Saturday 21 April 2018

Spring fun list update #1

Greetings! Back on March 21, I wrote my spring fun list to use as a guide from March 21 to June 20, 2018. Today I'm sharing my progress update and linking up with a group of terrific bloggers who also maintain their seasonal lists.

My Spring Fun List Update #1:

1. View two art exhibitions: Done and enjoyed! I visited the Life in Flight art exhibition at the Sur Gallery, and the Kingston Prize 2017 Canada's Portrait Competition art exhibition at Harbourfront Centre. Both are free to the public.

The Sur Gallery is Toronto's first publicly funded gallery showcasing Latin American Canadian Art. Having recently returned from my trip to Chile, I was delighted to discover this new art gallery.

Welcome to Sur Gallery!


The Kingston Prize is a biennial national competition and touring exhibition for artists working in the media of painting and drawing. This exhibition presents the thirty finalists, chosen from a field of over 430 entries by Canadian artists active throughout the country and internationally. The 2017 Winner is Christienne Cuevas' Portrait of the Artist.




2. Attend eight music recitals: In progress with 50% done! I've attended two duet recitals (performed by Asher Armstrong and Emily Kruspe, Emily Chiang and Elizabeth Bang), and two solo piano recitals (performed by Jean-Luc Therrien, and Mary Kenedi). They're all very talented and accomplished musicians.

3. Watch ten movies: In progress with 50% done! I've watched five movies since March 21. Thumbs up for The Shape of Water, The Darkest Hour, Coco, I, Tonya, and thumbs down for Daddy's Home 2.

4. Review French fifteen minutes daily: In progress. I've been learning Spanish online fifteen minutes daily. I added French this spring since we're planning to go to French-speaking cities in the summer.

5. Plan a long weekend trip with my family: Done! At time of this post, we're on our way. We have a glorious stretch of sunny weather from Friday to Monday for the trip.

6. Meet up for coffee or lunch with my friends: In progress. I've enjoyed three coffee meet-ups so far. I have three dates next week, and hope to book a couple more dates by June 20.

7. Visit farmers' markets starting at the end of May: Pending.

8. Explore the Baltics: Pending. I mapped out my itinerary as shown in the snap shot below. My stops include Tallinn (point A), Riga (point B), Vilnius (point C), and Warsaw (point D). I'm reading up on each of the four cities. One exciting addition is meeting my Finnish friend in Tallinn.


In summary, I counted two completed, four in progress, and two pending items. I'm enjoying spring, and the activities that I planned on my fun list. Plus I have my wellness goals to work on as well.

How about you? How are things going with you? Please share.

36 comments:

  1. You attend such wonderful cultural events and are so well-rounded and cultured yourself. As a child did you travel, too? Was attending cultural events something you did with your family or an interest you have developed as an adult? I am just so in awe of the art exhibits, recitals you experience.
    Wishing you a wonderful time with family this weekend. Looking forward to pics and posts about your adventures.

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    1. Thank you, Leslie, for organizing the link up. We had family trips when I was a child. I started my interest in ongoing travel when I was a teenager, and cultural events as an adult. I have more time to attend these events now and there are many of them in my city. I can go every day and do not run out of events.

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  2. I hope you are enjoying your family time and that the weather is cooperating. I love the cultural and relationship focus of your list. You're making great progress. Enjoy!

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    1. Thank you, Christie, for stopping by. We've been enjoying glorious sunshine since Friday and the forecast looks good next week, too. I love my city for having an abundance of arts and entertainment year round, and many of the events that I go to are free.

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  3. I love how intentional you are at filling your time Natalie. I tend to go with the flow as far as social activities are concerned. I can definitely tick off the coffee dates, but as far as movie watching goes, there has been a decided lack of worthwhile movies on offer so far this year!

    Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au

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    1. Thank you, Leanne, for stopping by. I agree with you that sometimes there is a lack of worthwhile movies to see. I put movies on my list as I like them as a source of entertainment and they make me get out and about.

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    2. I'm back again with #MLSTL Natasha - and your post is nudging me to get out and do something this weekend - lucky I have plans so I feel less like a slug!

      Thanks for linking up with us at #MLSTL and I've shared this on my SM xx

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    3. Thanks, Leanne, for hosting MLSTL while you've been busy with your A to Z Challenge. I like to mix movements and sitting time. Have a fun and fabulous weekend!

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  4. I too love the intentionality of your list and your diligence at checking off the items. I hope you're enjoying our long weekend. The weather has certainly changed for the better.

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    1. I'm enjoying the glorious sunshine, Karen. I hope you're enjoying the weekend, too, with a day break from your A to Z Challenge.

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  5. Natalie, you remain an inspiration of getting so many meaningful things accomplished in short period of time. What's your secret?!

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    1. Oh Donna, thank you for your kind words. I find that if I note a fun event in my calendar, I'm likely to do it. If I forget to put it in, it won't happen. I also like that the event makes me get out and about.

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  6. Fantastic accomplishments! I envy you the art shows.

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    1. Thank you, Juhli. I'm really grateful about the availability of arts and entertainment in my city. Most of the art shows that I go to are free to the public, simply fabulous.

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  7. I really want to see I, Tonya and The Shape of Water so it's good to see you gave them a thumbs up!

    Di from Max The Unicorn

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    1. Let me know what you think after you see them. Thanks, Di, for your visit and comment.

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  8. Wow, you've been busy! I haven't seen that many movies in the past two years. And all those recitals as well... I'm feeling very uncultured next to you ;)

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    1. Ah, it's all fun things to do, Katherine. I had a long break without seeing movies. This year I'm making a comeback. Thanks for stopping by.

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  9. Wow. Go,you! So great to achieve things that are great experiences.

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    1. Some of the great experiences like art exhibits and music recitals that I attended are free. So all it takes is for me to go. Thanks, Ness, for dropping by.

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  10. I loved Tallin, Natalie it was such a surprise packet for me. Also you've inspired me to visit my art gallery and museum in Brisbane. We can discover many things in our own backyard. Your Spring Bucket List seems to be going very well. x

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    1. I'm looking forward to visiting Tallinn, Sue. When I'm at home, I definitely enjoy exploring the local arts and entertainment events. Thank you for stopping by.

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  11. You really are keeping up and this is admirable...it also sounds like it is fun to meet the challenges too. Thanks for visiting the southern hemisphere, I love reading your perspective as we move into Autumn, Winter!

    Thanks so much for linking up for #lifethisweek 17/52. Next week's optional prompt is Taking Stock 18/52. Denyse

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    1. Thank you, Denyse, for your kind words. It's fun to share our perspectives from the two hemispheres.

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  12. You've been so busy! I often think that I need to explore local art galleries more... thanks for the inspiration!

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    1. Welcome, Janis, and thank you for your comment. I'm sure San Diego has many art galleries to be discovered. I hope you'll visit some of them.

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  13. Thanks Natalie for linking up to Midlife Share the Love Party. I've shared your post on social media. See you next week! #MLSTL

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    1. Thanks, Sue, for hosting MLSTL while you're in the A to Z Challenge. My pleasure to link up.

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  14. I like that idea of setting goals for a season. A year is such a long time and then I procrastinate and either rush around like mad at the end of the year - or just give up because it's so far past that the goals are unreachable in a shorter time frame.
    I really like this idea. Three months, and then you're on to the next season. Plus, some goals will change with the seasons and weather/holidays.
    Great post! Visiting from #MLSTL

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    1. I like the 3-month duration and the seasons, too, Trisha. You're welcome to join us. Thank you for stopping by.

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  15. It's great to see how you are progressing on your fun list Natalie! You are very organised and it sounds like you're having great fun with it all!! #mlstl

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    1. Thanks, Debbie, for your kind words. Half of the fun activities on my list are performed by someone else and are free. It's easy for me to just go and support the artists.

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  16. Hey Natalie, rereading from #MLSTL and realized I hadn't commented first time. I am so inspired by your "numbers" ... 2 art exhibits, 8 recitals, 10 movies. I'm going to steal that thinking moving forward. (It helped on my 5 new restaurants this spring - 4 done!). And maybe some of your ideas.... going to a movie on my own this summer? That's both a new thing (I'm not a movie goer) and out of my comfort zone (alone!). Thanks for inspiring me in a few different ways!

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    1. Hey Pat - Glad my numbers and fun list gave you new ideas. Thank you for stopping by.

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  17. I am looking forward to visiting the Farmer's Markets too.

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    1. Our farmers' markets usually start in the third week of May. I guess yours is about the same time? Thank you, Cherie, for stopping by.

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