Chelsey Mark or Mai Xiao Long has made a name for himself as a true artist.

Chelsey Mark is known as a great host and performer in China. Being born and raised in Canada, Chelsey fuses the Western and Eastern cultures to master his craft. He, however, has maintained a modest attitude that is admired by the youth. Read on as this ultimate artist talks about traveling, his career, his family, politics, and motivating the youth.

     One look at Chelsey and you will probably guess that he is either American, French, Italian, Puerto Rican, Mexican or Filipino.  But once you hear him speak fluent Mandarin, you’ll definitely know he’s Chinese.

     Chelsey Mark, or Mai Xiao Long in Chinese, has been working in China for the last 10 years. Fresh out of Brandon University in Manitoba, Canada, he readily packed his bags and left for China. Without knowing anyone and without speaking a word of Chinese, except for a little “Ni hao ma,” he strived to survive in the mainland.

     Now, Chelsey has made a name for himself as a true artist. Hosting, performing, singing and even acting—he has been recognized in a number of international events and local TV shows and commercials, which includes a hopeful acting stint in a Hollywood movie.  With all these, Chelsey still considers himself to be “chasing a dream which does not come easy for him.

Chelsey was one of the Host for the Lifestyle Talk Show, “Encyclopedia” on Hunan TV

Family Pride

     Chelsey was born and raised in Dauphin, Manitoba. His mom is a Canadian, but his dad is pure Chinese—born in Tai Shan, in the Guangdong Province of China. This was the main reason the Canadian born performer went to China. “I came back to find my roots, all because of my dad,” he shares.

     His dad, who also happens to be a member of the Parliament in Canada for 14 years, before retiring last year, is the third generation of Mai’s in Canada. Chelsey’s great grandfather was actually part of the 1880’s Canadian Pacific Railway laborers. “That’s a part of my story that I don’t want to brag, but which sets my story apart from every other Chinese. It is [that] my great grandfather worked in the railroads,” he says.

     From being an immigrant himself, to helping immigrants at present, Chelsey’s father has been working on having equal rights for Asians and other immigrants in Canada. On sharing of his dad’s work, Chelsey can only say of one thing: “There are these strange laws that you’d never think that still exist, but they do. Like the slavery law…the head tax. Certain little figures that still existed today in law. So he would cut the seams down.”

Starting in Beijing

     Trying to find out his roots and who he really was, Chelsey decided to go to China. He described his first year in China as the worst year of his life. “I didn’t have any friends, no foreigners because it’s a little town. I sat basically everyday with my book.” Being alone was frustrating for Chelsey  that there were times when he would start crying because of home-sickness. “I was so lonely, I’d sit and watch movies that reminded me of home and I’d start crying.” However, his lonely days also had its benefits. It was at that time that he started learning how to speak Chinese, teaching himself pinyin and reading books about the language. He also started teaching English to the native children – something that has always been close to his heart.

     His second year in China started on a good note. He got a scholarship to study at the Beijing Language and Culture University. It was also that time when he started singing at bars with a group. He says being in the group for three years, and singing all over China was like “a challenge, everyday.”

Chelsey hosted a number of MTV China Events		“NBA Made in China” Official Program of the NBA in China, NBA English, NBA All-stargame

     When SARS hit the shores of China, Chelsey was faced with one of the hardest challenges in his life. “SARS kicked us out..it was like ‘ok, here’s your scholarship, now go home!’” Due to the epidemic, the university had to let foreign students go. “Since it was all foreign students, when  students die from SARS in your university, it’s not very good,” he explains. “It was a big decision for me to leave the band, but with SARS, everyone was scared so I left.”

He came back to Canada to become a student painter at Ottawa. However, his heart was not in to it. So after a month, Chelsey went back to China. “I phoned my mom; I was crying. I told her that I need to go back, that I don’t belong here.” Upon coming back, he started working on his singing career and everything fell into place from there. “All those experiences make you realize what you really want.”

Hosting, Acting, Performing And Everything In Between

     No one really knows who Chelsey Mark is in China, but Mai Xiao Long is a fairly popular name in the country. Chelsey, who uses his Chinese name Mai Xiao Long at gigs in China, is known to have 10 years of hosting experience tucked under his belt and a number of great performances to go with that. He has hosted Live events like the Nike Festival of Sports—a four day festival which he describes as “a huge thing”; the Air Jordan Brand China Tour; a number of MTV China events, as well as Li-Ning Sportswear events.

     He also hosted TV shows regularly, such as Top Gear, an Automoblie show on Hunan TV; Action English on CCTV Movie Channel; Go as Far as You Can on The Travel Channel, Eco Hero—an Environmental Report Show on TianJin TV; and the show that he is most known for—NBA Made in China, the Official program of the NBA in the country.

     Moreover, the Chinese are not the only ones noticing who Mai Xiao Long is, but even NBA basketball players themselves. Chelsey shares one of his fondest memories while working for the NBA show. “I could say I’m closest to Chris Bosh ‘cause I’ve done a couple of VIP interviews with him, so he knows [who I am]. So when he came to China, he was like ‘Oh you’re everywhere now!’” Just one of the perks of his job, says Chelsey. “It’s like ‘Oh! An NBA star remembers me!’”
 

Interview with Asianwave Magazine		Interview with Asianwave Magazine

     However, with all the hype come the lows too. Chelsey says his job is not all glitz and glamour. With all the fuzz comes a ton of pressure and a whole lot of stress. “When you do it a couple of times and people laugh, it’s like ‘Aww, OK.’ But [then] you’re expected to get laughs, you’re expected to be good. Then it’s different.” There were times when he had to fight for the spotlight because other artists won’t share it with him. “The other hosts were cutting me down, behind the camera and in front of the camera.” There were also moments when other hosts won’t even give him the chance to speak. On one occasion, he was cut off from hosting an event on the actual day itself. “It’s crazy, because they didn’t want me on stage with their host. They thought that they didn’t need me. I fought with the entire group. It was like 10 guys and I’ve never been through like that in my life, [but] I conquered it, I made it.”

     It is his ‘Never Say Never’ attitude and his burning passion for his craft that has kept Chelsey afloat amidst all the hurdles he had to overcome. With everything he has been through, he has this to say, “I’m fearless. I don’t care. I’m scared of nothing.  I don’t care. Bring it!  I can deal with it!”

What Lies Ahead
     “My main goal this year is to get my motivation speaking skills up a notch.” Chelsey has always had the desire to speak to children, encouraging them to follow their dreams. “I’m trying to motivate the kids to chase their passion. In China it’s a big problem where kids just chase money. They don’t understand that money can’t create happiness.”

     Chelsey wants to be a good role model for the youth. Being a host, a singer and a performer, yet still living paycheck by paycheck, he wants kids to look up to him and be inspired. He says that with dedication, commitment and the love for what you do, even though things may not happen as desired, “at least you’ll be happy in the end. And when you’re happy [to] do what you do, you get better and money comes naturally.”

     His heart to help is most evident in the way Chelsey speaks about inspiring the youth, but when asked if this fervor can be translated to a future career in Politics, he says he isn’t closing his doors. “I’m still too much of a young man, but I’ll think about it …[maybe] ten years from now.” He says that it’s all about helping others; and with how his dad helped people through politics, he is also motivated to follow these footsteps in the future.

     Amidst all the achievements and triumphs he has reached, Chelsey  has somehow maintained a very modest and grounded outlook in life. He still considers all his accomplishments as steps towards chasing his dreams, while not forgetting to give back to the community. “It’s kinda cheesy, but it’s just simply about the attitude and gratitude.”

Photos courtesy of Chelsey Mark

http://www.maixiaolong.com

Canadian Prime Minister Stephan Harper talking at the 5th Canada-China Business Forum

     Stephen Harper, Canada’s Prime Minister, visited Guangzhou on February 10, 2012, with a fresh perspective on the topics of trade, human rights, oil and a stable partnership with China. It was during the dinner party that he committed on improving the energy partnership between Canada and China. With a lot of natural resources that Canada boasts of, he believed that they can render the most important materials to further enhance the industrial growth of China.

     Considering that Canada is known to be a major exporter of energy supply to the US, the Canadian Prime Minister said that they are in the works of diversifying their country’s export market so as to further make the most of their commercial interest. As a response, the Governor of Guangdong, Zhu Xiaodan shared that this is a great opportunity for them to promote a good sense of co-operation on other areas as well as from the environment protection campaigns, IT, biomedicine and finance.

     Harper also met with Wang Yang, the Secretary of the Guangdong Committee of the Communist Party of China, and also paid a visit to an international school within the community. The Prime Minister also went on a five-day trip to Beijing as a guest of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

     During the speech, Harper presented a seemingly economic pitch to the Chinese people intending to sell his country’s natural resources to those who are interested to buy, and this gives emphasis to the need of China. Also, he gave a hint on the US turning down TransCanada and its Keystone XL pipeline and it was a clear message for the Chinese to hear.

     For days, Harper has been the feature cover of various local media papers since the time of his arrival. His speech was heard by many reporters from the local and international scene along with hundreds of business people from Canada and China.

     He further stressed that they would continue on raising issues on human rights as they pursue dealings with China but there were no particulars mentioned from him. What he did mention on an interview with The House, a CBC Radio show, is that when everyone comes to that stage of implementation, the interests of the Chinese will truly show. “That means we should take advantage of those situations. Obviously we are a guest in this country so we will raise these things respectfully,” he said.

     The Prime Minister discussed with pride the results of all the hard work they have done through the years since his last visit in 2009. With their signed agreements since then, they have seen an increase of growth in both tourism and education.
 

MP Chungsen Leung (second from right) and Dashan were part of a large team of VIPs that accompanied PM Harper to China.		China will loan two pandas to Canada

      “Following our 2009 agreements, there has been a remarkable increase in the the number of Chinese students studying in Canada. There is no better place in the world to study than Canada.  That’s why more than 60,000 Chinese students now attend Canada’s world-class colleges and universities, that’s a 35 percent increase in just four years, and the number is growing,” he said.

     “There has since been tremendous growth in travel.  From January to October of 2011, Canada received more than 200,000 visits from China, an increase of almost 25 percent in one year alone, and we look forward to welcoming even more Chinese visitors in the years to come.”

     He ended his speech with nice complements to China and its hardworking people. “China has shown the world how to make poor people rich; through frugality and diligence, and of course, the application of market economics.  This message is validated by performance, by a 30-year average of 10 percent per annum growth, by lifting half a billion people out of poverty and by becoming an economic power of the first rank likely to soon return to what it has been for most of recorded history, the world’s largest economy. The world is a better place for a China that favours free trade over protectionism, for a China that plays  the constructive role it did at last year’s G-20, and for a China whose people will value social and political progress as much as its economic growth.  To these things, we look forward with hope and optimism and in a growing friendship,” the Prime Minister said.

     In a news conference for his trip wrap up, Prime Minister Harper concluded his entire trip as a success. He said that the event just became a clear illustration of not just commerce growth but also of the strengthening of the cultural and social ties between the two counties of China and Canada.

     “And with the agreements we’ve concluded and the commitments to move to the next level – particularly on economic agreements – I think this really is a trip that is really moving us to a totally new level in our relationship,” Harper concluded.

PM Harper and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao		PM Harper having dinner with Dashan (Mark Rowswell, Goodwill Ambassador to China)		PM Harper and Chinese President Hu Jintao

PM Harpger and Low-Carbon Poneer Dr. You-Zhi Tang		PM Harper and Wang Yang, Secretary of the Guangdong Committee of the Communist Party of China		PM Harper with Jeff Leung

Spring/summer 2011 is about bold splashes of colour and vibrancy. In theory, and on the runway, this sounds great. However, in real life how do we make this season’s fuchsia lip or cobalt blue eye work?

     Simple… focus on a few key products, texture and finish.

     After a long winter during which our lips are shredded, “beautistas” are determined to make the mouth the focal point, by using bright colours.  However, instead of applying a satin finish lipstick and lipliner, opt for fashionable, colourful “lipglosticks” (lipsticks that are light and shiny like a gloss) or traditional gloss.

     “Pinkistas” take note that fresh pink lips look like you ate watermelon, so try Clinique’s Chubby Stick in Woppin’ Watermelon and Shu Uemura’s Rouge Unlimited PK337 (limited edition).  Both are shiny and unabashedly feminine.

     Coral/orangey shades can be intimidating in the package but once on, can truly brighten the face.  Bold, fiery women will enjoy dabbing on Christian Dior’s Fire, a great orange that invites summer.  For “coralistas” nothing beats the polish of Clinique’s Chubby Stick in Mega Melon.  For “peachistas”, Illamasqua’s Torture is a soft peach gloss that is perfect for work.

Christian Dior’s Fire    ($31)

Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm – INTL Mega Melon, Whoppin’ Watermelon   ($19)

Illamasqua’s Torture     ($20 USD)

     Spring also embraces the nude with ‘tude and Benefit’s Ultra Shines glosses are great. Try Nudie-tude (beige with sparkle) and Nookie Nookie (iridescent pink with sparkle).

     If lips are not your thing, the eyes also celebrate colour.  Remember, to avoid looking overdone, choose to work either the lips or the eyes.

     If you prefer to just wear eyeliner, experiment with colour instead of using black.  Stila’s All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Indigo is a nice pop of colour against dark eyes.  If you prefer sultry, then line your eyes with Benefit’s Charcoal Waterproof Eye Pencil, a cool, slate grey that lasts all day.

     For those of you ready to move beyond eyeliner, colourwash your eyes with Illamasqua’s Cream Pigment in Dab, a soft lilac that brightens the eyes or Bedaub, a cool mint green that is pure sophisticated 60’s.

Stila’s All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Indigo   ($26)

Benefit’s Charcoal Waterproof Eye Pencil   ($26)

Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Dab   ($24 USD)

     However, if you are a colour queen, then a must-buy is Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess  Island Oasis Palette.  This six-set of colours includes shimmery, gold inflected khaki, gold, azure, bronze, sienna and white that can be used as liners and shadows.  Line the eyes in khaki and then blend-in gold or line the eyes in azure with white dabbed on the inside corners or mix the sienna and bronze and lightly powder the crease to create pure heat.  This palette is only limited by your imagination.

For women who have been waiting for the return of blue, Shiseido’s Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio in BL310 is perfect. This kit contains softly-flecked navy and cerulean blue shadows and a cool pink. I like to line my eyes in blue and then add pink to the crease.

Shiseido’s Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio in BL310   ($40)

Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess  Island Oasis      ($50)

     Yves Saint Laurent’s Pure Chromatics quartet is a set of wet/dry shadows.  The colours in palette 6 are an eclectic, mix of sparkly olive green, gold, mauve and midnight blue and it runs with your creativity!  Try colour washing your lids in gold and then wet your brush and line with midnight blue.

YSL Yves Saint Laurent’s Pure Chromatics     ($71)

Illamasqua’s Purity   ($14 USD)

     A fun way to be trendy is to do your manicures and pedicures in rich colours.  For a feminine look, Illamasqua’s Purity is a beautiful peach cameo.  Illamasqua’s Blow, a bright yellow, announces that you love sandals.  To add sultriness, contrast these polishes with Christian Dior’s Nirvana, something that's definately going to draw attention.  To add mystery, finish with Dior’s Smoky Black Top Coat, which adds a film noir finish.

     To compliment the colour on your lips, eyes and nails, great skin is necessary.  Origins Brighter by Nature SPF 30, literally evens out skin tone, adds a touch of glow and sun protection. This powder foundation is lightweight, lasts all day and does not crease.

Dior Vernis Nirvana #704     ($31)

Dior Rock Coat – Smoky Black Top Coat     ($29)

Origins Brighter By Nature SPF 30     ($29)

     For an allover glow, Dior skin Nude Glow Healthy Glow Summer Powder is a peachy pink powder that should be applied to the raised parts of the face (nose, forehead, cheeks and chin) to look like you have been kissed by spring’s rays.

     If you want to add éclat and instant bone structure, then Stila’s All Over Shimmer Duo in Kitten is a must-have.  Every morning, my sleepy face is awakened with a few light strokes on my cheeks and forehead.

     Just remember to accent your look with Jo Malone’s Sakura Cherry Blossom Cologne (limited edition). A soft, powdery mix of rose, mimosa, bergamot and mandarin, this fragrance is beautiful and fresh.

     Spring/summer 2011 is all about fun and casting winter away.  To do so, successfully, prioritize between the eyes and the lips, even out skin tone and then run with your imagination.

Diorskin Nude Glow Healthy Glow Summer Powder     ($48)

Stila’s All Over Shimmer Duo in Kitten    ($29)

Jo Malone’s Sakura Cherry Blossom Cologne    (30ml $70)

Shopping Guide:

Benefit: Sephora and Shoppers Drugmart  Christian Dior: Shoppers Drugmart, major department stores  Clinique: Shoppers Drugmart, major department stores  Estee Lauder: major department stores  Illamasqua: Sephora.com Jo Malone: Holt Renfrew Shiseido: major department stores Stila: SephoraYSL: The Bay and Holt Renfrew

     “Our vision for the site is to create a pleasant urban community connected to North York as well as the Greater Toronto Area. ”    Says Dennis Au-Yeung, Vice-President, Finance and Administration, Concord Adex Developments Corporation.

     This area was the location of one of North York’s oldest communities; Clarksville and Oriole Village as described by Councillor David Shiner of Ward 24 Willowdale,  “It was once a vibrant community which consisted of it’s own blacksmith shop, school and a Church.   The area was later occupied by Canadian Tire and their warehouse spaces.  Concord Adex’s vision will help to give the neighborhood back.”

     Concord Adex Developments Corp. is a member of the Concord Pacific Group Inc., a leading developer of urban, master planned residential neighbourhoods.  Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Vancouver, the company is dedicated to building whole communities that create long-term value for residents.    Concord Pacific’s first endeavour is creating Concord Pacific Place, a 204-acre residential/commercial development in downtown Vancouver located along a three-kilometer stretch of south-facing waterfront.  It is the largest residential/commercial urban development currently being built not only in Canada but in North America.

     The success of Concord Pacific Place was followed up by Concord CityPlace in downtown Toronto and formed Concord Adex to oversee the development and building of this 44-acre development site. Featuring 5.4 million square feet of residential and commercial space, Cityplace is an urban oasis on Lake Ontario that will enhance the lives of future owners and investors.   The community will consist of up to 20 high-rise towers in addition to low and medium-rise condominium structures and townhomes.  With an expected population of 15, 000 people, all residences will be complemented with an array of community amenities that include schools, child care centers and fitness facilities, plus public art and neighborhood shopping and parks.

     Dennis first heard about the Mon Sheong Foundation in the year 1999 after he had moved and brought his family to Toronto, where a new job awaited him. Through the insistence of a dear friend who arrived in Canada; the same year he did, Dennis finally took the challenge of becoming a team member of the Concord Pacific Group, which he now heads as the Chief Financial Officer.

     With a fervent yearning to serve the community, Dennis joined the Mon Sheong Foundation in the year 2000 as a volunteer, became its Treasurer and remains an active member to this day. Despite the demands of time allocation and presence, as well as decision making in the corporate world, Dennis refused to make his career detrimental to his fulfillment in social responsibility – it is his role in the Mon Sheong Foundation that has his cup now overflowing.

     Mon Sheong Foundation is a charitable institution dedicated to promote Chinese culture and heritage, language and philosophy through social work. It provides programs for the youth and elderly and fund raising events to support benevolent projects. Dennis has found a purpose in being the institution’s prime mover – taking charge of fund raising and jump-starting projects, encouraging and motivating members of the community to get involved.

     His financial contributions haven’t done much, Dennis confesses, but he prides himself in his perpetual support for the community, focusing on the people’s needs rather than his own. His mission is to call on everyone to join in his crusade, to invite a new generation who can help him attain his dreams for a better society. Such a remarkable accomplishment for a simple man who had once upon a time speculated on the odds of returning back to Hong Kong during his first years in Canada; when life and employment opportunities were sparse.

     Perhaps it was also through those difficult challenges that propelled him to seek an outlet where he could offer assistance to other fledgling immigrants like he once was. “I experienced difficulties in adjusting to Canada’s language and culture”, Dennis admits. “But these difficulties can be overcome through patience and time. I soon discovered the joy of walking around with my head held high as I slowly adapted to the changes around me, while still preserving my heritage”, adds Dennis with a wistful smile. Dennis dismissed the notion of language and culture being barriers of achievement. He learned to communicate effectively with Caucasians as well as to understand their culture.

     Dennis was born and raised in Hong Kong, completed his high school and college studies in the Tang Kang Po High School and at the University of Hong Kong respectively. He earned an MBA degree from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Dennis also takes heart in being the President of the University of Hong Kong’s Alumni Association in Ontario, which is the chief advocate of the Ontario Inter-Collegiate Debate Alliance.

     The Alumni Association has supported this alliance for many years through the donation of scholarship funds. It has also been responsible for providing student exchange programs to support and encourage students to help them adapt smoothly to the new environment. His piece of advice to the young generation? “Grab every opportunity that will come your way. Keep up with the pace. Work hard. But always remember to give more back to the community”.

     Despite his affiliations to many organizations, Dennis finds time to be with his family, which he has learned to treasure more and more over the years. The unexpected death of a dear friend in 2005 made him realize that after all, life is too short for one to be idle and self-centered. “Do what you can do and give what you can give while you are still able”, Dennis advises.

     His wife Regina, whom he has been married to for over 20 years, remains his faithful companion and his two children, his living inspirations. Respect for each other has always been one of their most weighty values and perhaps their secret to such a long-lasting marriage. “Thankfully, my family understands my passion to do volunteer work and I have their whole hearted support in all my endeavors”, says Dennis with a rather beguiling smile.

Bellaria Residences are cast in the mold of an old European style. In fact, the builder Solmar wanted to offer residents the feeling of living in a luxury hotel.  The amenities are comparable to that of a beautiful country club or a five-star hotel, complete with a gym, a yoga room, a library, among others.  The finishing of each suite also reflects and bespeak of elegance and luxury.  For instance, the standard European-style kitchens and bathrooms in the suites have granite countertops.  Also, the architectural precast walls, bronzed glass, and classical details all add up to the statement of refinement and distinction.

     Benny Marotta is responsible for the vision behind Bellaria Residences.  As president of Solmar Homes for the past 25 years, he was not content to simply build low rises but worked tirelessly to convince the city to allow him to build the first high-rise condo in Vaughan.  Mr. Marotta involves himself in all aspects of the development process, from giving his ideas to architect Burka Varacalli, to working with various tradesperson building the network of gardens and greenspaces in the adjacent park, to hiring experienced interior designers such as Dawn Anastasakis to execute his vision.

     “It’s not unusual to walk into Benny’s room and see him with a pen in his hand designing.  In fact right now we have just commissioned a unique sculpture for the front entrance of each Tower.  It’s his idea behind what forms will be displayed.” explains Dawn.  “Benny is a perfectionist.  He would often go and upgrade the products and materials.  It’s not something he has to do since many of these suites are sold.”

     Besides the architecture, what is perhaps most amazing is that the Bellaria Residences is situated in a 20-acre parkland that is exclusively accessible to its residents and their visitors.  It has a 2.5 kilometer walkway where one could go hiking, jogging or hold picnic gatherings.   A stream also twists its way through the park, offering a variety of natural habitats for the many species of birds and flowers for the residents to enjoy.  In the design of the buildings, a generous space in one part of the park was left on purpose, and was achieved by grouping the buildings so that they are not sitting on top of each other.   In result, everyone has access to the views of the green space below.

The Panorama of the Bellair Gardens Bellair

According to Edward Krupat in a book called People in Cities, it is correct and important to note physical conditions that are associated with urban living and to consider their potential to cause stress or harm.  According to Krupat, the secret to dealing with them is to remember that stressors are perceived and could be handled in diverse ways by the inhabitants of a city.  This is the reason why it is necessary for city dwellers to find a home that lets them come to a place where the stress of the city is left outside.

     Bellair Gardens, developed by The Castle Group is one of the few high-rise condominiums that offer people a unique city dwelling experience.  It is unique because of its location – having just enough distance from downtown Toronto yet most importantly having a superb environment, which features the scenic Don Valley and its myriad of postcard perfect panorama that is not ordinarily chanced upon in the city.

     The team behind the design of the entire property is led by HCA Architects, Quinn & Associates Landscape Architects and Munge/Leung & Associates, which handled the interior design. The group is an amalgamation of experts that normally cater to the hospitality sector – hotels, resorts, spa, among others. Therefore, it is not surprising why the design is geared toward the concept of “wellness” for its residents.

     Set on a sloping hill in North York, Bellair Gardens has at least 70% of its suites overlooking unobstructed views of the Toronto skyline.  The building has a uniquely curved structure with a high level of design in terms of detail and materials.  As one of its architects, John Blair, explained, “The curvilinear form is a response to the environment.  We basically, allowed the site location to really shape the environment.  Soft forms are also present to enable the building to blend in.”

     According to landscape architect John Quinn, the main design concept was to theme it like a hotel, complete with an arrival court and a series of outdoor gardens.  “The series of ‘rooms’ will function as an amenity space for barbeques and parties.  The other challenge was to organize and form the streetscape to compliment and reinforce the sense of arrival.  On the Don Valley, we have seeded it with a natural wildflower seed mix or meadow that naturally captures the natural flora of the Don Valley”.

     The success of Bellair Gardens would not be possible without the vision and commitment of its owner, Nick Nanji, who is also the owner of The Castle Group.  During our conversation, what really impressed me was his determination to build a portfolio of projects that he can be proud of when he “retires” rather than on how much money he can make.

     Suddenly, an idea came to me. While enjoying my delicious drink and its wonderful aroma, I thought: was there possibly a way for me to enjoy my Espresso if it was mixed with one of Chef Ho’s exquisite dishes? I decided to challenge my friend; thinking that there was no way he could come up with a dish like that. I was in for a surprise however, because when I voiced out my challenge, he said, “Sure, not a problem.”

     The dish he suggested is called “Espresso Lamb Chops”. I was quite hesitant at first. I thought that coffee could only be used in coffee-based drinks and desserts. Apparently, Chef Ho proved me wrong. He said he would show me that coffee could be a wonderful ingredient to a main dish! This, I had to try…

     The first step of the preparation was to lightly coat the lamb chops with Knorr Corn Starch, which would also be used later as a thickening agent for the sauce. Any kitchen should not be without starch. Aside from serving as a thickening agent for soups and sauces, it is also widely used for baking and marinating purposes.

     For cooking “Espresso Lamb Chops”, we need to pick out a cut of lamb with good quality. Lamb meat has a very delicate texture which makes for meticulous cooking and not a lot of people can pull it off well.

     I told Chef Ho that I had absolutely no idea how to select lamb chops, but he assured me that doing so was similar to picking out good quality red meat like pork. The color should be red, not too pale and not too dark – and there should be little or no fat at all.

     One of the challenges in cooking lamb is that it tends to taste gamey. Rosemary is usually used to mask this unpleasant taste. In this recipe, the strong flavour of espresso should mask the gamey taste and add a unique richness to the dish.

     Armed with this information, I went shopping for the ingredients. Chef Ho also gave me some tips and tricks to make this dish even better.  He suggested to first coat the lamb chops with Knorr Corn Starch and then lightly pound the lamb chops to tenderize the meat. And as a final touch, corn starch should be added to thicken the flavourful sauce.

     Chef Ho’s recipe was very easy to prepare and cook; the aroma during cooking was just wonderful and after I had my first taste, I decided to share this fantastic dish! I never imagined that lamb and espresso would go well together but the result was a tasty and mouth-watering, exquisite treat.

     I am sure that Chef Ho will again rise to any cooking challenge that I will throw at him next time!

     Zhang Gongli was born in a town called Tongling in Anhui, China. Unfortunately his mother passed away just six days after he was born. His father and grandfather took upon themselves to raise him, and in doing so had to go through many hardships and challenges. When he was four and a half years old, his grandfather thought that Gongli was very physically frail, and sent him to the city’s Physical Education School to learn gymnastics to improve his strength. The next three years passed by swiftly and Zhang Gongli quickly learned and mastered many skills and techniques in gymnastics. About that time his family learned that an acrobatic school in Anhui Province was recruiting students. The school did not require any fees and provided an allowance of $20 every month to cover living expenses. The students were also allowed to perform and test themselves.

     Zhang Gongli was successfully accepted into the acrobatic school.  However he encountered and endured many hardships and difficulties while there. The training arena was poorly maintained during winter. Each time he trained there, his hands would grow numb from the cold and it took a long time for his hands to warm and regain its senses. In that school Zhang Gongli learned to train on the technique of the head-stand. In the beginning he and his training partner thought that if they could stand on their heads and not tip over, that would be satisfactory enough. After practicing the head-stand for a while, they became very stable and balanced. Soon they started doing head-stands and walking on their heads instead of their feet. They trained to move up and down the stage using only their heads and without hands to touch the ground. This task was certainly not easy.  First, it was painful. Second, it was difficult to breath, and third, it was easy to get nauseas while upside down. However, the trainers forced them to practice non-stop.

     In 1996, the Shenyang Acrobatic Troupe sent people over to Zhang Gongli’s school for cross-training. Zhang Gongli immediately thought about joining the troupe.

     When he approached a Shenyang member to express his desire, the first reaction he received was amazement. “Can you do it?” the Shenyang member asked. Gongli replied “Absolutely” and in the summer of 1997, he and two other members left Anhui and boarded the train to Shenyang.

     In 1998, through the cooperation of the Shenyang Cultural Bureau and the Shenyang Acrobatic Troupe, the Magic Acrobatic Team was formed, and Zhang Gongli was granted a very important position in this team. At that time, the “High Chair” performance was a popular act all over the country, The act typically involved balancing on 4 chairs stacked vertically on top of the other The difficulty levels were moderate and a safety harness was used during performance.  One day, the chief saw Zhang Gongli easily performing this act using 6 chairs, and the chief asked if he could try adding another 2 chairs. The group designed the “High Chair” for Zhang Gongli using 8 chairs, stacked up at 9 meters above the ground, and without any safety precautions. This set-up was indeed a challenge to the limitations of a human being for one mistake will certainly guarantee immobility or death.  But Gongli proved that he could meet the challenge, for soon after he began performing a one-arm hand stand on 8 chairs, without a safety harness. This extremely risky act led him to become the world’s first acrobatic “prince” to perform on 8-stacked chairs without a safety harness. After that Gongli started winning a series of prestigious competitions throughout the world which led and prepared him eventually for Cirque du Soleil.

     Despite his success, Gongli tells us that what worries him most during a performance is “The notion that viewers will not see the best performance. Customers paid money to watch and we as performers must perform!”  Even though he received great reviews from the newspaper Toronto Star, Zhang Gongli remains modest and humble.  He said he felt that there was nothing for him to boast about. Gongli believes that a person should live to learn and the highest peak for him should be like the highest starting point.

     Zhang Gongli’s acrobatic skills have become an example for other new and upcoming performers to emulate and learn from. However, Gongli believes that performing acrobatics is like playing with fire too and is extremely dangerous Gongli ends by giving three important points to remember to those who want to follow his steps: Keep a positive attitude, clear your mind of distractions, and keep your body balanced and fit.

Wine could be good for your body in many surprising ways.  It may be a contributing factor to the so-called French Paradox, a puzzling phenomenon suggesting that wine drinking could reduce your risk of dying from heart disease.  Or, when extracted and developed into skincare, it may also help you fight wrinkles! 

Wine in your Skin Care?
Crushed wine grapes contain significant amounts of an anti-oxidant called Resveratrol.  Anti-oxidants are the chemicals in our bodies that fight cell damage.   Until recently, Vitamin E and Vitamin C were considered the most efficient in neutralizing cell-damaging chemicals called “free radicals”, which are generated by light, pollution, smoke, etc. They destroy human cells and thus lead to premature aging. They are also the culprits that cause cars to rust and fruit to deteriorate. These grape-seed polyphenols fight against free radicals, which cause 80% of skin aging.

Laboratories have found that the application of Resveratrol to human skin causes the skin cells to become more resistant to free-radicals stimulates the multiplication of cells and fights against cell damage.  With this discovery, a new skin care company is born.

The Story of Caudalie
It began in 1993 when a young couple named Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas met an eminent doctor from the Faculty of Pharmaceutics at Bordeaux University on the estate of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, a famed winery in southern Bordeaux.  He revealed his discovery to the young couple that grape seeds discarded at the end of the grape harvest contained Resveratrol, which has powerful anti-aging properties.  

This revelation sparked their interest.  Working closely with the University of Bordeaux, they succeeded in stabilizing the effective compounds within twelve months. A year later, armed with a patent on the process, they started the Caudalie line of skin care, opening the way to a new approach to skin care.   They proceeded to sign an agreement with the Faculty of Pharmacy in Bordeaux to set up their own research teams. Today, new discoveries are still being made constantly.  For instance, last year, they discovered a flower extract that could replace synthetic preservatives, allowing their line to go paraben-free.

Caudalie is not just product based.  Their first themed spa called Vinotherapie opened in Bordeaux in 1999, offering a program of exclusive treatments based on the benefits of vines and grapes in an environment of rare beauty.  Other locations followed and now, you can find Caudalie spas in Italy, Spain, USA and Taiwan. 
 
My Favorite Products
I have been a fan of Caudalie ever since I discovered it during my first ever trip to Bordeaux in 2002.  The line has many wonderful products, and here is a shortlist of my true favorites.  You will find some effective exfoliating scrubs, a revitalizing facial skincare line, a refreshing spray, and an energizing fragrance (I have a bottle of each of the latter two stashed in my office desk drawer for instant pick-me-ups).

Three Delicious Scrubs
Caudalie makes three different grape-based scrubs to suit your different needs.  The Crushed Cabernet Scrub is the signature scrub of Caudalie’s spa facilities.  Its natural formula includes crushed grape-seeds mixed with brown sugar, pure Gironde honey, and 6 organic essential oils.  It should be on the shelf for anyone looking for slimming action as it helps smooth out cellulite and has a draining effect, leaving skin wonderfully smooth and nourished.  

Completing this trio is the Merlot Friction Scrub, a “mint butter” combining organic essential oils of lemon, peppermint and sweet mint. Finally, there is the softest Sauvignon Scrub with the delicious fragrance of grapefruit, perfect for those with sensitive skin who seeks gentle exfoliation and nourishment.

Fleur de Vigne Fresh Energizing Fragrance
June is a very special time in Bordeaux.  It welcomes the beginning of summer and for two magnificent days, the beautiful FLEUR DE VIGNE or Vine Flower, is in bloom.  Used for centuries by wine growers to signify the count towards harvest (you begin to pick your grapes 110 days after the bloom), the blossom is not only aesthetic, but very important too.

Drawn to the scent of FLEUR DE VIGNE, Mathilde Cathiard picked a few delicate petals and presented them to a friend in the industry of Parfum in Paris. After a close study, they recreated together the delicate essence of Vine Flower.  Enriched with essential oils of bergamot, grapefruit, mandarin, blackcurrant and green maté and oligo-rich plant waters of grape, lemon, orange Sandalwood and cedar; it refreshes the spirit and tones the skin. The formula is non-photosensitizing, so it is safe to wear under the sun.  Perfect for perfuming your linens too!

Beauty Elixir and the Revitalizing Line
For skin that lacks radiance, Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir is an exceptional anti-dull complexion treatment.  It is inspired by the ‘elixir of youth’ used by Queen Isabelle of Hungary.  Simply spray on your face before you put on skin cream or use anytime of the day to freshen up and to set your makeup.  It contains extracts of grape with essential oils of rosemary, orange blossom, organic balm mint and rose extracts.  Every time I use this spray, I always take a deep breath to inhale the aromatherapy-like goodness.  Guard it against your man, though, as it is also a wonderful after-shave for men.

Use the Elixir as part of the silver-color packaged Revitalizing line which contains Resveratrol, the grapevine’s natural defense mechanism to visibly revitalize, smooth, and restore a radiant, youthful appearance.  The complete line includes cleansers, serum, day and night cream and eye gels.  In no time, you will find your skin literally glowing with youthful suppleness.

Ruba S., a 32-year-old, married mother of 3 young children, is tired of looking tired and wants to hydrate her dry skin. The solution: Guerlain, a line that is about luxury and results.  For 6 weeks, Ruba tested the Secret de Pureté – Cleansing Milk, Super Aqua-Lotion – Toner Optimum Hydration Resistance, Super Aqua-Day – Comfort Creme SPF 12, Super Aqua-Day – Cooling Facial Stick, Issima Happylogy – Glowing Eye Care and Issima Happylogy Night – Glowing Overnight Treatment and…she loves Guerlain. Ruba’s dry skin drank in the Super Aqua-Day – Comfort Creme SPF 12 and the Issima Happylogy Night – Glowing Overnight Treatment glided across the planes of her face. Within a week, Ruba’s eyes look less tired, the dryness around her nose had been reduced, her pores looked tighter and one of the mothers at her daughter’s school remarked that Ruba looked refreshed! Sometimes Ruba was unable to follow the routine which she got down to 4 minutes each morning and night, but she still saw results! Ruba observes, “I felt like I was pampering myself, because before this I never had a beauty regime. The packaging is very rich and it feels glamourous. It was like mini oasis. After each session, I felt rejuvenated.”  

Christina C., a 24 year-old coordinator with combination skin, was always curious about the Shiseido Pureness line, which includes the Foaming Cleansing Fluid, Balancing Softener, Moisturizing Gel Cream and the Pore Purifying Warming Scrub,  and is designed for combination/oily skin. After 6 weeks of daily testing, Christina is thrilled with the results. Christina loved the cleanser, because, “I like its thick creamy texture.” Even though Christina was initially dealing with a break-out, with regular usage, her skin cleared up and she felt refreshed. Even though she has combination skin, Christina appreciated the gel cream since, “It is very nice and light.” The scrub was a treat, “I liked the warm feeling and my skin became smooth right after.” Christina’s experiment with Shiseido Pureness was a pure success.

Subuhi A., is a 37 year-old entrepreneur, whose youthful looks and combination skin are accented by acne scars. Subuhi explains, “I feel like I have had these scars forever. I always feel like I have to put on foundation.” Subuhi wanted softer skin, less dry patches and more of a youthful glow.  Solution? Clarins: Water Comfort One-Step Cleanser, Advanced Extra-Firming Day Lotion, Advanced Extra-Firming Eye Contour Serum, Extra Firming Concentrate and Extra Firming Night Cream. In week 1, Subuhi’s face brightened and after 6 weeks, her scars were less apparent. Subuhi loves the night cream because, “It moisturizes my face and I didn’t break-out. It is a must-have.” Subuhi would like a higher SPF in the day cream, but she observes that since she has started using Clarins, “I feel like I am truly fighting aging. I feel hotter and sexier.”  

Sharon H., is a 28-year-old lawyer with sensitive, combination skin. At the start of her testing she was recovering from a bad reaction to medication and was looking forward to pampering her skin with Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser for Dry or Sensitive Skin, Extra-Comfort Toning Lotion, Gentle Day Cream ($60), Skin Beauty Repair Concentrate and Beauty Flash Balm.  Unfortunately, we did not understand the oily nature of Sharon’s skin, hence the creams were too rich for her face. On the other hand, Sharon loved the toner, “It smells so good and is quite soothing.” Moreover, Sharon marveled at how her skin never broke-out and after 6 weeks, it became softer. 

Sharon’s story is universal in that we have all, at some point, used the “wrong” product. Luckily for Sharon, Clarins is a line whose quality is world renowned and she derived some benefit. Given that Sharon’s skin is drier in the winter, she looks forward to using the creams then.

     I am a 30 year-old beauty editor, who is slowly embarking on her legal career. Like the other Venuses I have skin care challenges in the form of an oily T-zone, dark spots and break-outs. My solution: La Mer’s the Cleansing Gel, Oil Absorbing Tonic, the Oil Absorbing Lotion, the Lifting Face Serum and the Eye Balm. The cleanser removed all of my make-up and grime with gentle swishes, without stripping my skin. The toner left my skin matte. The lotion kept my skin shine-free and the eye balm brightened my under-eye circles. The serum is a wonderful nightly treat, as it immediately sinks in and I wake-up with softer skin.  After 6 weeks, my pores look tighter, my skin is softer and my brown spots have faded. La Mer beautifies my skin! 

     The key to great skin, aside from a healthy lifestyle and great genes, is picking products that are easy to use and suit your skin type. Moreover, you must make your skin a priority.  With these criteria in mind, you too can achieve great skin in a jar!