With the Merlion, Singapore's official "mascot"

There are few experiences in my life that have moved me as much as the 6 days last week.

Last Friday marked the end of only one small part of what will be an incredible story to cherish in our collective memory and share with others both over the next 5 months and throughout the Games in August.

I have 33 new friends, each one with their own beautiful culture, sense of humour, passion and love for the Olympic values.

This week has changed me, in the way I carry myself, the way I relate to others. I have learned more from my 33 new friends in 6 days than I could ever have imagined. I am so thankful and happy that it is difficult for me to properly articulate what it means to have met them.

All I can hope is that my effort to put it into words will attest to the grandeur of the past week.

We all arrived in Singapore tired and unsure of what to expect. The jungle-like setting of NACLI on one side of Singapore was the site of all the Cultural and Education Programmes that we will be promoting to the Youth Olympians come August. This was everything from career workshops to island adventures.

With my buddy Nghi. Just like "knee!" he would exclaim

I was fortunate enough to try a handful of fruits that I had never seen or touched including jack fruit, guava and durian. I am sure that most of the YAs will agree that durian ranks somewhere between moldy sandwiches and street gum in terms of taste and texture. But hey, different strokes right?

In those first two days, one of the most valuable experiences was an informal exercise where we each explained our understanding of “culture”. Everyone can define this term, but what it really “means” is completely different. And wow. What a beautiful example of how diverse backgrounds can paint a variety of pictures, and when you line them up, nail them to the wall, all in one spot, what a breathtaking cultural mosaic this constructs.

The next big highlight was an intimate conversation with Dr. Jacques Rogge, the IOC President. The comment that echoed throughout the group was that Dr. Rogge might be one of the most influential persons in the world. He heads the Olympic movement, and worldwide, who doesn’t like the Olympics? This was a really cool experience. His vision for the Olympic movement is to promote the values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect to an earlier age group, the strong motivation for the Youth Olympic Games, (YOG). I asked him why he felt that sport was such a compelling vehicle for spreading these values. (Of course the philosophy grad. asks a question of this nature). His answer was simply, sport joins us, it allows us to play together and to grow together. Most of all, he finished with the comment, “Sport is fun”. Simple wisdom.

With IOC President Jacques Rogge

It was a hectic week. We slept very little, and spent all day in meetings, activities or on trips. What I can say is that the people of Singapore are perhaps the most energetic and excitable of any group I have ever encountered in my travels. To be truthful, at first it was overwhelming. But after 2 days, my South African friend Devon and I chose to embrace the energy, and by the final day I was honoured to have been welcomed so warmly to a city-state that will bring nothing but their best to the Youth Olympic Games.

When it is all said and done, as I sit here in my office on a rainy Vancouver Monday, I am missing my new friends from Singapore. Both the YAs and CEP Champs that welcomed us. I cannot wait to bring back our Canadian athletes, both for the athletic success they will no doubt achieve and the beautiful friendships they will hopefully create.

So long Singapore, but just for now

Kwan Jo, Sophia, me, Devon, on our island adventure, day 2

It’s a quarter after one, and we Youth Olympic Games Young Ambassadors have just spent the evening with the IOC, 200+ National Olympic Committees and all the other SYOGOC (Singapore Youth Olympic Games Org. Committee). It was the Chef de Mission Welcome dinner.

That was a whole lot of titles so I am going to write this sentence so you can digest all of it.

Already I have met some incredible people. We arrived this afternoon at the Swissotel The Stamford, and have since been exposed to a true Olympic Organizing Committee experience complete with the cultural features, great food and overall excellent experience. As one of the Olympic values, excellence is certainly being lived to the highest degree here in Singapore.

This is just an update, I hope to have some more to contribute tomorrow, or in the days following. I managed to link up with Brian and Caroline, from the Canadian Olympic Committee tonight, but they haven’t been the first Canadians I’ve come across. Stacey, (sp!), Liz, Torey, and Jon are a documentary team from Canada covering the Youth Olympics, in a really unique way using new media. (I toted around a Flip HD camera yesterday, doing interviews). I suppose they could also be named the team of folks with hard names to spell. Sorry if I’ve botched it guys!

Anyways, in the morning we have an intimate discussion with Jacques Rogge, (I’m sure you all know who he is!), and so I’ll have a chance to ask some questions. But right now that’s all because it is bed time, as we’ve been pulling 18+ hour days. Goodnight!

Well it’s 12:15 PM and the captain just gave us the briefing from the flight deck. It’ll never fail to be entertaining how excited the pilot is to make that status update, and how that update always fails to be entertaining. (Cue the related Seinfeld bit here) Just tell me when I’m going to get a shower and shave my man, that’s all I need to know.

Anyhow, nearly 17 hours of flight time, and a 20 hour travel day will conclude in Singapore. I’ve been before but this time it will be very different. My last trip to Singapore was a staging camp for the 2007 Summer Universiade, (which was held in Bangkok). Now, after my swimming career I am back in Singapore, to prepare myself for the big event in August, when I will be in the different position of managing young athletes through their competition journey.

So here’s my plan for the next 5 days. Get some sunshine. I love Vancouver but I also enjoy vitamin D and some heat. Try to take the time to collect my inspirations over the next 5 days. If I have a great idea, or even just an idea, (it was a bit presumptuous to write great there wasn’t it), I am going to write that idea down. Most of all, I am going to commit to having fun. Because the alternative to that, which is not having fun, sucks.

Follow me as I go to Singapore for the Youth Olympic Games ambassador’s seminar!

http://www.callumng.com or @callumng

Instead of writing, here’s some talking…

With YOG reporter Kimiya, at VANOC HQ

Had an interview last week with the Youth Olympic Games reporter, Kimiya Shokoohi, at the VANOC compound AKA The Westin Bayshore. I got to really express why I believe that the Cultural Education aspects of the Youth Olympic Games are important. Check out the story on my site, about halfway down the Olympic.org YOG section here.

I haven’t written in a few days, just been enjoying the experience. Earlier today, (or I suppose yesterday), I went over the Westin Bayshore, which is now VANOC headquarters, and home to all the IOC people that make an Olympics happen. I met the people involved with the social media generation of the Games, which was pretty cool. There were Olympic posters all over the place, a simple campaign that shows the power of the Olympic brand. The art for these posters was so simple, all you have to do is throw the Olympic rings on the top and all of a sudden it’s profound. Oh the power of a brand.

I was there to be interviewed by a young reporter about my Youth Olympic Games Ambassador role. It was a great experience because I was able to really articulate why and how I wanted to make a difference in Singapore later this summer. I believe in the respect that the Games hope to develop between young people. It’s really important to me.

People talk about the commercialization of the Games. Sure, it’s big business. But there’s a reason for that. It is because the movement is simple and pure and you can use that to sell something. At the end of the day, this transaction doesn’t diminish the true impact of the Olympic movement. Part of that is the leadership and respect that the Olympic dream fosters among young people. I hope that is never forgotten in the argument.

Here is what I find dismaying about anti-Olympic protests. At the moment I am watching the Torch Relay wind through West Hastings Street, re-routed because of protesters. Ironically enough, a man named Matt Lee lit his torch in the heart of the downtown Eastside, a recovering addict, and a great story. A way the Games can have a positive impact on ANYBODY, whatever opinion you hold regarding their existence in Vancouver.

Alright, moving on, today is the big day. To be honest, I am a whole lot of excited with a little bit of anxious. After weeks of rehearsal, and practicing, waiting and imagining, the moment is here.

Just don’t trip Callum, just don’t trip. Apparently a lot of people will be watching this on TV. Haha, I’m kidding, I am a now an excellent walker. Watch for me halfway through the parade, it’s the closest I’ll ever get to membership in an Opening Ceremonies parade so I’m going to enjoy every part of the experience.

Part THREE

There is nothing to explain the rush of marching out in front of 60,000 people. The boom from the stadium as every country is announced.

And it’s not even the real thing yet.

There were plenty of superstars in the building tonight, but I can’t talk about any of it, so I’ll let the excitement build for Friday. All I can say is that it’s amazing to rub shoulders with some of the coolest Canadians in our young history.

I’m completely exhausted, trying to fit in rehearsals with work and other commitments. It’s all going to be worth it. I know. I can’t wait, two more sleeps to one of the most meaningful days of my young life.

Part TWO

Bring on the Olympics! Plenty of anticipation for Friday’s kickoff to the Games as the sporting world turns its attention to Vancouver, (or at least in a few days after the Superbowl hangover wears off). Tonight I have a big dress rehearsal for the Ceremonies, complete with a partial audience. If you’re going, you’re lucky! It’s going to be fun.

Thanks to Davis Wuolle, NG Farrell just finished up a slick page for Georgia, at www.georgiasimmerling.com. She’s training at the moment, but up to Whistler in a few days. You can follow her @gsimmerling

Trying to figure out how to best spend my free time during the Games, so I’m open to suggestions? There’s plenty to do, both in Vancouver and Richmond. If you’re up for the bus ride, I’m sure Whistler has an abundance of activities. I’ll be at the O Zone in Richmond with ActNow BC, to spread the message of healthy living, no doubt this might include a visit to Heineken Holland House which is somewhat counter to that message BUT I’d like to add that a positive dose of fun doesn’t hurt your health at all!

The best part of this week will have to be picking up my mom from the airport tomorrow, and showing her around Olympic Vancouver. She was the catalyst for my love of sport. My aunts always tell me how my mom was never idle from some sort of athletic activity, much like me. We’ll have fun together. My morning runs will be less lonely for a few days!

Day 12 of Callum’s Crazy but Cheap Community Christmas Challenge: Re-connecting with old friends

Today was the final day of my Community Christmas Challenge. It was also Christmas Day. It was, to be frank, one of the best Christmas Day’s in recent memory. I am very lucky to have family traditions that survive age, busy schedules, my missing religion and other obstacles that commonly destroy annual re-occurrences. The morning saw presents and stockings, still thoughtfully stuffed by my mom. My brother and I then walked to the rink and proceeded to skate for no less than 4 hours. We returned home to a Christmas dinner with friends and family, topped off by a trip to the theatres to see RDJ and Jude Law play Holmes and Watson. Filed throughout the day, in between the texts to closer friends I decided that I would send messages to a few people that I hadn’t heard from in some time. (Friends that were at one time a larger part of my life, but who have since moved slightly out of touch) It’s important to remind others that you haven’t forgotten their positive impact on your life. Anyhow, that was today’s act. Funniest part of the day? Going to the cinema 2 hours early because I thought it would be busy, (sometimes I’m quite stupid), and sharing our best college prank stories while keeping warm in the downtown Sheraton. Laughing like absolute idiots while people had their Christmas dinner in the adjacent restaurant. Haha, I’m surprised we didn’t get kicked out.

Day 11 of Callum’s Crazy but Cheap Community Christmas Challenge: Going to church

At this time, I am not religious. I was brought up in a Christian home, and we went to church regularly until I was old enough to object in a convincing enough fashion, at which point I stayed at home. As I’ve grown into adult life I have slowly but consciously become non-religious. As Jeff put it on this week’s Community, (NBC), “Religion is like Paul Rudd, I wouldn’t take it away from anybody but I wouldn’t stand in line for it either.” All the same, my parents have remained diligent church goers and so on Christmas Eve I was asked to attend church. A real, live, church. Hard wood pews, over-friendly people, kids with the topmost button of their dress shirts buttoned, no cell phones, hymn singing. Church. I could easily have said no. But there’s no way I’m going to make my mother unhappy on Christmas Eve. Plus, my brother already gave his assent so I can’t look that bad. Therefore, I quietly accompanied my parents, to their delight and sat through a desperately bad service. For those who know my pain, this is easily today’s good deed.

Day 10 of Callum’s Crazy but Cheap Community Christmas Challenge: Back in the game, literally.

One feature I now appreciate about Calgary is an open rink on a warm, sunny day. Since taking up residence in Vancouver, as well as the sport of hockey, I have discovered how damn hard it is to get a good skate in. However, today, bright and early, I found myself trudging through fresh powder to an empty sheet of ice. It was the purest of Canadian experiences, long johns and toques, scarves and two pairs of socks. Frozen rubber and cold hands. Perfect. What was also included was a little community service. My brother and I cleared the entire 200 ft, with a few shovels and some determination. The rest of the day would see local citizens come and go, and so we made sure that pucks would be gliding freely all day. (Albeit Scotty and I benefited as well for a few hours)

Day 9 of Callum’s Crazy but Cheap Community Christmas Challenge: stumbled

So today was a blistery Tuesday, and I am sorry to say that nothing of record was accomplished for Callum’s CCCCC. I caught a plane back to Calgary with my brother, and I was dismayed to find no opportunities throughout the day. Upon landing at the airport, I did give my mom a huge hug, and for the last few hours of day 9, I filled her in on the latest in my life. I know she was happy to me home for a few days at Christmas, and so at least I have that.

Day 8 of Callum’s Crazy but Cheap Community Christmas Challenge: A little food for the bank

There’d been a lot of talk around the lower mainland about food bank shortages this Christmas. I knew from the beginning that this was something I wanted to contribute to, so off I went again, texting everybody I knew and no doubt annoying a few. In the end, I put together a few boxes of unwanted food. I mean, how much Kraft dinner can I possibly eat? Not only that, but why do I even have French Pea soup. (The psychological dysfunction associated with the purchase of 12 cans is another story) Anyways, not much more to it than that, food for people who need it. Day 8 finito.

Day 7 of Callum’s Crazy but Cheap Community Christmas Challenge: Helping an Organization in Need

Today spelled a different direction for Callum’s CCCCC. (If you don’t know by now what the multiple Cs represent, well…sigh) Being an athlete for a long time, I understand how important it is that athletes be given a forum from which to voice their opinions and positions. That is why I was honoured to be nominated for the BC Athlete Voice Board of Directors, and, on this rainy Sunday, to be elected to join a talented and accomplished Board. In the spirit of the community challenge, I calculate that my time throughout the year can be of service to such an organization, and I am pleased to join the BCAV team! If you’d like to know more about BC Athlete Voice, you can find their website at: http://www.bcathletevoice.ca/content/Home.asp You might recognize someone in the video on the homepage. I have NO idea how he got there.

Day 6 of Callum’s Crazy but Cheap Community Christmas Challenge: Monster Spatula versus Giant Whisk!

Enter Horn, John Horn. This friendly Daily Gumboot editor who is always mindful of community development extended the invitation for a nice stint of holiday volunteerism. John, myself, my good pal Alexei Bergeron and 2 other nice dudes spent a few hours dishwashing at the downtown Salvation Army. We had to negotiate these large army issue food containers into the high pressure dishwashing machine, which proved difficult but also rewarding, and definitely a lot of fun. The afternoon ended with the discovery of a UGH, (utensil growth hormone), pumped whisk and spatula which John and I proceeded to battle with. I merrily stirred John’s pot while he retaliated with some masterful scooping until we mutually agreed on a draw after everyone else ran out of clever puns for the situation.

Preparing for the duel

Day 5 of Callum’s Crazy but Cheap Community Christmas Challenge: Rewarding a bad parking job?!

Today was a busy day, it was after the last Friday before Christmas which means a lot of loose ends to tie up! Nonetheless, I was driving down 4^th and pulled in to pick up a last minute, long ago ordered Christmas gift. On my way back to my car I noticed that someone has taken the spot next to me, and as I arrived at my car it became totally apparent that this person has executed Vancouver’s worst stall parking job of 2009. To frame it in a less negative tone, had this individual been trying to halt within 1 inch or less of my driver’s side door, they had triumphantly succeeded! As I crawled in through my passenger door I muttered a few expletives and shortly after maneuvering into the driver’s chair I noticed that God’s gift to the driving community had a desperately flat front right tire. Today’s CCCCCC effort was small, but significant to me because instead of driving off and allowing some degree of catastrophe occur, to someone who had made the last 30 seconds of my life inconvenient, I pulled out a pen, found a piece of paper, and ensured that the rest of their day would proceed safely. I left a note on the windshield, in a visible spot, pointing out the flat. Sometimes in the bustle of life, I get a little short tempered, allowing simple acts of decency and etiquette to be forgotten. Today’s CCCCCC is a reminder of that.

Day 4 of Callum’s Crazy but Cheap Community Christmas Challenge: Twitter graphics!

Today marks the debut of the reader’s suggestion to Callum’s CCCCC. The first contributor is the very intelligent Davis Wuolle, UBC Thunderbird, engineering undergrad and all around good guy. Davis commented on my adventures, and then offered to do twitter backgrounds for any needy not-for-profits. If you are curious what a fantastic twitter design looks like, you can check out my twitter, or Move: The Company, both of which Davis masterfully designed. Anyways, I must also thank Peter Reek of Smart + Savvy and Sharon Peters at Catalyst + Co, who connected me with the good people at The Vantage Point, (formerly Volunteer Vancouver). Without further banter, TA DA! The Vantage Point has a slick new twitter background!

Day 3 of Callum’s Crazy but Cheap Community Christmas Challenge: Plant a Tree!

I guess the eco-friendly buzz from Day 2 had me going, as Day 3 featured another green deed. Two weeks ago, I attended UBC’s Blue and Gold Revue. (Post on that adventure here) Attendees to the event received a gift bag in which I found a little sphere of goodness. It’s a Clean Air Tree Kit…and it is nothing less than a tiny tree, (well seedlings), ready for planting. With my wide array of horticultural experience, if by wide I mean narrow and by array I mean, well…hmmm that doesn’t make sense, okay basically I have NO experience whatsoever. Nonetheless, a glorious tree was born. Well, some dirt in a Jerry pot with some water, placed inside half a 2 L coke bottle. All the same, it’s 3-4 months of daily nurturing, and my humble act for Day 3! In other news, I went to my Ceremonies 2010 audition last night, which was undoubtedly the most fun I have had in months. Imagine a clumsy swimmer trying to dance, multiply that by 47 other dudes in the room doing the same thing. Hilarious, outrageous and fun are the three words I choose.

Clean Air Tree Kit

Day 2 of Callum’s Crazy but Cheap Community Christmas Challenge: Write and Deliver Thank You notes to people with brilliant Christmas decorations with a reminder to turn them off while sleeping.

The second day of Callum’s CCCCC was a neighbourly effort in my local Kitsilano. Many people here have tastefully decorated their homes with Christmas lights of every colour, (a lot more LED lights this year!), holiday wreaths, blow up Santas and Snowmen, even the odd gigantic menorah. There is an intangible value to this type holiday spirit, but also a very measurable cost. I decided to achieve some community good faith along with a little kickback to the environment by writing a handful of greeting cards! Each one thanked people for their spirit, and reminded them to shut off or unplug at the end of the evening. I hand delivered the cards. I hope it worked!

Thank you notes!

Day 1 of Callum’s Crazy but Cheap Community Christmas Challenge: Collect Warm Winter Clothing for the Realtor’s Care Blanket Drive

Day 1 wrapped up last night with some final pick-ups and a lot of walking through slushy snow. At the end of the day I collected about 4 garbage bags full of warm winter clothing

that just about filled my back seat and trunk. I was pretty happy with the result, considering that at about 3:30 PM all I had was a few jackets and jeans. The idea was prompted in the AM by a quick excerpt on the radio, and in support of the Real Estate Board’s, Realtor’s Care Blanket Drive. This year extended due to the colder weather. You can find out more at http://www.rebgv.org/blanket-drive Day 2 awaits!