Honest, Kind and Brave

I noticed that at the end of Summer, I usually loose interest in fashion and style. I think it's the same at the end of the cold season, and I am probably not the only one who experiences it, and my explanation is really simple. I think I get bored with the sameness and just want something different for a change - in other words, I am ready for a new season! Here in the beautiful PNW, there are really only two seasons, and I call them simply Rain and No Rain. We've done some No Rain, and I guess I am getting ready for Rain now - don't shoot me!  

These pictures were taken a couple of weekends ago, during our staycation (which was short, only a week, but I still have stories to tell, I just need to finish some work first). This August, the city of Federal Way has finally opened the doors to the PERFORMING ARTS AND EVENT CENTER, a long awaited facility for both local talents and artistic groups, as well as the growing city's residents. The city was incorporated in 1990, and since about that time, a few artistic organizations united into the Federal Way Coalition of the Performing Arts to help raise funds and community awareness of the need for such a facility. Good ideas take time, dedication and resources - but they also take a lot of invisible inner work, trusting and courage. It took nearly 30 years for their vision to come to life. 

The modern building accommodates 716 seats in the multi-level theater, and overlooks the central part of the city, including Town Square Park with seasonal splash park, zip lines and children's playground, built just a couple of years ago. (Read about all Federal Way city parks HERE.) There will be more additions to the exterior of FWPAEC, like colorful art installations right outside of the glass walls overlooking the magnificent Mount Rainier. 

Justin and I were really excited to see this dream come true and celebrated it with all our hearts! It feels personal to us because our family has a strong connection with Federal Way - we lived, worked and volunteered in this city, for several years, so it feels like our second home. A big part of my work was with the Federal Way libraries of the King County Library System. Which brings me to some exciting news I want to share with you! If you connected with me on FB or Instagram, or if you read my creative writing blog (HERE), then you were among the first to know!

Here is what I wrote on my Instagram just a couple of days ago:

"The side of me that not many of you are familiar with... I am a storyteller! Since 2009, I design and present Russian Story Time programs, as well as bilingual (Russian/English) programs for the King County Library System (awarded Best Library System in the nation). After a much needed break which I took to nourish myself, focus on my beloved family and on writing books, I am honored to announce that I updated my contract with #kcls and am available, on a contract basis, to present my individually designed educational and entertaining programs in the Russian language, as well as other Russian cultural and language presentations for English speaking audiences (children and adults)! You are the first to know!!! I absolutely love my job! I think you can tell it by looking at these pics, hehe."

Take a peek into my work! I made this music slide show dedicated to my library work a few years ago. It's one of my favorite Russian songs for children. If you pay attention, you will find that good literature and songs for children often have a deeper meaning.

The Wizard's Song 

in my translation 

(lyrics by V. Lugovoi, music by G. Gladkov)

In order that people could go to Mars

Without any fears,

From fairy tales, we learn to dream

Since early childhood years.

None of the textbooks

Took time to explain to us 

That the one who is honest, kind and brave,

That one is the wizard!

The original Russian text 

(текст В. Луговой, музыка Г. Гладков)

Чтоб могли на Марс летать 

Люди без опаски, 

С детства учимся мечтать 

Мы у старой сказки.

Объяснить нам не успел 

Ни один учебник: 

Тот, кто честен, добр и смел, 

Тот и есть волшебник!

I am grateful to Justin for supporting my decision to take a break, for holding my hand in the darkest times, and for encouraging me all the way to keep exploring, trusting in life and believing in my vision and abilities. You, my love, kept being honest, kind and brave, and encouraged me to be it too. And the miracle happened! I came out recharged and full of new ideas and inspiration. I feel stronger than I was before, and I am eager to start a new page of my life, as a bilingual writer, author of children's books and independent expert on Russian language and culture. Because this is who I am! And I really see now that this break was very much needed not only to nourish my family and my inner self, but also my wardrobe! I really think that these years of resting and healing, on the one hand, and wild free creativity, on the other hand, allowed me to dig deeper and find what I did not know existed - my inner artist. That artist who was responsible for so many ambitious creative projects in the past, is now in full charge of my outfits too.

Whatever idea you are working on, keep trusting that it all will work out in the right time! And when you don't have a clear vision of where you want to move with your life, keep exploring! It's the hardest job of all - to see what's not there yet, to keep dreaming and believing. Don't try to figure it all out with your mighty brain, but rather follow your nose - do what brings you joy today, every day! It will all come together one day, and you will discover new paths, new windows and doors, new valleys and mountains which you did not even know existed, simply because they are invisible from where you stand now. But if you trust that your inner vision is there for a reason, you will see your dream come true.

Follow your heart!

Keep exploring and trusting!

Skirt - Teresa for Eloquii

Shirt - thrifted

Shoes - Vaneli via Nordstrom Rack (old)

Necklace - Talbots on sale

Clip-on earrings - vintage

Purse - thrifted

Sunglasses - Lane Bryant (old)

Pearl bracelets - old friend's gift

Belt - Target (old)

Linking up with Visible Monday

Find my books at

AMAZON or INDIE BOOKSELLERS 

in Seattle, Tacoma, Federal Way, Washington

SUPERSEAL, my new book, is coming in 2017!

Connect on

INSTAGRAM     FACEBOOK     YOUTUBE

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