Spring has Sprung at Spice Creative– ever since March 21, things have been super busy, so I haven’t had a chance to attend my blog until now!  Spice Creative has officially added event planning to its repertoire after coordinating a Westhills Parkdale Creek Spring BBQ for over 100+ Adults and children over the Easter weekend.  The event was held at the old Glen Lake School grounds in the West Shore area, and included face painting, a bouncy castle, LOTS of bubbles– thanks to a bubble machine (donated by a very special 4 year old boy raising money for youth in need) and a treasure hunt with Captain Green Beard the Environmental Pirate who serenaded the crowd with his accordion alongside his sidekick fiddle-playing crow! Needless to say, fun was had by all in attendance!!

In addition to this, I have nearly completed the marketing packages for over 60 new homes at Westhills Lakeview Ridge, and produced two unique weekly ads in two local publications, an advertorial, and a full page ad for Douglas Magazine!  Oh, I also built and launched a new website for two condo units in Maui that are rented by my family.  Need a vay-cay? Check out the availability at the Hale Kai O’ Kihei (Home by the Sea).  

So I guess its easy to see why I’ve got balance on my mind once again.  At the moment, my life is very focused on work, without enough play!  The good news is that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I’ve got a trip planned for the end of May, with lots of exciting things happening in my life before then as well.... That being said, its time I practice my goal of balance a bit better than I have been recently.  

I am making a goal for myself of attending a yoga class before the end of next week so I can “get my zen on” and going on at least one run with my dog!  I know its not much, but its a start... One small step for Christy, one GIANT LEAP for her workaholic alter-ego. 

Speaking of which... I gotta get back to work!

Well- it’s official... Spice Creative inc. officially launched March 17, 2010– St. Patrick’s Day!  It was one of my goals to complete that prior to my upcoming birthday, and I’m happy to have achieved it!  

Today I decided to walk to the Art Gallery to see an exhibit presented by six Japanese artists whose work is united by a common theme: Exploring issues of personal and cultural identity in today’s evolving global world.  

Each artist used different methods and materials to showcase their piece.  One had a video animation with erie music, and captivating, though simplistic animation.  This was presented in a private area with a semi-circle white wall acting as a projection screen, and the projector rotated from left to right as the images moved across the wall.  It was really cool.


Another artist ordered a number of items from eBay and then made them “pixelated” again by surrounding them with glass marbles to blur the image cased inside as though it were pixelated. 


One of the most striking images, featured in the banner of this post, is one called Geisha 2002 by Miwa Yanagi.  Beside the image, was a list of instruction, reflecting a Geisha code of conduct.  I found some of them rather appropriate! 

• One must devote oneself to accomplishments in art
• One must respect the tastefully refined
• One must never discriminate between chance customers,
  and regular customers
• To entertain a customer one must treasure every meeting,
  for it will never recur.
• One must decide ones age on a daily basis (my personal fav)

Didn’t know Geisha’s were marketing gurus did ya?! To excel in marketing, you must continually push yourself artistically, and expose yourself to other’s creativity.  The Geishas knew the value of customer service, and experience. Plus, as it seems, being young at heart!

Speaking of which, I’m turning 25 again tomorrow!!  In fact, I’ve got to wrap this up now, as I’m heading to celebrate with some friends.  Thanks to those of you that are following my blog! Keep it real– CJ

This weekend my Grandmother celebrated her ninetieth birthday.  I spent some time reflecting this weekend, about what it would be like to live over the course of ninety years.  
She was around for the “dirty thirties” to witness a depression even valium couldn’t help.  She made it through raising a son, and a daughter during the introduction of the “Devil’s music” Rock N’ Roll- Not to mention that hip thrusting Elvis character, or those cheeky, surfing Beach Boys... She even lived through the era of spandex and leg warmers when the fashion-disasters of the 80’s were popular the first time.    
Fast-forward to the year 2010, and she continues to adapt to her ever-changing environment.  I am proud to say that my ninety-year old Grandma has a computer in her bedroom– and uses e-mail!  Granted, I’ve received more than one frantic email over the years with the subject “hOW dO I tURN oFF cAPS lOCK?!” and various other emergencies, but all in all, I’d say she gets a gold medal for adaptability. 
As important as it is to stay current with the changing times, I believe another contributing factor to her fantastic health at age ninety is her ability to stay balanced.  Even when her body feels tired, or she just doesn’t feel like it, Grandma forces herself to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle.  She goes to Church every Sunday, volunteers at her Church Thrift shop every Tuesday, she meets with a “walking group” every other Wednesday, she has her hair done on Thursdays, and has a cleaner assist her with some household chores on Fridays.  I’d say that’s a pretty balanced schedule for a woman pushing 100.  
Reflecting on my grandma’s ability to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle for ninety years has prompted me to re-evaluate my own choices towards finding balance in my life.  Since returning from Asia, I’ve noticed I’ve been having some troubles finding balance in Victoria.  I’ve always been one to go-big, or go-home, which means I tend to throw 110% of myself into anything I do– especially my work.  Given there are only 24 hours in the day, I’ve been finding that 12-15 of them CANNOT be dedicated to work, if I’m going to have time for any fun in my life–  Particularly on weekends!  

For me, a balance lifestyle includes:
  1.     Eating balanced meals
  2.     Exercising regularly
  3.     Producing work I am proud of
  4.     Enjoying time with my friends and family

Even writing that list down, I’ve realized that there are at least 2 items I’ve been neglecting recently... NOT. COOL. 
But, over the years, I’ve learned the important thing is to be aware of such shortfalls so that I can make changes going forward.  Obviously, I can’t change the fact I haven’t been to the gym for the past two weeks... but I can make changes moving forward, like promising myself I will hit the gym at least once over the weekend, and 3 times during the week next week.  Or, planning ahead to have healthy meals I can prepare quickly and easily after a long day at work.  
So... to wrap things up... I already know I’ve got strong, healthy genes that will likely carry my body to 100 if I play my cards right.  That being said, being healthy of body, and healthy of mind do not always go hand in hand.  I’ve learned from my Grandma that adaptability and balance are two key ingredients to maintaining a healthy, happy mindset.  Although I’m sure balance is something I will continue to struggle to achieve throughout my life, I will never give up.