“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.”ⁱ

To be entirely honest, this post has been a loooong time coming. I keep looking back over it and can’t quite decide whether or not it’s time to let it go out into the world.

Beside the point though. I’ve been pondering on a fun little project to do here at the blog for a little while, but just couldn’t quite find the right way to go about it until now. My plan is to do a special series as part of my Picspam posts dedicated to images inspired by books, movies, fairy tales, whatever have you. Like a visual translation of something non-visual. If that makes sense. In an attempt at being adorable and because I’m a fairy tales fiend, I’m titling this little series “Once Upon A Time”.

For the first part of this series, I’d like to start with the book The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo. I read this book about two months ago now, and it’s really stuck with me ever since. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s one of my favourite books of all time, but it’s one of those books that I feel is one that everyone should read at some point in their lives. It’s a very spiritual read, and I know for me personally, it made me re-think a lot about how I go about living my daily life in pursuit of my dreams. I won’t go further into detail so as not to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t read it, so on with the images! I’m hoping they serve to be more indicative of the general feel for the novel, than to retell it ‘word-for-word’, if you will. Some are literal, while others are based on certain images that came into my mind while reading.

“Before the boy could reply, a butterfly appeared and fluttered between him and the old man. He remembered something his grandfather had once told him: that butterflies were a good omen. Like crickets and like grasshoppers; like lizards and four-leafed clovers.” ⁱⁱ

“If what one finds is of pure matter, it will never spoil. And one can always come back. If what you had found was only a moment of light, like the explosion of a star, you would find nothing on your return.”ⁱⁱⁱ

1. Page 11
2. Page 29
3. Page 123

“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”

For the fun of getting in the Wonderland mood, here’s a handful of fun Alice inspired photographs/illustrations/etc. :D (For the super enthusiastic, my first ode to Alice can be found here.)

Happy Wonderland Day! To those fortunate enough to be able to see the film this weekend, I’m envious!

Click photos for source.

And because no winter gush is complete without it, Tori Amos’ song Winter. Though it’s technically about her father, it has some beautiful metaphors and references to winter scenes. So lovely. ♥ It’s one of my all-time favourite Tori songs, and songs in general. Hard to believe it’s almost 18 years old! (It was released in 1992.) It’s still as lovely and enchanting as ever.

♪ Snow can wait I forgot my mittens / Wipe my nose get my new boots on
I get a little warm in my heart when I think of winter / I put my hands in my father’s glove
I run off where the drifts get deeper / Sleeping Beauty, it drips me with a frown ♪

Canada, and being Canadian. ♥

Surprise muffins baked by my mom.

Long, hot baths.

Colourful balloons.

Playing Tori Amos songs on the piano.

Silence.

The return of Lost!!

Playing with pup.

Really big bows.

Fashion and everything about it.

Having an “I feel lovely” day. :)

The term “muffin-top.” It makes me laugh.

Holding a warm cup of hot cocoa in your hands.

Laying in bed for no apparent reason other than to snuggle under the covers and think.

Naomi’s hair (on Skins).

English Gothic style country cottages.

Baking cake with my mom.

Those funny boomerang shaped pillows used for sleeping on the plane.

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What made you feel all warm and squishy inside this month?

Follow along with my daily happiness filled exploits at This Is My Happy Face.

Anticipating… the release of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland in the next few days. The Alice books have been favourites of mine since childhood, so I’m quite excited to see Burton’s take on them.

Also anticipating… the release of the new Goldfrapp album, Head First, and She & Him’s album, Volume II, which are both out this month on March 23! So excited!

Trying… (to no avail) to clean out my feed reader. I have way too many blog subscriptions and I can’t keep up with them any more. How on earth do people decide which to unsubscribe from? This is too hard.

Re-watching… Skins series 1. Classic.

Puppysitting… my aunt and uncle’s dog. She’s so adorable!

Listening… to copious amounts of A Fine Frenzy and Tori Amos. I always go through strange phases with my music.

Wishing… for a Lula subscription. But alas, way too expensive.

Enjoying… having the house to myself while the rest of the family is off gallivanting through Vancouver for the Olympics.

Cheering… on Team Canada! While I’m not a huge sports/Olympics fan, I do really enjoy hockey, so I’ve been faithfully watching every game.

Working… my butt off! My courses are so intensive this semester; I feel like I always have work. (Which I actually do.) It’s unending. Can’t wait for Spring break in a few weeks.

Celebrating… one whole year of blogging regularly! Before February 2009, my blog was very much abandoned with posts maybe once every month or so if it was lucky. So glad I revived it because this last year has been amazing! ♥

Since “Just a Minute” is basically defunct nowⁱ, I figured I’d come up with my own name and spin on the meme. So voila, “This Moment” which still gives me an chance to document what’s happening in my life each month, but I also intend to seize this opportunity to post some really lovely pictures I’ve bookmarked as well. :)

1. May it rest in peace.