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September 14 And nearly a year later ...Yup - I'm finally back! A lot has happened during the past year - yes, after both my parents' passing and my loosing my job - but in the end it's all been good and I am finally on the verge of getting my life back on track, moving on, the whole insalata. ;) Have also, just today, finally managed to complete one last project that held me back here in Vancouver, so off I go to bigger and better pastures at long last.
Where am I off to, you may ask? Well, for those who remember my longing to reconnect with Mother Earth over quite a long period of time - even back while still living in England - this is now finally coming to fruition ... or at least the instigation of same. Am planning to head up north to the Cariboo area of (Central) BC, 100 Mile House to be precise. Will I stay there? No idea. Never been anywhere near there but have heard a lot of good things and done as much research as I possibly can, now it's time to actually pack up and leave and explore not only a whole new area but a whole new life to go with it.
Am I going to start writing, editing and healing? Eventually - yes, I do hope so. For now, I shall have to seek a nice place to settle down, try and find a local job that keeps me afloat and meet the locals and then we'll see where it takes me. A whole new adventure awaits and I can't wait to explore it!
Namaste To You All :) October 25 Hmmmm ...Seem to be on a roll here which is rather refreshing. Also received no less than three very positive and constructive feedbacks on Helium on my movie reviews which made me feel rather honoured and blessed. Guess, I am on the right track and finally starting to make headway with my writing which feels pretty marvellous, if I may say so. YEY! :)
Have not been feeling quite up to par for the past few days but seem to be on the mend once again - guess, recovery takes time and there are always better and not so good days intermingled. I'll get there, I have no doubt of that. Am also still working on my freelance ideas and leaflets - that is where my immediate future lies although, who knows, one day I may be earning money through my reviews. After all, Helium is the place where publishers seek out articles and the like for their own publications ... time will tell.
Have uploaded another five reviews tonight with a couple more pending - which shall probably follow early next week. There are another few movies I would like to go and see - Happy Go Lucky being one of them, maybe even High School Musical III since they advertised it as 'if you liked Hairspray and Mamma Mia (which I have seen five times and can't wait for the DVD to come out!) you'll love HSM' - will have to wait and see what next week brings. Tomorrow I am off to the Health Show with some friends which I am very much looking forward to and next weekend is already fully booked also with 'Greetings from Spirit' on Old Hallow's Eve, a Raclette Evening with Swiss Friends Saturday and a Coffee/Breakfast chat with movie friends Sunday. Can't wait!
Until next time - take good care & Brightest of Blessings! October 15 Well ...Tried to put a blurb on yesterday but someone had other ideas. So, here I am again with another attempt - let's see where it takes me :)
Added some more reviews on my DER-Reviews webpage and seem to be on a roll once more which feels absolutely wonderful. Am also slowly uploading them onto my Helium page which is now growing slowly but surely - well, you have to start somewhere.
Talking about starting afresh - have now decided to create some leaflets and fliers promoting my freelance work and see where it takes me instead of intensely starting to look for a job. All signs that I am getting push me into this direction and since I have learnt the hard way to listen to my intuition, I shall follow it through and see where it takes me. May also finally take on a job at one of the cinemas here in Vancouver and get in to see all those movies for free while earning some pocket money at the same time.
Well, 2008 - thus far ... - has brought a lot of changes and literally new beginnings that I am now following through ... life looks VERY bright just about now!
Namaste :D August 10 It's been a little while ...... in more ways than one. However, thankfully, a trip to Bowen Island a few weeks ago seems to finally have re-awakened my desire to write something else than simple journal entries and I have finally started to write 'proper' movie reviews again. Yes, I have kept up the mini-versions on Facebook Profile but it's simply not the same and I am glad to be bac so to speak. So, have uploaded X-Files: I Want To Believe, Mamma Mia (the soundtrack to which I am currently listening to!), Dark Knight and Swing Vote on my DER-Reviews page (click 'My Webpages' to patch you through) and also on my Helium Page and Flixster to which I have added short ones to Mongol and Wanted that I could not resist doing. Oh well ...
Yup - still working at Fluor where I'll be back again nice bright and early tomorrow morning. Sigh! Oh well - that IS a work in progress and I am not about to give up either! Granted, did not get round to updating my Monster search tool this weekend - time off is simply too short to accomplish it all, particularly when you also have to recuperate from a hard week's work at the same time - but I WILL get it done! No two ways about it!
Something else I have also finally accomplished at long last - on Sunday, 7 September 2008, and Friday, 12 September 2008, I will FINALLY be heading to Vanier Park, Kitsilano, and see Twelfth Night and Tempest respectively! It only took four years to finally accomplish ... ;P
Have also been to the Theatre Under The Stars in Stanley Park already and thoroughly enjoyed Annie Get Your Gun, a musical that I had actually never seen before, would you believe it. I went on my own one Monday evening after purchasing a half-price ticket that morning and could not shake the feeling of comparison of the Leading Man with a former 'infatuation' of mine and his overbearing sidekick with a colleague at work. So, if you know the people I mean you will probably realise why I need to move on in both respects.
There is also another musical being performed in Stanley Park - namely Jesus Christ Superstar. Am half-way tempted to and see that one, too - although may have missed my chance at getting a half-price ticket now. Oh well, time will tell. As for the other two Shakespearean plays at Bard on the Beach - was tempted, too, but in the end decided to start with the other two and then see what they'll put on next summer. Even if I have finally moved out of town by then - they put on matinees (which I am also indulging in this time round) and I'll still be able to indulge. With other words, I DO hope that my reluctance in actually organising and booking such events again is now at an end! :)
Finally, will also be off to a friend of a friend's performance in two weeks' time - details of this event can be found on my Facebook Profile - which I am very much looking forward to. Well, looks like I am finally back in the swing of going to the theatre a little more frequently once more and loving it! Long may this love continue!
Until Next Time - xxx April 06 Finally - An Update!Hi Everyone
 Sorry - it has taken me this long to create another update but - as per usual - life has somewhat taken over ... as well as some sad events such as my mother's rather sudden death just over a month and a half ago. I have been in touch with my dad every Sunday since but am glad to be able to say that his support system - particularly in form of a very kind neighbour - is working well. Had been more than a little worried about him loosing his spouse of 55+years literally in a matter of days but he seems to have recovered well and is moving on - as am I. However, these things take time a I am not even quite convinced yet that the true extent of the loss has really sunk in but I am getting there, thankfully with the help of my own support system in form of good friends as well as colleagues at work. I feel honoured and blessed - thank you all!
I also think it's only fair to state that my DER-Reviews webpage is probably not going to be updated anymore. Have not really had the necessary time over the past year or so - although short reviews of the movies I have seen since can be found on my Facebook site instead. The plan still is to set up my very own webste one of these days which will incorporate both my writing and healing and maybe, one day, I'll even get that newsletter 'born' that I have been planning to create for about two years now. All in good time - one step at a time!
The good news is that I have finally dealt with my very first Canadian tax forms and am about to submit the same. Sadly this cannot be done electronically because I have never filed a tx return in this country before and thus I will have to wait four weeks instead of two for the money to be refunded ... however, by then our current April-weather (as my father calls it since they experienced a spring day yesterday and have to contend with snowfall today) will hopefully have passed and I will be able to take some quality time off in the sunshine! BLISS!!!
Nothing much else to report as winter is a time to recuperate and 'hybernate' in general, coupled with my self-induced exile over the past month and a half, have even stopped reading books and not been out to the movies just as frequently of late - although can most definitely recommend a couple of films I have seen over the past week or so, namely Married Life (UK feature) and Young @ Heart (a documentary about a group of serior citizens from New Englandé/US who literally travel the world singing). Also saw Nim's Island on Friday - the new Jodie Foster movie I have been waiting for - which was enjoyable whenever feeling a little childish at times. Guess, it is a kid's movie after all ...
Well, as usual, will try and update this blog a little more frequently again and on that merit shall love you and leave you for now, wish you all the very best and a life full of joy and happiness as well as sunshine!
Love / Hugs & Brightest of Blessings - xxx December 09 And it's almost Christmas with a New Year looming round the corner ...Hello Again
Thought it was time to write a little update even though I still have not had a chance to work on my movie reviews - bar the short ones I publish on Facebook. Sorry about that but work is not leaving me much time or energy - which is not particularly enticing for my future ... however, bills need to be paid unfortunately. I'm sure a door will open at some point and enable me to actually get on with my life - guess, I'll just have to be a little more patient. For now, I am looking forward to having some time off over the Festive Period and turning a new leaf in 2008 - 2007 has definitely been very insightful and enlightening as well as busy and stressful.
What are the major events happening this year? Well, let's start a little before that. There was my finally finding a new home to move to after three months of searching in mid-November, my medical request for the immigration came through and while I had some health concerns, I passed with flying colours, the move was somewhat burdensome with having chosen what turned out to be cowboys moving me but I settled into my new home okay - despite realising pretty quickly that it was only a temporary one. Granted, have moved out of Building Central into the quieter Stanley Park / English Bay area with the sea literally out my front door - took great advantage of that enjoying many a sundown at the beach after a hard day at work which did me a world of good! - is a start but if I really want to make a go as a Writer / Healer I simply need peace and quiet only the country / wilderness can provide. Living in a little log cabin in midst some woods next to some body of water is my absolute dream and I WILL make that dream come true! It may take a little while but I'll get there!!!
As for 2007 - well, February finally brought me my Permanent Residency which was more than welcome and then my search for work began. I soon discovered that not having certain work experience - meaning not overall but local! - is not just a 'fancy' of London/UK but seemingly something people apply world-wide to make it as tough as possible for new immigrants to get a foothold. Naturally, it is also a great way of showing people their 'worth' and getting paid much less than 'locally experienced' people - and this was the first re-introduction to the power games that seem so favoured in today's business world. Well, actually, there are a lot more people trying to make themselves more than they are by playing these 'little games' but that was essentially how I got re-introduced to them.
In late April I finally seemed to strike it lucky and found an agency willing to put my Resume forward even though it did not mention any Canadian work experience. The company I visited seemed quite taken by me and agreed within the hour to hire me ... only then the big wait began. While a contract had been signed the relevant people from Calgary had not yet relocated to Vancouver and I was told it might take up to a month to do so. Hmmm - there was my hope to start working by 1May but it could not be helped as there did not seem to be anyone else wanting to give me a chance. Finally - after various phone calls and emails I was invited to another interview at very short notice in June - I got a phone call at about 7.30am for an interview to take place that afternoon (same company, different job) - and within a couple of days I had that job ... could probably have started that Wednesday but opted to go in Monday instead, giving myself a few days to adjust to the fact that instead of getting up at 10am I would now have to wake up at 6am!
After an initial adjustment period - as I saw it - I seemed to settle into the job nicely and felt quite at home after a couple of months already which gave me quite a boost but my energy drained once I started working overtime and all my plans of setting up my actual future as a Writer / Healer went right out the window. I simply had no energy left after working nine hour working days - essentially being out of the house eleven hours a day - and while the money covered my expenses, I still did not get anywhere. There were some moments in late October when I started publishing articles on Helium but haven't been able to add to since though this is something I hope to rectify over the Festive Season - hence having thrown worry of money out the window and taken the full twelve days off! Can't wait!!!
As for work - started feeling throughout November already than I was giving way too much and let work literally haunt me into my dreams 24/7, something that definitely needs to stop! And to really hammer this decision home - last week happened. It started with an assessment that I had not agreed to but was submitted to anyhow - only they didn't just ask me for my plans for my working future and what my boss thought of all this, the rules and regulations thrown at me consisted of 'we'll send out a questionnaire to people around you and see what they think about you' sort of thing. With other words, I was not the driving force in this assessment nor was my boss - but anyone and everyone they chose could put their five cents in it. Not that I am particularly worried - after all I am not seeking to build another career as a secretary in this country - but I felt real bad for people starting out in their own careers (and there are many where I work!) that are being bombarded not only with their first assessment but also by the fact that it will literally go office-wide (currently over 400 peoples 'worth'). And then came the real hammer! Last Monday I was 'invited' to meet with the 'head admin lady' and was told that the whole thing should not be taking more than five minutes. Very ominous already - after those assessments seemed to have been done behind my back without my knowledge in the first place. So, up I went, being presented with a piece of paper that she had constructed out of the (apparently three) questionaires sent out and I was REALLY put in my place. Having had a good feeling about my position and work, I was going to be deadly disappointed in how others saw my efforts.
Back in England, the worst I ever got - at least in the past fifteen years or so - was 'exceeds expectations', most of my appraisals ended in 'outstanding' and good pay rises. This is definitely not going to happen here - not that the agency is going to let their payment margin slip in my favour in the first place. However, that is an entirely different matter that I will not discuss in this 'novel'. While there were a good number of '1' (whatever those meant was never explained to me - but seems to represent each person who valued my work) in the 'meets expectations' column there were also a number in 'needs improvement' including 'motivation' and 'initiative'. Now, with me already giving 110% of myself and letting work haunt me during my time off - what exactly do they want? No response to that one! Plus, of course, I was only privy to the 'collective example' of the assessment I was scrutinised under - in order to preserve and protect my assessors' identities (although I can easily guess who they asked in the first place!!!) those papers were filed away in my personnel file at the company for safe-keeping. Guess, will have to look into the local laws as to gaining insight into my personnel file - would be interesting to actually see what they wrote and how that was 'translated' into my copy.
Some of the remarks I received were fairly accurate and one in particular made me laugh out loud - does not openly communicate and needlessly suffers in silence. Yes, a tendency I have, born out of the fact that as a small child already I was 'encouraged' to solve my own problems and throughout the years I have been disappointed and betrayed once too often to trust easily and open up and, sadly, my being cautious proved to be accurate even after this as the remainder of the week was to prove ...
The most prolific day really was Thursday, starting with a meeting I did not really want to go to but decided not to let the other admin - actually my subordinate but I essentially gave her the work she likes to do to get on with unsupervised as she kept on competing with me from day one, me being the 'newbie' not knowing anything about engineering while she was a veteran of two years already and probably hoping to get the position herself - have to go to a meeting on her own so I went along. Not only did I get hounded into doing 'constantly interfering upstairs' meddlings and biddings (after all, have got absolutely no back-up whatsoever, not even by asking for help!) but got back-stabbed by said 'underling' later in the afternoon on top of it. Apparently, the power struggle ain't over ...
Needless to say, I am somewhat tired of constantly having to be on my guard in order not to fall foul of one of those constant power struggles going on within the entire company - and, according to predictions, things are only getting worse!!! - on top of being absolutely NOT valued whatsoever, despite of what they keep on announcing through emails in order to encourage people to do their best. If you DARE to be a little different and/or ask too many questions, do things that make common sense rather than money sense - again another discussion I do not really want to get into there ... since I am already downloading big time as is! - you are being fought by those who think they are in power but have absolutely no self-esteem whatsoever in reality. Funny enough, they have made it to powerful positions within the company ... sounds like politics to me! After all that's where these things usually happen.
So, I have come down BIG TIME from really feeling appreciated and happy in my 'new job' which makes me VERY motivated indeed to push forward with my own plans which is probably what the Universe is trying to tell me anyhow. So, let's wait for the right circumstances and see where it takes me ... hopefully VERY soon indeed!!!
And on that note, I wish you ALL a very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful Start into a Successful 2008!
Until next time - Bright Blessings - xxx November 18 November UpdateHi There!
Yup - it's been another little while since I wrote on this page and I do apologise. As I mentioned earlier, I started working as an administrator again in late June and it has turned into quite a demanding job, not leaving me much spare time or energy - until now at least. Have been suffering from stress again over the past few years - deciding to pack up my life back in England, moving to Vancouver on a study visa, attending an intensive one year course that I completed successfully in spring 2005, starting immigration procedures, gathering experience in both writing and healing as well as practicing and studying the same and, finally, starting work in a job I did not particularly want to go back to ... guess, it isn't surprising that I started lacking the energies to do what I actually wanted to - writing and healing.
However, this has also been a time of extensive personal growth and after a period of relaxation and taking it easy, I am not starting to feel my creative side kicking in again. Yes, I have neglected pretty much all of my websites over the past few months - my apologies for that - and will also, in future, not get too much time to keep them up much, I fear. I still have a few 'old' movie reviews in the works that I plan to publish one of these days - may be Xmas though ... - but am putting short ones (as well as book reviews) on my Facebook Profile while I am keeping up at least on a weekly basis. So, if you care to have a look (www.facebook.com - look for me by (full) name) please feel free.
I have also started publishing short articles on Helium (http://www.helium.com/user/show_articles/150474) and plan to put up more as well as selected movie reviews and a serial of 'special' short stories with a twist that I am working on. Okay - right now just in my head but they are taking form and words are actually forming, too, so you never know when I'll actually get that down on paper and onto the web.
As for my healing aspirations - they will probably remain on the practice and exchange side for now ... there simply is not enough time to do everything at once. And I learnt that the hard way, too ...
 Am still adamant that I want to move out of Vancouver one of these days into a much smaller community, less noise, more greenery though still close to a body of water where I work best. There I am hoping to have a room completely for healing alone. As you can see, plans are getting more and more detailed - even have an idea where I would like to move to and even seen a house or two I'd like, too - and that is usually the beginning of the overall change in my life.Life in Vancouver is good and getting better and better, to be perfectly honest. Still have absolutely no intention of going travelling - the paranoia about terrorist attacks is still getting worse, not only of what you read in the papers but also what friends of mine who have travelled of late have experienced themselves - but will stick to Canada for now as well as my future projects. The weather today is bright and sunny, although I can see that the mountains of North Vancouver are already snow-capped and winter is not far off anymore. So, let's embrace the cold season, make the best of it and look forward to a new year (2+0+0+8 = 1+0 = 1 = New Beginnings!) and the reawakening of Mother Nature in due course.
Until Next Time! Namaste & Brightest of Blessings! Doris xxx September 17 Summer is almost over ...... and I have finally managed to upload some more reviews - YEY!!! Only took me three months to achieve ... but then, I did start a full-time job in late June and needed to get used to getting up at 6am in the morning as well as recuperate from stress symptoms that have 'stacked up' over the last three or four years. Now, however, I am back - though still taking it easy but promise to upload the remaining twenty reviews I have written over the past weeks shortly. That would have me almost up to date again
 and then we can start afresh.What else is new? Guess, my job doesn't quite count as that new anymore since I have worked at Fluor Canada now for virtually three months - my password is almost up for change ... - but have taken to it quite well and established myself as the admin lead, something I have never done before. Not only that but the company seems to have a policy of employing people from literally across the world - making it a most interesting place to go to every day. Not only am I learning about engineering and how it all works but also get to talk to people from Japan, China, Argentina, Persia, India, to name but a few - in fact, there is even another Swiss person working there, albeit their project will be over in a couple of months, releasing her back into a sales job that she prefers doing.
As for my future - well, now that I have found my footing again, am starting to recover financially and am also cathing up with my writing - who knows. The sky's the limit really and I have big plans for 2008 for sure. Will probably continue to take it easy this year and see what comes my way - my networking is going good and opportunities are opening up in general for both my writing and my healing. So, let's see where it takes me!
Until next time - Love / Hugs - D xxx  August 19 WOWIs that really how long it's been since I was on this website? My apologies - but work has somewhat taken over my life over the past couple of months and it is about to get even busier. So, please, bear with me!
Have actually been to the movies as usual and got about twenty reviews in the works but somehow have thus far not found the time to finalise and upload them onto my review webpage. My apologies - will try and get that sorted within the next couple of weeks. The only website I really manage to keep up to date with at present is my Facebook profile - there simply are not enough hours in the day or days in the week at present to keep up with everything. It may also well be that emails take longer for me to answer as after a nine hour day at the office and essentially eleven hours out of the house I do not always feel like switching on the computer at home as well. So, as before, if you have anything urgent, please call me instead as there is currently a good chance that I may not see your email in time. Thanks.
As for my working life - well, yes, am back in the office. However, have managed to find myself a nice little challenge as admin team leader which I absolutely enjoy. The people I work with are mostly fantastic - well, you always get the odd one that you do not quite click with but make the best of nonetheless - and I have already started doing some overtime which is going to increase over the next few weeks and months.
Am also keeping up with my healing shares and exchanges which are important to me and still write - though mostly journal entries, the odd adventure out on MySpace and, eventually, I'll get round to sorting out my reviews again, too. A new professional website is also still very much on the cards - but may well be postponed to the end of the year now when I am hoping to have some spare time and general time off to get on with my future endeavours.
And on that note I bid you a good day - be well and happy - until next time we meet.
Best - D xxx June 09 On A VERY Rainy Saturday Evening In June ...Doesn't time fly when you're having fun? Well, I've been out and about to movies and other events again of late - albeit have (thus far at least) only uploaded some seven new movies onto the web. Two more to come that are currently in the works - Spidey3 and The Candidate - and have a number of new ones lined up to see next week and the week after. So, keep your eyes peeled for further updates to come.
Also attended the Fraser Valley Fringe Theatre Festival a little while back but have not yet managed to type all my notes up. Sorry - been a little busy of late, particulary since I have finally started to earn money again, albeit looks like a one week stint and that was that. Oh well - back to the drawing board! Have already sent out a number of new job applications today and shall intensify my search come Monday. Tomorrow, I'm off enjoying myself and having a rest - let's hope my home is not completely flooded by the time I get back. No - not from any river or even the sea but from above ... literally! Despite having had the roofers making my life a misery earlier this year, the roof is still leaking and the dripping I kept on hearing in the bedroom were not my imagination ... or so I believe. The visible damage thus far is restricted to the kitchen, however, the handyman who came up today mentioned that the previous tenant of my new abode literally had half the ceiling caving in on him in the bedroom. Oh joy!
Last night, I also attended a beautiful concert by Julie Blue called One Of A Kind Woman - it was her latest CD Release. Seem to be going to a number of those of late - have already been to Laura Doyle's back in December but she, too, has another concert coming up next weekend which I may or may not attend. It really depends on the weather and how the Swiss Group Meet turns out first. After all, one step at a time! And since I prefer concentrating on one event per day if at all possible - the other is a 'wait and see' fixture.
A couple of weeks back I also visited the Scandinavian Community Centre where the 10th European Festival took place. Now, I have been living in Vancouver for over three years but this is the very first time I had even heard of it! Needless to say, I stayed all day and evening - very nearly a full twelve hours - in the company of good friends - a review on it I have published on www.myspace.com/ladysam13 if you care to have a look. Happy Reading!
Right - off to bed - tomorrow is a whole new adventure waiting for me! Yup - you guessed it - another movie screening. Well, can't keep my faithful readers waiting too long in-between updates ...
Until Next Time - Love / Hugs & Bright Blessings - D xxx May 10 May In BloomHi Everybody!
Just added five more reviews onto my webpage with a sixth still in the works. Am having a few problems to 'iron out' with this one yet - sorry about the delay.
Have also started a blog on MySpace if anyone is interested and added Facebook to my ever growing list of websites where I am even hosting a couple of groups. Had in mind adding some more but that has time. First I need to get my Healing Page under way especially since Stas was kind enough to publish his 'healer combined' website for the Vancouver Healing Circle - after all, the more hits we get on a website the further up the search engine ladder we climb. And with our very own websites connected to the same, that will hopefully also happen to those eventually. After all - force in numbers as they say.
What else have I been up to? Well, survived another little crisis and found myself a job - albeit no starting date as of to date. A little unsettling for now, but I'll live. Have survived worse after all! And yet another promise from the agency that some short-term temp work may come my way - let's wait and see what tomorrow may bring!
Life in general is treating me good - thank you for asking. Am still socialising nicely - albeit having been a little quiet this week and looks pretty sedate for next week also - and simply love meeting new people and getting together with 'old' friends. Am also still keeping busy with my Internet friends, of course, with more joining here and there through my websites and groups. The more the merrier is the quote here and then there are some good new movies coming out soon or are already being shown but I wait my time - I simply hate overcrowded cinemas!
Until Next Time - Take Good Care - Keep Safe & Be Happy!
Love / Hugs & Bright Blessings - D xxx April 16 April NewsHi Everyone!
Well - just added another couple of items on my DER-Reviews webpage with a couple more to follow shortly, added yet more links to other existing sites in my network as well as others - connection to Stas where my Colour Therapy article is now posted with more to follow shortly - and generally updated my page a little to hopefully make it more manageable and easier to see what's what. Have also added some blogs and groups to MySpace and Facebook sites in particular with more to follow and am also working on a couple of items for my Care2 page. It's all go - go - go!
Sadly, not so good news where my working and earning life is concerned (well, just yet anyhow) but I'm working hard on that one, too. Have been sending out a bunch of applications for mainly creative jobs, but have also signed on with another agency that has proved to be a lot more promising than the first one already. However, as we all know, you cannot force the issue - if the time isn't right, you just keep on running into walls. And I have had enough 'flattening of the nose' to last me a lifetime - so will just have to be a little more patient. At least I am definitely seeing an improvement in my writing and exploring new things as well as actually opening up and acknowledging that I am worthy and have a voice worth listening to. And that, I believe, was the most important step I took just of late ... now I can truly get going!!!
All in all, life's good - the weather leaves something to be desired ... but at least the rainy days are limited while drizzle doesn't really phase me anymore and spring is definitely on the rampage now with everything in bloom which looks absolutely bautiful and magic! Have even started my wanderings along the beach and can't wait for it to be warm enough to take my pen and pad and simply sit there and create stories. Yup - that will be my next step in the right direction ... for now I shall keep my blogs and reviews going as well as working on my leaflets and manuals. And one day soon I'll probably add yet another webpage to my ever growing list - my very own official Healing site! Watch this space!
Take Care - Best - D xxx March 29 Second March UpdateJust updated my DER-Reviews webpage again with five more movies that I have seen over the past week or so. Am also planning to generally revamp at least that sight to make finding movies a little easier since the list is growing and growing. After all, if it is supposed to be my portfolio I shall need to have it looking good and easy to access. So watch this space.
Am still in the throws of looking for work albeit due to good friends of mine I am getting suggestions over suggestions in the right direction coming in. Am about to apply for a variety of jobs from craigslist - a life saver! - so wish me luck in my endeavour. Am also generally getting more and more organised with things and should be churning out articles and fulfil promises I made before long. It's just one of those phenomenons - time literally running through your fingers. Time to get organised properly!
Well, do hope all you folks out there are enjoying the lovely spring weather we are having these days.
Take Good Care - Until Next Time!
Love / Hugs - D xxx March 22 HI on this very rainy Thursday afternoon!Just updated my review page again with six new articles covering four Clint Eastwood movies I was privvy to experience earlier this month, a Canadian movie called Partition with yet another invite from the First Weekend Club to also attend a talk of the director of the film and finally the light-hearted musical feature Music & Lyrics with leads Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore who are always game for some fun and entertainment. Have also been to see Premonition (Sandra Bullock & Julian McMahon) as well as Zodiac (Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo & Robert Downey Jr) this week with the relevant reviews still in the works and to follow shortly. Will also be heading to the movies again tomorrow night though not quite sure yet what we'll end up seeing that this article will be a nice surprise to everyone ... including myself!
Have also been updating both my networking, job hunting as well as MySpace website where I plan to post a blog or two before too long. Have got quite a list of things to do over the next few days - so keep your eyes peeled for an invite to join and maybe even subscribe to my blog there. Who knows? You might find it interesting or at least entertaining. Guess, time will tell.
As already touched upon, nothing much has been happening on the job front just yet - guess, I'm waiting for THE opportunity to arise since, somehow, I seem to be blocked from finding a job in my old field of secretarial work. Not that I am too worried about not having to extend my twenty-five year plus stint in the office but must admit that money is starting to run short and I'll need some source of income soon. Wish me luck!
So, enough ramblings for today - need to get ready for a couple of healings to take place tonight after meeting an interesting new contact last night at the Reiki Share & Exchange, a young enterpreneur with extensive computer skills and a variety of networking ideas. Have already linked up on his invitation with one network and offered to provide some articles for his current project - an information, network and discussion point for healers of all walks of life - so things are definitely moving in the right direction all-round.
Take Good Care whereever you are and indulge in our lovely cool, crisp and wet spring weather!
Love / Hugs - D xxx February 22 General Update & NewsHi Everyone!
Just updated my DER-Reviews webpage with six more reviews if you care to have a look. Hannibal Rising is still to come and on Saturday I'll be going to see Partition, so another review to write before too long.
Have also got a firm idea now as to how my newsletter is going to look like - whenever only a provisional format that may well change over time. After all, need to introduce myself first and generally get a 'feel' for what people actually want to read - so will remain flexible for the time being and maybe even try out a few things here and there.
As for my other two websites - Care2 and MySpace - plan to start up a 'proper' blog on both. Am currently working on an article / review of a workshop that I attended last weekend - Family Constellation. Was VERY interesting and enlightening and at least I have never heard of it before. So you might find it interesting. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a website up and running as yet - but that should hopefully follow soon as there was definite talk about one being in the works.
MySpace will be home to my more non-spiritual and -healing views and articles. Have currently got a piece in the works about my immigration process into Canada with all its hiccups and time-consumption. Also plan to write a proper article for a paper in England about those immigration helpers - as to whether they are any good or not and what to generally look out for. Before that, though, I also want to put up something on a court visit I recently partook in with some friends and my thoughts on the various cases we went in to see and experience. Again, something that is in the works but I haven't quite had a chance to finish yet. Hopefully, by this time next week ...
Finally - my social schedule of late is pretty full and with my now being officially a Landed Immigrant (already in possession of both the Permanent Residency Card as well as the Social Security Number with the Care Card - medical - to follow in about May) I will finally be able to go out and actually earn some money again! YEY!!! Went to an agency earlier this week that sounded quite promising but will probably start applying for some more jobs and agencies come next week and see where it takes me. May take on something permanent if it is simply too good to pass on - particularly anything in conjunction with publishing, film and media in general - or take on a contract or simply some temporary work ... time will tell. Who knows? One of these days the now resident Writer / Healer in Vancouver's Westend will actually earn enough not to have to go back to the office anymore ........
Until next time! Love / Hugs - D xxx January 24 Welcome to 2007Well - At Long Last - Another Little Entry On My Webpage.
Have just updated my DER-Review page with some more, well, reviews on movies and a couple of events worth checking out - am still trying to get it all done a little more efficiently but time never seems to stand still long enough. And with my immigration finally having come through now, too, time may even get a little scarcer now still. Sorry! But I do promise to do my very best to keep you all updated.
My plans for 2007? Well, the minute my final visa comes through - my passport was received by the Canadian Authorities last Thursday - I will head down to the local authorities to obtain a licence to work out of my own home and then the sky's the limit! Whether I'll need to return working in an office for a while to 'recharge my finances' or find something more writing, publishing or healing orientated remains to be seen. All I can say is that my new life and career here in Vancouver is now finally under way!!!
Still intend to create that personal Newsletter of mine in the near future - after all, all artists and entrepreneurs need to get their name out there in order to build a business. Also plan to work on two further webpages that I have basically set-up but not yet been able to fully establish and may also join the Canadian Translators Association to try and create yet another way of income that I enjoy doing.
As for my studies - have now started my Psychotherapy course which I hope to complete by mid-February at the latest after which I want to continue with my Colour Therapy studies and maybe even finally tackle the Character Analysis papers which should all support my efforts of becoming a successful all-round healer. I am also taking up my Healing Exchanges again in both Reiki and Past Life Healings - so will be able to help people with hands on treatments as well as hands off.
And all that I am now waiting and hoping for is an early and warm spring reaching Vancouver - then I can start to fully appreciate my new home and go for a lovely evening stroll along the beach and into Stanley Park at long last. Can't Wait!
Until Next Time - Love / Hugs - D xxx November 01 Halloween 2006 Has Come And Gone ...... and I have finally managed to update my Reviews Page again! Phew! Well, it was worth the wait - there are a dozen more reviews up there now for you to peruse. Happy Reading!
As for me - still busy setting up my on-line networking system and hope to update my links before too long. Have just been made aware that I have got my name on more websites than I anticipated - guess, it's about time to get cracking with that, too.
My studies are still on the backburner for now - hopefully, new energy will come in with a new home! - as is my writing to a degree. Have been concentrating on my networking on and off-line which I am thoroughly enjoying and also plan to go back to the movies before too long and keep my reviews coming.
As for my writing - have got a lot of new ideas that I want to convert into actual works of art ... please bear with me a little while longer. Am also considering creating a newsletter of my own - guess, we're back to the situation where there are simply not enough hours in the day to get it all done. Well, all in good time! As you well know, I might have ideas and mull them over but eventually I'll get it done! I am definitely persistent - even if it takes me a while and I promise to keep at it!
Until Next Time - Take Good Care - Be Well & Enjoy Life To The Fullest! ... even with Winter approaching
Love / Hugs - D xxx August 31 FINALLY - August Update! :)Sorry - it's been one of those busy months! Have just now uploaded reviews on the six movies I have seen throughout August, so please check them out!
As for my personal life - well, there is change on the horizon! Have today handed in my notice to move out and away from downtown and have also immersed myself into looking for a nice townhouse in the green somewhere! Seen a few interesting places on-line which I plan to check out - wish me luck!
Have also updated my 'Association List' and added a couple of interesting websites you may want to check out for yourself - both Care2 and Meet Up are networking sites.
Have met quite a few interesting people face to face through the local Meet Up Groups - joined the Writers, Indie Film and Swiss Germans recently - but this is a world-wide organisation with groups near you. If your interest is not covered, you can always create your own and see where it takes you.
The Care2 was recommended to me by my Swiss friend Brigitte earlier this year. This is mainly an on-line networking community although there is no reason why you could not find somebody living nearby and actually meet in person. Care2 is also home to a variety of petitions you can sign as well as news articles you can comment on or simply get informed about.
Right - almost time for my weekly line-dance instalment, so off I go for now!
Take Good Care - Until Next Time - Love / Hugs - D xxx July 26 And There's More!Have just added the latest two reviews - A Scanner Darkly & Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead Man's Chest - to my collection as well as a new article (London/UK) the I submitted for publication in August. Am still working on yet another (Dream Analysis) for a friend in the UK and plan to head out to the movies again tomorrow (My Super Ex-Girlfriend) as well as Friday (Scoop) - reviews to follow shortly.
Immigration-wise, still no news - nor in view of my application for extension of stay. Plan to contact both if I have not heard anything by next month - former with another update as well as an enquiry about possibly having to head back to Europe for the time being as my funds are running low. Time will tell.
With my articles and reviews pretty much up to date - I now plan to emerce myself back into my healing studies. Apart from my monthly Reiki Share&Exchange visits as well as Past Life Healing Exchanges, I finally want to complete my Colour Therapy course and, even more importantly, go ahead with my Psychotherapy studies. Since I have set my heart on writing for an advice column one of these days - latter will definitely come in handy! Be that in Canada - my preference, of course! - or back in Europe - most probably London again, though may just head for the Channel Islands or even France instead - we'll have to wait and see. Essentially, where I am ALLOWED to work and earn money without the threat of being deported if found out! SO not worth it!!!
Anyhow - will be updating my websites again in due course and also work some more on my Care2 connection where support on petitions, discussions on a variety of subjects as well as finding new friends is the main aim. Well, nobody should ever feel they are worthless or unloved - although there are a great deal of people feeling exactly that, whether they'll admit to it or not. Sad, really! So, the more we reach out to others, the more we will get back in return! Law and Below the Magic of Mother Nature!
 Until Next Time - D xxx  July 05 Some More Reviews ...Have added some more reviews over the past month or so with The Devil Wears Prada going up in a minute. Next on the list is Pirates of the Caribbean which I will most probably go and see tomorrow. Will try and upload the review by the weekend.
No news on the immigration front just yet - but I am keeping up with my writing and studying as well as socialising, latter I have really started to cherish. With summer now well under way I also love going out but have not yet made it down to the beach thus far but hope that the months of July and August will bring a change to that. Would love to touch up my tan again - makes me look so much healthier!
 Well - just a few lines to let you know about the updates, have fun reading them and if they help you decide whether or not to go and see a movie or buy a DVD, so much the better! Aim to please!
Best - D xxx |
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