Usually I like to go with routine and planning however, laissez-faire spontaneity is a great way to go with the flow and Let It Go. One never knows how the day might flow but yesterday we strolled into MAKE cafe and read for an hour. The owner Jae informed us that there would be a showcase of architecture students’ experience to Iceland later in the evening. We continued on with our wine and burger pub night and then returned to MAKE for a glass of vino. Here, we met the architecture Professor Hebert Enns from U of M who was instrumental in the Iceland project. Very informative and both of us have an interest to travel to there someday.
Spontaneity provides one with a way to have fun but yet get shit done in other words be productive and get inspired.
Beach, mountain, forest or somewhere else…where might that be? Lately, travelling has been surfacing my mind and where should we go? Actually, we were in Austin, Texas a few weeks ago. Believe it or not, the highlight of that trip was sampling the best steak ever. It even beat out 529 here in Winnipeg. We also walked several miles in Austin and explored some Bohemian shops and specialty clothing brand stores.
In two weeks I will be off to see family in Charlottetown, PEI. Really looking forward to a lobster burger feast with my parents. Being an islander, we love chowing down on fresh lobster meat or slurping on some blue island mussels.
My husband Darryl is an important person in my life. Our day begins with a cup of coffee and tune in to the morning news. We stop at Academy Starbucks and have an Americano to go.
During the week we meet each other at the gym and workout together. It’s important to share our daily happenings and then we encourage each other to elevate the heart rate.
We also spend time walking to the local sports bar and take in a hockey game. Also time is spent reading our ebooks.
Life shared together keeps us happy and engaged.
If there was ever an opportunity for anyone to discover Austin, Texas then one must indulge in sampling their tenderest steak at Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill Restaurant close to the Lady Bird trail and Hotel Van Zandt. Darryl and I dined here the night before we returned to Winnipeg. The cowboy rubbed flat iron steak really melted in your mouth. Apple Crisp with a heap of vanilla ice cream drizzled with maple syrup was served in a mini skillet. It was so amazing. Our casual dining experience here was delightful and memorable.
Travel time to attend one of the largest technology conferences in Austin, Texas presented me with many favourable teaching ideas. I had the luxury of staying 4 days in hotel VanZandt which was indeed a classic hotel. Cafe 605 provided awesome morning glory muffins and piping hot coffee. Later in the day the hotel entertained their guests with free wine, beer and margaritas at cocktail hour. Darryl and I indulged in a few.
South Congress district was one of the highlights of this educational trip. We had lunch at Enoteca which was an Italian bistro. The waiter had a famous line: are we eating or drinking today or both?
Van Zandt had the most beautiful writer’s lounge in other words more wine is consumed here over many forms of conversations.
We definitely sampled many different cafes and bistros and the favorite was Moonshiners where we had the most tastiest steak dinner and apple crisp piled high with a scoop of vanilla ice cream drizzled with maple syrup.
Relationships define us. It takes time to develop and nurture key relationships. I have known this for quite sometime because a former principal also believed that we must cultivate relationships within our environment.
It’s important to know how we want to be remembered when we pass away. We need each other while we are here in the present.
Stories also define us. I was singing the hymn Blessed Assurance at a close friend’s dad’s funeral when we all raised our voices ‘ this is my story; this is my song ‘and I reflected on those words. We all have unique stories about our lives.
January 2016 brought us a wonderful opportunity to attend a Winnipeg Jets home game against New Jersey Devils. We had magnificent seats Row 1 in section 106, seats 11 and 12. We were face to face seeing the players. What a highlight. I never knew that the home team is to supply at least 25-30 hockey pucks during the game. They must be kept frozen so they don’t bounce when dropped at face-offs.
Second week of January brought us frigid temperatures but hearty Winnipeggers braved the arctic temperatures and enjoyed their daily Starbucks beverage including ourselves.
On the news front we lost a prominent world known namely David Bowie at the age of 69. I treasure the line that Bowie wanted people to remember him for his music and all of the good times, instead of the bad or his final days. Just listen to his music would be a tribute to him. He chose to live his life by going against the traditional way of doing things and that’s how he chose to live his life. This is the reason why he is iconic today!
TherefIt is worthwhile to deviate from one’s lesson plans and promote that it is ok to read various books and enjoy that love for reading.
January 2016 brought us inspiration to read more books and create drawings of shore birds while we sip a good cup of java. The return to classes was a bit of an adjustment after spending two weeks relaxing and reading at home during the holidays. However, our plan is working well which is to take time and read.
Recently, friends of ours dropped by our home and engaged us with their photos of their trip to Arizona. Seeing the beautiful scenery while hiking through sand dunes really peaked our interest to travel there someday. We introduced them to Pizzeria Gusto and it’s a favourite destination for us. I felt like a celebrity while we were dining because we knew many people from our walks of life.
Uncommon Beauty in Writing 