tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164057272024-03-16T19:51:47.614+01:00Yum Yum CaféDropped by for a cup of tea, talk is lively, if not a bit random. Time flies by.lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.comBlogger1836125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-41851052958880893172024-03-02T08:45:00.000+01:002024-03-02T08:45:06.828+01:00Farewell to winter<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj315s1NruDE3YAByOYnODrrta_ldotA4wNkV7mZvoUl-wFpQuwMYA-BTFrQCqGiC_bWIuM9M09717UAJ9NygzvkMZXJBvs0eNVMLUNAN8r3_mjyu3FmnfxJKooBd9ACVP5ZzO9ur_Lv1Af12972l2iQeVl3eMWwWb-Lber_B_7hqLwIyR7EjeI/s6000/theo-onic-Cia0kQ-V5FM-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj315s1NruDE3YAByOYnODrrta_ldotA4wNkV7mZvoUl-wFpQuwMYA-BTFrQCqGiC_bWIuM9M09717UAJ9NygzvkMZXJBvs0eNVMLUNAN8r3_mjyu3FmnfxJKooBd9ACVP5ZzO9ur_Lv1Af12972l2iQeVl3eMWwWb-Lber_B_7hqLwIyR7EjeI/w400-h266/theo-onic-Cia0kQ-V5FM-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Buds, beautiful buds<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Outside my window, they're born<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My heart is aglow. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@thorai9akira?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Theo Onic</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-close-up-of-a-tree-branch-with-buds-Cia0kQ-V5FM?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a></span></div>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-19238525731613014002024-02-18T14:56:00.009+01:002024-02-18T14:58:34.872+01:00The day after the ballet <div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwTTuFacX26mQJtH1xIDp0uEx_n_j1DpY41uGwOBYYI2yBCw4CczDjfRpivx_9Be_9h7sn1bgDSbW5WKgNtXpyu8huyjl8CT_sG0EYk-u8LJT8hSnLUQtFeAG1Ri72fEZJZpAYZWzdTyGorUxFS5uMBDgI1d5NRBgsaUjqg3xoUioF1rFAu5D/s6000/bernard-hermant-RNQzHN_ekMY-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwTTuFacX26mQJtH1xIDp0uEx_n_j1DpY41uGwOBYYI2yBCw4CczDjfRpivx_9Be_9h7sn1bgDSbW5WKgNtXpyu8huyjl8CT_sG0EYk-u8LJT8hSnLUQtFeAG1Ri72fEZJZpAYZWzdTyGorUxFS5uMBDgI1d5NRBgsaUjqg3xoUioF1rFAu5D/w266-h400/bernard-hermant-RNQzHN_ekMY-unsplash.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Cold winter morning</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Misty drops slide down windows</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Friends come for breakfast.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@bernardhermant?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Bernard Hermant</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-window-with-rain-drops-on-the-glass-RNQzHN_ekMY?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a></span></div>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-68373898124582110202024-02-17T08:22:00.006+01:002024-02-17T08:22:28.064+01:00Birthday gift <p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OLAXxIj69wA" width="320" youtube-src-id="OLAXxIj69wA"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Beyond excited<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Breathless movement in music<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Ballet night tonight.</span></div><p></p>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-59873923052205203652024-02-17T08:11:00.003+01:002024-02-17T08:11:20.514+01:00Dogs and Italians not allowed<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/185HUoBzYfc" width="320" youtube-src-id="185HUoBzYfc"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Sometimes, the beauty of art mingles between innocent joy and deep sadness. We watched this movie this week. It still rests heavily on my spirit. The fact that Giui and his family share many experiences in this film makes it all the more heart-rendering.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-59315612926426405822024-02-11T07:59:00.002+01:002024-02-11T07:59:12.202+01:00Not looking where I am going<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Fog on steeple<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Hides copper, mortar, and brick<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I slip on wet leaf.</span></div>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-40223507341431302642024-02-10T09:26:00.004+01:002024-02-10T09:26:55.451+01:00I am... an editor<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is rather strange, but I love editing other people's works. I am something <a href="https://eliteauthors.com/blog/different-types-of-book-editing-services/">between </a>a development editor and a line editor. It is not a skill I have learnt formally. My editing skills have been honed through years of reading, writing, and, most importantly, being given the privilege to help colleagues, friends, and family polish their work.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Currently, I am editing a PhD titled, "</span><span style="font-family: arial;">The role of innovation for the implementation of the Circular Economy in the construction and manufacturing industries in Germany". I am around a third of the way through. This means that now it starts getting interesting. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Thankfully, it is so well-written that I am under the illusion that I understand what is being said.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There is a feeling of joy to dive down deeply into a world I know next to nothing of and rise back to the surface with a new piece of treasure in my hands. </span></div>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-61386605401633196092024-01-28T14:50:00.001+01:002024-02-03T10:43:50.207+01:00I am... a mother<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I am a mother </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Whose daughter is brave and strong </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Sometimes,
but rarely, reproach </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Secretly slips out from behind her eyes. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Who
am I not to be judged? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I am a mother </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Whose daughter is softness and steel </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">She often
speaks words so generous </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And kind, my heart stops beating </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">How can she be this grand? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I am a mother </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Whose daughter is quiet and scared </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Whispering in
the dark night </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">For me to comfort her ghosts. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">How can I fail to
answer? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I am a mother </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Whose daughter sees me growing old </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And yearns
so desperately to stop </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The inevitable ticking of time. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">How can
her wish not be mine?</span></div>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-24822013679112523242024-01-28T07:05:00.006+01:002024-01-28T07:09:28.354+01:00Leaves in a mist<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsIn5_FO5-TbZ09N2TDDXcuLL8_cXcqt2EugWzM3YuE7CfiIxmlrIvnO5STeVknRg1d9eWG7oAabvTl1y6p5PpxV9P8dA6tri5-ufPsYPl_DOKO8Bf8x2tjwV9cP1WeQsTvi7b3_ZqqeH-fTQZUJ1B4gRn1I0xGH1q7SKp4VeJlqVvlkyOBQ4/s1456/leaves%20in%20mist.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1456" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsIn5_FO5-TbZ09N2TDDXcuLL8_cXcqt2EugWzM3YuE7CfiIxmlrIvnO5STeVknRg1d9eWG7oAabvTl1y6p5PpxV9P8dA6tri5-ufPsYPl_DOKO8Bf8x2tjwV9cP1WeQsTvi7b3_ZqqeH-fTQZUJ1B4gRn1I0xGH1q7SKp4VeJlqVvlkyOBQ4/w400-h300/leaves%20in%20mist.png" width="400" /></a></p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Dreams of a jungle</span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Wandering through the moist air</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Bliss, deep breaths in... out.<br /></span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-16027893643842454252024-01-27T11:13:00.001+01:002024-01-27T11:13:14.167+01:00Looking up at the night sky<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Suddenly full moon<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Collecting the laundry<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Here you are old friend. </span></div>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-83981871838983289152024-01-24T13:42:00.001+01:002024-01-24T13:42:00.132+01:00Stuck in a job while everyone else has moved on<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> She rises each morning with a sigh. Her face, without its makeup, shows the cracks of despondency she so wishes to hide. From herself. Who cares about the others? As an old person who exercises the chinks in their joints before leaving the comfort of their bed, she seeks small mercies to start the day. There's Miff, her cat, needing food and a pat. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">She has the luxury of those houses before her late shift. Time to do much or nothing at all. Part of her wants to kick off as many items from her to-do list as possible. They have been hanging their accusingly for weeks now. She senses how futile it is to remove any of the items since the moment they disappear, others instantly replace them. This thought adds to her lethargy. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">She sighs again and turns over in bed, escaping back into sleep. Hours later, Miff is desperate to drag her back to her world and the need for her to move.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So, she reluctantly rolls out of bed, most of the day having played away. She swoops Miff in her arms and buries her face into her neck, whispering a profound apology. The cat jumps out of her arms. Directing her towards the kitchen. Guiltily, she spoons out an extra large portion. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">She crouches beside Miff as she eats. Arms hugging her knees, head resting on her right shoulder, she daydreams.</span></div>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-91222484889084254202024-01-23T13:44:00.001+01:002024-01-23T13:44:00.140+01:00Before the crowds descend <div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The breakfast buffet<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Welcomingly waits for the guests<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I sit alone here.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">(Business trip to Copenhagen.)</span></div>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-38506825272729547292024-01-21T13:32:00.012+01:002024-01-28T06:56:33.767+01:00I am... not an old hippie<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjct5k6pVq4bxH1qHzefhcKEY15AJgk3YOzDTp3joxxwC5Ab9HYYpOgp9b5FzViE6TUvgsQ__7U0qjNYTJdDpgNlJInYk2pj83nQnex5tdVovDamjQ9-tC7UBUVFBbbMq8JUR-I0DJ1ps01JxmpUcVhNUi55CpB21BCAKez-PZcGbfV6GcEwAum/s1666/van.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1666" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjct5k6pVq4bxH1qHzefhcKEY15AJgk3YOzDTp3joxxwC5Ab9HYYpOgp9b5FzViE6TUvgsQ__7U0qjNYTJdDpgNlJInYk2pj83nQnex5tdVovDamjQ9-tC7UBUVFBbbMq8JUR-I0DJ1ps01JxmpUcVhNUi55CpB21BCAKez-PZcGbfV6GcEwAum/w400-h300/van.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Many people think</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Baby boomer means hippie</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I wish it were so.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As someone who spent all my teenage years in a ballet studio during the day and many evenings and was in love with classical music, jazz, and Gregorian chant, I find it puzzling how many people assume I am an old hippie. I was 12 years old when Woodstock happened. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">And yes, my two sisters were more in love with the whole psychedelic vibes of that time, but they did this covertly and never let on to their far too-uncool younger sister.</span></div><br /><p></p>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-60494881972121485422024-01-14T13:49:00.007+01:002024-01-28T06:54:03.547+01:00Hope eternal<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVcr-7pbvdzzHexwGBT7FMAaiSskGkLn4fAXImWI_5JZ1GEO5HwFLSsI4CnyGeu_qBRlce_l4BdZf6mkqykseTYGLeqMBtpWdzvRXSqqSZSbS3yyt7kErW3H1pvrulBnnxWwFg86cc7FUruxwC6tSv4wcmE05DLqwkMcnJVTrfS4cDXqztp_c/s1836/snow%20days.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="1376" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVcr-7pbvdzzHexwGBT7FMAaiSskGkLn4fAXImWI_5JZ1GEO5HwFLSsI4CnyGeu_qBRlce_l4BdZf6mkqykseTYGLeqMBtpWdzvRXSqqSZSbS3yyt7kErW3H1pvrulBnnxWwFg86cc7FUruxwC6tSv4wcmE05DLqwkMcnJVTrfS4cDXqztp_c/w300-h400/snow%20days.png" width="300" /></a></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Snowy icy days<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Yet, in my dreams spring bursts forth<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I keep my eyes closed.</span></div><br /><p></p>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-86530925769980330112024-01-12T16:29:00.005+01:002024-01-12T16:31:55.375+01:00I am... a Kindle reader<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhpdREGGgBnsg5Dd8eVCqZSPvCQdyXkdf6WiaQc8ApmiLW6ds5yxbnZtXzi_19wzKSnzU5SaIt-kuiSwwJ_nOKg-vvOO-ZAS7ixSW3TR15BdYVjrWCLTLHYTlwB_djNrWp9iYpuYmxBvjSuluHKBIJoi-4E8tRZ2NlcingX1evkwxLVtG3kwV/s5309/asal-lotfi-8ePZbdxnpi0-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5309" data-original-width="3517" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhpdREGGgBnsg5Dd8eVCqZSPvCQdyXkdf6WiaQc8ApmiLW6ds5yxbnZtXzi_19wzKSnzU5SaIt-kuiSwwJ_nOKg-vvOO-ZAS7ixSW3TR15BdYVjrWCLTLHYTlwB_djNrWp9iYpuYmxBvjSuluHKBIJoi-4E8tRZ2NlcingX1evkwxLVtG3kwV/w265-h400/asal-lotfi-8ePZbdxnpi0-unsplash.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@asal_lotfi?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="font-family: arial;">Asal Lotfi</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-wooden-chair-beside-white-wooden-desk-8ePZbdxnpi0?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash" style="font-family: arial;">Unsplash</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Much to the disgust of many of my friends, I have been a Kindle reader since it came out over 15 years ago. The three arguments that have kept me so are:</span><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A lot of what I read is not worth sawing down Canadian forests for</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I love to read numerous books at once, depending on where I am and what my mood is</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It is so much easier to read in bed than a book</span></li></ul></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Nevertheless, a friend of mine, Charlotte, recently published the findings of a study that stated readers of IRL books remember more than when they read e-books. That made sense because I remember handwritten notes much better than typed notes. So, maybe the tactility of books helps the brain to remember more. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Then there is the fact that our dear daughter spent a laborious two days doing magic on our bookshelves in the living room. I rediscovered a slew of books to read again. And finally, since we have been with Amazon since it was only a bookstore, we have shamefully bought hundreds of books, so we can either reread some of them or order books at our local store.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Now, the punchline to this post...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I was rereading a <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4989.The_Red_Tent">favourite book</a> of mine and was so enthralled with the story that I caught myself tapping the side of the page instead of turning it.</span></div><p></p>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-20435559870632909572024-01-10T12:46:00.005+01:002024-01-21T16:49:48.891+01:00I am... a fan of K-dramas<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9pz_W9ssslSVzm3DE0X8v4Cbkb32bZ8KMno714vhG0UklRQLQj9hvh1mSVjbwRlxsAIBMohFEAz_qVexZSd0B45IT0_Kve_tb3tF4iGnrDlR-hZKT8iv331C4aotsgVvRBpZjTh0s9K0ge7mWN0LLBe7-6QKYWaXlEnkLFFIgVfYE_2KetPE/s2517/IMG_1329.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2517" data-original-width="1954" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9pz_W9ssslSVzm3DE0X8v4Cbkb32bZ8KMno714vhG0UklRQLQj9hvh1mSVjbwRlxsAIBMohFEAz_qVexZSd0B45IT0_Kve_tb3tF4iGnrDlR-hZKT8iv331C4aotsgVvRBpZjTh0s9K0ge7mWN0LLBe7-6QKYWaXlEnkLFFIgVfYE_2KetPE/w310-h400/IMG_1329.png" width="310" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">diary entry</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It is a point of disbelief.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Sometimes, endearment,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">But only a few truly understand</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Why I love watching </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Korean dramas as much as I do. </span></div><br /><p></p>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-51391202330778541552024-01-07T08:05:00.005+01:002024-01-28T06:50:05.242+01:00In the dark of the morning<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Taking down the tree<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Sniffles and coughs and winter blues<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Permeate my thoughts. </span></div>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-52639545242941386792024-01-05T07:56:00.002+01:002024-01-05T07:56:22.339+01:00This year's theme: Who am I?<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="326" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UHwVyplU3Pg" width="561" youtube-src-id="UHwVyplU3Pg"></iframe></div><p></p><p>This year's theme will be "Who am I?". Stay tuned for more...</p>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-56259752524873369922024-01-03T16:26:00.001+01:002024-01-03T16:26:00.130+01:00Daring darling Dylan<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVJpgtmyaHEmiOvgVQbvdaqWhJhDWKO8A8FaKEfV-KRDP3KBSr7YaI4BpGFzFfpKs7UIYW78o_LzvmYv8wLkKYI_YBJjich9C3msZBmpkO9Z3F5-RzgQ1n0zDjkftO4VeMcdRs0KX35gwhyphenhyphenSLZQxHeFj9a1ub6fffQXUcnpylHtj10iDWrnYv/s510/1%20kids%20montreal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="510" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVJpgtmyaHEmiOvgVQbvdaqWhJhDWKO8A8FaKEfV-KRDP3KBSr7YaI4BpGFzFfpKs7UIYW78o_LzvmYv8wLkKYI_YBJjich9C3msZBmpkO9Z3F5-RzgQ1n0zDjkftO4VeMcdRs0KX35gwhyphenhyphenSLZQxHeFj9a1ub6fffQXUcnpylHtj10iDWrnYv/w400-h266/1%20kids%20montreal.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our daughter is about to start a job at the German Space Agency. Yup, you got it; she's found a unicorn job in her field of space security. Feeling so chuffed about this.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Tripped across this photo of her making her first attempt as a rocket pilot. Following valiantly beside her is her cousin Dylan. You cannot see it in the photo, but there is a long decline and she's picking up speed. </span></div><br /><p></p>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-12445303092768925492024-01-01T08:32:00.001+01:002024-01-01T08:32:26.208+01:00Learning again<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBsnLIm8G3IEsCayHcsfaXeg6bKVLpWRwgZ-GojG274cHduUmoWTaPysKIqGQBSlAMWNfFR9rQFwJB0qnbgboIgf7GublVxYa7quDtP1mdnOp5KYzv6QPA24McbzhAc9UqjJxc9-UMsd52fOMvofpWPw330TkktoqE5_IxyIFjD0plI3MfWjy/s4800/Joeson%20blank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="4800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBsnLIm8G3IEsCayHcsfaXeg6bKVLpWRwgZ-GojG274cHduUmoWTaPysKIqGQBSlAMWNfFR9rQFwJB0qnbgboIgf7GublVxYa7quDtP1mdnOp5KYzv6QPA24McbzhAc9UqjJxc9-UMsd52fOMvofpWPw330TkktoqE5_IxyIFjD0plI3MfWjy/w400-h225/Joeson%20blank.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It has been years now since I used Photoshop and made collages, let alone used Illustrator to make vector graphics and layouts of documents. I feel this inclining to go back and learn again how to use these programs. It will be an upward slog, no doubt. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2lSr36boC1SnenTVN52byYwtJwJzRZErpx4AjU6TBfMFpYIpZQ9FAhQOu30Pw4H6anOZH0dgR9qs4w6a-JNgF5_pwTlvOq11bMrv3IFbQ09HWUvMWDCKXfmrA_MC1GJyvpsQlErwERSK5fYAljMybDe0RK9T3Q-oBALV8phaVdydZyw1tE6c/s2422/Joesom%20final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2422" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2lSr36boC1SnenTVN52byYwtJwJzRZErpx4AjU6TBfMFpYIpZQ9FAhQOu30Pw4H6anOZH0dgR9qs4w6a-JNgF5_pwTlvOq11bMrv3IFbQ09HWUvMWDCKXfmrA_MC1GJyvpsQlErwERSK5fYAljMybDe0RK9T3Q-oBALV8phaVdydZyw1tE6c/w400-h225/Joesom%20final.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, I bought Affinity, which appears to be much the same and oh so much more affordable. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It has taken me days to create the above on Affinity Photo. I drew the main parts as a cut-out and then sketched in the textures and patterns. I am going to make a paper-cut-out version of this for my visual diary.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In the 1990s, I had the idea of learning how to use Photoshop. At that time, there was no easy way to learn except to take very expensive courses at some institute, which was too much for my bank account, considering the price of Photoshop. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">So, I made a deal with the owner of a local graphic studio for whom I did some translating. We bartered my translating fees for one-on-one lessons with the owner. Now, all I have to do is go and watch tutorials on Skillshare.</span></div><p></p>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-62013704285900998312023-12-30T07:59:00.003+01:002023-12-30T07:59:27.998+01:00Just me waiting for the dawn<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">It is dark outside<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Christmas lights no longer shine<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Household still sleeping.</span></div>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-31188745249010103272023-12-28T13:29:00.000+01:002023-12-28T13:29:01.161+01:00Looking back over the year<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">My dear friend is sad</span><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This year was so difficult</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A folly to hope?</span></div>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-60089787665189400922023-12-26T06:40:00.009+01:002023-12-26T06:40:46.219+01:00This past Christmas<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Daughter visiting<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">There is a mess on the floor<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Rearranged bookshelves! </span></div>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-16750528801157009492023-12-23T08:30:00.001+01:002023-12-24T11:22:59.390+01:00One step forward, two steps back<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last year, we miraculously had a Christmas with family and friends. This year, we are back to doing it on the fly again. You could say it's cancelled if you want to look at it pessimistically. Or, you can say we are doing it on 'low flame' if you are looking for a silver lining. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Covid continues to find its way into our lives.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">In those early months of the pandemic, winter of 2020, we hoped it would all be over by spring. I remember reading an article where some specialists said it would likely influence our lives for the next 5-6 years. At that time, I thought this impossible and despaired at such a grave prognosis. Now, I hope they were right and next year, the 5th year, we will have Christmas just as we want. </span></div>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-72511027400128432872023-12-16T07:25:00.002+01:002023-12-16T07:25:57.902+01:00Now the snow is melting<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Tree branches soaked<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">An army of waterdrops<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Such tiny mirrors.</span></div>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16405727.post-38981100560005095352023-12-11T08:11:00.003+01:002023-12-16T11:17:20.432+01:00A question of perspective<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after: avoid; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; margin: 3pt 0in 5pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Two girls, two parents<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after: avoid; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; margin: 3pt 0in 5pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The man wears dainty, bright bling</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after: avoid; line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; margin: 3pt 0in 5pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The wife's more subdued.</span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p>lilaliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17834341657842966966noreply@blogger.com0