Tough Mudder Whistler 2012 – Completed!

Tough Mudder is a challenge,
not a race. And boy, what a challenge!

Over 12 miles (20km) of mud, mountains, ice, snow, and 22 major obstacles such as 14 foot walls and belly crawls under barbed wire and running through live electric wires…

Over 14,000 participants signed up to run the course in Whistler Olympic Park in June 2012. The first official Tough Mudder in Canada, and Canadians sure proved our famous cold-bravery by running, jumping, swimming and crawling through the freezing/frozen conditions of some of the obstacles!

More details coming soon – we are processing the pictures and waiting for the official ones to be posted.

We had a team of 12 brave Mudders wearing kilts! Check us out below!

And here’s me on one of the last obstacles.. stay focused!

I was SO proud to finish Tough Mudder 2012 in Whistler, BC.
-Sarah Topps

My Favourite Cities

Montreal, Canada

Population: 3.4 million
Language: French
Climate: 30°C in summer to -30°C in winter 
Why? A city I lived in for just over 4 years, Montreal holds all the promise of university students eager to share their ideas with the world, and all the charm and grace of a single 30-something lady. Quiet and demure, until you take her out dancing, or insult her people by beating them at a hockey game…

Sydney, Australia

Population:4.6 million
Language: English
Climate: 30°C in summer to -30°C in winter
Why? Sydney is unbelievably clean for a city of it’s size. Add in the best weather in the world, plus world class attractions of almost every type, and you have a metropolis to rival the best of them.

Budapest, Hungary

Population: 1.7 million
Language: Hungarian
Climate: 30°C in summer to -30°C in winter
Why? Technically two seperate cities – Buda and Pest lie on opposite sides of the river to one another, connected by a series of bridges and a deep history. Soak in the thermal spas, take in an opera, visit the underground tunnels of the castle, explore the local markets or experience the wild nightlife. Now if only I could pronounce the street signs…hmm…

Edinburgh, Scotland

Population:485 000
Language: Scottish English
Climate: 30°C in summer to -30°C in winter
Why? A throwback to my Scottish roots – Edinburgh is one of the most fascinating cities to me. Over 14 centuries old, the downtown looks similar to how it probably looked centuries ago, and will probably look this way in centuries to come also. The annual Fringe Festival is reknowned across the arts world, and it boasts one of the best universities in the world.

Lugano, Switzerland

Population: 145 000
Language: Italian, Swiss German, (Romansch), (French)
Climate: 30°C in summer to -30°C in winter
Why? For many, Venice is the city they picture when they thin of old Italian-style buildings reflecting on the water below, but for me, I far prefer the mountainous backdrop to Lugano, nestled in the southernmost tip of Switzerland, with Italy on three sides, and Lake Ticino at her feet.

 

……………………..More Coming Soon!

 

Taipei, Taiwan

Population:
Language:
Climate: Why?

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Population:
Language:
Climate:
Why?

Ljubjana, Slovenia

Population:
Language: Slovenian
Climate:
Why? Like stepping into a fairytale, Ljubjana boasts castles, moats, dragons, and other strange and wonderful sights. Bonus: Most people speak English because they study it in high school.

Hoi An, Vietnam

Population:
Language:
Climate:
Why?

Bruges, Belgium

Population:
Language:
Climate:
Why?

Chefchaouen, Morocco

Population:
Language:
Climate:
Why?

Vancouver, Canada

Population:2.9 million
Language: English (Mandarin)
Climate: Temperate Rainforest (25C in summer to 0C in winter)
Why?

Shave your beard off for the kids!

Tomorrow after the Canucks Game – a rather unusual fundraiser is being held to support the British Columbia Children’s Hospital Foundation (BCCHF). Since it is customary for hockey fans in Canada to wear a “playoff beard” for the duration of the NHL playoffs every year, it was suggested that shaving those beards off should be done with as much pomp and ceremony as is invested into the games themselves.

Through the generous support of Moods Hair Salon (1070 Mainland Street) in downtown Vancouver, we will be hosting a “beard-off” fundraiser for the end of the NHL playoffs tomorrow night after the end of Game 7. The fundraiser will run until 10pm PST, and there is a suggested minimum donation of $15 per beard.

More details to be announced soon. Or check the Twitter account: @ReachFWD

– Sarah Topps 

CUSO-VSO celebrates 50 years!

Since 1961, more than 15 000 volunteers have worked overseas for CUSO-VSO, one of the largest international development organizations in North America that works through volunteers. Now 50 years later, they have some major clout in the field.

Suitably impressed, I looked for a way that I could volunteer with them myself, and have just been invited to work at their 50 year celebration event!

The main kickoff event is taking place in Vancouver, Canada at the University of British Columbia on December 4th and 5th. The theme for the event is: “Celebrating the international volunteer – yesterday, today and tomorrow”.

Registration is $50, and there are still spots open if anyone is interested. Hope to see you there!

– Sarah Topps