Video of Amy & her seven-year-old daughter climbing the rocks at Peggys Cove, Nova Scotia.
Episode VII - A simple study on how becoming a mother alters a woman's life. Every decision, every movement is factoring in someone else.
Creative Field Notes is a series that studies the way creativity weaves itself throughout and communicates with all aspects of the natural rhythms of life.
Three books stacked on each other. Bottom - Top: Good Rich People, Cultish, The Marriage Game. A plant is partially seen beside the stack. Text overlay on image: Reads July 2022 byamygrace.
A fun summer read about a young woman who finds herself back home renting and sharing retail space from her dad with another man. This story has loads of references to Indian culture and is written so well I can hear the various characters clearly as they' talk.' It's fun, light-hearted, with loads of snark towards society's lack of open-mindedness towards women.
I've been enjoying Amandas' podcast "Sounds Like a Cult" with her friend Isa Medina and figured it was time to read Amanda's book, which came before the podcast. Cultish is much the same, but with a more in-depth look at Cult groups. Where 'Sounds Like a Cult' gives room for accidental similarities, Cultish clearly and pointedly calls out the traits we permit in society that are problematic.
A chilling tale of a wealthy matriarch, her son and his wife who live in a villa of sorts and rent out the apartment beneath them. Without giving too much, these characters play the game of manipulation, observation and quite literally, decimation.
You really wouldn't want to rent from these people, no matter what part of town they live in.
TV/Films of Note
Fantastic Mr. Fox - It’s brilliant artistry, wit and voice talent pull this narrative together in one fantastic film.
Inside Out - A fond rewatch. This film brings an awareness of how much our minds, body and souls are connected.
How am I expanding into S P A C E today?
Expand into
Fill Up
Hold
Make
Create
S P A C E
I started the year feeling more empowered to make daring moves. To claim the space, I was seeing before me. It wasn't easy, it was scary, and I continued applying, pitching and finding little wins along the way.
Then I was hit.
You see,
Despite a deep belief in a calling that calls me to hold space for others, ask them deep and inspiring questions, capture them and find a way to showcase what I see about the world around me, I also recognize I came into all of this unconventionally.
It wasn't until I made my most daring and scary move thus far in my creative / documentary career yet at the end of May that I realized I was putting myself out there in a way that scared me.
Space became a challenge to remember how to hold space for me when no one else is around to hold me.
When the quiet rages, the lack of response, recognition, and relational interactions persist.
What does it look like to hold space for me?
It has led me back to me.
We believe that we hustle to success.
That we become millionaires from building something from the ground up and never stopping.
We believe that we are the makers of our own designs.
We forget that we are the souls that need our whole selves, not just portions we leave on the shelf because they are too weighty to carry.
I continue to strive to fill up, hold, make and create space that honours myself and those around me, and that may mean that I won't see the bigger picture until much later, but I will not become less of myself in the process. I will not shelf my healing until later, and I will not lose relationships that matter along the way.
I will honour the whole process, not just the portions that look like success. I will also honour the quiet and most mundane and lonely moments.
Here is a sampling of the songs that stick out to me the most in this Summer collection I have made:
For the full playlist:
check it out on Spotify
Something about Sia’s raw voice, lyrics and how she puts together her music videos to represent her songs get me every time. She is a prolific artist.
Something about this song brings me back to electric pop in a nostalgic yet modern way. I love this song playing as I practice rollerskating.
I have loved HAIM for many years, and this song reminds me of that young 20-something in me, with wide open summers, car windows down, wind in my hair and my best friend in the passenger seat.
august is one of those tracks that will keep coming back with each generation. T-Swift really gave the world a beautiful nostalgic piece to capture something so many of us understand.
”slipped away into a moment in time.”
I’ve been saying it before the cool kids realized. 80’s music is one of the best eras for music. Lyrics, musicality, beats, rhythms, energy, heart, soul…you name it. Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now” captures a summer date night feeling that I love to be reminded of. Heat making the air thick, sun setting, waves crashing against the shore, bare legs skipping along… chasing each other down the beach.
Episode VI - Reaching for child-like joy in the everyday.
Creative Field Notes is a series that studies the way creativity weaves itself throughout and communicates with all aspects of the natural rhythms of life.
I liked to say I was a Sarah fan before anyone else talked about her. I first saw her in various Canadian mini and long-form television series as a child. Being precisely ten years apart meant that when I began taking in her work as a young adult, she spoke to things in her projects that I desperately needed. I am bold enough to believe she is the creative older sister and mentor out there, paving the way for deeply nuanced, raw and daring work.
Run Towards The Danger is another example of Sarah paving the way. She lets us in, yet again, to her life, reflections and processing as a way of healing, and although I know I am made more whole reading her thought-provoking words…I know she must have been broken open and made whole to write them.
I aspire to be as reflective, deep and concise as she has been in this memoir.
I first read Emily's work in the book she wrote with her sister, "Unlocking the Stress Cycle." It was a powerful look at how mind, bodies and souls are locked into play with each other and how our scientifically understanding of these entities allows us to better move through life as people, especially as women. Come as You Are is another excellent read by Emily on the process of the feminine body, mind and soul. Emily lays out the realities, the nuance and the vast differences of what it means to hold our sex lives not on a pedestal but in a sacred place that deserves to be respected for their unique journeys.
In a world where sex research has been targeted so much for results in men, it is beautiful to have more research on women.
Going back to nostalgia with this rapid read in The Babysitters Club series. I continue to be surprised by the real-life issues that Ann could easily weave into these characters.
Films / TV Series of Note:
This Is Us S06 - Finishing the last installment of the series was bitter-sweet, and our Favourite episode is second to last. A beautiful ending.
Only Murders In the Building S01 - Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez are fantastic in this light-hearted yet still suspenseful murder mystery.
My head and my heart are colliding, chaotic
Pace of the world, I just wish I could stop it
Since the beginning days of 2022, I have felt this build-up of unrest and concern. Something within was becoming at odds with the world around me. I have learned over the years that this often occurs before or during significant change.
Maintaining a strong AM / PM Routine (morning workout, breakfast, journals - bedtime routine etc.)
Everything between the AM / PM routine is unscheduled (don’t freak out: appts, and contract deadlines still maintain a place in the calendar)
A weekly beach day or evening
Write a letter weekly (communicating with those I love slowly)
Document mindfully (follow the inspirations and whims)
Read for work & pleasure often.
Visit the library often.
The world we live in is not a world that is geared to slow, yet the best and most provocative work I have been moved by so often has the story of years of thought and mindful work behind it.
The one who puts every ounce of insight thought, and curiosity into their work.
One can only do that at a mindful pace and from a place of intentional space.
Yet structure is where the work is honed, which is what I also seek to find in my Summer of Slow.
I seek to mine the gemstones of meditative thinking, processing, being and creating.
The underpinnings of what it means to slow the heartbeat to hear the world around me so that when I speak and move, I am doing it from a place of anchored confidence, compassion and intentions.
Onwards,
A combined birthday / mothers day gift to myself in the form of scent. I like having a work day scent and a ‘at home, relaxing scent.’ When the Rain Stops is perfect for my at home mood.
A combined birthday / mothers day gift to myself in the form of scent. Whispers in the Library reminds me of sitting in a coffee shop and pouring over words. My version of a perfect work day.
Although I have yet to truly deep dive this new beauty, I am going into the summer with goals that will incorporate it’s use. Knowing that I can lean on this recorder when I need to is the exhale and tech supportive I have needed.
I like to say I was a fan of Sarah Polley before most of the people around me even knew she existed. I was following her work as an actor from an early age, and although I didn’t see her work that she produced / wrote / directed until my early twenties, I wasn’t that far behind. I felt like I was stumbling on a hidden gem of a soul that no one was talking about when I caught up with all her projects in the 2012/2013 era.
Sarah dares to work on things that others may shy away from. She does the internal work in her projects and it speaks to a deeper place than any indulgent television series could give me.
I consider her work and words a bit like therapy in the form of art. Deeply scary, provocative and healing all in one.
A close friend decided that I needed to be treated to her summer routine of having Piquettes on hand for my birthday. Sometimes the simplest of gestures are the most meaningful. The case I received came with four different kinds. Three alcoholic, and one non alcoholic. Each of them are light, summary and add a beautiful spring to my step. I am saving most of them for the summer months.
The same friend who sneakily had the Piquettes delivered, also made her move to a neighbouring province. Having an abundance of house plants she asked if I was interested in taking a few more? I was thrilled to take this one specifically. This particular blend of Pothos was clearly worked hard on by her and I am dazzled by it.
I fell in love with the Hobbry brand when I saw the Indigo / Hobbry collab at Chapters. Something about the way Hobbry creates puzzles for the various seasons at my favourite box book store tickled me. Despite there being a million different puzzles in the world, I love a good collaboration and am loyal to brands I am impressed by. I am doing my best to only collect Hobbry/Indigo collabs for the foreseeable future.
*puzzles are an activity that deeply ties be back to my late paternal grandparents. The act of doing one is a nostalgic comfort.
In BNV Media Studio | Halifax. N.S.
***Martina and I officially met when I featured her in a CBC Radio project earlier this year on creativity. Interviewing her was a joy and clearly left us with so much more to discuss. Sitting and joining her in her space was a joy.
Writer, Producer and Director in tv and film, Amy Grace is here as our first guest this season on the podcast!
Amy has graced us with her presence this week in the studio and has shared some beautiful sentiments with us on holding space, discovering our path and understanding the many things that shape our journey, through our childhood experiences and creativity.
To connect further with Amy, check her out on Instagram at @byamygrace or at www.byamygrace.com
Life Out Loud Podcast — now available for download on @applepodcasts, @spotifypodcasts, @iheartradio, or wherever you download podcasts!
Produced by: @bnv.media
In BNV Studios.- Marinta Kelades & Amy Grace ‘22.
I have loved this book. Julie brings a delightful main character in Jessie, a high school student trying to adjust to her new life at her new stepmom's house and new school. Jessie is guided through her first year at this new school and experiences by an unknown person's wise and humorous texts.
You'll be on your seat wanting to know who Somebody/Nobody, a.k.a. SN.
Knowing this is a classic, I am getting through this hefty read. Some people hang their coats on this novel, but I am finding it a job. I can see that it is an excellent example of a female character written to showcase the realities of the time they lived (1891), yet it leaves me cringing and wishing for less overt flowering language about it all.
Studying adaptations from book to screen is a passion of mine. Reading the second book in the Bridgerton Series is another way I can see how Shonda Rhimes and her team take novels and adapt them into a series format. It doesn't hurt that Julie Andrews's voice is the narration of the series. One can never have too much Julie Andrews.
Julia Quinn writes her characters with wit and ease, and the world she creates for them is exciting. It's easy to see why this series made its mark in the romance/fiction section.
Films / TV Shows
Pride & Prejudice (2005) - It’s been almost 10 years since I last watched this film. I was captivated by it in a whole new way. It’s cinamatography, artistry…impeccable.
The Marvelous Mrs.Maisel S04 - I watched this season as slow as I could. It was delicious. Every beat.
Clifford - A fun family movie night watch.
Episode V - Reflections of a place one may go to find themselves.
Creative Field Notes is a series that studies the way creativity weaves itself throughout and communicates with all aspects of the natural rhythms of life.
This raw, vulnerable, tender, precious, heartbreaking, comedic, enraging, and simply beautiful life makes me utterly weak in the knees.
With every project created, conversation shared, moment observed, and words found I have been deeply honoured to have experienced and made anew.
Life is beautiful.
Life is hard.
&
Life is wild.
So with wild and raw words
onwards I go.
As much as I would like to say I am on top of all that I own, use and have fallen into using, it’s simply not true.
The truth is, I am often either emergency replacing an item (aka my laptops) and rushing to update, set up and use than genuinely taking my time and learning what these items are capable of.
I also know that personality does play a part in this. I know a few creative-based individuals who obsess over a new tool/software and would spend all of their free time figuring them out until they have mastered them. Admittedly, that is not me. I need reasons for using something, a personal or professional project, to wrap my head around using something. Although this is how I genuinely learn best, it also does naturally, at times, leave gaps.
This year, I decided to change that and am working on learning in-depth each of my tools and software.
To stay accountable to this goal, I will be updating over time what I have learned.
Blue Yeti Mic - Used for podcast recordings & various radio docs.
Zoom h4n Pro Audio Recorder - A recent birthday gift to support my audio documentaries
Canon EOS RP - For creative and documentary captures.
MacBook Pro 14 Inch - 2021 - For every single thing I do.
Final Cut Pro - For editing any footage that I use.
Final Draft 12 - For screenwriting.
Celtx - For Audio script writing
Grammarly Editor - To catch everything I am too busy to catch. ****A Ukraine business.******
Audacity - For exporting and editing audio clips.
& with all of this said, I recognize that it is a huge privilege to have these items at my disposal, and I am determined to end 2022 with a greater grasp on how I can use them to their highest potential.
This spring, I set myself to look for a legitimate trench coat. (the current one I have, is clearly a knock-off, is not insulated by any sense of the word and is purely fast fashion to appear nice). Finding a good quality trench coat seemed simple enough.
Wrong.
I did find one I adored after weeks of online and in-person looking. Unfortunately, the company that sells this trench coat doesn’t ship to Canada directly and quickly ran out of my size.
I reluctantly gave up my trench coat search and pivoted to my other top needs.
This cardigan I ordered from Nordstrom. The brand is CASLON. I purchased it to be a longer term replacement for a cheaper cardigan of similar color that I have had for a handful of years. The older one has holes in the seams, and is of a cheaper fabric. This new one is warm enough for an East Coast spring, yet being open, leaves space for when the spring sun is shining.
Last year, I bought a pair of these same Under Armour trainers to replace my worn-out pair. After loving them for the past year, I decided I should buy a second pair to use as my inside-the-house set when I do workouts in my home gym. I appreciate having them for only indoor use so that I am not cleaning the bottoms every time I am on the mat. (no one wants to do yoga on a mat that just had outdoor sneakers all over it)
A beautiful soul that I know had this purse and was looking to find another home for it and thought of me. I felt so seen and loved to be identified as its possible new owner. I have loved Kate Spade for years, especially the o.g. items. This purse gives a great pop for a date night or social outing, and it’s making me hopeful that it will see lots of life this Summer.
Episode IV - How one centres oneself when the practice of creativity is unclear.
Creative Field Notes is a series that studies the way creativity weaves itself throughout and communicates with all aspects of the natural rhythms of life.
After enjoying Tsh's book on Advent, I thought it apt to buy her latest release for the duration of Lent. Bitter & Sweet gives a beautiful guide through the liturgical journey of Lent and into Easter.
I began to study the process of grief for a personal passion project of mine, and this book was the last read to complete the journey. This book helps tie it all together, and in life, I believe this is a read that we all can benefit from. Holding space for ourselves and those around us in grief is a gift, and I hope that I can always be that person to those around me.
This came up on my reading TBR list, and at first, I was going to let it go as I couldn't find it at my city's library, but after returning to read the synopsis multiple times, I bought it. It's a very in-depth yet concise read about the idea that reading intentionally and slowly the words of authors of the past helps us have a deeper and better understanding of ourselves and the world we live in today.
I especially appreciated the beginning, in which Alan discussed the nuances of social media and internet culture that have influenced us in ways that make it hard to sit and just be with the words of others.
She did it again. If you know me, you know that the Outlander Series is something that I deeply love. The multiple genres in one Sega and the actual craft of writing that Diana has created book after book. This is the sixth book in the series. It ended with so many plot twists and turns that my head spun.
I have been told that I would love this film and I have resisted watching until I have read the book. Finally getting to this novel, and of course, it doesn't disappoint. Amy Tan brings us culture, nuance, and character. And as a white woman married into a part Chinese family, it is even more meaningful and a window into a nuance of thought I did not grow up with.
FILMS & TELEVISION SERIES OF NOTE
Take This Waltz - because this film heals me every time I watch it. & of course the genius writing and directing of Sarah Polley is behind it.
Only Murders in the Building - Martin Short, Steve Martin & Selena Gomez. A trio that doesn't disappoint.
Amy Grace, a writer and creative producer in Nova Scotia, is fascinated by the creative process. She speaks to Jeff Douglas about how some people are learning to be creative without letting "hustle culture" make them lose sight of the important things in their lives.
Lent is a period of 40 days during which Christians remember the events leading up to and including the death of Jesus Christ, whose life and teachings are the foundation of Christianity. The 40-day period is called Lent after an old English word meaning 'lengthen'. - bbc.co.uk
I grew up in the Christian faith tradition. This meant attending church on Sundays, observing Easter and Christmas, and practicing faith practices such as praying, reading the Bible, and attending Sunday School.
As I have journeyed through my life, I have found that although my Christian faith remains, how I approach it has shifted.
As a teenager, I began searching for a more authentic ‘less is more’ type of practice, and even still, I find I am more at home in the understated, quiet, and ancient traditions.
During lent, many give up a specific type of food or drink to focus instead on prayers and giving. Instead of these things, I was more attracted to giving up something that had weighed heavily on me for months now.
Don’t get me wrong; I have not given up social media altogether for my work. Still, I have found that putting restrictions on my attendance on social media throughout lent has allowed me a different type of peace in my mind I had not encountered before.
For this period, I have made it a practice that I will go on all social media platforms once a day, and when I leave that platform after posting, viewing, commenting, reading etc. I do not revisit until the following day.
This has given my mind, body and soul a different type of air to breathe. A new way of looking at this season and all aspects of life in general.
Since I am on week five of this, I can honestly also say that once this practice became more regular, I noticed how other distractions fought for that newly found mind, body soul space.
There will always be a distraction, a pull, a tug, a reason to not dig into prayer, to give of oneself and the practice of grace.
There is always some new event or happening to be outraged about, some recent debate to join, and a new show to watch.
But, when we remind ourselves of this truth during a season like Lent, we are reminded of our humanity. In a way, I believe our follies are not supposed to be about embracing shame but are supposed to remind us to softly chuckle, shake our heads in amusement and say a quiet prayer of gratitude that there is enough grace for this moment this day and this season.
Episode 3 - What a day of attempting creativity looks like for me. Often full of surprises.
Creative Field Notes is a series that studies the way creativity weaves itself throughout and communicates with all aspects of the natural rhythms of life.
I picked up Good Company for the author. The Nest is a book I loved. I sincerely appreciated how Cynthia was able to create a whole family and break them into parts, show us windows of everyone and how they interacted as a whole and as individuals with each other. I wouldn’t say Good Company, a story of a woman reevaluating the state of her marriage, gives me that same experience, but it is enjoyable nonetheless.
A beautiful and heartbreaking exposition on what it means to be mother and daughter immeshed with the nuance and differences of being Korean and Korean-American. This memoir will bring a tear to your eye, but it will also bring a smile. Michelle writes in a way so you can feel, taste and see her memories. Touching, raw and reflective.
A memoir told with Cree culture woven into linguistic prose, this book is a bit like sitting next to a comforting male figure and listening to his cadence as he reflects, chuckles observes and finds revelations within his own story. Tomson writes in a way you feel as if you were sitting next to him, as crisp breeze picking up around you as a listen to the memories, tales and experiences that made him.
As I have grown into myself, my understanding of my own backgrounds and the mind, body, soul that carries me, I have become deeply aware of how trauma manifests. It’s individual, and it’s unique. It takes any shape form and can also be rooted in something that goes so deep it’s almost impossible to see.
Yet it is growing, changing shape and finding new ways to show itself in a new generation.
I have just begun this book, but it is already showing itself as an excellent tool for reflection, understanding, and compassion.
Film / TV Series of Note
CODA - A stunning representation of what it looks and feels like to be Deaf and CODA. There are multiple films out there like this. Hallmarks 1987 “Love is Never Silent” comes to mind the most. This new film brings an elevated approach to this type of experience.
Cruella - If you like Disney’s approach to finding new ways to spin a tale based on one of their popular villains, Cruella is no exception. Fun, charming and delivered with a twist.
Upload S02 - Although I enjoyed season one thoroughly, and burned through season 2, with only seven episodes I was left feeling like it could have been simpler and longer. I believe if they focused less on complicating the plot, the reason people love this series would shine through even more.
