TravelStream™ news feed for member whereshegoes on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/whereshegoes en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sat, 21 Feb 2009 07:19:22 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/pre-rtw/1235218680/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/pre-rtw/1235218680/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/pre-rtw/1235218680/tpod.html Sat, 21 Feb 2009 07:19:22 -0500 These are the trips that got my feet wet, intro to travel, the bug was my pet

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

It has been an interesting few years and I want to thank everyone who supported me along the way. I have certainly learned alot :) As many of you may have already noticed, I am no longer blogging at TravelPod. I have officially left the Expedia/TripAdvisor/TravelPod family as of last month. I appreciate all the opportunities and wonderful people I met along the way and for that, I am grateful.I have now continued blogging (not just travel but on life in general) at www.whereshegoes.org which a site I made up to scribble on. Let me know what you think. To find my most recent writings, please visit me there. I will still receive messages through TravelPod for a short time longer but it would be best to reach me at whereshegoes@gmail.com Happy Travels!!Carmellaaka. whereshegoes
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/rtw/1235218680/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/rtw/1235218680/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/rtw/1235218680/tpod.html Sat, 21 Feb 2009 07:18:55 -0500 Wandering around the world to see what I can find. Aimlessly from place to place with no real plan in mind.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Edmonton, Canada

It has been an interesting few years and I want to thank everyone who supported me along the way. I have certainly learned alot :) As many of you may have already noticed, I am no longer blogging at TravelPod. I have officially left the Expedia/TripAdvisor/TravelPod family as of last month. I appreciate all the opportunities and wonderful people I met along the way and for that, I am grateful.I have now continued blogging (not just travel but on life in general) at www.whereshegoes.org which a site I made up to scribble on. Let me know what you think. To find my most recent writings, please visit me there. I will still receive messages through TravelPod for a short time longer but it would be best to reach me at whereshegoes@gmail.com Happy Travels!!Carmellaaka. whereshegoes
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/home/1235218560/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/home/1235218560/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/home/1235218560/tpod.html Sat, 21 Feb 2009 07:17:25 -0500 Coming home from 3yr quest & finding out I'm lost at best. Perspective from an Alien who has to stop & take a rest.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

It has been an interesting few years and I want to thank everyone who supported me along the way. I have certainly learned alot :) As many of you may have already noticed, I am no longer blogging at TravelPod. I have officially left the Expedia/TripAdvisor/TravelPod family as of last month. I appreciate all the opportunities and wonderful people I met along the way and for that, I am grateful.I have now continued blogging (not just travel but on life in general) at www.whereshegoes.org which a site I made up to scribble on. Let me know what you think. To find my most recent writings, please visit me there. I will still receive messages through TravelPod for a short time longer but it would be best to reach me at whereshegoes@gmail.com Happy Travels!!Carmellaaka. whereshegoes
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1235217420/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1235217420/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1235217420/tpod.html Sat, 21 Feb 2009 07:16:40 -0500 Again it's time for me to go, Although I've traveled high and low, Now to challenge all my best, To work while tripping is the test My search for balance in extremes, To bring the real into my dreams

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

It has been an interesting few years and I want to thank everyone who supported me along the way. I have certainly learned alot :) As many of you may have already noticed, I am no longer blogging at TravelPod. I have officially left the Expedia/TripAdvisor/TravelPod family as of last month. I appreciate all the opportunities and wonderful people I met along the way and for that, I am grateful.I have now continued blogging (not just travel but on life in general) at www.whereshegoes.org which a site I made up to scribble on. Let me know what you think. To find my most recent writings, please visit me there. I will still receive messages through TravelPod for a short time longer but it would be best to reach me at whereshegoes@gmail.com Happy Travels!!Carmellaaka. whereshegoes
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1229916540/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1229916540/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1229916540/tpod.html Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:30:28 -0500 Again it's time for me to go, Although I've traveled high and low, Now to challenge all my best, To work while tripping is the test My search for balance in extremes, To bring the real into my dreams

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

A week ago my friend killed himself. It was the first death I have had to deal with and it has affected me greatly. In his note, he said he felt lonely and misunderstood. I have been thinking a lot about that over the past few days in between tears. I know how he felt. I think we all do. I guess the trick is remembering that we all do. Maybe some of us experience that separateness more than others. I know I have had my share of suicidal thoughts when things got dark in my world. I thought that was normal. I really believed that at some point or another, we all have to make that choice whether to carry on or just be done with it all. But the more people I have been talking with, I am finding this is not really as common as one would think. Or maybe, people just don't want to admit it. Over the past year, I have been struggling to rise from the depths of a serious depression. It hasn't been easy so when I heard about Yogi's death, it hit me close to home. I could relate to the state of mind he must have been in to choose to end his life. Infact, over the years we were friends, we counseled one another about depression and how to cope. So it felt like a punch in the stomach of my soul when I began to comprehend this loss. He one was of ours.   For seven days, I have allowed myself to ricochet between despair, anger, frustration and guilt. I have wept buckets of tears and the lines on my forehead seem to have deepened overnight. On Wednesday, Adrien, his old roommate, and I were first at his funeral. We were among the last to leave. I wanted to spend as much time with Yogi as I could. It wasn't the same though. When I looked at his lifeless body and touched his cool hand, any shred of denial I was harboring dissipated. My buddy was gone. Long gone.   It was of some solace to see all those (and the room was so full people were standing outside) who loved him gather to share memories and support each other. But that only lasted a couple hours. As soon as I stepped out the doors of the funeral home, the wintry cold air stung my face freezing my tears almost instantly. But it was the realization of opportunities lost piercing my heavy heart which hurt the most. The -30 frigid night air was no competition for the bitter frostbite on my soul.   People have been stepping in to comfort me while I go through the grieving process. My neighbors have all pitched in with hugs, cookies, cheer up presents, and encouragement. My sister and her husband listened to me try to make sense of it over sushi. Jord volunteered to deliver Xmas presents to the needy with me this year. Sarah hung out with me on Whyte Ave. Haley shared my favorite banana split cheesecake dessert with me. All the things Yogi and I would do together just couldn't console me because he wasn't there. In a way, it made me miss him more to revisit all our old haunts. But I guess that was my way of honoring him too.   Today is the Winter Solstice, the longest and darkest day of the year. From this point on it only gets brighter. I hope that my heart will follow suit. I have been steeped in my emotions quite thoroughly now and today I need to begin to let go. I thought it would be good to escape into a movie but I couldn't find anyone to come with me. The more people who turned me down, the more isolated I felt. I began to feel sorry for myself when I recognized my folly. It hit me like a ton of bricks and for a split second I felt ashamed I didn't see it sooner. I would go to the movie by myself but I wouldn't be on my own. I know my pal Yogi was sitting next to me the whole time. If there is one thing my dear friend has taught me, it's that although I may feel lonely at times, I am never alone.   Today I am grateful for life.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1228110780/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1228110780/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1228110780/tpod.html Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:03:41 -0500 Again it's time for me to go, Although I've traveled high and low, Now to challenge all my best, To work while tripping is the test My search for balance in extremes, To bring the real into my dreams

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

How is it already December and still, no snow? Not only is the ground still frost free, but we have just had one of the warmest Novembers in history. The autumn that just won't quit. Though we had a snow scare that one day, it melted before it could accumulate to anything substantial. Last year at this time, we were suffering 30 below with windchill factors high enough to freeze your snot mid-sneeze.   I guess that's about all the complaining you're going to hear from me. I'll admit that secretly, I like this global warming thing if it means shorter milder winters. Ask me again after Tuesday when I am slotted in to watch National Geographics "Six Degrees Could Change the World" at my regular documentary night at the local tea house. After gaining some awareness, I may be singing a different tune but superficially, I like warm in any form it comes in. Global, local, or even just hot chili related, I'll take it.   A new kitten called Lady Button McMuffin has come to live at my house. She is cuter than...well I couldn't even think of anything even remotely close. Monster and she have been duking it out for top cat even though she is only a quarter the size. The Fear Fairy seems to have missed Button altogether as she appears to be completely absent of the feeling. It became shockingly obvious when she continued to not just fall off high places, but actually leapt with all her gumption. After splatting on the marble floor with a dull thud, she will jump up without missing a beat and dart off to find another such adrenaline rush. I began to wonder what stuff this creature is made of. I hope she learns how to retract her claws soon because I am not immune to pain as she seems to be.   Now that there are two of them, I am going to have to wise up to their "Fool the Human" games. The other day I walked in and caught Monster licking Button on the head lovingly. When they saw me they both froze as if they had been caught with their paws in the cookie jar. Ha! The jig is up, my pretty kitties! I am wise to your tricky ways. Now if I could just get SuperButton to realize she's not a bird or a plane...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1224980400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1224980400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1224980400/tpod.html Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:21:52 -0400 Again it's time for me to go, Although I've traveled high and low, Now to challenge all my best, To work while tripping is the test My search for balance in extremes, To bring the real into my dreams

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

It snowed today for the first time this season. I was just about to walk into the Farmers Market when the wind kicked up bringing with it a fury of small white flakes. It was frantic and those around me all looked upwards at the muddy skies. The brief storm didn't leave a trace and was over as quickly as it arrived. The blustery weather was like Mother Nature giving us all a heads up to haul out the winter wear. I get the feeling this is going to be a rough winter. "All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them." - GalileoIt has been so gusty these last few days and today there is even a official wind warning in effect from Environment Canada. They have reported gusts up to one hundred kilometers an hour! In my twentieth floor condo, it whips through the slightest cracks creating a foreboding high pitch whistle. I sit suspended in my bubble chair way up high watching the tallest most sturdiest of trees shiver in their timbers. Wind has been proven to affect mood and I can feel it. A study in Austria said that high winds have been linked to a twenty percent rise in suicide. I certainly don't want to jump off my balcony just because of the current of air. But I fear if I were to venture out there at this point, I may just get blown off! I'm staying inside.Though its sunny outside, people on the street clutch their coat collar tighter and walk a little quicker to wherever. I've always been fascinated by how things can appear one way but feel completely different. I guess looks can be deceiving and it's a lesson I have been realizing more and more lately. Over the past year, I have tasted the bitterness of truth. Along with that, though, comes deeper understanding which keeps me coming back for more. "It is one of the severest tests of friendship to tell your friend his faults. So to love a man that you cannot bear to see a stain upon him, and to speak painful truth through loving words, that is friendship." - Henry Ward BeecherFor as long as I can remember I have steered clear of cherries. I didn't know why and never really thought about it until a few months ago. After having a few when they came into season, I re evaluated my stance. I do in fact like natures juicy little tangy sweets. It was the pits that dissuaded me from including them in my pallet. Hidden inside life's bowl of cherries are a myriad of rock hard realities. I guess I am coming to terms with pitted fruits and are now happy to allow them into the inner circle. Nectarines, plums, peaches...all of them. But as for grapes, well now that's a different story. "A subtle thought that is in error may yet give rise to fruitful inquiry that can establish truths of great value." - Isaac Asimov
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1224566820/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1224566820/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1224566820/tpod.html Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:41:58 -0400 Again it's time for me to go, Although I've traveled high and low, Now to challenge all my best, To work while tripping is the test My search for balance in extremes, To bring the real into my dreams

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

In my perfect world, balance and growth would be integral. I have had experience in intense growth but at a cost. I used to believe that it was necessary to visit extremes in order to stimulate rapid development. While this may work in some situations, there is no body that can sustain constant barrage of assault without compromising integrity. Burnout out is most often reached by those who do not monitor themselves and maintain their equilibrium. In the past, I've made giant leaps and bounds by pushing myself beyond what was healthy. But each time, the consequential exhaustion would lead to regression and sometimes, depression. Like the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare, I am learning that slow and steady does, in fact, win the race. "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving"- Albert EinsteinPatience is what results when one practices self control. In this day and age, what with microwaves, cell phones, and bank machines, we are conditioned to crave instant gratification. It becomes more of a challenge to wait or delay pleasure when one cannot see the long term effects of poor impulse control. Though temptations abound, those with discernment matched with determination will make the better choices.Along with remote controls came a whole new brand of laziness. I must be mindful to ensure that technology doesn't hijack my ambition to put energy into designing my life. There is a fine line between a short cut to make my life easier and short changing myself from potential development. Have you ever had your calculator fail and had to perform long hand division? If you didn't bother to learn it or heaven forbid, forgotten how, then you may be sorry. A cake doesn't bake itself. A house doesn't build itself. How can one believe that they are entitled to success without the investment of effort? Is it reasonable to expect progress without at least creating an environment in which it can thrive?I am learning that there is great strength to be found in maintaining calm and creating balance. It affords me greater health and peace of mind allowing me to deal with life's "surprises" more effectively. By minimizing pressures, I've been regaining my equilibrium which I lost some time ago. So for now, I am choosing to surround myself with stability but still challenge myself regularly in order to advance. At the moment, I'm training by taking painting classes and writing these blogs. It takes focus, patience, and dedication which are all skills I want to cultivate. The kind of talent that comes with a masterpiece ain't made in a second. In order to try and define myself, I must continue to refine myself. This magnum opus is a work in progress."Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance." - Brian Tracy
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1223507160/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1223507160/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1223507160/tpod.html Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:20:30 -0400 Again it's time for me to go, Although I've traveled high and low, Now to challenge all my best, To work while tripping is the test My search for balance in extremes, To bring the real into my dreams

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

I have only voted once. There. I said it. It's really quite embarrassing for me to admit that now. It wasn't always though because I used to justify not voting with the fact that I am not interested in politics. Infact, I would even go as far as to proclaim that I don't "believe" in politics. Ug.The one time I did vote, it was only because I could. I had just turned 18 and didn't have a clue about anything. I went in quite blindly and voted according to gender. I barely remember how it all went so I guess it didn't make much of an impression on me. Clearly I didn't like the process because I never did it again. Perhaps I thought that once I got into the voting booth I would instinctually "know" who to vote for. Like somewhere inside me would be a whisper of the "right" person to do the job best. But that is not what happened.That night alone in the privacy of my cubicle, I stared at the ballot and desperately waited for some sign. I was sure I would be able to see some signal of whom I should choose. But alas, nothing. So failing some divine intervention, I had to rely on my gut. And my gut wasn't talking. So then I just figured that I would go for the women on the list because they had obviously worked hard to get onto the ballot. As far as I knew, politics and jobs in government are male dominated. Women, in general, have had to try harder than their male counterparts to make their mark in these types of professions. Therefore, I deducted, they deserved my vote. I know this reasoning was silly and irresponsible, but at 18, so was I. Besides, it was only a municipal election...how much did it really matter, right?When I traveled abroad, I didn't even know who the prime minister of Canada was anymore. I had lost complete track of anything that was going on back home. I barely even had contact with my Mom and Dad, let alone what the country was up to.So what has changed? I guess my social conscience. Over the past year, I have been feeding on a steady stream of information from various sources. Documentaries have been a remarkable gateway for me. I find them fascinatingly motivational. My local tea shop holds a weekly screening of gripping documentaries which lead to heated discussions. The internet has been quite helpful in investigating global (and local) issues I hear about here and there. While I may glance at the newspaper, I find that I would prefer to find several viewpoints on a situation rather than one journalists perspective. I can diversify my research easily and efficiently through the information highway.I have many activist friends who nudge me every now and then to get more involved. I like that they don't try to sway me to their way of thinking but just encourage me to think about it. I find that when I feel pressured in a certain direction, I tend to resist no matter what is being presented. Maybe that is stubborn but it is how I react. I seem to be quite sensitive to bias and shut down at the slightest hint of it. My more intelligent peers seem to sense that when presenting to me when I inquire about their stance. I am learning how important it is to keep an open mind in order to connect with people on their level. I am enjoying more thought-provoking discussions with those who have information that I find helpful in refining my beliefs. I am becoming more passionate now that I have lost the numbness I have hid behind so long. I find apathy is becoming unattractive to me these days. I don't want that word used in relation to me anymore. So in a week, I will be voting. I was glad when the pair of volunteers showed up at my door to register me. I was glad when my neighbor told me that I merely had to walk across the street to my polling station. I was glad that I ran into some candidates who were canvassing the neighborhood who gave me brochures. I am glad that I get to have a say. I am glad I am finally taking responsibility."I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do." -Helen Keller
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1223437080/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1223437080/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/whereshegoes/odyssey/1223437080/tpod.html Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:48:41 -0400 Again it's time for me to go, Although I've traveled high and low, Now to challenge all my best, To work while tripping is the test My search for balance in extremes, To bring the real into my dreams

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

So it looks like this virtual junk war has triggered a full out offensive. The heat inside my chest to rid myself of this nonsense I have been holding on to is building. It started with my digital photo folder is spreading like a virus motivating me to wipe out all unnecessary items that have somehow seeped their way into my presence. The relentless hanger on-ers are about to be ousted. It began in my virtual closet but the visual clutter on and around my computer desk is no longer sheltered in my peripheral.The dull indifference is replaced with subtle urgency now as I survey my closets and drawers. There is just so much junk I do NOT need. It's as if my life email filter malfunctioned and let in all the spam. In this moment of passion, it's all I can do not to fling it all off the balcony, wipe my whole hard drive, or hightail it to the airport ;) freeing myself from its familiar yet ghastly grip. From half used candles to $2.00 coffee receipts to warped Tupperware to dried up highlighters to clipped out magazine articles I would someday get around to...Whatever sentimentality I had attached to these items has melted away leaving cold hard practicality. As I pick up an old key ring of 20 keys to who-knows-where, I sigh. This is going to be a serious mission. I know that I haven't been collecting for that long but somehow between then and now, I have accumulated. Luckily, I've awoken from my stupor and can pare down with purpose.If I were to trace it back, I'd say that this type of thinking originated from my Dads' mantra "Don't throw that out! You may need it one day." With all due respect, it was my very dear old junk collecting father instilled this "need to accumulate...just in case" into me from a very young age. I guess it must have been sage advice in his generation. It's very likely that if you need it (anything and especially things made of metal), my Dad probably has one...or three.So I hope I have broken this collecting obsession and am able to simplify my life for good. No more trips to the evil Dollar Store (which to me is the physical equivalent of email spam) or gluttonous Costco for me. We all know squirrels are nuts and hoarding is for hamsters. This scarcity mindset doesn't work for me. Useless stuff just clutters my life, weighing me down. It is a good thing my garbage chute is so small or I may not have had the patience to recycle some of this stuff. Whether I donate it or trash it, the return is the sanity that I sacrificed when I lied to myself "Someday I'll use it." Death to the junk drawer."Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity." - Plato
]]>