the good stuff from 2010

• visited 12 countries and learned a little of the language in each one

• lived in 4 of those countries

• made many good friends

• learned more history that I ever did in high school

• had amazing cultural experiences

• milked goats

• turned 30 in Paris

• produced a ton of new work, more than I have ever produced before in a year

• continued to develop my style and experienced lots of artistic growth

• expanded my client base to include the UK

• learned how to make stuffed paprike from a Bosnian man

• celebrated my 3rd wedding anniversary

• spent 2 weeks cooking with an Italian woman

2010 was an incredible year for me. It will be interesting to see what 2011 has in store. Happy New Year everyone!

the good stuff from 2009

• the big one: decided to move forward with our plan to live in Europe in spite of the fact that it didn't seem like the best time (recession, no good job prospects, not a great time to sell a house...) It still ended up being the best time for us to do it in terms of where we are in our lives.

• sold our house, our car and most of our furniture

• quit my job after five and a half years with the same company

• was a bridesmaid at my brother's wedding

• visited parts of Canada I had never been to: New Brunswick, Quebec City, Ottawa. Also went to England, Scotland and Poland

• met my in-laws

• started participating in couchsurfing.com and had so many positive experiences - I can't say enough good things about this way to travel and meet people.

• made some new friends

• celebrated 2 years of marriage with my hubby

• learned how to make zurek

• although a slow year in terms of paid illustration work, a pretty big year in terms of personal growth as an illustrator

Happy New Year!

my last weekend in Calgary

We've spent most of our weekends up to this point, and any other free time, just trying to get stuff done before our big move. Since this was our last weekend in Calgary, we decided to take some time off from our 'to do' lists and just have some fun. It ended up being one of the best weekends ever.

• my best friend was in town visiting and I hadn't seen her in over a year
• I drank some pints on a patio
• attended the Calgary Stampede for the second time in 11 years (I'm usually not a fan)
• went out for breakfast; ate yummy dutch pancakes
• window shopped with girlfriends
• sat in a park downtown and chatted
• went to a BBQ at the home of some good friends
• played board games and drank lemonade
• walked around in the sun holding hands with Dario
• attended an all ages musical show - my husband performed

good stuff

Today was my 29th birthday, and for the most part it was a lovely day.
• I had a laid back day at work (it's always nice when that happens)
• wore my favorite gray dress for the first time this spring
• came home to balloons, sparklers and a message written in chalk on the sidewalk and the street in front of our house
• enjoyed a meal of sushi, miso soup and green tea ice cream
• held hands with my sweetheart

the good stuff from 2008

• I unexpectedly fell into a way of drawing that has been keeping me inspired and motivated. It also renewed my desire to illustrated for children.

• got some new illustration clients (including another American one)

• started teaching a class at the Alberta College of Art and design - which I love

• learned how to cook Indian food - yum

• started learning Italian

• made progress towards some goals I have - more on that later this year ;)

• celebrated 1 year of marriage


Happy New year everyone!

weekend summary

• attended a house party where where my hubby's band played
• bought a cute new cardigan
• enjoyed some sun, some music and some good conversation in a park downtown
• went to the opening of the Old School show at Uppercase Gallery & bought the lovely book
• enjoyed my second private lesson in silk screening (next time we'll actually be printing - very exciting)
• went on a date to Paris
• spent a full day drinking tea and working on illustration projects

The good stuff from 2007

• I've felt more motivated and creative than ever before
• steady increase in illustration clients and work
• got my first illustration client outside of Canada (Utne Reader)
• illustrated and designed my first children's book
• my closest girl friend returned after spending a year in Australia and stayed with me for about a month and a half which was so nice
• saw parts of BC that I'd never visited
• discovered my new cooking specialty: spicy pineapple-lime chicken
• made some important decisions about what I want to do in my life and have started to take steps to get there
• married my best friend.

The most wonderful and satisfying weekend

This weekend I

• saw a comedian and laughed harder than I have in a long time
• had the most wonderful Saturday with my very best girl friend
• saw an old friend and her new baby
• made a delicious Mexican inspired supper
• had drinks with some people I'd been neglecting
• started my Christmas shopping
• enjoyed a snowy Sunday with my hubby
• worked on drawings for an illustration project I'm doing
• ate a pomegranate and drank tea in front of the fire


(in honor of the fluffy white snow that fell this morning)

The 5 year plan

In 5 years I see myself:

• illustrating full time. True, that was in the 5 year plan 5 years ago and it still hasn't happened, but I'm in a better position to do that now. I'd also love to work in a little book store part time. Something close to where I live that I could walk to. I've always liked that idea.

• I want to travel more. There are so many places that I want to see and experience. I'd like to live and work in Europe for a year or two. Maybe bring my computer and freelance from over there.

• I'd like to produce a series of paintings on a theme for an art show. It wouldn't have to be a big fancy gallery show, even something small in a coffee shop would be nice. Maybe a solo show, but maybe part of a group show with some of my artist friends.

• I'd like to write and illustrate my own children's book. I've had an idea since I was in high school but I haven't had an opportunity to seriously work on it. Maybe it wouldn't even be published, maybe it would just be for me.

• Once we've finished traveling, I'd like to pick a city (maybe Montreal) and settle down for a while. Buy a small home, fix it up ourselves, grow vines all over it. Have a garden in the back, and a patio where we could sit outside and have meals together.

• I see myself living a simple and humble life where I make time to read, cook, go for walks, drink tea with friends, take classes, learn how to make books, be part of an artistic community...

• Most importantly, I see myself still happily married to Dario :)