The journey is the destination

untitled by Rosemary found on Flickr

There seems to be a lot of energy and contemplation running around my blogging world this week. Posts about not taking things for granted, for living in the moment and being present. Posts about our bodies, about being completely accepting of ourselves no matter what, loving ourselves unconditionally and treating ourselves as well as we treat others. Lots of big thoughts, real thoughts, about life and living it to its fullest. It all leaves me in awe, really. Of what incredible women you all are, and how amazing life is.
My mind has been thinking a lot about how there is no destination that I should be striving for - that life is about just enjoying the journey and seeing that as my destination instead. I've spent so much of my life waiting for something to happen to fix things or make it all better, using that as an excuse not to act, but I'm not going to do that anymore. I struggle trying to find the balance between accepting myself and my life as it is right now and finding a way to grow into the woman I want to become. At what point do you stop saying its ok and start making a change? At what point do you stop trying to change things and just be?

I'm going to keep learning how to love myself as authentically as possible. I'm going to keep learning how to stay in the moment and be fully present at every opportunity. I'm going to continue to do my Grateful Friday lists and appreciate everything I have and the blessings I continue to receive. And I'm going to make sure my loved ones know how much they mean to me and how lucky I am to have each of them in my life, all the time!! And of course, take it one day at a time...don't want to put too much pressure on myself all at once, now do I!!

Go read Meg's post and Ruby's too, Rachel's and Liz's and Michelle's posts for more thoughts on all of this. Just by talking about these issues, we are all making it easier to understand and to voice what we are experiencing, it's amazing stuff!!

Sunday Scribblings and Photos

Sea to Sky Highway, heading south to Vancouver

Pemberton

Green Lake, Whistler

Here are some photos from our weekend adventures! We had a great time driving around our area, seeing more of what a gorgeous place it is here. Saturday we took our Argentinian friends (who are too much fun!!) to Cultus Lake park for a picnic and wade in the water. We drove around Fraser Valley, looking at the beautiful farms and scenery with the mountains all around. Ice cream and a stop for beer topped off the day. We came home to the fireworks finale, which meant driving around for over and hour trying to get to our building, as all the roads were shut for the event! Too funny!! Rich also drove for the first time in Canada, on the other side of the road and car and did great!! It was so nice to share the driving with someone.

On Sunday, we got up and drove up the Sea to Sky Highway through Squamish and up to Whistler and the little town of Pemberton just passed it. Not much happening there, but the scenery was amazing!! We had a picnic near some waterfalls, keeping all our garbage together to keep the bears away. Stopped in Whistler for a quick visit - the ski hill is now a playground for serious mountain bikers. I've never seen anything like it! The jumps were unbelievable!! And they all had armour on, something new to me! The drive back was gorgeous, the bright blue sky and mountains with green and snow - we couldn't take enough photos really. I can't wait till his parents get here in September and we can show them all of these beautiful places and more. Let's hope for sunny days then too!! Look what we missed while we were away...

This week's Sunday Scribblings prompt - "Who I might have been?" I've done a 10 minute timed writing...

Who would I have been if I hadn't been born in Windsor, Nova Scotia - a town of 3000 people? Would I have wanted to travel if I had grown up in a big city like Vancouver? Would I have still had the desire to see the world and learn what's really out there?
If I had never gotten on that plane to go to San Francisco for the summer to live with my aunt and uncle, I may never have contracted the Travel Bug and seen what opening myself up to a bigger world really felt like. Who would I have been without all of those stamps in my passport and that experience under my belt? I never would have met Rich or all my wonderful friends from all over the world. I may never have learned who I am and who I want to be, at least not on the same level, if I had stayed somewhere safe.
I might have stayed in my small town, found a nice local boy and settled down, raised a family, become a teacher, and enjoyed a quiet life. I may have moved to a city, started a life there working in publishing and editing novels. Maybe I would have found another way to help people- a counselor or psychologist.

Who would I have been if I had been born in England or somewhere in Europe? Or if I had been born in a different century- maybe the 16th or 18th century instead? Would I have let my life be ruled by men or been there to help make a change? Who would I have been if I was born as a man? What sort of man would I have become?
Who might I have been if I had never gone to university to avoid being in debt? Would I still be able to find a good job? Would I miss having had those experiences?
This prompt seems to have only opened up more questions than answers!! Makes me think how little decisions can make a big difference just as much as life changing ones.

Grateful Friday

Trinity St., Cambridge from lovemaus on Flickr

Can't believe it's friday again already, wow. We get a long week as well and I am so ready for it!!

This week I'm grateful for:

• R having four nights (and days) off in a row!!
• it being a long weekend - love 3 day weekends
• finding out I have a second interview for that fabulous job next week!
• being able to relax and just enjoy my time off (hopefully)
• renting a car and getting out of town
• the hiking were going to be doing
• the sunshine we're having and a good forecast for the weekend
• big fireworks finale tomorrow night
• getting to see our friends
• talking to my nieces and nephew last night - so cute, so grown up!
• my new book
• new music for my iPod (I love KT, lost her stuff when we got a new computer)
• my little sis sounding so happy to be back in civilization again
• my other little sis and brother getting to spend a week together (so jealous!)
• a new month, full of new possibilities
• my yoga classes
• re-connecting with a friend from my early traveling days - yeah Rebecca!
• R having a productive week at work finally
• getting to talk on Messenger with my friend in Halifax everyday this week!
• emails from my mom's family
• all the support I'm getting about my hope to find a new job (thank you everyone!)
  What are you Grateful for?!?!

poetry thursday

She is Love, by Oasis

Oh when the sunshine beckons to ya
And your wings begin to unfold
The thoughts you bring and the songs you sing
Are gonna keep me from the cold

And if the sword is here among ya
And its words may wound my soul
You can fill me up with what you've got
Cos my heart's been keeping old

She is love
And her ways are high and steep
She is love
And I believe her when she speaks
Love
And her ways are high and steep
She is love
And I believe, I do believe her when she speaks

You're in all my thoughts of passion
And the dreams of my delight
Whatever stirs my mortal frame
Will you keep it warm at night

I don't know where you come from
No I haven't got a clue
All I know is I'm in love
With someone who loves me too

She is love
And her ways are high and steep
She is love
And I believe her when she speaks
Love
And her ways are high and steep
She is love
And I believe, I do believe her when she speaks
She is love
And her ways are high and steep
She is love
And I believe her when she speaks

She is love
And her ways are high and steep
She is love
And I believe, I do believe her when she speaks
I do believe her when she speaks
I do believe her when she speaks
I do believe her when she speaks

Lyrics look funny when you write them down. This is one of my favorite songs. Makes me think of my R and when we were first getting to know each other. I love the fourth verse. Poetry to music, what more could you ask for?

Some Days...

artwork by R (yes, my R!!)

Most days I'm really good at keeping it all at bay when I'm at work - the boredom, the frustration, the monotony, the anger and the fear. I can keep them all outside the door and easily get on with my day. But there are some days when they walk right through the door behind me in the morning and I can't get rid of them. That was today. I felt deflated and exasperated, just so tired of having to come up with something to do. I know it's my hormones and being tired, but that still doesn't make it any easier. I'm always hoping they will give me stuff to do, but today I wanted to throw it back at them and tell them to do those stupid things themselves! Do you need me to hold your hand too?? Yes, I'm getting bitter. It's definitely time to move on. I can so relate to Ruby's post - feeling like I'm treading water sometimes. But a change is a comin', I just gotta be patient. Let go, and trust.

I am loving the painting that R did this week!! I'm so amazed at his creativity, all the time. He just decided that we needed some colour in our flat, bought some canvases and off he went. He had a "plan", but not really, he started with that and just went with the flow. There is so much I can learn from him. I scare too easily when it comes to art - I need it to look exactly like what's in my mind, or else I get frustrated. He started and waited to see what wanted to come out. Much easier. I can take some lessons from his art and put it towards all aspects of my life. I am so lucky to have him. Sigh.

Sunday Scribblings...on monday!

This week's post is "My 2 Cents"...
I went to see a brilliant film today, An inconvenient Truth, the environmental film by Al Gore. It was absolutely fascinating. And poignant. And intelligent. And easy to understand. And made me think. And so powerful. And everyone should go see it, or read the book, or at least check out the website. He is a very interesting man, trying to really make a difference in our world, for our planet. I didn't even know he was such an environmentalism - how did he run for President and I didn't know that? Bizarre. He explains what global warming is and shows how in the past 30-40 years things have really heated up all over our globe. How it's only going to continue to get worse. The Earth is getting a kick in the ass and she is finally faltering and we can actually do something about it to stop it and start taking care of Her again. The credits for the film carried several suggestions for ways to star making a change, things that we as individuals can actually do that will help our planet - why wouldn't anyone want to do this? Being energy efficient, driving hybrid cars or at least ones with better emission controls, walking and riding our bikes, recycling, and several other things. We as individuals can make a difference, it is possible. Or at least I believe it is. And it is absolutely necessary!! These scientists aren't making this stuff up, there isn't any reason to really. It's our media and our politicians who are warping the facts in order to control our thoughts and our understanding of the world around us. They do this in so many ways, but the environment isn't something we can ignore anymore. We need to show them that it is a worthwhile issue to bring to the table of the political climate. That it is worth their time. Even our own Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, who I didn't vote for and who scares me, has a lot of work to do in this area. It's not just Bush ruining the world on this one. (But we can still blame him, he probably deserves it anyways!)I don't want parts of Europe to disappear underneath the ocean before my grandchildren can see them. I don't want to lose parts of San Francisco under the bay. Or have to face the incredible crisis of millions of people being displaced from their homes because the have ended up under water. Not when there is a chance to stop it. And the chance is right now. That's my two sense for today. I think I've found a new passion. Go see this movie and bring your friends.
On another totally different note, had my interview today and it went well. or as far I can tell it did - I don't know how you can tell if you nailed one or not. But they were really nice women, the place was fantastic, and the job sounds fab. They'll let me know by the end of the week if I'm going in for a second interview next week, so keep your fingers crossed. This is pretty serious stuff, never having been through such a process I'm a bit blown away. Thanks for all your support!!I know if this isn't the one, there is a job out there waiting for me - now that I'm actually ready to go for it.

GRatEfuL FriDaY!!!

Emerald in Flight by chi liu from Flickr

Today I am grateful for:

• all the wonderful words on my comments this week! loving my blog ladies!
• my amazing R, how lucky am I?
• a cloudy day today, bit of a break from the heat
• it being friday!!
• pay day on Monday
• things starting to change in the right direction
• Tiger Woods winning the Open - still makes me want to cry
• my parents enjoying a wonderful holiday together
• my sister and my brother and the families getting together (God, I wish we were there too!!)
• my mom helping me with my resume and cover letter - she's so good!!
• the Universe helping me out, once again
• being brave and asking my yoga instructor a question
• my friend getting back from her holidays
• talking to our friends in England on the phone for ages
• my little sis sorting out her broken hand finally
• my health
• all the wonderful sunshine
• where we live
• blueberries
• the fact that my boss is going on holiday next week - thank God!!!!!
• being able to sleep better now that it's cooled off again
• having something to do at work today, gets me to the weekend faster!
• this book - so far, wow - and she's just got to India!
• my close friend's 30th birthday this weekend! Happy Birthday Kara!!

I hope everyone has a good weekend!

Fireworks!

found on Google

It was the first night of the Celebration of Light fireworks competition tonight - I'm still in awe as it just finished! There are 4 countries competing - Italy tonight, China, Czech Republic and Mexico, plus a grand finale on the fourth night as well. I'd forgotten how amazing fireworks are!! I felt like a little kid oohing and aahing my way through it! So many colours and I love the big boom sound the big ones make. I was able to watch it from our living room window- it's that close. Right in our neighborhood, at my beach, with 300,000 of our closest friends. I would probably be in bed by now, but they all have to get home - you can only imagine the racket!! I tried to take some pics to post on here, but how impossible is that really?!! Pointless too because then I miss the actual show. Saturday night, we're going to have a bbq down on the beach and watch them from there - make a night of it. Isn't this what summer is all about?!! Man there's a lot of people out there!!! I loved hearing them cheering when it was done- made me teary even, to think this is my home now.

I wanted to say thank you for all your wonderful comments about the pictures I posted yesterday - made me all warm and fuzzy inside. And I'll be less afraid to do it again next time. Check out Liz's post to see the challenge she is giving herself and join her if you'd like. I'm hoping to be brave enough to join her, but haven't committed yet.

On an even brighter note than the pic above, I got some good news today. I sent in my CV (aka resume) yesterday for a job I'd really like to have - I'm actually scared to write it down in case I don't get it or jinx it, but here it goes - an admin job in the project department at an art school for young people on Granville Island here in Vancouver. Whew. It sounds like everything I've been searching for and found myself asking for as soon as I saw the ad - art school, working for and with young people, for a foundation, making a difference to the lives of people in my community, working on Granville Island, and there's room for growth and other opportunities if I can get my foot in the door. They called me today to set up an interview for Monday!!! If you can't tell, I'm very excited!! I'm a bit nervous about leaving my current job, despite the fact that it's sucking the life out of me daily, but I'll deal with that (if and) when I have to. Like I said before, if it's meant to be, it will be. There will be another job if this isn't the one. I'm totally trusting the Universe on this one- I was ready to murder my boss or run screaming from work today, then Rich called with the message - thank you Universe, once again. I've never actually wanted a job before - this is the first one in my entire life. Dead serious. Bit scary really. Luckily, I've got my mom (the Career Counsellor) to help me prepare and my Richard to hug me and help me breath. (And celebrate with me as well maybe - knock on wood!)

So maybe these fireworks were for me too - to celebrate a chance taken and the possibility of a new life beginning with a bang!!

Quick post (for a change!)

Me and my Love

I was a bit nervous about posting these photos of me, but decided after Liz's post to share my face more often with myself and the world. I've already decided that once the summer is over, I'm going to get my hair cut shorter, something much more fun. Tired of the ponytail look. We all look very warm in these photos from the heat, but the wine and fresh air cooled us off eventually!

Rich being silly!

Me (looking tired) and Silvina

Wine, Sun, and Furniture

Mauriano, Silvina, and R

I don't know why my photos turn out darker than the originals when I post on here, but they do! You can barely see my friend Silvina with her tan in the middle! They are our favorite Argentineans and our close friends in Vancouver. We all met for a drink before we headed over to my boss' place for our staff bbq. The party turned out to be a good time, at least we all thought so. The younger staff stationed ourselves at the table in the middle of the back garden and didn't move, except for more wine and food. Not sure why it always ends up that way, but we always seem to separate ourselves from the older members- lack of conversation I think. I'm sure I sensed jealousy though, as they all wished they were sitting with us and laughing to pee their pants like I was. Might have had something to do with the wine, though! It was a beautiful night and so wonderful to be outside in the cool air after sweltering through the afternoon. And the food was fantastic, his wife put on quite the spread. Made me glad to be working here - sure it didn't last past this morning when I came back to the office, but I did experience the gratitude.

Did anyone else bawl their eyes out watching Tiger Woods win the Open Championships yesterday? Or was it just me? How touching was it to see him crying with grief for his father who past away three months ago, who would never see him play again? Not being able to let go of his caddy and hugging his wife? I'm getting teary eyed just thinking about it. It made me love him even more to see such a human side to him. I almost forget how much life is really happening all around these professional athletes, and yet they show up everyday and push through, do their best. It makes me want to be a professional athlete- I'd be a tennis player or a golfer for sure. The commitment and desire just blows my mind. Going after their dreams and goals with such discipline, I'm in awe regularly. And getting be fit for a living...sounds pretty good to me!

R and I went sofa shopping yesterday - trying to decide whether to get one now or wait till we can save up more and get something really nice. Loved everything at EQ3, go check out their website, very funky! We have a love seat only at the moment, a generous gift from our local friends when we first moved to the city- before that we were sitting on the floor. With his parents coming soon, we thought this would be a good time,but it is an intense process, full of imagination and price tags and fabrics that I cannot for the life of me visualize as actual size and in my flat! You gotta get it right the first time as well, they aren't going to sort it out for you! Any advice for a virgin furniture buyer? The first house stuff I ever bought was last October when we moved into our flat and IKEA made that easy. This is the real deal and I'm faltering...at least we are both on the same page with what style and size and comfort factor we're after. I couldn't imagine doing this with our heads butting together.

We've rented a car for the long weekend coming up in August, going to do a couple day trips to some parks and hikes around us. We couldn't decide where to go away over night, so decided to do day trips instead. We're saving the big holiday for when R's parents get here in September - 2 and a half weeks or being the tour guides, I can't wait! We'll be doing the wine country and Vancouver Island and maybe hit the mountains as well when they are here. See what we want as well! Can I just say that two weeks paid holiday is a sin, complete nonsense! In England you get what, 3 weeks at the very least?? R and I are still trying to get used to this after having 3-4 month holidays for the past few years while we were traveling. Working a bit to fill the bank account, then months away on the road. Sounds much better to me as I sit here on yet another beautiful sunny day, missing it.

Grateful friday!

Sunflowers by true nature

Having one of those days where I want to hit someone! It will probably pass, once I leave work I'm sure, but it's got me thinking of a few things I could use today:

- sweat absorbers to put under my arms- man it's hot out!
- a punching bag to get rid of my work frustrations (before I actually hit someone for real)
- enough alcohol to get me through the staff bbq at my boss' house tomorrow with a smile!
- a way to erase these extra 15 pounds I don't want (not a way to lose them because then I'll just find them again, I'm sure!!)
- a special way to speed up the clock to 5pm, then slow it down until I go to bed

And of course, my grateful friday list! This week I am grateful for:

• R finding out he doesn't have to work again till Monday night! a proper weekend
• summer weather, even if it is sweltering
• going to the beach after work
• Blizzards from Dairy Queen
• American Apparel
• my parents having a wonderful time on their holiday in Prince Edward Island; we used to go there every summer when I was little, I miss it!
• Debbie the accountant being here today
• fruit salads galore
• reading this book - very bizarre, but I can't put it down! love her writing
• buying this one for $10! and hardcover too!
• getting this book from the library finally after hearing so much about it from all my bloggers
• having a sweater to keep me warm at work - the temperature difference from outside to in here is ridiculous!
• my little sis feeling better about her job and getting her broken hand looked at again (she's in the boonies of northern BC, this was not an easy task!)
• cold glasses of water, beer, and wine - my way to fight the heat
• my yoga class this week kicking my ass, in a good way
• meeting our Argentinean friends (she works with me) tomorrow for drinks before our staff bbq- we'll need them!
• air conditioning (even if I am cold!)

Have a great weekend everyone! Good luck with the heat, drink lots- your beverage of choice of course!

Poetry Thursday

Winter flower by 45street on Flickr

Wild Nights! Wild Nights!

Wild Nights! Wild Nights!

Were I with thee,

Wild Nights should be

Our luxury!

Futile the winds

To a heart in port, --

Done with the compass,

Done with the chart!

Rowing in Eden!

Ah! the sea!

Might I but moor

To-night in Thee!

~Emily Dickinson~

I'm loving the theme for this week's Poetry Thursday: sex- very risque! I didn't know we had it in us! I found this poem by Emily Dickinson and was also taken aback by her references through my 21st Century mind. I'm sure she might not have meant to be so graphic, but "moor tonight in thee" says it all quite clearly to me. I loved the poems Meg put on her site! And Susannah's gorgeous poem...wow. You can tell the heat has finally started to get to us! We are searching for some sort of release, I think. Sex is definitely one of my favorites! Maybe I'll have an early day and go home to my man....

Phew....

On another note, I can feel a change coming. Do you feel this in your life too? Maybe it's because it's the height of a hot summer or because I am ready, but something is brewing in my life. I don't see myself in this job much longer, even if I'm unsure of where I will end up. Doing yoga is helping me to connect with my body and see what I really need right now. And we've actually been talking about babies, our future family, a lot lately. Something else we're both getting ready for in our own ways. I find myself thinking a lot about where I was this time last year, the beginning of a big family gathering for my little sis' wedding, spending tons of time with my nephew and nieces and siblings and parents and cousins and aunts and uncles and loving every single second of it. Makes me wonder where I'll be, where we'll all be, this time next year. Where I'd like to be...hmmm.

I'm rambling now, I think I'm stuck on the idea of going home early for some lovin'....

for more poetry, go here.

EDIT: Loving Madeleine's poem as well!! Go read it if you haven't already.

Creative Space

This is a picture of my creative space in our flat, as inspired by Mad. I'm actually doing my first post at home on our lovely new computer! This space is so us- the world map, the golf clubs, my random mess all over the desk, and our IKEA desk (moving into our flat with only two backpacks means most of our stuff is IKEA, God love em!). I love the light we get in here and the keyboard is so much sweeter than mine at work. I hope to have many hours of creativity and giggles and connection at this desk and am so grateful that we are finally plugged in. I can always turn it off when I've had enough. (I hope!)

I'm enjoying my post yoga class calm/glow, eating fresh fruit salad, icing my foot (something going on with my heels, bad shoes or something), and listening to Donovan Frankenreiter's new CD. I'm missing R, but finally enjoying how I'm getting into this alone time. I'm finding Mondays tough of late, when he goes back to work, end of the blissful peace of our weekends, and back into that office that is more obviously doing my head in. But sitting here, I'm loving life and can't even remember why my day was bad in the first place. Gotta luv when that happens.

The sunset is from my window after I got home from class tonight. I get to walk along the seawall and watch the sun setting, and all the people taking it in. It's a great end to my yoga practice. And a great way to be in the moment, something I often forget. And can I just say how brilliant it is that we don't live where there is humidity and 35-40 degree weather?? I know England is suffering and so is Nova Scotia and Ontario- are you dealing with it too? The sea breezes seem to blow it all away. I'm quite content with 25 degrees, capris, and nice fresh air.

I think basically I'm quite content tonight and glad I got to post in such a good mood!

GRatEfuL FriDaY

This is one of Louise L. Hay's Wisdom Cards. I not only love the message, but am feeling the colours today as well! It's been a grey few days, our first in ages, and I've been feeling it big time, sleepy and groggy and unmotivated. This has brightened up my day! And helped me remember to love myself, something I've been working on lately. I can't believe it's Grateful Friday again already - how does it come around so fast!?! I'm so ready for a weekend, I need to catch up on some sleep- I keep waking up when R gets home at 4 or 5am, then can't sleep, so getting up to come to work is pretty difficult. Literally draggin' my ass out of bed!!

I started perusing the job sites for new opportunities a couple weeks ago. I always felt a bit nauseous reading the postings, I'm not sure why - probably just scared to make a change- but something shifted this week. I discovered I am ready and open to finding a new challenge, it's time to make a change. And as the Universe is such an amazing place, yesterday was the first day I found job ads that got me excited - one is even at an art school for young people! I don't want to say too much, in case I jinx myself, but I'm pretty excited! Now I'm dealing with all those negative voices that come up when I start applying for jobs - it's so hard to put myself out there for some reason. I am allowed to be happy in my work life as well, I have to remember. It's not going to cancel something else out. I'm going to get my CV together, get my mom the Career Counselor to help with my cover letters and just send them out there and see what happens. That's all I can do for now! What's meant to be will be, I'm going to end up where I'm supposed to no matter what it feels like doing it. I'm just happy to be starting the process.

This week I'm Grateful for:

• Debbie the accountant coming in today, made me happy and helped my day along
• sunshine coming back on the weekend (cross fingers!)
• today being pay day!!
• going to yoga twice this week already - did I say how much I'm lovin it?
• my dad seeing the doctor and finding out all is good, except for some minor blood pressure stuff that can be managed with meds and a new diet- much to his annoyance! (no sugar!!)
• finding myself a doctor that I already love- she's fantastic! thanks Becky for sharing her!
• salsa - regular and mango!
• getting Scrabble to put on our new computer
• R having his Tiger Woods to keep him busy
• getting a free month of internet
• my white trousers brightening up my day
• getting some good books from the library
• surviving another week with R working nights
• finding new ways to take advantage of the time we do have together
• going out for dinner together tonight
• my alarm clock- I'd still be in bed otherwise
• new potatoes - makes my mouth water just thinking about them, drizzled in butter, with garlic, bit of chilli powder....yummy!
• good vibes through my blog world this week!

Poetry Thursday

An ideal homework excuse

Teacher: Where is your homework?

Pupil: I lost it fighting this kid who said you weren't the best teacher in the school

How to Torture Your Teacher
by Bruce Lansky

Only raise your hand when

you want to sharpen your pencil
or go to the bathroom.
Repeat every ten minutes.

Never raise your hand
when you want to answer a question;
instead, yell, "Oooh! Oooh! Oooh!"
and then, when the teacher calls on you,
say, "I forgot what I was going to say."

Lean your chair back,
take off your shoes, and
put your feet up on your desk.
Act surprised when the teacher
puts all four legs of your chair back on the floor.

Drop the eraser end of your pencil
on your desk. See how high it will bounce.
Drop your books on the floor.
See how loud a noise you can make.

Hum. Get all your friends to join in.

Hold your nose,
make a face, and say, "P.U.!"
Fan the air away from your face,
and point to the kid in front of you.

On the last day of school,
lead your classmates in chanting:
"No more pencils!
No more books!
No more teachers’ dirty looks!"

Then, on your way out
the door, tell the teacher,
"Bet you’re looking forward to summer vacation this year.
But I’ll sure miss you.
You’re the best teacher I’ve ever had."

This week's Poetry Thursday idea was to find a funny poem- this was one that made me giggle. There are a lot of teachers in my life - my mom and dad, my big brother, my little sister will be next year, some of my best friends- so this felt familiar to me. For some reason, that joke gets me everytime! I can picture some cute, cheeky kid using it as an excuse and getting away with it! I love it! And the poem sums it up so well, he's captured the mind of a child perfectly! For other giggles and poems head over here.
So happy it's thursday already, the weekend is needed. It's been wet and cloudy this week for a change and I find myself feeling so sleepy from the heavy air. Of course, it seems to pass almost as soon as I leave work...hmmm.

Lists

Statue in Singapore

I'm stealing an idea from Mad's blog- I feel like making lists today!

10 Things I Couldn't Live Without: (in no particular order)

1. cheese - any kind but the blue varieties

2. iPod - music is so important, I need a soundtrack

3. books/ library - words and other perspectives and windows into other worlds are such a gift

4. flipflops - especially this time of year

5. journal - my regular venting, emoting, creating, understanding venue

6. fresh fruit and veggies

7. chocolate - sometimes we all need a bit of a pick me up!

8. cafes - my home away from home

9. the telephone - hearing someone's voice from far away is so important to me

10. my bus pass - gotta get around somehow!

7 (ok 9!) People I couldn't live without:

1. Richard- no words can explain (aka R)

2. my parents - their love and support have been so vital, I am who I am because of them

3. my three siblings - my world would be such a lonely place without them

4. my sister in law, brother in law, and nephew and nieces - our family only gets better as it gets bigger!

5. my inlaws and new family in England - a foreign family, what a treat!!

6. my amazing friend Roz - we've known each other since we were barely walking, she understands me better than even I do sometimes!

7. my family in America - love having such a big family, 4 aunts and all my cousins and uncles, bringing such characters and colour to our family

8. my traveling friends all over the world - my life is better because of you

9. my blogger friends!! what did I do without all of you?!!

7 Places I Couldn't bear to disappear:

1. the mountains and beaches around Vancouver

2. Nova Scotia - go see why I love it!

3. the Boathouse - our new favorite restaurant

4. The Blue Moon Cafe, Melbourne - where we used to treat ourselves to brunch when we were broke

5. England in general - nowhere has ever felt so much like home to me

6. Tescos! ( I know, pretty sad, it's a grocery store, but I love it! It's the first place we go when we go back to England!)

7. my yoga studio - my new haven

7 (ok 8!) Experiences not to miss:

1. cuddling with my R - ok, just for me, not for all of you!

2. walking on a beach, waves on your feet, sun on your face, wind in your hair

3. flying on a plane - what a rush! And you get to be somewhere new when you get off!

4. warm fresh bread with mom's homemade strawberry jam - my mouth is watering just thinking about it!

5. getting into bed after a long day - in case you hadn't noticed, I love my bed and my sleep!

6. helping someone - I love that feeling when you can give someone a hand

7. being with my friends, giggling, drinking wine, making dinner together, catching up

8. getting mail!

I could go on and on, but will try and keep it to a minimum to keep your attention. Go check out this photographer's website that Andrea recommended- it's brilliant!!! He made me want to be a photographer and learn how to take better pictures. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to learn how to be a better digital photographer?? I don't have a big camera, but am falling in love with seeing the world through the lens of my camera and could spend hours on Flickr and other sites where people are capturing life in so many different ways.

I haven't been doing my Sunday Scribblings either, so will try and catch up soon!

Grateful Friday!!

Rose Garden New Zealand

It's official, we have a computer of our own and we are online, right from the comfort of our lovely flat!! We bought the computer on the weekend, just took the plunge...after three months or more of shopping and deciding what we want, of course. The internet came on Wednesday, and now we can reach out to the world whenever we want! Crazy! I've never owned a computer before. It's interesting learning how it all gets put together, with software and virus protection and all that jazz. I'm just used to sitting in front of one and it working. The best part is that I was able to finally update my music on my iPod!!! How excited was I!! it had been a whole year, listening to the same 250 songs in every order possible. I was dancing all the way on my walk to work this morning. New Beth Orton, new Snow Patrol, new Madonna, I was in bliss. I can't wait to get home and put more music on. Maybe I'll take a picture of our new work space this weekend, post it from home- wow!

This week, I'm Grateful for:

• it being friday already!! luv me a short work week!
• having more creativity happening in my brain again
• our new computer and all the possibilities it brings (and maybe headaches too!)
• owning something so big
• R having something to do during his days at home
• the beautiful weather, so much delicious sunshine once again
• the one cloudy day we did have, a bit of a break
• a new month
• summertime
• my yoga class (had a different instructor this week, loved her too!)
• my lovely pink iPod
• spending time with our friends last weekend
• R getting to go play golf finally
• our plans to relax and recharge and be together this weekend
• going to see Pirates of the Caribbean, hopefully!! (luv me some johnny depp too!)
• my little sis getting to her new summer job at a fishing lodge up in the boonies of Northern BC
• her being in charge of the cleaning for the whole summer- pay back for her lack of help at home when we were younger!
• my other little sis getting home from Europe and getting to see Paris with her hubby
• our best friends getting engaged
• having a beer at work today (unfortunately, not till the end of the day)
• learning how to make beaded jewelry on the weekend
• ice cream and gelato and smoothies!
• all the wonderful fresh fruit- raspberries and blueberries!
• veggie markets
• my cold sore is going away nicely - kisses soon!
• hot baths in the candlelight to relax
• watching cheesy girlie tv while R is at work

Ok I'll stop now, I get carried away sometimes! What are you grateful for this week?!

Have a great weekend! (do you know that the spell checker on this thing thinks "iPod" is meant to be "wiped"- very weird)

Creativity (+ Poetry Thursday)

art is a voice. it is a method of communication. a way to translate an experience. tell a story. live a life. for you, art is definitely a voice: loud and clear. sometimes more loud than clear. an expression. a manifestation of emotion. of things unsaid. a way of being. as it is for me. as you grow you will learn that everyone has their own way of communicating with their fellow beings. some quiet. some loud. all worth listening to...if for nothing other than the chance to learn. art is a teacher. and a messenger. and a voice. create your own voice. your own method. develop your own strength. be passionate. art will always be on your side. will always challenge you to communicate. to tell your story in your own truth. in your own voice.
- Ali Edwards -

2006 is my year of Creativity, a chance to connect with a side of myself long gone dormant. January and February were full of ideas and aha moments and energy from pages filled with possibilities. I got lost after that somewhere, I'm not really sure how. Yesterday in my post, I asked what you do to find inspiration. Liz Elayne left me a brilliant comment, which seems to have resonated with many others. "lately, i have realized that the creative inspiration might just be inside me already-but i have to start doing instead of just talking about doing" and "but i do think it is all already inside. we just have to admit this and move." She is so smart! And so right. Doing is the only way to get my juices flowing. I do know this from past experience, I just seem to have forgotten. I've been wrapped up in other mental exercises, ones I don't need to spend so much time on (like anxiety about work and life, thinking too much about my job, etc), and it's time to start filling my brain, and my time, with more creative endeavours. I have pages of writing exercises I can be doing, even here at work, plus millions of websites to explore, and art to be learning- like making jewelry (which I just started on the weekend) and digital scrapbooking (inspired by Rhonna). I've always shied away from artistic creations after deciding when I was younger that I couldn't draw or paint and shouldn't even bother trying- I simply couldn't get it to look like it does in my head. Amazing how those messages can stay with you for such a long time. I never saw myself as the artistic type, but after getting even the tiniest of tastes, I feel like it's a huge part of me that's been hiding and needs some coaxing to come out. My inner critic constantly berates me, saying there's no point in writing anything, or buying supplies to do some scrapbooking, etc., because it won't get me anywhere, it won't pay the bills, people will only laugh, on and on and on. I've decided it's time to stop listening to that Voice.

Creativity now means for me using words to express myself, to share my feelings and experiences with others. It means stepping outside my comfort zone and seeing what my Creative Self wants to do, what she can come up with. It means taking time each week, each day even, to spend some time with this new side of Me. I've even found my desires in the work world have changed since I started getting more creative- I'd love to work in an art school, or spend my days creating with young kids, just getting messy! I even looked at art courses I might want to take. Ali Edwards was one of the first blogs I read and she still inspires me to find ways to tell my story, to create a life I love. I had so much fun writing a story for my nephew and nieces for Christmas, I think it's time to start another one- I'm definitely not lacking in ideas!

All of you have been an inspiration to me as well. Being so brave an sharing your art with your bloggers, going to the page, the canvas, the bead box, the camera, everyday. Like Susannah said in response to Liz "i guess it's all about *doing* rather than thinking perhaps - get the pen, paintbrush, camera in our hands and see what happens. be brave and close our eyes and let our imaginations take over - i think they are gunning for us to give it a go." It's time for me to get my groove on. I am a creative woman, time to spend some quality time with my brilliant imagination!! Anyone want to join me?! Or maybe we can just got sit and have a glass of wine together instead...

Here's my poem for this week. I like the suggested prompt on Poetry Thursdays, I will definitely come back to it one day. Go there to check out more poetry for this week.

Words by Anne Sexton

Be careful of words,

even the miraculous ones.

For the miraculous we do our best,

sometimes they swarm like insects

and leave not a sting but a kiss.

They can be as good as fingers.

They can be as trusty as the rock

you stick your bottom on.

But they can be both daisies and bruises.

Yet I am in love with words.

They are doves falling out of the ceiling.

They are six holy oranges sitting in my lap.

They are the trees, the legs of summer,and the sun, its passionate face.
Yet often they fail me.

I have so much I want to say,

so many stories, images, proverbs, etc.

But the words aren't good enough,

the wrong ones kiss me.

Sometimes I fly like an eagle

but with the wings of a wren.

But I try to take care

and be gentle to them.

Words and eggs must be handled with care.

Once broken they are impossible

things to repair.

A Taste of Summer

a taste of summer, from Elan Photography on Flickr

Back to work (unfortunately), after a gorgeous weekend of sun, fun, bbqs, friends, and lots of cuddles. It was so sunny and so hot, absolutely wonderful summer weather. We had planned to leave the city and go exploring, but after a week or working nights, R needed to catch some extra zzzzs, so we just went with the flow instead. We ended up visiting with our friends, having three bbqs, lying in the sun, eating lots of fruit, just being together. It started off not so well with England being robbed, or maybe just losing their game, and ending their quest for the World Cup. I was pretty sad, so was R. So not fair!! I also woke up with a lovely cold sore on Saturday morning, something that always puts me in a insecure and tearful mood- I know it's not true, but it always feels like it's the only thing people can see. And it hurts, physically. The worst part is I can't have any kisses with R, how much does that suck?!!
It was a good weekend in the sense that it really felt like I had been away from work, almost to the point that I had forgotten all about it. Of course, that also meant I came crashing back down to reality this morning when I got here. It was so hot last night, I was having feverish dreams, to the point that I even shouted out in my sleep- something I usually only do when I'm stressed- wonder what I'm stressed about? We had no hot water this morning, so that didn't make getting up any more fun. I'm just wishing I was back on the grass, lying on the blanket, reading, soaking up the sun, listening to the children playing around me, R tickling me trying to distract me. Why can't all of life feel that good?
Our close friends in England (R's best friend) got engaged after the game on Saturday- he wanted to bring them some joy, so he finally popped the question. He'd had the ring in his drawer for a few months now, waiting for the perfect moment. Isn't it interesting how any moment can be perfect, if you are fully present? I'm so happy for them and hopefully this means a trip to England for us sometime next year!!
My creative wells feel a bit dry lately, what are things that get your creative juices flowing? Any good websites, or books I should check out? I used to have pages and pages of ideas, but seem to have become a bit disconnected. 2006 is my year of Creativity, time to get back on the horse!

Grateful Friday!!

Rainbow near Queenstown, NZ 2005

Wow, Friday already!! And it's a long weekend for us as well, Canada Day tomorrow so we get Monday off. I love long weekends, such a treat! I'm feeling immensely better today, after purging my mood on here yesterday. I went to my first yoga class in Vancouver last night and it was absolutely divine. I have always loved doing yoga, even went to class for a year awhile back, but with traveling and whatnot, it's been too long since I've gotten back into it. Honestly, I was afraid of going here, for no good reason. Vancouver is known as Lotus Land, the home of yoga in Canada, and I was feeling intimidated. Luckily, my friend Becky said she wanted to try it, so I got brave and we went to our first class last night. The studio itself was a gift- right by the water, with the windows wide open and you could hear the sea and even smell it. With our breathing, it sounded like the waves were also inside as well as out. I was instantly calm, even before I started the class. Yoga is what my body is meant to be doing. It felt like I was having a conversation with an old friend, or reliving a wonderful dream I'd had. There was no good reason for me not to go before this, I was worrying for nothing, as per usual, but things happen for a reason. Right now was when I was meant to go, and I did, and it's going to make such a difference. I can't wait to go to my next class, maybe tomorrow while R is watching the football with his English friends. Maybe I'll become a teacher one day, who knows. My body is grateful today and I'm so looking forward to seeing where this journey takes me!

Today I am also grateful for:

• the long weekend! Oh Canada...
• it being friday and the accountant being here to make me laugh and give me my wages
• the incredible weather we've been having and that it's only going to continue!
• getting a tan
• my new white fabulous pants from the Gap- on sale, cheap cheap
• feeling a bit sore from yoga last night, knowing my body did something good
• raspberry muffins and ice tea
• peaches and strawberries (local ones!)
• my sis and her hubby getting to go to Paris ( so jealous!!)
• Wimbledon!! (I am going to go watch someday, I am)
• when my R gets home and into bed at night after work, I sleep so much better
• hot baths and bubbles
• my little sis deciding to travel instead of going back to school!! (so supporting this idea!!)
• England playing tomorrow- Come on!
• living so close to the beach and the water
• it almost being lunchtime!
• R not having to go to work till 9pm tonight
• having this time to myself, to learn how to be comfortable on my own again
• feeling better today
• getting to sleep in
• summertime
• getting lost in this book- I am loving historical fiction lately

Don't think I'll be back on here till Tuesday, but we are planning to buy a computer this weekend, so we'll see! Other than plane tickets, this will be our biggest purchase ever as a couple, wow. I'll let you know what happens! Have a great weekend everyone! As Will Smith sang "Summer, summer, summertime, time to sit back and unwind".