Into the Wild

Does anyone remember that song from the movie "Babes in Toyland" with a really young Drew Barrymore and Keanu Reeves? My s.o. and I are in Cincinnati. Here's a couple shots from our first day. This one is from a fountain in the main square downtown.

I'm a fan of the site regretsy. It makes me laugh. I'm also a sucker for cute/fun/unique plushies. Through my following of regretsy, as well as connecting with other etsy sellers who enjoy it, I purchased Dingleberry the Third from an awesome seller: absolutely small!! And he arrived today. Here he is in all his post travel glory. (Hmm, blogspot isn't accepting my pics for some reason, so here's his original shot from absolutely small's amazing shop).

I recently won a giveaway on Little Gray Pixel's blog! My first blog giveaway win. It's soo much fun. And it arrived in the mail today! Here are the pics:

It’s uncanny how when I am soon to depart a place (I move from Edmonton to the Northwest Territories in just under a month), I discover things about that place that leave me in awe. Perhaps it’s because when we know we’re leaving we become more nostalgic, more open to seeing what we may never get the chance to see again. Thing is, these things have been around us the whole time…and for me, I allow myself to get too bogged down in the day-to-day that I don’t see them. But this weekend I SAW the new Art Gallery of Alberta:

Karsh, Estrellita Karsh, 1963. (MFA via Time.com)

An exhibit of sound by Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller. "Consisting of 98 speakers, The Murder of Crows is a complex interweaving of voice, music and sound that generates a profound physical impact on the listener." A complete mental, physical and emotional experience, this artistic piece stayed with me long after I left the gallery.

http://www.cardiffmiller.com/about.html

I encourage you all to see "your place" with fresh eyes. Be open to the treasures that are right next door.

A treasure hunting trip to Edmonton's Junque Cellar always makes me happy. Full of curios, antiques and retro fun, it's the perfect way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon. And since I'm always on the lookout for funky feminine finds for my etsy shop, I picked up these gems. Enjoy!

Yesterday I received an etsy purchase in the mail. All the way from Finland, these amazing leopard sleeves by vaisto. And I absolutely adore them. I'm wearing them today and have already gotten comments, "What are you wearing?!?" and I love it. It's the simple things in life, the added touches of fun and funk that I adore, and my new sleeves are just such a gem. So treat yourself to something fun and funky this weekend! You won't regret it.

Maurice: Maybe I'll treat myself to a big pile of mud to dig a hole in...

If mud makes you happy, treat yourself to mud!

Wow. It's official. My next life adventure will be in Fort Good Hope, Northwest Territories, Canada. Who woulda thunk it?? I started out looking for a TEFL job across the ocean...in hot climates...like Guatemala! And now, I'm headed to the Arctic Circle! Well, like I said once before, one never knows where doors will open. Or, as my Grandpa used to say, "If you throw enough shit against the wall, eventually some of it will stick." And mine stuck on the NWT! lol. I'll be working with Frontiers Foundation on a recreation program. And again I say, wow!

I'll be blogging all the way there and back, so keep in touch for my Northern adventures.

Maurice: It appears that this is becoming a regular Wednesday feature...

1. The Northwest Territories, Canada. Since this may very well be where I'm headed for my next adventure, I'm reading everything I can on the subject!!


2. Bon Iver/Justin Vernon. If you have not heard his music, find it now and listen! My significant other and I are headed to see Justin in Cincinnati at the end of March. I fear my s.o. may just pee his pants with excitement.



3. PassiveAgressiveNotes. Almost as funny as regretsy.com...almost. Check it out for a giggle or two when you're feeling crappy.




4. South Park Season 13. My friend recently sent this to me (thank you Wynne!) and it's so perfect for those 'turn off your brain and veg' times that I love! And c'mon, it's South Park!



5. Blogs, blogging, my blog, your blog, finding new blogs. I guess you could say I'm into the whole blogging thing.

Here's a slightly odd yet unique photo, for all you slightly odd and unique followers...who I love!! I took this at a puppet museum in Salzburg, Austria.

Today I've been working on the final edits for my first "real" published magazine piece for avenue magazine. And it's pretty darn exciting since I've always wanted to write for magazines (BUST magazine is the dream!) I've been published before, but usually it was tied to my job or a first-person opinion piece. This is my first official article. It's about parkour in Edmonton. Here are a couple shots I took so you can get the idea of what parkour actually is.

Well, it's looking more and more likely that I'll be heading to the Northwest Territories for my next adventure! Hard to believe!! This morning I had an amazing chat with Anouk - a gal from Belgium who is already up there working. She told me all about the community and what I'd be doing (working on a recreation program). Nothing is set in stone yet however (of course). But I cannot wait till things are confirmed.

This weekend I also helped my sister pick out her wedding outfit! What she's wearing is a huge secret, so I can't even post what kind of outfit it is. And in spite of the fact that I really cannot stand the whole "wedding fuss/traditions/etiquette" insanity, it was a real thrill to be there for her big choice.

Maurice: "The truth about stories is that that's all we are."

I was never very good at telling stories, but I always wanted to be. My latest read is "The Truth about Stories" by Thomas King. A wonderful little book that illustrates how stories are the key to, and only hope for, human understanding.

And I didn't even know it!! Wow. My shop was featured. It was actually featured on Etsy's front page. I'm so stunned I don't even know what to say! Putting it in my sidebar for all to see. :) And here's a screen capture:


And in other totally selfish news. Here's a sneak peek at a photoshoot I just did. I'm pretty excited cuz I've always wanted to do something like this.
So there's my encouragement to you on this fabulous Friday - pick something you've always wanted to do and do it!! It doesn't have to be big. It can be one of those small, silly things (like a sexy photoshoot!). But you're worth it so do it!

Well, if you've been following my blog you know that I've been looking for a TEFL job. I taught English in Poland for a year from 2007-2008, loved it, and am now looking to head out into the world again!! I always thought I would be crossing an ocean (I had interviews for schools in Micronesia, Guatemala and Russia). But now an opportunity has come up - waaaaay up - in the North of Canada. I may have the chance to go and work with the community of Fort Providence or Fort Good Hope, NWT, assisting in their school. Wow!! It would be such a challenging experience...but one that I'm getting more and more excited about the more I think about it.

Maurice: Do you believe in synchronicity? (that odd experience where two or more events that are apparently unrelated occur together in a meaningful manner.)

I'd have to say yes, because the day I heard back from the organization I may be working with up there, was the same day I picked up my latest read: "Where the Pavement Ends. Canada's Aboriginal Recovery Movement and the Urgent Need for Reconciliation" The needs of Canada's First Nations are so numerous and seem so huge. Would I really be able to help in some small way? Am I really headed to the Northwest Territories??
Only time will tell.

I obsess. These obsessions come and go, but when I'm into something I'm REALLY into it.
Here are 5 current ones:

1. Making art with vintage paper. It's like I'm a kid again, only now I can cut and paste much better.








2. Books about "Africa". I don't really like using the generalization "Africa" to describe such a vast and diverse continent. Nevertheless, the Congo, Libya and Nigeria are 3 countries I've read about recently.


3. Lady Gaga. Yes, I admit it. She's just so outrageous I can't not look! And "Bad Romance" is a fun song to dance to ok?! (why do I feel so ashamed??)









4. "Bones" the TV show starring Emily Deschanel, David Boreanaz, and (my fave) Michaela Conlin. I won't try to describe it here...watch it yourself!










5. And, well, looking for the next TEFL job I guess. Sending my stuff out into the world and prayin that the right door will open. (p.s. I got this image from www.etsy.com/pixelwildchild it matched so well how I'm feeling about the job hunt today. Visit her shop the stuff is gorgeous!)