Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts

Saturday, March 5

Angela Price: The Hockey Wives Momterview* (*mom-to-be!)

Angela Price, wife of Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, is one of the stars of the W Network series Hockey Wives - with new episodes starting March 16th.

I had the opportunity to chat with Angela, and in our conversation she opened up about the media scooping their baby news (they're expecting their first child at the end of April), how she feels about being known as "Carey Price's wife", her favourite Montreal restaurant, and more!

Congratulations on the pregnancy - how are you feeling? 

Thank you! I'm actually feeling pretty good, so I'm not complaining!

The Diet Coke picture you shared to announce you were expecting was really cute - did you work with the brand on that, or just do it yourselves? 





We just did that ourselves; it was actually very last minute! Carey saw the cans at the rink and grabbed them before coming home!

News of your pregnancy was shared in the media earlier than you would have liked - can you speak to that a bit?

We were a week out of having that all-important doctor's appointment where they check the heartbeat and make sure everything is good, and someone must have seen us at a doctor's appointment or something and the media released that we were expecting, so that's how a lot of our friends and family found out which was too bad.

You're keeping the sex a surprise?

Yes, we have no idea, so we're very anxious to find out!





Of course you spend the hockey season living in Montreal {Angela is originally from Tri-Cities Washington, and the couple spends their off-season in Kelowna BC, near Carey's hometown}. What are some of your favourite things about Montreal?

The food...especially now, being pregnant! Montreal has some of the best restaurants out of any city I've ever lived in so that's definitely my favourite part!

Any one in particular?

Oh, I would have to go with Sho-Dan which is a sushi place downtown.

Have you learned any French since you've been in Montreal, or did you already speak the language?

You know what, I didn't speak French before. I'm American so I didn't grow up with that but I've taken private courses, courses at the university, I've learned through Rosetta Stone and it's not sticking! But I'm continually trying!

What made you decide to start your own blog {By Angela Price}? You're helping me master my hair-curling technique, by the way!

Oh, great! Well, it kind of brought all of my favourite things together in one place. I love photography, I love telling my stories, and I'm so far away from friends and family and I'm awful at texting and keeping in touch so it's a good way to let everyone know what I'm up to. I just thought, why not?






I know you said on the blog that there's a silver lining to Carey being injured in that you're spending more time together than ever - which is especially nice with a baby on the way - but there must also be a lot of frustration and disappointment since he's not playing right now?

Oh for sure, especially since this season has been a little rough for the guys and of course Carey wants to be on the ice so it gets a bit frustrating when he wants to be able to help out and there's nothing he can do. I think it's nice that I'm pregnant and we have the baby to distract us and give us something to look forward to and take our minds of that a bit.




Congratulations on being part of the cast of Hockey Wives! What would you say are the best and worst things about being on the show?

I think the best thing is seeing girls that you were friends with in the past and probably wouldn't see again, and being able to be with them and catch up has been really nice. I'd say the biggest downside would be watching yourself on TV, and hearing how annoying your voice is, stupid little things that you don't like about yourself and are displayed for all to see! {Here I shared with Angela that I *never* watch myself back on television.}





Are you ever concerned about being known as "Carey Price's wife" - is it a struggle to keep your own identity?

It was a struggle at first but at the end of the day, I am Carey Price's wife and I'm proud to be. I don't really mind it, but I think people often forget that I am my own person and I have my own life which doesn't always revolve around him or the Habs necessarily, so that can get frustrating.

As a follow-up to that, what do you want people to know about you as an individual? {Warning: Hardcore Habs fans may want to skip this answer.}

Oh, good question. I don't know if there's anything in particular that I want people to know, just that I have my own interests and I think people think that hockey kind of runs our world at home and that's not necessarily true. At home, we're just the same as any other couple. We're not talking about hockey, not talking about the Habs, just normal everyday things.





Do you find you've faced much social media negativity - I'm thinking of the Twitter harassment faced by another NHL goalie wife, April Reimer - have you had any issues like that?

I haven't had any big issues but of course you're going to get those negative people and I always joke that it seems like I can't do anything right according to people on social media! Everybody has their opinions but I think I'm pretty lucky that it doesn't get to me. I feel worse for my friends and family who read that stuff and get all worked up and upset but to be honest it doesn't really bother me.

The impression I get of Carey is that he is pretty private and can be wary of media attention - how did he feel about you joining a reality show?

He definitely is a lot more private than I am, and when I first went to him about Hockey Wives, I was thinking he would automatically say no, but he didn't. He was open to the idea, so we discussed with the show the importance of Carey maintaining his privacy and not filming in our home with us, not requiring anything from Carey and they were fine with that. So now we're in control of when he's on the show and when I'm talking about him or our family so we were able to remain as private as we wanted so it's been a perfect fit. I know when I started my blog, a piece of advice someone gave me was, "Make sure you're only telling your story, and not your husband's or anyone else's," and I keep that in mind because I think it's important.



What can we expect on the new episodes of Hockey Wives?

For me it's a lot of baby preparations and baby showers, and just celebrating the fact that we're having the baby. I'm really looking forward to it because I think it's a really special time that the cameras were able to capture and probably some episodes that later in life I'll look back at. 

Because my blog is called This Mom Loves, I always ask my interviewees how they would finish the sentence "This mom loves..." in your case it's "This mom-to-be loves"! What are some of your favourite things - products, places, foods, activities, anything?

Okay, where do I start? I love eating, as you know. Matcha tea lattes are my number one, every day. I like spending time with family, I love my quiet times in the morning - which I'm scared are going to go away! - and I love the outdoors, the sunshine. Love it, love it!


*******

You can catch new episodes of Hockey Wives on W Network starting March 16th, and find Angela on her blog, Twitter and Instagram.

P.S. Angela and Carey are involved in several charitable initiatives, and as a teacher - and Habs fan - I just had to finish off with this fun photo from Angela's Instagram.


A photo posted by Angela Price (@byangelaprice) on




Thursday, March 1

Kristi Yamaguchi: The "It's a Big World, Little Pig" Momterview

Kristi Yamaguchi refuses to slow down. Olympic Gold Medallist in Figure Skating? Check. Dancing With the Stars champion? Sure. Workout video? Yep. Devoted philanthropist? Of course. Wife of a Stanley Cup winner (former Carolina Hurricanes player Bret Hedican) and mother of two? Done. Oh yeah, and she writes children's books.

Born in the year of the pig, Kristi has always taken a particular interest in the animal, and last year decided to make Poppy the Pig the star of her first children's book, New York Times Bestseller "Dream Big, Little Pig!" (Daughter Keara, now eight, helped choose Poppy's name, and Poppy's best friend was named after Kristi's daughter Emma, now six.)

Fans will be delighted to learn that Poppy is now back in the sequel, "It's a Big World, Little Pig!" My (almost) six year old daughter Frannie enthuses: "It is so funny, like when it says 'New Pork City', and the colouring is beautiful. Poppy had a big talent and she learned that as soon as she travels somewhere she makes friends that she never even knew she would have! I've always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower in real life, but at least I could see a picture in this book!"

Courtesy Claire Deliman for M. Magazine

Kristi was kind enough to make time to answer a few questions for my readers and me.

This Mom: Your daughters are a couple of years older than my two. I'd love to know what their hobbies and interests are these days, and how parenting has changed since they were preschoolers?

Kristi Yamaguchi: My eight year old loves art, reading, Hula dancing. Also singing and dancing for fun. The six year old is starting figure skating, soccer, and singing and dancing for fun as well. Parenting has changed from a more playful/engaging role to now a bit more structured with homework and after school activities.


The new book

TM: After all of your accomplishments, what made you decide to write for children?

KY: My two daughters inspired me to write for children. They love books and reading and I wanted to give them something special from mommy. Also, I have always wanted to encourage and inspire kids to reach for their dreams, so this has been a fun way to bring that message to them.

About the second book: It’s a Big World, Little Pig! follows Poppy as she travels to Paris to compete in the World Games. At first, Poppy is nervous about meeting so many new people in a new place. But, ever courageous and supported by her family (and best friend Emma, too!), Poppy begins to realize that although these animals look different, act different, and are from different places, they are all the same at heart. They all smile in the same language!

TM: I would imagine that after a successful debut, there is pressure to come up with an equally great sequel. How did you come up with the theme for this second book, and was it more difficult than the first?

KY: Yes, more pressure! I once again looked back at some valuable life lessons I learned as a young skater and went from there. My very first experience traveling internationally had such an impact on me that I wanted to share some of that. So eye-opening at a young age. This book was more difficult than the first because Poppy is known now, she has a personality to be true to. A fun challenge though.


The first Poppy story

TM: How would you complete the sentence "This Mom Loves...."?

KY: This Mom loves Italy, skiing, reading, food, and shopping/fashion!

Thanks, Kristi! Be sure to check out "It's a Big World, Little Pig!", and Poppy's first adventure, "Dream Big, Little Pig!"

Disclosure: I received a copy of "It's a Big World, Little Pig!" for review purposes. Opinions are, as always, my own.

Sunday, April 17

Jamie Salé: The Stars on Ice Momterview

Jamie Salé is a Canadian darling. As the arguably prettier half of the figure skating duo Salé and Pelletier, she won Olympic Gold at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City following a major judging scandal. Jamie married on-ice partner David Pelletier in 2005, however the pair separated quietly over two years ago, publicly announcing their plans to divorce last June. Fortunately, the couple continues to do two very important things together: skate, and raise their son Jesse.

Fresh from the American Stars on Ice tour, Salé and Pelletier are set to hit Canadian venues as Sears Stars on Ice Presented by Samsung begins on their home soil later this week.

Jamie graciously took a few minutes to answer a few questions for This Mom Loves.

Photo: Stars on Ice

This Mom: What is the biggest sacrifice you have to make to be a skater, and what’s the biggest sacrifice you have to make to be a mom?

Jamie Salé: Right now, it is spending time with my child. It is always a struggle balancing your career and professional life. But you see… I can’t really call them sacrifices. I have to look at them as choices. I’ve chosen to be a professional skater who goes on Tours and I’ve chosen to be a mom.

TM:  Jesse is three and a half...what is he into right now? Milestones, interests?

JS: What isn’t he into!?! Oh…talking back – he totally has a mind of his own! He is very active - loves gymnastics, loves tumbling and loves the water. He’s potty trained, he feeds himself, he rides his bike with training wheels, which we are getting ready to take the off this summer. He is very courageous – he loves to climb things!

Photo: Jamie's Twitter image


TM: You’ve had two great seasons on Battle of the Blades. What has been the best part?

JS: The best part has definitely been getting to know the people. I’ve developed some great relationships. It was definitely worth it. You get to learn a lot about other people’s lives and experiences.

TM: Is commentating something that you can see yourself doing more of? {Jamie and David did some commentating for CTV during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.}

JS: I would love to, but there isn’t enough work out there. We only have one network that covers skating and it already has two great commentators. Until there is more work, I don’t know what my chances are. I really liked it though. But, I need to practise more…

TM:  I assume you have Jesse on the road with you for the show?

JS: Jesse tours with us at least 50-75% of the time. The rule is that we do not go more than 10 days without him, but really we keep it closer to five days or a week at the most.

TM: Tell us about the upcoming Sears Stars on Ice Presented by Samsung Tour. What can people expect?

JS: We will have two numbers, but you'll have to come to the show to find out what they are! Personally, I love doing the group numbers - they are so much fun! The music is popular - very fun, Top 40, sing-along type music.

TM: How does it feel getting ready to hit the ice for Stars on Ice, compared to getting ready to step out for a competition?

JS: It's very different. For a competition, there's training three hours a day, and it's really all you do, eat, sleep, and associate yourself with. Everything matters. The nice thing about doing a show is that we don’t take it as seriously. It's more entertaining and fun. We do work really hard to create a program that we think the audience will like, but it's more relaxed, with less panic, fear and nerves.

Photo: Stars on Ice

TM: How would you complete the sentence "This Mom Loves..."?

JS:  I love Yonka or Guinot facial creams. I love cuticle oil, body lotion and I wear Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. I love my MAC makeup! So much fun! There's a store I really love in Edmonton called "Who Cares"...and I also love BCBG and Lululemon.

Jamie and David obviously still have fun together, judging by this American Stars on Ice wardrobe malfunction, and David's blog entry on the subject!

Photo by Brittany Evans (Stars on Ice US website)

You're not going to want to miss Jamie's upcoming Canadian Stars on Ice Tour Dates. Salé and Pelletier will be joined by world renowned skaters Kurt Browning, Evan Lysacek, and Joannie Rochette, among others, for what Browning calls "one of the most spectacular shows that this country has ever seen!"  (Psst: I'll be at the Toronto show, and I'll give you all the details afterwards!)

Note that due to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and subsequent postponement of the World Figure Skating Championship, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir will participate in World's, and join the Stars on Ice tour in Winnipeg on May 5th. Audiences for the first half of the tour can look forward to a performance by Olympic Silver Medallists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto.

Here's where you can catch all the action:

April 21: Halifax, NS
April 23: Ottawa, ON
April 27: Windsor, ON
April 29: Toronto, ON
April 30: Hamilton, ON
May 1: London, ON
May 5: Winnipeg, MB
May 6: Saskatoon, SK
May 7: Edmonton, AB
May 8: Calgary, AB
May 10: Victoria, BC
May 13: Vancouver, BC

For tickets and more information, check out the Sears Stars on Ice Presented by Samsug website, and follow Sears Stars on Ice on Twitter.

To learn more about Jamie, visit the Salé/Pelletier website and Facebook page, and follow Jamie on Twitter.