Merry Christmas Video Blog

A Day in the Life...

Hello peoples. I must give a shout out to Andy on her special day! Happy birthday my dear :)

Mom and Dad, thanks for the sweet picture in your matching outfits, love it!

The photographs here represent a day in my Glaswegian life. I am absolutely loving my time here. With two jobs, playing on a Scottish Basketball Team, sightseeing and landing a great flat I can't comlain one bit. Currently I am planning, saving and looking forward to the big brother's visit on December 27th 2008. I've built quite the agenda leading up to New Years and we also plan to rent a car for our Scotland Tour 2009!! That's life in a nutshell. Apologies on being so breif. Hustling is tough work! Keep me updated how how things are going during your busy holiday season.

Love you alls'

- kisses.

Glasgow

I'm glad I followed my instincts to Glasgow. It's everything I wanted it to be. Once the layers of grit and gloom are peeled back, so much raw beauty is revealed here. This being said, you would assume that my transition to Glasgow was smooth sailing. It was nothing but. My first two nights here were hell. I stayed at the dodgiest, darkest, smelliest hostel ever and got eaten alive by bed bugs. I even went to emergency paranoid that a bug crawled in my ear...nothing was found. As soon as I saw the trail of bites along my limbs I checked into another hostel across the street with a much cleaner and friendlier atmosphere. But damn it, my new critter friends came along to feast on me during nights 3, 4 and 5. As grossed out as I was, there wasn't much I could do but bundle up at night and try to sleep with my mouth closed and my eyes open. Yeah, I'm exhausted.

I refused to let my night time visitors taint my first impression of Scotland . I had a fantastic time getting to know Glasgow by taking candid photographs, visiting the sites, being among other fellow travellers, working at my new job at the cafe and boogieing to sounds of the local D.J.'s. The night photo (above) is of Mitchell Library where I have a new membership and have made good use its free Wi-Fi. The photo of the father/son sporting kilts was in Botanical Gardens where a wedding was being held. At Kelvingrove's Museum and Art Gallery I photographed the floating heads which represented an exhibit titled, "Expressions." Finally, the photo of myself is on Byres Road in the West End which is known for good shopping and food.

Something else I've been involved with is the local basketball. An email of basketball clubs in Scotland was sent to me. I ended up training with group a few miles outside of the city. I didn't know a lot about it, but I had a ton of fun and was impressed with the ladies' skillz. The second time I went out to train with them I was surprised to discover it was the Scottish Senior Women's National Basketball Team that I was practising with! Yeah right!? They invited me to join and we have our first game this Friday night. We practise once or twice a week and have a game every weekend either at home in Glasgow or elsewhere in Scotland.

Some more good news is that I found a single room in an amazing flat to rent for 2 or 3 months. I posted an advert on a UK website and connected with a young Irish couple. I viewed the flat this morning. It is situated across from Kelvingrove Park which is between the West End (Glasgow University) and the City Centre. The flat is modern, newly renovated with high ceilings and massive windows. And the price is right =-0 It works out well because while they're in Ireland visiting family over the holidays, my brother is coming to visit me! Can't wait!!!

Since these bed bugs have been so persistent with me I will return the favour in my attempts to get rid of them. I'm spending the day at the laundry mat washing ALL my gear. The last thing I want to do is infest this couple's lovely home with these unwanted guests.

Stay Posted

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Some Mo' Soul Searching

First off, Happy 30th birthday to my brother Jeff! This year has been huge for you. I hope all your dreams come true on your special day, cause it all goes to shit after this...just kidding ;) On Nov 5th I participated in UK's annual Guy Fawkes Night (photo of 4 bundled up bunnies.) It is a night of fireworks and bonfires throughout the UK to commemorate the Gunpowder Plot in 1605 when some Catholic peeps including Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the House of Parliament in London. The bonfire was massive and very mesmerizing (photo.) The fireworks were so close that I could smell the burn and feel falling ashes on my face, much different than viewing fireworks from a barge like Vancouver's Symphony of Fire.
Another celebration I was happy to partake in was Halloween. The act of dressing up in costumes and getting hammered is emerging in its popularity among UK adults. I decided that it was only fitting to dress up as Amy Whinehouse. My housemates and I went to a house party (photo) then ventured to a nearby pub. Good times! The final photo is of a vibrantly coloured tree in front of Chester's Cathedral on an autumn day.

While enduring all this fun I've also had my knickers tied up over indecision. Arriving in the UK with a chicken scratch agenda is liberating but at the same time overwhelming. It's like starting a paper without a topic. The opportunity to travel and do it solo is rare so I want to make it count. Over the past few weeks I've asked myself what do I want? What kind of experiences do I hope to have? I've applied these questions not only onto the upcoming year but onto life itself. Making choices without any distraction or influences from other people is pretty cool and the sense of self-reliance is huge. In time one answer revealed itself to me, Scotland baby! I recently gave two weeks notice at the cafe and on November 17th I am taking the train to Glasgow to live. I have never been there before but I know in my heart of hearts there is something for me. I look forward to networking in a big city and what I'll discover in terms of Glasgow's employment & volunteer opportunities, accommodation, people, sports and the arts. I will update with news as it comes hither.

Thinking of you often. xo
PS. Woot Woot Obama!

Knowing Me When I Don't

I miss you
For making me laugh at inappropriate times,

I miss you
In our moments of discussing nothing and everything,

I miss you
For offering tenderness when I'd act a fool,

I miss you
Along with the happiness and tragedy we share,

I miss you
Your sound, your sunshine, and your stance,

I miss you
For knowing me when I don't.


CSD

Cardiff, Bristol & Bath

Before I put my head down and work like a hog over the winter months I decided to take advantage of some free days I had last week. Since I've enjoyed Wales so much I decided to begin my three night venture to its capitol city, Cardiff. Cardiff Castle (photo) was the first castle I've ever been to, other than the Disney Castle, so it was memorable. It was occupied by the Bute Family who founded the city's coal. The next morning I rented a bike and rode it along Tariff Trail to Castell Coch. Note to self, as awkward as it feels, STAY LEFT! After Hostel Happy Hour, myself and two other lone travellers found and Irish pub complete with a 17 piece band upstairs. F**king wicked.

Day two found me in Bristol. Originally I planned only to have lunch in Bristol en route to Bath, but was seduced by the city's raw industrial allure. The photo of The Holy Cross was taken at St. Mary's Redcliffe Church. (It seems nearly every Church was named after St. Mary) I was lucky enough to be in the church during organ rehearsal. I never knew there were chords that low! Rumors of Bristol's vibrant night life was convincing enough to check in for the night. The hostel I came upon wasn't choice at first glance, but ended up being very memorable. After a few rounds in its basement bar I took to some live jazz at Old Duke Inn (photo.) Kudos on the local talent. Since my time in Bristol I've been flirting with the notion of relocating there sometime in the New Year... hmmmm...

12 miles East along Avon River is Bath. Soaking in the rays and the city's harmonious, leisurely feel was a perfect way complete this trip. I thought it wise to do a hop on-hop off bus tour due to time constraints. It was neat to see rows of narrow streets flanked with Georgian inspired buildings and see where Jane Austin wrote her classic novels. My next must read is Jane Austin's Persuasion. I also toured The Roman Spa Museum (photo) and was amazed at how well preserved the artifacts dated from the First Century AD were. Soooo old!

The photo of the train is myself at Newport Train Station. The photo is an important addition as I spend good amounts of time at stations like these on my travels throughout the UK. I feel happy and content to come home to Chester and get back to my bedroom and my work. The boss lady is giving me full time hours and I may work for Royal Mail over the Christmas months to earn extra £ :)

Keep in Touch XXX

Feel the Vibe

I feel fortunate to be where I am. To be in the UK and living in Chester with Tamara and Jo. Currently, I'm working as a Batista in one of the city centre's cafes. I'm pictured above in front of it. From working there, I've gained insight into British culture. There is some good with the bad of course but I'm embracing the cultural differences. I also start a waitress gig today at an Italian Restaurant in town. I'll let you know how it is. I tried to do the netball thing, but I just don't like the sport :( It's not hands on enough for either Tamara or I. So, to avoid the true consequences of the high-carb British diet, I'm running along the canals and doing weekly group circuit training at the community centre.

I'm loving how central Chester is to the rest of the UK. On my days off I've been able to do day trips to neighbouring parts of Wales and England. Two weeks ago I explored Manchester. The city has been my favorite thus far because of its vibrant people, fashion and eclectic architecture. The Picture above is of St. Mary's Cathedral in Manchester. I'm anticipating a return visit to catch some live music or a football match! The landscape photo was taken from the top of a hill in Wales. Jo, Tamara and I, along three of Jo's mates, spent last Sunday hiking. The photo of myself with the fantastic backdrop was taken a few days ago in Llandundo Wales. Spontaneously, I decided to spend the day there on my own and it was an amazing day. The ocean, landscape, animals and pastel coloured buildings created such a calm, peaceful vibe. I love that each place I have visited so far has an energy that I have connected differently with. I can anticipate that my memory on the specifics of historic buildings and museums will eventually fade, however, the way I feel in a place and from the people in it is simply unforgettable.

Chester, Liverpool, Wales

Here I am in Chester now. I think I like it. I think I'll stay. I captured Chester's vibe in the photo of the city center. Chester offers a bit of everything, but most importantly it has Tamara and Jo, the two ladies I'm staying with. Tamara is Canadian and Jo is from Wales and they've welcomed me to stay with them as long as I'm in Chester. I met Tamara working at Gateway Society (for Autistic youth) about 8 years ago. They both have been soooo hospitable and welcoming. I have met some people while I was in London but it seems a bit more challenging here. Conversations run few and far between other than asking locals for directions or to take picture of me. I feel fortunate to have Tamara, Jo and their cat here because loneliness would have found me by now. Tamara and I are trying out for the local Netball team this evening. It's competitive here. There are 32 girls competing for 12 spots, we'll both be nervous. She grew up on Softball and I on Basketball. I think we'll be solid recruits. Our strategy is to pretend we know what's up, when neither of us have actually played before. What can we lose right?

When I'm not job searching I have visited Liverpool which is on Merseyside River, pictured above. It is a 35 minute train ride from Chester. Liverpool has a more modern feel to it, but also a little rough around the edges. I was intrigued by it's International Museum of Slavery. The Museum exhibits the history of Atlantic Slave Trade and how Europe has benefited.

"They will remember that we were sold, but not that we were strong.

They will remember that we were bought, but not that we were brave."

-William Prescott, former slave

1937

Last weekend Tamara and I went to Wales (pictured with Tamara & the dog and myself in yellow.) Chester is on the boarder of Wales so it was about a 30 minute drive to Hilbre, on the Irish Sea. We took Jake, Jo's pup along. Because the tide was out we walked for hours to a nearby island, rested, ate and walked back. I felt so free and happy to be back to nature, smelling the salt, investigating sea life and walking barefoot through muddy sand.

I will keep you updated on my future happenings

I think of you often and I love you very much.

London

We have all seen many many images of different places around the world. I thought I knew what London was all about because I saw a few pictures of Guards with furry hats and read of royalty gossip in the tabloids. It feels absolutely amazing to be in London. My favorite has been roaming through the beautifully kept garden's and parks like Jame's Park & Regent's Park (Picture of me by the fountain), the architecture, window shopping down Carnaby & Regent Street, Brompton Road and Camden Town (picture of me on the stiars) and seeing classics like Buckingham Palace, Westiminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral and London Eye. My Favorite Art Gallery bar none has been Tate Modern Gallery which is filled with contemporary, modern paintings and scultupres that stretches the mediums to their creative and conceptual limits. Out of the people I've talked to here, very few have actually been born and raised in England. From what I've heard it's mostly because of the EU. People from all over Europe and beyond have come to London for work. I can sense the struggle of the people here because of the City's high living cost, even an air of desperation in some. I just keep very alert. I am very excited about the opportunity to stay with my friend Tamara in Chester, a 6 hour coach ride North of London. I depart tomorrow at 10:30am. There, I will begin my quest for settlement and empolyment. I will keep you posted! Please visit my flickr account to view more of my London pictures.

Love Carlee

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28862896@N07/

28

Early on August 29th I woke a few hours early to begin packing before my last day of work. I sheepishly checked the weather in England, browsed facebook photos, then read through my email. I wasn't too surprised to see an email from Zoom Airlines in my inbox as I assumed it was a confirmation email. I opened it. Read it, blinked, read it again, on the 4th and 5th read my eyes widened and I thought...OH F*CK! The email was a notification of suspension due to soaring fuel prices and that all flights as of August 28th have been canceled, including mine booked for August 31st, two days following. All calmness and logic went out the window. It was a day full of anxiety, worry, being on hold with Visa, bribing travel agents with free frapaccinos, and rebooking London reservations. At the end of the day I secured a refund with Visa and a cheaper flight with AirCanada that departs on the evening of September 5th. Eventhough I am anxious to go, this mishap buys me more time for research which I can definitley use more of.

Because of the flight delay I was able to celebrate my birthday in Toronto! First, I spent Saturday night at Joey's family's farm/cottage in Ajax about 45 minutes outside of Toronto. It was such a treat to get out of the city and be introduced to Ontario's countryside. We ate yummy food, stargazed, (until I got spooked) and sun worshiped. So fun!

The group shot is taken on Sunday, the night of my Brithday. In the phtoto is Tanya, myself, Tamara and Tika at a swank resteraunt & lounge called Spice Route. It was also Tamara's 28th birthday. Tamara and I got treated to a night out on the town. After Spice Route and some very nice car jams, we made appearances to Beakonsfeild Lounge and The Drake Night Club. Thanks for the awseome time ladies, I am forever touched by your kindess and generosity xox

I hope you are having a restful and fun long weekend. Thank you for all of your birthday wishes and your concern when you heard about Zoom.

Love,
Carlee

T minus 7 days

My time in Toronto is coming to an end. August has been going by so fast. It is hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that a week from now I will be in England, to stay. This week has been a whirlwind of running errands, spending time with friends and waking up at insane hours for work. Lately I've been having my fill of Toronto night life. The photo of Tanya and I is at Rockwood Night Club. I met Tanya coaching with RBA a year ago and reconnected while coaching again this year. A fabulous person, who likes to tell stories and is someone who can literally dance to anything :) On Friday, Joey and I went to a Greek Restaurant called "Pan" on the Danforth (Toronto's Greek Town.) It was hands down the best meal I've had in Toronto. Perhaps because it was three courses and Belgium chocolate moose tart was involved. The belly dancer and jazz band was almost as enjoyable as the food. Last week I also told my manager at Starbucks that I'm off to England and to my surprise she was really understanding about it. She even offered to make connections for me if I wanted to continue working at Starbucks in England : o I couldn't be more thankful.

All in all I feel ready to move on, but I am going to savor next week to the fullest. As my time here is winding down, I'm thinking of you at home going through transitions of your own. Autumn is my favorite season in Vancouver hands down. However, I am anticipating all of the beauty and wonder that a British Fall will bring.

Much Love.

Full Moon

Full Moon

A Portal. A circular door -
to eternity, maybe, where existence goes
to die, to be reborn again. A hole to crawl through
leaving failure behind. Call the place we land in
heaven, although it's dark: the moon does not shine
without the sun. The two-faced sky
sees both sides, its single eye
trained on absence: words not said,
the back of a mirror. The stars' mirror-image
held on the sea. We paddle through
our own reflections, full moon above, that watery
gate. The shape of you, the shape
of me. The infinite distance to be crossed.

-Alison Pick

Connections

Big news! I have booked my flight to England! On August 31st I will celebrate my birthday by flying over the Atlantic Ocean and arriving in London in the AM of Sept 1, 2008. I am spending 3 nights in London's city center then taking a train North to Chester where I will stay with friends for a short while. Of course, leaving Toronto will be bittersweet because in my short time here I have made some amazing connections.

Last week I've had to put my trip planning on hold so I could give my all to coaching some more youth basketball. I feel fortunate to have been apart of G.A.B. (Girls Addicted to Basketball) and coach along side the founder and director, Tanya. She is a visionary and dedicated leader in young women's basketball. Truly an inspiration. I hope to pass on some of the knowledge I gained last week to some of B.C.'s young talent upon my return.

On Friday I partied it up with my roommates at a swank club near our place. Great times indeed! I hope I am lucky enough to find awesome flat mates in the UK. I had a restful Saturday lounging and biking around Toronto Island. It is a 10 minute commute by ferry from Downtown. Although the beaches are man made and the ice cream is $6.00 a piece, the vibe is very relaxed and it offers the best seat for a Toronto sunset. A worthwhile trip overall.

The photo of the Korean ladies are 2 of my ESL students. We prefer meeting in coffee shops because we get the stink eye from library patrons due to outbursts of laughter. Learning is fun, right? Next week I plan to introduce my students to some Canadian Soul by taking them to my favorite live music joint in the city. I anticipate being more entertained by them than the music.

Tomorrow I'm back to the coffee making grind (bad pun.) I begin my shift at 5AM. Ouch. I am not looking forward to giving my manager my 2 weeks notice, after being an employee for only 2 weeks. I'll let you know how that goes down.

That's all for now. I love you.

C

Pursuit of Happiness

I am sitting in an Internet Cafe situated across the street from Much Music Headquarters. On the corner, a musician is hooked up to an amp strumming as he sings. I see him daily. His Lyrics are as bad as his pitch which may explain why he's playing on the street and not any particular venue. However, in this second level room, his echoes sound a little like John Mayer, so I'm enjoying it :)

I am feeling happy. I am happy with the choice I made to come take on this journey. I am happy to be in Toronto. After a rough start, the city has become welcoming and inviting to me. The picture above is of the complexes where my apartment is, which has become my much needed haven. I eat, I sleep, I do my laundry and I am quiet there. I can see the CN Tower from my bedroom window which makes for a good show at night! I am in my element in the photo of myself taken by Joey eating Mexican and drinking Sangria. The restaurant is among many located on a quiet side street near my place, a nice oasis from the buzz on Queen Street. Joey is someone I met through friends while I was visiting Toronto a year ago. While I've been here, he has introduced me to a lot of neat places and people. I am Grateful.

The final picture is of me at work...or at play? I can't decide. Yes I am a Barista in training! In the photo I am getting trained by Aubrey. I think we spent more time playing with our cameras though. We share a love for photography. I have really enjoyed working there so far. Along with the endless amount of free drinks and coffee beans, I adore my coworkers. It's a very social environment which keeps things lively and fun. Next week I will take a break from making frappa cappas and will working for a basketball organization called G.A.B. "Girls Addicted to Basketball." It's a much smaller camp than Raptors Academy and is designed for young female athletes. I look forward to being apart of it.

Planning ahead for Europe has also kept me busy. Lately I have been researching flights for the beginning of September. I am excited about finalizing more plans and researching UK sights, flats and employment. I'll keep you updated on that.

I think about you often. If you don't already have my Toronto phone number, contact me and I will get it to you. Staying connected is tres important to me!

Until soon. xoxox

D.R,E.A.M.

Bonjour! Woah, this past week has exhausted me entirely. But I loved every moment of it. As you can tell by the pictures, I have been coaching for Raptors Basketball Academy. This has been my second year returning. 14 Coaches and handful of staff and volunteers united 300 young athletes in the game of basketball. After all the hype with NBA visitors, sponsors, TV crews it is the kids that really wow me. It was especially inspiring to see their passion and desire for the game throughout. The first picture is of me with the NBA Championship Trophy. The second is of myself and all the lady coaches. We decided to make it a really pretty picture by leaving the men out. I've made some connections for life. The third photo is my favorite. I'm posing with one of the amazing campers I coached, Rodrigo, who flew in from Mexico City to attend (we had around 30 international campers this year!) What a week, I hope I never come down from the clouds...

That aside, I've moved into my new place. Love it so far. The roommates have hardly been home. I can actually keep my belongings out of my bags and it's located in the heart of Downtown Toronto near Queen Street W. Now that I have the space, I must restrain from accumulating things. Which should be attainable since Europe is what I have my eyes on. Europe, or cute shoes.....hmmmm? ;)

I hope all is well with you. I love love love hearing from you all. Keep updating me!! Currently I am phone-less. I will be getting a phone in the next day or so and I will email you with the #.

Be Well.

Love, Carlee xox

Hope

Finding My Way

Change. I hate it. I love it. My decision to uproot my life in Vancouver and its many comforts was based on the desire for change. After spending nearly a month in Toronto, a lot has changed. Plans, relationships and perspective. With will and determination, things are working themselves out. One piece of the puzzle was finding a second job. It just so happens that I may become a Coffee Barista! After landing a couple of interviews, management seems keen to add me to the team :) Also, two Korean ladies have responded to my makeshift ESL Teaching signs. Tutoring them has made me realize how much I've missed teaching, so I think I get more out of it than they do! I also managed to find a room to rent out for the month of August. The apartment is large but modest and situated in the Art & Design District. It is shared with 3 others who are PhD and Masters students. The rent (which is very reasonable) is all inclusive and even allows access to a private backyard patio with a BBQ & hot tub and also a communal pool & weight room. I look forward calling it home, even if it is for a month.

The first posted photo is a common sight of a Torontonian Summer. The city streets are flanked with worn vintage bikes stacked against circular racks like these. The next photo is of me preparing homemade Sushi for a group dinner held at Joey's. It was a memorable feast.

Next week I will be very busy with coaching Raptors Academy Basketball Camp. I look forward to coaching, get reacquainted and being around sports in general. I will keep you posted. Be well :)

Beauty is Relative.

Another week has come and gone. Work has been quiet so I've been touring the city's parks and museums. The Beta Shoe Gallery was neat. My favorite was the intricate beading and detail of the leather shoes made by 19th Century North American Indigenous Women. Yesterday I visited The Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art. The Modern and Contemporary Ceramic Gallery grabbed my attention because of the artist's unique use of shapes, textures and concepts. I also adored the simplicity and clean lines of the Japanese Porcelain.  Remember those one-of-a-kind jewelry boxes and pencil holders I'd bring home from Grade 9 Clay Class Mom? I had to laugh at the memory ;)

The pictures I've posted are taken at High Park. I passed it by as I was on my way to meet my long time friend, Josh, for dinner and saw the sun lowering in the trees and couldn't resist a photo shoot. 

The rest of my free time is taken up by the grind of establishing a second J-O-B. The job I have with Robyn is working out well, however, it's not full-time hours. I have never been good at "selling" myself to employers, especially when the places I'm applying to are strictly for money purposes. However, for Europe to become a reality, there is no time to be wasted on inhibitions or passiveness.

I hope all is fairing well at home. Talking with my loved ones on the phone has truly kept me grounded. Congradulations to Letah and Jordan on your engagement!  My heart is happy for you two :) Thank you Mom and Dad for your support and enthusiasm. I miss you Jeffrey. Andy, your endearing emails mean everything.

As you can see by the photo's I've mangaged to keep myself busy during my first week in Toronto. It excites me to know that my ID card for work allows me free access into most art galleries, museums, music shows and other attractions. Today I took a visit up the CN Tower. It was an amazing day for it, clear and windy. I also went to the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum.) I got inspired from learning of Darwin's revolutionary life. Darwin's exhibit was the only one I managed to see, but there's much more ROM offers so I'm definitely making a return visit. Also, I took a self portrait of myself in front of one of University of Toronto's Buildings, Hart House, which is a gathering place for musicians. The black & white photo is of Monday night fun with Robyn and I along with her lovely friends, Christine and Mila. I made sure to post a few pictures of the bike I got for $65. It's a work in progress but she's the only way I get around the city so I gotta treat her right ;) There's a huge bicycle culture in TO. A lot of people fail to wear helmets. Today I saw a friend of my get thrown of his bike by an opening car door. Scary. Note to self, watch the opening car doors.

Even though the photo's may portray a busy life, I get home sick from time to time. Especially when I breathe in the foul smells of the city and there isn't a lush network of outdoor rec sports here like there is at home which I miss. Eventhough I'm enjoying things here, Vancouver is always home to me. I miss you all very much! Always keep in touch :x