Monday, September 12, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
I'm writting for huliq.com!
A couple of weeks ago Huliq News happened upon my blog and approached me about writting some articles for there on line news service! I was thrilled and immediately set out to write what I am passionate about...my newly adopted homeland Puerto Vallarta Mexico!
If you missed the article here it is:
Puerto Vallarta is alive and well in spite of the “heat” in Mexico!
The U.S. economic crisis has negatively impacted Mexico’s exports. 80 % of their export trade is with the United States, including their #1 export, oil, which is down 35 %. Drug trafficking has been on the rise since the 1980’s, when U.S. drug enforcement efforts closed primary trafficking routes from South America through the Caribbean and into the US and Canada. Thus forcing the cartels to forge new routes from Central America, through Mexico and up in to the U.S. and Canadian markets. Mexican President, Felipe Calderón’s commitment to fighting the drug trade, since coming into power in 2006, has seen escalating retaliation. The H1N1 flu scare that hit Mexico City virtually ground the country to a stand still this past spring.
All of this has created a global perception that “Mexico” is unsafe and unstable.
How that has affected the beautiful & tranquil tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta, is apparent in the dramatic decrease in tourism. Already reeling from a particularly slow 2008/09 high season, the spring H1N1 flu pandemic saw tourism drop a reported 50-70% over previous years.
The impact on Puerto Vallarta and other Mexican tourist destinations has been further compounded by a frenzy of knee jerk media coverage, and a World Health Organization who were reluctant to pinpoint where in Mexico H1N1 virus cases were being reported so as not to give the impression that some areas of Mexico were virus free and therefore safe. Subsequently painting all of Mexico as a potential health risk! Further resulting in travel advisories, cancelled flights and rerouted cruise ships.
In fact only 2 cases of the H1N1 virus were ever confirmed in Puerto Vallarta. With the majority of Mexico’s cases being in Mexico City, 550 miles away.
Cartel drug violence has generally occurred in only 5 of Mexico’s 32 states, including the state of Chihuahua where the border town, Ciudad Juarez, has seen the most violence. Violent/drug related crime occurring in Puerto Vallarta’s state of Jalisco is very rare. Only 2.1 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to the state of Chihuahua at 50.9 deaths per 100,000.
With the tourism industry in Puerto Vallarta down substantially, local family run businesses are closing their doors, housing sales have fallen off, hotel occupancy rates are down and employees in all sectors are being laid off in droves.
Puerto Vallarta fights back! Introducing the lowest airfares and holiday packages in years, substantially reducing hotel room rates, 2 for 1 recreation & adventure tours and promotional specials on restaurant meals & entertainment.
From a national perspective the Mexican government has replaced customs agents with 700 more highly trained personnel, accepted a half a million dollar drug enforcement training program from Canada’s RCMP and a 1.4 billion dollar counter narcotic package from US congress. The Mexican Health Authority’s response to the flu pandemic is by and large considered exemplary. Development of the Ku-Maloob-Zaap oil fields, the Chicontepec offshore oil project and construction of a new refinery in 2010 will increase oil production and boost trade. Plus, a national media campaign to put Mexico back in the minds of tourists as a favored and safe travel destination.
With this year’s high season looming, Vallartans are holding their breath to see if their combined efforts will pay off!
Diane Briggs-Hoyle
dbhoyle@gmail.com
www.dbhoyleart.blogspot.com
If you missed the article here it is:
Puerto Vallarta is alive and well in spite of the “heat” in Mexico!
The U.S. economic crisis has negatively impacted Mexico’s exports. 80 % of their export trade is with the United States, including their #1 export, oil, which is down 35 %. Drug trafficking has been on the rise since the 1980’s, when U.S. drug enforcement efforts closed primary trafficking routes from South America through the Caribbean and into the US and Canada. Thus forcing the cartels to forge new routes from Central America, through Mexico and up in to the U.S. and Canadian markets. Mexican President, Felipe Calderón’s commitment to fighting the drug trade, since coming into power in 2006, has seen escalating retaliation. The H1N1 flu scare that hit Mexico City virtually ground the country to a stand still this past spring.
All of this has created a global perception that “Mexico” is unsafe and unstable.
How that has affected the beautiful & tranquil tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta, is apparent in the dramatic decrease in tourism. Already reeling from a particularly slow 2008/09 high season, the spring H1N1 flu pandemic saw tourism drop a reported 50-70% over previous years.
The impact on Puerto Vallarta and other Mexican tourist destinations has been further compounded by a frenzy of knee jerk media coverage, and a World Health Organization who were reluctant to pinpoint where in Mexico H1N1 virus cases were being reported so as not to give the impression that some areas of Mexico were virus free and therefore safe. Subsequently painting all of Mexico as a potential health risk! Further resulting in travel advisories, cancelled flights and rerouted cruise ships.
In fact only 2 cases of the H1N1 virus were ever confirmed in Puerto Vallarta. With the majority of Mexico’s cases being in Mexico City, 550 miles away.
Cartel drug violence has generally occurred in only 5 of Mexico’s 32 states, including the state of Chihuahua where the border town, Ciudad Juarez, has seen the most violence. Violent/drug related crime occurring in Puerto Vallarta’s state of Jalisco is very rare. Only 2.1 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to the state of Chihuahua at 50.9 deaths per 100,000.
With the tourism industry in Puerto Vallarta down substantially, local family run businesses are closing their doors, housing sales have fallen off, hotel occupancy rates are down and employees in all sectors are being laid off in droves.
Puerto Vallarta fights back! Introducing the lowest airfares and holiday packages in years, substantially reducing hotel room rates, 2 for 1 recreation & adventure tours and promotional specials on restaurant meals & entertainment.
From a national perspective the Mexican government has replaced customs agents with 700 more highly trained personnel, accepted a half a million dollar drug enforcement training program from Canada’s RCMP and a 1.4 billion dollar counter narcotic package from US congress. The Mexican Health Authority’s response to the flu pandemic is by and large considered exemplary. Development of the Ku-Maloob-Zaap oil fields, the Chicontepec offshore oil project and construction of a new refinery in 2010 will increase oil production and boost trade. Plus, a national media campaign to put Mexico back in the minds of tourists as a favored and safe travel destination.
With this year’s high season looming, Vallartans are holding their breath to see if their combined efforts will pay off!
Diane Briggs-Hoyle
dbhoyle@gmail.com
www.dbhoyleart.blogspot.com
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Monday, November 10, 2008
The family home on Lake Okanagan
The Hoyle Home on Lake Okanagan, Lake Country, British Columbia
7 acres of lush gardens, sparkling ponds and waterfalls & expansive lawns on the lake! Yes, it is paradise and we've had a wonderful time staying here with our Mom!
Walking up to the orchard with my grandson, Ezra
My daughter Brenna & Ezra in the Peach Orchard
He's spotted a good one!
On "Creative Sabbatical" in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!
In 4 days my husband and I are leaving for our first "big adventure" (not that raising 4 kids in our blended family wasn't abit of an adventure at times too!)
26 months ago when we returned home from a 2 week vacation in Puerto Vallarta my husband announced that we were moving to P.V.! After my initial shock wore off and we decided that we could make it work financially and continue to earn a living down there, I was all over the idea too! We planned to move down that following February, 2007 after we sold our house. With in 2 weeks of our decision my father passed away with lung cancer. Moving in February was just too soon for us, we needed to be with my Mom and our family! The move was rescheduled for July 2007 and as good plans often do, that didn't quite work out! We accepted a great offer on our house in February but on the 11th hour the sale fell through! The universe has a way of making things happen exactly as they should. At the same time the house deal collapsed my father-in-law took ill. We spent the next 6 months commuting to and from their hometown and flying Bill to and from a hopsital in Seattle for treatment. Although this was a difficult time it was an important time for us, again, to be with our family! and for this we were very thankful! On November 25th, 2007 Bill lost his fight!
We realized that we were exactly where we were supposed to be at this time. Again the house went up for sale but this time we were moving to Kelowna to stay with Gord's Mom and help her run the house and property. We sold our house to a wonderful couple, Veronica and Leif, (who have become dear friends) and moved up to the Okanagan in April 2008. It has been a wonderful, fun, interesting, and sometimes challenging experience living in my mother-in-law's home. And I'm very grateful that we have had the opportunity to do it!
This Friday, November 14th, we start leg 1 of our journey with our cat and dog in tow!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
up & coming artist!
Our grandson, Skylar (age 7), is an aspiring artist!
"Turtle" is one of many works of art he has created.
Great work Sky!
...there's more to come from this gifted and entertaining artist!!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
30/30 Challenge Update
I have recently received updates from 6 of our "30/30 Challengers":
Pat has been keeping very busy! In addition to her two etsy stores, http://preciousmoments.etsy.com/ & http://onawhimsey.etsy.com/ , she has started a new blog; http:// apreciousmemory.blogspot.com. Her challenge has been going well and at times she has found the need to improvise by substituting her "Wii time" with long walks with her husband. Sounds like Pat is making great use of her time!
Theresa has been busy recording her progress on her own blog http://tiltcreations.blogspot.com/. She's found that although this challenge has afforded her more "me time" the "me time" isn't always what she had envisioned! She is most grateful though that this has been an opportunity for her to pickup her paintbrushes again and proud of her work! Theresa recognizes that in future she would make her challenge or goal more specific but is pleased with what she has done!
Teri has allowed herself to slow down and let go! She is living in the moment and enjoying the process of her work!
Kristin Ann is working on her challenge, studying new techniques and pushing herself to step out of her comfort zone and put her newly learned skills into practise!
Michelle is doing well! She's been really committed to putting in the time and on the days when she hasn't been able to spend her 30 minutes she's made up for it the next day! Michelle is really pleased that she has acted on a couple of opportunities that she had previously procrastinated on. She sees her persistence as a great asset!
Ali is still at it and feeling her success in "loose" fitting jeans!
I am plugging away at my sketching and am seeing how committing a small amount of time, regularly, can have a big impact!
I hope everyone will visit these "challenging" women at their stores, blogs and/or web sites and let them know they are an inspiration!
Ali http://alibalijewellery.blogspot.com/
Pat http://apreciousmemory.blogspot.com/
Theresa http://tiltcreations.blogspot.com/
Teri http://terireeswang.etsy.com/
Kristin Ann http://blueflamedesigns.etsy.com/
Michelle http://eviestoolemporium.etsy.com/
Pat has been keeping very busy! In addition to her two etsy stores, http://preciousmoments.etsy.com/ & http://onawhimsey.etsy.com/ , she has started a new blog; http:// apreciousmemory.blogspot.com. Her challenge has been going well and at times she has found the need to improvise by substituting her "Wii time" with long walks with her husband. Sounds like Pat is making great use of her time!
Theresa has been busy recording her progress on her own blog http://tiltcreations.blogspot.com/. She's found that although this challenge has afforded her more "me time" the "me time" isn't always what she had envisioned! She is most grateful though that this has been an opportunity for her to pickup her paintbrushes again and proud of her work! Theresa recognizes that in future she would make her challenge or goal more specific but is pleased with what she has done!
Teri has allowed herself to slow down and let go! She is living in the moment and enjoying the process of her work!
Kristin Ann is working on her challenge, studying new techniques and pushing herself to step out of her comfort zone and put her newly learned skills into practise!
Michelle is doing well! She's been really committed to putting in the time and on the days when she hasn't been able to spend her 30 minutes she's made up for it the next day! Michelle is really pleased that she has acted on a couple of opportunities that she had previously procrastinated on. She sees her persistence as a great asset!
Ali is still at it and feeling her success in "loose" fitting jeans!
I am plugging away at my sketching and am seeing how committing a small amount of time, regularly, can have a big impact!
I hope everyone will visit these "challenging" women at their stores, blogs and/or web sites and let them know they are an inspiration!
Ali http://alibalijewellery.blogspot.com/
Pat http://apreciousmemory.blogspot.com/
Theresa http://tiltcreations.blogspot.com/
Teri http://terireeswang.etsy.com/
Kristin Ann http://blueflamedesigns.etsy.com/
Michelle http://eviestoolemporium.etsy.com/
Saturday, October 18, 2008
di's 30 minute sketch
This is a rough pencil sketch drawn during one of my 30 minute sketching sessions.
Later I took my soft pastel sticks and pastel pencils and rendered a finished piece.
From there I scanned the finished art and printed it on a high gloss card stock which I then mounted to a heavy weight Linen stock to create notecards
Saturday, October 11, 2008
A very special day, October 11, 1983
To my dear daughter, Brenna
Wishing you a very happy birthday and a year full of joy, peace and laughter!
I am in awe of the woman and the mother you have grown to be!
love always and forever, mom xoxo
Friday, October 10, 2008
The "30/30 Challenge" update
"It must be borne in mind that the tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach"!
- Dr. Benjamin Mays
Good morning! Day 10 of the "30/30 challenge" and I've had some "bumps in the road" (very small pun relating to my atttempts to sketch in a moving vehicle!!) lol...but all in all I feel really great having a regular sketching time, it serves as "alone" time, which I appreciate and it is meditative & therefore has a theraputic benefit. I'm seeing small improvements in my abilities, and most importantly I'm recognizing where my challenges lie and what skills I need to focus on.
Zuda of www.ZudaGay.etsy.com expressed that she didn't get as much done last weekend as she had hoped but accepted that was just how it worked out and allowed herself to enjoy her weekend anyways!
Ali of www.alibalijewellery.etsy.com is full steam ahead! She's been cycling & swimming daily!
Pat www.preciousquilts.etsy.com & www.onawhimsey.etsy.com was really pleased to have created a new painting and felt she was on track with her goals!
Michelle www.eviestoolemporium.etsy.com sees this challenge as being really good for her! She has accomplished even more than she had planned!
Kristin Ann www.BlueFlameDesigns.etsy.com & www.jkjewelry.etsy.com has finished reading one of her new resource books on lampwork and tried out some new techniques which she has found very exciting!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
shipping internationally
My friend at http://fabricsnquilts.blogspot.com/ posted an etsy forum thread with regard to shipping internationally.
It got me thinking about why international shipping is so important....
yes, we like to make sales.....
yes, we like to think our work is appreciated by other cultures in far away places.....
but what really impresses upon me is art's ability to transcend all barriers!
Language, cultural, political, religious......
It draws all people, of all walks of life, together, as one people!
I'm very proud to be apart of that!!
It got me thinking about why international shipping is so important....
yes, we like to make sales.....
yes, we like to think our work is appreciated by other cultures in far away places.....
but what really impresses upon me is art's ability to transcend all barriers!
Language, cultural, political, religious......
It draws all people, of all walks of life, together, as one people!
I'm very proud to be apart of that!!
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