Hey everybody! I hope you are all having a wonderful Wednesday afternoon! I would like to introduce myself to all of you. My name is Yasmin Gandham and I am currently reigning as your Miss. Teen British Columbia World 2013. I want to start off my telling you a little bit about myself. I am incredibly talkative, energetic, outgoing, and from time to time a bit silly. I was awarded this title on February 10, 2013 at the BC Provincial Pageant. It was an absolutely amazing night, as I was able to learn so much and meet so many fantastic girls.

This was an absolutely crazy experience for me as I never thought that I would get a crown, let alone hold the provincial title as Miss. Teen British Columbia. I had never done a pageant before and I thought it might be a fun and interesting opportunity, but I never thought that I would come out of it with a crown, sash, and a whole new life. Although, it sounds incredibly dramatic how I would get a whole new life from this pageant, it is true. I remember having my best friends come up to me the next morning at school and ask me “You were in a pageant?” It was so surreal to me to explain that not only was I in a pageant, but I won!! I cannot thank my family and friends enough for all of the support they have given me, It has been a busy and amazing past few months and I can’t wait to see what is coming up for me!

So, what have I been up to now as Miss. Teen British Columbia World 2013? Well, after being awarded the title, I appeared on Red fm and the Harpreet Singh Show. Red fm is the number one Indo-Canadian Radio station and I was honoured to be representing my culture and talk about my platform. It was such an amazing opportunity and one that I would not be able to participate in if I wasn’t awarded the title as Miss. Teen British Columbia. The Harpreet Singh Show was also a fantastic experience, because it was filmed for live television and uploaded onto youtube for many people to watch and share! It was a very new experience for me to be interviewed and answer questions that I wasn’t able to prepare responses to, but it was such an amazing opportunity!

I was also sponsored by Christina-Lazar Shuler at FilmWerx Studio Photography! This was great for me, because she was my first sponsor and I was able to take many photos with her that I plan to build a portfolio with. Through working with her, I have gained a lot of modelling experience and she has taught me so many skills that will help me in the future for the Miss. Teen Canada National Pageant in the summer. I was so glad to not only be given the opportunity to take photos with her, but I am also honoured that she sponsored me! Christina is an amazing photographer who has done shoots for multiple magazines including having an editorial spread in the Georgia Straight! This was such a fantastic opportunity for me, so thank you Christina and your crew for everything!

On April 7, I was able to attend TOIFA as Miss. Teen British Columbia World 2013. TOIFA stands for the Times of India Filmfare Awards and it is one of the largest and most extravagant award ceremonies in India! I was honoured to not only attend the awards, but also get the chance to appear as Miss. Teen BC! I was able to walk the red carpet, have a gala dinner on Friday night with all the big stars and meet Christy Clark, premier of BC and Manesh Malhotra, one of the biggest fashion designer in India. This event was definitely my highlight from my reign so far, because I was able to meet so many influential and amazing people through this experience.

Being Miss. Teen British Columbia World 2013 has been amazing! I hope that you all continue to read my blog posts and join me on my journey as a provincial title holder! I am very excited to compete for Miss. Teen Canada in the summer in Toronto and keep reading the blog for updates! Thank you

XO

Yasmin Gandham

Miss Teen British Columbia World 2013

As part of our many assignments we were asked complete, one being was to come up with our own orignal concept of a TV show in which we would be the hosts in! I liked the idea of a talk show from the beggining, but wanted to think of a way to have fun with it and do something a bit different. It was one Sunday night that I was watching tv and thought of how cartoons, dineys characters and super heros mightve felt during and after their stories. So I decided t combine my love for cartoons and my original idea of the talk show! I would use my tittle to create my own character as a tv host and ask our famous

Me as your host in my dream TVshow! And characters and sponsors! Mac Cosmetics and Bells and Bows!

child hood cartoons questions about their happily ever afters, or how Stewie secretly loves Louis his mom- from the Family Guy! For my tv show to be successful I would want it to be  sponsored by MAC Cosmetics http://www.maccosmetics.com/ and Bells and Bows http://www.bellsandbowsbridalcentre.com/. The reason why I feel Mac would be a good sponsor for my tv show is so we could have their makeup crew do mine and the guests make up! I personally love the cosmetics at MAC and my show would deffinetly benefit! And why I chose Bells and Bows as another sponsor is because their dresses are absolutely beautiful! There isnt a Dress you wouldnt like if you visit their link! I would wear the design of the dresses on myself and the some of the Dineys girls or other fairytale cartoons! Since my dream tv show would be a cartoon I would include the products and dresses of the sponsors into the show!

Anyway let me know what you think, and or what kind of TV show would you like to have! Check out my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/nicole.legara/MissTeenBritishColumbia2012 for a better quality of the picture! Happy reading everyone

~Nicole

Hey everyone! I hope you’ve had the chance to check out my look good, do good, feel good video at http://www.missteencanadablognetwork.com/video/miss-teen-british-columbia-2012-look-good-do-good-feel-good-2012-aveda-challenge/! The judges are looking for Miss Teen Canada World Finalists doing outrageous acts of goodness or kindness while dressed for the runway with maximum glam, complete with sash and crown! It took me some time to think about what I would do, but in the end I decided to visit the Children’s Vancouver Hospital and dontae stuff toys in the dontation bin! The mini contest was hosted by http://avedainstitute.ca , Canada’s Best Professional Hair and Beauty School! Please “heart my video”, by clicking on the pink heart on the top left of the video box! A registration box will appear, but all you need to do is log in on the bottom on to your Facebook! Make sure to get your vote in before July 15th because the contest will be closed off!

Also make sure to check out my Skyline video as well! I decided to do something a little bit different by actually flying over Vancouver Downtown! In it you’ll see the 5 sails, Rogers arena and so much more!

Thanks everyone! Make sure to check out new blogs, photo’s and videos everyday about my journey here in Toronto!

~Nicole

Just a few more hours till I get to Toronto! Before I leave I’d like to give you all a major update!! Like I mentioned in my previous blog I was planning fundraisers and volunteering. I managed to spend some time volunteering with the Police Community Centre for the Sunrise Summer Kickoff It’s a small traditional festival that takes place every year at North Hastings. There was live music/performance’s, food, a BBQ, mini carnival and street hockey! It great way to officially celebrate the arrival of the Summers

Stationed as a parking organizer!

weather! PNE was a generous sponsor to the centre and sponsored PNE and Playland tickets to the volunteers! Having fun and getting goodies! What could be better!?

Just before leaving to Toronto,

Miss Teen Coquitlam and myself busy at work!

Miss Teen Coquitlam- Katarina Lulic and myself decided we’d do one more fundraiser together before we left! A lot of planning and time was spent into this one! … And eventually we decided to have a Free the Children fundraiser at Kitsilano Beach! We sold cool lemonade and freezies with over 5 flavors! It was definitely a nice way to cool in the sun

I’ll be posting more blogs pictures and video’s DAILY now that its officially pageant week!!

~Nicole

Wow what a busy past few weeks! So much has happened this month! I had my prom a few weeks ago at the beautiful Canada place and a few friends and I took pictures at English Bay at the inukshuk statue! Once we got there we had some fun on photo booth that was rented to our school! It was a movie perfect night, from the corsages, boutonnière

Photo booth and my special date!

and limo ride Now that prom was over with all there was to think about was exams and how close July is coming!! Its like this month is on fast forward! Of course my responsibilities of being a tittle holder isn’t being neglected though, I’ve been planning fundraising events, anticipating up coming volunteer events and contacting companies. I’ve even booked my flight with Katarina Lulic- Miss Teen Coquitlam and  Mille Rong- Miss Teen Burnaby !

With everything happening so quickly it was only another few short weeks until my graduation ceremonies came up! The ceremony took place in Vancouver Orpheum theater and was as long as 2 hours, with over 200 grads who walked across the stage! It still feels pretty weird being out of high school now, it always felt like one of  those days that would never come! Walking across the stage I’m proud to say… I didn’t trip! Now I cant wait to start flight school this summer! I cant express the thankfulness to my community for the continued support!

Nicole

On May 12 I took part of the 2012 Power Walk for Dress for Success!

“Dress for Success^® Vancouver is a registered Canadian Charity that helps low and no income women to transition into the workforce by providing professional attire. Each Dress for Success client receives a suit for her interviews and a small working wardrobe when she gets her job. The suits we give symbolize our faith in every woman’s ability to succeed.”

The power walk takes place in 40 cities in 5 countries, including Vancouver!  This year it took place at Oakridge Mall.  Vancouver gold buyer  I met a lot of very great and inspirational people including Elisabeth Walker Young-4 paralympic swimmer and winner of gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals!

Elisabeth Walker-Young Paralympic swimmer

I had an awesome time helping and cheering the walkers on! I’m looking forward to participating in next years walk! Thanks to the Power Walk crew and everyone for a fun and successful day! The Power walk 2012 raised $20, 000 for programming that will allow to put 133 local women through Dress for Success services!

Event Coordinator Deborah Twocock

If you’d like to know more about and how to get involved with Dress for Success check out their website!

http://www.dressforsuccess.org/affiliate.aspx?sisid=72&pageid=1

Hello everyone! I’m 17 years old and will be representing the gorgeous Vancouver British Columbia in this years Miss Teen Canada-World 2012! I am currently a senoir student at Kitsilano Secondary School. After being crowned Miss Teen British Columbia, I represented my school in this year’s, Vancouver Police Department Student Challenge 2012 and won first place with my team! My one week of intensive (and incredibly fun) training consisted of Law, simulations and the P.O.P.A.T (Police Officers Physical Abilities Test) and a lot of other physical activities! It was one of the hardest experiences I have ever had, but one of the few with a rewarding feeling after finishing and graduating!

VPD Student Challenge 2012 Group Photo

I am also a part of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, and have been for the past 4 years. My commitment there has influenced me in pursuing a career in aviation. After my experience in Toronto, I will be starting my flight training for my Powered Pilots License for the remaining of my Summer!

One of my many other passions is also Martial Arts, In which I have been training at Sport Kick Boxing Academy for 3 years! I am keeping myself busy with volunteering and events on top as well! So make sure to check out more blogs and pictures!

This post sponsored by outdoor umbrellas in British Columbia and a reliable Toronto roof repair network.

Cheers,

Nicole

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While most of us are at the tail end of our summer vacation, it’s not over yet! I’ve got a recipe for home-made popsicles that will keep you cool during these last few weeks of sunshine.

Here’s my recipe!

You will need:

• 1 cup vanilla ice-cream
• 1 cup 1% milk
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• 1/4 cup sliced strawberries

Blend all ingredients in a blender and pour into your popsicle mold. Then, freeze for a few hours until frozen through.

Onyx Containers

Made from 18/8 stainless steel, Onyx Containers popsicle molds are easy to clean and very durable. They are conveniently designed so that one popsicle can be removed (or re-filled) at a time. When your popsicle is frozen and ready to enjoy, simply hold the mold in your hand for a moment, or run under warm water briefly. (Not too long, it will release very quickly.)
Each set comes with one stand, 6 molds, 6 lids and 12 removable silicone rings. Unlike most other popsicle molds, the rings ensure proper stick placement.

The Miss Teen Canada World 2011 bloggers are working together on a Squidoo Lens to showcase our very own healthy popsicle recipes. Each blogger’s recipe and pictures will be posted on the site with links back to their blogs, so if you want some more recipe ideas check it out!

Thanks to Onyx Containers, our new sponsor, all of the Miss Teen Canada World 2011 bloggers who post their popsicle recipes will be recieving a stainless steel popsicle mold in the mail! I am so excited to try it out! Since I’ll be going to university this fall, this is a great way for me to prepare a snack before classes and have a treat ready to eat at the end of the day.