miercuri, 27 februarie 2013

some truths...

I've been reading Crisis Magazine for a few months now, and I really like and approve with much of what it says. Here's what I've read today, with highlight on the parts I find to be deeply and sadly true:

 
The Church has far to go to realize its potential to inspire and educate its own flock.
Benedict’s promulgation of the Year of Faith is meant to be a call for Catholic rejuvenation. Crisis will do its part to build up the Body of Christ. The work of the Church, however, is never complete. The challenges to faith are as grave as ever.

Our culture has largely lost its Christian character. We now speak of the twenty-first century as a post-Christian era. The press, academia, and, more ominously, the state conspire together to remove every remaining vestige of religious expression from public life. (....) And now freedom of conscience is under assault.


John M. Vella
Editor
Crisis Magazine


 http://www.crisismagazine.com/


Today is the last day Benedict XVI- Joseph Ratzinger- is Pope, he will be Pope no more starting with 8.00 am tomorrow. I don't know why it gives me the shivers... 
source: dailymail.co.uk

marți, 26 februarie 2013

I don't like people....

...or at least not many people, except of course for my family and close friends. I like meeting new people but only up to the point of knowing about them as much as I need or want to know, as I am not curious about other people's life, unless it affects mine...I know this is not very nice of me to say, but I'd rather be honest. What I guess you might have realized is that I, on the other hand, love all animals. Especially the helpless or hurt ones make me cry, which is more than I can say about people. The only ones that make me cry are old and helpless people, neglected by their families, like I've seen last evening on TV. A very old woman, 90 or so, was being fined by the state because she (or rather said her family) didn't check-up and instead received for many years now an allowance which was not really hers; and now the poor old lady had to pay from her own small allowance a monthly amount, which would probably be by the end of her days. That really made me sad, as I think that there are so many billionairs out there who manage to escape fines, but this poor old lady can't, especially since she probably didn't see a penny of those money, but her family spent it.
           That is a sad case, and that is my main reason for not watching TV.
           On the other hand there are the animals. As you could see from my photos, all my cats are of mixed breeds, no pedigree there! Sheeba was collected together with poor Mishu from an apartment building's backyard, and that after much struggle to catch Sheeba, who was (and partially still is) very wild. Jackie was picked-up from a bar in Hunedoara, being nobody's cat and probably not facing a very happy future...and Eisidisi is the only cat we have received from M's gradmother as a companian for Sheeba after Mishu passed away so suddenly. So I can say I trully do not understand people who pay for pets, when there are so many preety souls out there, and you can see my cats are healthy and beautiful! And so smart! That's just my choice, nobody has to think the same or do the same, it's just my belief!
          All this was triggered by an experience I had today when in my office. You remember that from my window I can see a flock of sheep. Well, with Easter around the corner, almost all of them are mommies right now! And they have beautiful babies that run and run all day long. They make me smile each morning, and when I want to unburden my mind I just take a glance out the window of my office. Today we had an awful weather, all day long rain and clouds, and misty cold during the morning. I got to see my wonderful neighbours only in the afternoon, and then one of my colleagues noticed that one of the babies was apart from the flock and from his mother. His poor mother was trying to get to him, but he was preety far from the flock and near an old building, where three huge dogs were chasing his poor mother away over and over again! You might imagine my despair when I saw this, I looked out the window for more than half an hour not being able to do anything but stare and cry. Poor little helpless thing was laying on the grass, izolated from his mother, who was back with the others, but very alert and still trying to get to him! And she tried, and tried and tried, but those mean dogs kept chasing her back! Now I do understand the laws of nature, but normally this shouldn't happen, as a sheperd should always watch for his flock, right? Well, there was no such guy in sight...so I stayed, and waited to see what happens, and when I saw that nothing does happen, I took my scarf, my cell phone (now why in the world did I do that??) and my umbrella, and got out of our building.
             The spot where I made the red ring was the place where my poor little sheep was laying on the humid grass! All the other sheep are on the far right, you can't even see it in this picture; that's why I had to make this one:
...and on the right side are the sheep....see how awful the weather was??

             Once I was on the other side of the road I started walking through the wet grass and mud (thank God I have my riding boots on today!) and I had to make a small detour as I had no idea there was a ditch with water and when I was on the other side the dogs started to bark at me. Now I am terrified with big stray dogs, (especially German Shepperd mix!) and of course today was no exception, but I had the poor baby in sight and I started yelling furiously at the dogs, who by some miracle were afraid and went back!!! I paced slowly and took the poor cold thing in my arms and my heart just melted! he was sooo cold and wet and could hardly cry! I can't make you believe, but the poor mother was just looking at me like in wonder when she saw me taking him towards her, and she even made a few fearful steps in my direction!
I of course see stuff like this on TV, how mothers care for their offspring, but I have to admit that I had no idea they are soooo attached! And I call myself a village girl, right????
               I  managed to bring the baby to his mother and then went back carefully not to step into sheep poo (which I didn't totally manage to do, btw, my shoes stink...)but my clothes smell of sheep from having the poor baby in my arms....but I tried not to hold him very much in my arms, as I didn't want the mother to abandon him or stuff like that if she felt my smell on him, and when I put him back on the ground I tried to leave him on his own legs, but he hesitated at first, but after holding him a while he managed to stand! His mother was coming closer to us now and he turned his small face towards me and I melted, but got quickly away, as I didn't want to scare her more than she already was.
             I still feel strange about the feelings I felt coming from that poor sheep who almost lost her baby....it's so strange that I can't even put it in words. And I know that some might try to say that it is only my imagination, but I know what I saw and what I felt.

I hope you have a wonderful quiet evening!
Bisous!

luni, 25 februarie 2013

at random...and a new addition...

        During the last 5 or 6years of my life I've had a lot of contact with people with lots of money, and they all left me with a strange impression. Is it the money, or the other people around them that make them so petty? so careless and oblivious of others?
        How is it that even people who started from the bottom up forget where they were, and become insensible to others? is it the money that corrupt or the people following them everywhere, the material people wo ask and ask and ask...
         Not being my intention to defend "poor" rich people, I still do believe that at one point they can't distinguish between people who like them for their money and people who like them for themselves....not that the latter cathegory is very large....
         In this respect probably it is not the one who has the money himself who suffers the big change, but the people around him.
          I sometimes wonder if they don't feel sick when one individual or the other sweet talks them into giving them eigther a bigger salary, or gas or money or God knows what, and if that sweet talk is a thing they urgely need, like a recognition of power, or it is sincere compassion. And after so many requests they get tired of giving...
         On the other side of this we find the employers who have millions and millions and when it comes to give a raise of a couple of hundreds...they hesitate as to if the person deserves it. And it may be that the person in question works for him from dusk 'till dawn and has two or three children and has the monthly salary equal to what the employer himself spends in one night out... This contrast makes me sick; as you can see things like this on a daily basis. Unfortunately this is the cruel reality in our world, and I am very sure this is not the case only in Romania. Money do change everything, and it depends on the way a person gets rich that will be definitory for his future actions. Money hardly deserved will hardly leave a mark, as money hard earned will be harder to spend...
         When I was in school we learned about the casts in India, there was a supposition that there were only two social cathegories in that country, and those cathegories were: the very rich and the very poor. That's what I well remember learning, but now I know that many things you learn in school can be wrong, as they can be outdated and not verified missconceptions. I have to admit that I can hardly say I know more about this country than what I did back then, as my interests are very large, but hardly include that type of knowledge. You may have realized by now that I am fascinated by old culture, from the historical point of view; and not by our contemporary times.
           Still, as I am slowly reaching the 8th year of my working experience, and the money I earn are well worked for and still to little as per my needs, I start to wonder if I will ever be able to buy a house, a car...or a horse for that matter...
            As everywhere, and I may believe that even India has evolved from what I once knew,  we have rich people and poor people, and then there are some intermediary cathegories, of people struggling to make something, to enjoy and feel good, and especially to leave something behind. We give up some things in order to do others, but we live our lives to the full, and try to never look back.
           I guess I am grateful for my employer, who appreciates my work and partially understands me. It is really hard to find a well paid job right now everywhere, not only in Romania, and I was lucky to evolve and learn in the same company, never having to change my job for 8 whole years and having a steady growth in my income, let alone the fact that the apartment I live in is theirs and the rent is acceptable.
          My job asks that I understand my boss very well and know exactly who does what  in the company so that everything goes smooth, and I have to say it was not an easy job at the beginning, as I had to coordinate people much older than me, who were much older in the company, and people do not take it well when they are told what to do by a kid, especially a 158 cm tall girl. Thank goodness for my big mouth and ability to speak, and even so I had a hard time.
          And I am especially lucky for my foreign language skills, as this brings me my everyday bread, otherwise I would probably be a newspapes seller, or something like that... I heard this line in a movie : "Nothing breaks the spirit like the lack of money" and I have to admit this is entirely true, even my books cost money, and if you don't have money you have to make it, so there's no time for reading...and this goes on and on...Or who would dream of horse riding, which is very expensive, if I had a minimum wage? And even so, I have to sacrifice so many things in order to go riding every Sunday....
          A-propos about riding...I of course went yesterday and rode Mary...and even trotted!!! Even I can't believe it, but I trully did! At first I realized she was agitated and wanted to run, she was like a child who wanted to play, but as she bolted I wasn't prepared and lost my grip, then I asked my trainer to shorten my stirrups and then we could trot happily......if I can call it trot, as I was mostly bouncing back and forth on poor Mary's back...and when I started to get the picture..she was already tired. I don't know if you've noticed ...but she's preety fat...and I am also not very slim...so we make a perfect match...:D
           The only downside is that she's a little to big to handle...and that would still be ok if it weren't for her stubborness...or my distrust in my own capacities...Anyway, I bounced alot...trotted a little, but was not very pleased with myself in general...as I know I can and have to do better. Don't ask me why I am so determined...because I have no idea...it is probably just like with my riding my motorcycle...it took me almost a year to do it properly, but I just couldn't give up...
           As I watched the short movies Arthur made I realize I have a very long and literally bumpy road to go....but that only makes me crazier and frantic to go there more often and ride...and I feel strange that the more I evolve the more I become more impatient and want to do better...
          After I got down from Mary's saddle, Nicu, the horse trainer and my trainer's boss, took her for a "spin" and I realized he does it so naturally and simply that I have to admit I started to cry in anger with myself! I am the one that does it wrong and I can't blame Mary for being stubborn, as she is sheepish under his reigns.
          I know he has 25 years or so of experience with horses, but I shurely wished I understood Mary better, and know what to do so that she doesn't just carry me, but rather I tell her what to do and where to go. After he left her to be taken back into her stall I went there and talked to her, and rubbed her and also felt a little sorry for her as she was so swetty.... but I guess she really needs the exercise...and I am unfortunately NOT the one to make it with her...
          I just couldn't make her go one way and follow one horse, and poor Mary was so disoriented that when I watched the films I was struck by my own incapability to impose myself. Poor soul wanted to be led.....I know she's not a leader, but a follower, and because the "monkey" on her back couldn't tell her what to do she was desperately trying to follow someone...she was in the middle of the hall, going this way and that way...as the horses would get closer on one part or the other....and I repeat myself, but I was and still am so mad that I could kick myself  for being so stupid....she is so lovely and she wanted to be with the others...and I just stood in her way!
        We'll have to do it better next time...as even though the accomplishments I have are very small, I want her to be my first horse, the one that teaches me the "ropes" of riding! And I trully think she's a good exercise for my self trust...which is clearly my overall problem, even though I hardly show it.
         She'll teach me how to trully ride, as riding means more than just sitting on a saddle, and implies much more the mind than the hands or legs so that I will have to show her what I want of her, and instead I will love her from all my heart, as I have from the first time I laid my eyes on her. I am shure we'll make a wonderful pair and she's so beautiful and sweet!
         In the end, I just have to share with you the news: there's one extraordinary new addition to the team at Herneacova:
...I don't know his name, I just know he's new and shy and the most beautiful horse I've ever seen in my life! Here he is trained by Nicu, I've never seen such grace and who would have thaught it can be possible in such a huge being! He's soooo beautiful!
Wishing you a wonderful week, bisous!








vineri, 22 februarie 2013

my week so far...

Sorry for the silence, it just looks like the whole world (and stars, and planets...etc...) is against me, so that I have hardly time to read, let alone to write....so I'll be brief once more, like all my posts as of late....
I've been terribly missing my sweethearts:
Teodora

and Flavia
..they are my little sunshines!
I had lots and lots of healthy and tasty good food (mostly cooked by Tunde, I've been very lazy!)
yummy fish in salt crust

beans and corn and carrots...


cherry tomatoes....

and Romanian yummy green salad
....made for a great salad...but of course that after we've finished preparing the salad I forgot to take pictures of the finished product (we were too hungry!)
Of course, I'm not a saint, so we had some cookies too!!!
bottom left one squished by Tunde's bag!!! :D
...like this very good one I bought for Valentine's for Tunde and Markus....He was working so I spent my evening with Tunde....but here's what I found on my table when coming home from work:


Domeniul Coroanei -Tamaioasa Roza(a noble wine!)
...and of course he had a present from me too:
Valentine's aside, I hardly get to see my boyfriend during the week, so thank God for cheap phone subscriptions! On the other hand, it gives me more time to spend with my friends and their wonderful pets:
guilty Baby in her mommy's arms

 you can see Tunde's dwarf arm compared to huge Baby
Did I mention Baby weighs 25 kilos???????????????????????????? HUUUUGE Baby!
Milli- Aura's kitty and her huge ass :D

Milli visiting Tunde's couch
I have to mention here that Milli is trully the only cat I fear on this planet (of course I mean house cats, and not include lions, tigers...etc...:D) as she is somewhat menacing...she doesn't like me and she senses I am afraid of her...so there is always a tense atmosphere between us 2...and as you can see from my photos...I am keeping a safe and healthy distance!
Last Sunday, as we, the three riders, went to Herneacova, the guys (and here I mean my M and Tunde's M plus Tunde's M's friend (?!?),  mr. U; as Arthur was MIA coming home from the first bikers' festival this year- Bikes on Ice) were Baby-sitters (:D) and went shopping and then cooked pasta and fish for us (which of course I forgot to photograph!), and my M made yummy apple pie:
...and I took these Photos because he reminded me...otherwise...
the final product

And during the week we also tasted Tunde's red Porto:
...and it was gooood!
 ...and ate some super duper tasty horses....
..of gingerbread! Nice, huh?
I have to run but not before telling you that myself...
 ..and my wacky cats...
wish you much quiet for a good sleep...
and a super duper happy weekend!
Bisous!!!

vineri, 15 februarie 2013

Weekend, at last!

I am a little bit down these days, as the weather is so gloomy, and work is stressful, and my own time is very limited, so I don't know what to do to make myself feel better. I have a hunch that I'm going to catch a cold...so I'll have to be more careful, drink more tea and dress warmer...
I only want to share a cute clip and song from one of the youtube channels that make my day a little bit easier:
Yes, of course it's about a horse and a girl! I am aware of the fact that I may be stressing everybody around me with this obsession, but believe me, the only thing that makes me smile when I get up in the morning is the thaught that I'm going to see her:


and all the other sweethearts on Sunday morning!
Wish you all a sunny and happy weekend!
Bisous!

miercuri, 13 februarie 2013

Pamfil....

I was just the other day to visit my childhood friend, Alida, and she was mad with me because I've been posting photos of all the preety pets in my life, except for her beautiful black:




                Only the photos on the microvawe are from Monday evening, the second is from some long time ago, when she and Tarcea were still girlfriend and boyfriend and living in the Complex area of Timisoara, and the last one is from the house they lived in after moving out of the old Complex apartment.
                He really is a beauty, and he's very gentle.....when he's left in my care and the "parents" are on hollyday he loves me very much, embraces, kisses me and sleeps in my lap, being grateful for the attention. When he's having his parents all for himself, and an "intruder" like me comes to visit, he's mainly focused on attacking left out toes and fingers.....if lucky! But I've learned my  lesson well, and profit from when he's desperate for attention, but also always wear socks when Alida and Tarcea are at home! aaa...and never leave my hand hanging.....
                I have to say I am preety lucky to have friends with pets, but I guess that comes natural, as people who are the same tend to get together....we all love cats, dogs, horses....I can expand on that, as I also love sheep, cows, goats, and all critters in general....but I guess that's genetically written in my DNA, as my father was a vet.....
               On another course of action....here's what I've been up to lately (this week looks very busy, so I won't be posting alot):

 ...been tasting some really good home-made wine, from the wonderful glass Blondi gifted me with...
...been eating some really good cooked meals thanks to Tunde....
...tasted Porto wine for the first time in my life! and not the last, as last evening we opened a bottle of red Porto! yummy!....
....been missing my ride alot....
...there's the beauty....
If you want to be loved, love!
...learned some really true stuff, thanks to one of my favourite Latina Blogs : Bestiaria Latina .....

...and thanks to that same wonderful blog I realized other (more painful) truths...


Thank you so much for dropping by!
Bisous!!!!

p.s.  And here's my last message, specially posted here for Geani: if you want me to post photos of Baiatu, please send me some...

marți, 12 februarie 2013

Not yet spring....

...but I'm waiting for it with all my heart!
In the meantime, guess what I've been up to...
making essays for M (for his faculty exams)

shamelessly stalking Jackie while sleeping....

...and again......

...and again.....

...and just couldn't stop....she's sooo cute!....

been ignored by others

...played with others....

....loved by others....

...been making fun of Eisi....

...and irritating Sheeba...

....watching them love eachother so much (Eisi is castrated! don't get ideas!)

shopping really good shampoo...

..and some more shopping...

...eating healthier....

drinking champagne for breakfast (at weekends!)

...stalking some more...

...loving some more....

...missing my adorable nieces some more....

...and much more....


...teaching Jackie how to swim....
...convincing Alida....

...and Gianina to go to Herneacova with me....
playing around with this beautiful lady....
...and getting to know eachother better each Sunday....
...I think I am inlove....
...and who could blame me????....
...now really, who could???
...been also stalking Tunde a little and grinning shamelessly about it as you can see....
...and trotted a little on darling Carina...
...and all in all... just being plane HAPPY!!!!
Thank you so much for dropping by!
Bisous!