A Birthday Post From A Guest Blogger.

Happy Birthday Ashelle!

Hello, let me introduce myself before I dive into my post. My name is Jaclyn. Feel free to check out my blog : http://petalsforgems.blogspot.com/

It’s this amazing girl’s birthday today. I have a gift for her, however I was too sick to give it to her on Monday. I shall mail it tomorrow hopefully. When Ashelle asked me to guest blog for her I had no hesitations. Though now that I’m sitting in front of the laptop, I can’t think of what to write. I have a hard enough time trying to find topics for my own blog.

From the very first day of high school, when she bounced over to the shy girl in the corner (me) and demanded to know my schedule, which happened to be the exact same, we were friends. From sleepovers, parties, slushie runs, boys and major life decisions. And we share an unhealthy (or healthily when an invasion happens) of zombies.

Ashelle is a stunning person, inside and out. One of the greatest people I’ve known. She has such a big heart. Willing to help a friend out with anything, she’d be sitting beside you in that jail cell. Intelligent and creative, she comes up with the craziest schemes. She’s beautiful, drop dead gorgeous. Whether she believes it or not, the whole world knows. Patience isn't always her strong suit but she's will to wait for her loved ones. She has a love for the odd and unusual. She knows how to push you to grow. Full of surprise and will join you in a tag team if a fight you need help in. If you are playing a game, you want her on your side because she’ll cheat her way to winning. She has an insight that seems beyond her years. She’s the one that I go to when I need advice in any situation. She has the way to view the world as beautiful and makes you feel like you are as well. She transfers this beauty into art and crafts. She is unforgettable. She has an open mind and an open heart.

Ashelle is a truly special, beautiful person. My wish for her on her birthday, is for her to know amazing it is to be her friend. I feel honored that she has choose me to be in her life. Thank you Ashelle for letting me be your friend.

~*~ 

Jaclyn from Petals for Gems has been my best friend since the first day of high school.  I totally forced her into our relationship but she eventually started to like it... so it's all good.  During our high school years we terrorized the halls by taking "extra long bathroom breaks" together and finding other reasons to sneak out of class.  We were bad.... but then again, playing Mission Impossible in the empty halls doesn't really count as "bad" just entertaining. 

In her blog, you get a little taste of all of her talents.  She is truly a "Jack of All Trades".  When it comes to baking, crafts, art, DIYs, fashion, Jaclyn can do it all and so much more. 

Along with her multiple talents, Jaclyn is one of the sweetest persons I know.  If she could, she would save all the critters in need by having her own rescue farm.  Now if that isn't sweet, I don't know what it. 

a guest blog from a non-blogger.

Today is my (little) big sisters birthday! I always say Ashelle is my favourite sister, she always reminds me that she’s my only sister.

This guest blog concept is new to me. I’m not sure what I’m suppose to write about, Ashelle’s instructions were: ANYTHING! (surprisingly that advice isn’t very helpful)

I know I’ve been mentioned once in this blog as the ‘younger annoying’ sibling who mocked her for getting a bird. Although I don’t deny it in my defense it was Ashelle’s first pet bird that began an embarrassing phobia of birds. After being dive-bombed on multiple occasions by Ashelle’s first budgie I began to believe that ALL birds would peck my eyes out, if given the chance.

When I say phobia I mean it. I would drop everything I was holding to run away from a seagull, I would avoid going into pet stores, I couldn’t watch movies with animated birds. The sound of ruffling feathers, or the squeak of a bird would make me screech in a horrified and embarrassing way.

            Luckily for Ashelle I am no longer afraid of birds, and it happened in a pretty weird way...

            A few years ago I signed up for a trip that involved 2 weeks of volunteering with 2 weeks of adventure traveling. My number one choice was Croatia. My excitement the day I found out I was going is something I will never forget, the volunteer options included working with children (or so I thought) about two weeks before leaving I was officially assigned to my volunteer project… working at a sanctuary for injured griffon vultures.

            Until now my fear of birds had only existed in occasions where birds could be avoided. But here I was, about to spend 2 weeks with griffon vultures, who are not only multiple times the size of a regular bird, BUT also are suppose to be able to rip apart carcasses with their beaks.

            I arrived in Croatia terrified, not only of the birds but of embarrassing myself in front of any potential new friends. I thought maybe I could avoid being directly around the bird. But again, I was wrong. The first few hours of being at the sanctuary I received the honour of ‘playing’ with a Griffon Vulture.

            Her name was Koleda, and she was much smaller than the average vulture. How do you play with a griffon vulture? You put on a glove and dangle your hand in front of their mouth, pulling away at the last second. Amazingly I made it through with not only both my hands but both my eyes!

            In the days following I got closer to the birds, helping clean cages, watching feeding, and sometimes just admiring the vultures. 

the island i stayed on was beautiful.

i woke up to the view of this village every morning

 we swam, hiked and I even volunteered to go bird watching (although i was unaware that I had to climb a mountain to arrive at the bird watching location)

 Seeing all the volunteers at the sanctuary pour their love into protecting these birds was inspiring. How could I be so afraid of something so loved by others? I left that place feeling renewed. No longer afraid of birds.

Which is good, because as I came to realize birds cannot be avoided.

I seem to encounter birds everywhere I go and no longer give a second thought to my former phobia. 

the town i lived in last year (krakow) was FULL of birds, here's a little boy feeding some of them one morning. I stopped to take a picture, he laughed the whole time the birds were swarming him. I think if this had happened to me a few years ago I would have blacked out in fear. 

bird photobombing me in the old town square in prague

more birds creeping into my photo in Rome

SO that story being told I can say that as long as Ashelle isn’t secretly training her new feathery friend to attack me I wish her and her love all the birdie luck in the world and believe we can happily live in harmony together.

ON A MORE BIRTHDAY NOTE!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG SIS!!!  

you may be shorter but i'll always look up to you! 

love you lots, and wish you all the best in this new year! 

love you always, your big little sister. 

Guestblog: The big picture is starin' at me...

Krista from Oceanaria here reporting for duty. I have been bugging Ashelle to start up a blog for years now. I have known her from the beginning of our awkward teenaged years to now and have watched her blossom, grow, and come into her own. Makes me feel a little proud! As a personal blogger I have covered many touchy subjects in my life from my school-work, to my depression through to my dramatic move from Ontario to British Colombia. Ashelle asked me to blog for her while she's out playing hooky I came up with blanks for topics. Naturally I turned to the one person who always pushes me in the right direction and asked Ashelle what I should right. She brought up photography and art, duh! Of course. I had my shared my own moments of growth and I still feel that I have a lot to learn about life, love, and expression.




I started up my blog back in 2004, using it as a main source to showcase my photography through my personal blogging. The day-to-day became interesting not only for others but for me as well. I made good use of Flickr and away I went. Sharing my work online has helped me grow as an artist and share the world as I see it. Not only am I am amature photographer but I dabble with painting too. And while I painted I blogged, showing off my progresses, success and even the inevitable failures.




Last year I started to sell prints online which has boosted my confidence in what I do, and knowing prints are going off to friends (and sometimes family!) who support me in my creative endeavours. Each print goes towards the funding of our wedding day, which is coming up fast. Any extra funds will go a long way!

And that reminds me, I need to get out there and take more pictures! As a blogger I know that when others reach out to you it's an opportunity for growth, Thanks for reading my shameless plug on her blog, can't wait to extend the favour my way.

Cheers!

~*~

Krista from Oceanaria (a blog by Krista) has been a great friend of mine since the early years of high school.  She's beyond talented when it comes to art, photography and writing.  I've always been envious of her creativity and style.  

Krista is a wonderful person, who is always there for me when I need it the most.  She is open-minded enough to listen to all of my wacky thoughts & concerns. But with a gentle approach she is able give me the voice of reason.  I'm always thankful for this, even if I don't express it at the time. 

Whenever we get together, it's just crazy sexy times.   As you can see from our pictures together, we know how to have fun.  I tried looking for a picture of us that was 1) good and 2) appropriate i.e. not grabbing eachother's ass or sexually suggestive.  It's impossible.  Hopefully in the spring with her upcoming wedding we get some mature beautiful pictures along with the hawt ones.