I'm Moving!

Yes, that's right -- I'm moving!

Not geographically; at least, not yet. Rather, at the risk of losing those of you who follow me here, I have decided to begin a sort of sequel to this blog in hopes of creating something which truly reflects who I am.

Please follow me at http://afternoonsncoffeespoons.wordpress.com as I continue my blogging journey! It is a pleasure to have you along!

Preliminary Thesis

I'll just brush past the apologies for my extended absence and move right into a brief post that I can justify writing on the grounds that it relates to the essay I have been working on for the past couple weeks.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have been taking a course, called Aboriginal Canada, via correspondence this semester from the University of Saskatchewan. It has been significantly eye-opening as it has explored everything from initial contact between Canada's First Nations and European explorers in the 16th century to the present struggle for self-governance and matters of education and basic human rights. Some of the course material was familiar to me, as I originally studied to major in Canadian and World History; other information was shocking, encouraging, appalling, and/or downright dumbfounding. Certainly, it has made for an interesting and intriguing course, and I appreciate the way in which it has generated in me endless questions and a desire to learn more.

The present essay has to do with the issues of Aboriginal resistance and self-determination, two very pressing and continuous topics in Canadian current affairs. As it stands right now, my essay's thesis (loosely stated) is the following: that Canada's First Nations are continuously employing a variety of actions and strategies to ensure that their rights are both granted and respected, and that they be recognized in their modern identity as fully-contributing members of Canadian society who participate in meaningful and important ways unique to their traditions, cultural values, and historical (both past and present) context.

Admittedly my thesis needs a little polishing, but I've posted it here as a means of virtual accountability -- so feel free to pry and ask how my magnum opus is coming along. Hmmm...perhaps "magnum opus" is a bit misleading; I suppose I ought to refer to it simply as "work" or "struggle," or even "mediocre paper" -- because if a topic so broad and intricately complex is downright stupefying. My only salvation will be to focus on the hope offered by the forward-movement of Aboriginal groups throughout Canada, and the ways in which they are paving the road to a more balanced future.

Eat, Pray, Love

Yes, as you may already have figured out, this brief post is about Elizabeth Gilbert's widely-read autobiographical book (since made into the movie) Eat, Pray, Love.

I'm not usually the type of person who dives into reading the "popular" books that seem to fit into a fad-type craze; I've got everything lining my shelves from Julio Cortázar's short stories, Hermann Melville's Moby Dick, and other authors including Anne Lamott, Miguel de Cervantes, Sandra Cisneros, Brian McLaren, Bill Richardson, and Gabriel García Márquez. However, as one who enjoys reading a variety of genres, I recognize that some bestsellers certainly have earned that distinction. This book, in my opinion, is deserving of the recognition it has achieved.

I was first turned on to Eat, Pray, Love by my friend Heather, a delightfully exuberant, intelligent, and passionate woman who is presently working and living overseas. We entered into an engaging and lively discussion about the book on Facebook, where she had posted an interview with the author herself. While some might view Elizabeth Gilbert as narcissistic and others as paving the way to a kind of personal enlightenment, I am of the opinion that she brings a bit of each extreme to her writing. She is undeniably vulnerable and up-front in her writing, extrapolating (to varying degrees) upon everything from depression and divorce to meditation and Italian cuisine. And her writing is absolutely compelling!

It is my suspicion that we all have something of a narcissist in us, and I believe that, if we allow ourselves an open mind and a string of hope, this same narcissism can take us from absorption with ourselves to recognition of what is "working" in our lives and what isn't, and then to the reality of improving upon who we are and how we live -- thereby assisting in a transformative work in us which, I must clarify, I believe is never done as long as we live. And isn't that beautiful? To think that nobody has "arrived"; nobody is complete or perfect or has it all figured out. We all move along throughout this life, sometimes more aligned with love and peace, and sometimes less . . . but all with the same potential for self-discovery and ability to make a positive impact on the world and the community in which we live. Because if self-discovery stops at self, I believe it is an exercise in futility. For how can a lone narcissist bring any love or light to the world without selfless interaction with it?

Those are just some of my thoughts on the subject. And, as someone who once swore off the whole idea of getting married because of varying experiences in my own life (and in part just to break with the whole idea of conformity and conventionalism), I, too, have had to work through the question of what marriage means in my own life, and what are the roles I play and why. (Let me just take the opportunity to state here how thrilled I am to be eating crow for my premature proclamation that I would never marry!) And, in light of all this, I look forward to reading Gilbert's other autobiographical account in her book Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace With Marriage.

For an interview between Ann Patchett (another brilliant author) and Elizabeth Gilbert, concerning marriage and its role in society today, click here.

As a bit of an afterthought, all this talk of "To marry or not to marry" has reminded me of how it was that Ramón and I got engaged. Hmmm. Methinks that story begs a whole post of its own!

Cue the Arrival of Cupid

Is it just me, or does it seem crazy to think that the year 2011 is already well underway -- soon to be proven by another Valentine's Day!?!

To be perfectly honest, I'm more than a little excited because this will be the first ever opportunity for my husband and I to enjoy a romantic Valentine's evening together! Let me explain: Valentine's Day 2009 was the first (and only!) one when we were still dating, but I was studying in Guatemala that semester -- which translated into a cherished phone conversation, but no special evening together. Boo.

Then, in 2010, we were honoured to be hosting my Mom and Terry here on a week-long visit to Panama -- and so we got sidetracked with sightseeing and introducing them to Ramón's family for the first time, which we loved -- and again, Valentine's Day got overlooked with all the excitement of playing host and hostess.

But this year -- finally -- we're looking forward to a nice Valentines-y evening together. We talked about the idea of going out for a romantic dinner, but what with the craziness of restaurants, not to mention the insane traffic in Panama City on even a "normal" day, we both decided that a quiet, special dinner for two at home would be more our style.

And so, I've been doing some brainstorming -- yes, once again via Martha Stewart's website -- to come up with the perfect elements for an exquisite, memorable meal as well as the other components that combine to create the perfect "first" Valentine's Day evening for us! And, since I love the realm of cooking and entertaining, I am excited to pull out all the stops!

Below are just a few of the ideas that have made it to the top of my list. To get the recipes, simply click on the links included:

• Appetizers, including Artichoke Bruschetta and Blinis with Smoked Salmon
• A beverage selection including Raspberry Martini, a rosée wine, and, for an after-dinner drink, Viennese Coffee Floats
• One of two salads; either Arugula and Baby Artichoke Salad, or Sweetheart Salad
• Main Course: Beet Ravioli Stuffed with Ricotta, Goat Cheese and Mint
• And, to close the meal, figs with Asiago cheese and grapes
• Dessert (possibly) of either Heart-Shaped Ginger Sugar Cookies, or Dried Cranberry Shortbread Hearts (yes, I am cheesy like that!), with coffee

Of course, there are also other elements that come into play, such as:

• flowers
• candles
• a good romantic playlist -- including, among others, Michael Bublé, Diana Krall, and some possible Harry Connick Jr.
• romantic card
• a gift -- something practical yet unique; simple but elegant
• taking photos of the evening as it unfolds

What are your other Valentine's Day ideas? Do you have traditions, or special memories of Valentines past?

Photos included in this post found here, here and here.

My Veranera

Hello dear friends!

After a little more than a year living in the tropical country of Panama, I finally have a plant! And, as you can tell, I am absolutely thrilled! She's my very own beautiful veranera, better known among English-speakers as a bougainvillea, and she's absolutely LOVELY:

Okay . . . so that photo above isn't of my plant -- but that's what she'll look like someday. For now, she's a little more Charlie Brown-esque, as you can see:





But that's just temporary. I think. In any case, I still do love her just the same!

Painting Inspiration 101

I have just spent the past several hours exploring several home design websites, specifically with the goal in mind of getting a more concrete idea of how we want to breathe some life into our living room / dining room area, and what an exciting afternoon it has been! Among the most exciting websites was one by Porter Paints, a brand with which I am unfamiliar but which has a neat colorsensegame which you can access by clicking here. It's a fun take on one's appreciation of colour, texture, moods and styles, and it gives some interesting feedback on how to create an ideal living space tailored to your own personality! It's a creative take on incorporating all the diverse elements into one's decorating -- however, if you ask me, there's also some room for improvement as far as the range of colour schemes that are offered in each of the results. In any case, give it a try -- just for the fun of it!

Ramón and I also took a trip to our neighbourhood Do It Center where we found some inspiringly colourful paint chips -- and also happened to come home with an elliptical machine for a steal of a deal: $89.00! So, all in all, it's already been a fantabulous day!

One of the most exciting projects of the day was being able to turn this . . .

. . . into this!

Okay, so it was done using Sherwin-Williams' Colour Visualizer (found here) -- but hey, at least it gives us a pretty tangible idea of what we'd like our front room to look like! We originally considered going with this look...

...but at the moment we're definitely feeling partial to the green. Besides, the subtle change from the beige walls we have throughout our house at present to a soft yellow hue just doesn't seem to have the panache to complement our funky orange and brown couches. Which colour gets your vote?

A Trip Down Memory Lane

For the first time in my life, last week I wrote a letter to my uncle.

Technically, it was an email, but had I lived in a country with reliable postal service, it would have been the old fashioned kind of letter -- you know, the kind that's hand-written with your own distinctive cursive and favourite fountain pen on luxurious stationary, then neatly folded into a matching envelope, addressed in impeccable calligraphy, fitted with postage and then graced with an original seal . . . or am I the only one who gets a wee bit giddy about giving my attention to all those details? Seriously, I get all giggly inside (and outside!) on the rare occasions when I find just such a masterpiece delivered to me; sadly, none will be forthcoming even if sent while I continue to live in this particular corner of the world in a city with less-than-Vatican-calibre postal service.

But back to the email: do you have a family member or two with whom you've kind of gradually just fallen out of touch? That's the sort of scenario we're talking about here. Honestly, I have nothing but fond memories of my dear uncle -- so it's not that there was an ugly feud or anything that caused us decisively to go our separate ways; but somehow I can't recall a real conversation between he and I in well over a decade.

And so, one day while on the phone with my grandmother, I was asking her about the family. When she got to telling me about my uncle (he's the only one from that family, so there's no risk of playing favourites!), I confessed to her how long it has been since I remember actually spending some time with him. I then went on to tell her of two very specific wonderful memories I have from when I was very young -- memories in which my uncle was the key actor. Grandma, in her very matter-of-fact-yet-loving way, up and told me that I should just contact him.

And so I did! I send him a long, detailed email, first telling him about our recent news and life in Panama, and then leading up to thanking him for those two specific memories I have of him -- memories that come to mind immediately every time I think about him. And now I'll share them with you:

I was barely seven years old; my mother spent much of the afternoon getting my four-year-old sister and I ready for a date with our uncle. She styled our hair and dressed us in our prettiest dresses, and we were ready and waiting when our uncle arrived in his shiny black car and dressed in a suit, carrying two long-stem roses -- a pink one for my sister and a yellow one for me -- and took us to the city to see The Nutcracker Ballet. I felt like the luckiest girl in all the world!

The second memory comes from around the same time period, but it was a sort of ongoing thing: somewhere, in some little booklet of jokes for kids, my sister came across one that said:

Q: Why did the banana kiss the cucumber?

A: Because it had a peel (appeal)!

Neither she nor I understood it, but when we told it to our uncle he laughed as though it were the most clever joke around -- and from then on we told it to him every time we saw him for years to come!

Those memories, one-time events though they may be, have encouraged me repeatedly over the years. To me they are tangible reminders of love from my family -- specifically from my dear uncle.

The Couches are Here!!!

Hoorayyyy!!!!

Okay, the title is VERY self-explanatory -- but please just let me bask in the newly-arrived-furniture-we've-been-going-without-for-nearly-8-months glory!

Our home has been exceptionally empty since we moved in here last June, as any of you who have spoken with me will attest. It lent itself a certain je ne sais quoi in the area of perpetual tomb-like echoes, which is NOT conducive to coherent and understandable conversations.

So without further ado, let me introduce our beautiful new couch and love seat set that finally arrived late last night (and only 5 days later than we had originally been told) from Jamar:

VOILA!! Are they not precious? I certainly think so! I like that they're neither boxy nor fluffy in style, and the colour duo simply cannot be beat -- at least, not for this girl.

Here's a view from the kitchen toward the front entrance, just to give a fuller idea of what we're working with here:

We're thinking of adding a chair or two to the ensemble, as well as hanging shelves and a possible photo wall -- and, of course, painting the walls a colour moving away from "painstakingly neutral" -- something like a light, creamy yellow or a soft brown. Or should we go with something a little more bold? I want to keep the burnt orange colour to a minimum (even though it IS my favourite) so that it pops more. What are your suggestions? Thoughts? I'd love to hear a little decorating feedback. Of course, I love that painting is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to refresh a house and give your home a whole new look, so if the first wall colour we go with isn't exactly a winner I'll be okay with the idea of repainting. And there are plenty of other details -- like trim around the windows, plants, coffee and end tables, etc. -- which we'll get to slowly but surely.

Sounds fun, doesn't it?! Now, if only I could get my hands on a Purdy brush -- my actual favourite paint brush in all the world! (Click here to see the very object of my paint brush crush).

I'm Diggin' It

Happy new week, all!

So: I'm still awaiting the delivery of our living room furniture, hence the lack of photos/posting that I promised last Wednesday. Boo. BUT I've been assured by Jamar that the delivery will take place sometime today...and, though assured I don't feel all that reassured...so we'll just wait and see how that goes. In any case, the promised photos and details will be forthcoming just as soon as we get our beautyous muebles in our home! Sadly, the link to their store doesn't include even half of their furniture selection, but it will at least give you an idea of some of their styles. Elegant minimalist, if I might coin my own term.

In the meantime, here are a couple of things I've been enjoying in the absence of furniture:

• My two dearests, Ramón and Keipo -- whose company I enjoy immensely each day. Unfortunately, we don't have many photos of the three of us together, but I'm hoping to remedy that soon. I've been dreaming of a mini photo shoot including my favourite orange couch love seat!!! Here they are on the floor of our empty living room -- and yes, this pose is a favourite of Keipo's. He's a weirdo, I know; but we love him just the same!
  

• A new website I discovered just last week: Young House Love. John and Sherry Petersik are fabulously creative Do-It-Yourself-ers, and I've been spending more hours than I care to admit reading their blog and becoming inspired by their ideas. It is beautifully fun to discover a shared passion -- even with people I don't personally know! But this young couple is exciting and engaging, and they've had me rivited to the progress of their ongoing projects.

• I'm also taking a web-based course this semester through the University of Saskatchewan on the good ol' Canadian prairies. The course is called Aboriginal Canada, and so far has explored the basics of the initial contact and subsequent generations of First Nations' and Europeans'/Euro-Canadians' interaction. I'm hoping to share a bit of what I learn with you -- some which I'm sure will be already-learned information (as opposed to "old information"), and other details which may have not yet been explored. I know I'll enjoy the learning process, as I'm kind of a nerd that way, and I'm hopeful that maybe some of my excitement will rub off in our cyber-interaction! In any case, it should be a good time!

Now, off I go to do some more reading -- and hopefully will post later today with the results of our (hopeful) deliveries!!

A Change in Routine

Happy Wednesday!

At least, I hope it's a happy Wednesday for you; mine is off to a fabulous start and just may improve with the (possible) delivery of our new sofa and love seat for our living room! Just imagine a living room devoid of ANY furniture, paintings...nothing. Okay, how 'bout I help you all along just a wee bit:

There. That's a photo of our living room as it looks right now, as it has looked since we moved into this house at the beginning of June, 2010. Crazy, eh? And it's not that Ramón and I are negligent or indifferent to our surroundings -- we're adaptible, but not oblivious! -- it's just that living rooms and love-nest-ing are put on hold when the good ol' government forgets to pass a paycheque your way for, oh, close to eight months. But hey, we got through it and, even though it had its challenging (and comfortable seating-less!) moments, we actually grew in our relationship with one another and in our appreciation for the little things that we have had -- like health and sunshine and each other and our dog...and delicious food! One of my passions in life is cooking (not to be confused with baking, although I do occasionally bust out some Mennonite desserts!), and now that I'm not working full-time anymore I have more time to dedicate to diversifying our menu. I love both of Martha Stewart's websites, http://www.wholeliving.com/ and http://www.marthastewart.com/ -- but I digress! Once we get our furniture delivered and situated in the living room we hope to decide upon the appropriate paint swatch and begin the transformation of the empty house in which we live into a cozy, inviting home.

So! Along with all this growing that Ramón and I have been doing (which thankfully hasn't included growing waistlines due to our twice-daily walks with Keipo!), we have also become keenly aware that we truly can live without most things that we formerly took for granted. We have also gained, I believe, a better sense of balancing both extremes (materialistic consumer vs. tight-wad martyr) and are on our way to acquiring some of the things that perhaps are essential to balanced living -- and, okay, a few little splurges here and there that just bring us a little more enjoyment. One of these is a washing machine!!! Yes!! For the past year I've been laundering all our clothes by hand, which I know a lot of people do and I actually don't mind all that much despite its time-consuming nature. But thanks to a great sale at our local mall we bought a lovely little Samsung number for $179, taxes in. And she works like a charm! I must admit, I was almost giddy with excitement when we tried out our first load of laundry with her -- the clothes just seemed to wash themselves! It's AMAZING!! In fact, I know get excited when I have enough clothes to throw in a load -- adjusting water levels and cycles appropriately, of course, and always without hot water as that's a luxury lacking in our entire home -- and I just HAVE to share with you the result:

Beautiful, isn't it! I mean both our washing machine and the clothes hung out to dry. Ahh... these are the little things that kind of feel like the big things sometimes. And I can't wait to share with you a photo of our livingroom once the initial pieces of furniture make their way here!

We still have plenty on our list of things eventually to acquire -- not that we want to fill our home with stuff just for the sake of it; rather, we do enjoy sharing our home with others and entertaining guests with a meal and a comfortable, welcoming space so that they feel at home, too. So, part of that includes outfitting our spare room (also effectively empty at present) and the bathroom (Keipo's room when we are both away from home) and putting some original, practical and inviting touches on the living room and dining room -- but we'll get there. And we'll thoroughly enjoy the process with a greater appreciation for the little things as they come into place and a gratefulness for the fact that we know we can go without them once again, if need be.

The Gratitude Project: Day 30

Hallooo!!! I've made it! My plans of writing about three things for which I am grateful for each of 30 days has now come to an end! And it only took me about three months to do it! ;)

I must admit, I'm feeling very free at the thought of now being able to range about a bit more in my writing; however, this has been a fun journey for me to expand a bit upon the "little things" that make my life more beautiful each day.

And now, to end my list, here are a few reflections upon:

1. Family -- You know that saying about how you can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family? (Or, wait; maybe it's "you can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose"). Okay, well, you know what I mean!

Family is family: quirky, diverse, thoughtful, caring, exasperating -- all these things and many more. And mine is no exception! But I truly am grateful for my family, for who they are and what they do and the fact that (at least, I think this is the case for the majority of them!) they love me unconditionally. I know this is true especially of my Grandmother. Actually, both my grandmothers; although one passed away just over five years ago, now. But my Grandma Neudorf (I think she appeared in an earlier post, perhaps?) truly is my hero. She's generous, full of love, and jolly. Does that sound too Santa Clause-y? Maybe; but it's the best term I can think of to describe her cheerful nature and love of life. But she'll take no nonsense! And she doesn't hesitate to give you what she refers to as "an understanding" when you need it -- whether you're two years old or eighty-two! And I love her for it, because it's always done in love and she'll always give you the very best most love-filled hug afterwards.

I am also grateful that, despite the fact that nobody really "has it all together," they do keep trying. I wish I could give you some specific examples of where I see beautiful redemption happening in what were not-so-beautiful situations, but I don't want to infringe upon their privacy by telling stories that are not mine to tell. But I can say that I admire my Mom for her persistence in going against sub-cultural expectations and control mechanisms nearly two decades ago; I admire my uncle for working with dedication and devotion to take care of his family in a difficult relational situation; and I admire my sister for the attentive and caring mother she has become to my two adorable nieces. And I am honoured to be part of them, part of the same family tree. Though at times it seems we have little or nothing in common, we do share a part of our story -- the story of where we came from and how we grew through it -- and we can choose to walk with one another as we carry on to where we are going.

2. Geographical and Ecological Diversity -- Okay, seriously, our Earth is AMAZING!!! I am astounded at all the variety of plant and animal life in our world -- or even in one small corner of it. And moving from the prairies of Saskatchewan to the tropical climate of Panama the distinctions are even more incredible. I continuously marvel at all the life I see -- and wonder at all I don't see due to foliage or microscopic size! -- and am simply in awe. And grateful to be able to experience it all!

3. Time with my Husband -- Yes, he had made an appearance or two already in this blog, but I think it appropriate to begin and end with him. Ramón is most definitely my best friend, and one of the few people with whom I can spend months and years on end and STILL find new things to discuss and to ponder and to share. Whether we are driving down the causeway in search of a latte overlooking the marina, painting the beach house in 38ºC, or working on our individual articles/assignments, we truly do enjoy being in the company of one another. And I personally think I got the better end of the deal! I am so very grateful to be his wife and that he agreed to be my husband when I proposed!! :)

The Gratitude Project: Day 29

Hello friends!

I'm feeling particularly chipper this afternoon; I've just had a productive day of reading/studying and, now, a bit of writing, and I just feel encouraged by how well it's all going! Do you ever have those days where things just seem to click and you can retain and process information surprisingly well? (Tempered, of course, by other days in which it seems impossible to focus or retain any new knowledge). Well, today is one of those more positive days -- although it does find me writing in the afternoon instead of my preferred morning moment.

Nonetheless, here are some more tidbits which I find myself appreciating:

1. Art -- Whether hanging on a wall, drawn by a three-year-old, or in the form of a one-of-a-kind hand-crafted ceramic mug (see Day 13 for more on the ceramic mugs), I am so grateful for artistic creations! I just love the way that a splash of colour or the combination of several can bring a new dimension to a room, a conversation, or even to my day. And, as much as I love having these varied works of art displayed throughout my life, I also enjoy creating them. Not that I'm much of a painter, and I've never tried sculpting, although I would love to; I simply mean putting an artistic flair into what I do. Whether my assignments (nerdy, right?!), my clothes (though I boast no fashion sense!), or the way I am, along with my husband, slowly but surely shaping our home into a space that reflects us -- in all these ways I am grateful for expression and creativity which, ultimately, lead to beautiful works of art! Hmmm... I'm thinking that this might call for some more thoughts on the idea of our lives as art.

2. Wittiness -- Is this a term? What I mean by this is the act of being witty, but I thought that might sound too wordy to begin with. In any case I am fascinated by people who seem to have just the right thing to say in the snap of a moment, a clever little comment -- not snide or condescending, mind you -- something intelligent and thought-provoking. I have the pleasure of knowing a few such people in my personal life: my dear friend Kathy, my compañera Brit, and my sister-like Melissa. Each of these are intelligent, thoughtful women and I admire their bright sense of humour and optimism about life -- and, I believe these, perhaps, just might be the characteristics which spark such fantastic barbs of wit!

Now, sadly, I have not had the pleasure of meeting personally another such intelligent, witty someone; this chap is a mite more famous than my aforementioned friends -- and, additionally, a lot more controversial. But I, however, happen to find his humour simply side-splitting and positively one of a kind! His name, dear readers, is Eddie Izzard, and he is a British comedian and "executive transvestite," as he himself will declare! (Now, if I can get my limited video-linking skills to work I will be pleased as punch to share a clip of his work with you below). I guess for now a link will have to suffice -- but please do take a look at this excerpt from his show Dress to Kill.

3. Pizza -- Yes, you've probably already noted that food and beverages make regular appearances in these things for which I am grateful. And with good reason! With so many flavours in this world, such diverse cuisine, one could spend a lifetime savouring new dishes and learning a wealth of culinary knowledge: and all this comes to a head in the pizza. At least, for me it does. My good friend Ashley, whose blog I recommended earlier and whose link I'll place right here once more, just wrote about her desire to travel to Italy. Ahhh, such a fabulous country! And ever since my first experience with true Italian cuisine in the heart of Rome, Venice, Florence, Naples and Cinque Terre, I have been enamoured with pizza. And so, upon returning to Canada from the lovely Old-World Country, I set about learning to fashion my own after what I tasted there. And the results have been heavenly! Not that I generally boast about my accomplishments, but here is a skill -- an art, if you will! -- which my friends and family will enthusiastically confirm that I am in the process of mastering. I always, always begin with a homemade pizza dough and sauce, and then add on the toppings. My personal and long-standing favourite: prosciutto, pear, and carmelized onions topped with fresh time. To die for!

A Whole New Chapter

Okay: So I haven't been all that consistent with my Gratitude Project posts (when did I start that -- September?), but I'm really in the home stretch there -- T minus 2 posts to go -- and then I think the feel of this blog is going to shift just a bit.

And today you'll get a taste of that.

I'm still unsure of how "personal" to get in my writing. Should I mention peoples' names? Share photos? I think so. Because, why visit an impersonal blog? Besides, if I'm going to write, I prefer to write about the things that drive me -- current events in my life, thoughts and musings, questions and the like.

So here goes: After over a year without an income, nearly eight months of which my husband was (and still is) working here in Panama, we FINALLY received his first paycheque! Seriously. Thankfully, the cheque included seven months' pay. And we are ecstatic!

I can't begin to describe what it's like to live for eight months in a house effectively empty of anything but a fridge, a stove, a dining table and chairs, and a bed. Period. (Well, we had our clothes, of course, and a book or two that came with us in the move from Canada, but that was it). No sofa, nothing hung on the walls; no book shelves, desk or extra linens; one towel apiece, one set of sheets...basically, think "extreme minimalist" and then scale it down 95%.

Not that either my husband or I are very materialistic; we're not driven by the idea of acquiring the latest model of anything, and the only type of shopping I enjoy is that of buying groceries (actually, I LIVE for going grocery shopping! How wonderful is it to find two papaya for $1.00?!), so it's not that we wanted the income for entertainment purposes or unnecessary spending. But when the only seating in the house consists of either the chairs at the dining table or our bed, comfort is at an all-time low. And without any art on the walls or photographs displayed, inspiration runs dry.

On the up-side, however, after so many months of doing without many of the staples in many homes, life becomes very simple, for it becomes ultra clear which are the real priorities: pay the rent, power and water bills, and buy food. Period. And I suppose I could get into a debate about which things are wants or needs, but I won't -- for one of the things I have learned over these months of doing without is that a need might, perhaps, to some degree, be classified by an individual's or a family's lifestyle. For example, I am a student, working on completing an honours degree in International Relations, majoring in both History and in Spanish (literature and language); therefore, a relative need for me is a desk. Can I live without one? Absolutely, as evinced by the past 13 months. Am I more productive and engaged with one? Without a doubt. So you can only imagine how thrilled I was when my husband's long-overdue paycheque finally made its way from the coffers of the Ministry of Agriculture to our bank account late last week -- and we spent the weekend finding surprisingly great deals for some of our most pressing wants-turned-needs!

Now, I have yet to be a homeowner but that doesn't keep me from modifying my/our space as I can to make our home more functional for our lifestyle -- and, thankfully, my husband is of the same mind. So we focused our efforts for this past weekend on making one of our spare bedrooms into an office space and, surprisingly, for we two who don't generally classify shopping as a good time, we found and purchased the following: an L-shaped desk, which provides working space for both of us at the same time; an office chair; a bookshelf; a clock; another shelving unit; curtains; and even a painting which is hung on the wall!

And I am elated! It is thrilling to type this from "my office" and not from the kitchen table and to be enveloped in the productive-feeling ambiance of a functional workspace. I can't wait to tackle this week's essay for the course I'm taking (as mentioned in an earlier post, I am eternally grateful for web-based university courses!). And I look forward to sharing with you more of my experiences as we finally are able to transform our home into a place that reflects who we are and allows us to share it with those around us!

The Gratitude Project: Day 28

Ah, beautiful day!

The sun is shining here in tropical Panama and I just returned home from walking Keipo around our neighbourhood. It is by far his favourite time of day (and mine!), early in the morning, out exploring the scents offered by nature -- as well as by the other dogs who have left their 'business' dispersed throughout the area -- and this morning he met a new friend: a purebred Rottweiler who, it so happens, lives nearby. He is a stocky ol' chap and absolutely beautiful, and he and Keipo took to sniffing one another out right away. And, I must admit, I, too, take pleasure in seeing my puppy interact with other dogs and developing his own socializing skills -- and he is so happy to meet new friends that it seems it isn't sufficient to wag his tail; his whole hind quarters end up wiggling with excitement!

After such a lovely start to a new day, I find myself reflecting upon the beauty and encouragement that have been offered me through the following things in my life:

1. Starbucks. Are you shocked? Yes: Starbucks! Those of you who know me probably won't be surprised by this; but then again, maybe you will. It is no secret that I worked at Starbucks on College Drive for over three and a half years -- and, better yet, that I loved it! For starters, I was thrilled at the prospect of learning all about different brewing methods, espresso-based beverages, and particularly about the distinctive characteristics of whole bean coffees grown in the three basic regions: Latin America, Africa/Arabia, and Asia/Pacific. Add to this the fact that it was conveniently located just across the street from the university where I was studying, and you have a perfect fit! Of course, I am cognisant of the fact that Starbucks is by no means the sole authority on coffee education and coffee quality; however, in my life it played a key role in introducing me to the breadth and variety of coffees produced in the world and in really teaching me about what is meant by the terms "acidity," "aroma," "body," and "flavour," as well as the art of pairing coffee with a truly complementary meal, snack or dessert. In short, Starbucks piqued my interest in something about which I have become passionate: coffee as art!

Additionally, and even more importantly, working at Starbucks was the medium through which I was -- shall I say, blessed? I hesitate to use that term, for it seems to be both misused and overused in this day and age, but I believe it to be a perfect fit here -- I was blessed with the opportunity to meet countless interesting and wonderful people, co-workers and customers alike. Truly, this is what I miss most about Starbucks and what has impacted me most profoundly over the years. There were customers who brightened my day each and every morning when they came in to grab a coffee on their way to work, customers with loud and boistrous entries who made the entire store laugh, and customers who never said much but were always polite and cheerful and understanding in the midst of a frantic moment or a too-full store. As for my co-workers, few stood out so much as Heather, Brooke and Ashley -- young women who were professional, hard-working, cheerful, and genuinely interested in others and in the work they were doing. (And -- let me take a moment here to recommend Ashley's own blog which she has recently started up: The Uncomplicated Year. Ashley is a thoughtful, talented writer who isn't afraid to be honest and up-front, and I truly appreciate her insights about everyday things which we sometimes take for granted.)

And so -- in a nutshell! -- I am oh-so-grateful for Starbucks!

2. History -- What used to be my most dreaded subject in high school, due to all the dates and names that I could never remember and therefore got jumbled and incorrect on tests, has now become one of my foremost fascinations. History, the story of our world through the millennia and the people who have lived in it and impacted the present, is chock full of moments of discovery and triumph, pain and suffering, and the resilience of humanity through it all. And what fascinates me most is that each region, each country, each family, and each person has their own unique story! Ultimately, this is our context for today! With so much to learn and so much intrigue, I can't believe I ever dreaded this topic in school -- although I suppose the undesirable grades on tests had a lot to do with that!

3. The Classics -- Whether talking about classic novels, classic music, or even classic cars (though I admit I'm not much of a car buff), little explanation is required as to why these things have been coined 'classics'. Is there any greater enjoyment than listening to a favourite song or reading one of the classics like Moby Dick or Don Quixote de la Mancha? I think not. And, to celebrate such joy, I thought I'd share a link to the classic Mr. Blue Sky sung by E.L.O. Enjoy!

A Reality Check

In light of the situation here in Panama over the past four weeks, first with extensive flooding of certain regions of the country, and then complications moving into contamination of the capital city's water supply, today I find myself exceedingly grateful for something mentioned in the earlier days of my musings on gratitude: running water.

We, and tens of thousands of other Panamanians, have been without water on and off since December 8, 2010 -- sometimes for days at a time, and others for 12-hour periods in which the city alternates as best it can our limited supply of this precious natural resource. This week, however, has brought a new development: our running water is not potable. The stock of bottled water has been depleted in all local stores, and so we are left with the only option of treating our water at home: first filtering our tap water, then boiling it on the stove, letting it cool, and then consuming -- rather sparingly -- a refreshing glass of H2O.

This certainly has brought me greater perspective on the situation in which much of the world finds itself on a daily basis, with little or no access to safe drinking water. We, who have grown up in Canada, the United States, parts of Western Europe and certain other nations, will be hard-pressed ever to appreciate what this means. I suppose we could play the numbers game, try to go a day without using the water from our taps -- for bathing, drinking, laundry, or other cleaning -- but still we know that water is just an arm's length and a tap-turn away. It has even been an adjustment for me, and this is after the five months we lived on the beach in the interior of Panama with no access to running water at all, and after months spent in rural Haiti without the same. I am exceedingly grateful that neither Ramón nor I have gotten sick from the water we are drinking this week.

This brings to mind the events leading up to, including and following the Millennium Declaration of 2000, which birthed the United Nations Milennium Development Goals (MDG's) -- a "global action plan to achieve the eight anti-poverty goals by their 2015 target date,"1 which lists, as a component of its goals, the importance of drastically increasing access to safe drinking water on a global scale. As listed on the UN MDG website, the Millennium Development Goals are as follows:

1. End Poverty and Hunger

2. Universal Education

3. Gender Equality

4. Child Health

5. Maternal Health

6. Combat HIV/AIDS

7. Environmental Sustainability

8. Global Partnership

Each of these points is further broken down into several more detailed steps or components. Access to safe drinking water falls under "Target 7.C: Halve, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation." However, below this point it states that "[w]ith half the population of developing nations without sanitation, the 2015 target appears to be out of reach." (see the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals Report 2010 pdf here).

I understand that this issue is highly complex, particularly when factoring in issues such as displaced persons, failed states, political unrest and civil wars, entire nations impoverished, contamination/pollution, natural disasters -- the list could go on and on. But it is no wonder that countries and regions such as Haiti, Sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of Asia continue to battle diarrhoeal diseases and undernutrition when the water they consume is not safe!

Nonetheless, I remain hopeful that each of these eight goals -- particularly that of access to safe drinking water -- are, in fact, achievable with the cooperation and involvement of individuals, local communities, the international community and corporations. I believe it is important to acknowledge the truth of what is stated in the Foreword of the 2010 MDG Report -- that "improvements in the lives of the poor have been unacceptably slow, and...are being eroded by the climate, food and economic crises"2 -- and, after accepting and grieving this truth, move forward in our own contributions to achieving these goals, not only for the comfortable world of middle-class suburbia, but also for the world.

Footnotes:

1. "global action plan" - source - http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/

2. Millennium Development Goals Report 2010, page 5 http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/pdf/MDG%20Report%202010%20En%20r15%20-low%20res%2020100615%20-.pdf

Photo mine; taken in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, February 2008.

The Gratitude Project: Day 27

Hello! Along with a new year, in my life, has come new responsibilities and opportunities, one of which is a new on-line course in which I have enrolled -- and which I would like to explore more in-depth today. And so, without much preamble, I'm going to get straight to the point of this entry: things number 79, 80 and 81 for which I am grateful.

1. Words of Encouragement -- I think I've always been grateful for kind or encouraging words, whether in recognition of a job well done or throughout the course of an everyday conversation. Just yesterday I received an unexpected message from an unexpected friend -- and how it made my day! Though a seemingly "little" thing, it brought great encouragement to read those kind words from a friend with whom I have an inexplicable deeper connection. And what a gift to encounter these friends from time to time in our lives, people with whom we share a similar set of fundamental values for who we are and who we hope to be. And so I thank you, dear friend, for the way in which you brightened an otherwise hum-drum day.

2. Authenticity -- Is there anything more refreshing than the company of a genuine, sincere, authentic person?

3. Memories -- That the human brain can store and recall events and emotions from years past is a wonder to me! As I look back through my own story I am grateful for the memories that accompany me in the present, and will be by my side in the future. Memories are a little bit like history, aren't they: we have the opportunity to take them for what they are, to study them, and to learn from them far into the future. The funny thing is that, once some time has passed, I have learned to appreciate even many of the unpleasant memories (though not all! This is an "imperfect saint" writing here!), for I have come through those situations and they, too, have changed me. In many cases, they have taught me the value of speaking up when something is not okay. They have taught me to be assertive (not aggressive), to be direct, and to be able to look at a situation for what it is and to remedy what is not working well -- without taking things personally. I have learned not to wait for "the right moment" to bring up a topic which desperately needs to be discussed, but which nobody wants to touch with a ten-foot pole; I have learned that it is okay to figure things out as you go along, rather than sticking exclusively to a pre-set plan; and I have learned that, oftentimes, life doesn't go according to my expectations -- but if I choose to work with it, it often turns out even better than I could ever have imagined!