It’s Remembrance day in Canada today, so let’s all take a moment to remember those who have sacrificed so much for the freedoms we have come to expect today.
A few Thursday’s ago I had the fortunate opportunity to attend a KPMG Woman’s Interchange Network Event at Toronto’s MaRS Centre on College and University. This particular event was focused on celebrating our inner champions with our very own she-ro, Winter AND Summer Olympian, Clara Hughes!
I met up with a KPMG colleague and Barb (Profiteroles and Ponytails, Barb and I also met at KPMG many moons ago). The evening began around 6pm in the main lobby of the MaRS centre with tasty cocktails and delicious hors d’œuvres (you knew I would have to wind food into this post somehow!). We reconnected with old colleagues and friends and we met new interesting ladies. Of course, the star of the show was our very own she-ro Clara Hughes.
Clara spoke so comfortably and so eloquently that I forgot I was amidst 200+ women in an auditorium; her stories were poignant and deliberate, telling of the path her life took leading her to be a six-time Olympic Medalist in both Summer AND Winter Olympics. Being an olympian is no easy feat and Clara had to overcome depression throughout her athletic career; her stories told how she overcame depression and feels it necessary to acknowledge that life isn’t always filled with sunshine, that there are gloomy days too, and that the gloomy days shape us in ways we need to understand. Clara is a firm believer in giving back and is actively involved in Canada’s Right to Play , she is also spokesperson for Bell’s Let’s Talk program, an organization that provides an “extensive array of initiatives to support anti-stigma [of mental illness], increased access to care, additional research and the creation of an overall culture of mental health” (from their website). Clara is riding across Canada, raising money and awareness for Let’s Talk, with several stops to a variety of schools and auditoriums along the way. She was so excited talking about this project because it wasn’t just about riding her bike and raising funds, it was about the interactive programs along the way that would give this event legs!
[…] after Barb and I were introduced to a very novel hors d’œuvres at the KPMG Clara Hughes event in November. This hors d’œuvres was so unique and delicious I had wanted to try to recreate […]
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Maple syrup lollipops? The event seems very moving and inspiring.
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Ahh, you are too clever Sissi 😃
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how much fun to go to that! Sounds like it was interesting and full of knowledge and good food:)))
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Hi Jessica, thanks so much, it was awesome.
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What a fun event! Clara is an inspiration…and how nice you got to meet her! I have NO clue what’s in that last photo, so please tell 🙂
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Hi Liz, it was awesome to meet her. I haven’t had a chance to experiment with the Appi so my lips are sealed for now!
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I’ve never had an Olympic medal around my neck – what a special moment. What an incredible woman to be battling depression yet still qualify for six Olympic Games in different sports – so inspiring xx
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Thanks Charlie, it really was a rush to meet her and to be able to wear her medal around my neck. It was awesome.
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got so carried away with Clara I forgot to guess the Canadian treat ;-). I’m gonna go with: sirop d’érable au fromage bleu (et banane?).
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I’ll give it to you since it’s in French! I’m going to experiment to get the right stage so it seizes perfectly to wrap! It’s an absolutely amazing flavour!
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maple cheese lollipops – I think…
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Hehehe! I can’t give it up yet, still need to find the time to experiment with it!
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Words to live by. What a cool event, Eva. And, as Norma said, I’d have no idea what those treats might be had Barb not mentioned cheese and maple syrup. Do tell!
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Hi Betsy, thank you so much. I haven’t had a chance to experiment with it just yet so I’m not going to give it away just yet ;)!
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So, so, envious… love the photo with “Clara” (are you on a first name basis? ;-)). I would have cherished hearing her speak… not only Canada’s most decorated Olympian but what I admire most about her is her public discussion and mentorship on the subject of depression and mood disorders generally. We need more leaders like Clara Hughes lighting the path and dismantling the societal stigma that continues to surround metal illness. She-ro indeed (love!). What an inspiring post, thanks Eva.
p.s. two of my buddies from law school (both men) named their daughters Clara after Clara Hughes… xo.
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I was very excited to hear Clara speak Kelly, I had no expectations that I would actually meet her and have a photo opportunity with her, such a rush! And at first I thought why would I want to wear her medal, but I’m do glad I did! It was an amazing evening. Clara energized me to pursue my dreams, which I’ll post about soon!
How cool is that your uni-buds named their daughters after her, I’m certain she would be very touched that they did!
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No idea what they are (from the photo), but from Barbs comment I figure they have to do with cheese and Canadian maple syrup.
Thanks for this inspirational posts. I will try to remember and acknowledge that “life isn’t always filled with sunshine, that there are gloomy days too”. Had a challenging October but that is behind now.
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Hi Norma, I’m do sorry October was a challenge, I’m sure November will turn around. Lean on your friends including the blogging community.
I haven’t had a chance to experiment with the mystery Appi so I won’t give it away just yet.
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I am still dreaming about the cheese wrapped in maple syrup! Have you re-created it yet? It was so great to see you Eva …but we must get together again. Let’s plan something soon before you guys are fully booked for the holidays!
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Hi Barb, sadly I haven’t had a chance to figure it out yet, I’ve been busy with some very exciting turn of events!
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Sounds like an inspirational event and how wonderful that you two could share it. I have no idea what those things on the sticks are but I think I want one. 🙂
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