Hello Doctor…

Some the things I get to do with my since retirement are most important to me. My friend Kasim Al-Mashat recently faced his final oral examination for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy for Counselling Psychology.

These examinations are open to the public! What a great way to hear what the thinkers of today are bringing to the world.

Kasim and Hunter

These folk are the Stephen Pinkers and Elizabeth Gilberts of our future.

Kasim believs that healing occurs in community and talked about post-traumatic growth. Individuals can healing within community, and communities as groups can heal. My healing takes place when I release my own grudges towards others.

His use of narrative inquiry (storytelling) made his presentation enjoyable and understandable: Dream of the Hanging Gardens: Iraqi Refugees and Exiles in Jordan, Their Migration and Adaptation Experiences. This is a presentation I would like to hear again.

Some thoughts I was left to ponder:

• Coping is incorporating action
• What is the role of employment in the transition phase?
• How do I honor the experiences of others?
• Am I transparent of my biases?
• What do I really understand about social justice in the context of voices of people who are tweeting, Facebooking or blogging?
  What is viral media?

Date Night at the Chef’s Table

What to do that is just a little bit different from the run of the mill “take her to dinner” date?

American Grille Amuse

The Marriott Vancouver Airport’s Junior Sous Chef, Michael Gonzales presented in the month of June Date Night Chef’s Table at the American Grille.

What a treat. A delicious menu that included visits from Chef Mike to our table. He took us through our special menu course by course. I think the Amuse (appie) was my favorite. With the prosaic name of Grilled Cheese Sandwich, this delicious brioche sandwiched cambozola cheese and was topped with fresh bruschetta.

That heavenly first bite was followed by Coconut and Saffron Veloute Fritter of Mussel and Chive Blossom. The best fritter this side of Digby Harbour.

Our third course of braised lamb shank was infused with Chef Mike’s secret ingredient. (You’ll have to ask him). Such a generous portion led me to asking for a doggie bag. There is something about noshing leftovers that is always a special treat. Like extending the date.

Dessert came and I was glad I had worn a “relaxed” dress. Mmmmm a Peach Melba with a creative touch of streusel crumble. I told Chef that if I worked in his kitchen the crumble wouldn’t be safe. I’d be munching it and leave none for the customers.

While the Date Night run is over, watch for their next promotion. As always, the American Grille at the Marriott was worth the trip.
Enjoyd

Long Term Vision 80% in just 6 years!

I went through my Long Term Vision guide this afternoon. One that I wrote in March 2005 while being coached by Andrew Barber-Starkey of Procoach Success Systems. 

Wow! Can you believe that about 80% of my intentions have come to pass.

In being able to look back over these past 6 years, I have to say that it is miraculous.  And an integral part of my process was having a coach.

Some of the successes?

• Business and Career – I work and travel in comfort around the globe
  
• Money & Finance – I feel confident and proud of my financial achievements
• Primary Relationship – Wow! I have the most wonderful and supportive partner
• Family & Friends – Family and I have found a happy place to meet
• Recreation & Lifestyle – I am given gifts of clothing and gems and watches (all top of the line) and in turn am able to give the same
• Personal Development – I have grown to a depth and understanding that I could not conceive of in 2005
• Contribution – I sometimes give $$ but often fund spiritual development, arts, education in business, etc by giving my time and sharing knowledge
• Spiritual Connection – Doesn’t the above say it all?

An Afternoon of Wonder in Turin, Italy

On Monday May 23, after returning the keys  of the studio apartment on Via Massena to Senore Fasoli, I found an affordable hotel for my last night in Italy, just around the corner;  Hotel Italia. A perfect little place on Corso Stati Uniti, just blocks from Porto Nuevo train station.

After settling in to my hotel room, I went in search of the beauty salon I had been passing each day.

At this unassuming little salon, the Giglio on Via Assietta I was greeted by a smiling Veronica.I mimed cutting hair and kept saying “corto corto” – meaning short in Italian.

Hunter with Stylist Claudia

She placed me in the expert hands of Claudia and so began my first Italian salon experience. I relaxed. Over the next hour Claudia shampooed, cut, clipped and razored my hair into a wonderful, short, sporty, sexy Mod style. Perfect for the 30 degree temperature in Turin.

I wanted more! After thanking Claudia, I returned to Veronica and mimed massage pointing to their salon menu “con olio olivo”.

Veronica led me in my relaxed stumble through a low lit hall to a little room with narrow massage table. I was give a towel and panties and left alone to undress.  In came Julia who offered me a larger double mattress to relax on, but all I wanted to do was climb on the massage table.

The next hour heaven. Sprinkled with olive oil, limb-by-limb I was stroked, pummeled, stretched and slapped, by the fantastic massaging hands of Julia.

I have enjoyed great massages in every city I’ve traveled to around the globe since 2005

I award Turin the title for Best Massage on Planet Earth, winning out over Cusco Peru, Nairobi Kenya, Ocean Spring Resort in China and Varanasi, India.

The cost of shampoo, hair and one hour massage? Euro 38. Visit Giglio on Via Assietta

I have a Millionaire Mind.

Go ahead and provide your comments. Thanks

I like being a 72

Does anyone really want to be perfect?  To have everything under control in life and around them?

After  thinking about it, my answer is NO. I like being a little daffy, a little imperfect. Variety is the spice of life.

Beautiful spices in a Fijian farmer

My self-esteem has changed over the years.  I have grown and matured. The shy nervous girl of my teens has morphed into a confident (though not necessarily competent) business woman, to a relaxed entrepreneur.

So, grab a pencil and piece of paper. (remember those old fashioned things?) and see where you’re at.

On a scale of 10 through 1 rate yourself.
(1 = disagree or not at all, 10 = fully agree.)

Tally it up and I’d love to see your Comment – how did you score yourself. See what I came up with at the end. See you there.

1. I firmly believe in certain values and principles, and am ready to defend them even when finding opposition, feeling secure enough to modify them in light of experience.

2. I am able to act according to

The Search for Self, inspired by R.F. MACKENZIE

“Every human being has the right to answer life’s basic questions for himself or herself, and a large part of our trouble is that we make do with other people’s answers.” R.F. Mackenzie

Hunter in Inverness

R.F. Mackenzie had a huge impact on my life, unknown to him, or until recently myself.

I picked up a book entitled A Search For Scotland, a book sitting on the bookshelf in the guest room in my mother’s home.

The former headmaster of Summerhill Academy a progressive and controversial school that operated in Aberdeen, Scotland, Mr. Mackenzie writes about the finding of self through understanding one’s community lineage.

In a day and age that sings the praises of ancient Gurus and Teachers as the adjunct of Enlightenment, it is refreshing to read an emphatic call to self-discovery and Self-understanding from a Brit.

My recent years of training has been as a guide to others in their quest of Self. This book puts a refreshingly British view on the trip. Sounds strange? I encourage you, dear reader, to read a little of the book, then stop. Ponder. And ask yourself. “Who am I?”

I would love to hear your answer.

Karissa Tynes – A Woman to Watch

Years ago, a little toddler caught my eye as her dad and I performed at a Highland Game in Victoria, BC.

From her first role as one of the children of The Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe with Monkeyshine Theatre, she has now held a supporting role in a Disney film “Sixteen Wishes.”

Today this “toddler” is building a career of her dreams to become a successful actress, balanced, with integrity, and joy in her art.

Here is an interview from Celebrity Interviews blog.

Wishing Karissa the best in a career with integrity, creativity, exploration and joy.

Farming In The World Of Miracles

The latest TED – a great education.
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The Wonders of Scalar Energy

I am trying to understand the marvel of ">Scalar Energy and it is like discovering sex anew.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It’s off to PLRK We Go

Turtles, Tortoises, Heart

What do you get when you cross work with play. PLRK of course!

Plrking {combine PLay and WorK} is beginning to take the world by storm. Imagine knowing yourself so well that every option open to you becomes one of play. And work becomes a joy.

Well, Michael Stratford hosted the first round of Playing the game of … (fill in the blank – Life, Health, Work…) at the Doubletree Club Hotel in Santa Ana, California this past weekend.

I arrived fresh from Fiji to join 22 other supporters trusting that this latest investment into my personal development would be worth the roundabout travel returning to Vancouver, BC. Yes, this falls in line with life in retirement.

What, in a nutshell did I learn? Knock on any door. Someone may answer, it may remain closed, I may be told to go away, or it could be the chance of a life time.

What door are you knocking on? Watch out for turtles coming to your location soon.