I was lucky enough to be participate in the Traveling Journal: Around the World that Jessica Mack of Brown Paper Bunny was hosting.   Now you may not know this but the ladies that are part of this project I am sure well aware that I had the book for 6 months which I am really embarrassed about.

When the book got into my hands I was completely stunned with all the creativity and talent I was holding and it brought my own creativity to a screaming hult.   This may sound strange but let me explain.

I compared myself to all the entries before me which brought on HUGE self-doubt that I could even come close to the bar that was set.   This brought me to push the book further down my creative ‘to do’ list to the point where I just wanted to send it to the next person. But giving up is not the answer and where is the growth in that?

Where do I get off comparing myself to others who have worked hard & gone to school to cultivate their creative lives?

I am just exploring my creative side and I can not expect myself to be as good as someone who has been working their craft as a professional for sometime.  That is just foolish, but comparing yourself to others can be can’t it?  We are all unique, have made different chooses to get ourselves to the place we are today.

Comparing yourself will only bombard you with feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt and keep you derailed from your goals.

With all of that being said, I want to say SORRY & THANK YOU to Jessica Mack and all the ladies who are part of this project for being patient with me as I slowly worked through my own lack of self-approval.  Now that I have that off my chest here are the entries that have come before me, below the photo you will find links to the creators!   ENJOY.

BLOG // TWITTER // SHOP

BLOG //

BLOG // TWITTER // SHOP

BLOG // TWITTER

Is there something that you are letting yourself be held back on?

Know that you are not alone!  We all have struggles and being honest with yourself along with some self-love you can jump over any hurdle that is before you.

If I can help you in anyway you just let me know!

Until we meet again. Much Love,

P.S. Need a little more love this morning? Check out Much Love Anna.

Not enough Barbados for you?  Check out my other post:

Sneak peek (iPhone), Barbados with my Holga, and Birthday Road Tripping in Barbados.

Hope you have a warm weekend! Much ♥,

This morning while pouring my first cup of coffee I realized without even thinking about it I poured more milk then I usually do and NO sugar! I had to trace back this change in habit and it brought me back to Costa Rica. Now when your there everything is so fresh, ripe and pure. Nothing artificial about it. With that being said the milk is so creamy and tasty plus still has all the good stuff our bodies need that industrialized food just can not provide.

I think this point was driven home when our driver Omer (a local licensed tour guide) along with Paul and I had an hour to kill before having to be at the airport so he took us out to a typical Costa Rican breakfast joint. Huge orders of rice & beans, eggs, meat and warm tortillas fill the table as did our coffee cups. YUM! I asked Omer about the USA army jacket he was wearing and his response was quite simple but yet complex. It was his fathers from working in the pineapple fields and the fabric was strong enough to keep his skin safe from the sharp pineapple plants. We went on to talk about the history of Costa Rica, the civil war of 1948 and how they are one of the few democratic countries that do not have a military. You can tell there is no tension and a strong sense of community unlike North America.

Keeping the sugar out of my coffee reminds me every morning about that paradise we found in Costa Rica.

Until We Meet Again. Much ♥,

Now like I said this hotel is really a hideaway so we spent a lot of time drinking AMAZING coffee, drawing, writing and reflecting on life. But if you want to wonder off the grounds (which I highly suggest you do) there are some great gems around the area like National Park Volcan Tenorio { post to come }, Arbol de la Paz – Tree of Peace and some yummy food at Soda Dona Irma all within a 20 minute walk, but remember you are in the mountains so once you walk down you must walk back up. So bring lots of water!

All in all this trip changed our lives. There is so much to share with you but we must start at the beginning and work our way to the end right? I hope you are all having an amazing summer and are feeling inspired to take an adventure no matter how far or close it is to your home. Life is a journey so enjoy it!

Until We Meet Again. Much Love,

P.S. If you are thinking of heading out to this area and have any questions please feel free to email me I may just be able to help!

Mr Anderson,

My name is Paul Laberge. My girlfriend and I recently flew on your airline. I am not one to complain much, as a matter of fact, I am usually willing to cope with a lot for the simple pleasure of travelling. Recently, I booked a trip to wonderful Costa Rica which required me to fly Delta for schedule reasons. Here is how it ended up going.

Our trip was supposed to start on June 24th, with a flight from Montreal to New York, then from New York to Atlanta and finally a flight from Atlanta would take us to Liberia. We arrived at the airport 2 hours in advance as suggested on your website. For time reasons, we did not print the papers with our flight number but had checked in online the night before, but therefore could not use the automatic boarding pass machine. We then decided to ask for assistance, simply for the flight number. As I asked the Delta employee present (Doug) for a moment to help us, he automatically, without listening to what I had to say, threw us in a line, in which we we’re first, as I am trying to talk to him. This was all done in a very rude, aggressive and extremely disrespectful fashion. Twenty minutes pass, so did 20 people behind us. I repeatedly was asking for answers and for help, all attempts we’re aggressively ignored. We have been thrown in a line, forgotten, disrespected and ignored. About twenty five minutes later, finally, after consciously ignoring and disrespecting us, the Delta employee takes a look at our tickets only to tell us we are too late and we can’t get on the flight, again very aggressively. Politely expressing my feelings towards the situation, I am being answered, and I quote: “Sometimes life throws you curve balls.” Needless to say this situation is absolutely unacceptable. Having missed our first flight, we finally got to talk to someone else and explain our situation and also find out we have been pushed back because our flight was overbooked….Overbooked? And to be told there was no possible solution to our problem. A situation that occurred due to bad Delta logistic and consistent disrespect. After insisting for half an hour, we have been put on a flight for Detroit for a transfer to Atlanta, a flight we could barely get on for time reasons. Let me just point out that there was a solution, contrarily to what we had been told earlier, just no one willing to make the effort. And let me also specify that if it wasn’t for our insistence, our vacation was ruined and my money lost. Surprisingly enough, this was just the beginning of our Delta experience.

We get to Atlanta with the usual Delta poor customer service. Attendants with no manners from whom you feel a restless longing for better circumstances. Which is sad, very sad. It’s a real “buzzkill” if you allow the expression. We finally get on board for our flight from Atlanta to Liberia. Weather was covering up pretty badly, it’s a thunder storm. Nevertheless, the plane starts moving. The pilot announces that all flights are required to stay on the ground, the weather is too dangerous for any of them to take off. We will then be circling the runway endlessly for about 4 hours, which is ok, who would want to take off in an electrical storm? Then the pilot makes a new announcement saying that if they don’t take off right away, Delta would have to pay a multi-million dollar fine to the FAA so, and I quote “we will then be taking off in a few minutes, folks”. Let me tell you I am thrown back by the lack of moral judgement on your company’s behalf, I am extremely shocked to know we have flown in risky conditions to avoid paying a fine, this is morally wrong. It was a rocky ride. Lighting all around, but off we go and there is nothing else to do but accept it and let this final flight go, but the passengers of that plane should have been consulted before take off and stay or leave on their own free will. So basically, if we review the events, one minute it’s not ok and dangerous to fly but the next minute we absolutely have to go for money reasons? Outrageous! As for the flight itself, we were sitting in the back of the plane and were very hungry, after running around all day trying to catch our flights without eating. The hostess finally makes it to us but of course, there was no food left for us even though the flight was less then half full. For 8 hours stuck in a tin can. This is definitely not the worst of what happen, but certainly adds to my discontentment, as I am not fan of pretzels. Arriving in Liberia 4 hours late, there was no shuttle waiting to take us to our final destination, forcing us a 4 hour cab ride. Costy you say? Most definitely.

Vacations were great, people were nice everywhere, just plain good times. Then it’s time to go back home. We get to the airport and smoothly into the plane. We were seated in the middle of a group of teenage girls, therefore I politely requested to seat somewhere else, my request was granted, the flight was nearly half empty. My girlfriend goes and sits down about I’d say, 7 seats ahead. Having precious and costly items in our carry-on luggage, I feel comfortable having them in my eye sight. My girlfriend is now sitting and I’m reaching for two bags, not very big, easy to carry all at once. As I am moving forward, the hostess is coming the opposite way aggressively closing all the overhead compartments including the one by the seat we now were occupying. She then arrives in front of me and says, using very rude tone, I quote: “It’s one thing to move seats but the luggage, no.” You can not possibly treat your customers like that, it is absolutely unbelievable. For an action that takes about as long as walking there. After a fabulous vacation, five minutes on one of your planes and I was already angry, for being treated and addressed like a child. Again!

And I could also go on about the last flight we took form Atlanta to Montreal but I’m sure you can guess the just of it. Crew shows up late, flight delayed, rude personel.

I have never been treated like this before on an airline. I am astonished by the disrespect, the lack of judgement and the poor logistics. I am a respected television director here in Canada, and I intend to use all of my contacts in the media world to get my story out, I have already talked to a few people and I certainly won’t let go of it. I contacted my lawyer this morning and intend to look into the circumstances and events of the Atlanta/Liberia flight on June 24th. This whole trip was absolutely unacceptable. I want to be seriously compensated for this awful experience and I want sincere apologies.

Sincerely,

Paul Laberge

We are not the only ones who have had bad experiences with Delta. A women flying from Cairo to NYC received her kennel but not her cat Patch as Delta lost her pet. Then there is the story about Delta charging a nice ‘Welcome Home’ fee for soliders coming back from Afganistan for their 4th bag even though Federal law states they are allowed 4 personal bags without charge. The stories go on and on and on with a website a full website dedicated to sharing your bad stories with Delta called Don’t Fly Delta.
Learn from us and from many others who have flown Delta and have terrible experiences. I know travel is not what it once was but it also doesn’t have to be miserable either. I will be back with nothing but wonderful things to say about Costa Rica and the selfless, genuine and kind people we meet along our travels.

Until next time. Much Love,

UPDATE: Within 24 hours of sending this letter to the CEO of Delta we got a phone call from the executive office apologizing for how we were treated. We where given $300 in SkyMiles so that Delta can ‘show us they can do better.’ Trust me I will NOT be flying with Delta again, good thing they have amazing sister companies like KLM and Air France.
I feel sorry for the countless stories I have read of Delta losing people’s pets or even delivering a dead animal to someone and them getting nothing but a letter and $50. This is simply not right. I feel like we got special treatment because of the position that Paul holds and us fully understanding the situation for what it was, profit NOT safety. The #traveling Daily has used my story as their headline today, it makes me happy to get my story out and make people aware of the company Delta truly is. They maybe cheaper but to be stranded, treated with disrespect and maybe have your life put at risk for a profile, I HIGHLY suggest you pay the little extra and fly with a different airline.

Alright so I know I said I would have my Through The Eyes Of A Local: Montreal ready for you a few weeks ago BUT Paul and I took an unexpected trip to Costa Rica so I was kind of in a frantic to get ready for our trip. And let me tell you it has changed my life. The people we meet were so kind, pure and genuine that out of all my travels I have yet to experience what we experienced in Costa Rica and I have traveled some pretty remote places in my time on this earth.
I have so much to share with you guys but for now I am having a pretty hard time adjusting to being back in Western ‘civilization’. But don’t fret I have some serious time this week to devote to my blog so you are in for some sweet treats.
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far. I would love to hear what you are up to.

More Much Love Monday Here.

Want to see more photos from Barbados? Go here and here.

Swan Street, Bridgetown Barbados

Bridgetown

View from Cherry Tree Hill

My mom spent a month in Barbados in the 70′s and I look so much like her in this photo.  I love you mom!!!

Hope the sun is shining where you are!

Much Love,

P.S. I just reached 100 Google Friend Followers!!! Thank you so much for everyone that reads my blog and makes such sweet comments.  You guys brighten up my day with your sweet words more then you think.  I am in the process of putting together a little giveaway to Thank You, so stay tuned!!!

UPDATE:  This post made it onto The #Holga Daily!

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I truly have had the hardest time putting together posts from our trip to Barbados.  Every time I go to colour correct photos I find myself floating off into dreamland where the sun is kissing my skin, the ocean breeze is blowing through my hair and the relaxing soundtrack of the ocean is tickling my ears.  Then I come back to reality to find an hour or two has past.  Am I the only one that is having huge bouts of wanderlust?

This was my 3rd birthday with Paul and every year he out does himself.  My first birthday together he set up a day long scavenger hunt around Montreal with the end result of all the places we visited creating a connect the dot heart.  Last year he took me on a surprise little road trip down to Vermont to visit the Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory and picnic it up by the lake.  But this year he really out did himself with a week of full attention in Barbados.  Ahh… Paradise!

If you are new to my blog you may not know that Paul and I are road trip fanatics! We took a nice long 5,1000 kms road trip to start off 2011, drove down the east coast of the States to Savannah, Georgia the Christmas before and not to mention all the mini weekend road trips across the eastern part of Canada and the States.  We just love to be on the road together, so it was no wonder that we HAD to take a road trip while we were in Barbados.  Since the island is pretty small 34 kms (21 mi) in length and 23 kms (14 mi) in width it makes for a perfect one day road trip.  Which I highly recommend to anyone visiting this beautiful and diverse island.  The west side of the island is sophisticated and littered with beautiful white sand beaches and the calm Caribbean Sea. While the east side of the island is very rugged with the waves of the Atlantic Ocean crashing down on picturesque headlands and coves.  The middle of the island is quite and rural covered with sugar cane fields and dotted with old Plantation Houses but there is also Welchmand Hall Gully which is a tropical forest filled with exotic plant life and home to the Green Monkeys.  This area brought back so many memories of my time in the Amazon Rain Forest, untouched and wild!  The North part of the island is clearly not touristy at all and I feel as though you see the 3rd world part of Barbados here but yet the people are so kind and have a smile on their face.  The South is where we started our road trip which is a really lively atmosphere and perfect for the independent traveler who has no interest in staying at an all-inclusive hotel.  Either way anywhere you go on the island of Barbados the people are so friendly and willing to help you no matter how lost you get.

Car rentals are not expensive, even with having to get a visitor Bajan drivers license.  We used 1st Choice Car Rental.  The only down fall to a road trip in Barbados the lack of road signs or names for their streets for that matter. You are never to sure where you are not matter how long you look at the map but the views are amazing no matter where you are so it all makes for a beautiful and adventurous road trip!

So pour yourself a glass of rum and enjoy the island of Barbados through my eyes.

Birthday Breaky

Driving through crazy roads.

A little chattel house typical to the working class of Barbados by the beach.  These houses are designed to move from one property to another.

Our little rental car and a yellow house.

This photo does not do this view from the Cherry Tree Hill entrance any justice.  Area known as the Scotland District and a must if you can find it ;)

Morgan Lewis Mill is one of the only two working sugar windmills in the world today.

A road less traveled.  With reason our little car didn’t like this road and we didn’t even make it to the end of it but I could hear the waves!

Any local will tell you, if you are on the east side of Barbados you must eat at Sand Dunes Restaurant which is just off Emy Bourne HWY.  It can be easy to miss as it is just a small green building with patio tables but the food is amazing! Beef stew, sweet potato pie and macaroni pie. YUMMY!

Bathsheba on the east side with the Atlantic ocean.  Reminded me so much of a small version of the views from Great Ocean Road in Australia.

This is truly my dream home, surrounded by mountains and a clear view of the Atlantic Ocean.  The name on the sign says ‘RANDOM’ I mean how much more perfect can it get?

Getting lost in Barbados is great. We were in a development which lead us to this piece of land for sale.  How would you like this to be your back yard? Yes, PLEASE!

All in all that was the best birthday ever!  Thank you so much Paul for treating me like your princess.

I hope you enjoyed my ‘little’ Barbados road trip post. I will be back with a few more Barbados post like Bajan Mail and A MUST DO list while in Barbados.

Much Love,

UPDATE:  This post made it onto The #Barbados Daily!

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Almost there!

When I first set eyes on Barbados.

First coffee on the island. Below my handsome man with a view that can’t be beat!

Funny Note: There was a guy shoved into a speedo sexually posing for his lady (in the photo) on some rocks .  ha ha gross

Our first meal at Pat’s Place right in the fish fry area of Oistins. Yummy marlin and macaroni pie. Below you can’t forget the beer.

Bridgetown, Barbados Parliament Building. Below: Across the street from the Parliament Building is National Heroes Square and this beautiful fountain.

Bajan post box. Below: Paul’s stinky shoes on the terrace.

Want to see more about the Bajan Mail System? Click HERE!

Enjoying the last coffee on the island.  Below:  Wind surfer living the life.

Passport in hand but NOT ready to leave paradise.

That was a pretty heavy with photos of me but trust me the rest of the photos I am behind the camera!  Stay tuned for some more posts about Barbados as I make my way through 100′s of photos and lists of things we did and saw while we were there.

To wrap this post up I borrowed this fun ‘get to know you’ list from the lovely Bianca, who borrowed it from Adeline, who borrowed it from Sarah. Do join in!

Age: 28
Bed Size: Queen
Chore you hate: Doing the dishes
Dogs: No, but 3 playful cats keep me busy
Essential start of your day: Brushing my teeth.
Favourite Colour: Red/Coral but I love teal too!
Gold or silver: Silver
Height: 5 foot 6 inches
Instruments I play or have played: Flute, sing (took vocal lessons for 6 years)
Job Title: Freelancer
Kids: No, thank you!
Live: Montreal, Quebec
Mom’s Name: Cath
Nickname: Crystalini
Overnight hospital stays: Never.
Pet Peeve: People leaving the refrigerator door open AND leaving the water running while brushing your teeth.
Quote from a movie: ‘This is so bad it’s almost good.’ Rebecca – Ghost World
Right or left handed: Right
Siblings: Amanda but I call her Mandi
Time you wake up: Between 8 and 9 am
Underwear: They have christmas tress on it.  Laundry day!!!
Vegetables you dislike: Canned mushrooms
What makes you run late: Leaving everything to the last minute.
X-rays you’ve had done: Back, lungs, ankle, pelvis
Yummy food you make: Pitas and Hummus
Zoo animal: Lion

Much Love,

I feel like I have been to so many place but when I was traveling oh so long ago I always shot analog but now that I have a wicked digital camera I tend to shy away from the analog because let’s face it it’s expensive to always develop film.  But don’t get me wrong if I have the funds and the time to wait for my photos I would always shot analog.  Here are a few of the places I have been, with the photos that I have around me.

One of my favorite places the boardwalk at Mission Beach, California.  I think I have been there 6 or 7 times now.

Driving to build a house in Ensenada, Mexico.

Close to the Hostel I was staying at in New Castle, NSW Australia

Traveling on the Amazon River about 2 slow boat riding days away from Belem, Brazil.

Opening up my chair lift with a beautiful valley cloud in Lake Louise, Alberta

There you have it. A few pictures of places I have been.  If you would like to join in on the 30 Days Of Blogging you can see the original post here.  Let me know in the comments if you are doing the challenge too, I would love to follow you!

Much Love,

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