Reflections

Bristol is slowly sinking into our personalities, mine and Missouri. Slowly becoming our city. Very slowly. I keep asking myself if it ever will become our home, or rather just a stopover. It has potential, but for now, we are going away again! Yeah! This saturday we are heading to France. Definitely for 2-3 weeks, but maybe longer.. ;) I think I secretly planned longer already. Same as last time, but this time, we will do different things. Some places are going to be the same, some not. Also, I will be working on editing my movie "Psim Tropem" (Dog's Trail).

At Strawberry Hill near our house, good spot for reflections

During stay in Bristol I had some time to think about my recent experiences while I travelled. How it influenced my life. I also had some thoughts about what is important to me in my life. And also I realised, that doing that 1st step towards travelling years ago, or rather deciding to live in another country than my own, I kind of lost my roots. It's sad. But also made my tougher. Stronger than I was. More confident. I am not perfect. Every day I battle with myself to be better for myself. And for my dog.
I was offered a job. Maybe it wasn't the best in the world, but I could feel I could be good at it. Problem was, that I would have to spend about 12 hours a day out. I could even earn a lot. And travel too, as they work in different towns around. Also it was awesome, that work atmosphere with those guys, their office felt so good. Like never before in any job I have been before. Just the air was boosting my ego ;) But you know what: I didn't take it. Because I have Missouri. I have completely no regrets - I can't believe how easy was for me to say that. I spoke to main boss and explained that my dog is very important to me, that she is my companion and friend, and little bit like a child, kind of ;) He understood. He genuinely regretted my decision and told me that he can give me references if I ever needed (just after interview and 1 day training, what a amazing thing!) I know that I want to build my life around my dreams, and not my dreams around my life, because I might never find enough time, energy and money for it. Like sadly most of the people. I Hope I can make it.

Also, I started playing around with my drawings and pen graphics in Photoshop. I was keep thinking what could I do instead of making stencils. I love making them, but I kind of lack of space to make them and place to keep them - under my bed :) I know I could just go on the street like most of street artist do. But it just don't feel like it..

Fighting demons

It's been a week since we moved to Bristol. For some reason I believed that I will find a job in a few days. But no. I know, sometimes it takes even two months or forever for some! Well, not for me. But I kind of lost my drive, or maybe just got depressed that on so many posts I replied it was only one that I had call back. I even went successfully throughout the interview, but I can start proper training in a week time, and earning in two.. Well, that's not good enough for me. I am so impatient person - I want a job now ;) The good things about the job is that it's freelance - as I work as a self-employed. My earnings will be as good as my skills as a salesman. I know I can do this, but I'm kind of broke right now. Keeping me in good spirit however is the opportunity of going to France for fruit picking season. So I am not lost, but I still will have to find money to buy tickets to get there. I wish I could pay someone with my paintings. World would be much happier place if, like in old ages one could exchange goods for other things. I make art - but it's not easy to sell it. People not buy it, as this is not on their priority list of things to buy. But don't they like their homes looks nice? Well of course they do. So they go to Ikea or some other place and buy reproductions made in hundreds if not thousands copies. Some have friends who made art and so they have originals. But do they care? As long as it matches carpet, or walls it's ok. Only rich people care - if the piece of art they have, represent value of money. And its where the circle ends. Money. This days everything comes to money.
Almost.
Lucky there are still things you can't buy. They are free to everyone! :)

just like that ;)


But in a time of sadness it's hard work to keep positive. That's why I am fighting my demons.
I had an urge to paint today. To give myself to freedom of creations. Somehow in my mind art creation and money needed for living don't go along hand in hand. I don't know how to overcome this pattern?

Interview

Last few days went very quickly, I had interview after an interview. Giving and doing it. First time I gave an interview in my hometown to my local newspaper - they wrote nice story about my project Psim Tropem I am doing now. Later, at the Slow Down Festival I gave an interview to local tv about building a kiln during festival, then on the way to Wroclaw I interviewed a veterinarian, and in Wroclaw, director of Happy Animals Foundation, then the owner of vegan restaurant Vega which accepts all kind of pets; in Warszawa I interviewed press representative of polish train lines Koleje Mazowieckie; and then in Poznan director of Animal Security Foundation...

my official media patrons 

Feels like a lot of talking, but now I have even more precious material for my upcoming documentary;)
I am getting scared a little, when I think of editing it later!! How I am going to get through all of this? And when?? In 2 days I am going back to England. Broke. No money left, as all were consumed by my project (which nonetheless, I am happy for and convinced of it's righteousness. It was my dream, and very important reason - If I am able to save some dogs from being homeless - I won ;) Even if it's gonna be just one. But I hope there will be more!

Also, I hope I am going to save myself too ;) I want to change 9 to 5 life to more relaxed and artsy freelance. I was born with artistic soul, with freedom in my heart and my mind. I am like this bird who stop singing, when locked in a cage. I need to find solution for myself. It might be hard, but hey, I know it's doable!

Every day I am doing an interview with myself, asking if I've learn something new? Sometimes I think, that not much. But I know I feel different. I can't precisely say how, but just different. Will it stay with me when I go back to London? Will I stay strong within myself and carry on with my plans? I am asking myself questions like millions people do: how to do what I love and make a living out of it. And when doing it - do not get bored of it.

Here is my lovely companion Missouri, and behind her - part of amazing mosaic found just round the corner of my hotel in Rotterdam, NL. It's local community project

 I am going to be most happy doing this kind of beautiful things ;)

Happiness and sadness

It is a very strange combination. I feel happy and sad at the same time.
I am happy because I do what I love the most: I travel, I meet friends, and I make new friends. I get to know new places, eat new foods, see wonderful things, take amazing shots with my camera,  enjoy local atmosphere, feel new, refreshed and relaxed after hectic and stressful life in London.
All this made me feel that I don't want to come back to the life from before my journey. And - I also know that this journey is still happening, I don't have to rush, I have all the time in the world to enjoy it, and to get to my destination (even though I have a set up date of return to London)
This journey is about learning more about myself. To recognise my dreams, fears, goals. To find my way back to source.
In the Now is the Happiness. It is not awaiting me at the end of this journey, but it's now ;)

I feel sad, because nothing stays the same. All the things in the world are changing. I know I have to treasure this moments, like all moments from the past. But I also know that in "now" I am making my "tomorrow". And I want it to be as beautiful as it is now!

I spend amazing time during last week with my dear friend Tania, who always make me feel amazing and who with her personalty spreads love wherever she is - Thank you for being Tania!

...

Also the reason for being here is my lovely dog, because she gave me extra reason to travel, to make better world for dogs (through my documentary). She is my companion and friend and I love her ;)

I feel sad, because I feel I am leaving some old part of me behind, which obviously I was very attached to. Old me I knew. But now I start to get to know new me.

And the journey is not finished yet!

Some of you my dear readers thought this blog would be only about how it is like to travel with your dog, full of information and tips. But as every journey, this has it's story. It's reasons. And I want to share mine here with You.

xxx   Keep reading   xxx

Extraordinary culinary experience

Since a week I've been eating delicious french food. Almost every day is something new. I remember the first day with my french host, when I saw big plate full of green salad (only salad) I thought, omg, I will starve to death :(  ha ha! nothing even close to that, and quite opposite! Yes, almost every day we eat loads of green salad, but apart from that there are other things. I think I got used to polish or english way of eating, where there are various things on one plate served to each person. Here, we eat starter first like fruit, then all kind of salad and then board of cheese with bread, plus water and wine. Quite often I try new veggies I never had a chance to eat before. So its culinary experience too! Tonight on my plate landed  an artichoke. I was terrified. I remembered eating it from an oily jar, and that it tested insipid. Bleah .. But I thought that I will try, because 1st. I am a guest, and I shouldn't whimper, and 2nd - maybe if it's fresh, it will be edible. And guess what - it was very interesting! It was steamed and quite nice with a sauce of vinegar and olive oil, and something else..  I was surprised that you eat only the base of each petal, dipped in sauce, and the base, without the flower. Okay - maybe lots of people know this already - but for me - it was extraordinary :)

Picture is borrowed from google images

Midnight inspiration

It's past midnight and I already feel sleepy... but I want to share with you what I found just this evening, possibly, my future inspiration :) a website about female solo bike travellers. There are 2 who travel the world with their dogs. See - everything is possible if you believe in it :)

http://www.skalatitude.com/p/wow-women-on-wheels.html 

This is picture from a blog: www.happiness-around-the-world.com - good luck girl!

Also one more inspiration:

Nothing more, nothing less.
Good night dear readers!


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