Socializing: Summer Picnic 2022 & Plein Air Painting

Since the ongoing summer is spoiling all of us with nice warm days, on Friday (August 5’22) I organized by the side of the Pacific Ocean (in Vancouver) the annual picnic for my Circle, this year being conjugated with soft jazz music and a demonstration of plein air painting, graciously offered by painter Victor Gligor.

Even though the pandemic related constraints lessened a lot in our province, at the welcoming table, amongst other things, my guests were greeted with a large tray of hands sanitizers (as the safety protocol is still closely observed).

But before I will tell you few things about our beautiful evening together, firstly I would like to share that my special guest (painter Victor Gligor) is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, and over time he had numerous exhibitions, both in Granville Island at the Federation’s Gallery and in other well-known art galleries and places of reference in BC.

For your edification, here is Victor’s biography as well as his website. I was truly happy that Victor honored my invitation with such kindness and elegance.

Also, I was glad that on that Friday, Victor sold a very nice painting to one of my guests, and once again I would like to wish the new owners to fully enjoy it! 

Now briefly talking about our gathering: this is the second summer in a row I am organizing a picnic for my group and each time the outcome was heart-warming.

After more than two years of social austerity, for each of us a new occasion to meet face to face brings us all real joy. Spending time in nature, with like-minded friends, while talking about art and having a soft jazz music in the background mixed with the sound of the ocean waves is absolutely perfect for a summer evening.
And so it was our gathering! For this picnic I chose a place where the consumption of alcohol was legally accepted and having a sip of a good quality wine on top of everything else brought along a different vibe.

On the other hand, as you already know, each time I put together an original surprise for my friends and this evening I brought few liters of a traditional Romanian summer soft drink, called “Elderflower cordial” (Ro: ”Socată”) I’ve prepared at home.

To everyone's delight, this gesture reminded them all about dear childhood moments, when many Romanians back home consumed it with great pleasure; I could easily state (without any exaggeration) that this summer beverage meant for all of us what Coca-Cola meant to those who grew up on the North American continent.

Last, but not least, much appreciation to our friend Sandu who delighted us with a great jazz music!

For your enjoyment, here is a short video clip I’ve created for this occasion... 

It was really satisfying to be able to spend few hours together, socializing in a pleasant and relaxing setting while catching up on the latest developments in each other’s lives….good quality time and easy going bonding, which filled our hearts with so much joy!

Dear ones, until our paths will meet again, my best wishes to all for a great rest of the summer!

This event has been delivered in Romanian Language, featuring Romanian culture. 

● ARTICLE featuring our event on August 5, 2022, published by OBSERVATORUL (from Toronto)

● The previous picnic I organized for my Circle: Socializing...Summer Picnic 2021 & Book Launch

Summer vibes of 2022

As the current summer is nicely unfolding, I took a bit of time to reflect on how much life and people have changed lately, given the most recent ‘saga’ the entire world was going through, and the concept of contentment (in its full complexity) was emerging like never before, emphasizing that in fact it is not so important how much and what you have, but rather how do you relate to what you have. You can have a lot and still be in need of that little “something” in order to reach happiness. 

Or, you can deliberately choose to enjoy every single thing you have, and when you perceive life this way, shortly you realize that you have a lot.

On the other hand, noticing with satisfaction the joy of the long summer days, or that the sky is unfathomably blue, while observing that the sun is not a second late in meeting the sunrise, without any doubt your heart will be overwhelmed by the surrounding beauty of nature.  Yes…observe, give thanks and enjoy!
It is believed by many that “thankfulness precedes a miracle”. Our elders used to consider that contentment (gratitude) is the most inexpensive medicine for maintaining a good health, a glowing inner beauty and sound relationships. Yes, relationships! You all know that in life, disgruntled and grumpy people are always avoided, so it is much wiser to choose to be on the side of the grateful and the content ones! Yes, it is a choice and it is entirely yours!

Socializing: CANADA Day 2022 – Morning Coffee Talks

On July 1^st, 2022, Canada turns 155, and on that day (Friday – July 1^st, 2022) we had our annual social reunion meant to honor this very special occasion, this beautiful and very unique country, with a sense of genuine patriotism.

Outside it was a very nice and sunny weather, but before everyone left their homes to attend different celebrations in town, we’ve gathered on line (for everybody’s convenience) to enjoy our coffee together, while discussing a bit about our life in this great country. 
At today’s dialogue table (under my brand “Morning Coffee Talks with Alice”), the invited friends belong to different walks of life, and during our conversation they each shared openly their renewed perspectives about their life in Canada, about their new experiences (good or lesser), about their dreams and about their plans for the future….all in one, interesting viewpoints worth considering, where gratitude still holds its own place.

Once again, dear fellow Canadians who joined me this morning, HAPPY CANADA DAY,

and many thanks for honestly sharing your thoughts with the rest of the group…as always, your support is highly appreciated!

This event was featuring the Canadian life & culture.

● Previous events I organized on the same theme: CANADA Day – 2021, 2020

● Some of my additional greetings referring to CANADA Day – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019