Two amazing places in Europe to visit

Amsterdam and Vienna I have visited couple times already. Those are unusual cities with all the advantages of a big city: culture, history, food, entertainment, good transport. They share several important similarities. First, both of the cities are capitals of rich European countries. Thousand of tourists visit both the world famous cities.
There are excellent tenements kept in styles of the previous ages. The cities are also famous for their great painters. There are two major one: Van Gogh and Rembrandt in Amsterdam. Vienna is very proud of Gustav Klimt.
Second, the cities got great museums and galleries that present work and biography not only these superb painters but also other well-known. They got also hundreds of other museums that contain many artefacts as well as paintings, for instance the modern art and Anna Frank House. Vienna have the Museum of Natural History (Naturhistorische ), the Museum of Art and Culture (Kunsthistorische )and the Art House (Kunsthaus) that are the most significant and classical museums. All of them are the prominent representatives.
A common misconception of Amsterdam and Vienna citizens is that Dutch and Austria language is very close to German. Dutch people have to learn German at school as well as Austrian. German is the basic language in Austria.

Both of the cities are very open to people from every walk of life. There live thousands of emigrants and tourists.
Amsterdam and Vienna are the safe cities, and there is nothing to fear from walking in any part of the cities. As in any large city you should beware only of pick pockets- they are everywhere!
Both of the cities are wonderful but they have also many aspects that make them different.
Amsterdam is physically smaller and relatively quiet. The tenements are narrow and not high. The architecture has the specific, like from Lego blocks made, looking.
Vienna is huge and you can feel the enormous power of all the historic, marvellous buildings.
Amsterdam has smaller history and never had such political importance in Europe as Vienna.
Amsterdam is more famous for its lovely canals, small bridges above them and thousands of bike roads. And largely thanks to the canals, the city has relatively little traffic. There people prefer rather move by their boats or on bicycles than by cars, as the Vienna citizens do. Vienna is always congested, noisy and full of busy running people. Amsterdam for instance, provides more easy style of life and you can feel it during a pleasure stroll.
Both of the beautiful cites have rather more contrasts than common things but that makes them more interesting and worth to see.

Are ZOOS cruel to wild animals?

Our children love watching animals and they encourage their parents to go to Zoo in spare time. It is said that animals make children calm and sometimes watching animal is a good therapy for our pupils.
Nonetheless, did some of us, even for a while, think how really look the life of the poor and begging looking animals in Zoos. In my opinion we do not have any right to keep the wild animals in the awful cages. How we would feel if someone would close us in one of the small cages.

Firstly, we all can notice how terrible and dirty are places where the animals are closed in the Zoos. The condition of the cages are sometimes of more lower standard than we can see from outside. It is obviously known that some of the animals must have a lot of space to survive and have even the basic part of nature conditions. The cages are usually cold, unpleasant and the only thing we can see inside of it, is cringed in the corner creature, devoid of freedom.

In addition, people sometimes do not have any idea how to behave in Zoos and how to treat every specific kind of those animals. Children are screaming, crying, parents or carers of groups are feeding some of them and do not keep orders of their charges. Such behaviour scan be very dangerous, not only for the animals but also for observers.

Thirdly, our government does not have money even for orphans, so how it could think of the poor condition of Zoos. Some of the animal supporters are trying to gather a money for the animals purposes but it is still not much. There are necessary not only great amounts of money but also good wills.

In contrast, there are some people who have an opinion that animals do not deserve for right treating because human is more important in the world. Animals should not have any rights because they are not the thinking creatures. Such attitudes are very negative and make the animal situation only worse.

Taking these points into consideration, I would say that there should not be any Zoos in our countries until people and government will create better condition and special law for those innocent and deny of living in their natural environment wild animals.

Seeking 'home' in a new realities

“Interpreter of Maladies” is a fascinating book based on events told by a new generation of Indians born already in the United States. The book includes nine great stories that capture the out of-context immigrants' lives, expatriates and first generation Americans.
They describe the bad situation of their ancestors who emigrated to the ‘promised land’ and could not find themselves in a modern society.
Jhumpa Lahiri is Indian as well. She raised in Indian surroundings in Rhode Island. It is incredible that just a thirty-years old woman after publishing the book, won great acclaim in the world. “Interpreter of Maladies” brought her fascinating fame in 1999. She was honored as ‘Debut of the Year’ by The New Yorker and winner of the Hemingway Award. “Interpreter of Maladies” introduces a young writer of astonishing maturity and her insight into human nature.
Each story has a different character. The plots are mostly based on Indian matters such as: longing for family land, and home, worries with finding their culture and tradition in a new world, problems with acceptation and fears concerned in ‘building’ a new home. The author shows that the younger generation is dealing more successful with the modern world while the old Indian immigrants suffer and miss their home country. These people are trying to convince their children to maintain the Indian culture and religion. This is the most bothering matter which only causes problems between the generation.
Lahiri fiction follows carefully the depth of alienation and cross-cultural development in American’s Indian immigrant community. There are the subtle tales about people trying to reconcile the traditions they inherited with troublesome new culture and place.
The events, matters and situations that the characters are set in, are so brilliantly written that allow readers to enter into imaginary lives of its heroes.
The stories are gripping very fast and each part of the book begin with new facts. It is also a marvelous review of some Indian customs. There is a description of their Indian cuisine and the way of preparing the food.
All in all, it is worth reading book that reaches the psychological conditions and terrestrial aspects of human life.

In the name of the nature

ON HELEN’S TRAIL- How one determined grandmother helped rescue the Great Swamp

I have been in Great Swamp Park in NJ couple times already. It is a really beautiful place of variety of animals and views of forests and little ponds. I have read some time ago an article about a lady who tries to protect the region from destruction of nature. The autor of the aritcle showed that Helen Fenske did tremendous effort during her life in order to protect the nature from today’s destructive civilization and technology. The author of the article tells the story of Helen Fenske who protected the land of the Great Swamp in New Jersey from the development of the airport project from 1959 there. It shows that instead of flying huge planes, traffic jams on the roads and horrible smoke there now the area that she saved is full of great species of birds, animals, insects and other creatures .The author of the article tells how important the work of Helen Fenske is for the present generations but especially for the local area and people there.
I love nature: forests, fields, mountains and especially the wild life in it.
National Parks and protected natural areas are important for people’s life now and in the future. I think that if there are not such places, we will not have chances to survive. Nature is everything what society have and what they should greatly take care of.
In my opinion people needs to know, talk, and learn about it but the most, to realize how damaging the new civilization can be for the nature recently. Society should react to some unnecessary project that may harm the natural environment. The Great Swamps National Wildlife Refuge has an amazing geological history that begins in the Jurassic Period that it was created and formulated through other later periods.
I am not surprised that Helen Fenske was fighting for the rights of the unique areas so strongly because that are the prettiest places in the region. Especially in the summer time when the real wild life, including chains of bugs to fish, birds and mammals, is waking up.
I absolutely agree with the author that it is a prefect region to take family or group of tourists for a nice walk where they can see vast number of birds with different colors and sizes and other rare animals that would be difficult to see somewhere else. It has also beautiful views of the pounds, river and surrounding trees.
It is really difficult to image how terrible sight of the flat cemented roads and ugly, gigantic buildings it could be if not Helen Fenske and her helpers such as: Rep. Peter Dodge and Remington Arms who helped to sponsor her achievements. All together protected the villages and towns located nearby the Great Swamp from the huge companies and branches of hotels, offices and other big corporations that are usually surrounded in the neighborhood of the airports. All the visitors of the National Wildlife Refuge, including me, just can not picture the Newark airport full of busy business life. In that district we can find piece and rest but also enjoy the fresh and healthy environment.
The amazing fact is that the work and plans of the great Helen Fenske is still continued after her death. This is a great thing that people want to follow the idea
Finally, I believe that the article is very important because the wild life and our environment are essential for our life and future generations.

Household robots negative

Household robots

Robots became present in every part of people’s life recently so addictively that human existence would be in serious danger if not computers’ hard and exact, in counting, work.
World can not imagine calculating distance, time and other systems without this amazing technological discovery which computer is. People are so used to and, some even, addicted to it now that losing it can cause depression or even serious deceases and not having it, can made man weak and not working properly. Therefore, in my opinion, having robot or any kind of creature of it and especially in the household environment, would be negative.

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Cooking is not my favorite thing to do. I believe that it takes a lot of time and effort. Also the mixed smells of a cooking dishes does not make me hungry as much as before starting it and I am usually tired after the process of standing or moving around the same area, kitchen.
Traditional Polish dinner consists of two dishes: 1st soup and 2nd: potatoes, meat, plus some salads. In America eating soups it’s not so popular. Some people here eat it only in the winter to warm up. The recipes of the soups are also different and the dish has a consistency of thick liquid. In Poland soups are thinner and you can see what is in it.
Anyway, recently I have discovered a great soup that does not take much time to do and it’s easy to prepare. It can be served more thick or thinner and it’s noticeable what in it (my favorite: mushrooms!)
Try and you will like it:

Cream of Mushroom Soup
You'll need:5 cups sliced mushrooms (as if I ever really measure)

3 cups chicken broth

1/2 chopped onion

a few sprigs of fresh thyme (or 1/8 tsp dry)

3 tbsp butter 3 tbsp flour

1 cup half & half

2 tbsp sherry

salt & pepper to taste

Sauté mushrooms in broth with onion & thyme until tender (about 15 minutes).Pureé the mixture (carefully!), leaving chunks as you wish (O do).In a heavy pan, melt butter & whisk in flour until smooth (in other words, make roux).Add half & half to roux & add that to the other pot full, along with pepper &/or saltas you wish. Stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a low boil until it thickens up.Adjust seasonings, add sherry & serve it up with bread & a salad. Serves 4.

BON APPETIT!!!

Black Friday warning

I’m hosting recently two of my very good friends from Poland. Since the American currency 'dollar' went up, their trip became more expensive than they have planned. But still they can afford to buy some clothes of good brands, electrical equipments, perfumes and other stuff that is cheaper than in their country. How come? I really don’t know and if I even think of it, it does’t make a sense….
Anyway, the two very good friends of mine heard about the Black Friday which is a day after the Thanksgiving and in which the stores offer amazing discounts of a products. (history: Black Friday-the usage of that day dates from September 24, 1869, a Friday when stock manipulators Jay Gould and James Fisk tried to corner the gold market and caused its collapse. The adjective black has been appended to similar occasions ever since, including October 29, 1929, the Tuesday of the market collapse that marked the start of the Great Depression, and Black Monday of October 19, 1987, when the stock market experienced its greatest fall since the Great Depression).
My friends were very crazy to buy things that probably will have even 50% off the original price. I only convinced them not to go to the stores in the early morning or at night (3am) because I heard its pretty unpleasant thing to do. They got up in the morning (7am) and I joined them to the discount places.

It was a horrible experience. It was crowded like never before, general meyhem people were unpleasant and the things they wanted to purchase did not have as good prices as we thought. And it appeared that some of the laptops, cameras were only a little cheaper in their country than here. I even heard that at one of the Best Buy stores a salesman was killed by a wild crowd.
Never, ever go to the store at the Black Friday!!! The prices ‘smells’ bad and it’s not worth of your life.

What is the Thanksgiving Holiday?

Some historians say that Thanksgiving is celebrated because of the Saint Augustine day. It was observed for the first time in 1565 in Europe. But in America they celebrated it for the first time at the East coast in Plymouth Plantation, MA in 1621. Recently Thanksgiving is a national holiday rejoiced on every the fourth Thursday in November. Its meaning is connected with thanks for the material goods and spiritual possessions to the first American settlers. This Holiday has also some religious meaning related to the deliverance of the English settlers by Native Americans after the severe winter at Plymouth, MA.
It is one of the biggest holidays in the USA comparable to Christmas time in my country (Poland). Almost everything is closed and only some immigrants don’t celebrate so their business of local stores is open.
Turkey is a traditional dish of the dinner but besides that there is plenty of food.
I don't eat meat so I just enjoy the time with American friends and their family or I just travel to some history places or watch the spectacular parade in New York City.

Discovering New York City...

A year ago on a great trip with UCC history professor Hogan we were sightseeing great and memorable places in NYC such as : Cloisters, the magnificent and the biggest in America Cathedral of Saint John the Divine (it is a very interesting gothic style church but her outside walls are as much interesting to see as the wall full of sculptures, painting, altars and stained glass. There are symbols of many Christian religions e.g. menorah the Jewish candlesticks, Pops’ seal- ‘key’ and little monuments of famous writers (W. Shakespeare), scientists (Einstein) etc. ) While I was visiting uptown in Manhattan and having a little break for a lunch, I encountered beautiful sculptures on the wall of one of the gigantic buildings. Those ware heads of dwarfs or called also ‘mascarons’. I saw them many times in Europeans cities such as Paris but never in America. It’s quite interesting to find them here because ‘mascarons’ usually are connected with certain style and period.

The music of my soul...

This is my diva: Anna Maria Jopek and her great band. They make me complete, calm and joyful; they are everywhere with me...

Yesterday I have got as a gift a new released album of Anna Maria Jopek. It's called Jazz Club VOLUME 1 ANNA MARIA JOPEK JO & CO -oh it's great, wonderful and awesome!!!
Anna Maria Jopek was born in Warsaw, Poland. She was studying in various good music schools and universities to get her education as a pianist. Her favorite classical music is F. Chopin, Ravel, Mozart, Szymanowski, Paderewski...
AMJ follows in her music a lot of styles and trends but the basic is from her roots: folk that she connects with jazz, blues, rock and a little pop. She is a fun of a music of Path Matheney, Sting, Tomasz Stanko, Chris Botti, Leszek Mozdzer, Mino Cinelu and many other important jazz and rock musicians.
AMJ has been awarded with many great musical rewards such as: Michel Legrand's Personal Award and other significant in Poland (gold and platinum records).
She has released already 13 important albums and 3 singles.However, AMJ songs has join many albums as well that were published to promote new magazines, artists, children and products...
Albums
Ale Jestem (1997)
Szeptem / Koncert(1998)
Jasnosłyszenie (1999)
Dzisiaj z Betleyem (1999)
Bosa (2000)
Barefoot (2002)
Nienasycenie (2002)
Upojenie (2002) with Pat Metheny
Farat CD, DVD and BOX (2003)
Niebo (2005)
Secret (2005)
ID (2007)
Jo & Co (2008)
Singles
Przed rozstaniem (1998)
Na dłoni (2002)
Skłamałabym (2007)

Some fans of her say that AMJ has an 'angel' voice and I would agree with them...but (it's going to sound strange) I don't like her privately...can't listen to her weird style of talking in Polish. She sounds better when she gives interview in English because then it's seems like she would change her personality for some modest person who she really is...
Check her out and you may like her as well:
http://anna-maria-jopek.com/en/

In War, In Prison, In Antiquity

The author of the article: “In War, In Prison, In Antiquity” James Bond Stockdale is searching for the answer to a question what true education really is. While looking for the proper explanation, he comes to many thoughts during his journey over the past and present lifetime. In conclusion, he writes: “Always striving for true education is the best insurance against losing your bearing, your perspective, in the face of disaster, in the face of failure”. As the confirmation of what J.B. Stockdale discovered, he quotes the ancient philosopher, Aristotle: “Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity.” That alone made him realize he has always been living in truth.
Motivation for finding the right answer about true education was definitely J.B. Stockdale’s time in war prison. He lived under threat of death, in terrible fear and had feeling of guilt. He writes: “Of all the challenges guilt brings in a political prisoner’s life…” His existence was constantly under a trial of survival. Thousands of oppressive moments and even more days in loneliness, which he calls “the impact of this unexpected spiritual power…,” made his mind open for a conversation with himself. The new questions such as: “Does modernity deaden our noblest impulses?” or “…the essence of being human…?” he asked himself everyday. They concerned the existence and men’s goals in the world.
He makes cultural journey into the ancient times where he imagines a warrior, Hector. The duty of Tory’s hero gives him answer of what J.B. Stockdale obligation was. The knowledge of ancient literature and the cultural experience increased through centuries (thanks to such titans as: Shakespeare, Dante, Dostoyevsky, Goethe, Camus and Tolstoy) made him more aware of the prison situation and he gained more self-esteem. He even comes to a conclusion by writing: “I was being shown something good” in the prison period. On the other hand, he could not reach the feeling before because he was: “often ridiculed here in manmade modernity, where changing the world takes precedence over understanding it, understanding man himself”. He was lost and could not find the self-confidence, understand his responsibility or position in the situation he had found himself in.
J. B. Stockdale quotes M.Van Doren: “Being an educated person means that given the necessity [after doom’s day, so to speak], you could re-found your own civilization”. Here comes to me a quote of Z. Herbert: “with an iron ferrule a slow fire a blow on his back fixes his spine between cloud and mud puddle (…) his tongue hesitates between knocked-out teeth and confession.” (The Collected Poems 1956-1998, 2007). Every time they tortured him, he believed that it was his last day but this time it helped him to reveal the truth about himself. He found his own ‘self’. The education he achieved, gave him an answer to questions such us: Who am I now? What am I doing here? What should I do now? He was not aware of it before because his mind was often “powdered, fluffed” by the world in the modernity. But the days in the isolation and fear, gave him new experience and made his mind stronger. He realized many truths of the life and the duty he had to accomplish in order to survive and learn new issue in his life.
Furthermore, he could not only find values and the sense of life but also strength to stay alive because the intellect became his power. Moreover, his answers were hidden in the cultural symbols and when he uncovered them he did not let himself to demean and lose the faith. He comprehended his aim of being and comes to a conclusion: “I am right where I belong; I am right where I was meant to be”. The cultural principles and the true education that he brought into being, made him recognize the circumstances he was in. This definitely helped him to survive the most terrible moments and the long period of being imprisoned.
The literature of the past centuries and the cultural values included in it are represented in one of his great thoughts: “I became what I learned, or maybe I should say I became the distillation of what fascinated me most as I learned it.” He drew the essence of all the values he acquired. They were with him all the time but he needed the moment of contemplation to regain it. The journey over the literature alloy of Mill, Shakespeare, Dostoyevsky and Camus were his guidance to cope with his questions. All the virtues and doctrines that he finally understood were with him all the time but he needed the solitude to get the true education from the philosophers of the literature and also philosophers of live.
One of my favorite Polish poets, Zbigniew Herbert, is the author of “The Collected Poems” (Copyright by K.Herbert & H. Herbert-Zebrowska, 2004) in which he wrote: “I feel little inner consternation when I imagine of walking through the Athens’ street in Pericles’ times (each of us has its own favorite era) and I encounter who? – of course Socrates – who grasps my elbow and starts conversation in his tricky way: Welcome! It’s good to see you…” Z. Herbert definitely had to go beyond his reality to search in other times for new sphere of other realities in order to comprehend it. Poet’s questions about world existence and human part in it were coming to him very often. Therefore, to discover people’ part in being in a certain time and place, he had to close himself in loneliness and ‘breath with the air’ of those who lived in previous eras.
The experiences that people gain not only in history and literature but also in other spheres of education and what they absorb during the process of life and matters that happen to them, I would find as the true education. The important issue is to have the easiness of getting the lessons of hope and to confront our experiences with experiences of others in order to find something like compassion, responsibility and not get lost in the reality that people are living now. Therefore, each of us need to find sometimes the moment of contemplation, solitude where we can start conversation with the past, listen to voices of others, those who past away. You do not need to necessarily escape from reality and disappointment. If we could just easily make the journey in past culture, into the times of our ancestors who gave the course of history and who made the foundation of our times, then we would definitely enrich our knowledge, mind and personality. Then, it would be easier to step on our own paths and find answers for questions that for the first time the ancient Greeks were asking. However, the challenge is also that each person needs to have this ‘something’. It has to be in a man and as a result, to derive from it. Therefore, we need to refer to the past. In conclusion, the value of true education is not necessary when you learn but the process of learning.

“CAVE AB HOMINE UNIUS LIBRE”
“BEWARE THE MAN OF ONE BOOK”
This citation was quoted by Isaac D’Israeli in “Curiosities of Literature”.
I found also a different spelling of the word ‘book’: “Cave ab homine unius libri”.
There are other translations of this Latino quotation as well: “Beware the man governed by one book” or “Beware of the one-sided man”. There are probably some more translations but the meaning still stays the same and is spelled in the symbol. The man, who read one book or wrote one book, is short-sighted. Why? Because in that one moment when the person gets, maybe accidental, this particular book in hands, his/her life becomes directed into way one. This man strictly accepts only those principles that he/she found in “the one and only one” publication. This person gets this one philosophy of life and becomes limited or closed for other viewpoints. Such man happens to be fanatical and obsessed with the believes included in the book. The theory becomes an indication for all his life and there is not any other existing attitude, just the one that he/she believes in. This individual is leaded by the book, is biased and blinded for opinion of others. He/she may even hate others because they are more open and have different opinions. This person is even ready to devote his life or others for the right of the only one idea.
There were couple mad men in a history of the world that were inspired by the one book or thought included in it. Those people were able to destroy, kill, torture and violate the moral rights of humans.
One of the examples is a book “Malleus maleficarum” in translation “The Witch hammer” that was written by two inquisitionists: Heinricha Kramer and Jakob Sprenger in 1489. The aim of the authors was to totally get rid of the devil’s advocates. According to this book magic was mostly cultivated by women because of their nature. They believed that females have just less faith in God. Therefore the church’s inquisitors decided to find those who did not fit to the perfect example of faithful people and devoted to God. This book cause that millions of innocent people were murdered burnt alive and tortured. Mostly women were killed but also suspected men. The numbers of the dead tolls is chilling in the Middle Age. The only one book became the reason of tragedy of millions.
Another great example is Adolf Hitler who’s book “Mein kampf “ (1924) and the idea of it, inspired many people. The author of the one tome and the readers of it consequently leaded into millions of dead people and tragedy of those who survived.
There was Josef Stalin who had absolute power and believed in idea of fighting with or rather easily getting rid of class society that did not fit his dream. Again, million of innocent people died because of the one thought. He is accused as the biggest murderer of his nation.
Mao Zedong had a sick idea of Cultural Revolution and the effect of it was a tragedy of millions who he ordered to be killed.
Unfortunately in today’s world we have many more maniacs who still believe in some mad idea. And because of it and their short-sighted views, their regime, policy and power many times harms human kind. Therefore, “Cave ab humine unius libre”! This is certainly a wonderful meaning we should keep in mind. Having more open view to other religions, cultures, traditions, novelty, history and views of others.

LOVE in old times

The form of romantic love has its roots in French literature. The emotions, excitement and troubles caused by the feeling were first expressed by French medieval lyric poets called troubadours. They wrote songs and poems of a complex metrical form mainly on themes of courtly love. It was an idealized and often illicit form of love celebrated in the literature of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance in which a knight devoted himself to a noblewoman who was usually married and feigned indifference to preserve her reputation.
The dreamy love of XI century became in France a social force shaping the lives of millions of women and men in modern culture. It was spread from south of France to all its corners and reached even part of Italy, Germany and England.
The image of troubadours singing about ‘amour courtois’, is some kind of picture describing relation between men and women in Middle Ages. However, the portrait of courtly love was taken from mystic literature of that time and it probably had nothing to do with harsh and gloomy realities of people living those times.
There is a dispute between some of today’s critics stating that ‘fin’amors’ had never existed in literature of Western Europe before XI century. But others, like Peter Dronke, prove that adorable and sorrowful love was already demonstrated in literature of Egypt, Spain, and Georgia and in other countries as well. As an evidence of ‘courtly love’, he gives example a song called Wulf and Eadwacer written by a European women before X century.
In Middle Age literature there are no many names of authors because they are unknown. The identity if it was man or woman it’s been analyzed through the way they expressed the passion, lamentation and other emotions in certain song or poem. Because women did not have many rights that time, they were often hiding their names under a male name.
The idea of ‘courtly love’ was often presented in French literature as not only a romantic, passionate and idealistic but also with moments of desperation, anxiety, jealousy and hopelessness. Many of the poetic compositions were supposed to guide with suggestions of romantic and spiritual courtly love.
There had been two descriptions of women troubadours: ‘feminine’ and ‘domna’. The first one is a version of hatred, dislike, or mistrust women. The other one is considered as a beautiful lady to whom all the poetry is directed but her tasks are rather unresisting and characterized by reaction. ‘Domna’ will not get any help if her man leaves her. Therefore, suffering, dissatisfaction and grief of abandonment is often the main subject of the poetry sang by troubadours.
Women in medieval times had a really hard life. Many social bans, difficulties of bringing up children, the worries of every day and scary thoughts of the future world were the matters really important and persuasive for them. It is really surprising that women in literature were seen only as beauties loved by their hero and mistresses but hardly ever there is mentioned their hard work of every day.

Love and friendship

Jane Austen is one of the most known authors of English and world literature. Her most famous novel is Pride and Prejudice but also Emma, Sense and Sensibility and Mansfield Park as well. All her novels are full of romances and family intrigues. Some of it describes facts of her life.
Pride and Prejudice is a very absorbing and marvelous book to read. The novel concentrates on realities of 19th century and describes in general a style of life middle and high class families. Jane Austin, in chronological details, entangles a romantic course of events between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy and their friends as well.
Pride and prejudice are words that appear very often in the book. Mostly they describe the first impression the main characters feel about each other.
Miss Elizabeth Bennet, called by her family members Lizy, is the wisest girl of all her 4 sisters she has. She comes from a middle class family as a second daughter in Bennet’s family. Lizzy is an admirable person of honest and true virtues. She usually conducts smart and pleasant conversations but can be sharp towards those who she finds unfriendly. Her character is definitely the most visible along the novel because she is the one who tries to cope with her impossible and discouraging mother, father who is not interested in family affairs and badly behaved younger sisters, except her favorable and eldest Jane. She has to cope with many obstacles before she finds the true virtues of Mr. Darcy who did not make a good impression at the beginning of their relation.
Fitzwilliam Darcy comes from much more wealthy family than Elizabeth. He is an owner of marvelous property Pemberley in England. Darcy is a wise man who from the beginning seems to be an enigma. He seems to be much stiffed person who has only black or white point of view. At the beginning Darcy is noticed by Elizabeth as rather arrogant and not sympathetic person of unpleasant manners and pride. He is of course judged too fast by Elizabeth and later on she is also mistakenly informed of his past.
In the first thirty chapters Elizabeth Bennet does not even try to discover Dacry. She is more focused on the relation between her sister Jane and Charles Bingley. She is worried that her sister will not get marry soon and her feeling toward the man is hopeless due to his departure to London. Much trouble also brings the younger sister, Lydia who is a selfish and vain girl looking for entertainment and young man to play with. She finds Mr. Wickham, an enemy of Mr. Darcy and a man who takes advantage of others, as an object of love. That causes the Bennet’s family a big trouble.
Love, friendship and behaviors are the main themes of Pride and Prejudice and thanks to it the novel has an interesting plot that is hard to put away.

And the winner is Barack Obama!

Democrat Sen. Barack Obama became not only the nation’s 44th president but also the first African – American in the history of United States. He defeated his Republican opponent John McCain after Tuesday elections. Amazingly, he won Virginia, which is the first time a Democratic candidate had taken this state since 1964. His major promises to the people are to end the war in Iraq, implement almost a universal health insurance plan and searching for alternatives to our addition to Middle Eastern oil. However, the major concern for the public is turmoil in economy, crisis in Social Security, Medicare and overall fear of deepening recession.
His inauguration will be on 20 January 2009. He has started to form his administration. He asked a former adviser of President Clinton, Rahm Emanuel to be his chief-of-staff.
The Unites Sates is facing economic challenges therefore the post of treasury secretary is to be the next to appoint.
Hopefully, he will get reasonable, responsible and people who he can trust so they do the best to improve the country.

Egyptian ancient world in danger

I was recently listening to a story in NPR in radio about Rising Sea Levels Threaten Egypt's Ancient Cities is dealing with a problems of modern Egypt and also gives an insight into its past. More than two thousand years ago conqueror Alexander the Great built the city of Alexandria and turned it into his capital. This city amazed people with its beauty and great architecture which unfortunately wasn’t preserved completely to our modern times- due to earthquakes many of the places are under water now. For example, the Pharos Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, was recently discovered by underwater archeologists.
Unfortunately, Alexandria is still under threat of being soaked by the Mediterranean Sea water. Global warming may exacerbate this problem- climate change is causing the Mediterranean Sea’s water to rise, which is affecting vegetation along the River Nile. Egyptian government is already preparing the plan to relocate the population and build barriers to protect its land.
I really hope that Egyptian scientist will find a way to preserve the historical monuments, works of art and archeological masterpieces. Scientist in this country is preoccupied with the problem of global warming and hopefully their researches will be helpful for other ecologists all over the world.

Amazing story, amazing actor

My Left foot is a story of an artist Christy Brown who happens to suffer from cerebral palsy. Even the doctors predict that Christy may likely be a ‘vegetable’ and only a trouble to his family his mother doesn’t gave up and tries with all her love and faith to persuade her son to fight with the illness and confirm his talent and intelligence.
This autobiographical movie presents not only struggle of Christy Brown with his obstacles in life but mostly the brilliant gift of well-known Irishman. He learns how to use his left foot to paint and write. Christy Brown develops his skills greatly during his every day attempts. After many frustrating moments in his young life he becomes successful as a painter and author.
This amazing movie is filled with passion to art, author’s sensitivity to every draft on his canvas. I could capture the great spirit of the artist and his much dissatisfaction in his life as well. I watched it two times and every time this movie seemed more emotional to see.
Daniel Day Lewis, one of the most famous English actors, acting is amazing. He could truly touched me many times during watching it.

It's a final countdown...

Tomorrow United States' voters will decide who will be the 44th US president.

Both candidates Republican John McCain and Barack Obama are spending the hectic final day on campaigning over the country.

I wish them luck! And hope there won't be a chaos in final count in polls.

Aborigin children

Rabbit Proof Fence is a movie that tells a story of three half-caste girls from an Aboriginal settlement in Western Australia. In 1931 the girls were seized from their families and taken to a government compound to the Far South by the police who were acting according to state policy. The three girls managed to escape and made a miracle journey one thousand miles through the dessert to get back home. During their journey they followed a fence which was built from north to south in order to keep the rabbits out of the fields. Luckily the girls received food and help from some strangers whom they encountered on their way. The movie shows us about the horrible Aboriginal child removal policies in Australia during the 20th century.
Rabbit Proof Fence is one of the movies that I would highly recommend to watch. It touches upon some serious problems that remain relevant up to this date. From the prospective of three little girls we can get a general idea how prejudice and belief in superiority of one’s culture over others can ruin people’s lives, break homes, separate children from their parents. The movie depicts how easily the government can abuse its power and impose its own way of life on other people without any proper knowledge of their traditions and values.

Six degrees may change everything on our planet

Six degrees can change the world

Scientific research and climate models indicate some serious changes to our climate and they proved that earth's climate has increased less than a degree of warming. Six degrees it’s a sobering but riveting look at what the future could hold in store if we don't take serious action about reducing levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
1º At a one degree Celsius increase, the Bay of Bengal in Asia faces continual flooding. and severe droughts in the western United States could cause shortages in global grain and meat markets. Arid regions of the western United States could slip back to desert-like environments. There can be a new American Desert- the Sand Hills may resemble their namesake. The green, grassy hills that cattle graze on could be gone. Dust and sandstorms might be commonplace. Heavier irrigation may fail as water is overexploited by industrial agriculture.
2º At two degrees, Greenland's glaciers begin to disappear and so do most coral reefs. When oceans heat up beyond the temperature tolerance of corals, the corals eject the algae that live in them and become bleached. Massive Coral Bleach-out events may happen all too regularly in the future. Barrier reefs protect coastlines and play a role in the good chain, both of which influence human lives beyond tourist pleasure.
The oceans begin to lose their capacity to absorb carbon, heightening the problem. Scientists have learned that increasing levels of carbon dioxide cause the oceans to become more acidic. Unfortunately, this can affect organisms with calcium carbonate shells. Therefore, many of tiny creatures are at the base of the food chain and assist in the carbon cycle.
3º At three degrees, the Arctic polar region is ice-free all summer and El Niño weather fluctuations become the norm. 80 % of sea ice could be lost. Open oceans lacking these ice caps might change North American weather patterns, bringing more rain to Alaska and Canada, while further drying out the West Coast. Land ice caps and glaciers would melt quickly. In Scandinavian countries, the growing seasons could lengthen, but the soil would still be rocky and acidic.
4º At four degrees, Bangladesh washes away and Egypt is inundated. New York is under assault from rising seas and super storms. If sea levels were to rise and a storm hits Manhattan, the storm surge could submerge parts of the city. Flooding might occur often. In Europe five years ago there were heat waves that took many lives. More and more of these extreme heat waves could occur and cause fatalities, particularly among the elderly. In South Europe new deserts could form as the land would dry out. In contrast, the UK could be hit with storm surges and cyclones in the winter.
5º At five degrees, there are 100 million environmental refugees seeking new homes. Social systems begin to break down. There won’t be natural water anymore for example for Lima if Peru’s mountain glaciers melt. Then agriculture would be troubled and jobs lost. Also Ecuador and Bolivia, in South America, survive on water from mountain glaciers but can share a similar fate as Lima. As well, the Amazon rain forest, which supplies about a 5th of the world’s oxygen, could enter into a cycle of drought and fire. Tribal communities could be displaced, and some biodiversity could be lost forever. Warming temperature may thaw deep into the rock, melting the permafrost in the Alp. This way, widespread rock falls could occur more and more often. Landslides might bury unprotected populations as melting continues.

6º At six degrees, as the British climate researcher and author Mark Lynas predicts, "We see a planet that is unrecognizable" and eventually it will be the end of the Earth.

Out of time...

John Nava is one of the American modern painters whose art includes masterpieces that I would compare to the one of Michael Angelo. I have discovered him by watching on http://www.onnetworks.com/ program called “For the Art’s Sake”. The figures he draws looks like photographs that are refined on computer program. But his hands are specially gifted and can copy any posture and movement of a man. One of his paintings presenting mostly a woman face is an idea of the famous one of Vermeer “A girl with the pear earring”. He asked his model to pose just like the one from the famous painting. He did “put the actual earring in her ear and to try to make something that was contemporary figure but it had that resonance from the past” (J.Nava-Painter).
He also did an amazing job at the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angles. J.Nava painted the Communion of Saints Tapestries that is now on the walls of the place inside. This work made him feel to increase the benefit of “the tradition again by making a huge image cycle for the church that was a part of the 2000 year old tradition” (J.Nava-Painter). Any other artist is amazed for the great project that he has done. This way he definitely felt to be at some point connected to tradition and part of his presentation. J. Nava says about himself as minimalist in the art he is creating and that’s why his art is aesthetic and his figures of people are still, there is a true reality in them. The great power of his painting is that it is out of a time, “it’s literally timeless and for [him] it was something that has stopped and this way it’s out of time. In his works he tries to get some neutral expression and at the same time a reality existence.
He is not trying to be a messagistig, moralistic or anecdotal. In the past he has made some exhibitions with works that have an overt story line. They were expressing message that is very clear. There was a political meaning, it said about our present live and people in the society and realities they/we have to confront with.
John Nava is definitely one of the painters who create amazing masterworks that is and will be admired by many.

http://www.onnetworks.com/videos/for-arts-sake/john-nava---painter?autoplay=true#

Paris, Paris

I have found a travel program “City by city” about travelling to Paris in France on http://www.onnetworks.com/ .I always had a dream to see the city of love, amazing architecture and style. They said that the trip is wroth to go even alone. There are tones of great museums to see and tasty shows but the most impressive are the lights of Paris in the night. Paris is knows for the most famous designers in the world: Cartier, Dior, Swarowski, Armani. But this show took me to some other place than fashion; it was a fashion of pastries that they call “Picasso pastries”. The cake designer name is Pierre Herme whose decorative delicacies are fun to watch but probably the most, fun to eat. He is baking and creating amazing cookies, chocolates, cakes, macaroons, baguettes and champagnes. His stores look like a jewelry place.
Hotel Bel-Ami is one of the great places to see, did not impressed me much. It is too expensive and I would never stay there for a night.
They present a variety of restaurants to eat well and spend pleasure time but also night clubs where a tourist can have many attractions.
Paris is a place where, at any time and season, there is always something to see, admire and have a nice time. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world?

Diva's report:(

On http://www.mevio.com/ there people can find different kind of searches: shows, people, music and video. I have spotted couple things that I like but one got to my attention most.
From a very fashionable and rather unlikeable to me kind of source, I have found out about a new play of Arthur Miller “My sons”.
A. Miller is one of my favorite play writers. I do know some of his plays but unfortunately I have only read them and never had a chance to see. This time I thought, wow I have finally an opportunity to see it and in an original language. I read it before in Polish and some in English but never saw it!
Anyway, when I watched the preview by some ‘The Diva Report’, I totally changed my mind. This, I don’t know if I can call her a critic, lady who had not a bit of 'diva' looking, gave me such bad and discouraging opinion that I don’t want to even hear about the play for some time.
The most disappointing news was that Kate Hudson playing there. Why? This is nonsense. “All my sons” it’s such a great play itself that it does not need an extra advertisement. Besides, what could I heard from the ‘diva’ who I would not listen to for any recommendation but to my surprise, she even said that Kate Hudson was not best in the play. Obviously she spoiled it!!! I prefer still to read than see some poor acts.

The use of fragile seasoning

One morning this week while I was driving I have heard a story in a radio about an amazing and very expensive herb or rather spice SAFFRON; it is derived from the dried stigma of the flower of the saffron crocus.

The story Why the world is still just mad about saffron gives very interesting information about the herb called saffron. This herb grows mainly in India, Spain and Iran. It’s very expensive, it costs about seventy five dollars per pound and it is not easy for cultivation. However, its properties are worth the price. Saffron is used for perfume industry, treating various illnesses including depression and the key factor is that it enhances desirability and promotes relaxation in a hot bath.
Mediterranean cuisine is famous for including this unique spice in various meals. And though saffron has bitter taste it turns a regular dish into a culinary masterpiece.
I had the pleasure to taste saffron and I must say it really gives exceptional taste to ordinary dishes. But I don’t get upset because I cannot afford it. I can use many other great spices like curcuma or carry to replace saffron in my cooking. People should not get mad about saffron they need to be more optimistic and creative while cooking.

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World

I was recently searching for some unique gift for my very best friend. In Barnes&Nobles one book got to my hands, "The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World". This album and history book presented a widely-known list of seven remarkable man made constructions of classical antiquity. It was based on guide-books popular among Hellenic sight-seers and only includes works located around the Mediterranean rim. Later lists include those for the Medieval World and the Modern World.

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were:
The Lighthouse at Alexandria was built in 279 B.C. on the small island of Pharos by Sostratus of Cnidus for Ptolemy II. The lighthouse was over 400 feet high. The earthquake, AD 1303-1480, caused the destruction. The remains of this imposing structure could still be seen in 1480, when the Mamluk ruler Qa'it Bay constructed a fort on the exact site of the lighthouse. The work was done by Hellenistic Egypt.
The Colossus of Rhodes was over 100 feet tall (roughly 3/4ths as large as today's Statue of Liberty in New York. This statue of the Greek sun god Helios, built in period of 292-280 BC completed by the sculptor Chares. The Colossus stood with one hand shielding its eyes looking over the harbor of the Greek island. The destruction was caused by the Earthquake in 224 B.C.
The Mausoleum of Halikarnassos was built by Persians and Greeks from the order of the wife of the Carian ruler Mausolus in 353 B. C. It stood approximately 45 meters (135 feet) tall. Each of the four sides adorned with sculptural relief. This tomb was of great size and, with its sculptured friezes amazingly beautiful. Damaged in AD 1494 by an earthquake and eventually disassembled by European Crusaders. Fragments of it are preserved in Turkey and at the British Museum.
The Statue of Zeus, though small in relation to some of the other wonders of the ancient world, this statue of Zeus, sculpted by the Greek Phidias about 430 B.C., won fame because of its beauty. It occupied the whole width of the aisle of the temple that was built to house it, and was 40 feet (12 meters) tall. Unknown cause of destruction presumed, by fire or earthquake in5th-6th centuries AD.
Temple of Artemis at Ephesus measured 300 by 150 feet, with columns 60 feet high. This great temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis was begun about 555 B.C. by Croesus, king of Lydia. It took 120 years to build it. Herostratus burned down the original temple in 356 C.B.in an attempt to achieve lasting fame. It was rebuilt by Alexander the Great.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon -Those hanging gardens were built by Nebuchadnezzar about 600 B.C. to console his queen, who missed the mountains, trees and flowers of her native Media. Diodorus described multi-leveled gardens reaching 22 meters (75 feet) high, complete with machinery for circulating water. Large trees grew on the roof. The cause of destruction was earthquake after 1st century B.C.
The great Pyramids at Giza, which date from the Old Kingdom (2700-2300 B. C. ), are the oldest and most famous of the Seven Wonders of the World. Built as the tomb of Fourth dynasty Egyptian, Pharaoh Khufu in period of 2650-2500 B.C. Its 756 feet long on each side, 450 high and is composed of 2,300,000 blocks of stone, each averaging 2 1/2 tons in weight. Despite the makers' limited surveying tools no side is more than 8 inches different in length than another, and the whole structure is perfectly oriented to the points of the compass. Until the 19th century it was the tallest building in the world and, at the age of 4,500 years, it is the only one of the famous "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World" that still stands.
Why the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were built in Mediterranean area? It was the most highly important route for merchants and travelers of ancient times, allowing for trade and cultural exchange between emergent peoples of the region — the Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Semitic, Persian, Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek, Levantine, and Roman cultures. The history of the Mediterranean is crucial to understanding the origins and development of many modern societies.

The colors of night and day...

Van Gogh and the Colors of the Night - this is the title of the special exhibition that takes place is Museum of Modern Art in NYC. September 21, -January 5, 2009.
Ah! I adore paintings of Vincent van Gogh. This is my favor impressionist. When I had lived in Amsterdam, I used to go to the Museum under his name that is dedicated to his works and arts. It is an amazing place where I could stay for hours and watch the amazing colors, style and talent of van Gogh.
This time I have a chance to see one of the best master pieces of his in New York’s museum. I am so glad that wherever I travel I have a chance to discover van Gogh’s new paintings and re-admire the one I have already seen many times in my life. I just hope, the line ticket for the exhibition won't be too long. I am not the only one who loves the Dutch painter.

A little about painter's life and work:

Throughout his career, Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853–1890) attempted the paradoxical task of representing night by light. His procedure followed the trend set by the Impressionists of "translating" visual light effects with various color combinations. At the same time, this concern was grafted onto Van Gogh's desire to interweave the visual and the metaphorical in order to produce fresh and deeply original works of art. These different artistic concerns found themselves powerfully bound together in Van Gogh's nocturnal and twilight paintings and drawings. This exhibition will present new insight into Van Gogh's depictions of night landscapes, interior scenes, and the effects of both gaslight and natural light on their surroundings. Representing all periods of the artist's career, the exhibition will comprise over two dozen works of superlative quality—several of which have never been seen together, even though they were very clearly conceived with each other in mind. This exhibition will be shown at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, February 13–June 7, 2009. It will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue.

Enjoy a beauty and be alive

There is a beautiful saying of R. Jeffries “The time when our mind is busy with enjoying the beauty, is a special moment in which we feel that we are alive!”
Whole August I was having vacation in my home, Poland. I used to go there once per year and it’s a very short visit; I run from one family member to another or friend to a friend. I never have time to enjoy e.g. sunrise and sunset or the beautiful places that I used to admire and love to be in.
This time was different. My goal was to go to the most wonderful places that I have never seen. I love mountains and climbing it up was always giving me satisfaction and it was a great pleasure. Unfortunately, I was so busy for the recent couple years that I have forgotten what I truly like to do to relax my mind.
Tatra Mountains are the highest ranges in Poland and Slovakia. This year I have beaten my own record- I have climbed the places in Tatra M. where I would not even dreamed about before. I have reached high summits and walk on the steep rock walls and passes that I have never thought I could summon up. I have also overcome finally a fear of open heights. I have spent in Tatra M. the most beautiful moments of this vacation and I have seen the most gorgeous views of mountains, valleys, sky, ponds, waterfalls, flora and fauna ( I have seen 9 bears feeding themselves in the open area of the National Park-amazing).
I felt like in heaven there but I knew I am actually very alive!

Read the novel first, than watch the movie

The secret life of women

There is movie “The secret life of bees” that recently comes out in cinema. I've read the book and I am very interested if the screen version is going to follow the novel’s contents.
It is a beautiful novel that tells a story of group of women that live together. The book is rather kept in modest tone and it’s seems that the movie should be as well; hopefully done in a gentle way with special, magical atmosphere that the main characters create. And I believe that Qeen Latifah and Alicia Keys, the mega stars of today’s Hollywood, will not 'screw up' the movie because of their image there.
Read the book definitely before going to watch in theater. The movie sometimes does not give the same charm as the novel can award.

Watch out what do you drink!

Pure spring water?!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081015/ap_on_sc/impure_bottled_water


While I was drinking my favorite “Spring Poland” water this morning I was reading news. My attention got suddenly directed to such topic: “Bottled water has contaminants too”, I immediately have put the water away. Thank god it was not article about my favorite water that I drink a lot every day (3 litters per day) but sometimes I drink other brands as well. If I think how many people is cheated by many water companies, I cannot believe it.
Many would think that water, it self don’t have any chemicals because it is pure and probably taken from the best springs in the country. But unfortunately, some of the bottled water companies are not trustworthy; the difference between the water from the top and the one from the bottle is the same. It means it has contaminants that can be killed only by boiling it in 100 degrees otherwise, in big amounts, can be harmful for your body.
WATCH WHAT YOU DRINK, even it looks clear and is recommended.

No child left behind?

No Child Left Behind: A Success or a Failure?

In January 8, 2002 President of the United States singed the program called No Child Left Behind that is the federal law in this country. Its aim is to “Improve the performance of the U.S primary and secondary schools by increasing the standards of accountability for states, School districts and schools, as well as providing parents more flexibility in choosing which schools their children will attend.” It will also increase focus on reading, writing and math skills especially on those students who desperately needs this attention. This program requires more hours spend on reading, writing and math in school and cutting off subjects such as history and other arts. However, this reform program became the matter of vital controversy, especially from the parents’ side. According to them, the program is concentrated on weak students who have difficulties. But what about the children who are gifted? In a lot of families there are exceptionally bright children who may lose the opportunity to develop their art skills because they will have to boringly be on the same page with the ‘left behind’ students. Will not the gifted students be ‘left behind’ than?
The resent test result depicts that “Nearly a quarter of pupils are unable to read at the appropriate level, the state extends ‘personal literacy plans’ to reach those in higher grades.” It is scary that such amounts of young students in the U. S. have problems with basic reading, writing and math skills and they are below grade level. The J. Jordan in his article writes that “In several urban districts, the problem is far worse- about half of their students struggle with reading.” But the problems include also writing and counting abilities. Therefore recognizing as soon as possible such problem and solving it, is necessary for the success of the future generation and the each individual child. If they need extra help with those subjects they should necessary get the kind of ‘personal literacy plan’ that will gear to meet the needs of those children with the special attention and let them be more profitable in later years. For example, reading is the essential ability and it is really important to understand what a child reads because being able to read instruction in every subject in school but also in life, is the key to good existence. Reading, writing and math will be significant from first-grade through college, and throughout adulthood. People will not have possibility for better choices in their life, if the fact of poor literacy will not change. It is really important to educate the nation in as early childhood as possible hence in later future and in the higher levels of education, they will not struggle with the fundamental skills needed to develop in other, more sophisticated subjects like history, biology, geography, chemistry, music and other interests. I believe that the idea of the No Child Left Behind program has a good reasons and goals because what Flahery, the deputy commissioner of education, said “Deficient reading skills lead to other problems, including students frustration and behavior issues and a higher dropout rate”. Therefore it may cause even more problems not only in school but also in life outside of it.
No Child Left Behind program has a good base. Its goal is to focus on the crucial education of all children. This program definitely will gain a success but only for those students who need the additional attention. Unfortunately, it really concentrates only on the weak students and leaves the gifted ‘at the back’. It is a failure for the bright students who need to focus on more advance subjects that will bring them joy and achievement. From my perspective, the educational system in U. S. should find other solution for this really important problem. The suggestion would be to create a school that stands between the elementary and high school. If the child will not get the certain scores to get to high school it should be sent to it where concentration and more individual studies are involved. If the students will advance fast, he/she can be transferred to high school. This method works perfectly in some other countries and there is rather not much children ‘left behind’.

"Cinema Paradiso"- great movie!*****

"Cinema Paradiso" is a story of a famous Italian film director Salvatore. After almost thirty years of absence he returned to his Sicilian village, where he reminisced about his happy past, joyful childhood years and his dear old friend Alfredo.
Alfredo was working as a projectionist, but movies for him were literary the sense of life and he took pride in presenting screen dreams for his native town, which was still recovering from the consequences of the World War II. Alfredo’s fascination with movies deeply inspired Salvatore, they became lifelong friends and shared the same passion.
Salvatore also recalled his lost teenage love, Elena, who he had no chance to live with. He moved to Rome in hope to forget about her and heal his broken heart.
This is a beautiful magical movie, where comedy is intertwined with nostalgia about the past, and romance goes along with pragmatism. It is interesting to observe how childhood hobbies, innocent from the first glance, can turn into real passion and become true purpose of life.

"A Long Way Gone: Memories of a Boy Soldier"

Make love, not hate

When I was a child, I played a lot with many children from a neighborhood. I still remember the feeling of joy and fun. We were spontaneous and very happy. I did not have many responsibilities at that time and felt free. We were enjoying the time together and no one would treat us badly or force us to do things. We also could distinguish what was bad and good to do. The moral rights were built into our intuition during childhood and we were raised in normal conditions of standard loving families. Unfortunately, some children cannot be so lucky and have such wonderful childhood as I or other children of the peaceful places have now. Sadly, there are approximately 300,000 children participating in about 30 conflicts. It is hard to imagine that children can harm and be dangerous. They seem to be born with free spirit and innocence. But the reasons for using ‘child soldiering’ in recent conflicts are characterized by the creation of orphans who are often abducted or sold, destruction of opportunities and the revenge. is a novel of a young writer Ishmael Beah who has experienced the drama of war in his life. In his book he describes the tragedy of his lost childhood but also of other thousands of boys and girls who were forced to fight and kill.
Those groups of people who are capable of doing such crime as kidnapping and grabbing children from their homes or selling them, are indifferent to the future of the next generation. They do not care about the principles and unit of the family but especially about the little individuals who are about to enter into life.
As long as people will not understand that teaching children violence and bringing them to the war area is not a moral right, there still will be tragedy, trauma, destruction and killing present in every day all around the world. The way the child is being brought up has important impact on the future of people and the matters in their life. It is not the innocent children fault that they are changed into dangerous individuals trained to kill, but the adults’. Children that were recruited to an army through such drastic actions as abduction, devastation of their hopes or teachings of revenge, is the worst crime ever that man could have committed. Children deserve to be loved, treated with special care and certainly not to be deprived of childhood or filled up with extreme dislike towards others. They shall be taught how to love and be loved, not how to hate.
Reading A Long Way Gone:Memories of a Boy Soldier gave me a lot of thinking of how damaging is war and how happy my childhood was.

Better XXI century

It cannot be worst

I was recently reading the Lais of Marie de France. Marie de France is one of the first women writers and poets recognized in France in Medieval times. She was a creative and versatile writer. Her literal heritage consists of Lais that were based of Breton tales of chivalry, fables that describe in metaphorical way the difficult situation of women in her society. Maries de France’s unique talent lies in the ability to show the real life problems of human protagonists in mystical world. Most of her male characters are valiant, handsome, well-mannered, and extremely loyal to the king and country but mostly devoted to their beloved women. They have very kind and pure heart. And their purpose of their life is to help people in deprivation, to fight for the benefits of their homeland and for a noble intention they will not hesitate to sacrifice their lives.
Medieval times for women were definitely difficult and harsh. They were strongly discriminated in the society especially by men; had no rights to decide about their life, love, marriage and sexual relationships. However, reading Marie de France’s Lais, it seems like middle ages life was full of romance, graceful manners and attitudes. Women in her stories are beautiful, intelligent and have a power to desire any men they love. Marie de France in her writings used the meaning of courtly love to make female characters strong and she allowed them unintentionally protest against the tough realities.
Life of women in marriages and sexual relationships has changed, for better thank god, dramatically since the XII century. Presently, women are very independent. Marriages are not arranged by parents or families but it is the woman choice who she desires to live with. In relation with men, women rights are equal. They both have the same privileges to work, get the same benefits and share duties of household. As a wives and mothers, they can choose if they want to have children and because of a great progress of medicine the mortality rate is slender. Women have right to divorce her husband and not to be rejected by the society. They can absolutely relay on themselves, raise children and exist on rights equal to men.
I am glad to live in XXI century. Everyone who feels little lost in today’s world should sometime think how bad it was couple centuries ago to realize that human right’s and life has definitely improved and it cannot be worst.

A matter of our life

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7651981.stm

Mammals facing extinction threat

Within our lifetime, hundreds of species could be lost as a result of our own actions.
/Julia Marton-Lefevre, ICUN/

If hundreds of species dies now than probably the same will happen to human beings, mammals as well, in about 100 years. Are we killing ourself?
There is already a group of mammals that are at a great risk. The biggest group is located in South America where cutting forests is a main reason of threat. Also loss of habitat, ecosystem causes the death of many population of mammals. But the biggest risk of mammals lost is in Asia: Japan, China where people kill them because it's part of thair tradition and meat is used for a special cuisine that they are famous for.
If people will not find immediate solution, humans, the closest relavites of the species, are going to be affected in the whole world as well. People think that the recent economical crisis is more important but in real that is nothing compared with the environmental crisis.
It depends so much on us and esp.the politicians who we choose not only to take of our financial matter but the most important of our life and the environment we live in.

World market down

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7653868.stm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/robertpeston/2008/10/german_guarantee_lost_in_trans.html

Germany clinches bank rescue deal

European governments are as dazed and confused by the mayhem in the global banking system as most of the rest of us.
/Robert Peston BBC business editor/

What the …. is going on in this world??? First in USA some banks collapsed and now in Europe the banks are in need of national support. Is one of the strongest economy countries, Germany starting to feel the financial downs of the USA?
It’s doubtful that Angela Merkel can do anything to save Germany from debts.
In Europe also other countries decided to gather and set a plan that could help prevent the world’s market crisis. The leaders of strong economy countries such as Germany, Franace, Italy and Britan disagreed with a coordinated US-style bank bail-out and promised to stabilize market in Europe their way.
The whole world’s market is a one big circle. Let’s than wait another week and see if we should be stressed more.

Russia makes political progress

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7653219.stm

Russia removes Georgia Checkpoint

Removing the checkpoint near the town Gori in South Ossetia in Georgia by Russian army is the first important sign that Russia will really withdraw from Georgia’s territory by October 10th 2008.
The dramatic news of the war in Georgia in Asia shocked me and I suddenly I had a feeling of insecurity. I started to worry not only about the tragedy of people who live there but also about my own country, Poland. My home country is situated in the middle of Europe. It was and probably still is a very inconvenient area from the political and territorial point of view. Poland is surrounded by 7 countries. Russia was always the powerful one and demanding. France and Germany used to be as well, if we go to the history of XVIII- XX century. Other one are in the same position as Poland.
That’s why always one of the powerful countries had desire to rule all Europe and to attack the other super powerful country on the East or West side. But first they had to take possession of Polish territory and this way step by step, countr by country,seize the whole Europe. Poland went through too many painful moments in a history of Europe and in its as well. Therefore, NO MORE WARS!!! I would NOT wish any wars at all and especially in nearby places such as Georgia is.
When the war in Georgia started Poland as one of the first countries run immediately for help to Georgian people. Our politicians publically criticized the action of Russian army. This way Poland got in political conflict with Russia and our relations cooled down strongly. (Not mention that Poland, couple weeks before, signed agreement with USA to set National missile defense that would shield an entire country against incoming Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. Russia expressed strong disapproval).
I hope that Russia finally will not think only about its benefits and power but is looking for peace and political agreement with other nations. And that I think means political progress.