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.