I have just learned that a co-worker, Jean Stewart, lost her 3 year battle to breast cancer. Jean had been a 12 year survivor only to learn the beast had returned. She passed today - her birthday.
Jean touched everyone she knew with a hilarious sense of humour and an amazing spirit. Jean was a Scot with a thick accent - although she would argue that it was you with the accent not her. Tireless, hard working, always a good thing to say and positive outlook on any situation - no matter how grim.
We recieved a notification from our organization that said, "Jean will be remembered for her intelligence, wit, commitment and enthusiasm. She can best be described as follows:
A special sense of humour, combined with her distinct Scottish accent and phrases, she brought a sense of joy, passion, and commitment to her work which was infectious and inspirational. Intelligent, analytical, wise and occasionally, “cheeky”, Jean had relentless enthusiasm for law and policy and commitment to the injured workers of BC. She made the Board a better place to be for those fortunate enough to work with her. She will be truly, deeply missed."
A lovely human being who made the world a better place for everyone who knew her.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Makes you go 'Oooooo - Ahh'
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Last night we had the honour to see the Celebration of Lights fireworks display put on by Spain from a friends boat. Being on the water (even though it is my greatest fear), made the experience nothing short of amazing. It was not just the fireworks that made the night special. There was also a two year old, named Alexis, on board who made the evening an event that I will fondly remember for quite some time.
We spent hours making faces at each other, giggling, rolling blueberries across the rocking table and of course practicing our 'Boom' - 'Oooooo', 'Ahhhhh'.
By the time the fireworks arrived I think she was out of 'Oooooos and Ahhhhh' and the 'booms' were a little bigger than she anticipated, so kept a little low during the performance.
I'm not sure what was more fun - the fireworks, tackling my fear of the water or playing with Alexis. Bet you can guess - yup the two year old bundle of fun. A very good reminder to 'Oooooo and Ahhhhh' more often.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The Island that makes you slow down
So I am still feeling the effects of a restful holiday with my daughter. We stayed at a little place called Indigo Farm. It is a working bio farm and very rustic. If you are looking for high end accommodation this is not the place for you. It is clean and private, with lots of space to lie around and do nothing, which we did a lot of. We did puzzles, played cards, hung out with the family cat - Meeka (and occasionally Marbles and Marmalade would pop by), cooked delicious meals with produce and eggs (which we collected ourselves) from the farm, fish from the dock, fresh lamb from Sunset farm (Salt Spring is famous for their lamb) and ate gallons of ice cream from Glad’s.
We went on outings that took us to every part of the Island – Vesuvius Bay, Fulford Harbour, Ganges, Long Harbour, Musgrave Landing, Beaver Point, Fernwood, Walker’s Hook Mt Maxwell, Ruckle, where we found interesting beaches, parks, lakes, artists’ studios, beautiful landscapes and cute little cafes stuck in quiet secluded corners.
We went where the wind took us. No plans. No pressure. The only outing we had planned was to visit the ‘Market’ on the Saturday. The Market is a famous event on Salt Spring, which is held every Saturday during the summer. It is a gathering of artists and artisans from all over the Island and the stuff they bring is amazing!
We got there early because we definitely wanted to get our pick of the bread from the bread lady (Linda) as she tends to sell out early. Oh my! What a spread. Baskets of savoury and sweet breads all fresh baked in her enormous brick oven. The cookies and sweets from Two Sisters were a treat and there was a French baker, who made traditional French pastries and other baked goods that instigated a second and third visit to her stand. Gosh I am drooling just thinking about it all.
On our last day we went horseback riding with Moray, from Island Carriage Tours and Guided Trail Rides. She took us up past the old Mowat campground and up to the hilltop into an open meadow where we enjoyed amazing views of Ganges Harbour.
The vacation was short, but felt long. The opportunity to relax and spend interrupted time with Arden was fabulous. It reminds me that we often let too many distractions interfere with the things that are really important. So I am still feeling the effects of a restful holiday with my daughter. We stayed at a little place called Indigo Farm. It is a working bio farm and very rustic. If you are looking for high end accommodation this is not the place for you. It is clean and private, with lots of space to lie around and do nothing, which we did a lot of. We did puzzles, played cards, hung out with the family cat - Meeka (and occasionally Marbles and Marmalade would pop by), cooked delicious meals with produce and eggs (which we collected ourselves) from the farm, fish from the dock, fresh lamb from Sunset farm (Salt Spring is famous for their lamb) and ate gallons of ice cream from Glad’s.
We went on outings that took us to every part of the Island – Vesuvius Bay, Fulford Harbour, Ganges, Long Harbour, Musgrave Landing, Beaver Point, Fernwood, Walker’s Hook Mt Maxwell, Ruckle, where we found interesting beaches, parks, lakes, artists’ studios, beautiful landscapes and cute little cafes stuck in quiet secluded corners.
We went where the wind took us. No plans. No pressure. The only outing we had planned was to visit the ‘Market’ on the Saturday. The Market is a famous event on Salt Spring, which is held every Saturday during the summer. It is a gathering of artists and artisans from all over the Island and the stuff they bring is amazing!
We got there early because we definitely wanted to get our pick of the bread from the bread lady (Linda) as she tends to sell out early. Oh my! What a spread. Baskets of savoury and sweet breads all fresh baked in her enormous brick oven. The cookies and sweets from Two Sisters were a treat and there was a French baker, who made traditional French pastries and other baked goods that instigated a second and third visit to her stand. Gosh I am drooling just thinking about it all.
On our last day we went horseback riding with Moray, from Island Carriage Tours and Guided Trail Rides. She took us up past the old Mowat campground and up to the hilltop into an open meadow where we enjoyed amazing views of Ganges Harbour.
The vacation was short, but felt long. The opportunity to relax and spend interrupted time with Arden was fabulous. It reminds me that we often let too many distractions interfere with the things that are really important.
We went on outings that took us to every part of the Island – Vesuvius Bay, Fulford Harbour, Ganges, Long Harbour, Musgrave Landing, Beaver Point, Fernwood, Walker’s Hook Mt Maxwell, Ruckle, where we found interesting beaches, parks, lakes, artists’ studios, beautiful landscapes and cute little cafes stuck in quiet secluded corners.
We went where the wind took us. No plans. No pressure. The only outing we had planned was to visit the ‘Market’ on the Saturday. The Market is a famous event on Salt Spring, which is held every Saturday during the summer. It is a gathering of artists and artisans from all over the Island and the stuff they bring is amazing!
We got there early because we definitely wanted to get our pick of the bread from the bread lady (Linda) as she tends to sell out early. Oh my! What a spread. Baskets of savoury and sweet breads all fresh baked in her enormous brick oven. The cookies and sweets from Two Sisters were a treat and there was a French baker, who made traditional French pastries and other baked goods that instigated a second and third visit to her stand. Gosh I am drooling just thinking about it all.
On our last day we went horseback riding with Moray, from Island Carriage Tours and Guided Trail Rides. She took us up past the old Mowat campground and up to the hilltop into an open meadow where we enjoyed amazing views of Ganges Harbour.
The vacation was short, but felt long. The opportunity to relax and spend interrupted time with Arden was fabulous. It reminds me that we often let too many distractions interfere with the things that are really important. So I am still feeling the effects of a restful holiday with my daughter. We stayed at a little place called Indigo Farm. It is a working bio farm and very rustic. If you are looking for high end accommodation this is not the place for you. It is clean and private, with lots of space to lie around and do nothing, which we did a lot of. We did puzzles, played cards, hung out with the family cat - Meeka (and occasionally Marbles and Marmalade would pop by), cooked delicious meals with produce and eggs (which we collected ourselves) from the farm, fish from the dock, fresh lamb from Sunset farm (Salt Spring is famous for their lamb) and ate gallons of ice cream from Glad’s.
We went on outings that took us to every part of the Island – Vesuvius Bay, Fulford Harbour, Ganges, Long Harbour, Musgrave Landing, Beaver Point, Fernwood, Walker’s Hook Mt Maxwell, Ruckle, where we found interesting beaches, parks, lakes, artists’ studios, beautiful landscapes and cute little cafes stuck in quiet secluded corners.
We went where the wind took us. No plans. No pressure. The only outing we had planned was to visit the ‘Market’ on the Saturday. The Market is a famous event on Salt Spring, which is held every Saturday during the summer. It is a gathering of artists and artisans from all over the Island and the stuff they bring is amazing!
We got there early because we definitely wanted to get our pick of the bread from the bread lady (Linda) as she tends to sell out early. Oh my! What a spread. Baskets of savoury and sweet breads all fresh baked in her enormous brick oven. The cookies and sweets from Two Sisters were a treat and there was a French baker, who made traditional French pastries and other baked goods that instigated a second and third visit to her stand. Gosh I am drooling just thinking about it all.
On our last day we went horseback riding with Moray, from Island Carriage Tours and Guided Trail Rides. She took us up past the old Mowat campground and up to the hilltop into an open meadow where we enjoyed amazing views of Ganges Harbour.
The vacation was short, but felt long. The opportunity to relax and spend interrupted time with Arden was fabulous. It reminds me that we often let too many distractions interfere with the things that are really important.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Art
So no, it did not take me this long to recover from the race on July 4th. We did well - ok - we did not come last. We did however, raise plenty of funds. The real reason for my absence is that I was on vacation with my daughter on Salt Spring Island.
It was really beautiful and wonderful to be away on our own - doing the girl bonding thing. We did spend considerable time looking at art. Salt Spring is a hub for artists and artisans of every description. Everything from wood turning, glass blowing, painting, felting, to the art of cheese. Yes, I said cheese. If you have the opportunity to try Salt Spring cheese (it is quite famous) do - it is incredible.
My daughter has the art bug. She received a scholarship this year to attend the Artists for Kids program this year and next. Being around all of the art of Salt Spring was quite inspirational. We spent hours collecting small flat shells that had naturally been worn to flat rectangles on a beach we found. Arden intends on making a mosaic with them and then painting an elaborate pattern.
Today's Google Doodle will be an inspiration too. Check it out.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Getting Ready for the Race
Well tomorrow is the big day - I get to run up a mountain with my three gal pals in the Seek the Peak Relay, in support of Rethink Breast Cancer. Fortunately for me - it is a relay so I don't have to literally run up the mountain my self, we each take a leg and then run up together in spirit. The race is 16km and goes straight up 1250m (4100').
I lost my voice last Sunday and still do not have it back. I have felt fine all week, but in the last couple of days it seems to have gone into my lungs. I feel fine - I just cough when I breath in too deep. Hmmmmm - breathing deep - I think I need to do that to run? Oh well - I'll be good.
Rethink targets education and awareness at young women and is taking a planning and support role at the World Conference on Breast Cancer in Hamilton, Ontario next June. They are taking part in the Youth day program and putting on a young women's event.
Wish me luck in the race. Do you think starting to stretch 24 hours in advance is too early?
Friday, July 2, 2010
World Conference on Breast Cancer Foundation Board member, Dr. Tam Truong Donnelly has recently got amazing news, as the University of Calgary–Qatar was awarded a research grant of $1,010,343 USD to study, "Factors that Influence Breast Cancer Screening Practices Amongst Arabic Women Living in the State of Qatar." The project is the brainchild of Tam, who is an Associate Professor at the Univercity. Tam will be the Lead Principal Investigator and says, "I'm very excited and honored that our proposal has been deemed to be valuable and significant enough to get funding that could potentially have a major impact on the health of women living in Qatar".
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women living in Arab countries. Al Amal Hospital in Doha reported that 20 percent of cancer cases receiving treatment in 2007 were breast cancer among women. Data obtained from the Gulf Centre for Cancer Registration for breast cancer incidence from 1988-2002 ranked Qatar as third highest in the Middle East region, just after Bahrain and Kuwait.
Congratulations Tam!
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