Dance like nobody is watching!

One of the amazing things about the Latin culture is their ability to "Dance." I love that women of all shapes and sizes get dressed up in their best and head out for a night of dancing. It is not that they feel like they have to be a pro and seem like they are trying out for Dancing with the Stars. The bottom line, they embrace the music, they listen to the rhythm and they let loose and have some fun.

It is amazing how the stress of the world around you disappears when you put on your dancing shoes, put on some good music and let your body move to the music. It took me a long time to realize that it didn't matter that I was just learning and most people were probably not watching me anyways. And if they were, they were probably admiring that "I" can dance.

Children are born with the ability to dance. At what stage do we become concerned about what others think? I challenge everyone to put on your dancing shoes, put on some good music and let your rhythm flow. Even if it is in your kitchen!

Friendship

Following in my theme of taking the opportunity, I would like everyone who reads my blog to make the time for a friend this week. In the busyness of life we often forget to make time for our friends. Buy a friend a coffee when they least expect it, invite a friend for dinner for no reason but to show your appreciation of your relationship, go out for lunch, etc. True friends are around when times are good and when times are not so good. True friends will laugh with you, cry with you, share stories with you, and most importantly accept each others differences. Today my heart is full with happiness after sharing dinner with a dear friend and her husband. We shared stories, great food, some drinks, and we laughed so hard we almost cried. And we realized we don't do it often enough. We look forward to many more nights of dinner, playing games, sharing stories and growing older with great friends like you! Thanks for being you! This week I will show my appreciation for a different friend. I will take charge and slow down the crazy busy life that we have in North America and appreciate what means the most to me. My Family and my friends!

Taking the Opportunity- Part 2

As I was getting ready for the day this morning, I opened the blinds to let in the morning sunshine. I was immediately drawn to the movement across the way. As I looked closer, my heart began to smile. My neighbours, a couple that I admire, appeared to be dancing in their living room. As I observed closer, it was clear that they were doing an exercise program, together. Now this is what I call taking the opportunity to be healthy, to be together, to just be. This couple less than 2 years ago lost everything in a fire. They have embraced life to the fullest. They continue to focus on the positive and to move forward, together. So many couples today could learn a few things from this amazing couple. Take the time today to Take the opportunity or Make the opportunity to be with someone you love. It can only make your heart smile!

Ancient footprints of Acahualinca- A little piece of history

Not too long ago, we had the opportunity to share a little piece of history with our children, while visiting Nicaragua.

Tucked away in the city of Managua is a small museum that has preserved footprints that are said to be 6000 years old.

"With the barely pronounceable Huellas de Acahualinca is referred to the ancient footprints left thousands of years ago at the borders of Lake Managua. Workers found a track of footprints by accident in 1874. Later studies proved that these footprints are 6000 years old, which makes them the oldest human footprints on the American continent.

These tracks are left behind by a group of around 10 people – men, women, and children. Some thought these people were fleeing from an erupting volcano close by, but a governmental study has rejected this idea. The people were not running and instead probably on their way to the lake to collect food and water.

Volcanic activity is the reason behind the conservation of the prints though. The original prints were left in a layer of volcanic mud. When a volcano nearby erupted – researchers are not sure which one – a layer of volcanic ash rained down on the footprints and perfectly conserved them.

Only part of the tracks has been found, the other parts probably being covered by volcanic material. In 1978, Nicaraguan researcher Jorge Espinoza excavated an area close to where the footprints ended to see if they would find more. At a depth of 4 meters they indeed found more prints, and the track is believed to continue even further.

At the Huellas (track in Spanish) de Acahualinca (Nahuatl word with several meanings) a small museum is set up. Besides observing the footprints you can also see some artifacts found here as well as in other parts of Nicaragua. Pre-Columbian tools, a scull from León Viejo, and conserved mammoth footprints form part of the collection. Huellas de Acahualinca is a small but very interesting site."

If you are ever in Nicaragua, this is a day trip worth taking!

Taking the opportunity!

Making the best of every situation can be challenging to some. We woke up to more snow, fog, frost and cold. The best thing to do on a cold day is bake with my girls. Mmmmmmm Grandma Price's Gingersnaps are the best cookies to have on a cold day. Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies are a close second. Now we have choices. Do we eat the Gingersnap first or the Chocolate chip oatmeal?

Taking the opportunity

Making the best of every situation can be challenging to some. We woke up to more snow, fog, frost and cold. The best thing to do on a cold day is bake with my girls. Mmmmmmm Grandma Price's Gingersnaps are the best cookies to have on a cold day. Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies are a close second. Now we have choices. Do we eat the Gingersnap first or the Chocolate chip oatmeal?

The Land of Opportunity

I recently had a conversation with 2 new immigrants to Canada, who gave up everything for the land of opportunity. Including the opportunity to work in their line of work. One with an architectural degree and one a physician. They both studied hard to get their career in their country only to move to "my" country and not be recognized. Both said they did it to provide a better life for their children. All this being said, Canada is a beautiful country, but why is it that they can not work in their line of work? We continue to talk about a doctor shortage in our country, we have a physician who studied for 8 years, who can't practice because she has to undergo numerous tests to prove that she is fit to practice. Really?!? This frustrates me to no end about "my" country. Why are we not supporting those individuals who want to come to our country, work hard, and provide for their families. Instead we tell them they are "not good enough" so they can't work. They have given up their family, their culture, their way of life, etc. for the land of opportunity.

We also talked about my desire to go to "their countries" to provide my children with a better quality of life. Quite interesting, really! I would give up all the materialism that comes with Canada to take my children closer to their culture and their family. I can go to their countries and work. I can put my children in private school. I can work hard in their countries and be comfortable.

It really is interesting to have the conversation about the "Land of Opportunity." How do you view the "land of Opportunity"?