Tuesday 30 August 2011
Monday 29 August 2011
carnival time!
Three days' weekend is something you need muchly sometimes. In fact, I would not be bothered having it every month! :) And this time the extra day was urgently required... after moving on Saturday and settling (well - clearing and sorting my stuff) on Sunday, I really needed at least one day of total freedom and relaxation before coming back to work.
And I spent in a very extraordinary way, melting into crowds at Notting Hill Carnival. Lively streets full of colours, music, smiling faces and dancing. We had coconut drinks and some Caribbean food. After a whole day we got some rest in a nearby pub...
Back to reality tomorrow, but some pics coming soon!
If you want to watch a short video from the parade, you'll find it here.
My coconut drink!
And I spent in a very extraordinary way, melting into crowds at Notting Hill Carnival. Lively streets full of colours, music, smiling faces and dancing. We had coconut drinks and some Caribbean food. After a whole day we got some rest in a nearby pub...
Back to reality tomorrow, but some pics coming soon!
If you want to watch a short video from the parade, you'll find it here.
My coconut drink!
Thursday 25 August 2011
another movie experience
Today my movie choice turned out to be much better! I watched "One Day", which just came to the cinemas.
I haven't read the book, so I cannot judge the movie with the heaviness of reader's imagination and expectations... Sadly I guess, because although that would have made me a more demanding viewer and I might have not enjoyed it so much, now that I watched it first, when I reach for the book, I will have the scenes from the movie before my eyes. But on the other hand not reading the book and not hearing about the story ever before let me watch it and absorb it as a separate piece of art... and I liked it a lot!
I understand that British audience is appalled by Anne Hathaway's accent, but come on, that's not the main point of the story, is it? In the end, this what happened between the two, could have taken its place anywhere in the world...
I think the story is lovely, and I want to read the book as soon as I get it. I can then compare both and give my opinion about the movie in relation to the novel. But for now, I think that the movie itself is worthwhile - by taking us through the journey of growing up and through different life experiences, it shows how people can change, what transforms within them and what remains the same, how powerful are love, friendship, fear, loss.
And Jim Sturgess' look... oh it can kill sometimes! :)
I haven't read the book, so I cannot judge the movie with the heaviness of reader's imagination and expectations... Sadly I guess, because although that would have made me a more demanding viewer and I might have not enjoyed it so much, now that I watched it first, when I reach for the book, I will have the scenes from the movie before my eyes. But on the other hand not reading the book and not hearing about the story ever before let me watch it and absorb it as a separate piece of art... and I liked it a lot!
I understand that British audience is appalled by Anne Hathaway's accent, but come on, that's not the main point of the story, is it? In the end, this what happened between the two, could have taken its place anywhere in the world...
I think the story is lovely, and I want to read the book as soon as I get it. I can then compare both and give my opinion about the movie in relation to the novel. But for now, I think that the movie itself is worthwhile - by taking us through the journey of growing up and through different life experiences, it shows how people can change, what transforms within them and what remains the same, how powerful are love, friendship, fear, loss.
And Jim Sturgess' look... oh it can kill sometimes! :)
Wednesday 24 August 2011
pretty...
Yesterday - please don't laugh - I watched "Pretty Woman" for the first time. When it was out first, in 1990, I was a little kid and my parents had strict rules about what I could watch and what not (no violence, swearing, drugs, nudity or sex). The years passed by and I... simply forgot about this classical romantic comedy, modern Cinderella story.
So I watched it. Um, well. It is truly a classic I guess. Young, beautiful actors, Hollywood first league representatives in their very important roles. Sweet story, classic line of events to come - falling in love against the plan, some troubles on the way and finally the happy ending. Definitely a point of reference for any romantic comedy makers.
But on the second look, "Pretty Woman" seems to be very very sweet and... cheesy a bit. Not because the film is old (well, in 2011, it is old! and so I am kind of... can't believe this!:)). It's because, I think, it is all so not real and so naive. I can bet that Edward's life has not changed much since he decided to be with Vivian. He still was a very busy businessman, and it doesn't matter if once he made an ethically right decision about buying/selling a company. There were probably many other deals, when he did not try to be so righteous. And Vivian, could she really influence him so much? Yes, indeed, we see him walking on the grass with bare feet, but so what? Would he really limit his work and spend more time with the new girlfriend? Maybe actually she would be happy enough to be finally rich and be able to spend his money, so he would let him work all the time? To me this relationship seems like one that can remain for a few months only...
And one more thing. And this is only from the perspective of contemporary twenty-something year old woman, who I am. Looking at Vivian's decision in the end of the film, I thought - you could have done so much good to yourself, and you lost it all because of that guy... She wanted to go to San Francisco, find herself a proper job, finish school. She had the money to start a new life. She let it all go, because she was lonely, she was in love, and her fairytale seemed to have come true. Her prince arrived and climbed the stairs despite the fear of heights. And what next? I don't think she would bother herself with any further education, personal development, fulfilling work. She became a rich, happy woman of a rich guy. Pretty Woman. And that's all...
So I watched it. Um, well. It is truly a classic I guess. Young, beautiful actors, Hollywood first league representatives in their very important roles. Sweet story, classic line of events to come - falling in love against the plan, some troubles on the way and finally the happy ending. Definitely a point of reference for any romantic comedy makers.
But on the second look, "Pretty Woman" seems to be very very sweet and... cheesy a bit. Not because the film is old (well, in 2011, it is old! and so I am kind of... can't believe this!:)). It's because, I think, it is all so not real and so naive. I can bet that Edward's life has not changed much since he decided to be with Vivian. He still was a very busy businessman, and it doesn't matter if once he made an ethically right decision about buying/selling a company. There were probably many other deals, when he did not try to be so righteous. And Vivian, could she really influence him so much? Yes, indeed, we see him walking on the grass with bare feet, but so what? Would he really limit his work and spend more time with the new girlfriend? Maybe actually she would be happy enough to be finally rich and be able to spend his money, so he would let him work all the time? To me this relationship seems like one that can remain for a few months only...
And one more thing. And this is only from the perspective of contemporary twenty-something year old woman, who I am. Looking at Vivian's decision in the end of the film, I thought - you could have done so much good to yourself, and you lost it all because of that guy... She wanted to go to San Francisco, find herself a proper job, finish school. She had the money to start a new life. She let it all go, because she was lonely, she was in love, and her fairytale seemed to have come true. Her prince arrived and climbed the stairs despite the fear of heights. And what next? I don't think she would bother herself with any further education, personal development, fulfilling work. She became a rich, happy woman of a rich guy. Pretty Woman. And that's all...
Saturday 20 August 2011
in the meantime
No I didn't die.
Yes I'm still here.
I'm just... packing.
Slowly, bit after bit, piece after piece, everyday for some two weeks now. And I have one more to go.
I wish I could say I am going traveling, or at least flying away to see and stay with my friend M. in Thailand for a while, but that's none of those things. I'm just moving.
This weekend, since most of the stuff is in boxes already, I take two days "off". Today the weather was gracious and covered the piece of land where I am now with lots of sunshine... One of my best friends came over to visit. We wandered around, had delicious lunch, visited flea market, and ended up sunbathing on the pier... A really good relaxing day, something we both needed a lot!
And tomorrow I am seeing my workmate, who wants to show me around the place I will live nearby very soon. Fingers crossed for another sunny day and lots of positive vibes!
Yes I'm still here.
I'm just... packing.
Slowly, bit after bit, piece after piece, everyday for some two weeks now. And I have one more to go.
I wish I could say I am going traveling, or at least flying away to see and stay with my friend M. in Thailand for a while, but that's none of those things. I'm just moving.
This weekend, since most of the stuff is in boxes already, I take two days "off". Today the weather was gracious and covered the piece of land where I am now with lots of sunshine... One of my best friends came over to visit. We wandered around, had delicious lunch, visited flea market, and ended up sunbathing on the pier... A really good relaxing day, something we both needed a lot!
And tomorrow I am seeing my workmate, who wants to show me around the place I will live nearby very soon. Fingers crossed for another sunny day and lots of positive vibes!
Tuesday 2 August 2011
decision
I made it partly unconsciously, when - on the surface of my thoughts still considering my options (or rather the lack of it, and just the possibility with yes/no answer) - I bought the books required for the first course...
However, even after that it was not all straight forward. It turned out that my application needs to be considered and accepted. I had to send a copy of my MA diploma along with its translation, and obviously while registering send the payment to the university...
And today I got an email with confirmation. I have been accepted. So... here I go again. 2,5 years full-time job and studying in the evenings, writing essays during lunchtimes and dragging books on the buses.
Excited? YES.
A staircase to my dream-job reopens now.
However, even after that it was not all straight forward. It turned out that my application needs to be considered and accepted. I had to send a copy of my MA diploma along with its translation, and obviously while registering send the payment to the university...
And today I got an email with confirmation. I have been accepted. So... here I go again. 2,5 years full-time job and studying in the evenings, writing essays during lunchtimes and dragging books on the buses.
Excited? YES.
A staircase to my dream-job reopens now.
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