joi, 24 februarie 2011

Geta

Actually, she doesn't exist. No name, no paper, nothing. Some sort of examiner act where is written one name: Gabor. No sex, no birth date, no parents.
 
But today I met her. She is 8 years old, started school in September, and she is the best in her class. She is a blue eyed gypsy (or rom, to be politically correct, which I'm not), beautiful, shy and cute. I asked her name and she said is Georgiana Geta. Her mother calls her Geta. The school teacher thought it might be an abbreviated name from Georgiana and told her so. Since then, she presents herself with both names, but no family name.

Picture by Mihai Stetcu

She lives in a house without electricity, heating themselves with a stove, and I found out the wood they used for heating have finished couple of days ago. And here is winter. And is snowing.

Picture by Mihai Stetcu
 Her mother is a traditional gypsy, selling pots and some other stuff to make a living for her 3 children.

Picture by Mihai Stetcu
 She was smart enough to send her (brilliants) children to school and now good people are trying to help them. With some wood, food, identity papers from the mayor's office. It makes your heart feel warmer when you find out there are people like this and I hope I am a part of them.

miercuri, 23 februarie 2011

marți, 22 februarie 2011

The Car in the Fog

10 years ago I gave birth to my eldest daughter, Runa. At the time, I was concerned about what kind of mother I will be and which mistakes I will unconsciously make. I was afraid of being like my mother. I was afraid that I won't be able to show her my love. It was difficult for me to recognize the signs of depression, now I know that all those fears came from that. 

Gathering all my courage, because here you usually don't ask for this kind of help, I went to see a psychotherapist, and my fear was dissipated in the first 10 minutes I spent with her.

She taught me to face my fears, to trust my instincts, to understand my dreams. To see what is important for me and my family. To stop listening to malicious people and head onto my way. To face the reactions to my own actions.


I became more grateful for what life has in its pockets for me. Now I wake up every morning with that feeling of gratitude. 

I thank God for my life, for my children, for my amazing man, for my gorgeous few friends.

And every time I feel like heading in the fog, I remember I am a part of a bigger plan and the sunshine will come to fill my life again. One way or another.


sâmbătă, 19 februarie 2011

This Moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. {from www.soulemama.com}


miercuri, 16 februarie 2011

Andalusia - Granada

Talking about Granada you would expect me to start with Alhambra, isn't it? Well, this time I will save my best for last, while I will keep you busy with some Flamenco dancers and beautiful views.


The city of Granada is located at the foot of Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of three rivers: Beiro, Darro and Genil. Above is a view of Alhambra from a hill in the city.


It was very cold there, the city is about 700 m above the sea level, and the temperature is much lower then it was on the coast. 


It was the last Moorish city to fall to the Christians, in 1492, in the hands of Isabel of Castille and her husband, Ferdinand of Aragon.


The name Granada is ancient and mysterious. It may mean "great castle", for the Roman fortress which once stood on the Albaicin Hill. When the Moors came here, the town was largely inhabited by Jews, for which they called it Garnat-al-Yahud, that means Granada of the Jews. The Jews are said to have been one of the first peoples to settle in Spain, even before the Romans.


The Cathedral is huge, and it tooks 181 years to be built.


I found out the Cathedral had been intended to become the royal mausoleum by Charles I of Spain of Spain, but Philip II of Spain moved the site for his father and subsequent kings to 
El Escorial, outside Madrid. 
Next week we'll go to Madrid for the first time and I hope I will have the time to visit it.


The narrow streets are very idylic, we wandered around for hours and hours, watching for details like that bicycle against the wall.


No, we didn't go at hammam, but it was so cold, I thought it would have been a good idea.


The food is great, ask for pimientos al padrone and some clara (beer with lemon). Anyway, in Spain the food is always delicious, even on a top of a mountain, in a forgotten village, we ate some great cooked mussels and some other delicatessen (snails for me, please!).


In the historic area the shops are filled with treasures, moorish style. I felt like Scheherezade in
  1001 Nights, with all the filtered light, moroccan lamps and silk decorations.


In the evening we went at El Gallo, a traditional restaurant with Flamenco dancers and, of couse, live music.


There were three generations of dancers, the eldest opened the show and the youngest (and most savage of all) closed it.





She may not be the most beautiful women in the world, but the dance transfigured her almost like love does. It looked like a different person, with all the passion she put in her movements.


This Spanish traditional dance is full of emotions, but when this girl finished her dance, my eyes were in tears. She put her soul into waving her body, so tragical and gorgeous in the same time.


They were so kind, they even took a picture with me at the end of the show!

Tonight - Granada

On the sloping streets of Granada we found a beautiful silk couch. 
The city was full of beautiful things, views and surprises. 
More about that - tonight.

sâmbătă, 12 februarie 2011

Happy New Marriage!

They are both born in the same city, went to the same school, had lots of common friends, love the same kind of music, spent their time in the same places, but they never get to know each other. They had to meet in another city, on December 14, 2010.


He asked her to marry him on January 1st, 2011. What a fresh start of a year!


They moved together on February 1st.


They married yesterday!!! And I think they make one of the most beautiful couples I ever seen!


We are proud to be their godfathers, as is the habit here, in orthodox religion. 


The godfathers are the spiritual parents of the godchildren, and have to watch them for the rest of their lives, be there when they need help, and give advice when asked.


Hope we will be at least close to their expectations and we are wishing Petre and Andreea a very long life together, good understanding, and everyting they want for themselves!


Because they remind me of me and Bogdan 12 years ago, and I can see far in the future how beautiful their relationship will be. When you love each other like that, you can overpass any obstacle, isn't it?

vineri, 11 februarie 2011

This Moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. {from www.soulemama.com}

joi, 10 februarie 2011

First Ballet Lesson

Today was Mara's first ballet lesson. She dreamed about going to ballet since last year, when we took her to the Nutcracker and Snow White at the Opera. So, we tried first at the Opera's ballet school and... SHE WAS ACCEPTED!


Sweet little girl, her head turned on the backstage walls to all the posters with ballerinas and then she asked me: When I will be able to do that, too??? 


She confused left with right, inside with outside, she didn't have the guts to make a gym wheel. 
But she is in!!!


She was paying attention to the other girls, but also did mistakes whenever they did.


When we arrived home, she told me her little bottom hurts due to the effort of staying in the 1st position.


Next week, same time! Hope I will do better with my camera then!
I wish you an end of the week full of accomplishments!

miercuri, 9 februarie 2011

Andalusia - Alhambra Palace

The hotel in Alhambra (named, of course, Alhambra Palace) was a big surprise. In the morning, when we woke up, the view took our breath away, even in the lack of sunshine. It was situated up on the hill, and in the hill itself. 

The moorish architecture and the rich decorations impressed us more than anywhere else but, really, the view from our room's terace and windows was the cherry on top of our cake.












I won't write anything more, because Bogdan is already set in the bed so, about Granada and flamenco and all the rest, some other time.
Have a happy Thursday!