A new page...

Hello Everyone,

"Gateway to the Orient" will now turn into my regular blog and space for all of my thoughts, discoveries, any great articles found, experiences and daily life stories. The China/Malaysia mission was a big part of my life and still is - as it was only the beginning of my Global Vision journey. I will have many more future updates and thoughts related to the mission and the post-mission endeavours which I take on...but, my blog will have a new name/focus.

Enjoy it and stay posted!

Andrea :)

Andrea & Shaaz on CBC Morning LIVE!

Hello Everyone!

I know it has been a while since any legit blogs, but, Blogger was blocked in China and we had SOO much work to get done. I will be posting some of the back-logged blogs within the next day or so, but, in the meantime...I have excellent news!....

Shaaz and I will be on CBC’s Ottawa Morning tomorrow at 8 :15 am!

Ottawa Morning is Ottawa’s number one morning show, hands down. In fact, day in and day out, more people listen to CBC Radio One in Ottawa than to any other station in town.

Join Kathleen Petty and the Ottawa Morning team for a fresh take on what you need to know to start your day, and what you want to know to live your life.

We will cover our journey with Global Vision over the past 8 months and share the knowledge and experiences we have gained through the China - Malaysia Economic Trade Mission this past month. 

Andrea and the Airport Adventures....

After the tears have been cried, and the laughs were laughed....I was finally on my way. The adventure is taking me from Ottawa Airport, to Toronto, and then to Hong Kong!

I am sitting here right now in Pearson, sipping my water, trying to consume any food I can, and prepping myself for the amazing adventure that is ahead of me! It is all starting to slowly sink in, as my fellow JTC trade ambassadors discuss their sponsors, hopes for this mission, and the good times that we will most likely share.


I am off for now, as Cathay is beginning to board...the 15 hour plane ride begins!!

I will post more updates as soon as possible! :)

Take care for now!

Great Sponsors, Great Opportunities...

I would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the community, corporate and personal sponsors that had faith in me, my abilities and this mission. I would not have had this amazing opportunity if it wasn't for all of you! Each one of you will be represented well in China and Malaysia!

Thank you to the following sponsors:

• The University of Ottawa
• Text Ripple
• MPP Laurie Scott
• MP Barry Devolin
• MP Ed Holder
• Mary Vlacich
• Danny Radicevic
• Renate Sarkic
• Anna Sarkic

Team Kairos - Hong Kong, Beijing, Chongqing, Chengdu, Kuala Lumpur

As the hours creep by, I am almost all packed up and ready to leave for the Ottawa airport; fly to Toronto, and then Hong Kong from there!

Our Junior Team Canada team of trade ambassadors, Team Kairos, has been working hard in the last week or so, to prep for this amazing Trade Mission. We have a team name established, t-shirts designed and all of the dedication and determination to succeed and represent Canada well.

While deciding on a team name, I came up with the idea for the name - KAIROS. This idea came to me for several reasons: Kairos was the Greek God of Opportunity, and was depicted as a youth with a long lock of hair hanging down from his forehead, which indicated that Opportunity could only be grasped as he approached.

How does this relate to our team? Well... simple.

Our team is comprised of a vast group of intellectual, creative, ambitious and like-minded individuals. As we all venture forth to China and Malaysia, our purpose is to foster, develop and strengthen the opportunities between Canadian and Chinese trade and development. On top of this, Global Vision and Junior Team Canada is all about finding, creating and grasping opportunities - and turning them into success. Opportunities will be grasped as WE, Team Kairos, approach.

With all of this said, Team Kairos is more than prepared to enter China, tackle the important questions, challenges and meetings we face ahead!

GO Team Kairos! A land of opportunity awaits!

Mind the Dash...Live Your Life in Seconds

For some of you not familiar with the concept of "minding the dash", I will explain. I am sure this concept will have some affect on your life in some way - if it has not already.

The concept of "minding the dash", explains that “the dash” between the two dates (birth and death) that will eventually be on our grave marker. That "dash" will represent the entirety of our life and how we made use of the time that we were given.

As many of you know, the China/Malaysia Trade Mission 2010 is a week away! Soo, for the 45 Junior Team Canada delegates (myself included), that dash has generally been filled with much success, ambition and the less travelled road.

Now, as the mission approaches, that dash happens to be filled with several other numbers:

Our group of 45; the number of times we have had success in something; the number of companies, community organizations and people that are supporting our endeavour; the number of sponsorships we have raised as a team; the number of amazing stories we have heard from Terry; the number of Chinese community and business leaders we will meet, and the number of hearts and minds we have and will continue to touch.

Soo, as our countdown begins, T-minus ONE WEEK....there is much more than just time, in which we are counting:

We are counting the items we can fit in ONE piece of luggage; we are counting on good weather; we are counting on our own abilities; we are counting on support from family and friends; and most of all, we are counting on each other as a team - Junior Team Canada China/Malaysia 2010.

Soo...no matter what endeavours you take on today, tomorrow, or next year - always "mind the dash" and in the wise words of Terry Clifford: "live your life in seconds."

Small town, Big dreams...

This weekend I am heading back to where it all began (after leaving Toronto, where I was born). I am going back to Kawartha Lakes, to visit some old friends, and hopefully get the city's support for my Trade Mission.

My grandfather built a good name for himself in the town, as did I....so, hopefully that can foster some good support from local businesses and family friends, for my 2010 Trade Mission!!!!

Wish me luck!

Kawartha Lakes - I am ready for you, are you ready for me?!

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"Where the quarterback dates the homecoming queen,
The truck's a ford and the tractor's green, and Amazing Grace is what we sing,
Well there's a county fair every fall,
And your friends are there no matter when you call.
Yeah it may not sound like much,
But it's where I'm from."
             
              - Where I'm From: James Michael Carroll

"The best things around that I have ever seen,
Came from a small town and big dreams."

              - Small Towns and Big Dreams: Paul Brandt

Visa adventures continued...

Here it is! My first key to opening the gateway to China, world trade, huge business markets and the experience of a lifetime!

T-minus 2.5 weeks!

Be thankful for brick walls...

Sometimes when you work tirelessly and at the end of the day you do not have much to show for it - besides a bit more character and growth with your interpersonal skills - it can be hard to keep up the vigor and carry on. BUT...this may help you place things into perspective. 

"Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show how badly we want something...because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want something badly enough. They are there to keep out the other people."        - Randy Pausch

Visa adventures with Andrea...

Today I made the exciting venture to the Consular office of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China to apply for my visitor's visa. Here is how it went:







- Mug-shot visa photos - $15
- Long application filled out, no thanks to the confused consular lady - $50
- Express visa requested - $35
- Knowing I am one step closer to beginning the expereince of a lifetime; the 2010 China Trade Mission - PRICELESS

Work-free Sunday?

hahaha there is NO such thing as a work-free Sunday when you are on the Less Travelled Road to success!

Soo, on this beautiful Sunday, I took it upon myself to spend the day working (in the beauty of air conditioning) while madly working on finding more sponsors - as the deadline before we take off for China creeps up.

I probably sent out over 40 emails today to various businesses and organizations within: the agriculture sector, Chinese-community organizations, IT sector, Mining sector and much more! I also took the liberty to interrupt several of my personal contacts on this fine Sunday, to see if they would consider investing in me - or if they knew other companies or people that would!

Ohh ya...I also took on another important task...I watched the World Cup Finals from behind my desk! Viva Espagna!!!!

All in all, it was a super productive Sunday, and it is back to the grind very early tomorrow morning.

Thank you Global Vision - you have helped strengthen my multi-tasking, perseverance, and determination (amoung many other things).

Cheers!

We rocked the 'Rock'!

Earlier today, two of my fellow China Mission Delegates and I met with the Dean of our univeristy - the University of Ottawa. Our meeting with President Allan Rock was about 45 minutes long, and it gave us the chance to speak one on one with the legend himself. We had the chance to discuss our endeavour in detail and our potential role as "brand ambassadors" for the Univeristy of Ottawa.

All in all...a success!

(Look at this great photo of Shaaz, Antoine and I alongside President Rock and his Junior Team Canada t-shirt!)

Hit the ground running...

The pressure is on. There are only about 3.5 weeks to go before I (Junior Team Canada) leave for the 2010 China Trade Mission! I still need to get my visa situation figured out, buy a few more chic business dresses, mentally prep for the flight/heat/time change, AND...more importantly...I have about $2,500 more to fundraise and am hungry to find more corporate and community sponsors I can be proud to call partners!

I am already suffocating at the thought of only being able to pack one suitcase and a carry on...I mean...have these people seen me pack before? haha. Regardless, this will be an amazing endeavor and I cannot wait to begin.

As many of you know, I recently attended the State Luncheon with President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China - during his state visit to Canada. I had the chance to shake his hand and say a few words about myself and our mission - I was stunned! It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. This has me even more excited for China!!!

Phew....back to the grind!

By the way, here is some background information for those of you who don't know about the 2010 China Trade Mission with Global Vision and Junior Team Canada:

During the mission, Junior Team Canada will focus on trade and development opportunities. Our team will meet with industry, government, community and youth leaders to identify business opportunities for Canadian companies. In addition, I will visit Canadian development and corporate social responsibility projects to provide support for sustainable development efforts. The role of each Ambassador is to represent our company partners, community and country, while gaining valuable market intelligence and furthering our understanding of global issues. After my mission, I will return back to Canada to share my newfound knowledge and expertise with my peers, and my community at large.

To find out more about Global Vision and opportunities within the organization, check out: www.globalvision.ca