by May-Jun | Wed-Dec-2014 | Blog, May-Jun's Muse, Photo Blog
In 2014, I visited an islander friend who is from Kauai Hawaii. Living in Canada with 4 strong, different seasons where the colours of tall trees are always dark green and or fall colours of red and orange become the usual… Going to this tropical gem was like seeing colour for the first time. The Ocean blue is such an incredible colour, trees grow 200-300 feet or taller with giant blossoms of flowers in various colours wildly dangling down the vines. Roosters crow at all hours of day and night and wander the island like squirrels or another wild animal. The most incredible thing to me; was not just the abundance of nature, beauty and warmth but the people. These people are some of the most generous people I have ever met. Taking me in as family for the time I spent, I was called Auntie to the neighbors children respectfully. People openly speak the truth, and their opinions with no filters and welcome tourists and strangers to their island. Talking to shop keepers was like talking to long lost friends. I discovered my love for Thai food, previously I thought Thai food was just “OK”, but going to Kauai, made me just ADORE it. I went to Mema (808)823-0899, 4-369 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa, Hawaii. There are many types of fruit I had never seen in my life that grow on this island. When I first stepped of the plane, the lady who welcomes you said “Welcome Home!”. When I arrived I did feel like I was home. It is a strange feeling when you feel at home...
by May-Jun | Mon-Dec-2014 | Blog
What is Dream Love Grow? from Dream Love Grow on Vimeo. Mailyne co-founder of Dream Love Grow and I have known each other for several years. We both have the love for art, singing and skateboarding and giving back to our communities. Dream love grow has a free art and multimedia workshop for A.R.T in Action. scheduled for this February at the Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre in Ottawa. We have done several collaborations over the years including a singing/painting performance at the National Gallery of Canada, music collaboration when Mai was in the Philippines and also a music video. What’s special about Dream Love Grow? The thing that sets them apart is that they give back to the community very generously though different endeavours. They give back to local charities as well as international. They inspire me so much because anything goes. Play and following your heart seems to be an essential ingredient of their business, and also helping make the world a better place through the arts. Do you have enough to give back now? I’ve been listening to the inspirational self-help guru Tony Robbins in podcasts with Tim Ferris and I was totally blown away by Tony Robbins. I really wasn’t familiar with his work before this podcast. I was inspired by Tony’s life story about not having enough for Thanksgiving dinner and someone dropped by a huge box of food for him and the family. This transformed his life by realizing that people (strangers) do care. When he could make enough money to give back he started giving out food for those who needed it. ...
by May-Jun | Fri-Dec-2014 | Blog, Well Being
I’ve had my share of heartache, family deaths, moves, changes and uncertainties in my life. I’ve moved over 40 times and have settled into the Ottawa area for the past 20 years of my life. My close friends always remind me of how inspiring I am to them because “I get sh!@ done” and make incredible things happen… I am honoured they remind me of this regularly and that I have amazing friends. I thought it would be helpful to share with you what I’ve learned over the years that help me get through the hard times and enjoy the good times… When I feel stuck I do the following: Make time everyday to work out (even 15 minutes) Make time to journal (even 15 minutes) Look at how I can add more greens into my life (juicing, or something else) Do something for me, which serve no purpose except to bring my joy Make sure I’m eating exclusively nutritious foods, or learn about it so I can improve my diet. I remove the following from my life: People that are hurtful and non-supportive of my life and dreams; De-clutter my home, including clothes and things that no longer bring me joy; Clear my schedule so I have more time for myself; Then when I have a goal, I do my 15-minute miracle…. I don’t know who made it, or how it got to me… but it’s been a really great writing exercise for me to keep focused on what I want in my life and to listen to my heart. Then I take action. I write down all...
by May-Jun | Wed-Dec-2014 | Blog
People ask me, what made you interested in taking Ariel silks and Lyra? I was totally curious and wanted to try. As a child I was obsessed with gymnastics as a kid. To be honest the class I’m taking is one of the most challenging classes I’ve taken. I’m afraid of heights, and I’m not use to twists and things pulling my body in different directions. You also need a lot of upper body strength that I’m still working on building. I was attempting a flip with the silks and a classmate and I were stuck. We kept looking at the ceiling and falling back down when we were trying to get our legs hooked onto the silk above our head. Another classmate said to look behind instead of the ceiling. When my classmate tried it again, she actually flipped right around and held herself up by one leg with the silks. I asked her what she was thinking. She said “It’s fun to flip around in circles”. So when it was my turn, I thought “it’s fun to flip around in circles” and it actually worked! On my second try I flipped and had my leg hooked onto the silks for a pose. The life lesson: Always try a new thought or perspective when you are stuck. You may be looking at the wrong place and it won’t get you anywhere. If you think something is fun and you look in a new direction it may give you better results....
by May-Jun | Mon-Dec-2014 | Art, Artist Muse, Blog, Inspirational Mondays
Rumi is one of my favourite poets of all times. So I’m working on having a regular meditation practice. Have you had those days when all of a sudden you hear people on the streets talking about it, you see a poster for it, you hear a radio show about it, you see it in a tv show and all of a sudden what ever you are thinking about is everywhere? It’s been like that for me about meditation for the past few days. I was taught to meditate since I was around 3 years old, and I took it for granted that it is an important aspect and ritual of my life that helps calm and ground myself. I’m the type of person that gets so excited about life; I can easily be on the go all day and night. As I’m learning the fine art of balance (a life long endeavour), I keep coming back to my meditation and the need to do it regularly. I’ve tried everything from Kundalini breath work, om meditation, guided visualization, Buddhist mediations, breathing and emptying your thoughts, and I still haven’t committed to one that works best for me regularly. I’d love to hear what kind of relaxation, meditation etc.. you do, please share! Lately I’ve been excited about: • stevia, coco powder, mint hot chocolate; • juicing experiments with ginger, apple, celery etc..; • Two words: Whole Foods; • Kombucha filled with chia; • My best friend having twins (I’m a twin and it’s my first time being around twins); • Making art; • Experimenting with colours and vibrancy (I...
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