: About Me

I am interested in many things and this had led me to a few different careers so far. I’m a professional harpist with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the University of Toronto. I’ve entertained on cruise ships throughout Alaska and the Caribbean, and was the resident harpist at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC for 15 years.

I even got to play the harp in a movie with Jason Priestly and Bradley Cooper, I Want to Marry Ryan Banks. I have also recorded 3 solo harp CDs which include many of my own harp arrangements for such songs as Stairway to Heaven and In A Gadda Da Vida.

Craving new challenges, I went back to school a few years ago and studied accounting. After earning my PACCT (Professional Accounting Certificate) I worked at an accounting firm. While I love numbers and the logic of them, I really missed a creative outlet.

I have always loved painting, and writing is a passion like no other. Now I operate my own home-based accounting/tax business (Peace of Mind Accounting) that affords me the flexibility to do what I love most, write.

I wrote a play a few years ago and am currently excited to be working on a sequel to it. I have recently started the blog Elizabeth Ely dot Com where I post original musings and little articles daily. I’m really looking forward to other writing opportunities such as Helium.

I hope to continue to hone my writing, and hopefully share my passions for animals, the environment, alternative medicine (I’ve also studied homeopathy) and life challenges and joys in general.

My passion is ...

Life, and trying to celebrate every moment of it.

I know too much about ...

Nothing, there's always so much more to know...

My parents always told me ...

Not to worry so much.

My childhood ambition ...

Officially, a harpist. Deep down, no idea.

My favorite memory ...

Whatever good moment I'm remembering at that moment.

Why I write ...

To express and share ideas, to connect with the world.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

The Veterinarians' Guide to Natural Remedies for Cats

My first job ...

Playing Silent Night for $4 when I was 5 years old.

My best moment ...

Who knows? May they be too numerous to ever count.

My inspiration ...

My family, two and four-footed.

Personal Finance > Investing Basics A little loan can make a big difference

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Sometimes just a small amount of money can make a world of difference. There is perhaps no better example of this than with Microcredit, where small loans are made to some of the world's poorest individuals. Saving what can be a life-changing $25 or $50 is often an insurmountable task for those just struggling to survive. Regular banks are not set up for loaning such small amounts, and so that's where the rest of us come in. Approaching Microcredit from many angles are Microfinance institutions (MFIs) and various worldwide organizations like theKiva which helps link lenders and borrowers. ...

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Writing:

• Marketplace Approved Writer
• Helium Charter Member