Week #30 1/2 Roundup!

The team has now raised $14, 350! Congratulations teammates and sponsors! I never imagined that we would be able to exceed our fundraising minimum by such a large amount! It makes me feel really great about what we are doing, and everyone who has helped us out along the way should certainly feel that way too!

Thank you so much to the Yakimishyn family, Bignell family, and to my friend Ally Fulmer who have donated to me this week and helped me to surpass my goal of $3, 500.

My dad and I met the Yakimishyns many years ago through figure skating of course. Me and Jen would follow each other all over the city, traveling from rink to rink so we could skate together. Our parents would talk about our skating, and Jen and I would be off somewhere laughing our heads off. I'm not sure our coach appreciated all of our shenanagans, but oh wells. When we got into high school, I made the switch to skate at a rink closer to my home and I suppose we lost regular contact. That is, until we were reunited in the realm of Varsity figure skating!

We went skating together last week and it made me think about how and why I stopped skating. Did I really stop because I was too old or not good enough to compete? I don't really think so. I think my motives for skating run deeper than that. I admit, it became hard to justify registering for sessions and paying for coaching when I stopped competing, but did that mean I had to stop skating? Skate for Varsity, compete, then "thanks, see you next year"?

I've been looking for activities to do summer. Ballet, pilates, yoga, cycling...
My point is then, why have I not considered spending my own money, time, and energy on something that I already know I love doing? It seems silly! I have put so much of myself into trying to find new things to love, that I forgot about the things that I already love.

My dad always used to organize all things skating-related for me. When he stopped doing that, I suppose I just never really took control of that aspect of my life. That said, going back onto the ice by choice last week (not out of obligation) reminded me of that. If I want to do something that badly, I need to make it happen. Afterall, I am making this ride happen. I am making pilates happen. I am making work happen. I am making a lot of things happen. And yet, I never even bothered to try making skating happen. Well, it's time (again). Hello initiative, nice to have you back.

I went skating again today. It's weird to go to practice without having my dad there to watch. I mean, I am used to it at Varsity, but when I'm out there on my own...it brings back memories. I don't think I feel sad as I'm out there, rather, I feel like it's so easy to see him there, healthy, smiling and watching me skate. I feel like he is there. Though missing that might seem sad, remembering him like that, exactly how I knew him...now that is how I want to remember him.

Thanks also to the Bignells for their generous donation! They have already done so much for us (for example, paying for all of our concert posters). Also included, the donation of Alyssa's time - planning and executing our fundraisers, listening, checking up on us when we were a mess, and heck, going to fitness classes, and coming over for cake-eating and Glee. This in itself it very special, so thanks so much =)

Another thank you goes out to our friends and volunteers! Ally will be setting up camp at tent city and Gary and Ian will be loading luggage at the starting line! I'm thinking that finding us in a sea of 3,000 riders (who are all dressed the same) would be akin to Where's Waldo, so with that said, we'll be on the lookout! Also hoping to catch my friends, the Andrighetti family, Janis and Nicole at the cheering station in Mississauga!

Once again, thank you to everyone who has supported us (in any capacity). I can't possibly name you all, but you know who you are, and so do we! The ride is getting real close and I'm getting real excited! A weekend of survivors, riders, crew and volunteers who see eye to eye with you, have stories to share, and friends to meet. It will be very inspirational. I can only hope that I can handle all of the loving energy.