Archive | February, 2012

Songs on Sunday: roadtrip to the soundtrack of our lives

26 Feb

Melodies and mileage go together like white on rice – classic Seger, CCR and the Eagles are many-a-traveler’s chosen trio. So with a 3-day trek from Missouri to Nova Scotia starting Wednesday, I’ve been steadily crafting the compilation for our departure. Tunes make a short drive monumental and a long one bearable.

Songs that Make Me Wanna Roadtrip to the Soundtrack of our Lives ranges from modern-day head bobbing to scenery-rolling contemplation. If our upcoming drive could have a montage, it would play to this.

Notice I’m calling it a road trip? It’s a sneaky way of tricking my mind into being excited, instead of dreading the car-stuck days. :)

Enjoy the ride!

                                                                                                                     Listen on Youtube

1. Arcade Fire: Haïti
2. The Joel Plaskett Emergency: Snowed In/Cruisin’
3. White Wishes: Hold Your Hand
4. Neon Indian: Polish Girl
5. M83: Steve McQueen
6. The Kooks: See the Sun
7. Modest Mouse: Float On
8. Goyte: Eyes Wide Open
9. The Temper Trap: Fools
10. Little Dragon: Ritual Union
11. Kings of Leon: Taper Jean Girl
12. Bon Iver: Blood Bank
13. Tanlines: Brothers
14. The Raveonettes: Forget That You’re Young
15. Sol: Need Your Love ft. Ray Dalton
16. Milano Sun: Already Gone
17. Charli XCX: Nuclear Seasons
18. The National: Fake Empire
19. Fleet Foxes: Drops in the River
20. Andrew Bird: EyeonEye
21.The Head and the Heart: Down in the Valley
22. Young Galaxy: We Have Everything
23. Red Hot Chilli Peppers: Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie
24. Broken Social Scene: 7/4 Shoreline
25. College: A Real Hero (anyone else love the Drive soundtrack?)

PS: My most coveted roadtrip album is Joel Plaskett Emergency’s Ashtray Rock. We stumbled on it by grace 4 years ago through an impulse buy seconds before hitting the road. Now, any Plaskett album is a symbol of our roadtrips. Other discs that are already packed: Florence & the Machine’s Celebrations, The Black Keys’ El Camino and of course some lush-worthy BSB when sing-alongs come to play (can’t forget my boys!). 

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Kansas City Explored, Pt. 1

24 Feb

This weekend I challenge you to visit someplace unfamiliar, or shed your perspectives to look at a familiar spot with new light. Exploring will deepen the connection with your city and leak positively into your own life too.

Considering we’re in our final days of Kansas City, and my first Pravassa wellness blurb on exporing your own city was posted this week, I thought it fitting to share my own favourite ways to “get lost” in KC.

I’ve fostered a knack for entertaining myself, with no choice but to further hone that trait since joining Blair on his rotations. It’s ok though – most of the time, I love it. A venture alone can be relaxing and extremely liberating. I’ve also had my fellow wifey, Charlene to grab sometimes  - gonna miss ya girl! :)


MY SIMPLE WAYS TO GET LOST IN KANSAS CITY, PT. 1


1.  Nelson Atkins Museum of Art + History
An art + history lover’s haven, and perfect way to travel without leaving home, I explore here for hours on end. Favourite sections are the Ancient Egypt and Asia. Free admission + audio guides too! Yes, that is a Monet below!


2. 39th St. Laundromat
Sad that I consider a trip to the Laundromat a fun outing. I love grabbing a coffee and people watching, especially at the charming 39th Street – it’s clean, next to a used bookstore, equipped with wireless and run by the nicest girl.


3. River Market Antiques Mall
4 massive floors of treasures + junk, it’s a quirky place to daydream of generations past. They also provide free coffee for your meanderings. You truly do get the sense of being lost here (both in time and place).


4. Half Price Books, Westport
I’ll never buy a regular price book again. Ever. Selection galore divided into easy-to-navigate genres. Our book shelf is looking pretty snug right now – thank goodness we drive home and not fly! Notice my latest purchases below are preparing for an upcoming 3-month stay in a certain amazing city. :)


5. Trader Joe’s
Oh I’ll miss thee in Canada! TJ’s makes grocery shopping a pleasure for the health conscious on a budget (as long as evenings + weekends are avoided – too busy- and you actually read the labels). I could do an entire post on their wine + coffee tastings, fresh precut butternut squash, good-for-you Greek yogurt and friendly staff.

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A Kindness Meditation

23 Feb

It’s a beautiful afternoon in Kansas City – the sun is shining (15 degrees celsius for my Canadians!) and I’m inspired to share something, well… inspiring.

I found this Kindness Meditation a month and a half ago (it’s a long one) but scanning through it makes me feel so rejuvenated, just like sunshine-filled days like today do. I adore every intention in this meditation and hope that your heart beams as brightly as mine does after reading. :)

Photo Source: Unknown

Kindness Meditation by Julie Henderson

On this day, I will strive to see the peace that is everywhere and access the abundance of beauty and joy that lie in every moment. It is the Eternal Now that I am after. I will strive to set aside everything I have learned and presume to know in order to allow new knowledge and new experiences to flood my being.

I will strive to be a magnet for powerful, positive, and miraculous truths, images, words, and music. I will do everything in my power to clear my mind of the negative energies that have obfuscated my view and distorted my words and actions. I will create a new paradigm that helps me to recognize only the good qualities in every person, place, and thing that composes my environment. I will raise my energy and my light to the highest frequencies of love, generosity, charity, compassion, forgiveness, and truth. I will fill my head with constructive thoughts and images that will help me to further my individual growth so that I can illuminate and inspire the lives of others. I will learn something new on this day and discover a place I have never before encountered.

I will push myself to do or at least attempt something that I never imagined I would be able to do. I will be courteous to people who cross my path and I will help those in need wherever and whenever I find myself in circumstances that allow me to do so.

I will surround myself with beautiful nature and touch the earth to show her my love and gratitude for holding mine and everyone else’s weight. I will extend my love to the entire world and cosmos along with my respect and humbled admiration of the divine sparks of the Creative Force Energy that composes us all.

I will love because I can, give because I can, be gracious because I can, be humble because I have every reason to be, and speak my truth because that is my duty and my joy. I will practice random acts of kindness and go out of my way to establish order within the chaos of our world.

I will write a letter to someone I haven’t spoken with for a while. I will send a message to someone I love dearly. I will write a poem. I will make art. I will play my guitar and sing. I will volunteer myself to help loved ones and friends. I will eat and drink healthy to show my body my deep gratitude for its existence and the role it plays in protecting my soul and spirit.

I will recite my mantras any time I feel overwhelmed by thoughts that cause anxiety. I will listen to someone who rarely has the opportunity to be heard. I will be aware of my breath and the rhythm of my heartbeat.

I will laugh and forgive myself when I forget that I made these promises at the beginning of my day, and at the end of my day I will celebrate and congratulate myself for what I was able to accomplish.

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