and I feel there is no community, no dialogue with strangers. The energy on the streets compared to some cities like in NYC, is just quiet. We're look more like zombies in Toronto, than simple folks enjoying life. We always have something to do, somewhere to go or just running late. Hmmm. I think its REAL hard to approach a complete stranger for directions or to give a friendly compliment. Maybe we're a bit ungrateful for what we have here and are becoming a bit too spoiled with some of the luxuries we might be taking for granted.

You ask, what luxuries? Well, our new leased cars, or steady full-time jobs, our convenient long-term relationships and multiple credit cards. Poor people and rich people have it made here.:) But in some other countries, the poor is really poor and do not having the luxury of a satellite dish in their housing complex. I don't know, some things are strange here.

Well, that was just some things that came to mind today as I was walking the streets in downtown Toronto.

Storm passing pure blessing and respect to all:))

I keep forgetting to post upcoming shows.. but I try to keep this page alive when I can:)... In March, I will hope to see anyone that can make it to the short film "BloodChalker" It's a horror movie that I have a cool role in. It is a scary and suspensful flick. So, I will for cheesy wheesy plug it again in March with the full details... It should be showing at the Bloor Cinema... Sweets Shouts to Nobodys Perfect Productions.

Well, may everyone have a progessive and healthy year!!


---Storm..

Hey, hey, summer seems to be in full swing and I am feeling pretty happy about that!

I am working on the Summer WorkshopProject. It is great having Ashley to 'bounce ideas' off of!

Had a meeting today with Ashley and Martin. We discussed how we can revamp the workshop part of the site and make it more user friendly. I believe that empowerment is within the user, thus creating a site for all users to use all over the world. I think this means taking into account the language that we use, thinking of the resources and availability in other countries, getting away from north american perspectives and getting our users to critic our kit, having online resources and information for facilitators to be able to download and use for their workshops, AND always keeping in mind that less is more!

Met with Manisha and Meeta, our workshop facilitators for the Java Workshop.

Attended the TIG workshop, "How to Promote Yourself". Jesse did a great powerpoint presentation!

Continuing to Market the workshops.

In the middle of writing an email to the research volunteers. I am needing to get them motivated!

Sent out reminders for the workshop.

I start my volunteer work with ALFA. The adult literacy organization. I will be tutoring 2 individuals in the area of english. I am really excited about this. ALFA takes a bilingual/bicultural approach to literacy and a student based needs approach to tutoring. I believe in and practice both these methods and philosophies.

I think that is it for now. Everyone enjoy the summer while it lasts!!!!!

Hmmm, I thought I should write my update while I am still feeling 'inpired' to do so.

The Trillium workshop series is really monopolizing a lot of my time. However, it was great meeting Ian, a gentleman who is really motivated in helping us out and creating a marketing plan that will ensure success for our workshops. Ashley has also joined us in the market aspect of our workshop series.

Welcome Ian and Ashley!!!!

I am already thinking into the future, september, and how to create a successful pool of resources for our next workshop series. I believe TIG is starting to customize their workshop series to these 4 areas: (not excluding new ideas that members would want) a)Connect to Your Career
b)New Media and Web Development c) Self Expression Through the Arts d) Organizational Skills and Leadership Development. Thus, the workshops that we give can go under one of these four categories. From a marketing perspective, we would be able to market TIG and the services that we provide more successfully. It was brought to my attention that Toronto is a real 'user based' city. Meaning, people like to be able to go to an organization and use their services or be referred to another organization for the services they need. Not that we just want to be used as a 'service', but I think this will help in bringing in more specific individuals that match with our organizational goals.

I am in the mist of creating a form for workshop volunteers to fill out. This will help me to get the pertinent information that I need more quickly and accurately.

I am still plugging away at our database, approving and researching.

Our lab is starting to come together bit by bit. Last night we actually had our first workshop under the "Trillium Series". Martin did a great job facilitating, Houshi was great at assisting. I felt completely independent of it, which I believe is a very good sign as far as creating something sustainable is concerned. I would like to get our team to come up with good workshop programs and resource files in order to create a sustainable program. Martin has already taken the lead with the web design workshops.

Today is office clean up day,yay!!!

I started my volunteer job this week. I am volunteering at The Nook Literacy Centre. I got to play with the kids for the first hour and a half, then assisted them with their home work. It was alot of fun!!!!! Great way to release alot of energy.

I will also be volunteering at the ALFA centre, which is an adult literacy program. This entails one on one tutoring a few hours out of the week. I also hope to get involved with their fundraising program. My goal is to get my degree in linguistics, then eventually open up my own schoo. Sooo, I am on my way, each little step helps me to atain my goal.

I believe that is all for now.

Cheers!

The Trillium Workshop series are taking up most of my time!
Set up the first meeting with members, organized interests. Met with Jen, we went over the trillium workshop series, we arranged the workshop schedule up until August, hopefully everything will work out smoothly. We will be having the first facilitators meeting this evening.

I am having success engaging new individuals from the community to conduct a workshop!

Facilitated a workshop at Leaside High School related to anti-racism. It went pretty well.

Still importing events, orgs, scholarships.

Had the TIG gang at the house, great cake!

That is all I can remember for now...will add more when I think of it.

Ok, so here goes...

I finished writing a budget for workshops, translations, and resources. They were then given to Vanessa.

Daily management of research volunteers, there seems to be an great increase of events to be posted and are posted on everyday!

Attended all the March worskhops, just to welcome individuals, get email info and make sure everyone filled out feedback forms.

I actually facilitated the "Dismantling Cultural Barriers Workshop". The preparation for this workshop was a bit challening. I tried 2 months in advance to schedule presenters for my workshop. I was turned down many times on the account of the date of the workshop. Most of the presenters schedule their events in the fall. Soo, I guess everyone is needing quite the advance notice for workshops. I re-learned what I have know all along, that is when desiring to work with different individuals from different cultures, it is best to establish a relationship and build trust.

Finished the YMCA workshop reports for the month of April, only needing comments from the facilitators so that I can wrap it up.

Finished scheduling and booking workshops for the month of April. Sent out emails and flyers to advertise the worskhop.

Taking in daily requests for workshops and responding to individuals rsvping for workshops.

Went to a Guidance Counsellors Leadership meeting with Jen. It went really well. The Coodinator for the Toronto District School Board was interested in us going and giving workshops for their students taking leadership courses.

Met with Karis, trained her on the admin site.

Went to a meeting at the Y's women's shelter, STOP 86. They are interested in having us facilitate a workshop on jewelry making. I found a facilitator willing to do this, thanks to Karis!

Started working on projects for youth service week. Perhaps we can do a clothing drive for STOP 86 during youth service week.

Attended the Youth Service Week launch.

One of our TIG members came in with their art, I was able to take picture to be uploaded for the global gallery.

Started importing the OYPA orgs.

Tonight is the Hip Hop workshop, should be lots of fun...

Hola everyone! Yes, I'm still alive and well.:) Wow, it was nice to get some responses about my last article. Spreading the truth and reaching other people's hearts with my words and spirit is still one of my greatest passions.. I hope to submit another one for this summer.

Well, spring is coming so everyone enjoy the season before winter creeps up again. :)

"Keep moving and keep god in your hearts" :)

-- STORM )))))

Talents verses Interests

Now, are talents and interests the same thing? Hmm, I
don't think so. For example, I am interested in foreign films, books, little children, latin american art, linguistics, language acquisition, basketball, and belly dancing!!!! Now, am I talented or gifted in these areas? Maybe to some degree, but hey, I'm no Vince Carter! But I would sure like to meet him! (well, that's another story now isn't it?) I will just leave him to lets say, yet another interest...

Well, I must say I am quite a talented person. My talents really focus in the area of people and relationships, gosh, I think I could have been another Freud in another life! Or yet, another Martha Stewart, I'm pretty good at entertaining, making flower arrangements and baking delicious monster cookies! I happen to think children are the best thing in the world!!! Which is why I think I'm a good teacher. I'm definitely the Karen Kane of the salsa world, but you know, I really don't want to boast.

The pieces of the puzzle in which I seem to cover at TIG are Researching and importing resources and information in the TIG database.

I am working like a mad woman organizing, facilitating, planning future workshops here in Toronto. This also includes marketing and advertising for the workshops, answering questions, updating rsvp lists, room bookings, shopping, preparations,pre-meetings with facilitators, modifying workshop kit, follow up feedback meetings, ymca reports, hmm, I am sure I am probably forgetting something. Exciting new! One of the schools in Toronto asked us to facilitate a workshop! Soo, more planning...

Projects that I am currentlsy working on;
Fashion Show Fundraiser
Workshops-Cultural Barriers,Stopping Racism, YMCA house
Toronto Volunteer Program
Translation

March-I definitly want to get the Toronto Volunteer Program rolling! Plus, my own personal workshop,'Cultural Barriers'.

I am really enjoying getting these workshops under way!
I look forward establishing a volunteer program. What I am thinking is having a feature on our site that members in the gta can join in on a currently running volunteer progect in the community. These projects can be anything from giving out food to homeless people or cleaning up the park. So, what do you think of this idea? Any feedback is much appreciated!

We had our first Toronto team meeting, which was an idea party at my place. Now comes the challenge of coming up with more interesting meeting to engage members!

I must say, I really enjoy working with quite the dynamic team!

I visited local organizations to see how we can 'hook up' and reach more youth, mainly through workshops.

continually working on the packages to give to schools explaining tig's volunteer programs.

sent out memo to toronto tig members concerning our workshops and our first toronto tig meeting!

meeting with y staff about the rules and regulations of the lab.

gave a presentation at a school with amanda! i think a few students are interested in doing their 40 hour community time with us.

still having MAJOR issues printing, i do believe that i am cursed, or how vanessa puts it, i don't have the 'technology karma'.

heading home soon so that i can prepare for the meeting at my place on friday.

it was a pretty busy week, but those are the highlights.

maria

Ok, so here's the scoop- I came into the building like any ordinary day, get the key from the chickie sitting at the front desk, go up the elevator (the new maria didn't want to take the stairs), go to unlock the office door only to descover the office has been open by maintence and there is some girl sitting at one of our computers!!!!aaaggg!
oh, i was livid! i gave her the speech that she was to use the computers in the lab and that this was our office which was off boundaries!!!!ok, she did not listen! She kept on working saying, "oh I have this project that is due at 11:00am." I had to tell here 3 or 4 times to "Get off" and she still did not listen!!! Good thing she wasn't sitting at MY desk! I'm still fuming...
hmm, do you think i'm over reacting???

ok, good news, i have been busy contacting the schools, we were actually asked to give a presentation next week to the students and staff ( as part of a panel). Soo Jen, next week it's you and me baby!

The other schools would like me to get back to them in a couple of weeks, they are busy with registration.
I will now begin getting in contact with local orgs and start building relationships and promote our upcoming workshops!

Yesterday, i imported many orgs, events and scholarships into our database, very time consuming. I still have to import all of the YES orgs, another time consuming day.

I have translated the site, I just have to go back and do the accent marks.

Mandy and I will be going over the school packages, I still need to update the partners part of the package. So, if anyone can update it on the site, then i can just download the info to add to our package. We need to emphasize our YMCA partnership, the schools seem to like this aspect.

I have written an email for our local members in the GTA as advertisement for our workshops here at the office and also the workshop we will be having at my house on Feb.24/02,5:00 p.m you are all invited. The "Idea Party" is basically our first Toronto meeting to get our members more involved and proactive. Susheela is adding some graphics to the memo to make it more attractive.

I met with the global gallery committe to discuss how we are going to advertise for artist, so they can exhibit their work at the "Evening in Red" fundraiser sponsored by the Canadian Student Services. I Will be meeting with Amanda to get this going.

Oh, I will be meeting with the teacher to discuss her students 'behavior', grrrr.



Attented staff meeting.

Jen and Vanessa, hope your safe and benefitting greatly in New York.

WOW! I haven't posted an update in ages!!!!

Anyhow, here I am in the office with actual time to give a quick blurp about what is going on with me.

I had a great Christmas holiday! I mean I pretty much try to live everday as though it was Christmas. This is done by being as sincere as possible in all my relationships and being a positive force in people's lives. Hey, I think that I just might have a Christmas party in the middle of July!

However, there was a bit of a strange occurance...
When I came back from visiting my family in Stratford, I resumed my daily life in Toronto. Well, my folks decided to come up and visit me for the weekend, great! So I decided to make my spaghetti sauce so that we could have a nice speghetti dinner. As any good cook knows spices are very crucial when making sauce, and it was at this time that I noticed that my SpIce rack with all my spices was gone from its original spot! I looked high and low for my spice rack. I mean, what is sauce without the delicious flavours of the spices??? I must have looked for an hour for my spice rack. I also noticed that specific things in my cupboard had been moved around... very strange.

But not to fear!!! I had a whole set of spices on hand as "back up". I like to add chilli peppers to my spaghetti sauce. Then I let the sauce simmer for a few hours to get all the flavors of the spices blended into the sauce.

I was all excited when my parents sat down to eat my special sauce!!! Well now, my mother has suddenly acquired an allergy to chilli peppers so her face went beat red within minutes! The tears wouldn't stop falling from her eyes! Oh dear... the sauce was so spicy that my father couldn't even eat it! So what did I do? I ate the spaghetti without stopping, one mouthful after another. I thought it was delicious!

So hey, dinner wasn't the greatest success, but for me, it was just like Christmas.

p.s If anyone out there has my spice rack would you mind kindly returning it to me!

This experience/article came about when I was doing advocacy work in a developing country. It was an extremely difficult time and it left me feeling raw, which is pretty much the way I decided to add it to my updates, raw. Why? Because i simply believe in transparency.

Have you ever noticed the size of walls? I mean really, there are thick walls and thin walls. There are sound proof walls and bullet proof ones. There are high walls and low walls and in between walls. There is the wall of china and Jericho. There are cultural walls and rubber made walls. There are cement walls and invisible walls.

Have you ever banged into a wall? Sometimes it leaves bruises and marks. Other times it leaves you dazed and confused. Other times you just don't care and you start kicking and banging and taring down the walls to no avail! Other times, you just leave the wall in peace. Sometimes people come along and add to the wall, cementing pieces of stone and brick. Other people try to jump over the wall, only to find themselves falling back on the same ground they started on. Other idiots actually try to climb the wall, only to see themselves ill equipped. But me, I just leave the wall the hell alone. I mean I see it, I touch it, I feel it, and often times i caress it. Then I reach further down, the furthest I can possibly go, and I start pulling. I pull strong and hard. I push this way and that. I grab at the strongest stone down there and shove it around. Then eventually it gives! I start to hear a rumble, a deep groan from the bottom until it reaches the top. I hear the spitting of small stones falling, tumbling, coming faster and faster towards my head. I have to quickly run out of the way, less all the stones crumble on top of me. I then begin to jump for joy. I get ecstatic that all is coming down. Then all that is left is rubble. After the the dust has settled, I can begin again, a real beginning, without walls.

Brrr, it's cold out there! Autumn is here and it brings with it such sweet memories of childhood... the piling of leaves, then taking a flying leap into them, rolling around while screaming at the top of your lungs!!!! ok, so maybe that was MY childhood...

Well, I am still working away in the TIG office, drowning in the database of organizations,events, schoolarships, etc... But hey, I'm a pretty good swimmer, but more often than not, I'm screaming out for a life jacket. It's a good thing that there's often a life guard on duty...

There are a few exciting events! We have started the process of translating the site into French. Jen has already met with the translator, I will be meeting with her next Friday to go over more details for an overall look of how we would like the site to look and function.

Beyond the hills, I see sight of our Open House...

We will be starting our workshops soon. As one of the criterias of our partnership with the YMCA, we are to be giving 3-4 workshops per month. We have many people desiring to facilitate a workshop, we hope to set these in motion starting next month after our open house.

Time to get back to work, anyone out there know how to give mouth to mouth...

On our best behavior during a conference!

HI Everyone! As I mentioned before, I am the newest member of the TIG team! I received a great welcome by the team by being sent to Slovakia for my orientation! It was great! I got to observe the great TIG team in action on location in the towns of Bratislava and Kremnica. They did a great job giving presentations and workshops to Professionals and students of Slovakia. As an interpreter I was able to play an intricate role during our presentation in Kremnica as many of the students involved in the workshop were deaf and used a manual form of communication known as sign language. Contrary to popular belief, sign language is not a universal language. Although many gestures or mime type of signs can be understood by anyone around the world mainly just by using common sense. The actual signs or language used by deaf people around the world are distinct to their location and culture. What does this mean? Simply put, the deaf people here in north american use American Sign Language (asl), and the deaf people in Slovakia use Slovak Sign Language. So, perhaps now you are thinking, well isn't sign language the same as spoken language only each sign represents a spoken word, such as asl is a representation of spoken english? Wrong again. Studies have shown that asl used by the deaf in america is a unique language of its own complete with its own syntax, grammar,and lexical signs or "words".

I was able to effectively communicate with the students via an interpreter that was fluent in Slovak Sign Language. As well as having two spoken language interpreters. These interpreters were used throughout the workshop. However, the fun of communicating on an individual level began after the workshop was over when the deaf students conviened at the park, we were able to just chat by gesturing and miming to each other. In this way, I was able to pick up a few signs and by the end of the day I could actually spell my name in slovak sign!
I am happy to report that the deaf school is actively involved in enhancing the youth centre in Kremnica. Maya is also busy learning sign language!

While I have everyone's attention, I would like to send a big HELLO to the many friends in Slovakia, Vienna and Germany...Maya, Georg, Chery, Nadia,Brenislav,Petra, Ulmer, Karen, Nick and I could go on...

Perhaps you are now wondering just how I became soooo knowledgable about the many different characteristics and aspects of sign language. As I previously stated (for those of you that are paying attention) I am an interpreter, my areas of focus are English, ASL, and Spanish. (however, i did manage to pick up some slovak! :)
I have recieved two years intensive training on interpreting and the actual process of interpreting. That's a whole workshop of it's own! In the future, I hope to use my interpreting skills from english to spanish for translation and also to keep in close contact with our TIG members in spanish speaking countries.(SALUDOS!)

For now, I am busy working in the TIG, feeling my way through the web and familiarizing myself with the office lingo. I swear these techies are speaking a foreign language! Is there a volunteer out there willing to interpreter the high tech vocab for me????????????

Well, until we meet again. Parting is such sweet sorrow, I bid you good bye until tomorrow.