18 Weeks to go! OMG!

My to do list:
1. Get rid off stuff (anyone need anything?)
2. Sell stuff
3. Stock up on vitamins & birth control (although this might be free there with medical...check this)
4. Get international drivers license (is this possible in Victoria?)
5. Power of attorney here?? (ask sister)
6. Forward mail
7. Find a place to live that isn't a scam
8. Find someone to take over cell phone & contract (anyone?)
9. Sell car (April)
10. Buy adapters for electrical devices
11. Get Canadian passport
12. get pet passport or health certificate for Maya
13. Copies of medical records from doc and dentist
14. Find kick ass deal and buy plane tickets
15. finish my CV
16. List for customs of all luggage
17. buy huge luggage for check-on
18. Dom needs his European Health certificate
19. Find best shipper for packages
20. buy winter coats and gear on spring sales
21. get a job
22. collect all banking info, close appropriate accounts, set up international one?
23. All the other things I forgot right now....

Winter Wonderland

The past week here has been crazy! Snow everywhere just in time for Christmas, and it is absolutely beautiful. Dom kept saying he wanted a white Christmas, and he seems to have good luck. For those if you unaware, snow is rare in Victoria... in the 6 years I have lived here (holy crap... it has been that long?!?), it usually snows one day or two out of a winter and melts right away. This snow has stayed for more than a week now, and there is a a ton of it! 

I took these photos on Monday morning while shoveling out my office entrances. The sun was just starting to rise around 7:30 in the morning, and it was awesome!

Wise Words

Amazingly Beautiful paper cut illustrations

Illustrations by Yulia Brodskaya

Very interesting and inspirational words from the Dalai Lama. This is a portion of an article from the UK:

"It is fascinating," he says, speaking in slightly stilted English. "In the West, you have bigger homes, yet smaller families; you have endless conveniences - yet you never seem to have any time. You can travel anywhere in the world, yet you don't bother to cross the road to meet your neighbours; you have more food than you could possibly eat, yet that makes women like Heidi miserable."

The West's big problem, he believes, is that people have become too self-absorbed. "I don't think people have become more selfish, but their lives have become easier and that has spoilt them. They have less resilience, they expect more, they constantly compare themselves to others and they have too much choice - which brings no real freedom."

He has lived as a monk since childhood, but the Dalai Lama views marriage as one of the chief ways of finding happiness. "Too many people in the West have given up on marriage. They don't understand that it is about developing mutual admiration of someone, a deep respect and trust and awareness of another human's needs," he says. "The new easy-come, easy-go relationships give us more freedom - but less contentment."

Metallica

I surprised Dominik last night with tickets to see Metallica tonight! We leave for Vancouver around lunch time and stay overnight after the concert. I'm pretty stoked as I've never been to a big arena concert like this before, but mostly because this is one of Dom's favorite bands, and he has never seen them live. I just love seeing him happy. Happy 30th b-day baby!

Owl sighting

This morning on my morning walk, Maya and I came across an owl. I believe it was a grey owl, although I am not an expert on these things. This beautiful creature flew about 10 feet in front of us and then perched on a tree across the road and watched us. I wish I could have sat down there and stayed with it, watching. I had another incredible owl encounter about a year ago. I was with my sister Naomi on Salt Spring Island and we were hiking to the top of Mount Maxwell and there sat an owl in the middle of the day off the road. Owl sightings, and particularly this mornings, feel me with such a sense of peace, wonder and joy. To read more about owl symbolism click here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is American Thanksgiving, and I'm sure my mom's kitchen is smelling fantastic right now! When I was younger and had Thanksgiving at home, my parents started a tradition where everyone had to say what they were thankful for. Since I'm not there to share it, I've listed 5 things I'm thankful for at this moment. 

1. My loving, supportive family that always brings smiles and laughter to my life.

2. Dominik: I'm thankful for his love and companionship and that he is an incredible example of kindness.

3. The sweetest dog, Maya. I'm thankful that she keeps me active and cuddly.

4. Great friends! I know even if I haven't seen them in a while we can still connect as if no time has passed.

5. I'm thankful to live in a peaceful, beautiful place that allows me to be me.

Life's dilemma...

One Big Duck in the row!

Today I received the notice in the mail that I am scheduled to take my Canadian citizenship test December 12th! This is a huge relief, as this was an important step in the Europe plan. I really wanted to get my citizenship as a back-up. If for some un-forseen reason Europe wasn't working I would be able to return to Canada (Permanent Residency has the restriction of a 2 year leave within 5 years). Now, I just have to pass the test and get sworn in (probally January). I have to quickly learn everything from the national anthem to all the provinces and capitals...

One With Life

" How to be at peace now? By making peace with the present moment. The present moment is the field on which the game of life happens. It cannot happen anywhere else. Once you have made peace with the present moment, see what happens, what you can do or choose to do, or rather what life does through you. There are three words that convey the secret art of living, the secret of all success and happiness: One With Life. Being one with life is being one with Now. You then realize that you don't live your life, but life lives you. Life is the dancer, and you are the dance."

-Eckhart Tolle - A New Earth

Made me smile :)

That for me is glamor.

I believe in a set of values I cannot live by. I set high goals for myself, I seek perfection, dream of exotic faraway places. But ultimately, what I long for isn't far away at all. It's in my own backyard. Imperfection charms me, familiar things move me... a celebration of what we have, instead of what we long for. That for me, is glamor.

-Isabella Rossellini

Epic 1st Post

Welcome! I have been talking about starting a blog for the past couple months, and have finally done it. I always loved writing, and hope that this will be a place I can share my life with my friends and family near and far. As most of you know, Dominik (my wonderful man), Maya (the crazy beautiful dog) and I are moving to Europe in the spring of 2009. I'll also be posting about the plans, what we have to do (this may be more for me, unless some of you are considering a move too!), and once we are there all the lovely culture shock fun! Please post comments lots.