Mar24

EXTENDED VACATIONS in the SUNSHINE- Instalment #2

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EXTENDED VACATIONS in the SUNSHINE- Instalment #2

PACKING FOR TWO MONTHS IN A RENTAL CONDO

What was it like to pack for a two month car trip down to the Phoenix desert? Well, considering one needed to take one’s office – computers X2, printer, iPads and tablets, cameras, phones, besides all the anticipated clothing and shoes for the different climates- it was a most daunting task!

Reflecting back to what was packed and what should have been left at home is an interesting exercise. Yes, we used and needed every technology gadget packed. No, neither of us required multiple pairs of shoes, hikers, and boots (especially since, we still bought Sketchers, Sperry Shoes, and Nordstrom Rack deals). Clothing items could have been cut down to one single … Read the rest

Mar24

EXTENDED VACATIONS in the SUNSHINE- Instalment #1

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EXTENDED VACATIONS in the SUNSHINE- Instalment #1

AN EXPERIMENT

Husband Ryan and I embarked on a desert vacation that provided us an extended time away with six weeks in the sunshine. Normally one hears of this happening once the couples have completely retired. This wasn’t exactly our position, as one of us is still gainfully employed and the other (that would be me) is continuing to pursue her second career in writing. This was our experiment, to see what it might look like if we were to consider this option as we progress towards our senior years. (Don’t say it; you think we’re already there, don’t you?)

Winery Tour in Napa M&R

I’m curious about how you became SNOW BIRDS. Did you spend some or all of the winter months … Read the rest

Mar3

CHRONICLES OF DESERT HIKES

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CHRONICLES OF DESERT HIKES

CHRONICLE #1

Hiking the Phoenix desert mountain peaks is a fascinating study in human behavior. One’s approach and compulsion can differ drastically from person-to-person- let alone from couple-to-couple.

Take my husband and I, for example. Upon arriving in the desert, we were automatically at different fitness levels. I had been power walking the rocky hills of Nanoose Bay daily for a few months prior to our arrival. He, who still works from home in front of a computer, had gone on the occasional stroll…

I am primed to get up at whatever hour it takes to get a hike in (surely 7:30 is a reasonable time to rise when one is on holiday), while he must be up before … Read the rest

Feb11

“Poo Brew”- REALLY!

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“Poo Brew”- REALLY!

Road trips are excellent humor fodder for amusing the weary travelers. The “POO” dialogue recently heard on a California radio station was hands down the most memorable. Apparently, American companies are producing a beer made with recycled sewage water (yes, you get the picture)! And, even more incredulous, this beverage is becoming a winner! Imagine! Actual companies using recycled sewage water to create new beverages for human consumption.  Check it out, Wiegert Brewing has a U Tube video showing a patron trying their carbonated POO BREW. It is touted as a “POO BREW chocolate vanilla gourmet soda.”  I know what you’re thinking. When you flush that POO down the toilet, that’s the last time you want to encounter … Read the rest

Jan20

Fresh, Energized and Rejuvenated

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Fresh, Energized and Rejuvenated

Lao Tzu copy

According to Global TV’s Newscast yesterday, January 19th is recognized as the most depressing day of the year. As you can tell from the title of my post, my personal experience of that date was anything but depressing!  What factors contributed to my feelings of well-being?  What made yesterday a day that was fresh, energized, and left one feeling rejuvenated? From my perspective:

1. Exercise- Start the day off early with a brisk walk with friends in a gorgeous part of Vancouver Island (ocean, golf course, rocks and trees, trails). It helps when the sun is shining, like it was yesterday!

-Attend a Yoga Class at the end of the day to wind down and get some wonderful stretches in.… Read the rest

Jan6

UMBRELLA RESOLUTION

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UMBRELLA RESOLUTION

I’m not sure about you, but I’m not always ready by New Year’s Eve, to articulate my resolutions for the upcoming year ahead. I’m learning, as I move forward through the years (such a poetic way of saying aging), that everything in life comes down to RELATIONSHIPS. I used to get annoyed in my profession when the buzzword relationship-building became over-worked. I wanted to shout out at times that if everyone just did their job to the best of their ability in a principled way, relationships would never be an issue.

Now that I’m retired and have had the luxury of time to contemplate and appreciate the wisdom of valuing, maintaining, and further developing deeper relationships with others; I … Read the rest

Dec8

SCHOLASTIC SURVEY: WHAT TWEENS WANT IN BOOKS

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SCHOLASTIC SURVEY: WHAT TWEENS WANT IN BOOKS

It’s that shopping time of year when you’re looking for some fun, engaging reads for your TWEEN-aged (9-12 year old) kids or grand kids to enjoy over the holiday season. SCHOLASTIC has a report coming out in the new year, but they released a chart recently that summarized their findings.  This is what kids aged 6-17 said they want from the books they read:

1.  MAKE ME LAUGH      (70%)

2. LET ME USE MY IMAGINATION        (54%)

3. TELL ME A MADE-UP STORY        (48%)

4.  HAVE CHARACTERS I WISH I COULD BE LIKE BECAUSE THEY’RE SMART, STRONG, OR BRAVE        (43%)

5.  TEACH ME SOMETHING NEW          (43%)

6.  HAVE A MYSTERY OR PROBLEM SOLVE          (41%)

Kids (9-11) want books that have a … Read the rest

Oct23

“WE DAY” INSPIRATION

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“WE DAY” INSPIRATION

Yesterday, October 22nd, WE DAY was celebrated at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. Youth from all over the province earned the right to attend and celebrate their actions towards changing the world.

It caused me to pause and reminisce to five years ago, as a principal accompanying some of West Bay’s Grade 6& 7 leaders to the first WE DAY in Vancouver. It was a powerful experience to hear from world leaders and ethical change agents immersed in making a difference in their communities and the world. Marc and Craig Kielburger (the co-founders of Free The Children) compelled the audience to become engaged activists with an awareness of global issues and the compassion to build a better world. The WE DAY… Read the rest

Oct21

Tidewater Book Festival for Independent Authors

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Tidewater Book Festival for Independent Authors

Last November, Vivalogue hosted its first Independent Book Festival in Richmond, British Columbia. It brought independent authors together to promote and sell their books, and provided excellent feedback from sessions with editors on their books. As well,  workshops provided  authors more information regarding the self publishing industry. Please watch the You Tube video from last year’s festival to see for yourself what the two day festival accomplished.

Raindance Book Festival 2013

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMRdP4Dk5nA&feature=youtu.be]

 

2013-11-09 4 RainDance

 

2013-11-09 3 RainDance

On Saturday, Nov.1 and Sunday, Nov.2, 2014 you are invited to participate in the Tidewater Book Festival for Independent Authors in Nanaimo, British Columbia. It promises to be an outstanding two day experience for self published authors, as well as for the public.  The authors will … Read the rest

Oct13

AN ATYPICAL THANKSGIVING

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AN ATYPICAL THANKSGIVING

I don’t know how your family celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving, but I’m almost certain it didn’t resemble the one I experienced this year.

Most of us conjure up a vision of an elegant, cozy, homey dinner of stuffed turkey and homemade pumpkin pie. The table set with autumn decor, a crackling fire adding ambience to the delicious, mingling aromas.

Of course nobody considers the harried cook in the over-heated kitchen frantically mashing potatoes, carving turkey, stirring gravy, and trying to have all the feast fixings laid out on the dining room table before it cools and congeals. Thanksgiving dinner pressure – that’s the real picture.

Well, wipe that image from your mind and conjure up, instead, a family of three couples: … Read the rest