My first week of December was spent in the Greater Toronto Area doing a variety of events.  I was invited to West Toronto Collegiate School as an ambassador to their Start Me Up breakfast program and their Empower Student Program (ESP).  I met the breakfast program volunteers and participated in an informative ESP presentation and discussion forum on the important issue of youth gang violence. In the afternoon I visited classrooms and discussed the importance of charity work and education.  I also had the opportunity to spend the following day with five students who won ‘A Day with Miss Canada International’.  We visited No Frills, who is a large sponsor to their breakfast program, the Bata Shoe Museum, and did a mini driving tour of downtown Toronto.  It was a great day that enabled the students and myself to get to know each other and have a lot of fun together.  The opportunities I had to interact with the students, staff and volunteers during the days I spent at West Toronto Collegiate were a great experience.

While in Mississauga, I was able to get in touch with Canada’s Latino culture.  My gracious hosts were an amazing Columbian family who welcomed me in as one of their own.  I had the chance to meet and visit with nearly every person in the very large extended family, which gave me the opportunity to learn about living in Columbia and to practice a bit of my rusty Spanish.  Continuing the Latino experience, as guest at a charming Mexican restaurant, I dined with a member of the Mexican consulate and was treated to traditional Spanish music and the many cultural dishes of Mexico, including ceviche, molẻ and flan.  I also did interviews with several Spanish media including the magazines La Guỉa and Abanico.  On the final night of my visit I was invited to a Reggaton festival and was able to meet the Puerto Rican performer Baby Ranks.  I had a phenomenal time in Mississauga and it was a great opportunity to experience the delights of Latino culture in Canada.

While in the Greater Toronto Area, I also visited the International Charity Association Network (ICAN) in Scarborough.  ICAN is a commendable charity that serves hundreds of programs in the greater Toronto area, as well as overseas initiatives, by providing food, diapers, and other much needed products to families in need.  While attending their Christmas gathering, I had the chance to meet many of the wonderful staff, volunteers and patrons, as well as the organization’s founder.  I was also provided an informative tour of the warehouse facilities.  It was an honour for the chance to meet the people involved and understand the fundamental level of this great charity.

As the holidays drew nearer I headed back to Alberta and was a guest at the Continental Cup of Curling in Medicine Hat.  The five day event brings together twelve of the best curling teams in the world to compete in a unique variety of competitions.  I was involved in the grand procession and the closing ceremonies, and had a chance to meet the players and coaches, as well as the fantastic organizers and volunteers.  I saw some amazing curling including a few non-traditional forms, such as Mixed Doubles and Team Skins.  CBC, the network broadcasting the event, also provided me a tour of the broadcast van and a behind-the-scenes look at how they prepared the production.  It was a great event showcasing a cherished sport in Canadian heritage, and to top it all off, North America took the cup!

Next I was invited to the small town of Schuler to visit the local school.  Tying in with their school curriculum I spoke about generosity and discussed the Teddy Bears of Hope campaign.  With a size to rival my own hometown, the students of Schuler also asked questions about my rural upbringing and transitioning to an urban and international lifestyle.  It was delightful to visit the rural school and it brought back many memories of my own youth.

Wrapping up events before the holidays began, I visited my home community in the small town of Oyen.  While attending the Christmas hayride and light festival I had the chance to interact with the local families and firefighters.  I was also invited as special guest at the Oyen Eagles hockey game, where I performed the puck-drop and spoke about the Teddy Bears of Hope charity.  When the first Oyen goal was scored, only minutes into the game, the crowd went wild and teddy bears were tossed onto the ice.  The excitement continued as the Eagles went on to win the game.  The outreach from the town was incredible and hundreds of teddy bears and funds were collected for the Afghanistan campaign.  It was really nice to finish off 2007 with the amazing support from my home community.

With all events wrapped up, during the latter portion of December I was ‘off duty’, so to speak, and was pleased to spend the holidays with my family and friends.  Although December was a busy time, the care and support I received during this season of generosity was really inspirational and left me rejuvenated.  These first months as Miss Canada International have brought me many warm memories and I look forward to the experiences that lie ahead in the New Year.  Happy New Year!