The highlight was our CTV team meeting. It summed up all what we have been preparing for. We saw several glimpse of video clips that will be launched on prime time during the Games. I had tears in my eyes during each presentation. It was a very moving 2 hrs with inspirational speeches from all the heads of the departments. Keith Pelley, Rick Chism and Gord Cutler have been the men which I have looked up to during my preparation for the Games. A true trio of heartfelt men who make you want to work very hard and make them feel proud of you. I will do such a thing. I promise!

The end of the meeting consisted of a meet and greet between staff and Olympic talent hand picked by CTV for Alpine (Karen Percy-Lowe, Brian Stemmel and Cary Mullen), Luge, Bobsleigh & Snowboarding. There was also Michael Landsberg (The Score) present which was cool.  After speaking to him, he did promise to give me a pep talk before my big debut on live TV...which I will be holding him to :)

The Olympics being only 5 days away excites me, but it does revive nervous emotions of what awaits me. So, back to my room to continue my preparation for my big day! My motto is 'Over prepare, then go with the flow'!...however, after today's pep rally, it's now 'Over deliver'!

The day before leaving Calgary was spent wrapping up athlete interviews over Skype, organizing and packing up my life for my new home in Whistler Village where I will be living for 24 exciting days in the core of Olympic action in the heart of the BC Rockies. This is where the women's bobsleigh event will be held which I will be covering over the course of 3 days of qualification training and 2 days of racing. This is where the ice meets the road. All the months and truly over a year or more of preparation will show itself. I will go above and beyond to show all Canadians watching CTV how amazing women's bobsleigh really is and why people have to stay tuned to watch the action!  

After a sleepless night staying up with my Mom packing my stuff for the big departure, I couldn't but reflect on the old days when she would do this with me when I was an athlete. It made the prep even more special.

Departing at 7am, I found myself at the airport along side a group of Calgary CTV employees  who were also making the journey to Vancouver. This was my new family away from home, members of the CTV dream team! The trip started off with photos in the aeroplane of Susan Auch (Speed Skating Olympian), and with some people who had interviewed me during my career like Dave Campbell & Lisa Bowes. It was strange I must admit to now being on the other side of the fence (being with the media). The airport was in full Olympic swing. Volunteers set up every step of the way directing you to your proper posts. The airport in Vancouver registered us with accreditation passes and set us up on a 2hr bus to Whistler. After sleeping most of the way, I was dropped off at my designated hotel. The CTV talent all stay at a place called ADARA HOTEL, a little boutique hotel consisting of chic little condos like hotel rooms. I was surprise to find out I didn't have a roommate like I had in Torino when I worked with NBC and I had the whole place to myself. I guess that's the difference with being 'Talent' or as they call us 'Hair and Lips' or 'Poodles'. Whatever the nickname, I love the perks :)

The first night in Whistler was very exciting as the Olympic Flame came to town on it's 99th day of travel across Canada. As media, our passes gave us VIP access to the front line of the stage where we had the best view in the house. I stood with fellow Olympians (Cary Mullen & Brian Stemmel) CTV talent on hand for the Games along with local Snowboard expert Mark "Toaster" Torley, CTV reporter for Snowboarding events. All the performers were within a few feet doing their acts building up the crowds enthusiasm and energy for the arrival of the Olympic Torch. The Flame was skied down the Whistler hill by their very own Steve Podborsky (Crazy Cannuk Alpine Ski racer and Olympic Bronze medalist). The Flame was then passed off to a young cyclist aspiring to be an Olympian one day who lit the cauldron on stage. The ambiance was electric! We all sang 'Oh Canada' with such energy! There were thousands of people present for hours leading up to that very momentous moment.

I had a brief, but special moment with CEO of VANOC John Furlong. I shared with him that I had ran the Torch Relay with his friend in Calgary on Jan 20th. It was a friend he had given the honor to run with the torch as he never takes gifts of appreciation for his contributes in the community, etc. John said that he wasn't allowed to decline this gift and he didn't. I told him that he was very happy and loved the experience. I thought it would have been special to hear it from someone else who was there to witness his friend's joy in the event.