tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57780219315724082762024-02-19T04:22:09.263-08:00N Valentine StudioN Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.comBlogger1115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-45728382219601585832015-11-26T16:17:00.004-08:002015-11-26T16:17:37.345-08:00Job versus Vocation<div style="text-align: center;">
A good friend wrote this article and I have to share it with you. A a creative I realize I have both a job and a vocation. Her article really put into words what I feel deep inside.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 19.0pt;">Impressions </span>(November 2015)<span style="font-size: 19.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<i>by Connie Dunwoody<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
When I was a child, someone asked me, "What do you want to
be when you grow up?" I didn't really know, and it never quite became
clear, so in grade 12, at the end of my high school career, I visited the
Guidance Counsellor in our high school. She provided me with a questionnaire
designed to identify which career paths would be best for me. It was, as I
recall, about 100 multiple-choice questions. I answered them as honestly as my
18-year-old self knew how. The end result? One career. Only one. The career?</div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
Funeral director.</div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Me</i>? Be that somber for that long, expressing endless
sympathy and consolation? There are people who are exceptionally well suited to
that work. I could have done it. But it probably would have killed me. </div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
Indeed, for my own eventual Celebration of Life my nephew and
each of my nieces has been tasked with a different job designed to put the
'fun' back in 'fun'eral. Like, providing red clown noses for all the attendees.
Such as, creating a way for me to sit up and wave when I am long beyond sitting
up. </div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="IT" style="mso-ansi-language: IT;">I digress.</span> My
point is this: which of us at 17 or 18 years of age, faced with important
decisions, really knew (or knows) what we want to do with the rest of our
lives? In my experience, to be convinced of what you want to do with the rest
of your life at a young age, and to do that thing, is fairly rare. </div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
Recently I observed to a friend, <span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE;">“</span>I can’t believe how much I love my job. This is the one I’ve waited
my whole life for. It just feels so satisfying, like I’m finally doing what I'm
<i>meant</i> to be doing. I didn’t even know it was possible: I was busy, but I
wasn’t satisfied. Sometimes I’d think, <i>This is kind of fun, but what’s the
point of it all?”</i></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
My friend smiled gently and quietly replied, <span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE;">“</span>Congratulations on finding your vocation.”
And as I realized she was right, a profound and lasting peace settled on me.
Ah, this. <i>This</i>.</div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
It’s true I’ve rarely taken a job I knew I could do. Where’s the
fun in that? I’d apply for a position that interested me, learn everything I
could, get bored and start looking for the next challenge. Sometimes those who
loved me worried that I was flighty, never satisfied, always moving on. Looking
back, I realize that what was missing wasn’t the challenge, it was the <i>why</i>.
I wasn’t flighty; I was searching.</div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
I think a vocation is less <i>what</i> you do and more <i>why</i>
you do it. It's purpose, not productivity. It's a glorious symphony where the
work is the score but the performance is spirit. Both are necessary: the execution
and interpretation are yours, but without a <i>why</i>, the music begins to
feel mundane.<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
It’s more than that, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It may not even be a ‘job’. It could be loving your family well,
volunteering at a shelter, or welcoming the stranger in your midst. It’s the
place that feels familiar in chaos; it's comfort when life is daunting. It’s
about serving something bigger than you, but that without you is somehow less. Your
vocation contains notes and tempo that flow in your veins and match your breath
and colour your vision and make your heart beat so strongly the song cannot be
denied. It is simultaneously contained deep within and bursting out of you. It’s
the Spirit breathing life and purpose into your actions. It’s determination and
vision and fortitude and courage, and it’s who He designed you to be.</div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
That doesn't mean there aren’t bad days, and hard work and
difficult times: but those days, the Spirit carries you through. The passion
sustains you because it's a connection with something outside yourself but
integral to the very core of you. You feel like you're part of something,
shaping something, creating something, building something. Rebuilding
something. Rebuilding<i> </i>someone.</div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
Rebuilding you.</div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
Vocations shape <i>us</i>, not the other way around, and it takes
courage to unearth what it is that matters, to take a good, long, searching
look at ourselves, to discover the best versions of ourselves. When we
recognize the Composer in the music we leap for joy because that moment is
ineffably sweet. Ah, this. <i>This</i>.</div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
Your vocational path may not be easy or obvious. It may be laid
out before you like the yellow brick road or it may be hidden in a tangled
jungle of jumbled notes. It may be unburdened and clear or it may be a slog
through worldly mire. It may be all of the above, from time to time. Sometimes
it’s lonely, but you are never alone: look up and see Who walks with you. Look
up and see Who composed your song, Who created the burning <i>why</i> and Who
invites you to walk by still waters until the tune is clear and the way
stretches out before you, a crescendo of certainty. Look up. Maybe you’re where
you’ve always been—but now the melody rings true. </div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
Actually, I think the question is wrong. It’s not <span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE;">“</span>What do you want to do when you grow up?” Instead,
we should ask, <span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE;">“</span>Who do you
want to be?” Because it’s not what we do, it’s who we are. It’s the Spirit
within.</div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
Ah, this. <i>This</i>.</div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Helvetica;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Helvetica;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="Body" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><b>© 2015 Connie Dunwoody</b></span></div>
N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-25953313696591313452015-11-21T17:40:00.000-08:002015-11-21T17:40:07.820-08:00It's been a while<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga43AQ_vA6lLHfg8WNZUuLH_QZu_po7ApH_BGlnG6JHSfdooYXU_yaL4lIQ06fRahSptWwWjvTW2IWJcEO2MdznoYi4kI9YxJFzq-MjBcGZspu8_mqUs-AYr5AR2ClP8uSLZItxJ6kqk_K/s1600/image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga43AQ_vA6lLHfg8WNZUuLH_QZu_po7ApH_BGlnG6JHSfdooYXU_yaL4lIQ06fRahSptWwWjvTW2IWJcEO2MdznoYi4kI9YxJFzq-MjBcGZspu8_mqUs-AYr5AR2ClP8uSLZItxJ6kqk_K/s1600/image+1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh my goodness it's been a while since I've blogged. I've had a busy summer with a lot going on and just have let my blogging get a little lax, to say the least!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Recently I've started going to a pottery studio and I think the above image will go into a bowl for my next piece. It's quite a fun place here in Victoria called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/paletteablepottery/?fref=ts">Paletteable</a> worth going to if you like to create.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll have a few blog posts coming soon about the work I've done finding my creativity again, it ran off to who knows where? I've been working with a creativity coach for the last few months and it's slowly winding its way back into my life. More on that in a few days.</div>
N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-10138865306472617252015-08-26T07:00:00.000-07:002015-08-26T07:00:06.153-07:00Change<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDx3e8UF_7HHOREwx3RsEJfHz6BXBy5ngjgBigmck-AOPg_sZmi9lajuYWhv7566IG6IVJ6OeswjPFZh_eFcOklZACfyoGYleV-kUw3ZSohcHGLWb1He05YN1hsxq7bz6rSbA_0ThdTN-/s1600/blog5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDx3e8UF_7HHOREwx3RsEJfHz6BXBy5ngjgBigmck-AOPg_sZmi9lajuYWhv7566IG6IVJ6OeswjPFZh_eFcOklZACfyoGYleV-kUw3ZSohcHGLWb1He05YN1hsxq7bz6rSbA_0ThdTN-/s320/blog5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-17940499553553631092015-08-25T08:49:00.000-07:002015-08-25T08:49:39.416-07:00What inspires you?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NikEzso457labpuMW4rtRid53RWRz3HRgwv__NGWxUC368aNy5zYRj2q2E7aglKokH1sEVi_S7DxF0juqhnTrFLByp9uGGRI3PwuuLkEEeF1WVDeTWpsXldA6pLxYxqPq28RoISveIXj/s1600/autumn-leaves-snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NikEzso457labpuMW4rtRid53RWRz3HRgwv__NGWxUC368aNy5zYRj2q2E7aglKokH1sEVi_S7DxF0juqhnTrFLByp9uGGRI3PwuuLkEEeF1WVDeTWpsXldA6pLxYxqPq28RoISveIXj/s320/autumn-leaves-snow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
What inspires you?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What prompts new ideas?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What feeds your muse?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-46221597700459247952015-08-19T07:00:00.000-07:002015-08-19T07:00:04.226-07:00Find a way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaqvz-mFVhzBJyvVyyoGmLvaZe6tXvw532Ix9KuFEECtyEHeZ7phYOaz8IHMwPRDlAdZeK5HcUwaLx6rErHKZhpUORe_JKoh13WzAXj7FLjHAHgu3KcdoiQrRsjbD0SmJdgvJ8SXyUpvi/s1600/blog4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaqvz-mFVhzBJyvVyyoGmLvaZe6tXvw532Ix9KuFEECtyEHeZ7phYOaz8IHMwPRDlAdZeK5HcUwaLx6rErHKZhpUORe_JKoh13WzAXj7FLjHAHgu3KcdoiQrRsjbD0SmJdgvJ8SXyUpvi/s320/blog4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-26664526804540831012015-08-12T07:00:00.000-07:002015-08-12T07:00:04.573-07:00Tea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRigqI9XVL5DrQG1WEBrySXtz2f_HxLmH6LjKGqryMmqneVvcvHSYm7UGP4CD55T0FI3IycCljjlEnvTAzndIrKSArtqCQdZsE00j6JJJpoAnMm0QdjGGGFP7FRDI_oTf1Kx0Ds5dh9RQL/s1600/blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRigqI9XVL5DrQG1WEBrySXtz2f_HxLmH6LjKGqryMmqneVvcvHSYm7UGP4CD55T0FI3IycCljjlEnvTAzndIrKSArtqCQdZsE00j6JJJpoAnMm0QdjGGGFP7FRDI_oTf1Kx0Ds5dh9RQL/s320/blog3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-14667512996675844492015-08-05T07:00:00.000-07:002015-08-05T07:00:03.947-07:00Happiness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7-nDisvXl6CqYLClPJgWhlG5OVZlV-f92uen1p8tqo3PdmAuxX30zpX_x5sSf1Xd7vKYbNEdCWM9t505cRCiwVmMXfawAXTgGHHRoWO6WfFbTa3SK49xrxpilDsn-lL5MrkBVnVNv2mD/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7-nDisvXl6CqYLClPJgWhlG5OVZlV-f92uen1p8tqo3PdmAuxX30zpX_x5sSf1Xd7vKYbNEdCWM9t505cRCiwVmMXfawAXTgGHHRoWO6WfFbTa3SK49xrxpilDsn-lL5MrkBVnVNv2mD/s320/blog2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-48915164593909464352015-08-03T18:59:00.000-07:002015-08-03T18:59:01.775-07:00SRI Triathlon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1geEm1OPWBuNPRdIYsCidtJgmduh4KBTCigvo3ed0tNdtX2I3PN3mbxITX8i6_bAZhpFSlQjoRVmtnGP1hveDad9z9mnL31EURwElLuod30XopvOcfGkpeuS-tTdtygbFADp1dM0mjcKe/s1600/practice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1geEm1OPWBuNPRdIYsCidtJgmduh4KBTCigvo3ed0tNdtX2I3PN3mbxITX8i6_bAZhpFSlQjoRVmtnGP1hveDad9z9mnL31EURwElLuod30XopvOcfGkpeuS-tTdtygbFADp1dM0mjcKe/s320/practice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunday was another triathlon The Self Transcendence at Elk Lake. I have no race pictures yet, the picture above was from our warm up swim Saturday, with my fantastic coach <a href="http://www.coachlindseymillar.com/">Lindsey Millar</a> in the centre in Tri Stars green!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was my first ever NO wetsuit race, and it went pretty well! The swim was actually fairly un eventful until I rounded the last bouy and wound up in the on coming Olympic Distance swimmers coming back in. Offff smack to the face, bbbwwaaapppp kick in the side………thwack……thunk and SCREW this I'm OUTTA here. I sped up and over to the side a bit, probably shouldn't have speed up as I think it might have caused me bike issues later but it got me out of the fray. I continued on through the bouts to finish my swim.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The bike was painful, I'm cramping in my left hip which pulls my knee into the centre making peddling a issue. But I got the 20 KM done, not pretty and not fast but done. My run took me about 2 KM to get my legs under me but I'm again fairly happy with my time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I had hoped to finish in a time under 2 hours but I finished in 2 hours and 3 min. Still my fastest race yet!</div>
N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-6816905061286988932015-07-29T07:30:00.000-07:002015-07-29T07:30:00.756-07:00Show UP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaPNm_VOEcUhB2MhrMrF9Mz94m7IZaGfkPVxneyDYZ4nyDMTVFwV8v9vjOQh-PaO666vcMDmUw0kRHxj10tlC5LBjieruNUBBJ69hiqmalYNERznO_mZnwD5hdyCvzeU8huj0oVRzwOnu/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaPNm_VOEcUhB2MhrMrF9Mz94m7IZaGfkPVxneyDYZ4nyDMTVFwV8v9vjOQh-PaO666vcMDmUw0kRHxj10tlC5LBjieruNUBBJ69hiqmalYNERznO_mZnwD5hdyCvzeU8huj0oVRzwOnu/s320/blog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-50801640910856073042015-07-20T08:08:00.001-07:002015-07-20T08:08:47.647-07:00New Orleans!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0m-eg_U4vakEKec3q70jH1mdM8n8yDur6KTSqWZcjU6D6HX53IDzFEPK1TlKBHQ3vJHK8xhVeAqyvIm8oWh-i1lJ3TZ4_N-dWvLPPaalXqDU7AvW6E5TYDv8DIKqx4HGFuUYAD4TOHcI5/s1600/French-Quarter-New-Orleans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0m-eg_U4vakEKec3q70jH1mdM8n8yDur6KTSqWZcjU6D6HX53IDzFEPK1TlKBHQ3vJHK8xhVeAqyvIm8oWh-i1lJ3TZ4_N-dWvLPPaalXqDU7AvW6E5TYDv8DIKqx4HGFuUYAD4TOHcI5/s320/French-Quarter-New-Orleans.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm thrilled to see the <a href="http://www.isgb.org/gathering.html">ISGB Gathering</a> 2016 will be held in New Orleans! I've always wanted to go there and am determined to stay an extra week and see some sights. I'm hoping to find a hotel in a cute cultural area close to the conference. Unless of course the conference itself is in a cultural hotel, then I'll stay there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've got a good friend hoping to go with me (Marion) and am really looking forward to seeing local sights. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What's your favourite place to go in or close to New Orleans? Why? Do you have a favourite restaurant? I can't eat spicy food! Any local points of interest you recommend?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm planning and plotting early.</div>
N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-23775504522335565832015-07-08T09:42:00.001-07:002015-07-08T09:42:27.812-07:00The little things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGhlbxo3ZpVN5Med_nl3xE-Xw0cB01W1q99OBn4efNyA5ag9yaCP30ZicCH3u7RmKimEAivdfnGZ_7j3das2OkLFfoPGNBvTU5tYrZqsyg38PNKkEoLOzmnEufXiJaZF44xELfxhkt46P/s1600/ducky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGhlbxo3ZpVN5Med_nl3xE-Xw0cB01W1q99OBn4efNyA5ag9yaCP30ZicCH3u7RmKimEAivdfnGZ_7j3das2OkLFfoPGNBvTU5tYrZqsyg38PNKkEoLOzmnEufXiJaZF44xELfxhkt46P/s320/ducky.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some times it's the little things that make you smile. Last week at MISSA I got the lovely bow above from a fellow metal smith who is also a potter. The rubber ducky tea ball came from a good glass friend. The tea mug I made myself (well sort of), truth be told I put the fishy cut out in the bottom of it. This was my breakfast this morning, like a warm hug from some good friends.</div>
N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-69163615081131415582015-07-07T14:56:00.001-07:002015-07-07T14:56:43.317-07:00Etching<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PbNg8ak8EgqBlwy9PC_L5PiygbUUrSnEiMgjv59UDdhrLl9LcI3xWkTd-fyDqRN4LA_G9zGdLpXK7zsMj6DjM1P2RQccXO1SE5M2O3I2yxABWg_S2TBmuaxEzPxq9fp88NHsGaSuxUck/s1600/etching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PbNg8ak8EgqBlwy9PC_L5PiygbUUrSnEiMgjv59UDdhrLl9LcI3xWkTd-fyDqRN4LA_G9zGdLpXK7zsMj6DjM1P2RQccXO1SE5M2O3I2yxABWg_S2TBmuaxEzPxq9fp88NHsGaSuxUck/s320/etching.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Using a new etching method and my electroforming rectifier. We learnt electro etching in <a href="http://www.julialowther.com/">Julia Lowthers</a> class last week and I was hoping the rectifier would work and it does! I got a nice crisp etch on copper what I am really working towards is etching steel to make texture plates for a rolling mill. It might take me a while to get to that though!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoRpvNmGuqTvs5u8LXAVhrUa1hfeJ0C9K3xk62C3WNuGlS-uGHz9VjOgvBhtJHll3jd7yykxwRIfIiYiilnt-QniU0fDCwCynaShFXjtbSRFstFkvh5gIMixJJiZFcV3r7cb7LHFONWKs/s1600/final+etch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitoRpvNmGuqTvs5u8LXAVhrUa1hfeJ0C9K3xk62C3WNuGlS-uGHz9VjOgvBhtJHll3jd7yykxwRIfIiYiilnt-QniU0fDCwCynaShFXjtbSRFstFkvh5gIMixJJiZFcV3r7cb7LHFONWKs/s320/final+etch.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-52426390591141770322015-07-02T07:19:00.002-07:002015-07-02T07:19:40.145-07:00A place to be inspired<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKF0kH3A88ITMrzsdgsM2FzmX8DzIAw2GbJiiliqe3lKMo0DlAro4zyGI4AdTD8G6kMqGOxxUod_zGrP-YIsVdUAVodWOv9gkpA1WTcqkaWlhXOk1FzceCJeDPG-2wkGsaKOlL0meWqI_s/s1600/pearson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKF0kH3A88ITMrzsdgsM2FzmX8DzIAw2GbJiiliqe3lKMo0DlAro4zyGI4AdTD8G6kMqGOxxUod_zGrP-YIsVdUAVodWOv9gkpA1WTcqkaWlhXOk1FzceCJeDPG-2wkGsaKOlL0meWqI_s/s320/pearson.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
At Pearson college this week for <a href="https://www.missa.ca/">MISSA</a> taking <a href="http://www.julialowther.com/">Julia Lowthers</a> class, on lockets and boxes. She's a fantastic instructor and teaches at Red Deer as well, all you canadians if you can get a class with her do! Boxes are quite a bit for technical and detail oriented than I expected but it's going pretty well. I'm excited about the lockets and have a few ideas for working them into my keepsake line. I will get some photos today of works in progress.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-76896955541198922142015-07-01T07:00:00.000-07:002015-07-01T07:00:06.376-07:00Faith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFferz88znJkfcNP9CqLUbRBtp599gXz1wNf54sn9coBzAljkIupdzPtpwXT7Xz_8wX4MuAVmfjpDxkpjj1B_FtfRFzo3pd1zQdCguTm64ocqTnSG6XUWNeUDcuo99Ewm3lZMg6dZQWy8k/s1600/blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFferz88znJkfcNP9CqLUbRBtp599gXz1wNf54sn9coBzAljkIupdzPtpwXT7Xz_8wX4MuAVmfjpDxkpjj1B_FtfRFzo3pd1zQdCguTm64ocqTnSG6XUWNeUDcuo99Ewm3lZMg6dZQWy8k/s320/blog3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-6715144555037323042015-06-29T07:00:00.000-07:002015-06-29T07:00:05.460-07:00MISSA at Pearson College<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6wxFV8mftRI0gXHo3w5GNJLsseP8Uw_XSSwOADxuAc8X04U6zMMQixXNkpmKNDuhjPpJYfDyvaCWZ_BpDZ3AqdHOTfxaMa7nXEb37Cu2eAlYAn2gkQuqxypBwl6utjBdpKy8crScUn13/s1600/PearsonCollege2013_t_w500_h500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6wxFV8mftRI0gXHo3w5GNJLsseP8Uw_XSSwOADxuAc8X04U6zMMQixXNkpmKNDuhjPpJYfDyvaCWZ_BpDZ3AqdHOTfxaMa7nXEb37Cu2eAlYAn2gkQuqxypBwl6utjBdpKy8crScUn13/s320/PearsonCollege2013_t_w500_h500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today I am off to Pearson College for a class.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.julialowther.com/">Julia Lowther</a> is teaching a 5 day class on boxes and hinges and I'm very happy to be taking it. Pearson is such a gorgeous setting, they feed you a nice lunch and as an added bonus my phone does NOT work there! Looking forward to class and learning some new techniques.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-21645587037073019932015-06-24T07:00:00.000-07:002015-06-24T07:00:06.157-07:00Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHwxKB5NTDIWzSOkJnRMrLYrV-XFS7IrJOa8A2HzunpqoTWNYPmeyDx3Dq0_5PU_GnFjRLSOn7Gtx25ulPmmANXGEDMbgQN_9JVjA4IsH6pdV5xpWaN0_pf3iNQPnnRQrSLFEuN9Vt3f-/s1600/blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHwxKB5NTDIWzSOkJnRMrLYrV-XFS7IrJOa8A2HzunpqoTWNYPmeyDx3Dq0_5PU_GnFjRLSOn7Gtx25ulPmmANXGEDMbgQN_9JVjA4IsH6pdV5xpWaN0_pf3iNQPnnRQrSLFEuN9Vt3f-/s320/blog2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-73590404652621008382015-06-17T07:00:00.000-07:002015-06-17T07:00:07.921-07:00Worrying<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3cVUjkl370hxjQW9H4zXW-2mEI6lapJJw1Tmm6y4lZH-7DUSQLHSB9yFIf2R8jXmfDdAUESiXyFx4HbRQSW41OMRlYoyLUphYaaaHtis4Fhlcgfo0rxJtbipGi5LRKk2NMdsuBOj7tiz/s1600/blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3cVUjkl370hxjQW9H4zXW-2mEI6lapJJw1Tmm6y4lZH-7DUSQLHSB9yFIf2R8jXmfDdAUESiXyFx4HbRQSW41OMRlYoyLUphYaaaHtis4Fhlcgfo0rxJtbipGi5LRKk2NMdsuBOj7tiz/s320/blog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-26003163755412737432015-06-15T10:54:00.000-07:002015-06-15T10:54:52.036-07:00Big BIG blog post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
June 14, 2015</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Victoria Ironman (Sprint Distance)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
MY very first open water (lake) swim race. What a doozy to start with. Over 1600 athletes overall and over 150 sprint distance athletes! Wow! The sheer numbers was staggering.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've struggled with water my whole life, I've been terrified of open water and swimming in the pool was a struggle to.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A little over a month ago I had a massive panic attack in a pool swim triathlon. There was no real reason for it other than panic. The picture below taken by a friend (Peter Dunwoody) caught me mid panic. Not my proudest moment, but the photo brought it all up close and personal so to speak. I realized I needed to get this handled, some way, some how.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFDMAhPG1xrWJqsGzcqjuXwtYo7JcwhHxrLwsqiXzlcjOWh_sfX3didNj8lOsO2u_-0oRYe1TriGGYRoPvNXfaAHpWrBdy3UCMJIxAUkA_3umtvREdK2oIexptUIOmrEcitLj-bgsZqrT/s1600/mstri2015a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFDMAhPG1xrWJqsGzcqjuXwtYo7JcwhHxrLwsqiXzlcjOWh_sfX3didNj8lOsO2u_-0oRYe1TriGGYRoPvNXfaAHpWrBdy3UCMJIxAUkA_3umtvREdK2oIexptUIOmrEcitLj-bgsZqrT/s320/mstri2015a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I started this open water season with a swim with my coach (<a href="http://www.coachlindseymillar.com/">Lindsey Millar</a>) in the very lake the June 14th race would take place in. Much to my dismay there were weeds! The swim went off ok, I got over the weeds and had a fairly solid swim.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then I did several lake swims with <a href="http://www.tristarstraining.com/">Tri Stars</a> at Thetis lake. Some went better than others but I did manage to make it around the first island and have some fairly confident swims.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This time last year I quit the lake swims. I had tried and tried to overcome the panic but left each swim in tears, body tense and it took me days to relax and recover from them. Trying to overcome something you've been afraid of your whole life is hard, exhausting and time consuming work. The constant stress got to me and I quit the swims. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
June 14th, I was calm the morning of the race. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN69umt2wJFn8EQMF0IKhqXPNMiJnaZSoXjiQozY-9BGYZLaCLMzcM_Wd8Ev4QKmmwUCITU2vINEG-PzVZ_x7J_1goAZcqYsElY0ZNspe2zQQaLRW7bi14YZditpEz4rEIwfeT_WyYMxV2/s1600/2015victoria+iron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN69umt2wJFn8EQMF0IKhqXPNMiJnaZSoXjiQozY-9BGYZLaCLMzcM_Wd8Ev4QKmmwUCITU2vINEG-PzVZ_x7J_1goAZcqYsElY0ZNspe2zQQaLRW7bi14YZditpEz4rEIwfeT_WyYMxV2/s320/2015victoria+iron.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Connie Dunwoody caught this picture of me right before the swim. I felt fairly calm, in reality I was ready. There was no reason I couldn't do this. Other than fear.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The start horn blows and 150 plus swimmers head out into the water.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I wait.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Coach Lindsey's advice was to let the pack leave, count to 10 then go. I did just that.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP26526DnRsy4tQ_G6yC8cXRTx96KSRnbLv_y15VgDuDRvZf7vuYJ_IRJSHu8tr1-EEaBqlG_R2rSMRKp-B4mI27vXG2H_b-hvFouVS4NvGXlVl3FGzvhILbEVq-5KBpu99AKBcvLRlo3o/s1600/2015victoriairona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP26526DnRsy4tQ_G6yC8cXRTx96KSRnbLv_y15VgDuDRvZf7vuYJ_IRJSHu8tr1-EEaBqlG_R2rSMRKp-B4mI27vXG2H_b-hvFouVS4NvGXlVl3FGzvhILbEVq-5KBpu99AKBcvLRlo3o/s320/2015victoriairona.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See that swimmer standing in the wetsuit in the bottom left? That's me. This picture still makes me giggle and cry all at the same time. I swam through all that!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I headed out, slow and steady. I knew that I needed to remain calm and collected. I promptly ran into a swimmer breast stroking. I re grouped looked up and thought "just slow and steady will get you through". I stuck my head back in the water, paid MUCH more attention to what was going on around me and swam around and past other swimmers. If you had asked me a year ago if I'd like a lake swim I'd have said "HELL NO". But it was ok, even likeable. In the lake you can get away from or around other swimmers. I could pick a path and just keep swimming.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As I rounded the first bouy I could hear loud cheering. One of the Tri Stars coaches (Kelli) was in a support kayak cheering. For me! Head back in water, just keep swimming.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did just that. One swim, with a few minimal breast strokes to position myself, but one continual swim. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
BEST DAY EVER! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As I came into shore I cannot put into words how that felt. Proud, excited, joyful so many emotions. I had finally done what I really never truly knew I could do.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First face I recognized as I ran down the chute was my Mom.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_O6tzTgHUCC1-n8NgVjZGky220NhyLuNKrWL8rJ-CpbELTbzs1L7EhS7c3YcMWPzxNEkI-TxZqBD1IQHSYy0m-SMEK1XQU9k5kh1M7CtzZTo2e1DHAyjonFJMNLxgQmP9lzNKcXi8a4uA/s1600/2015ironmanvictoriae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_O6tzTgHUCC1-n8NgVjZGky220NhyLuNKrWL8rJ-CpbELTbzs1L7EhS7c3YcMWPzxNEkI-TxZqBD1IQHSYy0m-SMEK1XQU9k5kh1M7CtzZTo2e1DHAyjonFJMNLxgQmP9lzNKcXi8a4uA/s320/2015ironmanvictoriae.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then I saw Lindsey (my coach), then Carolyn (Tristars owner and coach). I heard Tanya (training partner, who took the photo above) cheering me on. I had finally done it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Over a year of hard work, struggle, tears, more struggle, more tears, success and failure lead to this very day. I would not trade any of it. It was 100% the most amazing day. I still look at the pictures and giggle thinking "I did THAT!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So many people helped me through this. Tri stars coaches Bob, Connie, Mandy helped those early days in the teach pool. Jan and Del, more tri stars coaches in the lap pool.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My husband who listened and supported when I whined and wailed and moaned. He never wavered and always supported.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My training buddies Tanya and Connie. Without them, I'm not sure I'd have ever stuck this out. The laughs, support and friendship is truly something that made this journey easier.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My coach. Lindsey. Integral. This has changed my life. It's made me stronger, confident and helped me to believe in myself. When I felt like I couldn't do it she'd hear me out and remind me "I'll never ask you to do something I don't think you can do. I did the workouts, stuck to the plan even when I felt like I couldn't. I'll be damned, she was right! Do the work, trust in the training and you can do it! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EUBdmGCaAJgoPxxli3zLpJOOFBqqUtQmNGx4EUcEASnX3T0xTXL1j3qHeEOGV69OyyY_EQDW5TClCGDsvmYPW5eqJMQJ9LKs4KA1LjDT8DZHGp2wF1oZXbj70tKW29-YehWGQ-4OWcWO/s1600/2015victoriaironmanh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EUBdmGCaAJgoPxxli3zLpJOOFBqqUtQmNGx4EUcEASnX3T0xTXL1j3qHeEOGV69OyyY_EQDW5TClCGDsvmYPW5eqJMQJ9LKs4KA1LjDT8DZHGp2wF1oZXbj70tKW29-YehWGQ-4OWcWO/s320/2015victoriaironmanh.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Crossing that finish line. What a truly amazing day! One I will never, ever forget.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-5880641218635063862015-06-09T10:07:00.001-07:002015-06-09T10:07:07.672-07:00It's this weekend!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BPj5rWUu5juBW2Nv3SE9S6l6w5c9HgCD8FnlS33mw68upMBrBwcb0h3-ui-izgcF0mdiel1txM-fQkZuHKBJLLtzmyeQY_CIcG2TwA4-_0pJhxlfAHTTvrKFSB2_V5rxmtdN9Yapg_NP/s1600/1405victoriastory+740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BPj5rWUu5juBW2Nv3SE9S6l6w5c9HgCD8FnlS33mw68upMBrBwcb0h3-ui-izgcF0mdiel1txM-fQkZuHKBJLLtzmyeQY_CIcG2TwA4-_0pJhxlfAHTTvrKFSB2_V5rxmtdN9Yapg_NP/s320/1405victoriastory+740.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This weekend is the Victoria 1/2 Iron race. I'm doing the sprint distance.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
750 Meter swim</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
20 KM bike</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
5 KM run</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm nervous, scared and pretty proud of all the hard work that's lead up to this. It'll be my first open water race and the largest race I've ever been in. Over 1600 athletes and over 150 sprint distance athletes. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The open water swim has me nervous, but I'm pretty sure I'm ready for this.</div>
N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-64900363928301441182015-05-26T10:02:00.001-07:002015-05-26T10:02:36.264-07:00Lake swims<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrUOWerjtMqq58QfhCRa1lfom9HSFFR_EH733biYzypOoeIFKdwUoTaUy5fRCA34LyNoYrNGJTksCih5ZPIyXK10Fbh7CBEkLQ1ABpAalALc6opx74NtAzPUlg4GgT9XxIDVUjtplrkt9/s1600/beaver-and-elk-lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrUOWerjtMqq58QfhCRa1lfom9HSFFR_EH733biYzypOoeIFKdwUoTaUy5fRCA34LyNoYrNGJTksCih5ZPIyXK10Fbh7CBEkLQ1ABpAalALc6opx74NtAzPUlg4GgT9XxIDVUjtplrkt9/s320/beaver-and-elk-lake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The post below this "Caught on camera" I left up for quite a long time. Longer than I normally would. I've read it every other day, trying to devise a plan for future panic attacks.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have a race in June, my first lake swim race ever. And I'm scared, actually I'm terrified. Of what some may ask, it's just a lake? I'm afraid of what I can see and what I can't see. I'm afraid of weeds and things touching me. I'm afraid of people swimming into or too close to me. I'm afraid of failing, again. Lake swims last year were a mess and I stopped going. In a nutshell everything about swimming a race in the lake scares the ever loving bejezzus out of me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But, heres the trump card.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know I can do it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My pool workouts average 1500 m to 2000 m, the 750 m race distance I can do. Weeds don't bite, weeds I can do. Nothing life threatening lives in that lake, things touching me I can do. I'll stay to the back and swim alone, so people swimming over or to close to me I can do. I'm not going to fail, no matter how long it takes, no matter if I have to do the dog paddle I will finish.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can do this. My plan is to own being afraid. It's ok to be afraid. But I can do this, there is nothing life threatening. I have a wetsuit, I can float and I CAN just keep swimming.</div>
N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-26242271506050410602015-05-04T16:53:00.000-07:002015-05-04T16:53:03.864-07:00Caught on camera<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiow4pIl5qzKBaLNkGa-3oapjnCd_W7XFKhVIf-E25L6P7geDXeLV6A4zLWMnRYyNvLV0ei-Nj-9vjDGh7NMvlkEW3aQsIvsohJIPq6BhfL_0UP_kKTSxcI95In_Plbliib7l5f2aIWbccB/s1600/mstri2015a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiow4pIl5qzKBaLNkGa-3oapjnCd_W7XFKhVIf-E25L6P7geDXeLV6A4zLWMnRYyNvLV0ei-Nj-9vjDGh7NMvlkEW3aQsIvsohJIPq6BhfL_0UP_kKTSxcI95In_Plbliib7l5f2aIWbccB/s320/mstri2015a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunday I did the Tri for MS for the second time. it's an event run by my triathlon group, and it is a whole lot of fun! Lots of friends cheering each other on and a very supportive group.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was calm the night before and calm the morning of. The swim was 500 M something I do for a warm up in my swim workouts now. it should have been simple, easy and fun.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I started my swim out relaxed and calm, did two laps in a normal pace and started to settle in. I got passed once and did one more lap calm and relaxed. About 3 laps in within about 10 seconds I went from calm to a full on panic attack. My heart rate shoots through the roof, I start to hyperventilate and my body is pretty sure I'm going to drown. Even though I know otherwise it spirals up and out of control.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Calm</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Relaxed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Panic Attack</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The picture above a good friend (Peter Dunwoody) caught on camera me, mid panic attack. While this photo brings a bucket load of tears forward it may also be one of my favourites. It catches me in a moment I cannot control. My brain at this time was probably screaming at me "GET OUT! getoutgetoutgetout!" But this time I managed to stay. I flailed, gasped, gulped and finally caved and took a kick board. Feeling defeated and disappointed I finished the 500 M. I did manage to let go of the kick board the last 100 M but for me it was not my shining moment. Seeing that in a picture brings it all up close and personal.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'd like to think I am a fairly strong person who can handle just about anything. Heck, I rode and broke some rank horses in my younger years, I snow mobile, I drag race and I'd like to think there are few things I won't try.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But swimming, boy it can scare me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have no epic words of wisdom. My advise would be to take small steps forward if you are trying to manage panic attacks. Plan for the un expected, they can happen at any time. I think the biggest thing I learnt sunday was to get help if you need it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A panic attack in the pool has not happened for about a year. This one came on faster than most. I did finish my swim. It took about 15 KM of the bike course before my heart rate came down and I stopped gasping for air. My bike was solid though. My run was good! I managed a few speed pick ups and felt strong during the whole run. I think the practice bricks my <a href="http://www.coachlindseymillar.com/">coach</a> had me do really helped my run, my legs felt good right off the bike.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I finished the day happy with my race but un happy with my swim. My next step to tackle them is to learn a good breast stroke, during a panic attack it may allow me to sight and breathe easier. So onward to Plan B, learn the breast stroke.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My day finished with smiles amongst friends in the sunshine. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1uqVvTtrrBroGX5jPxJ27VuW65e-Cnb8bxbAs7kdYFheXgNVPT88bHP-lzt0vXcKI7Y9Zp83jdACozFuFgmkrZy9-_HAefpg0MbcvXAAqTxWHXOMRn69xLpzFwe3jKRCLeqQAnjyit4O/s1600/mstri2015b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1uqVvTtrrBroGX5jPxJ27VuW65e-Cnb8bxbAs7kdYFheXgNVPT88bHP-lzt0vXcKI7Y9Zp83jdACozFuFgmkrZy9-_HAefpg0MbcvXAAqTxWHXOMRn69xLpzFwe3jKRCLeqQAnjyit4O/s320/mstri2015b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-40057331104553673872015-05-02T10:03:00.000-07:002015-05-02T10:03:05.088-07:00Closet clean out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0LSaNXa_gQBUyPSDljOHk15c5GcVKGTL6aZdf-2ict-VygXDL_eQCCUTRj-rLO_N_2afxJjQBAfRj-1PVdioOYw6je9ROeUXM7lehDkzd9im2v5iOgXCgqBo7IAQQErs2S19ucpH9zGa/s1600/P5010087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0LSaNXa_gQBUyPSDljOHk15c5GcVKGTL6aZdf-2ict-VygXDL_eQCCUTRj-rLO_N_2afxJjQBAfRj-1PVdioOYw6je9ROeUXM7lehDkzd9im2v5iOgXCgqBo7IAQQErs2S19ucpH9zGa/s1600/P5010087.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes that, I hate to admit it, is my closet. You cannot see the floor, I cannot find anything and my work out backpack is constantly in the way.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've decide to try a "capsule wardrobe" of sorts. <a href="http://www.un-fancy.com/">This blog</a> makes it simple and fairly easy. The Un Fancy blog shows simple outfits that are cute and still look comfortable. Right up my alley. But first to tackle the closet.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOttV2iO0PKRFWUy1uiocx5INVGAtreesOKd8RVhR_qE_Sgu9OVc6fxuNDpNkmDJDujrVP7h5psAxgVlcSJorBlQWyimWOur-YI8hw4twk2Noi1ucP9pcXEqAC5i8ictwUjxcifvLxCqtL/s1600/P5010091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOttV2iO0PKRFWUy1uiocx5INVGAtreesOKd8RVhR_qE_Sgu9OVc6fxuNDpNkmDJDujrVP7h5psAxgVlcSJorBlQWyimWOur-YI8hw4twk2Noi1ucP9pcXEqAC5i8ictwUjxcifvLxCqtL/s1600/P5010091.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First I took everything out, and I do mean everything. I had NO idea how much I had in there. I have about 12 pairs of expensive wrangler jeans that will never fit me again. Along with 2 garbage bags of clothes that either do not fit or are stained. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqQPNeHFrIlkBSYgtvgt9tDlzkg4XV6IUAl5hkssBzMF5K4ZbLEt9H_RYtwULFktzsjD1lAZMdq-pW9E8cc1x_Px1QdW9vupyUBEZYmVRfIM9ggu7fgj-MYpPhkU0oOQfyCJALQ6rzu0U/s1600/P5010090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqQPNeHFrIlkBSYgtvgt9tDlzkg4XV6IUAl5hkssBzMF5K4ZbLEt9H_RYtwULFktzsjD1lAZMdq-pW9E8cc1x_Px1QdW9vupyUBEZYmVRfIM9ggu7fgj-MYpPhkU0oOQfyCJALQ6rzu0U/s1600/P5010090.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was brutally honest, if they didn't fit they got tossed in the donations bag. I allowed myself two "attachment" pieces that I couldn't part with. The sweater on the left I got at a rodeo in Montana forever ago, and I love it. It's a bit itchy but it's warm and fun. The shirt on the right is a hand painted leather shirt I got in Vegas after winning s few thousand at black jack! It fits and now that I can get to it again I'll wear it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCC6zQa2r3Yvaaus1HfNo22Q47QvG5CIrDc49vlKX-vJR7sNMctli1N3Ayb_KjpuhM-NpGHmLGDU0KjEicz222pt794LtxBZ3V8yUETvHervjTFyuhSwN92aQc7RMys5ypjDRh8EeIoft/s1600/P5010092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCC6zQa2r3Yvaaus1HfNo22Q47QvG5CIrDc49vlKX-vJR7sNMctli1N3Ayb_KjpuhM-NpGHmLGDU0KjEicz222pt794LtxBZ3V8yUETvHervjTFyuhSwN92aQc7RMys5ypjDRh8EeIoft/s1600/P5010092.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I pared down to this. I can see the floor, kept clothes that fit or I love and my gear bag fits out of the way now. It was hard but I think well worth it.</div>
N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-88499509599344461772015-05-02T07:00:00.000-07:002015-05-02T07:00:05.469-07:00I live by this!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-xqFCsc1B92nbyKSJ1OO68PDoB5PWbffC4x1zdZ7BpPnBDBYt6AoxiwvJv8kzc-1sMO1JTMVZtgPRUl67Yx2L3C4ebZubzi-XDwcTrK6NHvLxc3OGbjcONMCU5p_8hcPd8QC24K_R_D4/s1600/10389472_924720004215336_7998911090564213290_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-xqFCsc1B92nbyKSJ1OO68PDoB5PWbffC4x1zdZ7BpPnBDBYt6AoxiwvJv8kzc-1sMO1JTMVZtgPRUl67Yx2L3C4ebZubzi-XDwcTrK6NHvLxc3OGbjcONMCU5p_8hcPd8QC24K_R_D4/s1600/10389472_924720004215336_7998911090564213290_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-5922287831583373062015-04-28T08:19:00.001-07:002015-04-28T08:19:16.024-07:00Am I talking to myself?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfNAMzLBUSjeb2TLj55kmS2iAs6PLcSIxVJCZcinoXNXKG7SIRRtKjJ6QcVvR1dIMidUDh6nZb5RvC-2ppYdyvepJw0w-ER88c6pOuZV5kxHgLxEooNCGay9uxzltF5H3sZEtd-kM1BKf/s1600/0188427c4327a96f9e0900cf08b1b32b4825a2de3562b6e749f3e33936a55ad9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfNAMzLBUSjeb2TLj55kmS2iAs6PLcSIxVJCZcinoXNXKG7SIRRtKjJ6QcVvR1dIMidUDh6nZb5RvC-2ppYdyvepJw0w-ER88c6pOuZV5kxHgLxEooNCGay9uxzltF5H3sZEtd-kM1BKf/s1600/0188427c4327a96f9e0900cf08b1b32b4825a2de3562b6e749f3e33936a55ad9.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Am I talking to myself here?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Does anyone read my blog posts? Do you prefer the bead related posts, or triathlon? Or something else entirely?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Should I keep blogging or let it go?</div>
N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5778021931572408276.post-81073398910724577632015-04-25T07:00:00.000-07:002015-04-25T07:00:03.877-07:00Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBgBqo1InL6FOYz7zAiPHfglpYA5KHaGHHOv3UkBPk173sHdR89QgUijByQK_589sFQ9nuzwRUb5zPSayNa_dKFX2ofKWcZ3C_j_TWPsKT11WUnyHVvABNwzTtXqnpsR3p3YjxTnriFNM/s1600/14939_864448046932027_4906691990592737669_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBgBqo1InL6FOYz7zAiPHfglpYA5KHaGHHOv3UkBPk173sHdR89QgUijByQK_589sFQ9nuzwRUb5zPSayNa_dKFX2ofKWcZ3C_j_TWPsKT11WUnyHVvABNwzTtXqnpsR3p3YjxTnriFNM/s1600/14939_864448046932027_4906691990592737669_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />N Valentine Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07622864985792016173noreply@blogger.com0