prairie girl musings

Author: prairiegirlmusings

  • The never-ending quest for meaningful work.

    The never-ending quest for meaningful work.

    I initially began writing this post almost two months ago. This mere fact speaks volumes about my ability to endlessly ruminate on a topic (read: procrastinate) and my inability to decide on a consistent theme for this blog, or my life for that matter.

    The issue of coming into one’s profession has always been of interest to me. Increasingly so following the completion of two editorial internships with Canadian magazines.

    I am an idealist; an eternal optimist. I’ve always placed great importance on finding the right career, but as I reach my mid-twenties, I’ve realized that the perfect career does not exist. I’ve yet to find a career that truly resonates with who I am. This sheds light on the question of whether a career needs to tick all your boxes.

    I had a primary school teacher who, at the age of five, knew that she was destined to be a teacher. I have always been drawn to teaching. I started teaching dance when I was still actively studying and dreaming about a professional career. Unfortunately, even after being admitted to Canada’s only direct-entry Bachelor of Education program, (which I would have completed in French) I was still undecided. I wanted to get away and see the world, not stay in my native province for the next four years. After all, I had lived here for the entirety of my eighteen years, wasn’t that enough? My feelings were further complicated after speaking to my favourite high school teacher, who was sufficiently jaded and exasperated from her own teaching experiences. Needless to say, she advised me to consider different academic routes.

    Unfortunately, deciding one’s profession at 18 isn’t something that many of us are capable of doing. I internalized the variety of opinions that came from family members, friends, teachers (and dance teachers), coaches (and vocal coaches), guidance counselors, and pastors (okay, I’m kidding on the last one.) They all had my best interests in mind, but I still felt paralyzed and could not make a decision.

    I spent my summer performing with Saskatchewan Express, our province’s musical touring company. This experience enabled me to put off making a decision about my future until the last possible minute. Even once classes began at Minot State University, where I eventually enrolled, I was still driving back to Canada every weekend for performances.

    My point is that many high school students and even twenty-somethings feel trapped. How can an individual who doesn’t know if they’re on the right path, be expected to pursue that path full-heartedly? What’s the point of giving something your undivided attention if you cannot vocalize why you’re doing it? Sure, they know what their community expects them to do, what would make their parents the most proud, what will pay the bills, and very little about their own passions or how their skills can improve society as a whole.

  • Style Influences

    Style Influences

    Moving to Canada, Toronto in particular, has undoubtedly impacted my sense of style. Whether it was the continent hopping or simply transitioning from full-time student to full-time intern, I’ve been forced to relinquish my ‘homeless-chic’ fashion sense (a term so lovingly coined by my dear friend, Adrian.)

    The study of style has always been of interest to me. How we evolve over time and accumulate new life experiences certainly impacts our sense of style. I appreciate the various social media platforms at our disposal. They enable us to so easily chronicle our daily lives in such a visual and powerful way.

    My sense of style has certainly evolved since high school. Whilst in New Zealand, I was obsessed with the quirky, tongue-in-cheek designs of Karen Walker, Ruby and Huffer (more on Huffer later…) eventually embracing the more streamlined looks of Moochi, Country Road and Zambesi. Like most Aucklanders, I wore a lot of black and adopted a minimalistic approach to hair and makeup. I love how my New Zealander friends and classmates mix high fashion with consignment steals and messy hair. Their “I’ll be damned” attitude is conveyed in everything they do and wear, as if they had just spent their noon hour having a dip in the Pacific.

    However, working in an office environment, many of my favourite garments have been stashed away at my parents’ home in Saskatchewan, waiting for the next road trip or indie music festival. Lately, I’m finding my style veers towards the preppier, buttoned-up looks of J.Crew and Kate Spade. Club Monaco is another old standard that can do no wrong in my eyes.

    Who influences your sense of style? Or rather who influences your style? Is it your present geographic region? The current trends in your part of the world? Is it a combination of your travel experiences and the cities you’ve visited? Surely you are influenced by the climate and your friends, but what else drives the way you present yourself to the world every day?

    For me, my style is an accumulation of all my experiences. From growing up in rural Saskatchewan to travelling to Europe for the first time to completing my BA in the Southern Hemisphere, and everything in between. Here are some of my favourite outfits over the past few years:

    xoxo, Vanessa

  • Summer Fashion Trends

    Summer Fashion Trends

    I am officially on a shopping ban.

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    You read that correctly. I’ve made a bet with an undisclosed individual that I will not shop for the entire summer, that is until September 2013. Those who know me know how challenging this endeavour will be. However, it has forced me to go through my closet and work with the already abundant selection of garments I have.

    Without further ado, here are my six favourite summertime trends:

    1. Lace. I have a thing for lace, and nothing beats a white-hot lace top with high-waisted denim shorts, or a vibrant pink lace skirt paired with a denim button-down shirt. Bring it on.

    2. Denim shirts. Yes, I am Canadian and yes, I do love denim more than your average bear. It just goes with everything and it is easygoing, unpretentious and casual. I feel as though anyone can wear denim, which I love. I’ll be rocking my denim shirts and denim jackets all summer long.

    3. Basket-weaver sandals. While I’m not sure the official name for these sandals, but I must say I’m in love. Paired with anything from a floral sundress to a striped t-shirt and shorts, basket-weaver sandals are the way to go this summer. I bought a Steve Madden pair (pre-ban) for $30, what a steal!

    4. Dungarees. Okay, so I could call them overalls, but I much prefer the British term, “dungarees” because it’s more fun to say! Socialites all over the globe have made this a must-try summer trend, and I can’t help but love the effortless look.

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    5. Summer sequins. Who can resist a little glitter? Pair a sequin skirt with a white top or sweater in the summertime for a look that takes you from day to night. Keep the rest of your outfit simple and chic to avoid overkill.


    6. Calf-length skirts. Come on, show off a little calf. I love where these skirts hit the leg, they aren’t quite maxi. No time for a pedicure? No problem, just lace up your boots or brogues.

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    xoxo, Vanessa

     

  • Pinterest: ortynskyv

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    Speaking of one’s social media presence, does anyone else absolutely adore Pinterest? I’ve been using it since late last year, and was also encouraged to use it during my latest internship.

    Follow me: ortynskyv

  • Bright Lights, Big City!

    Bright Lights, Big City!

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    I initially fell in love with the Big Apple during my first visit in 2006. It was the summer prior to my last year of high school; the summer I decided I was going to be a Broadway star.

    After five days of intense dance classes at the Tremaine Dance Convention, evenings spent exploring Manhattan and catching the world’s best shows, I was convinced THIS was the place for me. Infatuated with the bright lights, the multitudes of tastes and sights, and its vast history, I felt compelled to return.

    Luckily, thanks to the upcoming nuptials of my friends, Kirsten and Steve, I had the opportunity to return to NYC for a second visit. Kirsten chose New York as the location for her bachelorette trip; a city she had always wanted to visit. The eight girls who comprised our group had all gone to the same elementary school, so you can imagine what a reunion it was! Our five-day trip was packed with sightseeing, gallery hopping, riding bicycles through Central Park, indulging in local cuisine, partying in Greenwich Village, and taking in all the sights and sounds of New York. I also had the opportunity to catch up with some of the friends I’ve had the pleasure of meeting during my travels.

    A lot has happened in the past seven years, but New York still holds infinite optimism and possibility. Not only is it the city that never sleeps, it is a city that anyone can enjoy. Regardless of age or gender, New York City will captivate you; it will dazzle your socks right off. There’s Manhattan that only runs 13 miles long, yet is packed to the brim with people, culture, and skyscrapers. We visited both MoMA (Modern Museum of Art) and the Met (The Metropolitan Museum of Art) where we caught the Punk: Chaos to Couture exhibit.

    Brooklyn, a hipster mecca, is perhaps my favourite borough. It is stocked with flea markets (Artists & Fleas is a must-see) carrying handmade, locally-designed goods, vintage shopping (Beacon’s Closet, anyone?), locavore food scene (you’re seriously missing out if you haven’t been to Smorgasburg), independent galleries (Brooklyn Art Library) and stores and trends that began right in Williamsburg (Catbird!)

    I can’t possibly list all the amazing spots we visited throughout Greenwich Village, SoHo, NoHo, Chelsea and the Meatpacking District, so instead here are some memorable photographs:

  • Putting on the Fitz

    Putting on the Fitz

    “I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”

    -F. Scott Fitzgerald

    Thursday marked the end of my editorial internship with Weddingbells magazine. It was a bittersweet last day at the office, the place where I’ve spent the past four months; the place where I thought I’d figure it all out. As it turns out, life isn’t that simple or straightforward. I was sent on my merry way with a big bag of luxury beauty products (including a gorgeous Chanel lipstick that I didn’t know how to open due to my inexperience with Chanel products.) So, regardless of my mixed emotions about my future, I will be temporarily distracted testing out some of these fabulous new products. And despite my confusion, I am thankful for this wonderfully positive experience in such a fun, lighthearted office.

    While I don’t want (read: can’t afford) to waste any time jumping into a new job, I also need to find something that relates to my strengths and passions. And with today’s ever-depressing job market, I know finding ANY job with an English degree won’t exactly be a walk in the park. I know I’m a strong writer, but I’m a better editor. I love putting words on paper in an attempt to express my mind’s innermost workings. However, what I enjoy even more is improving a piece of writing that has the potential to be amazing. This leads me to my next endeavour, which will be editing and (hopefully) publishing Nick’s mother’s first novel on Amazon! Admittedly, I have only read the first two chapters, but I already have no doubt it will be a fascinating, gripping read. It’s a piece of historical fiction and like any great novel, the first chapter will have you hooked. I won’t reveal anything else at this point, but it’s going to be GOOD.

    IN OTHER NEWS: Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby” was released in Toronto last night! And there was no way I was waiting one more day to see my favourite American novel being put to the Hollywood test. I was introduced to Fitzgerald’s third novel in high school by my favourite English teacher. She absolutely abhorred the character of Daisy Buchanan, and could not understand my fascination with this seemingly banal and evidently careless, heartless woman. But back to Luhrmann’s film. Yes, it was gaudy and at times, tacky. Yes, it was drawn out and exhausting. And no, I wasn’t sure whether Luhrmann (who directed Romeo & Juliet and Moulin Rouge) was criticizing 1920s American consumerism or fetishing it. But I think that’s what made it such a rollercoaster ride. Regardless of its imperfections, I held my breath as Daisy and Gatsby were reunited for the first time in five years, I grimaced during every single scene that featured Myrtle, and scowled whenever Tom Buchanan spoke. And you’d better believe I cried like a little baby at the end. DiCaprio was BRILLIANT (as always) and Mulligan was just dysfunctional and vapid enough to be believable as Daisy Buchanan. Tobey Maguire, as Nick Carraway, was absolutely phenomenal, and if I wasn’t a fan of his work before, I am now. I could ramble on and dilute this post that is SUPPOSED to be about the end of my internship, however, I’ll stop and tell you to  STAY TUNED for my actual review, which I will post tomorrow!

    For now, I’ll leave you with this quote from a review by The Independent: “Leonardo DiCaprio segues with utter conviction in the title role, from the suave, semi-mythical party host to his neurotic, lovelorn alter ego and back again.”

  • Cosmopolitanism

    “Cosmopolitanism is an orientation, a willingness to engage with the other. It entails an intellectual and aesthetic openness towards divergent cultural experiences, a search for contrasts rather than uniformity. To become acquainted with more cultures is to turn into an aficionado, to view them as artworks. At the same time, however, cosmopolitanism can be a matter of competence, and competence of both a generalised and a more specialised kind. There is the aspect of a state of readiness, a personal ability to make one’s way into other cultures, through listening, looking, intuiting, and reflecting.”

    -Hannerz, 1990

  • Ramblings and Deliberations

    Ramblings and Deliberations

    I’m sorry that I haven’t been active this week on the blog. I wasn’t feeling very motivated and didn’t want to write anything less than inspired. I know I’m prone to spitting out useless jargon and I’d like my blog to be more than a collection of my recent ruminations.

    I was able to re-focus my energy towards something positive towards the end of the week. Namely, my summer goals for 2013. I came across this article on Thought Catalog this evening, and it really contextualized a lot of what was going on in my head. I’ve spent the past week freaking about my lack of career. Sure, I’m interning at an awesome magazine and enjoying it immensely, but I still have this nagging feeling that I’m nowhere near where I should be professionally. I constantly feel like I gave up the opportunity at a very good career in favour of pursuing my passion to write (and live abroad). It’s obviously not as simple as that, but I do hope that I will eventually figure out what it is I should be doing professionally.

    In other news: My younger sister is moving to a suburb just outside Toronto, and I couldn’t be more ecstatic. She’s my best friend and it’s been way too long since we’ve lived in the same province, not to mention the same city. Case in point: many of my summer plans will involve my sister.

    So, without further ado, I introduce you to my summer 2013 goals:

    1. Train for another half marathon – Those who know me, know that I’ve been running on and off since I was eight. I completed my first half marathon after finishing high school, and it was all downhill (or uphill?) from there. My best time was 1 hour and 45 minutes at the Rotorua Half Marathon (in New Zealand). It was a trail run and I had been training on the craziest hills the North Shore of Auckland had to offer. That was in March 2011 and needless to say, I’m not nearly as fit right now. It’s time to get back into shape.

    2. Attend as many summer concerts as humanly (financially) possible – I’m a huge concert goer because many of my favourite bands toured New Zealand while I was living there. I’m not surprised that it’s one of the most popular destinations for band tours because it’s literally paradise on earth; a place most people dream of visiting. Last year, I went to Osheaga in Montreal, which was the best music festival I’ve ever been to. The lineup this year is even better, so I’m hoping I can make it again. I’d also like to attend North by Northwest, which Toronto’s version of South by Southwest. My sister wants to see John Mayer and Taylor Swift, so those are two more possibilities.

    3. Ruminate various career paths – I’m wrapping up my second internship in a couple weeks. I have learnt so much from both Ottawa Magazine and Weddingbells and I’m truly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had with both publications. It’s been wonderful getting my foot in the door, so to speak, and learning the ins and outs of the editorial industry. While I’d like to maintain involvement in the magazine industry, I’d also like to continue to build my freelance proofreading business and get my website up. I’m not entirely sure what will happen over the summer, but I’m excited to see where my editing will take me. I have also decided that I’d like to upgrade my university courses over the next year and complete all the prerequisites to begin a Masters or postgraduate program in something practical and rewarding. I don’t think it’s too much to ask to discover a fulfilling career by the time I’m thirty.

    4. Attend dance class 2-3 times per week – I have recently discovered an amazing drop-in dance studio only five minutes from my apartment. It’s ideal for me because I don’t want to commit to the same class every week as my schedule is always changing and I easily bore from too strict a routine. I love ballet boot camp, which is perfect for whipping me into shape. A one-hour dance class has the ability to completely alter my mental state. The prospect of letting go at a ballet or contemporary class is an intoxicating feeling.

    5. Explore and make Toronto my home – I am twenty four years young, but boy do I feel somewhat aged. I’ve spent the past six years being nomadic. I left Canada for North Dakota right after high school, then studied abroad at Massey University in Albany on the North Shore of Auckland for one semester. Then, it was back to Minot for a semester before moving home to Saskatchewan to work at the dealership and flower shop while applying to transfer to the University of Auckland. Auckland became my home for two and a half years before I returned home for the summer before starting my internship in Ottawa/visiting New Zealand/travelling to South Africa for a month/moving to Toronto to begin internship numero dos. Don’t worry if you’re no longer following because it makes my head hurt just to think about it all… For those who know me personally, I’m sorry if you read that all. It’s an absolute bore. Needless to say, I am ready to settle down for the next little while. It’s been INCREDIBLE having my Kiwi boy here with me, and I don’t know what will happen if he isn’t granted residency. I can’t imagine moving again in less than a year not because I don’t love the constant change of scenery and the excitement of exploring new horizons, but because it makes maintaining friendships difficult. It’s nice having a core group of friends that you can call if you’ve had a rough week and need to consume an entire litre of Pinot Noir.

    That being said, I do enjoy Toronto. I like the urbanity of living downtown and having everything at my disposal. Your twenties are about being hedonistic. They are about maximizing on pleasure and not feeling guilty about it. I’m all for bountiful pastures and living skies, but cosmopolitanism is a wonderful, wonderful thing.

    So, there you have it. My goals are broad, much like my life and my current scope. I could get down to the nitty gritty details, but I’d hate to bore you any longer.

    Until next time,

    V.

  • Halifax, Nova Scotia

    I’m in love with my home and native land. Canada is such a vast and beautiful place. From the shores of Nova Scotia to the tundras of the Yukon, it’s eclectic, expansive, and absolutely breathtaking. Unfortunately, like many Canadians, I don’t get around to seeing it as much as I would like to. That being said, two years ago, my family decided to embark on a two-week road trip from our hometown in Saskatchewan to the Maritime provinces. This involved a lot of driving and a lot of sightseeing.

    Last weekend, I ventured back to the East Coast, Halifax in particular, to visit my younger sister who studies at Dalhousie University. The reason for my trip was her Dal Dance Society annual recital. It was a treat to see her perform, but also to visit a few key spots I had missed out on the first time around. One of my favourite spots was Peggy’s Cove, which is located 45 minutes outside Halifax.

    Natalie’s recital, of course, was also amazing. I haven’t seen her dance since high school, and was blown away by how much she’s developed as a performer. Here are some photos of Halifax, Natalie’s recital, and our sweet Air Canada upgrade!

  • Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?

    Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?

    Last night, Nick and I went to see the National Ballet of Canada’s rendition of Romeo & Juliet. I’ve never seen this Shakespearean tragedy performed onstage, but it has long inspired choreographers to adapt it for the ballet medium.

    We’re fortunate to live only two blocks away from the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto, and managed to grab DanceBreak tickets at a reduced student price. Karen Kain, NBC’s Artistic Director has been one of my idols since I was a little girl. I remember writing an elementary school report on her when she was still a principal dancer. Needless to say, I was exceedingly excited for the opportunity to see a performance by one of Canada’s most renown ballet companies. A bit of a ballet fanatic, I’m always on the lookout for refreshing choreography and contemporary takes on old classics. I first read the play in grade nine, and found it depressing, impractical, and a bit ridiculous. There were various aspects of the plot I couldn’t reconcile or understand. I still cringe when Romeo swallows the contents of  his own vile of poison (where did that come from anyway?) rather than waiting approximately 28 seconds for Juliet to awake. I could sit and analyze the play all day, but that’s beside the point. The ballet was outstanding and the enduring nature of its themes provide powerful characterization for the medium of dance.

    I was most impressed with Keiichi Hirano, who danced the role of Mercutio. His choreography was over-the-top and creative, and he was incredibly entertaining, which provided some much needed comic relief. And boy, could he jump! I look forward to watching him dance again! Juliet, as danced by Sonia Rodriguez, was also phenomenal. She was breathtaking to watch and she executed each movement with complete grace and fluidity. Only she could make a hundred fouettés and jetés look so effortless.

    You still have three opportunities to see Romeo & Juliet at the Four Seasons, get your tickets now! I can’t wait for my next NBC performance!