Dear Beeple people, 
​
What better way to welcome 2016 than by writing my last blog post of the year during a traditional Canadian snow storm with a dash of Rancid. That is exactly what the new year will be: a storm of the unexpected and what has never been. And we, human beings, will have to live through it. Good or bad and sometimes even the horrible. Have you reflected on what 2015 was like for you? Granted once again, you will find some good and some bad, what is important is to learn and appreciate from both. 

What storms of the unforeseen have you encountered in 2015? 

What has life brought to you? Was there a general theme to 2015? What dominated your thoughts? Make a list of the positive events that unfolded, places that you traveled to or inspiring people that you met. This short exercise will A) make the abstract more tangible and B) make you realize just how much you have done. In my case, I can definitely say that 2015 revolved around growing with my fiancé now husband: Phil. We were focused on organizing our wedding and all of the many decisions that go with that. What I truly appreciated is that it made us spend so much time together as one and it united the PhIva team even more. So, to do as I preach, here is my short 2015 list of the awesome: 

• Got married  - Epic. Solid. Party.
• Met tons of interesting clients at work - their resiliences inspires me daily.
• Met the dancers from Les Grands Ballets Canadiens - wooooot!
• Signed up to Ballet classes 
• Traveled to Portugal - spectacular trip.
• Met Charlotte & Stella
• Spoke and wrote my mind
• My nonno celebrating his 94th birthday - so inspiring.

And I could go on. In essence however, these are the main elements that contributed to my happiness in different ways and that I am so thankful for. I am not one for resolutions really, just being aware on aspects I want to achieve or improve will do.

What opportunity knocked on your door? Of perhaps it knocked, but you were too busy to answer. 2016 will then be the year when you open the door and grab the opportunity instead? Whichever it is, just taking the time to write these elements down will clarify your thoughts on what you are happy about and what else you'd like to achieve in the coming year(s). Yes, I put an "s" there because in some cases it may take more time than expected. 

You want change? Well make sure you make room for it then. We hold on a to a lot of mental and physical rubbish throughout the years, myself included, and we don't realize that those past elements can block out new adventures from flowing in. For example, if your closet is full, you park in the middle of your driveway and haven't learnt any new recipes lately... spiritually, the message you are sending out to the universe is "A new opportunity? Umm, not right now I'm not ready and I have no room for it". In essence, you aren't in the proper mind set for it and you physically haven't made room for it either. So, If we keep holding on to what we find is more important, then the novelty won't come. Or it will but we won't realize that it has. 

I can almost guarantee that once you sort through your things at home, be it clothing, buying comfy new sheets and a spare toothbrush for a special someone or learning to cook a yummy risotto, you will set things in motions for yourself. Whatever happens, you will be ready for it. The same way we were all enjoying the mild Montreal weather, we were ready with our big boots and coats, monster ploughs and shovels to clear the snow when the storm hit us and now we're enjoying the winter wonderland too. A little ;) So go ahead and clear a drawer, burn some candles and put on a cucumber mask. Treat the new year like you would a special evening out and slip on your best self. So...shall we? Forward and onward.

Cheers to you and your fabulous new year! 

Your faithful,
Tinybumblebee x

A breath taking and spectacular performance, The Nutcracker's opening night was a success and swept both adult and children's hearts away. The red carpet unrolled and a cinnamon spiced sparkling wine  was served to all guests. The ambiance at the Wilfrid-Pelletier theater was the definition of the excitement and joy that comes with Christmas and holidays festivities.

I have seen the classic Christmas piece before, once when I was little and as an adult about ten years ago with a friend and I remember being amazed as well. However, I must admit that as a 33 year old taking classical ballet courses, I have a renewed appreciation for the performance I saw last Friday.  

The story begins in the olden days as everyone gathers to celebrate Christmas as one big family. From young children to older adults, dancers from all ages filled the stage and had their roles nailed down perfectly. Keep in mind that classical ballet does not have dialogue. The dancers' facial expressions, gestures and overall movements combined with the music is what speaks to the audience to tell the story. Well they told their story very well and throughout the performance, the audience understood perfectly well and answered with laughter and applause. Lots of applause.

Indeed, as the Nutcracker ballet piece evolved, the pirouettes, grand jettés and fouettés increased in their intensity and the surprises were endless! The snowflakes dancing and prancing including Renata Commisso, the three crazy cooks making us laugh, the beautiful Spaniards with Sahra Maira and the hilarious jumping black sheep of the Maszipan Shepherd. I held my breath a few times and let myself get carried away by the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy Vanesa G.R. Montoya and her Cavalier Raphaël Bouchard. Truly, all dancers owned their roles and plunged us into the charismatic Nutcracking world! 

Flawless. Just flawless. I cannot event begin to describe the orchestra's perfection. Every instrument responding to the conductor's demands in support to the dancers' movements. They mastered every single piece and gave our ears what they were longing to hear. Grandiose was The Walts of The Flowers, precise and mischievous was The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and I can go on...All timed to the second. Shivers ran through my spine a few times as I took in the music and dance all at once. Without the musicians, that are hiding so well beneath the stage you would think it was a recording playing, the show obviously would not be the same. They ignite the dancers and make the story come to life. The hours not to say months of rehearsal truly showed that night. The acts flowed seamlessly as the audience indulged each and every one of them. 

Though all Montrealers are rejoicing with the mild weather we are getting this December, some of us do enjoy the occasional snowfall especially during the Holiday season. With that in mind, I really appreciated the mesmerizing snow-globe effect the stage greeted us with as we took our seats. We were entering the era of The Nutcracker the moment the doors opened. The lighting and staging were very well thought out and were nothing short of master pieces. I absolutely loved the Christmas tree and the enchanting Kingdom of Sweets! 

The costumes - WOW! The ladies and the gentlemen's dresses and suits really took us to the era. The rats really looked like rats and the sheep were adorable. We feasted on a wide variety of colour pallettes: The frosty lavender blue of the snowflakes, the orange, red and golden coloured outfits of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier sparkled through the night and the creamy white of Clara's night gown which reminded us that we were indeed dreaming... ;)

If you haven't seen The Nutcracker, need I say more? Get your tickets! and if you have seen it and have time to take the kids or want a different idea for quality time? Go see it again. It will plunge you into the holiday spirit and will pull out the child in your heart.

Sending special thanks to Alena J. who ensured that guests were well taken care of and who also looked after her fellow dancers.

Bee Nutcrackin' for Christmas! 
xx