This week I had the privilege of joining Vivien Anayian – known as VG Universe in the Tazzu Forums – for coffee.
Right from the moment we met, I felt like I’d known Vivien forever. She had this ease about her that comes only from knowing one’s self. Our conversation was as rich and full-bodied as the java I was enjoying!
Vivien, born in Georgia (at that time part of the Soviet Union) came to Canada on her own in 2000. Now, married to the love of her life and best friend Garry (a local musician), the two of them with their lovely 2 1/4 year old daughter Veronica call the beautiful North Shore home.
A woman of many talents, Vivien works full time as a System Developer for eZ.no which is headquartered in Norway. eZ offers a popular Open Source Content Management System called eZ Publish. The Vancouver office that Vivien works out of is the first branch in North America, with eZ’s other branches located in France, Germany, Denmark, and the Ukraine.
On top of her full-time job at eZ, Vivien also freelances through her very successful company VG Universe as a Website and Graphic Designer. Her services include Print, Web Design and Programming. Vivien’s motto for website design: “A good website, like a Baby, is a product of love and hard work.”? Visit her website and you’ll see how she has skilfully blended her passions – Freelancing with Family.
Vivien is also an avid and loyal blogger. Where does she get the time?! A few tidbits that I found out about her via her blog Inspiration Bit and a relatively recent post ‘8 Bits You Now Know About Me’ is that she is a classical musician, was (like her daughter Veronica) an early reader, and that turquoise, rather than diamonds, is this girl’s best friend! This latter fact I noted while chatting with her. The turquoise pieces she was wearing were exquisite.
Being a wife and mother come very naturally to Vivien. While talking about Veronica, her gifted daughter, Vivien’s eyes lit up. Ask to see some pictures and she’ll show you a mini-album of the cutest little darling you’ve ever seen. Supportive of her husband’s music career, Vivien shares her home office with Garry, and his recording studio equipment.
With so much going on, one wonders how she manages to keep up. When posed this question Vivien chuckled commenting that sleep just might be taking a back seat to her passions for now. You’d never know this by meeting Vivien. She is vibrant, full of energy and bright eyed! I have to admit she looks radiant for a woman who is unapologetically taking on the world and creating her own VG Universe!
I could have chatted with Vivien all day. As I drove her to the bus stop, it should come to no surprise to you – if you know Vivien – that we were already planning our next get together!
Vivien, we are honoured that you’ve joined Tazzu. You light up the forums with your kindness and insightful contributions. We wish you success in all that you do!
Technorati Tags: VG Universe, Vivien, eZ.no, software developer, website design, graphic design, programming, North Vancouver, torquiose, freelance, blog, inspiration
Jen, thank you so much for this silver-tongued spotlight. It’s been a great pleasure meeting with you in person, can’t wait to get together with you soon again.
Thanks for having me at Tazzu.
Hi Vivien, the pleasure is also mine! I see many more visits over coffee in our future.
God Bless you!
Hi Vivien,
I love that portrait it’s beautiful! Your bio is impressive, I didn’t know that you were involved with the eZ Publish project. You are a great source of knowledge in our community, thank you for your contributions.
I still feel bad that I couldn’t make it to our coffee get together last week. I’ll drop you a line so we could perhaps meet sometime in the next couple of weeks. Coffee is on me
Jen, I think that you should start offering a new service – Tarot readings – you seeing more visits over coffee with me will be definitely coming true
Rastin, thanks for the compliments. That photo was taken by my Norwegian colleague at eZ – my first professionally looking photo in many years
Hope your client project is doing well. I too look forward to meeting with you in person in a near future.
What a great picture Vivien, and I see your wearing turquoise. I’m tired just reading about all your involved in. It’s nice to hear about all of you getting together,whether it a Tazzu get together, or one on one. I sometimes wish I lived out west.
Thank you, Judy.
I agree, it’s so nice to hook up with online friends offline whenever it’s possible.
I’ve never met Vivien, but I’ve chatted with her and exchanged comments via several blogs; however, none of the above surprises me. She’s a gem (a turquoise one, of course).
Hi Redsil!
That’s a great analogy, Vivien is definitely a gem.
What a lovely article on you Viv! Congratulations on much deserved recognition too!
thanks everyone. I’m really glad you don’t see me blushing now
An awesome profile! As a past student for one of her courses, I can say with confidence that Vivien is a great teacher. And this article shows she has many more unique talents and skills as well.
Congrats, Vivien, on your success thus far, and wish you peace and prosperity in the future.
Thank you very much, Kulpreet. Glad to see that not all former students hate their former teachers