Ready... Set... Go!

I had a feeling October was going to be significant in regards to change... There is something in the air, I can see it around me & feel it everywhere. Change is here!

For me personally, last week was a big one... I received a job offer & accepted ! I am joining the Dubai based executive recruitment firm Derwent Yeomans as their Researcher & Networker. Derwent Executive is well established in Australia & Asia, but they are now branching out to the Middle East. This is such an exciting opportunity to join a start up company, learn about a new industry & develop my career. They even have a Monday night golf networking events - how wonderfully perfect!

So this week Im leaving Ottawa, which will give me a few days to adjust to the 8 hour time difference, the weather & allow me to settle in before my October 28th start date. It's a long journey back with 2 large suitcases and my golf clubs, but everything is ready to go :) Nonetheless, I have a little twinge of nervousness in my stomach as the uncertainty of the unknown is a bit unsettling, but it only adds fuel to my fire.

Of course change isnt easy... For me, these past few months have been an evolution of self ! I think people change & grow at different rates, some evolve faster & others slower, and really there is no right and wrong. Hopefully along the way we learn from our mistakes, move forward with no regrets, and always take a positive approach to life. In this process, we must be respectful to one's self & to others, mean what we say & say what we mean.

Moving onto this new chapter of my life, I am closing certain doors behind me. I don't think they will be shut forever, but for now I need to concentrate on myself & my goals. It hurts & quite simply it's painful, but I believe I have new valuable life lessons to learn from other people...you never know who you are going to meet next, who is going to inspire you & who is going to challenge you to be a better you.

Thank you to all those people who have been supportive - it means the world to me & I appreciate your friendship and love :)

xox <3 xox

My Latest Stereo Adventure

A few weeks back when I saw that Chus & Ceballos were going to be spinning at Stereo on Saturday September 29th, I knew I had to be there & I was going to make it happen...

Throughout my worldly travels, I have never experienced anything like Stereo before - quite simply, a dance haven for electronic music lovers & a playground for DJs. Everyone can be themselves under the huge shiny disco ball & dance dance dance the night away.  People there appreciate and understand the musical journey that they are brought on without waiving their cell phones in the air & creating a concert like atmosphere. On Saturday, the environment was enhanced with jungle like decor, extra visual screens & black light making the overall experience even more of an adventure. I just wish I hadnt worn white socks with my mostly dark outfit haha - my feet were glowing! What makes Stereo extra memorable is the staff... From the owners Mike & Tommy who've always got everything cooly under-control & who book amazing talent week after week, to the security - props to Mike, and to Dominic the gatekeeper who can be found busting sick moves on the dfloor later in the evening. It's crazy to think how many people come and go through those doors, and yet they know whats going on with my life...

Chus & Ceballos + Stereo = Best times! I truly think this is a match made in heaven, an equation to the best times ! Not once have I been to Stereo when C&C were playing, and it wasnt epic... They emit their passion for music through the speakers, and you can truly feel it - it moves you even when you think your legs have had enough. They know when to bring it, when to give you a rest & when to put those sweet vocal tracks in. One of my favorite parts was when they played a tribal version of "Youve Got the Love" by Florence & the Machine. Definitely had that WOW factor.  Chus & Ceballos also interact with their crowd, and recognize their fans. Everytime Im at one of their events, Chus says hi - and we chat. And they even played a remix of an INXS song after JJ told Chus that he loved it! It's the simple acknowledgements that add to the night.

 

In following with my theme of change, I stepped out of my comfort zone and joined JJ and his friend Aubrey on this adventure. Usually, I am the one driving and in control of the details, but I thought Id try something new... There are a lot of "what ifs" when going on an out of city trip w people you dont really know, but in this case, it turned out perfectly. I made a new friend, got to know one friend more, talked to new people at Stereo that I otherwise probably wouldnt have talked to, and enjoyed it all. I even came across three other people who had the Stereo tats! I knew I was going to be at this event, I made it happen & enjoyed every minute of it :)

I highly recommend checking out Stereo when youre in Montreal - www.stereo-nightclub.com - it's such a unique venue to experience at least once, and then again & again. And hey, if my Mom and her two friends Donna & Michelle did it, you can too ;) haha. Just be prepared for some sore legs! Fridays are geared towards tech lovers & Saturdays are prog, tribal and drums... If I lived in Montreal, I would wake up early on the weekends and go dancing at Stereo to start my days :)

Chus & Ceballos have podcasts you can follow on iTunes :
* Pablo Ceballos "Drumatika"  http://djpabloceballos.podomatic.com/rss2.xml
* Chus "Stereo! Radioshow by Chus"  http://feeds.feedburner.com/InStereoRadioShow
And of course, you can find them on Beatport, Soundcloud & Facebook.

xox <3 xox

Embracing Change

October is a beautiful month to embrace the change we want in our lives. In Ottawa, the weather is changing to a crisp autumn coolness, and the leaves are changing from summer greens to vibrant reds, oranges & yellows. For fellow Canadians, Thanksgiving is also nearly upon us, which is a great holiday to spend with those we love & reflect on what we are most grateful for. While this holiday only happens once a year, it is important to recognize the notion of gratitude on a daily basis as we are blessed with such beautiful moments in our every day lives. Quite simply, beauty is everywhere if we open our hearts to it.

This summer I was very fortunate to be able to take time for myself to really reflect on the big picture of life. What did I want from life ? How was I going to pursue it ? Where was I going to pursue it ? Where did I want to focus my energies? And so forth... The questions were endless, and I didnt have any concrete answers nor did I have any focus or direction.

Looking within oneself is not easy... It means asking yourself those tough questions & searching deep down for the answers. It's uncovering one's true path & in the process letting go of all the negative energy holding you back. For me this primarily involved re-scripting certain notions and thought paths I had preconceived about my life in order to accept change & new ideas. While I am not saying I have all the answers now, I do feel confident in my decisions, prepared to tackle my ambitions, and ready to overcome any obstacles in my way.

"Our only limitations are ones we set in our own minds"

Yes, the unknown can be scary - but how boring would life be if everything and everyone stayed the same. We are continually learning valuable life lessons from our experiences, our relationships, and our mistakes. And, to be able to recognize those lessons is so important to our personal and professional evolution. Where would our society be without that learning curve, without evolution and without mistakes?

With an open mind and spirit, change can be such a beautiful experience that leads to new exciting opportunities that one never even imagined.

xox <3 xox