On an Island in the Sun

It's not like I don't have internet where I am, I think I'd just rather be beaching it than writing on my blog! I've been taking full advantage of the FUNemplyment by going down to my mom and dad's place in Barbados W.I. This is the fifth time down here, and every year it feels more like home. 
This year I had planned to work over Christmas and pay my dues, then come in January. After I lost my job, I really had no reason to book a return flight home! I've been here for a while and I think I'm going to stay for a couple more weeks. I mean, who wants to give up sun, beaches, cheap beer and rum, nice skin...and a fridge full of food? 
I also really wanted to see what it was like to work from a remote location as I grow my business and a freelance graphic designer. 3 years ago when I first landed in Barbados, I was fresh off of the backpacking trail and hungry for more. I decided that I needed a way to combine my passions to be able to work on the road. Now at present day, and with the help of being laid off my full time job, I am realizing my goal and living it!
I've been managing my contracts down here in the Carib and let me tell you, the view from my office is great. The commute isn't going to kill me either! I also have the best clients who will put up with e-mail correspondence. 
I won't bore you with all the details of daily life down here, but we invented something called the FUNscall cliff, and here's a few images to inspire you!

New Horizons

After last nights excitement of landing a new contract, I got really motivated and inspired to take action on my life as a successful career woman...it's not going to be handed to me, and it's not going to happen overnight. When I look back at the last year, although slow going, I can see that all my actions have brought me to a place where I feel that I can branch off to become and entrepreneur and feel comfortable about it. Although the road was rocky and doubtful at a lot of times, I am here and I am beginning a new chapter. 

Someone that has really inspired me is a woman and self made millionaire, Marie Forleo. She has built an empire of fitness DVD's, choreography, publications and life coaching. The best thing is that she has some great advice that's easy to apply to a woman beginning her business that mainly resides on the internet. It's not just good business for me, but for every subsequent client that I have. 

One of those clients is my friend Joharra, a self starter in her own right as a talented and beautiful musician. I've been hired to create her online identity and presence and it's been a fun process. Having the confidence to approach her with my ideas and take control of the project is something that doesn't come naturally, it had to be worked on for a long time.

So just when I thought I had this all figured out, I get an e-mail responding to a job that I applied for last  week. It's a new startup for a fashion publication/e-commerce website. I feel like this could definitely be right up my alley, as long as it's not a 9-5er! Now that I've chosen my path, I want to be a freelance contractor, no bound to a desk Monday to Friday. Here's hoping they negotiate!

I Got a Job

Don't let the title scare you...I am still technically unemployed! 
But in my efforts to focus on developing my freelance design career, I have landed a new contract! Over the past few weeks, it's been quite daunting to look over the qualifications a company is requiring of you and realizing you might not posses those skills. I fully believe in myself, my skills, and my knowledge, but convincing someone to believe that too is really hard. 
Getting these freelance gigs have helped my to regain my confidence in my work, and prove to myself that I am worthy of great job...it might just take some time.
This new contract I am working on is a logo and website for a freelance bookkeeper. She wants to gain more clients and putting herself on the internet is a great step in that direction. She's very professional and wants to PAY me! Most big companies can't even shell out minimum wage until you can suffer through a 3 month internship, but this woman is putting her faith in me to help her succeed. The job is mutually beneficial, and by helping her, I will be helping myself...and afford another month's rent.

Moustaches & Mimosas

What a weekend! I actually felt like a busy person. Friday night was the first annual Vancouver Mo Sistas fundraiser event to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer. I've been involved with Movember on and off for a few years now, and it's always a great month to get involved in a growing community of people all working towards a cause. 

With the hard work of our organizer, Sharelle, and the wonderful team who sold tickets or (bravely) auctioned themselves off, we raised $1,872.10.

Sunday was our "Wear a Mo" day. All the sisters donned a mo to have lunch at the Lamplighter and bowl a round at the Commodore Lanes. Albeit the comment from a dude asking if the curtains matched the drapes, all feedback was positive and encouraging for our sexy mo's!
Although Movember is coming to an end, it's a good feeling to be left with that it doesn't take much to lend a hand and volunteer to help out your community...which I'll have more time for now!

One week

I've been unemployed for 1 week now, and I've done nothing.
That's a bit of an exaggeration and I'm sure I could do a lot less, but I'm still unemployed with no prospects. 
I spent more time redesigning the blog than looking for job...I swear that's coming next. I'm applying for freelance design projects so I actually have something to fill my time with, but if I actually made a list, there are plenty of things to keep me occupied, I just refuse to acknowledge them. 
But instead of being negative, I'll focus on the positive. I've rearranged my room, finished a contract, created 2 websites, fixed my own website, have applied to some jobs, and started going to the gym. Go me!
But I will admit that it's the feeling of isolation that's really gotten to me. I'm used to hanging out with my buds for 8 hours a day, and there's no filling that void with another homemade casserole.

I'm gonna be somebody

I've recently begun working on some websites for a few friends of mine as a way to help them, help me! Although I do these for free or creative trades, it's a good opportunity to learn and build my portfolio until someone thinks I'm good enough to pay me. So, check 'em out!

The Long Road Home Movie Website

Kuhno Music Website

Design Notes* The platform I'm using is called Moonfruit. This site has many templates that are fully customizable or options to create your own. The beauty is that you can be a total beginner or you can have knowledge of coding and be able to manipulate you site as much as you want. They also offer hosting and domain names.

I've been designing from an initial template, and then modifying to suit my design. I always think it's a better idea however to conceptualize on your site before you begin. Choose fonts, colours and a general layout so you don't spend too much time poking around at the options....trust me, you'll be there for a long time!

False Impressions

As a followup to the last post, I went in to the bar to talk to the managers today, and it went better than I thought.
I was pretty fired up over the last week or so and put a lot of assumptions on why I haven't worked in a while. I still hold my theory as the truth about the Vancouver Bar industry, but it may have not been the case with my situation. My boss just told me that it wasn't busy enough and I'm pretty much the one that doesn't need shifts.
Although I feel relieved that I didn't have to go on a rant and quit in a dramatic way (it's really just not my style) I still feel like their approach to managing their employees is very unprofessional and inconsistent... and another reason why this may be a blessing in disguise.

Fake Boobs & False Intentions

I started working at a bar in downtown Vancouver about 6 weeks ago. I took it as a way to make some extra cash and pay off my credit card faster. Seemed like a good idea at the time, and even though everyone said it was a really competitive industry, I was excited to get a job relatively quickly. 
My first night on the job went off without a hitch and without training. I made some mad cheese (as in money) and was blissfully pleased. For the next three weekends, I had similar nights- my sales were high, my service; excellent, nonetheless; and my cash out always perfect. So why have I not worked in two weeks? Why are my bosses avoiding my calls? Boobs.

Vancouver's reputation lives up to itself when every bar and restaurant you walk into is host to an army of cookie cutter girls- big boobs, short skirt, long jacket...you get the idea. I even heard from a credible source that girls get hired based on the interviewer's response you whether she is "fuckable" or not.
I didn't apply to work at Hooter's, nor was I hired on the premise that I would dress or act in such a manner; but I guess I was a fool to think otherwise.
I quit.

Caught in the Web of Design

As a recent graduate with a pretty certificate and all, I'm trying my hands at designing like a professional. Things have been going well, and there always real life lessons to learn. This weeks (and past year's to be honest) learning curve is WEBSITE DESIGN!

Now, it's not so much the designing part that I'm having trouble with, it's more of the "coding it with working links and proper sized photos, and getting it to work on the hosting site that you already paid for to find out that they don't support your format of template...."

I fell in love with website design and blogging when I was 15 years old, even going to lengths of learning HTML. But technology has taken the train into the future while I continue to walk, and to say the least, I am a little behind.

I've tried to use WordPress, Joomla, Dreamweaver, VIRB, and now the newest site called Moonfruit.

All of these are very different than one another, but I have found that for a person with little development and coding knowledge, Moonfruit has worked the best.

Unfortunately it's not compatible with Hostpapa who my client has signed up with, which leaves me with my hands tied again. Do I try to recreate this website on my own and risk it looking bad and not being useable, hire a developer, or try to convince my client to switch over?

The comment box is open to all of my designer friends!

Sunshine & Snow

Tacos

So there's this guy...and he's on my radar. He seems nice enough, even though he ignored and mocked me upon our initial meeting. It wasn't very nice. But when I ignored him back and played Indiana Jones pinball, he was suddenly interested.
So why does he intrigue me?

• Rides bikes
• Takes photographs
• Is not a hipster
• Very tall and manly
• A chef
• Quiet
• Cute
• 22

Besides that, I don't know much about him. I would like to know more, but I am a little scared. I may not be cool enough. The sad fact that I looked at his Facebook, which always appears somewhat cooler than your real life has spun me into insecurity.
I've thought of a breakfast meet up.
Tacos.
Beer.
Bike ride.


When I texted him- this is what he had in mind.

How do I turn that into tacos?

My Ivory Tower

This year I set out with specific goals..not necessarily resolutions, but short term and long term life aspirations that I wanted to acheive. I've only been back 3 weeks from a hiatus in Barbados (there's a rhyme in there some where) and I'm right on track.

This is my career year; where I take 12 months to give it my all to develop myself as a successful woman. It's been my only focus, and things that I usually waste time worrying about have been on the back burners. I feel invigorated and powerful this week after landing a new job and have prospects for another. However, as a certain someone came up from that back burner, I found myself indulging in a thought of possibility. This is a guy I met a year ago who I feel stalkingly in lust with. We never had much going on between us, but as I scoured the internet for some updated information and where I can accidentally bump into him this weekend, I discovered that he has just moved back to Toronto. 

Goodbye career, hello misery. I can't believe how sad I instantly was. Was I hoping for an admission of utter adoration upon our this reunion I was planning? Do I think that I ever cross his mind at all anymore? Should I have tried harder and called more?

So here I am with a playlist of Adele and Damien Rice, stuck momentarily in my ivory tower, forgetting about my new found success all in the name of some dude. 

He certainly made an impression. 

Day 6- No one should have to work out on Saturday

I worked out. I sweated. It hurt...but felt so good. 

Now going to work out at the club. See you on the flip side.

 

Day 4- So. Much. Jumping.

Funny thing how the more time you have, the less gets done. I had the day off today and so it seemed that I had all the time in the world to get my school work done, drop downtown, rest a little, do my workout. But the day still only has about 15 waking hours and they go by so fast without any structure. So alas, it's midnight and I've JUST finished my workout. I did get some biking and walking in between the assignments, but this was the last thing to do!

So day 4 is Pure Cardio which mean endless jumping and thinking I'm going to throw up for half an hour then cry. I was afraid that both of my boobs (Mary-Kate and Ashley- not because they are small, because each weighs as much as one of those twins) were just going to fly off and hit the ceiling. It did not feel pleasant. 

I wasn't able to do the whole routine through, and I opted for a lot of low intensity alternatives which they DON'T offer in the video! I've taken my share of jazzercise and box aerobics to know that you can always do a slightly easier variation of the exercise instead of just quitting. But that doesn't cut it for Shaun T. Only INSANITY! Kind of discouraging to not keep up with the video, but I know it's my first week and I've just got to stick to it. 

Noe to only resist the temptation of Wendy'd frosty's on a hot summer afternoon. That's another battle.

Day 3- 100% Kick Ass

Well, looks like a second wind came from the North East to get me to complete day three of Shaun T's INSANITY workout. But let me explain how I didn't succumb to a 10pm hangover and pass out when I got home.

Upon biking back to the homestead I was thinking about food, as I usually do, and realized that I had none in the cupboards or crisper. So living in the grand city I do, I stopped in at the Price Smart open till Midnight (sweet) and mingled witht he other 20 somethings whom only seem to shop after dark. (Side thought- Do you think if I can get Price Smart to dim the unflattering fluorescent lights in the store, I can meet some dudes there?) 

Anyways, while perusing the aisles, a couple things aided in my avoidance of the the candy and ice cream to help me to pick the generic bran flakes and 79 cent tuna. This week is gonna be exciting!

First was my mistaken turn down the magazine aisle. I don't normally buy magazines because I think it's stupid to spend $7 on ads, and you can usually rent them from the library. But there are a couple that usually catch my attention, and my main man on the cover of SURFER did just that.

[[posterous-content:pid___1]]

The K. Slates. Always delivers. 

Secondly was this little dinger whilst flipping through that was hard to miss. That perfectly round, tight ass. An ass that I will never have, but is a good motivation to maybe look one 16th like that one day.

[[posterous-content:pid___0]]Betzaida Herrera who won the Reef Girl contest. 

So this brings me to my reason WHY I chose to put down the chocolate covered almonds and go to the bananas, and WHY I came home and did my workout. 

Luckily it was Cardio Recovery and was mostly stretching and balance work. But It was still HARD! Either this program really is insane, or I am insanely out of shape that I can't stop sweating buckets just doing a lunge!

All in all, I'm proud that I didn't quit and with a promise of sleeping in and a day off tomorrow, I'll guarantee that there will be a Day 4 success too!

Day 3- 100% Kick Ass

Well, looks like a second wind came from the North East to get me to complete day three of Shaun T's INSANITY workout. But let me explain how I didn't succumb to a 10pm hangover and pass out when I got home.

Upon biking back to the homestead I was thinking about food, as I usually do, and realized that I have none in the cupbords and crisper. So living in the grand city I do, I stopped in at the Price Smart open till Midnight (sweet) and mingled witht he other 20 somethings whom only seem to shop after dark. (Do you think if I can get P.S. to dim the unflattering fluorescent lights in the store, I can meet some dudes there?) 

Anyways, while perusing the aisles, a couple things aided in my avoidance of the the candy and icecream and help me to pick the generic bran flakes and 79 cent tuna. This week is gonna be exciting!

First was my mistaken turn down the magazine aisle. I don't normally buy magazines because I think it's stupid to spend $7 on ads, and you can usually rent them from the library. But there are a couple that usually catch my attention, and my main man on the cover of SURFER did just that.

The K. Slates. Always delivers. 

Secondly was this little dinger whilst flipping through that was hard to miss. That perfectly round, tight ass. An ass that I will never have, but is a good motivation to maybe look one 16th like that one day.

Betzaida Herrera who won the Reef Girl contest. 

So this brings me to my reason WHY I chose to put down the chocolate covered almonds and go to the bananas, any WHY I came home and did my workout. 

Luckily it was Cardio Recovery and was mostly stretching and balance work. But It was still HARD! Either this program really is insane, or I am insanely out of shape that I can't stop sweating buckets just doing a lunge!

All in all, I'm proud that I didn't quit and with a promise of sleeping in and a day off tomorrow, I'll guarantee that there will be a Day 4 success too!

The probability that I will work out tonight

I went for $1.75 beers tonight at the bar near school. I was so tired today, and worked my ass off, so that means I deserved them. The only problem is now I'm drunk in class, and biking home won't be a treat.

Probablity= 10% success of working out tonight.

What do you call a guy who breaks both of his legs skiing?

Let me tell you about my best buddy Dan. Every time we hang, I know it's a guaranteed good time. Like me, he likes to drink good beer, eat good food, and have a good laugh. As the days get longer and the air gets warmer, I found myself day dreaming of all the trouble we could get into this summer; camping, patios, bbq's, wheelchairs...wait. 

Dan and I last summer

I didn't see that last one coming; I don't think Dan did either as he went over that jump on the most perfect ski day... just a little to fast. 
So here we are, making plans for summer with two broken legs. Both tibia's and fibula's and another break just below the right knee.
Colour me shocked not only when I got the phone call, but when I visited Dan at the hospital with all colour and life sucked out of him like he'd been wrapped in a ShamWow. This wasn't the same guy and I knew it was serious, really serious. It was one of those moments when you have to ask yourself 

"Is this real life? I thought my friends and I were invincible" 

As the week went by and I came back to the hospital everyday, I saw Dan's spirit lifting and the colour come back to his eyes. Such a recovery only meant one thing- a present!
Disclaimer: The following item is only appropriate to wear in dire situations such as the one listed above where the receiver is unable to phyically get up. If you don't have two broken legs and you own one, there is no hope for you anyways. Introducing the.....

SNUGGIE!

Not just any Snuggie. I opted for the luxurious one. The original feels like it's made out of a ShamWow and I wasn't going to lose Dan again. Look at him, such a trooper. 
Here's hoping to a speed recovery, Boss. I'll visit as much as I can!

Get Local

As I watch Food Inc on CBC for the second time, I only get more encouraged to fight back against the big food corporations and support our local farmers. If you have not seen this documentary, I advise you to invest some time in it.

Not only does buying local drive the economy and keep small farms in business, it lightens our ecological footprint. When your orange comes from Florida, your avacado from California, and your banana from Mexico, the carbon emissions expelled into the atmosphere are enough to make you need that umbrella in January rather than your skis. 

My amazing roomate Kaleen is currently defending her thesis on global warming's effect on local farmers, teaching me along the way some valuable lessons on eating local. Trips to the farmer's markets were easy in the summer, but most markets shut down for the winter months. Luckily, a tip to a great website and others have given less excuses to outsource, and more reasons to think local.

We even buy local in Barbados

Now BC

Now BC is an online farmer's market that allows customers to place an order of local, organic, fair trade products and pick up at a neighborhood location.

Get Local

Get Local is an informational website about buying local. Where to get it, how to get it, and what is offered.

Eat Drink Be Local

Think being local is for the hemp wearing, seed eating hippies? This site offers fun, popular, and up to date information on the happenings around Vancouver for the average Jane. It's not about drastic changes, it's about doing something simple to lend a hand!

Free range eggs that were sold locally in WA Australia
 hand collected, cleaned, and boxed by me

Whether it's eating a delicious Pink Lady Apple, sipping a Granville Island ale, or riding your bike around the park, it all counts and it all helps. 

Devotin' full time to Floatin'

"Darling it's better down where it's wetter, take it from me"

Who knew a small red crustacean could give such good advice. Under the sea, is where I spent day two of my family Bajan holiday away from rainy Vancouver and will spend tomorrow as well. It was my third time scuba diving, and to my excitement, it's everything I remembered and better. Even more motivation to get my PADI done so I can dive on my own. 
We've been going to West Side Scuba Center, run by an older European couple who escaped the cold winters to spend a life under the sea. They run an awesome business with the best instructors who make you feel very comfortable diving, and make the whole expedition a blast. 
We've done a reef and 5 ship wrecks now, venturing about 50ft deep. The sea life and diversity is like candy for your eyes. The brightest colours of coral and fish, eels and shells. There's never enough time to see it all. Which is why I'm so excited to get back down tomorrow.
This year in Barbados, the weather is noticeably cooler and it rains a lot more than I was used to. But under the ocean, while the biggest tropical storm I'd seen here was happening, we had a peaceful, clear and relaxing dive. Rather upsetting to surface with pouring rain, cold wind and lightening. Adding to the number of reasons of why I love diving; it's the perfect rainy day activity!
I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to get informed and try a Discover Scuba Diving Course and be a part of a world you've never dreamed of. If only Ariel knew how good she had it, I'd trade these, what do you call them...feet, for fins any day!