11 Stations

As a professional writer and editor, I have to say that blogging for Tourism Burnaby is
one of my favourite gigs ever. From reading some of my posts, you might already know
that I’m a mother of two young children. Until now, I’ve never had any kind of writing
assignment that actually encourages me to include my children, and then write about the
experiences through their wondrous eyes. After earning my journalism degree from the
University of Oregon and working in the areas of communications and media relations
for more than a decade – I couldn’t have anticipated that my professional path would
lead me here. As a freelance writer (and editor), this kind of personal storytelling is a
writer’s dream.

Get to know Sheliza’s favourite spots in Burnaby…

Where to go in Burnaby on a sunny day – We’ve spent countless sunny (and some
less-than-sunny) days at Barnet Marine Park – picnicking, watching the freight ships roll
by, jumping the waves, digging in the sand, building sand castles and just lazing around
(as much as one can do with young children) at this picturesque beach.

Where to go in Burnaby on a rainy day – We usually head to the Eileen Dailly Leisure
Pool. Regardless of how cold and grey the weather is outside, the temperature poolside
always seems perfect. Plus, there’s a kid-friendly section with fun spray towers to keep
the younger children busy and happy.

Favourite place to eat in Burnaby – Ah, this is a tough one. Mostly because, I love
food and I love to eat; and Burnaby is overflowing with amazing, memorable places to
dine. For me, it’s a toss-up between Reflect social dining + lounge at the Hilton and Me-
n-Ed’s Pizza Parlor.

Favourite annual event in Burnaby – Another toughie. And this time, it’s because
Burnaby is rife with annual events and festivals – from Burnaby Blues & Roots to free
kid-friendly festivals such as the recent Rhodofest and Celebrate Spring event at the
Nikkei Centre. However, my absolute favourite of the bunch is Vancouver Symphony in the Park. The setting is impossibly idyllic, as this annual summer event combines the harmonious sounds of the symphony with a playfully festive atmosphere, all against the backdrop of the shimmering waters of Deer Lake. (Check out my post about last year’s Symphony in the Park event.)

Best thing to do with the kids – The Burnaby Village Museum and Metropolis at Metrotown are
the top contenders for my kids. Though the museum’s charming old-timeyness and a
ride on the historic carousel are hard to beat, my girls also enjoy the absolute busyness
of Metrotown and a ride on the colourful train. For slightly older kids, there’s also an
arcade at Metrotown with all manner of video games and an air hockey table (always a
hit with the kids).

Best Date spot in Burnaby – Almost without fail, my husband and I have spent
every one of our wedding anniversaries at Horizons Restaurant on Burnaby Mountain.
We follow-up our sumptuous dinners with a scenic walk around the mountain. The
spectacular food and stunning views make it the perfect spot for date night.

Burnaby’s best kept secret – I’ll echo the sentiments of my fellow bloggers (Lima
and Mana) on this one. Burnaby’s best kept secret is that there’s always something
happening somewhere in the city: concerts, theatrical performances, festivals, sporting
events and so much more. Be sure to check out the Events Calendar to see what’s
coming up.

“How would you describe your writing style?” – As a freelance writer and editor, I’ve
learned to adapt my writing style according to my clients’ needs. For news releases, I
may use a more formal, corporate tone. For speeches, I’ll take a more conversational
approach. For newsletters, my style is usually more simple and straightforward. My
preferred writing style, however, is the one I use for 11 Stations: casual, conversational
and personal.

Top three favourite posts on 11Stations

Lima’s Culture Blast series – I found her interviews and stories captivating. Though I
wasn’t able to attend the event, I felt as though I was right there with her – chatting with
artists James Mah and Thomas Cannell, and experiencing the event first-hand.

Mana’s post on the European Festival – I believe this was Mana’s very first posting for
11 Stations, and she does an amazing job of vividly capturing all that the festival has to
offer.

My third pick is one that I wrote in regards to the artist Jimmy Tsotomu – a resilient
90-year-old Japanese-American artist who survived the tragedies of war and
homelessness, and experienced the catastrophic, historic and world-changing events of
9/11 from his New York City window. His story is both heartbreaking and inspirational.
(Truthfully, I still get chills just thinking about his remarkable life.)

Where else can readers find you on the web: Readers can email me at  Sheliza@copyprose.com or check out my website at www.copyprose.com.