On the path...

As in my last post, once again spring is the theme. It inspires me to share my thoughts and in today's words, I have decided to share an interesting realization that has happened.

I have been very pensive in the last week or so, and especially in the last few days. What is my plan in a year's time? Where do I see myself being in a few years? What do I want to do with my life?

So many ideas pop into my head. Yes, I want to be a photo journalist for National Geographic. Yes, I would like to be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize by the time that I turn 40. Yes, I want to make a difference. But... what does that look like? How am I going to make a difference? Will I be able to make a difference? I turn to others in hope of a sign; a beacon showing me the way; someone to tell me that I am doing the right thing.

And then today, I read the following:
"One of Gautam Buddha's most significant contributions to the spiritual life of humankind was to insist to his disciples, "Be a light unto yourself." Ultimately, each of us must develop within ourselves the capacity to make our way through the darkness without any companions, maps or guide."

Wow. Talk about a sign. And so I continue, on my journey of self-discovery, of self-trust, it's a path unknown but one that I know will be the right one.

Musings

Spring is definitely upon me and with it comes my time of musings. My mind floats on, pensive of the world around me, awakening, coming alive, seeing again, the freshness and the possibilities of this world that sometimes feels vast and perhaps even a bit empty, empty amongst the concrete, the bustle, the cries and the shouts. Then the sound of a bird trilling at sunrise, a bike downshifting at a light, that heavy earthy scent of land being exposed after a snowy winter. Inspiration surrounds me and so I write and I share.

Thoughts.
Thoughts stem from emotions occurred during a moment. Realization awakens a part of the grey that had been forgotten. Flow through the moments and allow the freedom to live. Each cell remembers its meaning once all control is relinquished. Further along, travel becomes the norm. Experience from the micro to the macro; the macro to the micro. Free of expectation, free of ego. Pura Vida.

This figure sits on the lotus leaf of perfection, gazing at the beauty of the night sky. She knows that "home" is not a physical place in the outside world, but an inner quality of relaxation and acceptance. The stars, the rocks, the trees, the flowers, fish and birds - all are our brothers and sisters in this dance of life. We human beings tend to forget this, as we pursue our own private agendas and believe we must fight to get what we need. But ultimately, our sense of separateness is just an illusion, manufactured by the narrow preoccupations of the mind.

Trust in the beauty, let go of the ego, there is a meaning to it all and it's easier to take the lazy route and let it all flow together

10 days til Christmas? Oh my!

Well, apparently I have been quite lax at updating my blog over the past four months.
In a nutshell, this is what I have been getting up to...

Early in October, I discovered a fantastic climbing gym over the bridge on the Quebec side and I have gotten back into my addiction. It started with a twice a week thing, then it quickly became a thrice a week thing, and now I seem to find myself there at least 4 times a week. One thing is for sure, I am getting better at climbing!

In November there were a couple of stand-out moments during the time that my sister was in town: on Remembrance Day, we caught the Canucks vs Senators game here in town and the Canucks had a big win that night. Additionally, the next day, we decided to rent a car and drive to Montreal for the day. In our true fashion, we had just left Ottawa behind and saw the signs for Montreal and Quebec City so I turned to Y and said "want to pass Montreal and just go to Quebec City instead?", and so we did. It was a long day of driving but definitely fun times. Stopped in to Trois-Rivieres and wandered around town to take some photos and grab some lunch. Then we made it in to Quebec City for sunset and some strolling around Vieux Quebec, an absolute beauty!

I am now just finishing up my co-op term with Agriculture Canada and I have accepted an additional term within the same division but with a different supervisor. This next term I will be focusing on writing reports based more on social analyses than economic ones and I will attempt to explain various consumer trends based on behaviour. One of the benefits of this posting is that I will also be able to incorporate my photography which is a fantastic opportunity to have some of my writing and my photography published together.

In just a few days I will be on a plane once again but this time en route to the West Coast for some family and friends time.

Happy holidays to all!

Off on a new adventure...

A new adventure awaits as once again I am bound for the capital of "Eh's".

This time is different though as I am relocating there for a few months this time around with a short-contract through uni. Am I excited? Yes. Am I nervous? You betcha.
Looking at my duffel bags I feel like I have over-packed but then I remember that I am heading to weather bordering 40+ that will be -40 by the time my contract ends; so with a span like that who can blame me for having 2 duffel bags?

So off to Ottawa I go. I will be sure to keep you all up to date with my adventuring in our nation's capital and whatever fun I get up to with all of our fine folks out there. It's guaranteed that bilingualism will be present so be sure to brush up on your francais kids because this French gal is coming back in action!

Bises!

Don't forget to pack your sunscreen!

My latest adventure took me to the capital of our fine country with a quick one-day jaunt to Montreal for a visit to rue Ste Catherine where we caught the Canadiens' game at "3 Brasseurs" then walked along le Vieux Port and were somehow mistaken as artists at an art gallery.

Some must-do's while you are in Ottawa:
1) check out the Museum of Civilization (free on Thursdays); be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to check it out (if you're doing it all, around 3 hours).
2) check out "Pizz-za-za" in Gatineau-Hull for some amazing pizza and salads.
3) "Stella" in Byward Market is your place to get some of the best food and drinks in Ottawa.
4) If you love coffee and supporting a local business, then "Bridgehead" is a good choice.
5) Check out Parc Gatineau (about a 45min drive northwest of Ottawa). There are amazing lakes and trails throughout the area.
6) "Wild Oat" in the Glebe has amazing vegetarian fare. Their scones are to die for; as is their "Wild One" sandwich.
7) Favorite clothing stores to check out are the indie stores along Dalhousie.
8) The Manx had a very tasty steak on their menu at a crazy amazing price of $16!
9) If you like to bike, a ride along the canal to Dows Lake then onwards to the Lochs is a must.

My trip was great. So many fun things that we got up to; great time spent with wonderful friends; and a great overview of what my life might look like starting this fall. The one thing that I still have mixed feelings about is the 30C weather that felt like 42C! That is easier to deal with when you're on vacation but working in an office? There would need to be some strategic planning to get from point A to point B in the heat.

Another flight?

So once again I will be heading out of town. This time to our beautiful capital for one last meeting about the summer project in Peru.
I will also be able to catch up with one of my best friends whom I really don't get to see that often. Hopefully we'll be able to catch a concert on Saturday night. This band recently played here but I was sick the night of the concert and had to pass on catching it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we'll be able to see them there instead.

We're all going on a summer holiday...

My mom's favorite artist of all time was due to play his farewell tour this month throughout the UK and Europe. Seeing that it was our last chance to ever see him in concert, the girls in the family flew over our fair country and over the Atlantic for a chance to catch Sir Cliff Richard live in concert.

Due to classes at uni, I was the last to fly out (and also the first to return home). Being the student that I am, I took the cheapest flight available to me that ended up looking like this:
Vancouver to Chicago, Chicago to Stockholm, Stockholm to Paris.

I was lucky that I was able to spend the day in Stockholm.
Although it was quite cold (just above freezing when I arrived in the city at 8:30am), I was able to discover quite a few amazing spots. I walked across the numerous bridges that connect the different parts of the city centre, enjoyed many coffees to warm myself up, came across the Nobel Museum by pure luck, and enjoyed a fantastic lunch in a quaint plaza.

Then it was onwards to Paris and the search for a hostel for the night before catching the train to my hometown. After getting on the wrong end of my fast-train (the TGV), I arrived safe and sound in Noyers S/Cher.
It was amazing to be back "home" after being away for the last 11 years. Looking at the rolling hills, the roman roads, the vineyards, the cobblestone streets, the houses built into the cliff, all of this brings back so many childhood memories.

After a very brief stay in France (just over 36 hours) it was a quick jaunt across the Channel to London where Mom and I spent a few days exploring the city; a first for both of us.
Trust us to find two amazing Malaysian restaurants within a 4-day period. If you are in London and craving some Malaysian food, check out "Makan" on Portobello Road, just past the train overpass.

Then it was onwards to Manchester for a few days culminating to THE concert of a lifetime for my mom. Sunday October 18th: Cliff Richard and the Shadows, live in concert.
It was fantastic. I grew up listening to his music and watching his movies so it was a trip down memory lane once again. I was surprised to realize how many songs by the Shadows I knew and loved. It was great to see my mom enjoy herself so much. We even stuck around by the back gate after the concert to catch a glimpse of Sir Cliff before heading back to the hotel.

All in all, it was a fantastic trip and definitely worth the long flight out and back.