Flower Bloom Soon Comin'

February 21, 2012

Hey Fam,

It's been more than just a minute, but I'm collecting lots of great things to share soon.  I took a break from life after my last post in June. 

Last summer, I lost my best friend, spiritual prayer warrior, life cheer leader, and Mother.  God called her Home, and I've spent some time figuring out how to navigate life after.

I'm back in the US, new job, new city, new energy....same hair:)

Will be back soon.

Ciao y'all!
Allyson

I've got to be the most unemployed professional you know

Seriously!  My career has been FULL of amazing experiences, but nothing beyond 2.5 years. I've had short term contracted work, fellowships, and gigs that were more work-visa dependent than I'd prefer. Is this normal?!?!?!?

I've been thinking about researching cities (and that, girlfriend, means booking a flight/train/bus ride!).  I've rung the alarm and put in some resumes at organizations in Philly, NYC, DC, Raleigh, etc.  Just the other day, I set my sights on Toronto.  It's a fantastic center of culture, commerce, and great living.  The festivals, concerts, restaurants are never-ending.

It'll be tough, though, to find myself in a new city, aiming to live in a new country (I've lived in Canada for 2 years, but I still need to take care of all the legal stuff),  and getting myself into a new job. But this challenge, my friends, is one that I can't wait to take on.

Here are a few ways that I've pounded the pavement - please please please, send along thoughts on how you've aimed to do the same.  Would LOVE to put your ideas to the test!

1. Network like crazy.
2. Volunteer at events, meetings, and conferences.
3. Find mentors in the field you work in, the city you want to live in, and those golden folks who you want to be like when you grow up.
4. Get noticed (for me, it's on platforms like my blog, my LinkedIn profile, and making special requests for e-introductions.
5. Getting in front of people.  Whether it's a 15 second elevator chat or an hour long pow-wow, getting in front of people gives them a sense of who you are - genuinely - and that means as much as a well oiled resume ANY day!

Cheers,
(an unemployed, but faithful) Allyson

A Wish List for Days Like Today (when a pick me up is long overdue!)

I keep an ongoing list of fun and quirky things that I really want, and in some cases, I treat myself to, but only when they're on sale.   Some of them, like a Mercedes 560sl, I won't get on impulse, but I like to keep an evolving list, as it's great to keep in mind what "I'm always looking for" in case I happen upon it.  Here are a few things that have stayed on the list for a while......

1. 5 well fitting short sleeve white t-shirts
2. The original version of TableTopics
3. 3 white sweaters
4. A cool bow tie
5. Some CD's by Israel & New Breed CD , the Dave Matthews Band, and Nelly
6. Some flattering gold-toned lip gloss
7. Wreath making tools and station set-up
8. Really supportive sports bras (like the outdated UnderArmour one I got a few years ago)
9. A Hudson's Bay Point Blanket
10. An Ottawa sweatshirt/jacket
11. A few bottles of Moscato d'Asti
12. The Travel Book by Lonely Planet
13. Cosby Show DVD's (all the seasons)
14. Cirque du Soleil performance DVD's
15. An iPod
16. An awesome wrap dress from Kania
17. The perfect facescrub
18. Cashmere Socks
19. Janet Jackson's Red Velvet Album
20. A great long sleeve formal dress

21 Reasons for January to be OVER

Live every day to the fullest.  I'm trying dang hard to, but these winter blues have me wanting February, March, and April to high tail it into 2011.   The New Year wasn't the best (had to say goodbye to Mom, King Oui Oui (my hilarious Bichon), and South Carolina), so January wasn't too joyful this year.

I'm really pressing to get through this month happily, but I'm really looking forward to the days ahead. I'm gonna limit my venting to 21 statements.  After all, it is January 21 today, and I shouldn't have more than 1 complaint per day.

I think through this writing excercise, it'll make me acknowledge the blessings that January has brought along with the complaints.....

1. January wasn't as fun as December.  There is no competition. 
2. January in Ottawa is just too darn cold. The wind chill makes it go soooooooo way below 0 that I sometimes think I've been transported to the Arctic like Dorothy was blown to Oz.
3. January requires too much wardrobe consideration.  I'm from South Carolina, and I'm running out of winter clothes to wear (but no shortage of coats, mind you..a lady's gotta be warm!)
4. January is too windy.  January's winds make my skin is so dry even presciption creams, Aveeno (3 DIFFERENT KINDS!), Palmer's Cocoa Butter, and even Vaseline can't help me.
5. January has no big special events planned for me.  My girl's wedding isn't until FEBRUARY!
6. January doesn't give enough time for beginning-of-the-month stuff to get done. When people get back from the holidays, it takes a good week to get back into the groove of things.  By that time, the month's almost done!  
7.  January has short days.  I know they're technically longer, but my office has no windows - uffa!  It's dark when I get here and dark when I leave.
8. January doesn't offer the best fruits and vegetables.  All the produce is so expensive now, and the fresh stuff...well, doesn't look so fresh.
9. January has expensive flights.  I'm not sure why, but flights to SC are now $100 more expensive than they were last month - even for travelling in May!
10. January skies aren't blue.  At least not here.  Here, they are quite gray, even when the sun is out.
11. January makes me sleepy.  Not sure why, but I'm sooooooooooo tired.  EVERY day!  I bumped up my iron intake, but it's not helping....
12. January nightlife isn't July's.  Who wants to shovel snow off the car at 2 AM after the club?
13. January has awful grocery uptake.  I don't drive, so getting groceries in the winter is an extra-curricular project in itself. 
14. January has no holidays in Canada.  No, Jan. 1 doesn't count.  Since we're not at work in January before January 1, there's nothing to take a holiday from.  At least there's MLK day back home. 
15. January has all the sick people in the doctor's office.  I don't know why, but all my regular doctor's appointments were scheduled for January.  Wrong move. 
16. January has all the sick people in my office.  Colds seem to jump from person to person.  Glad I've had my round!
17. January doesn't give the best photos. There's so sun, so I'm finding that I look sooooooo pale in pics. I use a bronzer, and that's helping.
18. January adds on lbs.  Whether it's from all that comfort food, or all the layers of clothes, I just feel heavy. 
19. January sees everyone at the gym.  Just when Gym and I were forming a special bond, all these resolution-keeping-lunatics got in the middle of what we had.
20. January sees higher utilities.  I haven't seen the bills yet, but I'm home more in January, so it makes sense, right?
21. January is in a space that's hard on the soul.  December was joyful, and February will be romantic.....but what has the commercial world done for January? 

Who's the Cutest Doggie on the Block?

Oui Oui could be in the Island Packet's 2011 Calendar!!!! Dog-Lovers, Animal Enthusiasts, and Lowcountry folks, vote for Oui Oui, and you can make a contribution to an amazing fundraiser!!!!  I'm super dooper excited!!!!

The calendar itself will be a fundraiser for animal service organizations in the Lowcountry South Carolina area.  If you've got a few spare dollars, please cast your vote and contribute to a very pet friendly cause!

Care to vote online?
1. Go to : http://www2.islandpacket.com/pet_contest.php
2. Find Oui Oui (#42)
3. Enter in the number of votes:
        20 votes for $5
        40 votes for $10
        60 votes for $15, and so on….
4. Scroll up to the top of the screen and click on the red VOTE button

It's so exciting - he's already in 26th place (out of 80) and we hope to get him to the top 12 to have his own "month."    A million thanks to you for voting!!!

ciao y'all!
allyson

Some fool STOLE MY JOY!!!!

Y'all, somebody stole my JOY!!!

I don't know if it was the Scotia Bank lady when she told me I couldn't open a Canadian Credit Card unless I had $1,000 cash to secure it (cuz I'm not a Canuck).

Maybe it was the insurance company, who probably won't reimburse the $115 expense for holistic treatment because it's well...holistic.

Maybe it's the Solomobile crew that won't replace my irritable cell phone that keeps shutting itself off (now they want to verify the date of purchase before they give me a ticket number to get it replaced.  They screw up the paperwork and now I can't have a 100% continuous phone call?!!?!?!?)

Maybe it was my beloved Polar Bear who snuck my joy in his back pocket when he moved to Toronto a month ago. 

At this point, I don't care who stole my joy, but girlfirend is on a mission to get my *ish BACK! 

1. First, I'm going to thank God for my blessings.
2. Next, I'm gonna acknowledge the good spirit of my friends Karo in Italy and Jami in Atlanta, who were somehow moved by the universe to reach out at this exact point in timeand send me some snail mail (filled with warm, loving energy) which I adore!!!!!
3. Next, I'm going to belly-dance.  Fo FREE at a place in Byward Market tonight.  I can't wait!
4. Also, I'm planning the Polar Bear's B-day gift....that's keeping me really busy!!!!
5. I'm gonna re-program my goals.  I've gotten off track a bit - professionally, I'm not as focused as I was say, a year ago.  I need to get that lined up again.
6. I'll also focus on drinking water.  It seems to wash away all the funky energy on the inside.  I'll get a soothing colonic, too......that will HOPEFULLY be reimbursed by the insurance company:)
7. I think I'll hit up some nicely minded bloggers and send supportive comments their way.  It's a lonely universe out here!
8. I'll also think creatively about what I can do for my Mom when I see her in a few weeks during a much-too-quick visit home.

Would love to add to my list, especially after the week I've had. How do you commit yourself to joy?

2010 Goals - An Objective Check-In

Making life good GREAT is one of life’s daily adventures, and I’m super ja-crazy (my good friend Jamie’s term for being super enthusiastic about some thing, some one, or some idea….) about lists – they tend to keep me in line.

Earlier this year, I figured out 10 things that I wanted to do in 2010 that would bring me joy, happiness, and satisfaction and I made a list (check it out – to the left). I’m not the best at goal setting and keeping, so I thought I’d do a check-in…..



1. Read more books than I did in 2009 - Score on this one!!!

2. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6. – Ummmmmmm…….not so much, but I may get to teach a children’s dance class in the fall. This will keep me above water on this one!

3. Relearn flute playing – Nope. This one didn’t pan out.

4. Visit 5 new Canadian cities – Not too bad….I can add Kingston, Minton, and Mississauga to my list!

5. Meet more bloggers – SCORE! I reached out to 2 bloggers in Ottawa and may be able to set up a blogger meet up in the city. Plus, I’m guest posting on a fellow blogger’s wonderland. What fun!

6. Watch the Godfather series – I’ll have to wait till a long autumn evening on this one.

7. Finish Chinese 102 successfully – Another zero.

8. Master flossing daily – SCORE! I’m up to twice a day on this one!!!

9. Start a women's investment group in Ottawa – Well, I really tried on this one, but I think I may have an alternative….I’m part of a fitness challenge, and for the next challenge, we’re going to build in “Financial Health” as part of the challenge. We’ll see how this develops.

10. Save $4000 USD for a social sabbatical – I promise I’ll do better on this one - but I AM saving better, and smarter...let's call this one a tie :)

Smile at the The Delicious Life!

For the past few years, I’ve developed a bunch of mantras, mottos, sayings, and reminders that bring to mind all the blessings that we have when we just look. Some have been long forgotten (like bad shades of lipstick and shoes with uncomfortable heels:)  Others have stayed, and become a huge part of what brings joy to my life, purpose to my day, and a balance to everything that life demands.

Take a peek….maybe you can identify with some, and hopefully, you can add your own!
1. Pray consistently – One thing that offers tremendous strength is prayer. I’m a lifelong Christian, and my boyfriend…Hindu. One of the things that unites us is our prayer. Together, we pray over food (we both looooooove to eat!). In my personal space though, I pray for what every my spirit is hungry for. Lately, I’ve ended my prayer by asking for 3 blessings: a blessing on a loved one (like traveling safety for my Mom, who is in Tanzania on a mission trip), a blessing on an unfortunate group (like those impacted by the rains in India), and a blessing on my life (like finding direction). There’s so much empowerment that comes from prayer, and it gets my day started on the right foot!
2. Live a life worth writing a book about – And I’m trying! I’ve been journaling since I was a little girl, and have lots of torn notebooks to show for it. There was purpose in my madness…..when I feel really defeated sometimes, I’ll pick up a journal, read an entry from a year ago, and feel so invigorated (almost immediately) about how far life has brought me.

3. Dress for the job that you want – I work in philanthropy at an office in Ottawa (love the job, by the way), and while I’ll likely stay in the field, I want my career to somehow encompass more creativity. So that’s how I dress – with color, ethnic richness, and funky silhouette. While I try not to pay too much attention to external fashion trends around me, the way you dress yourself is indeed a presentation to the world….and says a million lovely things about you!
4. Wake up slowly – This I learned from a 3 year old cutie pie that I used to babysit. Whenever he’d wake up from his nap, he’d always say that he’s waking up slowly. I’ve adopted this to characterize the way I greet the day. Allowing 5-10 abundantly empty minutes between you being married to the bed and you standing upright is such a great way to transition into the morning. Usually looking at the sun is enough….then my brain starts working, and gets excited about the day.

5. Try to make someone else smile – Nothing brings more joy than knowing that you could bring joy to someone else. Usually, a “Good Morning!” in the elevator in my building is enough (quite usual in my southern hometown…not so much in Ottawa…yet!).

What are some of your mantras/mottos/reminders about living the good life?!?!!?!

ciao y'all!
a

My best life....in writing....

Oprah. Deepak. even Tupac - have all written and spoken about living the best life.  It seems, though, that talking about living the best life has been reserved for adults - those who have been through it, know about it, and are ready to do it over again, and do it better.

As I was growing up, I read voraciously (and still do) about how to improve my life, joy, spiritual strength, financial balance, career, etc. The pleasure is searching for writers whose views and goals are somewhat aligned with my own.  As a teenager and young adult, that was very difficult.

I'm huge on tips, tools, and lists....oh - and journaling, too!  Been writing since I was a young girl, and I'd always had it in my head to do something good with my journals.  The ideas are still coming together, but over the weekend I had an uplifting revelation:  to write the book that mothers will give to their daughters.  And, in some cases, this book will also be the book that daughters will give to their mothers.  I've been working on the content for years....just narrowing it down (in my own head) to what could be the most nourishing.

While a hardback edition might not even see the light of day, this is a soulfilled intention, and I'm gonna get started!!!  Wish me luck :)

ciao y'all!
a

Top 10 Things I'm looking forward to this Summer

1. Fruit being in season, cheaper, and very delicious. I'm in a fitness and nutrition challenge, and eating 5 fruits and veggies is one of my daily goals. I was never a huge fan of eating fruits (they're high maintenance - think cantaloupes; and messy - think oranges). Since it's been a focus lately, though, I've done a 180! I really like bananas (so convenient) and I'm getting hip to honeydew.
2. Breezy afternoons on the deck, patio, gazebo, front stoop, terrace, fire escape, or swing. I do miss my South Carolina porch, but finding space anywhere outside will do:)
3. Caribana 2010 in Toronto. Plus, the boyf is taking me to see Marshal Montana! yayyay!
4. Roadtripping. Just finished the first one from San Francisco to LA with Mom, and I can't wait for the next one!
5. BBQ's - It's a toasty 93 degrees in Ottawa, so we may have to postpone till a cooler evening comes by.
6. Outdoor festivals. I missed Montreal's Jazz Festival, but I'm headed to Toronto's Afrofest this weekend:)
7. Working out more. While most folks aim to be in shape for summer, I'm aiming to get in better shape during summer. Here's the thing - during winter, it was too cold to do anything outside, so what did I do everyday after work? Head to the gym. Now that it's summer, it's too hot to do anything outside, so what will I do everyday after work? Head to the gym!
8. Low maintenance dressing. Summer is the absolute best time to search out 10 great frocks and rock 'em nonstop. I'm short and curvy, so putting together separates is always a challenge for me. Once I find a dress that complements my frame (and in a beautiful coral or cerulean color), deciding what to wear is no longer an issue.
9. Playing outside. Contrary to #6, when the weather is lovely, playing frisbee or rollerblading outside is such a summer blast. Top it off with a snow cone, and it's on!
10. Sweet Tea. Y'all know that in certain Southeastern places, you can roll into any Denny's, Outback, Red Lobster, Waffle House, or Ruths' Chris Steakhouse and order a tea....and you know how it'll come out. I've got to boil my own here in Canada, but there's no better time than now!

Happy Summer!

Ciao y'all!

A

Women's Power Circle

Charleston Couture Fashion Show and Fundraiser

2005

I LOVE HAVING THINGS TO DO. AND MY FRIENDS DO, TOO.

Now that that is out of the way, I'm really amped about having a summer project. Some friends and I got together and were talking about planning a fashion show this September. It brought up great memories of a show that my very good friends M. Renee Williams and Stephanie Glover organized back in 2005 in Charleston, South Carolina. It was amazing!!!!!! The energy, the makeup, the clothes.....

Needless to say, the group here in Ottawa was smitten with the idea....till we realized that 1) We're not here in Ottawa collectively as a group for the entire summer, which would make planning difficult, 2)Neither of us are from Ottawa and are really familiar with the resources that we could be tapping into, and 3)We're not in the fashion scene enough to know what's going on already......

BOOOOOOOOOO reality check!

With that, we decided to re-gig ourselves and create something smaller, more intimate, and that gets at the true purpose of what we want.......

We're not sure what that looks like, but it will likely be:

• Something that focuses on women spending time together in a fun, enriching way (guys do it all the time! they can walk into ANY bar in ANY country at ANY time of year at ANY time of day and have something in common - SPORTS!). What do women have as an equivalent common bond? Hopefully, we'll find it!
• An event with lifestyle/fashion/beauty thread throughout it
• Sometime in July......

Are there events going on in your city that bring women together to celebrate themselves? I know there are TONS of volunteer, fundraising, church-related, and service events and organizations....book-clubs, too! But when do women get together to just talk? If you know of something, please share! Finding a formula that works means we don't have to reinvent the wheel:)

ciao y'all!

a

Balancing Acts - Waking UUUUUPPPPP

So balance is the blog's theme for June, and I'm so much more in tune to creating balance than ever before!

Balancing emotions, time, and physical energy is a fault of mine - I'm always at one end or the other, and this exploration of BALANCE has been pretty helpful over the past few weeks.

This morning, I was determined to wake up with clarity and begin the day from a balanced point. I woke up, said hello to God, wrote in my journal (while still in bed:), then had more in-depth knee time with the Savior, and took my vitamins. This process took like an hour, but it really shaped the tone for the day.

I've got to make more mornings like this!

An Abundant Weekend

I am so excited about the weekend! Tonight, the Polar Bear and I are headed to see Coba (Collective of Black Artists), a dance troupe from Toronto. We get tickets at 50% because of the connetion with The Cultural Arts Studio School Of Afro-Caribbean Dance (I've still got to post some pics from our recital - it was AWESOME!)

Then I'll probably turn it in early (late night with the girls last evening. We had such a great potluck....but we ordered pizza instead:)

On Saturday, the girls and I are having a meeting to continue planning for the What to Wear Ottawa! Fashion Showcase (details are coming......along with a blog!). It's such fun to catch up with those ladies. They're such a hoot!

Then later in the evening I'm running my first 10K. From sofa to street. Hope I don't get to comfy strolling:)

Got a brunch on the agenda for Sunday, and lots of relaxing....and balancing!

Why are you still in front of a computer?!!?!!?!! An awesome weekend awaits!

Balancing Acts - A Haiku!

Just got a haiku from the lovely and talented Kerry Chan (hope you're balancing things well in Toronto, girl!)

balancing is hard.

working, playing, sleeping. wow!

all are important

ciao y'all!

a

Balancing Acts - Planning Relaxation

In building on June's theme of balance, I want to explore how folks relax. I've always battled with a relaxed state of mind....it takes too much to achieve!

When I go to yoga, I get stressed because the poses take too long, the other sounds of the gym are too imposing, and the mats that we use are probably germ ridden and disgusting.

When I try to mediate at home, the contruction outside is sooooo noisy and there are a ton of other things on my TODO list that I have to cross off.

When I try to relax after work, I rush through other things (workouts, making dinner, doing laundry) just to relax, and I get myself all worked up because I don't think I'll have enough time to relax!

I feel like I have to go somewhere (the nearby Canal for a walk is an example), buy something (candles or a eucalyptus plant maybe?), or go to a class (who wants to pay $10 for an hour of Tai Chi!?!?!?!?).

So my thinking is to build relaxation into moments, not activities. I'm not quite sure how to accomplish this, so your thoughts and practices are more than welcome! I have a few ideas, and I'm hoping to keep this list growing!!!

• At some appointed time (here I go planning again! But this could be an exception), stop whatever I'm doing, and do a breathing and meditation exercise for a few minutes.
• I'm situated at a desk for the day job, and I've discovered that taking breaks throughout the day gives me a much needed mental break. I usually just walk up and down a few flights of stairs, which gets my body working and heart beat pumping. It's not relaxing as much as it is rejuvenating, but it's all part of the cycle:)
• Drinking water - but not ice cold water....it's soothing somehow.
• Hearing water, too....I'm just not sure a fountain would work so well in my office, but somebody brilliant at Youtube has solved that problem! Check it out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDEn9P9_S-s. Love this!
• Hug someone. Just the exchange of friendly, warm, and soothing energy with another person is so relaxing. This is a pose I can hold on to for a while!

Any other ideas? Please do share!

ciao y'all!

a

June topic - bAlanCe

I've put a lot of thought into it, and while the themes of love, dance, family, and fathers were on my radar as topics for June, the theme of BALANCE has resonated heavily with me lately, and I think it could be worth exploring this month.

Topics will range diversely...this is what I'm mapping out so far...

• Balancing spiritual energy - how much we invite God into the mix
• Balancing time - what we spend our time doing
• Balancing attention - who we spend our time with
• Balancing efforts - what we direct our actions towards
• Balancing wellness - how we stabalize a healthy body (diet, exercise, spa treatments, doctor's visits)
• Balancing family - how we encourage, strengthen, energize, and worry about our family
• Balance in the bank account - how we balance our money (I'll pull from learnings collected from the May focus on Money for that :)
• Balancing talents - what we want to improve, should improve, and what we can cross off our lists

I'm excited to build on what I've been learning over the past and what I'm working to become...it'll take time, but sharing is part of the journey!

Ciao y'all!

a