As the last day of August comes to an end, and the rain continues to fall in Vancouver, I begin to reflect on the last days of summer.

The leaves are slowly beginning to change with the days becoming shorter and shorter. There really isn’t that much time left to enjoy the sunshine. Normally we would be hoping for warmer weather during the last month of summer, but I think it will be very short this time around.

When I lived out in Toronto, August would always be the warmest of the summer months with the heat and humidity playing a big role. This summer here on the west coast has been fairly pleasant and I’ve enjoyed the weather we’ve had.

We have a road trip planned to visit our good friend Tanya and Barry this coming weekend in Calgary and this might be our only big trip of the summer. We are excited about this trip as it’s always great to get away on this trips while we still can.

As I was walking Junior this afternoon along the seawall, I noticed how quiet the city became during this brief rain storm. It was a nice feeling, but at the same time it was sad as I knew that summer was coming to an end soon.

What do you have planned for the last few days of summer? Are you hoping for warmer weather or glad that it has become cooler out here in the west?

With the sunnier and warmer summer weather in full swing, more and more of us are heading to the beaches across British Columbia or heading towards the pool, but are you fully prepared not to drown? The Community Against Preventable Injuries (The Community) will be launching a campaign this week to raise awareness on the dangers of drowning.

The Community will be placing posters, signs and towels with thought provoking messages to bring awareness to this issue.

According to Vital Statistics, there are at least 75 to 80 deaths each year in BC due to drowning and water-transport related incidents and submersions. Drowning is the second  leading cause of death for children aged 1-4 years old. Most of the drowning deaths for all  other ages occur in natural water and involve water-related activities, e.g., swimming,  recreational boating, canoeing, fishing, water-skiing, etc.

So what can cause drownings?

• Half of the children who drown are alone and unsupervised
• Alcohol was associated with 40% of drowning among Canadians aged 15 years and older
• About 90% of people who drown while boating do not wear a life-jacket

This is easily preventable and The Community hopes to prevent more drownings throughout our province and city.  For more information, please visit them at preventable.ca

Today is the day where we all celebrate being Canadian. We celebrate our wonderful country. We celebrate the diversity which makes up this country from coast to coast.

I myself am not a born Canadian. I immigrated here with my family when I was 5 years old and I have grown up experiencing all of the wonderful things this country offers. I’ll be fist to admit that I have not fully explored this country, especially the eastern coast, but what I have experienced has only enhanced the pride I have for being a Canadian.

I hope everyone will get out there and show their red and white colours proudly. Enjoy it with family and friends.

So to all Happy Canada Day-eh!

As the summer is under way (though you wouldn’t know it with the weather here in Vancouver or Toronto for that matter) my thoughts go onto summer songs. These are songs that are catchy, fun, and just reflect summer as a hole.

When I was in Toronto last week I was listening to my old radio station, Z103.5, and they were playing Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl”. This song is so catchy I just love it! I think this will probably the song I’ll remember for the whole summer (sorry Madonna).

Below is her video!

What can I say but Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

I’m not sure if it’s playing here on the radio stations in Vancouver, but if it’s not, it should be!