Nature Valley bar. Brett from the Villages Team gave me a Starburst. :) We saw the Slovenian team and their nice outfits for the last time. A Canadian athlete gave me a pin. :D I had a convo with Alexandre Bilodeau en francais:

Me: Salut, ca va bien?
Alexandre Bilodau: Oui, ca va bien. Et toi, ca va bien?
Me: . . . Ouais ca va bien parce que tu es ici.
Me pulling a line in French on Alexandre Bilodeau. Who'da thunk? *drumbeat*

I told Matt Morison I was rooting for him, I loved him anyway and that we'd always love him. He said thanks and patted my head. :)

Notable Athlete/Coach Sightings:
Shirley Brown
Evan Lycasek
The little Italian speed skater girl
Alexandre Bilodeau
Michael Lambert (2x ~ he looked grumpy both times)
Dutch Long Track Speed Skating Coach (same one we'd seen many times going to the ROO van)
Pink-Haired American moguls girl
Grumpy Patrick Kane
The rest of the American hockey team aside from Ryan Miller coming home from their game during the Closing Ceremony

The ever-wonderful Stephen got us permission to watch the Closing Ceremonies backstage in the Salt Building aka the village Living Room. :) We quickly grabbed dinner. We got to watch the entire closing ceremonies. Our password to let other TRN Smurfs into the Salt Building was "Stephen sent us." :)

I got to use the two nice bathrooms in the Village and even called to get a toilet fixed. *superhero pose*

Monika repeatedly checked on me, smiled at me, gave me instructions, and said I was doing a good job. She said it's a pleasure working with me 'cause I'm always smiling/have a smile on my face. She thanked me. I thanked her too. :D

Anthony offered me his lightsabre, but he disappeared after I got back from the NOC washroom that I helped fix.

I gave an American guy directions to the American building.

We found glowsticks and Closing Ceremonies items that the bosses let us keep.

We took pictures together, danced to the athletes' great party music that was playing in the Salt Building, said our byes, and gave our hugs.

Stephen said we could go home. Stephen gave us hugs and said good job and thank you.

Monika said she'd make sure I get my watch on Wednesday 'cause I wouldn't be needed at the Village tomorrow and on Tuesday. I said I'd miss volunteering at the Village. Monika said it's a good thing she has the Paralympics otherwise she'd be in tears. She gave me my medal and pin at the office. I waved bye to the bosses. Tony helped me carry my gloves, vest, and Closing Ceremonies memorabilia. I told Tony I was quite relieved that the Games took up just the right span of time. Any more days and I'd be completely exhausted. Tony and I said bye to Gloria and Alan again. At the trailer he gave me postcards for Mom. He gave me a hug, said thanks, and said I was a sweetheart. :)

Today's Highlights:
"There's hope for you yet." - Stephen after Monika made a brilliant suggestion
T said it'd be great if I could lend her my Bottine Souriante CDs.
Tony dancing to "Girlfriend" by Avril Lavigne.
Watching the entire closing ceremonies at the back of the Salt Building
"Don't go running off eh." - Stephen
Convo with Stephen on empty busses: "All those other busses are empty."
"Eh?"
"All those other busses are empty."
"I know."




I am so used to volunteering at the Village that I am somewhat at a loss as to what I'll do tomorrow and on Tuesday before the workforce's Olympic goodbye to the Village on Wednesday. I must remember to get my last shift gift on Wednesday. XD

Glasses Shopping/Olympic Coolness

Mom bought me nice new Olympic glasses: one pair with a funky red, white, and green design on the sides, and one pair with a dark frame with wave blue on the inside. :) I was able to watch the gold medal women's hockey game, Caroline Ouelette's post-medal interview, the Canadians in ski aerials, Joannie Rochette's bronze medal program, and an interview with the gold medal winning Canadian women's hockey team. :) I bought Mom a Sumi keychain for half price ($5) at London Drugs. I texted Ate Marge, Bunthai, and Ryan about it. I put Sumi on my backpack. Mom didn't freak out after. :) I stomped on the noisy forest planks downtown. :) It would be cool for someone to dance to fiddle music on them. :D

Day 15 at VVL

I've been seeing so many famous people that it's dizzying. My nutrition and sleep is down. I'm not greeting everyone as I usually do. I've gotta have that radical hospitality again. Christine Nesbitt walked past me and I didn't greet her. I didn't congratulate Coach Davidson on getting another gold medal. I needed to go home early today. I needed the rest. I can't think straight. I now know that eating McDonalds is acceptable only in dire circumstances ie. when I forgot my lactaid. God showed me that I would've liked the veggie pasta and curry.

Notable Athlete Sightings:

• Team Canada Men's Hockey (3x) ~ I said "Salut. Bon soir" to Martin Brodeur
• Denny Morrisson (yesterday?)
• Austrian men with their 2 bass-pumping SUV limos, girls, and booze.
• Maelle Ricker
• White and Davis
• Virtue and Moir
• Mirai Nagasu
  
• married Chinese pairs couple who won gold
• Mercedes from Over the Bolts and her friend
• Zdeno Chara
• Kipper
• Jari Kurri
• Christine Nesbitt
• good-looking (and good-smelling) Italian male figure skater who I was behind in security a while back ("arrow shaped" cough drop man)
• Tanith Belbin (she looked crabby) :S

Martin Gelinas and Alex Edler Day aka Day 14 at VVL

Greeting Alexa Loo, spectating athletes, hockey players, and the Norwegian men's curling team, getting a Swedish flag from a driver, meeting the nice Newfie police officer, and getting hugs and greetings from Tamara and T = most memorable birthday yet. :D

Message from the CEO	English / Francais
Through your passion, energy and relentless commitment, you have proven to be the heart and soul of these Games. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games had volunteers at every touchpoint — some of you have been with us for years, some for only a brief time. No matter the length of time, your contribution has been critical to creating a transformational historic event for Canada. Your willingness to take part has made our nation better. To recognize your involvement, we present you with a Vancouver 2010 Winter Games participation certificate. This small token of appreciation honours your selfless spirit and your journey with the 2010 Winter Games. You were truly the best of the best and your country is proud of you. On behalf of Vancouver 2010, thank you for everything you have given to these Games. As you reflect on your experience from this moment forward, I trust you will feel that your personal contribution was as critical to the success of the Games as any other. To me, you are a genuine Canadian hero. Thank you. John Furlong Chief Executive Officer Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

Request your certificate(s)
To thank you for the tireless hours of dedication you put in to staging an extraordinary Winter Olympic Games, we would like to present you with a Vancouver 2010 Winter Games Participation Certificate. This is not only a way to show our appreciation, but it will also be a commemorative piece of your Games journey as a member of Team 2010. To order your certificate, please enter your E-mail Address and Registration Number below, then follow the steps. By completing this ordering process, you are letting us know that you would like to receive your certificate. Please note, if you do not complete your volunteer obligations, your certificate will not be sent. Only upon completion of your Games-time commitment, your certificate will be approved and mailed to the address you provide. If you are a volunteer for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, you will be able to order both certificates at this time.

Thank you
Thank you for placing your certificate order. (100156) The Games truly could not have happened without you. This certificate is a small token of our appreciation for your time and dedication to volunteering with Vancouver 2010. We hope that you will display it proudly for years and generations to come.

Transit update: It now takes 30 minutes to get to VVL according to TravelSmart2010. @_@

VVL Day 13

I survived an entire shift without gloves. Wayne is my hero 'cause he photocopied the email contact list for me and will invite me to a workforce reunion in August. :) Deep called me after my shift to say that I can call him anytime especially when I need cheering up. :)

Notable People I Greeted:
Teemu Selanne
Bree Munro
Melody Davidson
Team China women's hockey team
Meryl Davis
Tessa Virtue
Scott Moir
Martina Sablikova (Czech gold medallist from women's long track speed skating)

VVL Day 12

I saw:

Sinead Kerr
the Japanese male figure skater with the shoelace problem
the Japanese male figure skater with pretty eyebrows
Michael Lambert and his buddy Matthew Morison (we talked for quite a while about how he was enjoying his first Olympic experience in his home country, how he bought DVDs, has Blue Ray from LG, and I gave him directions to the DVD lounge). :)
Shani Davis
Michael Lambert's coach

Christo let us ride in the shuttle twice. He said Yoda scared him when he was little 'cause he thought Yoda was real. I told him, my fellow LZA, and the shuttle driver about my Star Wars poster from QD. Christo said he and his wife used to buy movies in England instead of watching movies 'cause going to the theatre was so expensive.

I survived the day. :D

The Czech people have a habit of finding me ridiculous. Perhaps I'm too cute and little to be taken seriously. >.< *growls*

My fellow LZA said I looked cute with my toque and liked my nails. :)

Michael Lambert seemed genuinely nice, not like the Czech athletes who laughed at me. >.<

I wish the nice athletes like John Napier, Matthew Morison and Michael Lambert the best. Ryan Miller was mean (snobbish/stuck up/full of himself) to Alex and Cat today. :(

I hung out with the friendly bus drivers today ie. the ones the Hillcrest and UBC busses and the nice blue-eyed one from Alabama. :) I told the one from Alabama that I'd pick him over Sidney Crosby (I really would). Haha. "What's he got that I don't?" - blue-eyed friendly bus driver from Alabama who treats us all as if we're princesses and calls us all Baby. :)

Final Shift at Archdiocesan Olympic Hospitality Centre

Vetter stayed to watch ice dance with me, Ralph, and Ann. He and I played Video on Trial at the Stereos concert at Alberta House. He walked me to my bus stop. :) We saw Virtue and Moir win the gold. He took a picture of me with Megan celebrating the win on Robson. Megan held the flag and I held the medal board. We yelled that Canada won a 5th gold. :)

Day 11 at VVL

Last Friday I saw Cherry, Alan, and Natalie at Stadium Station. :)

James and I sat together at the Victory Ceremony last night. Thank You God for helping me find my seat and sending Tasia, her fiancee, James, Roger, and Catherine to sit with me. :D Thank You for letting the Stereophonics perform wonderfully. Thank You for letting me have a good time. Thank You for letting me see Roger's pic with Wayne Gretzky and for letting me see Pauley at the ceremony. I'll always remember I was sitting in 452 MM ~110. XD

A Quebecois bus driver and a (Latvian?) athlete winked at me today. :D Sara ("Cera") and I got along fantastically. I saw Henrik Zetterberg and Alexander Semin tonight. Thank You Lord for letting Dad tell me what to do about my schedule. Thank You for letting the food at VVL be good. Thank You for letting me survive Mass and lunch afterwards. Thank You for letting my backpack work out. Thank You for letting me keep warm at the Village. Thank You for letting me greet Kalyna Roberge, the Korean medalists, the Chinese medalists (in particular the married couple who won gold in pairs figure skating), Rick Hansen and his children, and the dignitaries from out-of-town. Thank You for letting me hear the Canadian hockey fans cheer all around False Creek. Thank You for letting me see Mr. Holowka and a fellow friendly volunteer on the way home. Thank You for letting me walk to the skytrain station with kind billingue Jeff. Thank You for helping me not have any trouble recycling/composting all the food and drink containers I had today. Thank You for providing me with bathrooms. XD Thank You for keeping my feet warm. Thank You for helping me finish my apple juice before leaving the Village.

Someone in the meal tent kept whistling an 80s song.

Sara, Melanie(? I forget her name though she's very nice) and I watched Virtue and Moir's flamenco (original) skate together. They found Scott Moir manly.

2nd shift at RCAV Olympic Hospitality Centre

I met a kind Knight, the other Peter, and discovered that Megan is Mike's sister. XD We watched Virtue and Moir skate. We met people from the Czech Republic. Archbishop Michael Miller waved to me. :D

I recorded a video for Dunk on Vetter's phone, walked him to the Blarney Stone, then met Chris Drury's brother, nieces and nephews in Gastown on the way back to Robson to buy soap. I ended up buying Live Clean soap from Shoppers. It has lavender and eucalyptus. Things worked out fine after all. :D I even said good night to Andre the Brazilian VANOC load zone attendant and bought a More Than Gold backpack to replace my broken Dakine one.

Day 10 at VVL

Marco said that the cheese in poutine looks like poop. lol. He said it's good to laugh. He said if he knew I was working at this time he would've scheduled a different shift. He asked for the night shift.

JR Celski waved hi to me when I walked in to the Transport Mall after checking in. :D

I helped some figure skaters into their van before I swung by Bay 3 to hang with Marco and mes quebecoises preferes.


I helped at Bay 10 towards the end of my shift. The bus drivers were really nice. They chatted with us. They let us warm up in their busses.

Irene and I figured out how to use the handwarmers. We and Eunseon shared the handwarmers.

Irene, Catherine, Iris and I had dinner together. Karen and Momo joined us afterwards.

Terrance greeted me with, "Happy days." He still didn't remember what the show was. He said it wasn't Danger Mouse.

Iris hugged me after we took a picture.

Catherine and I will help each other speak our second languages. Catherine will practice her English while I practice my French. She says I just need to practice to improve my French. :D

"You know what we have to do? We have to have one of those leads like they have for a dog and tie it to the front of the bus so that we can yank on 'em." - Stephen (deadpan) upon my reporting that we had missing drivers earlier

Day 9 at VVL

I got my shift gift today: a silver Birk's keychain in a lovely light turquoise box. :D

Celebrity Sightings:
Ryan Reynolds at the car wash on 2nd and Quebec :D
Ryan Miller
Ryan Kesler
Jarkko Ruutu
Olli Jokinen
Tim Thomas
Team USA Men's Ice Hockey
Patrick Kane ("Bonjour Mr. Kane" *grumpy wave from 20 Cent*)
Sergei Federov
Pavel Datsiuk!!! :D
the Latvian men's hockey team (arrived from Whistler. They smiled at me). :D
cute little French figure skater and her partner
kind French figure skaters and their coach :D ("Bon soir." "Bon soir.")
kind Swiss and French snowboarders & skiers :D ("Bon soir." "Bon soir.")
Ryan Miller again ("Good evening. :D" "Hey. :)")


Terrance says I'm like this little cartoon mouse who's smart, talks fast, carries books, and wears glasses (and earmuffs in the winter).

Tito Mon thinks he means Brain from Pinky and the Brain.

I think he means the little guy from The Great Mouse Detective, Theresa from The Secret of NIMH, Snoopy, Chip and Dale, or Woodstock.

I'm starting to think he means Gadget from Chip 'n' Dale Rescue Rangers.

J'aime les conducteurs quebecois who call me Lady Marianne. :)

*Marco sings "Moon River"* lol.

*other driver hums un chanson francais*

*we stand between the busses*
me: There's Ryan Miller! Il est beau. :) I think he saw us! He'll be like, "That little girl was looking at me."
Marco: lol. He's very skinny. Maybe 'cause he's very tall.
me: He's 6'2"; 160. Actually he gained weight. He's now 170. XD
Marco: Yeah, he'll think, "That woman was looking at me." lol. Tu le trouve beau? lol!
me: Yup... He's quite good-looking. His face is weird. One side is lower than the other. There are better-looking guys around here.
Marco: You mean me? No... lol.
me: Bien sur. Tu est plus beau. :) His face is lopsided.
Marco: Tu es tres drole! lol!! *tells other driver* Elle est tres drole. *to me* You are very natural. You don't need to smoke to have fun. lol. He's very skinny. He's tall.
Other bus driver: I have a belly. *chuckles*
Marco: Guys can have a beer belly. It's more difficult to be a woman because you can't have a beer belly or poignes d'amour. Do you know what those are?
Me: I think so...
Marco: Those things like when you open a door...
Me: A doorknob... Oh! It's a direct translation from English: love handles. :)
Marco: I'm skinny so I can eat McDonalds.
Me: I don't like McDonalds. I always eat the real food.
Marco: That's good. :D You're healthy.


moi: I need to work here more often! Hang out with the drivers from Quebec. I love Quebec. :D
Marco: *amused* *to other driver* She says she should work here more often. Yeah! :D Have fun with Marianne. We have fun. :D
moi: I like hanging out with les canadiens.
Marco: No!
moi: What's the word? Les habitants!
Marco: lol. You're funny.

Marco and I talked about how I wanted to be a tour guide. He and his company do tours of old quebec. he told me to look him up. "comme marco polo." lol.

We talked about how there are only mountains in the north of quebec.

He told the other driver that I learned French in Trois-Rivieres. :D

I now have a favourite driver and a favourite bay. :D

I told Marco who the hockey players were. He said he doesn't really follow hockey.

driver to other drivers: Elle parle le francais. :D
moi: Un peu! Un 'ti peu!
other driver: Un peu est mieux que pas du tout. :)

*driver smacks Fana's clipboard*
moi: C'est mechant ca!
*other driver repeats what I said*

Archdiocesan Olympic Hospitality Centre Shift 1

I saw one of the Ligocki brothers do his first snowboard cross run before I left for my shift. :)

I met the Fourcade brothers' Dad at the Archdiocesan Olympic Centre. I hung out with Celina Ramirez there.

Day 8 at VVL

I helped a Chinese athlete try to go to Shopper's Drug Mart. She said she'd go another day. She thanked me for my kindness and gave me a hug. :)


Celebrity sightings:
Alexander Ovechkin
Scott Moir

Tuomo Ruutu and the Team Finland Men's Hockey Team
cute little Czech snowboarder

cute little Spanish snowboarder
Jari Kurri
Valtteri Filppula
Sergei Federov
the Lamoureux twins
Angela Ruggeiro
Charles Hamelin
the French figure skater
the Asian German figure skater

I met T and Scott.

VVL Day 7 (Opening Ceremonies)

Athlete sightings: Apollo Anton Ohno, Julie Chu, Jaromir Jagr, Jennifer Heil, Clara Hughes, Marie-Philip Poulin, Jayna Hefford, the shy Polish boy (ski jumper?), the pink-haired American girl, Johnny Weir, Peter Forsberg...

I got to see the Living Room and the cafe. Watching the Opening Ceremonies with the bosses, fellow load zone attendants, and events staff was fun. I saw John march into the stadium with his American teammates. :D

Terrance said my American bobsledder isn't good enough for me. He said that at Closing Ceremonies I'll be the one moving the busses. He told me to watch Stephen. "He'll show [me] what to do."

Tony let me use a lightsabre. :D

Leaders of Cheer

Quote of the Night: "Quatchi good?" lol.

I met the legendary Cameron and Scott. Gord the Stage Manager looked like John Shorthouse. XD I got along with frat boys and sorority girls for an entire hockey game (one of whom was a Leafs fan). :D

When I got home (promptly :D) I watched the women's freestyle in the living room. Jennifer Heil didn't win the gold, but she graciously accepted the silver. The pink-haired girl got bronze. The coach from Team Japan who found my cell phone was on TV. His athlete was competing in women's freestyle. :)

I remember seeing John Napier in the crowd supporting his teammate.

What to do at VVL if we can't say yes

According to the Training CD-rom:

"Unfortunately I am unable to fulfill that request, but..."

"Unfortunately I am unable to fulfill that request because..."

Huzzah for agreeable Volunteer Info Centre Staff :)

I've been told that I will receive my transfer pass for Leaders of Cheer from the Blue Crew/Sports Entertainment Limited.

My Vancouver 2010 account will be fixed asap by the tech guy.

I can ignore what my profile says about going to Whistler for U & A and Venue-Specific Training. I can sign up for Paralympic U & A in Vancouver once On Your Mark is working again. I will just have to show up on my first shift. Club 99 and the Olympic Bus Network will be up and running by then. :)

I will be able to have both my Paralympic and Olympic accreditation at once.

VVL Day 4: I really am in love with VVL. :D

I officially wuv the 2 pm to 10:30 pm shift. It's invigorating and refreshing once you get over the cold.

There's an astounding amount of clarity in my life when I centre everything around the Olympics. I am able to prioritize and tell myself to stop if I am doing too much.

I'd love to work at Sochi. :D I really do love the Olympic games. I'd love to do work similar to what I do at the Olympic Village.

VVL Day 3

I met a super nice young American Olympic speed skater, an American figure skater, and the American Olympic team members who just arrived by bus.

I got pins as a giftie.

I saw the slovakian women's hockey team. they were pretty and smelled good. XD

The Italian figure skaters and short-track speed skaters "ciaoed" at us.

A Japanese athlete responded to my "bonjour-allo" with a "bonju." :D

I greeted some russian athletes leaving the skytrain on my way to the bus stop. I felt bad for ignoring a homeless guy on the street especially in my vanoc uniform.

Stephen said hi and see you tomorrow. :D

Jackie didn't get mad at me for being late.

Will and I watched the end of the Canucks game together and talked serious Canucks hockey. :D

I met Kristie the firefighter.

 

:D

Day 2 at VVL

Stephen is a character straight out of a BBC comedy. XD Here are some of my favourite Stephenisms as I can remember them:

"Did the police officers break our telly again?"

"Never ever stand in the road to direct traffic . . . We can replace the Transport Supervisors, but we can't replace you."

"Now we don't need 15 different people helping the Canadian hockey players. And don't go tripping the American team."

"My daughter refused to use the loo anywhere aside from home. That used to be fun on these 300-mile road trips. . . *crosses his legs imitating daughter's pee dance* "When are we getting to Gran's?' 'Do you wanna stop at a . . .' 'No!!' I used to stop in the [ugliest washrooms]. Women need to have pretty toilets."

"Now when you're addressing the police, call them Officer. Never call them Security. They're still getting used to this type of job. They're used to real police work (sitting and eating donuts)..."



I met Charmaine Crooks, a Dutch speed skating coach, an American speed skating coach, a Chinese skier and her coach, Bill the driver (^^)d, Marlena the Transport Supervisor, Pat, Patty, Danny, Jian, Alan, Martina, and Colin.

Hahaha!

*imagines a video for "Tradition" from Fiddler on the Roof about the Vancouver Olympic Village* XD

*workforce rhythmically walking the village streets and singing "Tradtion... Tradition... Tradition!" lol

Carmela Mendoza will be part of the promo team that will shoot t-shirts into the crowd and keep the fans rocking at an Olympic hockey game on February 13th. ^o^