The Canadian nationals are 6 days away! As of now, I won't even try to predict whom I'll present the overall women's trophy to. With only one pro-qualifier in Canada each year, the competition is fierce and the title is once again 'up for grabs'. There are several competitors taking the stage this upcoming weekend who would make excellent representatives for Canada on the pro circit. I do have a few favorites though and I'll be cheering my heart out for them. I'll be flying out to Montreal later this week. This will be the first time I have ever attended the bodybuilding nationals and sat in the audience...what a treat! I'm excited about kickin'back amongst the other spectators and watching the show.

I consider myself extremely fortunate to have won this show last year. The camaraderie amongst the women is fantastic. Over the years, I have made a few great friends whom I initially met backstage at this event. Although I'm relieved that I do not have to compete amongst these women anymore, I'm also sad that I will not be able to share in the excitement backstage.

By this time next weekend it'll all be over and I'll be flying home from Montreal.

Speaking of flights and travel.....It's official, I'm goin' to Vegas for the 'O'!!!! I can't wait!!!! The Olympia is such an amazing event.

My training is going amazingly well. My strength is almost back to where it should be....and surprisingly, it hasn't taken long. I'm actually considering packing my gym gear with me to Las Vegas so I can train while I'm there. It's always nice to train in a new/different environment.

Now, all I need to do is shuffle and juggle my work schedule so that everything runs smoothly while I'm away. I'll leave my sis in charge to ensure all goes as it should.
Thank gawd for her...she's just as organized as I am.

a pic of me, my little nephew & my sis

It's amazing, I've been a pro for exactly one year. Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of my win at the Canadians which entitled me to compete as a pro :)
With the Canadian nationals quickly aproaching yet again, I'm eagerly anticipating who will be joining the 'pro ranks'. Only 2 1/2 weeks to go.

If all the hype/excitement surrounding the Fitness & Figure nationals being hosted in Vancouver wasn't enough, the evening was topped off by another friend of mine joining the pro ranks by winning her class at the nationals. I was absolutely ecstatic to find out that my good friend Nicole Ball had won the Tampa Pro show as well. Too cool!!! I'm not sure I've mentioned this before, but if it weren't for bodybuilding, Nicole and I may have never met. I simply could not imagine NOT knowing her. We initially met backstage at the 2003 Canadians then again in 2004. From then on, we have kept in touch. Yes, we compete against one another and we have on several occassions, but that has not had an impact on our friendship. In fact, she and I have always had fun backstage together. Of course there has always been some competitive rivalry between us, but we both know our placings are in the hands of the judges.

Anyway, after my eventful weekend in Vancouver, I decided it was time for a trek in to the mountains once again. I wanted/needed some 'down time' before returning home so, I spontaneously took a ten day trip to visit family. En route home I made a few pitstops to visit friends along the way and I even stopped in the Kootenays aka the desert of BC to buy fruit.....peaches, cherries, plums etc. Some of the orchards in the Kootenays are absolutely amazing. Provided I don't eat it all first, I'm hoping to set aside enough spare time to make jam/jelly with the fruit I bought.

Now that I'm home, it's back to business, which means back to work and back to the gym. I have every intention of competing next year, but before then, I have some improvements to make. My extended time off training has certainly taken its toll however, my injuries have healed pretty well. My strength is a wee bit sub-par these days, but I can't expect much considering I'm just getting back in the groove of regular training again.

I recently took a tour of a new World Gym that opened many miles from here....a damn fine establishment with equipment I'd only dream of using regularly. The owner was super friendly and she even gave me a free T-shirt!!!


Now that Nicole has qualified for the Olympia, I'm seriously considering a trip to Las Vegas. I had given the trip some thought prior to now, but after a lengthy phone conversation with Nic tonight, I'm pretty sure I'll go. The Olympia weekend is always fun and I absolutely love Las Vegas so I may as well go. I'll keep ya posted.

Gotta get some zzzz's.

Onward....

So...it's been some time since my last post. It's time for an update and a small recap of the last few months in my life.

In June, I travelled up to northern BC to guest pose and it was a blast.
Both IFBB pro Sandra Wickham and I took the stage at the night show to perform to a sold out crowd. The crowd was VERY loud and welcoming which made the experience quite pleasant. This time around, I was far less nervous about guest posing than I have been in the past. I'd gladly do it again.

(a couple pics from backstage)

The promoter of this event - IFBB pro Jeni Briscoe also hosted an after party that was awesome. It gave both Sandra and I an opportunity to mingle with friends and some of the novice competitors.



(me, Sandra & Jeni)

Our Provincial level event has come and gone already. It was a huge success. Both Toney Freeman & Cathy LaFrancois guest posed and they were amazing. This event brought forth some new talent as well as some seasoned, veteran competitors looking to requalify for the nationals.

Of course, the Tampa pro show is on this weekend and my good friend Nicole is competing so I'll be cheering for her from afar. The Fit/Fig nationals are on this weekend in Vancouver as well. I'm leaving for Vancouver tomorrow morning to volunteer at the show and cheer on some of the local girls. The outcome should be interesting. I clearly recall all those feelings/emotions I experienced in the final days leading up to my win....and as I watch some of my friends in their final days of prep leading up to this show, everything I felt then has come back...it is so weird. All the anxiety, anticipation and excitement is back.

Yes, I had every intention of competing this year, but it's just not gonna happen. I've been 'sidelined' with injuries that require surgery, personal stress/issues that require my undivided attention and a genuine need to rest. I'll be back in my normal groove soon, but for now, I'll continue on as I have been.....