Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year 2013

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2012
zipolita@gmail.com
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+


Well it's been an amazing year 2012. I can't begin to tell you all the wonderful things that happened.

I guess part of life is enduring difficult times so that when the good times come they are so rich and wonderful it fills every fibre of your soul with gratefulness.

I am truly so GRATEFUL for this year.  It wasn't a easy start, we definitely had a rough start filled with lots of potholes, bumps and hills to climb. But climb we did and Viola it turned out to good for words.

I'm not a word girl, anyways.  I am a photographer, a videographer, a painter, an artist...I speak thru art. Words are art too, it's not my strongest quality though but I want to say a few words here ...

This year I learned to paint and very well I must say. While I haven't painted at all in these last few months I have a wonderful collection of photos to inspire me when I start again. Which I pray and project and believe will be very soon. I pray, project and believe in my heart and soul that my art will open many doors for me this coming year.

I created so many videos and websites lately and helped alot of people. That filled my heart with happiness. Giving and sharing! I love social media for that. If there is one thing I really learned and experienced this year was is that if you help the people, the people will help you. 

My child and I grew together and experienced the most amazing things this year. We went thru tough times but they have been smoothed out, blurred and erased from our memories by the beautiful positive healthy happy loved filled experiences of the last few months here in Mexico. 

We truly love it here and our dream is to live here. 

We were blessed with really amazing positive people coming into our lives. One special person was the teacher Angel had when I had to put Angel into public school for bit. She was truly amazing and I am so so blessed we got her. She did yoga with the kids, how cool is that?

I was blessed with an amazing teacher too, Ron Hedrick, who taught me how to paint oils. A gift I am so truely and deeply grateful for.


I am grateful for the generousity of others, for their time, their patience, the sharing of their skills, their kindness, their understanding, their believing in me and their love.

We know that life won't always be easy, it never is, but we are learning to roll, bounce and fly instead of falling and being crushed by the negative influences that bombard us and try to oppress us.  A big part of that is escaping the city life and living a simpler life, filled with family and love and nature. 

We pray that whatever difficulties you are experiencing that they vanish with the New Year. 

We wish you a year full of peace, great health, creativity, happiness, enlightenment & miracles.

Many Blessings, Prayers & Positive Energy from
Zipolita'z y Angelita'z Adventurez in Mexico
http://adventurezinmexico.blogspot.mx
and
Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.mx

Friday, December 21, 2012

Christmas Stories

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2012
zipolita@gmail.com
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+

Feliz Navidad! Merry Christmas!
Oh these first 2 videos are so sweet! I love the animals and just the whole telling of the stories. Well done!! Really enjoyed it. The last video about Bethlelem is really interesting. Check them out for yourself.

About these videos below
The story of Christmas as told by the children of St Paul's Church, Auckland, New Zealand. Anyone is welcome to show this film publicly, but not change it in any way, nor make money out of it. Except for Joe. You can buy his music here: http://les-enfants.bandcamp.com/








Nelson- Snow!! Video!! Missing You!!

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2012
zipolita@gmail.com
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+

OMG what an incredible skier and video!!! How awesome!! I'm missing Nelson so bad after seeing this.



Angel and I definitely have to get back for a winter sometime.  She adores the snow. Me, well sometimes not so much but I have a lot of GREAT memories from Nelson.

We had a ton of fun playing in the snow and going for walks looking for icicles and building snow forts.

Not sure you guys know but we lived in Nelson 2x, once for 6 months when Angel was a baby. That's right I had a little baby honeymoon with her there. Just me and her. It was really special. And then again for 15 months when she was 4 and 5.

It wasn't always good times, as it was during this time my mom passed away. Looking back though I think it was the best place to be to grieve. Shoveling tons of snow helped burn off tons of negative energy and sadness.

Long long long walks up that hill from the mall to Rosemont, pushing the buggy with a kid and packed full of groceries, made me super strong and fit and helped me deal with all the nasty things in life that was being thrown at me during that time.

We were blessed with 2 lovely Christmases. People were so kind and generous with us. Definitely felt loved. I sure miss those winter forest walks.

Huge contrast in weather to right now Nelson to Zipolite, but the spirit is very similar in many ways ;) , seeing this video flooded my mind and eyes with memories. Amazing video. Sooooo Cooooooooooooooooooooool! Really loved it

Loved the sparks flying off the skiis. I'll show Angel when she wakes up.

Yep, definitely have to get back someday soon.

Miss you Nelson. Hey Rossland too! and Castlegar... I've lived and visited both as well.

I Love You!! Very cool towns. Very cool people. Take care and  


Wishing you all a Wonderful Christmas and Prosperous New Years. Happy Solistice and Beginning of a New Era! : D
Besos y Abrazos, Paz y Amor de Zipolite, Mexico :D


Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2007


Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2007

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2007

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2007

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2007

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2007

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2007

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2007

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2007

I have so many beautiful photos of Nelson but they are not on this computer. When I get home I definitely have to make them into a bunch of videos :D


Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Kings Tide at Kits Beach- Kitsilano, Vancouver

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2012
zipolita@gmail.com
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+

Poor Kits Beach :( We are in Mexico and just heard about this today. The video of Kits pool underwater is shocking. Hope everyone is okay.







http://vancouver.ca/

Monday, December 17, 2012

Homeless Partners Website

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2012
zipolita@gmail.com
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+


Sometimes the littlest thing can make a HUGE difference in someone elses life.  Here's  a great website that connects people with each other.

Welcome to HomelessPartners.com
Connecting the community to individual homeless people

http://www.homelesspartners.com/site/# 

Read about someone reality and give what you can. They are not asking for much, mainly clothing, sleeping bags and toys for kids. 



Joyful! Joyful!!

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2012
zipolita@gmail.com
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+

This so WONDERFUL!! It gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful!!


It's Just Not Christmas without..

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2012
zipolita@gmail.com
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+


It's just not Christmas without these shows. Since we are in Mexico I am so glad we could go online and watch them. I feel so blessed as some are from the 50's 60's 80's. The animation is amazing in them. They are all true masterpieces in their own rights :D

Most are just snippets, but we were able to watch a few full ones the other night. Unfortunately they are pulling them down due to copyright so not sure how long they'll be up. To bad, not everyone can afford to buy these movies and they should be shared with children.

If your not in the Christmas mood yet, then snuggle in with the kids and get a glass of wine or what ever treats you like and watch these shows. Hope you can find the full versions.

Let's start things off with The Snowman. Love this video!! Love the singing and the animation, it's so beautiful.







Cosmic Christmas, such a wise video and so cute. Powerful Message!













This isn't a animation, but it's a wonderful movie with a truly powerful message. Angel and I just snuggled and watched it together the other night. It might be to boring or scary for little kids, but Angel is 10 and we've watched together for a few years now. She loves it.

Ah too bad, they too the whole version down. It should be shared...we used to watch on tv every Christmas, I don't know why they can't let it be free on YouTube. :( It's such a beautiful animation. I just love it so much.

Here's just a snippet of Frosty, they've taken the full version of it down to, because of copyright. They should just share these old videos. Some kids won't get to see them because their parents can't afford them. :( Makes me sad. So glad we got to watch it the other night.



There's only a snippet of this one, but maybe you can find it on TV if your lucky.





The Grinch, it just wouldn't be Christmas with out him!! LOL!!



Ohhhh, I just love these. They bring back so many memories.





Of course we HAVE to watch Charlie Brown's Christmas :D





We just watched Polar Express last night. Love that show. And we LOVE CHOCOLATE!! :d



Now this is my favorite Christmas movie EVER!! Spoiler Alert: If you haven't seen It's a Wonderful Life, don't watch this. Go get the movie and watch the whole thing. It will help you get EVERYTHING in perspective. It is a WONDERFUL, AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL movie. Trust me!!




Now this is really cute :D

Monday, December 10, 2012

Angel's Letter & Video to the Editor & Stephen Harper

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2012
zipolita@gmail.com
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+



Hello, my name is Angel and I am ten years old. That's right, I'm still a kid, so listen closely. Harper’s decision to let China buy Canadian tar sands is bad for Canada, the world, any every living thing.

    On Friday  Stephen Harper told everyone that he will allow CNOOC, the China’s state-owned oil company, to take over Canadian fossil fuel giant Nexen.
    This deal,  will put Billions of barrels of tar sands oil in CNOOC’s hands, this is a very  bad for Canada. Especially for us kids.  When an accident happens ( which it WILL ), it's the kids that are going to suffer. No more playing on the beach on a hot summer day, because it will be polluted. Plus the drinking water would be bad. All the plants and animals will be sick. There's been enough oil spills already, we don't need another,  Mr. Harper.

2. Secret deals are terrible for everyone. Democracy means transparency. My mom told me  that Transparency is when people tell the truth and they share that information with everyone.
 If the secretive and extreme FIPA deal passes, the effects of the Nexen takeover will be made far, far worse. The  Canada-China Foreign Investment Protection Act, is very bad because it lets another country have all sorts of rights, and they won't have to follow the rules. China will be able to sue all sorts of businesses and goverments that want to protect nature. You don't want to be in Thneedvile like in the movie " The Lorax ", 100% IN-Organic, with plastic everything and have to pay money for bottles with fresh, clean air.

Prime Minister Harper is showing he's not a good, kind person. He cares more about corporations  and money then he does care about life.

I'm writing this letter because I live in  Canada. But doesn't the Canada song say " Oh, Canada, our home and native land. "? I'm beginning to think it's not MY home anymore. It's becoming more saddening each time Harper makes a new law usually.  On December 4, 2012, we had 2.5 million protected lakes. On December 5, 2012, Canada has 82 protected lakes. Thanks alot, Harper. Isn't there something wrong with this?

Please, Mr. Harper. Stop what your doing, don't make kids cry.

Sincerely, Angel Winterlik. Vancouver BC, Canada.

http://action.sumofus.org/a/nexen-takeover/81/194/?sub=homepage&optimizely=true



Important links

http://www.nexeninc.com/
http://www.cnoocltd.com/encnoocltd/newszx/news/2012/default.shtml
http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/fipa-apie/fipa-purpose.aspx?lang=en&view=d
http://www.greenparty.ca/media-release/2012-10-01/may-request-emergency-debate-canada-china-investment-deal
http://elizabethmay.ca/in-the-news/island-tides/the-nexen-cnooc-deal-the-unasked-question/

http://sumofus.org/

SEND YOUR OWN LETTER TO THE EDITOR AND STEPHEN HARPER. 
http://sumofus.org/post/fipa-letter-to-the-editor/?=fwd&akid=1111.808710.hYAxJI&rd=1&t=2

And NOW for something Completely Different!! :D

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2012
zipolita@gmail.com
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+

You know for a lot of people "Mondays Suck!"  Fortunately not for me. :D 


I thought since people might be a little stressed as Christmas in Canada/US can be stressful, and you may have been shopping and baking cookies and decorating all weekend, now your tired and the week hasn't even started, maybe you need something to brighten your day.


Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2012

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2012

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2012

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2012


I'm up early and I happened to come across this video. I have never seen it and I found it very amusing. I loved the Muppet Show when I was growing up. In my teens I loved Queen. I also happen to be Bohemian so I find this a really great video and will share it with Angel when she gets up.

Well here you go. It's not Christmasy but it's well done and funny. I found it looking for Muppet Christmas shows. Enjoy. Happy Holidays!! (They are on the way...soon :) Just 14 sleeps to Christmas!

Friday, December 7, 2012

Life Goes On & Money is Not the Object!

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2012
zipolita@gmail.com
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+



If money were no object...What would you do with your life? Are you doing it?


Finally I am. When I was young I remember a time, I think I was nearly 14 or so, and I wanted a pair of Lee jeans. My father had passed away when I was 11, and my mom had gone through terribly tough times. She could not afford to get me the jeans I wanted and I had to have a cheaper brand which made me unhappy.

I remember it being dark and cold and wet and we were walking, it was winter. We had moved, my mom had not learned to drive, (yet-she was in her 40's but she would :) )  and we had to go get the groceries, and I was just a grumpy teen with an attitude. I remember saying to myself, "I'm never going to be poor, never!!"

Life went on.  I really disliked school, I couldn't wait to finish. All I wanted to do was art, but I was told I could not do that and I better think of something esle. I hated math and science and that made me want out of school even more because I did very poorly in these subjects and it gave me a terrible attitude :(. 

Life goes on. I manage to graduate and I take any job I can get. They are labour jobs, on farms and in factories. It's all about the money, I work at horrible jobs and hurt myself with long hours (tendonitis) so that I can bring in the $1000 check every two weeks so that I can buy stuff...but I'm not happy.

Life goes on. I save my money.  I have quit my job, I go to Mexico for 3 months and travel. I see the life I think I want but I can't get it because I think I don't have the money and now can't do labour work because my body is broken.

Life goes on. I go to college because everyone says it's the answer. Inspite of canceled programs and delays I graduate from a photography program. I get my dream job on a cruiseship- it was my dream but I quickly realize it has a darkside. Instead,  I go to work for a mapping corporation, working ridiculous long hours and graveyards to boot. I'm sick mentally because I don't sleep and all I think about is the money and paying my bills.
Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita ©1995


Life goes on. I lose my job. Downsizing. I'm devastated. I escape. I travel and do photography. I'm healing. I'm making art.  I am happy!

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2000


Life goes on. I take web design so I can share my photos and hopefully sell them online. There's a dot.com crash and my program seems useless. My life seems pointless.

Life goes on. I go to Mexico and try to do web design there. There's a fire, my camera burns when my cabana burns in big fire in the town I'm staying. In a strange way it's a cleansing.  I meet someone, I'm in love. I have new dreams and hopes where previously I was at the end of my rope. I learn to paint. I paint many many watercolours. I am creating and I am happy!

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2012






Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2012

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2012

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2012
Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2001

Life goes on. I go home, I'm offered a job for a lot of money in the states. I turn it down, I want a baby. I'm nearly 40. The man in Mexico offered to have a baby with me. I go back, 9/11 happens. There's no people or work in the town where I want to live with my partner in Mexico. The relationship ends. But I get God's greatest gifts, I get pregnant. I go home to Canada. I'm super happy. I'm creating but in a whole new way ;) LOL :D
Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2002

Life goes on. I am poor in money. My mom is happy but unhappy, she knows the struggle I am in for. I am naive. I think it can handle it. It's a good attitude but hard times will take it's toll. But still I am happy.

Life goes on. I struggle. But I have my child and I am happy! We are learning and creating together. 

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2002
Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2003

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2004

Life goes on. I have a friend that helps be the father figure for Angel but neither he nor her father can help me financially. I am on my own. I am poor in money but rich in health, love and family. 


Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2003

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2003


Life goes on.  I lose my mom. She always had my back. I am very lost for awhile..a long while.... True friends and family rally around me. My child inspires me and creativity helps me thru.  I count my blessings,  I am rich in creativity, love and family.

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2007
Life goes on. I learn that family is the most important. I learn to re-focus. I learn the value of the simple things in life. I want to share these simple things with my child. I realize all the wonderful things I have to be grateful for. Miracles happen and I am blessed when Angel's father helps so  I can travel to Mexico for the winter. I take her on a journey to discover her culture, country and language We live  by ourselves in  a room we rent from our friends and live very simply and are happy! 

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2008

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2008

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2008

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2008

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2012


Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2009

  Life goes on.  A small amount of money from my mom's estate allows Angel and I to travel to Mexico again so she can connect with her dad and learn more of the language, culture and country. We spend another winter.

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2009

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2009

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2009

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2009

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2009

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2009

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2009



Life goes on.   My child is my muse. I take tons of photos and teach myself to make slideshows and videos. I learn to blog and share my thoughts and ideas.  I take a few free courses and  I learn everything I can on the internet. It's a huge library full of positive energy if you seek it. I learn about Social Media. I learn about so many things, gardens, cob houses, sustainability, education, how the outside world affected my life and why things happened. How people are uniting to change the world. How Social Media is causing and creating that change. How there are many people like me. I watch alot of videos. I learn to make a lot of videos. I am creating, I am blogging, I am sharing.  I am happy!

Life goes on. I am 50. I am riding my bike around Stanley Park, enjoying the gorgeous forest and fresh air. I am giving thanks to God and all the positive powers. I am appreciating all my experiences (the good and the bad and giving thanks ) when I meet someone who will teach me to paint oils. I am blessed. Positive feelings and creativity envelope me all while I struggle but there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am Rich in creativity and spirit.

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2012

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2012

Life goes on.  I get some web design and social media work. I sell some paintings. We go pack away all our things and go WWOOF'ing. (Work on an Organic Farm in exchange for food and shelters.) We have really interesting experiences. True life experiences. Some really great, some not so great. We learn to accomodate and I demonstrate these skills to my child. We are rich in togetherness, health and knowledge of sustainability. We are rich in community and learning the skills to values others difference and to compromise and get along.

Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2012
Life goes on. We return to Mexico for the 3rd time, there has been a hurricane, the town has recovered but there are few tourists. There's no one here but we love it, we get to know all the locals. Many remember us. It's like coming home.  I help people with videos, websites and social media so they can tell the world all is well and to come and vacation in their paradise.  I build and awesome portfolio and pay it forward many times. We are poor in money but we are all poor in money together and yet we are Rich in Spirit!!  

Life goes on. I'm happy. I am creating all the time. I am helping others, sharing with others and they are sharing with me and they are happy. I am realizing I am not poor, I am rich. Rich in creativity, in happiness, in health. Things are happening. Things are getting better. Miracles are happening...everyday.  I realize I am richer than the richess (money) people. 


Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2012


Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2012
Life goes on. I realize I want a little cob house, raised bed gardens, a composting system, a pop bottle green house. I pray and project. I am going to make it happen. We are going to have a dog, cat, a few chickens and some rabbits. We live by the ocean and eat fresh fish. This is where I want to live, this is where my child wants to live. We have an adopted family and life is simple and full of love and generousity.  I want to share my knowledge with all my family and friends here and everywhere. I want to be self-sustaining and to share this knowledge.  I want money to "NOT"  be the object.  

Life goes on.  It's has taken me nearly half my life, 50 years (as I plan to live to 108 ;), to figure out - Money is not the object. We live a very simple life with our friends in Mexico. We are blessed with miracles. My child and I have a new motto "This is the best day ever, and tomorrow will be even better!" We are rich and money is not the object and SHE KNOWS IT! Do your kids know it? Do you?

Life goes on. I am doing what I want!! And money is not the object.


P.s. One thing in this video that caught my eye is it shows Burrard Bridge, I've walked that bridge hundreds of times. Too funny :D
Related links :
Adventurez in Mexico http://adventurezinmexico.blogspot.mx/

Zipolita's Web Design & Social Mediaz  http://zipolitazwebdezign.blogspot.mx/

Zipolita'z Paintingz http://zipolitazpaintingz.blogspot.mx/

Sunday, December 2, 2012

WWOOF'ing It!!

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2012
zipolita@gmail.com
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+


Well I thought the WWOOF contest winners were to be announced today but somehow it's different, not until Dec 8th.  Either I goofed or they changed it. Ooooohhhh, it's so exciting I can't wait. But I have to now. http://www.wwoof.ca/VideoContest

Anyways, if you've just found this page and you're wondering what is WWOOF'ing then you should check out the videos for the contest. http://www.youtube.com/wwoofcanada

And they are having another contest, starting in January so stay tuned for that. I better get started on another video ;)  

I am looking forward to WWOOF'ing again, not sure when or where but that's the beauty of it. The universe sends you where you are supposed to go.

If we hadn't gone to the Cowichan Valley I wouldn't have learned about the Cowichan River and I wouldn't have been so involved when I found out it was drying up and in trouble.  See this post Save the Cowichan River

I had lots of great photos and info to share and I really believed I helped get the word out as I was able to share them on my blog and twitter and other social media networks.

So you need to be very open and amazing things will happen. ;)

Photos by Tina Winterlik © 2012
Photos by Tina Winterlik © 2012

Photos by Tina Winterlik © 2012

Photos by Tina Winterlik © 2012

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms
...living, learning & sharing organic lifestyles

Mission Statement
Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, Canada (WWOOF Canada™) is part of a world-wide effort to link volunteers with organic farmers and growers, promote an educational & cultural exchange, and build a global community who are passionate about sustainable organic stewardship of food, animals and land while respecting nature and protecting natural resources



Here is our entry for WWOOF
What is WWOOF? WWOOF is....