Olga (7 page)

At last, Lynda and I boarded the bus that would take us to Nuneaton, England, where I would be teaching second form students for the next ten months while their former teacher would teach my grade 2 class at Suncrest School in Burnaby. Lynda would pass two academic admission tests and would be studying at Nuneaton Grammar High School for
girls.

My students and I got along just fine, but I could not quite understand their accents. I occasionally met their mothers and fared no better. One day a child from another class appeared at my classroom door asking, “May I have the book it, please, miss?” The little lad tried to communicate what he wanted three times, but still I could not understand what he needed, so I showed him in and said, “Please help yourself.” He picked up a bucket and left. As time went on, the whole situation improved greatly, and we managed to communicate rather
well.

The Royal Tea at Buckingham Palace Gardens was exciting and grand. Princess Alexandra, the youngest granddaughter of King George V and Queen Mary, was a gracious hostess as she greeted some 50 exchange teachers from the different Commonwealth countries. She made us feel welcome. What a great pleasure and honour to have been so lucky to attend such a lovely event. I looked nice in my new blue silk dress and matching coat, pearls, and white gloves, the wardrobe that was specially tailored for me in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, children were not invited to the Royal Tea, so Lynda could not attend the
event.

During the course of the year, Lynda and I traveled extensively through Europe. We attended a wedding in Scotland, invited by the Canadian brother of the bride to take his place because he could not attend. For fall break, we went to Madrid, Spain and learned that people have a siesta at noon, dinner at 8 or 9 p.m., and then party into the wee hours. In Worchester we went shopping for china, and attended festivals and concerts. On most Sundays, we attended church services in
Coventry.

During Christmas break in 1966, I was fortunate to join the Student’s Union Club and travel to Russia. My roommate was from Australia, and she was excited to see snow for the first time in her life. The sights and sounds of Russia were intriguing and interesting. Language was not a problem for me being of Ukrainian descent, and I thought I was able to converse easily in Russian. One evening, however, my ability to communicate proved to be unsuccessful. A group of 14 students and I took the underground metro to a Philharmonic concert on the other side of Moscow, and had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. On the way back to our hotel, we stuck together for safety reasons, standing on the subway platform not quite knowing which train to board. Since I was the oldest and the only one knowledgeable, I thought, in the Russian language, I approached a comrade standing on the platform and, in Ukrainian, asked him whether we were on the right train track to get back to our hotel. He looked at me in dismay and exclaimed “
nyet, nyet, nyet
”, looking at me over his shoulder as he hurried away. When I came back to my group to explain what had transpired, my Australian mate laughed and said: “You never know: perhaps he thought Mrs. Kotelko was inviting him back to her
hotel!”

During the two-week Easter Spring school break, Lynda and I travelled on a bus tour of Israel visiting Tel Aviv, Haifa, the Sea of Galilee, Bethlehem and, of course, Jerusalem where we walked the Stations of the Cross. We also had the opportunity to float in the Dead
Sea.

When my teaching year in Nuneaton was over, we still had a period of time before sailing back to Vancouver. Lynda and I had planned a month-long bus tour of Europe, and in our busy itinerary not many countries would be spared. We were having a great time. At one town, I purchased enough material to make matching dresses for Lynda and me. After dinner in the hotel room, the two dresses were sketched and cut out with much care, stitched up by hand, and hemmed. No ironing was necessary. To complete the mother and daughter matching dresses we needed belts. I cut three long strips of fabric for each dress, and the next day, while we travelled from city to city, Lynda and I braided the two belts. That evening, there we were, mother and daughter in identical new dresses sashaying down the great staircase for dinner much to the delight and wonder of our travelling
companions.

Our year away was almost over. For the final portion of our trip, Lynda and I boarded another great P&O passenger liner, the
Oriana
at Southampton, to sail across the Atlantic to Vancouver via the Panama Canal. In four weeks, we would be back to our normal lives, and I would be back in my own classroom. The international adventure and experiences would be forever
treasured.

While Lynda and I were away in England, my older daughter Nadine attended Simon Fraser University in the education program. She had arranged for four university students to live in our house and help her with living expenses by paying room and board. Nadine had some challenges when she learned that one student was suicidal, one was a vegetarian, and another one was schizophrenic. What kind of meals could she provide these complicated
roommates?

She soon sorted out the problems, dismissed her roommates, and returned to her pre-boarders’ life, which entailed living on her own, while holding down two evening jobs, and excelling in her studies at
SFU.

It was great to be back on home ground, back to a normal life, and the routine with family, friends, and neighbours. Thank the good Lord for guiding Lynda and me, and Nadine, on our endeavours and for blessing us with good
health.

Flying around the world on 37 cents

I had caught the travel bug and on my next international expedition, called “Project Overseas”, I was able to fly around the world at a cost to me of
37cents.

In 1970, eight Canadian teachers and administrators were selected by the Canadian Teachers Federation and assigned to “Teach the Teachers” in Uganda, Africa for five weeks during the summer. Four educators were from B.C., one from Alberta, two from Ontario, and one from Québec. We assembled in Ottawa for a two-day orientation session on how to teach in Africa, and then spent two days in Rome attending university lectures in math and science. We landed at Entebbe International Airport in Kampala, Uganda and proceeded to the Tea House on the university campus where we would live comfortably for the next five weeks. One rule was strongly emphasized: we were not to venture outdoors after sundown because possible dangers lurked invisible in the dark of
night.

We were scheduled to meet the rest of the staff at University Hall and were assigned a class of local teachers as our students. In a sense, I would call this a seminar. My job was to teach art with the help of another Canadian teacher from Toronto. Realizing how artistically creative Africans are we wondered how two Canadians could make a difference. Art materials were limited; therefore, we had to improvise. We created a mosaic using seeds of different colors and sizes. Our art display proved to be a great
success.

An African safari to the Lake Victoria region involved camping outdoors. During the night, a herd of elephants roamed around us, stomping, sniffing, and snorting to their enjoyment and our amazement while we shivered in fear inside our tents. When we returned after an exhausting day to our hotel, we hurried into the pub to quench our thirst with beer, consumed in one gulp without stopping for a breath. We found the African heat unbearable even though it was actually their
winter.

During an interesting discussion, a native African teacher said he hoped that our Quebec teacher would take at least four of his children back to Canada to be educated. He had 21 children at the time, and was not able to provide the necessities of life for all of them. Of course, the Canadian teacher was not able to help in such a personal family matter other than to recommend a family planning course, which, in this gentleman’s case, was already too
late.

A Roman Catholic priest from Toronto, who was part of our group, expressed a wish to return to Canada via the Orient. My art teaching partner Val and I decided to join him and fly from Kampala, Uganda to Bangkok, Thailand and then on to Vancouver. My travel agent adjusted and arranged my flight. All I needed to add to the cost of the original ticket provided by the Canadian Teachers Federation was 37 cents. What a great
deal!

Yes indeed, I caught the travel bug early in life, and it is one happy germ I hope never to cure. That’s one of the main reasons I love competing in track and field competitions around the world. Travelling, especially on the water, makes me feel alive and grateful for the sights, sounds, and sensations this wonderful world has to
offer.

One recent memorable voyage coincided with the XVI World Masters Athletics Championships taking place in Riccioni, Italy in September 2007, when I was 88 years of age. While I was going abroad and on the way to Italy for the sports competition, I decided to try an intriguing way of water travel. I had heard about river cruising, and I was curious to experience this new and interesting way of travelling. The 18-day trip from Paris, France to Budapest, Hungary took us through four countries: France, Germany, Austria and Hungary. Our ship,
MS Avalon Tranquility
, sailed up and down five different waterways: the Moselle River, the Rhine River, the Maine River, Maine-Danube Canal, and finally the famous Danube River, sightseeing 13 different
cities.

When I say up the river, that is, we sailed up the river as it flows downward from the mountains. At the numerous locks, the ship was raised to new levels and continued sailing up to the Maine-Danube canal. Then it was across the lock to where the Danube River flows downward, and the ship was lowered at the various locks until finally docking in Budapest. What a glorious 18-day trip, with the most appropriate name: the Jewels of Central
Europe.

After the river cruise, I flew on to Riccioni, Italy where I competed in all of my regular events/disciplines. I brought home 8 gold medals and 1 silver medal, and wonderful memories of a remarkable
expedition.

Today as I am writing about my river cruising adventure, news from Central Europe confirms that the 2013 spring floods are their worst floods of all time. Many river ships in Europe had to cancel trips, and were busing passengers and moving ships that were already full to alternate
routes.

Since my cruise in 2007, river cruising has become a popular mode of travel. If you do decide to try it, you may want to keep in mind what savvy travellers suggest: Read the fine print in your booking paperwork. A river cruise is what you purchased, but a river cruise may not be what you get. Purchase travel insurance that allows you to cancel for any reason. And if you book your own air travel, leave enough time for any delays and glitches. People who thought they would be flying out of Prague were being bused to
Munich.

These are some things to consider when you are planning your trip. The 2013 flood is not the first time Europe’s rivers have flooded, and it won’t be the
last.

Your homework
assignment:

How are you feeling about your life now? What gives you energy and lifts your
spirits?

Did you know that many people who work out in the morning before work find their energy levels are higher throughout the day? Try
it.

Make an inventory of all the things you love to do. I love to travel, to explore, and to meet new people. Do you know what truly brings you joy? If you have not figured that out at this stage in life, it’s not too late. There is still time! Live in the moment. Be conscious of the journey and set your sights on what is best for
you.

A little girl was talking to her teacher about
whales.

The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very
small.

The little girl stated that Jonah fell into the ocean and was swallowed by a
whale.

Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically
impossible.

The little girl said, “When I get to heaven I will ask
Jonah.”

The teacher asked, “What if Jonah went to
hell?”

The little girl replied, “Then you ask
him.”

FIVE
Sports & Athletics: My New Passion

What precision! Patrik took the photo as I released the javelin at just the right moment, aiming for that tiny cloud in the sky. Patrik Giardino
photo.

Lesson:
Sport provides opportunities to learn about discipline, desire, determination, accomplishment, and success. The choice between team sports and individual sports branches into the diverse options in the sporting fields. Once you get out socializing and competing, you discover a new self-care practice that is healthy and fun. Competition is healthy. Set your sights on winning. The happiest and healthiest people are the ones who get out there and
socialize.

“To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily.
To
not dare is to lose oneself.”
—
Soren
Kierkegaard

Eleven siblings readily made two good teams for any game, be it softball, wolf & geese, anti-anti over, short stick/long stick, or a game we invented on the spot. Every game offered the chance for challenge and championship. Serious competition was at hand. To determine the equality and strength of the teams, we employed a strategy in making up the two sides, taking into consideration the age and sex of each player: fair is fair was our
aim.

After supper, evening chores, and clean up, the Saskatchewan summer beckoned us for a competitive sport challenge before bedtime. The chirping birds in the nearby bulrushes were our cheerleaders and, after we tumbled into our beds, their enchanting choir eventually lulled us to
sleep.

As I mentioned previously, after our two-mile walk to school each morning (warm up to our 8 a.m. brain work), we would enjoy a good game of softball or football if we could repair the lame equipment. Back in the 1930s and 1940s little, if any, organized sports were available. Not only did this lack prevent the introduction of team work and fitness for both boys and girls, the authorities discouraged females from taking part in rigorous sports. Why? Because they feared the girls would damage their reproductive
organs.

After school, we formed our baseball team of five to seven boys and two girls. Mary Scherban and I would challenge the neighbouring school team six miles away. After our win, we walked home, jubilant, exhausted, and confident. What fun! Through team work, we learned and exhibited the challenge, determination, sportsmanship, and leadership required for
sports.

Indeed, it was encouraging to become the champion softball team, from Riel Dana School, at our District Sports Days in
Vonda.

The early benefits of team sports included the determination to succeed. This version of goal setting helped me when I determinedly completed my education so I could work as a teacher. While teaching for four years in Saskatchewan rural schools, I taught my students—farm children from ages 5-17—to become leaders, play fair, and be good sports. Later, during my teaching career in Burnaby, B.C., I saw how important athletics is for the health and development of all children. For my own health and well-being as a single parent, I pursued evening classes in yoga, tai chi, line dancing, and square dancing, while devoting time to enjoy my two daughters. Nadine would go on to teach with the Burnaby School Board for 20 years, and Lynda would became a
paralegal.

I loved my teaching career; however, by law I was obliged to retire from teaching in 1984 at the age of 65. I wasn’t sad or depressed, but it was unfortunate because I loved teaching, and I still had a lot of energy. The biggest change after retiring from the world of teaching came in 1989 when I moved from New Westminster to West Vancouver to live with Lynda, her husband Richard, and their two wonderful children, Matthew and Alesa. I was happy to live with them and to help with their growing
family.

Never one to sit still, and with my family’s encouragement, I became involved in the local West Vancouver Senior Centre. Immediately, I joined the Ramblers hiking club. Walking is a phenomenal form of exercise: you get the heart elevated while working some of the biggest muscles in your body. I attended an aqua fit class three times a week and continued to participate in yoga classes, painting classes, line dancing, and pottery. For my brain, I learned to play bridge. My life was
full.

Bowling is a sport I enjoy immensely! When you think about it, a bowling alley is a little community centre where people enjoy friendship, fitness, and fun. From 1960 – 1984, every Thursday at 4 p.m., I played 10-pin bowling at Brentwood Lanes with the Burnaby Teachers Bowling Club. We occupied all 48 lanes. I was punctual and dedicated to the sport and developed great skill and technique to maintain a substantial average of
150+.

Our team record states: “Olga demonstrated good sportsmanship and leadership. She enjoyed strong health habits of balance, poise and camaraderie. Olga was a joyful athlete in the bowling club and was admired for her spirit and a role
model.”

From 1988 – 2002, I bowled 10-pin weekly in three leagues with the Happy 55 Gang at Brunswick Lions Gate Bowling Lanes in West Vancouver. I continued my membership with the Happy 55 Gang at Rev’s Bowling Centres in Burnaby, B.C., (formerly Brentwood Lanes) when the West Vancouver bowling lanes closed. I maintained an average of 146 at the age of 86, and at the age of 93 my average was 127. Pretty
good.

I soon decided to pursue the game of slo-pitch softball. I was thankful that the North Shore Saltchuckers Slo-Pitch Team signed me up. Slo-pitch is a form of softball played with eight men and two women on each side, and in which each pitch must travel in an arc 3-10 feet high. Base stealing is not
permitted.

Initially, I detested the sport because I was unable to connect my bat with the ball. I persevered and persisted, however, and eventually I came to love the game with a passion. I enjoyed the competition and the camaraderie while competing against teams in and around Vancouver. The joy of winning games on a sports team filled a void in my athletic
life.

I played a number of positions: catcher, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd base, shortstop, and right field. I liked playing 2nd base the best. People began to notice me when I played and, as I mentioned previously, I showed up on the sport’s radar when I made a double play that put out runners at 1st base and home
plate.

I loved slo-pitch softball, especially because I played well in every position, but age became a factor in my decision to leave the game. One day, during a particularly intense game, I was backing up to catch a fly ball. Suddenly, a male centre fielder who was twice my size tackled me; he thought the ball was his to catch. Ouch, that hurt! I soon realized it was time to leave the game to younger blood. I had played until 1996 at the age of 77 and loved it. A short time after retiring from softball, I turned my attention to track and field, and chose running and throwing events not unlike those skills necessary in
softball.

I branched off to track and field on the advice of my mentors, Bob Robinson, and fellow slo-pitch player, Al Jarvis. These two men were physical education teachers and coaches at North Shore schools. Bob had coached the legendary athlete Harry Jerome in the 1960s. These two men believed in me. They believed I could do it; therefore, I worked for
it.

Every Tuesday and Thursday we went to the high school track and worked on track and field events. I had a few things to learn. For instance, when I approached local high schools for some throwing equipment I didn’t realize, until I was asked what sizes I wanted, that the shot put, discus and javelin came in specific dimensions. I took home what was available. At first, throwing the javelin, shot put, and discus was a challenge; I had never seen nor held these intriguing instruments. Off to the library I went to learn more about these implements. I also carefully watched other people demonstrate their skills at various track and field championships. With their guidance, I started to practice throwing the javelin, shot put, and discus with a
vengeance.

The coaching I received, from Al, Bob, and later Barb Vida, trained me to achieve my objectives. Their coaching, training, and instructing gave me self-awareness of track and field events, and they offered methods of improvement that I could not have worked on without their help. I benefitted from their critique of my form, their keen eyes for detail, and their encouragement when I was feeling less than
100%.

When I turned my attention to athletics, I channeled the same concentration that I put into teaching. I pursued and persisted and became proficient in my new athletic career, a career that I treasure with all of my heart. I joined the Canadian Masters Athletic Association. Membership in the CMA is open to anyone who is interested in masters and sub-masters fitness. “Masters” are defined as women and men 35 and over. Masters championships’ competition is limited to those ages, in 5-year age sets, up to the age of the oldest competitor. The North Shore Nor-Westers Track and Field Club helped me with the 100 m sprint, shot put, javelin, and discus throw. Coach and trainer Barb Vida helped me to develop the specific technique and skill in those events. I also perfected the hammer and weight throws, weight pentathlon, 200m, 400m, high jump, long jump, and triple
jump.

Barb diligently continued to guide, encourage, and instruct with a firm hand for a couple of years. We started warm-ups with ABC drills of strength training and a form of injury prevention as well. Drills train muscles to “fire faster” and help the legs work more efficiently. Barb introduced me to the exercise machines at the gym to develop general and core strength for jumps, sprints, and throws. She was a wonderful coach. Soon I felt capable to train and compete on my own. In 1997, I competed against five other senior competitors in the B.C. Senior Games in the 75-79 years of age category. There was no other way to go but
up!

“The spirit of a true athlete does not simply show in competition but in practice as well,” said Barb. Barb’s coaching and encouragement enabled me to become extremely dedicated in the gym through a program of consistent exercise, which included general and functional weight training and cardio training, in addition to my track and field technical
training.

Senior athletes throwing a javelin, doing the long jump, or running do not have access to their own tracks; consequently, Barb and I would drive around for miles to find an empty school track. Prior to any actual training, my warm-up consisted of me using my spade to dig a pit for the long and triple jumps. For high jump, I needed separate equipment that was seldom available, so high jump came later in my
program.

I am neither a coach nor a trainer, but I can share with you my personal training regime. I can show and advise you how and where to start the journey in track and
field.

Two months prior to a competition I start training for my 9 to 12 different disciplines. Only in fair weather (not when it’s raining), I spend 2 to 3 hours training outdoors by myself, mainly at West Van Senior Secondary School (WVSS) and other neighbourhood
schools.

Warm up—alternate walking slow laps, fast laps on the
track;

Warm up—running slow laps, fast laps on the
track;

Sprint 50m-75m—increase distance with
rest;

Combine 1-2 throws events with 1-2 jump
events;

Cool down by again walking or
jogging.

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I alternate my OK exercises and aquafit three times a week, with training at WVSS on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. On rainy days, I train in the gym. On Sundays, I go to church to give thanks for all my
blessings.

My first international masters competition was at the age of 78 in Tucson, Arizona. From May 21-28, 1997, I joined 10,000 athletes taking part in the National Senior Olympic Sports Classic. I was honoured to be chosen to carry the Canadian flag into the enormous Tucson University Stadium and lead the Canadian contingent of 72 athletes. When I competed in Tucson, I was in the 75-79 age
group.

The javelin required for the competition weighed only 400 grams, 200 grams lighter and slightly shorter than the one I had practiced with at home. My 5th throw measured 57 feet. The judge announced that the other competitors had to beat that number. My 6th throw was an amazing 19.94 m (65’5”), which was 15 feet farther than the second place finisher. It felt as if an angel had picked up my javelin and carried it that far. With that throw, I broke the World and American records and established a new Canadian
record.

The other competitors swarmed around to congratulate me. “What do you eat? How much do you train? Do you have a coach? How much do you sleep?” They plied me with question after question. The official, a former world javelin athlete, inquired about where I was from, saying that he liked my style of performance. He told me that I had great
potential.