My personal paradise

I've found my personal paradise down here South. I believe one can find paradises anywhere, and perhaps it's also necessary having one to go when the world starts running too fast. My newly discovered paradise is up on the mountain, under a pine-tree offering shaddow in the heath. The view is magnificent with snow-covered mountains to the East, the city to the West, hills in the North and villages in the South. The Earth is rusty red, the rich meadows are covered with yellow flowers glittering in the sun, the grass is freshly green and the sky is as blue as only the sky can be. It's a peaceful place. It's a free place. A place for meditation and recovery. My place.

Tick, tock, tick, tock....

The clock is ticking. Seconds are passing, minutes are passing, hours are passing, even days are passing. Time passes incredibly slowly when you are waiting for your beloved one. At least there is movement, the second hand is going clockwise, no matter how slowly. Lucky are those who own the virtue of patience. I wish I knew where to get it... Tito, I'm counting the seconds to be with you. May the two remaining weeks misteriously disappear in thin air. Still knowing, that in two weeks there are a lot of seconds. One million, two-hundred-and-nine thousand, six-hundred to be exact.

AJ and Willow's trip to the playground

Humpty-Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty-Dumpty had a great fall;
Threescore men and threescore more
Cannot place Humpty-Dumpty as he was before.

Who says only kids can have fun at the playground? (And no, there were no kids there waiting for us to finish so they could play.)

Darkness

You're in the forest all alone, and it's completely dark. You bump into trees, you fall over roots, and you use all your senses apart from one. Vision. The noises seem louder, the smells stronger and the taste of fear is starting to form itself on your tongue. Struggling against a feeling of starting panic, you start going faster. Not knowing where you are, not knowing where you'll go. You just want to get out. And the all of a sudden you see two bright, shining stars above you. They give you hope. Maybe the moon will come out too. The stars approach you and you understand that you've been mistaken. They are not stars. They are eyes. Yellow eyes.

Nice things

Nice things I've done the past week:

had Belgian waffles with ice-cream and chocolate together with fabulous friends

seen Casanova at the movies (it was funny!)

laughed my head off seeing my crazy friend ordering an enormously huge bucket of popcorn, nachos with cheese and an extra large cup of coke at the movies, and then trying to consume it all (she is a small lady!)

experienced a small carnaval and a chess tournament down town on the regional holiday

had tapas and sangría in the sun with other fabulous people

enjoyed the smell of honey from almond trees in bloom walking up to my university

started reading a new book, that actually gets me up at 8 a.m. just to read it (thanks Lou!)

Signs that spring might be on its way

Although there is frost on the ground in the morning...




...and you'd prefer to keep as close to a warm source as possible...




...the tree-buds are slowly coming out; as are the flowers that smell so lovely...




...and you can't help but smile. It's a wonderfully changing season.

Today I met Mr. Charles

Walking up the last hill to my university this morning, something interrupted me in my daydreaming. In the middle of the road, right in front of me, appeared a beautiful gent dressed in his finest outfit. His bushy tale looked like he'd spent quite some time in front of the mirror. So we stood there for a while, looking at each other. Then he told me he was Mr. Charles the Squirrel and I told him I was Willow the Dreamer. Mr. Charles was looking for ripe spruce cones. I helped him look for some time, before he had to leave. Told me the missus was waiting for him in top of the gigantic cypress, so he'd better get going. We said our good-byes, and I continued up the hill to have my daily doses of library knowledge.

A new day

There's something refreshing about waking up early. You get a head start of the day, before everybody else. The first sunrays give promise that it will be a beautiful day. A day for getting duties done. A day for a walk in the park. A day for sitting in the sun - reading or daydreaming. And in the end you feel great, because you have done all the things you had to do and also those you wanted to do.

Happy Valentine's Day

Camomile Tea
by Katherine Mansfield

Outside the sky is light with stars;
There's a hollow roaring from the sea.
And, alas! for the little almond flowers,
The wind is shaking the almond tree.

How little I thought, a year ago,
In the horrible cottage upon the Lee
That he and I should be sitting so
And sipping a cup of camomile tea.

Light as feathers the witches fly,
The horn of the moon is plain to see;
By a firefly under a jonquil flower
A goblin toasts a bumble-bee.

We might be fifty, we might be five,
So snug, so compact, so wise are we!
Under the kitchen-table leg
My knee is pressing against his knee.

Our shutters are shut, the fire is low,
The tap is dripping peacefully;
The saucepan shadows on the wall
Are black and round and plain to see.

Cherish the moment

Having spent a few wonderful days in Titonia, I've gotten a year older, have learned that love has no limits and that drinking Indian orange tea (from new, matching cups) with Tito is really nice.




One should always appreciate the time shared with special persons, no matter how much or how little.

Titonia

Tito & Willow

Happily renunited
In Titonia

Life is wonderful

Siberian Cold - I welcome you!

Looking out the window, I see big flakes of wet snow falling. From my window in Spain! From my window in the southern corner of Europe where it's supposed to be warm all year round. (I've unveiled a myth.) Touching the snow falling makes me feel at home, remembering all the snowmen I've made through the years. Although I'm sure it will disappear ones it hits the ground.

This is just surreal.

Old people are beautiful

Old people know how to appreciate the small (and important) things in life. They generally are very wise and can tell you the most amazing stories from a long life. They can also teach you a thing or two.




Here are a few descriptions of old people I have seen this past week.

The week started with a small lady and her dressed up Chihuahua. Since it is so cold here, I thought it very responsible to make sure the dog wasn't freezing as well. Stopping in front of the bank, the lady began singing to her dog. The dog sat down and began wagging its tail, clearly enjoying it.

As I walked to the university one day, I saw an old man with his daughter. They were giggling a lot, and all of a sudden the old man began running! He sure proved he was in very good shape, and I couldn't help smiling. His handsome wrinkled face beamed back at me with a nearly toothless smile.

Calling my own grandmother the other day, made me feel much loved. She was thanking me for calling her all the way from Spain, and made me believe this was her highlight of the day. She told me about how much she likes her weekly trip to the local café with a friend. She gets to go out, meet people and feel part of the society.

Riding the bus yesterday, my mind being elsewhere, an old man with a barrette and a green coat sat down next to me. He began talking to me, telling me about his favourite movie. Then he asked me how old I thought he was. Taking some time to think, I told him perhaps 70. This made him so pleased, while it proved that exercising had helped keeping him young. He could tell me I was wrong by 7 years. He was very much interested in the Vikings, and made me tell him about then. The long bus ride seemed to be over before it had even started. He got off and 2 stops later I got off. I was left with a feeling of having met someone interesting.




What always makes me happy is seeing old couples walking hand in hand or kissing like the couple I saw the other day wearing identical training suits and snickers. They seemed to be very much in love, something giving me a lot of faith for the future.

Old people are beautiful.

A new morning has been born

When I woke up this morning, it was hard to let go of my dream. I had spent the night meditating in the Rocky Mountains. I had seen sunrises and sunsets, and had never imagined how beautiful the Rockies could be. There was silence, peace, fresh air, a place for filling up on energies...




Looking out the window, I saw 10 hot air balloons. Pinching my arm, I discovered it had to be real. Going out on the balcony to see them better, a man waved down at me from the nearest one. And I waved back.

I normally wouldn't respond to this, but....

I've been tagged by Call if you need me.

Here are the rules of the game:
1. The tagged victim has to come up with 8 different points of their perfect lover.
2. Need to mention the sex of the target.
3. Tag 8 victims to join this game & leave a comment on their blog saying they've been tagged.
4. If tagged the 2nd time, there's no need to post again.

My perfect lover is a male who...

1. Dances merengue.
2. Eats vegetables.
3. Does his best to make the world a little bit better.
4. Talks about "us" rather than "me" and "you".
5. Shares my future hopes and desires.
6. Makes me become a better person.
7. Is beautiful.
8. Is magic...

Oh, whaddayaknow, I think I've just described Tito! ;o)

I choose to tag... CattyCanadian, Mildrid, Skaperen and
Vox Cani.

A tidal wave

Stress, nervousness, lack of sleep, inadequateness, unwellness, a mountain of heavy schoolwork due, frustrations, despair... All washed away.

Reading makes magic

Reading makes magic by Wendy Christensen

Willow loves reading fiction.
Willow has exams within a 3 weeks time.

Question 1: Should Willow be allowed to spend part of her spare time reading something she truly enjoys, something magic?

Question 2: Would reading something pleasant actually motivate Willow to more efficient studying for her exams afterwards?

And that was the end of winter and snow

Unfortunately all good things have an end. So do Christmas vaccations. Being on the move for 16 hours took me back to the Warm South (that is not all that warm.) It's good to be back, although I'm left with a feeling of emptyness where my family, friends back home and Tito have been. Does anyone want to keep me company?

Happy New Year 2006!

There is no such thing as cold weather - just inapropiate clothing

It's been cold, but that could not keep the two ski-enthusiasts away from the forest!

-16 degrees. Powdery snow. Silence. Frost smoke. A few other skiers greeting you. A hot tea and packed lunch break in the middle of the forest. A low, shining sun. Glitter on snow. Hills. A few falls in the soft snow... Skiing into the sunset at 3:00pm. Two big smiles packed in under thick scarves and woolen hats.



And hot chocolate by the fireplace afterwards. A wondrous day!

Merry Christmas!

Special thoughts go out to all our loved ones. May you be happy and successful in all your doings. Hugs&Kisses

Tito&Willow

Ginger, chocolate and love

Creating a future tradition
Constructing a home
Building a gingerbread cookiehouse.
Tito & Willow

Home at last!

Surrounded by Tito's arms, I'm right where I want to be. Looking forward to spend a wonderful Christmas together, I feel fortunate, happy and loved.

Cups of coffee

Being the second last day of school before the holidays, people seem to be in a very good mood. Personally I feel very ready for going home to be with my family, my friends, and most importantly with Tito. Only 4 students showed up at today's final class, so our professor invited us for coffee in the university cafeteria. I had brought ginger cookies. Sharing stories about language, about archaeological fieldtrips to France and our study, I was enjoying myself a lot. I have great fellow students and great professors.

Santa Lucia

December 13th is a date I associate with joy and expectations. When I was a little girl we used to celebrate the day of Santa Lucia every year, dressing up in white robes and glitter. Our parents helped us make some special yellow cakes with saffron that we put in a basket. With cakes and a lit candlelight, we would go out in the snow after dark. Then we would knock on all our neighbours' doors and sing the Lucia-song when they opened. We would give them a cake and got sweets, cookies and mandarins in return. Such nice memories.

3rd Sunday of Advent

I love sleepy Sundays. This one I plan to spend relaxing on the sofa with a good book. I'll have tea and cookies, and my candle is already lit. What's your Sunday like?

Going away for a few days to Lisbon with friends

Lessons learned:

1. Make sure to ask at any transit bus station if the city has more than one station!





2. If you happen not to ask, don't despair if you are stranded in an unknown city in the middle of the night - there is always a way out.


3. The value of having a network can never be underestimated: If you make a nightly emergency-call to the only person you know in the city, and you're told that "no problem, you can crash at my place for the night," you feel very grateful. Thank you, Chris!!!


4. Dancing Merengue can make you feel better no matter how tired, stressed and hungry you are.


5. A Spanish tortilla tastes like the most amazing thing you've ever had when you're tired, stressed and hungry at 4:00 am.


6. An extra blanket will help you freeze less during the night.


7. Don't despair if you're made to wait and wait and wait, while given a thousand contradictory messages at the bus station the morning after you should have left.


8. A call from Tito telling you everything will be all right while waiting for further notice, can almost make you cry. And as usual, Tito is not wrong. Your ticket, that you were told was lost several times before, is finally changed. You can lean back, start breathing again and enjoy the 6 hours bus-ride to Lisbon.

Highlights:

1. The castles of Sintra.


2. The amazing greenness of the region (green grass, green trees and green bushes as far as you can see.)


3. Having an authentic bacalao with port-wine.


4. The view from the São Jorge castle.


5. 17 degrees in December.


6. Meeting lots of great people.

2nd Sunday of Advent

I forgot the last one, but this one I made sure to remember. Getting up at 8:00am, I went to the living room wearing my overly sweet teddybear-patterned pyjamas. Cuddling myself up in the sofa under a thick blanket, with my breakfast and a cup of lovely lemon-tea, I was ready for a day of pure enjoyment. Turning on the TV, I watched cartoons for a couple of hours - just like I used to do when I was a child. Some things you just never grow too old for, and I did enjoy every minute of it. Lighting my apple-scented candle, I started writing Christmas cards. I love the tradition of sending (and receiving!) cards to my loved ones.




Feeling a touch of Christmas spirit (as a result of a txt from my family telling me they were making gingerbread cookies), I too decided to make cookies. And, without any false modesty, they turned out pretty damn delicious! Anyone wants to taste?

Sensing India

When I go with Kim and the Tibetan holy lama on the te-rain to Benares, I can almost hear India. When Kim changes his Sahib schoolboy clothes for the attire of a low-caste Hindi boy, I can almost see India. When he licks his finger after having consumed a greasy mutton with cabbage accompanied by rice with a scent of cardamom, I can almost taste India. When Kim has run away from the infantry and is enjoying his freedom on the road, I can almost feel India.

Reading a good book is a wonderful thing, and the reality-escape is even better. Does your book take you to far away places where you forget everything about time and space?

A blue ship

When Willow woke up from a nap between the two towers of her university one day, the big Roman-arched windows gave her a beautiful view over her new city. The landscape was covered by a soft coat of fog, and this in turn resulted in a rather blue colour. Way out there, Willow had her eyes fixed on a big, blue cargo ship. It was loaded with containers, right next to the tall pipe. It seemed lying so peacefully at the dock, caressed by the fog. It made Willow feel calm as well. But only for a moment. She suddenly remembered that she could not possibly be looking at a ship, as the ocean happened to be miles and miles away. A port was also out of the question. Realizing that she must have been a whole lot more tired and overworked than she had thought, she started to worry.

When I woke up this morning...

...I put on my helmet and started the engine of my little plane. I needed some fresh air and a new perspective, so I decided to fly away. With the cool, fresh air in my face, I looked down on golden fields of corn, enormous forests where deer were grassing, I saw farmers taking a break in the middle of the day and neighbours chatting together. I went over the wild mountains, and it started snowing. But as my little plane is a very good one, it didn't matter. Feeling free like a bird, I took another round. Hearing nothing but the noise coming from my engine, my thoughts sailed away on waves. Flying through a beautiful rainbow I had nearly reached my destination. Ones down on the ground, I was greeted by a "Hello Willow", a kiss and a warm big hug. "I've been missing you, Tito", I said. On my way home in my little plane, I felt butterflies in my stomach.

A new blogger has been born!

She calls herself CattyCanadian and her brand new blog can be located at Birdie's Heart. She tells us that she was "raised on Lego, humbled by paper." CattyCanadian is a wonderful person to be around, she spreads so much joy and happiness to the world and she happens to be a devoted fellow cat-lover.

Welcome to the blogging world, my friend! I'm looking so much forward to follow your blogging. xox

Going to the hairdresser

Going to the hairdresser might sound like something really easy. Well, in a new country it does actually require some research and preparation. Firstly, you would want to have a hairdresser recommended. After all, it's about your appearance. Then you might want to research the costs. Not all hairdressers charge the same for doing the same job. Then finally you need to update your vocabulary. Going through the dictionary, you memorize terms you think you might need.

Ones being there, the hairdresser doesn't necessarily use the words listed in your dictionary... So you do your best to understand, and when nothing else works you just smile and say ¡sí! Explaining how you'd like to have your hair is surprisingly difficult. Getting a long, lovely head-massage to start with and a 20 minutes job with the hairdryer in the end, you feel refreshed. And when the people in the saloon tell you how pretty you look, well, then you feel pretty. It's nice feeling new and attractive.

On the loose

Some weeks ago, Spanish journalists could report a story about an unfortunate man having lost his pet. This would probably normally not have reached the national news, but the unusual thing about this pet, was that it happened to be a black panther. Keeping exotic felines is also in Spain highly illegal, so the man's name was of course not revealed. Witnesses could report having seen a rather large black cat cross the highway, and then having disappeared. Weather or not the man was ever reunited with his kitty I have no knowledge. Neither if any of them were put in a cage as a result of the incident.

Winter is on it's way

I've started to freeze in the morning, freeze in the evening and freeze during the night. My hands, feet and nose are affected, and I'm on a constant high from drinking one cup of tea after another. I've been told you should fight cold from the inside, and it does help, but only as long as there's somthing left in the cup. I believe I need a man to keep me warm.

Tito, you may come back now.

What can be better than a book fair?

Lots and lots of wonderful books: small books, big books, children's books, adults' books, books with pictures, books without pictures, books in Spanish, books in English, books in French, cookbooks, massage books, books about the Pope, books about I-Ching, books with stories, books without words, books which are considered classics, new books, old books, books written by famous authors, books written by less famous authors, interesting books, not so interesting books...

8 books for € 32. A librarian's dream-come-true.

Going away for a day

Travelling is wonderful. Being on the bus before sunrise, Astrid J. and Willow were ready to explore a new place: Córdoba. The city really has a lot to offer, be it impressive architecture like the Arab mosque Mezquita (which the Catholics managed to destroy by converting it into a catholic cathedral...), the ancient Jewish quarter or it's city wall.



The Mezquita

Taking a stroll through the beautiful botanical garden, we did get to see some pretty exotic stuff for a Northerner: Green peppers still being attached to their bush, trees with ripe oranges, lemons and mandarins, palm trees with tiger stripes and a variety of cactuses in all shapes and sizes.




A trip to a tapas bar is probably inevitable, and Astrid J. and Willow were very well pleased with the food, the beers and the delicious cheese pudding bathing in a raspberry sauce...




Having a piña colada tea at one of the Arab Teterías is definitely a nice way of ending a wonderful day full of impressions, sun and experiences in Córdoba. The atmosphere is perfect for relaxation and good conversations.




A trip to Córdoba is something I would recommend and I'm sure I'll return one day.

All Souls' Day

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Author unknown

Although you're physically gone, I still get to meet you in my dreams sometimes. You've always had a special place in my heart, and when I think about all the amazing times we have spent together growing up, I cannot help but smile. Today I've lit a candle for you in my window. Love you always. xox

What I would have liked....

...being given one day where I could have been treated like a real lady: receiving a massage while listening to soft music, having flowers sprinkled all over my body and being dressed up in a fancy evening gown afterwards. Then my wonderful Prince Charming would have taken me out to a romantic candle-light dinner on the sea-shore, kissing my hand as we meet and complimenting my stunning beauty....

Reality: I have a whole appartment to clean, homework to do and my Prince Charming is miles and miles away.

*Sigh*