Mircea (Badea, nu cel Bătrân) şi turcii

Acum vreo 10-15 ani toată lumea mă întreba cine este idolul meu, dar eu nu aveam niciun răspuns de dat. Da, îmi lipeam afişe cu Joe Lando şi Jason Priestley pe uşă, visam să-l văd pe Al Pacino la ceremonia Oscarurilor, îmi doream să fiu la fel de frumoasă şi descurcăreaţă ca una dintre prietenele mele, dar nu aveam un idol. Poate mama, dar pe ea aş numi-o mai degrabă model. Ei bine, acum, la venerabila vârstă de aproape 28 de ani, cum spun unii, m-aş putea hazarda spunând că Mircea Badea a devenit, subit şi (sper) iremediabil, idolul meu. Evident, este vorba de o exagerare datorată euforiei pe care mi-a provocat-o vizionarea videoului de mai jos, dar cum să nu recunosc faptul că devorez aproape toate înregistrările cu emisiunile sale, că nu-mi pasă dacă depăşesc limita de descărcări de pe Internet şi că al meu gât se resimte după şirul de gesturi aprobatoare la care îl supun în timpul vizionărilor?

În acest video Mircea Badea vorbeşte despre meciurile Croaţia-Turcia şi Olanda-Rusia. Eu nu am avut ocazia să urmăresc decât finalul celei de-a doua partide, dar m-am informat în legătură cu evoluţiile echipelor şi nu pot spune decât că vorbele lui Mircea Badea exprimă exact ceea ce creieraşul meu rumegă de cîteva zile. În stilul său flegmatic, dar extrem de profund, realizatorul emisiunii "În gura presei" include aceste două înfruntări în categoria lecţiilor de viaţă, lăudând îndârjirea jucătorilor turci (şi ruşi) şi lipsa cuvântului "resemnare" din vocabularul acestora. Cu astfel de demonstraţii de ambiţie, cine mai are nevoie de cărţi si filmuleţe motivaţionale?

2 Things













1. La muţi, mulţi, mulţi, mulţi ani, Mi! Nici n-are sens să-ţi repet că-ţi trimit cele mai bune gânduri. E distanţa, e diferenţa de fus orar, e perioadele care ţine mult şi bine, e unele, e altele, dar tu rămâi in sufletul meu ca un prieten "cu distincţie" :-).

2. Speaking of "distinction", I'm happy to be able to write that in a few hours I will have officially graduated with distinction from Concordia University, Montreal. I've waited for this moment for 9 years, since I was accepted at Ovidius University, Constanta, and I'm now finally able to live it. For one day I refuse to think of what the future holds, of the lack of certainty a diploma carries within itself, of the long and difficult road I have ahead. I need to enjoy this moment, and I'm so ready to do it. I can't even sleep because of how anxious and happy I am... and because I don't want for my hairdo to get ruined, as well :-P.
Am reuşit, mămăiţă!

Insane and Insensible




A few days ago, Mariana was trying to let me in on the philosophy behind the movie "Un chien andalou", by Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí. I don't know how or why the readings I'm doing for my final essay made me think about our discussion, but I took advantage of this flashback and looked up the movie on youtube. I found it, I watched it, I didn't understand much of it, of course, then I went on wikipedia, I understood a bit more, and I finally accepted the fact that I have to dedicate more time to deciphering this movie... as soon as possible. Until then, I only have one question: am I weird for not being repulsed or shocked by the famous shot of the eye getting cut by a knife? Buñuel himself said he placed that scene at the beginning so that people would enter a psychedelic state that would allow them to better absorb the surreal atmosphere of the movie. Am I already that dysfunctional or is it just that I've seen this scene too many times and read even more about it?

Madrid... and Back to Logrono

Ever since I can remember, every time I'd come back from a trip I'd feel disappointed. Now I returned from the best journey of my life (yet?) and I keep feeling happy. Madrid was... anything between enchanting and extraordinary, Gianluca proved to be, once again, the best possible company, despite his precarious state of health, Don Quijote and Sancho Panza filled my heart with tears of happiness, Picasso's "Guernica" let me discover more of its intricacies and made me laugh at the same time, El Prado filled one of my biggest dreams, el Parque del Retiro offered me melancholy, hope and moments of shame mixed with laughter, Puerta del Sol disappointed me a bit, Gran Plaza made up for it and let me savor a "granita" in its European atmosphere, and el Palacio Real blocked my thoughts on interjections of admiration.
Now I'm back, only to find the same spot of happiness, Logrono, Cristina and Alessia (maybe the only two pieces missing from the Madrid puzzle), Gianluca, who keeps being here (although he'd rather be someplace else), the sun, the park, the music, the smiles... the dream.

[later edit]: No, no, no!!! It's not Gran Plaza or Plaza del mercado... it's PLAZA MAYOR! Why can't I get this name right?!

If This Were Real...

A few months ago I received this clip from someone; I watched it over and over and allowed myself to dream. Then I forgot about it and, since I hadn't bookmarked and didn't know its title, I couldn't find it afterwards. Now Buddha posted it and I took the liberty to steal it, as I want to know where I can find it when I need it.

There will always be chain reactions we cannot control, but as long as our intentions are good, we'll always be able to make a difference, no matter how small.



Thank you, Buddha.

Where Is the Real Sun?

I was talking to some of my colleagues yesterday... 3 of them are going to spend a short period in different places in the South. I know they'll have a great time, but to their question: "Why have you never taken such a vacation?" I'll answer:
Ever since I arrived... here I've been assaulted by commercials inviting me to go to Cuba, the Dominican Republic or Mexico - Cancun for reasonable prices, it's true. For about $600 one can spend an all expenses paid week basking in the sun and swimming in exquisite pools or in the ocean. It would seem that these offers are hard to resist. Many of the people I got to meet took the opportunity of spending a few days in one of these destinations. I didn't... it never tempted me. I only went to Washington, Atlantic City, Niagara Falls, Quebec, Ottawa and Toronto until now. New York and Montreal are on the list, of course. From all those places the one I was charmed by was Washington. I truly was and I can probably say this is a city where I would feel comfortable living. I arrived here during the cherry blossom period and I was mesmerized by the different monuments and museums. If it weren't for them, you'd forget you are in the States... Washington is a calm city, with buildings scattered among trees and flowers and smiling people. It's the town where I encountered the most content faces, and this is the hint that can help you decide whether or not you should move to a certain city... from an idealistic point of view, at least.

I'll never forget what someone told me after having visited Toronto: "after seeing New York [the person lives there], no other city will ever impress me. Toronto is only a small scale immitation of New York". I couldn't agree more with the last sentence, but the world doesn't revolve around New York City and Toronto. There are so many other cities that one should visit, at least, in order to discover their secrets, their culture and rythm. North America is all about skyscrapers, that's its charm. But there's not much culture involved... except for Washington and Quebec, maybe. Montreal is said to be a cultural city, but it's the people who make it that way, not its history and buildings. How could you not be impressed by the Spanish, German, Italian, British, Czech or even French cities? And I'm only mentioning European destinations because it would be too overwhelming to think of the Asian or African wonders... for now, at least. What about South American regions, those that have nothing to do with the beach and cocktails with intriguing names? There is so much to be discovered before taking time out and getting a sun tan in Cuba or being blinded by the Times Square lights!

I would not refuse a trip to a sunny destinaton if the opportunity arose, if I won one, for example... lol. But I'd rather save some money and take a mouthful of Spain's treasures embeded with a Moresque air, inspire the smoke from Czech Republic's chimneys or get lost in Shakespeare's reality on the the streets of England.

Pe scurt

http://www.jeffothy.com/weblog/uploads/Spain-Map.gif

La Rioja e miculuta acolo, intre Castilla y Leon si Navarra, in NE, aproape de Franta.

Si-asa aveam de gand sa scriu azi mult, mult, mai mult ca niciodata, vine si Nicole sa-mi dea apa la moara :). Ca sa continuu ideea de ieri (cu lauda si vinul :P ) si sa fie totul clar (stiu cat va roade incertitudinea in ceea ce ma priveste :D ), voi face o scurta prezentare a dosarului denumit generic "Spania" - are o multime de subtitluri, dar asta e altceva.

Invat spaniola din clasa a IV-a. Stiu gramatica limbii spaniole din clasa a IX-a. Vorbesc spaniola din 2000. :P Mereu am fost cu dor de duca, de-a pleca de pe meleagurile mioritice cu iz de doina (sa vin cu insulina :D ? ) si-a ma duceee... si m-am dus. Am vrut mereu sa plec in Spania; nu la capsuni, nu la spart seminte, nu pentru a deveni celebra si-a intra in clasamentul Forbes... nu aveam decat dorinta sa inspir aerul hispanic, sa ma pierd pe holurile si-n gradinile castelului Alhambra si sa raman muta in fata minunatei "La sagrada familia"; doream si doresc sa fiu Spania, sa ma supun Spaniei, s-o domin, sa imi confime ca nu am venerat-o degeaba mai mult de jumatate din viata, sa-mi picure dulceata limbii sale in sange, sa nu ma mai lase sa plec.

Concordia, universitatea la care studiez, mi-a oferit ocazia sa plec acolo prin programul de schimb de studii. Am aplicat la inceputul acestui an, mai mult de curiozitate, pentru a pleca in Spania, la universitatea La Rioja din Logrono, capitala provinciei La Rioja. In iunie m-au anuntat prin e-mail c-am fost acceptata si dupa luni bune de mancat unghiile am primit si scrisoarea oficiala. In concluzie, biletul e luat, camera e rezervata, am inceput deja sa fac cumparaturi, viza sper sa se infiinteze pe pasaport saptamana viitoare (sau pana la Craciun, in orice caz) si... cam asta ar fi, in mare. In mai putin de doua luni plec si pot spune ca de-abia acum incep sa realizez ce mi se intampla; acum am timp sa ma bucur...

I Have the Best Boss :D !

I have heard back from the majority of you regarding your status for next semester, and it pains me to see that some of you will not be returning (not because of my decision!). Nadia (France), Mirela (Spain), and Shabato (Argentina) will be departing to do a semester abroad, and Cindy would rather introduce foreigners to her rubber glove than deal with our usual clientele (she will have regular work with Canadian Customs). Nadia, Mirela and Shabato, are you leaving from the Dorval airport per chance? :-)

This is part of the e-mail my colleagues and I received today from our boss (I changed a few names, just to be safe:P ); I might be crazy, but it made me laugh for a few good minutes (and, yes, that's the airport! I'm scared now because of that glove :))). ). At the same time, I must admit, it made me feel pretty good, it reinforced the idea that in less than two months I'll be leaving in chase of one of my biggest dreams: Spain! Caught in the madness of this semester, I had almost forgotten to feel happy for what's to come. After finding this message, I went on-line and did some research on La Rioja and Spain. The most interesting thing I discovered (joke :) ! ) was that the region is most famous for its wine, the best in Spain and one of the mostly appreciated worldwide. I'm not too crazy about wine right now, but I may change my opinion in a few months :D.

To prove that he's as great as I think, within 3 hours my boss gave me two payment stabs; I felt sorry to leave, maybe I would've gotten a third one as well, who knows :) ? Because I've been a good employee :P, I also received a 10% discount for various books offered by our bookstore... I'll certainly look into that.

Well, as it seems, the Holidays are here! I have a few things planned this weekend, and I hope to have at least half the fun I'm expecting. Don't you worry, I'll make sure this is the case :D. Have a great weekend, whoever happens to read this!

Why Do Some Women Love Some Men?

Sorry, but, as I've said before, I'm not that much into generalizations, so I just had to use the word "some". Also, I am not going to explain any of my points... I believe they're clear enough.

1. Because they make us feel protected.
2. Because they have the most wonderful smile and eyes.
3. Because they surprise us with: lovely gestures, kind words and perfect sincere replies we didn't even know we were waiting for.
4. Because they don't lie; they'd rather say "I can't really tell you" (reminder: I said some men).
5. Because they oscillate between feeling proud and not being too sure about their qualities.
6. Because sometimes they need our encouragement and support.
7. Because they open their heart and want us to do the same thing.
8. Because they are smart.
9. Because sometimes they'll give up and agree with us, just so that we'd feel better, although we know they're right.
10. Because we can still sense their perfume after they leave (it'd better be a good one, of course).
11. Because they don't think we are crazy when we talk to them about telepathy.
12. Because they know when it's time to change the tone, from sweet to "harsh" and viceversa.
13. Because they remember things we might have forgotten.
14. Because they have us thinking about making love at the most "unusual" hours, whichever those may be.
15. Because they make us forget our fears, even though they may have a few of their own.
16. Because they put so much passion into what they do.
17. Because they determine us to be interested in things we proclaim to hate.
18. Because they are patient.
19. Because they make seem like a breeze whatever we may find awkward or complicated.
20. Because they are funny.
21. Because we can't be mad at them, not for too long, at least... they have a few tricks up their sleeve just for this kind of situations.
22. Because they let us know when something bothers them.
23. Because they make us wonder, but know when to step up and make things clear.
24. Because they care about the little things we pretend not to be so important.
25. Because they feel at ease on the dance floor.
26. Because they just won't give up when they feel we don't want them to, although we say the opposite.
27. Consequently, because they know what we want.
28. Because they let us dream and sometimes join us in doing so.
29. Because sometimes they help us turn dreams into reality.
30. Because they look great in a suit, as well as when wearing jeans and a T-shirt.
31. Because they sense when something is wrong.
32. Because they pay attention to what we have to say.
33. Because there's no one else like them.
34. Because they try to tell us otherwise.
35. Because they exist.
36. Because...

The list is endless... it's just the time and space that won't let me go on.