ado.

“For it falls out

That what we have we prize not to the worth

Whiles we enjoy it, but being lacked and lost,

Why, then we rack the value, then we find

The virtue that possession would not show us

While it was ours.” 

- William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing 

Even as the years go by, there truly are some people that stay in your mind forever. 

One of these people is my grade 11 English teacher, Mrs. Taylor. 

She was obsessed with everything to do with English Literature, and was so thorough in making sure everyone understood what we were talking about. I'm lucky to have one of those brains which can interpret Shakespearean English into a modern tongue - however, as I have begun teaching, I see how difficult a skill this is to teach. 

One of my fondest memories is from a few years ago, when Mrs. Taylor invited us all to her home for the afternoon. We were studying Much Ado About Nothing, and she felt it would be more appropriate to perform the play in her beautiful backyard (which also overlooked Lake Okanagan, the orchards and valley) than inside a stuffy classroom. 

Looking back, I am so touched that she opened her home to us high school kids. It was one of those beautiful May days, where you can almost taste summer - and here we were, dressed in our finest interpretations of Shakespearean clothing to perform. I remember gazing out at Mrs. Taylor from our makeshift stage, and saw her beaming.

I write all this because I stumbled across a beautiful copy of Much Ado About Nothing in a used bookstore the other day. These memories washed over me, and I realized how much of an impact this woman had on me. 

Thank you Mrs. Taylor for not only making me fall even more in love with Shakespeare, but taking a chance with us. 

teaching.

We all know this infamous  George Bernard Shaw quote, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

I don't hate a lot of things, but I strongly dislike this quote. I think it's too broad to be a universal opinion for teachers.

I think many of us can agree that we've had great and not-so fantastic teachers/professors growing up and throughout university.

There are many professions where at a certain age, your body physically cannot take on the demands of your career. As a dancer and morning newshound, people in both my fields have told me they are not sure how many more years their body can take it.

When these people physically can't, many turn to teaching. It's not a downgrade, they are are strong enough to change the course. They can, and will continue, just in a different direction.

wildcat.

Well, March has been quite a wild month, and I wasn't even on the grid for part of it!

It's been very exciting to finish my piece I'm choreographing for my next big show, perform alongside some of my favourite Toronto artists, travel to Mexico and so much more this month.

However, this week has been a bit different. I like to be control of things, and when I'm not, that can be a bit tough to handle.

I talk a lot about grabbing life and running with it, but what happens when that race slows you down?

Looking back on this month, I wouldn't have done anything differently. Taking the opportunities and chances to seize the moment and just go with things has been so rewarding. Taking this week to step back and have a reality check has been unexpectedly helpful.

Even though I'm out of commission for a couple days, I'm hungry to go back out and attack the next opportunity. I'm happy, healthy and alive. Everything from here is a bonus.
_____________________________________________________________________

There are a few people who walk into your life that you don't realize influenced you until they're gone.

Dan, I remember you hosting Wildcat TV in middle school, pep rallies in high school and being one of my first friends when I was the new kid at Burton Valley Elementary - all with the biggest smile on your face.

My heart goes out to your family and close friends - you'll be missed buddy. Rest in peace Dan.

history.

When I was in high school and applying for university programs, I was determined to study history and humanities. Obviously, things changed when I got into journalism school and moved across the country instead of across the province.

However, the grounding philosophy one of my history teachers said back in grade 11 has still stuck with me over the years, "We must look back in order to move forward."

Here I am, a year later after one of the wildest and most amazing school year's of my life. A year ago, I fell into my dance troupe and started really performing again. What I thought would be one gig has turned into countless classes, becoming a certified FitCanPro instructor, and dancing at some huge events (like in the Opening Ceremony for the Ontario Summer Games last night).

A year ago, I was questioning everything as I headed into my last two semesters of university. While my team and I were making our documentary, things completely fell apart. We knew we could pull our project together, but weren't sure about the quality.

We made it, and eight months later, two of us on the team have just finished working for covering the Olympics.

After completing an internship at Canada AM, I'm now working freelance as a guest co-ordinator. I have had an amazing opportunity to meet some interest people from all walks of life (NBA basketball players, Thomas Mulcair and Melissa Joan Hart to name a few).

In short, this year has been busy, busy, busy. However, it's also been awesome. More than ever, I believe in the quote "love all, trust few and do wrong to none."

Fresh off the Olympics wagon (and gearing up for the Paralympics) I want to take a second and thank so many of you for your love, thoughts and support for making my Olympic and professional dreams up come true.

We're heading into a beautiful weekend here in Toronto - I'm definitely looking forward to some downtime, but am excited for lots more to come this fall!

graduate.

First off, my apologies for my less-then-frequent posts/content.

I always forget how little I am near a computer when I'm back home. Your priorities are totally reestablished, and I find myself saying (sometimes too late in the day) "Oh my! I forgot to post something on my blog!"

Not today though!

Here we are again, only a few days away from another eve to another year.

It's hard to believe that this year, the time that I've look toward graduating from school, jumping in to another chapter, and finding out more about who I am us only mere months away from happening.

Not that the time leading up to this hasn't been a journey all on its own. But there's always been something about 2012 that stuck in my mind.

I remember thinking when 2008 was so far away to graduate from high school, and looking back, I have those same feelings now about graduating from university. I can feel the effect that time has taken on me, and it's been primarily positive.

I just can't help but wonder about what I've experienced in the past 22 years, through my own actions, witnessing and being involved in my friend's as well has opened us to in the future.

"Live like you'll die tomorrow" is one of the most common sayings I've been hearing over and over again as of late. Part of me wants to jump on the next plane to Paris then. But there's still a part of me that needs to have a peg somewhere down the road, just in case that plane has to be taxied back to the terminal because of the weather.

Is that bad? Can I live freely and fearlessly each day, but still have security? I know it may be ironic, but I think that balance is the only way I can stay sane in my life.

Being home always helps me reconnect and check back in with what's going on the world and those closest to me. This holiday season has been beautiful, and I'm thankful for the opportunities that this community has given me over the past (and other) years.

May this is why I don't do New Year Resolutions. I think you should live your life the way you plan it everyday. Why waste the time thinking of tomorrow - think of next year, but not so much that it throws off today.

I know, I know, easier said than done. But it's worth a try, don't you think?

Here's to 2012!

why.

"Why are you here?" is the question I got most last night. I wasn't at the wrong class or meeting for something, nor was it normal business hours. This was probably around 2 A.M.

In B.C., after either graduation commencement ceremonies or prom there is a Dry Grad. Parents take an entire year to plan a party that encourages safe celebration for high school graduates. It's also one of the last times you will have all your friends in one place, able to share food, activities and spend so much time together. You arrive around 11 P.M. and party all night until 5 A.M.

No, no one from my immediate family graduated from the school this year, but friend's younger siblings, my swim and dance friends and students I have taught all did. I was asked to volunteer to help them celebrate (my pseudo-younger siblings), I could not say no. My mother also planned Dry Grad my graduating year, and I had to see how things had changed (you can see her influence, I'm so proud!)

Now, as much as I wouldn't go back to high school after university life, I would go back to see that night again. When you live across the country, it's neat to see so many people coming together that you know.

I have a lot of pride in my high school. This is the place that gave me a life, connections and introduced me to people all across Kelowna and those who will be with me for the rest of my life. True, running around with Slurpee's for students in the wee hours of the morning may not seem like the most fun and interesting way to give back, but I had to honour these kids, this school, and the life it gave me. I believe in communities and giving back.

As weird as it is to say or think this, I wouldn't be anywhere without that high school.

But it's all good. Even though at 2 A.M. I was exhausted, I met a gorgeous guy who was also volunteering. Can't complain at all.

"So why were you there again Portia?"

Why not?

Congrats to the class of 2011. You all looked beautiful last night and behaved like such ladies and gentlemen - all the best in the future!