Meet Juliana. She was born in White Rock and has lived in Kelowna for 20 years. Juliana loves the outdoors and traveling the world with her family.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My husband, Jake, and my son, Benjamin, are my jet-setting buddies. Last year we visited 14 countries together.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Blue Ginger! I always tell Jake that if he doesn't know what to buy me for any occasion he can just walk in there and pick up anything and I'll love it.
Describe yourself in one word.
Dynamic.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I'm dying to swim with whale sharks in the Philippines. I have tried to find them from Oman to the Maldives but they've escaped me every time!
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Hiking and hosting people from out of town.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
At an outdoor wedding the wind tossed my little teal dress up to my waist, successfully causing me to moon probably 50 people.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
As a traveler to 30 countries, exploring the world has inspired me to be less entitled and more grateful for my home and my opportunities. As a teacher, my students inspire me with their resilience and passion. As a person of faith, I am inspired by the power of love and forgiveness.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Every happy memory that comes to mind happened outside. I loved the outdoors as a child and still do. I have always been curious about nature and passionate about growing food in the garden. I even loved raking leaves! Sleeping on the trampoline on hot summer nights is high on the list.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I love being part of a church community. They will bring you meals when you've just had a baby, send you an email to tell you they've been thinking about you and hope you're doing alright and pray for you when there are bumps in the road. I helped a team in our church organize the settlement of refugee families. My husband and I also support the Pregnancy Care Centre. I'm passionate about helping young moms with the pressures and struggles of being a mom.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I recently read the true story, "A Long Way Gone" about a child soldier. I would free every child soldier if I could.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I don't like being alone.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would love to see plastic banned, like in San Francisco, better public transportation, more rooftop and school gardens and more solar energy put to use.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Besides the mountains, the wine!
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
- I NEED to stay at Giraffe Manor in Kenya
- Cage dive with Great Whites
- Climb Rainbow Mountain, Peru
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I'm really self-conscious about my eyebrows.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media?
Instagram: @loewenlife
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Right now, we're trying to have baby number two and we've had three miscarriages. It's so heartbreaking but I love the strength that is built from adversity.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I would do everything the same but with more kindness and more generosity.
What do you always find yourself saying?
Keep moving forward.
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Love your neighbour as you love yourself.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
The Kielburger brothers who started ME to We, I want to learn how to enact more change in the world by doing, not simply by wishing.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
You get to meet the people who make up your community! There's so much talent here from food production to jewelry making, shopping local connects us and keeps our local economy strong.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
I can't take all the credit but I think we've raised a pretty cool kid! He's polite, he's empathetic and loves meeting strangers and their dogs.
Give someone you think that deserves a shout out and explain why!
I couldn't do life without my friends and family. My sister is the funniest person I know and the most talented artist alive.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Rebecca Stelpstra. Check out her amazing work on Instagram: @blonde.brushes
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!
