Day 179 - The Russian Lifestyle

(Relaxing in the Russian Banya)

Day 179 - "Clair De Lune" Flight Facilities

A couple of winters ago I had stumbled upon an incredible Scandinavian spa in Montreal. I had never indulged in a "spa day" before and this was a true spa experience. Upon entering the Montreal spa no speaking was permitted, only very quiet whispers. There were various stations that were to be used in a certain order so your body would completely benefit from the treatment:

1) soaking in a giant slate hot tub with a beautiful waterfall
2) quickly dipping in a cold well of water OR taking a quick cold shower
3) stretching in a cozy steam room
4) quickly dipping in a cold well of water OR taking a quick cold shower
5) perspiring in a sweltering sauna
6) ingesting berries, nuts, smoothies and water
7) lying down in the lounge area
8) closing your eyes for a power nap

Rinse. Repeat. Relax.

As you can imagine I was elated to hear word of a Russian spa (also known as a Russian Banya) that had just opened in Calgary! I was quick to call the spa to make a booking. Sadly this proved to be a very difficult task as I am not Russian and immediately felt unworthy of dialling their number. The owner tried to explain to me that this spa was opened in Calgary for the "Russian Community" and that it will be very difficult to find a time for my friends and I to visit the spa. If only I would have put on a Russian accent maybe it would have been easier. But with my acting skills, any accent that I attempt sounds like I have just emerged from a Disney film in central London, England. I dare you to ask me to try any accent the next time you see me. ALAS! I managed to convince the owner to allow me a two hour booking at the Russian Banya after mentioning that it was a Russian friend that had recommended I try the banyas.

Upon arrival at the spa we were greeted by a lawn chair in the parking stall with a sign on it that said "for spa guests only" and a Russian man in his plaid pyjama pants (completely forgot to snap a photo of these hilarities). The spa consisted of two rooms; one had leather couches and a T.V. (where you could watch Russian concerts if you please) and the other room was where the sauna, cold tub, hot tub and showers were.

(chill room)

Russian Banya refers specifically to a sauna. Traditionally the Russian's would relax in a very hot sauna (93 degrees Celsius).

(Banya)

While hanging out in the sauna they would massage (basically hit or whip) each other with dried branches and leaves from oak or eucalyptus to improve circulation. They would then drench themselves in cold water or roll around naked in the snow to finish off the "first sweat". This would be repeated various times. 

(The cold well of water)

The owner suggested we strip down in the sauna to maximize the benefits of the heat and then to roll around in the snow in the nude as well. He assured us that there was an agreement with the neighbours to allow their patrons to run around naked in the closed off portion behind the spa...

(I opted out of the generous offer to roll around naked)

Ahhh what a relaxing day at the Russian Banya with my girlies. A million laughs were had as we let loose with the Russians. For an entertaining and rejuvenating afternoon, I suggest the Oak Leaf Club in Calgary! Tip: while booking, mention that a Russian friend recommended you check this place out.

(Bath time!)

There is nothing like a Russian banya and bath on a wintery cold afternoon, squeeze in girls!

xox

Day 180 - Como se dice Video Gurl en Espanol?

Day 180 - "Gold" Bondax

Brrr a cold night out in Calgary. Living in Calgary you can never let the weather get you down or keep you indoors. There is always an abundance of events happening and luckily enough tonight I was invited to attend my first hip hop/emcee show featuring the video release of Rebecca Dawn and Video Gurl.

This event was so fascinating because it was a small venue and everyone was feeding off of each other's energy. The speed at which the rappers thought of their lyrics on stage was jaw dropping. I can't imagine trying to pull words from my brain on the spot, especially words that rhyme or that are relevant to the situation. At one point four of the rappers were on stage having a little battle amongst them and this adorably beautiful girl by the name of Rhianna nailed it! She showed the other three guys how it was done.

Of course my heart melted when Rebecca was on stage, singing her little heart out. It is breath taking watching her talents emerge from her lips. I couldn't help my shout and scream while I was standing amongst the crowd, smiling ear to ear as she captured the audience.

Thinking back to raps and lyrics...the only rap I can recall was from grade six. It was a compilation from a few friends:

"To be or not to be, that is a stupid question.
When I eat your food, I get indigestion.
The grass is green, the sky is blue.
And ima pass this rap off to you!"

(Might have been stuck in a service elevator)

xox

Day 181 - Stalker

Day 181 - "Falling" Haim (Duke Dumont Remix)

The wheel was spun at Gorilla House LIVE Art and I chose to paint along the topic of "Stalker". Stalker is such a creepy word. Truthfully this painting topic stirs up thoughts of an admirer that followed me many years ago. I call him an admirer because he showered me with gifts while stalking me at the same time. Admirer sounds less harmful. I won't go into too much detail on this one incase said admirer is still following me through my blog...eek!

I found myself nose deep in my paintings and oblivious to my surroundings. To my surprise the lovely Samantha DaSilva snuck up behind me while I was painting away! It was her first time checking out the Wednesday night Art Battle. I hadn't seen Samantha since the last art class that I had taken with her exactly one year ago.  She was still as vibrant and energetic as always.

("Find Me" by Jenn Arguin)

The night continued and I completed one painting titled "Find Me" while the other painting "See Me" was half done...darn I wish I would have had a few more minutes to finish the second one off! 

("See Me" by Jenn Arguin)

Nevertheless I loved both paintings and they sold to a lucky art collector. I was really happy with the way the tree turned out. Trees and clouds are two of my favourite works of nature's arts. I am content with the way my acrylic trees have been turning out but I have a feeling that I will need to turn to oils when I attempt clouds. If you know me well, you know that it's only normal for me to be walking around staring up at the sky and stopping to smell the flowers....or to just stare at the magnificent shapes of the trees. Hurry up summer, bring on the blossoms and greenery!

I wonder what next Wednesday will bring forth from my paintbrush.

xox

Day 182 - Snow Day

Day 182 - "Spring" Fabu

The first days of spring have finally hit Moose Jaw! It was t-shirt weather but there was still a ton of snow, ice and slush on every inch of the city. My nieces and I took on the challenge to clear off Papa Paul's drive way. Katelyn came outside to watch us and she started snapping photos...in the end we were posing more than shovelling! While clearing the snow, I snuck out on to the street to push some of the water down the hill from the bigger puddles to encourage water flow. My niece Makenna was not happy about this!




She shouted at me to get back on the side walk and proceeded to tell me that it is very dangerous to be playing in the middle of the street and that I was not allowed back out there. I put my head down, listened to my niece and walked back on to the driveway. We managed to clear off half of the drive way before our arms grew tired and it was break time. The rest of my weekend was pretty much break time as I mainly lounged around the house while avoiding my phone and relaxing with my famjam!

My weekends in Saskatchewan are always amongst my favourite.  Surprisingly I am able to slow down and unwind from my fast paced lifestyle in Calgary. I find it too easy to get wrapped up in trying to conquer the world. These are the times when I need to kick my feet up and just zen out with my nieces. I could sit on the floor for hours and watch them play while wandering around the house with their heads bobbing back and forth. Ah! How I love these two girls. How I love my family! My nieces always need to know exactly when they will be seeing me next. I promised them in four to six weeks (as per usual). I can't survive any longer than six weeks without those girls!

See you chiquitas not soon enough with a car full of paint and canvases. <3

xox

Day 183 - Sweet Tooth

Day 183 - "Scheeks" Liftboi 

I've recently become infatuated with wanting to know how my sugary treats have been created. I have acquired my sweet tooth from my dad (along with my artistic side). There are the occasional evenings where I can't bring myself to eat a savoury meal because my mind is craving one thing only...sugar! During these evenings I will have cereal, fruit, french toast, cookies and/or cake for dinner. It always varies depending on the level of sugar craving that I am experiencing in that moment.

In my most recent trip to Banff with my sister and her husband, we had stopped off at The Fudgery. I had purchased a chocolate haystack and Danielle a giant soft caramel. Smash the two together and you get:

I have eaten both soft and hard caramels but the soft caramels have a special place in my heart. I placed the challenge upon myself to create my own caramels! I gathered my ingredients and I was off to the races.

My youngest sister Katelyn suggested I use her very flavourful and imported Vanilla from Mexico:

I started off with the corn syrup:

I watched it boil with sugar:

I mixed in the cream and butter:

I watched it boil again, the craters are so neat:

Then as soon as it reached it's final temperature, I quickly poured it into a pan!

And voila! A few hours after setting, I chopped up the caramel into small little candies. 

They were so soft and sugary. I handed them out to friends and family and in return I received kind compliments on my treats! They are already asking for more goodies. Hmmm this candy making and baking has intrigued me further....what shall I make next? I'm thinking chocolate truffles...

Now it's time to try and sleep after devouring grams and grams of sugar. Sweet dreams :)

xox

Day 184 - Regrets

Tuesday, September 11th, 2012

(On Farrah's doorstep wearing a doctor's mask as a joke as I came prepared to play nurse but didn't want to get ill.)

Day 184 - "Too Insistent" The Do (FHRHT Remix)

Throughout life there are many forks in the road with a variety of paths that we can choose to wander down. We ultimately have no idea whether we have made the right choice or not until we've made a decision and witness the end results. One of my all time favourite quotes would have to be "I do not regret the things I've done, but those I did not do." This was quoted by Rory Cochrane while playing the character Lucas in the classic movie Empire Records. I always keep that quote in mind to encourage me to be trying new things and it truly works! Sky diving has always been and still is a regret of something that I have not done, but in due time I will get my butt up in that airplane.

I've never read that quote while concentrating on the "but those I did not do" portion. I have always read it thinking about things that I need to do in life but not thinking about the things that I did not do (have not done). I am a very optimistic person and rarely dwell on the negative. Regretting something that you did not do in life is without a doubt one of the most difficult thoughts to live with in life. How do people accept that they cannot change the past when an event has such a major impact on their lives?

The most tragic event of life is...death and death is accompanied by the five stages of loss.

1) Denial and Isolation
2) Anger
3) Bargaining
4) Depression
5) Acceptance

I had been told of these stages but never read the stages in detail. As I browsed the internet to read about these five stages I came across this website Psych Central. It broke down the five stages of loss. I have accepted...that I am stuck on 3) Bargaining. I am terrified that I will be caught on this stage for a very extended period of time when it comes to Farrah. The break down of my stage is:

3. Bargaining
The normal reaction to feelings of helplessness and vulnerability is often a need to regain control-

- If only we had sought medical attention sooner...
- If only we got a second opinion from another doctor...
- If only we had tried to be a better person toward them...

Secretly, we may make a deal with God or our higher power in an attempt to postpone the inevitable.
This is a weaker line of defense to protect us from the painful reality.

Normally Farrah crosses my mind once a day and accompanying this image of her bright face is the thought "Why didn't I encourage her to see a doctor sooner that day, why didn't I just drag her to the walk in clinic, why didn't I realize or understand the importance of her missing spleen...why, why, why??". I will be honest with the fact that I cannot forgive myself for not acting sooner and this is the most difficult part of my every day life.

"I do not regret the things I've done, but those I did not do."

I will love you always and deeply Farrah.

(Kicking it in Pano, 2011)

xox

Day 185 - Tell Me Your Story

Day 185 - "All Away" Art of Shades (feat. Soukaina)

Gorilla House started writing a series of short posts on Facebook that describe how the house came to be. Each post begins with "The Story of Gorilla House Part __", they are currently on part 64. In the post of "The Story of Gorilla House Part 54" they asked "Tell me your story...".

I always enjoy thinking back to the beginning of my many, many stories. My story of Gorilla house is tied to my beloved friend Farrah who is no longer with us. It was two weeks after Farrah had passed and I hadn't been sleeping, barely eating and I had constant chest pains. I felt as thought I had been physically beat up and I could barely open my eyes. I could not (and still cannot) understand the pain I was feeling. I was clenching my fists all day and night because I was holding so much anger within my body. With every word I spoke, tears welled up in my eyes. I needed some sort of change in my life to distract my mind from the physically and emotionally draining thoughts. I went for a walk down the street to this cute little hair salon and booked myself in for a hair appointment.

(The night the purple rain boots were offered to me by Farrah to keep my feet warm)

She introduced herself as Jenny and asked me what I wanted to have done. The tears started to form in my eyes but I held them inside. I told her I needed a change, something very different but I definitely did not want to chop all of my hair off. My long locks are my guilty pleasure, I tend to bury my face in my hair at least once a day! We ended up agreeing that I should chop my long bangs and try a new style.

(Oh my goodness was I in shock haha)

While she was snipping away I was sitting there quietly. As everyone knows I am normally a chatterbox but during those few weeks and the weeks to follow I didn't have anything to talk about. Somehow we stumbled across the topic of art and it turns out my new friend Jenny is also an abstract acrylic artist. She was too excited to tell me about this amazing place she had just heard about and it was called the Gorilla House. I was instantly sold on this groovy local art project. This new art adventure along with my new hairstyle had completely turned my evening around. 

That is my story of Gorilla House.

xox.