Dana's muddy soul-prints!

If you haven't met Dana, I suggest you switch off your mobile, pack chocolates, coffee (an absolute must) and water. No fire or blankets needed. She will warm your soul. You can snuggle up next to the roaring fire that her blog is.

She will show you what true beauty is. Not only what it is, but what it's made of. The pure raw material and the final, poignant product. If I have to describe the soul-prints she's has left in my heart I will use words such as: Yes, sublime would definitely be there, humble, striking, heart-warming, loving, sad, gracious, generous, moving, delicious, sensual, ravishing, extraordinary and passionate. I could go on...

When we willingly allow someone into our lives, they leave footprints in our hearts. Some, and only a few, leave soul-prints like muddy footprints on a carpet. Sadly, they are very seldom thanked for these enjoyable muddy prints they leave behind. And if you think that mud is all bad, think again. You can't grow lotus flowers without mud, now can you?

Dana carries mud (by the bucket-load) into my clinical, cleanly swept environment. I've learned that my cleanly swept abode and torturous perfectionism is not going to get me anywhere. I need some form of chaos to be more creative, to be more me! I need her muddy soul-prints to grow my own lotus flowers. That's why I've got a (cleanly swept) spot close to the fire. But she is teaching me not to concern myself too much with the leaves and dust floating around. I must let them be.

Brilliant musicians and even moderately good musicians nearly always get standing ovations after a performance. This is my ovation to Dana. I can't give her a standing applause, however, I admit she has me often on the edge of my seat, ready to give her the standing ovation she deserves.

I suggest strongly that you give her a visit. Oh and take some lotus flowers with. You would want to give it to her, I guarantee you!

TSA to lift ban on flying with cigarette lighters

Who thinks this is an interesting development? I can think of quite a few ways to make flying unsafe with a lighter. Frankly, this makes no difference to me! Terrorists will always find a way to do harm, but really if they are concerned about safety, maybe letting miniature flames back on the plane isn't necessarily a good idea. They can rather give me my lotions and potions back. Especially those that only comes in 120ml (4 1/4 oz) instead of 100ml (3 oz).

Who dare cast the first stone?

Before you judge my writing to quickly, or should I rather say, before I judge My writing too quickly there is something I need to tell you. English isn't my first language and it's only been 7 years since I learned how to speak it fluently. If you imagine a child growing up in an English household learning to speak from the age of two, my English theoretically equals to that of a 9 year old. Considering I know a few BIG words (ostentatious, whimsical, dariole, nyotalpia and of course I know the meanings) this improves my verbal and written age considerably. I would say 18, 19 are good numbers? What do you think? What age do you think my English grey matter is? Please try not to burst my bubble. Be kind, OK!

Bearing all of this in mind, there are always room for improvement. This is the only time I wish I was "older." Therefore I'm pretty pleased to announce that I have committed myself to one year of studying Creative Writing at the Open University. After studying 5 years at University level, I'm rather tired, but what the heck. I'm only 30 and I really, really, really want to write. REALLY!

I = Procrastinate

I = Procrastinate. Procrastinate = Me

Procrastinate is defined by Dictionary.com as "To defer action; delay or to put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness." Procrastinate is something I do well. For example, my dearest, darling sister-in-law (and no, you didn't catch a hint of sarcasm, I love her to bits) is visiting me (ok, us) this weekend and if you read my earlier post on the cleanliness of my kitchen floor you would understand if I tell you I simply HAD to paint the bedroom she'll be sleeping in. You have got no idea the kind of mess I am talking about. I could see TWO different colours beneath the creamy layer of paint. And it's not the earthy, neutral colours I have chosen for the linen. Go figure, blue and purple. It's bad enough that I have to deal with a blue carpet.

Make no mistake. Colour makes my heart sing, but then it must be applied by someone who knows the do's and don'ts of colour matching. I'm no fundi, but I do know when something looks awful. To the previous and previous-previous owners: money cannot buy you style!!!!

I had three quiet weeks to paint this room. And I'm ashamed to admit that I only started the painting process this morning. And all just because I procrastinate. When will I ever learn that it doesn't pay off? It's like a sore tooth you refuse to have pulled only because you are too lazy or scared to visit the dentist. It's going to hurt doesn't matter which why you decide to go.

I'm glad to say the painting job is almost done.

That said, the only reason why I'm writing this post is because of procrastination. I've been procrastinating about writing. Period. It's something I so terribly want to do, but because my inner critic is beating, kicking and drowning every sentence, I just can't get myself to pick up a pen and write. So there you have it. This is my post to get out of this terrible habit, rut, laziness or just plain fear, which ever way you choose to see it.

PS: This is normally the part where I promise you and myself I'm going to write a little everyday. This is also the part where I bite my tongue for putting myself in a position where I have to deliver on my promise. Nevertheless, maybe I should try.

A Lost Sense

I was going to post a list of quotes that I recently found and that I feel explains certain aspects of life much better than I can. However, I have written articles (not entirely the right word) over a year ago that needs to be dusted and displayed. I'm not claiming to be a writer, nor a good writer, but it's serves as entertainment for me, at least. Here goes.

A Lost Sense

“An oil massage, a hot bath, a good night’s sleep, soft smells and music and clothes with soft textures denote sensuality to me.” - Padma Lakshmi-

Sensuality for every one has a different meaning. For me sensuality can be found in the simple things in life. We often refer to the best part of a day in a singular way. My day consist of many “best parts”. Nothing in the world can come close to the welcoming smell of my house. And some may think it strange, but my day looks extremely cheerful after that first cuddle with my husband and I have submerged myself in his natural fragrance. It’s so easy to get lost in this world without our senses. I often find myself lost and saddened by this wicked world. Even though I bluntly refer to our world as wicked, I thoroughly believe that the way we perceive the world is up to us. I therefore may sound like a hypocrite calling our world wicked, but while I acknowledge reality, which in many cases is brutal and wicked; I also like to acknowledge the beauty that surrounds us everyday.

The reality is that beauty can be found everywhere and anywhere. When last did you look outside your window when it’s raining? Many people detest the rain. For me, it’s a wonderful and incredible experience. While we are trying to take cover under the smallest umbrella or running to ensure we don’t get drenched, we should try and walk as slowly as possible and breathe in deeply to catch the smell of rain (have you seen the beautiful disturbances in your pool as the rain comes down?). Anyway, the faster you walk, the wetter you’ll get. So while you are trying to stay as dry as possible, take a moment and inhale the fragrance of life-giving rain.

The olfactory sense in the sense that is least used. Olfactory denotes smell, our most acute sense. The wonder of the olfactory sense is that it connects us with our long-term memories. The smell of home-baked rusks may take you back to your grandma’s kitchen and the smell of a certain perfume will remind you of a good friend.

It’s interesting to know that our olfactory sense can assist us with learning new skills. Peppermint has shown to be very effective during a learning session. Some even say you should use mints while learning a new program and use chocolates when studying new regulations (www.selfgrowth.com).

Make the most of your senses by adding various spices and herbs to different meals. Not only will it add flavour to your meals, but using the same flavouring time and again will lead to olfactory adaptation or fatigue. This occurs when there is a constant stimulation to the sensory systems. The senses eventually become “deaf” to the certain smells.

We even use our senses when we talk and describe things. You must have heard of “the sweet smell of success” or “I smell a rat”? In essence our subconscious mind is informing us, through our senses, that something is good or that something is wrong. Maybe it’s time we take a break, hone our senses and make use of this wonderful survival kit we were handed.

Much research has been done to determine the physiological reaction to certain “non-fragrant” odours of other people. You may have experienced it by walking into a room and instantaneously taken a dislike in someone, without interacting with that person. It’s the same when you instantaneously taken a like in a person. That’s what we call pheromones. You’ve never heard of pheromones?

Every human have pheromones specific to them and they are our sexual scent of attraction. This topic has been debated for many years and there are still more questions than answers. It’s been said that it is the reason many people fall head-over-heels love with someone they hardly know. If you are still looking for the love of your life, maybe it’s time you take a long good sniff.

Maybe you should make it your task for one day to see how many different smells you come across in one day. Take a good sniff at the clothes you are currently wearing or the clothes you had on the previous day. You might be surprised with the pleasant smell of some of the combinations.

When you walk past a restaurant, canteen or kitchen, try to name all the different food smells. And then there are the plants and trees in your garden that needs some attention. And next time it rains, don’t rush indoors to save your hairdo and makeup; taking a good breath of fresh, rain air is worth the ruined hairdo and makeup.