On the way to peace

Day 3 of Be Peace.

It completely started as "One of those Days."

Spilling my entire water bottle, into my boot, sopping wet sock, losing my phone, hitting every red light on the way to work, etc.,

The funny thing is I recognized it, stepped back and let it roll. I can't control traffic lights, I can't control computers, and well, it was probably a much needed break from my mobile.

So here's to day 3. Breathing deep and finding the Things I'm grateful for...
1. Warm Apple Cider
2. Bank Tellers being helpful
3. The return of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals
4. Practicing
5. Laughing while falling out of dancer's post
6. Homemade potato chips
7. Plans with friends 

Gratitude Spreading Peace

Let's just say today was a struggle but, here I am. Because creating peace in the world starts with creating peace in oneself. And that begins with gratitude.

Day Two, Today I'm grateful for....

1. My bed, my blankets, the combination of firm and soft.
2. Opportunities to learn-be it through work, family, friends, nature
3. That my phone battery seems to be holding a charge. :D
4. Having glasses to be able to see the world around me
5. Naps.
6. Texting/Connecting with friends time zones apart

(Vancouver) Rain

It's raining today.

Not an uncommon occurrence in Vancouver, especially during the "winter" months, but today's rain reminded me of something spectacular.

Yes, it rained A LOT in December and a decent amount in January. But really I've not gotten "too bummed" or "annoyed' by the rain.

Why?

I can say without hesitation or doubt that I love rain. I love how it feels when you are walking in it and happy and I love how it feels when you are walking in it and are crying.

No matter what it cleanses and refreshes the earth. It takes the heaviness of life and shows us how we are all connected through water and this cleansing.

I'm not sure what most people have against rain. I searched high and low for a yellow raincoat and matching yellow wellies so I could go out and enjoy the rain without getting TOO wet. But the joy of getting caught in a rainstorm is still a love I can't let go of.

This past August I got caught in a summer storm right before leaving Hamilton and I danced in it. I was out with my best friends and we all danced it in and then I got home, threw on my bathing suit and danced in the rain at 3am. It was one of the best moments of the summer.

I think it's one of those things we lose our love for as we grow up and we only want it when it's convenient or will serve a purpose for us, example, during hot hot humid summers we dream of the heat breaking with a storm.

That's not to say when it rains for 7 days straight I don't go "okay, I love you but enough I want to wear cute shoes again" but living in East Sussex, England and now Vancouver, I have truly learned I am not one of those people bothered by the rain. I don't typically take an umbrella with me. I don't curse when my hair frizzes. I just accept it and enjoy it.

Maybe we need to watch as children jump into puddles with such joy a bit more. Watch them squeal with delight as they get splashed and giggle instead of moan when things get a bit wet and perhaps muddy. 

 

A rose must remain with the sun and the rain or its lovely promise won't come true.
                                                                                                                      -Ray Evans

A Wonderous Commute

I've been a bit quieter than I would have liked so here I am doing any update about my commute. I live in Vancouver but go to school in Surrey, round trip time approximately 50 minutes from my door to the classroom. However, let's keep in mind I went to Queen's ISC for my first year where I lived in a bubble of 5 minutes from everywhere "on campus" and then lived a 5 minute walk across a park in Kingston from Campus. And well, driving in Hamilton was always fairly quick. So this commute, takes a lot out of me, but it also gives a lot back. I can get work done during the commute and when I can't. Well, when I can't, I still get to ride home watching the fog, the mountains, the ocean, and right now, the fall colours moving around me. And now some of the photos I've taken while enjoying the Skytrain.

"Commuting from New York to Hollywood to do this show gets more interesting every week. Before I used to think the country was just New York on one end and Los Angeles on the other, with sand and mountains in the middle." ~ Bill Cullen

Maslow's Hierarchy

Making a big move always takes a lot more out of you than at first anticipated. This move has tried me in every way possible and has had me doing some crazy introspective thinking. Since, ya know, I don't do enough of that on my own time without all the complications. Anyway, recently I'd been thinking about [note: stressing about life] and Maslow's hierarchy of needs popped into my head. I kept going "I am so far from self-actualization....I wonder where I fall." SO I used my trusty Google device and voila! I have the pyramid at my finger tips.

There's the link to Wikipedia for the entire theory. And after looking, well I can't quite figure out WHERE I fall...I don't think it's possible to "have it all" which means in some areas of my life I am moving towards self-actualization and in some areas I'm probably stuck down in "safety." I'm very glad I took the time to look it up though. It was one of those jolts you need every once and a while to show that you aren't as "bad off" as you think. If you plan on being anything less than you are capable of being, you will probably be unhappy all the days of your life. Abraham Maslow

Jackpot!

I hit the Fashion Karma Jackpot this last month.

One Saturday I got out of work and was taking the bus home when I stumbled upon the end of a street fair on Main. I enjoyed walking up the middle of the street and entered into the vintage store "Temple of a Modern Girl" and upon leaving I had achieved success in locating not one, but TWO, giant bulky tacky sweaters. For less than I imagined. $35 for the both. Jackpot!



Sweater Number 1. Lovely, a bit tacky, a bit wonderful.



Tacky GIANT cozy sweat Number 2. So much love. So much cozy.



Close-up view!

These weren't as hard to find as I thought and although not exactly what I pictured...I love them!

Now once again, Destiny intervened last Friday. I was exhausted, it had been a long week, but I had errands. I went to the bank that was closest to me-on Commercial Drive-after...I got enamored with the vintage shopping...and ended up spending all my time in one store "Mintage." Although the staff here were not helpful, or very friendly, since they were too busy trying on clothes to buy for themselves, the product was exquisite.

I landed my leather skirt for 18 Dollars!!!!! REAL LEATHER! Black! The thrill I have cannot be explained!



Now, the best part is I was able to purchase a wonderful sequin Butterfly Top.




I wasn't originally going to wear them together...but I actually think that they could work with the right shoes of course!



Trying them on in Mintage...


All that's left is checking off those knee high boots...keep your eyes peeled for me.

Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.
Coco Chanel