Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Signs for thought....

As I scan the many images of my travels, and just now reminisce on those many Jelly adventures, I can't help but think of the oddities in image that have been captured with in a moment of time.... to this day, these images still make me laugh. Maybe you had to be there....maybe not.... :-B








Sunday, April 17, 2011

Inspiration....

On this day....a few years ago, the most influential woman in my life was born: my Mother. As an inspiration and role-model she is outnumbered by no other, and only matched by my one other most inspirational role-model, her mother, and my Nannie. So, on this day, remember your inspirations, see their inherent beauty, marvel in their kindness, appreciate their respect and strive to be just as generous with your time, patience and love.  Happy Birthday Mom!


Saturday, April 16, 2011

Green....

As I continue to enjoy the season as it unfolds here, I can't help but think of the colour green. Leaves blooming, mowed grass, every shade of the green rainbow in clothing...it's fabulous. And then there is that all persuasive vomit, not to mention the colour of my face, that kept me up all last night...yes folks, I have just gone through a night of food poisoning. My first here...and not sure what set it off. But it's a water day today...and hence I need to be reminded of clean, crisp and comforting shades of green.... Enjoy a couple images from one of my favourite green spaces in London: Abney Park Cemetery in Hackney.





Saturday, April 9, 2011

Spring time....


My favourite place in London...Camden Town....

Change is good. Change in the seasons is also very good. Although I just saw my first Canadian winter (however brief from November to mid-January), in 3 years, the feel, sight and smell of snow still makes me giggle and comforted in it's purity of colour and texture. Yet, with spring, blooming flowers, waking to the singing of birds, basking in the heat that awakens all, there is a sense of "it's time" for the world to come alive again...... and for the F1 season to begin :-}....
Enjoy some spring moments from my travels...

 Chicago...

Cardiff, Wales...

St. Andrew's, Scotland...


 Monte Carlo....
 Castle Howard, York, UK
 
 White Cliff's of Dover
 Cannes on the French Riviera

Ontario Trilliums.

Present surroundings....







As I walk the streets of Kathmandu as of late, the smell of late spring and the feel of early summer is upon me with blossom fragrance and the heat of the sun in the air. I still marvel at the pleasant outlook of Nepal's people, even amongst its poverty, and appreciate the wisdom, intelligence and work ethic of those who occupy this land, even amidst political & economic adversity.  Although women are not thought to mature beyond childhood here, the society in general does not deny the ability of intelligence offered even by its women, but depending on your caste, the acceptance waivers. However, in comparisons to Egypt, where all of society, both men and women are intentionally kept stunted from growth (psychological, emotionally and intellectually) beyond that of childhood, the freedom that the decade long revolution did afford this society in general is only something I can HOPE Egypt will continue to strive for after the dust settles post-2011 and the end of Mubarak's reign.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

The Art of Revolution

As I have been contemplating the diverse array of photos to post on my blog, one thing has come out of all my thoughts...I either have a very good habit of encountering communities in the midst of struggling with or overcoming the challenges of revolution, or the world is truly filled with the constant struggle for recognition. Which begs a further thought: Those who live in Western societies are truly oblivious to how the majority of the world lives, let alone exists. However, I do reflect on how my time in Fiji in the summer of 1996 was directly between the coups with evening curfews and armed guards on every corner; Hungary in the summer of '99, with the the war in Kosovo igniting the air, (not to mention the noise of bombing and helicopter parades echoing in the distance); my pilgrimage across Mexico in the summer of '07 witnessed many Indigenous revolutionary movements, not to mention the first hand account from the massacre of Acteal; a walk up Fall's Road and down Shankhill in East Belfast couldn't help but tug at my religious, cultural (and ancestral) mores, while only just this past weekend another life has been lost in the name of IRA revenge. Most recently my fleeing Egypt brought about a revolution (or so my family likes to think), while I have just ended up in a nation still recovering from a 10 year civil insurgence, which it has yet to really move beyond politically. Regardless of the coincidences, the passions of the people in all accounts have left their mark on me in some way. And although I don't have all of my experiences recorded in images, I can share some of the more charismatic moments that grabbed me...this segment could certainly be on going...






   

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Experiences in development...

Over the years, I have had the fortune of meeting such a vast and diverse array of people...that I am often left bewildered at my privilege. After only reaching the opportunity for international exploration and adventure in my mid-twenties, I began to learn about the world, and initially, and possibly most importantly, more about myself, my weaknesses, my fears, my insecurities, but also my dreams, my hopes, my desires... I am still travelling internationally, but now take stock in who I've become and am not so overwhelmed by change, challenge, and adaptation, because of all those people I have met and learned from over the years! I have become eager to embrace all that I will continue to learn from others, anticipate and thrive in the humility of the everyday... Join me as I continue on my journey to meet those most amazing people around the world, who are not celebrities, nor billionaires, nor academics, nor worldly. They are the best sort of people: those you encounter everyday on the street, in a cafe or supermarket, riding the bus, walking their dog, goat, donkey, pulling a cart, pushing a plough, in your own backyard or across an ocean... of the over 6 billion people on the planet...the majority are nameless, but are in turn the heart and soul of making our planet an amazing place...

The lives of those young and old in Mexico and Chiapas begin our adventure...and although they work toward an identity that is unique, free and prosperous, they're struggle does not deny their open, welcoming and wise hearts...





Friday, April 1, 2011

Directions...do they all lead to forks in the road?

So, what a difference a day makes. This morning I woke up anticipating the end of another work week, and possibly that scrumptious glass of red wine accompanying tonight's dinner.... and now I'm witnessing a transformation of life present, considering life past and embracing life forward.... yes, my dear folks, I will be returning to Egypt in a month's time...not to  get involved in unresolved politics, but to wait out the processing of my 2 year upcoming stay in Nepal.... The trade off for leaving this miraculous space 2 months prior to my original plan, is that I will now be spending those two months with the man's, AND confirming the next 2 years beyond July back in this miraculous space, WITH the man's... HOW'S ABOUT THAT!!!