GENERATION-Y, I'M SPEAKING TO YOU!

Generation-Y

What I have come to learn these last six weeks is that self love trumps everything.
After much reflection and therapy, I have come to understand that at the end of the day, we are all the same thing: human. We all FEEL! I have come to develop such an innate sense of compassion for all beings lately. I never really realized how sensitive the brain is. What we all place in our individual pandora boxes, to keep secure and hidden from the rest of the world.  We find it so easy to judge other people; other human beings. We scrutinize, humiliate and taunt each other for personal gain and satisfaction. When did we lose our sense of grace, patience and humility?
What I am trying to say is, why has it become so taboo to openly be comfortable in your own skin. To be okay with being YOU! There is no one quite like you! How can you expect other people to accept you, if you are not willing to accept yourself?
I think of it this way: If I have the capacity to change in an hour, week, month, year, who am I to say you don't have the same ability?


You could die tomorrow. Do you want to die trying to be someone else? Or do you want to die knowing you lived YOUR LIFE the way YOU intended?

 I will leave you with this question.

When did we as a race, lose our ability to love and see light in all things and in each other? 

The Countdown to Midnight

A New Year. Smells like second chances. Take one on yourself.

2013 has come and gone so incredibly fast, it was almost too hard let go.

I've been reflecting on this past year, on the person I want to become and just how to get there. On the successes, and failures. The love and the losses. The adventures made and moments savored. When I really think about it, it all comes down to love. What you put out, you receive right back..

This year I have finally understood this. I have learned after many life lessons, you are your words and thoughts. If you think, but do not do, you will achieve nothing. If you put in the action and just have a little faith, you'll succeed in every way.

Just like your outfit for the day, you choose your attitude. Blame is just a tool. And so is forgiveness. Once you walk out that door, know you have the power to make someone smile. Your life will be made up of small kind moments. Don't forget, there will always be Karma.

So remember, whatever you do, do it with love.

Genova

What an amazing port city, that hosts the second largest aquarium in Europe. Ben & I fell in love with this city. We are lovers of sea life and thus had to go to The Aquarium of Genoa. What an amazing display of sea mammals: dolphins, manatees, seals, sharks and all the large and small sea life in between! Thousands of gallons of water used at this aquarium every day! Its great what they are doing with their adopt a dolphin program. 

Along the port when we finally made our way out of the aquarium we noticed large white tents being set up. The closer we got, the more excited I got! Clearly we stumbled across a Festa, and that festa was Festa Democratica Nationale. Simply, it's a festival to celebrate democracy within Italy. So naturally, there's authentic italian food, drinks and desserts. The port was lit up, with music, laughter and the moon light! I can whole heartedly say, this place made me fall in love with the thought of living close to a body of water. Sigh

We ate like royalty in Genoa, further developing our love for mussels! Genoa is known for pesto (a sauce of crush basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, parmesan cheese, and olive oil), and focaccia bread (flat italian bread made with yeast and olive oil topped with herbs). Delicious.  

Rome, Italy

What a magnificent city! The cobblestone streets lined with gelateria's, pizzaria's, souvenir shops and leather clothing stores! There is so much to see and do in this city, so when you visit prepare yourself for a lot of walking, and a lot of photographs! Ben and I had so much fun! We truly felt like historians; learning so much from the architecture to the vast, glorious history that haunts Rome to this day.

I took one step into the Colosseo and thought to myself, "Wow! …Gladiator didn't do this any justice!" SO BIG! The Trevi Fountain was astonishing! Truly amazing piece of work. We loved it so much, that  we saw it on more then one occaision. Sitting back admiring the view in daylight and moonlight! We watched various families and couples struggling to take a picture of themselves, when it hit me! I gladly volunteer'd to help! Here is where I ignited my passion for photography. =) We walked so much that we learned quickly, if you want gelato walk as far away as possible from any historical, touristy site and save yourself some money! Not only that, but the quality of gelato is way higher! 

Growing up italian and being able to come to this city, really was amazing for me! So rich in culture, history and scenic views! We toured the Vatican, climbed the Spanish Steps, saw the Pantheon and so much more! The gelato was unlike anything I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. I would simply say, if you visit Italy, Rome should be on your itinerary! 

Wanderer - Summertime Sadness

I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world. 

- Mary Radmacher

To grow up is indeed a blessing. To journey through life with gratitude, a wandering soul, and an appetite for adventure has been truly eye opening. When you see so much of the world in a short amount of time, and you learn to live as a minimalist along the way, you learn to really seize each and every day. When you meet new and old family who take you under their wing, and spoil you with memories, and home cooked meals, you learn to appreciate the true essence of giving back. It has all been such a whirl wind; Honeymooning for four months with the love of my life!!! Learning that we really are each others best travel companions. Knowing that if either of us is grouchy it's all because we are hangry. (Hungry + Angry) We've listened to countless songs, written many pages in our travel journals, thousands of pictures and videos, confided in each other till the early morning, went baby crazy.. Then not so baby crazy, brainstormed ideas for the next ultimate trip of a lifetime, found a new love for wines, and food! I have lived a lifetime in these last four months. And we still have two weeks left until we are at the home base. So crazy! Too much time can be wasted obsessing over the past, what people think, the future. And I ask myself why?? If I die tomorrow, I am so content with my life and how I have lived it. I have grown up emensely on this journey! I know it is just the beginning of many wonderful years to come from this wandering heart! I yearn for the next world wonder my eyes will lay upon, the next beach to lay on, the next dish my lips will taste. 

I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world! 

Good ol' London Town.

LONDON

A city of so many faces. 

Where do we even begin? Two weeks we were there, and I felt like I received one history lesson after the other. With our amazing Economical London Pass, we saw: The Tower Bridge, The ZSL London Zoo, The HMS Belfast, The London Eye, The Crypts, The Parliaments, Westminister Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St. James Park,The London Monument, St. Paul's Cathedral, British Music Experience, Camden Market, Stonehenge, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, London Pride Parade and the Warner Brothers Studio tour of Harry Potter!! Are you tired from reading that? Hahah. It was a great two weeks. A whirlwind. You can't possibly keep the pace high enough to see the whole city.  After two weeks we had only scratched the surface of what London has to offer, and with the sore legs to prove it. You can climb to the top of virtually every monument in this city, up terribly tight dizzying spiral staircases, to take in amazing panoramic views of all the landmarks that make London so interesting.  It is amazing to climb a monument like St. Paul's Cathedral that was built in the 1600s to view some of the most beautiful modern buildings like the recently completed "shard", Europes tallest building.

Our Review
Everything you have heard about London financially is true. It is very expensive. We had the great fortune of staying with family, so unfortunately we have no experience with getting good accommodation in London although the most economical, comfortable and clean as far as we can tell would be the YHA in SOHO. If you go for the purpose of sight seeing, we highly recommend getting the London Pass.  You get entrance into a lot of the main attractions of London with the convenience
 of swiping your prepaid card, and most importantly a week long tube card to all zones that you can reach on the subway. Economically speaking you save a ton of money (and as stated EVERYTHING from the zoo to the tower bridge tour is expensive), and the tube pass makes it so that you look for reasons to get on the subway and go.

As far as the city and people go, it is a vast tapestry of faces and sights. There is a very high paced vibe and a hustle and bustle that made us feel like people were very unpersonable and rude at times (especially on the side walks and in the tube stations).  No one seems to say "excuse me" or "I'm sorry", so save yourself the learning curve and check your amazing Canadian manners at home and allow yourself to throw a few shoulders. That is not to say that we didn't meet great people though.
 The shopping is unbelievable, with everyone you are used to and much, much more to accommodate the 7 million plus that consume in the great city.  Keep an eye out for the stunning architecture, we found it so awe inspiring for a 400 year old building to be next to a McDonald's or modern work of art, truly something to behold. If you are a history buff and love to browse free nationally maintained  galleries and museums you will have met your heaven. We figured out early that we are not the "spend a few hours in the gallery types" and thus stuck to things we knew would really interest us.
Some of our favourite sights and moments include:
1. The Warner brothers studios the making of Harry Potter:
If you have even heard the name Harry potter, read a single book or have an attic full of nerdy wizard memorabilia, YOU MUST SEE THIS TOUR. For Christina it was the tour of a life time, seeing so many of the props and sets that inspired her growing up with the movies. For me I acquired a whole new appreciation for Harry Potter, I can't wait to get to watch the movies again! From the tiniest props of the actual Horcruxes to the elaborately gigantic sets of the Ministry of Magic it is a must do on your list for London

2. Westminster Abbey
The history lesson and architecture you get in this amazing building is outstanding.  You can't move two fee with out stepping on a kings tomb or bumping into a creepy monument.  The craftsman ship in the ceilings is truly breathtaking and there is so much to see that truly anyone should be captivated.

After much reflection of this trip here are five things we are grateful for:

1. Creating New Memories

2. Sleep

3. Alberta Health Care - haha! Oh what a story. 

4. Ben's Uncle John, who hosted us.

5. Our family 

Always & Forever

So we planned it all out for the middle of June, 

From the wedding cake to the Honeymoon.

57 days!

I cannot wait for June 15, 2013.

So good.

Remember: Really listen. 

self-image

Holy Hannah! 

Just had an amazing weekend in Portland, Oregon. Drove for a total of 30 hours there and back. 

Now I'm sitting here thinking back on the weekend. A weekend that was more than influential, it was inspiring. 

I have had so much to think about. These last three weeks have been so heavy, because I made them that way. I put my self in a dark place without realizing how much it was affecting him. It was a very selfish place to be and a very lonely place to be. 

After three days, my attitude has changed. I have come to know that attitude is a choice. You must take responsibilty for it. No other person or circumstance is at fault for YOUR attitude. You are. 

I'm done with all of that. It will take a long time to filter and really focus on changing my mentality, but if I do not try, I will always be my very worst critic. 

For what felt to be seemingly endless negativity from my thoughts has slowly transferred over into  Positive thoughts. Which is so important. We get stuck in our minds and convince ourselves that we can't do it, we aren't worthy of it, we shouldn't be blessed with it. 

THAT IS A LIE.

Listen to your heart, and remind yourself every day that you are worthy. 

I felt for so long that I was not worthy of Ben's heart & love because of how kind, endearing, and thoughtful he is.

That is not true. I deserve it so much, and he deserves all of my great qualities. He doesn't deserve it when I hold myself back. And I should not hold myself back. 

It is time to release my potential and prove the nay-sayers wrong.

Hello life. 

It is time I start trying.

love language.

This past week has been quite the series of unfortunate events. 
Without your love, patience and optimism, I would not have the willpower I have right now. 
Thank-you.

Understanding

I know, no body really gets it. "It's too fast, too soon. How do you know? Are you sure? Have you thought about this this and that?" 

Yes, I have. I appreciate your concerns so much, because it means you love me, you love us. 

However, I really cannot put into words to describe how great this feeling is. It is overwhelming, and consuming. You feel whole. 

It just feels right. Since the moment I met him, it has always felt right. 

It really is this simple. 
"When you know, you know."

Keep on dreaming even when gets hard!

It feels like forever since I have indulged in blogging. My life has been so busy, so full of love, so consuming that I really haven't found the time. I will be journaling again very soon! Which is super exciting!

If you are in the works for an amazing motivational book, go and read: You Can if You Think You Can by Norman Vincent Peale. 

It has given me so much perspective, faith and a desire to accomplish all I can accomplish.

reached the climax

I am just loving life.
Loving everything.
Seeing the best in everyone is the best way to live.

YOUNG, WILD AND FREE.

BEN!

King and Queen of Cheddar town!

Oh babe, legit, you're the best.

"I am soooo grateful that this is real! I like you a ton, and everyday you marvel me more and more. I feel like we were made for eachother, and I'm sure glad we found eachother!"

Ready for it.

lol

Patience

There is no quantum leap.
Our generation is all about the quantum leap.

Do a little, add a little and that little will be great.

Read The Slight Edge. 

No guts, No Glory!

Everything you are: your attitude, point of view, personality, character, etc; is what you will attract in someone else! 

Stay positive, love with everything you have, be patient, find something you're passionate about, and be honest! 

Knowledge is power!

I am so ready for this.
Embracing the change.


entrepreneur |ˌäntrəprəˈnoŏr; -ˈnər|nouna person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.