Thursday, October 26, 2023

Poetry of the week: Thee to a Summers Day

 



Love in Summer


Shall I compare thee to a summers day?


Thou art more lovely and temperate.


Rough winds do shake the darlings buds of May.


And summer's lease hath all too short date.


Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines.


And often is his gold complexion dimmed:


And every fair from fair sometime declines,


By chance or nature's course, untrimmed;


But thy eternal summer shall not fade


Nor lose possession of that fair thou'st


Nor shall death brag thou wanderest in his shade,


When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st,


So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,


So long lives, and gives life to thee.


 

                                                                                                                    Source: William Shakespeare

Sunday, October 15, 2023

Love speaks through Poetry


 Weekly Poetry of Love


When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes

I all alone beweep my outcast state

And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries

And look upon myself and curse my fate,

Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,

Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,

Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,

With what I most enjoy contented least,

Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,

Haply I think on thee, and then my state

Like to the lark at break of day arising

From Sullen earth sings hymns at heaven's gate:

       For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings

        That then I scorn to change my state with kings.


Source: William Shakespeare


Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Hotel or Hostel

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR


This past summer I stayed at a hotel in southern Sweden for two nights. I spent about SEK 1000 per night, which is about 95 euros. Then, after flying to southern Germany to visit my cousin, I decided to stay at a hostel. I spent about 20 euros per night. Such a big difference in price! 


During my stays, I realised many people who book rooms don’t know the difference of accommodation between a hotel and a hostel. Based on my experience, I noticed a substantial number of these travelers believing hostels have similar amenities as hotels. Hostels are much cheaper because you are paying for a bed in a shared room with 8 to 16 people. In a hotel, of course, you are paying for a single room with a bathroom. Choosing between how you want to sleep or share the room is something to really investigate and be true to yourself if it is something that is worth paying for. If you are comfortable sharing a kitchen, a bedroom, toilet, and showers with all guests, then, a hostel is your choice. Keep in mind that because of the low prices during the high travel season from spring to summer, these rooms get booked quickly. In addition, the hostel prices advertised in Booking.com are slightly different than the prices purchased at the reception. Nowadays, it is best to book your accommodation through Booking.com or another travel booking website. 


There is that phrase: ‘You get what you pay for!’ This definitely holds true with anything you purchase, but most notably with booking a room at a hotel or booking a bed in a hostel. You may save more money booking a bed in a hostel, but you give up the privacy and your own space. When booking a hotel room, you will pay more at hotel rates, but you get the privacy, room service, and room space.


Did you have any bad hotel or hostel service? 


Feel free to share your holiday booking story...


#booking.com

#hotels.com

#hostelworld

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Culinary Passion


 Cooking up with Carrots


I enjoy cutting up my carrots in thin slices. 


I usually dip sliced carrots into a hot soup or when making omelets. Sometimes I shred carrots into a salad, but rarely. I prefer to enjoy the softness of carrots after they have been steamed inside a hot soup.


Healthy Nutrition


Carrots are a fantastique source of Vitamin A, Vitamin K, potassium, calcium, and magnesium


Carrots are low in fat, protein, and sodium.

Carrots keep cholesterol low, protects eyesight, and improves dental health through its carotenoids as well as beta carotene contained in carrots. (Source: Malia Frey, certified health coach)

Friday, September 22, 2023

Finding Love in Autumn

 


The Libra sign Leads the Outlook on Love


The Librans will spread their luck or magic on love this autumn season. For those celebrating a birthday between September 23 and October 22, here is your astrological prediction on the almighty subject of love.

Libra will experience significant changes this month. Venus enters the twelfth house on October 9th, therefore, Libra must withdraw and self-reflect on their relationship. The Solar Eclipse on October 14th will bring profound revelations concerning romantic relationships. Eclipses can cause sudden events that lead to unexpected changes. Librans may realize distinct needs and desires compared to their current partners.


Don't forget Librans, you guys are major flirts and expert in all matters of the heart. Use these skills wisely! Librans for certain enjoy the pursuit of love and are commonly known to wrap their partners around their little finger!


Let Venus, Cupid and Eros all help you live romantically and passionately – with a little help from tarot.


Remember, Libra season is all about finding and establishing your equilibrium.



Saturday, August 12, 2023

The Most Unique Human Anatomy


 Does not this flower look like the biggest vagina you have ever seen? 

Thé Vagina Effect

Probably the human anatomy that has more than one name in the Anglo/English speaking world. (ex: pussy, yoni, etc...)

The American comedian, Kathy Griffin, makes her 'vagina' a subject of her jokes when she presents on television. She recently compared her vocal chords medical photos as 'Yes, I know my vocal chords look like a mini vagina' Deal with it!

Arguably it has become openly discussed in the news between religious groups and the LGBTQ for what defines a 'man' and a 'woman' in the human species.

In the study of female sexual arousal, many sexologists describe the vagina as a work of art in the process of female arousal and how it connects to every component of the vagina.

It is a symbol of fertility. 


Tuesday, July 11, 2023

It's Wedding Season: Why am I still single?



Officiating at Wedding and Single:

It was 2018 or 2019, I was standing in front of my brother and his future wife and in front of family and guests directing and officiating the short 45 minute ceremony. After countless days rehearsing my speech, I gave a brilliant service and, by local civil standards, I officially anointed my brother and his partner 'husband' and 'wife.' 

It all seemed perfect, but found it strange when I had to give a speech of support and best wishes coming from a guy that was single, nearly married, and with lack of relationship experience. Yes, there was a bit moment of hesitation when I had to wish my brother and his wife best wishes and what they needed to do to support each other in their marriage. To be honest, I told publicly in front of family and friends that I have no relationship experience and that my speech was going to be cut down to a few words. It ended up being the strangest moment of the whole wedding event beyond officiating in front of 50-60 guests!

Influenced by old tradition

 I believe what made me feel strange about being single at a family wedding was that the only other two single people were my younger male cousins. What fueled this concern? I would have to admit it was influenced by my old-fashion parents who still have this expectation of a sequential life to mirror what they went through in their life. I still remember there was at least a few times I was mentioned by my parents that 'oh, its your turn now!' or 'better wake up and start looking for your partner!' 

I responded in a jokingly way not really letting it affect me, but rather enjoy the party and being with my brother and the rest of my relatives.

Finding my Inner Peace

I have to admit I did grow up in that old mentality of staging my life events such as job at age 23, married at age 26, father at age 27, and successful career during my 30's. However, this did not pan out as I planned! 

My career took a wild rollercoaster ride, worked in different part time jobs to pay the rent, and had some loan debt along the way to just get me through university. Perfect life, right!?

With all these distractions, how on earth can I worry about finding a lovely partner and settle down and there were many uncertainties in my future?

I broke from tradition, made decisions my parents never agreed, and had arguments with my parents about what my future looked like. Then, I took a leap and it was a travel leap to get out of my comfort soon and step back from all the uncertainties. Through a travel expedition of 4 years, meeting new people, yoga sessions, reading, enjoy simplicities of life, and dedicating to appreciating as well as loving myself I came to find my inner peace. 

This inner peace helped me avoid feeling uncomfortable about being single during every wedding. I was not worrying about frantically going on dates, subscribing to dating websites,  and finding a loving partner to begin a married life together. Honestly, I do want to find a loving partner and share my life with her, but I would prefer nature take its course rather than force anything that I will regret for the rest of my life. I also keep a community of friends that I can talk to and share fantastic moments in life while I seek a loving partner that I can understand and likewise her understanding me.

So, today, it does not bother me to say I will be entering a new decade soon and still single during wedding season, but I can finally say I found my inner peace and appreciate who I am.

Poetry of the week: Thee to a Summers Day

  Love in Summer Shall I compare thee to a summers day? Thou art more lovely and temperate. Rough winds do shake the darlings buds of May. A...