Putting it into perspective

This is Clara Hughes, a Canadian gold medalist in speed skating and my new hero! She has donated almost $10,000 of her own money to the charity Right to Play...how amazing is that? To take her fame and attention from winning a medal doing something she loves and turn it into something bigger, give back to those who have so little. Joey Cheek, the American speed skater started off this brilliant idea, so my hat goes off to him as well. And so many people have joined in their giving, keep it coming! Check out the site to see what its all about. It makes my heart ache to think of kids out there who don't get a chance to play, a backyard to run around in, a playground to explore. I'm going to find a way to help them and to help kids in my immediate area, as well. I'm not sure how yet, but I'll keep you posted!

I wasn't sure what I was going to write about today, so many things swirling around in my head, so many avenues to explore. But their generosity just hit me and made me realize how lucky I really am...to live in Canada, to have the opportunities I do. I am often overwhelmed by all of the choice and end up getting frustrated, taking it for granted. It's time to be grateful instead. I'm having a crappy day at work, but something like this puts it all in perspective. I'm so lucky to have a job at all, even if it isn't where I want to be forever. I'm a worrier by nature, very familiar with anxiety, but when I think of what these kids in far away countries (or even here) have to deal with on a day to day basis, my issues pale in comparison. Not to take anything away from my own life, but I think some perspective might help me stay in the moment more often. One of my goals for 2006 is to live in the moment- its much harder than I ever imagined! But such a gift when it does happen. I have become so much more aware of when I am not paying attention to the present and that's the first step, right?

I had a great visit this weekend with my friend from home, from Nova Scotia. My Love played tour guide while I was at work and showed her the seawall and beach near our house. I loved how she was in awe of the view! We rented a car and went up to Whistler for the day. Its a gorgeous place and going to be absolutely brilliant when the Olympics come in 2010. You can ski right into the village, take off your skis and walk into the restaurant to have some lunch...how cool is that?!! It made R and want to learn how to snowboard or ski, something neither of us have ever tried before. My home town of Windsor, Nova Scotia has a ski hill, but it was more of a speed bumb compared to anything I see around here! We took her to IKEA as well, they don't have one out there, so got to go play designers for the morning. LOVE that store. (Our whole flat is full of their stuff, as we moved in back in October with two backpacks after traveling off and on for the past three years. It was classic how we had to wait for hours on the first day for the delivery to arrive, couldn't even make a cup of tea or anything!! Too funny!! I love my life!)

Looking forward to Amazing Race starting again tonight, reading this, and having a date with myself after work today, sipping tea and writing in my journal.

Grateful Friday

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  Here's a photo taken by my new Australian friend, Shannon, of the amazing place we live in. We had a long walk on the coast last weekend, from beautiful Wreck beach around to Jericho beach, with these amazing views. How can anyone live anywhere else?? Wreck beach is clothing optional, but we figured we'd be safe in the winter- we guessed wrong. There were several crazy men walking around in the buff in the chilly sunshine- one was even in the water! I did notice that there weren't any women being so silly...hmmm.

One of my favorite blog inspirations is "Grateful Friday"- I have no idea who to credit for this, but I see all sorts of bloggers doing it and love the idea! Here goes, what I'm grateful for today...

• for the amazing sunshine we're getting again
• for my friend Anitra coming all the way across to country to see us (and to ski!)
• for my new "beyonce" (aka fiancee) and all he gives me everyday
• for having something to do at work this morning and for getting off early to go play!
• for this brilliant city we live in, I'm in awe often
• for my friend Kathleen sending me support from so far away
• for all the wishes and excitement we received from our friends and family about our engagement - I feel so loved!!
• Chai Lattes- umm, yummy!
• a weekend coming full of sightseeing and driving around in our rental car

Have a good weekend!

Going with the flow

Found this on this site, by Carla- felt like just the words I needed to hear today. (Check out what other good advice people have recieved- such beautiful creations!) I would like to let go of the outcome (his work visa, money, my job monotiny, etc) and just enjoy the ride that is my life, and trust I'll be able to cope no matter what. Why does that have to be so hard?!
Spent ages on here today, makes me want to be a photographer. Its such a gift that people now have a place to share these images with all of us. We get to see life and the world through the eyes of others for a change. What a world it is!
My friend has just arrived from Nova Scotia today, I cannot wait to share this amazing city with her! The sun has come out and the mountains are showing off, so I don't have to do much. I'm so happy we decided to move here, even if it rains too much sometimes. Keeps the wrinkles away, or so the locals say anyways. Its so nice to be able to have people come to stay with us, in our own flat- after living in backpacker hostels around the world and our parents' spare bedrooms.

Reading this, listening to this, and absolutely loving the Olympics! How proud am I of the women athletes from my country?? We've won 19 medals and 14 of those are by women...you go girls!!!

Where I'd rather be in Italy...

...staying in a villa near a vineyard, soaking up the sun and the beauty, escaping.

Ok, I'm officially signing on now- time to stop being afraid to be a blogger and just go for it!
After spending all my time reading so many wonderful blogs from all the brilliant women out there following their dreams and making beautiful creations (in art and life), I have decided to join in. I've been writing a journal since I was in highschool, but have been trying to find a new way to express myself and I love words- blogging seems like a great solution. I was worried about not having anything write about, or that the words I put out there would be ridiculed or lost somewhere, but I'm over that now. Life is full of endless inspirations and ideas and dreams to ponder and believe me, I've got the time.

Brief description of who I am these days: Almost 30 year old, living in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia with my wonderful (new!!) English fiancee, trying to create a settled life for ourselves after traveling for the past few years around the world. I'm working in a dead end position as a receptionist for an architectural firm, continuing my constant search for a meaningful career and joy in my working life- something I've been doing since I graduated from university 8 years ago(wondering why I'm still looking!). Waiting for His work visa to come through ( an experience you cannot fully understand until you're right in the middle of the uncertainty and confusion and fear of him having to go back home!!), counting the days till we're both working, living on two pay checks instead of one, and daydreaming about our future life together. I love reading (books and blogs), writing, yoga, cooking, traveling, people, music (an eclectic mix), and many more things I'm sure I'll share through this new expressive outlet.

Reading blogs while I'm at work has helped me to open my very dormant creative mind and I love hearing how others are living their lives, trying to create and live fully- its inspiring and keeps me going through the too long monotonous days at my desk. If I can be but a small part of this amazing community, it will be gift enough. I'm going to try not to complain too much about my boring work and find new ways to look at life and how to find a job I enjoy, one that fills me with joy and purpose and allows me to create and have fun. Is that too much to ask for?? I hope this blog will give me some help in learning to live in the moment more and organize my wandering mind into more creative channels- no more dwelling in negativity and fear!

I'll stop now, before I run out of things to say on my first real entry. Off to watch my first Vancouver Giants game tonight- taking my English fiancee and Australian friend to their first hockey game ever...imagine that!

Can't see the mountains for the clouds...

I'm addicted to reading blogs and to the inspiration they bring to my life. So, I thought maybe I'd try to follow suit. I've been nervous to do it, scared I will be boring or people won't want to read what I have to say. But today I'm just going to go for it...time to stop talking about doing things and just do it.

Watch this space.....