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Jan 23, 2012 is the beginning of the two week celebration leading up to Chinese New Year. Many customs are practiced during this time, including preparations of cleaning and sweeping out, which Carole Provenzale details in her post on Chinese New Year. This period symbolizes the ultimate intention of de-cluttering home & work spaces for success.

Some of my own gift giving practices have evolved into symbolic gestures. I love the very meaningful symbols of practical intention.
During the 2 week period the Chinese have a custom of giving oranges when visiting friends and family. Just a brown paper bag will do - or better yet, use an earth friendly re-usable bag or container.
The oranges are symbols of a 'Sweet Life', involving health, love and prosperity. Eating them with mindful gratitude enhances the sweet goodness - Try it!
To me many of the traditions are about the intention of creating flow - of energy, goodwill, prosperity - in my life and to others.
Red Envelope Tradition - Carole's tradition relates specific Feng Shui practice with the use of these. Commonly however, the Chinese give envelopes with money in them to children and young people to help them out.
A symbolic intention, placing 3 coins into envelopes, giving them to friends and family is a version I've picked up on. The coins represent - happiness, prosperity, and health. They can be all pennies, but whatever they are, they should be each the same denomination & new or polished clean and shiny.
At times when my finances are feeling especially auspicious, I give my sons significant cash in three identical crisp new bills. Depending on my fluidity at the time, higher values are mindfully given to needful others.
I'm excited to go out now to buy lots of oranges. At temples they'll be ringing bells, hitting gongs and eating great food.
I am committing during this period to the adventure of carrying out mindful intentions in the creation of my new year.
Gong Xi Fa Cai (gung hay fat choi)
A Sweet Life to you!
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The 'Meme', for public understanding is 'Active Rain's' idea of 'tag', the purpose being, getting to know others in this 65,000+ network. This my 5th, thanks to Martin Abeshaus I decided to publish my career journey.

Academic Studies - A 'visual' girl, I dreamed sugar plum fantasies of exquisite interiors. Academic studies in the sciences were fascinating - math is beautifully the only precise science - you can always count on it! However I couldn't see that I would want to work in academia.
Design Studies - For a brief fortunate period, Interior Design at Okanagan College was facilitated by a brilliant graduate of design and engineering, who crammed her 5 years of university into a two year program. It was hard work, before Auto-Cad - the old way of drafting and design. The yield was enormous. for which I have been ever grateful.
Art - Design principles and elements are universal. Studies in design led naturally into art. Raku Fired hand-built sculptural forms became my specialty. I produced, sold to galleries and taught from my studio.
Business Sales Marketing - From Design Studies and business courses, I worked in various aspects of interiors - window coverings, furniture, design assistant, art & accessories, gaining excellent knowledge of business procedures. A solid business foundation led to consultation, space planning, outfitting and arrangement in Interior Design and Property Presentation (staging) for locals and international property owners.

Volta Cafe - the manifestation of a longtime dream. A critical milestone, drove me to no longer put off and maybe never do some things. I finally allowed myself to manifest the 'people place' I'd dreamed many years. Volta was a magnificent adventure in Kelowna's Cultural District.
The Old World flavours of exposed old brick and scarred fir floors were given new life by the best customers in the world. Actors, artists, writers, dancers among many local and international profiles, met over Mediterranean fare and delicious Fair Trade Organic Coffee. The shop supplied dance shoes to BC dancers and the walls merchandised art. Volta was the expressive vehicle for my creativity.
In 2007 I decided to return to Staging and Interior Design. The real estate field has evolved considerably, since previously presenting properties. Awareness of the value has increased demand of services.
Deborah Pearce of Living Spaces Design, Interior Designer Stager & Artist has an established business record with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, Business and Sales for over 20 years in Kelowna. Returning to Interiors & staging recently, she is pleased to again offer the specialized services of Property Presentation - Staging.
You may use the contact link here above right or at Living Spaces website for services. Also find here many articles on staging and interiors.
I am tagging 3 ladies in real estate whom I've come to appreciate here on Active Rain. To each, please:
Nancy Pav A professional with heart and awareness - always has a great book to refer!
Kathleen Vetrano A cheerful professional with neighborhood values who relates to my excitement of dance!
Marlene Scheffer A dedicated northwest professional and Mom - not far from where I live!
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Tango at Church???
...and what does Tai Chi have to do with Tango?? ..in church ...anyway?
It's right across the street from where I live, but I don't generally attend the Unitarian Fellowship of Kelowna, except for special functions. Like today.

I previously blogged on how both Qi-gong and Argentine Tango, long time dreams of mine had come right to my front door - the church across the street. http://activerain.com/blogsview/132063/Argentine-Tango-in-Kelowna
Entirely fitting for me, dancer and lover of dance, was this first celebration of the new year at the fellowship which they called in relating to the new year, 'Let It Be A Dance'. Aligned entirely with my own beliefs was the interpretation of dance as life itself.
Hajime, Harold Naka,a Tai Chi Master and self proclaimed Zen drop-out, spoke of his journey with dance and how it led him to Tai Chi. This man, with whom I've taken Qi-gong, I call a Dao-ist Maverick! He shares how he found his life and healing on this path through many disciplines and defined them for himself in the humblest of words.
Harold's purity of spirit brought joy with tears spilling from my eyes as he spoke and shared his life in the expression of Tai Chi Dragon Dancing. With a broad smile I muse at the guitar accompaniment, the song, 'People As Crazy As Me' ;)) ...just luuvvved it!

Sharon Sebo my Argentine Tango Instructor who teaches 26 partner dances, performed with a young 'Tanguero' & dance afficionado 'Mica'. I wish to dance this dance finally, as it dances me. Many of Sharon's students are amazing young people who have discovered the marvelous partner dance world here. They are pure inspiration!
Sharon may be accessed from her website for group and private lessons. http://www.tangokelowna.com
A fluidly beautiful inner expression emoted from a solo by Gail Hodgson. So obviously tuned with her inner life, her moving dance filled me with the appreciation for the ecstacy of feeling, each our own life within us.
Today was an important personal milestone in my life, which could not have been marked and celebrated in a better way. It was perfection.
Happy New Year. I Hope You Dance
Deborah Pearce of Living Spaces Design, Interior Designer Stager & Artist has an established business record with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, Business and Sales for over 20 years in Kelowna. Returning to Interiors & staging recently, she is pleased to again offer the specialized services of Property Presentation - Staging.
You may use the contact link here above right or at Living Spaces website for services. Also find here many articles on staging and interiors.
http://activerain.com/groups/raindancers
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii303/eccarr88/tango.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b203/brok3ndr34ms101/Dragon.jpg
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Snow in June!! It started out a very chilly June 25 /07. I’d left my windows open overnight & awoke to a brisk temperature in my home. On my way out this morning, I was surprised to see white atop the mountains that line the valley. At higher levels up to 13cm (about 6in) were reported.
Conversely several weeks ago we suffered temperatures hitting 40’C! The weather is unusual all over it seems. However having lived here in Kelowna for 40 years (that will date me!), I’ve seen unusual weather many times before.
There has always been a non-stop flow of people moving into the Okanagan. It is desirable especially to Retirees, Vacation Home Owners, families wanting to get out of the big cities & generally people attracted to the various amenities, four season activities, the scenic vistas, & ..............
.............the weather!!!
Working with the public, I have often had opportunity over the years to meet folk disappointed with their actual experience with the weather after they'd moved here. I usually chuckle & say, "they told you that summers are always hot, it hardly rains, winter is mild & it never snows - well if it does snow it melts right away .......right?"
I know the scenario. They've been misled for the 'sale' & not done their homework.
Generally summers are hot; winters mild. However I've yet to see a winter without snow. I've three times seen the 80 mile long Okanagan Lake freeze over to temperatures of 30' below F. Not far away is the internationally popular Big White Ski Resort; it's biggest attraction - knee deep powder!
We have been fortunate generally with our weather here & haven't experienced any devastating extremes. It's highly pleasant living here amid spectacular valley vistas.
Well the sun is shining now & is forecast to follow through the week. A little excitement & change makes life interesting!
"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein
Deborah Pearce owner and webmaster of LIVING SPACES is a Kelowna Business Woman, established with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, and Business for over 20 years. The contact link at Living Spaces website may be used for service enquiries. Also find over 100 ARTICLES on Staging, Art and Interiors.
Deborah's blog frequently features interior design, real estate, community, environmental, internet, art and human interests.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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