Joie de Vivre

"the art of finding happiness in the moment"

Laundry day here in the lovely Plateau of Montreal for me today. I anticipate it- The day I can go around the block to the little bohemian garden cafe/laundromat! I joyfully sat in the early afternoon sun in the garden with a delicious soy iced coffee and Shirley MacLaines exquisite autobiography of spiritual enlightenment titled Out On A Limb. (ok so maybe the macbook came with me too ;)  I have been looking high and low for this book and conveniently just the other night on my bike ride home from work found a lovely heaping of gems on the sidewalk with a sign reading, "share my goodness, please give me a home" These little offerings the universe gives us from time to time are perfect examples of Joie de Vivre... 

As a young woman of not even 20 I feel I have the world at my fingertips, a new city to explore, a home all my own and an opportunity to grow and learn and blossom as an artist when I begin first year at university this fall. At times though, the complications of "me" being me.. my thoughts, criticisms and self doubts hold me back and dont grant me the credit I think, I do truly deserve... I think the little girl inside, me- still wild and free often feels pushed aside, ignored and today I was feeling her sadness surface at times. I experienced a whole wide range of emotions today from the time I awoke and read the newest blog entry of the ever so inspiring Denise Andrade with my tea before the Laundromat Boho Cafe, 

...Blog reading in the morning is definitely a centring tool for myself, It grounds me and brings me back to me, my creative spirit, whenever I stray from it...

I took the tears willingly today, tears of happiness, at times confusion, loneliness and at times pure excitement if you can believe it. 

I think truly, It all comes down to having trust and faith in myself. I know my strength is there, sometimes my flame just weakens and it just needs to be reawakened.

This week when things got tough it was my painting for me. I have had the incredible pleasure to begin painting custom wood longboards/skateboards for a local boarding company here in Montreal called "Zen It" 

...Ironically enough...

With working on that and playing Native flute during the week for Hatha and Restorative Flow Yoga practices and balancing the Barista gig at Second Cup, life feels very full. I guess I just need to find the fullness within me now

I started that by taking advantage of the massage discounts at the yoga studio, We must always make the time in the day to self nurture. 

We are human 'beings' after all- not human 'doings' ;)

The simple things, and remembering always your worth is never determined by "what you do" ..this is something i need to remember. 

Tomorrow I will be interviewed to be a daytime Nanny for a French family around the corner from where I live, they want their children to have art classes with me during the day which I am absolutely thrilled about, maybe they can even help me with my francais! 

Somehow after that I will pack up my flutes and get ready for work at 12am-9am and make it to my bus  for 10:30 to Toronto. I am assisting a friend by playing flute for her children's theatre workshop at an intimate forest folk Festival called Blue Skies ...One of the most amazing places on earth... 

Am I ready to go home and see all those familiar faces? Not sure yet

Can't believe it has already been a month here in this magical art infused city..

My inspiration is overflowing and its the most beautiful feeling

Until then,

Joie de vivre

Seasonal updating...

Im ok with some Rainy Summer Days

The days here in my new home seem to be passing by surprisingly quickly considering its just me here exploring this new magical city. The days are spent in cafes on my computer searching local artists and studying verb conjugation.. endless amounts of reading, painting, going for gloriously freeing runs at sunset through Parc Jeanne-Mance and investigating this marvelous language and culture through an infinite number of outlets. There is so much here in my neighbourhood I have yet to make down for a late night cobble stone stroll in the Old Section of Montreal.. Which undoubtedly steals my heart every time <3 

Soon I will have my bike up and ready to go and park picnics will be a daily occurrence with my french english dictionary whilst not steaming milk at Second Cup and pouring Organic Quebecois Barley beer at Lola Rosa in the McGill Village. Friends shall come with time, but for now I am enveloping myself in the beauty of enjoying the purity and loving energy of my own divine company. 

Since arriving back from California my life has been speeding by with grace and ease... In the best kind of way that life can speed by. I have been feeling such a tremendous sense of acceptance for myself and for the point in which I am at; I am feeling completely receptive to the opportunities unravelling before me..

Being back in Toronto, back in my own space to work and prepare for festivals was very grounding for me and exactly what I needed. The list of things I was doing between shows, scholarship applications for school and trying to find myself a place to call home in Montreal took up the days and the nights... But I did not choose to let it overwhelm me in the way things normally can... I was riding the waves- not fighting them, and enjoying every minute of this fabulous surf.

In mid June I went out to Montreal to search for a potential nest to spread my wings in. I found the most ideal spot- almost too perfect. It felt so right

I moved in this past weekend and set myself to work, trying to culminate an oasis that would inspire- and be ideal for my creative brain babies

I had a vision-

Gypsy .  Boudoir  .  Circus  .  Creative Sanctuary

Now it was just a matter of giving this shabby space which had tremendous potential

some tender loving care...

This is what was inspired into reality;