Thursday, August 11, 2011

Days Away!

I'm currently working my last day for the next two weeks - shhh don't tell them I'm updating my blog at work :s
I am soooo excited I can hardly sleep...not that that's anything new but, this lack of sleep is exhausting because my brain is going a mile a minute ALL night.
Preping for regionals was a long process but, I knew that I had everything because I had a list for absolutely everything but, this time...I'm a lot more relaxed about the whole thing surprisingly. However, now that we are are at the 2 days mark before I leave...things are starting to sink in. So, I'm headed home to finish packing and ensure that I have absoluately everything so that I have the day tomorrow to run out and get any little extras.

I cannot wait to see all the girls again, they are like sisters to me and I cannot wait to spend two weeks making memories to last a lifetime!

I'll do my absolute best to keep you all posted on my whereabouts and so on but, unfortunately, I will not have a cell phone with me and I won't have access to a computer :(
Keep your eyes peeled for updates VIA facebook from my friends and family who I will be talking to on the phone fairly often.

xxx

Thursday, August 4, 2011

A Visit with The Mayor

Had a visit with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor yesterday - August 3, 2011. Better pictures to come, this is just from a blackberry! HA.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Meeting with the Mayor!

Tomorrow afternoon, Jason Kelly (Ottawa Centre) and I will be meeting with Mr. Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa, to discuss funding options and support available to the Ottawa Centre and our involvement in the Rose of Tralee International Festival.
This is a big stride in upping the local support from the heavy hitters here in Ottawa. At the very least, I hope to inform a few more people about the great opportunity that the Rose of Tralee Festival offers young women from around the world!

Bicycle Chic Fashion Show - As pictured in the Ottawa Citizen

I'm pictured here at the Bicycle Chic Fashion show wearing a dress, earings, and necklace from GreenTree Eco Fashion on Richmond Rd. here in Ottawa. The dress was designed in collaboration with Stella McCartney and I was absolutely in love with it.

The show was a riot - we got to ride our red bikes around the fountain in Confederation Park and practice our "Kate Middleton" wave :) A great day of fun and fashion - no complaints here.

I would also like to note that I did my hair!...and while this may seem anti-climactic, for those of you who know me...you know that hair isn't my forte...but, the Audrey look really worked for me on Sunday. I'm hoping I can replicate it while in Ireland on the rose tour!

Pictures from the Caladh Nua Concert

One of my dance students and I at the Caladh Nua Concert, residence of the Irish Ambassador - July 28, 2011

Paddy showing me how to play the Bodhran following the concert - July 28, 2011

Friday, July 29, 2011

Caladh Nua Concert & Events This Weekend

What a fantastic night of music and fun. The band delivered a stellar performance at the Residence of the Irish Ambassador to a packed audience that over-flowed onto camping chairs of all shapes and sizes. The support was overwhelming and I was greatful to say that least!

Thanks a million to Austin and Laura who played a major role in organizing the event from start to finish and did a fantastic job.

ALSO - a very heartfelt thanks to the other Roses who all turned out at the event and mingled with the crowd. Its always nice to catch up with the girls :) Alice, if unfortunately in Ireland at the moment so she did not make it to this event but, we're all very excited for her year to come as she's recently been enganged! Congratulations Alice! - he's one lucky man.

This Weekend: The Final Word!

Saturday July 30 - I'll be attending the ceili at the Bytown Museum from 2:30-4
Sunday July 31 - Find my at the Bicycle Chic Fashion show, riding a bike down the catwalk sporting fashions by Green Tree Eco Fashions (Richmond Road) downtown. Not sure when the fashion show starts but, call time for hair and makeup is at 12:00 noon at the Lord Elgin!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Wish me well in Ireland via the Rose of Tralee Website!

You can now show your support online via the Rose of Tralee ie. website.

Go to: http://roseoftralee.ie/v5/blog/rose-well-wishers and email rebecca@roseoftralee.ie with your well wishes for me! Your message will be posted on the website for myself and the rest of the world to read :)

I'd greatly appreciate a show of support. Don't forget to start your message with my name and "OTTAWA ROSE" so I know it's for me!

Thanks a million!
Kate

Monday, July 25, 2011

Follow me this week!!

Events this week:                       
                       Thursday July 28, 2011
                                                7PM Caladh Nua Concert, Residence of the Irish Ambassador
                      
                       Saturday July 30, 2011
                                                2-5PM Ceili on the Canal Bytown Museum
                                                Irish Day at Confederation Square

               Sunday July 31, 2011
                                                Bicycle Chic Fashion Show details to follow

Also, I just got these photos sent to me from Sarah Thorenton! Check them out!


Tuesday, July 19, 2011

26 days till departure!

So, I'm 26 days out from departing for Ireland and I'm starting to make my lists.

I have lists for everyone, everything, everwhere...

I need 11 day dresses and 9 evening dresses - 3 of which are full length ballgowns and of course a few extras. Fortunately, I found a silk designer gown at Winners that was originally $695.00 that I got for $49.99  HORAYYYY!!! Its a plain black flowing design and I'm hoping to get a great belt to make it a little more of a statement dress...there is something to be said for quiet elegance though.

I've been trying so desperately not to touch my saving account as I'm going back to school in September of 2012 and this is my year off to "make money" not spend money but, its been difficult when I'm being dragged - kicking and screaming  - into the boutiques to shop (.....riiiiiiight)

My mum is also working on dresses for me to sport in Tralee so I'm sure I'll wear those more than once...after all, they fit to a T so I'll want to wear them often and my mum will want to see her work in action in Tralee...I mean hey, if Kate Middleton can wear a dress more than once (I can't believe people were giving her flack for that!) then so can I!

One of my lists is of the shoes I'm bringing with me and I've come to see that I don't have shoes for a couple of my outfit...so off to that mall I go with my dear friend Amber after work today...tough life!

Well, that's all for now. Please don't forget about the Caladh Nua concert next Thursday and if this is the first time you are reading about it, please scroll down to get full details along with links to a site which allows you to purchase tickets online!

Cheers!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

List of Finalists going to tralee in August :D

Qualifiers that are going through from Portlaoise to the International Regional Final:
  1. Big Apple - Caitlin McNeill
  2. Boston New England - Moira Sullivan
  3. Chicago - Siobhan Carroll
  4. Derby - Niamh McTage
  5. Derry - Catherine Feeney
  6. Donegal - Maria McCole
  7. Down - Nicole Curran
  8. Dubai - Grainne Boyle
  9. Edmonton - Tara Keigher
  10. Germany - Saoirse Fitzgerald
  11. Laois - Sinead Fennell
  12. New York - Erin Loughran
  13. Ottawa - Kate Scott
  14. Philadelphia - Beth Keeley
  15. Roscommon - Roisin Guihen
  16. San Francisco - Shelia Ashtiani
  17. Southern California - Molly O'Keefe
  18. Sunderalnd - Niamh O'Connell
  19. Texas - Danielle Ybarra
  20. Tipperday - Noirin Ryan
  21. Toronto - Aileen Doyle
  22. Washington DC - Dorothy Moriarty Henggeler
  23. Wexford - Mary Kehoe
Other Roses who are joining us (they went straight through to the final due to the number of years their centres have been involved in the competition):
  24.    Cork - Kathryn Brennan
   25.    Dublin - Siobhéal Nic Eochaidh
   26.    Kerry - Síle Ní Dheargain
   27.    London - Caroline Marley
   28.    New Zealand - Ailbhe Ryan
   29.    Perth - Melanie Gore
   30.    Queensland - Tara Talbot
   31.    South Austra - Susan Gellard    
   32.    Sydney - Caroline Harney

 CONGRATULATIONS to all the other roses we've yet to meet!  These girls all went through several rounds of selections in their home town and have accomplished so much in so little time.
Go to http://roseoftralee.ie/v5/international-roses-2011/international-roses-2011 to read all of the girls biographies!

Next up...day to day breakdown of my time in Portlaoise!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Caladh Nua Concert July 28th 7:30PM

Come mingle with the 2011 Roses at the Residence of the Irish Ambassador on Thursday July 28th, 2011 and enjoy a live concert by Ireland's own CALADH NUA!

Tickets can be purchased from me directly or, online at:
http://www.ticketweb.ca/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3532875&pl&REFERRAL_ID=twfblike

Watch them on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLPJjTYrg1M&feature=grec_index

A Night at the Races, Regionals & Celtfest June-July 2011

So, its been far too long since I posted anything here so I figured I would take a few minutes and update everyone on the going ons of the last couple months!

A Night at the Races
Just before I departed for Ireland in June, the girls and I took part in A Night at the Races for the Ottawa Gaels and we had a wonderful night. Kerianne, Kait, Lisa, Laura and I enjoyed great conversation over dinner and got to ride aroun in the pace car for the Rose of Tralee race. Great fun indeed. Below are a few pictures of us at the event.






Regional Finals
I left for Ireland on June 1st and returned on June 9th, 2011 and had an absoluately wonderful time with all the girls in Portlaoise over the weekend.
When I have a few more minutes to post I will put up a play by play of my week in Portlaoise but, until then, let me get to the juicy stuff and say....

I'M THROUGH TO THE FINAL!!!!!
I return to Ireland for the Rose of Tralee final on August 14th :)

All the girls at Regionals in Portlaoise at the Hertitage Hotel

The FINALISTS (we will be joined by a few more girls for the final in August)
*I'm beside Texas :)....Look for the hat and I'm on the left!


Celtfest - Sunday June 10, 2011 Almonte, ON
I was introduced and spoke a little bit about the Rose of Tralee in Almonte this weekend at Celtfest. It was a lovely day filled with music, dancing, and laughter. I was happy to get the Almonte residence familiar with the Rose of Tralee and what its about and get them pumped up about the idea of getting an Almonte girl to compete for the title next year (Almonte wasn't represented in the Ottawa selection this year).

Waiting backstage to perform at Celtfest!


Corkery Road onstage at Celtfest


A big thank you to my boyfriend Chris for lugging around the harp and getting it set up for me onstage - you're a gem :)
More pictures to come shortly...I forgot my camera so, this one was taken with my phone. Luckily, Lisa Wright came to represent the rest of the girls and had her camera in tow ;)

Keep an eye out for my next postS which will include a play by play of the Regional Finals in Portlaoise & DETAILS ON THE CALADH NUA CONCERT!

Monday, May 9, 2011

May 9/2011

A big thank you to Casey Li for taking my headshot the other day! You've been a great support for the Ottawa Centre.

SO today is a big day. My biography is now listed on the official Rose of Tralee website http://roseoftralee.ie/catalog/ , if you click on the dropdown menu titled 'Roses' and select 'Canadian Regional Final Roses 2011' and you'll see my biography if you click on my picture. Tara Keigher (Edmonton) is also listed and I'm so very excited to meet my fellow Canadians in Ireland in 3 weeks....did I just say 3 weeks!? Eeeek! So excited.

The Toronto Rose is to be selected this coming weekend and although I would love to attend, I have to work on Sunday and don't know that I will be able to make it back in time for work. I can't help, but feel bad for the Toronto Rose. She has almost no time to get prepared for the Regional Finals in Ireland poor thing. There is so much to think about and so many things to get ready. I'm a little stressed about my waredobe selections and I have three weeks left to pack!

On another note, I wanted to send a huge thank you to Laura Hay (Ottawa Rose 2010) and Sarah Thorenton (Ottawa Rose 2009) for helping me out, giving me pointers, and lending me some fantastic summer hats for the Regional Final. Laura has been of great assistance here in Ottawa and Sarah has been exceptional at making me feel prepared for heading over to Ireland and has even offered to put me up for a few days in Dublin following the Regional Final and before I head home to Ottawa.

For all the ladies out there wondering about the dress...
I said yes to the dress on Saturday at Cantas on Sussex Drive here in Ottawa and could not be more pleased. I will be calling for alternations in a moment and cannot wait to slip into it once it fits properly. I'm sure the alternations will cost an arm and a leg considering it has a hand made lace overlay and is all hand beaded...but it will be well worth it in the end.

I've been watching Youtube videos of the festivities in Ireland from previous years and I cannot believe I am getting  a change to take part in such a fabulous event. I was reading through Clare's (the 2010 Rose of Tralee) diary online and am so amazed by the fabulous year she has had. So many opportunities present themselves as a result of being selected as the Rose...I really hope I get the opportunity to at least be in the company of the 2011 Rose of Tralee at this years Final in August.
I have read a few of the biographies and I was amazed at the wonderful things these girls are doing with their lives. I kept reading names ex: "Molly O'Sea" (not really one of the girls...yet anyways haha), then reading the bio, and thinking to myself: "more like super women O'Sea!!" 
I'm not sure that my biography reads as well as others however I can only hope that my genuine enthusiasm about the whole thing will come across all week and carry me through to the Final. 
I'm sure we will have a pile of fun travelling around Ireland a few short weeks from now - I really can't wait!

I'll leave it at that for now. Hope everyone in Ottawa is enjoying the weather - finally!
Cheers!
Kate


Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Latest Pictures Released (as always, more to come!)


Kait Z. and myself post-selection







In the foyer of the Ambassodor's Residence March 13th 2011 - always mid sentence...

     Walking and Waving in the St. Patrick's Day Parade! :)

Friday, March 18, 2011

A few photos from St. Patrick's Day at the residence of the ambassador of Ireland (photos by Austin Comerton)




March 17th, 2011

Quote of the day...
Anyone acquainted with Ireland knows that the morning of St. Patrick's Day consists of the night of the seventeenth of March flavored strongly with the morning of the eighteenth
St. Patrick's Day Shenanigans 

The day began early for me. I got up around 6:00 and completed some school work before getting ready to head out for the day's events.

The ground breaking at St. Patrick's home was really touching. All involved are so commited and investing in the new project and it's nice to see that they take the time to ensure our senior citizens have a dignified place to live surrounded by friends and family. Unfortunately, do to time constraints, I did not get to stay and see the first mound of earth moved...I was so looking forward to getting a token "look at me, I'm digging all this out for the foundation - wearing heels" photo. Aw well!

At 11:10 I rushed to my car and drove (of course obeying spead limits at all times) across town to Rogers TV. I arrived at 11:27! Success!
I got mic-ed and we were on at about 11:40. They asked a series of pretter standard questions:
What's the history of the festivale?
Is it a pageant?
What does the selection process involve?
The story behind why Laura chopped off all her gorgeous long red locks
What I am up to next...
etc.
All in all, it went very well - please let me know if you saw it, I unfortunately did not get to see it...and my mother missed it too so I really don't know.

Then I raced to St. Brigid's for lunch with the National Irish Canadian Culture Centre group (NICCC was my sponsor in the "competition").
We had a lovely lunch filled with gorgeous dancing by the SFH Irish dancers and fiddle players Matt Pepin and ...? I'm so horrible with name, I apologize, but you were both fantastic.
It's quite amazing to see some of the dancers that were 7 or 8 when I danced for Sue and are now headed into their teenage years - my how they've grown!!

I then got ready for the reception at the embassy.
Curling my hair was a nightmare...for anyone who saw me - it was not a good day in the hair department.
I wore a black pencil skirt and a green blouse (...I know I know but I had to!).
There was a harpist playing background music all night. I was explaining how the harp is tuned, what the coloured strings represent etc when I suddenly found myself seating behind the harp and playing...don't ask me how it happened - but it did.
I stopped taking lessons years ago, but this weekend has made me consider going back.
We all have more to learn in everything we do and I have noticed that my ability to read music has slowed over the years. I can still play along with a piece right away by looking at the sheet music, but not like I used to!

Following our time at the embassy, we headed back to Kait's aunt and uncles house to change quickly before heading out to the Heart and Crown.
The girls and I wanted a night out together (without our sashes and my crown!)...and that's exactly what we got. Laura's lovely roomate drove us there and we may or may not have peer pressured her into staying with us :)
We had a great time dancing the night away despite the crowd! What a busy spot!
The other girls headed home and Kait and I stayed and enjoyed the remainder of the night together teaching young men and women alike to Irish dance and reminding the boys that showed up with pipes that pipes are scottish - that being said...it didn't matter, at long as you're loud (which the pipes definately are!) St. Patty's Day will welcome you with open arms.
We ran into many a friend and had a night we will not soon forget.
I explained the Rose of Tralee festivale to a number of people and earned the nickname Long Stem by the end of the night...how elegant! haha NOT
All in good fun.

The night ended well with a long chat with the friendly doormen at the Heart. Despite the rain it was a good night to be a doorman...nice and warm!

Thank you Kait for the mid morning tour of your aunt and uncles house - Chris was very impressed and I'm glad he got to see the place, it's really something else. We discussed what a morgage would be on a house that price and determined we will never live in a house worth 1.6 Million...how upsetting hahaha I still can't believe that the apartment in the basement rents for twice the price of our morgage!!!

Anyways, I'll leave it there. All in all it was a fun filled and exciting day. Now, it's back to reality! I have two exams next week and two GIANT final projects to write all in the next couple weeks. It's crunch time! I'm SO excited to be done this undergrad chapter of my life though. Don't get me wrong it has been great, but I'm ready for something new.

OH also, I should note that in June I have a couple of lovely people that may follow me all the way from Canada to Port Loeis, Ireland for the Regional Finals!!
Kait, my roomate from the selection weekend and partner in crime (I mean adventure), my mother, and one of my dance students and her family may come and join me either in June or August (if I make it through the regional round)!
Also, my very best friend Laura Gall and I plan to take an extra week and travel around following the Regionals :)
I'm sooooo excited for June!!!!

Thank you to everyone for the continued love and support.

If you don't hear from me over the weeks to come it is simply because I don't want to bore you with the details of my projects, labs, and studying extravagazas...I'm aware that stuff is only interesting to me!

I hope you all had a lovely St. Patrick's Day filled with good music, a few good brews, and lots of cheer!
Enjoy the warm weather if you're in Ottawa!

-Eat your veggies & drink lots of water!
Kate

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Photos from Selection Weekend



























St. Patrick's Day 2011

Quote of the Day...

St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time - a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic.  ~Adrienne Cook

Wishing you all a wonderful and safe St. Patrick's Day!!!

Tune in to Rogers TV at 11:40 to see Laura and I discussing details of this past weekend and the events to come associated with the Rose of Tralee.

Please do not drink and drive.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

March 11-13, 2011 The Selection Weekend

Quote of the day:
Forgivness is accepting that the past could not have been any different.
Below:
-A list of our itinerary from last weekend (the weekend of the selection)
-What I'm up to today! :)

Friday March 11, 2011
9:00 PM Check-In to Les Suites on Besserer

Saturday March 12, 2011
 9:00 AM Breakfast
10:30 AM Depart for St. Patrick's Day Parade
11:00 AM St. Patrick's Day Parade
1:00 PM Post Parade Part at Landsdown Park, possible media interviews
4:00 PM Return to Les Suites, individual time and personal interviews with judges
6:00 PM Dinner with the judges and ceili
10:00 PM Visit D'Arcy Mc Gee's and Heart and Crown
12:30 PM Retire to hotel

Sunday March 13, 2011
7:45 AM Depart for CHIN 97.9fm, Gaelic Hour
8:00 AM Gaelic hour interviews
9:00 AM Roses DJ their selected tunes on the Gaelic hour
10:00 AM Depart for the National Irish Canadian Culture Centre Pancake Breakfast
11:30 AM Return to Les Suites (get dressed for selection)
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Serving tea and coffee etc at St. Patrick's Home
2:30 PM Depart for Ambassadors residence for the selection ceremony
3:00 PM Selection Ceremony, individual interviews and party pieces
4:45 PM Ottawa Rose 2011 selected and presented to the audience

6:00 PM Heart and Crown with my sponsor NICCC
6:30 PM Dinner with the organizers of the weekend
10:30 PM Pass out!!

TODAY :)
Today I am just wrapping up work for school. Submitted my lab early this morning, went to class and had a wonderful guest lecture from Ben Jammin. Check out the project he is working on in the Artic to bring hip hop dance to the kids there...simply amazing what he is doing for these children and their community.

A short intro to the program:


or visit: http://www.blueprintforlife.ca/index.html for more details

Ben has gotten letters from kids telling him that because of him and the floor masters crew, they were no longer going to commit suicide - dance gave them a new perspective on life and a renewed sense of hope for tomorrow.

I was so touched by his stories that I have offered my services in writing his proposal for funding as well as drawing up a complete health program and program evaluation for his new project (set to launch sometime this year). Christine Seabrook and I will be working on the project over the next month. I'll keep you posted on how it is going.

These kids have some of the worse drug addiction problems in our country as well as the highest suicide rates. Ben in breaking ground and has found a way to reach these children and I'm so thrilled to be even a small part of that.

Fingers crossed, I will travel up North sometime within the year with Ben and his new crew.

As a dance teacher, this initiative warmed my heart...it is truly amazing what dance can do for people.

Now, I'm just studying for my upcomming midterms (next week) and getting set for a fun filled day tomorrow - ST PATTY'S DAY.

Don't forget to wear green!!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Ottawa's 2011 Rose

Fáilte!! Welcome,

As the 2011 Ottawa Rose of Tralee I will be keeping a blog here to keep everyone up to date on where I am and what I am doing. 

Below:
- A press release in case you want to know a little more about the festival and Rose Selection here in Ottawa
-A biography on myself (Kate Scott)
-A small note to my fellow roses <3
-Special thanks to my sponsors
-Events I will be attending for St. Patricks Day
-Photo from the selection at the residence of the Irish Embassador
ROSE OF TRALEE OTTAWA CENTRE IS SET TO SELECT THIS YEAR’S CANDIDATE TO SEND TO IRELAND
(OTTAWA – March 7, 2011) As the St. Patrick’s week festivities begin across the city, the Rose of Tralee Ottawa Centre prepares to select this year’s Ottawa Rose who will be a candidate to represent the Nation’s Capital in the 2011 Rose of Tralee International Festival in County Kerry, Ireland.

Each year, the Festival hosts young women from all over the world who gather to celebrate their Irish heritage. The Festival was initially conceived as a way to bring Irish descendants back to Ireland, as well as a means of boosting the local economy and regenerating the town of Tralee. It has since expanded to include centres from across the globe including Australia, New Zealand, the UAE, North America and Europe.
The Festival derived its name from a 19th century love story. William Mulchinock, a 19th century wealthy merchant from Tralee, wrote a song about his love for his maid Mary O'Connor. The song included the lyrics, "lovely and fair as the rose of summer, it was not her beauty alone that won me, oh no, ‘twas the truth in her eyes ever dawning’. As reflected in the song, the focus of the Festival is on the personal accomplishments of the Rose and her ability to act as a role model and ambassador for her centre and for the festival.
Before the final Ottawa selections at the residence of the Irish Ambassador hosted by CTV’s Michael O’Byrne, this year’s Rose candidates will participate in various activities including the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Led by Ottawa’s 2010 Rose, Laura Hay, the young ladies will tour around meeting the groups and organizations who are part of Ottawa’s thriving Irish community. The winning Rose will be selected by a panel of judges and will receive an all expenses paid trip to Ireland to represent the Ottawa Centre in the Rose of Tralee Regional Finals in County Laois. If the Ottawa Rose successfully makes it through Regionals, she will then return in August for the Rose of Tralee International Festival in County Kerry, Ireland.
The final selections on March 13 are open to the public and tickets can be purchased online at the Ottawa Rose of Tralee website: http://www.roseoftralee.ca/

Kate Scott - National Irish Canadian Cultural Centre (NICCC) Rose
KateKate Scott's relatives are scattered throughout Canada so she found her place, as friends became family, within the Irish community in Ottawa. Kate will complete her Bachelors degree in Health Science at the University of Ottawa in the spring and hopes to continue her studies in Naturopathic Medicine eventually earning her Doctorate. Currently working as an Irish dance teacher, Kate hopes that being sponsored as a Rose in the festival will make her dancers proud! Kate looks forward to the opportunity to meet and network with like-minded people both in Ottawa and abroad and share their stories and her own with the world.  As a Rose, Kate will be true to her Irish heritage, true to her family, true to her friends, and perhaps most importantly, continue to be true to herself. Kate enjoys spending her free time playing the harp, walking her dogs, travelling, and boating. "I've always prided myself on being Irish, that is the easy part - sitting back and realizing that someone thought I was deserving of a sponsorship in order to stand alongside so many esteemed young women... now that's just a blessing!". As a 5th generation Canadian, Kate's Irish link is maternal. Her ancestors are from Corkstown, Co. Tyrone. Kate's great great grandmother left for Canada at 22 without her parents' consent on a trip to explore the world with her best girlfriend. She ended up working for the governor general in Montreal (so the family is told) as a cook where she met her future Scotsman husband at the morning market.

rose is a rose is a rose is a rose...[by: Gertrude Stein]
Ladies - Alice, Kait, Karianne, Lisa and Kari Leagh,
I must first say how happy I am to have met all of you! You are suuuuch wonderful women and am privelaged to have spent the weekend with all of you, it really was a wonderful, event filled weekend I do not think any of us will soon forget.
From Friday's late night chat, to the parade (great choreography Karianne!), to chatting with the folks at the afterparty, to being interviewed, to dinner with the judges and ceili dancing, to our very own little pub crawl, to laughing histerically over Kait's party piece (the dead chicken - yes, I knew about that on Saturday night but I was bound to a strict roomate confidentiality clause), to learning to take over the radio station in less than 2 minutes, to lunch at NICCC, to St. Pat's home,  to the selection ceremony....what a trip!!!
You are all such accomplished women...it still boggles my mind to think of all the amazing things you have all accomplished in so little time!
My hope is that we will all stay connected over the years and that I will see you all out at as many events as you can manage to attend because we are all roses for the year and I'd love the company!
Please know that you'll always have a place to stay in Ottawa (if you are not a local and you come to visit, let me know!)
Please keep me informed with how things are going on your end and I'll do that same.

Sláinte

To the National Irish Canadian Culture Centre (NICCC)
Thank you so much for you support! Without you, I would not have been able to take part in the festival. You've provided me not only with an opportunity to support and represent a community that I love, but also an opportunity for personal growth. A million thanks.
A special thank you to Siobhan and Rosemary O'Brien and family for their special love and support. Siobhan, you saw in me something I did not even know I had...thank you.

I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow for lunch at St. Brigid's!

My Schedule for St. Patrick's Day (March 17/2011):
10:30 Ground Breaking at St. Pat's Home
11:30 Rogers TV appearance
12:30 Lunch at St. Brigid's
6:30- Dinner at the residence of the Embassador of Ireland with the other Roses!


Just remember
in the winter far beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed
that with the sun's love
in the spring
becomes the rose
Austin Comerton (Left), Kate Scott, Pat McDonald & Mike Shaughnessy