More from Paulo Coehlo

I look forward to discovering a part of myself in another one of Paulo Coehlo's Books.
What a hypnotising video this is:



Other magnificent and thought provoking books I have read by this inspirational author:

 And on my bookshelf, waiting to be read:

14 day Countdown to 40 - Self-Indulgence #13

Well - because I got a little off track mid-way through my 14 day countdown, I ended up having to cram double treats into the last 2 days of my 39th year.....ahhhhhhhh the bliss:

Self-Indulgence #13 - Treasure Hunting

One of my most favourite things to do is treasure hunt at garage sales and thrift shops.
Again - this choice of self-indulgence takes me back to my youth....When I was in high school, my best friend Anouk and I would got down to Toronto for a weekend in late August to do our school shopping.  I never had a whole lot of money to spend, so rather than hit the malls, we hit the streets ..... spending hours and hours exploring the head shops and thrift shops and boutiques and cafes along what became our "circuit" - Younge Street, Queen Street, Spadina and College. 
Those trips left me with some of my best memories of being a teenager in the 80s.  They also gave me a lasting appreciation for the environmentally friendly dollar-stretching ability of second-hand stores and thrift shop chic.  There is no other kind of shopping-style I love better than "The Hunt", but to do it properly, you need time and patience - with no kids in tow,

AND with a good friend who can tell you when you're going off your rocker over some crazy find.... to remind you that:
just because it fits doesn't mean it looks good on you!!!



ANYWAYS... Because it had been ages since my last "hunt", I decided to include a day of treasure hunting in my list of self-indulgences.   So, first thing Friday Morning (my birthday day), after getting the kids off to school, my Mom and I headed up to Calgary for a trip to "Chez VV" aka "Le Village" aka "Value Village".  OK, I know that sounds like a kind of wierd way to shoose to spend one's 40th birthday - but it was such a treat for me to spend a no-boys-no-babies day with my Mom, searching for unexpected treasures, through the aisles of the Thrift Shop...
I picked up a couple of good books that I've been waiting to read (The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen),

a really cute spring jacket that still had the labels on it and 2 pairs of almost new darkwash jeans that fit me perfectly!!  If I'd gotten there a couple of minutes earlier, I could have also nabbed a Barbie Camper Van for Evy - but being as the day was all about me, I didn't head to the kids section first, like I usually do, so I missed it.... oh well, there will be other treasures other days.

As it was, mom and I had a wonderful time hanging out together that day - something we don't get to do nearly enough, being as we live so far apart.  The fact that we fit in some time VVing together on my birthday, was just like icing on the cake of what ended up an almost perfect 40th birthday day...

Self-indulgence #14 followed VV.... read on in my next post

Literature as Art.... literally

As technology continues to evolve, I worry about the future of printed books for a lot of reasons.  I can't imagine anything I could love more than curling up with a good book - from the tactile experience of holding a heavy novel on my lap, to the scratchy sound of turning pages to the smell of old paper.  I am generally disturbed at the thought of destroying books.  HOWEVER, artist Brian Dettmer is creating what I see as a wonderful tribute to the printed word. 

I first read about Brian's work in an article on the NPR website.  Of course I already know that books contain beautiful treasures, but to see them uncovered like this is exquisite! 

In an age when so many old books lie moldering, out of date and forgotten in basements, on the shelves of dusty used book stores or discarded into landfill sites, I consider this art to be inspired recycling.

As Always, Dayna

14 day Countdown to 40 - Self Indulgence #1

An afternoon curled up under a comforter with a glass of wine, a good book: Three Cups of Tea, and Peter Gabriel's Passion - Music for the Last Temptation of Christ playing in the background

Three Cups of Tea

I love reading.
I love reading books.
I'm not convinced I'm an e-reader type, and not in any kind of hurry to find out, because I'm so in love with the whole experience of reading books - from the smell of the paper and ink, to feeling the weight of a good read balanced in my hands, to the luxury of being able to read anywhere I want - from the bath to the beach.

Usually I gravitate towards fiction and novels; however, this month I am reading Three Cups of Tea. It's the incredible story of Greg Mortenson's life project to build schools for the children (both boys and girls) in remote rural Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The story is absolutely inspiring - especially considering how Greg's vision started out from literally nothing.  It is written in such a way that one feels immersed in events, as they unfold - from the sheer exhaustion of trying (and failing) to climb K2, to being inspired by the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas, to the desperate need to follow through on a promise and vision made to people on the other side of the world - without the resources to do so, to experiencing the drive along treacherous mountain roads, to the frustrations of working in another culture and language, to the sadness of losing a beloved family member, to falling in love with a soul mate, to being kidnapped and held for 8 days on the other side of the world - on the eve of becoming a first time father ...
Greg Mortenson is continuing to make a difference in a part of the world that lately, we most often associate with war, oppression and violence.  His website is: http://www.threecupsoftea.com/.

I love reading, and my new love is this book.   If you've already read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the book, and on Greg's work.

Watch the video of Greg Mortenson and George Stromboulopoulos from CBC's The Hour.

As Always,
Dayna

Trying something new...

Well - here it is, 8:45am Tuesday - the day after Valentines Day.  A beautiful and surprisingly warm February morning.... gotta love chinooks - at least when they don't come with migraines!!

One kid is off to school, the other is home with a cold.... probably not bad enough to keep her away from school, but what the heck, she's only in kindergarten, and her grandparents (who are visiting from Ontario) will be leaving in a day or two, so consider this bonding time for them.

I can't really tell you why I've finally decided to start a personal blog - today of all days.  I've been thinking about it for some time, but never having been much of a journaller, I don't know if I'm really ready to commit to this medium, so we'll see how it goes.

I think I want to use this space to record whatever inspires me, or catches my attention at any given time.

I envision posting :
- recipes I discover (in my random quest to find the perfect red velvet anything.... for no other reason than I like how the name rolls off my tongue...RRRRrrrrred Velllllvvvett;
- links to places, videos, photos and podcasts that captivate me (I LOVE www.ted.com and CBC Radio Podcasts);
- crafts and other projects that I'm working on (or more realistically - adding to my list of things I wish to do whenever I find time);
- thoughts about movies I've seen (or want to see);
- books I've read (or am reading);
- music that I lose myself with;
- newly discovered (and old comfort) favourite foods and beverages (I'm an epicurean wannabe... mmmmm goatcheese);
- favourite things (that I would buy all my friends a la Oprah, should I ever win the lottery)
- other ways I'd spend my lottery jackpot winnings (if I ever bothered to regularly buy and check my tickets);
and,
- just general musings on life, the universe and everything... as I muddle along on this third planet from the sun.

..... so having said all that, let my blogging begin!!!