Extraordinarily Ordinary

On How to Live | Book of Awakening

2011-01-26T23:30:00.000-08:00

There are two ways to live your life.

One is as though nothing is a miracle.

The other is as though everything is a miracle.

- Albert Einstein

I was given The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo for Christmas this year, and I've been utterly addicted to it since I started reading it on January 1st.

It's one of those books that you are supposed to read and reflect on, on a a daily basis - but for once in my post-college life, I've been actually working way ahead.

I can't help it.

I guess it's just one of those things where I've become so wrapped up (as in tight knot style) with everything that's been going on these past few months - that I've been totally forgetting to actually... live.

I can't 100% tell you that I have no idea where the second half of 2010 went. Considering I spent a large majority of this time either moving or worrying about the flood of 2010 - I shouldn't be too hard on myself. But the truth is, I've spent most of 2010 with my head either in the clouds or just inside my head.

Boring, right?

That's why my word for 2011 was restore (because I'm restoring my sense of self).

In doing so, I've been spending a lot of time re-learning how to appreciate the little tiny inspirations that present themselves on a daily, sometimes even hourly basis. I'm re-learning that Mr. Einstein is right.

We can live our lives with the blinders on, only focusing on personal and business development, slaving away for our clients or employers, dreaming of the possibilities of the future... but it doesn't mean a darn thing if we don't know how to actually appreciate what is right in front of us.

It's no coincidence that the tagline for The Book of Awakening is "Having the life you want, by being present to the life you have."

This, my friends, is something that I've always battled with.

Always dreaming bigger.

Expecting more from myself.

Not recognizing when a break is not only needed, but also deserved.

Creativity takes time. It takes not only inspiration, but time to be inspired. Not only on the surface, but all the way down to our toes.

How does this tie into Mr. Albert, you ask?

To truly start looking at the world from the second perspective - it's a transformation that takes longer than overnight. It is a habit. A perception. An outlook that requires a time investment.

Although, it's one of those investments that will come back to you 10 fold once your body realizes what you're trying to do.

and I'm going to try to do it.

one love.

[source]

Why Hello Steve Jobs

2011-01-25T23:14:00.000-08:00

A friend showed me this speech a few weeks ago, and it seriously impacted the way I look at life.

So it's only natural that I'm sharing it here with you my lovely friends. Because, like Kelly Corrigan's speech I shared last year - some things are just too heartfelt and moving to keep to myself.

one love

Thirsty Thursdays | Fridge Love Inspiration

2011-01-20T15:26:00.000-08:00

In 2011, I plan on bringing Thirsty Thursday's back with a vengeance! TT is the name, quenching your inspirational thirst is the game.

Ok enough of the cheesy talkero.

This week I am totally feeling the fridge love, and revamping fridge fronts (and sides!) to keep you and yours truly inspired on a daily basis (because everyone uses the fridge!).

A few fantastic things that have my heart singing these days:

[Button Magnets]

[Scrabble Tiles - but as magnets - they come in almost every character/cartoon/image imaginable, and I already have a few other nintendo themed ones from miss lizzy hanging out on my own fridge]

[the modern version of the alphabet set]

[pixel art on your fridge - who would have thought!?]

[you can have your cow, and drink your milk too!]

I think a lot of times - fridges get missed in that whole decor thing because there doesn't seem to be a whole lot out there to do with them. It seems that there is - you just have to do a little digging! And hey, if all else fails - there's always the option of covering with pictures of family and friends. That usually does the trick nicely too :)

Happy Thursday!

Music Share | Blake Shelton

2011-01-17T15:01:00.000-08:00

What's playing on repeat on my iphone this week.

Just can't get enough of the melody + mood.

Le sigh.

25 Things I Want More Of in 2011

2011-01-15T20:00:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of 2010 - I wrote a list of 25 things I want more of in 2010.

It was simple. Straight to the point. And it felt good to write.

So this year, I'm doing the same - and attempting to put just as much thought into it as I did last year (even with an insane head-cold and severe fluctuations between being hot and then cold in mere seconds).

1. More time spent at the hairdressers

2. blogging

3. do-it-yourself crafty home decor

4. inspiration, but not comparisons

5. writing

6. london fogs

7. peaceful moments at work

8. walks with my fur baby Rolo :)

9. running

10. time spent on 1-on-1 time with friends and family

11. prettied up packages to others

12. time spent s l o w i n g d o w n

13. baking sweet desserts

14. fashion sense

15. structure & routine

16. free bird spirit

17. scrabble

18. classes & learning

19. art

20. connecting with those that matter

21. colour

22. travelling (will forever and always be on the list)

23. slipper wearing

24. sleep

25. date nights out with Mr. Extraordinary

12 Favorite Photos of 2010 (Year in Review)

2011-01-13T19:35:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've visited my own corner of the interweb - and by golly it's now a brand new year. Welcome to 2011 fellow readers! Usually I do an extensive recap of years past, either as they are coming to a close or during the first few weeks of January. But guess what? It most likely WON'T happen - but please still love me?

It seemed fitting that one of my biggest inspirations this year, was the root of my inspiration for the concept of this post - Miss Flannigan never ceases to amaze me! So to re-cap my personal 2010 - I bring you.... the year in 12 photos!

January: In January, we visited Jess's sister in Kamloops - and attended our very first Robbie Burns Celebration Dinner & Dance. It was a one of kind experience, in which we dressed Jess up in the full kilt get-up. Not only did we have a few great laughs, but we even tried haggis!

February: February saw Jess and I off to Las Vegas for the first time together for our 2nd anniversary. We had such a fabulous time, and even managed to find a bit of serenity in the city that never sleeps.

March: In March I started embarking my own Solo Saturday Adventures, and discovered the Fort Langley Antique Market & Buntzen Lake. I found this incredible mirror, and started considering really making my home, my own.

April: This family adventure took us to Grandma's & Grumpa's to wander through barns and barns full of goodies from years gone by. It was here I discovered my love for old frames, letterpress drawers and 1950's Sears catalogues.

May: I convinced mom to come out to a networking event with me, for Fraser Valley Pulse's first birthday. We had so much fun talking to other entrepreneurial women, checking out local businesses, and learning more about Fraser Valley Pulse! Little did I know, it would be the start of so many great friendships and opportunities!

June: June saw a family trip to Nova Scotia for Jamie & Tamara's beautifully summer wedding. Since this was such a great, fun-loving and family orientated trip - this month gets a few bonus photos.

July: First golfing adventure + great golfing teacher = one ... make that two fantastic rounds of golf! We had so much fun during our first round, that we headed to another course for a second round later on that afternoon. I'm already looking forward to golfing season again next year :)

August: Although this might now be one of my favorite pictures of 2010 - it does sum up a huge chunk of the year fairly well. If you can't tell from the picture, we had a flood in our apartment, and this is the picture taken a few hour after the damage occurred. Nothing could quite prepare us for the renovations about to take place - but we certainly learned a few valuable life lessons along the way. What we took out of the experience? Everything happens for a reason, you can get through it, and it's really important to have home insurance.

September: This picture was taken shortly after we were caught in a true-to-goodness thunder and lightening storm. What you may not be able to see in this picture, is that we were SOPPING wet - and I can't remember a time when I laughed so hard. What better place to get caught in a lightening and thunderstorm than on a golf course?

October: Jess's birthday was celebrated in October, and there was plethora of smiles, goofiness and laughter all around. I love celebrating birthdays, except maybe not my own.

November: November saw our great and awesome friends moving back to town, followed by lots and lots and lots for wonderful gathers and "stop-bys". Also, I purchased my imac. Which has changed my world.

December: So many good things took place in December... but the coolest thing of all was the arrival of Pat and Allison's beautiful baby girl, Kyla! Jess and I are *so* excited to be along for the ride with them on this crazy and and wild adventure (and we love them all very much).

Reverb10 | Body Integration

2010-12-20T23:00:00.000-08:00

I'm participating in Reverb10, a daily writing prompt throughout the month of December related to reflecting on the previous year and planning the next. You can read more about it here, and read all of my posts so far here.

Q. Body Integration. This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present? (Author: Patrick Reynolds)

A. I spent most of 2010 striving to create a simple, cohesive me in which my mind and body felt like they were on the same level. In fact, I even spent so much time thinking about, and worrying about making this happen, that not a lot of real solid time actually went into making it happen.

I spent less time on the mat than I have in previous years, and I practically stopped my meditation practice because I just didn't have the energy or motivation to get back into it. In reading a few other participants views on this #reverb10 prompt, I started learning more about dissociation , and how it can impact how you view not only others but yourself as well. I started recognizing that this thing that others were experiencing and sharing their feelings on, was exactly what I have been known to struggle with in the past. It was one of those "ah ha" moments when you realize that you aren't entirely alone in the things that you struggle with on a daily basis.

I constantly feel separated from what feels like the person I think I should be, or the personality I should have. Often times, when I look in the mirror I don't feel entirely connected to the person that is staring back at me. Like I am always envisioning myself to look different that what my reflection actually looks like. Not that I wish I was thinner, or more tanned or anything like that - just in terms of personal style.

As I've mentioned in a previous #reverb10 post, I think I've spent a lot of time this year trying to become a person that everyone (or at least a large majority of people) would like. I worry about offending people, or not blending in enough, so often times I choose safe fashion/style choices even though sometimes all I really want to do is dread my hair, and get a tattoo sleeve.

As I'm beginning to realize, it could be because of these tendencies that I've felt so disconnected from my heart/mind throughout the year. Like I've been silencing my heart and my personality (and the things that make me really who I am) for my mind (and common sense)'s sake.

I guess doing these prompts really do work in forcing you to work through your words, even though it is freakin' difficult.

[photo cred]

Reverb10 | 11 Things

2010-12-20T21:46:00.000-08:00

Q. 11 Things. What are 11 thngs your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson)

A. I probably could have thought of well over 11 things to rid myself of in 2011, however in the case that I'm fairly certain they would have sounded rather redundant and repetitive of each other, I've narrowed the list down to 7. So here goes:

Stressin'

This year lays claim to the most stressed I have ever seen myself. Hands down. I find it strange how in the past I could work full time, go to school full time, and still fit in a long distance relationship (probably over 5-7 hours of driving a week), an internship, and maintaining a blog. Except this year, with significantly less on my plate, has been my most stressful 12 months.

I suppose it has something to do with the fact that in my earlier age, my direction was clear. School was easy - you went to class to learn, learned to complete assignments, and completed assignments to get good grades. Then they release you out into the world and expect you to figure out which way is up.

I spent a lot of time this year trying to figure out directions, and where to put my energy. However, instead of really learning where I wanted to put my efforts, I just put my efforts everywhere. Oh the joys of being an overachiever. Well. If you're in the same boat and looking for advice - here's mine: just because you can do everything right now, doesn't mean you should. If you are anything like me, opportunities will always be presenting themselves, and you don't always have to accept them.

Rushin'

I'm always late. For pretty much absolutely everything. It's not that I want to be late, or that I don't respect other people's time (because I really do), I just can't help it. Even on the occasions where I leave 15 minutes early... there's a train (or something equally frustrating). Again, I never used to be like this. So at least that means there is hope to getting back to being on time. In 2011 I would love to eliminate the running joke in our family that "Shannon is always 7 minutes late"

Worryin'

I don't worry about silly little things like leaving the coffee pot on, or whether or not I turned the dryer off before I left for the day. But if given the choice between that and what I do worry about, I would take the coffee pot jitters any day. I worry about the big stuff, a lot. I worry about the future, and everything it could possibly affect (which, um, is really a lot). I worry about what I'll be like in 5, 10, 15 years. What my career will be like, whether or not I'll be married, have a bigger home, children, etc. I worry about the affect growing up will have my friendships and relationships. Whether we'll be closer, or if we'll fall apart. I worry about stopping it all (before it even happens). I worry about losing my confidence, about not being happy with my appearance. I worry about falling short of the expectations I have for myself.

And then I worry about being too worried about my life to really enjoy the present like we are supposed to. It's a vicious circle that seriously needs to come to an end.

Fakin'

I have seriously self-doubt issues. I don't fake sincerity, or interest, or determination - but I fake self confidence. Which, in my humble opinion, is one of the better things to fake if you're going to fake something, right? But regardless, in 2011 I want to rid myself of those nasty dragons that beat you when you're down, and I want to embrace myself exactly as I am, and start to really feel confident in the person that I have become.

Spendin'

I'll be the first to admit it - I am a spend-a-holic. Call it a shopping addition, or retail therapy but I love me some quality solo time at the nearest wal-mart, flea market or amazon online store. There's just something about making a purchase for yourself (and only yourself) that makes everything feel oh so much better for at least an hour or so (before the buyer's remorse kicks in anyways). I've become significantly better at only buying $5 scratch tickets now when I feel the itch to make a purchase - which I plan on continuing in 2011 because you never really know, right?

Lazin'

When it comes to housework, I am never 'eva 'eva as motivated as I should be. Don't get me wrong, I love living in a clean house and waking up to fresh clothes and a sparkling kitchen, but for the most of 2010 once I was finished my day at the office, any kind of chore that involved movement of the body or mind was pretty much out of the question. This would also explain my significant lack of writing this year as well. My days after work started consisting of vegging out in front of the TV and watching $2.00 movie rentals from the kiosk at the Safeway across the street. Most days with a 5 minute snack rather than dinner. It's just one of those things where you give so much energy to one particular thing (in this case, it was my job), that you don't have a whole lot of energy left to give to anything else.

Sleepin'

I spent a lot of time this year in the land of zzzzzz's. I guess I can also chalk that up to the large amount of overwhelming feelings that accompanied 2010. I'm pretty sure I slept more than I should have because it just made all the worries disappear for a little while. I know, I know, nothing makes worries go away like dealing with them - but do you remember what it feels like to have so much to complete/start/worry about that you're not sure where to start? That sums up how I felt all the time. And most of it was beyond my control. So I slept, and didn't dream.

[photo cred]

Reverb10 | Wisdom

2010-12-19T17:45:00.000-08:00

I'm participating in Reverb10, a daily writing prompt throughout the month of December related to reflecting on the previous year and planning for the next. You can read more about it here, and read all of my posts so far here.

Q. Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? (Author: Susannah Conway).

A. This year, I decided I wanted more.

I decided to lift my eyes a little higher than what I had previously known, and I decided to dream bigger. I decided to believe in myself even though I knew not many other people did. I pushed my boundaries, and widened my comfort zone.

I talked to strangers, and explored new territory. I went to events I wouldn't have dreamed of actually attending if the opportunities would have arisen this time last year.

Even in the moments when I didn't feel like I was pretty enough, unique enough, or talented enough - sometime I still knew that if I worked hard enough, that someday I would be good enough.

In 2010 I made the wise decision to believe in my actions and the changes I could make to my life as I knew it, even if at times I didn't believe in myself.

[Photo Cred]

Reverb10 | Party

2010-12-12T00:46:00.000-08:00

Q. Party Prompt: Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. (Author: Shauna Reid)

A. Jess's Birthday Celebrations in October. And instead of writing, I'm just posting pictures because they make me smile. :)

Because every once in a while, a girl needs a reason to spend a little extra time on herself.

And some nights, all you need is fantastic music, good friends, a camera and a few smiling (and funny) faces.

And it's nights like these that I want to remember when I look back on my younger years. Nights that are filled with happy memories, and reminders that even through all of the adventures we've experienced (i.e. the flood of 2010) we still know how to have fun.

Reverb10 | Beautifully Different

2010-12-11T14:35:00.000-08:00

Q. Beautifully Different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. (Author: Karen Walrond)

A. I know I can't be the only one to sometimes forget what makes me beautiful, or even just different. 2010 seemed like a year where I spent too much time trying to make people happy and too much effort trying to blend in. It's funny how you can get so caught up in life that you start taking yourself for granted. I'm still not sure how it happens, or at what point it becomes totally noticeable. But I noticed it this year.

I noticed how I stopped caring about what made me different, because I was too busy trying to be what I thought other people wanted me to be. I stopped doing things that other people might think were dorky. I stopped saying things I didn't think other people wanted to hear. I started telling myself I should be thoroughly grateful for what I have, and therefor not question what I don't.

In the midst of all that, I started forgetting what actually made me different. And I started forgetting that being different was a beautiful thing. Go figure.

So this prompt took me a little while to get started on. It had to stew around in my head a little bit before I was ready to write about it.

But, like Samantha Kira over at Journal Girl, I finally decided to take this opportunity to speak about myself in a positive way. Because really, there's nothing like affirming the beautifulness of your unique individuality like solidifying it in writing (and then forcing yourself to re-read it all when happen to be feeling especially low).

I am different because I'm a nerd. I like trivia, and monopoly, and colour coding and harbouring useless information in my head. I am a driven and I dream big. Probably bigger than I really need to, but I can't help it.

I love Dawson's Creek like nobodies business, but not quite as much as I love Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, Moulin Rouge and Glee. I'm convinced I was a singer in a previous life, but in this one I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket if I had to.

I could spend hours in a Coles or Chapters, and have been known to go on shopping sprees on amazon and indigo.com - only to stop and really think about my looming purchases once I'm told about the $20.00 shipping fee. I love shopping online - but sometimes I refuse to acknowledge the pure robbery that is shipping fees to Canada.

I am different because I love doing things for people, and often feel guilty when I can't do the things I would like to. I have come to recognize that this is both a blessing and a curse - as I tend to see the best in everyone upfront. Commonly, this means I learn the hard way when someone doesn't quite appreciate me, because I give so much of me from the beginning. But I've come to understand that's just who I am.

I am different because I daydream. In that "I wish I could travel the world and take all my family and friends with me" kind of way. I always have my head in the clouds, or in the future or in the past. I'm working on trying on staying in the future, but again, I've come to understand that's just who I am.

I'm different because I can see structure, and patterns and potential systems in chaos. I can whip up an excel spreadsheet for just about anything faster than you can say Microsoft Office. I make a mean spaghetti bolognese and love every minute of the 4 hours it takes to make.

I'm beautifully different because I like pashmina's, newsboy caps, headbands with feathers and pearls. I don't usually fit in, and it is practically hopeless for me to look good in the top trends - so I stopped trying to follow them. I go my own way, and pick and choose the things that I like to wear, rather than trying to make the newest trend suit me. Because they probably never will. I have crazy and wiry curly hair that I'm still learning to tame - and it's beautiful. My hips are too large, and my face too round - but they are still beautiful.

Whether I want to admit it or not, I will always be beautifully different in my own little way. So I might as well accept it.

Do you ever have trouble remembering what makes your beautifully different?

Reverb10 | Community

2010-12-11T13:09:00.000-08:00

Q. Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Author: Cali Harris)

A. This year, I discovered community locally.

For those of you that do know me personally, I've spent a lot of time in the last few years searching for community in general. Because really, I'm weird. I like things like scrapbooking, knitting, writing, expressing myself through art, exploring local talent and buying handmade.

I want to experience life to the fullest, and take time to learn and incorporate a work/life balance. I value individuality and I like to work on projects that I can be proud of in the end.

The hardest part is, I find it hard to meet people that have the same interests as me. In 2009 I discovered twitter and the huge advantages of social media, and I re-discovered blogging. Suddenly, by creating this incredible community of people "just like me" I didn't feel so alone anymore. I could read words written by other people, that I could have written myself because our thoughts and opinions were so similar.

In 2010 I'm somehow slowly managed to bring that community offline, and find people in my own community that also value and enjoy the same things. Which is such a cool thing to finally discover.

In 2011 I would like to put more effort into becoming more involved in this community, and become more comfortable moving out of my comfort zone. I'm beginning to learn that you cannot, under any circumstance, find and reap the rewards of community if you are too afraid to talk to people. I won't lie - I am more than slightly social awkward at times, and tend to get anxious just thinking about social events where I don't know anyone, but I'm learning slowly how to hold my own in a room full of strange people.

I spent a lot of time thinking about the past - and the way things used to be in high school, and college. It never ceases to amaze me how simple making friends seemed to be during those time. It's like people just naturally gravitate towards one another, even if you didn't exactly have the same interests, it just seemed to happen. I often wonder if it is just life and growing up that changes those circumstances, or if it is just me in general, and how I've changed how I look at the world over the years.

Does anyone else find it more difficult to cultivate community now that you're older?

Reverb10 | Make

2010-12-07T23:12:00.000-08:00

Q. Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin)

A. This year, We made our very first turkey. It may have been a long time in coming but it was completely worth it. For the first time ever I planned and executed our very first annual "Family of Friends" Christmas dinner. It was one of those things that you mean to do for years and years, and somehow it never happens.

Well this year, I made it happen.

It was also one of those things that turn out to be way more work than you anticipated. From the planning to the table decorations to cooking the turkey -- it was a lot of work! But it was glorious, and lovely to have everyone around the same table enjoying a great meal and the company of one another. As always, not nearly enough pictures were taken, and time seemed to fly by a little too fast (somehow, hours just flew by between the cutting of the carrots, boiling of the potatoes, and serving dessert).

I was so proud of all of us, really. This year had been such a roller coaster year for all of us and it meant so much to have everyone together again, after we had grown distant throughout the year. It seems the older we get, the more we go off in our own directions and our own lives... and we begin to shift away from one another. It takes more and more effort to keep the same friendships and bonds that seemed so easy to maintain when we were younger. Keeping friends, like relationships and marriage really is hard work - and I think it takes growing up and getting jobs and careers to actually learn that lesson.

It also tends to make you a little more appreciative of the friends that you have now.

I'm already looking forward to next year's get together, to recap 2011 with each other.

Reverb10 | Let Go

2010-12-07T22:32:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, I get addicted to the idea of letting go.

It's like I'm addicted to that empowering feeling you get when you move on from something old, and you set yourself up to start over.

I love the cleansing feelings that accompany letting go, the mental version of throwing out the trash, the clarity and the decluttering that comes with it.

This year, I am learning to let go of my tendency to fix things and my desire to make all things right. And even though it may seem like such an obvious thing to learn - it has been an uphill battle for me for a number of years. It seems as thought each year things would get a little bit worse, and I would put a little bit more pressure on myself to perform, and rise to the ever growing expectations of others.

In 2010 I have let go of the expectations that other people have put on me.

I'm learning at the end of the day, I only have my life.

My Experiences.

My Outlook on Life.

And pushing myself through the fire to meet other people's expectations of me that have nothing to do with my own expectations shouldn't be at the top of my priority list.

Reverb10 | Wonder

2010-12-06T22:00:00.000-08:00

Q. December 4 – Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)

A. To be completely honest, I'm fairly certain I am a better wanderer than I am a wonderer. So of course, my first instinct was to answer this question with an answer consisting of "nothing. I have done nothing to cultivate wonder because I don't carry a sense of wonder in any bone of my body."

But I forced myself to consider the question a little bit deeper... which kept me away from my computer screen for over 3 days (I was afraid to come back without an answer).

The truth is, 2010 was a great year in some senses, but a numbing year in other senses. If you've ever read the book "When Wallflowers Dance" by Angela Thomas - you'll know what I mean when I say I feel like in 2010 I was/am becoming an unwoman. The kind of woman that isn't really sure if she wants blueberries or strawberries, or worse, doesn't even really care. The more I thought about this prompt, the more I realized not only did I lack a sense of wonder, I didn't really care to have one either - which was something I did not take lightly.

I should probably point out that I used to have a great sense of wonder.

Sometimes I would even lie on my back in the middle of the yard (or in my room, or anywhere really) and wonder about endless possibilities than any one person has over the course of their lives. The places that could be visited, and the things that could be accomplished. And then growing up happened.

All of a sudden you have these grand responsibilities that you can't turn away from anymore - and I think people become accustomed to this. They become accustomed to their jobs, their bills and their lifestyles to the point where there just isn't time for wondering anymore. And even if there was time, I don't think a lot of people (myself included) could justify spending even 30 minutes embracing their sense of wonder when they could be doing laundry, or making lists, or cleaning their living room.

it seems the older we get, the more of a luxury having a sense of wonder becomes. Eventually it becomes one of those things that people forget how to do, or even how to incorporate it into their lifestyles every once in a while.

It makes me sad to think that I've lost a year of my life to living in such a way that didn't allow for a sense of wonder and joy - and I'm looking forward to being able to answer this question a little bit better this time next year.

Reverb10 | Moment

2010-12-04T09:49:00.000-08:00

Q. Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt mostalive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)

A. When the Mr. and I went to Vegas in February, it started out as one of those lemon vacations. You know the kind where they mess up your reservations, sell you something you think you need but turns out you didn't, can't get reservations to that restaurant you wanted to try, and the show you wanted to see is sold out? Needless to say we were on vacation and I intended to enjoy myself to the best of our ability. To try and get away from everything that seemed to not be going our way, we set off on an adventure to find tranquility in the city that never sleeps.

To our surprise, we found it.

It is probably one of the only little grassy areas on the strip and we loved it! Everytime we needed a break from the hustle and the bustle and the "come spend your money here" advertising, we packed up our goodies and headed here to lay in the sun under the trees and just enjoy each other's company.

We took pictures, made jokes, did cartwheels, and just plain acted goofy.

And we laughed, like we hadn't laughed in a long long time.

And even though some may still call us kids at 25, it felt like we were kids again. Without jobs, or expectations or mortgages or car payments. We were just "playing outside"

Reverb10 | Writing

2010-12-04T08:41:00.000-08:00

Q. Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it? (Author: Leo Babauta)

A. I've always been a "journaller". I can't remember when I started my first journal, and I've moved so many times in my lifetime that I probably don't even know where my first journal is. If I had to guess, I think I was probably about 7 when I started writing in some little puffy cartoon like journal with one of those locks you could crack with a toothpick.

Since then, I've written in spurts. Waves I suppose you could call them. Some years I've filled only 3 or 4 pages, and other years I've filled 3 or 4 journals (believe it or not). Growing up, I never really knew where I fit in. I was to smart to fit in with the popular crowd, but not smart enough to fit in with the geeks. I put my hand up a lot in class, and stayed in the library during lunch to read or do my homework. I enjoyed learning, and the satisfaction of knowing you did the best you could possibly do on that assignment, or project, or test.

I took my time with everything I did, making sure whatever I produced met the high standards I had set for myself. But my journal writing was different. It was the one area where I didn't have to be perfect, I didn't have to work so hard at creating an entry that made sense. They were embarrassing, honest and truthful. They were scratched our when I realized I had written something that wasn't exactly what I meant. For a long period of time, my journal was my best friend. It helped whittle away at the things in life that I wasn't sure about. If I started writing about it, even if it was to only say how upset I was, somehow by the end of my writing session (whether it be 20 minutes or 2 hours) I would feel like I've come out on the other side of the tunnel. Like I had moved my feelings around in little boxes until they were finally compartmentalized and I knew what they meant (where before they had been a jumbled mess).

One of the biggest problems I've had with 2010 is the hustle. The constant awareness of those little neutrons bouncing around in tiny little spaces that other people still see as still. I see movement, and blocked energy, and tension.

So I don't write because I feel that I don't have time.

Most times, I don't even start writing because if I only have x amount of minutes, I don't believe it is worth it. For me, writing is a process. I do it because of the way I feel while I'm doing it, and also when I'm done. If I only have 15 minutes to write YES I probably could write a post and it would be mediocre, but I would be left feeling even more frazzled afterwards because I would have rushed through it.

So I just don't write.

I'm working on eliminating it. They say recognizing the problem is half of the solution, right? I'm taking time to enjoy the stillness of the mornings when I wake up a few minutes early, I'm forcing myself to take the breaks I'm entitled to while at work, I'm giving myself time to shut everything else out and focus on me and the little things I know are affecting me, but I'm not giving them the time of day.

In 2011, I'm restoring my sense of self.

[photo cred]

On Reverb 2010 and Why It'll Do You Good

2010-12-03T23:25:00.000-08:00

To quote from the wonderful founders themselves:

Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. Use the end of your year as an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead. With Reverb 10 - and the 31 prompts our authors have created for you - you'll have support on your journey.

After taking part in #best09 last December (and loving every minute of it), I was ecstatic to learn that Gwen Bell and her team were at it again when they launched reverb10 earlier in November.

Not quite a class, but more than your usual challenge, reverb10 turns December into a month of self-exploration... and creates an unbeatable type of community along the way. With each day, comes a new prompt to help participants reflect on the year that is almost past and manifest what they are looking for in the year to come.

To some, it's like something they've never done before. To other's it's right up their alley.

To me - it's an opportunity to force myself to slow down, take the time that's needed to spending with my inner spirit and remember what I've learned this year. It's a reason for me to reduce the hustle (if only for 45 minutes) to pour out the silliest, scariest, most honest thoughts and memories from my 2010.

As a #reverb10 crew member (I think I might be more excited about this than the actual return of reverb!) I will be roaming around the internet waves in search of posts that give me the goosebumps, that are raw and honest, or hopeful and uplifting, and I'll be sharing my favorites along the way!

Follow me on twitter at @ordinaryshan or drop me a comment to say hello... I would love to hear from you!

Shan

Reverb10 | One Word (or two)

2010-12-03T11:46:00.000-08:00

Q. One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you? (Author: @GwenBell)

A. I'll start off by mentioning that 2010 was one of those weird years for me. Those kind that seem boring and uneventful on the surface, but once you start getting right down to the nitty gritty you realize there was a lot going on - it was just all going on under the surface. Because of this, I'm cheating just a little bit and am using two words for 2010 rather than just one.

moving forward

No matter what kind of things life through our way this year, we somehow always managed to determine the next step (even if we couldn't see very far in front of us) and somehow eventually landed back on our feet. It's funny how life works sometimes - like you know when something big is going on, even when it doesn't really feel like it because all your doing is trying to focus on whatever's next.

I spend a lot of time this year focusing on moving forward. Which, I'll be the first to admit, can be both a good thing and a bad thing. It's one of those things that keeps you on your toes, keeps things new and fresh, and allows for creative growth beyond your wildest dreams. But it also keeps you from really experiencing the present.

Sometimes I even get so set on focusing on moving forward that I forget to make time for myself. On random Thursdays at 7:03pm to sit down and right about how my day went. Unfortunately on the bigger scale of things, setting aside 30-45 minutes a day (at least) becomes a non-priority when compared to serving your clients (or your kids!).

In light of my obsession with moving forward (again, both good and bad) my word for 2011 is

restoration

I'm hoping to restore more of the characteristics that I held in 2009. Restore the work/life balance I seemed to have prior-2010, as well as my outlook on life in general.

I'm wanting to restore friends, and relationships, happiness levels and creativity.

But mostly, I'm wanting to restore my ability to accept the world as it comes, without rushing or judging or analyzing. Just experiencing.

Shan

[photo cred]

On Pretty Things That I Love

2010-11-18T19:40:00.000-08:00

Since I've opened myself up again to be inspired by all the grand things I see on an everyday basis - I've been feeling guilty about keeping them to myself!!

Here are a few things I've found this week that I love love love <3

1. All things Marilyn (this has always been a little bit of an obsession of mine). I especially love this quote which has been ringing in loud and clear since I stumbled across it:

2. Really (I mean really!) adorable and fantastical tattoos like these ones from over at A Beautiful Mess. Whoever thought crafty women could look so BA?

They've got me daydreaming about a new bird design for my back shoulder....

3. Great storage studio spaces. I figure that the more ideas I collect now, the more choices I will have when it comes time to fill a studio of my very own... whenever I happen to get one!

Sometimes I feel like there are so many pretty things in the world that even the most largest house wouldn't be able to hold them all. I've been spending a lot of time really thinking about the things that make my heart sing, and inspire me to live happily and intentionally.

Funny thing is, is that by simply settling you are really robbing yourself of your ability to learn more about who you are deep down inside. In a sense it kind of feels like I'm waking up after a really long nap. I'm experiencing fashion, and colors and (gasp) trends in a whole new light now, and realizing how important to your individuality these things can be. It's funny how you can forget those things, especially if you are surrounded by people who don't take a particular interest in taking the time to find out what actually makes them unique.

We aren't meant to have the same interests, skills or musical interests as everyone else. We ARE however, meant to learn those sorts of things about ourselves. I mean really - you take the time to learn all about your best friend, or that lady or man friend you fancy.

Don't you owe your own heart the same?

On Great Things to Make this Holiday Season

2010-11-16T14:00:00.000-08:00

With so many great craft shows, tutorials and guest blog posts throughout the blogosphere that I frequent - I nearly starting jumping up and down with exciting after seeing all of the great ideas out there.

Consider this my wishlist of things I'd like to do this holiday season.

They probably won't all happen. But at least I'm passing them along, right? I'll share my own creations as I get to them!

1. Autumn Fabric Wreath via Elsie Flannigan! So easy - even the kiddies can make them for Christmas gifts!

2. Tissue Paper Pom Poms for our 1st Annual Family of Friends Christmas Dinner this year!

3. Heart Garland for dressing up my soon-to-be clipboard wall (via Rachel @ Smile & Wave)

4. This super-duper cute braid idea for even the most unruley of days!

5. DIY Decals -- the ideas are unlimited && it's safe for renters (or owners not wanting to have to repaint!). I'm so excited to attach a few changeable inspirational pieces to our walls :)

Have a crafty itch, but not really sure where to start? Join me and dig in a little to bring some creativity to life!

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo Shan

On Happy Places | 5 Things of Inspiration

2010-11-14T13:24:00.001-08:00

Every once in a while I get in that sweet spot mood. Where everything is such a grand inspiration that your heart starts to sing.

Here are some of the things that are making my heart sing today :)

1. Sarah Sovereign. Super cool photographer, blogger, crafter, fellow lover of Elsie Flannigan &&&& local! I didn't know people like this existed in our little town of Chilliwack. I am especially in love with her themed shoots like Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan. So neat!

2. Circle Craft Fair. Nov. 17th - 21st at the Vancouver Convention Center. Where artsy people collide to share their wares and inspire us all! I am so excited to head out this year and score a few great Christmas gifts for my loved ones (and seriously, maybe something for myself).

3. Great bookstore finds, and the idea of spending hours and hours at the Bookman this fall.

4. 100 Layer Cake and all of the fantastic DIY ideas all over this site (like the one below). Eek Eek Eek they make my heart all fluttery inside.

5. Button Magnets! (via www.thehappyhomeblog.com) Why oh why have I not thought of this before?!?!

Have a great Sunday everyone - keep on smiling!

xoxo

Shan

[top photo credit]

On New Starts

2010-11-13T18:29:00.000-08:00

Homeward bound
I wish I was Homeward bound
Home, where my thought's escaping
Home, where my music's playing

- Simon & Garfunkel

This weekend we are moving home! I am so excited to start nesting all over again, and I'm already embracing and owning my creative ideas for our new space.

With unexpected lift-twists, come good things if we choose to see them. This is one of those occasions. Now that we will be back in our own humble abode, I am looking forward to creating a cozy reading & writing nook, and am currently on the hunt for the king of all cozy chairs.

This time around, I'm letting go of my inhibitions of making it our own. Since purchasing our apartment, I've always been afraid of showing too much personality in it, for some strange reason.

Possibly because my design ideas do not commonly match those of HGTV or Martha Stewart. I tend to like things like this:

or this:

I guess it's just plain scary to decorate the way you really love it, because you know (and I definitely know) someone close to me will absolute hate what I've done to the place. This person quite possibly could be Mr. Extraordinary, whom I live with (which could cause some potential problems).

Needless today, I'm very excited about this newfound courage to express my inner emotions, and I've already purchased a few major pieces in anticipation!

[Edit - move definitely did not happen. Still waiting....]

Photo Credit

On the Importance of Music

2010-11-03T21:43:00.000-07:00

A few months back, our ipod dock stopped working. I haven't replaced it yet (mostly because that would require acknowledging that it doesn't always pay to buy the most expensive gadget out there), and it's had a huge huge effect on me.

See, music has this incredible power to uplift, mellow, inspire and relax - but it just doesn't happen all on its own.

You have to seek out the music that speaks to you from the sea of artists and genres and instruments.

It takes an intent to discover.

...and when our ipod dock stopped working, I started forgetting to discover.

I got used to silence or just listening to the radio (or whatever else was on). And funny thing happened after doing this for so many months - I started to forget what I liked.

Not just artist or song names, but how I wanted music to make me feel.

So I'm intent on discovering again - and listening intentionally (make sense?).

Here's what I've got plugged in so far this month:

Kenny Chesney - Somewhere With You
Damien Rice - I Remember
Blake Shelton - Who Are You When I'm Not Looking
Jason Aldean - Don't You Wanna Stay
Rachael Yamagata - The Reason Why
Nick Drake - Place to Be
Ray LaMontagne - Shelter
Coltrane - So What
Rachael Yamagata - I Wish You Love
Coltrane - In a Sentimental Mood
Regina Spektor - Us
Feist - Mushaboom
Simon & Garfunkel - Bookends
Doves - There Goes the Fear

This November, give yourself permission to really listen to the music you're turning on. Heck, I even dare you to lay on the floor - because we all know something magical happens when you listen to music while laying on the floor....

... it has that way of sneaking deep into your soul and changing you forever.

Photo Credit

On Awakening the Giant

2010-11-01T20:58:00.000-07:00

It's been a few busy months over here in extraordinary land - although I'm tempted to say they've been less than extraordinary. I won't burden you with the details, but I will share that they've involved large amounts of water, damaged goods and unplanned renovations.

Stir in a little temporary home, living out of suitcases, and a few missing cords/earrings/shoes...

... and a whole lotta' soul searching.

Because of the experiences of late, I've been meditating on the idea of change - and how to keep routine in the event of unexpected changes. It seems that since I've shifted more towards embracing my creativity, the more I've begun to thrive on routines. You know, the kind where you can get up in the morning, settle into your nook with your coffee and your pens and pencil crayons and begin constructing your dreams for the day.

that routine becomes near impossible when your coloured pens are gosh-knows-where in a box somewhere, and you don't have one location where all of your supplies are actually together.

So I've been trying to sneak it in where I can. In doing so, I've realized that even though I would love to have more routine these days, or more time to spend in solitude, sometimes just 10 minutes with a boring black pen is all I have.

I think we've all been guilty at one time or another of putting aside something because we just don't have the 30minutes/hour/3 hours required to commit to whatever task it is that we'd like to be doing. So instead of using the 15 minutes we do have on it - we just don't do anything it all.

Which really doesn't make any sense.

So for the past 10 weeks (how long it's been since we've slept in our own bed) I've been committed to just biting the bullet and using those 15 minutes. Throwing caution to the wind, I've been whipping out my black pens, and laying on the floor to jot down my thoughts of the day (I know, I'm a rebel). Sure, the pages aren't pretty, or the detail fun and frilly. But the thoughts are there, the beginning of clarification is there, and the seeds are getting planting, marked, materialized into something I can read down the road.

In those 15 minutes I may not be making a masterpiece, but I'm making a piece nonetheless (and someday, when I have more that 15 minutes, it will come together and make something beautiful).

Sometimes awakening the giant isn't about trying to throw the biggest stone, it's about throwing whatever you can lift, as many time as you need to.

So today, I inspire you to do something little with whatever time you have - because at the end of the 15 minutes you could have done something to work towards your dreams, or you could have done nothing.

Which will you choose?

Photo Credit

On the Power of Twitter

2010-07-21T07:49:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to lie.

Some days, social media blows me away.

I mean, really, how long has it been since you've reviewed your connections online?

If you're like me, you like facebook, but you like twitter even better. You consider your (for lack of a better word) tweeps extended family. In fact, sometimes interacting with them seems more rewarding than with your RL friends (that's real life for the rest of you folk), because at least your twitter friends don't think you're crazy.

Am I right?

When I first dug my heals into this whole social media thing, I was looking for community. You see, the creative community in Chilliwack (where I currently reside) is fairly non-existant. Asides from your typical knitting craft show, there isn't many free-spirited creative-minded entruprenual-types making their way out of the woodwork here.

(In fact, if you consider yourself that sort of person - I would love to hear from you!)

After breaking into the mold, struggling slightly with my online identity (what to share, what not to share), and feeling like the new kid that starts 1/2 way through the school year when all the other kids are already friends, I started to feel at home.

Like anything, it takes time and effort - but the network I'm creating is starting to come together (and at the risk of repeating myself, like an extended family of sorts). In the run of a day I can ask for help, get directions, give advice and find a great place for dinner.

But every once in a while, I run into someone who just doesn't get it, and then I tend to go off on a bit of a tangent. Because really, I still like to step back and marvel at the wonder that is social media. I am still blown away how quickly news can spread through twitter, or how small companies can gain clientele simply through facebook, or just by the awesomeness of it all.

Just the sheer enjoyment of being able to send a direct message to Jann Arden gives this girl goosebumps.

It gets so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of new technology, that I think we seem to overlook exactly what is going on right under our nose. We currently have the ability to literally connect with almost anyone with a computer. Tell me that isn't remarkable.

The next time you hit sign-in (or sign-up!) take a moment to reflect on how far we've come in the world of communication and networking.

And maybe say a little thanks for all it has done for you.

Photo Credit

On Mistakes from the Past

2010-07-20T17:07:00.000-07:00

I spoke to the past today
of a time from years gone by
as I took the road less traveled

I passed the city streets
and the playground with the swings
and the door I used to knock

It make me wonder where I'd be
had things panned out differently
had I'd been stronger
or weaker

I remembered the memories
the moments
and the mistakes

The laughter and the tears
and the parts that have gone hazy
after so many years

The excitement in our eyes
The love in our hearts
And dream of living in home of our own

It took me past the place we'd meet
and ran the rerun our of story in my mind
like a choose your own adventure

almost taunting
of the calm before the storm

but the adventure's been chosen
the battle fought and lost
leaving footprints and letters in the sand

bowed heads, and empty apologies
left love spilling from the cracks of a broken spirit
and a broken heart

but what was broken is now healed
by a tender touch and a loving heart
and a lot of patience

a spirit in itself
who outweighs the emptiness of the past
and redirects the wrong turns
with unending support

and so I bid ado to the past
and it's heartbreaking mistakes
leaving it standing on the porch with the door I used to knock

Photo Credit

On Living in the Moment | Mindful List

2010-07-19T07:15:00.000-07:00

“The past is gone. The future never arrives. In truth, there is no life outside of this moment!” Leonard Jacobson

It's been a while since I've meditated on any of the mindful list prompts - but this one seemed to fall deliberately into my lap and the jive with the questions I have been raising to myself lately.

Living in the moment is something (I'm fairly certain) all of us want to achieve, but nobody is sure how to do. Kind of like living that perfectly balanced life.

It's one of those things that you can start doing with the best of intentions (even though it seems really, really difficult), and then slowly loose the motivation as life gets in the way.

It seems to me that just the phrase "Living in the Moment" gives connotations of fairy tales and wishful thinking. Like we all know, deep down inside it isn't really attainable. At least, no easily attainable.

But today, I'm deciding it is attainable.

Today, I'm deciding to talk a walk if I get stressed, pull out a recipe book if I get bored, call a friend if I get lonely, or write it out if I feel sad.

Today I'm going to seize the day and make the most of it. Celebrate the sun or the rain, and take time to experience each moment before hurrying off to the next.

And maybe (just maybe) my new perspective will carry on into tomorrow as well.

Photo Credit

On What to Never Forget

2010-07-18T15:08:00.000-07:00

Isn't that the truth?

Photo Credit

On Feeling Under the Weather

2010-07-17T16:39:00.000-07:00

I am a firm believer that feeling under the weather is God's way of reminding us to slow down.

About once a year, while under the covers and sipping Gatorade, I realize just how much I run myself into the ground. It's not like I have a problem with running myself into the ground - I actually enjoy it (okay, maybe that is the problem...).

As I've mentioned in previous posts, one of my biggest challenges in life is acheiving and maintaining balance. A balance between my goals and ambitions, taking care of myself, creating important and lasting relationships, and spending time with my family and loved ones. For some reason, I find it terribly easy to get wrapped up in one aspect and totally disregard the others for weeks on end.

Getting sick usually does a pretty good job at bringing me back to the center of it all. The problem is, within a few months, I'm usually right back where I started from.

So this time around, I'm hoping that the balance will stick (at least for a little longer than usual).

As a little exercise for myself (and anyone else who wants to tag along), I'm making myself a little checklist of things to consider. It is probably worth mentioning that I normally wouldn't take the time to even consider these things if I hadn't been bed ridden (so if you're skipping over them, I understand!)

What sorts of things do you take time for when you're feeling under the weather, that you don't normally don't take time for?
What do your thought processes look like when you spend more time relaxing?
Do you write or create more or less, why or why not?
What sorts of things have control over your decisions, how does it feel to consider your own needs over your wants?

Obviously being under the weather is anything but enjoyable - but I know it's also a reminder to slow down. With so many dreams and goals, us ambitious folk can easily loose sight of the important things (how many times would we have forgotten to eat if there was no-one to remind us!).

Photo Credit

On Changing Perspective

2010-07-16T18:08:00.000-07:00

[weed out the desires] so that you can live most agreeably in a world full of an increasing number of disagreeable surprises"
M.F.K. Fisher

A few months ago, I picked myself up a copy of Simply Abundance. I actually didn't even buy it - I picked it up from my mother's closet (she wasn't reading it anyways).

To be honest, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, especially because I'm fairly certain my mother and I have never both read the same book, ever.

I'm awful with books that you have to read everyday. Setting new routines in my life has never panned out very well for me, so reading before bed usually only happens on weekends or when I'm feeling under the weather. After a few days of being home sick from work, the book caught my eye and I figured I'd give it another chance. At least I could read a few days' worth while I was stuck on the couch.

I've been known to mention how perfectly the universe throws things at us (I say us because I'm sure I am not the only one who experiences this). Moving right along, however, leads me to the moral learned today.

Money shouldn't bring us down.

Yes, I realize not everyone has a plethora of money (myself included, remember), but here's the kicker - we actually don't need everything we think we do.

Take the example of M.K.F. Fisher, for example. An exquisite food writer from the 1940's, Fisher actually lived below the poverty line. Unbelievably enough, she lived a simply abundant life. One would have to question how this was possible, especially taking into consideration the lean economic times she lived through.

I started to consider how my perspective on life would be altered if (during times of financial hardship) I simply tossed out my desires, and focused only on the simple pleasures available to us.

To look forward to a sunset with the same exuberance as you would a vacation?

To value a glass of champange as much as you would a new piece of clothing?

Or to love a vase of fresh flowers as much as you would a night on the town?

Even though this perspective wasn't new to me (in fact I've been hearing different variations of this perspective for years now) there was something about the examples that really rung true to me.

I often find it difficult to come to terms with my inability to splurge on expensive things, and allow it to lower my own feelings of self worth or downplay my accomplishments.

When really, how much you have to spend should never impact how you feel about yourself. In fact, it really isn't about the money at all.

It's all about your perspective on where you find joy.

Photo Credit

On Being Unique

2010-07-15T19:47:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I find it hard to write.

Sometimes it's because of a head cold, or loud surroundings, or because I'm feeling down in the dumps.

But it's mostly due to over saturation.

I know you know what I'm talking about - when you spend too much time reading other people's work, and not enough time with your own quiet mind.

Because then, when it comes time for you to actually write, all you hear is comparisons. Each sentence you jot down (whether it be on the computer or on paper) is compared to something you read earlier in the hour/day/week.

You start second guessing your thoughts, and whether or not they are original (or simply re-incarnations and combination of thoughts you've recently read).

And isn't that a shame? When you can't even tell whose thoughts your thoughts are anymore?

So today I retreated. I floated on twitter, but I also spent time reading actual books. I sipped tea, listened to music, and took an extra long, extra hot shower.

Throughout all this, I realized that my heart really does have a voice. Even though, in those darker moments of self-consciousness and lack of motivation that we feel unoriginal, every one of us capable of being a completely unique individual.

Today, my voice wanted to share hope for those of us that feel lost. It wanted to remind everyone to appreciate the smaller things that make us happy instead of comparing our lives to others. It wanted to tell the world to pick up Simply Abundance, because it really is an incredible book that has the power to make women smile on the inside.

I wanted to share what I learned, but for some reason I spent 2 hours staring at a blank page just trying to string enough correct words together to express how I felt. Unfortunately, everyone else's words were blocking mine. Someone, somewhere else had said it better than I ever could.

Isn't it funny how, the moment I decided to write something different from them, the words flew from my fingers faster than I could type. If that isn't a testament to individuality, I'm not sure what is.

So instead of writing about making use of the little things, or how I learned to choose what meant the most to me, I'm writing about the thoughts that make us who we are.

The thoughts that somebody reads and thinks "that's something Shannon really would say" or "that (insert name here), always teaching us something different about (topic)". Because isn't that what a blog is for?

Isn't it our little corner of the earth where we get to celebrate the individuality that is ourselves?

So the next time you get overwhelmed about another writers corner of the interweb, remember to read for pure enjoyment only. Remember to read, and learn, but not to compare.

Remember that what your reading (hopefully) comes natural to the creator and that attempting to implement that writing style, or those features into your own would not be natural for you.

I've been there. Since becoming active in the blogging world, I've seen a handful of online spaces that I'd loved so much, I considered throwing my layout and design out the window for something more like theres. (I'm fairly certain I'm overly prone to having an identity crisis).

Anyone else out there feeling overwhelmed by the unending amount of talent and inspiring floating out there in the virtual world?

Photo Credit

On Dreaming a Dream

2010-07-14T20:14:00.000-07:00

With all the previous talk about dreams and recipes and goal setting (and meeting!) I've taken a bit more down-time than usual to jot down the top 10 things that I would like to have.

An overall recipe, if you will.

Here's what mine looks like:

My own studio where I can paint and be creative
Traveling Experiences
Stillness
A Family
A rewarding career... that pushes me to grow and expand as a person
A mixture of sweet stylin' clothes
A successful etsy shop filled with all my crafts
Toyota Tacoma or 4-runner
To find my place in a supportive group of friends, and business peers
A Happy Spirit

Overall, I have created my very own mission statement for the rest of the years of my life.

"Take All the time I need, find all the answers I seek, and do all the traveling I want to fill my life with health, happiness, and love"

I really do believe that the more effort we put into creating our ideal lives, the more the universe aligns itself to provide us with the lives we've imagined.

Sometimes, the hardest part really is figuring out what we actually want.

xoxo Shan

Photo Credit

On Where I Am Today

2010-07-13T21:26:00.000-07:00

Isn't it funny how easy it becomes, when faced with challenges, to forget about all about the accomplishes (or progress in general) we've already achieved while on our journey.

Tunnel vision is a tricky thing. Although it keeps us motivated in moving forward and reaching our goals, it also prevents us from looking back at the road we've recently traveled. As a result, it keeps us focused on what has not yet been done, rather than what has been.

So, in light of all my forward based thoughts, I decided to pull off at a rest area (metaphorically, not literally!) and consider my top accomplishments since the beginning of 2010.

Getting started wasn't easy (by any means!), and it certainly involved getting comfy with my blankets, my journal, and my puppy for encouragement and support.

By the end of it all, this is what I came up with:

Became a regular features writer at Fraser Valley Pulse after connecting with @MrsKFergie

Tried out a new furniture arrangement to attempt to achieve the perfect creativity nook. It's a work in progress, but at least it's working!

Found, enrolled and completed my first art class

Connected with wonderful people via Twitter and absorbed a ton of invaluable information

Started an official savings account (something that was never a priority in the past)

Launched You Squared, which was many years in the making, and an exciting celebration once launched.

Made significant progress on my debts, which ironically is right on track to the goals that I set six months ago (and haven't looked at since I wrote them out)

MC'd a wedding with 150 guests (which has got to be my biggest challenge as of yet!)

When I write new goals, I separate them out based on when I would like to complete them (mostly in 6 month increments). When the six months go by, and I open up that folded piece of paper to review how I did, I always find it incredible just how bang-out some of my goals are.

I actually forget writing down the majority of them, and yet I somehow reach them.

If that isn't a testament to the power of positive thinking, I'm not sure what is.

Does anyone else experience this? How do you go about setting goals for your future? Do you end up meeting them?

Photo Credit

On Being Afraid

2010-07-12T20:25:00.000-07:00

I tend to put things off because I'm afraid.

Not because I'm afraid of change (I actually thrive for it) but because I'm afraid of getting stuck.

One of the biggest challenges for me lately, as I work to expand and push outside of the comfort zone I have been living in the for the past 3 years, is running into things I'm not quite sure how to work through.

I'm learning how to work through things that before 6 months ago, I knew nothing about. I'm learning to realign my priorities to work towards my goals. I'm learning how to step out of my comfort zone and build a network of my own. I'm slowly learning how to ask for help, and where to look for advice.

Even still, however, I get stuck - and it is a scary feeling. Which usually results in tucking the project aside for a couple of days until I work up the courage to tackle it again.

There are a few changes going on around these parts right now. Some of which are easy (changing the layout - woohoo!), and some of which are downright scary for me (deciding on the organization, goals, and site map of this virtual space of my own).

Sometimes it seems like I still need to renovate certain areas of my life before constructing the shape of this place. If only I spent more time on the mat, or if only I read more inspiring books, or (finally) if only I got out there and exposed myself more to highly inspirational people.

But you can only stay on the sidelines waiting for the answers to come to you for so long.

I'm learning sometimes you need to jump to change, even if you know the growth will be painful, and possibly drawn out.

How to you deal with the uncertainty of change, and the possibility of getting stuck?

What sort of things keeps you on the sidelines, and what helps you make the jump?

Photo Credit

On the Comforts of Home

2010-07-04T15:44:00.000-07:00

Ah! There's nothing like staying home for real comfort.
- Jane Austen

I've been spending a lot time at home lately (both on the computer and off) and I've realized that people really underestimate the power of staying home. Asides from the errands, and the laundry that never ends, and keeping the kitchen clean - there are actually places of refuge within your home that can bring you comfort.

You just need to know where to look for them. Or how to create them.

So instead of quickly running out the door to tackle your to-do list the next time you have a few free hours - try grabbing some tea, a candle, some music, and a notebook and being introspective. It might feel uncomfortable at first. It also might feel like you're not sitting in the right place. Don't worry, you aren't alone with those thoughts - I still feel like that often. Try to push those thoughts from your mind (if only for a little while), grab your favorite pen, and start a fresh page in your notebook.

Not sure where to start?

Here are a few things to get your creative and goal setting juices flowing:

If you could change one thing about the place you have situated yourself in, what would it be?

If you had 5 free consecutive hours, what would you want to do with them?

Is there anything you wished you did more of? What is holding you back from doing it?

Are their any dreams that have been tugging at your heart strings? Do you consider them, or attempt to push them from your mind?

What is the one thing that you have been doing, that you wish you could stop tomorrow?

Are you easily inspired? What places/things bring you joy and make you smile? Sketch something that has inspired you today.

Are you feeling uneasy about something that made it difficult for you to locate the comforts of your home?

For your first few times of tapping into your creative spirit, try not to worry so much about content. Really.

The important part is to acknowledge your thoughts as they run through your mind. Take notice, record, and move on. Try not to get overwhelmed by what these thoughts mean, or what sorts of things you now want to do because these thoughts are popping up in your head.

Sit with them. Sit with the thoughts you like, and the ones you don't. Accept them.

Sometime in the future you'll want to dissect them, and act on them - but not right now.

Right now, all you really should be doing is enjoying the comforts of your home.

Photo Credit

On Auditioning for Wipeout!

2010-06-28T22:18:00.001-07:00

Thanks for checking the video out!

Shannon & Jess

On Blogging Your Way & Gypsy Girls Guide

2010-06-07T23:45:00.000-07:00

I've been busy working this evening, but am stopping by to share a few quick finds before I had off to sleepy town.

As my readers know, I'm a big fan of the Gypsy Girl's Guide blog, as dearest Alessandra always has beautiful words to share.

She even seems to weave words together so well that they explain exactly how I'm feeling, which is why I keep visiting her corner of the earth. Her most recent posting about thinking outside the box touches on some of the issues that many bloggers feel when trying to sort out the desired direction of their personal blog + their profession (let alone, trying to figure out where to put those hopes and dreams!).

Alessandra shows us that it is possible, through a journal of self discovery, to create something that fits all aspects of our personalities, without "selling out" on one or the other. Which is always important, but more important to those who are learning to refer to themselves as artists.

Also through this post, I've discovered (another!) e-course that I'm hoping to complete sometime in the future. Blogging Your Way is an e-course for intermediate to experienced bloggers, struggling with issues such as finding your niche & voice, dealing with negativity, writing creatively, styling photographs, and writing from the heart. As shared on Gypsy Girls Guide, courses such as this can help you to create an online image that is consistant with who you are, and how you want to appear (both personally and professionally).

It also reminded me of the importance of community, especially among dreamers and do-ers. If there is one life-long lesson that I have learned from embarking on the "Tell Your Story" class from Elsie Flannigan and Rachel Denbow, is the importance of community. As stated on GGG -->" On our own everything just seems to swim around and around in our head without a direction, which can potentially frustrate us, or even worse, delay our dreams from coming true"

So. Very. True

Also side note -- if you are interested in more incredible workbooks, Mondo Beyondo (e-course) & Style Statement (workbook) are two more classes worth noted.

With that, I will leave you! My comfy sheets are now calling my name to dream land.

These shoes are made for walkin...

2010-06-05T17:58:00.000-07:00

Also in my absence, I've been secretly coveting vintage-esk shoes.

However, they really are nowhere to be found in this sleepy little non-vintage-friendly town of ours.

So I escaped to the internet (etsy of course!) to find a few that fit my fancy.

These are what I found:

1. allencompanyinc 2. aiseirigh 3. floweronthewall 4. hydraheart

However, I'm finding it really difficult to justify purchasing vintage shoes from the 'net. Because who really knows how they will fit?

I mean, sizes were definitely different back then, so we can't really rely on that alone. Until I make up my mind, I will love from afar. Especially the pair in the upper left corner (they run about $150). I'll just visit them once in a while!

xoxo Shan

Whirlwind Update in the World of Shannon

2010-06-05T00:53:00.000-07:00

It's been eons, I'm well aware!

I could go on to write an incredibly apologetic, and make excuses that I haven't been avoiding this dear old corner of the web.

But we all know, that none of you want to hear excuses. So none will be told!

So instead, I intend on sharing a little bit of what's been going on in my neck of the woods for the past few weeks.

Watching Spartacus and mentally drooling over that hunky curly haired blond fella (that Spartacus character is overrated).
Completing the final touches on this little project of my own. Getting it up and running has been an emotional roller coaster for me, and I'm already thinking of ways to improve open it. Alas, I am learning to accept things as they are, and consider it completed - for now.
Preparing for my 1 week vacation away... coming up dreadfully fast! The suitcase is out, cameras charging, and partially packed.
Taking in all the painting tutorials I can, and absorbing techniques left right and center

Workin' my way through my Art Journal class. This has been inspiring, encouraging, and eye-opening in many more ways than I originally expected.

Hanging out with Jess's nephews from Kamloops - involved a trip to Wonderland *ahem* Castle Fun Park, and was complete with an excellent round of mini golf!
Speed reading through my summer reading list (including my latest book - Lord or Legend by Gregory Boyd and Paul Rhodes... it is incredible and super informative, and written like a university paper which is super intriguing to me).
Writing and posting articles over at inthewack.com ... I still need to proofread a few drafts this weekend, and get them posted up!

Well! That is all I really have to share right now. After 3 cups of coffee, my stomach is now rather upset, and my mind is attempting to shut down (it is 2am after all!).

Happy weekend to you all!

Art Journal Update!

2010-05-11T22:01:00.000-07:00

Although I've fallen quite a bit behind in my art journal - I have learned to just accept that fact, and continue along on my merry way. I am actually enjoying working on my pages at my own pace, and jumping around to the different prompts as the mood strikes me.

There have been a few prompts that I've struggled with, but there has definitely been more that have lit up my creative soul. The print prompt was one of them. Our assignment was to use a print ripped from a magazine as the background of a journaling page (with a few other requirements... but I won't give them away, because that's what taking the class is for!).

I had a blast writing about what it feels like to be a free bird, as I so often referred myself as. I think as we get older, it becomes harder and harder to hold on to those thoughts that we had of ourselves when we were younger (no matter how old we are). It also becomes more and more important to hold onto those thoughts, as the years go on.

So go ahead, take some time to dream about what it means to be you.

Unique, beautiful, quirky, complex, mis-matched, You.

A Vintage-esk Day & Local Farmers Markets!

2010-05-11T13:09:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, in celebration of Mother's Day, our family ended up at Grandma & Grumpa's Vintage/Thrift Barn/Store/Museum.

and it was wonderful!

I took a few pictures of the uber-neat things we seen during our short visit there - and I even scored myself a bag of buttons and some popeye pogs (I know, right?!). They have a ton of old picture frames... for $1 a piece! (eeeek! So excited to go back to find the perfect one for my poloroid collage).

They had an incredible collection of old cameras, that would make a darling display on a shelf somewhere in my household. I can see it now... one for each decade (because they certainly had all decades there!)

I would be really curious to know if any of them actual worked - because how neat would that be? I just might have to pick up a book on vintage cameras to learn how to work them, in order to determine how to determine IF they work!

Mostly, I just really enjoyed their collection of old signs (most of which are too large for any home I know, but still equally as neat to enjoy taking pictures of).

(plus, it was a beautiful sunny day)

ALSO!

Hooray! It's Market Season again!

The Abbotsford Farmers Market is up and running again this year, and takes place every Saturday between now and October (9am - 1pm at Montrose Avenue in Abbotsford). More information can be found here. I'm heading there this Saturday, and am super excited to buy me some fresh tomatoes (have you noted that it doesn't take much to excite me?!).

Signing off for now.

XO.shan

Art Journal Update

2010-05-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I shared anything from my Art Journal, for the tell your story class. So without further ado - here are a few of the pages I have been working on. These ones are my favorite so far, I just love how they turned out!

The task was to create a negative space to use, to write our journaling inside. Because I've done so much already with pen, I wanted to use something other than pen lines to create my negative space. So I cut out a large shape using my cricut and ventured out on the deck to make use of our left over spray paint from a few projects ago.

I am now fairly sure that I will begin collecting various colours and shades of spray paint, as I come across them in my adventures. Using the spray paint was so much fun, and I loved the how it was so easy to create darker spaces and lighter spaces. Let alone the fact that I could also use the sections that I used to create my negative space!

Throw in a little extra bling, some honest words, and my unique handwriting....

and just a touch of colour, and I was set to go. The pages that I have just finished have an extensive usage of pencil crayons... I forgot how much fun it is just to colour with those guys!

I'm excited to share them, and should have them photographed and posted pretty soon. I'll be taking full advantage of the shining sun out there today, and all it's natural lighting glory.

On Playing Pretend

2010-05-05T11:56:00.000-07:00

Food for thought... in the form of a song.

Once in a while
I act like a child
To feel like a kid again
It gets like a prison, in the body I'm living in
'Cause everyone's watching
And quick to start talking
I'm losing my innocence
Wish I were a little girl without the weight of the world

It would be nice
To start over again
Before we were men
I'd give, I'd bend
Let's play pretend

Remember the times
We had soda for wine
And we got by on gratitude
The worst they could do, was check your attitude
Yeah, when fights were fun
We had water in guns and a place we could call our own
How we lost hold of home, I guess I'll never know

It would be nice
To start over again
Before we were men
I'd give, I'd bend
Let's play pretend

And when it's the end
Our lives will make sense
We'll love, we'll bend
Let's play pretend

It's not gonna be long
Before we're all gone
With nothing to show for them
Stop taking lives, come one
Let's all grow up again

Finding Balance | Between the Necessary's & The Optional's

2010-05-04T08:03:00.000-07:00

image source

It's no secret that the world is seeking balance. It's almost like a constant obsession. We read about in magazines, we listen to speeches on it on the radio, and we watch Oprah interview celebrities on it.

Seems to me, everyone thinks someone else has got it down, has all the answers, and lives in a perfect level of balance everyday.

But here's the thing, anyone trying to make a living for themselves struggles with balance.

Show me a women with a successful career, and I will show you a woman dealing with finding balance. I dare you to prove me wrong.

So why does the majority of society seem so wrapped up in this whole balance thing? Why do so many people invest hours of time, and hundreds of dollars searching for the golden answer?

Does it not occur to people that one person's golden answer just might be the downfall of anothers?

I'm a huge fan of Tracey Clark's photography, and have been following her blog for a few months now. A post she had written a little while ago stuck to me, and got me thinking about balance, and how each of us achieve it (if we ever do, that is).

And I'm pretty sure there is one big reason why people struggle with balance - it's a hard thing to master.

Finding, maintaining and restoring (because you will fall off the wagon) balance is like paying off debt. It takes time, sacrifice, compromises, effort, and a change of thinking. You will need reminders, and encouragement and tools, to help you along the way.

Sure, there are shortcut's and system's and seminars galore available to everyone who has an active connection to the internet - but how much information can you really absorb before you learn that if you don't actually implement the knowledge, your brain is going to explode.

Ok, maybe not literally, but hopefully you get where I'm going with this.

Anyways, what I'm trying to get at, is that obtaining balance is not easy. Anyone who tells you they can solve your organizational/clutter/anxiety/balance issues in a heartbeat is looking for a quick buck.

Don't say I didn't warn you. Because hunny (or gents!), those things are battles that belong to us alone (and well, with God as our strength to guide us). We can either embrace them, struggle with them, and work with them all our lives to achieve some sort of fair alignment. Or we can ignore them, push them to the side, and let those emotions and gremlin thoughts control our minds.

So here's something to consider: what can you do today to gain a little of that control back?

Recognizing that the work/home life thing won't work itself out, what are you going to do to balance it?

Realizing that financial stresses simply won't subside if you work more overtime hours, what are you going to do to ease your troubled mind?

Understanding that you can't always work out at the gym 4 times a week, have routine lunch dates with friends, and give an ample amount of time to your immediate family. How will you decide in your heart what is at the top of your priority list.

Learn to become still with yourself, and take the time to know your soul.

Because that, my friends, is something that you can't buy from a shelf or an e-cart. And that is what will guide you in finding balance.

Somehow, society has really missed the mark (again).

Signing off,

Shan

I'll take a coffee in my pj's please

2010-05-03T08:15:00.000-07:00

Oh the joys on working from home.

I read (and fantasize) about it somedays - like today for instance. Thanks to Miss Mommy Is Moody I ran across this article about how to convince your boss to let you work from home.

Sign me up and call me Sally, or Sue, or heck, even Barb. If I get to type away on policies and procedures while in my snugglies wearing marshmallow slippers, I would be the happiest chick on the planet.

I might not even shower.

Well ok, I'd shower, but maybe not until 2pm. That's still hygienic, right?

In all seriousness though, I think it's rather neat when you look at the statistics of people who work at home (either part time or full time). It's neat to look at how the economy is changing, how jobs themselves are changing to allow people to complete their work via laptops, blackberries, and various forms of PDA's.

My grandparents would be appalled.

Gone are the days where the majority of people need to be at their desk before they clock in. Like the Brad Paisley song so efficiently states, we can now effortlessly hold video chat conferences with people halfway around the world.

In the not so distant future, I will have to explain to my (future) children, that in the olden days, people used to have to hand-write letters and send them to one another by something called Canada Post, and it would take up to 10 days for our friends and/or family to receive the letters.

They'll be shocked! I'm kind of excited for the day I get to tell stories of having to walk 10 km to the local post office, up hill, in the snow, both ways.

But I digress. What I did actually want to write about was working from home, and what all the hoop-la has been about in the past little while about all this flexible time.

Let's weigh the pros and cons of working from home, mmmm, shall we?

Exhibit A - pro - You could wear your pajamas if you wanted to. Heck you could even wear your birthday suit (although, I would prefer to think that those weird telemarketers working from home are clothed when their calling me).

Exhibit B - con - Pretty sure image 1.1 below may be a slightly bigger issue in said snugglies and in the comfort of your own home.

(source)

Exhibit C - pro - taking the dog for a walk just got a heck of a lot easier, since you get to take your break, enjoy some companionship, and get ourdoors all in one go. Now who wouldn't feel refreshed after that?

Exhibit D - con - There are a ton more snacks in my house than there are in my office.... (need I explain where this one is going?)

Exhibit E - pro - No limit on type or volume of music

(source)

Exhibit F - con - Possibly become slightly more concerned with the dancing to said music than completing any actual solid work.

(source)

So, as far as I can tell, working from home is definitely a win-win for the employee, and most likely a gamble for the employer allowing said actions. Awesome. Which means my chances of working from home any time soon is pretty much slim-to-none.

Becoming self employed just might have moved a bit higher up on my priority list (with the slight possibility of a reduction in billable hours due to the new glee soundtrack).

Love to chat more folks, but I'm off to work!

Over and Out.

[disclaimer - this article was written for pure amusement and does not depict what I do/would do while working on company time. I simply wanted an excuse to use pretty pictures (again) from weheartit.com /end disclaimer]

and welcome to my latest art obsession.

2010-05-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

(source)

Hello Everyone.

My name is Shannon, and I am a weheartit addict.

Wonderful, now that I have that out of the way, I can officially warn you that every single post of mine over the next say, 3 months, will most likely have a rockin' picture attached to it. Compliments of weheartit.com. Essentially, people take amazing pictures, and them upload them to share with others.

I get it, you're probably wondering what the heck makes it so different from flickr or facebook?

Well! I will tell you (like you didn't see that one coming, really).

1. They're artsy fartsy (again, my love for this probably shouldn't surprise you).
2. They're searchable by tags, so if you're looking for a sweet stove top picture to accompany your burning-hand story... well gosh darn-it you'll find something.
3. They're stealable (and by stealable I mean usable as long as you source).

and finally....

4. browsing their database is so awesomely inspiring. It's filled with all these digitally and graphically pleasing images of ups, and downs, and honesty and excitement.

So I just had to share it.

The End.

so um yeah. pass the ice.

2010-04-30T23:05:00.000-07:00

(source)

So I burnt my hand today.

Making Lipton Sidekicks.

Oh yeah. Because that just reaks of daring bad-ass like actions.

I burnt my hand being a house girlfriend (get it? I made a funny).

Sometime I really wonder why it is women do things the way we do... like sulk when we burn our hands. Shouldn't we be strong and brave like men and laugh in the face of burning flesh, even as it continues to burn?

But instead I just stand in shock for a few moments, then clean up the spilt mess everywhere, and then whimper about ice. Oh yeah, that's what I'm supposed to do with a burn. Stop the burning. Huh.

Meanwhile chuckles mc-chuckilson over on the couch thinks its grand entertainment, and calls the whole scenario cute. Huh. Someone really has to explain that logic to me. I mean yes, I understand the whole thing is rather comical... because really who can't make a pot of sidekicks? But since when am I not allowed to wallow when I hurt myself without feeling guilty about it? Maybe it's just that guilt complex that I have (hey, and don't make fun, because Gina has it to!).

So I've just spent the last 2.25 hours watching Sherlock Holmes with a bag of ice cubes at my side and applying in 15 minute intervals. My first aid instructor would be proud (the movie, by the way, was one of the best movies I've seen in quite a few months, and it was thoroughly enjoyed by both myself and mr. chuckles).

So, the moral of this story is clearly, don't let your sidekicks burn because if you try to scrap them off the bottom of the pot, your spoon will become dislodged, spewing boiling hot saucey water all over your hand, making it resemble a lobster claw.

The end.

on the problem with comparisons

2010-04-29T19:22:00.000-07:00

(image source)

I spent yesterday home sick. Full on sore throat, sweats, fever and body aches, bundled up in a bazillion layers watching tv and surfing the web. Somehow - it was less than enjoyable. Go Figure.

I did work on my art journal in small bits of time, in between naps on the couch.

Mostly I just thought, and paid attention to the matters sitting heavily on my heart.

I thought about creativity, individuality, how people view others and themselves, and how I view myself.

I thought about my own image, and how I style my hair, and the clothes that I wear (and I realized how long it's been since I've bought myself new clothes). I considered buying new clothes, but even if I had a ton of disposable income, I'm not really sure what kinds of clothes I would buy. I think I'm going through a minor identity crisis.

To be perfectly honest, I've always struggled very much with accepting my appearance. I was (and still am) deathly afraid of looking funny or being made fun of. I spend a ridiculous amount of time worrying if i look "put together" enough, if my hair is straight enough, or if it looks like a mop if I leave it go its own curly way.

I also spend equally ridiculous amounts of time admiring other people's hairstyles, or make up, or outfits, secretly trying to figure out how I could re-create that look for myself.

Trouble is, I don't spend near enough time thinking about creating those looks on my own. I know this. I recognize the problem in this, and yet I still can't seem to shake these mind patterns that I've held on to for so long.

When I was younger, it was about copying those that "fit in", and as I grew older, it was about copying those "that the guys liked" (because that just oozes self confidence!), and now... well now it's just residual feelings I suppose. Not wanting to be criticized, not wanting to look like a child, not wanting to be passed over for that raise or possible promotion because of my image.

These thoughts, mized with my desire to actually be my own person, and develop my own artistic, cooky-yet-comfortable style, left me beside myself. I didn't know where to start. And eventually got so lost, that it just started negatively affecting me.

Thankfully, my view on how I look has never been about my weight. It usually always had/has something to do with my inability to complete the look I'm going for. Even if that look is (like I mentioned above) to "not look funny." Because when I look in the mirror, I still see the 15 year old kid with glasses and braces and foofy curly hair, and freckles.

Weird, huh?

Which is why I go through phases of actually avoiding mirrors altogether.

And I've decided comparisons are to blame. I would really like to know who told women (and girls) that it was ok for us to compare ourselves to others? At what point did it become ok for society to provide girls with an image of what they should look like? And, like my friend Kayla mentions over on her blog, at what point did we decide that our self worth is tied to how we look?

I get that some of us are probably more likely to be affected by these things than others. And some people struggle with their reflections a lot more than others. And that even though I'm one of them, it still makes me sad that the next generation of girls, growing into women, will probably struggle even more than my generation is.

Because it's a horrible feeling to always be wondering if the person across the table from you is actually thinking about how awful you look.

I know, because I've been there. But everyday I'm working at it. Everyday I'm getting a little closer with coming to terms with myself, accepting who I am, and trying to let go of those nasty little gremlins in my thoughts. And everyday I'm making a conscious effort to stop comparing myself to others.

Tell Your Story

2010-04-28T18:19:00.000-07:00

I'm currently taking an online course.

I've admired such courses from the sidelines for quite some time, and when I heard about Red Velvet Art's Art Journalling class, I pretty much decided to sign up in 5 minutes flat.

I am SO GLAD i decided to do it, as its only a few days in, and already worth the mere $60 dollars i paid for it. I have 5.5 weeks left to go, and I seriously get excited checking the website every morning to see what the prompt is for today.

I thought i'd post some of what i've completed so far, and you can find more photos of my journal here (on flickr).

(and for you guys who might be interested - it's still not too late to join!)

Week in the Life | Saturday

2010-04-28T08:33:00.000-07:00

As Friday was my dad's actual birthday, Saturday was his birthday celebration day. We went on an adventure (I have a crazy family).

We decided to surprise him, and take him out to go 10 pin bowling at the local bowling alley.

It was a total blast, and a learning experience for all of us (who knew there are a million different kinds of bowling balls?)
Leave it to mom to encourage colour co-ordination for the sake of a photoshoot:

Dad kept collecting more because he just couldn't find one that had the right fit.

Mom even played, and beat dad for a while! (doesn't she look beautiful with her hair blowing in the wind?!)

After that, we trekked home to make kabobs on the barbee, and one heck of a salad.

Then it was off to quick wrap presents... I wrapped mine in the real estate paper (a personal touch & good for the environment!)

...and then dad opened them!

Kayla made a very fitting cake (Note - there is slight profanity -adult discretion is advised).

(Kayla took notes at all the things dad shouted at the tv whilst watching the most recent Canucks hockey game). He thought it was a pretty awesome cake.

We were going to play scrabble after dinner, but most of us were just too exhausted to do anything other than laze on the cuddle couch watching Bourne Supremacy (it was the only thing good on).

We eventually headed it on home, and called it a night, and snuggled into our bed.

Week in the Life | Friday

2010-04-27T08:09:00.000-07:00

Wowzers! Oh how the time has flew!

It's Tuesday now, but that won't stop me from compiling my pictures from my day in the life project (and besides when it's all said and done in a scrapbook, nobody will have to know I was behind in compiling stuff!).

Friday flew by like a mad hatter.

Drove to work, as usual.

Worked, as usual. Found a picture of the cutest puppy in the world while on my break.

Pretty sure all I want for Christmas is a Wheaten Terrier.

Worked some more.

And then drove home, as usual.

However... dun dun dun. We went to the Reef for dinner!

(and silly me forgot my camera, so I will include a Reef poster for the visual!)

We had the crab cakes, which were delish, and of course the johnny cakes (they are my favorite!), and we also convinced my mom to try a plantain chip. Except, I'm pretty sure she didn't like them.

For those of you who haven't heard of the plantain fruit, well I'll explain it for you. They usually look like this:

Kind of like a banana, right? This is what they look like in comparison to your regular, run of the mill bananas (plantain is far left).

Basically, they look like a banana, but taste kind of like a potato. You usually have to cook them a bit to make them edible, and the Reef serves them as chips. You know, kind of like french fries. The best part is that they slice them long-ways. So if you hold them up to your face, it looks like you have a huge banana like smile. Wikipedia has a ton of information about the plantain plant (where it comes from, how it's cooked, and apparently, the fruit can even be brewed into an alcoholic beverage?!?)

It was my dad's birthday, so we even got a free deep fried banana with mango ice cream. I'm telling you, those Jamaican's are onto something.

So yeah, Friday was an awesome day, even though my lack of photos of the day may create a problem when it comes to actually scrapbooking this project.

Ah, well.

Something Every Woman Should Hear

2010-04-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

I have recently come across two great videos by an author named Kelly Corrigan, who has written a few books, including The Middle Place.

I had not heard of it before, but am really looking forward to grabbing a copy off the shelves, after seeing her speak. Her message is about the power and strength of woman, about finding good friends, and sticking together, and being there for people.

And both of them made me tear up.

Watch them, listen to her message, and share them with other women you know. Because it's this sort of thing that can change lives.

Youtube won't let me embed the second one, so a link will have to do.

Have a happy weekend, and remember to push away those thoughts of self doubt, embarrasment, and how silly your dreams are. Because they aren't silly at all - they're yours.

Week in the Life | Thursday

2010-04-23T01:26:00.000-07:00

It was an exciting day at the Molnar/Clattenburg residence today for a number of reasons.

1. Work was cheerful - thus making me a cheerful girl.

2. I started the day with a deeeelicious hot chocolate made fresh for me (and by me too!)

3. Had a nice little chat with Roger, but did not touch him or feed him - because I want him to live.

4. The house was clean from yesterday (and I mean seriously, the micro-wave was still glistening in the light!)

5. I made a purchase, a well thought out, possibly long over due purchase (and putting it together pretty much made me ecstatic)

6. I gave in and ate Mcdonalds. Bix Extra Meal with Coke. And it was better than I remembered from last time.

So I rushed home, and set up my beautiful beautiful new toy.

I gave Jess my heart. He decided to hang it on his ear.

Meanwhile, Jess was encaptured by the shopping network and their huge array of shower heads (what else?!)

I played with paint, and adhesives, and paper. And I had a blast.

Now, at the end of the evening, my desk is completely messy again. I have found, however, that a messy desk leads to a more creative, exciting and motivated mind. So for now, I'm keeping it a little messy. Just enough to bring on the creative bugs.

Well, that's enough of me tonight!

Good Night Folks!

Catching a Breeze

2010-04-23T01:00:00.001-07:00

Catching a Breeze

Sometime's we really should take a hint from the way a puppy, or a child sees the world.

And just live on through the breeze like it was the last breeze on earth.

Week in the Life | Wednesday

2010-04-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

Hello Folks,

I've been trying my best to tote around my camera with me for the past couple of days, and seem to be getting the hang of it.

Here's the result of the WITL for yesterday (Wednesday)

8:30 Driving my little booty to work on a rainy rainy day.

9:00 Have been notified that today is secretary day. But we aren't celebrating because Kayla and I object to the term secretary and refuse to be labeled by it (oh the irony). I'm pretty sure that technically they call it administrative professional day now, which would be much more fitting.

10:00am Dug into my 15 emails awaiting attention in my inbox this morning! Woopee!

12:0pm0 Celebration of Administrative Professionals Day!! Lunch at the Baron Bar & Grill (orange juice & sprites all around!)

2:00pm Invoicin' invoicin' invoicin'

2:30pm Officially declare myself obsessed with Glee, as I add upward of 15 glee songs to my youtube playlist. Also attempted to persuade younger sister to rent and watch all of season 1 with me tonight. That attempt was a failure.

3:00pm POWER OUTAGE...

leaving us with pretty much nothing to do except... dance? (to an iphone of course!)

4:00pm Made awesome use of my extra afternoon time, and we totally cleaned the kitchen/office/living room area of our apartment. Look at our microwave - it glitters!

framed and straightened some pictures

admired our beautiful fresh flowers on our clutter-free kitchen table!

my workspace... all neat and tidy!

7:00pm Visited le parents just in time for the hockey game. WE WON :)

Thoughts on Wednesday:

- Today was a day of eliminating. Cleaned out the car, the laundry room, the kitchen cabinet, the microwave... and my desk!

- That... as usual resulted in a distraction, and i spent about 45 minutes going over old albums and layouts and mini albums. It's funny how, when I scrapbook, I never have a particular theme or subject in mind. Most of the time I just take whatever photo is available to me, match up some paper, and (hopefully) conjure up some meaningful words to add to the memory in the photograph. I remember being worried, at the time, that my albums would not have any continuity. Turns out I was right, because they don't. But it also turns out, that I don't like continuity in albums. I like to run with the wind, and consider my pages more like a reflection of how I'm feeling at the time I'm putting them together. Like an art journal, that uses my photos as an accessory rather than the main focus or component of the page.

- I pondered on how interesting it is, however, to see how well the pages flow together, as if they tell a story of what my heart is trying to say, or portray. How they work together, even though the pictures are from different decades, the colours or patterns don't match, different mediums are used, or the layout styles differ. Somehow, even though there wasn't any chronological continuity, there seems to be a continuity of style, impression and thought, and somehow, all of my mishap pages come together.

That's all for today!

See y'all tomorrow :)

Week in the Life: Tuesday

2010-04-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: It wasn't until this morning that I realized I'd missed the start-up date for WITL (aka Week in the Life) so, like I mentioned in my previous post, I'll just continue to be a day behind.

10:05am getting down to work at the office (after checking some emails, filing through my inbox, and making myself a passion tea).

Listening to some really great music whilst working [my April Playlist], and admiring my beautiful calender, and well, realizing I had to change it. I'm thinking about leaving it until May because April is almost over.

11:25am - found this really great quote, and promptly recorded it in my idea/life/inspiration book that i carry with me everywhere

11:30am - took a few minutes to review my idea/life/inspiration book. I would like to say it was intentional, but I'm pretty sure it was just pure distraction.

5:00pm - hit the road jack, and made my way home, home, home home! Once there, I was met with this awesome little poof-ball face.

5:30pm - discovered TOP GUN was on TV (Up until yesterday, I had never seen the likes of Maverick, Goose and Iceman. Unfortunately though, I only watched about 30 minutes of it, so I wasn't able to actually grasp the full awesomeness of these characters).

6:00pm - set up camp at Java hut to work on my latest projects

7:00pm - met a friend for coffee with whom I haven't talked to for a very long time. It was good for the soul, and so very nice just to take the time to catch up again.

9:00pm - GLEE!! (need I say more? really?)

11:00pm-12:00am - Read, and finished The Glass Castle, for our book club meeting coming up next week (so good!)

Tuesday Thoughts:

- I tried paying attention to the little things today, and I tried to think in full sentences rather than cutting myself off.
- I enjoyed the warmth around my tea-filled-mug very much. It brought me warmth inside and stillness in my heart (in the midst of my hurricane day).
- fresh pink tulips on my kitchen table made me smile.

It was basically a crazy busy day in which I considered if I even had the time to complete this little task this week. Sometimes, when things seem impossible, I tend to give up on them, as I'm always being told I'm trying to take on too much (which apparently is the cause of burn-out, who knew?). Regardless, I'm trying to tell myself that this project doesn't have to be done perfectly, or in a certain way, and I can do whatever I have time to do.

So I'm placing the perfectionist card in my back pocket for a while (because that kind of thinking really isn't good for anyone anyways).

Week in the Life - Little Project Summary

2010-04-20T09:51:00.000-07:00

So as usual, I'm a day behind.

*face palm*

One of these days, I'll catch up to myself, and stop being "behind the eight-ball" as some people like to say.

That being said, I now declare my week-in-the-life project from Tuesday - Monday (rather than everyone elses' Monday- Sunday). And you know what? That's just ok.

So first of all, I'll give you a little bit of a rundown. The lovely and talented Ali Edwards did this project a few years ago, and then again in 2008, and is now running it again in 2010. Here's the idea:

- document your life, however simply, however complicated, for one week.

Yup, it's that simple.

Interested in learning more? Click the little button on to your left - marked week in the life. It'll take you to the starting point.

The really cool thing about this project, is that Ali gives us a ton of help for getting this project done. Not sure how to organize everything? She gives us pointers. Not sure what to document? She covers that too. She also covers collecting memorabilia, what to take pictures of, how to make notes, and how to keep all the information manageable. AND she's doing right along with us.

I plan on using something super cool (and quick!) like she did above, and use baseball page protectors as a layout format for my week.

I'll be posting my days as they happen, let me know if you are playing along to!

April Playlist

2010-04-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

Allllllrighty folks.

Here's this months playlist! What I'm listening to, whats on repeat, and what's making me cry.

Regina Spektor - Braille (mostly likely making a repeat appearance, but I love love love it)
Sugarland - What I'd Give
Miranda Lambert - The House that Built Me (um yup, this one is a tearer-upper)
Josh Thompson - Beer on the Table (repeat, repeat, repeat)
Siobhan Magnus (A.I.) - Suspicious Minds
anything by Crystal Bowersox
Blake Shelton ft. Trace Adkins - Hillbilly Bone
Joss Stone - Right to be Wrong
Dashboard Confessional - Don't Wait (blast from the past!)
All-American Rejects - Move Along
Linkin Park - My December
St. Vincent - Marry Me
Carrie Underwood - Temporary Home

That's all for now folks, what are you listening to on repeat these days?

Thirsty...uhhh Friday! | DIY Spring Necklace

2010-04-16T19:04:00.000-07:00

Quenching your thirst for DIY sweet sweet spring things!

I discovered this tutorial over on Elsie Flannigan's blog (ring leader of the Red Velvet Art Club) and am sharing because it's pretty much one of the greatest DIY's I've discovered in a while.

Saturday morning project? I think so!

Here goes:

Hi, it's Amy here from the Style Crush blog with my monthly DIY post. I'm going to show you how to make a Spring statement necklace. It's called a statement necklace because it is a necklace that makes a statement! I noticed this style of necklace was really popular around the holidays, but this is a fun spring-time version. You can change the look (dress up or dress down) depending on what kinds of beads and ribbon you choose.

You'll need:
ribbon - approx. 42" long
beads
small needle
embroidery floss

Make sure that your needle is small enough to fit through the hole in your beads. Thread your needle with an arms-length of embroidery floss. Knot the end of the floss (I used a double knot to make it extra secure) then cut the tail off, close to the knot.

Cut a piece of ribbon, approximately 42" long. Measure approximately 18" from the end of the ribbon and start here. Make 3 little folds of ribbon, accordion style, to create 3 little ruffles.

Insert the needle through the middle of all 3 ruffles. Make sure that the knot in the embroidery floss ends up on the under-side of the ribbon.

Now add a bead.

Make 3 more ruffles, right after the bead. Insert the needle in the middle of the 3 ruffles as you did previously.

Make sure both ends of ribbon match up and trim as needed. I cut the ends of mine at an angle for a cleaner look. Use a dot of clear fabric glue to secure both knots. Coat the tips of ribbon with clear fabric glue to avoid fraying.

Tie the necklace in a bow around your neck. Wear it with a bright Spring outfit and enjoy the compliments!

You can also tie the ends of the ribbon onto some chain to change up the look (see the blue and white necklace below).

Original post can be found here, i definitely recommend checking out Elsie's little corner of the earth, she is a sweetheart with wicked awesome hair (I know, I know, you can't judge a person on their hair... except here's is just so cool I couldn't help it!).

Dearest Universe...

2010-04-15T20:13:00.000-07:00

.... I would very much like a cricut and they are on sale at Michael's right now.

Bring me one?

(k, thanks)

I certainly bruised myself falling off that wagon!

2010-04-14T21:56:00.000-07:00

In the light of the April blogging challenge, I started reading a lot more.

Trouble was, I am spending so much time reading, that it leaves very little time for writing.

I am currently reading the following little trinkets:

- Craigslist (I know right, chock full of actual writing)
- Rules for Renegades
- The E-Myth Revisited
- The SEED handbook
- and Bookkeeping handbooks.

If you were wondering why I haven't made time to write, even a little bit over the past few days.... here's your answer -

You probably wouldn't have wanted to read it anyhow. As it would all be business, dream, and entrepreneur related talk (and some people just don't want to hear all that empowering stuff).

So I withheld the urge to spew "law of attraction" theories at you, and just kept them to myself.

On a more interactive note - started April 26th, I will be taking part in the "Story Of Your Life" Art Journaling course put on by the lovely and talented Rachel & Elsie (and I'm so flippin excited!). I've got my sketchbook and my acrylic paints and my paintbrushes - and oh baby - am I set to rock and roll.

I've also been checkin' out this blog, of Aura Joon, and loving her about us page. Because its unique, and awesome, and so very thoughtful. And uses subtle typography changes, which I love love love. It's inspired me to think about the definition of my own little corner, and gives me while and crazy inspirational thoughts. annnnnnd she has rock-on tips for stupid curly/messy but somehow stylish/hair like mine.

This month on the book club list is The Glass Castle - and I'm waiting to get my hands on a copy from the library. Turns out, so is everybody else cuz I'm hold 83 out of 100. So basically, I think I'll be hitting up a bookstore sometime in the near future.

Anyways, I'm over and out! Short post tonight to get me in bed at a half decent hour.

Much loves.

Lurking in the Depths | A Personal Email Challenge

2010-04-07T16:14:00.000-07:00

My gmail account is 5 years old, and I have a full 5 years of emails residing in corners and folders and nooks of this particular email account.

So for some unbeknownst reason, I decided to start sifting through the remainder of my youth. Yes that is how I look at it.

I’ve been reading through many of the “eliminate your inbox” articles over at 43 folders, and considered starting to work through this, as I have upwards of 300 emails in my inbox.

I rarely delete things. Well that isn’t entirely true. I delete junk mail. I delete things that do not require replies, or printing out. Everything else I keep (because who knows, I might need that inspirational quote someday?!).

When I first starting the gmail account, I created folders to help reduce the number of emails sitting in my inbox. Because I tended to be a wondering gypsy, I created folders for the various places I’d lived. I.E. Friends from Burnaby, friends from Kamloops, and friends from Chilliwack (not including correspondence from family members in various provinces – they had a file of their very own).

These thoughtful emails (both sending and receiving) were then labelled and archived into their respective folders, and never really looked at again.

Until I started reading them today.

Now, I’m not sure if reading your own emails counts as literature, but my oh my could I get lost down that rabbit hole.

There is something about reading something I’ve written, years ago, that just intrigues me. I think that it is this love of self-reflection and consideration that I continue to write a blog even today – because it means that someday, somewhere in the future, I will be able to read my thoughts from the past. I think it’s somewhat magical. What you chose to publish or send to a friend is (usually) so much more proper, or thought out, than the ramblings that you jot down in a journal.

Sentences and thoughts are more developed, and delivered in an easier way to read years down the road.

So today I’m considering. I’m considering the friends I used to be close with, and I even replied to a few that I haven’t talked to in nearly 3 years. I’m considering how to adapt my carefree teen mentality into my twenty something years.

And I’m considering what the heck to do with 5 years worth of emails that I can’t bring myself to delete?!

They all seem like too much of a part of me, explaining my feelings and thoughts as I was going through the various life events that have made me who I am today. The loves, the break-ups, the spiritual breakdowns and revelations, the friendships formed, the excitement, the freedom of studying from 10am – 10pm and enjoying it, my love for finding tiny corners of campus to call my own, the free spiritedness, the nature walks, my parents repeatedly calling me a gypsy, the memories, the ridiculous memories (I can’t believe I spent 3 hours taking public transit from SFU to UBC to meet a guy).

I deleted a few as I went through them all, I suppose it will just have to be a process thing, only letting go of a few little snippets of memories at a time.

Its just too hard to let go of everything all at once.

Getting Technical On You | What I'm Reading Today

2010-04-06T16:13:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that I'm pretty much always looking into the future.

To the point where it probably isn't the greatest thing for me.

I am a self-diagnosed dreamer, who spends too much time with my head in the clouds, and my pen to the paper drawing up business plan and website design ideas.

I'm pretty sure it's an addiction.

As my twitter mentioned (@ordinaryshan), lately I've been going through all my delicious bookmarks, and reading the ones I've been meaning to read.

Today landed me on The Art of Delegating. Bingo

In my line of work, no two days ever look the same. I realize people say this often... but I really mean it (really). It could be invoicing, dealing with a company car accident, broken hot water tank, non-functioning server, office meetings, calming down an upset customer. At our place of work "there's never a dull moment" is our unofficial motto - and we love it that way. It makes the days go fast, and there is always something new to learn, no matter how long you've been there.

I have recently dove into the the Art of Delegating (even before coming across this article).

Needless to say, this article has come across at a pretty good time for me. And although the article is primarily geared towards hiring a VA (Virtual Assistant), it is appealing to me for two reasons. A) Any tool that can help me delegate to an assistant (virtual or not) is helpful to me in the workplace and B) I am considering embarking down this road myself (but in the form of completing the delegations). So all in all, today's read is a win-win situation.

The article does an incredible job of explaining the responsibilities of the worker/manager/person hiring the VA, and I get what they're saying. Too often people hire assistants (again, virtual or otherwise) thinking they are the save-all lifesavers. However, this is not usually how the life-saving works. Little to many managers/business owners/bosses realize, they have a huge impact on how efficient their assistants can be.

If, for whatever reason, you do not trust your assistant 100%, the relationship has a higher risk of crashing and burning. This is not to say that you have to disclose every little detail down to your passwords involving your mother's maiden name, you do have to disclose any and all information that will help them complete the tasks you are requesting.

Too often people assume that others know information that they simply do not, and will not know unless the information is provided to them.

Now before you A) start thinking this post is to technical and business-like or B) start thinking I'm going to go about acting like I am an expert, don't worry. I'm going to put what I learned in a bulleted list in the event that you are interested in learning more about delegating those tasks that you just don't have the time to complete.

Knowing how to properly delegate is not something that is limited to business owners, busy sales people or realtors, or retail managers. It can help mothers of teenagers get them to help out around the house, perfectionists to allow their husbands to clean the basement, or new fathers to be able to admit and ask for help when they need it.

Delegation one of those things we only see in business magazines or blogs, but can easily be carried over into everyday life scenarios.

Think you might benefit a little from lightening your work load (whatever it may be?). Try some of these tips to help you get started:
- Communicate what you are wanting to have done, prior to the work being done. This can help avoid miscommunication or assumptions, resulting in possible errors (and then discouraging you even further from getting assistance in the future).
- Brainstorm possible questions that the delegatee might come up with. By doing this, and writing down the answers in a clear and concise manner, you will prevent any further interruptions to your work day, but answering possible questions in advance.
- Be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the people you are delegating tasks to. It is to your advantage to properly match up tasks with those who are equipped to complete those tasks, rather than trying to "make them better" by tossing them tasks that apply to their weaknesses. You may think you are doing them a favor now, but it will only make things difficult for both of you in the future.
- Understand that the time it takes to prepare for the tasks to be delegated is well worth it. I hear you, if it takes you 10 minutes to completed the task, but 12 minutes to write out the tasks for somebody else, why bother? I will tell you why. If you have perfected a task that takes you 10 minutes to complete, that is the fastest you will ever complete this task. The first time you train someone else to complete the task it may take 12 minutes of your time, plus 15 minutes of their time. Here's the important thing to remind yourself of - the next time they complete the task, it will most likely take less of your time, plus less of their time.

Learning to delegate is not all about instant time-savings. It is an investment and, as mentioned above, a skill to be learned. It will not come over-night, and it will not come without resistance.

Thanks again delicious, for allowing me to bookmark my interesting reads for me, and re-visiting them when I have a moment.

Thanks for allowing me to delegate my bookmarking management tasks to you.

[end-note, this entry is a part of our April Blogging Challenge for Literacy Awareness, interesting in joining along? It's not too late! All you have to do is let us know you are taking part, and post an article every day about something you've read. It not only encourages you to be mindful about what you are reading each day, but also provides encouragement to actually review and share your thoughts about what you consumed throughout the day]

April Blogging Challenge | My Literate Childhood

2010-04-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

When I was younger, I would read everything.

Street signs.

Books and magazine covers (until I was old enough to read what was in between the covers).

Notes that my mom scribbled on napkins or notepads.

If I came across a word I didn't know, I'd ask. I suppose that makes me lucky, because my parents always took the time to explain those words that I didn't know. They also took the time to read to me on a daily basis - to a point where I had the books memorized before I actually learned to read them.

Again, I realize that I was lucky, as plenty of children do not have the privilege of experiencing this growing up. It is because of this, however, that I plan on making my children lucky in this sense as well.

Today I read about, and thoughtfully pondered what makes some children more literate than others during their developmental stages. I have never had an extensive interest in child development before, however, this challenge has me wondering about things I've never considered before. Such as how and why some children seem to excel at the written word, whereas others do not. I suppose it goes back to the ol' nature vs nurture argument, which has never quite been proven (in one direction or the other). It appears that the common agreement lies somewhere in between the two extremes, with both playing a part in child development (as a toddler, and up throughout the teenage years).

It does, however, seem to significantly enhance learning capabilities of a child if they are read to on a regular basis. Or, if reading is simply taught and/or encouraged by the actions of their parents (other those elders surrounding you). This is probably why the librarians pushed that "read like a champ" program so much.

Once again, I realize how lucky I have been.

So this reading today has left me wondering if it is a matter of ignorance (i.e. they do not quite understand the importance) that a large percentage of parents do not take the time to read to their children, or is it simply because of a lack of time.

It also makes me wonder if they were more aware of the importance of doing so, would it make much of a difference?

Home Studio Inspiration | What I'm Reading Today

2010-04-02T14:50:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty ashamed to admit that I've spent the majority of today down the rabbit hole.

The website/blog/art inspiration rabbit hole.

And I'm not taking about a measly hour or two. I pretty much wrote off 5 or so hours.

Mind you, it hasn't all be in one chunk (thank goodness!), but now my head is swimming with colours and happy thoughts.

I'm also currently contemplating between making my "built in" desk space, or my Ikea desk space my main working area. Because of this, I've been paying particular attention to other people's working spaces lately. I've found a few that I really like, such as this one from shopevalicious.com:

Coincidentally, she actually has the same desk as me... except her's looks so much neater than mine does on a regular basis!

I have been considering moving my desk out such as this, rather than having it up against a wall - but unfortunately, I don't think this is do-able, due to lack of space.

Another picture of her studio space made me want to jump in my car and drive to Ikea asap:

I had totally forgotten all about their racking storage option, where you can hang lovelies from the wall mountable bar. We had one of these in our old apartment, and we used to hang our flippers and such from it. Wall shelving would also be something worth investing in, considering the only shelving i currently have is tucked away in our laundry room.

And if I don't see my supplies - I'm pretty much guaranteed not to use them.

Unfortunately, my brain is so fried from all the reading & colourful pictures I've taken in today, that I don't exactly remember anything I've read. So much for promoting being literate (shakes finger at myself).

I'm going to craft.

on writing | to make a difference

2010-04-01T17:31:00.000-07:00

I'm all for blogging challenges (as it is most likely evident), so when I learned about this challenge over at A Wooden Nickel, I signed up.

Although there is only four of us now... maybe (just maybe) the cause will grow.

If you aren't a link-hopper like me, I will give you the lowdown on the challenge.

The challenge began as a literacy awareness project, and the goal is to write a new post everyday to promote awareness of illiteracy that still exists around the world. In addition to this, the posts have to be about something you've read that day.

Think of it as current events day in middle school - when its your turn to cut out an article from the daily newspaper and bring it to class to discuss - but just every day of the month. And you have to share your thoughts on it.

Not so bad, right?

Now, as this challenge (as I mentioned above) currently only has a few participants... we need your help. I am currently looking for a worthy organization (non-for-profit of course) that is currently working on promoting literacy throughout Canada and the world. I would love to transform this challenge from a friendly challenge into something that will actually make a difference to others, not matter how small. If you're thinking about joining in, please let us know! We'd be happy to have you in our growing circle.

So, in light of this new challenge, I researched for a few articles that would actually educate me on the currente state of illiteracy issues around the world, and how far we've actually come in the past 20 or 30 years.

It was interesting to note that Canada nor the US has the top literacy rates in the world. In fact, we are both ranked 19. However, there are, ohhhhhhh 15 countries tied for 19, so I suppose that isn't all bad. What surprised me the most however, was that Georgia, Cuba, and Estonia have the highest literacy rates. Which is surprising, considering they are not huge, overly developed, or highly technical countries.

A few of the countries with the lowest literacy rate are Pakistan (49.5%), Ethiopia (35.9%), Chad (25.7%), and Burkina Faso at 23.6%.

I think (as Canadians) that because we are surrounded by literate and technology-able people, we forget about what a difference it makes to be able to read. If you really think about it, when was the last time you came across someone who didn't know how to read.

It's not because there aren't any out there. Even in our country. Trust me.

We've just become so much of an evolving/technologically advanced/focused on post-secondary education type of community, that people who don't know how to read are embarrassed to say so.

Because we would judge.

And I get it. I really do. People who are illiterate don't have as many chances as we do, so therefore we judge.

However, I'm pretty sure we're forgetting that neat little saying we've all heard.

everybody has a story.

Now before you assume I'm going to jump ship and start talking about homelessness and drug addicts - you'll just have to trust me that I won't (because that's a whole other post on its own).

I'm simply saying that in todays world, we still have generations and generations that are older than us. People who were brought up in very different ways than us. As much as us 20-something bloggers would like to think our world is tough, growing up in the 1930s/40s/50s just might have been harder.

So the next time you do come across someone who doesn't know how to write all the letters of the alphabet in lower case letters, or has to sound something out when reading it, try to imagine all they up against, and support them. Rather than simply writing them off as lazy.

It just might change your way of thinking.

sweet music to my ears

2010-03-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

So I'm going through my youtube playlist, and realized I have not shared any musical awesomeness in a little while with you folk.

So a special posting today just for you (as if it would be for anybody else!).

Here's what I've been listening to and loving as of late!

old favorite of mine - with a Twilight twist (of course)

she's got my vote. hands down.

new discovery of the month - st. vincent

pretty much listening to this one on repeat style

That's all for today folks, have a happy & musical Wednesday!

purge when necessary

2010-03-30T20:25:00.000-07:00

Before any garden can be seeded, the ground has to be prepared. The rocks and weeds need clearing, the earth has to be turned and the nutrients introduced.
You have to clear the clutter from your life, internally and externally. You have to create the right environment to be able to grow your vision [whatever that may be]
- Lynne Franks

I'm currently reading "The Seed Handbook" by Lynne Franks.

and 18 pages in, she's talking about clutter.

and not just the household junk mail kind of clutter.

oh no.... she goes all out.

Those pamplets in your car? Clutter.
Non-business receipts, phone numbers and notes on small pieces of paper? Clutter
Magazines that inspire you but haven't been looked at in over 6 months? yup...clutter.
Outdated ideas, business thoughts that remain stagnent, processes that collect dust, and sporatic worrysome thoughts in your head?

You guessed it, all different types of clutter.

So by now I'm thinking (as I look around my home and office), no wonder my mind has always been so sporatic (Well, asides from the self-diagnosed ADD & OCD). I'm pretty much guilty of ALL forms of c-l-u-t-t-e-r. Yup, physical and mental.

Currently, this is my kitchen counter, bathroom shelf, desk area and a totally adoreable picture of my puppy.

He's turning into the sheep dog from the Looney Tunes, we know. We have to get his hair cut because it matts up on us, but if we could, I'd just let it grow!

Anyways, I digress.

So I'm reading about clutter and thinking to myself... does anybody really have a handle on this stuff? The newspaper fliers, the magazines, the multiplying take out menus.... doesn't everyone save those "in the event of"? I mean, really, you never know when you really feel like, oh I don't know, Lebonese, and gosh darnit you threw out the menu last week!

I mean, I'm sure I wouldn't have a darned problem decluttering and home decorating if I hired a professional, but the last time I checked, those services aren't readily available to those of us with less-than-a-plethora-of-disposible-income. Not complaining, just sayin'

But alas I (and I'm sure many other people) will just have to make due with what is readily available.

My conclusion?

Purging. and buying living, breathing, water drinking plants.

(So long as I'm not the one responsible for re-potting said plants. If that was the case, they wouldn't be living, breathing and water drinking for very long).

Again, I digress.

So I'm purging. I'm decluttering the lazy mans way. I'm just throwing stuff out, and deleting emails, and pulling my name off mailing lists. Canceling subscriptions, and coming to terms with projects that will most likely never get finished.

And throwing out those darned take out menus. Because really, how often does a person really need to take out?

I've decided to do this for 3 reasons. A) Everyone has too much stuff, and we all need a little purge now and then to keep our personalities fresh, and B) because I'm really serious about all this moving forward and being still stuff. Yes I realize that is a contradiction, and that's why I like it, and C) because I'm making a clearing. A snug little space for only me. In my home and in my head. I'm making way for bigger things to come. Even if I'm not sure what those bigger things are yet. I'll be ready for them because I'm making room. I'm creating my sacred space.

So I'm throwing stuff out.

And tomorrow, I'm buying myself some living plants.

let's hope I don't kill them.

It's Like Little Thought Bubbles (Inside your head)

2010-03-27T09:09:00.000-07:00

In high school i was kind of a loner.
There. I admitted it.

I mean, I wasn't a total geek, i had a few friends, and we had our spot at lunch time. I had people to hang out and pass the time with - but i can honestly say there is only one of those people that i still talk to today.

I was one of those kids that wanted people to like me, but i also suffered (and still do) with anxiety, and i was pretty darn introverted.

Pretty much a recipe for failure from the get go. Go me.

Moving along to to my actual thought, at what point did we start defining ourselves by how many people like us? Its like wrapping your self esteem up in a wicked little box (handmade of course) plucking it with a ribbon and presenting it to a no good jerk sitting at THE table in the cafeteria. And then we act surprised when they throw it on the floor, announce that they are going to stomp on it, and continue to do so with no mercy.

So i stopped with the unappreciated presents and instead adopted a twisted take on self confidence.

Exhibit #1:
I'm me, and I like me. Stupid popular people don't like me because I'm not good enough. I'm probably not, but its their fault so I'm going to resent them for it.

Now i know we are all about teaching kids that they are special just the way they are, and they shouldn't change themselves for someone else.

But this theory has really messed with my young adulthood.

I began painting everyone with the popular brush, and i think. No i know. Ive missed out on a lot of great friendships because i automatically assumed they wouldn't want to be friends with me.

Exhibit #2:
Meet cool girl who likes books, tattoos and traveling (hey, just like me!), but she probably wouldn't want to be friends because it seems like she has her own group of friends, they all probably have really cool personalities/hair/clothing style, defeating any need to add to their circle of friends.

And really, how is that good for anyone? Umm hello, it's not! (so if you do this, and your reading this --> stop now! You will feel silly about it later)

It wasn't until my "after highschool years" that I started trying to be a little more open with who I tried to be friends with. Don't get me wrong, I was still terrified of people telling me wasn't cool enough (this fear stemming from 6th grade when a friend of mine actually told me that she wasn't allowed to be friends with me because my clothes weren't cool enough). (I wish I was making that up. If it wasn't true - it would make for a funny joke).

And as a result, a miracle happened. A group of us came together just when each of us needed it. We bonded, we laughed, we cried. Then somehow that tight knit group of friends fell apart. We grew up. Some of us moved away, some starting playing mommy, some pursued their dreams, and some had falling outs. We lost touch. Life got in the way.

But really, there comes a time when you realize that all that "i'm not good enough or popular enough to be their friend" was probably all in our heads.

When the person who seems snotty isn't, when the person who makes wicked cool art will probably show you how, when the people with lots of friends really just need 1 good friend, or when the girl who writes wicked cool stories about her life just might want to have coffee with you too.

Exhibit #3
Run into someone from highschool who you thought you weren't good enough to be friends with. Actually say hi. Actually talk. Actually ask if they want to go for coffee sometime. Actually listen and be a genuine friend. If you never talk to them again, so be it. You can handle it when guys do this to you can't you?

Do me a favor and make my mistakes worthwhile - and start trying to stop shortchanging yourself

someday

2010-03-26T13:40:00.000-07:00

Someday, I'm going to create art like this.

Somehow, someday, I will get there. Even though I haven't ever really painted with anything other than crayola watercolours.

...and that was last week [i hear you laughing! shhhhh]

Prospective partners in crime - get in touch with me.

Thirsty Thursday's | More Photo Collage Inspo

2010-03-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

You have them.

I know you do.

Stacks and stacks of photos just waiting to be seen, framed and shown off, but instead they sit idle and collecting dust in photo boxes and albums.

There comes a point where every photographer (from the Polaroid totin' tween to the professional with bags of expensive equipment) that we start to wonder about the quality of our pictures vs. the quantity. Ok, maybe not the tween since usually during those years its all about capturing as many pictures as humanly possible in an attempt to freeze those moments for ever.

But as we get older, I think we naturally start thinking about the accumulation of stuff that seems to collect without our homes and our hearts. And sometimes, it's better to have 100 really good, soul baring pictures, rather than 1000 posed-for-in-front-of-disneyland/rose bushes/nice car style photos.

But once we start learning how to take those photos - then what do we do with them? Should we really just tuck them away with the other 40 grade 3 reading ceremony pictures? (not taking anything away from grade 3 reading ceremony pictures).

I'm thinking not.

Which is why I'm creating this post. To give you a little inspiration to dust off those old/new/even undeveloped pictures and pick out your favorite ones. No, they don't have to be cheery, and now they don't all have to be from the same christmas party/family reunion/wedding. Pick the ones that speak to your soul. That make you feel proud to say that you took that picture, that you captured that moment.

They don't even have to be of people that you know, or even people at all.

Sometimes we forget that photography isn't all about memories. Sometimes it's just about capturing a feeling.

So I'm sharing some inspiration that I've found recently, to help us all get those dusty pictures out of their nooks, and up! Up on walls, up on shelves, up on counter-tops. Heck, even up on the floors.

Framed.

Propped.

Lined

So those pictures are finally able to do what they were meant to do when the were taken - inspire us.

In whatever journey we are on.

To inspire us to be happy.

more creative.

giddy.

self-caring.

loving.

or to be still

So go on, be creative with your pictures. Even if you aren't creative by nature. Heck, even just copy what's done here. Your friends and family won't even know it was copied. They just might think you pulled that originality out of your butt.

But at the end of the day - you will have displayed your photos. Your artwork. And things that make you happy.

Now doesn't that just make you excited all on its own?

Pictures Source

mindfulist | your life considered

2010-03-22T22:36:00.000-07:00

So far, during my media hiatus (social and/or otherwise) I have significantly cut down on the types of places I have been spending time, when I am making use of the internet.

I am slowing admitting to myself that I may, in fact, have an addiction to knowledge.

And not the simple little harmless kind of addiction. I'm talking can't-wait-to-finish-this-article-so-i-can-find-another-article- just-like-it-and-maybe-find-another-link-to-another-article-for-me-to-read
kind.

So basically, of the time I am spending to read the initial article at hand, I have basically considered all the other articles that I could be reading/might be lead to OR could be lead to by following those handy dandy hyperlinks scattered all over whichever article I am reading.

It was at that point, ladies and gentleman, that I started to abuse the "open in a new tab" option. Before I knew it, I have more tabs open then I can fit along the top of my screen and I'm speed reading trying to absorb all the information in each one before moving on to the next.

Banning the "new tab" option is something that I have eliminated during this social media cleanse challenge.

If you recall, my word/saying for 2010 is

Be Still

and I am constantly learning new ways to apply this to my everyday life
I am learning lessons, I am learning what it means.
But most importantly, I am beginning to learn that others feel the same

Regardless, two of the very frequent websites that I've continued browsing through are a) 43 folders and b) the mindful list (aka themindfulist.com). As a disclaimer, I seem to always spell website B wrong. I can never remember if it's the mindful list or themindfulist. Turns out, its alway the second (with only one L!).

Anyways, I won't mention too much about 43 folders, except that it is an incredible resource library of everything from improving your website, to how to manage your creative worktasks is a stressful work environment, to how to empty your email inbox so you can go back to living simi normally. Although the email portion is mostly geared towards people who receive upwards of 50 emails a day, there is still an incredible amount of information available for those of us interested in setting up procedures and things to make our lives easier if, no wait, when, we get bigger.

In regard to themindfulist, I have reset my homepage on my work computer to this address, and I have been heard to strongly recommend others to do the same. There's something about opening up your web browser, and the first thing you see is a prompt such as this:

Grace
How do you cultivate grace in your life? What can you do to show grace in one simple way today?

Because really, how can you continue on your day being completing and totally unsatisfied and miserable, when you have a reminder such as this greeting you every time you open your internet?

A few weeks ago they posed the question of breathing ability, and asked their readers to pay attention to where their breath is coming from.

I really do think that in this technology and stress and go-go-go mentality focused world, we all need a remind to check our breath. Like a 15 point inspection on a car before we take a trip, humans need their own 15 (or 20 or 25) point inspection everytime we get up, put our eyes on, and get ready for the new day.

The mindfulist gives us an opportunity to thing for a moment regarding what we doing, how we're doing it, and how we feel while we're doing it.

It's the new thing people - so spread the word.

There will be community gathering there. I can guarantee it.

taking a media break

2010-03-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

Hey guys and dolls

I've been taking a little bit of a social media hiatus lately... and it feels good good good.

After reading this post over at the Gypsy Girl's Guide, I've been contemplating the reasons why I write here, and why I use twitter, and why I am trying to connect people.

I've realized that the true main reason I started writing this blog, was in hopes to find and connect with other like minded people (as myself).

i must be doing something wrong

As the Gypsy Girl so honestly describes, somehow, somewhere along the way of connecting with others, we loose sight of what it's all about.

So I've been taking some time to think about how I spend my time online, what I'm thinking when I am online, and how it makes me feel. And sadly, the minute i stopped scouring the internet looking for people to connect with, the better i felt about myself.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I often reflect back on the blog that I used to write a few years ago, while I was still in college.

I think about what I wrote about, how I wrote it, extra things I did to express myself, and most importantly, how I felt while I was doing so.

And for some reason, I seemed to feel BETTER doing it years ago, than I do now. Don't get me wrong, I love my little blog with my modest number of followers, and it feels great to write for it. But something about the stats, the business concepts and the details I feel I should be implementing (design & layout ideas, post ideas, etc) is seeming to tharwt my usual imaginative self.

I actually feel like I am always trying to get back to the days that have passed. The days where I could sit myself in front of a computer screen with a warm cup of tea and just write. On any topic that seemed to being nagging at my heart on that particular day. To share insight and encouragement to those around me. To be silly, and creative, and quirky.

No matter what anyone else says, those were the days that my fingers flew, that my heart was attached to every character typed. It was my heart, exposed.

It probably wasn't a coincidence that in those days, I didn't read many other blogs. I only knew about those that my friends or co-workers had, and together we created our own kind of network from scratch.

Since starting my new, more "grown up" blog, I am consistently feeling a need to break into a network. Maybe if I comment enough I'll be accepted, maybe if I increase my traffic I'll be accepted, maybe if i could create artwork was as good as ______ I'd be accepted.

I've learned that the blog community is supposed to be just that, but finding your space can be much more difficult than one would think - especially in today's business related world, where you are only worth knowing if you are good enough/tweeted enough/or if your site is visited enough.

Truth be told, the more I read, the more successful people I was exposed to, the more I felt that I wasn't good enough. In a world where we need money in order to pursue our passions, i became easily influenced by those running craft/art/photography blogs, and using them to generate income by accepting sponsors.

I then began spending too much time considering my online image, considering how to become an opportunist, wondering how i could possibly become more of a possibilitarian, or how i could make my blog a "viable platform" for whatever business idea i may be cooking up to launch in the near-or-far future.

so I'm taking some time to think

I'm taking some time to get back on the right track, and not allow myself to become discouraged by the greatness of others - because it seems that is all i am seeing this days (which doesn't bode well for anybodies well-being, especially my own).

So adieu for now, but not forever

[and on a totally unrelated note.... GO CRYSTAL BOWERSOX :) ]

Thirsty Thursday | Quenching a Thirst for Art

2010-03-11T09:35:00.000-08:00

In 2006 I fell in love.

Figuratively speaking, of course.

With an artist by the name of Kurt Halsey.

Thanks to my completely random, picked on the internet, thank-god-she's-not-crazy roommate, I was introduced to this incredible artist and the many many prints/paintings/sketchings that he has completed, published, and sold since my first introduction.

If it hadn't been for Chelsea, I probably would have never heard of him, and would never have been so emotionally moved by cartoon like drawings. And for that (and don't worry Chels, for other things as well!) I am grateful I met her.

What do these pieces of art look like, you ask? I will show you.

It could be my meloncholy nature, or the place I was in [in my life] when i first discovered them - but for some reason, I found myself in a lot of them.

The words he choses to adorn certain drawings, the use of whimsical lines that somehow capture the feeling of the picture, his ability to display an entire emotion without even showing his subjects face - makes us remember the way things were, the way things are, the way things were supposed to be, or the way things will be.

Another thing that I really like about these pieces is that each and every one seems to mean something a little bit different. They make you feel a little bit different than the previous.

they seem to pull out memories that we've somehow forgotten about and stored so far back in our minds that it surprises us when we find ourselves reminiscing.

Some messages are hidden, some of obvious, a few are even blunt [not shown here].

My ultimate goal is to one day own this beautiful piece (and if i'm going to pine for something materialistic - let this be it).
My next tattoo is actually going to be one of his works, but that's a completely different post all on its own.

one love

P.S. a week or so ago, I started the no complaint challenge, as created by Kayla [friend, not sister]. I'm happy to report that I have been doing surprisingly well. I've been catching myself starting to complain, but then force myself to change the direction of the statement/sentence/whiny question into something that could not possibly be taken as a complaint. Kind of like quickly searching for the silver lining to all things not-so-good.
and it feels great.
Is anyone completing it along with us? How are you guys getting by?

Solo Saturday Adventure | Cake Delivery, Buntzen Lake & Fort Langley

2010-03-10T11:52:00.000-08:00

In an effort to create more continuity in our lives, Mr. Extraordinary has decided to change from his rotating shift work (days, afternoons, graveyard shifts changing every 2 weeks), to straight graveyards.

Now, I understand what you may be thinking. How could going on straight graveyards be better then getting to work a combination of days, afternoons, and graveyards?

I'll tell you.

Change shifts every two weeks has actually been proven to shorten life spans.

I'm sure you've all heard of that handy thing we have called a biological clock. It ticks. It keeps our rythems and our routines. It knows our bedtime, and our dinner time, and gym time (if you are disciplined enough to have one).

And it takes approximately 10 days to set, making rotating shifts of this nature a horrible horrible idea for anyone.

That being said, for the past two weeks of this new working arrangement, I have gone on Solo Saturday adventures. My adventure usually begins around 8am Saturday mornings, when Mr. Extraordinary arrives home from work. We chat, we eat breakfast, and we catch up.

Then I'm off for a solo adventure.
(which i really enjoy, by the way. It reminds me of my more carefree days)

This past Saturday, i delivered a custom carrot cake, antiqued (in search of picture frames mentioned here), visited Buntzen Lake/Park in Coquitlam (a true hidden gem!), and explored downtown Fort Langley (where additional antiquing took place).

It was a beautiful day to throw out my mat in front of still (and beautiful) lake water, and watch the ducks float along on the shore.

I can hardly believe it snowed only (2) days after these photos were taken.

Just plain mind-boggling.

Unfortunately, I did not uncover any gently warn vintage picture frames, but I am not disappointed. In fact, I am thankful that the universe has provided me with the continued task of discovering and visiting new antique shops I have never been to, in search of the treasure I am looking for. If things continue the way they have been, I will be mighty sad when i do locate the picture frames, as my quest will be over.

In the meantime however, I have been having a blast checking out all the old/resalvaged/refinished vintage furnature and decorating accents that I've been exposing myself to.

mmmm yummy!

If you haven't been down to Fort Langley in a while - it really is worth a visit. Although parking is a pain the beeeehind, it really makes for a wonderful little saturday. Make sure to visit Wendel's while you are there, near the end. They have amazing lunches in a coffee shop atmosphere, connected to a book store. Heaven!