Welcome Back to McDonald's New Hamburg!

Good bye to all my new friends from all over Canada who served with me at the Olympics.  And a special THANK YOU to all those who helped make our experience organized and fun.  I know I'll be in touch with a few of you once again, but to all of you, it was a pleasure working with you.  Together we made this an experience to remember for the rest of our lives.  We will never experience anthing quite like it again.  It was so awesome to be part of such a special and unforgetable "Olympic Journey".  For many of us, there were a few "firsts", and for all of us there were tons of GOOD TIMES!!  Take care, everyone and God Bless!

Tina With Joanne and Karen at the Edmonton airport

I must admit that even though I had the time of my life in Vancouver at the Olympics meeting all the press, athletes, coaches, etc.  I was ready to come home to be with my family once again!  I not only missed my husband, Reg, who took care of everything while I was away, thanks Dear!  And kids, Jeff, Wes, and Kaite, but I also missed my McD's family and customers as well.
My thoughtful boss, Jon had a very nice "Welcome Back" party for me which included all of my "regulars".  Thanks so much, Jon, I feel quite glad to be back and your kind words, the lovely flower bouquet, and festive cake, along with all the balloons etc. were "over the top" and extra special!  Unfortunately, I forgot my camera at home this morning (grrr) so I had to take pictures after the fact.
Although I will have missed a few things, I wanted to have a record of all the smiling faces that make me happy to go to work every morning!  Thanks for making my days here at McDonald's so special!

Aww, thanks, everyone!

Part of my McDonald's family...Hi guys!

Hey!  There's Alex again!!  Wouldn't it be nice if he could come to our McDonald's!!

The Lovely Flowers...Thanks, Jon!

My "Early Risers" Regulars...Hi Nigel, Bob, Dave, and Raymond!

The Gang!

How is your carrot muffin, Harold?

The post cards I sent while I was in Vancouver

A very special THANK YOU to Nigel Gordijk, who set this blog up for me so all I had to do was add my thoughts and pictures.  Your the best, Nigel!  Nigel is a free lance Web Designer.  I have included his contact information if you are looking for someone with his expertise.  Check out his website to see his work.

Nigel Gordijk BA (Hons)
Web design with a different accent

WEB:     www.commonsensedesign.net
EMAIL:  nigel@commonsensedesign.net
PHONE:  519-342-5348

Ziplining At Grouse Mountain

If you would have told me a few months ago that I would be ziplining at Grouse Mountain, I would have told you that you were crazy.  Even though I am terrified of heights, I mean even going on a 4 foot step ladder gives me the willies, I decided I needed to face the fear and go ziplining while in Vancouver!  Yes, McDonald's paid for this event as well!  Thank you, McDonald's!  I'll never forget this incredible experience!!
Grouse Mountain has many enjoyable activities available to the public.  Things like, snow shoeing, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating on an outdoor pond, ziplinging, and many other events.  It truly is the place for anyone who would like some adventure!
Here are a few pictures.  Enjoy!

Ready to "Do the Grouse!"

Eli, our fearless leader, thanks, Eli!

Thank you to our guides, Joel and Mandy, pictured on far right of group.

  You did an awesome job of keeping it fun and safe!

This is how it looks at the bottom...

This is how it looks at the top!

Putting on a "brave face"

Feelin' just a little nervous...

Oh, my goodness!!!!!

I can't believe I'm doing this!  Is it too late to change my mind?

Yup!

  Woo-Hooooo!!!!

What a RUSH!  Can we go again?

Breath taking beauty!

That's a zipline in the sky!  And yes, I was on it!!

Yeah, we ziplined over this icy mountain lake!

Wanna race!?!

Our brave ziplining group

I'm so proud of all of us for trying this!

Ziplining accomplished...Next on the bucket list,

SKYDIVING!!!

Scenery on the way down on the "Skyride Tram"

WOW!

A special treat on the city bus ride home from the mountain...

We didn't know we would get serenaded!

Special rendition of "Stand by Me"

He was very passionate about his music!  ;  )

now singing "You are So Beautiful to Me"

He liked Val and the other ladies and pointed to us when he sang the chorus.

Not Eli though...  :  )

Way too much fun!!!

Group Dinner at Earl's Restaurant Featuring Carl Lewis & Bonnie Blair

I had the privilege of attending a group dinner at Earl's where Olympic medalsits, Bonnie Blair, US Speed Skater, and Carl Lewis, US Track & Field athlete!  The group was offered the opportunity for a Q&A session.  We asked questions such as; "how did you get yourself mentally ready before a competition?", and "Does an athlete have to be quite young when they take up a sport if they would like to have the chance to compete at the Olympics?"".   A few of the answers surprised me.  When chatting with a few of the athletes at the Village McDonald's location, I was surprised to find out that some of the curlers were in their teen years when they took up the sport!  The key is that they enjoy doing it and will keep at it without feeling like it's a big chore.
Also, in regards to getting yourself mentally ready to compete, both Bonnie and Carl agreed that they always "stayed in the moment".  For example, they would count their steps as they ran or skated.  They weren't thinking about the finish line, they were focusing on putting one foot in front of the other at that very moment.  Then afterwards, what ever the results, they would go over the race and take a look at where they shined and where they could improve!  Yes, even a gold medalist knows they can improve and become a better, stronger athlete.  Wow!!

Just a few of us gals

Tina, Cindy, Donna, and Pamela

Tina with Bonnie Blair, Olympic Speed Skater!

Tina with Carl Lewis, Olympic Track & Field Athlete!

Last Night's Victory Ceremony

I had the opportunity to attend last night's victory ceremony for all the athletes who earned the gold, silver, and bronze medals. Although Canada didn't win a medal this time, it was still quite interesting to watch China's Zhou Yang take the gold for the women's 1500m, and South Korea's Lee Jung-Su take the gold for the men's 1000m. Congratulations on your great achievements!

It was a real treat for me to be at the consert put on by Trooper and then Loverboy!! That was a blast from the past!! I'm still smiling!!! And for those of you who weren't even born in the '80's, this is how the electric guitar was meant to be played! If you download "Turn Me Loose" and "Everybody's Working for the Weekend", by Loverboy, I'm sure you'll find your toes tapping just a little! ; ) Please don't forget to pay for the songs with your i tunes card...

Here are some photos to prove that I was there!

Tina with 2 RCMP officers...Nice Boots!

Men's and Women's Short Track Speed Skating Medals

Atif (Montreal), Karen (Kenora), and I

Trooper and Loverboy Consert!!

Trooper...

Loverboy...

Short Track Speed Skating Event

Tonight I was fortunate enough to attend the Women's and Men's Short Track Speed Skating Event.  What a THRILL!!!
Although Canada did not bring home any medals from this event, they skated hard and their performance was so strong in the trials that everyone was kind of shoked when they didn't get one.

To be at an Olympic event is hard to describe with words...  It was simply thrilling!  It was amazing to be part of the crowd when everyone was cheering wildly for our Country's team!  The emotion was high and every Canadian in that coliseum was so proud to be a Canadian all at the same time...WOW!!  Yes, our Olympic Champions truly do carry their country with them as they strive to be better than they've ever been  at the sport they love to do best.

I will remember this experience for the rest of my life!  Thank you, McDonald's!

I know my pictures won't do them justice, but here is a small glimpse of what I saw on this night.  Enjoy!

Tina with Quachi and Sumi

Going into Pacific Coliseum...I can hardly wait to watch my first Olympic event! 

WAY EXCTING!!!

A good representation from around the globe

GO, TEAM CANADA!  GO FOR THE GOLD!!!

Charles and Francois Hamelin

Francois Hamelin

Charles Hamelin

Kalyna Roberge

 Tania Vicent

The women are at the start line...

The men are at the start line...

Ready, Set, GO!

An action shot of the women's 1500 m.  Can you spot Canada's Tania Vicent? 

A shot of the men's 1000 m finals with Canada's Charles and Francois Hamelin in 2nd and 3rd positions!!  It was an intense race to say the least!  We were all hanging on the edge of our seats cheering for OUR TEAM.

The Olympic Zamboni.  The ice needs to be perfect for this!

Bonne job!