About

Hi.

I was a gangling seventh-grade bookworm when I read my favourite book for the first time. The Neverending Story, by Michael Ende, is a fantasy about the journey of a lonely boy named Bastian and his friend, Atreyu.

(It’s also possible that I liked the story so much initially because my twelve year-old self had a crush on the actor who played Atreyu in the 1984 film version of the book. But that’s beside the point.)

A few decades later, I’m still a gangling bookworm.

Every few years, I re-read this story, not only to experience the boys’ adventures again but to learn something new. Though it’s intended for children, it also holds profound observations about human nature – our highest hopes and ambitions, our deepest insecurities and longings.

A key symbol in the story is a powerful amulet entrusted first to Atreyu and then to Bastian. It’s in the shape of two intertwined serpents, each biting the tail of the other. On the reverse of this medallion are the instructions, “Do What You Wish.”

Whaaat? Unlimited wishes? Nice! But. But. What does that command mean? What are the costs?  In the book, Bastian’s wishes are key to allowing him to finally journey home, but his trials prove that he must learn how to choose his wishes with purpose if he’s to find out what he truly wants.

I chose “Do What You Wish” as the name for my space here on the web because it’s a place for me to share parts of my own creative journey. I hope you’ll stick around while I make wishes by exploring my world through photography and writing.

With some courage and some luck (even Bastian and Atreyu had a luckdragon as a companion), my wishes will lead me home, too.

Thanks for visiting.

Vanessa