SPECIAL PLACES TO PLAN A VISIT (BUCKET LIST FOR LIFE)

PHYSICAL
DREAMS
WISHES (SECONDARY DREAMS)
REBECCA
WITH FRIENDS
SHES (SECONDARY DREAMS)PRINCESS PIRATWITH FRIEND
1 Ecuador - Cotopaxi/Galapagos
2 Colombia-Bogota, Cali, Cartagena, Cloud Mountain, Medellin, tiny church Las Lajas
3 Haida Gwai/ Vancouver Island/kayak/West coast trail/hike/kayak/Torino (Hotel Zed)
4 Rhine/Strasbourg/Lake Constance/Black Forest/Alsace
5 Piedmont/Milan(last supper)/Ravenna(Basilica San Vitale)/Lucca/ Umbria/Positano/hike cinque terre
6 Bosnia/Croatia/Bulgaria/Poland/Czech Republic
7 Malaysia/Singapore
8 Moscow/St. Petersburg
9 Kenya/Botswana/South Africa
10 California coast - Monterey Aquarium, Hearst Castle, LA (The Getty, a Herculeneum replica), Alcatraz, Santa Barbara, Silicon Valley, San Diego, follow the monarch migration
11 Rocky mountains - ski whistler, hike Banff, Jasper, Glacier
12 Wales walk around
13 Walk Ireland
14 Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao (ABC Islands)
15 Pumpkin Island, Australia
16 Madagascar
17 Hawaii - Pearl Harbour, Volcano, Sea Turtles, Pineapple grove
18 New Zealand
19 India/Goa
20 Philippines/Vietnam/thailand ?Amazing Race
21 Algonquin Park - Tom's cabin, natural waterslide Summer 2019
22 Adirondacks Fall 2019
23 Bali - north, Fiji, Oceania Bora Bora
24 Corfu, Corsica, Capri, Sicily
25 Orient express train - Agatha Christie vs Full Tilt Ireland to Middle East
26 Grand Canyon/Yosemite/Joshua Tree/ Muir trail/Santa Barbara/West Coast trail
27 Peru - incan ruins, Nachi lines, macho Picchu
28 NYC - Waldorf Astoria, Stardust Diner, Broadway, run around Central Park, Natural History, Met Museum, four seasons - Easter, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas
29 Guernsey
30 Appalachian Trail
31 Presidential Peaks Summer 2019
32 Dahani National Park
31 Rhode Island
32 Gaspésie
33 Iceland
34 Cozumel snorkelling 2020
35 Northern Lights
36 sunrise/sunset
37 cape cod/maine cabin
38  Bryce Trail  and Zion, Utah
39 England - garden festivals, Harry Potter, royal galleries, the Eye, bridges, parks and palaces, Torquay and other Agatha christie sites, Bath,  roman sites, Dorset, Isle of Man, Liverpool, Oxford, Unesco sites, Manchester, piers

THE SIMPLER (more doable) ORIGINAL LIST
Albany/Brooklyn/NYC
Philadelphia
Niagara Falls
Charlesvoix
Calgary/Banff
Ayer's Cliff
Auberge Handfield
Hovey Mansion
Haida Gwaii
Stowe, Lake Placid, Lake Willoughby, Vermont
Adironacks
White Mountains NH

Berlin/Austria/Essen/Cobourg/Munchen
Milano/Dolomites/Lake Garda/ Lucca/ Cinque Terre/Assisi/Ravenna/Sicilia/Blue Grotto Capri
Belize snorkeling
ABC
Galapagos/Equador (quito/cotopaxi)
Hawaii
Spain
Tunisia
Botswana/S Africa
Chicago
California
Porland
Vancouver Island

TED TALK BUCKET LIST. CHECK!

Years ago, when I first heard about the TED talks, it was a far away conference that I initially thought was a strange combination. What did Technology, Entertainment  and Design have to do with each other? The first two seemed irrelevant to me but the design portion was interesting. Later, as beauty and esthetic became increasingly valuable to me, and striving to be a better educator, and facing the exponential growth and impact of technology in my job and teaching, I saw the conference as less relevant but more inspirational, although the entertainment portion was something for the Californians, and not for me. Still a dream formed to attend it one day, somehow, despite the fields excluding me from being even an candidate to be be invited.

Fast forward a few years, and I watched two mind blowing videos; in retrospect, from the group of six that were first released in 2006. Swedish physician Hans Rosling's  The Best Stats You've Ever Seen and  NYC activist Majora Carter's Triple Bottom Line lectures blew my mind! This wasn't a conference about a far away industry that was was distant to me anymore. These were brilliant people talking about the world and inspiring a better one! From then on I was hooked. The conference was no longer invitation only, so although the cost was prohibitive and the likelihood of attending was still exceedingly low,  I put in on my bucket list to try and do before I die.

Now, as I sit writing this, I can name many talks that I have seen and heard that have amazed me over the years. The forum expanded to other cities and topics, including my own occupation. I have an app on my phone and a channel on my tv that I can listen to for more hours than I have time to! It's not how I dreamed it to be, all those years ago. It is truly something so much more! I cannot believe how accessible this conference and its life changing topics are today. They are truly ideas worth sharing!
Thank you, TED! If you haven't watched any, watch a TED talk today! I still aspire to be relevant and give a TEDtalk one day. So should you!

THE CRUX OF AN ARGUMENT

It is so easy for humans to find something to argue about. On the other hand, if a topic is seen from different points of view, isn't that very topic proof of a connection? Maybe if one of us believes that lives and deaths are predetermined by fate, and another believes in free will, would it not be better to live as free if fatalistic, and the other feel relieved that that not everything is to be blamed on them?Maybe the ideas that are the most contentious are the ones we should bring up more often? Money, religion, sex, anger, politics, and the discussion of them is essential to culture. Sticking to topics like the weather, tv shows, or the last trip we took or restaurant we ate at does nothing to advance our culture or teach out children. Not talking about things because they are uncomfortable is unacceptable. We to lean into the awkward conversations that cause tension, not shy away. It is important for our relationships, our children and our world.

That being said, someone will feel that the conversation is uncomfortable. We must enter in to it with sensitivity. If you have less to lose, you have more grace to give. If the issue of fate is leading to a division in your humanity, it is not the time or maybe not the person. But the next time you feel passionately about one side of the argument, step back and embrace the crux of your differences as the bridge between your humanities. If you can view it in this way, who knows what we can learn from each other! What a gift to have friends willing to see your side when they come from another point of view, and vice versa!

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: YEARBOOK SIGNING!

MOVIE REVIEW: A GOOD WOMAN

This was a perfectly balanced lovely romance set in Italy on the Amalfi coast in a world of the independently wealthy in the 1930s.  The main actresses were Helen Hunt and Scarlett Johansson, and John Wilkinson does a great job as well. The script was so well done that I waited for the credits for more info, and was surprised to see it was based on a play I hadn't read by Oscar Wilde, called Lady Windemere's Fan. The wordplay of the modern script by Howard Himelstein is quite an improvement, so that would be my vote. Part drama, part romance, part travelogue ( I love to travel somewhere in time that no longer exists), I was quite surprised to watched a film so quietly and perfectly crafted without ever hearing about it. Maybe my local theatre group will take it as a four act suggestion for next year.

HOW TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS

Find a group of people, ideally strangers.
Tell them your dream AND the obstacles to achieving it.
They will help you!
For more, watch Barbara Sher in Isolation is the dream-killer, not your attitude.

MORE BUZZ ABOUT ALAIN DE BOTTON

Alain de Botton is a modern philosopher from Switzerland with a British accent. He has written a ton of books, so it seems funny that he came on my radar with a rare (only?) fiction novel. I guess it makes some sense since I heard him first on CBC radio, promoting his most recent book The Course of Love. He teaches at the School of Life, and his lectures are available online for viewing.

Ages ago I quoted him without any knowledge of who he was. Surprised to find he is current, I have made it a recent study to listen to him. I have found a number on youtube, from Ted talks to the School of Life. What he says is funny and seems reasonable, and it's a fresh take on age old questions. Love, Sex, Art, Happiness, Anxiety, Religion for Atheists. His ideas are succinct and thoughtful and funny. Take a look!

15 PRACTICES THAT DIFFERENTIATE THE POOR FROM THE RICH

This is from one of those annoying popups that occur when you are watching videos online for any length of time, but the title was interesting, and the I dea even more so. What is the difference between a poor and a rich life? Here are the talking points from the source ULUX.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Do things in life that bring value. Don't waste it! You are worth it.

1. Poor people watch a lot of tv. CAVEAT: Don't watch too much tv. Do things that add value.
2. Poor people eat fast food. CAVEAT: Don't eat fast food. Eat real food.
3. Poor people buy clothes or products on sale. CAVEAT: Strive to buy the quality you deserve, and what you want. (I still admire the frugal millionaire, so take these caveats with a grain of salt!)
4. Poor people wake up later than rich people in their early years. CAVEAT: You may have missed the boat on this one, and too bad for us night owls, but you have 14 other habits that might make the difference!
5. Poor people are really into sports. CAVEAT: Be active. Don't watch sports, be active!
6. Poor people don't shower as often as rich people do. CAVEAT: Shower daily, early!
7. Poor people blame others for their misfortunes. CAVEAT: Take responsibility for your fate and do what you can to understand your part in it.
8. Poor people have no money saved. CAVEAT: Save money. Have an emergency fund.
9. Poor people use credit cards or take out loans for useless things. CAVEAT: Only use credit to add value or for necessity, and as little as possible (see number 8)
10. Poor people tend to have more kids and earlier in their life. CAVEAT: Use contraception and plan to have kids when you are ready for them.
11. Poor people do not have regular checks with their medic. CAVEAT: Get regular check ups.
12. Poor people spend money before they get it. CAVEAT: Don't spend money you don't have.
13. Poor people surround themselves with other poor people. CAVEAT: Surround yourself with five of the best people you can.
14. Poor people never follow through on their ideas or potential. CAVEAT: Invest in yourself, and be brave. You are worth it!
15. Poor people believe that others should help them reach the top. CAVEAT: Don't quit. Keep learning. Keep adapting. Share with others.

Again:

Do things in life that add value. Don't waste energy, time or money on things that are worthless. Eat good food. Exercise. Spend wisely. Don't overspend. Don't spend what you don't have. Your body and mind and company are as valuable as your money. Take care of what you have. Think about your mistakes and failures, and make changes to remedy them. This is how to be successful and rich in many ways.

SEXUAL ASSAULT BY FRAUD

When you have sex with someone and you are lying to them.

Think about how you portray yourself as you celebrate today, TRUTH AND ROMANCE DAY!

Don't be shy to ask for ID!

EVENING STROLL TO THE HIGHWATER OF LAC SAINT LOUIS

HOMEMADE GRANOLA

Raisin and Peanuts

FIRST HARVEST: RHUBARB!

Rhubarb apple crisp

THE SPRING YOU WERE ELEVEN

Runner

Calico casual and cared for

Ballerina poise

Barbies and petshops

Artzooka and write your own stories and badges

Red velvet whoopie pies with your English class

Plating for Mother's Day, your first fidget (with your own money, rarely spend) and cat toy invention (Bored Cat, Not Anymore! pipe cleaner slingshot)

Books we read together (just the poem of Echo, but maybe one day)

Nature lover

Explorer and pet rescuer

First freezing, first teeth removals, Brave girl!

Homework on the swing

Creative combinations: granola, almonds, fresh corn, strawberries!

PICNIC IN THE PARK

Roast almond, chicken salad and garlic chive sandwich

Picnicking on the outfield with goldfish pretzels and baby carrots

Incollables (unbeatable) quiz cards and mixed weather

JUNE FLOWERS AND MY WILD YARD BOUQUET

Something borrowed, something blue, something old and something new

shared flowers from a friend

a little worse for wear, but still beautiful fragrant honeysuckle

Spirea or Bridal Wreath

BIWEEKLY GROCERY MUSTS AND INDULGENCES $135

Flour, gemilli and macaroni, oatmeal, sugar, tuna, radishes, conditioner, sunflower seeds, soya milk, 1% cow milk, vine leaves, tzatziki, eggs, tahini, Romano beans, maple beans, chick peas, cheese curds, bread, green grapes, cauliflower, lettuce, cucumber, red pepper, rice, carrots, cantaloupe, parmesan

Inspiration meals: Mac and cheese, tuna casserole, raisin sunflower seed salad, spinach egg squares, potatoes and beans, chick pea korma and cauliflower, pea risotto, chicken noodle soup, quinoa salad, veggie fried rice

jalapeño chips (for company), cookie wafers (to make grad snacks for grade six), vanilla coffee, drip and instant (to be fair, it's been weeks, and should last for a month), KD (?necessity!), chocolate milk (for lunches), goodies (for me), wasabi peas (to make a snack mix for the ER crew next week), my favourite Ritter sport on sale! (milk chocolate with raisins and hazelnuts)