MODERNISTA MAMA

Vibrating to the Frequency of Love

2012-01-25T19:33:00.000-08:00

I'm almost afraid to post this with the above title. I just know it will attract the odd pervert. But it is one of my all time favorite quotes, "I vibrate to the frequency of love" by Quan Yin. It means that all life in the universe is connected and when we embrace the power of our unconditional love for ourselves and others, our energy (and cells) vibrate to the same frequency (love). It's quantum physics and Buddhism.

Just finished my last elementary school ZumbAtomics class. It is time--my knee for the first time hurt today. Next week my 12 classes a week drops to 6. Six is plenty. I will now have the time to focus on what's next for me. Teaching dancing I do for me. It is for my own 100% enjoyment. One doesn't make enough money to do it for any other reason. This is why I will limit my classes to no more than about 5 a week--any more and it cuts into my time to actually make a decent income! Also, on days when I teach 5 classes, by class 4 or 5 it is evening and I am stressed and tired from the day at school. Teaching kids dance is exhausting, especially one particular class of grade fours. Once they enter the gym, they are like chimps finally let loose in a forest.

My last classes of the day are adult Zumba and sometimes my mind wonders while I dance and I mess up here and there. I usually pretend it was all planned but I know my mind is exhausted from teaching so many kids dance all day.

However, I am so very blessed to have such a strong and healthy body that allows me to dance to my heart's content. I don't take my body for granted. I spoil it with good nutrition and lots of rest.

I am vibrating to the frequency of love ;) Life is an adventure to me and I never know what wonder awaits me. The things I cannot change, the things I have no control over, I just let happen in their own time even when it effects my life big time--what else can one do?

I leave with you a few pics of happy people: my daughter Tabs and friends at her birthday party and one of me with a few of the gals as we prepared to leave for our movie out We Bought a Zoo-we all enjoyed it.

Cool Cut-Up T-Shirt

2012-01-23T06:44:00.000-08:00

I wanted to try making some cool work-out t-shirts( cool in more way than one). I thought all the cutouts would be refreshing when I teach Zumba. I used an old cheap typical Hawaiian tourist t-shirts I purchased when I was in Hawaii (because I never wear it). I slashed up the front, back, sides and sleeves. It was my first time so I was experimenting with a little weaving too. It was actually fun. I know how to transform all those over sized ugly t-shirts one gets for free at sporting events, into fitted cool t-shirts. I also thought that this would be a great party idea for the girls' birthdays--each guests could create an unique t-shirt to take home (ages ten and up).

This is my last week of 5 and 4 day classes, yay! It is too much. I've never had such a life style as the one I am currently living. In order to preserve my legs for all of that dancing M-F, I do no other sports on the weekends. I am so not used to taking it physically easy on the weekends. E-gads, just look what kinds of things I get up to! i.e. please see above t-shirt craft. This life style is definitely an interesting change. Usually I plan my days around a big sports activity like skating, skiing, hiking etc. Now my days are free to find new interests or reconnect with old ones.

Gotta go unload a-lot-a-lotta groceries :)

Mama's Banana Cakes

2012-01-22T09:27:00.000-08:00

The summer before last, I spent some time on the Perhentian Islands in the South China Sea. Every morning, Peter and I would walk to an outdoor restaurant on the beach called Mama's (run by an ancient Malay woman) and I would order banana cake for breakfast. The following recipe is my healthy take on banana cake (muffin style). Scroll below the recipe for a few pics from my stay on the Perhentian Islands--the most beautiful and relaxing place on earth that I have encountered so far (aside from being stung by a jelly fish!) ...

Mama's Banana Cakes

1 1/4 cup whole grain spelt flour

1/2 cup large flake oats

1/2 cup ground flax

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 egg

3 large mashed ripe bananas

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp lemon juice

3/4 cup chocolate chips

Combine dry ingredients. In separate bowl, beat oil, sugar and add egg. Mix in bananas, milk and lemon juice. Add wet to dry with chocolate chips and stir until just mixed. Pour into muffin tin and bake for 15 minutes at 375 oF.

Mom, Auntie, Cousin and Me Zumba

2012-01-20T16:53:00.000-08:00

Me (age 6) holding my new baby sister Miranda (circa early 1970s)

Tonight is a special Zumba night. My sister Miranda and her girls are joining my class for the Mom and Me Zumba I teach at the rec centre. My daughters Mist and Tabs will be there too. Pip is at a play date at a friends house.
I taught my first Zumba nooner today at UBC. I like teaching adults at the Uni--may decide to be a prof after all...I had about ten UBC staff members and a student attend. Zumba is always a shock to one's system the first time. No one is prepared for all of the hip circles and booty shakes. But once you've mastered them, they are addictive. My legs are feeling the effect of 5 and 4 class days now. Yep, they are a wee bit tired and sore as I type this. But I am off to teach in 1/2 h.
I made supper and it is simmering on the stove until I return from class. I made Moroccan chicken with rice. It should be delicious. I love Moroccan food. It has butternut squash, raisins and brown basmati rice in the recipe. I used fresh garlic and ginger and turmeric I purchased on a tour of a spice plantation in Malaysia the summer before last.
Tomorrow is Tabs' birthday party: pool party/pizza party/movie out/sleepover party. Have been invited to a friend's party as well that night--hope I can fit in both as I love a party!

The Dance Must Go On

2012-01-18T14:30:00.000-08:00

Me today, in between classes (slim pickings in my photo archive today). My dog boys are some of my best Zumba enthusiasts ;0 I am wearing sweats borrowed from my dear daughter. It is great, now that Mistaya has grown to 5'10" she and I can borrow each other's clothing. I wore the fedora to dance today and the kids loved it. I told them to bring their hats next week as one particular song requires us to toss our hat off in a very suave manner at the end of it. Out of 3 classes I can honestly report there are only 2 dancing duds. By this I mean 2 students who refuse to dance at all and have an expressionless, cranky face the entire class. I only ever hear them complain, not just about dance but about any and everything out of their mouths! If I were their full time teacher or parent I would say it is time for an little intervention. If they stay this cranky and negative they are in for one nasty life.

It is so very cold in BC today. Unusually cold but it is supposed to be mild and raining by the weekend so I shall not complain. But my boys refuse to go outside to pee. They stand at the door and shake until I let them in.

It is a blizzard out there so I shall drive slowly to the University this afternoon. I love my Rav4. It handles icy mountain roads so well. Definitely treating my class to a Hawaiian song today--everyone living here needs a little tropical break.

I'm one of those people who often embarrasses herself. I don't look like the class clown, but I inadvertently do something embarrassing and become one--Latin dance class last night.

Wow, it is really is a major blizzard today up here on the mountain top--don't know if even my Rav4 wants to try the mountain one more time. I think I'll cancel taking Tabs to choir as the weather really is horrible and dangerously cold. Wish me luck, heading out to the Uni soon...

A Cup of Tea

2012-01-17T10:42:00.000-08:00

Me, in Portland Oregon, trying to warm up with a mug of tea. Man, is Portland a chilly place to be in the winter!

Winter has arrived in BC. We have snow and we have cold. I think the low last evening was about -12 oC. I drove my little poopsies to school at Tabs' request as the bus drops them off 1/2 h early and she didn't want to have to freeze outside for 1/2h. Yes, I spoil them. They are not prairie girls. When I was little and lived on the prairies for a portion of my childhood, I would walk to school in -40 oC. On some days it was even colder with the wind chill. I remember one morning it was -65 oC with the windchill! Yes, it made me one tough girl but also a woman who now hates cold weather and is looking to relocate to a tropical locale.

My 5 classes finished yesterday at 7:30 p.m. Let me say that to get myself pumped for the final class, I down a bottle of Diet Coke. It seems to work. It isn't until I am home, attempting to eat supper that I realize how tired my legs and feet are. I like teaching at UBC the best. Adult students are a breeze. Yes, I do adore my little students too (I cannot help but smile when I watch them intently dance the conga and shout "Chihuahua!" to our Chihuahua song). 2 men in my UBC class last night--a record! And, most importantly I have an assistant! She brings me the athletic binder before class and opens the ballroom for me. Yay! That cuts down on so much extra work: having to walk to and fro the Athletics building and deal with an de-programed key that won't open the ballroom each evening and a ballroom filled with tables and chairs to move. I'm going to add my Hawaiian hoola song to my repertoire this month--I did a little demo to one of Izzy's (Israel "IZ" Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole) songs (I couldn't help myself, we were doing our cool down stretches to White Sandy Beaches and I had to squeeze in a little hoola) and the class really wanted me to keep going with it :D

Pervert alert. A male, early 30s, in a hoodie, baseball cap and toque kept peering in my ZumbAtomic class windows all class. He started peaking in early--as Tabs and I were setting up. He kept coming back and trying all the windows to watch us. I though he might be an over-protective parent or something. After class I asked the students if anyone knew him. No one did and one girl said he'd asked her all these questions about what we were doing in the room just before she came to the class. I reported him to front desk and they were very concerned. The guy in charge of the building (I work with him on the sound system issues a lot) made sure that if he ever comes back to stop class and report to him immediately. It was then that Tabs told me a man (who looked like he was mentally challenged) had been standing at the door of the girl's washroom peering in. Good grief! One has to keep on their toes on a Monday night.

Off to make myself a cup of tea and await the piano tuner (our piano probably has not been tuned in its 50 year life time).

Let Me In & Let Me Out

2012-01-16T08:41:00.000-08:00

Baby Pablo a little nervous that perhaps no one remembers that he's still outside on a chilly day!

Baby Pablo waiting at the door to be let in.

When life is over/under-whelming, my only solution is to "GO TO THE WORLD."
By this I mean that one must push themselves even further and get more involved in outside pursuits in some way--forge a new connection to other beings in a new way. It is the social connections with others (human and animal) that challenge us and keep us in top form. It is also an imbalance in these connections that cause us to loose top form--when one is oppressed by power imbalances, trying to navigate through life with those individuals in positions of power with fragile and giant egos.

Once my thesis is defended (this is the hardest thing I have ever dealt with in my life--having one's future constantly dependent on others) I will be able to move onto phase II of my career plan. Phase II is all about art. This involves only one major training session in France this summer. It is going to be touch and go if I can afford the trip on many levels: time away from my family, finances etc.
Before France though, I must establish myself as a Publisher and publish my first e-Book. So, I am waiting and waiting to get into phase II. Phase 1 should have been over a year ago but unfortunately I am not in control over the MA process. Though, I have been sinking major tuition into UBC until I defend my thesis so there are many, many reasons I wish this would have been over a year ago.

I am hanging in there--going to the world--in an attempt to not let this lack of control over one's own future drag me down. Today is my teach 5 classes in 3 locations of Zumba day. But strangely, even dancing my body and mind into oblivion isn't enough "going to the world" for me. I need to push harder, move even further into the world to conquer the mental stress I have been under for the last 2 years of the MA process. I am not sure how exactly I am going to up my going to the world pursuits, but I will. It is the only thing that saves one in a time of serious stress (stress that is either sudden and of a crisis nature or prolonged lower level stress that shows no sign of ending soon).

Confessions of a Blogging Addict

2012-01-12T18:18:00.000-08:00

A recent article in the BBC news reporteded that Chinese scientists found significant brain changes in Internet addicts. They posed a series of questions to the subjects to determine if they were Internet addicts. And those who qualified as addicts, had their brains studied. The brain changes were similar to those found in other addicts (drug, alcohol, gambling etc.) The emotional side of the brain gets addicted to the (emotional) hits one gets on the net--brain stimulus.

I answered yes to many of the questions--Do I find myself online longer than I intended? Si senor. Have I tried unsuccessfully to limit my time online? Si, si senorita.

I confess that I feel the need to write online a lot. I love to express myself through other mediums and media. I think that is natural for me because I have the brain of artist--always have. So, is my strong desire to write online an addiction or the work of an artist needing to express herself?

I also confess to loving the Internet. It has opened up the word to me, a world I had no access to as a teenager. The ability to have all my questions answered instantly at my finger tips is wonderful. Oh, how I would have loved my digital encyclopedia as a teen. And the ability to express oneself instantly through multi hyper textual media is a dream for an artistic brain!

Some appreciate my art, of course others are critical--such is artistic expression. That's how it goes. I take hits in many ways. People tell me what they don't like about my blog all of the time. Also, my posts attract perverts on occasion and I have to reexamine my posts and delete stuff that I had no idea would attract perverts. People complain about my posts and ask Facebook to delete the odd one.

But what my blog does for me is give me a tablet to practice my writing daily. What could be better for an author? It also provides a chronicle of my family life. I am a recorder. Throughout history, written recordings of human society are what we study and learn from. Without a path of bread crumbs to follow back through history, how can one piece together the mysteries of human life on earth?

Now, having ranted a little about my blogging addiction, I will update my readers on some tidbits about my life:

Enjoyed a lunch downtown today with my friend Zoe :)

I am also enjoying a Latin dance class I am a student of on Tuesday evenings. My teacher is very thorough and a stickler on perfect form. I need this, as a Zumba instructor my technique is always exaggerated to emphasize the moves for my students. My teacher, Rob, brings me back to precise form--keeping my movements tighter and smaller.

My darling daughters keep me busy always. My little Pippi is keeping herself super busy with a new imaginary friend. Her last friend was another mom named Cindy. Her new friend is a little girl named Christie. Christie and Pip play the maze board game Labyrinth for hours together. If I hear her say something when I'm in the kitchen and I'll ask, "What was that Pip?"
She'll say, "That was Christie Mom. Don't worry, if you hear a girl's voice that sounds like me, it's just Christie my best friend. She sounds a lot like me."
I was resting in bed with a movie last night (more about this later) and I asked Peter to tuck Pippi into bed for the night. He returned to the bedroom after a few minutes. I asked, "Is Pippi all ready in bed?"
"No," he said, "she's in the middle of a game of Labyrinth with Christie. I'm giving her ten minutes to finish the game."
Tonight at supper, we all accidentally sat on Christie as she seemed to move around the table unnoticed.
I adore my darling Pippi. She's a creative marvel! Mist and Tabs are both happy, busy gals too. Tabs busy planning her Birthday party with friends next weekend and Mist is going skiing again tomorrow night with a friend and getting ready for Ballet tonight.

I am loving my dog boys. Pablo and Fernando are the best friends a girl could ever ask for. Fernando has changed from a crazy beast, always getting into mischief, into a relaxed happy big bro. And Pablo is my cuddle boy still. Dogs are the best company. I'm super social by nature. So I cannot understand how anyone could live alone. If I were alone without other humans, I would always have my pets. Sitting beside them on the sofa, I always feel filled with love.

About my night off... January is a crazy month for me. The physical and mental demands on me as a Zumba teacher are high. I teach 5x a day sometimes, 4x other times and 3x on other days. Between that time I must try to do almost nothing to recoup for the next day of teaching and dancing. The physical demands show up by the fifth hour--my legs hurt a little and sometimes I have blisters. But it is hardest on my mind. I get exhausted being 'on' as a teacher. For five hours I am not only dancing and remembering 15 different songs and their steps, I am smiling and directing, and in the case of the children's classes, doing behavioural control. If the kids start to get aggressive with each other, I use a line inspired from lyrics by The Killers, "We've got soul but we're not soldiers. We are dancers. " I have to appear super pumped, happy and naturally lead the group in some hoots and hollers at opportune times.

So, hence, I have Spoil Queen MJ days. These are days when I try to do as little as possible exercise and work that would stress me. It is a day of nurturing all of me so I can cope with the crazy demands of my five class days. And in the evenings I treat myself to a foreign movie in bed with a Dairy Queen Blizzard in my hands. Last night the movie was Danish, Heaven. An unbelievably good movie which I highly recommend. The Blizzard was Peanut Butter Cup--also good :)

Blogging Addict signing off for now--until the next time my fingers are drawn to this keyboard.
I have to attend to a wee call out for "toilet paper" from down the hall :)

Pablo in the Bath

2012-01-11T12:29:00.000-08:00

Nobody told me there'd be days like this.

FERNANDO!? Where's my big brother when I really need him?!

If you can't beat them...surrendering is always an option.

Dear God just let this be over.

OK, enough with the pictures already. Just hurry up and get me out of here.

Little Dancing Buddhas

2012-01-10T11:28:00.000-08:00

Above pics are of some of my favorite dancers: my girls, my niece and a friend.

What a day. I taught 5 hours worth of Zumba classes on Monday at 3 different locations around the city. At one point, I had 15 min between classes to drive from down town all the way to the University. But I did it! I had over 50 students in my last class. WOW. I was starting to feel a wee bit exhausted but I put on my smile and the show went on.

My first male (adult) student approached me after class to say he LOVED it J and would be coming back. I told him to bring his friends.

Pippi and Tabs and my niece Nem are in my ZumbAtomics class at the Rec Centre and they are so adorable to teach. I love their smiling little faces. Mist helped me out by taking over the last dance game as I slipped out of class a little early to make it to my next class (this was a one time event as next week the classes are an hour apart thank G!). I love having my girls involved with my dance classes when I can. It is so good for them to work with Mom at something fun, I believe.

Teaching large groups of school children is the most difficult as some are reluctant dancers and other have emotional/ behavioral issues. In one of my elementary school classes a little girl burst out crying. I had prepared the kids for a line dance game: two lines face each other. The head of each line turns and dances down the middle with their partner while the line cheers them on clapping. Well, when the kids saw the person across from them that they would dance down the centre with, a few made faces, backed away, said rude comments—hence the tears.

I used my Buddhist philosophy to explain a little act of kindness to them. The next class, after my quick kindness talk, I asked the kids, “ Who is ready to show your classmates kindness from your heart? Because everyone needs a little kindness in their life.” They all put up their hands and everyone danced down the isle without insulting their partner J I felt good about that class, not only did they get a great dance class, they learned how to give a little kindness in order to not hurt another’s feelings.

I arrived home at about 7:30 p.m. too tired to eat much. Then I started to get really cold. Dancing for five hours keeps my body temp super high all day and then coming home and eating, my body starts to cool down. This always happens after an entire day of dancing—I freeze afterward. I attempted a bath but we have yet to replace our hot water tank, as we have been so busy with other house renos. I had a 1-inch bath before it turned icy. I grabbed a towel and bolted for the living room. I was so cold; my teeth were chattering uncontrollably and my body shaking. I lay down on the giant dog bed (strategically placed in front of the fire) and shook away.

My teeth chattered so loudly, my darling Pablo started to cry and lick my face. A great way to end my crazy day—lying on the dog bed with my dog boys (Pablo and Fernando) in front of the fire.

BONUS: found out my UBC Zumba classes are open to everyone! One doesn’t have to be affiliated with the University in any way to attend. It’s a really good price too. $30 for unlimited classes on campus. And drop in is only $3. SO, anyone wanting to try my classes should call campus rec and show up in the ballroom at the University Centre Building Mon, Wed evenings or Friday at noon—I’ll be there!

Winter Walk with the Gypsy Boys

2012-01-08T16:45:00.000-08:00

This weekend has been one of mostly work and not much play. Peter finished the hardwood stairs! They are beautiful. I taught my first Mom and Me Zumba class Friday night. It was fun. Pippi and Tabi attended class with me. I teach 5 classes tomorrow. I bring almonds and oranges with me so between classes I can refuel a little. Also, I always put a splash of apple juice in my water bottle to give me extra energy. I am discovering the human body has limited energy stores. Once they are depleted, that's it folks. Because I am dancing so many hours a day now, I realize that's it--that's my life. All I have energy to do is teach dance, come home cook a little, break bread with my family and sleep. I'll be a little bit boring this month I think.

Mist took Tabs out to a late show for her Birthday present. Tabs chose Breaking Dawn and loved it. I was surprised as Tabs hates anything scary or gory. Pippi asked if she and I could have girls' night since everyone else was out for the evening. She and I had a movie and sundaes in bed and then she slept with me until her dad arrived home at midnight with her big sisters. Pip loved our night and has suggested we have girls' night every Monday and Tuesday :)

The first snow of the New Year has graced the Okanagan Valley. Some snow inspired events from our lives: Mist down hill skied all day yesterday with a friend, blizzard on our mountain last evening--snow bound at home for the night, Pippi cut her bottom lip wide open tobogganing today.

The first snow of the New Year and the first outside walk for Pablo. Below are pictures from Pablo's first ever walk on a lead like a big-boy dog ;)

Pablo ( we decided) looked a little like an old gypsy woman. We called him the Gypsy Granny Boy. He looks like he might try selling apples around the neighborhood.

Wild boy Fernando is one strong pug and Pippi one determined Alpha girl.

Fernando was determined to lead the pack but Pablo had other ideas.

Tabs, Pablo, Pippi and Fernando finally have the alpha leader thing figured out.

I took a turn sorting out the wee ego maniac boys.

Just when we thought all was well...Pablo was off like a shot.

Tabs caught up to the little devil. He just wanted a little privacy.

Tabs and Pablo wearing a dog sweater knit by my mom for my very first pug Weldy (19 years ago!).

Alpha Pippi thinks she can handle both wild boys at once.

Pablo has her on the run!

Fernando has Tabs on the run!

Our feisty boys: Pablo the Old Boston Bull Dog puppy (2 months old) and Fernando the Pug (3 years old).

Me and Pablo my little apple-selling gypsy boy.

Beautifully Ugly Portraits 2011

2012-01-07T07:22:00.000-08:00

I love portraits--it is what I paint. I also love photography. I've been experimenting with a few self portraits from this past year--2011. Some of them were taken in Europe, some in Canada. I look ugly in some of them but still, I like them as photographs as they capture a mood. In fact, I have just recently found my true painting muse and passion--I was stumbling a bit, how to get started agin, what exactly do I need to paint? One cannot paint without a serious passionate obsession that is the driving force behind the brutal and long hours of creation (at least I can't). And alas, this New Year (to be specific) my passion became known to me. Less subject matter, more macro portraiture. My subjects will include all life (animal/plant too) in a unique portrait form. It has always been there, a vision I'd written down in blurred words and fuzzy images but this New Year, the images cleared and the words were there in bold black and white. Let the painting begin again for me! I leave you with the following photographs of my year now past. Hope you get some sense of mood from the following photos and perhaps can piece together the sort of year I had in 2011. It was the worst of times... it was the best of times...

Here's to a happy and adventure filled New Year for you and me!

New Year's Eve Zumba!

2012-01-05T10:59:00.000-08:00

Had to post our party pics from New Year's Eve. I just love my sister's new building. Hart Hall is the best: a giant hall with a cathedral ceiling to run and dance to our hearts desires. Theresa just purchased the historical stone building from the Anglican Church on Nelson--so there are many repairs and renovations to do--under the tile (in the below pics) is oak hardwood. The main floor of Hart Hall will be used for her Vet clinic--Theresa is a vet. My sis' partner Joop was at the party too but unfortunately when I had the camera out, he was back at the house finding us a sound system.

We Kelownians are all home now, back in Kelowna. The winter has not existed for us. We had an early November snow when I shot the tobogganing pictures Have Dog. Will Toboggan and then it melted and that was it! It has been snowless and mild ever since. I like it but I know it is not a good thing. We need major snow packs in the mountains to avoid a summer of fierce forest fires again.

I am dancing all month--teaching daily, sometimes 5 classes a day! I love it though. I can't help myself, I was born to dance--I am always so happy dancing. It is the one thing that makes me feel like I am the centre of the universe and invisible at the same time--bliss. Enjoying teaching at the elementary school. The kids are so much fun. Though, there is always the one seemingly removed kid in every class (usually a boy--with a vacant look in his eyes that shuffles around, not really involved). But that is the way it goes in a classroom. Perhaps as the month continues, the music and dance will reach those kids in some way.

Arriving at Hart Hall just before midnight.

The littlest dancers arrive in their PJ's

Theresa pours the Champagne in prep for the New Year's toast. Paul and Kim eagerly await the toasts :)

The girls discovered some religious cloaks left from when the Anglican Church owned Hart Hall

The dance begins!

Tabs, Paul (in festive hat) and Nem

My New Year's Eve Zumba class. The best one ever! We were all stuffed with appetizers and Champagne but boy could we move ;D Peter did a break-dancing solo.

Tabs and Nem getting into more mischief!

Mistaya looking quite funky in the religious robe.

Tabs busting a move with a tired little Pip.

Me, refueling after the dancing--no more Champagne for me!

Happy Birthday Peter!

2012-01-03T15:30:00.000-08:00

Peter wanted Chinese take-out for his birthday meal--amazing how many chinese places are closed on a Monday! Our neighborhood restaurant is the best but it was closed. Unfortunately, the one we ordered from wasn't very good :(

The cake was so much better than the supper! I made it from scratch.

Pedro ended up with 2 girlfriends ;)

The cake: Chocolate, carmel and pecan cheesecake made by me :)

Celebration time for our family never ends! First New Years then on the 2nd, Peter's Birthday and on the 3rd Tabitha's! I am caked out. We had a quiet family supper and then I treated Pedro to a movie night out. He loves action/adventure so we went to Mission Impossible--so much of it was filmed in Vancouver--cool. Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Tabitha Lydia

2012-01-03T14:30:00.000-08:00

Tabitha

You are beautiful.

Holding you in my arms,

Precious and tiny,

I know God loves me.

Fuzzy Blonde hair,

Deep navy eyes,

Chubby wrists,

Soft belly.

Singing hush little baby.

The smell of your neck,

Soft, sweet.

Delicate head on my shoulder.

All that you are is dear.

Perfection that I may love.

Your voice, eyes smile.

Smile shining.

The universe is bright and warm.

Together we are,

My beautiful girl.

My honeymoon Tabs and me.

Mix Hart

March 19, 2000

* When Tabs was a tiny baby her big sister Mistaya called her "Honeymoon Tabs." I don't know why but the name stuck and that is why I call her that in the above poem. I wrote this poem for Tabs when she was 2 months old.

Tabitha and Mom seconds after birth.

Tabs (a few days old) and Mom.

Happy Baby Tabs

Tabs at 3 months (always smiling).

Tabs on spring walk in her perambulator.

Tabs not sure she likes cantaloupe.

Tabs at Ballet class age 2.

Tabs on the North coast of BC at age 3.

Tabs age 2 at her Auntie Catherine's wedding.

Today my darling Tabitha is twelve years old. I remember her birth day like it was last year. She was the most amazing baby. She never cried, in fact, I was worried that perhaps there was something wrong with her and that perhaps she couldn't cry. But no, she was super healthy and just a happy, content little babe. I called her my little dynamo because she was so quick and active and so tiny in size. I could never take her in public without being stopped constantly because of her beautiful blonde, curly afro. Her hair is long now, and less curly but when it is short the curls are unstoppable! Enjoy the baby pics of my second born daughter, my darling Tabs.

New Year's Eve in Nelson, BC

2012-01-01T17:33:00.000-08:00

Kyran, Kim, Mist and Theresa and Paul in back

Joop, Me, Nem, Tabs, Mist and Kim

Artemisia and Pippi

Peter, Jenna and Joop (so proud as he just braided Jenna's hair)

Mist, Kim, Kyran and Paul

Anemone and Tabs

A Very Late Night for Nem and Pablo... zzzzz.....

New Years Eve started out at Hart House in Nelson (my sister Theresa's). We had a relaxing afternoon at Ainsworth hot springs. It was a busy afternoon at the hot springs--lots of bathing bodies. The natural rock caves and tunnel are extremely hot but so nice to walk through. Artemisia and Pip were very excited to be there and kept us all busy with their antics--running, shouting etc.
We drove back to Nelson where my sister Theresa was busy preparing an amazing Swiss roclette. A roclette requires a roclette grill (above). One melts slices of soft roclette cheese and then scrapes the melted cheese onto steamed veggies. Very yummy. Theresa also served shrimp buchettes (my mom's famous recipe) and other delicacies. It was very cozy and enjoyable. I was not dressed in my usual fancy attire for New Year's Eve as the roclette was to be followed by a dance party down the mountain at Hart Hall (the historical building my sister just purchased down town. She is remodeling the main floor to house her vet clinic).
All of the little gals LOVE Hart Hall. They run around and have the best time exploring the old building. So...after a little champagne and a lot of roclette, we stumbled down to the hall to welcome in the New Year dancing--I led the group into the New Year dancing Zumba! We had fun and it was the best and craziest class I've taught--all the dancers gave it their all!

Photo Shoot with Photographer Ryan Murphy

2011-12-31T08:34:00.000-08:00

For a Christmas present, Theresa booked the children and I for a portrait photo shoot with THE Canadian portrait photographer Ryan Murphy. These are my photos of us at the shoot which took place in the attic studio of Hart Hall in Nelson, BC. Hart Hall (the historic building my sister recently purchased) is an amazing old three story stone building in down town Historical Nelson. Last evening I used the spacious hall to practice dancing to some new songs. The little girls accompanied me--they found old costumes, dressed up and had a blast running through the hall playing while I danced. Last evening we had a wonderful vegetarian kamut lasagna meal cooked by chef Theresa. It was a most enjoyable evening with all seven of us Kelowna people and Theresa, Kyran, Joop, Paul and Kim.
Today I will head over to Hart Hall this morning for more dance and then we are all off to the Anisworth Hotsprings. Tonight, I believe it is a festive New Year's Eve house party with games and appies here at Hart House.

Happy New Year's Eve My Dear Readers!

cousins in waiting

me and the kids

me holding Pip with Mist, Kyran and Artemisia

Anemone (model) and Ryan

Kyran threatening to throw Artemisia out the window and Tabs quite thrilled at the prospect ;)

Kyran relaxing on Pip's knee

Artemisia thrilled to be holding her big cuz

Speak No Evil: Girls went exploring in Hart Hall and returned like this

Mistaya styling Peter's hair

Model Kyran

The Boys and I

2011-12-29T07:57:00.000-08:00

Me and my dogs. (top) Wee little Pablo, our Old Boston Bulldog puppy and (bottom) Fernando our pug. Mistaya practiced her theatre makeup skills on me last week and then we took these pics. I think they are just festive enough for the pending New Years Eve Celebrations!

Our home is a little inside out at the moment. Our stairs are half covered in oak (thanks to Peter and all of his hard work). We will have to leave them for a few days as we are going to Nelson, BC to celebrate the New Year with my sister and her family and we are bringing our girls, dogs and my two darling little nieces with us for the journey through the mountains. It is very warm in BC this season, thus big avalanche warnings. Our route is clear so far. Driving in any direction out of Kelowna in the winter is always a challenge--highways are extremely high mountain passes in all directions and they are often closed due to blizzards or in warm winter weather--avalanches.

My lungs are still infected with a virus which I am nursing as I start teaching full out (3 classes of ZumbAtomics at Ecole Glenmore) on Wednesday. I'll be trying to learn my 2 newest songs all weekend while we are away. I wonder if I can dance in the new Hart Hall? My sister recently purchased a beautiful historical building in Nelson. Inside she has a large theatre/hall like room perfect for both my dance classes and painting exhibitions. Not to mention great studio spaces. Sigh...I need to live in Nelson to take advantage of such a wondrous and perfect space for me and my passions.

I'm feeling a little freaked by January and my commitments. Also we have many house duties to fulfil when we return: finish the hardwood stairs, purchase a new hot water heater. Thank-goodness a repair man was able to fix our furnace and a fireplace yesterday. Signing off until I arrive in the Kootneys...
Watch out Nelson, here we come with 2 crazy beasts and 5 crazy young girls, one serious dude and one most distinguished woman (in top hat) ;)

Mistaya Ballerina

2011-12-27T08:48:00.000-08:00

I took these lovely portraits of Mistaya wearing her theatre makeup for her dance performance. I missed the actual performance night as I was out of the country but her Auntie M and sister Tabs and cousin Nem attended. Miranda told me Mist was an amazing dancer. I did see a video of her dances at least!

Christmas 2011 is over, Boxing Day too. The season is a stressful one: both healthy and unhealthy stresses. And here I am, left with the most nasty head cold which includes fever. If I stop dancing, I get sick. I kept rehearsing each day but not hard core (1h dance until I drop) workouts daily. When I am teaching without breaks I NEVER get sick because I think my body temp gets so high for an hour that it kills any viruses that may be lurking. The key to not getting a bug is too substitute my teaching classes for attending at least 3 killer classes every week I have off. It's hard because sometimes I am exhausted and need a break but I guess it is not possible. Breaks mean viruses take hold. Colds are not simple for me. I have asthma and thus I battle the threat of bronchitis and pneumonia every time I catch a cold.

Peter is finishing our hardwood staircase the next few days. My girls are keeping themselves amused with their new Christmas videos, games and toys. If I were well, we would be skating and hiking. January will be the start of this family's ski season. A low key season this year as my life is crazy this January! No one can possibly imagine the relief I will feel to have my M.A. done. My thesis process has been something that I cannot properly expand on at this time.

So the real me, the true one, without the albatross on her back, will appear once again very soon. Watch out world, she is so ready to fly!
My dedication to my art will see me through. I recently read that artists are happiest when they live for their art. This is an easy statement for the famous artists throughout history to make. None of them were mothers! The few internationally successful North American women artists (painters) from the past 100 years were not mothers: Emily Carr, Frida Kahlo, Georgia O'Keefe. This is because the art world is patriarchal. Though, I believe a new breed of internationally successful women artists will emerge this century: mothers. Of course, this means the patriarchal art world must undergo a revolution. Let the revolution begin!
I will start it this coming year 2012. To turn a patriarchal art world upside down and inside out will not be an easy task. But it does sound like fun :D
As for writing, I am happy to report the revolution is in full swing (my thesis is about this very topic!) and I will jump on board as both a publisher and writer in 2012.
I am grooming my wings now...

Best Family Pictures from Christmas 2011

2011-12-26T12:45:00.000-08:00

A quick glimpse at what our family got up to this Christmas:

My children: L-R Pippi, Fernando, Mist, Pablo and Tabs

Pippi and Artemisia singing carols on Christmas Eve

Mist, Tabs and Nem playing The Game of Life

Artemisia and Pablo

Pippi and Artemis tracking Santa on the computer

Miranda and Peter tracking Santa--JK they were trying to find Miranda's site at UBC to show my dad

My dad Luke (formerly known as John) demonstrating his winning Pictionary skills (electric blanket)

Nem and her cuddle bunny named Fernando

Tabs at Pictionary

Miranda (demonstrating the pug nose) and Pablo

Iced Tea for the little ones, Pippi and Artemis

Peter and Luke Hart

My dad (Luke) with his granddaughters Pippi and Artemis

Pippi starting off the fashion show

John watching Pippi model in the Christmas Day fashion show

My mom, Me and Mist

John, demonstrating his human physiology skills during Pictionary (the thyroid protrusion is supposed to be a heart)

Me and my Pippi

Granny trying to create a French chignon with Mist's lovely hair

Puppy Love for Pablo

2011-12-25T10:38:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas world!

I send love to all my fellow sisters and brothers of every species on this sacred day.

My present to all who read my blog are these photos of our Christmas baby: puppy Pablo. A little dose of puppy love for all. These pictures were taken on Christmas Eve (last evening) while Pablo slept in Tabs' arms.

He is the definition of Cuddle Bunny. I never imagined I would adopt such a cuddle boy. He is happiest snuggled in my arms.

Just Another Day at the Office

2011-12-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

At the "office" with my little darlings Tabs and Pippi. The girls love to go to Starbucks and work on their computers. Tabs is writing a novel about Christmas Elves and Pippi uses my computer to play Club Penguin. She told me, "Mom! I told two penguins that I loved them today!"
I said, "What did they say back to you?"
Pippi, "I don't know but I think they said, 'I don't care.'"
Mom (me) gets to write old school while we're there (in my hard covered book style journal). It is worth it to get s few moments to listen to my ipod and jot down some ideas while the girls are amused.

Tonight is a traditional Christmas Eve fondue at my house. Miranda (sister) and her family and my parents will be joining us.
This morning we will go skating on the pond down the hill from our home.
Felt unusually exhausted yesterday and thus didn't do too much. Walked Fernando, read books with Pippi, sang a few carols with Pippi, built a Barbie Christmas house with Pippi--we decorated a little Christmas tree for her Barbie family.
Must limit Tabs' computer time. She has had deep scratches on her face for months and we figured she was doing it in her sleep--but yesterday I caught her scratching her skin on her nose until it bled (unconsciously) while she was playing some game on her computer!
Mist had a quiet day which was OK as she had two busy days with friends just before.
Peter is home for 3 days so I guess that means he is coming skating with us once he returns from the gym !

Merry Christmas Eve my Friends

Spelt Gingerbread Cookies

2011-12-23T11:10:00.000-08:00

The finished and decorated Gingerbread cookies (made by my 3 daughters)

Gingerbread cookies prior to decorating

Spelt Gingerbread Cookies
1 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
2 cups light spelt flour
1 1/2 cups whole grain spelt flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves

In large bowl beat butter and sugar at high speed until fluffy.
Add molasses keep beating.
Add egg and then the remaining ingredients. Beat at low speed until dough sticks together.Wrap dough in parchment paper and chill in fridge for several hours.
Preheat oven to 350 o F.
On lightly floured surface, roll dough into 1/4 inch thickness.
Cut out cookies with cookie cutters.
Use spatula to transfer to cookie sheets (not greased)
bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn slightly darker.
Cool, ice and decorate!

Skating on a Sunshiny Day

2011-12-22T09:25:00.000-08:00

Tabs, Rachel, Nem, Mist

Rachel, Tabs, Mist and Nem

Nem and Miranda

Nem, Pippi, Tabs (looking at the ice?), Artemis and Miranda-

Pippi and Mist

Had fun on my first skate of the season. We were down town at the lake front rink. Such a sunshiny warm December day. I always have land legs for the first while until my ice legs adjust. One little tip: never wear a too small helmet and chew gum at the same time--brutal headache. Tabs borrowed my helmet and left me with hers. After my brutal experience I switched to Miranda's helmet (pictured above).

An easy going holiday this year. I will never travel for Christmas. Packing presents and clothing and ski equipment is too crazy for any mortal. We'll be going away to Nelson, BC for New year's Eve though.
Baby Pablo is keeping me busy with his potty breaks and the odd crying jag (to sit on my knee while I type at the computer i.e. NOW!) Pip is busy making hand made gifts for her sisters as I type this.

Off to dance for an hour ( learning a Samba and Tango to add to my Zumba line up) and then some last minute Christmas shopping with my little girls. Tabs is demanding "office time" with me. That means that she and I go to Starbucks together with our laptops for a couple of hours and write on our novels. Haven't had time to do the "office break" thus far but will try to make room this afternoon as Tabs is really adamant. Though I'd like to skate again today so we will see what we can fit in.

The thing I love about Canada (one of many) is that it doesn't matter what your spiritual beliefs are, in general, we Canadians love to celebrate Christmas. Christmas for Canadians means celebration time, even if one is not a Christian. We love Santa Clause in Canada, because, of course, he is Canadian after all :)

2 Dogs and a Girl

2011-12-21T08:33:00.000-08:00

I came home the other morning to discover my Pip had nestled herself in the kennel with the boys, Pablo and Fernando. Fernando the pug and Pablo the Boston Bull dog. Pip was raised as a tiny tot with Fernando as a new puppy. They are inseparable and each one thinks Pip is a dog. So, it is natural that my "pups" hang together. They make my heart sing :)

A snow storm last night made it impossible for Peter to drive to our mountain top. I rescued him in our 4 wheel drive. And then drove him down early this morning to fetch his car once again. Peter drives an old Mazda near its last days. We really should have brought him home the sports car we found in Portland but he couldn't imagine driving the soft top through the Coquihalla in December! A new car for Peter will be one of our next purchases.

Off to skate on the outdoor rink down town with the girls this morning. Won't ski until Jan--if I can get the girls and I out a few times this year, I'll feel like I made an effort. Next year I'll buy us season passes. Pip and Mist need skis and boots and Tabs needs new boots. Tabs needs new skates this year also. I bought her new ones last year but wow, her feet have really grown.

Have a few errands to run. Oh how I dislike errands because they never end! I've especially decided that I shouldn't order clothing online anymore. I only have to return them to switch sizes which means extra postal charges and new delivery charges for the right size--adding on an extra 15-20 dollars from my original order :( PUMA only gives free postal service if you return it within the USA. I do like my new PUMA winter boots though. Super comfy with a boingy arch support in just the right place.

The new Zumba DVD has great choreography. Now I feel the pressure to learn all the songs I love. Once I see new routines, the old stuff never seems as exciting to me and I want to learn at least 3 or 4 new songs right away.