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!