PHUKET, THAILAND 2009

PHUKET, THAILAND 2009

This dreary March weather in Toronto makes me miss tropical climates like Thailand!

I want to lay on the beach and stare at stretches of white hot sand and crystal blue water; I want to eat spicy seafood dishes at outdoor restaurants that line the streets of Thailand; I want to play with elephants and monkeys at animal sanctuaries.

I really want to be anywhere but here right now - away from the stormy weather and my downward spiraling mental state. 

I haven’t blogged for months. So, I’m very happy to say that I am slowly trying to clamor my way out of this hole by booking two vacations for the near future:

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic in April

New York City (again!) in July

Things are looking up! =)

INSPIRATIONAL SUNDAYS - BRIDGEWATER BROTHERS

INSPIRATIONAL SUNDAYS - BRIDGEWATER BROTHERS

This heartwarming news clip has gone viral for the past three weeks. 

The video speaks for itself, so for those who have not seen this yet, please hit play!

Nowadays, bullying seems worse than what I remember as an elementary school child. Harassment is now goes beyond the playground too. With the popularity of Myspace, Facebook, YouTube and other similar social media outlets, bullies can strike at any time. 

More kids seemed to be ridiculed, while less peers seem to be standing up for them. A lot of situations have escalated to unnecessary lengths, resulting in permanent mental scarring and even suicide. The growing population of internet bullies (of all ages) make the hope for a healthy social environment seem foolish. 

Then, I saw this video.

And it has restored my faith in humanity. Without violence, these “brothers” show their support against bullying. It’s miraculous to me that instead of resorting to fists, these young boys have found an extremely creative and intelligent way to defend their friend. It’s touching to know that some kids are growing up with good morals and ethics. I applaud these amazing children for what they’ve done and their great parents for their guidance and support!

(Video credit to WCVB Channel 5 Boston: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq7ZgXz_YLc)

INSPIRATIONAL SUNDAYS - FABULOUS FASHIONISTAS

INSPIRATIONAL SUNDAYS - FABULOUS FASHIONISTAS 

Last week, I saw this enlightening documentary about six very different, but incredibly fashion forward women between the ages of 70-91. 

In today’s society, growing and looking old is a terrifying concept. I vividly remember calling my mom and crying after a college lecture one day. That afternoon, I had learned in skin care class that the first signs of aging happen around twenty years of age. I was turning nineteen that year. I remember that in between sobbing, I kept repeating how I didn’t want to age and how afraid I was of looking ugly. This piece of information was horrifying news at the time. Looking back, it was undoubtedly silly. But it wasn’t unrealistic to feel that way in the world where beautiful people on magazines seem lacklustre in person. 

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INSPIRATIONAL SUNDAYS - AMAZING PARENTS

INSPIRATIONAL SUNDAYS - AMAZING PARENTS

This week, aside from cool artistic talents, I also wanted to focus on other kinds of inspirational people - amazing parents. 

The above letters have been trending on the internet for a while now. Even so, I still want to devote a post to these wonderful and loving individuals. They have truly exemplified the type of support and unconditional love that all children deserve and should take after.

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WANDERLUST WEDNESDAYS - MORE NYC

WANDERLUST WEDNESDAYS - MORE NYC

All photos by Sid Black: http://sidblack.tumblr.com/

WANDERLUST WEDNESDAYS - LONDON

WANDERLUST WEDNESDAYS - LONDON

Lovely photos by Metin Fejzula - http://www.flickr.com/photos/voldy92/

WANDERLUST WEDNESDAYS - AMSTERDAM

WANDERLUST WEDNESDAYS - AMSTERDAM

Beautiful travel photos by Christopher Mongeau.

View more of his work here: http://chrismongeauphoto.com/

WANDERLUST WEDNESDAYS - FALL IN NEW YORK

WANDERLUST WEDNESDAYS - FALL IN NEW YORK

My favourite city! <3

(Photo Credits: http://annstreetstudio.tumblr.com)

Swedish Proverb

INSPIRATIONAL SUNDAYS - ZHENG CHUNHUI

INSPIRATIONAL SUNDAYS - ZHENG CHUNHUI

Earlier on this month, famous wood carver, Zheng Chunhui earned a Guiness World Record for his newest creation - a 40 foot long hand carved sculpture. Using one tree trunk, he spent four years creating a sculpture rendition of the 1,000 year old Chinese scroll painting, Along the River During the QingMing Festival. Zheng’s piece includes detailed carvings of boats, bridges, and 550 individual people. 

Information sources and photo credits: 

http://www.viralnova.com/tree-trunk-carving/

http://twistedsifter.com/2013/11/worlds-longest-wood-carving-zheng-chunhui/

http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/zheng-chunhui-guinness-book-worlds-longest-wood-sculpture

To view the original Along the River During the QingMing Festival scrolling painting, click here:

http://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/alongtheriver_qingming.jpg

INSPIRATIONAL SUNDAYS - KRISTY MITCHELL Part II

INSPIRATIONAL SUNDAYS - KRISTY MITCHELL Part II

(Photo Credits:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk

http://www.kirstymitchellphotography.com)