Look forward to posting more! Thank you for reading

What a way to start off the brand new year. A great night with close friends, good times spent in good company. When I think about what’s to come in 2010, half of me wants to scream into a pillow, while the other half is so excited and jumping on the bed for all the things to come. I may have bit off more than I feel like I can chew at the moment, but I somehow always find a way. As Roy Ash, co founder of Litton Industries said:

“An entrepreneur tends to bite off a little more than he can chew hoping he’ll quickly learn how to chew it.”

Having settled into my last term of my undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo, I am overcome with bittersweet feelings. Living in residence once again feels a little odd but at the same time a bit reminiscent. Thinking back to the past 5 years of university, I can’t explain how different each and every term has been. I walked into my first year living at REV, excited by everything that’s happening, staying up studying or partying in the late hours of the night, meeting so many new people, getting involved with different organizations, having fun, that’s what it was all about. Second year, moving off campus to live with friends seemed like such a big deal, dealing with more responsibilities, learning roommate etiquette (sometimes the hard way). Third year, was an unbelievable European fantasy come true spending 8 months abroad in Paris, France. Practicing one of the most beautiful languages in the world, traveling to new countries every weekend, sightseeing, hosting friends from back home, it was something I will never ever forget. Fourth year was a tough one. School was getting more demanding, friends were busy with own priorities, relationships. The job hunt was on. Took on a much larger role within Impact, promoting youth entrepreneurship. Introduced to social media and learning how to use it for professional development and job opportunities. Finding my niche and an area of expertise. Had my first speaking engagement with League of Kickass. First time as a radio guest on Career Buzz, talking about the importance of youth entrepreneurship. Experiencing death for the first time in my life, having to say goodbye to two very special people and learning how to cope with the loss. 2009 was all about learning how to grow up, really fast.

I wonder what 2010 will bring? As graduation is coming up ahead, can’t help but wonder where everyone will end up. What opportunities are out there that are waiting for me? I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. There is a reason why I am not a Samsung Mobile Explorer for the 2010 olympics. There must be bigger opportunities that are waiting for me to find them.

One thing that I was really surprised to discover this year during the 2009 holidays, was how much I was in need for quality time with family and friends. The two weeks of holidays never have felt so good, to just take a break from life and spend time with people that I care for and love the most. I had a very special birthday this year and want to thank everyone so much who was a part of it, from those who sent me a quick note via facebook, twitter, email, bday cards, to all the delightful surprises of a huge basket with all my favourite things, to an ice cream cake at my dinner, to the nutcracker ballet, to the vegan meal paired with a night out at the movies, to watching avatar with my family in Imax 3D who haven’t seen a movie since the Titanic.

If I could make a quick prediction of 2010, I think this will be by far one of my most challenging, but rewarding years. It will be the beginning of my dream career pursuit (or the making of my own career ), leading Impact Entrepreneurship Group to continue firing up the entrepreneurial spirit amongst youth in Canada, staying connected with all my friends from university as we move on to different jobs, cities, etc.

Let’s see a year from now! Bring it 2010, I’m ready for ya

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3) Send to all your friends, family, networks to help us catch up! We need hundreds of 5 stars to make a difference! You can help us get there! Thanks for coming by and for all your support!

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<3 Tine & Dom

A genie goes up to a poor boy and tells him, “take as many pebbles as you can and put them into your backpack. Tomorrow you will be both happy and sad.” The boy obliged and he put many pebbles in his bag. The next day, every pebble in his bag had turned into a diamond. He was happy that he had so many diamonds, but sad that he didn’t take as many pebbles as he could have.

Moral of the story: How many pebbles do you not pick up every day that could turn into a diamond?

I’ve always been someone that has wanted to do everything, and be everywhere at the same time, often taking a lot more on my plate that seems impossible to handle, but somehow making it through at the end of it all. But as my schedule is seemingly becoming more and more demanding, I’ve been holding myself back on certain things and trying to prioritize my time on more important projects/work etc. This short story makes me realize that no matter how occupied you are with other things going on in your life, it’s important to always keep your eyes peeled with an open mind for opportunities that may be right in front of you.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Samsung is taking 5 Canadian teams (of 2) for a 20 day, all expense paid trip to attend the Vancouver 2010 Olympics from February to March!

Our job is to prove to them how we can do creative story telling to be able to share all the WOW moments from the Olympics! With Tine’s skills in communications, blogging, social media and Dom’s skills in illustration, video editing and networking, we believe we have the skills to compete!

We are in the process of creating our video and once it’s up, we are counting on all our dear friends and supporters to get the word out!

For now, join our Facebook Group!!

For more info on the contest: http://www.mobileexplorers.ca.msn.com/

THANKS FOR BELIEVING IN US! May the best Mobile Explorer win!

<3 Dom & Tine

- Anthony Robbins

After an emotional week of ups and downs, it’s nice to finally be able to wind down and have some “me” time. If there’s anything that I’ve learnt from the past week, it would be that I need to put more of an effort to keeping in sync with my friends and family. At the end of my life, I don’t want to super successful with a gajillion dollars in the bank, but with no one to celebrate my life with me. Now is the time to focus on my last year of school, securing myself a full time job somewhere for the next few years of my life, and putting more time towards sharing my life with the people I care most about. I regret not having to get to know my grandfather better while I had the opportunity; now all I can do is be there with him and support my family while we hope for the best.

Going to the hospital was a bit terrifying; I’ve never liked hospitals much. A lot of our family was already there. Seeing them and seeing them cry knotted me up inside and I prepared myself for the worst. I hope you were able to see all of us grandpa, and hear all of our soothing words. Grandma wants you to come back to Yee Hong soon, and be with her again. Hearing that from my cousin made the tears flow further.

Though it was the unfortunate circumstances that had to bring us together, I am so lucky to have a supportive family. Everyone lives all over the GTA and managed to scramble and make their way down to the hospital, fearing only one thing. For now, everything seems stable and we can only hope for the best.

Stay strong Grandpa, you were always a fighter.

Enjoy!

~~~

A young man learns what’s most important in life from the guy next door.

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country i n pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, ‘Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday.’ Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

‘Jack, did you hear me?’

‘Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It’s been so long since I thought of him. I’m sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago,’ Jack said.

‘Well, he didn’t forget you. Every time I saw him he’d ask how you were doing. He’d reminisce about the many days you spent over ‘his side of the fence’ as he put it,’ Mom told him.

‘I loved that old house he lived in,’ Jack said.

‘You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man’s influence in your life,’ she said

‘He’s the one who taught me carpentry,’ he said. ‘I wouldn’t be in this business if it weren’t for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important…Mom, I’ll be there for the funeral,’ Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser’s funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time!

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, everypiece of furniture….Jack stopped suddenly.

‘What’s wrong, Jack?’ his Mom asked.

‘The box is gone,’ he said

‘What box?’ Mom asked.

‘There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he’d ever tell me was ‘the thing I value most,’ Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

‘Now I’ll never know what was so valuable to him,’ Jack said. ‘I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom.’

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home fromwork one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. ‘Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days,’ the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old andlooked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. ‘Mr. Harold Belser’ it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack’s hands shook as he read the note inside.

‘Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It’s the thing I valued most in my life.’ A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:

‘Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser.’

‘The thing he valued most was…my time’ Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. ‘Why?’ Janet, his assistant asked.

‘I need some time to spend with my son,’ he said.

‘Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!’

‘Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,’

Think about this. You may not realize it, but it’s 100% true.

1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t like you.

4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

5. You mean the world to someone.

6. If not for you, someone may not be living.

7. You are special and unique.

8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won’t get it, but if you trust God to do what’s best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.

11. Someone that you don’t even know exists loves you.

12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

13 . Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you’ll both be happy.

14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great!