On behalf of team Bosom Buddies 2014,
I would like to thank everyone who joined us on our journey towards the Shoppers
Drug Mart’s “Weekend to End Women’s Cancer”. With your tremendous support we raised over $8, 500!! PLUS as a team, we walked a total off 188km!!! More importantly, together we all
brought awareness and funds to the Princess Margaret Cancer Center.
The Weekend to End Women’s Cancer
was quite the experience. On Day One, the ladies and I were up bright and early
getting dressed in our "all-pink everything" attire. Thank you to FaReal Custom Tees
for printing our shirts. Take a closer look at who some of us were walking for.
All participants and volunteers met 7:20am
at the Rogers Center. As a collective we ate breakfast, performed some
stretches (led by Ace, the Blue Jay’s mascot) and listened to some very
inspirational stories from folks whose lives have been affected by Cancer.
Ace <3
Say Hello To The Royale Kitten
The "Toronto Women In Mining"
Get It Ladies!
That Time I Was On The Jumbo Tron!
"Aint Nobody Got Time For Cancer"
"Mighty Mel" and "Ambitious Audrey"
And We're Off!
We then made our way through the
streets of Toronto. Boy did I get a detailed tour of the city. All I remember
was leaving the Rogers Center, blinking two times, and we were at Jane and
Bloor! (DO YOU KNOW HOW FAR THAT IS!?!) That distance alone was confirmation to
me that we are all capable of doing ANYTHING as long as you were willing to do
the work!
The Rain Held Up For Us
The Wonder Women
I photo bombed Team "T-Cell"
There were stations all along the route from supporters <3
Sis & I - Completing 13.9km
The "Double Bubble" Crew
OLD MILL STATION!!!
Channeling Our Inner Ballerina - My Hand Placement Is Horrible Though!! Lol
Organizers did keep us entertained
throughout the time. We had mini cheer stations along the route; some had food,
some had cultural entertainment, and some had DJs! I even spotted
the Energizer Bunny and mayoral candidate Olivia Chow.
"TUTU" Cute!
Selfies!
Hey Chinatown!!!
There was also stations from Ukraine, Latin America, and more! The #CarnivalSpice in me was really happy to see a Junkanoo Bahamian Band and Steel Pannist "On Di Road" too!
After 8 ½ hours our day one walk to
end cancer was complete. What a journey. I can’t really describe the different
pains my body was feeling because I was so overjoyed by the accomplishment.
32km???? and I wasn’t playing mas???? I am still in shock (ha!). Below is a three women who also completed the walk. We were all rewarded with a t-shirt that read "WE DID THIS TOGETHER" and we truly did!! I want to give a HUGE HUGE shout out to my Bosom Buddies team mate Dawnette for completing Day Two of the weekend. Her second walk was 28km! We are all so proud.
Cheers to the next adventure and big
hugs and kisses to Carolyn Van, Sistah Angie, Kay Blair, the Bosom Buddies
2014, My Loving Family & My Awesome Friends <3
One last thing... for the "breast" mortgage rates call the "Mortgage Lady"!! :D
This post is dedicated to all of you
amazing people that have donated to my fundraising initiatives for the Weekend
to End Women’s Cancers. I am touched by the overwhelming support from everyone:
relatives, former co-workers, Carnival Spice crew, friends from high school
& University, Carnival Siblings, clients, and even people that I don’t know! It has been a beautiful process.
With that said I am excited to
announce that I have reached my personal goal of $1250 and so have all my teammates’
a.k.a “The Bosom Buddies”. We will officially be completing a 32km walk THIS Saturday
with thousands of other awesome women! My next individual fundraising mark is
$2000 and this will determine if I am eligible to walk on the Sunday.
I would also like to shout out all
of the awesome women who came out Thursday night for the “Bosom Buddies Dance-Fitness
Fundraiser” in benefit of the Princess Margaret Cancer Center. The one-hour workshop
was held in downtown Toronto at The Citadel dance studio... boy did we have a time!
#SWEATYSELFIE
Sister, Mom, & Me
Hooray!!
Women of all ages and ethnicities came out to donate, sweat
and dance up a storm. Everyone was also quite excited to receive some of my "Carnival
Spice" (HA!).
- As you can see from the clip above, my 20 month year old
nephew Matteo made for a great assistant; he enjoys any opportunity to dance.
The Weekend To End Cancer is in 5 Days which is more than
enough time to make an even bigger impact! If you haven`t had an opportunity to
donate please click HERE !! Whether small or big, your contribution is
GREATLY appreciated.
I will be dedicating my participation in the walk to 3
amazing women:
(1)Carolyn
Van
This young woman is a true
inspiration. We met in the dance world through the performance and training group Army of Sass. At the age of 28 Carolyn was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer this
past March. She has used her strength in social media to
document and share her journey through fighting young adult cancer. PLEASE
PLEASE visit her blog…. It is truly powerful -> http://cvkickingcancersass.com
(2)``Sistah
Angie``
I have known this lady since I
was a little girl.Every time I see her
it is so refreshing! She is so loving, positive, plus she makes THE BEST
lasagna I have EVER eaten… and trust me, I have eaten A LOT of lasagna in my
life time. As she battles the Big C, I ask that you all keep her in your
prayers. She is a true fighter and will be this thing.
(3)Kay
Blair
Kay has been a community
activist for years and has achieved a plethora of accolades for her
contributions. Although I have never met this woman, her work has made a great
impact on the development of my career and I truly appreciate her. Kay, my sister and I thank you for your efforts and we all know you will get through this!
I just want to
touch base with everyone post Toronto Carnival 2014. How was your overall
experience??? I did not participate in too much of the social stuff because
Carnival Spice was pretty booked up (AMEN!). So please share; I would love your
feedback.
Which band did you play with? Did you
have a great costume pick-up experience at your mas camp? Besides your costume
what items were in your costume bag?
What Fetes/Parties did you attend? Which
were the most fun?
Did anyone check out Jab Jab Jouvert?
How was your road experience???
This question is
a biggy! It is clear the road had several issues this year; mainly in the
logistical and security department. Issues so serious that many folks are
speaking up to ensure many of these mistakes are not made next year.
If I were to
rate my experience on the road this year I would say 6/10. For factors out of
my band’s control I didn’t get food or water, I lost a majority of my friends
for two hours, and I didn’t make it to the end of the lakeshore. Womp Womp. I
did however like the look and feel of the costume I put together, I got to see
so many wonderful people, and I got see beautiful mas in the sun.
A primary issue
this year was the HUGE presence of
people not in costume on the Lakeshore!! Ughhh you people stress me out. I know
the soca is contagious and I know the fences may be hard to see through, BUT if
you are spectator then you need to spectate on the sidelines! You can hear the
music from the sidelines as well! ...but when you decide to take it upon
yourself to hop the fences & sneak through barricades to get to the
Lakeshore, you are ruining the parade and identifying yourself as a STORMER!
2014 Toronto Carnival Stormers caused costumes (which are not cheap) to get
ruined, a back log of the music trucks, music to stop being played on the road,
interruptions on the stage where costume competitions take place (causing some
bands not to be judged)... I could go on...
I truly hope
that the Toronto’s Festival Management Committee sorts out and fixes many of
the issues that continually occur in the parade. My tip to them is to speak
with masqueraders to determine solutions – they are your best assets. PLUS
masqueraders are the ones who carry out the parade so you have to ensure that
they are happy. Caribbean Carnival in Toronto has the elements to be even
bigger and better than it is. Before it can grow we as the Caribbean community
need to educate masqueraders and attendees on the history of mas or the parade
will dwindle into being JUST a street party with a couple people covered in
feathers. WE CANNOT LET THIS HAPPEN.
I wanted to take
a moment and wish you all a happy, blessed, and prosperous August! It’s the
last month of “summer” so make it count.
I also would
like to wish you a safe, energized, E.P.I.C., colorful, blissful Caribana
weekend full of flags in di air, laughter, glitter, feathers, Johnny walka,
loved ones, soca, sunshine and PLENTY vibes.
You can find me
jumpin and waving with my Jamaican flag in the band Saldenah Mas as they
present “The River of Mirrors”. It will be quite interesting because the band
has sold over 4000 costumes! Not sure where all those people will fit but it
shall be interesting to see.
The costume section
I will be wearing is “Cristales”. Costume designer Rodney Minguel describes the
section as follows: “Carnival is color and color is mas and legend has it that
there is a river so beautiful; it's known as the river than ran away from
paradise. Cano Cristales or the Liquid Rainbow is a unique biological wonder
and is famous as the river of five colors. Together, this explosion of natural
colors represents the vibrance, splendor and uniqueness of all carnivals.”
What I look
forward to the most this Toronto Carnival weekend is jumping down the lakeshore
with two close friends of mine. These two will be playing mas for the first
time! Are you a first timer? Carnival Virgin? Mas Rookie?
Here Are Some Tips For You:
-Insoles
will be your best friend – Wear them in your shoes!
-Bring
your OWN water bottle. They heat will getcha if you’re not prepared. I have
learned that the hard way. Stay hydrated!
-Take
lots of pictures
-Have
fun!
KNOW THESE SONGS or you may feel left out, lol
-Too
Real – Kerwin Du Bois
-Doh
Tell Me Dat – Flipo
-Epic
– Machel Montano
-Truck
On The Road – Bunji Garlin
-Skinny Banton - Saltfish
(Soak it Good)
Last but not
least, watch the video below. My Carnival Spice ladies and I will bring di
vibes!
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