DREAM BIG!

I went on another walk....

With the dog... that is all.

JUST KIDDING. Phil Brown has made an appearance on the blog. Phil and I went on a road trip to Burlington, Vermont for the weekend to visit everyone.
He is the safest driver in the world- Hands at 10 and 2

He can't be distracted... ever

Not even the windmills make an impact with their impressive blades and tall structures.

Or maybe he can be distracted when I least expect it....

It was such a fun weekend filled with many faces that I haven't seen for a while. This was our Ontario team picture of the weekend!

Kate and I are "Fast and Female"

While Tommy and I kneel pensively by the sidelines.

Kev... Look I'm a bird.

This week instead of riding the the BMW I downgraded to Phil's cooler...

Now on a more serious note- Yesterday I headed to Guelph to speak at my old high school and attend a City Councel meeting.
It was amazing to come back to the school and see the teachers that I haven't seen in many years. I would never be where I am today, or who I am, without Bishop Macdonell and every person there.

(Picture from the Guelph Mercury... Here is the article- http://www.guelphmercury.com/news/local/article/715267--mielzynski-to-guelph-high-school-students-keep-dreaming-big)

The students and teachers asked me a few questions in a talk-show like setting. Here were a few of their questions and my summarized answers:

1) How do I prepare for a big race?
Usually, I try not to do anything differently before a big race. I work hard every day of the year, so by the time my big races come I try to relax and know that all of the hard work is done. Racing is my reward during the year.

2) Have I ever thought that all of the sacrifices I have made weren't worth it?
Of course I have had doubts and times when I thought that I would move on to the next part of my life. I have had to overcome many obstacles and go through hard times. However, I worked 21 years for the day I won, and I can honestly say that those 21 years were worth it.

3) It's anti-bullying week at BM, what would I tell kids that are struggling with bullying?
When I was younger I struggled with some of the people around me being mean and judgmental. I felt alone even when I was surrounded by many people. If anyone is struggling with bullying, at any level, I would tell them that there are amazing people in the world, but sometimes it takes a while to find them. I used to look at the world in a darker way, but I have seen people willing to do anything for others and those people will come walking into your life when you least expect it; to be your angel. These moments will pass, even if it seems as if they are lasting forever.

Many more questions were asked, but we had to move on to embarrassing the teachers!

Four years ago I would never have imagined that I would be standing in front of the school speaking. I was never one for speaking in front of crowds. However, as I stood in the back at the beginning of the assembly, I found myself wanting to hear more about the other students in the school. There are at least two future Olympians in the school and I know exactly why they chose to attend BM!

After I left Bishop Mac, I headed to the City Council meeting where I was able to meet the Mayor of Guelph. She congratulated me and gave me a City of Guelph jacket to make sure I always remember where I come from.

Now I am at home again... procrastinating for my BIG move to Canmore for the summer. 

One funny story that I remember from high school that I will share with you is when my dog was sprayed by a skunk. He ran back into the house, scared of the smell on him. I was running out the door to get to school, so I couldn't help get the smell out of the house. I put my bag in my locker and went to my first class. Well... the smell had followed me to school. The entire hallway STUNK!  However, no one knew that it was coming from me, so I said "Who would come to school smelling like this... geez."
I bet only I would, so that I wouldn't miss any more school. I bought air fresheners that night!