Happy Holidays!

Dear Friends and Family,

Back from a glorious 6 week adventure in California: garlic planting (aka farm therapy), eating the best food in the continent and sharing magical moments with many Undercover Angels and, though I've changed some plans, I'm very glad that I made it home for the holidays. I hope this letter finds you healthy and happy and, while it’s no secret that the holidays can be a particularly challenging and stressful time for many of us, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for being such a positive and delightful soul in my life!

I am thankful for the holiday season as it gives me a chance to pause and feel grateful for all the amazing people in my life, my good fortune, health and abundance of love that fills my heart. As I pack my backpack once more and look towards my upcoming journey to India I feel blessed to have the chance to be home with friends and family for the holidays; a favourite and delicious time of year.

I'm not too keen on shopping and stressing so I've given those up. Instead, I love cooking/eating, hanging out with loved ones and laughing 'till my cheeks hurt! I remember as a child, straining to hear Santa on the rooftop, carefully choosing cookies to leave out for him and I recall the warm fuzzies; the magic of the season as my heart was full of curiosity and awe. Well, now, I don't have to fear the loss of baked goods to jolly old men and I do sleep soundly on Christmas Eve without thumb-sucking, but my heart is still full as I hold that sense of wonder and awe that I find through the music and colours of the season.

We are surrounded by two primary colors at Christmas; red and green. Red has come to represent passion, fire, creativity, and love. Green signifies growth, wealth, fertility, nature, good luck, youth, and hope. As we are greeted with the colors of the season, we are reminded of the complexities of our nature and how each of our lives is a work of art and that we are the artists ultimately charged with creating our own masterpieces.

Aldous Huxley wrote, “After silence, that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” The holidays are filled with music and while certain Christmas carols may annoy the hell out of you/me, others can serve to nourish our souls. Music is what feelings sound like!

Everywhere we look during the holiday season there will be both sacred images and superficial symbols. Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. I encourage us to screen out as much as possible that brings you no comfort or joy, and focus instead on the magic, mystery, and meaning of the season. mmmm-hmmmm...
I know I'm not one who keeps in touch very well via phone or email... I've embraced the technological age a wee bit more this year and I would like to take this opportunity, however en masse, to reach out and say hello and happy holidays. I'd love it if you wrote back with some of your thoughts and feelings at this time of year. And if anyone is so inclined to share with all my dear friends, please feel free to post your responses on my holiday blog post.

***Please don't feel any pressure to write back or fill in your responses if you're not into it. I don't want to put any stress on your holidays! :)

Please Tell Me About You:

What are the activities that make you really really really happy during the holidays? List out your top 5. This is your list of Holiday Happys. Why do these make you happy and give you a sense of calm?

If you could do anything, there's no restrictions, in 2010 what would it be?!

What has been your biggest challenge this year and how have you overcome it? what did you learn?

What has been something new and exciting you tried recently and how did you feel?

A few things I learned about the holiday history this year that I thought I'd share:

*There are about five million reindeer in the world living in Northern Canada, Lapland, Alaska & Northern Russia.
*Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on oak and other trees. Originally, it dates back as a symbol of peace to both the Druids and Romans. When battling soldiers found themselves under the mistletoe, they immediately laid down their arms and declared peace for the day.
*Santa wears red and white because that's how Coca Cola linked him to their ads dating back to 1931.
*The common abbreviation for Christmas is Xmas, derived from the Greek alphabet. X is letter Chi, which is the first letter of Christ's name in the Greek alphabet.
*The tradition of placing candles in windows during the Christmas season originated in Victorian England where candle lit windows were a sign to passersby that they would be welcomed and offered shelter during the holidays (couchsurfing anyone?!).
*Not only are poinsettias from Mexico, but in Mexico wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve is said to bring new love in the upcoming year...

Check out this humorous, award-winning radio episode from CBC's Age of Persuasion titled Commandeering the Holidays!

Many Blessings,

From:

a bike-ridding, backpacking, dirt-worshiping elf!

(aka Michelle)

Undercover Angels

There are undercover angels in California! Lucky-ducky me, I got to spend 5 days with them in Cardiff-By-the-Sea.

Meet Sam and Brooking: Couple Extraordinaire

Sam-The Wise; oldest son of the Bernier family, who I farmed with for several months and Brooking is his girlfriend, a spitfire lass from St. Louis, came to the wild west in search of knowledge, love and a place to house her collection of succulents!

Things One Can Learn and Absorb from this Fab Twosome:

1. How to host thought-provoking potlucks.
2. That dancing is a religion and a soul-freeing exercise.
3. How to grow and harvest kombucha.
4. You can always go deeper.
5. How to walk a highway in search of Schwan Chinese food.
6. Your home is the reflection and radiance of your heart.
7. Whiskey + ginger ale is a delicious after dinner aperitif.
8. Surfing is a man's sport where one can experience the feminine without the talking!
9. How to make epic Christmas cards.
10. David Deida is a modern day savior.

Thanks Sam and Brooking for opening your heart, your home and many tissue boxes for me, ah-choo!

Thank you!

Chicken Party!

Need I say more?!

Thanksgiving and Hanukkah!

Gobble gobble!!!

On the farm it's all about harvesting the best, organic produce and what better way to celebrate then with the biggest harvest party of the year: Thanksgiving! Lucky me, I got to celebrate American and Canadian harvest this year!!! Mmmmm, pie.

We organized a potluck style Thanksgiving and I made my Mum's famous sweet potato pie (after harvesting over 100 yams!) and kale chips as an appetizer.

And dinner wouldn't be complete at the farm unless there's plenty of garlic around!

This year I brought up some Canadian garlic I got at a market and we made a special place in the top garden for those big, northern bulbs to do their garlicky thing and thrive over the winter. Now, Yael has over a dozen varieties of garlic and she's known as the garlic guru in these parts. Everyone is always surprised that there's more than just the "grocery store kind"! There is actually over 300, try a new one at your market and thank your local farmer for all the love they put into those bulbs!

***

Then comes Hanukkah! Actually, this Jewish holiday of 8 crazy nights doesn't start officially until this Friday, December 11th. But, the Berniers are going down south so they decided to celebrate early with friends.

Yael made a beautiful (c)hallah bread, potato latkes and all the fixings needed for a fun, delicious celebration. Several families joined in the fun and we lost track of time and forgot to play dreidel. The kiddies got pretty sleepy so maybe I'll get to play this family tradition next year!


A Merman, named Arlo, showing off before bedtime!


~HAPPY HOLIDAYS~

Fantastic Mr. Thief!

Just as I was starting to fall in love with California all over again, my faith was tested. On November 29th, at Reading Cinema in Rohnert Park at approximately 7:35pm I was robbed! I had just finished watching the incredible Fantastic Mr. Fox and I was all jazzed up from the hilarity and energy that gets under your skin whenever Wes Anderson is involved. I sang and skipped back to Santa Rosa 11 miles away and only when dinner was served did I realize that my purse was missing.

I must admit I was in the fault because I had left the purse on the seat and wasn't paying attention because I was still laughing and dancing after watching my new favourite film of the year! Go see it asap! I called the theater and they said I could come back and look in the theater while the new film was being viewed. 11 nerve racking miles later, I was on my hands and knees where only crusty popcorn kernels roam... The kind supervisor, Heidi said I could return after the movie to look with the lights on. Round 2 and no purse in sight!

I decided to take down the names of everyone on duty at the cinema and to go back to Santa Rosa to call the police and file a report. Losing hope I started thinking about what kind of hassles were in store for this little traveler and then made sure to cancel my credit cards. I was feeling rather foolish because I usually travel with my valuables separate, but on this particular outing I had both wallets with me containing $170, my phone and camera; a jackpot for any thief!

The police wanted me to come in person to the station, so back to Rohnert Park I flew...after describing the incident and missing articles they suggested we look in a few trash cans around the cinema and nearby gas stations, but no luck.

As soon as we arrived home the phone rang and they had retrieved my purse! I still don't know exactly what happened but the supervisor said after 3.5 hours of looking, talking to staff, etc. she found it mysteriously locked in the staff safe. After 110 miles of driving back and forth, I had my purse back and all $170 was still inside along with my camera, wallets and all! phew!!!

Now, I'm back with my farm family here in Geyserville, California. I'm departing for LA and San Diego on Friday so I'm soaking in the farm life for the next few days. Here's a few pictures of small, macro details that bring me so much joy:



A beautiful, narcissistic Narcissus!



Spouts in the greenhouse, watered and ready to be planted.



Italian faggioli being dried for next year's seed.



A mini-pomegranate found by Erica.



Mushroom hunting in the garden.



Digging for sweet potatoes.



Erica's twins!

First Stop: Farm Heaven

Beets with a view!

I'm so happy to be back on the farm in Geyserville, California. Last year I spent three and a half months with the Berniers learning how to farm and garden the most delicious, organic produce in the land! I'm back for more farm fun this month.

I start my day with a strong cup of local coffee, ground at the farm, from Flying Goat (www.flyinggoatcoffee.com). A big bowl of oatmeal with honey and raisins and we're ready to tackle some veggies. The next 4 hours are spent weeding, planting, harvesting, tidying up garden beds and organizing restaurant orders. There have been some long days of garlic planting but I love every minute that my hands are in the crumbling earth, with my face soaking in the vibrant Cali-sun, as my fellow farmhands chatter and sing their garlic cloves into neat rows beneath the moist soil.
Garlic is the name of the game around here, where Yael, aka the garlic guru of California, grows 13 different varieties that she's collected around the world. We plant, we harvest, we clean, we braid, we sell and we eat this magical little gem! Life is sweet and garlicky 'round these parts!
Life is also a bit hectic with so many travel plans up in the air. I was accepted into a Vipassana meditation retreat nearby, but its a 10 day course and I would have to rearrange things. I think it will have to wait until I land in India. I promised my friend Brooking to visit her in San Diego and I've been looking forward to hanging out, drinking big mugs of tea and relaxing into Southern Cali vibes. I'm also considering coming back to Canada for Christmas...and then departing for India via Toronto.

But with all this juggling I must say life is sweet on the farm. Erica, a fellow wwoofer (www.wwoof.org), and I put together a CSA (community supported agriculture) food box for her Green MBA classmates. You'll notice that cracking into one of Yael's pumpkins takes a bit of skill and some handy tools...
Best food in the country, most humble, hard-working family with huge, beautiful hearts and really fun get togethers! We're also making yummy plans for American Thanksgiving and drinking some fab vino!
Life is fabuloso out here; with the farm dogs joining me for runs in the neighboring vineyards, mushroom hunting on the schedule for early next week and some funky concerts coming my way!

On the road again...

“There is something in October sets the gypsy blood
astir, We must rise and follow her; When from every
hill of flame, She calls and calls each vagabond by
name”
-William Bliss Carman

It's that time of year again, when I start scanning flight deals, squirrel away extra funds, lace up my hikers, pull out my trusty backpack and make sure my travel documents are in order. Then comes the hard question- where shall I go?! With 195 countries in the world this is tough to answer. I have been playing around with the idea to go to South East Asia (mainly Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). While those countries hold an array of colourful cultures, an incredible history and more than this little nomad could ask for in the way of culinary delights, I'm just not feeling the pull to go there right now.

The Land of the Tiger is calling me! India has been my #1 destination for several years now and I was putting needless restrictions on myself to explore this fascinating, mystical country. A country that brings us tea, spices and yoga, where you can lose yourself in the bustling cites or find yourself on a mountain sanctuary.
I'm still working out all the kinks but ideally I would like to spend sometime on an ashram (meditation and yoga), a bit of time backpacking to see the splendors that India has to offer, do some mountain trekking and perhaps a wee bit of scuba diving and then volunteer for the rest of the time.

I have found an incredible project called Navdanya: www.navdanya.org. A progressive biodiversity farm, seed saving bank and Earth University learning center; a women centred movement for the protection of biological and cultural diversity. I have applied to intern here and awaiting the approval.


My cross canada plans didn't work out so I am flying from Detroit-San Fransisco and then I'll jet down the coast to visit my friends on the farm, in Sonoma Valley! I am really excited for American Thanksgiving on the farm! A few weeks late I'll head to San Diego to hang out with a dear friend before jumping a plane Asia-bound! This is depending on getting my visa to India processed in a month...

***
I am looking forward to this journey in front of me. There is some fear, much joy and a sprinkling of relief as I head back to my dusty trail to see what the fates have in store for me next!

Please feel free to follow this journey with me and I will try posting a few times a month, depending on Internet access and cyberspace will power.

I wish you all a big NAMASTE and I look forward to when our paths cross again.

Voyage from Marco Aslan on Vimeo.

8 Secrets of Success!

In Transition...

Moving back to Toronto I felt caught within a whirlwind of emotions and ideas. But, once I found how to move with the changes, and let go of the fear that often surfaces during transitional moves, I felt free! Free to explore the possibilities of the city, a new job, a different roommate/home and a new season.

I wish you all happy transitions and quiet moments to feel change and move with the flow of life!

Following is a lovely poem that captures the mood and moment:

Unconditional

Willing to experience aloneness,
I discover connection everywhere;
Turning to face my fear,
I meet the warrior who lives within;
Opening to my loss,
I gain the embrace of the universe;
Surrendering into emptiness,
I find fullness without end.
Each condition I flee from pursues me,
Each condition I welcome transforms me
And becomes itself transformed
Into its radiant jewel-like essence.
I bow to the one who has made it so,
Who has crafted this Master Game.
To play it is purest delight;
To honor its form--true devotion.

- Jennifer Welwood

Cheers to transformation!!!

Finding Balance?

How do you find balance? This question has come up a few times over the last week and so I'm going to put it out there. We all get swept along by jobs, time lines, relationships, and emotions. How do you free your mind, find solitude, connect with your inner god/goddess?! Now, now, I'm not getting all hippy-dippy on ya. I'm just saying we all need balance. Too much is too much.

As this question arises I hear a multitude of answers. Some look to writing/reflection, yoga, meditation, cooking, physical activities, soaking in a bath, spending time with loved ones, etc. But, I want you to go further than simply coming up with one of your past times that helps you unwind and relax. Why and how do these hobbies or quiet spaces provide solitude? Why do we need balance? What occurs when we live unbalanced lives? And what happens when we get lost in our experiences?

Create gaps in the stream of thinking! Without these spaces your thoughts become repetitive, uninspiring and not very creative. Boring! And who wants to live a boring life?

I was cloud gazing today, out here on the Saskatchewan prairies, and I discovered that we can learn a lot from a simple cloud. My Mom taught me the delights of the cloud game, many moons ago. We would search for images and make believe objects while lazily watching the clouds drift apart from our perfect spot lying on the grass or beach. As I grew older I used that game to help calm myself and others. I was often viewed as the mediator at school. Kids would run up to me, at recess, to ask my advice or opinion on different arguments. I felt special that they chose to ask me and I would listen to the dispute and tell them my advice. Sometimes, I didn't have a clue what to tell them and when I didn't know what to say I would lead the little group to the back of the school ground and tell them to lie on their backs and look up at the clouds. We would gaze up, pointing and telling each other what funny shapes we saw and the dispute would drift away, too.

Now, I find myself relating to cloud wisdom once again. As an adult I see the beauty and I am still in awe, mystified by their wonder and shape shifting abilities high above.

"How surely gravity’s law
strong as an ocean current
takes hold of even the smallest thing
and pulls it toward the heart of the world.

Each thing—
each stone, blossom, child—
is held in place
Only we, in our arrogance
push out beyond what we each belong to
for some empty freedom.

If we surrender
to earth’s intelligence
we could rise up rooted, like trees.

Instead we entangle ourselves
in knots of our own making
and struggle, lonely and confused.

So, like children, we begin again
to learn from the things
because they are in God’s heart
they have never left him.

This is what the things can teach us
to fall
patiently to trust our heaviness
Even a bird has to do that
before he can fly.


- RILKE (Book of Hours)

My Fun, Fun, Fun Farm!

While Wayne was running the highway I wandered into Indian Head, pop., approximately, 1500. There was lots going on in this small town on a Saturday afternoon. A tea bazaar was being held in the armories, a new hardware store was holding a grand opening bbq celebration and the main street was closed off to allow people to stroll along to shop or talk to friends. I had an extra bounce in my step as I made my way along Main Street in search of coffee and a place to write in my journal. However, I passed the two coffee shops as I felt propelled to venture to the end of the strip. I came up to a new/used trinkets shop and felt mesmerized standing in front of the quaint little window display. It was nothing out of the ordinary but it was just one of those moments, like, "yeah, this is where I need to be". I'm not really a shopper/browser yet I felt pulled to enter this store. Once inside I looked around for a bit before I was asked by the owner where I was from and how I had come about wandering into her store. We started to talk and sure enough this wonderful lady had lots to say. When she heard about the Cross Canada Run project she piped up about her history of being a foster care parent and the trend in her life to attract mental health causes. People who suffer are drawn to her and she has helped many affected. We kept chatting, I told her about couchsurfing and asked her advice on where we could shower and plug in the RV for the night in her town. Within minutes she was drawing me a map to her farm and inviting us to stay the night! I was blown away and also excited to explore her farm 10 miles north on their isolated land.

The next 24 hours was pure bliss! We had great conversations, a lovely meal and well deserved rest in their comfy, cozy farm house. Dixie and Robert Kleine moved from BC to Alberta to Indian Head, SK over several years after several jobs. They wanted a base after many years of wandering, living out of their funky bus and raising their kids. They found their paradise here on the Kleine Commune! They call it Whoville Farm and there's tons of cool, antique farm stuff, equipment and nick knacks that fit their wacky, free spirited lifestyle. What a wonderful couple! I'm so glad I wandered into Dixie's store that day!

Here's a few pictures to display my absolute gratitude and love for the farm, Dixie and Robert and all their fun, fuzzy friends who gave me hours of enjoyment!

Antique Saskatchewan

I have been fortunate to experience the beauty and antique side of Saskatchewan over the last week. It all started with a hotel stay at the 102 year old Wolseley Hotel in Wolseley, SK. Wayne was a bit skeptical at first since they were hesitant to give us a room. The hotel is full of old antiques, paintings, copper doors and frames, an ancient piano, books, one "lavatory" per floor, gorgeous, old radiators and funky carpets.
The hotel is located above a bar and the owners live in half of the building. We had been living in the RV for four days so it was time to find a real bed and shower. Luckily, they agreed to have us stay for two nights at a discounted price. At first it felt like we were staying in a haunted house. The walls creaked and moaned, the radiator tapped all night long and the dark hallways seemed to whisper of past affairs and long forgotten travel adventures. Cool!

That same night we were invited to Sandra and Ken Dobra's home in Grenfell, SK after our speaking engagement at the Grenfell Health Care Center. Sandra is a social worker and Ken is a retired teacher who is working on setting up the new 9-11 services for the province. They are a lovely couple with huge hearts, open minds and an active lifestyle! We spent a wonderful evening chatting, philosophizing and wining and dining over a fabulous homemade meal! Again, I was lead through an old, beautiful home with tons of Victorian flair! Sandi and Ken rescued their 100+ year old dream home over 20 years ago when they decided to settle down in the quaint town of Grenfell.
There was a great structure in place and with a few additions and new pieces they created a fabulous home for themselves and their two kids. I was in awe all evening and managed to capture some good shots on my way to the bathroom. Wayne and I left town energized and drunk on good vibes! Thanks Sandi and Ken for being our angels in Grenfell!

An Ode to HWY Truckers!

A trucker is a paradox.
He is a blue jeaned executive with his office in a cab.
He is a scientist who hauls dangerous chemicals and explosives;
a purchasing agent in a baseball cap;
a personnel director with grease under his fingernails;
with a fondness for burgers and fries, steak and potatoes'
a student of geography
and a weather watcher who reads the clouds for rain or snow.

He likes sunshine, smooth pavement,
good traction, clean loads, dinner at home,
weekends with his family, his shirt collar unbuttoned
and country music. And there is a special place
in his heart for his rig.

He's not too fond of city traffic, tourists,
or rotten drivers, fuel prices, dispatchers,
snarly receivers, rubber neckers,
kids in high-powered cars or drunk drivers.

Nobody else gets as much satisfaction out of
talking about trucks, truckers, gear shifting,
good weather, homemade pie, strong hot coffee,
kids, wives, sweethearts and the price of diesel.

He is your friend and your customer.
He is your source of food, building products,
clothing, petroleum, natural resources, in fact,
nearly everything in your life arrived in his truck."

At first I was scared of the rushing, angry trucks that passed me along the Trans Canada and when I was out there running on the shoulder I received looks of shock, frustration and facial expression that seemed to say, "what, are you mad? get off my road!" Then, I decided to just run with my head down, lost in thought and surrounded by the beauty and expanse of the prairies... not always the safest way to run on the highway. Finally, I came to a better and more peaceful solution when I discovered that I just needed a shift in perspective. And I started to realize that the truckers love the road as much as me, long for the freedom, silence and glory of a never ending road ahead. They also have deadlines and loved ones waiting for them at home. And thus, began my sweet embrace with truckers (from afar); the trucker wave! I often notice them giving other truckers a nod or a wave and I decided that now that I am a runner of the road I too can give and receive the supportive wave!

I went for a 15 km run with Wayne a few days ago, and what better day to start my waving project! We waved and smiled, threw a bunch of peace signs out to the guys behind the big rigs and watched the smiles and enthusiastic waves roll our way! Let the joyful, roaring, honking game begin. One by one we enticed trucks of all different shapes and sizes to let their horns shine! We laughed and waved and ran our little hearts out that day with an extra spring in our step and a renewed respect for our fellow warriors of the road!

Friendly Manitoba!

Manitobans are really living up to this slogan! So many people have gone out of their way to help us out, people who have helped this project continue to inspire others and encourage Canadians to speak up for mental health care. There is so much that needs to be done within this industry and towards the overall mindset surrounding psyche and how we view our selves. This project is not just about promoting physical exercise or asking people to join together to support those affected or only to shatter the debilitating stigma that gets attached to mental illness. Of course those are the main focuses, yet, there is an underlying message that is emerging, a shift of consciousness that I can sense within myself and others, pulsing and shattering old philosophies that we mistake for our reality. Modern ideas of ego and entitlement, self and society are transforming and providing new spaces for conscious development. There are a lot of worries that hang over us, but as we become aware of these fears, they diminish and we begin to find happiness and health in abundance!

And the gracious Manitobans that I am meeting on a daily basis are helping me discover the real joy of living and being. Good people are attracted to this run. In the last 24 hours I have met some amazing peeps! At the Welcome Inn, a mental health organization, we met a group of enthusiastic women who are passionate and involved in mental health education and advocacy. They all work within the industry and are also affected in various ways. They were very inspiring to me, overcoming huge obstacles and opening their minds to different perspectives in order to lead healthier lives. A mental health care worker told me about her anxiety and the havoc it has wreaked in her life. One of her huge issues has always been blushing, turning scarlet when consumed with anxious thoughts, an embarrassing exhibition of fear displayed in multiple, burning shades of red. She shied away from social situations and spent many days alone and fearful of her cheeks showing her true colours. And then the shift; she realized that red was a beautiful colour and if she told people about her anxiety and physical reaction they didn’t focus on her cheeks and neither did she!

Then one of the administrative girls, Amber, ran back into the room, where we all chatting, just beaming from ear to ear. She announced that she had just called her Mom and she had agreed to have us over as dinner guests. Amber was so excited to have us over and to cook some of her favourite recipes for us later that night. The Collister family was very welcoming and supportive. We had a great dinner and warm-hearted conversation. It feels so good to sit around a table with kind, supportive and open minded locals, getting their perspective on their communities, family life and personal struggles and passions.

Yesterday, I met a guy that used to suffer from severe panic attacks on a daily basis. His doc gave him tons of pills and sent him on his way. He felt doped up and out of control on the meds, without really feeling emotions, just swimming through life without experiencing complete sensations. Scary! He decided to take matters into his own hands and flushed his pills and started power walking for 1 to 2 hours a day in the early mornings before work. He figured out that intense physical exercise could produce similar bodily reactions that the panic attacks were causing him to experience (i.e. shortness of breath, tightening of muscles and organs, racing blood pressure, etc). And he could experience these “symptoms” in a safe environment where he felt control over them. This process, over six months, allowed him regain confidence and control over how his body and mind reacted to different triggers or in certain situations.

It felt like time stood still for a moment, as this large burly man (think stereotypical trucker) poured his heart out telling Wayne his story and recovery through exercise. He no longer experiences these attacks because of this shift in consciousness. I was so glad to meet him and hear his story! I love how this project attracts such positivism and hope!

Just picture it: two grown men discussing the science of exercise with their eyes just shining with compassion and respect for one another in the middle of a cold, blustery Tim Horton's parking lot in friendly Manitoba! A hallmark moment, so to speak. I really got to get Tim Horton's on the line here, what a heart stirring, truly Canadian, commercial. Roll Up the Rim for Mental Health!!! ;)

A note from a 12 year old...

Dear Wayne,

Hello Wayne it is Duncan from Ms. Lentz awesome class. Just wondering how
the the run is doing ? How you are doing? and how many kilometers you have
to go? Just to let you know, that you are the coolest person I have ever meet
in my whole life. Also that you are so encouraging to me that when people
ask me who my role model is when I am older I am gonna say Wayne Cho because
he is the nicest and encouraging person I have ever met.


thank you Wayne yours truly,
Duncan Macgillivray

Backtrack: Two weeks ago Wayne and I stayed in Dryden with a social worker we had met at one of our hospital speaking engagements. Cathy and her husband Carl were marvelous hosts and we all felt like old friends within minutes of stepping into their cozy home. While we were staying with them we received a phone call from Donna Chief who lives on the native reservation, the neighbour to our last couchsurfers. She called to say that she had been able to organize a healing sweat lodge ceremony for us for the following day. After convincing Wayne that I wanted to drive back 100 kms in the opposite direction of his run, we planned for the sweat, bought the necessary offerings (tobacco, towels, cloth, etc) and headed to the rez the next day.
Cathy had agreed to perform the ceremony for us in honour of Wayne’s run and it had been orchestrated just for us, set up as a healing sweat to help nourish Wayne on his journey. I felt so honoured to be there! They had really gone out of their way to help us, make this a special celebration and give us insight into their traditions and natural, therapeutic practices.
For most of the ceremony I could not speak…everyone else was singing, chanting and shouting out the sacred, “SAMA”, which was to signify that you felt, saw or heard spiritual energy. Wayne was calling out sama every few minutes, he had lots of visitors! But, for myself, I had a lump in my throat that kept me from making any sounds. At one point, I felt mesmerized by the dancing blue illuminations that created a northern lights type pattern along the ceiling, playing like the wind but always coming back to the center, a target of sorts, an opening, central, small, focused and peaceful but incredibly energetic. And then a powerful self talk conversation was generated. I told myself to stop looking so hard and to let go. To just be- and that was a very peaceful moment. I continued to fluctuate between calm and anxious feelings. And as I focused on the shadows I saw an ancient totem face form before me. It sounds kooky to even write it here… Yet, this mans face began to twist and transform into a bear! This really frightened me but I couldn’t look away and felt so fascinated by this twisting image. And then, like a wave it came over me that these two images were one and the same-man and bear, living forms of the same web. And this bear presence continued to stay with me throughout the sweat and I felt somehow protected and comforted.
We all took turns talking in the circle, asking for guidance, healing or speaking about what we felt grateful for in life. I asked for a blessing to this native community, so that they can continue practicing and teaching so that we can all learn how to live closer to the earth.

Many more angels have come our way over the last two weeks! We had half a dozen great speaking engagements in town, but my favourite were with The Challenge Club and the grade seven classes we visited. The Challenge Club is a day-program facility to help support those who face mental challenges. Wayne spoke to ten of their members, all people affected by mental illnesses and it was so enriching. Everyone shared their story and then Wayne urged them to speak about their passion in life and how they could utilize their skills to create their dreams- powerful stuff! The grade sevens were a wonderful bunch, too, because they are at a great age to understand the material and also eager to learn more. I was weary of presenting to 12 and 13 year olds at first, not sure if they’d really connect to the ideas being presented, but man was I wrong! They had some of the best questions and ideas that I have heard over the last three weeks. And they really looked up to Wayne and what he was doing with his life. Most of them stayed throughout recess to ask him questions, take pictures with him and get his autograph. We have also started giving away a pair of Wayne’s rundown shoes at some of these functions. And the girl who won the pair that day was just glowing! She said she’ll keep them in her home for as long as they last and tell everyone who visits the story and cause behind the sneakers.
Next, we reached the boundary/border of Friendly Manitoba! And indeed, it was friends we found there. First stop, Falcon Lake, a beautiful, peaceful space surrounded by lakes, forests and an incredible amount of deer. We spent three glorious days in paradise with couchsurfer Eric Young. The Young residence is a sweet spot where the Planet Earth documentary is played on a continuous rotation, where something is always being baked and enjoyed around a table of tea drinkers, where Aussies have a never- ending supply of energy and a place where people are in high spirits and feel comfortable enough to do headstands or juggle in the middle of the room! It was hard to leave this warmhearted, sociable playground, but we are on a mission here and wacky Winnipeg was just around the corner.
Winnipeg is a jumbled city of confusing streets, a magnet that keeps ‘Peggers coming back for more, trying to withstand the -50 winters while it holds a long list of “worst city for…” titles. Yet, we continued to make friends and uncover the true meaning behind the province’s slogan. Sarah and Chris were our first couchsurfers in Winnipeg and they were super sweet and accommodating. They are a cute couple, expecting a new addition in a few months, who truly embrace life through the down to earth, creative, colourful lives they have chosen to lead. We also stayed with Lukas, a 24 year old guy who has a great hunger for knowledge, a passion for good beats and a curiosity about people and the world around him. Laughter, local brews and St. Paddy’s Day merriment was enjoyed by all at Low Bar! We also met the owner of a local bakery, Tabitha, an ex-social worker, who was touched by Wayne’s run and felt that our project was so inspirational and therefore she loaded us up with sort of free goodies and hearty, energy packed breads. Good peeps in the ‘Peg!
The highlight of my time in Winnipeg actually came after Wayne grazed a bus with the RV’s extended side mirror…both vehicles and everyone involved was unharmed, minus the cracked side mirror. The bus driver came over to the RV to exchange insurance info and shortly after a parking enforcement officer walked over. Understand, this minor accident happened in downtown Winnipeg and we had to stop close to a busy intersection. As soon as the officer approached the bus driver started accusing Wayne and describing the details of the mishap to him. The officer just simply stated that he was not concerned about accident or where we had chosen to park. He just wanted to come over, meet the runner and shake Wayne’s hand to thank him for his dedication and passion for the mental health awareness project! The bus driver was speechless and Wayne was beaming, a surprising and heart warming moment indeed.