Janelle

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Hey y'all, Janelle here! Many people know me as 'Rainbow' so you can call me by that name too :)

I am taking some big leaps in my adult life and leaving the Sea to Sky region of BC that I've spent the last 14 years in, while holding some big beautiful dreams in my heart. I grew up in Ontario, I've moved within BC a fair bit, and I traveled internationally in my 20's too (mostly chasing winter on my snowboard!). This new path feels very different...with all sorts of excitement, revelations, and scaries - a big ol' bucking bronco of an experience that I'm sure many hosts in this community can probably relate to.

I'm pointing my arrow (ever the Sagittarian archer I am) to a smaller town with a slower pace, more connection to nature and to each other, more depth and richness and intimacy flavouring life, less tethers to the status-quo of typical society, where all generations co-exist and support each other naturally, a community in integrity with real shared values and commitment, healthy servings of play and laughter and dance and song and ritual, and overall more opportunities to feel spaciousness, quietude, and a sense of togetherness I have yet to truly know. Feels good to let my heart speak its desires and own them!

I would like to land in the Kootenay region this autumn, and I figure that offering my energy at various workaway opportunities is a great way to starting touching in with the spirits of the land and the spirits of the people who have chosen to build their lives there, as I search for the ideal place/situation for my next chapter to begin. I have a lot to offer as well as a hearty appetite for learning and growing (although I'm also UNlearning the belief of infinite growth as a human ideal!), and I'm especially keen to absorb some wisdom from women older than me, mothers, crones, grandmothers, aunties....wild women!!

Alright so now that you've had a little peek into my dreams and more, let me introduce myself more personally. Many people who know me say that the name Rainbow really fits - I am bright, I am colourful, I am rare to catch, I love and need both the sun and the rain all in balance (internally and externally!), and, well, I often love to be in solitude or prefer a more intimate social gathering (ooh that’s good stuff, I’ve never metaphor-ed myself like that before!).

I am friendly, caring, joyous, kind hearted, open, considerate, curious, playful, creative, respectful, nurturing, attentive, sensitive, and understanding. On my "rainy" side, I am also learning to be gracious towards my and others' mistakes; becoming an apprentice to grief and sorrow; courageously and resourcefully facing conflict and communicating skillfully in service of connection; and learning to not let myself get dragged into the spirally swamp that existential thought can create. I am clearly a proponent for embracing and loving both our light and dark sides for I believe that is where depth and beauty and life are found :)

I feel at home when walking and "sauntering" in nature, meeting plants and creatures, lake swimming and river dipping, writing and reading poetry, singing (often to forest spirits), foraging for medicinal and edible plants, reading, cooking simple meals, learning new handwork crafts and natural fibre weaving, ‘authentic relating’ and communication practices, listening to music (that could be a whole other paragraph of its own), dabbling at learning ukulele and harmonica, making-do and being resourceful, playing dress-up and pretending (especially with kids), getting my hands and feet dirty, exploring, exploring, exploring, dancing, seeing live music and theatre… ok this list can definitely go on but I will leave space for a wee bit of mystery 😺

There it is, a sliver of both my heart and my soul - complex as they are - typed out on a screen in the less-complex English language for you to interpret through your own lenses, perspectives, and beliefs. Perhaps you resonate with something about me and it leads you to accept my application…or the skills I bring are what you’re seeking and the rainbow-ness is just a bonus! Either way, I look forward to chatting by email, on the phone, and eventually face to face. Thanks so much for considering having me along for part of your journey.

With love and giggles,
Rainbow
aka Janelle

Interests

Culture

Pets

Farming

Art & design

Sustainability

Events & social

Self development

Outdoor activities

Plant care

Music

Gardening

Photography

Writing

Performing arts

Drawing & painting

Cooking & food

DIY & crafts

Books

Animals

Yoga / Wellness

Nature

Fitness

Beach

Camping

Dancing

Mountain

Winter sports

Hiking

Cycling

Adventure sports

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I grew up speaking French in my grandparents' home in a French region of Ontario, Canada, and continued taking French classes all the way through high school. I love speaking it and sometimes forget words but have been told I have a great accent! I would be happy to teach what I know. I would love to learn Japanese or Italian or more conversational Spanish. I also know a bit of "baby sign language" (more like single words and everyday gestures rather than anything conversational) that i love teaching kids of all ages!

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Charity Work

Eco Projects

Being an elderly companion

DIY and building projects

Life at a Farmstay

General Maintenance

House sitting

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Some knowledge of:  

Art Projects

Teaching

Gardening

Animal Care

Helping with Computers/ Internet

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Able to teach about:  

Languages

Babysitting and creative play

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

More details about your skills

Childcare in many forms (mainly with ages 2-10; summer camps, nannying/mom #2, circle time, a bit of "unschooling", student support at a waldorf school, snowboard coaching, mentoring, cooking classes)
Veggie gardening/weeding
Cooking/baking (incl. Gerson therapy, WFPB, vegan, gluten free, oil-free)
Juicing (unofficially trained in Gerson therapy)
Some preserving/canning
Herbal medicine foraging/preparation/knowledge
Wild food foraging (minimal mushroom knowledge)
Writing limericks
Splitting wood
Teaching kids basics of cooking & kitchen safety
Snowboarding (I've been a freestyle coach in the past)
Interpersonal communication
Authentic Relating practices
Basic weaving experience
Some interior painting
Some deck refurbishing
Lawn mowing & trimming
Customer service (retail and food & bev)
Nature awareness practices (adult and children)
Loon songs 😹
Puppetry (beginner)
Ukulele, harmonica, djembe (beginner)
Rhyming poetry

Age

39

What else ...

I have been discovering over the past couple years that I am quite sensitive to strong perfumes, fragrances, chemical cleaners, as well as other strong smells especially inside the house. I prefer a place that uses natural scents like essential oils or incense.

A new habit I started this year is getting unfiltered daylight into my eyes before any artificial light, and at night having natural light in my eyes as the last source of light before sleep. Along with that, I appreciate gentler indoor lighting whenever possible (and I understand that it's not always possible), as I believe that all of these practices contribute to greater overall physical and emotional health and wellbeing.

Aside from all that "serious" stuff, I just learned to play Rummy! Shall we play? :)

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements
  I have a much more pleasurable time in life when I don't eat gluten or dairy, so I avoid those 99% of the time. I also minimize my intake of processed foods, refined sugars, and seed oils when I can.