welcome to our blog! April 20, 2009

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Coke Commercial for the 2010 Olympics February 14, 2010

During the Vancouver 2010 Olympics Opening Ceremonies, they aired this fantastic Coke Commercial.

Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies February 13, 2010

Vancouver Olympics 2010 - Opening Ceremonies photo c/o vancouver2010.com

Wow.  Did you catch the Opening Ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympics?  They were absolutely stunning.

I thought nothing could top China’s opening ceremonies. Never occurred to me that a simple celebration of humanity would. – @kristysf

The ceremony had a lot of heart.  Despite the tragic loss of Georgian luge athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili during a warm-up, the Georgia National Team decided to go ahead and participate in the Games and dedicate their performance to him.

Parade of Nations: Team Georgia photo c/o vancouver2010.com

The Opening Ceremonies were a complete visual masterpiece.  Every person in BC Place Stadium had a white sheath that they wore over their clothes, enabling them to become part of a huge canvas and become a part of the artistry of the evening.

simply put the Vancouver ceremony = technical masterpiece. Canada is amazing – @maxkay777

Canadian stagecraft is BLOWING MY MIND. @Weave

John Furlong, the CEO of the organizing Vancouver Olympic planning committee, had some very touching things to say in his speech in the Opening Ceremonies.  Excerpts from his moving speech are below:

With Jack Poole and Nodar Kumaritashvili in our hearts – and standing on the shoulders of every Canadian – I commit that the men and women of Vancouver 2010 — our partners and our friends — are ready to deliver the performance of a life time.

You compete with such bravery, conviction and pride. At these Games you now have the added burden to shine and be united around your fallen colleague Nodar. May you carry his Olympic dream on your shoulders and compete with his spirit in your hearts.

Many thousands have made tonight and the days ahead possible — But the spirit and soul of all 33 million Canadians has been sewn into the fabric of these Winter Olympic Games.

The Olympic flame has touched many millions and prompted spontaneous, peaceful celebration –

Reminding us all that those values that unite and inspire the best in us — we must never abandon.

As the Olympic Cauldron is lit – the unique magic of the Olympic Games will be released upon us.

Magic so rare that it cannot be controlled by borders –

The kind of magic that invades the human heart touching people of all cultures and beliefs –

Magic that calls for the best that human beings have to offer –

Magic that causes the athletes of the world to soar — and the rest of us to dream.

From whatever continent you have come we welcome you to Canada — a country with a Generous Heart.

We love that you are here. You are among good friends.

Through our example tonight and over the 16 days to come our children will begin to dream and believe in what is possible.

Lives of great significance begin with a spark – a nudge – a gesture.

Together let us touch as many as we can — while we can.

As the 21st Olympic Winter Games – Canada’s Games begins — it is with Glowing Hearts – Des Plus Brilliants Exploits…..That we wish you all the Time of your Lives.

The Olympic Torch. Photo c/o vancouver2010.com

After traveling over 32,000 miles across Canada, the Olympic torch was lit in a non-traditional way with not just one, but four prolific Olympic athletes lighting the torch together, including “The Great One”, legendary hockey player and four-time Stanley Cup Winner, Wayne Gretzsky. What a unique display of Canadian teamsmanship.

What was the most memorable part of the Opening Ceremonies for you?

Book Club January 10, 2010

In all actuality, I do not in fact belong to a book club — though I would, if given the chance — but here are some of the books that I have read recently.  Now a resident of Orem, I have been taking full advantage of its phenomenal library.

(Side bar: I’ve had a fascinating discovery — Google Books!  You can actually find books online which you can read — mostly… they eliminate pages — from the comfort of your computer.  I have linked to some of these books’ location online so you can get a taste of them.)

The Cat Who Came for Christmas by Cleveland Armory

A delightful tale of a cat rescued from a New York alley on Christmas Eve.  It not only tells the story of the cat and owner — or rather cat and pet — but includes a lot of history of cats as well.  One of my favorite stories was of a kitten who belonged to Charles Dickens who would snuff out his candle late at night repeatedly until he would leave his work and come to play.  I love cats.

The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan

As a Chinese-Canadian, it was fascinating to read the story of a Chinese-American with a half-sister from China who comes to live with their family.  This half sister, Kwan, can see Chinese ghosts, shares their stories (also her stories because she was reincarnated).  At any rate, this half sister is the most delightful part of the story with her fabulous broken English which is absolutely spot on!  I quite literally found myself laughing out loud several times.  She’s classic.  Love Amy Tan.

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

By far my favorite Shannon Hale novel!  It’s a quick and easy read set in medieval Mongolia, hundreds of years ago and based loosely off the Grimms’ tale, Maid Maleen.  The main character is a servant girl who, within the first few pages, agrees to accompany her lady to be locked in a tower for seven years.  Heartwarming, humorous and delightful.

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

This is a very romantic story of lifelong love that follows a couple’s encounters over the span of decades.  I found to be a little rough around the edges with language though I appreciated the lack of detail it went into regarding their sex life (for the most part).  It definitely made me cry though.  I want to wait a while until I see the movie.

Rebel Angels by Libba Bray | The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

When searching for a teen fiction series that would rival my love of Twilight, I found Libba Bray’s book, A Great and Terrible Beauty.  Based in England in the late 1800s, it is about a teenage girl who loses her mother is sent to an academy for girls and discovers she has magic powers and can visit an alternate reality called the Realms.  Rebel Angles is book two in the series; The Tweet Far Thing is book three.  There is lots of mystery, intrigue and romance.

Saving Fish From Drowning by Amy Tan

I just started this book and so far it is an intriguing tale of a Chinese woman in San Francisco who was murdered and is channeling her story from beyond the grave.  This is based on a true story and is a fascinating concept to consider!  The book gets its title from a clever anonymous poem that I simply must share with you:

A pious man explained to his followers: “It is evil to take lives and noble to save them.  Each day I pledge to save a hundred lives.  I drop my net in the lake and scoop out a hundred fishes.  I plce the fishes on the bank, where they flop and twirl.  “Don’t be scared,” I tell thoses fishes.  “I am saving you from drowning.”  Soon enough the fishes grow calm and lie still.  Yet, sad to say, I am always too late.  The fishes expire.  And because it is evil to waste anything, I take those dead fishes to market and I sell them for a good price.  With the money I receive, I buy more nets so I can save more fishes.

Bahahahahahahha!  Simply fabulous.

What are you favorite reads as of late?  Do you have any book suggestions?

Do you know of any book clubs in Orem?

Cashmere, Baby November 29, 2009

I don’t know a single woman that doesn’t love cashmere and the feel of it on her skin!  Right now at my fashion and image site, Cable Car Couture, we are giving away a luxurious cashmere scrunch scarf by TDM Design that was handcrafted in Nepal by local women.  Take a moment to share your favorite charity here and enter to win this amazing cashmere scarf!  You can keep it for yourself, or gift it for one of your favorite women this Christmas!

To enter the giveaway for the cashmere scarf, click here! Because believe me… you are going to want to be sporting this cashmere scarf for the rest of the season!

In Flanders Fields November 11, 2009

In Canada, November 11 is known as Remembrance Day and marks a pivotal day in history when World War I ended.  On the eleventh day of the eleventh month on the eleventh hour, Canadians all over remember the price of freedom and the blood that was spilt on their behalf.

Remembrance Day always evokes memories of singing in the cold, dressed in black, for the cenotaph in Downtown Vancouver.  Hundreds would gather at similar cenotaphs nationwide with citizens dressed in black with red poppies.  As members of the Vancouver Bach Youth Choir, we would sing old war songs, Abide With Me and In Flanders Field.

In Flanders Field is a stirring poem written Lieutenant Colonel John McRae (1872 – 1918) who served in the Canadian Army.  He wrote it in the midst of administering to the wounded soldiers and mourning the loss of one of his friends.  It almost wasn’t published, but someone saw him discard it and recovered the poem, which was published shortly thereafter.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If we break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

May we always remember and never forget their great sacrifice.

An Ode to Stephanie October 25, 2009

On Friday, my dear sister is moving to Luxonburg to be with her Scottish boyfriend Louis.  It’s a good thing we like him, otherwise that would make things harder! Aren’t they a good looking couple though?

Stephanie and I were born two days and two years — no, not twins — apart.  She was bit by the traveling bug and shortly after Tim and I were married, packed her bags and moved to Prague to study at UNYP for two years.  She returned to Vancouver for school, sold with APX in San Francisco and Calgary, and after suffering from burnout, decided to head to Thailand for a breather.  Her first week in Bangkok, her friends met some guys from Europe.  Later that day, in a city of 20 million people, they randomly bumped into these same guys again.  Louis was one of them.  Isn’t it incredible the way people are brought together?  That was Halloween 2008 and Stephanie plans to be with Louis by Halloween 2009 so they can celebrate their one year together.

Since we had two unexpected trips to Canada this year for Grandma’s funeral and Joe’s mission farewell, it was great to have extra time spent with Steph.  She rocks.

As an ode to Stephanie, here i’s a fun photo montage of Stephanie and company over the years.

Steph & Sarah @ Thanksgiving

Steph in Thailand

I was tickled pink when Steph brought me back a cool sarong from a temple in Thailand!!

Steph by Diana Wong

Nina, Kane, Steph

Henry and Steph

Strike a Pose!

Steph & Joe

Steph and Angela

Sarah & Steph at teh airport in SLC

Jen, Sarah, Becky, Steph, Diana

A joint birthday party

We used to ALWAYS share birthday parties, so when Steph came back from Prague, we had another join bday party.  This year she smashed cake in my face.

Going further back... The Ward Girls

Going WAY back! Sarah & Steph @ Popos

One of my favorite pictures of the two of us! Looking SO happy 🙂

This is our ode to Stephanie.  Farewell, sweet sister!  I love you!  We’ll miss you lots but it would be AWESOME to come and see you abroad!

Hugs, kisses and love bites 🙂

We’re Moving! October 18, 2009

At least we're not moving secretly... Illustration c/o nataliedee.com

After living in Saratoga Springs for two and a half years, we have finally taken the plunge and will be moving (though not to Vancouver… yet) to Orem where we’ll be minutes away from work and school.  We’re looking forward to a fresh start, a new ward, a new neighborhood and a revitalized commute.  As of November 1st, we will be new residents of Orem.

As the happy owners of a calico cat, Ginger, I have heard the best way to move a cat is to move everything ELSE first and then bring the cat last.  That way, upon arrival, the cat will smell the familiar furniture and it will be a smoother transition for her.

What tips do you have for moving?

Sarah and Tim: An Online Love Story October 4, 2009

Photo c/o Yaletown Wedding Gallery

Tim and I just celebrated our fourth anniversary at the beginning of September.  Here is a little insight to how Sarah and Tim became Sarah and Tim.  You may be surprised.

One August night in 2001, I was invited by a friend to go to www.ldschat.com with her, a chat room specifically for people of our faith.  After a few minutes online, I started chatting with Tim.  At the time I was living in Vancouver and he was in Portland.  We soon found we were the same age, shared similar interests and got along quite well.  We ended up chatting for four hours that night, exchanged email addresses and started emailing, chatting and racking up crazy phone bills on a regular basis.   Because of the distance between us, we had the opportunity to develop a strong friendship that was an excellent foundation for what was to come.

New Years 2002, Tim and his band came to party and we finally met.  The chemistry was there and shortly thereafter, we began dating officially.  We took turns coming to visit back and forth (luckily there is only a six hour drive between Vancouver and Portland) and then that summer Tim received his call to serve in the Chile Santiago North mission.

The last time we saw each other before Tim's mission, July 2002

I was devastated.  Of course I wanted to support Tim but knew I was going to miss him while he was gone.  Tim asked me not to wait for him, and I wasn’t planning on it.  While I dated up a storm while Tim was away, the feelings I had for Tim (and vice versa) didn’t go away.

That said, I had skipped out writing Tim for the last six months of his mission and Tim thought I’d gotten married by that point.

At the end of his mission, we talked and were both a little indifferent of our relationship.  He decided to come visit before leaving for school at BYU the fall of 2004 and before we knew it, we were exactly where we left off.  Tim wanted me to come to Utah, to which I responded something like “over my dead body” (fate has a cruel sense of irony) and we decided to call it quits.  We both thought it would be forever, but in February of 2005, I called Tim to tell him I still had feelings for him.  He was dating another girl at the time, but before I knew it, he had broken up after mulling over our conversation.  Tim told me that he had been comparing me to every girl he dated at BYU and none of them had measured up.

Our engagement photo by Stephanie

By spring of 2005, Tim had planned a roadtrip with his school friends to Vancouver and we had several days together.  At the time I was planning to serve a mission for our church and he was fully supportive of the idea.  But by June, the thought of putting our relationship on hold for a mission was hard to swallow.  We started talking about getting married and were engaged soon afterwards.

How did Tim propose?  We were at the Seattle Temple and he says to me, “Maybe we can go ring shopping this weekend!” and I’m thinking, “You don’t already have the ring?”  As we”re sitting in the parking lot, then he pops this gorgeous diamond on me and asks me to marry him.  I said yes, of course.

One stressful summer engagement and two receptions later, we were married in the Cardston, Alberta temple and then rode off into the sunset.  It was perfect.

So there you have it.  I met the love of my life on the internet.  How is that for God bringing two compatible people together that may have never met otherwise?  It’s beyond chance and makes me immensely grateful.

How did you meet your husband/wife/partner?

Ward Family Photos Slideshow August 23, 2009

Last week the entire Ward family descended on Utah and we had a fabulous time.  One of the definite highlights was our family photo shoot with Justin Hackworth Photography.  After you get a glimpse of some of these photos, you’ll definitely see why we highly recommend Justin.  He’s awesome to work with and produces unforgettable photos, no flash required.

On Tuesday, we picked Stephanie up from the airport and drove to downtown Provo to Justin’s studio for the first round of individual/couple pictures.  Then we piled in the car and Justin led us to this industrial park where we took the remainder of our photos.  It was perfect!  Here’s a sampling…

Aren’t they unbelievable?  If you can’t get enough, click here to see a slideshow of some of the best pictures from the photo shoot with Justin Hackworth.

Batman by Mark Wilburn… Like You’ve Never Heard it Before…

This totally takes me back to a past life.  Allow me to introduce Mark Wilburn, my previous co-worker at Tom Lee Music in Vancouver, a music store on the west coast of Canada.  We worked for several years side by side utilizing these Clavinova Yamaha digital pianos to the max.  You have GOT to see Mark’s rendition of Danny Elfman’s Batman theme.  You will NOT be disappointed, but you may want to purchase a Clavinova when it’s done. 🙂

Isn’t that UNBELIEVABLE?!  You should hear his rendition of Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter.  Unreal.  Go Mark Willyburn!!!