Instrucciones para subir una escalera

"Las escaleras se suben de frente, pues hacia atrás o de costado resultan particularmente incómodas. La actitud natural consiste en mantenerse de pie, los brazos colgando sin esfuerzo, la cabeza erguida aunque no tanto que los ojos dejen de ver los peldaños inmediatamente superiores al que se pisa, y respirando lenta y regularmente. Para subir una escalera  se comienza por levantar esa parte del cuerpo situada a la derecha abajo, envuelta casi siempre en cuero o gamuza, y que a salvo de excepciones cae exactamente en el escalón. Puesta en el primer peldaño dicha parte, que para abreviar llamaremos pie, se recoge la parte equivalente de la izquierda (también llamada pie, pero que no ha de confundir-se con el pie antes citado), y llevándola a la altura del pie, se le hace seguir hasta colocarla en el segundo peldaño, con lo cual en este descansará el pie, y en el primero descansará el pie. (Los primeros peldaños son siempre los más difíciles, hasta adquirir la coordinación necesaria. La coincidencia del nombre entre el pie y el pie hace difícil la explicación. Cuídese especialmente de no levantar al mismo tiempo el pie y el pie.)

Llegado a esta forma al segundo peldaño, basta repetir alternadamente los movimientos hasta encontrarse con el final de la escalera. Se sale de ella fácilmente, con un ligero golpe de talón que la fija en su sitio, del que no se moverá hasta el momento del descanso."

Julio Cortázar, "Instrucciones para subir una escalera", en Historias de Cronopios y de Famas.

Beauty

Seaside Village by Thomas Kinkade

"A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul."

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"And this, our life, exempt from public haunt,

Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,

Sermons in the stones, and good in everything."

- As You Like It by William Shakespeare

Untitled

"So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

- Mark Twain

On Domestic Times and Time

"The best time to plan a book is while you're doing the dishes."

"An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets the more interested he is in her."

 - AGATHA CHRISTIE

One Week Long Rest

I can't believe I already have a break from school. I've been in school for a month and a half, and it's incredible how fast this time has gone by. School keeps me so busy...! With so much to do I don't seem to have enough time in my hands, and thus it just flies by!

But now, I finally have a break. I have one whole week without going to school! I have time to breather! To relax! To break the routine! Yay!

Please don't think I'm going to just sit and scratch my nose all day long. That is not like me at ALL! No way... no, I'm going to spend some days in Holland. Yep, I'm going back there. I'm going to see my lovely best friend again! And I'm going to see my lovely Netherlands again, too. And all my friends there. And hopefully, some snow! I'm so excited about it, even though it's going to be short.

You might be asking yourself, how is school life going? Or, probably the right question would be, she's back in school?! Yep, ladies and gentlemen, I'm back in school. Since the 20th January, to be more precise. It's tons of fun, and although I have lots of work and I have to study very hard, I enjoy it so much! I am very thankful about it too because it really trains my self-discipline and responsability. Besides, you discover so many things...! Did you know that race-cars use nitrogen for their wheel tyres? If they used normal air, since it contains a small ammount of humidity, depending on the pressure changes in the atmosphere the tyres would also change pressure and size. Plus, if they used helium or hydrogen, the size of their particles is so small they would be able to squeeze in between the pores of the tyre material.

I've also discovered a love for Literature in general. It used to bore me to death but somehow (and partly thanks to my Spanish Lit. teacher), I've discovered that it really interests me. I really enjoy reading a poem in Catalan and Spanish now, and reading about the different artistic movements and the influence they had on art.

In case you're wondering what subjects I take, I take Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Catalan Literature, Spanish Literature, CMC, Philosophy, and English. I also have P.Ed, but I don't really count it in as a subject. English doesn't really count either, because I am so much ahead of the level they have over here; they still make me come out and do oral presentations and speakings, though. It's fun.

Well, I thought it was time for a little update. I'll keep anyone who's interested posted!

Batido de Algo

Batido. Smoothie. It all depends on the language. It's the same thing.

Click HERE.

Which is your favourite?

Ponderings On Collections

During my life, I have seen my friends collect many different things, most of them interesting, pretty, old, etc. I have seen people collect toy cars; people collect stamps; people collect seashells; people collect dry leaves and flowers; I collect key-rings.

But have you ever considered collecting...

...SOCKS?

My Uncle and Auntie gave me these socks for Christmas 2007 and ever since I've been attracted by... weird socks. Freaky socks. Colourful socks. Stripey socks. Call them what you will.

This is just the start.

Time

Time, by Hans Zimmer.

I have always been an admirer of a good OST. If it's good, the Original Soundtrack of a film, even when I haven't watched it, which is the case with the movie this track belongs to in particular, can convey such feelings to me. I've listened to the whole Inception OST, and as usual, Hans Zimmer has excelled himself.
May I add, Hans Zimmer is my favourite OST composer...?

Happy New 2011!!

Dear Allofyou,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

A couple of days ago I realised I never posted on my blog about New Year. I never wished the best to those few who still read my blog when I (occasionally) post. I never really thought about my blog during these holidays.

Truth is, I've been so busy I haven't really had a chance to write anywhere, not just only on this blog. Yes, I've been ironing.

Okay, that's not all I've been up to really, but it has consumed a good ammount of my time. Now that I think of it, I have a huge pile waiting for me to iron tomorrow, but that's not the point. The thing is that I've been busy, and I'm going to be busy for the rest of the year, hopefully, and for the rest of my life (that sounds so mysterious and enigmatic, doesn't it? I warn you, though... it doesn't have a second meaning to it, or a secret hidden behind the sentence), hopefully, but... I've been told that better late than never.

Thus, my darling friends and blogger people, I wish you the best on this 2011. Happy New Year!

Belleau Wood

I don't know if any of you have heard about the Battle of Belleau Wood. Personally, I heard about it a long time ago, and I'm still reading and searching about it.
That's not the point, though. This battle inspired this song I'm posting. I really like it, and I've listened to it today on our way back home from my Uncle's, where we spent the day. I thought it would be fitting, even though we don't have snow. Hope you like it!

***********************************************************

Oh, the snowflakes fell in silence
Over Belleau Wood that night
For a Christmas truce had been declared
By both sides of the fight
As we lay there in our trenches
The silence broke in two
By a German soldier singing
A song that we all knew

Though I did not know the language
The song was "Silent Night"
Then I heard my buddy whisper,
"All is calm and all is bright"
Then the fear and doubt surrounded me
'Cause I'd die if I was wrong,
But I stood up in my trench
And I began to sing along

Then across the frozen battlefield
Another's voice joined in
Until one by one each man became
A singer of the hymn

Then I thought that I was dreaming
For right there in my sight
Stood the German soldier
'Neath the falling flakes of white
And he raised his hand and smiled at me
As if he seemed to say
Here's hoping we both live
To see us find a better way

Subconscious

I have always admired the film companies' logos. You know, the mini clip, the mini video that comes out before the film starts, with the company's logo. Some of my favourites are:

The why I'm posting some of these videos is so you know exactly what I'm talking about, because I've no idea of the official name of the companies' "logo".
I've always admired them, and said, wow, they're so original... I would never be able to come up with such ideas! You know what, people? I was able to! But here's the weird part.
Our subconscious plays a lot with us. After a couple of days of thinking the thought once again, I had a dream, and in the dream I saw myself coming up with a logo in case some day I have my own film maker company. I was able to imagine a clip logo!! When I woke up and found out I remembered that part of the dream (as well as the rest, I'm thankful to say, because it was a beautiful dream), I was so happy, and wrote down how the clip went. I am so excited about it!
So, if I ever own a real, good movie maker, and actually know how to run it, I'll make my own clip of my own logo for my own company (unexistant, as of now, but... who knows?)

Nevaeh

As I wrote down "N...e...v..." to write down the title of this post, I saw that the computer remembered the title. Then I realised all of you blog readers know about Nevaeh already.

Or, you should.

Just kidding. In any case, for those of you who don't, Nevaeh is... is... huh, me, I guess. She's me in books, and she writes down all her adventures (my adventures) in her daily life, and most of all, those happy happenings that happened during the happening of my happened trip.

Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I like double p's words. [wink]

So. Back to Nevaeh. I wrote a couple of her stories on this blog, but as I started to write others on the red book, I decided it would be really neat to have her story on her own blog, so... THIS happened. (There you have that word again... *looks sheepish* Thorry!)

If any of you happen (ahem!) to have curiosity, you will have clicked on the link, and then, boom!, disappointment! (Two p's!) Cuz the blog is private! Yeah, since it's so much like my own life, I've decided to make it private, for, let's say, safety's sake? Whatevah. Anyway, the point of this post is that I don't exactly have all of my trusted readers' e-mail addresses, so, here goes. You want me to send an invitation to read the blog, to you? E-mail me! You know, the usual address: silvershadowofpalemoonlight [at] gmail [dot] com

Just ask for it, and make sure you add lots of double p's words, or else I might consider not inviting you!

Kate ♥

Kate is my cousin. May I add, my very talented cousin. I've had in mind posting about her and her works for a long time, and since I have her permission, what time better than now?

I've uploaded a couple of her paintings just to show my two favourites, but all of you should definitely check out her website, her shop and her flickr! Believe me when I say she's an amazing artist!

Here are the links:

Kate's WEBSITE
Kate's FLICKR
Kate's SHOP on Etsy

Tell me what do you think. Aren't they great?

Sometimes...

...I get melancholic.

Okay, so I'm not perfect. And I'm not made out of stone. I remind myself everyday that I should be content with my situation, that I shouldn't complain about what I don't have and be happy with what I have, but... sometimes I can't help it.

I really miss the U.S. of A.

I continually tell myself I should look back at the time I spent there and be grateful for it. Don't get me wrong, I do, and I'm ever so grateful for the time I spent there! But that just makes me ache inside and want to go back so bad I sometimes even end up crying. Homesickness for what I did there, for who I met there, for all I lived there.

Hello! I have an awesome family here that loves me tremendously! I've seen many friends already and they were all so happy to see me again! That made me love them so much, and it made me feel so loved, too. Then... why can't I be happy for the time I'm spending here, and just wait patiently for another opportunity to go there?

This is something I really struggle with. Contentment. Patience. [sighs] Oh well. The Lord will show.

Photoshoot Met Harm En Sonia

While I was in Holland, spending the last week of my four-month-trip, I had the tremendous opportunity of going out with my best friend and her boyfriend for a photoshoot.

Truth be said, I had the time of my life. Camera in hand, best friend with me, and getting to know her incredible boyfriend. What else can I ask for? The couple was so much fun to work with, and so cooperative. I really enjoyed seeing them so happy together. =)

Anyway, want a sneek-peek? ^^

They're so cute together! I'm so happy for Sonia! Want to see some more? Click HERE!

Home Secrets

This video is a family favourite. It's one of my favourite Disney shorts. And...



...you know you're home with your crazy siblings when you start imitating hens and pigs and ducks while clearing the supper table. Check out minute 1:20, 2:18, 4:17 and 6:08. We know the song off by heart!
I love my siblings, by the way. =) ♥

Commitment

As the title may suggest, I have made a commitment! I'm goind to post in both blogs at least once a week. =) I will try to find something to post about on this blog, and I have more than enough pictures to post on my PhotoBlog. So!
Commitment made, commitment kept (hopefully :P).

Washing the Dishes by Mummy

I the model, my mother the artist.

I was very rewarded when my Mummy noticed even the hour of the night in which I washed the dishes for her a couple nights ago. She even included my singing! Isn't she a darling? ♥

Home

Aren't some things ironic? When I'm away from home, I long for a hug from my parents. When I'm here... I long for snowy winter days in flat land.

Home, Sweet Home

And so, my four month trip has come to an end.

I can't believe this is over. It seems like it was yesterday that my parents called me down to the kitchen and told me, "Yes! You can go! You can start making plans." It seems like it was yesterday that I phoned and e-mailed all my friends telling them my exciting news. Whoa, where has time gone? 3rd of May is as fresh in my mind as if I were living it today. *Sighs*

This trip has been incredible. I can't even start to explain how much it has helped me to grow personally and spiritually, and it has been such a huge gift to be able to meet all my pen-friends!

Things haven't really changed here. My bedroom is still a mess [grin, just kidding].

Well, some things have.

No, seriously. My little big brother is a head taller than me, and his voice has changed to a deep, low manly voice that I really like. That is one huge change that I have to get used to. But we're still as close as before... or should I say, we're closer than ever? After my darling Mummy and youngest brother had picked me up from the airport (the latter repeating that I was the best present ever, because it recently was his birthday, although I'm wondering if he really meant it as a hint :P), we went my little big brother from school, and when he saw me he smiled and hugged me in front of all his friends! That was so special to me =)

The other big change that almost broke my heart was the news that Black Jack, my favourite kitten, ran away a couple of months ago. It really made me sad, but Scotty, our other kitten (he's well over two years old now, but I can't stop calling him my kitty) remembered me, and that same night, when I went outside to just think, he came over and plopped himself on my lap.

Let me add something to this post: even though I miss my friends terribly and I wish I were back in Holland, I LOVE BEING HOME!

After picking up my brother from school we went home. The house was still painted yellow. The flowers still invaded the garden/yard, and Skitty was still slumbering in the shade. It almost looked exactly as I had left it four months ago. But...! Surprise! There were two balloons at the gate. And once I had gone into the house, I saw balloons ALL over the place, and hand-made garlands hanging from the lights and the ceilings, and posters with "Welcome Home, Anna!" all over the place. Do you wonder why it's good to be home? It made me feel so good inside. My family had really looked forward to my coming back, and are really making me feel welcome.

They're so awesome. :)

You know, it's also lots of fun to introduce the new treasures I have to the old ones I had. I hope they get along fine when I'm not in the room!

And so, as someone said somewhere, this is the end of my trip... but it's also another beginning. Thank God. ♥