We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. So medicine, law, business, engineering... these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love... these are what we stay alive for.
The following story is a quote by Alfredo, played by Philippe Noiret, from the 1988 film Nuovo Cinema Paradiso by Giuseppe Tornatore, one of my favorite films of ALL TIME.
“Una volta un re fece una festa e c'erano le principesse più belle del regno. Ma un soldato che faceva la guardia vide passare la figlia del re. Era la più bella di tutte e se ne innamorò subito. Ma che poteva fare un povero soldato a paragone con la figlia del re! Basta! Finalmente, un giorno riuscì a incontrarla e ce disse che non poteva più vivere senza di lei. E la principessa fu così impressionata del suo forte sentimento che ci disse al soldato: "Se saprai aspettare cento giorni e cento notti sotto il mio balcone, alla fine, io sarò tua!” Minchia, subito il soldato se ne andò là e aspettò un giorno, due giorni e dieci e poi venti. Ogni sera la principessa controllava dalla finestra ma quello non si muoveva mai. Con la pioggia, con il vento, con la neve era sempre là. Gli uccelli ci cacavano in testa e le api se lo mangiavano vivo ma lui non si muoveva. Dopo novanta notti era diventato tutto secco, bianco e ci scendevano le lacrime dagli occhi e non poteva trattenerle ché non aveva più la forza manco per dormire... mentre la principessa sempre che lo guardava. E arrivati alla novantanovesima notte il soldato si alzò, si prese la sedia e se ne andò via.”
"Once upon a time, a king gave a feast. And there came the most beautiful princesses of the realm. Now, a soldier, who was standing guard, saw the king's daughter go by. She was the most beautiful one, and he immediately fell in love with her. But what could a poor soldier do when it came to the daughter of the king? Well, finally, one day, he managed to meet her, and he told her that he could no longer live without her. The princess was so impressed by his strong feelings that she said to the soldier: "If you can wait 100 days and 100 nights under my balcony, then at the end of it, I shall be yours." Damn! The soldier immediately went there and waited one day. And two days. And ten. And then twenty. And every evening, the princess looked out of her window, but he never moved. During rain, during wind, during snow, he was always there. The bird shat on his head, and the bees stung him, but he didn't budge. After ninety nights, he had become all dried up, all white, and the tears streamed from his eyes. He couldn't hold them back. He no longer had the strength to sleep. All that time, the princess watched him. And on the 99th night, the soldier stood up, took his chair, and went away.”
This story struck me and I’ve always wondered what it meant. Luckily, Salvatore when he is older, played by Marco Leonardi (hot, very hot), gives his interpretation later in the film: “... In one more night, the princess would have been his. But she also could not possibly have kept her promise. And it would have been terrible. He would have died. This way, however, at least for 99 days, he was living under the illusion that she was there, waiting for him.” So, the next time you get ghosted, consider this option, lol.
Maria Callas was a human songbird. Listening to her voice gives me goosebumps and made me fall in love with opera. I’ll never forget that scene in Pretty Woman, when Edward Lewis says “people's reaction to opera the first time they see it is very dramatic. They either love it or hate it. If they love it, they will always love it. If they don't, they may learn to appreciate it, but it will never become part of their soul.” Opera is part of my soul now, and that’s largely thanks to the stupendous Miss Callas ❤ Read on to see some of my favorites of her work...
One of the perks of studying Italian in university is I got to go to the opera for FREE multiple times! I feel blessed that I got to see all of the following arias, although not performed by Maria Callas, live at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in LA and the Caracalla Theatre in Rome, Italy. They took my breath away at the time and still do. It just so happens that all of my favorite arias from these operas I got to see (including Lucia di Lammermoor, Madama Butterfly, the Barber of Seville and Nabucco) were sung at one point by Maria Callas and her versions remain my favorite recordings to listen to.
1. “Regnava nel silenzio” from Lucia di Lammermoor (act I, scene II) composed by Gaetano Donizetti
You should listen to the whole song, but especially~
(3:33-4:08) & (7:07-8:00)
Parmi che a lui d'accanto, Sì schiuda il ciel per me. (It seems that when I am near him, the heavens open up for me)
2. “Un bel di vedremo” from Madama Butterfly (act II, scene I) composed by Giacomo Puccini
Goosebumps.
(2:15-3:40)
Chi sarà? Chi sarà?
E come sarà giunto
che dirà? Che dirà?
Chiamerà "Butterfly" dalla lontana.
Io senza dar risposta
me ne starò nascosta
un po' per celia ... e un po' per non morire
al primo incontro, ed egli alquanto in pena
chiamerà, chiamerà:
"Piccina mogliettina,
olezzo di verbena,"
i nomi che mi dava al suo venire.
(Can you guess who it is?
And when he's reached the summit,
can you guess what he'll say?
He will call: "Butterfly" from the distance.
I, without answ'ring,
hold myself quietly conceal'd.
A bit to teaze him and a bit so as to not die
at our first meeting; and then, a little troubled,
he will call, he will call:
"Dear baby wife of mine,
dear little orange blossom!"
The names he used to call me when he came here)
3. “Una voce poco fa” from the Barber of Seville (act I, scene II) composed by Gioachino Rossini
Is it a bird?? Is it a flute?? No, it’s Maria Callas’ stunning voice.
(2:00-5:00)
Sì, Lindoro mio sarà; (Yes, Lindoro will be mine;)
Lo giurai, la vincerò. (I've swore it, I'll win.)
Io sono docile, son rispettosa, (I'm gentle, respectful, )
Sono obbediente, dolce, amorosa; (I'm obedient, sweet, loving;)
Mi lascio reggere, mi lascio reggere. (I let be ruled, I let be ruled.)
Mi fo guidar, mi fo guidar. (I let be guided, I let be guided.)
Ma se mi toccano (but if they touch)
Dov'è il mio debole (where my weak spot is)
Sarò una vipera sarò (I'll be a viper)
E cento trappole (and a hundred traps)
Prima di cedere farò giocar. (before giving up I'll make them fall)
4. “Ben io t' invenni” from Nabucco (act II, scene I) composed by Giuseppe Verdi
♥♥♥
(5:30-6:30)
Piangeva all'altrui pianto, (I wept at the tears of others,)
Soffria degli altri al duol; (I suffered at the sorrows of others;)
Ah! chi del perduto incanto (Ah! who of that lost enchantment
Mi torna un giorno sol? (will return to me one day?)
5. “Vogliatemi bene” from Madama Butterfly (act I, scene XI) composed by Giacomo Puccini
(4:10-6:23)
Ah! dolce notte! quante stelle!
Non le vidi mai sì belle!
Trema, brilla ogni favilla
col baglior d'una pupilla.
Oh! quanti occhi fisi, attenti,
d'ogni parte a riguardar!
pei firmamenti, via pei lidi,
via pel mare...ride il ciel!
Ah! dolce notte!
Tutto estatico d'amor,
ride il ciel!
(Oh, lovely night! What a lot of stars!
Never have I seen them so beautiful!
Every spark twinkles and shines
with the brilliance of an eye.
Oh! What a lot of eyes fixed and staring,
looking at us from all sides!
In the sky, along the shore,
out to sea...the sky is smiling!
Oh, lovely night!
In a ecstasy of love
the sky is smiling!)
Her voice brings each of these brilliant composers’ music to life the way a model makes a designer’s clothes come alive, or the way that an actor helps deliver a story to the world. It’s pure art and it makes me shiver to the bones every time I hear her sing these astounding arias. Even though I speak Italian so I can understand it, you don’t need to understand the words to feel the emotions in her powerful soprano voice. So if you’re in the mood for music that will take your soul on a journey, give opera a try, in particular the legendary works of Maria Callas.
Read on for my favorite story from the Tao of Pooh.
“There was once a stone cutter who was dissatisfied with himself and with his position in life.
One day he passed a wealthy merchant's house. Through the open gateway, he saw many fine possessions and important visitors. "How powerful that merchant must be!" thought the stone cutter. He became very envious and wished that he could be like the merchant.
To his great surprise, he suddenly became the merchant, enjoying more luxuries and power than he had ever imagined, but envied and detested by those less wealthy than himself. Soon a high official passed by, carried in a sedan chair, accompanied by attendants and escorted by soldiers beating gongs. Everyone, no matter how wealthy, had to bow low before the procession. "How powerful that official is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a high official!"
Then he became the high official, carried everywhere in his embroidered sedan chair, feared and hated by the people all around. It was a hot summer day, so the official felt very uncomfortable in the sticky sedan chair. He looked up at the sun. It shone proudly in the sky, unaffected by his presence. "How powerful the sun is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be the sun!"
Then he became the sun, shining fiercely down on everyone, scorching the fields, cursed by the farmers and laborers. But a huge black cloud moved between him and the earth, so that his light could no longer shine on everything below. "How powerful that storm cloud is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a cloud!"
Then he became the cloud, flooding the fields and villages, shouted at by everyone. But soon he found that he was being pushed away by some great force, and realized that it was the wind. "How powerful it is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be the wind!"
Then he became the wind, blowing tiles off the roofs of houses, uprooting trees, feared and hated by all below him. But after a while, he ran up against something that would not move, no matter how forcefully he blew against it - a huge, towering rock. "How powerful that rock is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a rock!"
Then he became the rock, more powerful than anything else on earth. But as he stood there, he heard the sound of a hammer pounding a chisel into the hard surface, and felt himself being changed. "What could be more powerful than I, the rock?" he thought.
He looked down and saw far below him the figure of a stone cutter.”
Did you know that vanilla comes from an orchid?! Or that orchids are a traditional aspect of Japanese culture? Read on to learn more about these beautiful flowers and their significance.
Since the introduction of Buddhism and before, nature has always played an important part in Japanese culture. In the “Hanakotoba”, or the Language of Flowers, orchids have symbolized love, purity and refinement as a symbol of rare and precious beauty. Orchids can be seen in traditional Japanese fashion on kimonos as well as a major inspiration of traditional Japanese art, especially for Edo Period artists like Hiroshige Utagawa and Hokusai Katsushika. Also from the Edo Period, the great poet Matsuo Bashō referenced the lovely flowers in his many of his haikus.
First of all, orchids are called “ran” in Japanese, of which there are about 320 indigenous species in Japan. In general, orchids are rather difficult to grow because they require very specific light and soil arrangements, need constant moisture, no frost in the winter and are very sensitive to changes in the environment. Most orchids need about 40-50% humidity and filtered light, therefore they can be found growing in the shade of trees. Many orchids in Japan are found in Kyushu, where the climate is more tropical.
Several types of orchids that can be found in Japan:
Kumagaiso - Japanese Lady's Slipper Orchid
-- Said to be named after the samurai Kumagaiso, who when riding his horse his shirt ballooned up with the wind, also making him difficult for enemies to aim at. They are extremely rare but can be found in bamboo groves.
The Calanthe Discolor
Japanese name is EBINE (= shrimp root because the root looks like a shrimp) and it is the most common species in Japan. Blooming season is April-May and its flower usually has pale brown petals and a white lip. Height is 20-40cm. It is found under deciduous trees all over Japan.
Dendrobium Moniliforme “SEKKOKU”
-Native to Japan
In the 17th ce. Japan’s royalty used their sweet scent as perfume. It also has medicinal value as a digestive that strengthens the joints and even improves sexual function.
Cymbidium Goeringii
Japanese name “Shunran” meaning spring orchid, also called the “Noble Orchid” can be found in dry, oak woodlands under deciduous trees, in Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu) It blooms in March-April. Appreciated by Japanese enthusiasts since the Edo Period.
Neofinetia falcata
The cultivation of Fukiran has a long history, originating in Japan's Edo era, about 400 years ago.
-”The rich and noble orchid” used to only be owned by the rich
- (prized for their foliage) The more fans of leaves, the more expensive
-Scent is a mix of vanilla, honeysuckle and orange blossom
The White Egret Orchid Flower
- blooms from July to August, and thus is largely associated with the summertime in Japan. Can be found in many gardens.
Today, Japan is one of the world’s top importers as well as growers of orchids. Japan is the largest Thai orchid flower import market and makes up about 30% of the world’s market for orchid importation. Most commercial growing done in Japan is the Phalaenopsis subgroup of orchids. Japan hosts annually the largest international orchid festival called the “Japan Grand Prix” every February at the Tokyo Dome. There are also the Flower Festival in Sapporo, the International Orchid Fair in Kobe and the Orchid Festival in Akabira, Hokkaido.
Whereas in the past possession of wild orchids was a status symbol for the aristocracy, today orchids are available to be purchased and grown by everyone. In Tokyo, you can find wild orchids on Mount Takao hiking trails. In modern Japan, these beautiful flowers are used at inaugurations, sporting events, weddings, hotels and public gardens. The cultivation of hybrid breeds enable the orchid population to thrive, and allows buyers to purchase rare and exotic types of orchids, a business that lives on as a symbolism of traditional Japanese culture.
Who doesn’t love VEEP?? Here are some of my favorite quotes/insults from throughout the series.
"Not great, admittedly"? Yeah, that should be the title of my fucking memoir.”
“Screw you and the face you came in on.”
“No no I can’t do that I’m exhaustipated.”
“It was an accident, ok? much like when big foot got your mom pregnant, resulting in you.”
“You know what...why don’t you put on your running shoes and get to the fucking point?”
“Hello what do you want you can’t have it goodbye”
“Oh come on Gary, ‘everybody in Garbage Town has to live with the stink except for the uppity princess in her perfume palace?’ is what other people would say. I’m not saying that, not me…”
“Implicit? Implicit like a kick me sticker on the kicker would be implicit?”
“I hate this [White] house to tell you the truth, it’s like living in a doll’s jail”
The climate has played a major role in Danish fashion. 🌬️
The Danes have learned to be prepared for whichever way the wind blows, literally. For this reason, layers are always a wise fashion choice. The Scandinavian Jante Law, Janteloven, originally published in 1933, has also played a part in shaping Danish fashion, as the Danes certainly prefer to fit into the crowd as opposed to standing out as an individual. Therefore, the Danes generally wear clothing of dark colors and simplistic design, following the Jante code of “harmony, social stability and uniformity”. A third influence on Danish fashion includes the flourishing bicycle culture that major cities in Denmark, such as Copenhagen, possess. So, not only do the Danes regularly dress in a reserved, simple and sophisticated fashion but also athletic and sporty to serve their basic transportation needs.
Denmark has been recognized as modern Europe’s “fourth largest fashion city”. Its capital, Copenhagen, hosts two annual fashion weeks in February and in August. Some of Denmark’s most popular labels today include Saks Potts, Baum and Pferdgarten, Bruuns Bazaar, Henrik Vibskov, Mads Nørgaard, Munthe plus Simonsen, By Malene Birger, WoodWood, Ganni, and Ivan Grundahl. The list goes on, as Denmark is quickly developing itself as an internationally recognized hotspot of fashion. Today, Copenhagen is home to many fashion-forward social media influencers setting current world trends in fashion (check out Maria Kragmann, Josefine HJ, and Daniella Jones ❤) .
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