Canada saves the best for last!

((for the record, i took all of these photos while watching and just using my iphone))

After two weeks of heated competition, foggy weather, and some surprising victories, the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics are officially over. Vancouver bids a reluctant farewell.

The winter olympics coming to an end after a hockey game that couldn't have been scripted better as “Canada conquests", or "Canada reaches its winter peak" or "the host with the most” with a huge exclamation point!

The last event was hockey game and it capped off an extraordinary Olympics for Canada. It's unbelievable. The game was a nerve wracking, first the score was so close and then suddenly a tie! It was unthinkable --for few seconds, the whole nation was silent and tense until Sidney Crosby (also known as Sid the Kid) saved the best for last! He shot the winning gold and Canada owns the hockey podium. As if meant to be all along, Sidney scored an overtime goal to lift the host nation over US and win its most precious Olympic medal of all -- hockey gold. I thought what an incredible way to finish off Olympic games. From high-fiving to vehicle honking, everone is just so happy and united. From Abbottsford to Afghanistan, everyone was screaming, cheering, chanting, stamping , cow-belling and celebrating. And that includes me and my entire family!

The opening ceremony last February 12th did not start off perfectly. It started with a glitch, then followed with a grief but the games and events continued with glowing hearts and high spirit and now, finally ended with a glory! It's amazing, Canada won and set a record for winning the most gold medals.

The flames ignited the dream and hope. From the moment the torch was lit, the spirit and emotions of enthusiasm started. From picture taking of the torch relay, to wearing of red and white outfits, the waving of Canadian flags, fans continuously update their status on facebooks and twitters, and then there was the national anthem 'O Canada' being played over and over again, and often and not, the singing of 'I believe' Olympic theme and the chanting of “go Canada go”. This has truly become Canadian culture and oneness. A very Canadian patriotism. A beautiful one-of-a-kind patriotism. I have been here for the last 10 years but I've never seen like it. People undoubtedly believed in the power of “you and I”. I am proud or rather privileged to be a part of this nation and it's great to be a Canadian. I have actually enjoyed the full 17 days event, and I thought it was more than just a great ride experience.

The closing ceremony was an extravagant glitzy gala and unforgettable moment. It had showed warm, friendly, and fun-filled performance and has displayed patriotism. Not to mention the performance of all-star Canadian rock stars and entertainers such as Avril Lavigne, Nickelback, Michael Buble, Hedley, Michael Fox, Alanis Morsetti and others. The roaring crowd was phenomenal. The performance was terrific and dramatic. What an spectacular show and a total thrill! and what a friendly face we put for a welcoming nation and it is a shared experience within the nation and beyond.

I am a fan of olympic games and never missed to watch every time. And so far, Vancouver is definitely one of the best Olympic games in history. For sure, it's one that will be remembered for a long time. The International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge formally closed the Games after declaring them "excellent and very friendly" and further commended Canada for "an extraordinary embrace of games". Kudos to all the athletes, organizers and volunteers. Merci beaucoup! :-)

Personally, I thought it's not just about the gold or the number of medals won but it's also about the journey and incredible experience of the golden moments of our lives, no matter where we live, we will hold this moment in our hearts.

Strong, free and with glowing hearts, Vancouver has truly left a memorable legacy here and beyond. Vive la Vancouver!!!

all eyes on Vancouver

Bienvenue! Welcome to Vancouver! The host city of 2010 winter olympic. It is also the city where I live. I am utterly excited about this fabulous world class sporting event and really looking forward to experience the once in a lifetime olympic-buzz right in the heart of Vancouver City. It is like it's just going to take place in my own backyard you know....How awesome and cool is that? I must admit, I am proud to be a Vancouverite, and there are really cool reasons why....one is, Vancouver is one of THE best places to live in.

Vancouver is such a beautiful and awesome city. It is both rustic and sophisticated, vibrant and laidback and something in between. A cosmopolitan city with a natural wonder. It is known for its world known attractions including Granville Island, Robson Street and Stanley Park. It is surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains with stunning high peaks and silvery bodies of water, the wild still practically surrounds this modern city whose greater area is home to about 2 million people. Unknown to some, Vancouver is diverse, innovative, creative and a sustainable-green-city. It is a community where our differences and diversities are celebrated. Every citizen matters and has a stake in the city's future.

A long-held dream finally comes true….after seven years and after billions of dollars, Canada's Olympic dreams take shape this Friday in the flicker of a flame and the roar of a crowd in Vancouver's massive BC Place stadium. All eyes will be on Vancouver as the city welcomes the world for the 2010 winter olympic games. It is going to be an event that will go down in history and there will be many events going on around the city and in Whistler to enjoy. Opening ceremony for the spectacular event will be held at the BC Place Stadium (an inflated colossal white dome stadium that can hold about 60,000 people and is located at the downtown core) on February 12, 2010 @ 6 pm. The ceremony is a chance to speak to a global audience and tell a story of a contemporary Canada that will inspire the world. It will showcase a truly Canada's cultural diversity, values and creativity by highlighting the excellence of performance of leading Canadian artists and I, and all Canadians, look forward to this huge and memorable ceremony that will allow the whole world to see the best that Canada has to offer.

More than 80 nations are likely to take part in this event and about 5500 people from over 80 nations will participate in the Winter Olympics. The greatest athletes in the world come together and compete in events that are mind-bogglingly impressive. International media and spectators from around the world will gather in Vancouver and the alpine resort of Whistler to celebrate winter sporting excellence. The games, along with the city's spectacular and natural venues, will put the city in the spotlight as one of the top sporting destinations.

And so with Canadian pride and the spirit of winter olympics.......my family and I will put on our red toques, sweaters, scarves, mittens and get out our Canadian flags and ready to paint the town red. We will definitely cheer loudly for the Canadian Olympic Team! Go Canada go!

See you there 'eh?

sights of vancouver city

Jericho beach overlooking downtown Vancouver

Jericho beach
blossoming cherry trees at the kits

stanley park

totem poles

stanley park, overlooking bc place and harbour centre


vancouver yacht club
jericho beach

work in progress

rays of light beneath the clouds

white, red and navy

100+ years old holy rosary church, yaletown

glass building

view of kerrisdale quay, north van

budding cherry tree

canada place, waterfront

canada place

harbour

bc place

harbour centre lookout, viewing deck

citadel heights overlooking grouse mountain

Portmann bridge

yellow cab

Robson's fabulous fashion strip

clock tower

Jesus is the Light

bench

lady bug

westin plaza glass building

pillars and bicycles

pigeon savoring french bread crumb

Vancouver Public Library

solitary stroll on a deserted alley

chinese lady, selling chinese herbs in chinatown

souvenir shop

It was not-so-sunny last Saturday. Hazy. Chilly. But good enough for me to have the courage to go out and enjoy the remaining days of spring break vacation with my family. I was surprised because we visited familiar places more than we expected. Originally, we just thought of going to Vancouver Public Library and Robson strip and maybe chill-out in one of the Starbucks coffee shops afterwards. I have been really planning for like years now to visit Vancouver Public Library. I haven’t been there at all. With my passion and love of books, I don’t know why I haven’t been able to visit this magnificent landmark, I can’t believe it myself!

So, off we went to downtown! I brought along with me my Nikon DSLR. I really am enjoying my new SLR camera. It was a birthday present from my husband. Isn’t he such a sweet guy? One day I was organizing and editing our old family photos, I asked myself -- why not take it to the next level? I am always up for a challenge anyways and always interested to learn something new. From then, I’ve become taken with the art of digital photography.

Photography to me is an art of interpretation. A way to capture a memory and a moment in time. I have always been interested in capturing great images from my own perspective. But with my previous Canon digital camera, it only offers point-and-shoot feature, so you can't really do much about it. It’s not a crappy one at all, in fact I had used it to numerous occasions and vacation travels already. My husband knew all along that I have been getting disappointments and dissatisfying results from the shots taken, and so I was not really surprised when he gave me a new DSLR. I was ecstatic!

As we walk along the bustling streets of downtown Vancouver, I had so much fun time taking some shots. A lot actually - from high rising towers, modern architectural buildings, busy streets, local shops, landmarks, and other interesting subjects that caught my eye, one of my favorites is the deserted alley. I liked the connection of the narrow pathway and the leading lines created by the alignment of the electrical posts.

We walked block by block, from Yaletown to Georgia, Hastings, Pender, Burrard to Robson. It's always fun getting around the city with my family, they are so sweet actually, and always very supportive, they understand me well, why mummy has stop walking everytime, and has to take hundreds of photos all the time, they do get-me why I do some silly things sometimes.

As they crossed the street, I was still on the other side of the street, so occupied, so focused, and took as much shots I can possibly take. I leaned. I kneeled. Stooped and bend. And had tried different position just to get the right composition while I looked through my viewfinder. I continuously clicked the shutter away and made sure the foreground have the right balance with the background. And most importantly, I followed the rule of thumb - the rule of thirds.

When I am taking photos, I try to make my photos interesting enough the way that other people want to see it, making it simple too without any distracting scenery. Right now, I am not concentrating much about the technical aspects of the photography just as yet, such as shutter speed, aperture, depth of fields, etc, which I think can be learned later on. I am still a newbie anyways and still much to learn about photography 101. Overall, we had a great time and I was satisfied with the result. My husband thought that my shots were great, and so with my kids.