Going to an art museum and not looking at art sounds weird to you? What if I told you to look at doors, corners, fire extinguishers, sprinkles, hooks, bolts, or even dust instead? Or listen to what others are saying. Or maybe think of what art you would buy, burn or steal. Noticing things that others often overlook can actually help you train your attention, spark curiosity, bring novelty into mundane things, and become more present in a moment. So that was exactly what I did - I went to the National Gallery of Canada and looked for... lines, shapes and patterns. And you know what - it was a pretty unusual yet quite enjoyable experience. It also helped distract my mind from the war that is still going on in my home country - Ukraine. 

Oh wow! What a rollercoaster the year 2021 has been for me! The COVID-19 pandemic was still heavily restraining international travel and those who dared to go overseas often felt like rolling the dice with all those ever-changing pandemic rules and regulations. After getting both shots of an mRNA vaccine, I personally felt quite safe moving around, however, I understand the pandemic is not over so things can change at any time. If I were to choose a single most important lesson this year 2021 has taught me, I would definitely pick "live in the moment". It means letting go of the past and not having high expectations for the future. Living in the moment also means living your life consciously, aware that each moment you breathe is a gift. I am very much thankful to my son Roman for encouraging me to live in the moment and leaving my camera at home while spending quality time together. Mainly, for this reason, my best memories of this past year will always remain memories, not captured on digital film.  

I read somewhere that a city's transportation system is like a network of blood vessels in a human body. And much like a body suffers from clogged arteries that may lead to a heart attack, a city can be deeply buried or even fully paralyzed in never-ending traffic. Having said so, Vancouver is blessed with its fast and reliable SkyTrain system. I haven't yet met any Vancouverite who would not love their trains. P.S. Do me a favour - ask a Torontonian or a Ottawan the same question.