What can I say about Women’s Wonderful Wednesday? After an amazing day by our women in the Olympics, we are tied with the US and Germany with a total of 7 Gold Medals. Maybe it’s not too late to give up on Own the Podium?  And the domination of our Men’s Hockey team against Russia really was the icing on the cake.

Now I do realize that there are many other important things going on in the world, there is still a disaster in Haiti, we are still dealing with a recession and housing crisis and the winter weather is still playing havoc in the US and Canada – but isn’t it way more fun to enjoy the Olympics right now?  I think that more than anything, we all needed a feel-good story. 2009 was a very difficult year for so many people, especially my generation who had yet to live through a recession (almost depression) as adults. There has already been a change of energy in 2010, and you can feel that people are more optimistic and more open to taking a bit of risk and having more fun too!

I have to admit, I am really blessed to have a split schedule, so that I can watch some of the events in the afternoon when I’m not teaching that afternoon.  Yesterday, I found it hard to tear myself away from the computer (where I watch the games thanks to CTV) and even spent time watching tv at the mall in between clients! Anyone else having the same issues?

Just in case you missed it, or live under a rock, or aren’t as obsessed with Canada – here are the highlights from Wednesday Feb 24:

• Women’s Bobsleigh Gold – Kaillie Humphres and Heather Moyse
• Women’s Bobsleigh Silver – Shelly-Ann Brown and Helen Upperton
• Women’s Long Track 5000 m – Clara Hughes
• Women’s Short Track 3000m relay – Marianne St-Gelais, Tania Vicent, Jessica Gregg, Kalyna Roberge
• Canada vs Russia – Men’s Hockey Quarter Final- 7 -3 Canada!

Clara Hughes is truly a phenomenal athlete.  She is the only athlete in the world to win multiple medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympics. What a way to end her Olympic career!

What is even more special is that we have many more true medal chances in the last few days of the games. Here are some of the highlights of what is coming up:

• Women’s Hockey Gold Medal Game – Canada vs USA 6:30 pm EST
• Curling Semi-Finals – Women’s vs Switzerland @ noon EST
• Curling Semi-Finals – Men’s vs Sweden @ 5 pm EST
• Joannie Rochette skates the long program in Women’s Figure Skating, 8 pm EST – She is currently 3rd
• Men’s Aerials Finals – 3 Canadians competing at 9 pm EST
• Friday night – Men’s Hockey Semi-Final Canada vs Slovakia (big upset here as well – Sweden is out) 9:30 EST
• Short Track – there are events for both women and men on Friday, starting at 9 pm EST

Hope that helps you plan out the next two evenings. Time to get back to work! Don’t forget – next week is the Networking with Excellence and Integrity seminar, on March 4th.  Email info@julieboyer.com to confirm your spot.

Here’s to a Terrific Thursday for Canadian Olympians!

I love to travel and until this past trip, I have generally had some very good luck when it comes to traveling to the US and internationally. The tips I’m sharing are based on my own personal experience and nothing more, so use at your own risk!  And I don’t have any children yet, so all of these recommendations are based on traveling as a adult.

• Book your ticket as early as possible. This can give you priority when it comes to seating choice or if a trip has been overbooked, you are less likely to be forced off the plane.
• For extra leg room without extra cost on most airlines, book the emergency exit or bulkhead seats (front of the plane). This can be done online the day before for a domestic flight (for some airlines) or at the airport when you check in.  It’s worth it even if you aren’t very tall.
• Weigh your luggage before leaving home, most airlines are very strict about the 50 lb per bag limit and will charge you for every extra lb you are carrying. The good news is that most airlines still do not weigh your carry-on bag, so you can put some of the heavier stuff in your carry-on.  If you are traveling with 2 people, it’s still important to have the weight equally distributed between the two bags.
• For those living near the US/Canadian border, we have had some excellent flights from Buffalo, NY to other locations in the US.  The flights are often half of the cost compared to flying out of Toronto and the airport is smaller, with more advanced security, so you can get through faster. The border is always a bit of a question mark, but there are 3 options to get across from Canada so you can usually make it across within 30 min. And parking is half the price of long-term parking in Toronto.
• Your carry-on is key – even in this climate, you are allowed one personal sized carry-on at the very least.  Items that are essential for me in my carry-on include:
  • an empty re-usable water bottle (this can be filled up on the plane for free by the flight attendants)
  • lots of snacks (nothing liquid or gel though)
  • change of clothing (at least underwear) and sometimes, a bathing suit when traveling to a warmer climate
  • any supplements taken on a daily basis – we bring 2 days of gel packs and put them in the clear baggie
  • a book (or a Kindle – see amazon.com) and a crossword/sudoku/word search magazine
  • any electronics such as a laptop, camera and phone
  • passport, wallet and ID – in a travel pouch depending on where you are going. Put photocopies in your luggage and one at home.
  • tylenol or advil

I hope this helps and if you’ve got any more suggestions – feel free to comment!

**Note as of Jan 6, 2010 – the rules have completely changed.  Sadly, we are no longer allowed to bring much of anything on board.  The rules keep changing but here is the latest from the National Post.