Let Them Close

I came to a conclusion this Christmas season: there are too many things in this world. In the Western world for sure.

There are Christmas villages, Christmas fairs, Christmas stores, and than every other store has Christmas line of products as early as November, some October. Not as bad as in other places where it starts in September... like Philippines for instance. I'm not aware if things start earlier in any other place, but I wouldn't be surprised.

Merry Christmas

As I browsed various stores, the creativity, the variety, and the number or things on display is endless. And you know what? Looking at all there is, it occurred to me that there are not enough people to buy them all. Even discounted. Shoppers were scarce and some shops were quite empty day after day despite all the cute, beautiful ornaments and gifts offered. If anyone made money it was surely the venues renting out the spaces. Made money...

And it's not just at Christmas. It's a fact of life here: everything in excess. I find it somewhat amusing how people nowadays seem to rely so much of studies and research, as if you need "scientific" proof of everything before stating it. Yet, if you pay a bit of attention you will see with a naked eye what's happening. Here is the latest: it turns out someone did a study and found that 14 shops per day are closing on high streets in the UK. And if you do a search "stores closing down" you will find name after name of retailers big and small downsizing or going under completely. 

A Snippet of Gourmet Gifts

As far as I see, there are way too many clothes, shoes and things around here. For all to sell you'd have to have people shopping full time. Is this what we are made for? Shop till we drop? Get more things? 

Or is Christmas about that and giving gifts, or getting drunk, getting into fights, or going home crying, as observed on Christmas Eve streets?  

Don't get me wrong. I'm not against gifts. It's a beautiful thing - a "better to give than receive" thing. A gift it's given out of free will by definition, but I wonder if it's often felt as an obligation. I think it often puts pressure on people. And how come Santa doesn't bring one gift, but many? Aren't we letting the marketing industry, pushing a consumer culture, lullaby us into taking that as a norm? Like zombies, we go thru the motion to match the images broadcasted on the big screens, without stopping to ask whether that manipulation does us or our children any good.

Christmas is rather about giving the gift of love and good quality time with loved ones, reaching out, talking about the reason for the season and the difference it has made; leaving the worries and the bad behind, being thankful for what we've got, and forgiving, so that healing of mind and soul comes.

The Little Things in the Morning

So I'll say, let them close. Let things come into balance and let joy flow from above in and out of hearts full of gratitude. Than the New Year might be happy indeed!

What is your take on that?

Vlog Fever - Why Moldovans Don't Hike & My Favorite Places...

So... Did you see my previous post? I was testing my vlogging abilities.

It's one thing to speak smth in front of a camera. Is another thing to make it meaningful. AND an entirely different thing to actually post it, so that everybody will see. I admire those who have the gut. For some I wish they didn't. LOL!

But let the ranting about hiking continue.... with part 2.

Why Moldovans Don't Hike?

And yes, there is part 3...

My Favorite Places to Hike

I hope it's somewhat useful and entertaining... Once I learned to laugh at myself, it cracks me up every time I watch it - esp. part 1.

Thank you for taking the time. Big hug!

Leave a comment. Even if cheesy. 

Escaping the Sun

One day I have decided to move to London. Seriously. And the day of the move came. It was in August last year. I started writing this post on August 28... Uh! Life caught me in a tumble.

Many Londoners won't like hearing this, but I actually like the rain. It's cool.

Everyday there are new things happening. And everyday I'm thinking to write them down. And everyday that doesn't happen.

Besides new curious things to see, there are some new words to learn as well. For ex. people use serviette for napkin, underground or tube for metro, lue for bathroom (not sure even how to spell it) and so on.

It Does Say Underground and Toilets after all

The accents are something else. But that would be impossible to express in writing. The only case that I remember, just because I could not get it even for the 5th time, is the word "cutlery" that sounded 100% "calorie".

That's because this place is a big jungle where monkeys from all over the world gather and each thinks they know how to speak the language. At first I was worried about my accent and wanted it to sound British. I would be very surprised when people said it's beautiful and even found it sexy. I'm OK with it just being beautiful. Now, I think I will keep it. It's part of the journey of self-acceptance after all.

Part of the London Jungle

Attempts at Keeping it Green

Fascinated

One of the Bridges

People here were very helpful from the first time I stepped on this land. Some offered to help me with the luggage on the steps out of the underground. And no, they did run away with it. Others helped me figure out the payment system for the transportation.

The Real Jungle

People here complain. After all this is not paradise and all the PR and marketing in the world can't hide the real. I heard they complain like nowhere else. I even heard someone feeling bad about complaining prior to coming here. But then, after coming here, he discovered it is actually trendy. 

It Looks like People Here Are Not Too Fond of This Place and Their Politicians

Speaking of transportation, very soon I learned it's a money drainer. But not without limits. It's a pretty good service after all. Considering it moves around over 8.5 million people everyday and more.

USEFUL TIPS : If you come to London, even for a short time, get an Oyster card for traveling on any type of transportation (ask the assistants at the tube station). It costs 5 pounds, which will be refunded if you return your card at the end of your trip. With this card you will get a daily cap on your travel so you're not spending endlessly.

You can top it up at any underground station as well as at various convenience shops around the city.

If you don't have enough money for a trip, you can still take a bus for just one trip and then the money will be deducted when you top it up next time. Click for TFL travel fares and more.

I Love This Country

That’s right who wouldn’t… Yesterday I went shopping. Initially, I was going to spend 30 min. on it, but what an impractical idea… Why did I think I that I could never spend 4 hours in one store only?  

I used to think the saying “shop till you drop” was made up because it rimes beautifully, but now I know it actually is true. When my friend Ann arrived 5 hours later I was asking her, if she has something to eat. 

After another two hours in the next store I chose two items and was ready to go. Yes, only two. After all that time? Exactly. Whoever thinks shopping is just for fun or a waste of time… not true. I realized this is a way to build up your biceps, gluteus maximus, quadriceps, back, abdominals, cardio, and many more. Not to forget the brain employment that goes into sorting, comparing, analyzing and deciding.

The real fun awaited me in the end. The original total price was $84. But with all the discounts and the coupons the store offered, I ended up paying $1.52. I walked out of that store with the sensation that I got hit with a canister. Really? $1.52? Hah! What a steal!

I love this country. Who wouldn’t?

And listen to this. If for any reason I’m not happy with my purchase I can return it within a couple or three months and get all my money back. This is called the return policy. For that money, why wouldn’t one be happy with any purchase?

Tell me One Thing...

Wow!!! What a great blogger I am. I'm consistently posting at a frequency of one post per year. So impressive. I'm even considering starting a second blog... Uh!

It seems that life happens at such speed and I don't have the time to sit and record it. I'm afraid to miss smth. So many stories I could have written just as great as the others about how "wonderful" life can be.

Sometimes I wonder if anybody really would like my stories, since they all have this sharp cutting edge. Perhaps you are looking for something more inspiring?.. Well, I guess whatever impresses me, I write. And some things I find shockingly impressive. Like for instance, the public minibus driver who calls a 9 year old a "debil", which really means "idiot", "retarded". Should I tell you why? Or does it really matter? Poor kid was struggling to close the door, so when it finally closed, it slammed. What is even more impressive is that none of the adults said anything to that, nobody raised to defend the child... Funny society.

Hot chocolate in the middle of the night (almost like coffee)

Or a friend tells me her supervisor is "chewing" her out. When she complained to higher authorities the response she got was: try to be manipulative, be "nicer" to her (which really meant: 'kiss her butt'). I don't know why I find this hysterically sad. Perhaps I'm pretty naive. When will I grow up finally?!

USA in Retrospective: Curiosities and Impressions (continued)

On Culture…

In the Pacific Northwest there is a large cultural variety, freedom of expression and artistic creativity. People dress from very sloppy to very weird, wearing 18the century costumes, or bright outfits on streets, driving unusually shaped motorcycles and engaging easily in a conversation with a stranger.

Art
The variety and options one has are endless. There are all kinds of dance classes one can take, all kinds of dance clubs one can go to: ballroom, Irish, Hip-hop, Arabian, Bhangra (Indian), pure Salsa, 80th, soul & funk, etc. All genres of music to learn. All these for any age- 3 to 80. All kind of churches to choose from.

Art takes all forms of expressions, whether it’s paintings, handmade items, music and there are opportunities to learn just about anything: leather crafts, such as beautifully impregnated belts, etc. wood carving, jewelry making, beads making, fancy cooking, dog training, acting, instrument playing…

In Portland you will find plenty of gigs in acting, singing, dancing, modeling, and so on and so forth, taking into account the artsy mood of the place. Many theaters and two film schools are in the area. However, art, as anywhere, is not well paid, so the artist often has to get odd jobs to pay the bills.

Cuisine
There are all kinds of cuisines to be tried: Mexican, Indian, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Greek to name a few. Lots of places to go and have dinner. There are lots and lots of jewelry and items from all around the world for sale. There are stores ranging all styles and prices. Very accessible price wise.

Science
US is where a lot of scientific research and development is taking place, so there are as many possibilities to explore science, as exploring arts. Young boys and girls already know what they are getting into when they decide to pursue sciences.

Being a place of great diversity, Portland has a lot of IT geeks, especially with Intel Company there. However, many broke away from Intel, unwilling to deal with its rigid and demanding culture, that sucks all out of you. So, there is a lot of intellectual capacity that go into start-ups.

Live IT forums take place usually at local breweries, such as Green Dragon, etc. micro-breweries being a trademark of Portland. That’s where any IT savvy can exchange information with other, this being seemingly a great opportunity for keeping up to date, as well as developing community.

Tourism
There are many beautiful places to visit, such as mountains, the ocean coast, the arboretum, the zoo (animals living in a close to natural environment, not in cages) river walks, beautiful bridges across Willamette river, the mountain gorge with waterfalls, the downtown with light decorated trees, etc.

Since there are so many cultures around, there is room for all of them to practice their own religions, traditions, interests as well as open up, inviting others to experience it, via their dances, food, art, religion. They set up businesses: restaurants, shops, neighborhoods (ex. Japanese Gardens, China Town).