A New Beginning

Hello! Wow, well it has been months since I have written on my blog. As many of you know, Dom and I are now back in beautiful Victoria. The reasons for returning are not easy or simple, even though I seem to explain them that way hoping maybe the sadness will subside quicker I guess. It has taken me awhile, but I seem to have turned a corner and feel hopeful and pushing forward. Maybe one of these days I will write about the whole experience. We wouldn't change a thing, and would go again in the same circumstances.

We are completely broke, actually very in debt. My goal over the next year is to get rid of all the debt we have accrued, and I'm very determined. I am the only one working so far, and not getting much money. We are living in a basement suite of a house, no car. It may not be very exciting and most likely a bit depressing to read about, but I think it will help keep me motivated to write about it on here.

By my guess we are in debt to the sound of $12 or $13,000 Canadian dollars. I will have an accurate figure in the next few days, as I realize this is an important part of managing it. My other short term help ideas are to move to a cheaper rent unit as quickly as possible; contact companies for lower interest or move money; budget, etc. I hope to hear ideas from everyone and I'm actually getting pretty used to being the poor kid around (Dom not so much). Today I got a free pillow and lamp from generous people I work with. You might remember that we sold or gave away EVERYTHING.

Best wishes~~L

Living It

It is not the critic who counts
Nor the man who points out how
the stong man stumbles
Or where the doer of deeds
Could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man
Who is actually in the arena;
Whose face is marred by dust
And sweat and blood;
Who knows great enthusiasm,
Great devotion and the triumph
of achievement.
And who, at the worst, if he fails
At least fails while daring greatly-
So that his place shall never be
With those odd and timid souls
Who know neither victory nor defeat.
You've never lived until you've almost died.
For those who have had to fight for it
Life has truly a flavour
The protected shall never know.

-Theodore Roosevelt

Spontaneous

From the Merriam Webster dictionary:
1: proceeding from natural feeling or native tendency without external constraint
2: arising from a momentary impulse
3: controlled and directed internally : self-acting
4: produced without being planted or without human labor : indigenous
5: developing or occurring without apparent external influence, force, cause, or treatment
6: not apparently contrived or manipulate

Yes, you will realize the significance later.

Adjusting

I don't know if it hasn't sunk in yet that I am away from everything familiar and people I love (most likely) or that it actually is true that I am really excited, hopefull, and happy about being here. I feel at peace. Something feels right. I like it here.

I keep having dreams about being pregnant and actually wake up excited that I might be (I don't tell Dom any of this... he would freak out. He is definately the 'provider personality' where he wouldn't feel good about a child when he doesn't have a job yet, which I TOTALLY appreciate), I am not pregnant. The dreams were so realistic, so I took a test this morning and no. No bad feelings about it either, just knew it was how it should be. I guess I am seeing it as another sign that I feel this is a safe place to be.

Dominik's dad wrote us a letter. Yeah! Our first mail here. He said that they would eventually like to move here to be near us. Wow. Dom is sure it is probably a pipe dream, but deep down I kind of like the idea (Please note that I have yet to meet my in-laws and reserve the right to strike this from the record). Close family nearby... someone to pawn the kids off on one day...

I think we'll make new friends here, but to have my close friends physically close too... to feel those hugs and see their faces, I really want them here too. Okay, you know who you are, yes you! Move over here! I know I am being completley selfish, but come on! That would make this place perfect, because seriously no matter how attached I may become to this place and how wonderful I think it is, it will always be lacking in the fact that it doesn't have those amazing people that are my best friends.

Life Lessons

Pretty cool lessons to reflect on. Shamelessly stolen from SwissMiss. Thanks!

ENGAGED!!

I haven't posted this exciting news yet, because I wanted to talk to my parents first and didn't want them to find out while reading my blog. Although...my phone card was up so I did write a quick email to my mom saying "I'm running away to get married, call me."

Dom asked me on Saturday morning!! I couldn't be more happier, and have been grining ear to ear like a lunatic. I feel so lucky to be with such an amazing man, and I'm really excited about spending my life with him.

We are running away to one of the islands in the next few weeks to elope. There is just no time to plan a wedding and all that crazy stuff - we are leaving in less than 8 weeks! So, we are going to rent a cabin or sweet hotel or something for the weekend, and throw a big party when we are back before we go.

On the moving front, I've been emailing the Director of Immigration department for Norway with questions. They are really good at responding, and I'm feeling much less stressed. I read somewhere that someone (I can't remember which blog) had to show financial info to prove they had enough money to support themselves while there. So I thought I better clear that up before we show up and say "But we are from (North) America, isn't a credit card just fine?" (Mom, don't panic when you read this, we have saved some money). Luckily they emailed back saying this is not a requirement for an EU/EEA citizen (which Dom is, and soon I'll be family). Yeah!

Also, sorry about the crazy blog madness... I can't seem to have anything pretty whatsoever if I want comments. It is really irritating me, and I have searched for help and emailed blogger with no response. Now, I can't even revert back to a standard format. If anyone knows how to help, please email me (under my profile).

Spring has Sprung!

The last week or so in Victoria has just been gorgeous! Mild weather, everyone getting their gardens ready, and yes... flowers starting to bloom. I know many of you are still buried in snow, so don't hate, I'll be moaning with you next year. But since this is my last spring here, I have been outside every single day! Here are a few pics from hiking (you can kind of see Mt. Baker in the distance). Maya loves hiking, and is so good off-leash, I am a proud momma.
Poor Dom was battling the cold/flu crap last week and missed three days of work. It looks like he has finally won however and thank goodness no one else got it. I snapped this picture of him napping on the sofa while sick (which Maya totally loved!). The funny thing is that I already donated all our extra blankets in prep for the move, so he is inside my sleeping bag.

In other news, I have been inspired to change Maya's diet. After much research, I have started her on a raw diet this last weekend. I'm following a great book my girlfriend lent me (it's Australian). My poor pooch got fleas a few months ago, and was so miserable. I really didn't want to take the route of pumping pesticides on her every month, and I'm glad to say I was able to get rid of them using all natural remedies and lots of frustration in a couple weeks. She also has a sensitive tummy, and always seems to have digestive problems even though she was on 'really good expensive dry dog food'. Anyways... the raw food is a hit! She loves eating the raw meaty bones and veggie pulp (run through juicer, I drink the juice). Her snacks and treats have been raw almonds and cheese and peanut butter. The only thing she is not fond of that I just tried today was liver. I finally cut it up really small and mixed it with cottage cheese and honey, and she ate most of it. I however, almost hurled. Ugh. This new diet is really messy, and I think most people who do it must feed their dogs outside. I need a fenced yard!
I hope you are all happy and healthy and enjoy your day!

Routine

I'm feeling philosophical today, and thought I would start a discussion. Dom and I do this all the time: bring up a topic and then start analyzing it from unconventional angles with an open mind (I love this about him!). So, the topic I am thinking of today is -

ROUTINE.
I have realised that I am really bad at routine, and really dislike it. Some people thrive on knowing exactly what they are going to do, have checklists and do it! These are also the people that can carry through an exercise or diet program by force of routine. My theory is that this personality type is respected in our society and seen as a goal.

Since my teenage years, I have started to-do lists and felt really great about checking things off (still do, even in my blog! eh.). And then inevitably feel guilty or stressed when I don't finish something in the time frame I set. Why do we do this to ourselves? Can I just do what I want when I want? I know you are probably thinking "Sure Leah, we would all love to do that, but nothing would get done and we would all lounge around the house watching tv eating crap and waiting for the wanting to happen". I would have to disagree. There are days when I feel like sleeping in, days I feel like waking up early, days I feel like spending 4 hours cooking an amazing feast for dinner, and days I feel like not stepping foot in the kitchen. Every time I listen to these intuitive feelings, those activities are filled with joy and purpose and I believe create a better result. Is it better to get up every morning no matter what and exercise even when you are sore and grumpy vs. feeling some energy and going for a run and loving every minute of it? Which is better for your body?

Along with this realization that I suck at routine, comes also the reason why I don't really get along with a 9-5 job, and most schooling. If I am having a day where my brain is not firing for work, and I'm out of creative juice (come on we've all been there)... wouldn't it be better to recharge and do something besides work? Which leads of course to what the heck am I supposed to do to make money (which unfortunately I need) in this over-achieving routine place? Any jobs out there for us creative want to live in the moment types?

It seems like most humans (and dogs) like routine... is this true? Are we just used to it? Brainwashed into thinking this is what is acceptable or to be expected?

A few quotes on routine (looks like maybe I'm not the only one?):

"The less routine the more life" - Amos Bronson Alcott

"So much of our time is spent in preparation, so much in routine, and so much in retrospect, that the amount of each person's genius is confined to a very few hours." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"As long as habit and routine dictate the pattern of living, new dimensions of the soul will not emerge." - Henry Van Dyke

Would love to hear your thoughts.

25 Random things

Sorry for those of you who have already read this on Facebook. I thought I would share with everyone else as well.

Here are 25 random facts etc. about me.
1. I love the smell and sound of rain.

2. We do not own a TV, and I have only watched one once in the last year+ for the presidential election.

3. I love living so close to the ocean (3 blocks) even though my dog can't go on the beach because she has a weird tendency to drink the salt water and get sick.

4. I love long walks with friends or just Maya (dog)

5. I'm an extremely avid reader and average about a book every week or two. Seriously, I'm pretty sure I need some sort of help program but the city just keeps supplying me for free!

6. I get really excited about learning new things and have even started a list of things I would like to learn. Some of these are: play the guitar, a new language, garden, knit, letterpress...

7. I love to sing and dance even if only in the living room. Music is a big part of our lives.

8. I think I have the sweetest dog ever. Yesterday I told Dom she is like the Dalai Lama of dogs. I have seen a big mean scary dog growl in her face and bare it's teeth, and she gave him a kiss right on his bared teeth. Obviously not a watch dog at all, but if everyone was like her, there would be no wars.

9. I have recently developed a habit of blog reading (mostly design blogs).

10. I have worked the last 5-6 years as an interior designer, and am now at the point where I want to do something else, more meaningful. I have about 10 ideas bouncing around...(yoga retreats anyone?), I'm sure I'll have enough time in my life to do them all right?

11. I would die extremely happy listening to Dominik play guitar.

12. I am an eco-junkie, have overhauled all products I use and buy, recycle everything possible, and someday really want to build an 'off the grid' self sustained home. I would also love to be able to live without a car.

13. I love to travel and really want to go all over the world (maybe by sailboat?) even if that means bringing kids along... right honey?

14. I've recently been bitten by a crafting bug. Watch out! This sucker is big and affects your vision (you'll start hording junk that looks like some craft project), and it makes time disappear!

15. I think I can crack almost every bone in my body... I know gross.

16. I love to bake yummy sweet things (my mom's influence) and give them away.

17. I love warm summer days and swimming at the lake.

18. I still talk in a southern accent sometimes (lived in Mississippi till 8 years old).

19. I miss being near my family and love them dearly.

20. My boyfriend Dominik is the greatest guy I have ever met. He is incredibly kind, humble, and makes me laugh every day.

21. I am totally that annoying friend that gushes about the love of her life (see above), but seriously... you would too in my shoes.

22. We are pursuing a life long dream to move to Europe this year.

23. I hope I am lucky enough to be as wonderful a parent someday as mine were/are.

24. I like watching funny old-school 80's music videos on youtube.

25. I am training to do a marathon in 2010, for my 30th birthday.

Happy Dance

New T-Mobile ad, filmed live last week. This would be so cool to come across! 

Holiday Recap

Well, I know it is already mid-January, but I suck at downloading pictures in a timely manner. And, I just learned that it is not uncommon for Norwegians to have Christmas parties well into January, so let's just say I'm already blending in. Without further ado....

Maya with her gigantic bone Christmas morning. I tried to get her to rip it open, but she jsut kept looking away and wouldn't touch it for at least 2 days. I think she thought "No way am I allowed to have that! I would get in so much trouble." She has since gotten over it, and tried to of course eat the entire thing in a day and get sick. 
Maya helping wrap presents!This was my Christmas present! From none other than the most wonderful man :) The stone is amber.

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