written June 13th 2011

One week to the pageants for Miss Universe Canada 2011 in Toronto, Ontario.
Today I have flown to Ontario where I am visiting my family before heading to the week long pageant festivities.
The last few months in Vancouver have been enlightening and motivating, it has been a time of gathering and growth...a fun challenge to get everything ready for being in this pageant opportunity.
I would like to give the greatest of thank you's to all my sponsors, many have been added to the list during these final weeks of preparing and each one has been chosen because of the quality and uniqueness of its store, product and service.
Thank you to Kalena Shoes of Commercial drive, who gave me a nice discount to buy the most beautiful shoes for my evening gown. When I found them, I know they 'were the ones'. I have never had that feeling before, except when also finding my dress of course. :)
Also special thanks to Dress in Tyme, a beautiful shop with accessories and dresses for original style and some less costly, yet stunning jewellery. (Located in city square at 12th and Cambie)
Thank you to Janet's Custom Framing (4th avenue and dunbar), who gave me a discount to mount my canvas artwork, which was printed by Disc Imaging (3rd avenue and quebec st.)
Thanks again to all my sponsors who have provided generous, kind and high quality service (Kalev Fitness, (Pender and Abott Street), Smile City Square Dental, (at City Sqaure, 12th and Cambia).... Spa Boutique and Black 2 Blonde, both at 4th ave and Dunbar in Vancouver... I got a haircut shortly before leaving, as well as a hairstyle for a fashion shoot I did 2 weeks before departure.
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Today I have had an extremely nice, grounding visit with my Brother so far, and I will see my whole family tomorrow (it has been a year since being home)
I am very happy to be here, ready to embrace this adventure and see where it leads. It is interesting to reflect that a year ago is when I watched the pageant, in part, to prepare myself in seeing what was involved in the whole experience.
And Today, Now that I am here, I can say that it has been a genuinely great year for growth and indepedence, in getting to know myself better, in strengths and weaknesses, and envisioning into ever expanding ways on how I can put my talents to good use for the big picture of affecting change and inspiring the world.

June 25th

The pageant is 2 months away as I continue to train and prepare for Miss Universe Canada which takes place at the St. Lawerence Centre for the Arts on June 25th. I am very excited for the whole pageant experience... And looking into the Joyous opportunity to represent Canada at the Miss Universe pageant in Sao Paolo, Brazil! in September 2011 :).

I am definately enjoying the training of health and fitness, eating healthy and toning, getting my body in optimum shape while also preparing mentally, emotionally and in all of what it takes to be in this experience.

This past weekend I took a leadership course through Visionary Leaders of Canada which is very empowering and moving, contributing to the essence of building myelf as centered, balanced and in the present moment. Thank you Psychology of Vision

This weekend we have a photoshoot for Miss Universe Canada 2011 photos. I'm looking forward to getting our pictures! and I am getting ready for it at my beauty salon sponsor, Black 2 Blonde. It's a beautiful spot on 4th Ave Vancouver, thank you ladies! for teaching me aspects of hair styling and makeup techniques.

This past week I also visited my dentist at Smile City Care, who is always so passionate about offering dental as something that can transform people into feeling confident. Thank you for your excellent work, enthusiasm and insights!

Through out my training, I have been with Kalev Fitness. They've been absolutely great for classes and fitness training with my trainer...and an environment and team atmosphere that is a always a pleasure to be around.

Thank you to all my sponsors!

Its been an exciting journey, and it continues...I look forward to this whole opportunity,... I'm thankful for pageantry as it offers an experience of motivation and inspiration while meeting likeminded people who are passionate about making a difference. Together we can come together and make beautiful things happen.

Thank you dearly as I prepare in all ways and look forward to the journey


:)

January 2009 I moved to Vancouver, Canada to find stories in the Olympics as a filmmaker. In this endeavour I also came into the opportunity of pageantry.

I competed in Miss Vancouver and Miss BC 2009, and trained for Miss Universe Canada 2010. Prior to the pageant of 2010, my life became a time to train and prepare myself while focusing on my passions of filmmaking and the creative arts.
In June 2010 I watched the pageant and gained insight into 'Miss Universe Canada'.

Today I am approaching Miss Universe/Canada 2011 with the life experience I have gained through personal development, as well as that of my ambition and talents for creating cultural films that inspire.




I am having a meeting with my fitness trainer at Kalev Fitness this week. I am looking forward to seeing the results since I began working out and leading a healthier lifestyle. (I began working out consistently in October and it really is amazing to feel the difference, both physically with toning, and energetically through feeling healthier through out the day).

I am also looking forward to touching up my teeth/presentation at Smile City Dental, and learning some beauty maintenance through hairstyle and makeup techniques at my salon, Black 2 Blonde.

The pageant is in June, so I am really narrowing in on how I can prepare and build myself in all ways of what it takes to be on stage; representing yourself with poise, graceful confidence and clear, concise, intelligent speaking ability.

I am excited! Looking forward to, and ready to be in sync with all of who I am, and all of who I love and dream to be.

Cheers to sharing in the Journey

'Journey beyond time and place, a journey where we respect that every race,
has born culture
somewhere over land and time'

'This is to inspire appreciation of our Multicultural World'

http://joceannajourneys.webs.com/apps/links/

The beginnings of training

It's a new year, the year of 2011.

I love new beginnings, and making the effort to make the most of them by feeling refreshed and making time to think about new ways we can move forward in our lives.
Whether it's to take on a new hobby, or change the way we live in a certain way, new beginnings can offer an exciting time to feel motivated to work at being who we want to be, and strive towards accomplishing the things we want to succeed at.

For me, I definately feel the sense of new beginnings in feeling a new year and taking notice of the time to direct my life in the ways I want to live it.
At the same time, I am also continuing with things that I have been working on over the past years.

I am happy to be continuing my work out training, my drive for eating healthy, and in general, taking initiative to do things that contribute to my wellbeing and happyness. Currently I work out at a beautiful gym that I am proud to have as a major part of my team for training towards successes during the Miss Universe/Canada pageants of 2011. The trainers are super friendly, welcoming and motivating, the classes are varied and well scheduled and the unique interior of the gym itself keeps me excited to go there. Seriously, I love everything! especially the bathrooms that have awesome showers and amenities. I am lucky and delighted to have Kalev Fitness training as a sponsor of mine. I am very appreciative to all of the team at Kalev! (Located in the beautiful historic downtown area on the edges of Gastown and Chinatown in Vancouver at Pender/Abott). :):):) P.s training is something I'm so happy to have gotten into. It really affects your body and daily life so much by feeling fit, healthy and refreshed.

I also have a dentist sponsorship which I am working with for making my teeth bright, fresh and analyzed through a dentist who recognizes and is passionate about the art of dentistry :). I also lucked out with the best location, right on Cambie and 12th in Vancouver. And also because it is a beauty of an office! With high ceilings and in the historic building of City Centre, I am proud to work with such a friendly office.

This weekend I am meeting with my beauty and hair salon office, at Black 2 Blonde right near my home, at 4th and Dunbar in Vancouver. I am happy to be working with the stylists on deciding a hair cut style. Here I will be learning hair styling and discussing options for nail/skin care, including manicures etc.

Thank you to my services sponsors! Your contribution is greatly appreciated. I look forward to working with you through the year(s) to come.

:)