#mba tours

[empirearchives]

Portrait of a young girl / Portrait de jeune fille

François Leroy de Liancourt, French

c. Early 19th century, Napoleonic era

[collegetoure]

Top Online MBA Colleges in Nashik | College Tour

MBA is one of the best-known master's degree programs. Online MBAs are known to be a high choice for working professionals. Many colleges in Nashik offer excellent quality MBA programs. You can choose your suitable specializations from the Top Online MBA Colleges in Nashik.

[vaishalikumari]

Top online MBA colleges in india

Top 5 Online MBA Colleges in India      

Sure, here are some details on the top 5 Online MBA Colleges in India:

Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA): IIM Ahmedabad Online MBA is one of the most prestigious business schools in India and has been consistently ranked among the top B-schools globally. Their Online Executive Programs in Management (EPGP) is a two-year, part-time program designed for working professionals. The program is delivered through interactive online classes and on-campus sessions.

Indian School of Business, Hyderabad (ISB): ISB is a leading business school in India that offers a one-year Post Graduate Programs in Management (PGPM) for experienced professionals. The program is delivered through a blended learning model that combines online classes with on-campus modules.

Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning, Pune (SCDL): SCDL is a well-known distance education provider in India that offers a two-year online MBA program in various specializations. The program is designed for working professionals and is delivered through online classes, e-learning modules, and self-study material.

NMIMS Global Access School for Continuing Education, Mumbai (NGA-SCE): NGA-SCE is the distance education wing of NMIMS University Online MBA is offering a two-year online MBA program in various specializations. The program is designed for working professionals and is delivered through online classes, webinars, and self-learning material.

IGNOU School of Management Studies, New Delhi (IGNOU-SOMS): IGNOU-SOMS is a distance education provider that offers a two-year IGNOU online MBA program in various specializations. The program is designed for working professionals and is delivered through online classes, self-learning material, and occasional face-to-face interaction.

All of these programs are highly respected and offer a flexible, convenient way to pursue an MBA while working. It's important to do your own research and choose a program that aligns with your personal and professional goals.

[kookslastbutton]

Those Eyes Chico ༓ myg (m) | Teaser

✒ Summary: As the new marketing director for Min Yoongi’s upcoming D-Day album & tour, you’re expected to bring your expertise to the table. This shouldn’t be a problem—you’re the best in the business and you’re used to drawing a strict line between your professional and personal life. But what happens when the lines you’ve fought to keep as separate blur for the first time?

pairing: idol!yoongi x plus size!poc!reader

genre/AU: angst, fluff, smut, slow-burn, coworkers2friends2lovers, winter setting, forbidden love?

word count: tbd, 835 for this teaser

warnings: oc is 28, Yoon is 30, oc is not originally from South Korea, oc has light brown eyes, swearing, mentions of alcohol consumption, mentions of anxiety, panic attacks, body insecurities, fear of being blacklisted, emotionally restrained Yoon, mentions of smoking, unstable parental relationships, conservative parents, mentions of therapy, mentions of dating scandal, eventual sexual content, and more specific warnings per chapter.

now playing: Sweet Dreams by The Last Shadow Puppets

a/n: Okay this has taken over six months to release but it's finally beginning and I am super excited to share! 🫣 I am low-key terrible at choosing a proper teaser so hoepfull this works haha. ANYWAY, this series is dedicated to my wonderfully crazy friend and beta, Gloom @theuselessdaydreamingidiot, and to all our fellow Yoon lovers bc we miss our sweet man SO MUCH 🥺 Enjoy! 🥰 Also huge thank you to @itaeewon for designing this beautiful series header! Love it!!

Series Masterlist

“Did you get the files I sent to you?”

The woman nods her head in affirmation while sweeping a few pieces of her long, silky hair behind an ear. To strangers, she appears to look about 24 which is only four years younger than yourself but nonetheless she’s the same age as you. Hei-Ran is her name, meaning “graceful orchid” according to Korean translation.

Hei-ran is one of Hybe’s newest hires and based on her experience, a near perfect fit to being South Korean boy group Tomorrow X Together’s new marketing manager. Until about three months ago, this had been your job.

You never imagined giving up the position after three years of working in the role. But with December right around the corner Hybe had other plans for you.

"Graduated summa cum laude with a bachelors degree in BTech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a MBA in Marketing from NYU Stern. You worked two years as a brand manager for U.S record label Atlantic Records immediately after graduating, and are now working at BigHit Music as a marketing manager for TXT including liaison with their global marketing team.”

You recall PD Bang’s voice vibrate in the back of your mind from mid-August. You thought you were called into his office to discuss details of TXT’s latest promo, so having your resume read back to you was a sweeping curve ball. Your determination must have far exceeded the heaviness you felt in your chest because before you knew it you, you were shaking hands with your boss in acceptance of your role – the new marketing director for Min Yoongi’s upcoming D-Day album & tour.

The tedious knot that’s formed in the nape of your neck reminds you that as surreal as the situation might be, it’s undeniably real.

Months spent drafting a comprehensive marketing proposal for D-Day; often until the wee hours of the night, inevitably takes its toll on even the mightiest of warriors. An entire new team of fifty people, all of who you’ll be in charge of orchestrating for the next eight months, doesn’t provide much to relief either.

You’re excited nevertheless. Working with one of the most respected artists in the music industry is an opportunity you couldn’t let slip by, especially since the album’s rock-inspired genre aligns closely with your own music taste.

“Thank you so much for helping me get settled __,” Hei-ran’s gentle voice returns you to the present. “I appreciate the time you’ve taken these last few months to train me despite the tight deadlines you have.”

Smiling, you shake your head. “It’s no problem at all and if there’s anything you need in the future, feel free to give me a call or stop by my office.”

“On the 16th floor right?”

“1656A. Take a left off the elevator and walk to the end of the first hallway. The door on the right is mine.”

Referring to any room on the 16th floor as your own is something you don’t take lightly. For one the offices are double the size of any other office spaces in the building. Yours in particular has a giant skyscraper window draped with heavy white curtains. Secondly, the floor above is the 17th floor which is exclusive to Hybe artists only.

"How's the proposal coming along, by the way?" Her curiosity is palpable, genuine in its nature. You’ve always appreciated that in an individual.

“It’s done,” you respond. “Only thing left to do is to prepare for our meeting with C-suite executives next Monday. It’s nearly perfect as is, but the presentation could use a bit of refining in terms of organization.”

Hei-ran is silent for a moment longer than usual before her next inquiry, which is undoubtedly the question on both of your minds. “I can't help but wonder what it'll be like to meet him for the first time,” she muses.

You don’t bother asking for clarification on who the “him” is; you’re already well aware that it’s Min Yoongi. The same subject has managed to intrude your own thoughts more and more as the date of meeting him draws closer. It's peculiar honestly, considering you’ve encountered him before. Granted, it was only a small handful of times the hallway, both heading in opposite directions. Min Yoongi typically greeted you with a hoarse 'Good Morning' those instances, along with a curt nod of his head. You would nod back with a brief 'Morning' yourself. Deep down you feel he'd make a quality friend, though it's only a premonition. It’s not like you actually know much about him beyond those small exchanges.

"I'm not sure what to expect, honestly," you admit. "I imagine it'll be similar to previous professional collaborations—composed, focused, and intense. D-Day is poised to become a global sensation for the next year, so it's going to need our full, undivided attention."

Hei-ran gives a knowing nod. “Good luck __,” she wishes you well as you head towards the elevator doors. Breaks over, back to work.

a/n: Chapter one will be released soon 🙃 Thanks for reading the teaser!

Masterlist | Requests: closed | Taglist | Fic Recs

no reposting, copying, or translating my work– © kookslastbutton

[copperbadge]

A very important question about the history of Askazer-Shivadlakia has just occured to me. Have they ever found themselves at war with the Duchy of Grand Fenwick, and if so, who won? (Since I'm not allowed to post links in here, look up "The Mouse That Roared" on Wikipedia if you need context.)

I desperately want to take this ask seriously but first I have to say that all I can think about is Jerry saying scornfully, "Grand Fenwick isn't real, it's from that book," while folding his hands in his lap and looking slightly smug that he has read The Mouse That Roared. "It's not like Askazer-Shivadlakia or Ruritania."

I did look it up and the Duchy of Grand Fenwick is only three miles by five, making it as wide as Galveston Island but about one-fifth of its length (hello BOIs and IBCs). Now, when I was inventing Askazer-Shivadlakia I didn't have a super strong handle on just how small European micronations tend to be, so I actually made it kinda large. Monaco, on which it was meant to be based, is about half the size of my neighborhood in Chicago (0.78 square miles to 1.58 square miles). Askazer-Shivadlakia stretches from Menton in France to Ventimiglia in Italy along the coast, and from the Ligurian sea up the French-Italian border, tapering to a point just south of Geneva. I think it might actually be bigger than some European countries (well, bigger than Vatican City and Monaco for sure) but shh.

Wikipedia says the Duchy of Grand Fenwick lies in the Northern Alps, so I like to think they share a disputed border with Askazer-Shivadlakia and have been at war with them for centuries over it without either side ever sending an army to fight said war. Grand Fenwick says Askazer-Shivadlakia is too cowardly to invade and the Shivadh reply that they'd invade but it's so small and remote they can't find it. The actual border dispute is entirely between Francois Jones, a Shivadh dairy farmer, and John Belotti, a sheep farmer from the Duchy. The fence between these two farms demarcates the entire Fenwick-Shivadh border, and Jones and Belotti have been fighting over the ten-foot span of grazing land on said border for fifty years. If they could each raise an army they would.

At some point when he feels everyone could use a nice party or an excuse to go touring, Gregory is going to call up whoever is ruling the Duchy now (who he was definitely at school with in Switzerland) and suggest they formally broker peace and have a peace-signing treaty at a beautiful chalet-spa he knows of in the area. Make a weekend out of it, hold a parade, maybe co-sponsor some sort of feast. Gregory is a serious young man with an MBA and a high political office but he also knows what his people want, which is to be entertained and amused.

(This novel: definitely Gregory and Eddie uncovering a star-crossed romance between the children of the two farmers, who have secretly been teaching each other to spin wool and make cheese.)

Anyway once the peace treaty is signed and Gregory and Eddie return to Fons-Askaz they are greeted with a banner informing them that the people of Fons-Askaz in their absence have consulted with Prince Noah and Princeps Ioanna and declared His Majesty "King Gregory the Peaceable". Gregory immediately has a commemorative coin minted (Gregory also knows his people want to sell useless tchochkes to clueless tourists).

An unofficial side poll declared Eddie "King Theophile the Friend of Farmers" because there is not a dairy farmer in the country that Eddie hasn't bought cheese from. Eddie, on discovering this, is so touched he cries a little.

[evolvingsidekick]

BD - winners where are they now (incomplete)

I think someone requested this somewhere

Most females and recent males because there are just too many to do rn

At companies:

Miriam Gittens (s2013): Gibney Company

Alyssa Allen (s2014): Ballets Jazz Montreal

Brianne Sellars (s2014): Dallas Black Dance Theatre

Ashley Green (s2015): Alvin Ailey American dance Theater

Payton Johnson (j2012, t2015, s2017): L.A. Dance Project

Vivian Ruiz (s2019): Ballet BC

Kelis Robinson (t2018, s2020): The Batsheva Dance Company; The Juilliard School

Kiarra Waidelich (m2016, j2018, t2020): Royal Flux Company

Quinn Starner (t2017): New York City Ballet Corps de Ballet

Emma Sutherland (j2014, t2016): MashUp Contemporary Dance Co.

Sarah Pippin (t2011): Ballet BC

Timmy Blankenship (s2017): Sydney Dance Company; choreographer

Brady Farrar (m2014, j2017, t2021): ABT Junior Company

Easton Magliarditi (t2020): Royal Flux Company

Graham Feeny (t2015): Artistic associate at Gibney Company

Logan Hernandez (t2015): Göteborgs Operans Danskompani

Zenon Zubyk (t2013): Nederlands Dans Theater

Jonathan Wade (j2011, s2016): Rambert Dance Company

Wyeth Walker (s2017): Rubberband Dance Company

Faculty/teacher/choreography:

Lucy Vallely (t2015, s2018): Broadway Dance Center, freelance choreographer

Jayci Kalb ( j2011, t2014, s2016): The Dance Centre; Radio City Clara 2010

Taylor Sieve (s2016): Jump Dance Convention

Jenna Johnson (s2012): DWTS pro, 24 Seven Dance Convention

Jazzmin James (t2012, s2015): faculty several intensives

Jaycee Wilkins (j2015): Club Dance Studio

Sophia Lucia (j2014): Dancelab OC

Brynn Rumfallo (m2014): Strive Dance Workshop (own project)

Talia Seitel (m2012): Project 21 (part-time)

Lex Ishimoto (t2014, s2016): Jump Dance Convention

at University/college:

Ellie Wagner (s2019): Ohio State University Dance Team

Ella Horan (s2021): USC Kaufman

Kayla Mak (m2014, s2021): The Juilliard School; Radio City Clara 2014, 2015

Brianna Keingatti (s2022): The Juilliard School

Julia Lowe (s2023): USC Kaufman

Ava Wagner (j2018): University of Minnesota Dance Team

Avery Gay (m2015, j2017): University of Arizona School of Dance

Leara Stanley (m2011): Duke University

Sam Fine (s2023): USC Kaufman; Young Arts 2022

Seth Gibson: The Juilliard School

Alex Shulman (s2022): New York University Tisch Dance

Joziah German (m2014, t2018, s2020): The Juilliard School

Joey Gertin (t2018): The Juilliard School

Professional dancer/choreographer:

Simrin Player (t2014, s2017): The Voice, Missy Elliot, Justin Bieber, RBD

Jaxon Williard (s2021): Rihanna, Madonna, Lil Nas X

D'Angelo Castro (j2012, t2016, s2019): DWTS troupe

Findlay Mcconnell (t2017, s2019): Tate McRace

Christian Smith (s2018): Tate McRae, NBC's Saved by the Bell

Keanu Uchida (s2014): Dancer the Musical; also a big advocate for protecting dancers and calling out inappropriate behaviour

Eric Schloesser (s2014): Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, J Balvin; choreographer, creative director, designer; Dana Foglia Dance Company

Other/a combo of things:

Bianca Melchior (s2011): actor, dancer, singer; Nick Jonas, Alessia Cara, own music; faculty at On The Floor dance competition

Tate McRae (m2013, j2015, t2018): singer/songwriter

Bostyn Brown (j2016, t2019): Professional assistant at DanceOne

Megan Goldstein (t2017); dancer, photographer

Christina Ricucci (t2013): actor, musician, dancer

Bella Klassen (j2017): The Space, vlogger

Kalani Hilliker (j2013): influencer, teaching at several places (Danceplex, MBA)

Elliana Walmsley (m2018): influencer, DWTS Junior, Radio City Clara 2019

Diana Pombo (m2016): singer/songwriter, dancer, actor; Young Arts voice 2023+2024

Morgan Higgins (t2016, s2018): dancer, aerialist

Zelig Williams (s2013):dancer/actor: MJ the Musical, Hamilton

Daniel Gaymon (s2011): dancer/actor; Broadway (Cats, The Lion King); Hamilton national tour, La La Land

Ricky Ubeda (t2011, s2012): choreographer, actor; Steven Spielberg's West Side Story

Michael Hall (s2015): Saturday Night Fever the Musical, tv dancer in Cairo, Egypt; teacher

Julian Elia (t2014): Steven Spielberg's Westside Story, working on the development of a new Broadway musical

Sage Rosen (t2016): influencer; DWTS Junior

Ryan Maw (j2015, t2017): choreographer, dancer, actor: High School Musical: The Musical - The Series

Holden Maples (j2016, t2019): dancer, teacher, choreographer

Competing/not graduated honorable mentions:

Cameron Voorhees (m2018, j2021, t2023): Evolve Dance Complex; starting career as a teacher/choreographer

Crystal Huang (m2019, j2021, t2023): The Rock Center for Dance, Bayer Ballet Academy; Prix De Lausanne 2024, Young Arts 2024, Radio City Clara 2021

Hailey Bills (m2017, t2022): Center Stage Performing Arts Studio, DWTS Junior

Brightyn Brems (m2017): DWTS Junior

Avery Hall (t2022): Danceology; Young Arts 2023

Savannah Kristich (t2021): The Rock Center For Dance; Twyla Now

Savannah Manzel (m2020): Larkin Dance Studio, Radio City Clara 2023

Kya Massimino (m2021): Radio City Clara 2023

Ian Stegeman (m2019, j2021, t2023): Woodbury Dance Center, Young Arts 2024

[killa-trav]

Vettel leads race in sports nutrition

Sebastian Vettel has become the lead investor in a British sports supplement brand that has raised £1.2 million to commercialise its plant-based formula.

Bill Ronald, chairman of the Fever-Tree drinks mixer brand and a former Mars executive, is also investing and is becoming chairman of BACX, which is based in Oxford.

Vettel, 35, the four-time Formula One world motor racing champion, said he had been introduced to the supplement two years ago by Antti Kontsas, his long-time performance coach, as they explored ways to improve the driver’s hydration and energy levels during races.

“We were always looking for the next thing to get fitter and in terms of supplementation,” Vettel said. “A big one has always been fuelling during a race because it’s quite complicated in the car, you have all the G-forces. Antti brought this product along. I tried it out at home first, during exercising and training, and it worked. I felt good and energised and shortly afterwards put it in my drinks bottle.” Unlike with other products, Vettel had no stomach pain later.

He said the consumer market for BACX was broad: “It is not like this is the perfect product for Formula One drivers. This is the perfect product for anyone who cares about their wellbeing, who is active. It doesn’t need to be extreme sports.”

BACX was founded in 2020 by Jason Baits-Tomlin, a former Gallaher and Japan Tobacco International executive, who came up with the idea after breaking his hip during an endurance bike race in South Africa in 2016. He developed the formulation as part of studying for an executive MBA at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School.

Baits-Tomlin, 49, said that like Vettel he had suffered side-effects from using existing sports drinks and powders and had decided to develop a natural formula using plants.

The brand’s “Performance Fuel” concentrate is sold via its website and soon will be available on Amazon. “We will then transfer the tech into a sports drink that will be launching in the summer,” Baits-Tomlin said. He expects to the product to be launched in Germany, Italy, France and Spain this year and hopes to raise another round of investment from venture capital in 12 months’ time.

Other sports stars to have gone into business have included Chris Froome, the cyclist and four-time Tour de France winner, who has a stake in Hammerhead, an American start-up that makes cycling computers, and Chris Smalling, the former Manchester United defender now playing in Italy, who co-founded ForGood, an investment firm backing environmental start-ups.

BY RICHARD TYLER VIA THE TIMES

[whomst-art-thou-whomst-whomst]

Whomst Reviews: Ghost Doctor

(For those of you Kdrama Tumblrites who haven’t seen this masterpiece yet)

So you know how you watched an episode of Gray’s Anatomy and thought, this would be better if it was gayer and had more ghosts?

Have I got the show for YOU

Episode 1 Recap:

Once upon a time, there was a grumpy introvert heart surgeon named Cha Youngmin. He’s out here in his fancy little suits existing day to day for his work, being That Bitch to everyone to avoid feeling things, just him and his sugar glider son Man Du against the world.

Enter: one (1) naive but pure-hearted rich boy twink named Go Seungtak who loves drinking fancy coffee, showering people with gifts, taking naps, and avoiding real responsibility due to trauma-related anxiety and depression issues (so this is my drama debut tbh)

Necessarily, they clash! Bc Seungtak is the hospital foundation heir, his grandfather has decided that in order to manage the hospital, Seungtak should become a surgeon instead of using his MBA to manage things (not quite following the logic here but sure), and Youngmin, as an esteemed (if disliked) surgeon and all-around girlboss, does Not Like That.

Seungtak immediately falls in love becomes fascinated with Youngmin’s personality and impressed by his skills, and follows him around like the puppy-brained little shit he is. 

Unfortunately, as Youngmin simultaneously decides to make “tormenting Seungtak” his whole personality, this leads to a sad Puppy being first humiliated during a surgery then exiled to ER work. Mondays, bro. 

It’s the first warning we see that Youngmin can allow his emotions to sway his judgment (you know, that thing he bitches at everyone about doing? yeah), because:

1.) he let a first-year resident help with an operation on his first day at work,

2.) he immediately jumps to conclusions and publicly berates that resident for failures instead of assessing what went wrong, and

3.) he’s assigned as Seungtak’s mentor but jettisons him asap the next day after Seungtak witnesses him arguing with his ex (more on her in a sec)

It’s hard to say what would have become of the pair if not for a series of unfortunate and premeditated events brought to us by Hospital Mean Girl Han Seungwon and Corporate Asshat Jang Minho, and liberally edited by Bitch-Ass-Liar An Taehyeon. 

The grandpa-style chairman of a corporation thingy goes in for surgery that Youngmin is initially reluctant to try, as it has a low chance of success and would not give him much more time. We see multiple times that Youngmin will give up on a risky patient rather than spend extra money for what he assumes/judges to be futile efforts. However! Then his ex SeJin shows up, and surprise she’s the daughter of said chairman, who left Korea and now works in Seattle as a neurosurgeon at Seattle Grace Hospital

Having researched her dad’s condition, she doesn’t want Youngmin to do the surgery either; so naturally, Youngmin decides to do the surgery. 

This is ultimately what sets everything else into motion. The chairman’s surgery is an initial success, but then Youngmin gets a text from SeJin and leaves his resting  patient behind (we are told that a surgeon is supposed to stay and monitor the patient until they wake up).

Next thing we know, Youngmin has been in an accident:( and he’s having an out of body experience. We are talking full Patrick Swayze here. He gets rushed to his own hospital.

Who’s available in the ER to assess the patient? Yep, Youngmin’s played himself here, because Seungtak is on duty. Ghost Youngmin screams a lot at people who can’t hear him, realizes that he can’t touch anything in the physical world and thus can’t save himself with his ghost body, and cycles through stages of grief like he’s doing the Tour de France. Oops. 

After assessment, Seungtak takes him to the ER so some surgeon can perform a cardiac tamponade surgery—except the surgeons aren’t answering their phones. Like, none of them. What the hell is going on in this hospital??

So then our brave little toaster Takkie decides to pick up the scalpel himself, despite being visibly panicked. Youngmin, an eternal micromanager, automatically reaches to correct Seungtak’s grip and possesses him instead. 

We end the episode with Youngmin doing surgery on himself??

[kccinstitutes]

Industrial Visit to HAIER Appliances India Private Limited

KCC Institute of Legal & Higher Education, Greater Noida organized an Industrial Visit to HAIER Appliances India Private Limited, Gr. Noida on 17 April 2023 for students of BBA and BCOM(H). This visit enabled them to understand the functioning and overall processes of household electronics/ consumer durables. Visit started with a presentation followed by the plant tour. Students got in-depth knowledge and understanding of the manufacturing processes of AC and Refrigerators by visiting and observing everything live. Students got the opportunity to experience the assembling lines and each step of assembly of these home appliances.  This visit was highly instructive and useful for understanding how a manufacturing plant operates and how each created product is verified several times before being packaged and sent to retail locations. Through this factory tour, students understood the importance of quality by observing the concept of 6S, Zero error, 100% uptime etc. Visit also gave exposure to innovative products which Haier is bringing to make our homes smart through IOT and automation.  

KCCILHE is thankful to Haier Appliances for providing this opportunity to our budding managers.

#kcciilhe #kccitm #ggsipu #ipuniversity #aktu #bba #bca #bajmc #bcomh #btech #greaternoida #Placements #Job #placement #mba #bballb #ballb #mtech #KCC #Institutes #Greater #Noida https://www.kccitm.edu.in

[virtchandmoir]

A CONVERSATION WITH SCOTT MOIR

At M.K. John Wilson Trophy, I had the pleasure of sitting down with two-time Olympic Champion and three-time World Champion Scott Moir. We spoke in two parts, the first before the free dance event and the second after the competition had ended.

Support us on Patreon (Senior Skaters tier) to get the full audio of the interview right now. Alternatively, follow us on YouTube. Once we hit 400 subscribers, we will release it there!

January 20, 2023

Are you more nervous now, as a coach than you were as a skater? How are the emotions different?

They’re just different. To be honest, I use a lot of the same tactics to prepare, like visual training, but it’s just a little bit different. So my athletes, hopefully, we’ve – my team and I – have prepared them well, at home. And when they get here, I’m trying to figure out what each of them needs in the moment. So I use my visualising skills for the coach that I want to be. And for me, I’m a very passionate competitive person. So most of the time, that means having very clear, simpler thoughts, and clear messages. And then also, the biggest thing that I learned from Patrice [Lauzon] is just calm energy. You know, when you’re going into these high-pressure moments, and you’ve done all the work, the biggest thing you want [is] to look back and see [that] your coach has your back, and is there for you. So really, make sure the athletes know that, but it’s a different feeling as they perform. Obviously, it’s so intense when you’re skating. Because you have the cue on every single thing.

For me, as a coach, you’re learning. So try to enjoy the moment, but also as they compete, the training exposes itself. What can we do better, where do we go compared to the field, compared to what our end goal is? So I find the competition as a coach such great feedback, such great information that I have to be quite sharp. So I don’t find I get as lost in the moment because I have to be on my toes.

How soon after retiring, did you actually sort of fully start coaching?

“Fully start coaching…” I’d say it was about three years. Luckily, I had a couple of years of retirement after 2014 as well. So I kind of knew what I was expecting. And my experience at I.AM changed my outlook on coaching, as well as on figure skating and wanting to be involved. Patrice, Marie-France [Dubreuil], Romain [Haguenauer] and the coaching staff there, Sam Chouinard, Gigi [Cournoyer]. They changed my life. And it changed how I felt about the sport, and they empowered me to be my best self and learn what that is and who that was. And it inspired me to want to do that for other people.

So it wasn’t that long after. We toured, we did all that. And Marie-France and Patrice were always very good role models for us. So they’d kind of given me that, like ‘You go on tour and enjoy‘ and Tess and I wanted to celebrate together. But not very long after – two, three years after – we kind of started thinking – because we’d already retired once and done tours and we’re doing a show – and we just looked at each other and were kind of like ‘This isn’t the same’. We both had other projects that we were putting on hold: her getting her MBA and working for Deloitte, and for me, the skating school. So as much as we miss each other daily, it was time to move on and not perform anymore. And then that, for me, kind of allowed me to start coaching and really dive in. Luckily, my family already had a skating school and they had already been training a lot of the athletes I work with today. And then the collaboration with I.AM really came together. So I came in at quite a high level. It was exciting right from the beginning.

© I.Am Ice Academy of Montreal | Instagram

How did that collaboration come about?

Mostly just support from Ice Academy of Montreal. I think this coaching team – they’re so sophisticated and they do what they do so well. It’s a big honour for me to call them colleagues, but I really still, in many ways, see them as my coaches and I think, for them, the coaching doesn’t stop when your career stops. They always want to inspire, and now we inspire each other a little bit more. And they are really great at not just coaching me but allowing me to find my own feet.

So after we were done skating, they just continued to coach and I was talking with Patrice and they had me come in a couple of times and their energy at their rink really inspired me. Patrice had this idea to try and multiply what they had created in Montreal and if we’re doing what we say we’re doing at the academy, some of us should be coming into maturity and hopefully we can create better skating schools throughout the world and kind of make the footprint of the movement a little bit larger. So when he said that, to me, it fired me up. And I wanted to really do my own thing. But I would have done my own thing, I think, in Montreal, if I hadn’t met my wife and missed my family and all that stuff. I still think my home is in Ontario. But professionally, I was a little bit upset, because I would love to be beside them in Montreal and join forces. And then when they came up with this idea, and we started to talk about it, and I had kind of been thinking of it as well, like ‘Hey, is there any way we could have a partnership?’ And then Patrice kind of took it one step further, and had this idea of it being a campus of our I.AM schools and so that kind of came very naturally. We were building it all up for a long time in the background, before we actually launched. And yeah, we’re still learning. We’re still young – what they built over many, many years – so they get a lot of SOS phone calls. And even just to share resources helps us a lot: dance coaches and known professionals. Like having Sam Chouinard in a couple of weeks ago really helps our kids. There’s just a certain environment, and it’s hard because we want to be our own, but what they do, they do so well. So we model a lot of the things we do after them as well.

Your first sort of, I guess, big team that came to you after you became a coach was Christina [Carreira] and Anthony [Ponomarenko]. How did they approach you? And what was that sort of communication like?

Yeah, they were looking for a new training environment. And they approached both Patrice and me. And we were, you know, – Patrice and his relationship with US figure skating – already working with the top three teams in the country – top two teams in the country now. And we are trying to decide whether there was enough room for them. And that was before MIDA [Michigan Ice Dance Academy] was up and running. And so we have this idea that they can kind of be the leaders of our school with the help of the Montreal staff. So we created this collaboration, which is what we see the whole movement being: all about collaborating in a combination of different people. For me, I think the most powerful and enlightening moment this year was bringing in Madison [Hubbell] and Adrian [Diaz] and seeing them, now, kind of taking flight, taking ownership, really helping our athletes and then going to Montreal, seeing Guillaume [Cizeron] choreographing and working with so many athletes – what a great opportunity for us to try and expand. And so it’s been pretty cool to see all of that happening.

But Christina and Anthony, they kind of threw us into the game right away in Ontario. We love working with Christina and Anthony every day and seeing what they bring to the school. Their competitiveness and their willingness to learn. They are already accomplished skaters, but we’re trying to rebuild what they’re doing.

© Christina Carreira | Instagram

Just to get a maturity and keep taking them to the next level. And they’re all in and you know, there are some days when I think ‘Oh, man, should you be trusting me with this?’ But we come into the lab everyday together and we try and be our best and because of that I find the job of working with them extremely rewarding.

You have a few other Canadian teams as well like Sales and Wamsteeker, Hensen/Lickers, and recently had Alyssa Robinson and Jacob Portz move to you. Can you talk a bit about them, their training, and what they’re up to?

Absolutely. Haley and Nik here at Skate America – Skate America. Jesus. Sheffield. Anyways, what’s it called…MK dance? Cup of China? whatever we’re at! But to be at a Grand Prix is big for them. They need to get in with the best of the world. In Canada, we have a thick middle field, and they’re amongst that field and they’re looking for ways to make a splash. So yesterday was quite disappointing for them. They didn’t want to be in that position. They’re looking to fight back today. But everything for them is there.

Same for Christina and Anthony – they had to do a lot last year. They’re redefining themselves, trying to push themselves to go in different directions. They’ve skated for a little bit longer, in terms of their age, but now they need to really challenge themselves to kind of break through. So it’s not easy when you get into this arena and the Grand Prix – everyone’s good. So we’ll be hoping to have a breakthrough performance today.

And then Alyssa and Jake – we were very pleased to get the call from them. Alyssa’s from down the road for me – about an hour down the road, but down the road in southwestern Ontario. She was in our synchro program at the Ilderton Skating Club before she ended up at West skating with Jacob so we’re very happy to have her home. And I think they’re an interesting team. They’re gonna make quite the splash. We love how they’re, again, they come in, and they buy in a bit more to our style. And they bring their best every day, It’s just kind of what we demand of our athletes. And they’ve been great. And it’s been tough. They came halfway through the summer, because of schooling stuff. At the beginning of summer really, but for us, that’s halfway through the summer. And they had a couple of performances early on that we didn’t think would be possible to be honest, because everything was so new and so fresh. And we’re like ‘Okay, let’s just see how it works out‘. And it worked out really well in the first couple events. And now we’re at a point where we’re trying to get them to look more mature, get them to really take a step because they give us these little really refined glimpses of maturity and speed and power. We want them to bring that to every performance. We did an event a couple weeks ago, where we were very happy with how they were performing in practice, in the lead up, and the whole goal was to try and make them be quite aggressive. So they did that until the performance. The performance they still kind of shied away to try and be clean. Of course, which isn’t the goal but really hard for an athlete to try and get away from so they have some growing to do but we’re very excited about them.

And then Nate and Lil – they’re in Austria right now. And I’ve worked with them since they were knee high to a grasshopper, it feels like, I’m very proud of the work. My mom and my aunt have developed the school and Sheri and Cara, my cousins, and Justin Trojek they’ve really brought them from the grassroots up. And now we’ve kind of integrated this team and we’re all working together. But we – Madi and Adri and I – feel very fortunate of the work that they’ve done to bring them to this level. So for Lil and Nate, it’s about getting them exposure this year, they were a COVID Junior Grand Prix team, you know, they were due to have some international experiences and didn’t get that –obviously – because of the pandemic. So for Skate Canada to send them to Austria was a big deal for them. That’s their first international event ever. And they started out with a bang, they’ll be skating like now-ish. And every opportunity that they get, they just seem to kind of organically grow. And we’re very, very proud of them for that. And it’s little things, you forget what this sport teaches you. But as a coach now, I reflect on it much more – rising to the moment, being good people, but demanding the most of yourself every day. It’s fun to see kids I’ve known since they were 13 and 14 and see them really grasp some of those concepts and hope that it can serve them well in their life after skating.

Yeah, I know Lily and Nathan have a lot of fans already. And they were very excited when they got an international.

Good! I’m happy for them. They have a certain quality and they relate to each other really well on the ice. And that’s becoming more and more consistent. So that’s fun.

How do you decide which programs you choreograph versus having your skaters work with other choreographers?

We’re still kind of refining that, actually. But it’s a team decision really. So we meet and we’ll decide and we’ll make different decisions. Last year, I kind of oversaw everybody and was just kind of picking and choosing I guess, and then, depending on how it was going, make little tweaks. But almost everybody on our team really believes in collaborating. Our best example of that I think is Christina and Anthony’s free dance with Madison and Marie-France.

I loved what I saw in practice.

Yeah, I can’t wait for you to see it today. And then Adri and Madi and myself, we kind of all had a hand in Phantom with Haley and Nik. So everybody kind of gets a touch and we all throw ideas around and then it’s not that complicated. We sit and we have a vote ‘What do we think we should do? What’s the best strategy?’ And then we pick and I try and steer and give as much guidance as I possibly can from my career. But the goal is to have so many good people in the room that the decisions are – maybe not everybody agrees – but we know that we can give certain projects to different people. So that part, we’re really starting to really enjoy. The first little bit, I was quite intimidated by that. Now, as I empower my team and see them really grow and blossom, it’s one of the most fun parts of the whole process.

How do you feel you’re maybe growing as a choreographer yourself?

My choreography style is changing. I was very lucky, I think, to have the influence of Marie-France and Romain. I see myself more as the element guy now a little bit, as well as like ‘Okay, that’s working. Let’s try this!’ And trying to challenge the creative team. And then I jump in and get my hands dirty on certain projects, when I feel inspired, but I think I stepped back a bit this year, for some, and that really allowed me – instead of having to do so many projects – to focus in on certain things and be a little bit cleaner. I was overwhelmed a little bit last year. So I had to kind of learn that lesson a little bit. And then my choreography style is changing, just in how I prepare. So it’s a little bit more calculated. You know, I was crazy inspired last year. But it was crazy inspired, things that I wanted to do. So I am learning. And then Marie-France and Romain, I mean that’s why I am this way. One of the reasons they’ve been so successful is how they personalise their choreography for each student. And every program is different and it plays to the strength of that particular student. So I am just starting to figure out how to use that. I think I have a long way to go. Choreography is one of the things that I enjoy doing. But it isn’t a natural strength for me, I really have to work at it and I embrace that. And I’m very proud of some of the product that we’re able to create. But I also get a huge sense of relief. Having Adri and Cara and Sheri and Madi in the rink, I can just literally cruise over and be like, ‘uggghhhhh this count of eight is killing me.’ And then they seem to be able to wave their wands. And it’s not like ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ It’s like ‘Yes, we have a sweet team!’

Do you have a particular style you prefer choreographing?

Most of the styles I prefer, I haven’t been able to do yet. I think more of the classic ice skating stuff. And then a bit more passion driven. I think we’ll get get there as our athletes mature. But yeah, I like the classic skating style. But then I also really like a bit more modern. The athletes relating to each other, being able to tell a story, kind of cat and mouse, back and forth. So that’s my strength, I think. I always really dove into that as a performer, I’d get to work with the best woman in the world, Tessa, so when we got into those energies, it was so much fun. So helping these athletes kind of create their own and how they play off each other. Obviously, it’s a little different sometimes. But I think when we have that interaction that’s more playful, that’s when the product is the best. I won’t say I’m doing my best work, because my style, mostly, is exposing what lives within the athletes. Like when I work with Marie-France, she’s a genius. She’s able to switch things and change things and has a unique perspective. She works like hell to have this. I think that’s what people don’t understand. She works for it. She puts a lot of prep time in, but there is a certain touch. She just understands the speed of the game. It’s her that convinced me that ‘No, you have to awaken it from within the kids and let them take ownership’. Especially when we get to the elite level of kids in their 20s. They’ve all grown up TikTok dancing, and they want to be involved. They would like to create [and be involved in the] process more and more. So we have to empower them to take ownership of their own work.

© Madison Hubbell | Instagram

How did Madison and Adrian approach you?

I approached them. We had Christina and Anthony and Haley and Nik came up within the year and we were hoping for our school to continue to grow. And I worked with Madison. I worked with Madison the last couple of years on their free. I felt like, in that project, more of a passenger, that got to point out the obvious things. And they kind of ruined choreographing for me for a little bit, because they’re so damn good.

So I could be like ‘I want you to try this.’ And it wouldn’t necessarily even make sense. But Madi and Zach they can make anything [make sense]. And then the first time it’s gold, and you start to think ‘Holy shit. Maybe I am a great choreographer.’ And then you work with a 10-year-old and 12-year-old and you’re like ‘Oh, no, there we go. I’m back again.’ So when I was working with Madison, I would skate over to Patrice and Marie-France, as we’re trying to grow this academy and just be like ‘You know, Madi and I, we get each other.’ She’s a genius, and how she works through things. And I kind of said ‘I want her in London.’ And then [came] the end of Adri’s career. We grew up skating together, Adri and I, but I worked with him only twice. And I saw big change in Adri. How much he’d matured in that year, how he matured in his performance, how he matured and how he handled himself at the rink and his passion I always knew. So they’re a little bit of a dream team for me. So I’ve made a list. I won’t tell you who else is on the list, because I’m hoping that they’ll end up on our team as well – one day – but they were at the top of my list. So it was another dream come true moment. At I.AM Ontario, our wish list goes: to be an I.AM academy – which happened – and to have Madi and Adrian at our campus. So we had our two first wishes. We’re hoping for a third. They were all in as soon as we talked about it. Now we wanted to be sure because Madison still performs, and Adri – and we’ve made that very clear – if he wants to perform he should. So they have that clause too as they discover themselves. They’re allowed to do that.

So this season, a lot of changes have happened with the rules. What’s your opinion on there being no pattern in the rhythm dance?

Yeah, I go back and forth on that one. What I said yesterday in the meeting – and I have to tip my cap to the dance tech committee that they’re asking us, trying to poll everyone and to work collaboratively, you create an ice dance event that everyone likes – but I don’t mind it. I don’t think there’s a major flaw right now. I miss pattern dances a bit. The problem with pattern dances is how they’re judged. I like pattern dances because of the old-school patterns on the ice. Speed, dance position, like the older style of ice dance, and nobody really seems to care about that anymore. So I always wonder, why are we keeping it around for key points when it’s not really the spirit of the dance? But I do miss it in the program this year, I would remove PST and put pattern dance back in. I thought the choreo step is fun. I think we can change the pattern to make it even more fun. But we need to be a little bit more exciting for the audience. And I think the choreo step has done that, when people turn on and everyone has access to good dancing, so to have a little breakdown moment in the program, I think that’s fun.

What are your opinion on the new choreo elements?

Love ’em. I would take more. Yeah, I like the choreo elements. I’m a little jealous that I never got to do any of them.

Do you have a favourite, maybe?

I liked the new jumps quite a bit. I always love choreo lifts. I think we need to open the freedom of the rules as well in the lifts but I’ve really enjoyed the choreo lifts, and the jumps are kind of like mini lifts so just to have a sequence of little jumps is great too. So just to have the freedom to create.

I mean really, any of them, the slide. I’d like it if they were marked to be a little bit more subtle instead of like on the big music all the time. But we’re finding that you got to battle with what scores well and what completes the program. I’d like to see a little bit more of that but other than that I really like the choreo element. I think it’s appropriately marked, the amount of points you get is good, and it affects the second mark. It helps you build a program instead of the cookie-cutter, which is tough challenge with this new system. We call it the new system, [even though] it is 20 years old.

What’s the process like for finding music for your teams?

It’s different for everybody. We don’t give music ideas to our teams until they bring some first. So mostly our more mature teams, we discuss the direction they want to go. And we talk about it. And then pretty much, we kind of go back and talk as a coaching team and then say ‘This is kind of what we think.’ And a lot of times I’ll call Marie-France and Romain and discuss things, just to double-check, especially if they get stuck. Or even, some of the judges and people I really trust.

Sort of a bigger question. But looking back over your career, what are some of your favourite programs that you’ve done?

Well, Moulin Rouge came from Tessa and I’s heart and soul. And with Marie-France and Patrice and Sam all collaborating – It’s a special one. It’s not the most original one or groundbreaking, but it came from our souls. And we love the music. And so that was probably my favourite in the end. And then programs are so much about the maturity of, I guess, the stage of maturing that you’re at. And little ones like Valse Triste, Umbrellas, you know, they have a special place in my heart as well. And also, we went back into Pink Floyd for our last number, because the Pink Floyd free dance is probably the project that I connected with the most. It felt like a great opportunity. And we didn’t get the chance to really train it and deliver it as we wanted. That’s hard. I mean, it’s art, right? So I think depending on what phase I’m in in life, I like to go into different directions at different times. But I think Moulin Rouge because it’s kind of the culmination of all of them into one program.

What’s it like training skaters that grew up being a fan of yours and see you as an idol?

I think it’s a bit of a challenge, actually. A lot of them are fans. And naturally, they kind of want to be like you. But of course, sport is so revolutionary. If they’re like me, they’re not gonna do very well, even now, it’s four years out. There’s a challenge in getting them to believe in themselves. And it’s powerful because I can remind them of the stages. Even the athletes that I train – they see me in 2018 and assume that that was me in 2008 or in 1998. That’s just not the case, my coaches will tell you that.

© I.Am Ice Academy of Montreal | Instagram

Did you use any music now that you vetoed from your career?

There are a couple of pieces that we ended up using. To be honest Christina and Anthony’s Summertime – Tess and I always wanted to use. We love the score, but we just didn’t have the piece to go with it. We also talked about using it for Madison. And when Marie-France brought it back on the table this year – and with that first little cool piece – it was kind of one that we had always wanted to skate to and brought it back for the students. But there’s a couple of those kicking around, I’d say, yeah.

Might we see another one in the future for one of your teams?

Yeah, I don’t know. It’d be interesting. Our teams are developing so much and hopefully maturing, day in and day out. So it’s tough to tell where they’ll end up in a year’s time or so.

Do you have the same coaching method for every team or do you adapt to different teams?

I adapt on certain things. I try my best, anyways, to adapt to things. I’m still getting my legs in coaching. But most teams need different things, from team to team and we’re an elite sport. So it needs to be a personalised plan, not everyone’s gonna come to conclusions the same way. So I try and motivate. Mostly what I do is to coach every day [like I coach] in competition. So they’re not surprised.

Do you think your time as a skater and longevity as a skater helps you coach a different way?

I think so. Well, it’s the same thing with longevity as a coach. Every experience brings lessons and kind of puts more tools in your toolbox that you can use. So I think so, I really think it does. We were in a lot of situations and can at least understand what the athletes are going through. And I think that’s what makes me a powerful young coach, just because it wasn’t that long ago. I remember some of the feelings exactly. So the hard part of that is putting it through the right filter and making sure that it’s what’s right for them, not how I handled it. I can sympathise with what they’re feeling. But then help them come to a solution that’s right for them.

With Christina and Anthony – Anthony had surgery in February, I think you said, and was off the ice for some time. You’ve sort of been in the opposite situation.

Yeah, I’ve been in Christina’s shoes.

Did that sort of experience help you with how to help Christina during that time?

It did help me build a plan for Christina. I will say I was pretty shocked with how little help Christina needed. She handled the time off brilliantly. She came in, did her work and did a couple of extra projects. That filled her cup – things you wouldn’t usually get to do, like that ice princess movie thing that she did. I think there were dancers and Sam Chouinard choreographed some stuff so they were in the background. And so she was in Montreal for a couple of weeks doing that. But then pecking away, working a lot on her turns. They came in April – May, really – of last year, and then we started to pick things apart and work on everything. And there were a lot of things that she caught up on in that time when she was off – some of her turns – and to see her technical scores at this competition reflect that made me happy. But also she didn’t get crazy about it either. You know, from my experience, I was like ‘Okay, I’m gonna really go for it – really improve.’ And when Tessa came back, I wasn’t supportive, and I was kind of aggressively ready to go. And Christina was super supportive to Anthony, worked on all of her stuff, improved day in day out. So I thought she really handled that masterfully.

© Skate Canada | Instagram

You had two couples here in Sheffield [Haley Sales/Nikolas Wamsteeker & Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko.] What were your overall thoughts on their performances?

I think it’s kind of very different performances. For Christina and Anthony, it’s the first competition of the year. So they’ve been doing really well with Anthony’s recovery and his ankle, but they’re stepping in with teams that have competed three or four times already. And they are coming off a really frustrating year for them. So I think it was a big week for them to perform and it filled them with quite a bit of pressure. And you started to see some of their maturity come through a little bit, where they relied on their training, focused on the cues that we’ve been working on at home, and had excellent performances. Which is exactly what they have been doing in training.

Haley and Nik had a bit of a tough week. They were struggling with a little bit of some sickness, but have been training quite well. And this week, it wasn’t the skating that I’ve been seeing at home. It was still strong, there were no major errors. So I think people need to remember and understand that the heat of competition can be crippling, and the pressure is much greater than the run-throughs they do day in and day out. So I think they felt that pressure a little bit. But they were able to still compete well, at least. Good, with no major mistakes. But they’re missing a little bit of the magic that makes Haley and Nik Haley and Nick.

Their connection and speed across the ice is a big one. And then just a little bit of the finish on their elements. They’re fantastic lifters, but they’re starting to understand how to move on the ice as well throughout their footworks, particularly him. And this week, under the pressure, we kind of went back a little bit to square movements and not letting the glide at the blade be effortless and in ice dance, you know, you really pay the price for that. It’s a great exposure for them to be at a Grand Prix, just like last year, and every time they get out, they learned more and more. And so we’ll sit down and take the lessons from this one and rebuild for the next couple competitions.

Do you set goals for your skaters each season or maybe each competition?

We set goals – the skaters set goals and I help them. I kind of see myself as the consultant. And they’re in charge. They’re driving the ship as it may be. So yeah, we set goals and we renew those goals often and share them with the team and then make sure that they’re very clear and honest with their team and themselves on what their goals are. It’d be different goals than you’d think. So very rarely, or most of the time, it’s not on placement or comparison. It’s more so on performance or getting levels or points. But, I mean, you could have seen a little bit of that as well too, with Haley and Nik. We certainly, and they certainly, don’t see themselves as that far behind the other Canadian team. And they were yesterday. And they didn’t have a great skate, but I think it kind of deflated them a little bit. We’ll be looking for them to respond a little bit better the next time that that happens and hopefully, that didn’t get the best of them. We’ll be doing kind of a recap.That’s the part I love about coaching, right? You get those lessons and sport is a beautiful thing. It’s not always pretty, it’s not always triumphant. But most of the time it gives you what you deserve, you can take what you must from it and then we have a great opportunity to grow.

© Romain Hagenauer | Instagram

What are your thoughts overall on this competition, the crowd here?

I’d like to come back every year, if I’m being honest. Britain did a really fantastic job – England and the city of Sheffield – of hosting this event. The crowd was electric. You know, I kind of liked the smaller venue, everybody in their seats, ready. It was a full arena at every event, and that brought a certain amount of energy to the building. I think, still recovering from COVID, with people not used to skating in front of groups – like some of these young athletes, you forget, they came up during COVID. So they haven’t had these big moments. I think of Lilah and Lewis in front of a home crowd with a packed stadium. That’s a pretty cool moment for them. So we really enjoyed our time here in Sheffield, and it says a lot I think about the British ice dancing fan or the ice skating fan. Happy that they were able to step up and host a Grand Prix.

I think that’s almost everything I wanted to ask. Away from skating, what are the sorts of things you do to de-stress?

Well I’m doing lots of things now, away from skating. Settling into a bit more of a, quote-unquote normal life, or at least a rhythm in life. Everyone talks about the transition from being an athlete, and I was definitely no different. I never, or haven’t yet, had depression, or any of that stuff, but certainly, it’s just finding your rhythm, right? And what you’re gonna do, even like the first little bit, you have a cheeseburger or a beer, and be like ‘Oh, I’m so bad.’ And then it’d be like, wait, no, I’m 35, this is very normal. So it still just kind of catches me off guard that stuff. But I’m very fortunate, I found the love of my life. And we got married earlier this year. So that took up a lot of our time. And we have a baby girl. So that has enriched my life in a way that you expect and everyone warns you about, but I just had no way of preparing for it – knowing how beautiful it was going to be. And then I play sports and I’m not great at very many of them. I’m on the ice every day, but I still play hockey a couple of times a week. And then I’m Canadian, so I curl a little bit, twice a week now, too. So we’re busy. We’re a busy family. And then the life of a skating coach feels like it’s 24/7 a little bit, so there’s not a lot of extra time left in the Moir household!

—Anything GOEs

[frequently-studies]

18/10/23

Day 13 to 24 of my 100 days of studying challenge!

I’m done with my midterms! 10 days of living on 3 hours of sleep, but I can say they went pretty well!! Awaiting results now.

I have a introductory MBA exams prep class today and tomorrow and my course will start from 21st. Really looking forward to it <3

I will be attending Taylor Swift’s eras tour movie when it comes out in my country next month! So I’m currently listening to all Taylor Swift songs, trying to memorise the lyrics for my best friend who’s a huge swiftie!!

[saucylittlesmile]

I usually write in my tags but I decided to this instead, eith Scott’s long interview:

They changed my life. And it changed how I felt about the sport, and they empowered me to be my best self and learn what that is and who that was

I was going to write something but in this case, I felt a picture was worth a thousand words.

But not very long after – two, three years after – we kind of started thinking – because we’d already retired once and done tours and we’re doing a show – and we just looked at each other and were kind of like ‘This isn’t the same’. We both had other projects that we were putting on hold: her getting her MBA and working for Deloitte, and for me, the skating school. So as much as we miss each other daily, it was time to move on and not perform anymore.

I mean, we already knew this; they didn’t find the same fulfillment in show skating long term, and yet touring is enough of a commitment that it can keep other life plans from being realized; but still it’s nice to always know they were on the same page of being ready to get to that next stage of life. I did laugh at his ‘we retired once’ given how often they reiterate a that they didn’t retire hut took a break - still, it was an earlier chance to experience that lifestyle of non-competitive touring life too.

And I wanted to really do my own thing. But I would have done my own thing, I think, in Montreal, if I hadn’t met my wife and missed my family and all that stuff. I still think my home is in Ontario. But professionally, I was a little bit upset, because I would love to be beside them in Montreal and join forces.

It’s a Sliding Doors moment - that whole imaginary what if scenario that changes everything and yet changes nothing. But the reality is, he gets to be near his family, and his daughter gets to grow up with close family; and he gets to have a bit of a ‘the best of both worlds’.

The athletes relating to each other, being able to tell a story, kind of cat and mouse, back and forth. So that’s my strength, I think. I always really dove into that as a performer, I’d get to work with the best woman in the world, Tessa, so when we got into those energies, it was so much fun.

I’m thinking about Tessa being shocked that there are teams who don’t talk to each other on the ice. I’m thinking about teams who skate together but who barely even look at each other, let alone seem to make a connection. We were spoiled by VM’s partnership, and the level to which they were able to perform those stories and relate to each other, but not everyone can manage it, It’s going to be interesting to watch him encourage growing those relationships.

So I could be like ‘I want you to try this.’ And it wouldn’t necessarily even make sense. But Madi and Zach they can make anything [make sense]. And then the first time it’s gold, and you start to think ‘Holy shit. Maybe I am a great choreographer.’ And then you work with a 10-year-old and 12-year-old and you’re like ‘Oh, no, there we go. I’m back again.’

I just LOL’d at this.

So I’ve made a list. I won’t tell you who else is on the list, because I’m hoping that they’ll end up on our team as well – one day – but they were at the top of my list.

I want to know, lol, because I could only guess 1 name. Bet the rest I’d be surprised at. Love they made sure that Madison (and Adri) could tour if they had the desire and the chance.

Yeah, I go back and forth on that one. What I said yesterday in the meeting – and I have to tip my cap to the dance tech committee that they’re asking us, trying to poll everyone and to work collaboratively, you create an ice dance event that everyone likes – but I don’t mind it. I don’t think there’s a major flaw right now.

Interesting that the ISU is at least having discussions about dance with the people who have to deal with the decisions. Guess I shouldn’t 100% blane the ISU. ;)

I miss pattern dances a bit. The problem with pattern dances is how they’re judged. I like pattern dances because of the old-school patterns on the ice. Speed, dance position, like the older style of ice dance, and nobody really seems to care about that anymore. So I always wonder, why are we keeping it around for key points when it’s not really the spirit of the dance? But I do miss it in the program this year, I would remove PST and put pattern dance back in.

I can’t believe I’ve been around long enough to live through SM saying he wants the pattern gone to circle back around to him wanting it back. 😭 This one section we were shaking hands, preaching to the choir, same page agreement.

Of course then he went on to praise the choreographic elements and I had to cancel him.

(okay I get he’s saying he thinks they creative and he wishes he could’ve done them and etc etc but No Scott That’s Just the Wrong Opinion, I am right, thanks)

Well, Moulin Rouge came from Tessa and I’s heart and soul. And with Marie-France and Patrice and Sam all collaborating – It’s a special one. It’s not the most original one or groundbreaking, but it came from our souls. And we love the music. And so that was probably my favourite in the end.

They fought for it, and it made it all the more their program. ❤️

And also, we went back into Pink Floyd for our last number, because the Pink Floyd free dance is probably the project that I connected with the most.

Vindication! Uncancelled him, as a Pink Floyd free dance enthusiast.

Just a great interview. I love that they weren’t editing him down into a condensed version. Really, we have been incredibly spoiled with a few of Tessa’s recent podcasts and Scott’s interviews and their joint one - way, way more insights and stories and so on than I would have ever expected to get at this point.

[nicollekidman]

abby babey what's up how's life how u doin

looking at pictures of my little sister in LA graduating from USC with her MBA and pretending like me going to eras tour tomorrow is equivalent in terms of life events

[fleurcareil]

Leaving Canada

After finishing the road trip, the last 2 weeks of September were a whirlwind of activities to sort out things and say goodbye one more time before leaving the country. Although I may have benefited from staying a bit longer, having been on the road for so long made me ready to close off this phase and look forward to the next one, going back home to Europe! 🤩

First priority was to clean everything that I had been traveling with (with thanks to lots of space and a garden hose😁) and then figure out what to put into storage and what to bring as luggage. Initially my intent had been to travel straight from France to Chile, however due to exorbitant one-way air fares, I ended up booking a return ticket back to TO for mid-January.... not sure how this is all going to work out but for now it means that I'm only travelling with one suitcase instead of the 3 that I had already pre-packed. Easier to carry but harder to fit my clothes! 😅

Second key item was to get my car sold, so I got the car deep cleaned over lunch with Tara... something I've never done but should really have given myself as a gift much earlier! 😄 I thought the guy had done a great job at making my car look brand-new again, but he actually apologized to me as he hadn't managed to remove all bug residue from the grill nor the grit of the endless unpaved roads from the tires...the downfall of such an extensive road trip!

That afternoon, 3 accidents on the QEW highway meant that traffic was jammed for miles around, so I tried to wait it out by visiting the first 2 car dealers to get a sense of their offer... suddenly everything seemed wrong with my fab drive, as it needed new tires, new brakes, a chip in the window etc etc... 😯😪 I recognize the sales tactics for what they were but they still pulled me down, so by the time I got back home after taking 1.5 hours over a 20min drive, I was shaken & thoroughly fed up!

Next day, I toured a few more dealers who all basically said the same and then just cut my losses to get it over with (I must be the worst negotiator on earth! 🤣) ... I absolutely have had an amazing time driving my Rogue and I still loved everything about it, but it was time to say goodbye and move on.

Being a bit emotional after signing the papers, I drove by my old house in Burlington (where the new tenants are neglecting the pretty roses I had planted 😣) and then sat on my favourite bench in Paletta Park overlooking Lake Ontario. A mere 10 minutes' walk from where I used to live, I would often come here over my lunch break or after work, a great spot to relax! 😊

Next day, after having handed in the car & safely deposited the cheque at the bank, I was happy to go over to Priyanka & Arnie for a traditional Hungarian dish and meet again with their lovely parents. I first met Priyanka's parents at our MBA graduation over 10 years ago and we've been in touch ever since, having shared many dinners (including with my parents and in Delhi 🤗), theater plays, a powwow and ofcourse the wedding in India! 😍😍

On Friday, I spent hoouuuurs on the internet and phone to arrange anything from bank accounts & medical insurance to booking flights for my travels in Europe. Felt good to clean house and try to close as many things as possible before leaving. In the evening, we had delicious pizza & craft beer in the "Shed" in downtown Dundas.

That Saturday, it was fun times at the Ancaster Fall Fair with Arpita, Navneet and his cousin Nithia. 🤩 I had never been to a farm fair, which had everything from a hot sauce contest, cow & chicken displays to nitro-chilled snacks and prizes for the prettiest tomatoes, hay bales and funny-looking veggies! 😂 Quite an experience and a great afternoon!

On Sunday, I went with Heather for a hike in nearby Dundas Valley conservation area, my favourite forest west of the GTA. I've been here so often that I know most trails by heart but this time we walked in from a residential area on the side so that the forest still felt new. 😀

I spent the second week in Toronto where I lived for 11 years - my personal record of living that long in one city! 😊 - and it felt really good to roam the streets (albeit only for a short period of time before the craziness got to me 😫). For four days I crammed in as many friends as I could see, starting with a great backyard dinner with my old team. Having 9 different cultural backgrounds being represented leads to ever-interesting diverse conversations! 😍

On Tuesday, I had cozy lunch and dinner with my two good friends Kathryn and Lynne, both a bit senior to me hence always providing me with valuable insights that help me put things in a different perspective. 🥰 They're both great examples of how we can continue to have fulfilling lives for many years to come! 😘

Then on Wednesday, a lunch walk with Dana through my old 'hood and the Riverdale Farm, followed by relaxing tea with Natasha, Lance and their mother who I've also known since coming to Toronto and by whom I spent a memorable Christmas in Trinidad & Tobago. 🤩 In the evening, the drinks were tasty as usual when meeting with a loosely connected 😅 but somehow gelling group of Real Estate friends... always a good time!

On my last day in Toronto, I caught up with Harvey over Indian Roti and then had a few lovely hours at the new Love Park at the harbourfront. My final date was with my camping-sailing-drinking group of friends 😎 at the Queen Mother Café, a downtown thai restaurant where I used to go often in the first years. We're all a bit wiser (?!? 😂) then when we first met years ago but the laughs are still there!

Tired & having a terrible cold but feeling blessed with all those friendships, I made my way back to Dundas, where I was grateful to spend the last day with Arpita and Navneet, working a bit in the garden and playing the cool card game Dominion at night.

On the 30th September, they dropped me off to the airport, ready to fly home! 💖💖💖

[kookslastbutton]

Hey Author,

This is the request for a oneshot story, hopefully you can make it fully long, obviously this is a request only :p

A Yoongi x Oc where oc is she/her, she's not slim and conventional body type is not her. But she is really beautiful! High cheekbones, jawline, light brown BIG eyes, full bow lips, big boobs, good enough ass and boobs. She is 28, non-korean, an Electrical and Electronics engineer, with an MBA. Working now as a marketing director. Meets Yoongi as she is the new head of marketing at Hybe, in charge of marketing and advertising of Yoongi's new album and tour. Hopefully you can write it as Yoongi falling for her first, them becoming friends, she's very headstrong and sure of herself, extroverted, easily friendly, but ZERO body confidence because of her figure. And this is the main conflict where she doesn't feel she is worthy of him because of how she looks, isn't as rich as him and because she is non Korean too. Any other conflict you like is fine too! BUT please include smut, at the end when they get together!!!!

Yes oc is me. :(

I love you lots, have read all of your masterlist and can't wait for you to release this oneshot, if you could!

Wow! What an interesting concept love! I will see what I can do ☺ this oneshot will definitely need my full attention so if you would be so kind to give me some time to finish it, I'd really appericiate it.

I like that this oc is different than the typical as far as physical features. I will surely make her headstrong! And the smut...hmmm gotta think of the best fitting scenario 👀 (just pls have your age on your bio so I can be sure you are not a minor tysm 💗)

[anagooshoadventures]

It was a delightful and wow! atmosphere when the Director-General and CEO of National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), the Turakin Kebbi, Nura Sani Kangiwa visited the venue of the Tourism Operation Management training in Lagos despite his busy schedule. He admonished tour operators to uphold their importance in sustainable tourism development in Nigeria. He went further to say that he would never have forgiven himself if he had missed the second training. #anagooshoadventures #nihotour #natop #tourism #souvenir #nigeria #beninrepublic #tourguide #culture #education #uscitizen Ogun State Governor's Office wale idris ajibade hussein dehghan german national tourist office incredible india, ministry of tourism, india sustainable tourism india Pankaj Chandel Jeevan Verma Marcelo Barbosa Viojo 🗺 Nura Abba Rimi Olusola Samuel Owonikoko Nini Okey-Uche Henry Santiago Joyce Adewumi Tomiwa Idowu Mike Bloomberg Abdulkadir DBA,MBA,MSc,BSc. carrington fellowship of the united states consulate, lagos, nigeria Faridah sagaya Nura Kangiwa Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation Nigerian Embassy Greece Opunimi Akinkugbe Msafiri Travels Nigeria LNG Limited NTT Global Destinations Elizabeth TEA Agboola Heritage Bank Plc Sterling Bank Plc Abiola Adelana Ibom Air Lagos State Government Lagos State Tourism Arts and Culture (at Eko Hotel And Suites. Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island Lagos.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpCjAqgjcVt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=