Haitian Hiatus

With a little under two days left to enjoy beautiful Vancouver, BC, until I leave for Haiti and my first international teaching posting, I find myself unable to sleep. Not surprising as I still have the majority of my packing to do and I'm trying (increasingly desperately) to find my to-do list. I've said most of my good-byes...twice...and wish that it wasn't considered rude to just up and leave. I like to pretend that I'm not leaving and that we'll run into each in the grocery store, on the seawall, or on the Grind! For the purposes of this post, I'm going to make an effort to shake off this mood and describe how excited I am to be embarking on this latest adventure. My friend Ashley and I will be living in Petionville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

At the Union School, I will be teaching grades 6, 7, 8 English, and am looking forward to reigning supreme over my own classroom. Obviously, we've considered the dangers and the culture shock, and have decided to take up the challenge anyway. For the first time ever, linen dominates the fabric of my wardrobe. I am taking as little as possible, and have spent more time considering how i'll manage the heat than how I'll navigate the curriculum. I am thrilled to be moving to a country where voodoo (not the stereotypical definition North Americans think of) is the main religion, where seafood can be found in abundance, and where French is the first official language. As always when I travel I am going with very few preconceived expectations. I can't wait to arrive and soak it all up!

More posts to come. Departure date is Saturday, August 12th.

Laws of Modern Man

Just a few tidbits from a blog I encountered through A. These are written/contributed by Erik Angstrom owner of lawsofmodernman.

My question is what happens when you're still doing this when you're 25, 35, 45, 55 65...

I'd rather ask "what now?" than "what if?" any day. 

Hello, Haiti. 

There may be hope after all. 

Words to live by...if I only I could convince myself to do so...

Just like Brittany says: "I'm a slave to you..."

---

Just be. 

Weekend Warriors

Friday: On the occasion of a long weekend granted by a PA day, A. and I went adventuring. We loaded up our backpacks, jumped on our bikes, and boarded the tiny ferry to Wolfe Island. From the moment we left the house (with minutes to spare before missing the ferry), the day promised to be spectacular.

Saturday: Yoga, Farmer's Market, "Soapchoke" Fiasco.

Sunday: Yoga in the Park, Gardening Fools, Slam Poetry Judges!

MWM Graphics

I was stumbling when I should have been working but I came across this graphic design gem and got really excited. I took a bunch of screen captures (which in the biz is probably really frowned upon) and fell in love with the rad colours. Check it out at the source: http://mwmgraphics.com/ . Matt W. Moore, I am thoroughly enjoying your talent.

On a side note, during my trip to India last summer, I came across quite a few Mandalas. We also visited a Buddhist temple where we observed monks creating a Mandala. 4 men were working on it at the time and must have spent countless hours, cross-legged on the cement floor, syphoning coloured sand on to their design. The care and meticulousness that goes into these works of art is incredible. In layman's terms, Mandalas are used for a variety of different things, in Hinduism and Buddhism. In Buddhism, they offer a sacred space for, or aid in, meditation. Depending on the design, they can represent a vast number of things, but generally evoke some balance between the states of enlightenment and confusion.

I think that MWM's adaptations (he calls them Mandalas) are also beautiful, in a very different way. I think i'll read his blog to explore his inspiration/intention with these! 

As amazed as I am by MWM's work, I am blown away by a pair of hand-knitted, Peruvian socks. My friend W. just brought them back for me from her 3-week trip to Cuzco, Machu Pichu, and the Sacred Valley. I'm a sucker for a gorgeous pair of wool socks any day, but the craftsmanship of these (and again the rad colours) are incredible. Thanks W., it's so great to have you back! 

I know this seems like a very random post, but i'm all about making connections these days. The theme here is the expression of creativity, cool designs, and the product that emerges from the love of one's work. Cudos to you, if you've found what it is that you love to do. 

Inspiration, Goal-Setting, Motivation, Success…(not necessarily in that order)

Since my last post was about inspiration, you can probably tell I'm struggling to find some. Like that word that dances, elusive, on the tip of your tongue, inspiration (or the lack there of) has been taunting me for days. I'm sure if I looked back at some very old posts, I'd probably find one about goal-setting as well. Neither of these are new concepts to me, however my motivation seems to ebb and flow like the tides of the Bay of Fundy...in serious extremes.

Since my friend A. moved in at the beginning of May, both my inspiration and my motivation have been on the up-swing. Because our interests are so complimentary, we seem to feed off each other’s energy. It also helps to have somebody around to keep you accountable to your goals. Here are some of my current goals:

-Hit my yoga mat 3x/week

-Run 3x/week

-Use re-usable containers (hence my new obsession with glass jars)

-Cook more (has the nice side beny of resulting in eating out less)

-Eat local, eat well (i'm in love with the Kingston Farmer's Market)

-Find a full-time teaching-related job for Sept. 2012 (the scariest, and thus far the least successful)

I could bore you with the details but suffice it to say that, this month, I’ve spent far more time in the kitchen, playing around with recipes and vegetables I’d never ever heard of, than anywhere else. I bought a used blender on Kijiji and have made a smoothie every morning at 6:50, much to my housemates’ dismay. I’ve also delved into the realm of homemade hummus and it now dominates my diet, without straining my wallet. I’ve discovered food blog after food blog of fantastic gluten- and dairy-free meals and am (so far) embracing radical culinary change. One of my favorites is Oh She Glows, and without any further acclamation, I’ll let you discover it on your own.

As I mentioned earlier, inspiration can be a fickle thing…and maybe we appreciate it that much more, as a result. My intention is to remain open to the things that inspire me and to sideline anything that doesn’t.

image © ben heine

Because inspiration should come from the most unlikely sources. 

Because having a hand in progress should be just this easy. 

Because everyone, everywhere, misses someone they love. 

Because sometimes it's hard to recognize where we are, and where we're meant to be going. 

Because knowledge is power and should be accessible to everyone. 

Because my dream is to cross all those bridges with you. 

A Little AM Inspiration

Do not stand at my grave and weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft star-shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.

-Mary Elizabeth Frye, 1932

Inspired by spoken-word poet Sarah Kay.





My list of 10 things I know to be true:

I know that I am loved

I know that there is good in the world

I know that beauty exists in the simplest things

I know that I am capable

I know that curiosity is healthy and the only way to get answers is to ask questions

I know that the sky is big and blue and holds untold mysteries

I know that a rainy day is as valuable as a sunny day

I know that right now all sorts of doors are locked but the keys are out there somewhere

I know that I will do great things

I know that being active makes me happy

Excellent poetry-writing springboard in a high school writing workshop! 

Fav New Blog Discovery: The Londoner

www.thelondoner.me

Blogging in Beijing!

My first week in Beijing is almost up and I continue to be blown away by both the people I work with and the city itself. I have the luxury of living with dad during my stay, and I am reaping the benefits of his wonderful driver and a continental breakfast where I get both my morning coffee and my midday snacks (yumm...croissants)!

The locals are so friendly that it's difficult to feel shy or awkward. Zhang is so proud of his city that as he drives me around, he inquires as to what's on my list of sights to see and either adjusts or adds to it as he sees fit. The apartment my father lives in is very westernized and so are the stores surrounding it. There is a grocery store that stocks all sorts of recognizable brands and products (including wine -although none Canadian). We even had salmon last night, which prompted a brief conversation about the origins of the food on our plates. It seemed like it might be better to not think about it too much...Thus far I have not had the opportunity to explore much of the local fare, although I did have noodles from a noodle house close to the school at which I work (YCIS).  I am very excited to explore a more authentic and diverse view of Beijing this weekend, with my Associate and her family.

I also can't wait to shop.

Kony 2012

Spent a lot of time thinking this through, showing it in class, and questioning it. Posting it for posterity sake and because I just can't let it go...