Downtown Halifax | Nova Scotia

 "Today everything exists to end in a photograph."

- Susan Sontag

More to see around Downtown Halifax

International Busker's Festival  | The Wind Farms, Amherst NS  | Halifax Public Gardens  | Chocolate Lake, Armdale  | Citizen Soldier Fountain

Bloglovin'  |  Instagram | Facebook |   Etsy |  YouTube |  Pinterest

Thoughts about Blogging

It's been quite a while (a long, long time, actually) since I did anything with this blog.  I took sometime to revisit my old posts and I did enjoy reminiscing the stories and experiences that were behind these posts.  Sometimes I wonder what my life was a year, or two... five years ago... My writings may not be as candid as if I was just writing for myself, but they have given me insight on my thoughts during those times.  Looking back gives me a certain kind of delight that I am left here wishing I wrote some more. 

Today, a dark and gloomy day, a day that inspires self-examination and wonder about what life has brought and yet will bring, I sit in my office desk with a mission:  clean out my social media presence, delete my old accounts and simplify my blog.  I succeeded in deleting my YouTube accounts.  I still have some cleaning to do with my other social media (associated with marketing a public blog); today I am starting with going over my blog-drafts and see what treasures I left here unfinished.  Some have to go in the trash, but some others, like this one, are worth keeping... and a nice one to write a new post with.

So... I dabbled on blogging quite a while ago; with that, I dabbled on photography, crochet... a lot of nail arts... Of course, a part of me, a huge part of me, wanted to make money out of all these too, so I also set-up an Etsy shop.  Five sales.  Not bad.

At this moment in my life, I am devoting more time to personal study and Bible reading; which led to discovering a wealth of online Bible reading challenges and fun templates to aid Bible study.   As you may already guess, yes!, I made my own templates too and I am again wondering if I could make a blog that would share all these templates that I have been designing for Bible reading and study.

My! Am I sorely out of touch with the movement of Jehovah's Chariot.  I browsed through the jw.org site and realized, there is a wealth of worksheets, workbooks.... Bible Study aids... what have you.  I don't need a blog... In all these things, the common denominator is the joy of keeping a journal. So right now, the conclusion of this matter is - I'll just keep this blog for personal use, as a treasure chest of my delightful souvenirs to look upon and reminisce when I am older.

That's it for now.

Seal Watching

Puffin Boat Tours

Queen Ann's Bay

Victoria, Nova Scotia

These animals are enormous, lazily basking in the rocks.  As if turning their heads snobbishly away from me, they plunge into the water.  Most of them would bob their heads in and out of the water.  As though they were playing hide and go seek with us.  "Take my picture!... Oh no, just kidding!" 

I've never seen seals before in their natural home.  If only I could touch them.  As we rode the boat, I raise my face to the wind and welcomed its cold touch on my skin.  It probably helped that we were the spoiled little brats, having a private tour, with the entire boat to ourselves.  Okay, we're not brats.  The clouds are heavily thick that day, just a few hours before, the rain was so strong, it felt like a hurricane.  Many people cancelled their tour leaving the entire boat to only 4 tourist and 2 guides. We moved from one seat to another, trying to get the best view possible.  Then there was a little balcony an the end of the boat where I could safely stand, raise my arms in the air and just embrace the winds.

There is a certain pleasure I could not explain every time I look at my husband busily taking photos with his phone.  I don't think he realizes how handsome he looks, his face very kind and gentle.  "Thank you,"  I whisper every now and then unable to get over how incredibly blessed I am.  Every site, every feeling, sends a thrill in my veins.  I get silent moments of reverie, never imagined I would come this far nor would I ever experience things like this.

One day I was a little girl with no care, content with my little space in the world.  Then life did what it does best - I had to grow up.   Sometimes life showers blossoms of happy times, often it shoots sharp arrows straight to the heart.  Decisions had to be toiled upon and life lived with consequences.  I had visions of what I want my life to be but did not have the slightest idea how I could get there or if it's even possible.  But having our only True God as a best friend and cleaving to him, having faith and courage, life is better than whatever I imagined it to be.

***

Bloglovin'  |  Instagram | Facebook |   Etsy |  YouTube |  Pinterest 

I am joining these lovely blog parties:

Our World Tuesday

Old Quebec City, Canada

Old Quebec
Quebec City, Canada

***

Blue Reflections

Taken once upon a spring day.

{Jones Lake, 2015}

***

Deer Island, New Brunswick

Some photos taken from a trip to Deer Island, New Brunswick. 

*** 

Faces from the Citadel | Halifax Museums

If a picture paints a thousand words,

then what would these faces tell you;
what do they not say?

*** 

Just in case you missed these post:

International Busker's Festival

The Wind Farms, Amherst NS

Halifax Public Gardens

Chocolate Lake, Armdale

Bloglovin'  |  Instagram | Facebook |   Etsy |  YouTube |  Pinterest

Soothing Blue Floral Water Decal Nail Art

I think that this design is so girly.  The color lends itself as the uplifting colors of a clear blue sky, or the soothing ambiance of the ocean shore.

What do you think of this nail art design?

All About Water Decals | Nail Art

Looking for fun and cheap ways to accessorize your nails?  Want it fancy?  Not a good free hand painter?  Lacking nail art ideas?

Have you heard/tried water decals nail art?
Please read more below to see if you'd like to try it.

Wanderlust and Polishes

Happy Monday my dear friends!
I hope you have a great start to your week.  We had quite a bit of rain last night that melted most of the snow outside.  But the week before that, it was sunny, blue skies with lots of snow.  Although it is certainly cold, it is absolutely beautiful and I feel very blessed to have the chance of living in a winter wonderland.  How is the weather like where you live?

As an aid-worker for an Alzheimer's Disease Patient, part of my day would be taking her for a long walk.  She loves the outdoors;  with the proper winter gear, we are set to walk and walk with no problem.  Recently, I had the idea of taking a few polish bottles with me and taking pictures with them when an opportunity arise.  I call this new fad of mine #WanderlustAndPolishes, hehehe...  The lake where we usually take our walks is so beautiful,  I can't help it.

Remember this water decal nail art?  It's been 6 days and look! besides the normal nail growth, there's no chips nor signs of wear.  Mind you, I also clean homes as 'another' job (part-time), I do wear gloves, but still;  this mani is probably bullet proof, haha! And no, it's not gel or shellac, just plain polish on my natural nails.

And here are my babies out on a walk with me.

"And they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of golden star light in your eyes are blue...."

These polishes are called "Stardust" from Avon... so reminds me of that Carpenter's song, though...

I am sending you warm love from my snowy lake... (yup, that is a frozen lake behind me).

I hope you spend some time outdoors too, breathe some fresh air and feel the sun on your skin...
Rumor has it, it's good for you *wink*

Thank you for visiting my blog again dear friends!
I hope you have a wonderful week ahead of you...

Love, Maya

Instagram | Facebook | Etsy | YouTube | Pinterest

Easy Painted Flowers Nail Art | Water Decals Nail Art First Impressions

What do you think of this nail art design?
It's shaped like a heart, all my love for you my dear nail art lovers :-)

Ever wish you could paint your nails as lovely as some artist does?  Well, they can paint the Michaelangelo on their little canvasses, their nails... and my, are they ever pretty!!!  But many of us are not that talented.  Thankfully, don't despair, technology had made it so possible to mimic such gorgeous designs so that we can just stick them to our nails and have them looking fabulous in no time.   Please continue reading to see more photos and first impressions.

Sunny Days in Winter Nailart

My!  My!  It was a long time coming and then we are at the 6th day already of the new year:  2016... How time flew.  How is everyone doing?  I want to thank you all for visiting my blog and continuing your support.  You guys are super awesome! 

Today I was trying to set up a filming station for my nailarts - so I could make video tutorials.  I have some ordinary study lamps with white bulbs, my iPhone and a selfie stick... but so far, I had no success.  So let's stick to still photos for now.  {Any suggestions?}

What do you think of this Sunny Days inspired nailart?  Some little pink flowers scattered all over a sunny yellow.  Goes so well with gold jewelries, don't you think?

We've had our share of snow over the last few days and the sun finally came to visit today. I don't mind it photobombing my nail art photos at all! In fact, I wish it would visit often, even when its snowing! (Wait, is that possible? hehe)

I hope you all lots of sunny and happy days with a battalion of loved ones around you.  {Cause you know, nothing is worth it when we don't have loved ones to share them with, right?}

Lot's of Love,

Maya

Instagram | Facebook | Etsy | YouTube | Pinterest

Hmm, How about some Rock Star Nail Art?

Hello friends!  How are you today?  I want to thank you for visiting my blog and continuing your support through my blogging-hiatus.  "Thanks!" and here's a big hug...

Winter has definitely arrived where I live {Atlantic Canada}.  We had tons of snow fall over the weekend and the snow is falling beautifully again as we speak (I mean as I type these words, lol ;-)  It's definitely cold outside... but short walks are very refreshing and fun; well, during such walks that different textures and views in nature can be admired.  I tried my best to capture some in the photos below with my rock star nail art.

A Red Mani with Flowers, Why Not?

Good morning to the girls and ladies!!!
I hope you are all doing well.  Today, I'd like to share with you my "Welcome Back to Nail Art" nails.  I've been on nailart (and blogging) hiatus for a while.  Life, that's what it was, lol!  Hubby gave me these flowers and I feel in love.  I thought: "Red!  why not some red nails?"  And here it is, with matching doticure flowers and leaves to make them even more cheerful!  Do you like them?

Click Read more for more photos...

Beauty After The Winter Storm

Yesterday, I decided I need some exercise so I walked to work.  For less than an hour walk plus a great view, exercise ain't so bad, right?  I just had to make sure I had the right gear:  boots, gloves, hat and hood, long coat... Nothing is sad when one is warm.

More photos here, please keep reading...

First Snow This Year

Good evening friends!
Part of my work day today is a pleasant walk along this park.  Today is also the first day of day-time snow in my city... Yes, there has been scattered snow already during the night and they are mostly gone come day light.  This time, it was a gentle pour of pellet-sized snow.

I stopped a while to say hi to these beautiful birds...

It is a cold day, I guess everyone's still getting accustomed to the cold season and many are in denial that snow is inevitable...  I, for my part, am ready for some change.  The gloomy skies and chilly winds spell somewhat a low-mood, but the snow makes for a charming, whimsical day.  Don't you think?

How is your day?

xoxo,
Maya

Bloglovin'  |  Instagram | Facebook |   Etsy |  YouTube |  Pinterest