Things that make me smile...

Sunshine
Children laughing
Sparkling water
Music
Yellow handbag
Fresh manicure
Family
Art
Wine
Being at the airport
Ice-cream
Clean house
Pho Hung
Eiffel Tower
Beach
Dancing
Cherry blossom trees
Elephants
Sailboats
Running
Hamburgers
Shopping
Thunderstorms
Fresh flowers
And the list goes on..

A little piece of heaven..

Absolutely love where I live right now.

Pink sky, gentle breeze, sailboats floating on calm waters, man playing windpipes in the background... sigh.

Wish you were here.

Nothingness

Okay, so it's been a while since my last post. Not necessarily because I haven't had anything to share or say, mainly because life has been so busy..

So here's a thought that I have to share with you about nothingness.

I believe that I've mastered the art of nothingness. I appreciate it, I value it, I crave it. When life is incredibly busy and there are a million thoughts racing through my mind every day, with tons of demands, expectations and obligations... nothingness is my peaceful place.

You should try it. It's a beautiful place to be.

Confessions of an OCD woman..

Okay, so here it is.  My confession. 

I'm completely and utterly OCD.  (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

When I clean, it never seems to be good enough.  I wipe and sweep and scrub over the same spot over and over again.  I love cleaning!

I rearrange items in my home constantly.  I will actually shift an item by an inch or so, just to have it placed perfectly.  And if someone moves the item ever so slightly, I'll know it.

The cushions on my sofa are always perfectly placed.  In fact, sometimes I won't get completely comfortable on my sofa because that will risk messing up the perfect placement of my cushions.

I can't stand to see a single strand of hair anywhere other then on someone's body.  On the floor, on a sink or counter top, on the sofa.. wherever it is, it drives me crazy.

Crumbs on the table or counter... eek!  Stickiness on the countertop or table... even worse!  Wipe, wipe, wipe...

Clothes are organized in my closet in a specific order at all times.  Skirts all together, dresses, work pants, jeans, workout pants, casual tops, office tops, sweaters, blazers... I kid you not, they are all organized in groups and are never out of order.

I could go on, but I won't.... because you might think I'm even more crazy than you do now.

Burnin'

My face is burning up. Is it the beer? Is it a sunburn from the long walk today? Is it the excitement of planning a May 2-4 trip to NYC? Is it exhaution? Who knows, but it's a tad uncomfortable. Here's hoping tomorrow will be a normal face day!

Conversations you don't forget...

"What is it, your defence-mechanism??"

"Yeah... maybe it is.."

A Story about Accountability...

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it.  Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job.  Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.

In the end, Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

The Case For Settling...

I've been reading a book called, "Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough."

The thing about it is, I know that everything I've read so far is true, but it's still such a difficult concept for me to accept... it feels like I'm going against myself! 

And I know I should.  (sigh) ...I suppose I do have high expectations...

Okay, if I had to make a short list of the non-compromising attributes I'm looking for.. here's what I'm thinking:

• Mature, but not old.
  
• Intelligent, but not a genius.


• Shares common values with me.


• Confident, but not arrogant.


• Funny, but knows when to be serious.


• Sensitive, but not a wimp.


• Healthy, but not a health nazi.


• Fit, but not an exercise nazi.


• Optimistic, but not naive.


• Ambitious, but not a workoholic.


• Well-educated, but not still in school.


• Well-travelled.


• Sexy.


• Stylish.


• Sophisticated, but not pretentious.


• Decisive, but not bossy or controlling.


• Can laugh at himself.


• Well-read, but not into sci-fi or comic books.


• Financially stable.


• Warm, but not clingy.


• oh boy.. this list is getting long...

(eye roll)  I've obviously got a long way to go in learning compromise.  I'll check in on this subject again, after I finish reading the book..

In the meantime, you can read along with me.. check out the link below!
The Atlantic - Marry Him

Stay tuned!

On Shoes..

What is it about shoes that makes a girl feel elated and happy?

***

Shoes can be powerful.  With a pair of sexy heels on, you can immediately gain confidence.

Shoes can be comforting.  With a pair of cute flats on, you can feel relaxed and at ease.

Shoes can be motivating. With the right pair of runners on, you can have energy to run a race.

So you see, shoes are not just about style, they are also about self-identity. 

A very worthy investment if you ask me.

Reflections from 3210 metres - Poon Hill

Recap of my journey to Poon Hill, Annapurna Region, Himalaya mountains, Nepal:

• Wake up at 4:30am to begin the 1 1/2 hour trek to Poon Hill, to arrive in time for sunrise.
• Was sick the night before... most likely something I ate or drank yesterday.
• Feeling nauseous and weak, but must get to Poon Hill - this is supposed to be the highlight of the trek!
• It's cold and pitch black outside as we begin the 500 metre climb up the mountain.

• I struggle to find the energy to keep going.  
• As we get closer to the top, other trekkers start to appear.  We're all heading to the same place.  Quietly we all continue the ascent.

• The sun is starting to peek and light up the sky.
• Just before 6:30am, we arrive at Poon Hill.  Many trekkers exchange smiles and handshakes, congratulating each other for making it to the top.

 

1. I've overexerted my body now. I struggle to not get sick and instead focus on the incredible sunrise that is happening before my eyes.
2. Suddenly, all the trekkers grow silent as the incredible show begins.
3. The sun lights up the mountains, illuminating the sky and that's when I thought...


4. Compared to nature, I feel so insignificant and tiny right now. 
5. I am nothing but a single being on this planet. 
6. Where am I and how did I get here again?
7. This is incredible.  I'm 10,000 feet in this sky.
8. I'm forgetting how sick I feel.
9. I am so incredibly lucky to be able to experience this.
10. The awe and wonder I'm feeling is overwhelming.
11. Do I actually feel tears coming on??
12. Wow... this is unbelievable.
 

So What?!

I often find myself feeling guilty or embarrassed about things that I shouldn't care about, such as:

1. I had a bowl of ice-cream for breakfast - so what?!
2. I haven't been to the gym in over a month - so what?!
3. I didn't make my bed all week - so what?!
4. I sometimes feel lonely - so what?!
5. I went out for drinks 4 days straight this week - so what?!
6. I couldn't be bothered to get dressed up or put make-up on this weekend - so what?!
7. I haven't shaved my legs in almost a month - so what?!
8. I binged all week - so what?!
9. I'm staying home on a Saturday night - so what?!
10. I deliberately ignored incoming phone calls for days - so what?!

Sigh.  It feels good to let it all out.

Teachings from Dr. Kiri

Dr. Kiri is a very charasmatic and inspirational man. He is the founder of the SANASA movement, which is a microfinance bank in Sri Lanka.  It is very successful and ranks second in the world of microfinance banks. 

SANASA is a sustainable development bank, however, in order to expand and grow, it relies on support funding from countries around the world.

For those of you who aren't familiar with microfinance banks, they are essentially banks intended to serve the poor. They give micro loans to people without any credit or assets. Loans as little as $50. 

The beneficiaries of these loans use the money to start their own business, such as farming, blacksmithing, sewing, etc. The intention is to provide an opportunity for these people to become self-sustainable. And it works!


SANASA has also invested in an Education Centre to educate employees and loan beneficiaries on various subjects such as technology, agriculture, business and gender equality.  In 2010, a building was constructed on the campus grounds to be a designated Women's College. Dr. Kiri recognizes the importance of educating women on these issues.

I was recently in Sri Lanka and had the privilege of meeting some of the success stories. 

As Dr. Kiri says.  "I am not looking for charity or aid money. I am looking for seed money, which will be used to develop families and communities."

Today, SANASA has over 800,000 members, nearly 57% are women.


Studies have found that women are more likely to put earned income to good use than their husbands, because they have the best perspective on the needs of the family . When women are economically empowered, children are more likely to be educated and healthy, and more money is likely to be reinvested into the family enterprise.

***

There is a phenomenal book called, Half the Sky, which address gender issues and talks about the status of women around the world and how empowering women through microloans can make a difference.

http://www.halftheskymovement.org/

***

If you want to know more about microfinance around the world, or if you want to know how you can get involved, here are some websites to help:

http://www.kiva.org/lend

http://plancanada.ca/page.aspx?pid=3200

Dr. Kiri and me at a conference involving delegates from Canada, Europe and India, focused on discussing the future of SANASA and microfinance.

Somewhere in Alberta...

Brand Power

It never ceases to amaze me how much of a brand snob I am.  Examples of my brand obsession below:

1) I need new bed sheets. But not just any bed sheets.  They must be Ralph Lauren organic cotton sheets.

2) I want a new laptop, but not just any laptop.  It must be a Mac. I'm sure I don't need to explain why.

3) I rarely watch TV, but I must have a Sony Bravia TV.  That's the cool TV brand.

4) Need to buy paper towel. Store brand is on sale for cheap. But Bounty is more absorbent - and better.

5) Need a new toaster. There are so many options to choose from, but I think I'll stick with a Kitchen Aid one.

Damn you brilliant Marketers for brainwashing me! 

Our Anti-Social Society - Part 2

I live in a condominium building, so my daily routine consists of taking the elevator up and down as I'm coming and going.

I got in the elevator today, in the company of 3 other people.  

As usual, we all had our heads down and didn't so much as look at each other. 

On the way down, the elevator stopped at the 6th floor and in came a young woman with a big smile. 

She then did something completely erratic and strange... she said "GOOD MORNING!"

We all looked up, completely startled and awkwardly mumbled, "good morning" in return.

***

How embarrassing... I've become one of "them!"

When I first moved into the building 3 years ago, I was that young woman who said, "hello" and "good morning" to neighbours in the elevator.  Over time, I stopped that practice and have become remote, just like the rest of them.

How did we become so anti-social? 

So I issue a challenge to anyone who reads this blog post.  Tomorrow, try to utter a greeting to people you cross paths with.  And smile.  I believe these small steps will go a long way to making this world a more friendly - and less anti-social place.

Our Anti-Social Society - Part 1

What happened to all the normal teenagers???

I took the public transit yesterday.  I don't often because I live downtown, so I can usually walk anywhere I need to get.  However, yesterday I was travelling out of my sphere of comfortable walking distance and so I decided to take transit.

On the bus was a large group of students; I'd guess that they were about 14-16 years old. 

I approached them at the back of bus and was completely expecting loud commotion, laughing, trouble-making - or at the least some conversing to take place among the group. 

That's what we did when we were that age... we'd rule the bus and demand attention!

Not these kids.  They all had their heads down and were busy fiddling on their smartphones, iPhones, iPods, or some other form of electronic entertainment.

Seriously?  Since when do teenagers not cause ruckus on the bus?!?   This is craziness.

Journey of 3,000 steps

I would consider myself to be a reasonably fit person.  I've ran several half marathons, a 30-km race, practice yoga.. and just generally keep active.

I recently decided to do a Himalayan trek. 5 days in Nepal. Climbing to an altitude of approx 10,000 ft.  (no biggie)

NOT!

Day 2 of my trek was referred to as "the journey of 3,000 steps."

What I failed to realize prior to getting there was that the 3,000 steps are COMPLETELY VERTICAL.


Ladies: 

This is the ultimate ass-shaping, lifting and toning form of exercise you can do. 

So if you're bored with your workout routine and are looking for something new to spice-it-up, may I suggest a Himalayan trek... believe me, the Stairmaster has nothin' on it!

"Take Picture!"

I was walking in Kathmandu, minding my own business and focused intently on taking pictures of the many sights around me, when suddenly I heard several young voices behind me say, "take picture!"

I looked over my shoulder and saw young children looking at me with big smiles on their faces and motioning for me to take their picture.  So I did... and it's one of my favs.

I will never again complain about the Gardiner Expressway..

I think Ferrari should recruit their next driver from Sri Lanka.  Just sayin'... those dudes can drive!

I Miss My Western Toilet

Dear Far East Toilet,

Forgive me for being rude, but you're gross.  I hate that you're nothing but a hole in the ground and that the floor is always wet around you. I hate that I have to strategically squat over you to ensure that I don't miss and splash. I hate that I have to carry toilet paper with me everywhere I go because you most likely won't have a supply for me to use. Because of you, I now have a new sense of appreciation for my western toilet.

Sincerely,
The Travel Ladybug

Three Cups of Tea...

In Sri Lanka, it's three cups of tea.... EVERY HOUR!

Did you know that Sri Lanka produces 25% of the world's exported tea?

The main tea there is Ceylon tea and it's incredibly fresh and delicious.

My sentiments exactly.

"Zees Eez Art in Pa-reee"

...and other musings from a crazy French bartender who had this pic hanging on the wall in his bar.   Ba hahaha!

"Mademoiselle... No Fotos!"

I’m sorry Monsignor Security Guard at Le Grand Palais. 

I didn’t mean to pull out my iPhone for the third time to steal another pic of one of Monet’s paintings.

I can’t help myself. They mesmerize me and make me want to do things I normally wouldn’t do.

Like take pictures of paintings inside museums when I’m not supposed to.

SK

Have you ever seen Saskatchewan? 
If not, please see below for a snapshot of it.

Now you can tell people that you've seen Saskatchewan.

I Heart Dim Sum

I recently spent a day in Hong Kong.  On the top of my priority list of things to do was EAT DIM SUM!  So I enlisted the help of Giselle to figure out where's the best place to eat Dim Sum in HK.  Giselle emailed her friend Andrew, who lives in HK. 

What did Andrew say?   "The only place you need to know."  

And here it is people:   Maxim's Palace City Hall

It is incredibly good $hit.

Dear French Men

Please leave me alone.

Just because I'm a single female travelling from North America, it doesn't mean that I'm also desperate for a romantic rendez-vous in Paris.

Merci.

Ain't it Funny...

Ain't in funny how sometimes you randomly meet someone who says something that sticks with you?  Someone who seemingly doesn't contribute anything else to your life other than that one thing they said that got you thinking.

It's because of that person that I decided to start travelling solo.

Lost in Translation - Day One in Paris

In October, I decided to visit my friend Elise in Paris.  Prior to leaving for my tres chic Parisian holiday, friends and colleagues had told me how great and easy the Paris Metro system is. 

The plan was to arrive at Charles De Gaulle Airport and then take the Metro train into Paris and to Elise’s apartment. Elise lives in Montmatre, a charming and beautiful town located just 15 minutes outside of the centre of Paris.  Montmatre Reviews

I didn’t bother to brush up on my French language skills or study Paris maps because I'm sure I'll be able to wing it and get by – and I’m sure many people in Paris speak English, right?   Wrong! 

For those of you planning a solo trip to Paris, don’t make the same mistake.  It took me almost an hour to simply find the entrance to the Metro from the airport!  Then when I finally arrived at Chatalet station in the heart of Paris, I found myself overwhelmed and lost. 

Even with Elise’s written directions, I had no idea where I was going.  People were rushing through the train station and no one had any interest in stopping to give directions to a Canadian woman with poor French-speaking skills.

In hindsight, I can’t believe that I was arrogant enough to think that I would travel to a French-speaking country and that they would accommodate me!

Tip:  When travelling to a country that speaks another language than your own, try to learn some key words. Make an effort to speak the language as best as you can. The people you meet and speak with will definitely appreciate your efforts.

The good news is that it became easier to communicate with each day, as I immersed myself in the culture and with people. 

Oh, and I should mention that the Paris Metro system is in fact a great transit. In a short time, it can get you anywhere in Paris and surrounding areas.  It's easy to use, if you take the time to study and understand the transit map.  Bon voyage!   Paris Metro Map

An Epic Trip - 25 Hours in Bermuda

You gotta love those airline seat sales...  I get super excited when I see them because I immediately start to dream up my next getaway.  In this particular case, West Jet had the deal.  For 72 hours, tons of flights were on sale for $72!   West Jet Deals

My old roommate, Giselle, came home from work that day and told me about West Jet flight sale.

“Rach, you’ll never believe what stupid Brian Rutherford and his friend are doing. West Jet is selling flights for $72 and they booked a flight to Bermuda for one day on the weekend!”

My next response surprised Giselle even more.   “That’s a brilliant idea!”  Giselle thought about it for a minute and agreed that she had judged Brian too quickly.  Next thing you know, both of us are online booking our flights to Bermuda!

Bermuda is a very small island.  You can pretty much zip around it on a scooter in one day.  And that was our plan!  We rented a scooter and began our 25 hour adventure on the beautiful island.

Orleanders Cycle & Scooter Rentals

This trip was such a high.  Mainly because we had to squeeze as much fun as possible into 25 hours. There was no time to think – just go, do and see!

The point of this story is to share with you how amazing it is to experience a spontaneous and short getaway.  Even if the idea sounds outrageous, just do it! 

You can either spend the weekend running errands and hanging out at another restaurant or bar in your city, or you can spend the weekend zipping around an island and living every moment you have there to the fullest.  

I promise you that it will be an epic trip!

Firsts - Tofino

Tofino is definitely where I first caught the travel ladybug.  If you want to experience nature at its finest, this is the place. 
http://www.tofino-bc.com/

What made this trip so amazing is that it was what I like to call, my trip of firsts. 
First time I vacationed somewhere solo,
First time I stayed in a hostel instead of a hotel,
First time I tried surfing,
First time I just hung out with complete strangers.  


The amazing hostel I stayed at is called Whalers on the Point Guesthouse.  Trip Advisor - Whalers on the Point Guest House  This place does not resemble anything remotely associated with a hostel.  It’s incredibly clean, located on the waterfront and it’s filled with cool and friendly people from everywhere. And no creepos.

Why travelling solo is so great:

You can do exactly what you want, when you want, how you want. You don’t have to compromise because of a travel partner!  It feels incredibly liberating to be able to do this.

For those of you who are more comfortable with people and tend to feel lonely when by themselves, my advice to you is to simply embrace the solitude.  Bring a book or music with you to ease you into feeling comfortable.  Let your mind wander, observe people and sights in front of you, listen to the sounds and simply Be. 

How I made this trip exciting for myself was by setting goals, such as take surfing lessons, go hiking for the day, be open and meet new people, try eating a new kind of fish.. those kinds of goals.  Nothing major, just small challenges to focus on achieving.

In the end, I met a great Parisian friend who I keep in touch with to this day, I felt the exhilaration of surfing in the COLD Pacific waters, I experienced the peacefulness of kayaking with whales, I hugged a 1,500 year old tree, and most importantly, I discovered my newfound love – and need, for solo travel.