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Robert
November 2009 
Gaia Meet Up At Amy's In Brampton (Toronto)!
Posted on Sep 26th, 2009
by 
Nicole
Nicole
It is hard to believe that it has been a week since I drove to Brampton to see Amy and everyone. So much has happened since, so in a sense it feels like much longer.
But at the same time, I have been longing to blog about it for all this time, so it seems amazing it took me this long. But it has been crazy busy so I just couldn't get to it earlier.
(above photo taken by Amy's son, Darwin)
(myself and Sheila on the couch, Amy's hubby Ray in the foreground)
(left to right: Liza, myself, Rita and Sheila)
(Amy, Liza and Robert)
So, first of all, I tend to get lost in and around Toronto. The drive there in my new old 2005 Toyota Echo, just acquired a few days before, looking much like this:
toyota echo
was uneventful, but somehow I forgot that last time I used Google maps for directions, I ran afoul of a limitation - it doesn't tell you which way to turn at certain exits. So once having exited the 401, I wandered around, asking directions at the gas station etc. Showed up at Amy's feeling rather frazzled, but graciously greeted by her, her husband and dear Rita and her Barnie.
Rita!
(above photo taken by Amy's son, Darwin)
And the fun began. :)
We sat around in the living room talking and talking. It is always so lovely the way that one meets Gaians for the first time and just skips over the preliminaries, moving straight to the good conversations. Amy had lots of delicious snacks and goodies to munch on, and a beautiful and very welcoming house. I settled into the cosy couch, nibbled and talked and enjoyed the pleasure of just being there.
(Photos below were taken by Amy and Rita)
living room
(myself and Sheila on the couch, Amy's hubby Ray in the foreground)
gaia gorgeous
(left to right: Liza, Rita and Amy)
As the afternoon wore on, others came to join us: Robert and Liza and Sheila. At first, the guys were hanging out together outside while the women, out of consideration for my sensitivity to the cool weather (wasn't that bad but being a tropical flower, I tend to gravitate strongly to the warm :) ), sat around the living room and got to know each other.
more gaia gorls
(left to right: Liza, myself, Rita and Sheila)
We also got to meet Amy's two children, her daughter ever so briefly but her son for more time. Last time I had met Amy, last summer, we had gotten together at a restaurant in Toronto, so it was a great joy for me to see her in her natural element. Everything about her spoke of her pleasure in her home, her family and extending hospitality to us. She is truly the hostess with the mostest :)
Eventually the guys started to migrate inside, and at one point all six of us Gaians found ourself sitting around, being skilfully led by Robert in a spontaneous sharing exercise about how we first found Gaia. Fascinating to hear the very different stories from each person there.
posing moment
We had originally planned to go out to a restaurant but we were so comfy at the house that we clamoured to order in, and accordingly just at the right time delicious Indian/Chinese dishes arrived apparently by magic :) and we sat around the dining room table and the adjacent sitting room digging in.
dinner again
(in this picture above, we see Rita's hubby, Barnie, at the far right)
first supper
One of the conversations that impressed me the most was a discussion between Rita and Robert about the inner abyss, the endlessness of the spiritual journey. Robert brought up the experience of Elie Wiesel and his account of his experience with the Holocaust in the book Night
Six hours after I arrived, people began gently to drift out the door, one by one. Time is such an amazingly fluid thing, none of us could believe how quickly the day had gone.
rob and nic
I felt strongly that this was not the end but the beginning (or in the case of Amy, continuation) of several face to face friendships that would be deeply significant in my life.
Access: Public
GREAT blog post, Nicole - With your FANTASTIC description, I feel like I was a fly on the wall! Thank you for sharing.
How wonderful! So many kindred souls in one place just enjoying their oneness. I can feel it.
Love to you all.
Namaste!
Joyous 1937
I am not the type of person who would typically go out to meet a group of strangers, at least not in the context of a social gathering - but this was so different, as Nicole expressed - and I have to say that I felt immediately comfortable with everyone - not something that comes easy for me. A big THANK YOU to Amy for the hospitality of her home and family - and looking forward to getting together again soon.
Blessings and ~ ~ ~ ^v^ ~ ~ ~,
Gem
yes, huge thanks to Amy for making us all feel so comfortable and happy!
It was great meeting you, and hopefully next time we will be able to have mimi and maze too! I know they really want to come in the future to see us …
big hugs!
aw!!! :)
oh wow, Nic……………… U captured the moments accurately. Its as exactly as I saw it too……………each moment precious…………….and all of you so beautiful inside and out, you and Gem cozy on the couch, Rob skillfully getting us all to talk about ourselves and how we found Gaia………………….. Me and Rita giddy with laughter on wine, Liza just enjoying serving us, Gem quietly telling us about her wonderful career as a hypnost and channelling………………..and me still hypnotized by it all…………………………………….lol, the food appearing by magic becuz I don't cook so I know all the places that do…………………………………………….Barnie, Ray and Michal bonding, Darwin taking photographs (u wouldn't believe he was the same person who asked me in disbelief that morning, “Mom, u're having a bunch of bloggers over for dinner? Aren't u afraid they might be stalkers?” ………………………And me laughingly replying, “no, my sweet, darling son, and they are not only bloggers and writer and artists but wonderful, wonderful beings just like you.” ……………….. And my daughter warning me just before everyone arrived, “Mom, try not to talk about me when your “friends” get here. I know u, Mom, if someone says one thing about their child, you've to say two things about yours.” Lol. Well, as it turned out, I did spoke about the little Missy…Can't remember what I said…the wine was everywhere…..but she apparently heard every word. …………………………………… “Huh? U did?” I asked her afterwards. And she replied with sweet attitude. “Mom, u were the loudest.”
Lol. Lol. Hugs. Love u Nic…and all of your readers too. To us and more fantastic moments whenever u are in TO……..and hopefully Rita, Gem, Rob, Liza and more sweet Gaians could come too.
Laurie and Joyous, I am sure I responded before but my response disappeared! Thanks so much for coming here, yes, it was a very special time of meeting kindred spirits.
Dear Suni, thanks for dropping by! love your new icon too, by the way, great picture.
Amy, my Amy. Yes, yes and yes. The wine was flowing liberally except for those of us who get giddy and “Energizer Bunny”ish on the sheer joy of friendship so are better off not drinking any :):)
I forgot to mention the hubbies went off for a long long wander together, as you said really bonded well, in fact we wondered if they were ever getting back to have dinner with us but they did eventually lol
Your son and daughter are so so funny. “Sweet attitude” and yes, my kids always complain about how loud I am when talking to friends :)
In your defense, you didn't say much about your daughter, really almost nothing.
Love you so much, looking forward to the next time I am in TO, probably next spring, and another wonderful Gaia meet up.
Oh dear, two competing emotions of excitement & love & envy are coming forth. Oh, that's three. This describes your meeting in such a lovely way, we ALL want to be flies on the wall, I'm sure. To be there, too, in our individual selves all sharing in the way that we do. This sounds like such a big gathering! The way you guys were talking before, I thought it might by little with just three or four of you.
Laughing at Amy's description of her daughter (oh my does that sound familiar! in a past life of ten years ago, or something that is). and the food, the wine, the everything…! thank you so much for posting this, Ms. Nicole. Very awesome!!
my sweet dear Kathy, what a good talk we had on the phone today. one day! one day you and I will get together in person, and what a great time we will have, regardless of how many others there are with us.
It did start out with just Amy, Liza, and me, and it just grew and grew to the numbers who ended up coming. Life is so good!
and very awesome :)
Why yes, Nicole, it was a lovely chat on the phone…almost as good as an in-person meeting! And you healed me of my headache, as well. Life is good and awesome and interesting and wonderful, isn't it? (as well as a few other things, as well, which we shall not mention in order to keep the headache at bay…LOL!)
What a wonderful meeting! I really enjoyed reading your blog it and looking at the pictures, seeing all you sweeties!
thank you nicole!
im happy everyone had fun! i'd imagine that if there were a meetup near me, 98% of the attendees would be women, so it would be like a girly slumber party!
Kathy, I am delighted your headache disappeared, what another unexpected event. Today is filled with them :) No, we shall not speak of those other things.
Lucienne, so intrigued by your icon, is there a story behind that?
Suni, I am so hoping to meet you sometime. Slumber party eh?
Wow– such a lovely meetup! Yours just keep getting better and better, Nicole!
Meenakshi, I am very grateful to the Universe for arranging this one so perfectly. Everything just fell into place without much in the way of effort on my part. Something I will try to remember, 'moving forward' as they say :)
Well said my friends, for at the moment of committment the universe, they say, conspires to assist you. Let's see the theorist get their heads into that one.
=}
*speechlessly smiling in appreciation*
I'm back….woot….woot…yippy, yahoo. This is me in such hi spirits right now because my comupter is once again up and running. Did you hear me whistling a tune of ooooooooeeeeeee!
Reading your blog here put such a warm smile on my face, Nicole. It brings back such a loving embrace of Gaian's in love with our universe - that one bright and sunny day over at Amy's, that I will for ever be thankful for:)
My life is so blessed of wonderful people here, and am on such a high from our last encounter that I am yippeee with warm feelings all over again.
To every one……..YOU ROCK!
“V” and Love,
Always and forever true,
Rita
oh, Rita, my love! I am so so happy that blessed computer of yours finally is permitting you to comment. You have given me so much joy today, in our conversation on the phone and all the wonderful pictures you sent, but most of all because of who you are, that beautiful shining self.
I will always be thankful too, for having had the chance to meet you and get to know you day by day a little bit better than the day before. Feeling high with you, feeling like sleep is such a nuisance - do I really have to? LOL! Surely I can go without sleep for a few weeks, I have so much life to savour right now!
How inspirational Nicole!!!
Once again, you amaze me with how online can deepen become real, and how wonderfully expanding and enjoyable the experience can be.
Already, before your trip to Nashville, Gaians are meeting to connect and experience the possiblity of a deeper connection.
Starlight and I had lunch today. We talked endlessly, resonated, and took a walk in a nearby park. To say I am grateful is an understatement because an emotion real and true captures the essence. The presence, well that is yet another gift. It is a deepening based on a new and dynamic physical experience of shared depth made possible here.
I attempt to describe it and my heart smiles at the impossiblity of doing so.
So, online the connection of essence occurs. In the physical it integrates with real life in a way that can be known just like spirit manifests as person.
You bring worlds in alignment, and that is one of your deepest gifts (one of many). It is inspiring to me Nicole, and I am learning so much from your blessed example.
Just when I think I have found everything there is to love about you, there is even more.
In Gratitude & Love,
Ben
Ben, what a felicity that you and Starlight had such a glorious time today! Life has been very good to us all today, has it not? I am flying so high, and it's glory to have you and starlight dancing and Rita and other dear ones for company.
It is undescribable and my words are vanishing in the emptiness of the great open space around me as I soar higher.
I am humbled by the opportunity to align worlds, the Universe is most gracious. You teach me at least as much as I teach you.
Love is endlessly surprising in all its permutations and combinations.
Warm hugs to you, friend.
*****
I don't know what to say…imagine that! My heart aches with JOY…
Aloha. Since many a person cannot get away for ones dream vacation, how 'bout we do one of these, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fv_pZtGRy4&feature=related, and have coconut and pinna colada's, Hawaiian style, meet up over at Amy's next fest, and each bring an entre'e of an Hawaiian plate of yum-yums over..lol
Karaoke anyone? :-))))))
sweet starlight, never thought the day would come when both of us would find ourselves wordless during a blog discussion! love you
Here is some Hawaiian music I love, dearest Rita: Brothers Kazimero
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4081IJXh34&feature=related
The loving smile face of the chap playing that Huge guitar..lol, reminds me of that wonderful smiley faced person I sent over to you, and the movement out front looks like Tai Chi - Hawaiian style, don't it? Ahhh….. I'm there, girl, mmmmm……. :)
Always wanted to have this art of Tai Chi, but only got as far as a white belt and 2 green stripes in, Tai Kwando. Seems like a lot of dreams past has come out of this blog of yours, eh.
Holy smooth, chop'n suey…..thanks for reminding me:)
indeed :)
ah, to be in Kaua'i again,
or maybe the US Virgin Islands…
I am so looking forward to the company-sponsored retreat there, Rita, at the end of April and beginning of May. What a glorious getaway it will be.
Just clicked on the “Virgin Islands”, getaway of yours coming up…..oooooooh, yes:) How, totally WOW! I'm sooo happy for you:-)
I have a plant from the 'rain forest' family' in my kitchen that is growing like a jungle, and I keep telling Barnie that we should cut a hole in the ceiling so it can keep on greening it's leaves…he said, no to that one. Oh well, so much as renovations go, i'll have to keep getting a bigger pot to put it in, eh:)…LOL
Lv,
Ri'
jungle plants, eh? oh, too bad he nixed that idea, I can just picture the plant growing up and up through the hole in the ceiling, opening to the sun and the fresh air…
I was telling you about music I love by the Elora Singers, right? Must get to that festival next year. Here is something by my favourite composer Ralph Vaughan Williams
Lord Thou Hast Been Our Refuge
This is a 'news flash' from our once a week newspaper that announces our highly acclaimed, Elora Singers. The video of the church you sent over is not the church you would see here in Elora….they are traveler's that sing in churches Like this, but around here it's a high light when singers of gospel and jazz artists perform in the “quarry.” It's a sound that bounces off the rocks all around that sound like a church with miles of ceiling up above, sorta speak……way cool!
Loved the video you sent out above….do you sing in a choir?….just a wandering 'bout that 'cause you have such a lovely voice, and a way cool Buddha smile to go along with that:)
Buddha laughter and smiles be with you, always, lv:))))))
http://www.elorafestival.com/docs/FENE_Elora%20Festival%20announces%20milestone%20season%20lineup.pdf
i wanna hear you sing nic…do you have a link?*
star, I am only a member of our choir, not a soloist, so even if I had a link to share, you wouldnt hear me.
of course, we will sing together at your place in Nashville, I am so looking forward to that
rita, i see!
Yes, choir is a big part of my life, Rita. Here are some blogs about present and past activities
Party Time - Joie de …
my big news - ya, i think i have found it!
Le Choeur Melodium
good review (English translation!)
Also, here is a link to the repertoire for our Christmas concert…
http://www.musicaviva.qc.ca/concerts/8
Much is in my heart..such beautiful music, Nicole….hands together is what I feel right now ((()))
'Lucia Popp' (Mozart)…beautiful! I just love an Operetta with heart….I'm all goose bumply again; Ceasar Frank, how Divine..I thought I saw a side profile face of Robert (justme) sitting in the audience, (1:58 minutes into the (program) music….no kidding! Ave Dulcissima Maria, is my favorite. It brings me to thoughts of my dad who read and spoke Latin phrases that he learn't in his schooling days growing up in Germany, and love(d) him for much of what he held in his heart, God rest his soul.
Thank you for sharing such a passionate heart felt people.
Namaste -()-
Oh, right guys, most of my gaia guests didn't have any alcohol…just got high on words and each other……so that meant me, Liza and Rita were over the moon with highness…lol.
hey…this feels like a get-together in your blog, Nic. So love what u wrote in your last paragraph…
And loving everything everyone has written…
Aloha! And great idea, Rita. My place, next time Nic is here in TO, Hawaiian style….just bring your lovely selves and we shall have a blast, go coconuts, pinna collada high. Ah yes, u guys bring your singing and other talents along………we shall play cards and dice and so much more……….
hugs everyone. love u guys.
Rita, I love Ave Dulcissima Maria but there is one I love even better that we did last year - twas devilish tough to learn but oh so so beautiful to sing…:
Versa est in Luctum
ok, looks like we have ourselves a Hawaiian celebration, gorls! LOL! Yes, Amy, while you have been sleeping the sleep of the just, Rita and star and I have been partying here hee hee… like I just told Rita, sleep is for sissies :):)
lots of loves and hugs all round!
Gosh…I missed a lot. I'm glad you all met & had a good time.
next time, my friend! I look forward to it, you can join our luau ;)
The story behind my icon Nicole…? It's a very simple one, I took the pic a few days ago, I had just fixed my delicious morning Latte coffee and looked at my beautiful roses and thought…..life is good.
Hello all, Hawaiin interesting, I can barely spell the word. I know I will wear a black hat with imitation lava and call myself, Mounthatafoolaa. Sacrifices in the form of vegy trays would be good but not necessary.
=}
life is very good! dear lucienne
so, no need to kill the fatted zucchini? that's a relief lol
hugs!
omg, yes, i see that while one sleeply sissy napped away, the partay has been going on and on…like energizer bunny. lol
So J.M is a vegetarian too? Yike, I'd no clue, I'm such a carnivore…er…a reluctant one…………….and oh, Luau it shall be next time….with plenty of non-spicy food and vegy trays…
Hugs all around. Love u guys.
no, he is not a vegetarian, just kind to me :)
hugs, sweetie…
No I am not, but I water over them them like an animal.
=}
Where the Wild Things Are
whee!! Where the Wild Things Are!! i adored that when i was little! i think that is back at my house actually.. and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.. now THAT story i LOVED!! so many imaginings because of that story! so much fun1
hoping to meet you someday too!
i still love that book! and cloudy with a chance of meatballs is a great one too…
Sounds lovely and only wished I could have been there with all of you. It would have been my heart's delight to see the Lovely Liza again, and meet all of you for Real! And who knew a Little Romance was in the air. WhoooHoo!Maybe the next time….hey, maybe in Peterborough, Ontario. Ya!
I have this dilemma right now Mimi and it has nothing, absolutely nothing to do to with an undesirable choice about Peterbourough, but anywhere is as good as everything right now.
=}
What's your dilemma, JM?
Everywhere (a combo of anywhere and everthing) does it for me too ;>)
Pls note I used Bold, Underline and Italics for “Everywhere” 'cuz it's so Special.
Carole, I wish you could have been there too!
I really hope we can meet at the next Gaia Toronto gathering we do (I was thinking spring would be a good time!) - Rita has offered to host the luau at her place, so it looks like Peterborough could be our next gathering stop after that!
It may be a while before Robert and I have the a big enough place to be hosts ourselves in Greater Toronto. Of course, you are all most welcome to come to my house in Montreal :)
so in the meantime it would be fun to visit different Gaian homes!
WhooHoo, you've outed my birth name. It's weird, hardly anyone calls me that. Even my kids call me mom or mimi. I was surprised to find out Gemstar is really Sheila ;>)
I would have loved to be with you. Hopefully, the next one will happen again soon, I will make sure I get there. Being slightly disabled creates some problems - can't really go too far without a companion. Does Rita live in P'Boro or close to P'Boro? Is Rita Goddess2day? It is very easy to confuse me ;>)
good points, my dear! Rita is mums the word, while Amy is Goddess2day.
I am not sure of the distance to Rita s from your place but am sure she could fill you in on that, hopefully it is not too far - hope your health is better! hugs
So lets see we get a bunch of houses lined up,Amy's MiMi's, Rita's each one it's own theme then we start going to them one after the other be like a buffet dinner. Oh, look what's down at this, oh just wait in line you will get there soon enough, yes dear, We plane it in advance we can then plan our personal schedules and talk out the kinds stuff we want to, majority rules and I get all the votes. JUST KIDDING.
what do you guys think abou that??
J.M.
It looks like our social calendar will be quite full, darling! :):)
oh my, yes, indeedy, your social calendar is full to the brim…..so maybe you guys may have to do the 'eenie, meenie, minee moe” and pick whoever house has the 'hottest' menu” And if that fails, the universe will plan away for sure. lol. hugs. love u guys.
oh, we don't mind! there are worse things than having a delightful Gaia meetup somewhere in the Toronto area every couple of months from spring to fall! LOLOL!
What is too too funny is how seriously booked we are well into 2010 - Robert here next weekend, a dance to attend in late November, Nashville at the end of December, Virgin Islands in April, all these Gaia meet ups :):), my birthday in June, my friend's visit at the end of the summer… to name a few!