ask the world to dance

Snow Outside And Nikola Tesla In My Mind

2012-01-27T00:07:00.004+02:00

We had a lot of snow today and no electricity as a result of that. And while freezing under the blanket, I felt an even greater respect for what this man did.

Two Sundays, two places, two passions

2012-01-22T11:51:00.000+02:00

Last Sunday we went winter hiking to Melchsee-Frutt.

The initial idea was to rent snow shoes or sledges. However, once we reached there and saw the options for simple hiking, we decided to stick to it.

Our target was the food place at the end of this path.

And today is the second day of a working weekend as a heavy training season started.

My Good-bye to an Awesome Year

2012-01-13T16:00:00.001+02:00

These days I notice that people naturally tend to look back to their experiences in the past year. Well, I also had a look at the endless folders with pictures in an attempt to remember some special moments. And one of the first pictures I came upon was this.

So, this is not going to be a post about what happened to me but rather about the discoveries I made last year.
To go back to the picture - this was one of the best books I've read - 'Kornel Esti' by Deszö Kosztolány. A friend gave it to me on the first day of summer holidays. There couldn't have been a better time to read this humorous and elegant collection of stories (or maybe a novel?)....

Then of course come all discoveries I make all the time in Switzerland - a world so different in its structure and orderliness. As I've found out many people write about their experiences in this special country. My preferences, however, go to Swiss Watching, which I find informative and pretty amusing. But OK, I couldn't miss sharing this.

Obviously in Switzerland it is possible to buy your ticket after you get off the train...

Then I found out how inspiring online learning could be.

I discovered the fun of skiing in Bansko and Switzerland.

...and wrote an article in a real travel blog.

My latest sports passion is aqua gym.

I discovered Hungarian cooking, and re-discovered cooking in general. My cooking book library is growing, and so is the quantity of tried out recipes.

And I discovered new joy in my job by shifting the focus to more creative training topics, such as Drawing simple graphics for presenting...

...or Using colours and images in presentations...

Now I am looking forward to a year at least that exciting and encouraging as 2011.

New Year Resolution #1

2011-12-01T21:15:00.001+02:00

I managed to break my own record for not writing here. I've just realized it's been more than four months since I've last posted here. OK, I have to admit that I am tempted to say something as dull as "Time flies". And while these four months have certainly been quite busy for me, there has always been time to stop by here, which for one reason or another I haven't done. So, here it is - my first New Year resolution:

Take care of this space. And share more of the little and big wonders I experience every day.

Now it is official and strangely enough, I feel more committed. I wonder if it is the same with marriage...

Christmas decoration arrived early in the shops in Zurich

the weather that I did not report

2011-07-27T21:24:00.000+03:00

I really love the Plovdiv Weather Report Project and I also like to contribute there! And during the last weeks I often made pictures that I intended to post later... but somehow never managed to do it within the same day they were taken. That's why I've decided to show here the pictures that didn't make it to the Plovdiv Weather Report - a backward look on the sun and the rain I've experienced in July.

A dog's bar in front of a restaurant in Zurich. It takes some climbing to reach the place, so refreshment is definitely needed in the heat...

An early wake-up, leaving for Frankfurt

Germany is preparing to watch the quarter-final Germany v Japan

A slight warm rain in Milan

Oranges instead of the typical sea views. Spotorno is a beautiful place at the Ligurian coast

On the train back to Zurich. Sea holidays are over...

BBQ in any weather

Suddenly it looks like autumn

Finally sun! For short though...

Cinema by the Zurich lake. The rain just stopped and the film will start soon...

Che cantare?

2011-06-14T23:14:00.001+03:00

This song is on the radio and it brings back memories.

For the first time I heard it on the bus travelling to the airport in Vienna. We were leaving and it was a sad good-bye, with tears falling down...

Another memory - a completely different environment. I was in a cafe in Lugano with friends laughing, having fun... and then this song again! I had to find out who was singing.
I tried to ask the waiter in English. No success.
I asked the girl if she spoke French or Spanish (I had French and Spanish speaking friends there).
No.
I tried body language. She thought I said the music was too loud.
No, no, no...
Then she remembered Roberto working in the kitchen spoke some English, and went in looking for him. After a while she came back alone. No Roberto...
German?, I asked hopeless...
Oh, yes, another waiter knew some German.
The German speaking lady did not look very happy she had to deal with me but she was helpful. She took me to the player, took out the CD and showed it to me. Mystery solved!

As broken as this sounds, it would have been so easy if I had just remembered two simple Italian words that I know: "Che cantare?"

Simple Pleasures

2011-05-06T17:22:00.000+03:00

...bliss I finally found
In ordinary home-made treasures
On familiar ground
When I'm with you--the time's so precious
Hours flying past
We've got to take some long-term measures
So simple joy is here to last...

After the abundant lamb lunch (as tradition says on St. George Day) I took my notebook and went out in the garden meaning to do some work. But once I found myself sitting in the sun, I quickly changed my mind, and ended up having a short nap, listening to nice old music. Doggy obviously also found peace as I could hear his deep sighs somewhere close to my head...

The Birds of Venice

2011-04-15T10:57:00.001+03:00

I am just back from a long weekend in Venice. The city is impressive and many things have been written about it. One of the things that I will always remember, however, are the birds of Venice.
Not the pigeons (that are obviously not that many as they once used to be). As it seems I didn't even make a picture of them.

And not so much the seagulls (I expected a more numerous population - after all it's sea all around).

...but the little sparrows. They were always impatiently waiting on the side for you to finish eating.

And immediately recognized the moment to attack.

And I never saw a sparrow alone. They were flying around in gangs. And as soon as one spotted food, the rest joined quickly for the feast.

sisters with henna tattoos

2011-03-08T14:19:00.003+02:00

Another picture from my Miscellaneous folder.
The tattoos we got at Morocco club during last year's Night of Museums and galleries .

Reach for the Goal!

2011-03-07T22:11:00.007+02:00

As I try to clean the clutter in my computer I find pictures I don't even remember...

Yes, it's me! I thought it would be just a management meeting. But no, we had to climb trees, all for the TEAM! I didn't know then that later doing this would pay my bills...

second attempt at skiing

2011-01-27T11:32:00.004+02:00

Another blue slope for the records...
And after skiing jagermeister and chocolate cake... and a deserved beer for the instructor!

packing again

2011-01-12T22:37:00.003+02:00

...my clothes all over, drying... and just noticed, rose all over...

my first ski vacation

2011-01-10T16:44:00.007+02:00

Yes, that was my first attempt at skiing. It was not that bad actually. At least I enjoyed it... and the falling was not that bad either. Not too often and not too painful. And on the third day I managed to ski down a blue slope!
Staying in the queue for the lift was a bit frustrating, but the rest was quite a fun.
The evenings too. We found a karaoke place with the friendly name Friendly Bar. Needless to say, the people were very friendly and willingly let us sing our hearts out...

From Helloween to Christmas

2010-12-08T15:26:00.008+02:00

Yes, it is almost that long since I've posted here. And because most of this time passed in travelling for me, I decided to share a few pictures from the places I've been to.

Stein am Rhein, a small town in Switzerland, close to the German border, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon

Walking down from Mount Rigi

A very typical autumn day in Zurich

Sunset in Lausanne after a very sunny day and a looong walk

For the football fans it's clear - Munich. It was a great feeling to be one of the 69,000 people watching Bayern Munich vs. Eintracht Frankfurt live!

And besides watching football, I spent quite a lot of time walking along the snowy streets of Munich... Christmas is almost there!

Happiness is the Way

2010-10-27T11:59:00.001+03:00

Another card I got from a friend. What she wrote on the back is very personal and means a lot!

...just go, go, go

2010-09-26T20:44:00.008+03:00

And I went - an unexpected but long-desired vacation...

Los Banditos and our little red car

We tried two beaches every day and this one turned out to be our favourite. When we were tired with exploring, we just went there again...

Memories of a Hot Sunday

2010-08-24T09:29:00.006+03:00

It is getting colder these days. OK, colder means less than 30 degrees C, but still, in a very nice and subtle way autumn is sneaking in. The nights are cooler... The sun shines with a kind of yellow light, or maybe it's the brown-red leaves of the chestnut trees filtering it...

The pictures are from a family trip to Batak - a beautiful lake in the Rhodopi mountains.

vacation greetings

2010-08-11T16:59:00.004+03:00

This is a card I got from a friend spending her summer vacation at Corfu.
"Wish I could relax like the woman in the picture", writes my friend.
I guess it is difficult with two little kids.
My weekends are just like that - spending time in the garden, enjoying doing nothing after a hard week...

Autumn Leaves in Summer

2010-08-04T15:24:00.006+03:00

A hot lazy summer afternoon at home in the middle of the week... No, I'm not on holidays. Have been doing training lately, day in, day out. A deserved Wednesday afternoon break.

Travelling Around

2010-07-19T11:18:00.013+03:00

Here are some pictures from my recent trips.

The Balkan mountains first. A friend got married in Arbanasi - a village close to Veliko Tarnovo. The celebrations lasted almost a week. A great wedding indeed.

Barbecue in the rain - the after party.

The wedding present - magnolia grandiflora, which is already growing in the garden.

On our way back to Plovdiv we stopped to gather some herbs.

And a few days later another mountain trip. This time in the Rhodope Mountains - my favourite part of the country.

The house of my Grandmother's Grandmother now belongs to another family, and the new owners take good care of it.

I would walk any distance just to enjoy this view.

la femme d'argent

2010-06-09T13:02:00.007+03:00

Yesterday I was going back home from work, approaching our house, walking slowly, waiting for my doggy find a nice place to shit. I don't know what is so special about this ritual. However, he usually takes his time and needless to say, eventually chooses the most inappropriate place. So, I was rummaging through my bag looking for a plastic bag, when I suddenly heard this song coming from somewhere far. It was such a mysterious sensation! Did I really hear the song? Where was it coming from?

I used to love Air's Moon Safari and listened to it maybe twenty times in a row. For days, and weeks. Ten years ago, this is to say... And now this song was in the air floating around. You could hear that the sound was great, even from afar.

Is it possible that I have a neighbour listening to Air? No, I don't think so. (Yes, I have my preconceived ideas.) Maybe the white car waiting at the crossroad? No, it made an U-turn, but the sound stayed... I loved this moment and I needed someone to be grateful to for it. (OK, someone more specific than the Dear God.) As I came closer I finally got it - the fancy bar across the street. This time they definitely surprised me with their choice of music.

Guys, even though I don't like it that you play your music too loud on Fridays and Saturdays, and in fact I rarely like what you play, I now love you for La femme d'argent and this rare moment of beauty you have given me. Thank you!

tango

2010-06-01T09:56:00.007+03:00

It has been long since I last showed some of the postcards I received.
This one I love. It is from a dear friend who keeps on sending postcards from the places she travels to. It is on my desk and I am so used to it that I don't even see it.
Lina from linaphotography recently visited our office and made some great pictures of all the details she found interesting. Thank you, Lina, for opening my eyes again!

about the freedom of choice

2010-05-22T16:20:00.003+03:00

I had come across the name of Dr Victor Frankl before but never really knew much about his work.
After watching the video on TED I was struck by this man's passion. So, I searched the web to find more about him. This interview tells a lot about his beliefs, and his own life full of meaning.

Why to believe in others

2010-05-18T18:54:00.000+03:00

Viktor Frankl: Why to believe in others | Video on TED.com

This talk is very short, funny and it made me think. I love the idea of giving people a chance, and of believing in their best self. Do I always do it? I'm not sure...

On this rainy day...

2010-05-17T17:11:00.004+03:00

...I need to remember that the summer is almost here.

The pictures are from a recent trip to Greece.

Tulips and Lilies of the Valley

2010-04-26T14:27:00.004+03:00

These most beautiful flowers were growing in the hidden garden of a house where nobody lived, visible only to the cats passing by. Well, egoistically enough they are now in our living room.

every dog has its day

2010-04-22T17:03:00.007+03:00

We are doing some reconstructions at home now and the workers do not feel very comfortable having Vihar around. So, this will change my routine, I guess. Today I left earlier for work, and took Vihar with me to the office. I believe he liked it staying on the balcony, having people coming and playing with him, and best of all - feeding him. Then I took him out during lunch break, which was also quite a nice change for me (and I bet also for him). Eating out in the park, instead of going to the same smoky restaurant serving average food. I suppose I will have to stick to this regime for the coming days, maybe weeks.

Thoughts on Books and Marriage

2010-04-15T14:07:00.006+03:00

Did I say that Committed arrived at my hands now? Thanks to Tania, a friend who recently got married and she certainly read it for other reasons than me. My interest in marriage is still rather theoretical, so I read the book from a distance, so to say, and can't really relate to the need of the author to know everything about marriage before committing. But anyway, the book is an enjoyable reading, just as I had expected. Full of curious facts about marriage rituals around the world.
Do you know, for example, that when people in Laos get married they invite everyone they know to the wedding party - often up to 1000 people. Everyone gives money to the young couple and then the two newly married spend the night writing carefully in a notebook the amount of money they got from each of the guests. This notebook is a useful reference when in return the couple gets invited to another wedding. Then they give as a present the same amount they got plus some extra money as interest. So, this is a kind of a loan that society lends to the bride and the groom, which they bit by bit return.
Nice, isn't it?

How Did You Spend Easter Holidays?

2010-04-08T16:42:00.013+03:00

Easter holidays are over and I am back at work trying to steal some time for walking outside. People I meet these days ask how I have spent the holidays. How?

Well, I painted the eggs. I was quite enthused over the lace technique, believing I would get the most beautiful eggs ever. Haha. It didn't work. So, I went back to the old easy tried out ways of painting the eggs.

And then we baked the traditional Easter cookies. OK, in the form of sea creatures this time.

They always seem such a large quantity, and always finish so quickly.

The absolute winners this year were the Easter lambs I saw in a Swiss cooking site, which I can't find right now. However, I still keep the recipe at home. Well, we modified it somehow. We were not supposed to put nuts in the "wool". Why not? Wool and nuts go so well together...

And yesterday's nice walk with the dog. Isn't it worth enduring the winter to enjoy the beauty of spring?

back on track

2010-03-25T14:11:00.005+02:00

I haven't written for quite some time here. OK, no excuses now. We have just started a company blog mosaicafe.com and I've put some effort in there. And since Bulgarian is not among the most popular languages, we also write in English.
Then I had a week off visiting a friend in Switzerland. Now I am back - on- and offline.
Happy spring!

The Forty Rules of Love

2010-02-24T17:09:00.004+02:00

Another book that ended in my to-read list after I read the interview with the author. In fact, it is not the story of the American housewife that really touched me, but the depth and the style of the interview with Elif Shafak. Now I have great expectations regarding this book, also influenced by my desire to know more about Rumi, in fact.

spring is in the air :)

2010-02-19T10:34:00.001+02:00

...and also in our office!

mosaic logo

2010-01-25T15:05:00.005+02:00

Our new company logo is finally ready. I really love it! The guys from punkt are now working on our site... Or maybe theirs?

As I began to love myself

2010-01-21T13:49:00.003+02:00

They say Charlie Chaplin wrote this on his 70th birthday, on April 16, 1959. I found it here, and touched by the beauty of this poem I browsed the internet to find the original verses. Here they are...

As I Began to Love Myself

As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering
are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth.
Today, I know, this is "AUTHENTICITY".

As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody
As I try to force my desires on this person,
even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it,
and even though this person was me.
Today I call it "RESPECT".

As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life,
and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow.
Today I call it "MATURITY".

As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance,
I am in the right place at the right time,
and everything happens at the exactly right moment.
So I could be calm.
Today I call it "SELF-CONFIDENCE".

As I began to love myself I quit stealing my own time,
and I stopped designing huge projects for the future.
Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do
and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm.
Today I call it "SIMPLICITY".

As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health -
food, people, things, situations, and everything the drew me down and away from myself.
At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism.
Today I know it is "LOVE OF ONESELF".

As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right,
and ever since I was wrong less of the time.
Today I discovered that is "MODESTY".

As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worry about the future.
Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening.
Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it "FULFILLMENT".

As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me
and it can make me sick.
But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally.
Today I call this connection "WISDOM OF THE HEART".

We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems
with ourselves or others.
Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born.
Today I know "THAT IS LIFE"!

Expecting "Committed"

2010-01-14T16:40:00.007+02:00

Elizabeth Gilbert was one of the people that I found most inspiring last year. And this interview with her about her latest book was also a delightful reading. Hope to read "Committed" soon.

My Goethe-Day

2010-01-04T16:41:00.004+02:00

It has been at least four times today that I somehow crossed paths with Goethe - well, figuratively said. Once in the library, and then while browsing the web. What does Goethe have to say to me today?

"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way."

Isn't it beautiful?

once in a blue moon

2009-12-30T12:51:00.003+02:00

It is believed that making a wish under a blue moon has a higher chance of coming true. However, I am a bit surprised by the ritual you are expected to perform. Do you think it will count if I only make a wish, repeat it three times and spare the naked part?

my lessons learned in 2009

2009-12-26T19:11:00.008+02:00

We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.

George Bernard Shaw

2009 was one of those difficult years that made me think a lot about where my life was heading. And it brought changes that were not planned. Tough decisions were needed... And now, at the end of the year, all I feel and want to say is, "Thank you, Lord! It had to be exactly this way."
So, facts are not that important, but lessons learned are. Some came as a result of painful experiences, and some were fun to learn.

I learned...
...that I could have a much greater control over my life than I was ready to accept before.
...to be grateful for all the blessings I have (as banal as it may seem, I really am!)
...to wear high heels. Well, it was about time...
...to pay attention to my own needs. Being egoistic at times turned out to be not so bad after all. Did I really learn how to do it?
...to devote more time to the things I love to do after work, and sometimes during work.
...to swallow whole vitamin pills without having to cut them in two (This one was a big progress. It was my childhood habit to cut big pills in two and until now I never made an attempt to change it.)
...well, not that I did not know this before, but now I firmly believe it: the world needs people that love what they do. They make the difference!
...that the Law of attraction really works. Now I have big plans of using it :)
...
How long could this list be? Much longer, for sure. I have read other people's lists of the decade. Now, if I have to make a list of the decade, it will be a long and boring one, so I don't even think of giving it a try. However, what really matters to me is that even if it is a one-point list, it IS already a huge part of my responsibility for my future.

what christmas (decoration) means to me

2009-12-23T21:57:00.006+02:00

I really love my Christmas decoration this year. I started timidly with decorating my home quite early. But then the weather was so untypically warm in November that I thought all the stars and little angels, and candles look somewhat ridiculous. It didn't stop me from putting more and more of them on the windows and walls though. I don't know what has changed in me - I learned to really appreciate abundance :)
The last Christmas stuff I got from the Christkind markets in Vienna.

And this magic angel made of wool is my favourite. I got it from my sister, in return for the sheep flying on clouds she got from me.

Merry Christmas, my dearest readers! May you all get the presents you are longing for!

what people say

2009-11-26T10:02:00.002+02:00

Thanks to gapingvoid. This guy is always such an inspiration...

Sweet Relief

2009-11-18T17:25:00.005+02:00

Am being very grateful to the Astro twins writing the horoscope column for elle. It is so relieving to know that it was only Saturn that was making my life so difficult for the last years. (OK, I am not complaining. It was not so bad after all. Just want to say that I have experienced other times that were much more easy-going.) And what is even more wonderful is that Saturn has just left my ambition sector in Virgo, and this should obviously promise some more relaxing times. Hallelujah!

the opposite of snob is your mother

2009-10-16T12:50:00.004+03:00

A funny and enlightening talk about career crisis, about winners and losers, about how snobbery makes our lives much harder... Not the first speaker I hear say we, people should worship something else than ourselves. So true, at least for me. I am now discovering for myself what my Grandmother took for granted. The truths that were unquestionable to her are a real revelation now to me.

dancing on the ceiling

2009-10-16T10:15:00.004+03:00

Can you imagine sleeping in front of the TV while VH1 play their top 50 party hits?

I was so very tired and scared of everything happening this week. Last night I needed to do something for relaxation after the long hours spent in hospital. So, I somehow discovered that the choice of TV shows is enormous. No wonder people spend so much time watching television. I found my perfect cure for the evening - VH1's countdown of top 50 party hits ever. This good old Lionel Richie song made me dance and jump in front of the TV. And then I said, "OK, and now let's take a breath." And the cat was obviously waiting for me to calm down and as long as I found myself on the sofa, he came rushing to me with his purring in my ear. The greatest nap I've recently had! I only woke up to find out that Billy Jean was No 2, and not No 1 as I was expecting.

post-holidays season

2009-09-23T16:26:00.005+03:00

Four days off in a row, and three of them I spent in town. It could have been nice to travel somewhere but this time I was a bit lazy and preferred to spend the time at home.
OK, I had this short one-day trip to St Kirik's monastery that I really enjoyed. And for a change we did not travel by car but had to change a train and a bus to reach there. I felt as if I was in another country because I almost never take the public transport at home.
Apart from the monastery I was obviously impressed by the thick shadow of a walnut tree, which gave shelter to the long girls' talk...

questions, questions

2009-09-17T16:57:00.004+03:00

I read recently a post in a blog, which posed the question, "Do you need to stay updated all the time? Do you need to get the latest news, follow tweeter, etc.?" Well, after reading those first lines I decided to leave it because I am not really one of those information junkies. Yes, I need to know what is going on, and I have a few favourite info sites and blogs I check almost daily. But that's it. So, I said, nothing for me.
And then my eyes stopped on the next question, "How does this make you happy?"
Huh, OK. I stayed like that for a moment and thought over it. A good question to apply to anything I do during the day, isn't it?
How does this make me happy?
In what way does it help me to create?
Does it make me a better person?

I believe I should be looking for the right answers more often...

Illustrators, don't miss this!

2009-09-16T09:23:00.003+03:00

The TED talk I am currently translating.
I did not know Maira Kalman before but felt intrigued by her crazy style - the way she talks, no beginning, no end... somewhat difficult to follow, and yet interesting.

escape from a hot day in the city

2009-08-23T15:55:00.008+03:00

We were invited to spend a day in a house high in the Rhodopi mountain. The name of the village is Manastir - allegedly the highest village on the Balkans. It is situated around 1500m above sea level, and is really really very beautiful. This was my second visit there. The first one was long ago - we were searching for a place to picnic with friends and finally ended up there.

Of course, we did not spend the day in the house. After collecting some herbs we decided to climb up the nearest hill to a very controversial Muslim monument - Enihan baba teke. They say Muslims respect Enihan baba as a preacher and healer, while most Bulgarians believe he brought Islam to Bulgaria.

Vihar - waiting for us to drive further.

Climbing up more than 600 stairs was worth it...

...to enjoy this magnificent view - a 360 degree panorama view of the Rhodopi mountains.
Incredible scenery indeed, more impressive than any monument to me.

early sun and sea

2009-08-18T12:02:00.007+03:00

Back from a short vacation at the coast. Not very typical for me, this time I was early in the morning at the beach, missed my breakfast to be there as early as possible.
Could see the white-grayish colour of the sea changing to green-blue later in the afternoon.
Enjoyed the warm water with no people around, and the presence of the local dog - my only companion at the beach.

on a creative journey

2009-07-14T16:36:00.005+03:00

In the middle of the preparation for our first Creativity training.

It takes a lot of drawing...

...and a lot of surprises...

...and the camels are my favourite part.
I am so eager to see it all working...

extraverted young man

2009-06-29T17:25:00.002+03:00

I actually loved the photo, and this time was not so interested in the text in this post.
about media html microformat

But the photo, the photo brought the shiny day in my office, and made me smile a little...

Words and the City

2009-06-25T18:33:00.006+03:00

Spent a long weekend at the sea, which I really enjoyed. Have been reading on Eat Pray Love there (I am a slow reader indeed), and came to a point that made me think. The book said each city had its own word. Like Rome's word was SEX. Then I asked myself which was the word of Plovdiv. AYLAK? The word aylak is of Turkish origin and means lazy (that's how a Turkish girl once explained it to me). We use it to define a state of idleness when you really enjoy doing nothing. To me it sounds pretty close to what the Italians call dolce far niente. Or that's what I imagine it is... Yes, I believe that's the word that describes Plovdiv. It is not so popular in the rest of the country. People here very often build a sentence with it in reply to the usual "How are you doing?" Hah, not very encouraging for someone eager to achieve...
Then I thought about the cities I'd lived in before. Which are their words? What should be the word of Sofia? For me Sofia was a lot about COMPETE. Is there someone else thinking the same or was it only my Sofia competing?
And which is the word of Leipzig? Ist schon lange her... It's been really a long time since I lived there, and I can't say now which word matched Leipzig then. But I am sure there is one.
And what are your words for your cities?

Home

2009-06-17T10:42:00.006+03:00

Here is the talk by Yann Arthus-Bertrand I wrote about previously. The guy that reviewed the translation for me made some changes that I believe made it sound even better in Bulgarian.
Obviously the film "Home" is already quite popular. I constantly see people sharing it on Facebook.

Eat? Pray? Love?

2009-06-16T15:07:00.008+03:00

I started reading Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. No wonder I got inspired to read the book after listening to a TED talk by the author of the book about her relationship to creativity. It sounded very personal, honest and intelligent. This happened some time ago and that's how the book ended in my to-read list but I somehow never felt it was the right moment to start reading it.
Until yesterday - I had a few minutes before my appointment in the bank and instead of waiting in the bank I decided to check what's new in the nearby book store. And then while going through the new books I heard myself saying, "Do you have the book by Elizabeth Gilbert..." "Eat Pray Love, you mean? Yes, we have it."
I spent the evening reading and now I know why the book landed in my hands right in this moment :)
And I will be also translating Nurturing Creativity...

Built To Last

2009-06-09T16:03:00.003+03:00

I came upon this video through presentationzen. I found the book by Garr Reynolds very inspiring and since I've read it I follow also his blog. Always fresh ideas on how to use visuals to make your point.
If you want to know more about the video, read this.

My TED Updates

2009-06-08T19:59:00.003+03:00

I managed to finish the Ben Zander translation within the recommended period of one month, and I was also assigned a reviewer of another translation - one of Al Gore's talks on climate change. So, they are now both available with Bulgarian subtitles. Meanwhile there are already ten talks translated into Bulgarian!
I found a new inspiring video to translate - Yann Arthus-Bertrand's talk accompanied by fascinating pictures of the Earth. It is quite new however and still not ready for translation. Maybe I should go for another one while waiting...

Customer 729

2009-06-05T20:09:00.000+03:00

I was Customer Number 729 yesterday at the Tax Administration Office. A surreal experience, as usual when you have to deal with state officials here.
They are obviously trying to look more European and already have one of those machines that give you a ticket with your number and let you wait under a board with flashing red numbers. So, it is best when you take a seat that would allow you to stare directly at the board and jump immediately after seeing your number... you know, before the person behind the desk has changed their mind. (OK, I am exaggerating, of course).
The funny thing was that the flashing numbers were accompanied by a very beautiful tempting female voice saying, "Customer number 701 please come to desk number 46". I heard it many times until it was my turn (even though the text in the ticket said there were 0 people waiting in line before me). Only the numbers were changing. Customer number 736 going to desk number 28, 726 going to desk 40, 716 to 30...
Strange, I felt as if I was in Gattaka or Brazil. This female voice trying to make you a part of some perfect bureaucratic world. And make you feel grateful for that. And I could here the song in my head. Braaziiiiil...
Luckily everything changed when she called me to desk number 24. I expected that the lady would receive me with a beautiful steely smile, "Welcome on board of the National Revenue Agency. Have a nice stay!" (in fact meaning, "You will die trying to escape but there is no escape, you will spend all your life here trying to get that bloody tax declaration").
No, everything was quick and painful, and then they let you go. It was a guy - one of those you wish you never meet, wearing a fat golden necklace. Instead of saying, "Hello" he thoroughly explained to the other woman in the room how impossibly rude people like me were - people that didn't close the door when they entered a room, they (we) obviously lived like that in their flats, and didn't care that the people in the room were catching a cold because of the draught.
The only thing he said to me, full of suspicion, was, "Are you the manager of that company?" (using of course the informal 'you' in Bulgarian), and then, after studying my ID card, "Sign here".
Quick and painful, I told you. As it is supposed to be. How nice we are still not in "Brazil"...

my next choice

2009-05-09T15:51:00.004+03:00

Spent some time today watching TED talks trying to choose a new one to translate. I wanted it to be really inspiring. Otherwise, the way I know myself, I believe I would quickly get bored.

And I made my choice - this talk from Benjamin Zander. I find Ben Zander a very interesting person. He is the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic and is often cited in business readings as a role model for leader and teacher.

Well, I have to find a proper translation for "one-buttock" and "two-buttock playing" when it comes to that... And if you are willing to help with suggestions, please do :)

a long post about anything

2009-05-08T17:52:00.001+03:00

Wow, one post in April! Have been really lazy with writing lately. I believe it is the good weather. I just prefer to spend more time outside...
We've had six days of holidays recently. I didn't go anywhere special or do anything extraordinary, but I really enjoyed them.

Finally managed to complete my first TED translation - Sylvia Earle's TED Prize Wish to Protect Our Oceans. Now I will have a reviewer assigned. That's how it goes - it needs to be reviewed by someone else before it is launched. And I hope it will be soon available in Bulgarian at TED.com. It is worth watching it - amazing images from the deep sea, and it makes you think...
Now I wonder which other talk I should start translating - maybe some of the many talks on creativity or the human brain... Anyway, if someone wishes to volunteer and translate TED talks, please do. It takes time but I believe it is worth the effort to help spread great ideas. You just need to write to subtitles@ted.com

What else? Had a new interesting book to read - one that was waiting for its turn in the library in our office. Everyone Agrees With TOM - a book on life coaching - simple, amusing, not pretending to tell you big truths. Looks promising but I am not much ahead with it yet. So, I can't tell you if I agree with TOM yet...

And I also spent most of the time walking in the parks and hills in the town - alone, with friends or with the dog, or with friends and the dog... The phone pictures are here to prove it. Yesterday I struggled a lot to transfer them to my computer. I really love it when someone else does the technical stuff for me :)

My parents are away, so now I take care of the dog for a while. To compensate for my absence during the day I play football with him each morning. I truly believe this should be a happy start of the day for him, but he is soooo sleepy and doesn't seem as excited as I expect him to be. Maybe I should give him a break, at least during the weekend.

Merry Christmas, Springtime!

2009-04-05T11:20:00.002+03:00

I spent the last few days in Bansko for a training. As weird as it may seem the whole Christmas decoration was there in the hotel - in the lobby, in the restaurant, everywhere. I wanted to ask the receptionist if there was a special reason for that but then I somehow got embarrassed. In fact, I thought she might get embarrassed by this question...

OK, maybe the hotel people tried to disguise spring but you could feel it was there. It was sunny, and warm, and getting greener with every day...

On our way back to Plovdiv, as we approached the valley I asked the guy that was driving to stop somewhere close to a beautiful blossoming tree, so I could hang my martenitsas. We saw a swallow and two storks along the road, so I could finally do it. Great!
I don't know why from all the trees the driver chose the one that was right after a curve. I imagined the driver of the other car passing by saying to himself while watching me hang my martenitsas - each one on a separate twig, "Poor guy - risking his life because of this stupid cow."

On this picture I can clearly see the martenitsa I got from Aunt Paunka and the one from Michaela.

No matter what people in Bansko think, "Good bye, Christmas! Hello, Springtime!!!"

my latest movie discoveries

2009-03-30T16:44:00.001+03:00

Better late than never, they say. Well, I guess it is true, at least it applies to me finally getting acquainted with Jim Jarmusch. I don't know why I had never seen a film by this director before, not until recently. And now I am happy I finally did it. I managed to see Dead Man, Night On Earth, and Down by Law.
Dead Man ranked top in my personal ranking of movies with the most impressive and convincing atmosphere, including great music (sorry, Paris, Texas).
And I loved all the short stories in Night On Earth. I only felt it was a bit unfair to have a Scandinavian one at the end - somewhat depressing for a final (OK, I admit this is a prejudice but that's how I felt about the Finnish story).
Down by Law was definitely a good film, which I unfortunately saw in a time when I was feeling tired and sleepy and I did not really enjoy the slow pace of the film so much.

Friends recommended also Coffee and Cigarettes. Any other recommendations are more than welcome...

Lost Generation? Is there still hope?

2009-03-24T16:47:00.002+02:00

I believe there is...

Der Himmel Über Berlin

2009-03-13T18:05:00.002+02:00

Since I mentioned the film yesterday I decided to post this small fragment.
I often think if I have to rate my favourite books, films, songs... what would my ranking look like. And I never have an answer. A book has touched me or not. Maybe I loved it because I read it exactly in that moment, and I wouldn't remember it if I read it a month later or earlier.
It is different with this film however. I have seen it a few times, I have read the script a few times, I know some of the passages by heart, and it still says so much to me...

swinging between past and future

2009-03-12T18:00:00.008+02:00

"Sometimes I feel that my life is a series of trapeze swings. I’m either hanging on to a trapeze bar swinging along or, for a few moments in my life, I’m hurtling across space in between trapeze bars.
Most of the time, I spend my life hanging on for dear life to my trapeze-bar-of-the-moment. It carries me along at a certain steady rate of swing, and I have the feeling that I’m in control of my life. I know most of the right questions and even some of the right answers. But once in a while, as I’m merrily (or not-so-merrily) swinging along, I look out ahead of me into the distance, and what do I see? I see another trapeze bar swing towards me. It’s empty, and I know, in that place in me that knows, that this new trapeze bar has my name on it. It is my next step, my growth, my aliveness coming to get me. In my heart-of-hearts, I know that for me to grow, I must release my grip on this present, well-known bar to move to the new one.
Every time it happens to me, I hope that I won’t have to grab the new bar. But in my knowing place I know that I must totally release my grasp on my old bar, and for some moment in time, I must hurdle across space before I can grab onto the new bar. Each time I am filled with terror. It doesn’t matter that in all my previous hurdles across the void of unknowing, I have always made it. Each time I am afraid that I will miss, that I will be crushed on unseen rocks in the bottomless chasm between the bars. But I do it anyway. Perhaps this is the essence of what the mystics call the faith experience. No guarantees, no net, no insurance policies, but you do it anyway because somehow, to keep hanging on to that old bar is no longer on the list of alternatives. And so for an eternity that can last a microsecond or a thousand lifetimes, I soar across the dark void of “the past is gone; the future is not yet here.” It’s called transition. I have come to believe that is the only place that real change occurs. I mean real change, not the pseudo change that only lasts until the next time my old buttons get punched."

This is an excerpt from Warriors of the Heart by Danaan Parry I came across today. A vivid description of the change process, any change process, I believe. And it looks so beautiful, and makes life so much worth living, especially for those moments when you hurdle to the new trapeze...
And because I was really fascinated by the description I couldn't help attaching this image to it. Marion from Wings of desire, a movie I will always remember.

Her Morning Elegance

2009-03-10T19:01:00.003+02:00

I found this very beautiful and poetic...

1 Corinthians 13

2009-03-09T18:29:00.002+02:00

Love

¹If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ²If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

⁸Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. ¹¹When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. ¹²Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

¹³And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

...Am being grateful for the love I have. Inspired by recent events and this.

Man on Wire

2009-03-06T17:57:00.003+02:00

I found this film truly inspiring! Man on Wire tells the story of Philippe Petit - the wire walker whose dream was to cross the distance between the Twin Towers of the WTC, he worked hard for that and he did it! I do believe that everything is possible for the willing heart, and this was a beautiful story to confirm it. I admired the persistance with which he and his friends prepared for this adventure. And of course the whole Universe was there to help them overcome all the challenges they faced. Add to this the great music selection and you get a piece of art to enjoy!

having wet feet was worth it

2009-02-23T17:38:00.008+02:00

We missed the winter in Plovdiv until recently. Last weekend I spent with friends in Belgrade and although I initially imagined it would be a very urban trip, we had another idea when we were in the city and saw the amount of snow they had.

We spent a few hours out in the snow sliding. I really enjoyed it. I believe it was fun for many other people also. It was quite difficult to slide down the slope and not hit anybody. More funny pictures here.

These days the snow reached also Plovdiv. Up to now (say the last few years) I only found pleasure in walking the dog in the snow and could not think of any other reasons why I should spend time outside in the cold.
This weekend however I was more than happy to take part in a real snow fight and making of a snowman. It was great to be a kid again!

Snowdrops

2009-02-06T18:08:00.004+02:00

We have had real spring weather lately. I got these snowdrops to remind me of that in the office.

The Most Important Thing

2009-01-29T10:12:00.001+02:00

Have been reading a lot about Zen lately. And felt the need to share what Shunryu Suzuki said, “The most important thing is to find out what is the most important thing.”
Sounds so true to me...

Color Palette Generator

2009-01-27T16:50:00.006+02:00

While I am not a designer, I need to sometimes make very basic design works for presentations, workbooks and other visual aids I use in training. I found this tool today, which I believe will save me time and help me be more consistent in choosing the right colours.
You need to just copy the URL of a picture and the "generator" generates ;) a matching colour palette.
The picture I used to test it is taken during our company team building at Thassos in September last year. Would love to visit the place again.

About Worries

2009-01-26T09:33:00.004+02:00

I have recently read somewhere that worries are linked to either the past or the future. They do not belong to the present moment. When you are fully into the moment, you don't worry. You are in the flow. Worries prevent you from being fully present. A good explanation of things, I liked it. And a good reason not to worry. Have been trying these days to practice it.

Switch to English

2009-01-23T17:47:00.003+02:00

I thought the time has come to start writing in English. The initial idea for writing this blog was for me to keep my friends - Bulgarians and non-Bulgarians living in other countries, updated about what was going on with me. It turned out that more Bulgarians in Bulgaria read it, and the non-Bulgarians were visiting now and then hoping to see some pictures.
And because I am getting worse with writing real letters to people in far-away countries (hate to admit that), I decided to switch to English.
Dear BG friends, hope you will forgive my laziness to write in both languages and will keep popping in. And in turn I promise I will do my best to make writing a routine.
Thanks for visiting!

Писмо до Господ

2009-01-05T14:16:00.004+02:00

Спомням си, че в края на 2007 публикувах снимки от годината, които свързвах с различни преживявания. Сега ми се искаше да публикувам части от хартиения си дневник. Бях си наумила да избера по един кратък откъс от всеки месец от 2008. Не намерих обаче време за това занимание - от срещи с приятели най-вече.
Но попаднах на нещо, което ме впечатли и ми се прииска да споделя - в това любовно писмо до Господ открих и някои от своите истини на 2008.

Честита Нова Година!

True Films

2008-12-19T17:31:00.002+02:00

Попаднах на този блог с коментари за филми. Някои от филмите ме заинтригуваха и мисля да ги потърся. Като филма за учещите сгради, например.

В настроение за филми

2008-11-24T19:43:00.006+02:00

Със студеното време естествено дойде и желанието ми да прекарвам повече време в гледане на филми. Киноманията очевидно не ми беше достатъчна, та се включих и в други филмови събирания.
И като се замисля, бих препоръчала всички филми, които изгледах напоследък, заради едно или друго. Или съм станала по-непретенциозна, или по-внимателно съм направила предварителната селекция.
Изкуших се да споделя впечатленията си за последните два.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona почти изобщо не ми приличаше на филм на Уди Алън. Очаквах да е далеч по-остроумен. Но и така ми хареса - вдъхновяващи кадри от Барселона, красиви хора, с вкус към живота. Зарежда с оптимизъм и мечти за пътешествия, макар че като цяло "поуката" ми остана неясна :)))
(Заключението за поуката откраднах от Д., защото много ми хареса).
Една приятелка на шега направи извод за брюнетките и блондинките, който беше в полза на брюнетките и поради този факт няма да споделя ; )

Paris имаше страхотна музика. През първата половина на филма имах усещането, че вече съм го гледала. В някой друг френски филм, без значение кой. Толкова беше френски - екзистенциален и интелектуален. И в крайна сметка ме очарова. Видя ми се искрен, без претенции и, колкото и да е банално, ме накара да се замисля за дребните неща.
Не че днес не потънах напълно в офис рутината...

Вечери на синьото диванче

2008-11-19T13:04:00.003+02:00

Тези дни работех доста над една презентация. Докато се ровех из интернет за разни рисунки, попаднах на ето тази илюстрацийка и някак си веднага се идентифицирах с тази със сините чорапки на дивана. Вярно, че "чорапите за спане", които си купих от Юск, са цикламени, около мен няма такова изобилие на флора и фауна, но точно така прекарвам повечето от късните вечери преди лягане.
Ето и повече работи на същия илюстратор.

Есенни наслади

2008-11-02T14:13:00.014+02:00

Един много приятен следобед в artnewscafe, макар и с лаптопа, прекаран в четене на теории за конфликти.

За да се разсея, реших да публикувам снимки от една скорошна разходка в гората.
Тази есен е наистина невероятно красива - с много слънце и чести пътувания извън града.

Мястото беше над Лъки, а до там се стигаше само с джип.

За първи път от дълго време не ме беше страх да гледам от високите скали надолу.

Опитахме сърцевината на магарешки бодил - уж ставала за ядене. Но шипките и дренките определено повече ни се усладиха.

Накрая Вихър беше щастлив, изтощен, с голяма грива от стотици осили.

18:18

2008-10-14T18:21:00.007+03:00

Толкова показваше часовникът на компютъра, когато реших да отворя блога си. Замислих се какво се случи последните седмици до днес - вторник, 18:18 часа...

Напоследък не откривам никакво време за интернет. Разни интересни хора - стари познати - ме откриват във фейсбук. Само потвърждавам запитванията им за приятелство, без да драсна и ред.

Случват се хубави неща.
Бях в Италия за няколко дни - в градове, които не познавах преди...

Едни от най-близките ми приятели се ожениха, а покрай сватбата се случиха обичайните моминско и ергенско парти и срещи с хората, които живеят далеч оттук и които сватбата беше събрала за кратко...

Направихме официално откриване на новия офис с много гости. Беше наистина приятно...

За две седмици живея при нашите и се опитвам да си създам някакъв ред в стаята. Е, не се престаравам особено. Наслаждавам се на пътя за работа през градската градина...

А сега бързам за боулинг с колегите. Радвам се, че поне толкова успях да напиша.
И качих снимките от Италия.

Чужди тайни

2008-09-25T16:36:00.002+03:00

Още един интересен сайт, на който попаднах днес. Изработваш картичка, на която изобразяваш своя тайна, и я публикуваш. И тя вече не е тайна за някои непознати...

За чувствата и действията

2008-09-25T16:00:00.002+03:00

Моето вдъхновение в днешния дъждовен ден.

Интимно пътуване с Antonius

2008-09-16T17:55:00.003+03:00

За съжаление, Antonius не беше смугъл мъж със средиземноморско потекло, а един от двата сушилника, които купихме от солунската ИКЕА. Не знам как се случи, но този път съвсем се самозабравихме с пазаруването, а единственият мъж, който беше с нас, бързо изгуби контрол над ситуацията. Така подобрихме собствения си рекорд от 200 евро/час и след петчасово пазаруване ни бяха необходими още 2.5 часа да подредим багажа.
На връщане трите жени се оказахме притиснати от двата Антониуса на задната седалка. Отпред до шофьора се беше настанил Liden TV (както се вижда от името, има нещо общо с телевизията - просто поставка за телевизор), но и неговото положение не беше розово, притиснат от резервната гума, лаптопа и куфарчето с инструменти.
Поздравленията бяха за шофьора, който спечели играта на тетрис с багажа, не уцели нито една дупка по пътя, изтърпя женското хихикане, не даде пари на софийските пътни полицаи и ни върна в Пловдив живи и здрави и в добро настроение!
А за нас остана удовлетворението да се ровим в големите и малки торби и пакети и да подреждаме новите придобивки в офиса, а довечера и по къщите.

Обещаните снимки

2008-09-01T12:19:00.003+03:00

Чета по-надолу и виждам, че съм обещала снимки от Хърватска. Ами ето ги...

А тази е една от любимите ми. На десктопа ми е. Роси каза: "Какви сме щастливи мекици..."

Разкази за Хърватска

2008-08-27T17:46:00.005+03:00

Тези дни разказвам за Хърватска почти нон-стоп. А все още не съм разказала на някои от хората, на които най-много бих искала.
Много хубаво беше това пътешествие. За една седмица събрах толкова впечатления, че накрая имах чувството, че съм прекарала в тази страна цял месец.
Силно препоръчвам разказа на Еличката...

Най-накрая сватбени снимки

2008-08-27T17:39:00.004+03:00

Нямах търпение да видя снимки от сватбата на Миша и Шон. Както се надявах, Хана е качила междувременно. Много ми харесват, а тази ми е любимата.

Сватбено пътешествие

2008-08-15T17:03:00.010+03:00

Сега изведнъж осъзнах, че напоследък само пиша (е, вярно, по веднъж на месец), но пак си е само писане. Затова реших да сложа малко снимки. От последното пътешествие.
Няколко дни в Габрово и габровския балкан по повод на една международна сватба.

Роклята, която толкова дълго търсих специално за сватбата, получи заслужено възхищение ; )

Костенковци (ударението е на първото "о") се оказа изключително приятно и спокойно място

Когато не обикаляхме околностите, не ядяхме кебапчета и не пиехме ракия в чест на младоженците, лежахме с книжка в ръка около басейна

В това дворче най-често прекарвахме вечерите. Аз обаче си имах едно друго по-любимо, по-уютно...

Обратното броене започна

2008-08-15T16:55:00.003+03:00

Ихааа, дойде време за отпуски най-накрая! Така очаквах почивката, а сега изведнъж дойде и това ми създава допълнителен стрес, понеже се оказа, че изобщо не съм готова с нищо. И всичко в последния момент...
Е, не се оплаквам, де. Всъщност напрежението е от онова най-сладкото - в очакване на път, среща със стари приятели, запознаване с нови места и хора...
Ще има снимки след това!

Love Won't Leave Me Alone

2008-07-08T18:19:00.004+03:00

Тези нощи заспивам с музика в ушите. И се събуждам все на едно и също парче. Търся логично обяснение - сигурно е по-високо от останалите.
А сутринта в просъница си пеех едно друго. Това пък откъде ми беше дошло на ум??? Много ми е любимо и, странно, не ми е тъжно изобщо, даже напротив.

Един дерт по-малко : )

2008-06-30T11:01:00.005+03:00

Ами да - свърши Европейското първенство по футбол и с това ангажиментите намаляха. Няма да се чудим къде да гледаме срещите. Ще има повече свободни вечери. Като се замисля, от финала на Ролан Гарос почти не е имало вечер, в която да излезем с приятели просто така, за да се видим. Събирахме се, за да гледаме мачове. Открихме и оценихме заведенията с плазми ;-)
Испанците не бяха моят фаворит, но се радвам за тях. Много сладки снимки на испанската общност в Торонто.

Продължение на пътеписа

2008-05-28T17:00:00.002+03:00

След Плевен бях в Русе и Велико Търново - и на двете места много ми хареса. Клишето, че Русе е европейски град, е съвсем оправдано, а във Велико Търново става все по-красиво. Иначе тази седмица започнах в София и се очертава да я завърша някъде между Кричим и Михалково.
За малкото време обаче, което прекарах в Пловдив, се забавлявах истински. Бях на бал - чувствах се като абитуриентка за втори път. Поводът беше 50 годишнината от основаването на гимназията. Настроението беше страхотно, а купонът - незабравим. Точно като на бал :)
Снимки тук.

Последва пролетно успиване

2008-05-19T19:58:00.007+03:00

Мдаа, след пролетното събуждане така се събудих, че забравих, че съществува интернет. Всъщност причината е много банална: работа. И то в повечето случаи работа, свързана с път, която отнема още повече време.
Та сега съм в Плевен, в един много семпъл хотел, който се намира в странична уличка, между жилищни блокове. И откраднах малко минутки, за да съживя блога.
Впечатлена съм от Ловеч - това исках да напиша. Много ми хареса градчето и начинът, по който изглеждаха хората. Само че ми се видя пусто. Не знам дали по принцип е така, или на такъв ден попаднахме. И ако в много случаи се дразня на наличието на туристи в някои градове, в Ловеч имах чувството, че точно те липсват. Странно, защото на мен мястото ми се стори интересно за туристи. Така че, ако имате път натам, разходете се. Сега е зелено и красиво, и чисто...

Amanuensis - a person employed to take dictation or to copy manuscripts

2008-03-11T17:27:00.002+02:00

Така научих нова дума.

On this blue day, I want to be
nothing more than an amanuensis
to the birds, transcribing all the bits
and snatches of song riding in on the wind.

-- Barbara Crooker, "Transcription (Poem)"

Пролетно събуждане

2008-03-10T09:41:00.004+02:00

Не съм писала тук отдавна. За сметка на това се върнах към хартиения дневник...

Какво ново? За пътуването до Солун Еличката разказа, след като се върнахме. Макар и за кратко, беше много приятно изживяване...

Усилено се занимаваме с довършителните работи по новия офис. Надяваме се през април вече да сме там...

Дойде пролетта. О, йеееее! След дългия зимен сън отново ходя на репетиции. Наваксвам с последния танц на ето това парче. Секси е.
На пролетната Главна почти всеки уикенд виждам приятели и познати от София, дошли на разходка в Пловдив...

Открих малко нова музика. Sweet Coffee са най-новите ми любимци...

И напоследък гледам филми от София Филм Фест...

Едно спонтанно пътуване до Странджа

2008-01-29T12:19:00.001+02:00

Местното училище в едно странджанско село. Тъжна гледка - голяма сграда, без прозорци, кой каквото могъл - откраднал. Изкушихме се да разгледаме вътре. Материали, онагледяващи съдържанието на уроци по математика, химия, български, литература, руски, френски - разпиляни по пода, затрупани с мръсотии. Жалко, защото предполагам, че една голяма част от тях биха могли да се използват и сега. Видовете триъгълници или спрежението на глаголите не са се променили през последните двадесет години...
Коментирахме след това - училището беше като нагледен урок по ценностите на нашето време. Беше изчезнало това, което беше най-ценно - паркетът, дървените чинове и черните дъски за огрев. По земята се въргаляха книги и свидетелства за завършено образование. Очевидно никой не се интересуваше от тях.

Това училище трябва наистина много отдавна да е изоставено. По стената още имаше портрети на Георги Димитров и плакати с пионерчета. Впечатлих се всъщност колко положителни послания носеха. Дали днес някой повтаря на децата достатъчно често, че е хубаво да се трудиш и твориш?
П.П. Извинявам се за лошото качество на снимките. Направих ги с телефона, а сега нямам много време да ги оправям.

Facebook = Big Brother?

2008-01-24T12:59:00.000+02:00

След като прочетох тази статия, сериозно се замислих за моето интернет присъствие...

O, soleil, soleil

2008-01-22T10:35:00.001+02:00

Имаше една такава песен навремето. Спомням си я от детството. Вчера беше вторият слънчев ден в Пловдив за тази година. За сметка на това вечерта падна най-гъстата мъгла. От тези мъгли, в които се крият Джак Изкормвача и онзи с дървения крак от "Знакът на четиримата".

В това време любимата ми песен е Strawberry Letter 23

...All through the morning rain
I gaze - the sun doesn't shine -
Rainbows and waterfalls run through my mind.

In the garden - I see west
Purple shower, bells and tea
Orange birds and river cousins dressed in green.

Pretty music I hear - so happy
And loud - blue flowers echo
From a cherry cloud.

Feel sunshine sparkle pink and blue
Playgrounds will laugh
If you try to ask
Is it cool? Is it cool?...

Как можах да пропусна

2008-01-10T17:35:00.000+02:00

Това като допълнение към предишния пост. Една съвсем последна снимка от последните дни на 2007. Беше чудно хубава вечер, в която разбрах, че караоке пеенето може да е изключително забавно.

"When I was down..."
"I was your clown."

Снимки от една година

2008-01-09T19:06:00.000+02:00

За Нова година ни дойде идеята всеки от приятелите да подбере десетина снимки от 2007, които представят как е изминала годината за него, и да ги прожектираме на мултимедията. Идеята си остана неосъществена. Но аз пък се вдъхнових да избера няколко от моите снимки на 2007.

Тази снимка изпратихме в Нова ТВ в едно предаване за животни. С нея рекламираха Вихър като благонадежден ерген. Никой не се отзова. Освен едни съмнителни мераклии да го купуват от Добрич.

Един следобед на границата между зимата и пролетта. През повечето време Светла превеждаше на лаптопа - за онези енциклопедии, които се разпространяваха с вестниците.

Разходка с Тонито и Васко. Играхме на "Балонът се надува..." Татковците май бяха най-доволни, че има кой да ги отмени в игрите.

Един експеримент, който си направих - в продължение на една седмица снимах вечер или сутрин дрехите, които събличам вечерта. Нямам навика да ги прибирам, а остават да лежат някъде. Понякога - разхвърляни, друг път - подредени...

Цвете за 8ми март. Влюбих се в него. Така и не успях да открия точно как се казва. Завещах го на майка, след като се изнесох. Тя се грижи добре за него.

Излет до Сопот - беше по време на ваканцията за 1. май. През по-голямата част от времето се припичах на слънце, а другите се качиха с лифта догоре.

Това пък беше разходка до с. Косово. Уж по работа - трябваше да проучим терена за тиймбилдинг. Видя ми се по-хубаво отпреди. Сигурно заради времето - по-зелено, по-оживено... А разходката приключи с обилен обяд.

Един уикенд на Каваците. Все още беше учудващо спокойно и имаше предостатъчно място за палатките.

Тръгнахме уж за събора в Левочево. Спахме в Смолян, при баба, две коли хора. До събора така и не стигнахме, но видяхме други чудни места, които до този момент не познавах. За мен това пътуване дойде непосредствено след един изтощителен тиймбилднг на Боровец и очевидно съм имала нужда от почивка.

Септемврийската почивка на Св. Влас. Бяхме компания от около петнайсет души. Сред тях и Васко. Щом чуеше неговото парче - Can't Stop the Rock - ставаше неудържим.

На Сахаттепе, през декември - повече снимки от този ден има в един от последните постове.

Swiss Groove

2008-01-08T23:35:00.000+02:00

SwissGroove е радиото, което слушам в момента, а и доста често напоследък. Бях го позабравила, но благодарение на Краси го преоткрих. Jazzy...

В края на една дълга ваканция

2008-01-05T22:36:00.000+02:00

Да, видя й се краят на ваканцията. И понеже по време на почивката не отделях време за блога, реших да покажа малко снимки от последните седмици.

Първият сняг в Пловдив. Една много хубава разходка с Тонито и Тошо на Сахаттепе.

Планът беше с Тошо да разходим кучетата. Само че, заради снега, той не можа да докара неговата Вики от Брестник - селото, в което живее на воля. Така че за Вихър това беше самотна разходка, без дама.

По-късно Тони празнуваше рождения си ден. Беше забавна и приятна вечер. С много хора, смях и хубави подаръци.

За разлика от повечето други гости, които сменяха местата си, за да се видят с този-онзи, ние останахме неподвижни. Чудя се как издържахме на седенето в продължение на часове. Добре че разказах няколко пъти вица за затворниците, които решили да правят секс. За да е по-изразително, на определено място от историята се налагаше да стана. Добре ми подейства лекото раздвижване.
И още една разходка на Сахаттепе. Този път вечерна. Валеше Големият Сняг. На тепето, естествено, нямаше други хора. Вихър обаче е достатъчно страшен за непознати и когато съм с него, не се притеснявам да ходя на по-диви места. Всичко беше затрупано, нямаше път, а нашият водач-пазач проправяше пъртина. Накрая заприлича на павиан - снегът беше замръзнал по козината му и образуваше дълги бели ресни, които на фона на черната му грива изглеждаха наистина смешно.

Светла има снежинка вместо нос

Какво ли е да не работиш в продължение на десет дни?

2007-12-25T16:09:00.000+02:00

Този въпрос си зададохме в офиса преди около седмица, когато трескаво се опитвахме да свършим цялата работа тази година. Не успяхме, въпреки че оставахме до осем почти всеки ден. Бяхме забравили какво е чувството да не работиш за по-дълго от един уикенд.
Йеееее, страхотно е! Сега дори се налага да ставам по-рано, отколкото ми се иска, за да успея да направя всичко, което ми се иска: разходки, гости вкъщи, гости у приятели, парти вечери, празнуване с родителите... С една дума: (х)айлязувам, както би казала баба, Бог да я прости.