Kayla's #HOLIDAYCHEER GIVEAWAYS!

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I think it’s safe to say 2020 that has been a challenging year for everyone. Covid spread across the globe and effectively changed life as we know it. Some of us had to lay loved ones to rest - my heart goes out to everyone who lost someone. Racism roared its ugly face and continued to claim too many innocent lives. Graduations and Proms were suddenly taken away, sports seasons came to an immediate halt, the Olympics were postponed and suddenly the simple act of giving a hug or handshake became dangerous. We were knocked down, and were given many reasons to stay down, yet we didn’t. 

In the midst of hardships we showed resilience, that when life knocks us down we pick not just ourselves, but each other up.

Mrs. Wilson engaging her students via video!

Mrs. Wilson engaging her students via video!

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Miss Pangos’ is ready for a new school year, even though it looks a little different.

Class is in session, Mrs. Yuen getting creative with her teaching!

Class is in session, Mrs. Yuen getting creative with her teaching!

We saw this through the sacrifices of nurses, doctors, and all essential workers. They continue to put their lives on the line daily for their communities.

We saw this in our incredible teachers who innovated their teaching styles so that we could learn safely from home.

We saw this in the way we looked out for each other by wearing masks, and making them a normal part of our daily wardrobes.

Minnesota Lynx players lock arms during a moment of silence in honor of Breonna Taylor before a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, Sunday, July 26, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Minnesota Lynx players lock arms during a moment of silence in honor of Breonna Taylor before a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun, Sunday, July 26, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

We saw this in the way many sports leagues used their platforms to highlight important topics, including social, racial, and gender inequality and voting rights.

We saw this in the simple but profound act of a person buying groceries for those who were at risk in their neighborhood.

We saw this in the way people of all ethnicities, genders and backgrounds came together in protest, in fundraising, and education of social justice reform.

We showed that although a lot of bad happened this year, there is still plenty of good in the world. There were many positive, uplifting, and generous acts that took place this year, and I want to keep that going!

For the next six weeks (starting November 4th, 2020 and ending December 14th 2020) there will be weekly giveaways on my Instagram Page - so make sure you’re following, and tell a friend! I teamed up with some incredible companies and brands that I absolutely love. They all wanted to share some holiday cheer and bring in 2021 on a positive note! Thanks to these amazing brands, you will have the chance to win awesome prizes not just for yourself, but for others too! You might even decide to keep the generosity flowing if you win and gift your prize to someone special. Regardless, I hope that win or lose, this will inspire you to spread the kindness, generosity and positivity going into 2021. Lets end 2020 in a great way!

First giveaway starts November 4th, 2020 on my Instagram page!

#HolidayCheer #Giveaway #SpreadLove #SpreadKindness #Holidays #GenerousGiving


Senegal Day 3 - Dakar and Goree Island

Senegal Day 3 - Dakar and Goree Island

Some other highlights included enjoying the shade of a Baobab tree, which is over 400 years old. I also drank juice made from its fruit, and ate Yassa fish—highly recommend! Finally, I climbed 214 steps to the top of the African Renaissance Monument, where it felt like I could see the entire city.

Senegal Day 2 - Right to Play and So Much More!

Senegal Day 2 - Right to Play and So Much More!

Day two in Dakar, Senegal was exhilarating! It consisted of a sports clinic, as well as Right to Play announcing their partnership with Senegal. There was also much excitement around Dakar being the first African country to host a Youth Olympic Games, which will take place in 2022. Additionally, there was a ceremony celebrating the signing of MOU.

Senegal Day 1 - SEED Project

Senegal Day 1 - SEED Project

I, along with the COC (Canadian Olympic Committee) and Canada Basketball visited the SEED Basketball Academy in Dakar. Our visit to their campus began with meeting the coaches. You could hear their thirst for knowledge in the questions they were asking. They were passionate about what they do and wanted to equip their young athletes with everything they needed to be successful.

Milton Walk of Fame

Milton Walk of Fame

To think that I have now been inducted into the town of Milton’s Walk of Fame is both an incredible honour and also a bit of a shock. I am honored that my name was even considered for this incredible distinction and I have been incredibly fortunate, but I feel like I’m not done. There is so much I have yet to do, and goals on my list I have yet to reach.

Christmas in Cairns!

Christmas in Cairns!

After he gave us our wet suit, snorkels and flippers, we jumped into the water. The first sea creature I saw everywhere  was jellyfish! So, obviously I - and the family I was on tour with - started freaking out! It turns out that these jelly fish (which were a beautiful purple color and looked so graceful and soft in the water) were called moon jellyfish. Although they can and do sting humans (it feels like a mosquito bite or small zap), they're not poisonous. Of course, I did not learn this until later in the day, so whenever I saw a large group of them during the actual tour, I…

Melbourne part 4, Shrine of Remembrance and Fitzroy!

Melbourne part 4, Shrine of Remembrance and Fitzroy!

As I was leaving the botanical gardens, I noticed a tiny garden of poppies. Growing up, I’ve always worn the pins on Veterans Day and have seen pictures of poppies, but I don’t recall ever seeing a poppy in real life. So, obviously I snapped some pictures! This little garden was called The Legacy Garden, with a small plaque in front that said the following…

Melbourne part 3, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria!

Melbourne part 3, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria!

If you were to look at my phone, you would probably find a good 500 pictures purely of nature; plants, trees, flowers, leaves, ponds, the ocean and green sceneries. I am obsessed! I feel close to God in many instances, but when I am consumed by nature, surrounded by it, observing it, sitting or walking in it silently, admiring its beauty, listening to the quiver of the leaves in the wind, the birds chirping, the crashing of the waves, or a disturbance in the bushes - just me and my thoughts - that’s when I always feel engulfed by Him.