In 24 hours we'll be over the Atlantic.. Can't wait to be weightless.. spread your wings and fly away!... perhaps I should just stay up there?  Life has been heavy this week, sudden changes in financial security, big and little worries all gathering momentum like a tornado of concern. But tomorrow it will all wash away. There's nothing more to be done once the plane takes off.  
I love flying. I was once a Flight Attendant for a year, and getting on a plane now feels so familiar, brings back memories, and it's as comfortable as getting on a bus. I've taught my son how wonderful it is to travel, and he's a great companion on trips. He's a trooper. He drops his child act, and becomes an equal. We  are 2 world explorers pulling together to get to the other side. There's no greater experience in life than taking off with my son and sharing the world together. Tomorrow we're doing it again!
Sure there are those who've called to warn of riots in Cairo, Pirates at the end of the Red Sea, and a monsoon that may or may not have passed by the time we get that far south, but hey, if the Mayans are right, we'd better get out there and enjoy the Earth while we still can!  Tomorrow's just another Monday.  But it's also the starting point  -we  just need to jump the hurdle of our fears and live life to the finish line!

Well, in just 5 short days, we'll be leaving for our second 'trip of a lifetime!" We begin by flying to Italy (via Paris) and then spend 2 days in Genoa, Italy. On December 1st, we travel to Savona, where we board our cruise ship, "Costa Allegra" 
Our first stop will be Naples, ITALY, and we'll visit the edges of Vesuvius, to view the archaeological ruins of Pompei!
Next we'll cross the Mediterranean (1 day at sea) to arrive in Alexandria, EGYPT. We'll have a whirlwind trip of Cairo, seeing the pyramids of course, and the museum in Cairo. Then back to the ship in Port Said to sail through the Suez Canal (Yet another canal!) Then we'll visit Sharm El Sheik, -beach resort on the Red Sea- for 1 day. 
We'll cruise through the Red Sea to Luxor, and spend a full 15 hour day seeing all the amazing temples of Karnak, the gods, the Nile, etc.
Onward after that, we sail through the Red Sea, veering to the left, and head up to OMAN. Salalah is our stop there, where we'll go snorkeling and visit the Frankincense forest (one of only 2 still remaining in the world!).  The next day we have 4 days at sea, -full of parties, social events and food food food!.. Then we arrive at the Sechelles. Hope I can still fit into my bathing suit by then! 2 days in the SECHELLES, -There we'll visit the Ylang Ylang forests, where the perfume is produced!
 then another 4 days at sea to reach MADAGASCAR.
WE have 2 stops in Madagascar, Nosy Be, (big island) and a second island on day 2. Then on to Reunion Island, where we'll climb into the crater of a volcano! 
Finally, the month long cruise ends in Mauritius, with a visit to the south of the island to see a lava field, black sand beaches, and other treats!
Our final 2 days will be spent in Mauritius, and then we fly out (on the 28th of December), for 1 night in Paris. From Paris, we'll fly home to Toronto on December 29th!
If you're wondering where we are, just check this blog! 
IF time and internet allow, I hope to be posting photos of our journey here, as we travel! 

Last summer I was doing some modelling for the MEETUP group of photographers that I run (TO PHOTO). This one was one of my favourites of me, from the day!  Great lighting, interesting 'story' to the image.  We were at an old western town setup, out in the country. Everyone had a great time, perfect weather, and lots to photograph! I don't remember who sent me this photo, and I'd love to give them credit, so if anyone recalls who took this, please have them email me!!

Well, tomorrow I shall be traveling to Penetanguishene, to sign the documents on the new Retreat Centre, B&B, and rental cottage apartment! Such an exciting move, and so many opportunities for new adventures! This summer at the small cottage was wonderful, lots of time to relax, write, take photographs and canoeing to the sound of the loons in the mornings. Next summer will be even more wonderful in the new location! Do keep your eyes posted on the "RETREATS" page, where photos of the new location will be posted soon! 
In the meantime, I'm teaching YIN yoga in a few locations this season, and the classes are growing! So wonderful to see people nurture themselves and feel repaired from the stresses of the week!
This season I'm also opening up my Landscape business in a new direction: Balcony retreat gardens! Small sanctuary spaces in the city, to escape and do yoga, read, relax, or just sit indoors and look out at something beautiful! Keep checking back for new photos and details of projects underway!
The "tree series" of paintings is doing well, and will be showing at Mangiacake Restaurant this season for Nuit Blanche! It will remain up for the fall season, for those who haven't had a chance to get out for Nuit Blanche! Do join us this year... October 1st, 659 pm to sunrise! For more information, check out  the website at mangiacake.ca 

Coming this spring, Awenda Retreat Centre will be opening! 
Awenda is a cute little cottage in Georgian Bay, just a few minutes from Penetanguishene. We have a 'moroccan style' yoga studio space on the garden level, where we'll be offering seasonal yoga, pilates, meditation and creativity in a variety of different retreats! 
Keep your eyes out for more updates and  a sign-up page for spring retreats in early May, 2011! Group events will be restricted to a maximum of 10 people, -small and private-, with the option of cottage shared accommodation or private B&B accommodation in the neighbouring cottage. 
Such exciting times ahead! Watch here on my website for more updates! 

Well, as of this week, the new  teen online book publishing website will be LIVE! 'Quaggabooks', a new kind of reading website is coming to a teen's life near you! "We're re-inventing reading!"
Teens of all ages can visit QUAGGABOOKS.COM  and find free new novels of varying lengths and genres, to read online! Each week a new chapter of the novel will be posted online. New books will be happening each month or two, with a wide variety of types and themes to be offered! There is also the option of signing up  free, to receive chapter update notifications via your email!
In the near future, printed copies of each of the novels will become available for purchase, for those who'd like the old- fashioned method of reading a paperback.

It's time to write n my blog again! -long overdue! Since it's March Fourth, I always try to consider marching my life FORTH on this date each year. It's a great pre-spring activity, looking forward and making intentions for the coming year. It's also nice that we get an extra opportunity to re-state our New Year's Intentions, since by March we've all but forgotten what those resolutions were!
So, for this March FORTH, I'm looking ahead to the coming season with a brand new project that 2 friends and I have been creating together. We're setting up a writer/reader website, where teens can go online to find great stories to read, any time, anywhere. There will be a new chapter of the story posted each week, so no pressure to finish a book in your spare time! 
Also, I've just hung another Art Show at Absolute Chocolate, at 453 Queen Street East, just 2 blocks East of Broadview. The show consists of 10 paintings of flowers, -some oils, some water colours, and will be hanging for the month of March.
Now that the Yoga teacher training is completed, my life is getting back to being in balance once more. Last week I just returned from a 10 day silent meditation retreat just near Barrie. Silence is something I generally only accomplish when I'm alone. It was a lovely experience to have the opportunity to focus inwards and learn more about myself. It wasn't a holiday, but it was life-changing in some ways!
In the near future, I shall become an official cottage owner, so once things are organised, I'll be running seasonal retreats up on Georgian Bay, just 2 hours drove from downtown! There will be retreats of different focuses, -yoga, meditation, painting, photography, etc. I hope to run them 4 times a year, covering all 4 seasons!
Watch here for more information, or contact me via email if you have direct questions!
[email protected]

Well, I've been busy, as you can see, since I haven't written in a few weeks! This month has been a photography month, with a little writing thrown in for good measure. I finally completed "Renaissance Woman" and have sent it off to be critiqued for now. It will need some re-writes!  The egrets on the Spit are still haunting me, so I've been back at least 6 times to gather more photo knowledge. 
Two weeks ago our photography group met at Sunnyside park for a special shoot. 7 models dressed as brides all posed for us at sunset. We shot til we dropped, and some of the results you can see on my photo page. The practice was excellent for preparing for wedding photography season! Always so much to do and so much to learn!
My pilates teacher training is now complete, and I'm ready and capable to teach private or small group pilates classes now!
July is the height of Homestay season, and the house repairs and preparations are taking more time than I'd like, but that's always the way as things get busy. 9 students will be visiting us this season, learning English, as well as bachelorhood! By August I shall be ready for a holiday!
Speaking of holidays, this year's photography group travel experience will be in January 2011. We are going as a small group to Egypt, cruise down the Nile, and then a short added trip to Kenya to do a little safari adventure. This will be another trip of a lifetime, perhaps on par with South America! 
I'm looking forward to showing you the photos when we return! 
Cheers, and, until next time,
hil