Seventeen Going On One Million

My Sincere Apologies

2009-02-25T09:32:00.000-08:00

Hi, everyone!

I'm sorry I've been away so long. I've been re-evaluating this, as well as many other projects in my life. Needless to say, I've decided to come back to the 17 Million Blog for the time being. However, I'll be bringing about various changes along with me.

Firstly, I'd like to come clean about my focus with this blog. Despite the title of my blog, my end goal is not money. While having a million dollars will certainly make my Life more luxurious and my goals easier to accomplish (indeed, a nice 1 mil is a goal of mine), I refuse to let money measure my happiness. This blog is mainly going to be about whatever I find along my (never-ending) journey to grow and develop as an individual and a citizen of the Global Village.

I'm also going to abolish my previous promise of posting regularly - sorry, guys! I don't want to turn this into a space where I just regurgitate whatever's closest to me in hopes of creating more content. So if I seem to have dropped off the face of the Internet for a while, I most likely haven't, I'm just trying desperately to find something worthwhile for you guys to read. I know you're all busy, so I want to thank you all for keeping an eye on this thing, and I'll do my best to make sure it's worth the time you take to read.

I've had a pretty major realization, and it's one that has helped to bring about some changes in my life.

Now, before I go on with that statement, just to clarify - there have been no major screw ups! No drugs, no nothing - just a realization which I hope will help me to live my life more... maturely, I guess.

So, the major realization is that I don't need money to be happy. If I can do something great (or something normal, either way) with what I'm given, then awesome! If I can make a lot of money while I'm at it, also awesome!

I'm not saying that I don't want to make a lot of money - I just don't want that to be my only goal.

There's an old Chinese proverb-like story about a young man who goes to a guru in search of happiness. The young man waits in line to see the guru, who gives him a spoon filled with tea. The guru tells the young man to "walk the mountain without spilling a drop of tea". So off he goes, taking precarious step after precarious step, eyes fixed on the tea. He walks the entire path and comes back to the guru, not a single drop spilled. The young man sits by the guru and exclaims "I walked the path and spilled not a drop of tea!" The guru smiles and nods. "Yes, you have," he says, "but did you see the mountain pass?"

The young man, who had been focused solely on the tea in the spoon, confesses "no I did not." The guru gives him back the spoon filled with tea and says "This time, look to the mountains - there you will find happiness."

So the young man walks the path again, but his eyes are fixed on the wonderful surroundings about him as he walks. When he returns to the guru, he is calm and has a quiet smile on his face. He sits by the guru, who smiles back at him. "I walked the path and saw amazing things I had never seen before." The young man says. "Yes, you have," the guru replies, and gestures to the spoon. "But look at your spoon, it is empty."

The young man looks, and finds it empty, but he is not sad. He looks to the guru and says "It was simply tea."

So that might not be exactly how the proverb goes, but the general idea is still there for me. (I say "for me" because it's meaning will vary from person to person.)

To me, it tells us to look around us and be in awe of our surroundings rather than to be focused on using a small thing (like a teaspoon of tea) to judge our happiness. True happiness comes from our surroundings, which are bigger than ourselves, rather than a small measure.

I plan to be able to measure my life and success through means other than a numerical value placed on a dollar. If I can put a smile on someone's face every day, that would make me happier than chasing after validation through money.

Those are my newest realizations. I hope that I have not disappointed anyone, but I have faith that my new outlook is one that will guide me to my goal of being a "Millionaire" in it's own way.

On that note, I have a new business!

I have been spending hours illustrating pop-art like portraits of animals, which I shall soon post on my art site for you to enjoy.

Anywho, gotta run and catch a bus.

Namaste,

Clarise

Apologies!

2009-01-18T09:21:00.001-08:00

Morning, everyone!

Sorry for not posting for four days! I fell off the wagon big-time with that - but the good thing about wagons is that you can always get back on! So, without further ado, on with the post!

This past week was truly a great week for me. I had meetings with friends almost every day of the week. On Monday I met with a friend whom I haven't seen in a few months, and who had just returned from a trip. That was wonderful to see him again, and we had a really enjoyable talk.

Then, the next afternoon, I met a friend from Junior High for some awesome Chai at Edmonton's Remedy Cafe. That was a really fun. I ran into her during Orientation for first-year University students, and we had a lovely "Reunion Moment" which raised a chorus of "Awwww..."s from both our Orientation groups. It was a challenge hooking up with her, though. We played Facebook-tag for the duration of first semester, then switched to a bit of phone tag.

Finally, when we got together, we had a huge talk and drank Chai for about 3 hours and talked, talked, talked. It was truly a fun afternoon.

I was a bit scared at first that it would be awkward between us, seeing as we hadn't spoken for about 3 years, but it soon turned out that we had too much to talk about to let a small thing like that get in the way.

The lesson I learned through my two meetings with friends was this:

It really doesn't matter how long you take to get back in touch with friends - just do it and get to know them again. Good friends remain friends despite some time.

Here's a wonderful story, and a wonderful lesson.

Two young men bought a lion cub and raised him lovingly. However, he grew too big for them to keep, and they were forced to reintroduce him into the wild. Fortunately, the lion - named Christian - was successfully reintroduced.

One year after Christian's release into the wild, the two men wanted to see him again. They were told that the lion was head of his own pride and was completely wild, and thus could not remember them. They went inspite of that and the rest - you'll have to watch in the video. :)

Apologies about the newscast at the beginning of the video - this is the only one I could find. Hopefully you like it. It's a wonderful message and a touching story.

Time does not separate friendship - it matures it like a good wine.

Namaste,

Clarise

The Power Of Passion

2009-01-14T21:36:00.000-08:00

There's an astonishing power that humans naturally posses. This power allows us to be more than mere humans - this power allows us to transcend limits and restrictions. What is this power? Simple: Passion.

I was a student in Junior Achievement's High School Company Program (the extracurricular schedule) - a program which puts together students from Grades 10 to 12 and teaches them to start and run a real company. I was involved for 4 "terms" over the course of three years and have learned quite a large deal from it. My first job was decided on things I had learned in Junior Achievement (I used the words "negotiate a sale").

Throughout my JA career, I had the honor of being elected to the Executive Board (students within the company with a leadership role) each term. Unfortunately, that meant dealing with the occasional horrid product. I learned from my second year that if you are going to start a business, you'd better choose a product to sell that you are interested in. If you're not behind it, your customers will know.

You can apply the same theory to everyday life. A subject you're more passionate about will be more fun to study than a subject you don't find interesting. A cause you're passionate about will spur you on to support it in every way you can. An interest or hobby can transform into a part-time business.

If you're interested in art - if you draw, paint, do a bit of printmaking - there are sites where you can sell your art for a profit. If you love the outdoors, you can start a business mowing lawns (don't knock it - some inspiring multi-millionaires started off with mowers and paper routes) or tending gardens. If you're an animal lover, a pet-sitting business could do so much more than child-sitting! If you know your way around computers, seniors homes sometimes hire companies to teach their residents how to use the Internet (seniors can be surprisingly springy-er than you thought).

Bottom line, if you're passionate about something, anything, really, you can make a business out of it. You can make a career out of it. You can make a life around it and you'll be practically guaranteed success. Here's a perfect example.

Erin McKean - lexicographer. She is passionate, nay, even passionately mad about the English language and, more specifically, the words found in the English language. Watch this clip and see just how much someone's passion can do. Not only does it convey their own interest, it also conveys their strong passion and sways whomever they're talking to into becoming passionate about it as well.

Erin McKean: Redefining The Dictionary

TED: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Ideas Worth Spreading.

I hope the key thing came through. The key, for those who might have missed it, is this:

No matter what you're passionate about - become fully passionate about it and you will find success.

McKean is clearly passionate about words and the English language, and because of that, she is one of the youngest editors of one of the "Big Five" American dictionaries - maybe you've heard of it: Oxford English Dictionary ring a bell? She's found extraordinary success and has written multiple books simply about words.

This is what passion can do. So, get passionate about something. Being interested in something is a huge step towards finding success and personal fulfilment.

Passion - The Lifeblood of Life.

Namaste,

Clarise

The Wonders of The Pursuit of Knowledge

2009-01-13T17:27:00.000-08:00

As must be apparent and, most likely, frustratingly repetitive is my very strong stance on lifelong learning and a yearning for education. However, there are hundreds of levels of education. There's the mandatory schooling, the post-secondary, the masters, the doctorate, the career, the skills, the lifelong learning. Then, there is the Tireless Pursuit of Knowledge.

According to Clay Shirky, sociologist and author of Here Comes Everybody, humans are, by nature, group creatures. We find innovative ways to incorporate ourselves and our talents into groups. It is a nature of human behavior - that is not to say that we lose our individuality, hardly! Our individuality makes us of great value to a group. We can specialize or handle various things within a group due to our individuality. However, we still have a natural, in-bred desire to be with people.

One of the aspects of the human behavior of grouping is the sharing of knowledge and resources. Look at blogs - millions of pages of information! Sure, they're slightly selfish and sometimes entirely useless, but they are mountains of knowledge nonetheless. Other information sharing communities - digital or real - such as Facebook, Flickr, various conventions and panels are made into such powerhouses due to the sheer amount of knowledge exchanging hands. Ever played six degrees with Facebook? There's a web of connection that traces through everyone.

The Pursuit of Knowledge on the level of which I am passionate about is that found in debates, certain cafes, lounges and sometimes over bar counters. However, one of the most prestigious of stages upon which to speak about knowledge of any sort is, without a doubt, that of TED.

Technology, Entertainment and Design.

Three facets of current society that they can be neither ignored, nor pushed aside. Every aspect of our lives is governed to some degree by technology; our days are spent seeking or providing entertainment; every moment we are confronted by design.

Within TED there are hundreds of speakers who share amazing stories, powerful talks, inspiring tales, beautiful music, awesome art and messages which leave everyone speechless.

Now, why would I mention something as amazing as TED? Well, simply because I love it. And because I happen to agree with the type beside the three red letters which represent the entire backbone of the annual conference. The type reads - very simply and very boldly - Ideas worth spreading.

I agree, whole-heartedly.

The sort of thing presented within the artists, anthropologists, composers, writers, activists, designers, enviromentalists, politicians - people from all walks of life - is nothing short of an amazing showcase of human genius and talent. There are quite a few things different about TED than the average convention. Firstly, the talks are generally made to be shorter (though quite a few do go beyond the encouraged 15-minute limit and into the half-hour mark). Secondly, the subject matter can vary from the global economy to the individual psyche - anything goes, really, watch a few of the videos and you'll see what I mean. Thirdly - and most importantly - there is no age limit for speakers. Young musicians as young as nine have graced the stage and blasted a hole through the classic myth of "Being Too Young". There are speakers from age nine to much into their elderly years.

I would like to challenge any and everyone reading this post to seriously look at the talks done at TED and allow them to change your thinking. I would especially like to challenge the youth who read this to watch at least three TED talks. For the youth of the world, there can be no greater gift and no greater power than Knowledge. Being able to understand the plight of humanity, the genius within all of us and sheer, raw power that all humans possess is something which all youth should understand. It is my strong belief that if we educated each youth in modern North America with the knoweldge and morals within TED talks (though certainly not limited to them), then the next generation of the world would be hundreds of times better than the current.

Visit this site and change your life.

TED: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Ideas worth spreading.

Challenge the Limits of Personal Knowledge - Everyday.

Namaste,

Clarise

The Red Scarf!

2009-01-12T21:37:00.000-08:00

Wohoo! Today was a very good day indeed.

I woke up fairly early this morning - a more and more rare thing for me nowadays - and I managed to get in the previous post before I made lunch and had to do a mad dash for the bus. Unfortunately, I missed the bus by about three minutes and had to wait another twenty before I could start on my trip to the U of A's Main Campus.

Once I got to Main, I had about 30 minutes to find my way to a Restricted Access table to get a red scarf (the symbol of the campaign) before I had to catch the bus to the Campus Saint-Jean (which is removed from the U's Main Campus). So I went to our main student building, which houses the bookstore, a few merchandise stores and a large cafeteria, offices, student services and a few bars/restaurants. There were a lot of tables, but no red scarves - so I did a quick circut and decided that I wouldn't get it that day.

On my way out of the building, I passed a guy wearing a red scarf like the one pictured on Restricted Access's blog. I realized too late that I could have asked him where he'd gotten the scarf. Then, as I was walking to the bus terminals, I passed yet another guy with the scarf, and I decided that I could ask him where to get it - but he was on the phone. Finally, as I was waiting in a building near the buses, I saw two girls with red scarves tied to their bags. I knew that they were Restricted Access scarves - the movement organizers encourage wearing the scarf or carrying it around at all times (just to raise exposure). So I asked them where to get it.

About twenty minutes later, after a mini-adventure within the upper floors of the student's building, I finally had my scarf - and five minutes to book it from one side of the campus to the other (okay, not that far). Good news: I made it on the bus! And I got my scarf!

So my participation in the campaign is pretty much decided. That's that. Though as usual with my stance on forming opinions, I have to do some reading and learning before I can consider myself a true participant. If you're part of a movement, it becomes a sort of duty to know more about the issue itself.

Keep Informed Of Both Sides Of The Story.

Namaste,

Clarise

The Restricted Access Movement

2009-01-12T10:30:00.000-08:00

As might be apparent with my previous posts, I am a strong believer in education. As much as I might knock traditional education systems, I still believe that they are largely necessary - more for the implied lessons and the degree rather than the knowledge gained (except for certain programs).

This next issue, which I shall be following until at least the morning of January 23rd, is an issue which has long been of concern to me. Seeing as this blog is also about my journey to financial success, the issue also fits in perfectly with being knowledgable about your finances - every aspect of your finances.

Restricted Access is a movement currently underway at my University (the U of Alberta). It's purpose is to unite students under the common goal of raising awareness about raising tuitions fees and their adverse affect on various aspects of society and student life.

The tag line of the movement is: "It's your education. Don't get priced out.".

Post-secondary education is no longer an option, it is now a mandatory expense. There are few jobs which will allow you to rise without a university degree - even if you never use it. Here in Alberta, we have the problem of the oilsands - high school grads are skipping University and are heading straight up north to work in horrid conditions to make mega bucks, which they consequently spend on booze, games, booze and, oh, did I mention booze?

If you're a student at the U of A, be sure to pick up your red scarf (it's free) and make sure you're there for the demonstration January 23rd. I'm not too sure of the details at the moment, but once I have them, I'll be sure to keep it updated.

It's time for students to start looking at their finances and see whether or not they're paying more than they should be. It's time for students to take action and to grab hold of the end goal with their own hands. It's time for our education - let's not get priced out.

It's Your Education. Don't Get Priced Out.

Namaste,

Clarise

PS: There's a Facebook group for all interested. Search "Restricted Access".

The Lessons Learned In A Snowstorm

2009-01-11T12:24:00.000-08:00

As must be obvious, I'm a Canadian. My parents immigrated from the Phillipines when they were in their late teens, and they began University at the U of A, where they met. My mom has a wonderful tale to tell about her arrival in Canada. From the tropics, she arrived in Canada in the middle of December - at a balmy temperature of -50 C, or -58 F.

Since then, I'm glad to say that I haven't personally experienced -50 C. While I might gripe about the cold a few times and whine about how my toes are going to fall off (I need new boots), I prefer the cold to insane heat. You can always put on more clothes, but you can only strip down so much before you get arrested for inappropriate exposure.

Plus, there's snow.

My bedroom has a huge window in the southern wall, and I'm usually blessed with views of open sky and the huge pine tree in front of my neighbor's house. Today, there was a mini-snowstorm. A bit of huge snowflakes, a whole bunch of wind, and a lot of activity.

I'm listening to Death Cab For Cutie's Something About Airplanes album, and watching the snow. If I had to say anything about lessons learned from a snowstorm - as I usually look at nature's actions as a great teacher - I would have to say that taking the time to look deeper and look with an open mind are the lessons that a snowstorm can teach.

When we think of snowstorms, we usually see a gray sky, a gloomy atmosphere and grumbling, bundled-up people trying to get home. But when you put music to a snowstorm, it seems as though they're like a ballet of white fairies dancing madly.

I'm going to go on a limb here - so please bear with me and just keep in mind I'm not crazy?

Take a deep breath and imagine this with me...

There are snowflakes being pushed around by the wind. They're flying past at speeds most likely possible to only the fastest of jets. They fly around, being pushed and shoved around, and it looks hectic and unorganized and, for lack of a better word, painful.

Then, at just the right moment, the wind dies dow, and we can see for the first time all the little snowflakes just floating there. They're all just sitting there, almost completely still. It's beautiful and quiet. There's a sense of complete peace that floats into the room. It's like you could reach out and talk to them - they're almost like people.

In a sense, it's like they're telling us to stop once in a while. Stop rushing here, rushing there, running forth, running back, not paying attention to the world around us. There are many fantastic things that go on in the world - little beauties that show up everyday. If we always just keep rushing our lives along, pretty soon, we're going to end up smack against the end of it and wondering what happened to that Golden Age we were promised.

It's an art, and it's something that's hard to master, but if we could even just take a few minutes a day to stop rushing and to start appreciating our lives, to start looking for small joys, I think the world could be a little better of a place. If you wouldn't mind, try this:

Start your trip to work/school/where-ever you go frequently a bit earlier tomorrow - or as soon as you like. Walk slowly and look around. Really look - don't just cast your eye to various places just to make sure you don't get run over. Pull your thoughts out of the future and dedicate yourself to noticing the buildings and people around you. What's new? What didn't you notice before? What do you notice about things you've already noticed? Is someone always at the same corner you are? Are they smiling? Do they try to talk to you?

I think one of the reasons why children are so beautiful (and this is rare for me) is that they look at everything in a new way. Even if they're talking the same route day after day, they can always find something new and refreshing.

I'd like to share something with you - and this is just on impulse.

I found a game about a week ago - a fun, quick game. It's all about building little machines to get a ball into a target zone. It's hard to do some of the levels because it's simply just a strange challenge.

The huge thing for me when I played this game is the challenge it provides the player - Think Outside The Box. Really. It's easier said than done.

Try this out: Fantastic Contraption

Learn From Everything, Learn Everywhere.

Namaste,

Clarise

Tossing Around An Idea

2009-01-10T18:15:00.000-08:00

Evening, guys!

Well, I've been thinking about what I can write in this blog recently. I'm the kind of person who wants to make sure that she's got content constantly, but who doesn't really have Life Lessons to share or even the experience of living a long time. Certainly, I've been blessed with opportunities to learn about and expand my world, but I'm not about to say that I know enough to teach people. I know enough to be a great danger, for sure, though... I'll have to work on that...

But I'm thinking that the purpose of this blog is mainly to chronicle my journey from the year I made my decision (age seventeen) to the day I complete my goal of having a networth or an income of One Million Dollars. That means just under $10,000 a month. And preferably that's in passive income.

And hopefully once I've accomplished my goal, then the chronicles of the journey - this blog, in other words - would be able to provide some insight for other young people who want to pursue this path. Hopefully, it'll act as a sort of "walk this way" sign.

But I don't want to just write about what I'm doing, I don't want to just have this blog follow what I do day-in-day-out. That would be boring and, frankly, unappetizing to read. So what I hope to do is to feature a few websites, organizations, courses or books here and there each month. And to continue to provide some insights I've learned during my limited life experience.

So, I guess the idea I'm tossing between both hands is this:

Each month, I'll write a feature on a particular book (this month will be Here Comes Everybody). On top of that, I'll write up a small feature about a website for teen entrepreneurs - or entrepreneurs in general. And then I'll do a feature about activity - physical activity - because it's important to be fit.

Does that sound good? I hope so...

Ah, I also hope to do a few interviews here and there - if I can convince the people I want to interview to sit down with me for a bit.

Well, I suppose that's all I'll have for now... I have to stop myself before I go on a huge thirteen-page-long ramble.

Look out for some monthly features, they'll come by soon enough!

We Are What We Think. All That We Are Arises In Our Thoughts. With Our Thoughts, We Make Our World.

-Buddhist Saying

Namaste,

Clarise

A Side-Note For The "New Reading List" Post

2009-01-10T12:10:00.000-08:00

Heya, guys!

I just wanted to make sure that I didn't hurt anyone's feelings with the last post.

When I said "I am glad and proud to be Canadian", I hope that I don't seem to be bashing Americans in general. I love all my American friends that I've met through Quantum Leap, and I know that most Americans are amazing people.

I guess if I were to specify, I'd have to say that I am glad to be a Canadian youth. According to the stats in there, which I can't quote for accuracy, there's a huge amount of peer-pressure when it comes to the teenage sex scene. I'm just glad I'm not subject to that, myself.

Ah, and I think I should clarify about Generation S.L.U.T - I haven't read it yet, but I have read a bit of it. It's a really experimental mix of fact (quotes from actual teenagers, statistics taken, etc) and fiction (the on-going story of fictional teens throughout the book). There's not set message from the author - according to the reviews I've read. But the book really presents a whole whack of issues which are truly a huge deal for a lot of teenagers.

So, I can't say that I really know what the book is truly like, but it is a powerful presentation of a world of youth we'd like to ignore. I recommend you prepare yourself before reading it - there are some graphic scenes in there.

But all in all, it's a powerful book you can take as a powerful message.

Hope I don't hurt any feelings or sound puffed-up. Sorry if I did, my greatest apologies and a huge hug.

Namaste,

Clarise

A New Reading List

2009-01-09T19:35:00.000-08:00

Evening, guys! How are ya?

Sorry for not showing up yesterday - I guess I broke my New Year’s Resolution a bit.

I did a bit of retail therapy this afternoon - two books. Okay, not exactly mountains of dresses, but I’m not a dress kinda girl, as some of you may very well know. I do love books, though. They’re wonderful resources of information and humor.

I’ve been holding on to two gift cards to Chapters for quite some time, but I never really got out of the house to go buy any books. Today I had an exam early this morning, then nothing at all until 2:30 pm. So I had lunch with Dad (sushi is the best celebration food, in my opinion) and then went to Coles (Chapters with a different name and a smaller selection).

I picked up Here Comes Everybody by Clay Shirky and Naomi Klein’s Fences and Windows. While I used to scorn non-fiction, I find myself more and more drawn to the well-written, well-thought-out books about culture studies. It helps that the two books are written in a very conversational, powerful tone, but the content is nonetheless extremely interesting.

I also stumbled on a fantastic title which addresses a part of youth today that I simply can’t ignore. The book is relatively small (about ¾ of an inch thick and a quarter of a page large), but it’s filled with stats, provocative cartoons, direct quotes from teens and rather descriptive short stories. The name of the book? Generation S.L.U.T. While I’m not too partial to using the word “slut” myself, I can’t deny that there are quite a few young people who fit perfectly into that category.

S.L.U.T. stands for “Sexually Liberated Urban Teens”. The book doesn’t necessarily take a stand on whether copious amounts of sex is good for young people, but it certainly give startling facts. For one thing, I can say that I am glad and proud to be Canadian. According to the book, 80% of 18-year-old American males have lost (or freely given) their virginity. 77% of 18-year-old American females are also non-virgin. The kicker?

7,700 18-year-old Americans lose their virginity per day.

Oh My God.

The diseases these young people get is something I couldn’t care less about, but consider how many uneducated, uncultured, unprepared teenage parents society is looking at! Out of 7,700 condoms (that’s assuming they all use condoms), how many fail? How many kids are either going to be forced to have an abortion or to raise a child they are not willing or ready for?

Sorry - a bit of a rant. I guess I ought to stick true to the titles of my posts, but the book just warranted that rant. But the two first books are books I am currently reading, with Generation S.L.U.T. next on the list. I suppose you could say that I’m getting more and more into sociology.

Also, I’ve started work on another Squidoo lens. This time, it’s about things youth should care about and why. I’m not sure if it’ll be able to sway anyone, but you can bet that “GS” is gonna end up on there.

Give Some Thought To Your Actions - Always. (Especially if you’re a young person)

Namaste,

Clarise

PS: I’ve posted a link to an online store which contains my current reading list and my upcoming purchases in the sidebar. You can take a look if you’re interested - it’s always nice to talk about what we read with others who share the interest. There’s also a section in the store with all the more light-hearted stuff I’m watching or reading - just to break up the whole “heavy culture analysis” thing.

First Ever Squidoo Lens Up and Running!

2009-01-07T23:39:00.001-08:00

Alright!

Finally, after one whole week of back breaking labour - my first ever Squidoo Lens!

I proudly present:

How to Understand and *Gasp* Succeed at English Class

Whew!

It's a mammoth lens - which isn't too good, I suspect - but it's something that was pretty fun to put together.

I'm not sure if too many people know this, but I'm a total English nerd. I have to admit it sometime, so now's as good as any.

This semester of University consists of only one class for me - and that's English class. Pure, simple, unadultered English class.

I don't really know for what reason I really love English, but it's something that's important to me. I love reading, and I love stumbling on the message the author imparts on their readers - especially if it's as amazing as some of the lessons taught in Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist. Also, I'm an avid writer, though at the moment I'm extremely amateurish as well. I love to read a book and get caught up in the story the author tells. There's nothing so amazing as being unable to set a book down and devouring over 250 pages in a single night - Sweden's Steven Larrson's The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo did that to me.

As a writer, reading and catching the little things - the subtle pacing here, the imagery there, the characterization way back there - is not only exhilarating, but also highly educational. Through reading, I learn techniques which I can apply to my own writing. It's like a mutual exchange - my attention for the author's extensive knowledge. A good deal, in my opinion.

So, there you have it. My first Squidoo Lens, up and running! If you've got the time, please check it out and give me some feedback. I truly want to know if what I'm writing makes any sense to other people - I've been told by my English professor that some of my writing is exclusively for me. I don't really like that part of it...

Well, thank you for your support!

Reading is a Personal Endeavor - but it is always something worth Time.

Namaste,

Clarise

A Second Late Christmas and A Heartfelt Thank You

2009-01-07T22:03:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, yesterday was Late Christmas - but I have something in my hands which far outstrips the mere notion of InfoMedia's material! Unfortunately, it's not the secret to making millions instantly - though a claim like that makes me suspcious rather than hopeful. However, that does not mean that I am any less ecstatic to have it and hold it close to my heart!

My friend from Norway, Martin (some of you may have seen his comment on my first Late Christmas post), has sent me a CD he and his friend have lovingly made. Four tracks of awesome, country-spirit goodness. While I am not really a country music fan, I do love the pure skill and melody that Crossfire in the Stratosphere contains with each track.

While the music plays, I have to be frank. I'm ecstatic and borderline in tears. The music is beautiful, that's without a doubt, but it's the memories I share with Martin that come to mind when the strains of his guitar and his friend's banjo wind through my room. I met Martin - and I hope he doesn't mind me sharing this with whomever reads this - in Mississauga, Ontario this past summer.

We were both participants in a global non-profit called Junior Achievement (a whole blog post on them is to come), and we were both selected to go to the international conference held annually. Myself and a whole plane-load of other young Canadians represented Canada, and a handful of other delegates from as far away as Hong Kong to Sri Lanka to Ireland and more came to represent their own countries. Once in the main campus of U of T's Mississauga branch, the collection of over 190 delegates was split into several colour coded teams and were assigned to out-perform all other teams for a period of one week.

Martin and I were both part of Orange team - along with others from all over the world. That was how Martin and I met. So many memories and so many great lessons. One of which is something that I simply must share and must emphasize for it's importance - not only for business people, but for youth in general.

Become a Global Citizen.

We are not simply Americans, Canadians, Australians, English, French, Norwegian or whatever. We are all on this Earth - we've all got reason to be interested in other countries and other cultures. We're all here and we're all connected. It's imperative that youth realize that there is more to the world that the backyard, the internet and the television.

I was once a part of a debate on YouTube surrounding the election campaign of President Elect Barack Obama. I was stating how much I hoped that Obama was elected - and how much I was sure that the majority of Canada hoped for it too. One middle-aged, frustrated and, in my opinion, shallow McCain supporter immediately bashed my post. He argued that "damn foreigners should stay the hell out of US politics". He then went on to rant about how the US's decision was the US's decision and it shouldn't matter to anyone else. It shouldn't matter to anyone else?!

I'm sorry - okay, I'm not - but, look here, if McCain's vice-presidential candidate advocated a war on Russia (Canada is already having turbulence with them over Artic Oil) is NOT something that Canada can overlook. It's not something that any country can or should overlook. It is of direct interest to other countries what President the USA elects - look at what happened with Bush! Not that I'm a Bush-whacker, I think the guy just happened to make some bad decisions.

But it is absolutely imperative that youth learn to be mindful of the global community. There are great reasons for this:

1. You are more educated in world cultures and thus can form more accurate conclusions.

2. You are better equipped to deal with debates or arguments on inter-culture matters (which can be important if you're in history class).

3. You can meet some pretty awesome people if you are tolerant and aware of global cultures - or at least show an interest in them. (Martin, I send my love and thanks for the wonderful CD)

4. Your world travels become so much easier if you know about the culture around you.

5. People will open up more to you if you show an active interest in their culture and history.

6. You become more aware of the world and gain a better appreciation for our Earth.

7. A Global Mindset is IMPERATIVE for Global Business (which is, by the way, filled to the brim with profit)

and

7. You'll just have more fun.

There are so many reasons to learn more about this world and those who live in it. There are so many reasons not to remain trapped within the confines of a limited knowledge of the Earth. Think about it - would someone from Europe do business with the middle-aged American who believes that it's all about him and America and that everyone else exists simply to watch from the sidelines? No - in fact, I'd be surprised if they didn't boot him out onto the street!

People do business with people they like. Now, don't mistake me - I'm not saying become a total people-pleaser. I'm saying get to know your global neighbors. When it comes down to it - American, Canadian, Native, Immigrant, Short, Tall - we all live on the Earth. If, by some chance, someone were to gain control over all the nuclear weapons on the face of the Earth, it would be EVERYONE's concern. There is currently enough nuclear weaponry in existance to eradicate the Earth (all of it, not just life, the planet itself) nine-times over. NINE TIMES.

So, get a Global Mindset - become mindful of the world and it's international community. If you want to be truly successful, you'll have to learn how to deal with other cultures. If you want to remotely enjoy your life, you'll have to learn another language at some point. If you don't, you might not be shown to the nearest restroom when the street vendor's food doesn't agree with you.

Make the World Yours, and Open Yourself to the World.

Namaste,

Clarise

PS: Thank you so much for the music, Martin. I love you so much! A GIANT hug to you and, of course, Teodor.

PPS: Sorry this post is so much longer than I promised earlier... Forgive me? (Cue puppy eyes)

On a Ledge and Looking Over

2009-01-06T17:47:00.000-08:00

Well, today was my first real day at "work" on my journey towards Financial Luxury and towards a Million Dollars. It's kinda scary when I think about it. I've taken a huge step and I'm only going to school part-time this semester. While I love the idea of not having to worry about bad math profs or homework up to my neck, it's scary not having a set of directions and an instruction manual.

For 13 years I've been in school, always being assigned things, always being told "do step one, then step two". Now, for the first time, I'm really striking out and doing my own thing. I don't have an instruction manual - I've got a whole bunch of material and some idea of where I want to go and what I want to do, but I don't have a teacher to ask for help. I'm on a ledge and looking over the edge, staring into a beautiful, open horizon with birds, sky and ocean, but I don't know how to safely leap down into it's comfortable expanse.

I spent most of today studying the material from InfoMedia, and it was pretty interesting, but all throughout I had "Mind Frick" - or doubt, for those who haven't gone to MMI yet - going off left and right. It wasn't a conscious "oh, this is hard" it was a sort of feeling of mild freedom. I'm not on campus, waiting for my next class to start - I'm at home making my own class at my dad's computer in a small makeshift office in the kitchen. I'm playing my favorite songs over and over again as I type away on ideas for this blog, ideas for other blogs, ideas for webpages, Squidoo lenses and businesses.

All in all, today was a productive, interesting day. I'm slowly finding out that there's a light presence in the wind on this figurative ledge - a wind that's telling me to just focus on flying out there, and pretty soon I'll end up learning how to surf on that ocean in my head. I guess that's a pretty bad use of imagery, so I'll clear it up. Somehow, my "higher" self - my heart and my desire - are telling me that all I have to do is just go on out there and walk. Pretty soon, I'll look up and see that I'm smack dab in the middle of my destination - with another path leading even further into my dreams.

So, for all the youth who might someday read this, if you ever feel a bit of doubt on whatever life-changing decision you make, stand there, and listen with your heart. What does your intuition say? What does your heart, without hearing all the things the world is telling you happens to teens who decide to start their own business, tell you to do?

I hope it helps - I'll let you know how my heart treats me throughout my journey forwards.

Life is a Journey - Not a Destination.

Namaste,

Clarise

Late Christmas!

2009-01-05T11:03:00.001-08:00

It's kinda late - but Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Just recently, my mom and I received a package of educational material from InfoMedia Inc. (Joel Comm, anyone?). It came in a few days ago, and I'm pretty excited! A whole new world of possibilities is gonna burst open - and hopefully a few good tips I can share with you!

But for today, I really just would like to emphasize that education - from all sources - is immensely important. School is mandatory for twelve years of our lives for a reason - and no, it's more than just to torture us.

Schooling and education give us an opportunity to constantly expand our world and look for new opportunities. For all the youth who might read this blog, keep in mind that while your History teacher might be as alive as a brick, not all education is like that - and even if it seems like it is, there are always hidden gems. Here's a little example, History will cover the World Wars, right? Well, one huge part of the Post-War Era is the Great Depression of the USA. That's a huge chunk of education! Look at the headlines and newscasts - everyone's panicking that this is the deepest recession since the Depression. Now take that knowledge and research people who got rich from the Great Depression. What can you do to emulate them?

Education also helps us to form our own opinions - opinions free from all sorts of influences. When we take the time to educate ourselves, we enable ourselves to take a step back from streams of panic and look at a situation objectively. Everyday, we are bombarded by hundreds of messages of DOOM, DESPAIR, DEATH and POVERTY. With a good education, we learn to do our "homework" - research, verify and find out what's really true.

All in all - Education, no matter what form it takes, is key to a successful - and fun - life.

...

And we can also get to learn some cool new tricks!

Ah, I've also started on Squidoo - my first lens is currently under much construction and scrutiny. Once I've finished it, I'll post a small summary and a link once it's 100% complete.

The Moment We Stop Learning Is The Moment We Begin To Fade Away.

Namaste,

Clarise

First Lesson in Blogging... Oh dear...

2009-01-04T12:59:00.000-08:00

Well, this is going to be the start of something new on Seventeen Going On One Million. This is the start of regular - and notably shorter - updates! I've been told by various experts in the Blogsphere (okay, maybe not - it's my dad) that the key to Successful Blogging is the use of regular updates and short posts.

Firstly - I've never really been able to keep a "diary" or various forms of it. The closest thing to a diary that I've been able to do is write in one of a wide variety of stories fairly regularly (about once or twice a week). So, this is going to be something of a New Year's resolution. I shall write three times a week (then move to daily) and write short posts. I have to admit that when I write I write without end... It's a bad habit - and something that gives me grief when I'm assigned to write a 250 word report.

However, this is going to be the beginning of the Revolution! I shall write a shorter post!

On that note, I have to really express my surprise at exactly how easy blogging can be - and how interesting it could be. A few weeks ago, my dad introduced me to a blog written by a lady who wanted to practise her writing skills. The topic of the blog? News Anchor Brian William's Tie. That's right, his tie.

Take a look for yourself, her posts are small, daily and have garnered enough attention for her to be mentioned on MSNBC. Marvel At Brian William's Tie here.

Well, that's all I'll write for today. Whew - that was... easier than I expected... hmm... I'll be back tomorrow, then!

Never Forget a Good Sign Off (not like I did...)

Namaste,

Clarise

Growing Wings

2008-12-18T08:43:00.001-08:00

Recently, I returned from a Peaks course - Never Work Again. During this course, I was submerged once more in the energy which I consider to be one of the most empowering, healing and true currently in existence on the face of the Earth. The flights from Palm Springs - the location of the course - back home to Edmonton were two two-hour long flights with a three hour stop-over in Denver.

Now, I haven't really been to the US that much at the point of this writing, so I don't know a lot about airports - and certain not a thing about which airports might be extremely nice and which airports might be extremely not-nice. However, I am of the opinion that Denver International Airport is truly an amazing space. This is for four principal reasons:

It's an airport I stopped over at when I was coming from a Peaks course -which always surrounds it with a great energy
It has moving sidewalks
It has free and, quite amazingly, fast WiFi - I was able to hammer out a great amount of my first post there... And...
It has a wonderful shop called "Mosaic" in there - right to the left of the Paris-meets-Vegas Eiffel-tower-dwarf look-alike, thing.

It's there that I found an amazing, heart-lifting, spirit-guiding and Universe-channeling book titled Growing Wings by a remarkable American artist named Kristen Jongen.

Now, when I say "remarkable American artist" I don't mean a lady who paints horses like they're really jumping out of the picture at you. I don't mean a lady who paints amazingly realistic portraits, or a lady who makes still-life breathe. I'm talking about a lady who almost brought me to tears reading her art and poetry and journal book - and that was on a plane, y'know, not too great to be sniffling on a plane (too many people forming too many different conclusions).

Growing Wings showcases a smorgasbord of inspirational and deeply-though-out artwork along with a few poems and a narrative which guides us through a heart-wrenching journey through a period of Jongen's life.

Since becoming a Quantum Leap Student of Peak Potentials, I've been shown what more there is to Life and how important our own personal outlook is when we move down our path through the years. Jongen's paintings and poems and her own personal story truly resonate with me on that level. Her paintings incorporate flowing snippets of poetic words which emobody the truths we uncover once we remove the conditioning and the outer shell that we accumulate over the course of our lives.

A truly touching read with I'm-gonna-go-buy-mountains-of-art-supplies inspiring artwork,Growing Wings by Kristen Jongen is a great read - and full of good value. Makes a great gift, as well - and you might want to include some art supplies if you're giving it to a person known to pick up hobbies easily.

Live in the now, release the past and smile for the future.

Namaste,

Clarise

17 Going On 1,000,000

2008-12-14T13:48:00.000-08:00

My name is Clarise and I am, for the most part, quite the average seventeen-year-old girl. I went to a Catholic elementary school, a public junior high, then took a leap to a public high school that was ten times larger than my junior high and twenty times larger than my elementary school. I also managed to get into University and commited myself to studying business. My parents still live together - happily married, for the most part, for 21 years at the time of this writing - and I live with them in our lovely home, which is only complete with our wonderful dog, Lili.

Well, for all that, I'm fairly certain that there are things that I do that are far from "average". I've studied in French Immersion all 13 schooling years of my life, and I continue to study in French with a Bilingual Commerce Degree at my local University. Growing up in Alberta, Canada, studying in French is a bit out of the ordinary - and continuing past High School is even more unheardof. I'm also a bit shorter than the "average" height, but that's fine with me - it's better to be shorter and not have to worry about beheading myself on low-hanging doorways. However, there's something which makes me even more of a deviant from "average"...

I've been told that I'm "highly unusual".

Why is it that I'm "highly unusual"? Well, it would most likely have something to do with my mental outlook and with my goal.

I have decided, at age 17, to take a "year off" - only one course - of school and take personal development courses. Now, that might not sound like a drastic change, but take into consideration that I have left the comfort of the great University I'd been accepted into and taking self-development courses. What kind of 17-year-old takes self-development courses?!

Probably, one kinda like me.
...
I hope.

The second thing I listed on my "List of things that make me highly unusual" is my goal. Now, I can hear some of you thinking "Well, okay, so she takes self-development courses instead of Math courses, what kind of goal could she be thinking of?". Take a deep breath, now, and you might want to sit down - this could rock you a bit.

I want to be a Millionaire.

And not just any Millionaire. I want to be a Millionaire under the age of 40, and hopefully, under the age of 30. That is my goal, on the financial side. My goal on the spiritual side and the relationship side and the personal side are all under work at the moment, but I'll let you know exactly what they are when I know for myself what exactly they are.

So, there you have it. My name is Clarisse, and I am a highly unusual average seventeen-year-old girl. I am taking personal development courses because they offer me much more than conventional schooling can and I am going to be a Millionaire.

I would like to thank you for reading this far and for not screaming at your screen and demanding to know how and why a good little seventeen-year-old like me would give up a great academic and job-seeking career to take personal development courses. Though, I know you're quite calm in that respect. Thanks again, and hope to hear from you soon!

Dreams are things to take action upon.

Namaste,

Clarise