Vancouver Pearls

Pics were taken on Wednesday morning as Peter and I got to enjoy Vancouver for a moment before heading back to Kelowna.

My tummy hurts! I was awakened at midnight with severe abdominal pain right under my ribs--the stomach. I turned on the lights (no one likes being in the dark and in pain) and waited it out. Today my stomach still hurts a little. Perhaps it was eating out most of the week in Van.
On to more interesting topics: a few pearls I gained from the Peace Summit. Most simply reaffirm ideas I was familiar with.
-One must have compassion for one's rival. Listen to their viewpoint because ultimately their problem is my problem.
--Government spends billions preparing for war and nothing preparing for peace.
--Learning how to create questions, illuminating possible problems, requires more creative energy than learning how to problem solve. Only problem solving is taught in school.
--From the Dalai Lama himself I learned that one must always be true to oneself--even on the hot seat.
--I observed that the Dalai Lama's celebrity threatens his message. But that he is the only mortal on earth seemingly able to dismiss his own celebrity and stay focused and in the moment of truth.
-Respect each living being for the beautiful life force within--even arch enemies are entitled to this basic respect of their life.
-Kind and compassionate service to others brings happiness.
-collaboration is not accepted in school--it is called cheating. Collaboration needs to be encouraged in school.
-Creativity requires many factors to be focused in a positive direction--the Blueman group listed 6 roles one must consider when being creative titled: hero, shaman, trickster, group member, scientist, outsider.

I am in a spiritual quandary at the moment. I believe the only way out of this is through meditation, physical exercise and a healthy diet. I feel disconnected, uninspired by the tasks that are presented to me at this moment. So much red tape, errands, dull mind work.
Vancouver trip was quick. We ate at "Julio and Me" a Mexican restaurant on Commercial Drive. It was tres delicious! I had chicken burritos and they shredded piles of pickled watermelon-radish on top--so good. Later I realized my friend Ritchie does the website and photography for that restaurant.
Bob Geldof stayed a the Fairmont at the same time as us as well as the African's Children's choir. The Dalai Lama stayed at the Pan-Pacific as it has a bullet proof floor for dignitaries.
Everyone seems to have a little bug in my family. We are all tired and uninspired and a little off in our tummies, heads or in Mist's case--ears.
Tonight my girls have piano and parent/teacher interviews at Tab's school.
Tomorrow early morning Bikram's and I work all day on my latest paper: the ethics of online research--yawn!
Saturday I have a class and Peter and Yianni will take the girls to Crock-Talk: a reptile learning centre (they don't know this yet)  M and I signed us all up before we realized that we cannot attend!
***Thanks to my Mom for doing a great job caring for my little girls. I arrived home to 3 happy gals and apple muffins!