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?

How I've Spent the Last Day of Winter

Facing the Beast from the East

One unfunny thing about living in London is that there is no snow in winter. No. And when there is any resemblance the whole system is stunned. Immobilized. Disoriented. 

After Christmas went by uneventfully and I've heard rumors of friends going skiing, I sort of regretted not being a bit more creative in this regard. "Next winter", I said and put my mind to rest.

This winter was too cold. Not cold enough for snow, but neither very mild. So, I was looking forward to spring. Snowdrops and other blossoms all around in the middle of February, until one morning I pulled the curtains to a whole new scenery.

Winterland everywhere. I double-checked my location: still London. It turns out the "Beast from the East" was here. And it wasn't planning to leave soon. In fact, it was prepping the party grounds for Storm Emma. Can't say everyone was excited. But children were for sure.

And so was I. This was my chance at winter. If I didn't get to go the Winterland, winter came to me. LOL Can't complain.

I took a looong trip to Rochester thru the stormy weather, where my friends discovered a hill full of snow. The sole purpose? To go sledding and see Clopotsica, the gorgeous snowoman my friends built. 

Got back home so late - that train was slow! But the adventure was worth every effort. Have a look for yourself!

Today it's March 19. And for the last three days, winter is cycling back. It must have taken the wrong turn. Or it got lost. Or maybe it's time to adjust our calendar and start Spring in April. Or May. Maybe the hemispheres are swapping. Maybe...

How was your last day of winter?

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. 

Cheesy Me Vlog?

Didn't I say I want to start vlogging? As a goal for this year?

Haha! The truth is I had this idea years ago... but why did I never see it to the end? That's a good question I will explore in a different blog post or Vlog now?

In all, like many others I"m just nervous. What if...? And the list goes on. And I hide. Being cheesy is one way of doing it. But it's not the worst way, right?

So, here is a video I filmed less than 3 year ago. Looking at it now, I'd say it's not too bad of a start. Why didn't I... Well, it's up now! Yey, what a progress. 

Do you think you could give me some of your thoughts?

What do you think of Cheesy Me as a name? Is it too cheesy or do you think I could do better? I also played with the Conceptual Me idea in the past. So, which one???

TY!

A Year Without Rain and Some Sunshine

a blog post on how to think like everybody else

 

Today, on New Years Eve, I thought I should write something that would still be this year. It's all relative. It depends on where you are. I hear endless fireworks already outside celebrating its coming. In some places folks have already gone to bed and in my city it hasn't arrived yet. So, I still got time.

This past years has been difficult, but also full with so many good things. From the news I know it's been hard for many and brutal in some places. As far as I'm concerned, I'm glad I'm not a celebrity and that I'm still alive. I'm sad for those whose lives have been interrupted by war or loss of close ones.

Next year I want to start a vblog. It's been on my mind but I never pursued it fully. Been thinking what will I say and hasn't it already been said enough. Will people like it? Would it make any difference?

Maybe it will. Maybe I will. ;)

Sometimes I want to be silly, but then I'm thinking isn't there enough silliness in this world. Then, I find out that people like it silly. Why take it seriously. Where is the balance? Why would I be concerned about it anyways?

I believe this is a temporary patch over the problems. It's convenient. In the moment, one doesn't want to think about it. Why ruin it. Is the one thinking of it better off? No. Vanity it's all. Solomon concluded and it all makes sense. Sometimes it's good to be oblivious. For some it's the preferred way. Subconsciously...

"I'm afraid I will collapse and get lost like last time, so I close my eyes and get comfortable where I am. I don't want to think of peaks and valleys. I pretend they are not there or they are not for me. I blend in. I'm like everyone else. I've got my shortcuts to getting high." They are not the real thing.

But the way to the peaks lies thru deep valleys. Do you like it real?

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.

Mom’s Pest Control

Murdarici [Moordarich] was my housemate for the last three months or so. He has many good qualities. One thing I especially like is how smart he is. Once I asked him to bring me my soap. He stopped from cleaning himself, looked at me attentively and perked up his ears as I repeated the request. When he realized I was being silly, he dismissed me, continuing with his cleaning.

"Don't Mind Her. She Likes Me."

He is not one of those needy, clingy cats that nags and rubs on you. He is super independent and that I absolutely love about him. Once in a while he comes and lies on my feet. Of course, than I want to pet him and play with him. But he doesn’t mind if I pet him and play with him any time either. Actually, he is getting addicted to it. I’ve got to keep him away, lest he becomes clingy like the rest of the cats.

"I Love It When You Do That"

It took us a while to become friends. He was keeping his distance before he realized he’s got nothing to fear. Now when I come from somewhere he runs to me as if I’m his long missing friend.

I forgave him some of his mishandling of my property. One morning I found the oven open. It had three pieces of chicken left there from evening. One was missing. After my investigation into the matter, I have learned that Murdarici is quite capable of opening the oven door and doesn’t have an issue with getting anything that doesn’t belong to him. I love animals. There is a saying: since I’ve got to know people, I love my dog even more. Joke. I love people too. But I do have a problem when pets get into my stuff, messing it up or eating it. Or I should say, they a have a problem. :)

"My Nose Hurts"

Another thing I love about Murdarici is that he is Mom’s pest control. One day I even helped him catch a mouse in the barn. The mouse was in a sack. Murdarici managed to immobilize it, but couldn’t get it out. He also catches birds, when they go to sleep at night in the walnut tree. Ferocious. 

Mom & Murdarici Talk a Lot (guess who does most of the talking)

One June morning on the path in the garden, I ran into this dead rat. It was pretty dead. I mean it’s been there a few hours perhaps, because it was stiff. Ha! I had my suspicions that it might be Murdarici’s doing, but didn’t give it much attention. The only thought of concern that crossed my mind was that he dragged some poisoned rat from somewhere.  But I think he's smarter than that. 

Dead Rat

Later during breakfast Murdarici came looking at me with big eyes. I asked him: what’s the matter? Then, I noticed he’s got a bigger nose and some blood stain on it. He must have been in a ferocious fight and that rat bit his nose. That’s why he didn’t care to eat it at that point. I empathized with him as he laid down. Since I was eating, I had to pet him with my feet. He doesn’t mind.

"Are You Taking a Picture of Me? Stop It."

And of course he is beautiful.  Don't you agree?

One day, while perhaps chasing after a mouse, he fell into the outhouse… Yep! Guess who had to clean him? Mom only yelled at him, and chased him away. So, he was sitting miserable in the grass at the corner of the house, meowing pathetically. And I had only one rubber glove.