tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340228212024-02-25T04:45:52.332-04:00Don't play with itShellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.comBlogger541125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-73862404192094662102016-05-16T18:57:00.001-04:002016-05-16T18:57:39.105-04:00Can you crop it?<div style="text-align: left;">
If you've been following me on my Instagram or Facebook, you'd see that I've really been pushing to experiment and expand my brand. I have been dabbling a bit more in fabrics, experimenting with different mediums and materials. With that said, the easiest first step since I live on a tropical Caribbean island, is to start with crop tops!</div>
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Crop tops are fun, shorter versions of vests. This to me means more breeze and comfy drive-round-the-island runs. So far, I've experimented with pastels, inks, pencil crayons and paints. In the crop tops below are a perfect mix of all three mediums. I manipulated each to bring out their strengths on the material without compromising the integrity of the durability of the design.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSyX0-7yC1lRrJ59jdGxF5WFevUtXYghaTBZjG96-8Tx5ZfUBjH-yAsKzsVC6jbANgslu0DPgJD0Iij7YHffFzj0ta9kUcrbsf8C4MGn7XcE7e09vJa4qCqFBfpSJ-R3pWv56/s640/blogger-image--1240208176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSyX0-7yC1lRrJ59jdGxF5WFevUtXYghaTBZjG96-8Tx5ZfUBjH-yAsKzsVC6jbANgslu0DPgJD0Iij7YHffFzj0ta9kUcrbsf8C4MGn7XcE7e09vJa4qCqFBfpSJ-R3pWv56/s640/blogger-image--1240208176.jpg" /></a></div>
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Above are a few of my #473 designs that I created. The model is a dear friend of mine, who embraces island life even more than I do (a.k.a. he drives) and takes beautiful pics. He's always been one of my favourite models too over the years so it made sense to use him. He's also a very talented local reggae artist, A#keem, making you can peep <a href="https://www.facebook.com/officialahkeemmusic/">his story of here</a>.</div>
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I've found that pastels work best for large background bursts of colour. Inks work well for outlines or to fill in areas of solid colour. As for paints? Paints are just all-round boss comfort and hassle free. Paints are still my go-to preference for fabrics. It's the easiest to apply the colour and distribute on the fabric surface, especially cotton.</div>
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Have you experimented much with fabrics? What worked best for you? Post a comment in the comment section.</div>
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Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-63595798717767462372016-04-12T09:06:00.001-04:002016-04-12T09:12:57.408-04:00Death...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLj65VQ6lJH_GdwyxmKqPd6fySnpuLlGbl812JqV5rpvM22gPJY1GtUI76spMZeanshOGLrCNJvAINbxaLIQmFotPUD4DwL-f8VuB-jtlS-DmGZVFyACD3o1K38gRdnUabOqoT/s640/blogger-image--55391927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLj65VQ6lJH_GdwyxmKqPd6fySnpuLlGbl812JqV5rpvM22gPJY1GtUI76spMZeanshOGLrCNJvAINbxaLIQmFotPUD4DwL-f8VuB-jtlS-DmGZVFyACD3o1K38gRdnUabOqoT/s640/blogger-image--55391927.jpg" /></a></div>
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I haven't posted for a while and that's because I've been doing a lot of reflective meditation. Recently, a close friend passed away. This would make it the 5th friend within a year span. This one though, was a very close one, like a little sister... And about 2 weeks before that, a college friend passed away as well. Granted she was sick, it doesn't make it easier to process. For the first few weeks, I found myself digging through the archives to find all my photos of and with her, going through our old conversations, so desperately trying to relive the good times and not to forget her. And of course, the knowledge of the growing list of "Never again" realizations made me incredibly teary eyed when I wasn't bawling down the place.</div>
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When the first death happened last year, with Tony, I asked myself why. It was one of those deaths that didn't have to happen - likewise all that consequently followed. But they did pass away regardless whether it was preventable or not.</div>
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I've found myself looking within a lot more and having more conversations with God and taking a closer look at everything happening around me. The last year has had many deaths, not all literal, but each coming with their blow to the stomach, knock the air out of your lungs affect nonetheless. Each one surprising and shocking - like I said, because you can feel something coming doesn't mean it doesn't hurt and shock you when it happens. </div>
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This last death though happened in such a funny way that I couldn't help but laugh a little looking back at it. I just left my "dream job" to pursue my heart's desire of being an artist in February. Filed my 2 weeks' notice and by midmonth I started my life's dream of being an artist - a real one, registered business and everything. My friend passed away roughly 2 weeks after her birthday, 2 weeks into March. I remember praying to God actively to give her health and strength to make it to her birthday, but I never envisioned she would pass away after. 2 weeks into the first real month of my new career, I found myself blindly booking a ticket and hopping a plane to Guyana to bid a final farewell in body because deep down, I know it's what she would've done. That was my motivating thought throughout this whole thing, "I have to do it, it's what she would do." </div>
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While we had our fall outs as all friendships do, she was always there for me when I needed her and vice versa. Most of our conversations started with "I love you" so that if nothing else, regardless of vexation or not, know that the love is there when heated emotions subside. She was one of the most loyal friends I've ever had, in that I knew in all certainty, once she was able, she was willing to help me out in any situation. And I too, with her. Everyone has a crazy wild friend and while I'm that person to most of my friends, she's that person for me. She always had a bold, matter of fact approach to life. She did exactly what she wanted, said exactly how she felt and, even if she had any self doubt, approached school and work 150% energy... despite being sick for most of her life. I remember her telling me when she was 16 that would die young because of it but I didn't want to accept it. Now that it's happened, looking at her life story, at the path she's left behind for others, the lives she impacted upon from professors to the student body at the University, to past workmates, to people who've just interacted with her... She didn't go too soon - she served her purpose. She lived full, and taught everyone around her to be full of life and go hard at everything you do because you don't know when that day will come when you don't get that chance anymore. </div>
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After she passed away, I was surprised at those I heard from and those I didn't. Over the last year I've learned the hard way that most times in a crisis, you're alone, and the person you find sitting next to you most likely is not the person you'd think.</div>
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Now that she's passed away, I'm sad. However, after looking back and going through everything, she told me everything that I needed to remember. In fact, there's things that only now, I understand. </div>
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This past year of deaths has taught me...</div>
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<li>Love everyone but don't give everyone all of you.<br />I found myself emotionally exhausted - a lot - due to this. Often times, especially if we're kind hearted, we find ourselves giving more than we should to others who don't appreciate it. We operate as fillers for the time they need to pass, or lesson to learn or whatever. I've learned that if I'm emotionally exhausted, that I won't even have the energy to love myself to do the things I have to do. And not everyone has to know everything about you.</li>
<li>Give your energy where it grows. People who love you back, give some of their energy to you as well. Therefore the bond leaves you feeling good and happy, not insecure and feeling like you have to try harder. If in any relationship, platonic or romantic, you feel like you're fighting for the attention or to be appreciated or competing then... that is not a healthy situation. </li>
<li>I've learned that it being unhealthy doesn't mean the person is bad, it could simply mean, I'm doing too much. Sometimes you simply have to match the energy you've been hit with. If it's 10%, then 10%, especially if it's been happening a while because... What's the point of investing more than that? The other person is giving 10% of themselves regardless of how much you put in.</li>
<li>Don't overinvest. Time is your most expensive resource. Who you choose to spend it with is your most expensive gift. It's important to examine your company and determine how much energy is to be given into the relationship. Relationships change at times, over time, sometimes. Other times, it could simply be we did a lot more than was asked for, more than the other person is willing to do. The latter is a personal decision of choice on spending. I still believe in acts of kindness regardless of returns, but I also believe in spending my time with those who show up without me having to ask, beg, persuade them to. If they can end up in other places without being begged or persuaded, then most likely I'm not their first choice of time investment and... that's ok.</li>
<li>Take note of who shows up in your down times and up times. I saw a meme circulating on Instagram and Facebook that says "Be mindful of 3 people: Who helped you in difficult times, who put you in difficult times, who left you in difficult times." So far, I've learned this to simply mean, expect the unexpected. The people who knew most intimately about my relationship with my friend, how I felt about her being sick, how I feel about death, I haven't heard from them at all. Who I have heard from are from people who remember seeing us around, giving us a ride here and there, hung out with us once or twice, etc. Most of these people are not even people that I speak to very often or regular... and they've checked in multiple times since. This period of quiet in my life has given me a chance to regroup and refocus and reexamine my direction, my purpose and my energies.</li>
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Or simply as from this list I found by <a href="http://sureshkrishna.com/blog/?p=742">Suresh</a><br />
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<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1) People who are always with you no matter what happens to you</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">2) People who are with you only when you are happy (or celebration time)</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">3) People who are always with you when you are in need. These people give you emotional help. They are there with you days and nights when in need.</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">4) People who are always with you and want to see you regress (or downfall)</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">5) People who are praying for your downfall from behind you; You don’t see them. But they are watching you.</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">6) People who puts you in trouble. They are smarts who always know how to escape a situation to put you in the hot seat.</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">7) People who brings you out of trouble. These people differ from #3. They suggest you what to do and may also work with you to bring you out of trouble.</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">8) People who praise before you and bitch about you from behind. These are dual personality people who you would not even think tal bad about you. But shit happens.</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">9) People who always hates you no matter how nice you are to them. Dont know why but they are there.</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">10) People who think you are good and want to see you grow personally and professionally. They believe in you and they stand by you.</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">11) People who are role models for you in some categories of life.</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 24px;">12) People who use your relationship (with them) to get their work done. They neither like you nor hate you but you are a means to their end </span><img alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://sureshkrishna.com/blog/wp-includes/images/smilies/simple-smile.png" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: white; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial !important; background-repeat: initial !important; background-size: initial !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: #333333; display: inline !important; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; height: 1em; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px 0.07em !important; max-height: 1em; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; width: 1em !important;" /></span></span></li>
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Because someone doesn't call or check in though, doesn't mean that they don't love you. But it does mean that there's a fair chance that you're both approaching the friendship with different energies or perhaps they have major things going on in their life that they haven't shared with you. Whichever the case is, tell those you love that you love them often, see them or speak to them as often as you can with our busy adult lives, and show up if you can regardless because you never know who is feeling overwhelmed, alone or unloved...</div>
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...And always pay attention.</div>
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Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-43953282015285026962016-02-25T10:03:00.000-04:002016-02-25T10:03:13.996-04:00He say mi haffi work, work, work, work, work...On work as a international west indian flavored song and what it means<br />
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About a month or so ago, I stumbled onto an interesting Facebook video by Mr. Vegas, speaking out on the situation with Dancehall music internationally. Up until that video from someone with personal expertise on the subject, I never realized there was "a situation."<br />
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Locally, everyone loves danchall music here. According to my Instagram timeline and Facebook, people overseas love dancehall. Even the people who <i>don't</i> like dancehall music have a few songs stuck in their head that they secretly tolerate. As silly as this is going to sound, I assumed everyone everywhere knew what dancehall was. It isn't exactly a type of music one island or country alone listens to... it's the type that's across a whole region, even the Spanish territories have dancehall influenced music, as well as sub-cultures in several countries.<br />
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His argument though was based upon the intrinsic of music - the stuff that it's essence is made of, and so accepted that we don't notice it but know exactly what he's speaking of when he says it. He said, to paraphrase, that most of the dancehall music produced today isn't marketable overseas. The essence of dancehall is dependent upon its rhythmic beats and sultry feel-good feels. When you hear it, the beat makes you want to groove. Hence why there's all those famous dancehall dances being created. He also noted that other types of music have started implementing dancehall rhythms into their own songs and being successful like - 'Cheerleader' by OMI, 'Sorry' by Justin Beiber and 'Lean on' by Major Lazer(but we expect that from one of his remixes.. after all, they're Jamaican). But still, all these folks have kept their pop style but borrowed the rhythm from dancehall music. The last big song that went internationally was his song, 'Bruk it down.'<br />
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While soca music has been evolving into something bigger and bigger - the essence of what makes it soca, the rhythm and the beat, remains in all of those songs that make it out of the region. The original sound and feeling that it gives you remains, but other influences step in. However, with dancehall, he says, dancehall has become more poetic and less about the rhythm and dancing, with a lot more borrowed hip hop and rap influences. It's hard for the folks who don't know or have never known or appreciated dancehall music to be able to understand it. (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MrVegasMusic/videos/vb.39041669485/10153774898229486/?type=2&theater" target="_blank">Click here to view the Mr. Vegas clip.</a>)<br />
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This got me wondering, what if someone who is already popular with Caribbean roots, was to use their musical platform to produce something with strong Caribbean flavour... and along came Rihanna with "Work" this month. Of course I loved the song from the moment I heard it. Of course I understood what she was saying and easily learned the lines by ear. But this is me. I'm an island girl. I'm a Caribbean girl. This is what I know.<br />
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What I was curious about was to see the social media response to the song. I first heard it in a clip by one of my favourite Instagrammer 'OfficialBadGyalDyDy.' She's Jamaican, her fan base is a lot of Caribbean folks. Most of us, if not all, understood and appreciated the song. Go across into my American and UK timelines and there's a world of memes regarding 'WHAT is she SAYING before and after work work work work work.' It was hilarious.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rapdose.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/drake-rihanna-the-real-jerk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://rapdose.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/drake-rihanna-the-real-jerk.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snippet from the video from (<a href="http://rapdose.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/drake-rihanna-the-real-jerk.jpg">http://rapdose.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/drake-rihanna-the-real-jerk.jpg</a>)</td></tr>
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Then along came the first video which I loved. It felt very Caribbean and something that, although I've never seen, something that I could actually imagine easily. Especially if I had to paint a restaurant/liming spot scene and summarize Caribbean flavours. There's the simple restaurant setting, with the DJ at a table, girls all decked out hair and nails done in the strangest and/or sexiest outfits they could find, with somebody repping a flag, somebody rolling a joint in a corner and everyone just chill under some dim lights. What did I read? They thought it was soft porn. Why? How Caribbean people dance, people from other countries who don't know better, may be inclined to say just that. It looks like soft porn. But really? It's far from anything. It's really just a dance that sometimes runs like a game, and when the song ends, the game ends. What's the game? Silly little things like being able to wine good, fast, slow, outdo the other person, make them fall down because they can't handle the wine, little fun things like that. Whereas, I assume in those other countries, people may dance close but perhaps it's more expected for lovers or folks about to become lovers to dance like that.<br />
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All this to say, I love the song and I love the videos. And even if a lot of folks think she's singing in a foreign language, they love the song as well. Have you heard it as yet? What did you think?<br />
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<br />Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-82378235890460115782016-01-20T09:15:00.001-04:002016-01-20T09:23:07.789-04:00I'm about to get wibbly wobbly...!If you've been wondering what new artistic stuff I have been up to - wait no longer!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First batch of experiments of painting on glass/porcelain</td></tr>
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As per usual, in my moments of boredom I look for a new medium to experiment with. For you non-artsy people, "a medium" is simply the things I use to create art be it paint, pastels, pencils, etc. Something I've always been curious about and wanted to try has been working on glass. Year before last, I was approached with the potential idea of designing glass wine bottles for wholesale production. The idea never came into fruition. I'm uncertain as to whether the guy found someone else or decided to go another route, who knows?<br />
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With these novel situations, whether it manifests or not, I'm more intrigued than daunted. Why you may ask? Because it's the introduction of an artistic idea I have yet to try and perhaps didn't even consider before the commission was brought to me. So from late 2014 to the end of 2015, I researched, I read, I experimented. By the end of the last year, I had my first set of paints that can work on glass and not wash off.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First batch of experimenting with painting on glass/porcelain</td></tr>
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Needless to say, close friends got some of these gifted with ideas I felt they'd appreciate. (Last year was also the first time my friends ever indicated that there's stuff I do that they like and wish listed!) A friend/coworker of mine has a quote up on Skype that I didn't quite understand until that project manifested itself.<br />
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Her Skype status is a quote by Abraham Lincoln that says 'If I had 8 hours to cut down a tree, I would spend 6 hours sharpening my ax.'</blockquote>
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What does it mean? What does it mean? I lamented wondering the sanity and logic of the status. But with time and my own reality, I was able to place it into context. I'm one of those people that hates to "practice." I want to either do it or not do it. This is the philosophy I've applied in every area of my life that I can think of. How do you prepare yourself to "Just do it?" Just doing it is the easy part, once you've done the preparation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DD3sS90zFe8g1yhzTrCVKZd1g8YgsF56RGwSg9wiYL9iYKt7t2hlBAa0lJpt25Bl0aCfi_F-higYrsXG2YPojExiLz_cAbfuFo7WEDzd1qDVr0STN6V3iMRKe71fOjCqNlrG/s640/blogger-image--431823706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DD3sS90zFe8g1yhzTrCVKZd1g8YgsF56RGwSg9wiYL9iYKt7t2hlBAa0lJpt25Bl0aCfi_F-higYrsXG2YPojExiLz_cAbfuFo7WEDzd1qDVr0STN6V3iMRKe71fOjCqNlrG/s640/blogger-image--431823706.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Experimenting with the gold paint</td></tr>
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My perfect example would be in my college days when my Literature professor declared I could not get an A without reading my texts. I did get an A, and I was even more convinced that my method enabled me to understand a broader scope of the text faster. BUT... my method required more work. I did hours upon hours of research, reading differing opinions, arguments, theories, synopsis, anything that could've granted me some insight behind the character development and psychology, author intention and rationale and so forth. When I entered that classroom and we were on half way the book - I was done from beginning to end <i>with</i> quotations with page reference.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMoa7T7_vZW5XmbYKpnHl-WRCQVApdnNIkLCKuRHoQ5Y_rY0UVgsGD3xobKobsHmRRvBqX1Ey8f4O26hfhDjQ23Uzb-C5q4DU7CaeayNTeannQZ3LkFlwwcK6m32eFyyUQwpg/s640/blogger-image--627030690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMoa7T7_vZW5XmbYKpnHl-WRCQVApdnNIkLCKuRHoQ5Y_rY0UVgsGD3xobKobsHmRRvBqX1Ey8f4O26hfhDjQ23Uzb-C5q4DU7CaeayNTeannQZ3LkFlwwcK6m32eFyyUQwpg/s640/blogger-image--627030690.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A commission birthed from the previews of the first batch.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPcwbwp5trbji-0HZF8lidjSFv79a2fB2UD3qiE3w0NyDffM-hpoVLFR6AH3uZwIxLhfGxUuH-uOEhAYcmcN5s03xqTjCQqg8hf5oKt73bG-zu_4tqk9w9dzH8_r5hxinl6Wk/s640/blogger-image-399415265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>To me that quote simply meant, prepare, prepare, prepare in advance. So I prepare and research the mistakes folks made before me. Find out the best tools to get the job done efficiently. Therefore, when I'm finally blessed with the paints in my hands, I already know what <i>not</i> to do and have a fair idea of how to go about it. This has been tried and true for most things so far. I actually found a medium that I actually need to practice with - the articles and videos made it look easier than reality... but that's another blog post.<br />
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Working with glass is still very different, new and challenging to me - but I like it. The surface is significantly smoother than canvas (obviously). There really is no traction though! You really have to work much slower than you'd like and be patient with your hands. Mistakes can be removed but it can get messy, so I try hard to get it right the first time or to work slow enough to have minor fixable mistakes.<br />
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Some like these were available at an event I took part in last December called 'Earth Youth Produce Market.' Since then, I've received lots of love and a few orders. If you'd like to order or speak to me directly - the fastest way currently is through my art page - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ShellonArt" target="_blank">Shellon (facebook.com/ShellonArt)</a> If you're not on Facebook you can directly email me at shellonart@gmail.com or leave a comment here. (But emails and messages on my art page are much easier)<br />
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Ciao!Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-48671232063530982362016-01-19T13:33:00.000-04:002016-01-20T08:15:57.110-04:00Used to not be allowed in the building and now we're on the roof tops.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"If I ain't going to get it, the day is going to waste"</div>
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-Big Sean, 'Sky Scrapers'</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDxjv7GW2oJ414MLmyeP_7cODMnFIIzvVF1Chyphenhyphen6GmLQTMfrtsBIXvWI2PaJo6J8eKALMpWh27YeKA0YxlDZKQXtAyPBve95Dvt-pxbhwI2A_Ebff0atRhWHRo4nuPxF4NOr_6/s1600/Blog+edit.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDxjv7GW2oJ414MLmyeP_7cODMnFIIzvVF1Chyphenhyphen6GmLQTMfrtsBIXvWI2PaJo6J8eKALMpWh27YeKA0YxlDZKQXtAyPBve95Dvt-pxbhwI2A_Ebff0atRhWHRo4nuPxF4NOr_6/s320/Blog+edit.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">- @ Instagram - OfficialBadGyalDyDY</td></tr>
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I overheard an interesting interaction recently between two people. One was asking the other why they continuously go to a particular place and consistently bring business there. The other person replied simply, "The more business I bring, the less I have to pay when I need stuff done."<br />
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It had me thinking that on one hand, that's smart. However, that's a great short term plan designed to keep you in the lane that requires a discount. Sure everyone likes discounts and freebies. On the flip side though, the time and effort it takes to recruit clients to a business or store <i>just</i> to secure a discount could be used for something else... like recruitment to <i>your own business or dream</i>.<br />
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That time and effort is an investment. Since the most expensive commodity that one can give is time, if you're dedicating it towards an investment... why not invest in yourself?<br />
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I thought about the conversation in terms of how I view my own life these days. Many moons ago, I had a friend named Chad (who's since passed away, God bless his soul), that tried to dispel this same knowledge onto me. He was very business driven and he'd always ask me, "Shellon, how much is one hour of your life worth?" At first, I did think it was conceited to think that way. Who am I to say I am worth X dollars per hour? I'm just a little island girl right? Let me keep my little backside quiet and work for my discount.<br />
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But as I interacted with him more and more, I understood what he meant, more so today, what he was trying to teach me. I remember once the topic of laundry came up and he told me he sends it to the laundromat. Of course, I protested. It's a simple task no? But then he explained, to send it to the laundromat takes him about $30 an hour, but in that same hour he could make $100. Should he then forfeit the $100 an hour his life is worth, for the $30? (keep in mind this was a long time ago and I don't remember all the exact figures but that was the rough message) In that hour, he still wins at success by securing $70 minimum. After applying that logic to my own life, even though I'm not in the position to make it as strict as he did (he was really focused by the time I met him and he worked for the things he accomplished - no hand outs), sometimes that hour you place the worth is actually minimum. There have been times when I may not have produced anything tangible art wise to sell, but I invested my time in planning and securing ideas that are worth more than my hourly rate. Meaning that some day, maybe, possibly, hopefully, that hourly value will increase. You will <i>always</i> gain something or learn something when you take time to invest in yourself. There are no losses. I'm not where I want to be, but I have faith I will get there.<br />
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If you invest in yourself, at some point, a discount would just be a nice plus, but it certainly won't be necessary. I've since decided to work hard towards my own goals, the way Chad did, so that in time, when I reap the benefits it'll be like a Big Sean song "<i>...I started from the basement, made it to the sky scraper."</i><br />
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Even though Chad was actually only in my life for about a lil over a year from the point of meeting to his passing, he achieved every single goal he told me he had planned during that time frame from finances to education. He had a plan and worked his plan.<br />
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Do you have a plan for this 2016 on how you're going to conquer it?<br />
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As Chad always used to say, "I refuse to end where I started."<br />
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Don't let this 2016 end where you started.<br />
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Ciao.Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-51260573304368951382016-01-13T12:29:00.002-04:002016-01-13T12:29:50.430-04:00Welcome 2016<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeVAvHimNqWx9fqcZTu4IGqofJeK9YRMThyphenhyphentDyuseU3-MHdXENnY9V8QqK8p3Xo6jU0ZiQMbRdGe3HwKKrGH8m5sU6gC-sMOFnR8uhTe1v1hWCS4zRhLPeZu5KW_cY6d2Njgc/s640/blogger-image--862322009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeVAvHimNqWx9fqcZTu4IGqofJeK9YRMThyphenhyphentDyuseU3-MHdXENnY9V8QqK8p3Xo6jU0ZiQMbRdGe3HwKKrGH8m5sU6gC-sMOFnR8uhTe1v1hWCS4zRhLPeZu5KW_cY6d2Njgc/s640/blogger-image--862322009.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Amber Rose</td></tr>
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I'm back after taking a short hiatus to sort through my life. All of those reading this, this means you've made it into 2016. Welcome!</div>
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The latter part of 2015 was filled with mixed feelings for me. In the early part of the year, shortly after securing my new job, I lost a friend and past classmate, Anthony. Shortly after that, I lost another, Romero. Just as things were looking up, I lost another in December, Anton. Between all of these deaths, I was hit with a phone call that a very close friend now has stage 5 kidney disease and may need a transplant.</div>
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Suffice to say, 2015 represented the best of times and the worst of times sprinkled with lessons. Today is Anton's funeral. I have yet to reconcile his parting and often find myself browsing through his Facebook page looking at past photos and memories. It was this death that I realized how trivial Facebook was to some sorts. There was no point of posting "RIP" on his wall, or mine. To what avail? It wouldn't bring back my big little brother. </div>
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At the end of 2015, as I struggled to think of gifts for those close, I finally understood the fragility of life, the importance of prayer and the greatest gift you can give someone - that is time. All of the friends above mentioned, I had allowed life to get too busy and fall out of contact. I would peep here and there on Facebook to check in on their pages to see if all is well... but I failed to meet up and hang out or call. At least with Anthony, I saw him a little over 24 hours before his tragic accident... but still. You never know when it is going to be the last moment nor how unprepared you're going to be for it. </div>
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Throughout 2015, I met many folks speaking of God and spirituality and trying to get me into church. By the end of 2015, after all that trauma, I finally opened up to being receptive to prayer. I finally started seeing changes in my life. I made the effort to send a message to those close more often. My friend who's very sick, is thankfully, still alive. It's hard but with life there's hope and I'm eternally grateful of each day that myself, those that I love that come to mind immediately, and those that don't, are still here with me fighting the good fight.</div>
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Aside from all the deaths, there was much internal family turmoil. However, somehow, someway, it has all worked out. I've graduated from crying in the bathroom in my office from all my worries to quietly saying a prayer of thanks for life and protection of their spirit, wherever they are in the afterlife.</div>
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Despite all the tragedies that caught me off guard, I was privileged to be able to meet lots of wonderful people that helped shaped who I am and my experiences like the staff at the dive shop that became like family. The new family formed at my current workplace. The two little fluffy bundles that have entered my home (one is in the picture above). </div>
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I must say, getting the pups was a decision that I had to toy with for a bit since my past two had passed away. However, I must say, I have no regrets. There was one scare when my pup Snowie became very ill, very suddenly, but thankfully the vet was able to save her and she survived the ordeal. The two of them have brought great light into a dark period and have continued to be a source of happiness for everyone in my home, bringing great laughter and cheer from their many antics and strong personalities.</div>
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The funeral is happening as I type this; I'm at my desk in my office tearing up. I feel guilty for not going, but not sure if that's how I want to remember Anton. In December, one of my other little brothers from the group messaged me shortly after the death and told me that's what he'd like me to draw, Anton. I didn't know how to respond so I didn't. But I think that's what I'll do today in his memory. I think I'm finally ready.</div>
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And when I get home, I know those two bundles Amber Rose and Snowie (aka Snow Belle) will be there to topple me with love kisses and bites and remind me that despite all of this... it's ok and be thankful.</div>
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On a positive note, I am finally at a the proper starting point I desired to be with my art. In upcoming posts, I'll finally update you guys on what happened with my art while I was busy being too preoccupied with life to update here. </div>
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2016 is a wide open road full of endless possibilities, hope, change and opportunity to love. Plan well, act well. This is the year to get your dreams started if you haven't yet. My mom insists leap years are playgrounds for what you'd like to make it.</div>
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Let's make it a great one, if not for ourselves, then for those we've lost along the way in honour of them.</div>
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What did you learn in 2015?</div>
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Ciao...</div>
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Shelli</div>
Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-81357687578678631622015-11-03T10:07:00.001-04:002015-11-03T10:09:32.883-04:00Pups first beach day<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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I got two puppies earlier this one. The brown pup is named Amber Rose and the white one is named Snowie. They're super cute and fluffy as you can see. These photos were taken on one of their earlier trips to the beach when they were still afraid of the water but in love with the sand. Since they discovered the sand, these two won't stop digging and trying to eat it. I have no idea what is truly so fascinating about the sand. </div>
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Here are the pics and a short video of them digging to China.</div>
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Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-63029415788974333392015-10-28T12:47:00.000-04:002015-10-28T14:48:09.570-04:00Christmas ideas!<u>Advertorial</u><br />
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So folks, Christmas is coming and the struggle to find the perfect gift is upon us. I personally have changed my mind at least 5 times on gift ideas for the special people in my life. In fact, Liz from over at <a href="http://sandalsandsunnies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sandals and Sunnies</a> gives the most thoughtful gifts that I'm racking my brain as to what would be a truly special gift for her, as well as a few others that have been kind to me and brought sunshine into my life.<br />
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This year my gift ideas have been revolving around unique jewelry. I've been digging through the webosphere on Etsy, Pinterest, etc. looking for the most unique ideas and stumbled across this little gem. In my searching, I stumbled across the <a href="http://www.emmawinston.com/" target="_blank">Emma Winston collection</a> of floating jewelry.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Emma Winston</td></tr>
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Of course, as an artist, this instantly made it into my list of bookmarked gift ideas. It was the first time I saw these type of earrings made where it has the appearance of "floating." I've been granted the good fortune to be able to offer not only a giveaway on my blog BUT a 15% off discount to my readers (Promo code: AUDIENCE15OFF and you can click on my sidebar picture to go directly to the site).<br />
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Giveaway below or click here: <a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/8401" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">https://promosimple.com/ps/<wbr></wbr>8401</a><br />
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Feel free to enter! You may win yourself a perfect gift for you or someone special in your life... and if you don't win, use my code to score any of your favourite pieces at a special discount!<br />
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post, however I did receive a discount for myself and my audience. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.</em>Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-39123414785897034472015-10-28T11:24:00.000-04:002015-10-28T14:36:24.843-04:00Gift of luxury<script src="http://www.brandbacker.com/bob_cl_tk.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">var search_me = '335_81481'; var scriptElems = document.getElementsByTagName('script'), i=scriptElems.length - 1, curLoc; for (; i; --i) { curLoc = scriptElems[i]; if ('innerText' in curLoc) { if (curLoc.innerText.indexOf(search_me)) break; }else if ('textContent' in curLoc) { if (curLoc.textContent.indexOf(search_me)) break; }} addImpression(335,81481);var clkHndlr = function(event) { addListenersForClickAround(335,81481, curLoc); };addEvent(window, 'load', clkHndlr);</script><input id="bob_camp_id_335" name="bob_camp_id" type="hidden" value="335" /><input name="bob_camp_mem_id" type="hidden" value="81481" /><u>Advertorial:<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Powered by BrandBacker</span></u><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: BrandBacker</td></tr>
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Due to my recent bout of sickness from gastro, which is typically waterborne, I have a new appreciation for bottled water. While I support local brands, I do support any brand that endeavours to quench my thirst with high quality H2O. With that said, I've been granted the opportunity to be a part of a campaign with Evian Natural Mineral Water to help promote a facial spray giveaway the Wilkes Group is hosting.<br />
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Evian is a French water brand. The water source starts it's journey from the famous French Alps down through glacier sand and rock filters to a deep underground catchment. Aside from providing high quality water, the world established brand launched the first facial spray in the US back in 1978. However, the facial spray was first launched at home in France in 1962 as per request of doctors for burn patients. How interesting is that? The water contained in the spray is tested 300 times per day to ensure that when the customer gets the product, be it 10 years ago, now or 10 years in the future, that two things are guaranteed - quality and consistency of the unique mineral content. The French Government takes great pride in ensuring the approved standards for the mineral water for consumption. Evian is the only brand to carry skin care product in the USA to contain mineral water, and one that is a popular first choice to drink worldwide. The Evian brand can be found in over 120 countries, including that of little Grenada. Let it be noted that when you're walking through NYC or any of your favourite cities and see your trusted skincare retailers like Sephora, they carry the Evian facial spray as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Brand Backer</td></tr>
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So back to the giveaway! The Wilkes Group has brought together a French luxurious giveaway with Longchamp and Evian to giveaway a "Le Pliage" backpack, in stylish, durable, water-resistant nylon topped with a textured leather handle and logo-embossed flap, which retails at $125. It is filled with one 10 oz., one 5 oz., and a trio of travel-sized Evian sprays (over $175.00 total value)</div>
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That's not all...! Three runner ups will receive a Longchamp pochetter toiletries case, with embossed leather trim in durable, water-resistant nylon, accented with goldtone hardware, which retails at $50, and filled with a trio of travel size evian sprays (over $70.00 total value).<br />
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Click here to go take part: <a href="https://promosimple.com/ps/82e2" target="_blank">https://promosimple.com/ps/82e2</a><br />
Want to know more about Evian Facial Spray: <a class="bblue" href="http://www.evianspray.com/" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #0662b5; font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 14px; outline: none;" target="_blank">www.evianspray.com</a><br />
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Disclosure: Sponsored post I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.</em><br />
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<br />Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-30291540363272718102015-10-26T17:41:00.002-04:002015-10-26T17:41:50.723-04:00Pug life. It's real out here.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ewcaKClev-9OHpUS2YHgwb4zD_e4uPRLTf1mcf_nu0vvZELrdtCNr64OIZH_zM1zC0QWZ7jC4gxFkhyphenhyphen87zH5Z2m-PdMJDWJ0DV9eSvalCex3ESmqYWWF68sCUrPSV887ZOMc/s640/blogger-image-418951561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ewcaKClev-9OHpUS2YHgwb4zD_e4uPRLTf1mcf_nu0vvZELrdtCNr64OIZH_zM1zC0QWZ7jC4gxFkhyphenhyphen87zH5Z2m-PdMJDWJ0DV9eSvalCex3ESmqYWWF68sCUrPSV887ZOMc/s640/blogger-image-418951561.jpg" /></a></div>
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Thanks to everyone who took part in the giveaway! The winners have already been notified privately by the main host and received their prize. The two winners were Kristen S. and Joanne G.</div>
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My projects at work are finally picking up momentum and having me busy making sure everything is in order. In the midst of that has been bouts of sickness. I caught a bug going around locally that is like gastro or is gastro. I don't remember what the doc said but I do remember how miserable I felt, it being the worst tummy pain ever and how weak it made me after.</div>
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With that said, I have a few adventures to post soon.</div>
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Hugs and kisses,</div>
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Boil your drinking water,</div>
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Shelli</div>
Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-43391239112320127682015-09-05T11:40:00.000-04:002015-09-10T14:28:48.260-04:00Somewhere I made a wish, on lucky Denver mint.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Earlier this year, I had the amazing opportunity to work at Dive Grenada, a 5 star PADI certified dive shop located at Flamboyant Hotel, at the end of Grand Anse beach. For the 4+ months that I was there, I made lots of amazing connections and friendships as well as added to my list of amazing life experiences. </div>
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What made it so amazing to me? Lots of things. Whilst the folks around me were busy becoming doctors and lawyers, even though I'm teetering well into my late 20s, there were a few things I've always wanted to do. Many years ago, when I was younger, I had come to that very same dive shop and asked about learning to dive and the cost. Of course then I was too young... probably about 10 or 12 years old. However, after I finally finished up university last year and wanted to get a job that allowed me some extra time to play with, I couldn't pass up this opportunity when I heard they were looking for a dive shop attendant. A few years ago, <a href="http://dpwi.blogspot.com/2013/05/discovery-of-little-lambie.html" target="_blank">I had dedicated my summer to conquering my fear of the sea. </a>I had developed a good relationship with the lifeguards and was able to persuade them to help me on my quest. As fate would have it, Andre, the lifeguard and dear friend that went out with me the most, helped me score my first(and only) job on a sailboat where I got to practice my free diving skills that he taught me on professional snorkel tours. Then, it so happens that he had worked at Dive Grenada coincidentally prior to my arrival there.</div>
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I had the delightful experience of being in the sea almost every day, carrying out tours guided by yours truly, learn about marine life live and direct and be in the position to find out as much as I wanted. Phil and Helen, the owners, were awesome. Phil was in the British Navy and Helen was a medical doctor in the UK. They were incredibly patient with my millions of questions regarding health and safety with scuba diving as well as identifying marine life. I was blessed to be around such highly skilled and highly patient people with so many amazing life stories they were willing to share with ease. I particularly looked forward to Phil's random life stories like when he told us, the staff, the proper and real way to walk with a staff as a shepherd if ever we ventured to become one in Scotland. It was so random, yet so precious and endearing. </div>
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Also, as with everyone, nothing is ever perfect. However, they were among my best professional experiences to date. I don't remember if I had told Phil, but it was truly refreshing to have a boss that addressed personal and individual issues personally. I wasn't made aware of other staff transgressions, nor were they made aware of mine. He was incredibly patient and understanding and should something pop up that he doesn't like... he'd simply pull you aside and address it privately. My collective recent work experiences to date locally seem to trend with your boss either shouting at you in front of everyone or in other cases, shouting at the customer. I don't recall ever witnessing that there. The staff, including the two dogs Jack & Jerry, were just as friendly and welcoming as well. I made some amazing bonds there. I still meet up with my old coworkers from time to time to catch up. My most amazing underwater shots, that you're going to see (not in this post), were taken by Ricardo, who was also one of my dive instructors.</div>
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Ultimately, I was faced with the current job opportunity I'm at now which I felt was a good career move and we parted on good terms. I still drop by every time I'm in the area. I won't lie, I miss the place and the people. My current office is located in Black Bay, St. John. Every day as I venture to the office, I traverse the same route on land along the coast as I did when I worked there. It pulls my heart strings sometimes to be high up on land and not dashing to the Marine Protected Area by boat, prepping to gear up and enter the water. The good news is a few of my projects are going to be sea based and I was given the privilege and trust of the assignment from my experiences from Dive Grenada.</div>
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Working there is definitely not a decision I regret and one I would encourage any 20 something year old, even those falling into 30 to try at least once. The sea has a way of calming the spirit and reminding oneself that you're a part of the huge ecosystem and world, and not the one that controls it. Who doesn't need such a reminder from time to time?</div>
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Half way through working there, my Ricoh underwater camera finally arrived and I was able to get some beautiful shots from some of my snorkel trips and scuba diving experiences. Even though work has doubled up on me since I started the new job and projects are finally about to roll out, I'm finally dedicating time to edit and post about my experiences there in pictures. </div>
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Hope you enjoy! These were taken in Flamingo Bay.</div>
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What did you think? Post a comment. (Click on the post title to open up the post and you'd be able to comment at the bottom.)<br />
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Oh... and I have more pics where these came from... expect some more underwater posts!<br />
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Love Shell-aye</div>
Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-64786807916758127952015-09-02T10:00:00.000-04:002015-09-02T11:03:27.266-04:00Memories in F minor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Life Lessons #19: Sometimes in life.</b></div>
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I've been doing some reflecting on life's strange ways and perception. Often we can be placed in positions where it's easy to pat oneself on the back for being objective. However, being objective as with many things, is limited by the amount of knowledge and understanding of the situation.<br />
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You can spend most of your understanding to date believing a situation to be one way, and in one day learn that your perception was wrong. Like spending your life thinking your grandmother didn't like nor care for you, and a year after her death, discover letters and gifts for you returned to her due to mailing to the wrong address. Or spending most of your life growing up with your mother as a single parent, genuinely feeling like your father doesn't like or approve of your existence, and discover in one visit, it couldn't be further from the truth.</div>
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What do we do in such a situation? In some cases, it could be a happy ending. A new path to a different relationship is forged. A 'nothing happens before its time' moment. In others? What does it really change? How much time has to pass to make huge revelations irrelevant? To what degree of a revelation need to be to be considered valid enough to trump the experiences life tossed your way? What does it really change? The people in the situation are still the same people. While a revelation may cast them in a different light...does it always necessarily change what has become your truth to understanding how to deal with them? If someone beat you badly for years, does it matter if they reveal a sympathetic sad story in the end? Does it change the way that experiences shaped and molded your interactions with others... Because that is the reality. Life is happening while the secret life is happening. Emotions, defensive reactions learned and so forth are developed. Does this disappear instantly just because you learn to believe what you learn to be true...is not? </div>
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I've come to learn its too easy to pin selfishness on people. As a friend pointed out to me yesterday, who ISN'T selfish? As humans, at the core, are our actions based off of selfish desires? For example, let's say you have two pieces of fried fish and offer a piece to your friend. One of the pieces is bigger than the other. Who gets the bigger piece? Do you take the bigger piece because it's yours and your offer and you really want the fish for whatever personal reasons, be it hunger, etc? Or do you volunteer it even if deep down you want it to satisfy your conscience more than your stomach with this act of kindness and generosity? Either choice is motivated by a selfish desire on some level - be it to to quell self doubt on being a good, kind person or to give in to the raw desire of wanting and having what you want for the pure reason of wanting it. The desire of wanting even in the selfless ways are in hopes of gaining something. I remember coming down to the last scenes in "7" the movie (on the seven deadly sins), even though the man had orchestrated the 7 deaths to illustrate his point of societal flaws and insisted it was a selfless act of forcing folks to deal with something real and bigger than all of us... it was pointed out that he took pleasure in each killing. And he admitted that he did, but then he asked who doesn't derive some satisfaction from their work on a deeper smug level? Like when the cop was chasing him hoping to catch and kill him. Does it make the cop bad to have derived pleasure from the skilled chase and hopeful killing of a serial killer? He would've been doing a societal good, but the pleasure on a personal level goes deeper than that to pride at oneself and joy of illustrated skill. </div>
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These situations then also beg the question of perceptions of good and bad. It is possible to the perceived right thing to the masses for the wrong reasons. It is also possible to do something that looks immediately wrong but with good intentions. Is murder less of a murder if it was killing a serial rapist? Is a gift of full university coverage from a wealthy man less of a gift to a female if he has hidden intentions of "special" returns on his investment?</div>
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Life mandates that we each get faced with at least one of these perplex situations throughout our lifetimes. Some folks have a more dramatic revelation than others but the take away lesson is the same; Treat each situation as individual, don't discredit the notion of your own personal bias and perception is not to be confused with fact. Sometimes the reason behind the action is irrelevant and other times it is. </div>
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To wrap this up I'll close with a quote by Chronic Future from one of their songs, "Sometimes you are the flight of the birds, sometimes you're watching the flight of the birds and other times? You're yourself." (<a href="http://genius.com/3373174" target="_blank">Sometimes you’re the spectacle people can’t help but to watch; other times you’re watching things in life happen; and other times you’re just you, completely away from all of those things</a>.)</div>
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xoxo, </div>
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Shelli</div>
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Let me hear what you think, drop a comment. (Click on the post title to open up the post and you'd be able to comment at the bottom.)</div>
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Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-16841317215304504912015-08-29T12:18:00.000-04:002015-08-31T10:32:30.792-04:00Back to school $800 Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1sYo7sIKC7MxA9tj3KQBK5Vewv8uNvRyXFjjazS5u8txcRgVA0zvH7PaXpLPSBHv3xvPgfEHUcY1Q4KPJiNeimaKPG8JdRXSe5Y8Y0_61j1M_HfQoA7JYhkC5Q5T900gE6oD/s1600/Back2School+Don%2527t+Play+With+It.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1sYo7sIKC7MxA9tj3KQBK5Vewv8uNvRyXFjjazS5u8txcRgVA0zvH7PaXpLPSBHv3xvPgfEHUcY1Q4KPJiNeimaKPG8JdRXSe5Y8Y0_61j1M_HfQoA7JYhkC5Q5T900gE6oD/s400/Back2School+Don%2527t+Play+With+It.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hello my lovelies! I'm trying something different. This blog has been my baby off and on for the last 9 years. With that said, I'm trying my best to be consistent and active here for you guys, my readers and newcomers. I know a few of my returnees as they message or stop me in the streets from time to time inquiring about a post or when's the next update. As a reward for dutifully returning time after time to see whether I've updated or not, as well as those who have just arrived and decided to stay, myself and a team of bloggers from a blog community have come together to chump up and co-host an $800 USD back to school giveaway on our blogs. It's open to anyone, anywhere with a few conditions later on in this post. The giveaway raffle officially opens for entry on Tuesday, September 1st, 2015... You have a month to deliberate and secure as many entries as possible!<br />
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How to enter:<br />
**The Rafflecopter link will provide directions for your tickets. You have the option to log in with Facebook or with your email. Different requests would allow you to earn more ticket entries to increase your chances of winning. Aside from those I won't mind if you do these as well, if they're not listed in the Rafflecopter (I'm a newbie at these blog giveaways). If you've already done the following already... then great!<br />
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1. Like my art Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ShellonArt<br />
2. Follow me on Instagram: bluemoon_daisy<br />
3. Follow me on Blog Luvin' (Hit the <b>+ Blogluvin' </b> button on my side bar)<br />
4. <a href="http://dpwi.blogspot.com/2015/08/back-to-school-800-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Post a comment saying hello, which part of the world you're from and what you plan to do with the money if you win it! Click here!</a><br />
5. Tell a friend!<br />
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="79428339210" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/79428339210/" id="rcwidget_yg5gmsgt" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<b>Terms & conditions:</b> The giveaway starts on September 1st @ 12:00am EST and ends on October 1st @ 11:59 PM EST. There will be two winners ($400 each). Winners must be 18 years or older to win. Giveaway is open world wide, void where prohibited, Full Lives Reviews will choose the winner no later than October 6th 2015 and the winner will be notified no later than October 7th 2015. The winner has 48 hours to respond by email before forfeiting the prize. The co-hosts (like myself) will be notified no later than October 10th 2015 with the winning names.<br />
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Good luck!!Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-50861238673285318882015-08-27T09:57:00.000-04:002015-08-29T10:00:58.274-04:00Climate change remains yet to be proven.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In keeping with my recent theme, I decided to do another environmental piece. This one too will soon be up on my <a href="http://www.society6.com/ShellonEArt" target="_blank">Society6</a> store ready for purchase. With that said, it's of fish dying in a dried up river valley. Initially, I was going to put up a sign similar to the one with the bears saying "Climate change remains yet to be proven" but seeing the dying fish is already such a dire scene, I decided to use floating balloons carrying the message instead to add a little colour and life to the piece. Hope you like it.</div>
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<img border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0RDnZJWkhY-KThIs1dOt8zpybU1-_7r3BSa_-w7lA6TklU2uO0v-Kbgf04nLQoLC3RmjYedkGt38itgwZpGWZks1PYYUQ__-KAUhDh1Gg5A4V-P7PdjEN-2OpRYHccJVFAMw/s640/blogger-image--509017480.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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<img border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWw-NBXaCNH5RrVmtTtBTigQXvuCiZRoRf1HDbeJfn9FVQfqVy-zzqsV-4UxD9LYzukXrBViWD-wCHQ8-MPCQZgboum8GflYwM_7_y4YbsX0dN4jmVI0C04lS5iKZo0NciCCpC/s640/blogger-image-422468546.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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<img border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5q3tEpS9TcwTLUHEK8O7WNF3FM1zJtewZ8YiSAmkLZ4zxlLpnivFsQOm9pGKQwm9eMazI00t19uc0MM3haG3YUHlZ0tORhImNd2hvwtMr4wc2pEk2Fv4S1EXw-Pi9JiYk6RXr/s640/blogger-image--534842380.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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<img border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMkCbkrQ9vY9mEBtHzvTeOa6d8QWBAXv5gOZGF2mtUXLzAWD0KIObHmD-_yG4bb__q-cEkDfCks1a4WpZkOCaufyHujppxMHAzFKISkF4iPCbPvefmnkXgazpgE_v9zKExW9j/s640/blogger-image--512824456.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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The piece is mixed media. It was sketched lightly in pencil. I used markers to superimpose the lines. I used pencil crayons to do the shading.<br />
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Cheers!<br />
ShelliShellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-92035758914575893922015-08-16T11:31:00.001-04:002015-08-30T11:31:52.191-04:00Share your light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dear All,</div>
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The following is a guest post by <a href="http://sandalsandsunnies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lizelle</a> from <a href="http://sandalsandsunnies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sandals & Sunnies</a>. (I have often referred to her as Sher here on mine) Also, after you're finished reading this, there will be a link at the bottom of the post for her super awesome free End of Summer Giveaway. Read, enjoy, and then hightail it over there...! You can win one of my art prints...!</div>
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<b>Life Lesson #18 : On sharing your fireflies with your creative friends to keep the drive alive.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6spnq0k4RztSH1p2AI6ad4zqVWlXreBrB5G9jeXfQhYhxM7FbdJ2C9VOFGQuBgBLpiwTYeyk5Vj4GGJCwadCxai7wp1NCzuT81B6QN7Q4QFH4_P3Us9sccJK8JWlQORZGrWtg/s1600/feetinairwithshell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6spnq0k4RztSH1p2AI6ad4zqVWlXreBrB5G9jeXfQhYhxM7FbdJ2C9VOFGQuBgBLpiwTYeyk5Vj4GGJCwadCxai7wp1NCzuT81B6QN7Q4QFH4_P3Us9sccJK8JWlQORZGrWtg/s1600/feetinairwithshell.jpg" /></a></div>
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When I was younger I used to chase fireflies in the field beside my house. We had just moved here and there were no signs of development for a constructive purpose yet. It was just a wide open field with tall grass full of butterflies for chasing and catching (alive and well) in masses during the golden hour while you watched daylight turn the rich green colour of healthy wild grass into a colour tinted with the shade of amber. Releasing them then, back into their home ecosystem as soon as the sun had disappeared and watching them spiral into the air happily and relieved into a dusk veiled sky. <br />
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At night, it was for watching fireflies (where I am from on the island we call them lightening bugs) pop slowly and with little purpose over the then black grassy plain.<br />
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Watching them was and is still amazing; so majestic, it seemed to me. So much so that when I heard those lyrics 'Would you believe your eyes...when ten thousand fire flies...light up the world....' it made me vividly nostalgic.<br />
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When I saw them at first they would always be alone; just one bobbing, as if the weight of their light and their beauty was too heavy to keep them steady. Yet, purposeful and driven they flew on, sharing their light with me, with every on looker. Lighting up the world like no human could imagine or conjure....<br />
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Much like the creative. Much like the artisan. Much like the ascetic.<br />
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Funny story: lightening bugs always seem to move faster to me when in pairs. Every time I sat in silence marvelling at a lightening bug, whether in that field or in the verandah of my own home, I would almost hold my breath as a voice in the back of my consciousness whispered '<i>Wait for it</i>...'<br />
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Sure enough a while later as the first lightening bug was well on it's way, whether from underneath the leaf of a fig tree our from the grassy dark plain or just somewhere out of my peripheral vision, would come a next lightening bug. Soon they would catch up, if not then <i>almost</i> but they would both suddenly seem to be moving so much faster into the distance....birthing a different kind of beauty for my eyes to feast upon.<br />
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I feel like the weight of an artists' creativity is like the lone lightening bug. <br />
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I recently saw an image, surfing around. It said something along the lines of surround yourself with people who light your path. I have found that good friends and or supporters don't just light your path. Hey lets face it, scarcely is that what we need. We don't need someone to provide the light for us, we have our own light, this is the age of the independent remember? More often what we need is someone to hold their light up as they walk beside us so that we can see further than beyond our footsteps, farther than the top of our toes that we thought would have been further along the track by now. Someone to improve upon our vision when our hands grow heavy with doubt so that we end up lowering our lanterns.<br />
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It is then that a good friend raises their own light, in that moment when the darkness of self doubt, obstacles or just plain tiredness seems thickest, when our own light feels too heavy for our hands.<br />
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Motivation is a powerful thing, a good friend is there to remind you not so much of the things you have not yet done but of how far you come and how capable you are of going so much farther.<br />
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Preferably over wine.<br />
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Peace. Love. Lightening bugs </div>
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<a href="http://sandalsandsunnies.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-just-because-i-love-you-end-of.html" target="_blank">As promised, click anywhere here on the text to get a direct link to the giveaway post. Go take part!</a><br />
<br />Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-88823646254114891292015-08-06T22:00:00.000-04:002015-08-07T11:25:22.823-04:00They paved paradise and put down a parking lot.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I finally got around to doing environmental themes as intended since I started learning about wildlife and its conservation issues. It's what I completed my degree in (specialization under biology) and something that I found to be very relevant. There are many realities we're faced with on a daily basis. However, to me, the starkest is the lack of regard to the fragile ecosystems that surround us and ignorance of the repercussions for humans should it crumble. Earth will survive, we won't. Of course there are lots of cognizant folks out there like me, raising awareness and doing their part to leave the world better than they found it... but there's so much more work to be done. </div>
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This was made increasingly evident after reading all those comments under news articles about the murder of Cecil, the lion. I saw <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/05/opinion/in-zimbabwe-we-dont-cry-for-lions.html?_r=0" target="_blank">an article about how lions kill people</a> and essentially, the lion deserved to be killed. That is the usual mentality folks have towards top predators. You know what kills humans the most out of all different specials on Earth? Other humans. Here's the real situation, animals don't have boundary lines and fences the way humans do. Yes, they have territories but how the animal kingdom works, without human interference, everything balances itself. They claimed those lands before us. They aren't encroaching on our space, we encroached on theirs. They don't always catch up to speed to acknowledge this and be aware like "Oops... the savannah is now a city." </div>
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Also, since we humans are committed to expansion with little thought towards practical coexistence, the animals can't survive and exist as before; they end up getting lazy and linger around human settlements to get easy food like domestic livestock and such. Hell, even cute monkeys are commonly considered pests too. Locally, there are hunters for monkeys. More so today as after Hurricane Ivan there is little to no food in the forest. Thus, the monkeys have relocated to live along or close to agricultural farm belts and raid the farms. Is this the animal's fault? They too have that instinctual need to do what's necessary to survive.</div>
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With all this in mind, aside from all the other things annoying me in the world today like the <a href="http://dpwi.blogspot.com/2015/04/how-can-you-revolt-when-you-dont-know.html" target="_blank">resurface of open dislike of brown people in America...</a> I've decided to explore these issues through art. Here's my first one, "Sad bear and friend." It's of two plush toys sitting in a deforested area holding a sign. Plush toys aren't alive, even though we saw Ted come to life recently... But there are real animals facing this real issue of no longer having a home due to deforestation. This reality extends beyond the bears and the birds to cures undiscovered in plants, insects and other bugs that keep the soil fertile, other mammals, etc. At this rate, we should probably go take pictures of everything for generations to come because who knows what will still exist?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqFgNwL7UmtkhCOLTjmLAO5Bt0v4VNpxJ8m7pW-gNRwAwJQC_R1mIKUBDEfFLNUto6nVCvUpntLZDjlUip4ns01i94bCNkXgJqR9yTPipFDKElQh4-2b-RatTjXfjvuI3M5tm/s640/blogger-image-361297665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVWht4dnPUMsJaLiiJ9kHjUV5lCm2xzjUMB5PY82Qt_f15jeik7jpn4ooQVyUf6c0bQ3gn09E1sOjiRKHmVj1lNQi4OghkPEoFffoBIUcwYcPfPfWQlWifDGQcZdMtJJeGQeU/s640/blogger-image--1805066334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVWht4dnPUMsJaLiiJ9kHjUV5lCm2xzjUMB5PY82Qt_f15jeik7jpn4ooQVyUf6c0bQ3gn09E1sOjiRKHmVj1lNQi4OghkPEoFffoBIUcwYcPfPfWQlWifDGQcZdMtJJeGQeU/s640/blogger-image--1805066334.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqFgNwL7UmtkhCOLTjmLAO5Bt0v4VNpxJ8m7pW-gNRwAwJQC_R1mIKUBDEfFLNUto6nVCvUpntLZDjlUip4ns01i94bCNkXgJqR9yTPipFDKElQh4-2b-RatTjXfjvuI3M5tm/s640/blogger-image-361297665.jpg" width="478" /></div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSvuBAwuklXKXAlrcxJWnjFIq6d6W9IBQrHuOQXZSWHZ9jjai8hOCk0S9ZxjtcvDMqWJFaPx6ApBBoJkM9nJ0GAtAgQIDMV8v7uocK37rU9IJbaAMwab0UfHWgneDPVtX3_iz/s640/blogger-image--1813208159.jpg" width="478" /></div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIsMwAcu83cqF3gB44gkG1WwgqsPQtDpCWY7TU-OKpLWb8ieQAI6Ja_M1dZQjrCrCAlPhZCctqClA9h7Ju8hkzrP2vMx4_V3h0Sh2Oml4VJEjEzYpullznyPGheQGrZdNqN6t/s640/blogger-image-2001130106.jpg" width="478" /></div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNfgABVWL_VN7nQjSEyTNSd2UlX3E7E1Zl9yQmwh5uXkLNYcWD_2gulAGLwB0Clv0pV6fFQoiBQwZDJ2AsU4v-y31zJaQ8k3iM9t62EDKthcww_PtNqCOnjIY95ed24N9y7Jz/s640/blogger-image-1309692085.jpg" width="478" /></div>
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Here is how it looks on my Society6 store.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFwO2jBYqo8YmgLI1wB_1lY5PjH1VgR7MbL49aPuW7TrOU8mccJZsdpwqcawR-lauRL2edV2dMZJpKK9kGtyOzeg0tNtjYrHboyM-YbeoVm5odnLkfYWHi9lHYh08xNp5R6d4/s1600/IMG_0155.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFwO2jBYqo8YmgLI1wB_1lY5PjH1VgR7MbL49aPuW7TrOU8mccJZsdpwqcawR-lauRL2edV2dMZJpKK9kGtyOzeg0tNtjYrHboyM-YbeoVm5odnLkfYWHi9lHYh08xNp5R6d4/s640/IMG_0155.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can get "Sad bear and friend" in a variety of print options ranging from a tshirt to a teacup or wall tapestry, a pillow, clock or a regular framed print. <a href="https://society6.com/shelloneart?promo=XW3QM8NXMXZZ" target="_blank">Want to help spread the message? Click here...! </a></div>
Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-63692887399503141592015-08-04T11:18:00.001-04:002015-08-04T15:56:20.189-04:00My Fiverr experience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It has been that time of changing seasons where I was ready to give my blog a face lift. You may have noticed my blog looking unrecognizable from time to time over the last couple weeks. </div>
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The reality is that since last year I've been trying to decide what direction to take my blog in and what template can I live with for an extended period. I discovered a website called www.fiverr.com where you can enlist almost any service starting at $5. I decided to take a chance. Initially, it truly felt like a nightmare come to reality. I found myself rereading my correspondence thus far with the guy I hired for the job to ensure I did not misrepresent what I wanted but constantly found the blog looking worse than the day prior.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiX6QvLD3HetbtB7Jl9n2Df9a31SOOOaMtz9l5QiG3LXYruYfy1CNiJIiwwvavohviBUltC5RqAp2SPWAOHRTC69mp_hKYArj9dE430Gqs5RlzOWy0WoPWBLRR3iEW-cZfwZZ/s1600/Blog+edit.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiX6QvLD3HetbtB7Jl9n2Df9a31SOOOaMtz9l5QiG3LXYruYfy1CNiJIiwwvavohviBUltC5RqAp2SPWAOHRTC69mp_hKYArj9dE430Gqs5RlzOWy0WoPWBLRR3iEW-cZfwZZ/s640/Blog+edit.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here was a screen I did trying to explain to no avail what needed to be adjusted on the blog after he applied this weird Wordpress looking template.</td></tr>
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Things escalated until I finally gave up and told him just leave it alone, that I'll do it myself. Truth is, I could do it myself. I had always done it myself. I just didn't have the time and felt rather lazy about it. I attempted to cancel the $30 US custom blog order out of frustration too. I know, it's only $30 US but I felt like in this dry dry guava season $30 US is a lot to give away for free and be unhappy. It was at this point he decided to re-build our correspondence and I realized that maybe there could've been a language barrier situation. Long after the payment was issued, he continued to work to adjust to my needs and suit my fancy. I started using simpler, shorter phrases as you do with folks who are learning English and I found to be getting better results than when I used more descriptive words.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPugs7llFVP8zT82_tDLUS_AuE24ugiaGQSg7BDfDAlrc3t8WUqUmJE5QeX_k70PQj_C0TkWVE3v8WzveKqZCeyWmBUc09ZCLn4V5hyphenhyphend2giRWmboF73Ypi4rye-I2DYB8TWKr/s1600/blog+edit+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPugs7llFVP8zT82_tDLUS_AuE24ugiaGQSg7BDfDAlrc3t8WUqUmJE5QeX_k70PQj_C0TkWVE3v8WzveKqZCeyWmBUc09ZCLn4V5hyphenhyphend2giRWmboF73Ypi4rye-I2DYB8TWKr/s640/blog+edit+2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here was when we started to make some progress.</td></tr>
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He sent me links to pick a template I liked and wanted. In the end, I'm content with the results of how it looks and I feel satisfied to send anyone to him. What I've come to learn is that while he may not get it right the first time, he's surely dedicated to getting it right eventually... and sometimes KISS (keep it simple stupid) is way more effective than what I perceived to be a long list of clear instructions.</div>
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I'm not sure how long I'll keep this template for though. Now I'm feeling for a little bit of colour added in. However, I'm so in love with my new drop down menu that I think I'll stay with it for a while.</div>
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Like the new look?</div>
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Oh! And if you'd like to give him a try, here's the profile.</div>
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<a href="https://www.fiverr.com/avengers0346/design-customize-and-modify-your-blogger-website?funnel=74a98826-e746-4a71-a7ae-14506f262c37" target="_blank">Avengers0346 at www.fiverr.com</a></div>
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<br />Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-70773020083520095222015-08-01T19:19:00.000-04:002015-08-03T19:21:11.330-04:00Mango! Season open!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGxmKSiIS3oxNzNFIWzLkV1QvSSejWxy5LYuleXUT6-H_xKd912quxOwVtvK-EcgqtU3HRE69sy4y3ujr6LQZATmrefPb1Hf43nfwBVwMAsL0XlaujGMwD0CHhg2rf-sG84x2/s640/blogger-image-2073614436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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There is one truth that most should know about me and that is... I love fruits. The older I get, the less I discriminate among fruits as well. Recently, five finger (carambola) got added to my list of favourites. However, one of my absolute tried and true favourites are mangoes. I love the fruit, I love the fruit juice, I love the fruit candy, I love mango upside down cake, etc. It's safe to say that this is one fruit I love in all shapes and forms. I remember even going to my favourite gourmet supermarket Garden of Eden in Manhattan when I was studying overseas just to get the bottled mango puree juice from India. It's just so yum!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_5nNwTYTbnxpWUuYIXqRuVw-Rex6fbXZz42-b5h07WXZa_OJlxc88UOsOrBW2fTL2O7Tx9sNkyM4LDjPnHtv9rJpbkdiN1lr7623hbXdeBp-l52UiqL2_CCeYesNCk4rSP6P/s640/blogger-image--887696036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_5nNwTYTbnxpWUuYIXqRuVw-Rex6fbXZz42-b5h07WXZa_OJlxc88UOsOrBW2fTL2O7Tx9sNkyM4LDjPnHtv9rJpbkdiN1lr7623hbXdeBp-l52UiqL2_CCeYesNCk4rSP6P/s640/blogger-image--887696036.jpg" /></a></div>
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Suffice to say, when I visited a friend's house last week and discovered he had many mango trees in different varieties behind his house, we ended up trekking in the backyard. Ironically, he hates mango. I've come to the conclusion that that's the number 1 reason why I never noticed that he had mango trees. He felt inclined to make this revelation about the trees after I ranted all upset about my mum claiming a celon mango that I had been patiently waiting to ripe. In fact, I think everyone that crossed my path heard the injustice of the boldface claim of my mango. Of course, no one understood... but that's ok! His backyard is like endless mango ville.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My unprepared self going to trek through the mud to get mangoes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have to cross those two planks/makeshift bridge to get across.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess who was a happy camper with a huge bag of mangoes?</td></tr>
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No, there are no pictures of my bag as I'm not trying to motivate anyone to claim my mangoes again. Easy lesson good for dunce.<br />
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What fruit or food do you love this much?<br />
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Love & light,<br />
ShelliShellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-91235701949060299592015-07-27T14:30:00.003-04:002015-07-27T15:00:09.437-04:00Caribbean reef squid<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I decided to finally try drawing my absolute (current) favourite sea creature. I remember the first time I stumbled upon these, I was carrying out a tour in the marine protected area. A group of guests called me over urgently to tell them what kinda fish these were. Even though it was my first time ever seeing these so close in person myself, I knew instantly those were not "strange fish" and were reef squid. </div>
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They're so incredibly beautiful up close, lots of pretty colours. The photo is actually a shot I took myself. The drawing is not done realistic as I'm still experimenting with different ideas and expressions.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Firstly, an ink sketch.</td></tr>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0UfvznEE-ZnbyZ9-CdBPozHRY6dsmBjMXgsi_hHwl39IKdr-5Vkr8i-10vXAUiovD8Rh2Wm1vibIykWG0MbKxeEEBGYlrOEaNzC0Gu1VjyBEGVE0i8wQIlNitZyvUZR-TDXT/s640/blogger-image-1068392815.jpg" /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting to lay down the colour with pencil crayon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More colour added.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then some more...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUnsbFq_rhC7x-xIFonZbpUSuKgz5tl30M4liYslR7QacprcMR-M9PhXHDEUEl2_sJuIjvofZUTNG2jeglUJWjsNw8_Uz2ed0bo817WVo35S_F_01Xf67P0vtjxG-yABtiQKu/s640/blogger-image-341844386.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I started adding in the marker colours.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding more marker colour</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-T3hMcnKorM0zUBkx3xpOjni_FqmTR5lDq7gBbBBUWXfe0zw1llGGJSh02KINpIPV1caAKPqajjHprlRQyyXSZP50yfODO9t3_Nc7dncSb2Uq74_5vGcusEgYwnMd5iECsSo/s640/blogger-image-1438617849.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then some more</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Added a few bubbles and my signature just in case the piece went so horribly wrong from here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Started adding a light background</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then I was all done.</td></tr>
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I continued to do some edits on Photoshop. I must say I was pleased with the end result.</div>
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Little squiddy is available for sale. Inbox me your offer if you like it at shellonart@gmail.com or dpwithit@gmail.com.</div>
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Also, if you'd like to explore squiddy on more options, I have a wide variety of things available. </div>
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Here's a few...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpJhENRkc3ki2XEcet4SRuaQSiIk1-RwEjFZeuNVvJYmA2AcVdQcYodixZ_apmH-YhS03xgRrDCUtASKF6PRUb4d8ztDOYrBIvMzLiNKyavzrNFVyM8ku723Y3gXXgofvU6SK/s1600/squid+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpJhENRkc3ki2XEcet4SRuaQSiIk1-RwEjFZeuNVvJYmA2AcVdQcYodixZ_apmH-YhS03xgRrDCUtASKF6PRUb4d8ztDOYrBIvMzLiNKyavzrNFVyM8ku723Y3gXXgofvU6SK/s640/squid+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQu_7w9tGNkO4MZXAN_la7ChXpDLbjavk2P2dXslqcy52MUvMpi8CT9yR2PsbQ4taxeUcRYG-xGIkLj4cOWeKssJqy3ajDWGpe8c9RZWY-25OAfLZjyYUM63EWyaLJLqwBBidd/s640/blogger-image-1205140971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://society6.com/product/caribbean-reef-squid_framed-print#12=52&13=54" target="_blank">There's two different edits as you can see. If you prefer one look over the other and don't see it as an option, let me know and I'll make it available.</a><br />
<a href="https://society6.com/product/caribbean-reef-squid_framed-print#12=52&13=54" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="https://society6.com/product/caribbean-reef-squid_framed-print#12=52&13=54" target="_blank">The link is here Caribbean Reef Squid</a> so you can bring squiddy home!<br />
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<br />Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-44502392733797656752015-07-23T16:00:00.000-04:002015-07-28T11:35:48.769-04:00When God can't come, he does sendToday was a Facebook meme turn into reality - specifically the ones that ask if you can survive without Internet. However, it was worse than that. I woke up this morning to no cellphone service or Internet. What does this feel like? Incredible disconnect. Last time I experienced something this similar was post Ivan, the major hurricane that hit Grenada.<br />
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I felt slightly sick this morning and picked up my phone to call my boss but then? No cell reception. I left home and remembered I never called back my dad but then? No cell phone reception. I was running a few minutes late for work and was about to call my coworker Roxanne but then? No service on my phone. Got to the office and was about to see if any work emails came in but then? No internet. Wanted to follow up on an order I made but then? No internet.<br />
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So what do you do when you can't make any calls, any messages, any emails, etc? Essentially disconnected from the world and anyone aside from those immediately near you?<br />
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You go with your coworker and pick mangoes from the estate. The real perk of working in agriculture is not the Internet and communication accessibility, it's all the fruits that pass your way. Today was the first time since I've been working here that I've ventured beyond my office deeper into Black Bay. </div>
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My coworker Roxanne is at expert level of picking mangoes in that not only does she have an accurate "poke" with the rod but she catches the mango as it falls too!<br />
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Here is where some of the cocoa, that is used in the Grenada Chocolate Factory to make delicious chocolate, gets dried and prepared for sale.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbenD1g2fAPvU3x14U7bUE0caK3wJpCqon7sEJ7hBAX462kC8ECZmMHqxxW8GtD9R3VPCF4O2I9AOF_4uxrfxUMTpYiOFdti6gdhae9R_eDoPxB013Pm0uU9RfA_621N7dSql/s640/blogger-image--1120367103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbenD1g2fAPvU3x14U7bUE0caK3wJpCqon7sEJ7hBAX462kC8ECZmMHqxxW8GtD9R3VPCF4O2I9AOF_4uxrfxUMTpYiOFdti6gdhae9R_eDoPxB013Pm0uU9RfA_621N7dSql/s640/blogger-image--1120367103.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in my work dan dan in the bush.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34BCnpOfewxpcztgorKX7fgdauJaSdQWzQkxQbPkJCuZaBjxSqkNqyZC01wVNI3_pxglQD61CRfH48ISgC-5c28LdAlXB2r-fz_ATSJz1zHnZVjhXx-Y-qIDzmXFdPTi-aYu3/s640/blogger-image-1280996978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34BCnpOfewxpcztgorKX7fgdauJaSdQWzQkxQbPkJCuZaBjxSqkNqyZC01wVNI3_pxglQD61CRfH48ISgC-5c28LdAlXB2r-fz_ATSJz1zHnZVjhXx-Y-qIDzmXFdPTi-aYu3/s640/blogger-image-1280996978.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yonder the estate.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlU3_GgJ4wajddHdVV2VRv_t2VXNin5GZSCDIoh3wX95M6yDViqgRD2h3UAJSNVvXAYM7aUE_gffz7v860U3rcxhcVGCCXeOcv746gejC7Pj-cGDSiejdFEfMA_lzG-L4UDuB/s640/blogger-image-1520750791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlU3_GgJ4wajddHdVV2VRv_t2VXNin5GZSCDIoh3wX95M6yDViqgRD2h3UAJSNVvXAYM7aUE_gffz7v860U3rcxhcVGCCXeOcv746gejC7Pj-cGDSiejdFEfMA_lzG-L4UDuB/s640/blogger-image-1520750791.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roxanne was absolutely terrified to stand this close to the edge as there's a very long drop. <br />
She took this photo of me standing as close to the house as possible...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1nuz-aSnuS806TIXP67MlDYoNvQxOW_vh2krkHSK7zyOjwdnyqqIChKapr_vmdzjJr367Z9RM2RE80Dx7iEJXXXi3KUuK5zmbe93mUn7EXL8ITaAc6MpgEIJfpNDnrLgE_Hk/s640/blogger-image-1556714222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1nuz-aSnuS806TIXP67MlDYoNvQxOW_vh2krkHSK7zyOjwdnyqqIChKapr_vmdzjJr367Z9RM2RE80Dx7iEJXXXi3KUuK5zmbe93mUn7EXL8ITaAc6MpgEIJfpNDnrLgE_Hk/s640/blogger-image-1556714222.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The estate house.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LwDgY0ExKqk5LFC216PJLBv1C3UQ_r86zpdbogVJF1S-7vIpAZieSABImx45z-psVk_CKd6XIspjOxYL5GwxJLfqrm96A2O7lzFv_ghMbjcBppDQaH0oc0rHCNKsfgTOJeih/s640/blogger-image--1140004197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LwDgY0ExKqk5LFC216PJLBv1C3UQ_r86zpdbogVJF1S-7vIpAZieSABImx45z-psVk_CKd6XIspjOxYL5GwxJLfqrm96A2O7lzFv_ghMbjcBppDQaH0oc0rHCNKsfgTOJeih/s640/blogger-image--1140004197.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roxanne and I</td></tr>
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**Update** Well when I got home and eventually got connected to the rest of the island and world once more, I learned that there was an earthquake that did something to the submarine cable and disconnected the data, internet and phone LIME service nationwide. Additionally, we were and still are code Orange Alert for Kick 'Em Jenny's pending eruption. Kick 'Em Jenny is a underwater active volcano. So apparently the day could've very well indeed ended up feeling like an Ivan experience.Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-55375917358636825922015-07-20T14:11:00.002-04:002015-07-20T14:11:50.818-04:00UNDER CONSTRUCTION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5GET5dYH3Tm0A1MFaqK7g3uXRgIZzwZljG0kM_eZn7uAgCjUgP8VpZzvby-tsZMwqyKqmJ4i6xDXkh0kDsid8lau3t5cR6ZwFY0L1-kFfb0NIlssyNZPC5Kr7AmumcAthr8b/s1600/under+const.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5GET5dYH3Tm0A1MFaqK7g3uXRgIZzwZljG0kM_eZn7uAgCjUgP8VpZzvby-tsZMwqyKqmJ4i6xDXkh0kDsid8lau3t5cR6ZwFY0L1-kFfb0NIlssyNZPC5Kr7AmumcAthr8b/s640/under+const.png" width="640" /></a></div>
I should've posted this a while now for those of you visiting my page and wondering what exactly is happening. I'm going through an update to my template while keeping my blog live. Hopefully, all the work will be done soon. Keep visiting...!Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-80731826687409530722015-07-20T07:00:00.000-04:002015-07-27T18:52:53.264-04:00Island lifeA dear friend and fellow blogger, <a href="http://sandalsandsunnies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lizelle</a>, introduced me to Sharpie's extensive collection of markers. Prior to that moment, I had not personally used markers since I was in high school. My interaction between then and the moment she brought her pack over to my house was with my primary school aged kids that I work with from time to time at SGU GAP.<br />
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With that said, even though I felt a bit silly using it as a serious medium, it piqued my curiosity to dabble in it some more. Since then, I found some artists on the Instagram artist communities that used markers as a professional medium that got me a bit more open minded about taking it more seriously.<br />
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To be honest, I like mediums that have immediate permanency. On one hand, while it leaves room for little to no error, it means that when you complete your last stroke, you're done. This is one of my primary reasons for working with ink. I dislike having to do test sketches. I prefer to study what I'm supposed to draw and then... just do it, like Nike.<br />
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The SGU students tend to sell stuff at the end of the semester, so when I saw these Sharpie markers up for sale, I grabbed them. After sitting and collecting dust on my shelf for months, I decided to start experimenting with them before they got all dried up. The bottom is my first "serious" marker piece in over a decade.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkm8b4ochPDFrZICe1dyP0nq0yKBfzcw3JBhPuxYK0mZl8aFyv7VdKOTpxW1J3P8bhAulzlu17108Zmj4v5l58XKhc8ipPUGe-YqYSYEJpz59tWJi5aQV8yT26fU_uzmSech1/s640/blogger-image-1757782642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkm8b4ochPDFrZICe1dyP0nq0yKBfzcw3JBhPuxYK0mZl8aFyv7VdKOTpxW1J3P8bhAulzlu17108Zmj4v5l58XKhc8ipPUGe-YqYSYEJpz59tWJi5aQV8yT26fU_uzmSech1/s640/blogger-image-1757782642.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As expected, I didn't have the patience to do a pencil outline which I would have to erase... so I did a pen sketch,</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghB7SZ-YfwERsC46lISET1YRepGxWb_C6yfpnVG7i24JjFQLrauo8wTILe86PHwgWiYTZ9tybBRdir-Wral6QgDRuhNs3wxt2KCYMV-BT0FAZMeg5scK9pbZzHtcYci-UR4BmO/s640/blogger-image--350991539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghB7SZ-YfwERsC46lISET1YRepGxWb_C6yfpnVG7i24JjFQLrauo8wTILe86PHwgWiYTZ9tybBRdir-Wral6QgDRuhNs3wxt2KCYMV-BT0FAZMeg5scK9pbZzHtcYci-UR4BmO/s640/blogger-image--350991539.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Started laying down the lightest colours first. I have no idea if Sharpie markers obey the laws of other mediums, but from past experience, lighter colours are easiest to become dirty. I'd hate for my yellow to become "kinda yellow" and "kinda brown."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmBITguGxmu-wWmXzipXJftxPcDcgrhKnPoPPYufqJqj9k9k2cvx944dVOAZyXUf_q4ImWNhXvFxxxSPLF2ZGaoicCB0PtbfFMS0-tTPgfcfPpNZ1IMsR2TQoM5hsAu2y09YP/s640/blogger-image--644611247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmBITguGxmu-wWmXzipXJftxPcDcgrhKnPoPPYufqJqj9k9k2cvx944dVOAZyXUf_q4ImWNhXvFxxxSPLF2ZGaoicCB0PtbfFMS0-tTPgfcfPpNZ1IMsR2TQoM5hsAu2y09YP/s640/blogger-image--644611247.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Started laying down my green colour.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ElyhCCBXCZ1ksgl87fKE3MbHEpE3Tv-IeGYKt8xEveCDy0MvsDkbMKWRyQhJxHmuYeJLIbT9FH870amv0iGOifGyns4PI4zutm_NZJyU-RUiRgxdf40M8UiyLU6LHtMzlRqp/s640/blogger-image-1566375088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ElyhCCBXCZ1ksgl87fKE3MbHEpE3Tv-IeGYKt8xEveCDy0MvsDkbMKWRyQhJxHmuYeJLIbT9FH870amv0iGOifGyns4PI4zutm_NZJyU-RUiRgxdf40M8UiyLU6LHtMzlRqp/s640/blogger-image-1566375088.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then identifying shadow outlines and colour blocked areas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4oe5fwUcWqw_YOrNDxKI7syvxdcDZDFKyfi3XvTz0P4_oGLXf04B4h101WbbuBXfTKFUEukvJZ9R4vEXM2NauVRXGm-65uX5t_2jI_ywbTKSMtzN4WmiEeHICzsN_lZNb90b/s640/blogger-image-1088224686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4oe5fwUcWqw_YOrNDxKI7syvxdcDZDFKyfi3XvTz0P4_oGLXf04B4h101WbbuBXfTKFUEukvJZ9R4vEXM2NauVRXGm-65uX5t_2jI_ywbTKSMtzN4WmiEeHICzsN_lZNb90b/s640/blogger-image-1088224686.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Started filling in the colour blocked areas...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkszHdyKb8Pv9p-Yk7p8bs7crMS9mf4OpxS4nopTprqdZMUOQf8QYsY_vmf6HnELtRC7R_77RaCRsg9AilLpRhWKDfW1ithl5LsC0G62CSUrf-evpxCThDjLnR0NG-PdlL3Gb/s640/blogger-image--955610986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkszHdyKb8Pv9p-Yk7p8bs7crMS9mf4OpxS4nopTprqdZMUOQf8QYsY_vmf6HnELtRC7R_77RaCRsg9AilLpRhWKDfW1ithl5LsC0G62CSUrf-evpxCThDjLnR0NG-PdlL3Gb/s640/blogger-image--955610986.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what it looks like now.</td></tr>
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Hope you like it. Let me know any suggestions or tips you've had from your experience with markers.</div>
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Love & light</div>
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Shelli</div>
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**Update**</div>
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Island life now available at my Society6 store</div>
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<a href="https://society6.com/product/island-life-coconut_framed-print#12=52&13=54" target="_blank">Interested in buying something or seeing what more is available in prints? Click here for a direct link. Regular framed wall prints available as well.</a></div>
Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-83769209728590791932015-07-01T15:34:00.000-04:002015-07-17T11:32:27.963-04:00The climate is changing, are you?My current job had enabled me the opportunity to part-take in the preparation and to be a participant in a walk event. The UNDP-ICCAS (United Nations Development Programme - Integrated Climate Change Adaptation Strategies) in collaboration with others such as GIZ, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Petite Martinique and Carriacou affairs hosted a Climate Change walk. The first one was hosted the day after my birthday, May 30th. The last two in Petite Martinique and Carriacou were hosted on the 25th and the 26th of June respectively.<br />
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It was a lot more work than I anticipated, a lot of responsibility and required quite a bit of planning. Prior to this, I never realized the importance of prioritizing with a check-list down to the smallest items, like toothpicks and tissue paper. Thankfully, it was a learning experience which we were able to pull off smoothly with grace as a team. All three endeavours were successful. In Grenada, we had at least 800+ people in attendance of the walk, and in the two smaller islands, 300+ at minimum.<br />
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I wish I could say in detail how everything went beyond my responsibilities but I can't. In abstract, what one envisions on the day and placement, ultimately results in following up and focusing on delegated responsibilities and ensuring your part is done so that the whole thing flows as it should. With that said, the only walk I was able to get a snippet of the crowd experience was in Petite Martinique.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheena and I at our booths with the Grenada MPA (Marine Protected Area) tattooes on our cheeks.</td></tr>
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We had exhibtions, display booths and fun activities for children at the end of each walk. In the Grenada walk, I was responsible for securing the delicious lion fish samples. What is lion fish you ask? It's an fish native to the Indian/Pacific ocean that has managed to make the Caribbean its home too. The problem with it adopting a new residence is that the ecosystem is different to where it came from. The sea life found in Caribbean waters have that island life personality too where they're not in a hurry to attack... whereas in the Pacific, similar species are much more aggressive. The nice, friendly nature of our fish have made it the perfect environment for the lion fish to be prolific and thrive, and with no predator to keep populations in check - they eat everything. Thus, while it's all great being a lion fish chilling in the Caribbean, it hurts our Caribbean marine ecosystem, including our reefs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lion fish (image from wikicommons)</td></tr>
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As you can see in the picture above, it's a very pretty fish. However, the spines extending from the body are mostly poisonous. I say mostly because not every spine can hurt you... but who really has time under water to try and figure out which not to poke at. A prick from the spine won't kill you but it'll make you feel like impending death with pain in the location of the prick. Hence, most locals are hesitant to even go close to it. I remember once spearfishing with Chuck and my friend Jeremy, and Jeremy pointed out a lion fish to Chuck and his immediate reaction was to head in the opposite direction as if just looking would mean he'd get hurt. With that fear comes distrust of consuming the fish. The flesh is actually fine to eat - the poison is only in the spines of the fins.<br />
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With the climate changing whether we like it or not, we don't need our fragile ecosystems compromised at a faster rate with lion fish. Hence, we had booths designated for awareness and in Grenada, sampling, so that people could become aware of how absolutely delicious this fish is and let the predator become a controlled prey.<br />
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We were able to secure and enlist the help of a few dive shops and Ministry of Fisheries to acquire some lion fish, as well as enlist a few chefs from a few hotels to prepare some delectable sample dishes.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried lion fish from Flamboyant Hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baked lion fish from Flamboyant Hotel</td></tr>
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Sher dropped in and volunteered her assistance, along with a few other volunteers, with organizing and serving the samples while I dashed out ever so often to collect more samples.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sher serving samples from Le Chateau restaurant and Spice Island Beach Resort</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myself, Sheena, Curllan(part of the UNDP team) and Wayne(the one squeezing in the middle, it's<br />
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And then........ off to Carriacou we went via SVG plane. This has to be the smallest plane I've ever traveled on. It was an interesting experience to say the least. However, the mere fact that I traveled there and back by plane proves that it's perfectly safe and secure means of traveling between the islands.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to leave from Grenad in this tiny plane</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading down the runway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdveirBJxZohJRDEh9AT6soXGCF_GPZOhe6-IE3bY-JKq3TC-OXKPD3Zz76pTnIsvpX98eDC21o5-6TRcC74cJGfrxhDTDLflrbeG3DWqySq9aXi4rwJokLmgxw4QQkvx4lEI/s640/blogger-image--289186560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdveirBJxZohJRDEh9AT6soXGCF_GPZOhe6-IE3bY-JKq3TC-OXKPD3Zz76pTnIsvpX98eDC21o5-6TRcC74cJGfrxhDTDLflrbeG3DWqySq9aXi4rwJokLmgxw4QQkvx4lEI/s640/blogger-image--289186560.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...And we're off!</td></tr>
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And then we landed at the smallest airport I've ever landed at.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37B_i_UgvO1yvScQ3hJft170x7PLS61IS-ld384fin6OpJC0z5hSJUQzPXdTRyVe7pRL5iLM70FYFEsQ7mwiAW96ERNr9GMnvrHo7r-SzjLLYvleio6V4xXqFZboqwMprCbkh/s640/blogger-image--2047635229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37B_i_UgvO1yvScQ3hJft170x7PLS61IS-ld384fin6OpJC0z5hSJUQzPXdTRyVe7pRL5iLM70FYFEsQ7mwiAW96ERNr9GMnvrHo7r-SzjLLYvleio6V4xXqFZboqwMprCbkh/s640/blogger-image--2047635229.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Airport in Carriacou</td></tr>
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Upon arrival, we promptly got down to work assisting with preparations with the rest of the team that was already in Carriacou. The office was at the building below, which is literally right next door to the airport runway. I believe the field is used for sporting activities like cricket. Later on that evening, I saw some young men doing what appeared to be boxing training on part of the grounds. I had been to Carriacou prior to this trip, but I did not get an adventurous tour of the place so this was my first time seeing many of the things I did, including this area for sports and other ministry offices.<br />
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Afterwards, we headed to our hotel to check in and go to our respective rooms, rest up and prepare for the exciting and long day ahead.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp7_6HeNLKIOxSYNQN2ul85gq15wHu5AKaAVo3sHQTFoLKgNSpPZK3e8QMzWSfYvTVawXF35XsdYUTxOtkIVj03GSQFo8pmQZu-nNcr8eEO8Jljx-ly_fidiB1oP_F4V4YblG/s640/blogger-image-1709547571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwp7_6HeNLKIOxSYNQN2ul85gq15wHu5AKaAVo3sHQTFoLKgNSpPZK3e8QMzWSfYvTVawXF35XsdYUTxOtkIVj03GSQFo8pmQZu-nNcr8eEO8Jljx-ly_fidiB1oP_F4V4YblG/s640/blogger-image-1709547571.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In my room at Ade's Dream, waiting to start my day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDghZfTmwU5gdknOFRrLi6b3orMsS2p2Ruppx79xuN0d5QevAzLp6eSqtXIt-qekeM7l0mHnrqYOEOOwvANZtP0HavJSiyydo-obQ_0yDSghRksY-lWUuwYu964lE6hEnnfD5/s640/blogger-image--161540214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDghZfTmwU5gdknOFRrLi6b3orMsS2p2Ruppx79xuN0d5QevAzLp6eSqtXIt-qekeM7l0mHnrqYOEOOwvANZtP0HavJSiyydo-obQ_0yDSghRksY-lWUuwYu964lE6hEnnfD5/s640/blogger-image--161540214.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hallway of my floor, leading to a nice little patio area.<br />
(Aside from the little verandah in my room)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-3UxjHVt401KD3XSgN3UxaPW6eZfhoBfqBWQoRPQnS5t2h3hBGIcONDqjhjB6i21tOAFF2Pn_6dp8-NE8Sl2ptAYYAFxV-tWwZNMAA44bEx6jK2QN8uPGSuPyBvYRfDBmJ2w/s640/blogger-image--1002744700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-3UxjHVt401KD3XSgN3UxaPW6eZfhoBfqBWQoRPQnS5t2h3hBGIcONDqjhjB6i21tOAFF2Pn_6dp8-NE8Sl2ptAYYAFxV-tWwZNMAA44bEx6jK2QN8uPGSuPyBvYRfDBmJ2w/s640/blogger-image--1002744700.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the patio</td></tr>
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And once the day was in full swing for work, we headed down the road in that direction of the picture above, to get aboard Chez Charmagne to head with all our gear and goodies for the walk in Petite Martinique. There are so many little islands between and around Carriacou and Petite Martinique. I don't think I got perfect snapshots of all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRuUhKU9HDIVm0J1ddKNKkXuMbMkU06WQnRSkr4ePkre0BUByDSwSka6pv7FtpA_-6z4b5RmDFuc934q1quQ2mId8eWOXtVKGvL5kI9mmrbV5GvnDdFcqsQ795v6QyS43vkBC/s640/blogger-image-484977430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRuUhKU9HDIVm0J1ddKNKkXuMbMkU06WQnRSkr4ePkre0BUByDSwSka6pv7FtpA_-6z4b5RmDFuc934q1quQ2mId8eWOXtVKGvL5kI9mmrbV5GvnDdFcqsQ795v6QyS43vkBC/s400/blogger-image-484977430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Carriacou...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Carriacou...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Carriacou...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5Rn-wf0yKWtH5s0a0V83a-hdz4jiW_I6rs_qQqmtHO3gl0R4V2G4qJetgfPzkBw9RC4toD6tZ9JfVOKekvqlkwePcID7l-bVrBvhKKl92cannF79HglpRyg3It-9oJO_jJL8/s640/blogger-image--1396877317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5Rn-wf0yKWtH5s0a0V83a-hdz4jiW_I6rs_qQqmtHO3gl0R4V2G4qJetgfPzkBw9RC4toD6tZ9JfVOKekvqlkwePcID7l-bVrBvhKKl92cannF79HglpRyg3It-9oJO_jJL8/s640/blogger-image--1396877317.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAH8Wp90C0fxn-qNDoSDhlz03bzIsHkY_M39zRXMsrf4EXojZmvDPECfLVSvVZfhC_Jgf4YgDSTKBTEfGEBuvMlKznNSxQrvxwqHt4d9Ha853SawV42aE9k1PnanoDQvkV-PVx/s640/blogger-image--1589603113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAH8Wp90C0fxn-qNDoSDhlz03bzIsHkY_M39zRXMsrf4EXojZmvDPECfLVSvVZfhC_Jgf4YgDSTKBTEfGEBuvMlKznNSxQrvxwqHt4d9Ha853SawV42aE9k1PnanoDQvkV-PVx/s640/blogger-image--1589603113.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then we arrived in Petite Martinique</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEMBUaFrWboBAuszR0iBHE47DMXKzNskH_zrvuwapZPQemBQU2xePbHC4a85gFYFxI1_regFub6kA-tp8AAnwA0hLQMr1a5y1zw4EEjlgdEDspExsJSW-mv7KYhsABFUX_viU/s640/blogger-image--1585195763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEMBUaFrWboBAuszR0iBHE47DMXKzNskH_zrvuwapZPQemBQU2xePbHC4a85gFYFxI1_regFub6kA-tp8AAnwA0hLQMr1a5y1zw4EEjlgdEDspExsJSW-mv7KYhsABFUX_viU/s640/blogger-image--1585195763.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's Petite St. Vincent in the back of me... and that pesky Sargasso seaweed floating in the water.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkf_gt5_EUo4oo3869P75KGJC-iPimvX8uTm4KdkONVnp3Ajsgeh2g-lia5abiVp2QVRLTWUaIQm0D53Hv6vrFwC7remy6i-9zuas8bCkA8ZFOfxMcROFyGid1rEzwTSWOpxT9/s640/blogger-image-850406997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkf_gt5_EUo4oo3869P75KGJC-iPimvX8uTm4KdkONVnp3Ajsgeh2g-lia5abiVp2QVRLTWUaIQm0D53Hv6vrFwC7remy6i-9zuas8bCkA8ZFOfxMcROFyGid1rEzwTSWOpxT9/s640/blogger-image-850406997.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petite St. Vincent in the foreground... followed by Palm Island in the middle and Union Island on the far end.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OlgXALE-Q0biI0EjmvyP1zIYoCaZww_s9_e7YwxkJ2VC4uJTjM4SQ9-ekOguxE5ECz7-_i0KntEEJEgsqywfJl5qHLT1t3g-zTmxETVWwTFLv9Tp3fXOOeMzX2XyBpjlD60k/s640/blogger-image--223437908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OlgXALE-Q0biI0EjmvyP1zIYoCaZww_s9_e7YwxkJ2VC4uJTjM4SQ9-ekOguxE5ECz7-_i0KntEEJEgsqywfJl5qHLT1t3g-zTmxETVWwTFLv9Tp3fXOOeMzX2XyBpjlD60k/s640/blogger-image--223437908.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We reach!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FUSgt0uaz_eiSx8Z9_pTtpgABK99vLQTZsESQHrT8-A6p418J7J4VCkuNPjIDudiYyyuyg1FtwTD_6wPu4-WPmTrWOsTcWfXvgv5odnEYOaR07741WGVqQMizH7FEhZh0ICL/s640/blogger-image-362003461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FUSgt0uaz_eiSx8Z9_pTtpgABK99vLQTZsESQHrT8-A6p418J7J4VCkuNPjIDudiYyyuyg1FtwTD_6wPu4-WPmTrWOsTcWfXvgv5odnEYOaR07741WGVqQMizH7FEhZh0ICL/s1600/blogger-image-362003461.jpg" /></a></div>
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Upon arrival, after all of us first-timers got our photo-op with the 'Welcome to Petite Martinique' sign, we proceeded to get down to work and prepare for the walk. We went to the school that permitted us use of the premises for our display and fun activities, and set up the relevant booths. We got the water bottles in the tub and covered them with ice. We got all the goodies out (giveaways) and spread them on the tables and then.... headed to Millenium Connection for my favorite time of day - food time!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HplqHlOdxkYZJaTP5mMfy6MxvOovNFUrHH3uf68bHav-TYYQv6IaBBu6WoS8up9qLED1fX7dTqAgj7gY2DDyfTY6o2VHsydyx67fzTPiLyBmojux5COTfixiHtvhyphenhyphenPV_I4VB/s640/blogger-image-1808884480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HplqHlOdxkYZJaTP5mMfy6MxvOovNFUrHH3uf68bHav-TYYQv6IaBBu6WoS8up9qLED1fX7dTqAgj7gY2DDyfTY6o2VHsydyx67fzTPiLyBmojux5COTfixiHtvhyphenhyphenPV_I4VB/s640/blogger-image-1808884480.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They had these really cool artsy attachments to the inside of the roof.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FVubOxbB1AdDHyKFfchzq3cHGF4pCLsAt8wasD1efrDyl-YYW6DSVnSGtypF6Ov5RIYK9vYt7MJ6_dHZlTQUoJK9pPKU7_KT8_g-3g7OvNHohe7ijTj4zCAuFB5FVWeF4JYa/s640/blogger-image--1681216903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FVubOxbB1AdDHyKFfchzq3cHGF4pCLsAt8wasD1efrDyl-YYW6DSVnSGtypF6Ov5RIYK9vYt7MJ6_dHZlTQUoJK9pPKU7_KT8_g-3g7OvNHohe7ijTj4zCAuFB5FVWeF4JYa/s640/blogger-image--1681216903.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch was served - yummy fried fish with potato salad, beans, pumpkin, <br />
rice, potato salad and fried plantain.</td></tr>
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And then headed back to base to get ready for the rest of the day. The photo below is a picture of the layout of the room. We had four standing banners, a lionfish display section with material from Deefer Dive Shop, giveaways from UNDP - mini-notebooks, stickers, bumper stickers, pens, etc - and Ministry of Fisheries - hand bands and temporary tattoes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the lion fish display section with photos of the lion fish, preparation of the fish and finished dishes. The hand bands from Min. of Fisheries above and information sheet on ICCAS GIZ & UNDP.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwXoRPmD-wyTXZsCygFtTKxOckLIghS2kthOOCgMka-App5aOItz1pocjwZU6JiKOne4Kc9wncN4_53eCNoY2Yr8M_lZvTn9c5uj8UsWXUbEV2zAjw9iNcqDkVmx5INfBll0x/s640/blogger-image-1280457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwXoRPmD-wyTXZsCygFtTKxOckLIghS2kthOOCgMka-App5aOItz1pocjwZU6JiKOne4Kc9wncN4_53eCNoY2Yr8M_lZvTn9c5uj8UsWXUbEV2zAjw9iNcqDkVmx5INfBll0x/s640/blogger-image-1280457.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The table of giveaways and goodies...!</td></tr>
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I had to stay at base to keep the merchandise safe and ready for when it was ready to be distributed after the walk. The walk commenced at 3pm. For this trip, my responsibility was within my forte and uber fun - face painting with the kiddos! Seeing that this task was for the end of the walk, when everyone made it back, and the route wasn't too long, it's the only walk out of the three that I was able to run away, be a part of the crowd and feel the energy.<br />
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Perhaps, due to the fact that this was the one time I had the time and was in a position to interact more with the people, I found it surprising how aware folks were to existing issues on the island. The fascination wasn't solely with acquiring whatever merchandise was being given away, but genuine capitalization of the opportunity to meet with the UNDP team and discuss areas that need to be focused upon in Petite Martinique. I engaged in conversations about the need for climate-smart agricultural practices and the existing state of the other side of the Piton mountain with its poisonous plants. I was both impressed and pleased. It's those moments that give one a sense of purpose and a reminder that at the end of the day, we're going something good and real here.<br />
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As soon as I heard the sounds of the truck approaching, I dashed outside to snap a photo. One of my teammates, Dawne, allowed me to swap places with her, so I could join Naz and Kadi on the water van following the crowd.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIztAFkh7wNHkJHmOETpcz8gdLXTMFUDfkifnj0G1vRmpSwJldGG_X4Ki8BGGDfInB1g5Q_vklt5lDo-6hVqpR3d2QlnyouYYcc9q89UdxBG5nKqtjlVG1ZPalAAkzktR1sSwu/s640/blogger-image-1523942881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIztAFkh7wNHkJHmOETpcz8gdLXTMFUDfkifnj0G1vRmpSwJldGG_X4Ki8BGGDfInB1g5Q_vklt5lDo-6hVqpR3d2QlnyouYYcc9q89UdxBG5nKqtjlVG1ZPalAAkzktR1sSwu/s640/blogger-image-1523942881.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The appraoching truck and crowd</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following the tail end of the crowd.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro9DVSBhdpYS11_YYd63Scjrz0llQNrFT2LiHXWQmvwISv1SpZZuYRzsS2JP5x0nfhPbgy6ZedH9BzvHKHy72XHJ7X1gazoQAOIb5p7ZOJdh1DcaJAgRw3milZOmBAPlGRlwJ/s640/blogger-image--1351205123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro9DVSBhdpYS11_YYd63Scjrz0llQNrFT2LiHXWQmvwISv1SpZZuYRzsS2JP5x0nfhPbgy6ZedH9BzvHKHy72XHJ7X1gazoQAOIb5p7ZOJdh1DcaJAgRw3milZOmBAPlGRlwJ/s640/blogger-image--1351205123.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A random bar along the route - See? Petite Martinique has entertainment too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_Hzjibyesz_6xcotd82DJeiIRAUfkpO1zf9Apn9gzOS1cwxR4xOZZKtD8j2vxmg1o1AD9BMnQZXW7brS7IvNH70YjaZpKlZ_Hbok4E0TtmIy0CziERtr8p0-OiDQaVUk4CQk/s640/blogger-image-808701878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_Hzjibyesz_6xcotd82DJeiIRAUfkpO1zf9Apn9gzOS1cwxR4xOZZKtD8j2vxmg1o1AD9BMnQZXW7brS7IvNH70YjaZpKlZ_Hbok4E0TtmIy0CziERtr8p0-OiDQaVUk4CQk/s640/blogger-image-808701878.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess who found downs in PM?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDd43UjZdjXmS3Ni5VBpc8jBf3J3DeV6nkoERUXeyCB15iShpkzLWlRLUasx6NDqHhi1mVh6w9bCVMHSPKbxERtjsFt7SuvfqJTc05v3WayuZstPkCFcdA1QZSX6dhaaRQytDQ/s640/blogger-image--659436292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDd43UjZdjXmS3Ni5VBpc8jBf3J3DeV6nkoERUXeyCB15iShpkzLWlRLUasx6NDqHhi1mVh6w9bCVMHSPKbxERtjsFt7SuvfqJTc05v3WayuZstPkCFcdA1QZSX6dhaaRQytDQ/s640/blogger-image--659436292.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the back of the van when I looked yonder...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw50SkjwNEne5SNq7j-raX2P9m-iNPeHv8m_aQTdk4M0NK9-pOA9zQbhWdHcIeMpd9bkM1-nFXvGQnIVNfuB_nN-neS7jdwyfhb_butAwhS6aKB4jK9tTgeQrGhvFVCp1KKw4L/s640/blogger-image--1785607268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw50SkjwNEne5SNq7j-raX2P9m-iNPeHv8m_aQTdk4M0NK9-pOA9zQbhWdHcIeMpd9bkM1-nFXvGQnIVNfuB_nN-neS7jdwyfhb_butAwhS6aKB4jK9tTgeQrGhvFVCp1KKw4L/s640/blogger-image--1785607268.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grenada MPA temporary tattooes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7-lA8lqIgZDczxMr_HafIxkCpndT0yRud-iKxQE8DRmkqyaKPnefNM2-ORwv_Ap6Qo5IwW76B93JcDe-_hmT78ZBU-lxQkcKGEpV9NMHNuTfdZ2tAVfL_4b1H9AdJY-wC1pV/s640/blogger-image-844843496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7-lA8lqIgZDczxMr_HafIxkCpndT0yRud-iKxQE8DRmkqyaKPnefNM2-ORwv_Ap6Qo5IwW76B93JcDe-_hmT78ZBU-lxQkcKGEpV9NMHNuTfdZ2tAVfL_4b1H9AdJY-wC1pV/s400/blogger-image-844843496.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facepainting on cheeks.. one of the few shots I managed to <br />
capture while things were going slow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgih6xBES6Zn3LdotyI2gXa50HdPnU4JSKAfJAYAGuXy9wxOzwazjpkB8lJyXBC0gXBV4GaixTAVgcRDJumBETKP0wRIF-0ZlLtPqNvPzuu3gexQw0eyezoGCdAWFkinZkSCF_U/s640/blogger-image--1529252914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgih6xBES6Zn3LdotyI2gXa50HdPnU4JSKAfJAYAGuXy9wxOzwazjpkB8lJyXBC0gXBV4GaixTAVgcRDJumBETKP0wRIF-0ZlLtPqNvPzuu3gexQw0eyezoGCdAWFkinZkSCF_U/s400/blogger-image--1529252914.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More temporary tatts...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHx2-ngZmyWuorxvnOjhxxpfH6UbFDTG4O5aeUDcxo-s6WiSRXD7dS2lZzhlWmbT98Fz50IKuaHfidCxZhOPYUGZ-hpTnsJ0MkTFnoRcEhow0T7tbIqzlfmjQJ9bTLU-ymV0J3/s640/blogger-image-594879871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHx2-ngZmyWuorxvnOjhxxpfH6UbFDTG4O5aeUDcxo-s6WiSRXD7dS2lZzhlWmbT98Fz50IKuaHfidCxZhOPYUGZ-hpTnsJ0MkTFnoRcEhow0T7tbIqzlfmjQJ9bTLU-ymV0J3/s640/blogger-image-594879871.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of the famous sheep of Petite Martinique!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccQNlY4b15uOzGpgudJlo75eyujfMj8rvTcrIdTW0F7nvAJEG1bYYuR58afdXmzF_9f3Js648EfBj0pWrLlTGv3fiQkHU6W8eykwPrqOenFPWoX3jwYtrtTE127jkV313dHJO/s640/blogger-image-1552754726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccQNlY4b15uOzGpgudJlo75eyujfMj8rvTcrIdTW0F7nvAJEG1bYYuR58afdXmzF_9f3Js648EfBj0pWrLlTGv3fiQkHU6W8eykwPrqOenFPWoX3jwYtrtTE127jkV313dHJO/s640/blogger-image-1552754726.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I painted on myself too! Froggie says, "Hello!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And then we got ready to head back to Carriacou to regroup and prepare for the next day's event.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnx82BScvgzel74y_rcWBRxec_evxDjr7a_jGISqc67sr1hhAMmAVUFOMjSH9uNgrC28WnTyRcUNwx9VDvfthiWaknch-BZaIVomDulljitEoslt2kPdkcQqe0LvjMVjaci6vi/s640/blogger-image-770009840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnx82BScvgzel74y_rcWBRxec_evxDjr7a_jGISqc67sr1hhAMmAVUFOMjSH9uNgrC28WnTyRcUNwx9VDvfthiWaknch-BZaIVomDulljitEoslt2kPdkcQqe0LvjMVjaci6vi/s640/blogger-image-770009840.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset in Petite Martinique</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIhyphenhyphenzAQzpNsFw2I8f_Yp-7O6K7_oS2vQB7b6QllEmzzFtQo6XPcxvGUp4KNFI3Bl4sOQaVG0nPtuCAWsDOQAZd31mBIDLF3derlEpid0hmCM6uIcl5Klg2BkFKO7AYQZZF9ol/s640/blogger-image--708370808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIhyphenhyphenzAQzpNsFw2I8f_Yp-7O6K7_oS2vQB7b6QllEmzzFtQo6XPcxvGUp4KNFI3Bl4sOQaVG0nPtuCAWsDOQAZd31mBIDLF3derlEpid0hmCM6uIcl5Klg2BkFKO7AYQZZF9ol/s640/blogger-image--708370808.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Petite Martinique</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xQ7KGxKMgn4atm25fq4LimmlsZ6mhuMzw_0B5qRiSROxkq8o5_JQBVWINNTfcVu0M2AehnGBLR6_nqkQwFP59lpSTXbtqsCd5qZjT69EDPZh85CG7rSnZ-EOrpVn7vKTAaUo/s640/blogger-image--49121281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xQ7KGxKMgn4atm25fq4LimmlsZ6mhuMzw_0B5qRiSROxkq8o5_JQBVWINNTfcVu0M2AehnGBLR6_nqkQwFP59lpSTXbtqsCd5qZjT69EDPZh85CG7rSnZ-EOrpVn7vKTAaUo/s640/blogger-image--49121281.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving P.M.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PPV1_Y6qqQ59lo84OijVfrtltxoLyZHvepGYwW5ienvzDFJMZ60z2NiwfsjbuGxrIskQb-ea4SAGTyhRVbHuxra9fwzOw8eNGKUcwDuaXskuSAWoolWtZHtUKDFGfo3CR6Q7/s640/blogger-image-60135275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PPV1_Y6qqQ59lo84OijVfrtltxoLyZHvepGYwW5ienvzDFJMZ60z2NiwfsjbuGxrIskQb-ea4SAGTyhRVbHuxra9fwzOw8eNGKUcwDuaXskuSAWoolWtZHtUKDFGfo3CR6Q7/s640/blogger-image-60135275.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving P.M.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
That evening, we went out to celebrate the success of the walk in Petite Martinique and have some delicious pizza at the Lazy Turtle restaurant. We had 6 pizzas in all. It was truly a different experience in that I ate toppings I never previously paired nor considered such as black olives and lambie. It was all so good. I lost track of many slices I had eaten. At the end of the night, all I knew was that I was fully satiated.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW69QVWvXYlQVHtpNMk98x7fpuI9REPCwup1Mn_i_phWQPqMcCiSYj9DQclbcsHvxDd9npjiRcgIfebFkrWp2P9gp1OB9NC561LsPpzuF8xKvTheRQe6SwG6YLZCwRXSDG1uGX/s640/blogger-image-1231890792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW69QVWvXYlQVHtpNMk98x7fpuI9REPCwup1Mn_i_phWQPqMcCiSYj9DQclbcsHvxDd9npjiRcgIfebFkrWp2P9gp1OB9NC561LsPpzuF8xKvTheRQe6SwG6YLZCwRXSDG1uGX/s640/blogger-image-1231890792.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to head out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVz8KELHeKbk7fyRN1F568DISzZZ8gga3njn9pMqESlU42zj4b4AcqnKZoRDtGowwAc2G8yOTExQXl3V75A9aq3V7YTJjKg-QeuAUFluAy5zgZ5yXCOvobQeOneWc9wqS3tUv/s640/blogger-image--383599344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVz8KELHeKbk7fyRN1F568DISzZZ8gga3njn9pMqESlU42zj4b4AcqnKZoRDtGowwAc2G8yOTExQXl3V75A9aq3V7YTJjKg-QeuAUFluAy5zgZ5yXCOvobQeOneWc9wqS3tUv/s640/blogger-image--383599344.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Lazy Turtle, there was steps leading down to the beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hoLFbyGjmvpg4QFAesu3UxK9-mGkPZKlEiH7H0ZjV_9DF9I7Y2Hk5P2cIwBzv058VXpAIas_e_Z1Ve646SF-_K-McsvpU88wX5IIyOp95HhSCop8PyxF4A0dU5pRKpgTpW9G/s640/blogger-image-1737361942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hoLFbyGjmvpg4QFAesu3UxK9-mGkPZKlEiH7H0ZjV_9DF9I7Y2Hk5P2cIwBzv058VXpAIas_e_Z1Ve646SF-_K-McsvpU88wX5IIyOp95HhSCop8PyxF4A0dU5pRKpgTpW9G/s640/blogger-image-1737361942.jpg" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4MtDnsXrhoYhjHFYCLPenJKbuCMa3f-5yMoWhFfQcO5qi606s3fdckoHTJ0n2s2Q-DK59_0Xz3XZIVhCfL-s_1OjRV0heQXSZhAhzbxGGAlpRX98mpg_f1nuGnco2eGuHPeD/s640/blogger-image--547275364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4MtDnsXrhoYhjHFYCLPenJKbuCMa3f-5yMoWhFfQcO5qi606s3fdckoHTJ0n2s2Q-DK59_0Xz3XZIVhCfL-s_1OjRV0heQXSZhAhzbxGGAlpRX98mpg_f1nuGnco2eGuHPeD/s640/blogger-image--547275364.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naz and I taking selfies while we waited on the pizza to arrive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJzZ3Qt3Kzab-sR3qPuTcgK27SafoG1GHu0cSAuEnBvm_vYkW8ED0gYPIDf3Ot4ZzQQ_48qKiUVEmAOdncifBuhN_-INkBPD57gUATG3Kmg7vs0bN0FFKEpJh5CnHQh1ysfEf/s640/blogger-image-1102938660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJzZ3Qt3Kzab-sR3qPuTcgK27SafoG1GHu0cSAuEnBvm_vYkW8ED0gYPIDf3Ot4ZzQQ_48qKiUVEmAOdncifBuhN_-INkBPD57gUATG3Kmg7vs0bN0FFKEpJh5CnHQh1ysfEf/s640/blogger-image-1102938660.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMqDad3eaBHiFD0jUOXpz7rNDihEUHQkyW2G-F8w3LNjPaRTRGJBHkYIBarEiAxEL-Wx2-QEBy9_BlAqI5BdZpSI2e9B8Z6s1VMaT8wNWrfxuik5XW9zPWLFtxHFw6amC7M_k/s640/blogger-image-2037091242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMqDad3eaBHiFD0jUOXpz7rNDihEUHQkyW2G-F8w3LNjPaRTRGJBHkYIBarEiAxEL-Wx2-QEBy9_BlAqI5BdZpSI2e9B8Z6s1VMaT8wNWrfxuik5XW9zPWLFtxHFw6amC7M_k/s640/blogger-image-2037091242.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The menu!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVumfJFhZHaLgmnJFF6eC00B4O4JBy7BR5UtB1zWipNUDKQLvnF0qhmSQABLYHLikHUa8OdceHCLi81e9V7FgbTuKYDoxWt0rTyT2yPSdcgjWkb-4OU5XbiKUP2JTf0asiroQ/s640/blogger-image-493422071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVumfJFhZHaLgmnJFF6eC00B4O4JBy7BR5UtB1zWipNUDKQLvnF0qhmSQABLYHLikHUa8OdceHCLi81e9V7FgbTuKYDoxWt0rTyT2yPSdcgjWkb-4OU5XbiKUP2JTf0asiroQ/s640/blogger-image-493422071.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then it began... the first two to arrive at the table</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5Ba5K9tSaiHdWr5OR3d3HpnsbM8pKCTo03k1LCjic5S6P3A7Bjyq43AOhScQQ3HLG6wh1_5WneKl8bJgSRx-wSTk5S8aRpWdfd2D2HcMb_PYjtawPIoN-y_lWPsYZOnhEADo/s640/blogger-image--1356928729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5Ba5K9tSaiHdWr5OR3d3HpnsbM8pKCTo03k1LCjic5S6P3A7Bjyq43AOhScQQ3HLG6wh1_5WneKl8bJgSRx-wSTk5S8aRpWdfd2D2HcMb_PYjtawPIoN-y_lWPsYZOnhEADo/s640/blogger-image--1356928729.jpg" /></a></div>
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The next day, Dawne and I were based at the field to get everything sorted and ready for when the walk reached.</div>
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If ever you're in Carriacou on a Sunday, and you wanted breakfast, and everywhere was closed... This cute, hard to miss little bar/restaurant called "Lady Bug" is there to save the day! They serve fried stuff, stewed stuff and even eggs and coffee.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdk4bwsMRw7hc0phXLdt14I9w9lsfHXCzdX2Rbwu39Nlz7o9iIi_p6Noq57_Rp9e5afZllur0VeQMaXOmqr2N1Y6OmBiwKKSd3N_xnkv3tPGlXYHCjZMi0cI2jZIfT3Wz4Ob22/s640/blogger-image--2030824257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdk4bwsMRw7hc0phXLdt14I9w9lsfHXCzdX2Rbwu39Nlz7o9iIi_p6Noq57_Rp9e5afZllur0VeQMaXOmqr2N1Y6OmBiwKKSd3N_xnkv3tPGlXYHCjZMi0cI2jZIfT3Wz4Ob22/s640/blogger-image--2030824257.jpg" /></a></div>
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We had a lot of time on our hands, waiting for the walk to reach, so we decided to spell out UNDP in the keyrings. We were very proud and pleased with ourselves with our artistic moment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSg9gIzJyIJEGAEB9UkCk5W63JyXd1Dan9_iKo2LfGhMs46oDWda2q5PFSwymT82dO6ENKPLwB5BMML9sY2qZ_CYDjJ2ugDyU9fZOKvjLaWhXCsXkebGRJt-Wo_2H4dPkqyC3L/s640/blogger-image-2027842156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSg9gIzJyIJEGAEB9UkCk5W63JyXd1Dan9_iKo2LfGhMs46oDWda2q5PFSwymT82dO6ENKPLwB5BMML9sY2qZ_CYDjJ2ugDyU9fZOKvjLaWhXCsXkebGRJt-Wo_2H4dPkqyC3L/s320/blogger-image-2027842156.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More face painting!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpxl6-0F0sWREZ_G-gGiBkKEJDCpGWr9hJ7F7RrbAC11YvEuRaZ6L6JiMaLyU7swI6Wo0GTGKvr0upPHuMCXRTvnKPZp8CqymXtLyXQcMQH-le5O6BGu1BYbYSszyeXNq205i/s640/blogger-image--157188709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpxl6-0F0sWREZ_G-gGiBkKEJDCpGWr9hJ7F7RrbAC11YvEuRaZ6L6JiMaLyU7swI6Wo0GTGKvr0upPHuMCXRTvnKPZp8CqymXtLyXQcMQH-le5O6BGu1BYbYSszyeXNq205i/s640/blogger-image--157188709.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myself posing with the banner!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDjOQ_CeJuyXe2zOO-4hjyNWBL2dQQuKjzrW9FjwFtRXzEcTseX73bFgJ4I__-9dG4UMUj-3rU44zogixwYBhZropz2UEYrvJH6_gSvfLUtmEXAe6a2HcDeX-bqQGzbPBYi7n/s640/blogger-image--1955204253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIDjOQ_CeJuyXe2zOO-4hjyNWBL2dQQuKjzrW9FjwFtRXzEcTseX73bFgJ4I__-9dG4UMUj-3rU44zogixwYBhZropz2UEYrvJH6_gSvfLUtmEXAe6a2HcDeX-bqQGzbPBYi7n/s640/blogger-image--1955204253.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walk finally arrived to the field.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifblFPGet2pVoHisH60nm7-Zj47jvBPiN-9gTg04n_miJuxSrsNjZJ7AtQNG_R-g3sgzzXYETOkfLBbtOCmx_fpw3d-XrP-ih4vIV6XNN5q_odxCCLUvrtZi8DGMgN2Nj4CI5/s640/blogger-image-117684493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifblFPGet2pVoHisH60nm7-Zj47jvBPiN-9gTg04n_miJuxSrsNjZJ7AtQNG_R-g3sgzzXYETOkfLBbtOCmx_fpw3d-XrP-ih4vIV6XNN5q_odxCCLUvrtZi8DGMgN2Nj4CI5/s640/blogger-image-117684493.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheena indulging me with showing froggie some love too...!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtBVxnlo-C7VwqkKvrSo68gs8scisGtjlmq5Cauhe3gpLT5iMWzm8hFMWX_HyWiejN3wEz4X45jPjKwLpDFqPNrdzSSw_IE8TaVKFqbNaQF_vUx8VnugNUNu00ngeURKOXJ0A/s640/blogger-image--1275328998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtBVxnlo-C7VwqkKvrSo68gs8scisGtjlmq5Cauhe3gpLT5iMWzm8hFMWX_HyWiejN3wEz4X45jPjKwLpDFqPNrdzSSw_IE8TaVKFqbNaQF_vUx8VnugNUNu00ngeURKOXJ0A/s640/blogger-image--1275328998.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night before departure.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFbwjaLaTKqYElaQLZzk3pflZwOKi4zPNwITLTA0pveaCxrS4zPjWGrSLGY1xWa9wAMtSL-l91R6QH8Cx_HPEGlG647McE6ZA2J5WzwCm7h0YrLFDqrY730aW06E9waI7Yx2U/s640/blogger-image--1799274937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFbwjaLaTKqYElaQLZzk3pflZwOKi4zPNwITLTA0pveaCxrS4zPjWGrSLGY1xWa9wAMtSL-l91R6QH8Cx_HPEGlG647McE6ZA2J5WzwCm7h0YrLFDqrY730aW06E9waI7Yx2U/s640/blogger-image--1799274937.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back on the plane, heading home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwIbUMSZwp8aMAQVp8g6tyIbr_jf-rZASNjza4tVcVv4zOGhQo6DASMILuywSRQMzL99YYJOvOeIixYE9xszmWlUj_BExgGnsIXcKxANGyFGyoHDYhG9bbnx3Jqq2Rifhyphenhyphengin/s640/blogger-image--591720366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwIbUMSZwp8aMAQVp8g6tyIbr_jf-rZASNjza4tVcVv4zOGhQo6DASMILuywSRQMzL99YYJOvOeIixYE9xszmWlUj_BExgGnsIXcKxANGyFGyoHDYhG9bbnx3Jqq2Rifhyphenhyphengin/s640/blogger-image--591720366.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Carriacou.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWTdGy4gOHvm55yzI7qNeKGfxgnYHZjCyskafIdNsjmFAkp23nZlHgAagTsBor0rrO0AmhWbnnwZNoLa9HYrjiedvLSkcWqgUe7uWYUafpMNoGWGpUsd38pB3Xqvdf4jxCn8q/s640/blogger-image-797611593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWTdGy4gOHvm55yzI7qNeKGfxgnYHZjCyskafIdNsjmFAkp23nZlHgAagTsBor0rrO0AmhWbnnwZNoLa9HYrjiedvLSkcWqgUe7uWYUafpMNoGWGpUsd38pB3Xqvdf4jxCn8q/s640/blogger-image-797611593.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East coast of Grenada.</td></tr>
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For those of you reading my post, not from Grenada but considering visiting, and those of you who live here... we now have an map app for the tri-island state! It's called "iLandguide Grenada" and available in both the Apple Store and the Playstore. Now you have no excuses for getting lost. But I did though, I found out about this app when I got back.. so ha!<br />
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Love and light,</div>
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Shelli</div>
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Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-32165222908030092512015-06-17T21:40:00.001-04:002015-06-20T13:27:52.691-04:00Water under the bridge<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Incase you've been curious, there's a lot of wonderful artsy things happening.</span></div>
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For one, if you'd like to join my mail list send me an email at shellonart@gmail.com. I send out lots of updates regarding upcoming exhibitions, new pieces, etc. </div>
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<span style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZkJRf4u_1i6-sxTqEgv5_-L2TlvJDD6vX6v-XlGyRL6XzOYkT-I_IQtcf9abw82p6-uk1tnYPdO9J1r2BtCzw91b131JjkgRDCkqPZbUcSppQa5t1NbccyhJwjKXc30S2fjh/s640/blogger-image-1858234431.jpg" /></span></div>
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I'm also investing some more time into making my society6 page blossom. If you haven't seen my store yet... Www.society6.com/ShellonEArt </div>
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There, if you are outside of Grenada or even the Caribbean, you have easy access to prints of my work without the hassle of waiting and wondering about the smoothness of the shipping and handling from Grenada. There's a wide variety of options. You can get my work printed on anything from pillow to rug to duvet to shower curtain... And of course, you can get regular prints - framed and unframed. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbx6Tgbm4tCp238HoVB6BcxHjRh4rn_vCUrrZfu1aWtOKT7Z1znEJ2kSByPOHuNjfUKRRG3BkiG1sfgQdcHykY0uh2nXR4qHB5RVDC-FBp9m2-r2ah09lIW1mu75A3k8gkEIF/s640/blogger-image-526197761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbx6Tgbm4tCp238HoVB6BcxHjRh4rn_vCUrrZfu1aWtOKT7Z1znEJ2kSByPOHuNjfUKRRG3BkiG1sfgQdcHykY0uh2nXR4qHB5RVDC-FBp9m2-r2ah09lIW1mu75A3k8gkEIF/s640/blogger-image-526197761.jpg" /></a></div>
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After creating that opportunity, my local customers started asking how can they get the products without the reverse concern, that is, how do they get it to Grenada in a timely fashion. I'm working on some solutions. However, manufacturing costs overseas are less than local but most don't think about that when they see disparity in the prices. Society6 foots the production expense which in some cases take up 80% of the final price you see - and they're catering to mass produce. However, that should tell you how much the artist actually makes but it <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">eases up the financial production worries... For my local customers, </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm offering special sales for the entire month of June on select originals and all prints on my Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ShellonArt </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglgWrfarU-M7g5dfvSLim-Hd-jslWtMbh5GIA3hKWCbevTELVxBaTv8WK7Bin78-775NggTy_t6ua0tYtSZfyOh9H4Kt6-4kU6VcGvKRQQnK3-toYXZdrUDy9804fiz0bV3Md/s640/blogger-image-535289139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglgWrfarU-M7g5dfvSLim-Hd-jslWtMbh5GIA3hKWCbevTELVxBaTv8WK7Bin78-775NggTy_t6ua0tYtSZfyOh9H4Kt6-4kU6VcGvKRQQnK3-toYXZdrUDy9804fiz0bV3Md/s640/blogger-image-535289139.jpg" /></a></div>
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My new prices on specials are half off or more. I'm trying to come up with ideas to at least offer specials once a month so that fans can afford an original if they so desire... Y'kno, I'd like to see my art everywhere and to know that people of all walks of life can have one if they would like. </div>
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Please drop a line, a like, a follow. </div>
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Blessings and kisses,</div>
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Shellon </div>
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Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34022821.post-88005081827904793822015-06-13T12:19:00.000-04:002015-06-15T12:27:12.132-04:00Whatcha waiting for?I found myself scrolling through my Blog Lovin' feed and stumbled across a post about a young woman Megan that had a series of unfortunate events and decided to do her life long wish which was to visit the 7 wonders of the world. In less than a month she fell hiking in Yosemite National Park, got hit by a car and then got diagnosed with skin cancer. Despite life tossing those lemons like balls on a tennis court from the ball machine, she decided to do that dream she had been planning for the last 3 years. (<a href="http://www.careergirldaily.com/she-had-the-worst-month-of-her-life-then-changed-everything-in-13-days/" target="_blank">Read more about the story here from the blog post I saw it on</a>)<br />
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I've had such a plan too. There are times I've tried to figure out how to recruit friends to tag along. Other times I've reconciled I can go on my own. However, the one thing that stands true is that I intend to go. There's a website that is linked to called <a href="http://world.new7wonders.com/new7wonders-of-nature/the-new7wonders-of-nature/" target="_blank">New7Wonders</a> that has them all by cities, nature and of the world.<br />
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Turns out I have been blessed and fortunate to have ventured to a few of these far lands.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">I've
been to </span>Foz do Iguaçu. Where
and what is it? This is one of the world's largest waterfalls and one of the
7 wonders of nature. I believe 275 waterfalls make up Iguacu along the
Argentina and Brazil borders. The tallest is the "Devil's throat" at
80 m high. I had the privilege of being at a resort literally at the side of
the Devil's Throat. I was constantly serenaded by the sounds of the water
crashing in the pools below and being covered by the sprays of water if I
ventured to the railings. I also went on a tour in the river that took us under
the waterfall in a speedboat. Awesome memories. I loved Iguaçu. I
thought it was so beautiful. The hotel looked like a pink palace from the
outside... and on the inside it was very old fashioned with wooden floors, a
fireplace, old school door handles, etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
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By virtue of being born in Guyana, South America, I've been able to see and cross some of the rivers that originate in the heart of the Amazon. I've witnessed some of the wildlife and in the future...? I intend to venture into the depths of the forests as well.<br />
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And with regards to the 7 wonders of the world? I've seen, touched, and stood in front of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil.<br />
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My next bucketlist trip is the Tobago Cays.<br />
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For more pics and wonderfulness <a href="http://dpwi.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-trip-to-brazil.html" target="_blank">click here</a> and <a href="http://dpwi.blogspot.com/2008/06/like-moving-mountains.html" target="_blank">here</a> for the posts about those Brazil trips.<br />
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Where have you been so far? Where do you want to go next?Shellihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12954595797297323321noreply@blogger.com0