anculet has smth to say

Some ME Time

2011-05-28T23:10:00.000+01:00

“Ooooo , sometimes I get a good feeling, yeeeaaaahhhhhh”

It’s another cloudy Saturday morning. I’m trotting towards the tube station in N’s typical style. It’s nearly 11am and I have a bit over an hour left to get to the salon I made my appointment with. The appointment for my new haircut, that is. The bus stops just as I pass by the bus station but I decide to ignore it in order to pop into a shop for a take away coffee. The truth is I woke up really late this morning, barely managed to fix my hair and put some makeup on before rushing out of the house. Breakfast was out of the question, sadly it usually is… The tube arrives just as I make it to the station and as I managed to find my oyster card without digging too much through my shoulder bag, I actually climb on the first train. Looks like I will make it on time after all. I sit down, happily sipping from my first coffee of the day.

And after experiencing some minor delays on the C line, I make it to the salon just on time. For some reason, I never really liked all the processes involving cutting my hair. Still, there are a few pleasant bits, like the head massage I got and the cute stylist who cut my hair this time around. But the bad part of it was having to listen to some fat and loud lady how, she pretends, used to work in the film industry in Hollywood but quit and moved here instead for… well… a very long list of reasons.

One hour and a half later I am out of the salon, happy with my new look but not as pleased with the wind blowing it in all directions. I decide to head toward the National Gallery, it’s been a while since I stopped by. I haven’t checked what they have on but it is within walking distance (London walking distance) and I’m sure I will find something to enjoy. Not surprisingly, Oxford Street is packed with shoppers and I narrowly escape from bumping into people at every step. The noise and movement still surprise me even after being here for so long. I take some back streets instead, to avoid the hustle and bustle.

I enter a little shop, attracted by the French music. The place is packed but a smiling shop assistant offers me her help. I am quite surprised, for some reason this doesn’t happen too often. The quality of service is rather poor in this city. The best excuse I could come up with is because London is full of tourists who come once and never return. It doesn’t really matter if you’re nice to them or not, sales figures will be the same. As expected, I buy myself a red, little something.

Back on the street, my stomach reminds me I have had my last meal the day before. A slight headache is installing as well and I quickly change my plan. Priority number one: breakfast. Well, lunch… I stop at this little French restaurant whose menu I am familiar with and I order my usual prawn, guacamole and salsa tartines. It is quite odd to eat out alone but I do enjoy it. Two ladies next to me are trying to have a conversation on guys and headache pills. One is Asian and the other is Eastern European. Neither of them speaks or understands a lot of English so they are both talking and smiling, pretending to understand the other. I sip from my Prosecco until my tartines arrive and I can elegantly dive in. I forget about the conversation at the nearby table but I do notice the tall guy sitting across, at a different table. He is facing me and talking to his girlfriend/partner/friend/co-worker. Is he staring at me or is it just my imagination? I focus on my food. I receive a text and it looks like I will have a packed afternoon tomorrow. I look ahead and the guy smiles and says “hello”. The lady he was with wasn’t there anymore. I say “hi” back and see to my food. A few minutes later the lady reappears and gives him a big kiss. They leave together while he turns his head and winks at me. What a hypocrite!

Back on the street the wind is blowing badly and my curls are a little bit less defined. Leicester Square is filled with people shouting and singing. I recognize the Catalan flags and the football club T-shirts: Barcelona is playing tonight. I can’t work out who they are playing against though. Trafalgar Square is filled with supporters as well and I can hear them cheering as I walk up the stairs of the gallery. My headache is fading away.

I pick up the “what’s on” guide and choose a George Bellows and Ashcan painters exhibition. The New York landscapes remind me of images from movies while the landscapes from Main send me to the world of Huckleberry Finn. My phone goes off as I admire the last painting and I hurry outside. Looks like I will be busy tomorrow morning as well. I scan through the guide again but decide to leave. I often find it hard to concentrate on more than one exhibition during a visit to a gallery/museum, without a break.

It’s gone colder outside. I make my way towards Charring Cross where I know a little Starbucks that shouldn’t be too crowded. R’s words echo in my head: “every change starts with a haircut”. I listen to a tango from the Burlesque soundtrack as I pass by the Salsa Club. It’s been so long since I last went dancing! Memories fill my head.

The Starbucks isn’t too crowded. With a mocha frappe on one side, I slip away into my book. If I ever had any thoughts about working on a tropical island, they are all gone as my book uncovers the less glamorous aspects of working in a tropical paradise. I am absorbed by the story while a quick rain comes and goes.

Two chapters later my phone rings. I always love chatting to N but this time I can’t understand a word! I don’t know how to turn the volume higher on this antique phone! My bb is broken and I got a complimentary phone in return until mine is fixed. I miss my bb! I think I say that about a hundred times a day! I pack my things and head towards the tube. The sun is out and London is ever so crowded. I suddenly regret having turned down the party invitation I received yesterday.

Night Hike in New Forest

2011-03-10T02:01:00.000Z

For a while now I've been feeling the need to get out of London even if for a day and my need was met two weekends. Nothing sounded better than a nice night hike with several troops of scouts in the New Forest National Park.

But the idea I had at home regarding the hike proved to be pretty inaccurate once in New Forest. It was night all right, and cold. It did not rain, the sky was clear and perfect for star watching (what a miracle!). But this is where surprises started...

The troop of scouts (8 in total) I went on the hike with was given a map and a compass. We were supposed to walk around 8 miles in order to reach our destination, the scout hut where we were going to camp. The hike was cross-country, therefore we avoided the 2-3 roads crossing the national park and headed through the field and later on through the forest, not really minding the water and the mud. But when I say water... oh! In some areas it was water nearly up to my waist! There was no point in having good hiking boots, water went inside them anyway, from above. Water, mud, water, mud, forest, more mud and forest again... + funny scouts with (not so) funny comments. Adventure did not end after reaching the destination (sometime after midnight) as we still had to set up the tents and have dinner and hot chocolate.

Staying behind and 'eavesdropping' on the scouts' conversations was a delight for my ears! Among my favourite quotes from that night were "If anyone ever says 'Let's go on a night hike! again, I will probably kill him!" and "I used to hate cars but now they look quite friendly to me!"

BEAVER Meeting Invitation :)

2011-02-16T22:38:00.001Z

I was very happy to honour an invitation to a Beaver Meeting yesterday. As part of their Global Challenge Badge, the beavers of one of the local scout groups (I'm not going to tell you which one) have learned and plaid games from different countries. As expected, I was there to talk about SCOUTING in ROMANIA and to make a Romanian game. The beavers showed a genuine interest towards novelty and diversity and have certainly enjoyed the meeting, especially the games. I loved every minute of the meeting as well. And here's the proof!

P E O P L E

2011-02-11T00:49:00.000Z

We always say we want to meet new people; we want to make new friends. Only that this is not entirely true! We want to meet new people who have specific characteristics / qualities; who are exactly how we want them to be.

Just think about it… how many people have you met during the past year? And during the past month? And how many of these people do really count? How many of these people would you choose to meet, if you have the chance, instead of just effortlessly tweet/email/ text once in a while… for the sake of keeping in touch?

Disappointing answers?

It's Called S E R V I C E

2010-12-17T23:00:00.000Z

This might sound cocky and patronizing but before you read, take a deep breath and a few seconds to reflect on these two sentences:

1. If you had a taste of something better (pizza / services / lifestyle), would you quietly accept going back to something less good?

2. If you were, at some point, involved in creating something better (pizza / services / lifestyle), would you now quietly accept going back to something less good?

Now you understand where I’m coming from…

Last week I was let down by the services in London’s coffees and restaurants three times in a row and when it is three times in a row, there is no mistake! On Friday, dinner at Desperados (Maritime Greenwich) was a fiasco! Only one of the two ordered starters made it to the table and the waiter asked us to move to another table in the middle of our dinner so that he can make space for a party of 6 people. Coffee at Coffee Nero (Canary Wharf) on Saturday wasn’t better as the waitress failed to inform me they were closing until after she had charged me for “eat in” coffee and cake. At the cozy Japanese restaurant in Soho they completely forgot to bring us the water; at least they had brought the wine!

A better service makes the client come back time and again just because he/she feels valued / important / appreciated. The tips are higher (or at least they exist), the employees are happier and the vibe inside the establishment is positive. And it’s all free!

On the other hand, why would anyone make an effort to improve their service in a busy, touristic city like London, where customers come no matter how lousy the service is, how dirty the sofas are or how arrogantly the staff replies?

When is the vicious circle going to be broken and by whom?

Mission Accomplished

2010-12-10T16:18:00.000Z

For some reason I think smart people manage to get the most and the best of their work if done last minute (I know I just suggested I'm smart). The pressure, the coffee and the lack of sleep have a funny effect on my brain and body. The flow of ideas is bigger than any other time, words come to mind more easily (surprisingly, in English, not Romanian or Spanish) and fluency and organisation do not seem to be an issue. The body feels energetic and fresh as it would do at 11am (I'm not a morning person).

What I'm trying to say is that I had a highly productive night and my Dracula essay was finished and submitted by 4:30 am. And it wasn't even 'last minute', the deadline is today, at 3pm. And no, Harvard referencing is not fun when done at 4 am.

Ps. Yes Natalia, I know you consider this to be early.

Dracula - between history, myth, literature, film and exaggeration

2010-11-27T16:18:00.003Z

Some may argue that writing an essay is easier than sitting an exam but I think it all depends on the way you actually WRITE your essay… how much time you spend digging up information and how much of that information (let’s suppose you only dug for the right information) you’re using, and how, to support your argument.

I decided to create a DRIVING ROUTE through Dracula’s country as my product for the Cultural Tourism essay. Tacky? Maybe but I think it all depends on the way I tackle the subject. Not original enough? Maybe for les connoisseurs, but I do not live among “les connoisseurs” so the history lesson will prove useful. Not the best way to promote Romania? Maybe but why not use something that we are already renowned for among the masses, something that through knowledge we can (magically) transform from stereotype into a truth-related, history-acknowledged brand that we are proud to present.

As a consequence, my first essay as an MA tourism student is taking me back to Romania. From Vlad the Impaler to Bram Stocker’s book, from Francis Ford Coppola’s movie to Neagu Djuvara’s historical stories, I am creating a driving route addressed to both domestic and international travelers who are interested in experiencing the true Romania: captivating history, frightening stories, impressive landscapes, magical places, amazing culture, mouth-watering cuisine and friendly locals.

Let’s see where this will take me!

Talking TOO Much...

2010-11-21T03:56:00.002Z

When I was 4 my dad fed me bags of bonbons just to make me shush. When I was 6 my imagination used to create enough white lies for 10 children all together. And when I was 8 I used to embarrass my parents every time they met someone and I happened to be around.

I am (much) older now and still… sometimes I find it impossible to hold my mouth. I am not that talkative in day-to-day situations and I don’t argue all the time (or do I?) but still… sometimes I have to say what I have to say. The funny thing is the shape my words take when they come back to me. And then… I think about what I said… was I wrong? Maybe… Sometimes…

And I keep wondering myself: Is it better to just shush? Or is it better to speak my mind? Or does it depend on the person I’m talking to?

From Sociology to Hospitality and from Hospitality to Tourism

2010-09-30T20:17:00.000+01:00

It is quite funny how in life one thing leads to another and before you know it, you choose a different path than you set out for initially, thanks to reasons you may or may not be aware of.

In 2004 I was working for my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, a discipline I immediately fell in love with. Halfway through my studies I spent a summer holiday in the USA, working in hospitality as a front desk employee in a four star hotel. It was at that point that I realized how passionate a person can be of his/her work.

In a country where services truly address the customers’ needs, the employee’s bright smile is part of his uniform and the customer is (nearly) always right, I learned how to behave around and treat hotel guests. My job was not only to check guests in and out, make reservations and answer the phone; my job was to meet the guests’ needs with a maximum of efficiency and helpfulness so that the guests’ stay with us is an experience that would bring them back time and again. I find it difficult to assess my own “sparkle factor”, as David Edward Craig describes the degree of likability of a hospitality industry employee, but I do assume it was quite high after reading the guests’ feedback notes.

Nevertheless, the MA I just started is in International Tourism Management and not Hospitality. I took this decision not only after thinking and rethinking of my options after earning such a degree but after doing some research regarding what jobs would make me happier. I believe a hotel is a world in itself, with a culture (services offered, their quality, degree of luxury, tradition, etc ) that I once found magical.

But i was always more captivated by traditions, cultures, languages, people, travelling, etc… so therefore decided to choose a degree in tourism instead. I seem to have a certain inclination towards cultural tourism, destination development and management, dark tourism and experiential tourism. Although my knowledge in these areas is extremely limited (I’ve only started my studies), to my delight I found many links between tourism and sociology. I do consider an advantage having a degree in sociology as I am sure that the theoretical and practical knowledge I gained will prove to be helpful during this MA program.

Back to University

2010-09-26T14:59:00.000+01:00

After months of sending diplomas and all sorts of official papers back and forth, filling in application forms, receiving conditional and unconditional offers and going throw the process of deciding which university shall I enroll into, the efforts are finally starting to pay off: I am officially an MA student!

During the joining week I had the chance to learn more about the program I have chosen to study and I met some of my teachers and fellow students. The staff presented the courses they will be teaching us throughout the year and commented on their research interests in particular areas of tourism. All this information is or will be useful at a later stage. I’m happy to have found the teachers friendly, easily approachable and eager to answer to any tourism related questions.

As expected in a London university, the atmosphere is very international, with staff and students coming from all parts of the world. Only one out of (about) 25 students in my year is a British citizen while more than half come from overseas countries. I am the only (but proud) Romanian. Nevertheless, the cultural and language differences didn’t seem to stay in the way of socializing as everyone was comfortable and talkative at all times.

But, with the joining week out of the way, I can only look forward to my first courses (Monday)!

And with the BEGGARS... What Do We Do?

2010-08-15T13:02:00.000+01:00

The Oxford Times has published an article last week raising the problem of Romanian beggars in Oxfordshire. According to the publication, gangs of Romanian beggars travel between different cities in the county begging, stealing and snatching money off people at ATMs. The population is advised not to give money and to avoid people who match the description: “Most of them are dressed in fairly Romanian typical clothing, long flowing skirts, they have long hair and most of them tend to be quite chunky.”

The article reminded me of the comedian Jonathan Lambert who on Sunday, the 17^th of April 2010 labeled all Romanians with his famous by now “Romanian Hello” on the France 2 TV program.

Discrimination? Yes… when it involves me and you and other Romanians who have never begged in their lives.

Truth? Yes… because it is common to:

- take the tube in Vienna and be asked for money in the name of the Romanian people;

- take a bus in Rome and be tapped on the shoulder: “we’ll leave you alone, you are one of US”

- travel to Barcelona, have a conversation in Spanish, and as soon as you mention your nationality the conversation ends abruptly.

While in Oxfordshire Romanians are banned from the county and in La Rochelle Romanian camps are being evacuated, to mention just a few examples, you and I sit on the sidelines and suffer the consequences.

Romania is for everyone!

2010-05-17T22:56:00.000+01:00

Are you a group of backpackers interested in caving, mountain climbing or river rafting? Are you a young couple who wishes to spend a few days at the seaside? Are you a family dreaming of a quite holiday in a hilly, rural area, with friendly people and fresh air? Or are you interested in culture, history, architecture, etc?

Whatever it is that you’re looking for, in Romania we have it!

Today's Beavers' Meeting

2010-05-12T22:11:00.004+01:00

I am not a TV person but there are some commercials and TV shows that do attract my attention. The beavers’ meeting this week reminded me of the commercials addressing the safety on the road and the importance of wearing the seat belt at all times. The little beavers spent an hour fully engaged in activities promoting the safety of both pedestrians and drivers and proved to have a lot of knowledge on the topic.

Here’s one of the commercials I was telling you about:

RoMania - Some TRUE Facts This Time...

2010-05-11T00:59:00.001+01:00

Hi again! I know it hasn’t exactly been a week since my other post regarding positive facts about Romania…I’ve been really busy but I did not forget I am supposed to write weekly and I will try to do my best from now on…

For everyone who thought Romania is part of Russia (so, the majority), it’s not! Romania is situated in Central and Southeastern Europe and the longest river in the European Union, the Danube, flows through it (Yes, we are part of the European Union!). We have a sea, the Black Sea, where the Danube empties, forming a unique paradise (the Danube Delta), in the South East. The Carpathians, the largest mountain range in Europe, pass through Romania as well and they reach altitudes of 2544m (Moldoveanu Peak). We have plains, hills, mountains, caves, rivers, lakes, 4 seasons, amazing sceneries and friendly inhabitants.

I attached a video to this post as well and, as you can see, the sceneries are breathtaking! Apart from nature, we also take pride on our traditions and our beautiful cities. In the meantime, we know how to have fun whether it involves going clubbing or spending the summer holiday at the seaside.

P.S. If you’re planning to go on holiday soon and you haven’t yet established a destination… you might want to consider Romania. If you’re not convinced, come back next week, I will convince you (don’t worry, I already have the post for next week)!

Scout Meetings, Beavers and Saint George's Day

2010-05-08T18:22:00.002+01:00

I may have told this to a lot of people, but I certainly haven’t written a post about it…

Ever since I moved to a colder, rainier part of Europe, I have also started volunteering for a local scout group. My title is “Beaver Scout Leader Assistant” and the truth is that I am having a lot of fun with the little beavers every week.

The activities are very different to the ones I was used to in Romania, less dynamic but nevertheless a challenge. I am not only dealing with a different age group than at home, but the meetings are also organized in another manner and their themes are more often inspired by the international yearly holidays and events. I especially remember celebrating the Diwali (or the Festival of Lights), Christmas and Easter.

We have recently celebrated St. George’s Day together with Beavers belonging to other scout groups in the area. According to the legend, Saint George (the Patron Saint of England) traveled to a place called Silene in Libya where the locals were tormented by a dragon feeding himself of their children. Saint George arrived the very same day the daughter of the king was sent for sacrifice; he slew the dragon and saved the princess.

The weekly scout meeting was held in a nearby forest where the beavers put on a shining armor (made of dirt bags), armed themselves with shields and swards (made of cardboard) and defeated the fierce dragon (a scout leaver) once more. They afterwards rested next to a warm campfire, singing and treating themselves to sausages and hot chocolate. It was a great meeting; the only thing it lacked was a guitar. I m looking forward to next week!

22nd of April – Earth Day

2010-04-22T21:11:00.001+01:00

Oradea (Romania), my home town, celebrated today Earth Day together with the D’ART Association and all its partners. More than 500 people were present in the town center, on the pedestrian walkway, with ecological fashion costumes, paintings, posters and art objects.

Enjoy the video!

Asociatia D'ART

2010-04-22T21:00:00.002+01:00

Cu mare bucurie va anunt ca Asociatia D’ART, al carei membru fondator sunt si eu, are in sfarsit site! Pentru a ne cunoaste mai bine, a vedea cu ce ne ocupam si a citi despre proiectele noastre anterioare si viitoare, ne puteti vizita la www.asociatiadart.org. Daca doriti sa va alaturati noua sau doar sa ne scrieti, adresa noastra de e-mail este contact@asociatiadart.org.

What DO you really know about Romania ?

2010-03-15T23:21:00.002Z

Let’s clarify something:

1. Yes, I am Romanian.

2. No, I am not a thief nor a rapist. My behaviour is not deviant and nor is my friends’, whether they are Romanians or not. I did not abseil from a tree and this is not my first contact with the “civilised world”. As a matter of fact, I am a well educated young lady who travelled quite a lot on this continent and on others, I am fluent in several foreign languages and I have great manners. I do not like labelling anyone and I do not choose my friends according to ethnic stereotypes.

I have constantly been discriminated because of my nationality, whether it was on a beach in Spain, in a bank in the UK or in a hotel in Florida. As a consequence, I have decided to post a weekly article presenting a positive fact about Romania and/or Romanians. I am well aware that we, Romanians, and our country, Romania, have our shortcomings, but I believe these are promoted sufficiently, whether they are true or not, so I will leave them aside. I can’t wait to receive you comments, suggestions and critiques!

For starters, let’s see what you really (don’t) know about Romania…

And… i assume you have no idea who those 3 people in the video were... If I caught your attention, you will Google them… and yes, they are all Romanians!

Oh, and guys, Romanian guys, please feel free to write here all the crazy stereotypes you've ever heard about us!

Celebrity gossip - are you interested ?

2010-02-26T21:34:00.002Z

Up until recently (the day I started watching the X Factor) I did not know Kylie Minogue had a sister... maybe she has a brother as well, I don't really know... This might be considered as lack of common knowledge by some people, usually the people who do not have any other kind of common knowledge but celebrity gossip, but this is not the point. The point is that today, as I was walking past the magazine stand in a shop, I read the following words from a magazine cover: "Dannii is pregnant. What does Kylie think about it?".

I couldn't help smiling and thinking how pathetic this is...

If I were a Dannii fan, why would I be interested in what her sister thinks of her pregnancy?

If I were a Kylie fan, why would I be interested in what she thinks of her sister's pregnancy?

If i were a Minogue sisters fan, why would I be interested to know what one thinks of the other's pregnancy ?

But, most of all, if I were a fan of any of them, I would be more interested in their careers than in their personal lives... but this is just me.

Memories...

2010-02-22T21:00:00.016Z

10 years ago I went to my first scout meeting ever;

9 years ago I gave up a pair of great roller skates to buy a great backpack ;

8 years ago I was celebrating Switzerland’s national day in Kandersteg International Scout Camp;

7 years ago I was a volunteer for the Kingsdown International Scout Camp;

6 years ago I went with the scouts to Auschwitz;

5 years ago I was a volunteer for the Baden Powell House in London;

4 years ago I was playing a lot with my scouts (Atlantis) and went to Calimanesti;

3 years ago I was the head of the Romanian contingent at the 21^st World Scout Jamboree, UK;

2 years ago I was having debates regarding smoking (no further comments);

1 year ago I was busy with work and still debating over smoking, but went to Spirit Scout;

This year… is just at the beginning…

And it all began on the 22^nd of February 2000, at 5pm, in front of the main theatre in Oradea, Romania when someone said the magic words: “you may join our patrol”.

Happy Founder’s Day!

LA MULTI ANI CERCETASILOR! La Multi Ani FOCUL VIU!

VAREKAI by Cirque du Soleil

2010-01-20T19:17:00.000Z

Celebrating its 25^th anniversary, Cirque du Soleil returned to the Royal Albert Hall with a truly spectacular performance! Varekai is the story of a solitary man “landing” in an enchanted forest populated by magical and fantastic creatures. His extraordinary story is one of the rediscovery of life itself in a world outside time and a space where everything is possible. The entire show is a tribute to the nomadic soul, to the gypsy culture as they are the universal wonderers and the forerunners of the circus art and tradition.

Precision, power, exceptional grace, flexibility, strength, agility and sensitivity are some of the ways in which one can describe the performers. Georgian dances, Icarian games, hand balancing on canes, Russian swings, aerial straps are some of the thrilling acts unfolding before the amazed eyes of the viewer.

The music of the 11^th century French troubadours, combined with Hawaiian sounds, traditional Armenian melodies, gospel and some modern influences create the illusion of a fairytale. The fantastic costumes and the colorful lights complete the set and magically transpose the interior of the Royal Albert Hall into the world of Varekai (“wherever” in Romany language).

Leaving aside the clowns, which, I have to admit, did not rise to the expectations, the show is an enthralling adventure, an exciting escape from the everyday life into a fabulous world, appreciated both by children and adults alike. I strongly recommend the show to all of you!

Due to Bad Weather Conditions…

2010-01-10T14:47:00.010Z

You all know how school is never “fun” without the teacher who always gives low marks; how holidays are never adventurous enough unless you lose a plane or get extremely lost and… how winter is not really winter without snow…
One of my concerns when leaving Romania was having a rainy Christmas and winter, without any snowball fights and, still, with curly hair… I must admit, I was wrong… This winter, London probably had more snow than Oradea had and it’s not even over yet! The days are cold, the nights are even colder and there’s snow everywhere. A real winter in a rainy city… But what are the consequences?

The pharmacy down the road closed at 4 pm instead of 8 pm “due to bad weather conditions”… And no, it was not just that pharmacy, there were a lot of pharmacies, shops, supermarkets, institutions, companies and firms.

But why? I could say “it’s just snow” or “it’s certainly not snowing inside…”, which is actually true. And standing in front of the early closed pharmacy at 7pm certainly felt unfair…

On the other hand, people had trouble in getting to and from work, lots of them were stuck in traffic for hours and some didn’t make it to their destination at all. The UK has the worse weather in the last 30 years and there’s more to come. In the meantime, Oradea has rain and 17 centigrade.

The weather is changing… and not for the better…

Culture Shock – Negotiation Phase OR Festive Season ?

2010-01-02T18:34:00.004Z

It is funny how I baked “cozonac” for Christmas, enjoyed Lacrima lui Ovidiu more than usually, made sure all my gifts had a Romanian touch and… remembered a lot of good things about my country, things that make me proud of it…

What triggered these things ? Culture shock – negotiation phase ? The festive season ? Or is it both ?

This doesn’t really matter actually... what really matters is:

- how we appreciate some things only when we don’t have them anymore (before that we’ve maybe taken them for granted);
- how we adapt to new situations, find new solutions and work everything out in our benefit;
- how we find other things to appreciate and eventually reestablish the balance we once had.

And when we look back, we put a smile on our faces. The smile says “accomplishment”.

aNcA… despre forme subtile si, cred, neintentionate, ale ipocriziei…

2009-12-24T12:23:00.006Z

Anca este un nume extrem de comun in Romania... insa nu si peste hotare... asa se face ca de cate ori am fost plecata undeva, numele meu a fost pocit in fel si chip... fie ca si scriere, fie ca si pronuntie, si aceasta, evident, dupa ce cate o persoana m-a rugat foarte diplomat sa-mi repet numele de cate 3 ori. Cea mai comuna greseala este scrierea Anka, pronuntata Enca... in Anglia...

Acum doua saptamani insa gradul de inventivitate a depasit orice limite imaginate pana in acest moment... O doamna oarecare mi-a dat o felicitare de Craciun. Probabil ca ati spune "How thoughtful!" sau "Lovely!" daca vreti sa fiti mai "British"... asa m-am gandit si eu... insa... in timp ce doamna respectiva imi inmana felicitarea, mi-a spus si "Scuze, my dear, insa nu am stiut sa-ti scriu numele corect."

Felicitarea era adresata unei persoane pe nume "Angav".

Avand in vedere ca:

1. persoana respectiva ma cunoaste de 2 luni (si si sotul dansei);

2. felicitarea era semnata atat de ea cat si de sotul dansei (adica 2 minti stralucite);

3. mi-au vazut numele scris pe formulare ale caror copii le detin si dansii,

cred ca ar fi fost perfect normal sa-mi fi scris numele corect...

De ce am pomenit de ipocrizie? Pentru ca au semnat felicitarea cu "Love from...". Dar aici... toate sunt cu "love".

ps. Daca o cunoasteti pe Angav, va rog sa ma anuntati... am o felicitare pentru ea!

2012

2009-11-30T21:38:00.004Z

Daca o multime de persoane din jurul meu au fost deosebit de incantate si au savurat acest film la maximum, eu am fost complet dezamagita. De ce?

1. Putea sa fie orice cifra in loc de 2012, oricum abia s-a mentionat de ce este 2012;
2. Welcome back Independence Day! Si asta pentru ca povestea eroului divortat si a fostei neveste care „lucreaza” impreuna s-a intors;
3. Maximum 5 replici care au fost intr-adevar comice;
4. In 80% din film ceva (oras, cladiri, natura, etc) este distrus;
5. Acele nave imense care supravietuiesc tuturor incercarilor (din film) si scena finala in care reincepe numerotarea anilor cu anul 1 sunt doua idei care mi se par, extrem de diplomat spus, de prost gust.

Si ce ramane de vazut ?

   1. Personaje pozitive si negative care se ciondranesc in stil Hollywood;
   2. Un lucru care nu ma mira avand in vedere lumea in care traim – cei salvati sunt mincinosii (adica politicienii) si parvenitii (care au suficiente resurse pentru a-si cumpara biletul pentru viata);
   3. Multe multe multe efecte speciale, adica acel 80% de mai sus.

Da, vorbim de Hollywood, insa cum se face ca „oamenii buni” mor pe capete, abia daca sunt reprezentati printre cei ramasi in viata, in timp ce „oamenii rai” ajung sa se salveze cu o interpretare moderna a Arcei lui Noe si pun bazele unei noi lumi. Nici macar nu este o gluma proasta... este trist...

The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen

2009-11-25T22:20:00.001Z

As a child, one of my favorite stories was Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen. I remember falling asleep listening to it over and over again, creating images in my head for every place described by the reader’s warm voice. Key and Gerda, looking through the magnifying glass at a snowflake, the robbers, the Snow Queen’s splendid palace, the reindeer and the journey to the North Pole... I can close my eyes and the images, the story, the voice, they all come back to me.

The reason I remember the story is because a couple of days ago I sat down and reread the story. I don’t think I’ve read it before, only heard it actually... But I’ve remembered every single word! The story made me feel like a child again, made me dream ...

It is common knowledge that reading a (good) book as a child or teenager and than rereading it sometime later changes your perception regarding the story. Of course the words in the book do not change but the way you interpret them does... you’re (hopefully) wiser and you have acquired a little bit of life experience in the meantime.

This is certainly a fabulous story and I recommend it to anyone who would like to feel like a child for half an hour! It is perfect for the cold winter evenings and is best accompanied by a cup of hot cocoa and marshmallows.

Enjoy!

Despre sosete si nu numai

2009-11-22T23:21:00.001Z

Mergand duminica spre Consulatul Romaniei la Londra si infruntand ingramadeala din cele 3 metrouri pe care am fost nevoita sa le iau, o domnisoara mi-a atras atentia. Asezata pe scaun intre doi insi, imbracata la costum (negru in dungi albe, camasa alba), purta tenisi albi (macar se asortau la tinuta). Asta nu a fost asa de ciudat... m-am obisnuit sa vad tenisi la costum... insa nedumerirea mea vine de la sosete...

Domnisoara purta la piciorul drept o soseta roz iar la piciorul stang una in dungi roz si mov de diferite nuante. Oare nu o fi avut 2 sosete la fel sau este un nou trend despre care eu inca n-am auzit? Destul este ca, avand inca vreo 8 statii pana sa trebuiasca sa ma dau jos din metrou, mintea mea s-a hotarat sa zburde putin si sa contribuie cu idei care sa ma avantajeze si pe mine cat de cat.

Asa mi-am amintit ca piciorusele mele (nu numai ale mele de fapt) sufera uneori din cauza pantofilor cu toc. Nu a fost cazul duminica deoarece purtam cizme comode, in genul celor care-ti permit sa alergi, sa stai in picioare 15 statii de metrou in ingramadeala pana cand, in sfarsit, cineva se ridica sa coboare si tu reusesti sa ajungi prima la scaun, si sa-ti si tina de cald.

In cinstea nonconformismului, care de altfel este in floare la Londra in ceea ce priveste tinutele doamnelor si mai ales domnisoarelor, si in cinstea picioruselor care merita sa fie atat elegante (+ toc) dar si comode (- toc), m-am gandit ca intr-o zi sa port o cizma cu toc si una fara. Astfel, atunci cand piciorului care poarta cizma cu toc se va obosi, voi putea sa-i dau cateva clipe de odihna si sa-mi continui drumul sarind pe piciorul celalalt.

Inca nu m-am hotarat daca cizmele vor avea aceeasi culoare sau nu.

VOTAT! (la Consulatul Romaniei la Londra)

2009-11-22T20:26:00.002Z

22 noiembrie 2009. Am incercuit frumos aceasta data in calendar acum vreo 2 luni hotarata fiind sa merg la vot. E drept ca nu am urmarit indeaproape campania electorala care s-a desfasurat in tara insa, multumita internetului, am avut ocazia sa cunosc candidatii si sa le ascult perlele, promisiunile, ideile, etc.

Ca urmare, in aceasta dimineata, in ciuda norilor amenintatori si a vantului rece am pornit spre Consulatul Romaniei. Dupa ce am schimbat metroul de 3 ori (Londra se pregateste pentru Jocurile Olimpice din 2012 => se lucreaza de zor la reconditionarea statiilor de metrou iar rezultatul este acela ca atunci cand ti-e lumea mai draga, mai precis in weekend, trebuie sa-ti planuiesti bine calatoria daca chiar vrei sa ajungi la destinatie) si am luat si un autobus (da, rosu si cu etaj), am ajuns, in final, la locul cu pricina.

Consulatul Romaniei la Londra isi are sediul pe o straduta din inima Kensington-ului, fiind aproape de o multime de magazine (High Street Kensington) si de faimoasele parcuri londoneze (Kensington Gardens si ceva mai departe Hide Park). O placuta de pe cladire te anunta ca ai sosit, nu de alta insa steagul Romaniei nu este de gasit. La ora 12 cativa oameni asteptau in strada sa-si exercite dreptul la vot iar coada avea sa creasca in ciuda ploii torentiale.

M-am apropiat. Cativa studenti veseli si alte cateva persoane incruntate (tipic noua) la 30 – 40 de ani completau declaratii tinand bucatile de hartie pe peretii cladirii. Ne ingramadeam toti intr-un spatiu de 2 metri patrati astfel incat erai norocos daca reuseai sa gasesti o bucatica de perete gol. Presupun ca in aceste conditii o masuta si un scaun ies din discutie... Daca englezii stiu sa se alinieze frumos sau daca angajatii oricarei institutii in care am intrat aici au stiut sa aranjeze oamenii la coada, aici nu a fost cazul. Oare sa fi fost doar din cauza lipsei de spatiu?

Dupa mai bine de jumatate de ora de asteptare mi s-a verificat cartea de identitate de catre un domn glumet care si-a permis sa tutuiasca pe toata lumea. Am primit buletinele de vot si stampila si am lasat CI pentru a mi se completa datele intr-un tabel. Am votat intr-una din cabinele fara clasica perdea si am pus buletinele de vot in cele 3 urne deja pline. Am salutat la iesire, m-am strecurat prin inghesuiala gandindu-ma daca ar fi trebuit sa tin geanta in fata mea si am iesit in strada. Ploaia se oprise iar aerul era proaspat. Coada din fata Consulatului era ceva mai mare.

Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi

2009-11-04T15:59:00.003Z

„In the fall of 1995 , after resigning from my last academic post, I decided to indulge myself and fulfil a dream. I chose seven of my best and most committed students and invited them to come to my home every Thursday morning to discuss literature. They were all women...”. This is how Azar Nafisi’s novel starts, with a secret, private class where her and her students can enjoy discussing highly controversial, banned works of Western literature within a conservative and controlled society.

She returned to the Islamic Republic of Iran 16 years before she started her private classes as a young, proud and enthusiastic teacher of English literature at the University of Tehran. However, the overthrow of the Shah, the rise to power of Ayatollah Khomeini and Iran becoming a theocracy, the „so-called cultural revolution” and the war with Iraq, all brought great disillusion and disappointment to her life. On contrary to a progressive society with liberties given by the Shah to women (the right to vote, equality within the marriage) and to religious minorities, Khomeini’s regime brought a series of rules reinforced by his vigilantes. Women are taken their rights away and are obligated to wear the veil; any Western influence is considered poisonous and therefore it is against the regime. Failing to comply with the rules means imprisonment and/or death. There are many disappearances and killings especially among influential people, intellectuals and opposing students.

It is in this context that Azar is expulsed from the University of Tehran for refusing to wear the veil. She will only take up another teaching position much later, at the Allameh Tabatabei University from where she will eventually resign. Throughout the novel, as the political situation in the country develops, the author describes her private classes with her students: the books they discuss, the memories from the classes at university, their personal problems, the effect of the new rules imposed by the regime on their lives and on their statuses as married or unmarried women, their hopes and dreams. This is their way of escaping reality and enjoying the only form of freedom they can have.

The book opens the reader’s eyes towards another world, a world where concepts like „human rights”, „religion”, „freedom of choice” etc do not have the same meaning as for us. „The good” and „the bad” do not exist, the only thing there is is the state’s choices and the state’s laws.

„.. and women, under law, were considered to have half the worth of men. (...) My youthful years had witnessed the rise of two women to the rank of cabinet minister. After the revolution, these same two women were sentenced to death for the sins of warring with God and spreading prostitution.”

El Día de los Muertos

2009-11-04T14:05:00.005Z

I chose to spend my Sunday afternoon at the British Museum where the „Day of the Dead” was celebrated. „Day of the Dead” a 3 day Mexican religious holiday where family and friends get together to remember their loved ones who passed away. The holiday dates back to the Aztec times when on the 1st of November a festival dedicated to goddess Mictecacihuatl, Lady of the Dead, Queen of the underworld, was taking place. The indigenous beliefs mixed with the Spanish traditions and a modern holiday was born: „El Día de los Muertos”.

During the two-day celebration the families build colourful shrines where they place pictures and personal belongings of the deceased person, religious symbols, food and beverage. Catrina is one of the popular symbols of the celebration, a skeleton of an upper class woman fashionably dressed; she is a reminder of death choosing its victims regardless of their financial status. Another symbol is the skull, la calavera, made of chocolate or sweets, having an inscription of the name of the recipient on the forehead, whether the recipient is alive or dead.

With the above mentioned occasion, the British Museum organised a half day full of events: Mexican and Aztec music performances, exhibitions of traditional Aztec musical instruments, story telling (for adults), mariachi performances, a carnival parade, paper-cutting and chocolate skulls making workshops, etc.

The museum was full, the rain and the half hour queue at the entrance did not stop the tourists nor the locals from participating to the Mexican holiday. A taste of Mexico is available here, with the picture of la calavera and Catrina. Enjoy!

London - A Melting Pot

2009-10-21T20:55:00.000+01:00

Orasul in care traiesc imi ofera in fiecare zi cel putin un cadou: atmosfera internationala. Da, simt ca este un permanent cadou pe care il deschid si il inspir de fiecare data cu aceeasi lacomie. Intotdeauna am apreciat palavragelile din jurul meu purtate in limbi pe care nu le inteleg, imbracamintea colorata provenita din tari uneori parca de basm sau muzica al carei ritm te atrage fara a sti exact de ce.

Londra imi ofera toate aceste lucruri condimentate cu mirosul imbietor al mancarurilor specifice fiecarei tari din lumea aceasta. Daca am visat vreodata sa-mi beau cafeaua in Columbia, sa iau pranzul in Spania si sa cinez in China... acum pot sa fac aceste lucruri. Si este cu atat mai interesant cu cat pot sa ma plimb intre tari / continente iar timpul de care am nevoie pentru a ajunge de la o destinatie la alta este de ordinul jumatatilor de ora. Desigur, ideea de a calatori la propriu in aceste tari este mult mai atractiva, insa faptul ca pot gusta putin din fiecare fara a iesi dint-un cerc cu diametrul de 300 m este uimitor.

Cu siguranta nu va spun lucruri noi insa a citi si a simti sunt lucruri diferite... Daca mai vechii locuitori ai Londrei considera aceste lucruri a fi unele „obisnuite”, iar cei care nu le-au experimentat niciodata ar putea spune ca sunt „lipsite de importanta sau interes”, eu le consider vitale. Sunt vitale pentru ca te apropie de tari despre care ai auzit in clasa a VI-a la geografie, te invata ca lumea nu se rezuma la „ograda” ta si ca daca nu-ti deschizi ochii curand s-ar putea sa pierzi unele din cele mai frumoase spectacole existente: diversitatea culturala.

The Night Bus Adventure

2009-10-08T19:36:00.003+01:00

Harry Potter fans know all about the Knight Bus, a special bus that comes to the rescue of any witch or wizard in distress. It is a triple-decker with armchairs during the day and beds during the night, a bus that can literally squeeze between cars and other buses in the traffic and can take you to you destination, whatever that is, in no time.

The Harry Potter Knight Bus was inspired by the Night Buses in London, the only form of public transport available after the day buses and the tube stop working. Unfortunately, they do NOT work like the bus in J. K. Rowling’s books. That is... if they actually turn up... and, in some cases, if you know where to wait for them...

Last night I was the tour guide for a friend who left Paris for a day in order to visit London. We met in the evening... a beautiful typically (=rainy) English evening. It was pouring and so it had been since I left my house. We met on Bond Street and established the itinerary for the night: the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street and, finally, Oxford Street. It was all perfect for a while: pictures, lights, street entertainment, rain, wind, curly hair, Christmas decorations...

YES... CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS...being put up 3 months before Christmas... exactly on the night and on the street that I needed to take my night bus from... Of course, besides the friendly „bus stop closed” sign, there were no other „clues” regarding the way I am (not) going to go home...

Well... I thought at least one person should make it home, or to the hotel...so my friend and I set off for his bus station. We were „lucky” again, the bus station was not closed, the buses were just being diverted... we quickly saw the diversion sign with „all” the bus numbers on it... besides ours, of course.

After almost 2 hours of looking for 2 diverted bus stops, we were both finally on a bus. The right bus but the wrong direction... We both made it home, eventually. My friend with a stop in Trafalgar Square and me...well... with 2 phone numbers from strangers who asked me out.

The good thing is that you may now contact me at any time for free advice regarding on how (not) to eventually catch a night bus in Central London to make it to your destination.

a Calatori

2009-09-28T22:28:00.001+01:00

Exista unele cuvinte care au un inteles... amplificat pentru unii dintre noi. Pentru mine un astfel de cuvant este verbul „a calatori”. Nu, nu suntem la o lectie de gramatica si nici la una de vocabular, insa daca toata lumea intelege cuvantul in sine, doar cei care au avut sansa sa calatoreasca pot spune ca i-au descoperit cu adevarat intelesul.

Pentru ca a calatori inseamna a descoperi si odata ce descoperi un loc, oameni, obiceiuri, cladiri, strazi, muzica, culori iti dai seama ca nu te vei mai putea opri niciodata. „Acasa” devine un loc relativ, este „acasa” pentru ca acolo am copilarit, pentru ca acolo sunt cei dragi, pentru ca acolo am fost odata fericita si de aceea „acasa” poate fi si aici, si acolo, si dincolo.

Probabil ca cel mai mare cadou si totodata cea mai importanta lectie pe care parintii mi-au putut-o da a fost sa-mi deschida ochii, sa-mi arate o particica de lume si sa-mi acorde tot sprijinul sa explorez singura o alta. Fiecare aventura a inceput cu o idee, cu o dorinta, cu un bilet de autocar, tren, avion dus-intors. Si fiecare a fost precedata de o alta pana cand la un moment dat a devenit o aventura continua, atunci cand biletul a fost pentru prima data doar dus. Dus-si atat.

Cu multi ani in urma o copilita si-a petrecut o parte din vacanta de vara intr-una din cele mai mari capitale ale lumii, respirand muzica strazilor si savurand atmosfera internationala. Acum nu mai e o copilita insa e tot acolo.

Asociatia D'ART la Bruxelles

2009-06-16T19:19:00.002+01:00

Pentru mine, intotdeauna aventurile au inceput fara prea multe pregatiri si cele mai interesante au presupus un start rapid. Desigur, odata cu trecerea timpului cuvantul aventura si-a schimbat putin sensul si a adus cu sine elemente noi, diverse provocari, pe masura a ceea ce urma sa se intample. Asa a fost si de aceasta data...

Totul a inceput cand pe e-mail-ul presedintei Asociatiei D’ART a venit o invitatie de participare la un Forumul european pe tema „Contributia distinctiva a artelor in dialogul intercultural”, forum organizat la Bruxelles, la sediul Comisiei Europene, 8 Iunie 2009.

Aceasta invitatie este urmarea semnarii de catre Asociatia D’ART a „Rainbow Paper”, un document care stabileste 5 pasi pentru ca interculturalitatea sa devina o norma a fiecarui individ si recomandari in acest sens. Normele se refera la educatie, la organizatiile care au capacitatea de a construi pe teme ca interculturalitatea, monitorizarea politicilor de sustinere, mobilitate internationala si gasirea de resurse pentru fructificarea dialogului intercultural. Recomandarile se adreseaza organizatiilor societatii civile si autoritatilor publice din Europa, de la toate nivelele, folosind ca punct de acces Uniunea Europeana. Acest document a fost prezentat publicului si Consiliului Europei in cadrul evenimentului de incheiere al „Anului European al Dialogului Intercultural”, 17 – 19 Noiembrie 2008, la Paris. Astfel a fost creeata „Platforma Curcubeu” („Tre Rainbow Platform”) care este acum recunoscuta ca fiind partener al institutiilor Uniunii Europene.

Misiunea Platformei este de a activa ca intermediar intre institutiile Uniunii Europene si organizatiile societatii civile care adera la valorile dialogului intercultural: prin facilitarea intelegerii conceptului, prezentarea experientei, viziunii si a nevoilor celor care il promoveaza, influentarea politicilor europene si nationale pentru a oferi suport celor care lucreaza in domeniul diversitatii culturale si, nu in ultimul rand, sa ofere un spatiu de reflectie, dialog si invatare.

In acest context, am reprezentat Asociatia D’ART la Forumul European „Contributia distinctiva a artelor in dialogul intercultural” de la Bruxelles, forum in cadrul caruia am avut placerea de a ma alatura unui numar mare de invitati, reprezentanti ai unor organizatii din diverse tari ale Europei care folosesc diferitele forme de arta ca mod de comunicare si de apreciere reciproca in cadrul activitatilor pe care le desfasoara.

Dincolo de aspectul formal al intalnirii, de exemplele de „buna practica” pe care le-au dat unele organizatii, de agenda incarcata a intalnirii, am cunoscut oameni simpli, deschisi, artisti sau nu, care au inteles ca diversitatea este un lucru pozitiv, de apreciat, si ca artele sunt singurul lucru

93 de reprezentanti ai diferitelor organizatii europene si un roman, 10% dintre semnatarii Platformei pana la data forumului, am invatat din experienta fiecaruia, am legat contacte si suntem nerabdatori sa lucram impreuna pentru a arata lumii ca diferenta culturala si dialogul intercultural ne ajuta sa ne pastram identitatea si farmecul intr-o Europa unita.