Pages: 485
I couldn't decide on the next book so I took Nataniel to the library and we both chose Cecelia Ahern's " A place called here". I've read two of her books already and I can say that they never fail to impress me.I love Cecelia's books, I would like to have her imagination. Well, the story takes place in Ireland (the author is Irish) and roughly it's about a woman who goes missing. The reader somehow gets the insider's info of what happens when you disappear.I have to keep reading to find out more.
As for reading itself it's not easy these days because Nataniel decided to cut his naps in half so when I get my coffee, book and a sandwich it's actually time to get up and spend time with Nataniel. He is probably teething because his cheeks are red so he is totally forgiven.
As for Christmas preparation this week I decided to prepare roasted vegetables with herbs. I bought the last ingredient which was balsamic vinegar today so I will make the dish tomorrow. Well, I'm actually worried because I'm running out of easy recipes and probably next week my cooking will get serious, brr. As for the next dishes I'm a bit stuck because the key ingredient in most of them are chestnuts. Where do you get them? You buy them? Are they sold raw or prepared in jars? Which supermarkets have them or is it only on eBay? If you are reading this and you happen to know please let me know.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
My language
Why am I writing in English? I guess, not modestly, I wanted to get bigger audience, some of my friends don't know Polish and almost all of my Polish friends speak perfect English. There is just one drawback: It's not my native language and I probably will never sound as "one of us" for English speakers. I finished book two a few minutes ago and I'm moved because you can express so much in Polish. This is my language? All my childhood, my memories are all shaped by Polish culture. Why did I forget that? Why was it so easy to take on someone else's language and treat as my very own? ...It's all two faced. English now is an old Latin or French. In Polish you often don't use Polish equivalents, it's easier, it's cooler. How am I suppose to teach my son Polish as even I don't know how to use it anymore. I'm not really freaking out because I, somewhere in my heart, feel that it's impossible to forget your own language, no matter where you now live. There will always be : mama, tata, babcia,dziadek, pierogi, truskawki, lato, woda...ech now I'm creating this world for Nataniel. In a few years he is going to think about his childhood and I want to fill it with good memories...without rush or flashy toys, just by simply being with him.
Last two weeks are so important to me. It's like with writing I can manage my life - if it's ever possible. It clears my mind, clears my emotions. I have more time for myself, all housework disappears quicker and I manage to do things I always wanted to do. It somehow finally got to me that it's not the world that shapes you, it's you that have the creative power. In fact it's the simplicity , humble surroundings and even bad weather that makes you a better person.
Last two weeks are so important to me. It's like with writing I can manage my life - if it's ever possible. It clears my mind, clears my emotions. I have more time for myself, all housework disappears quicker and I manage to do things I always wanted to do. It somehow finally got to me that it's not the world that shapes you, it's you that have the creative power. In fact it's the simplicity , humble surroundings and even bad weather that makes you a better person.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Book Two: Roma Ligocka "Czulosc i obojetnosc"
Pages: 185
If you are an English reader and don't know any Polish please don't be discouraged. The title is in my translation "Tenderness and indifference". The author is a woman born to a Jewish background in 1938. You can probably figure out what happened to most of her family during the war. I read one of her books few years ago and it was a difficult experience. The title was: "The girl in the red coat".I got a copy of that from my future mother in-law. That was first hand war experience of a child that survived WWII. The author is an amazing woman. Her writing is very tender and you can see a little girl there, hidden somewhere under the table, trying to get into the world that was once taken away from her. I really can't even imagine what she went through, I'm not even trying.
The words that are put on the pages are somehow flowing. It's like Roma almost didn't touch the page with a pen, extremely light breezy writing. It's like a memoir or rather impressions on her life, touch points, brief moments that moved her or are actually part of her.
In her grown up life Roma moved a lot, emigrated to foreign countries. She never had a real home. I emigrated a few years ago but it was totally different experience. My husband got a nice job in Ireland and since we moved here we fell in love with the country. But where home actually is? It's definitely not the building. It's the people you love, people you left behind in the country and the ones that are here with you. It's like being torn apart between here and there. You feel comfortable now, you found your place but knowing that your parents are going to see their grandson only few times a year is almost heartbreaking. At least I know that my folks feel at home in Wroclaw, they have their theatre, movie festivals, other kinds of festivals and the mountains they love so much. I'm happy.
If you are an English reader and don't know any Polish please don't be discouraged. The title is in my translation "Tenderness and indifference". The author is a woman born to a Jewish background in 1938. You can probably figure out what happened to most of her family during the war. I read one of her books few years ago and it was a difficult experience. The title was: "The girl in the red coat".I got a copy of that from my future mother in-law. That was first hand war experience of a child that survived WWII. The author is an amazing woman. Her writing is very tender and you can see a little girl there, hidden somewhere under the table, trying to get into the world that was once taken away from her. I really can't even imagine what she went through, I'm not even trying.
The words that are put on the pages are somehow flowing. It's like Roma almost didn't touch the page with a pen, extremely light breezy writing. It's like a memoir or rather impressions on her life, touch points, brief moments that moved her or are actually part of her.
In her grown up life Roma moved a lot, emigrated to foreign countries. She never had a real home. I emigrated a few years ago but it was totally different experience. My husband got a nice job in Ireland and since we moved here we fell in love with the country. But where home actually is? It's definitely not the building. It's the people you love, people you left behind in the country and the ones that are here with you. It's like being torn apart between here and there. You feel comfortable now, you found your place but knowing that your parents are going to see their grandson only few times a year is almost heartbreaking. At least I know that my folks feel at home in Wroclaw, they have their theatre, movie festivals, other kinds of festivals and the mountains they love so much. I'm happy.
Week of big accomplishments
This week my blogging has unfortunatelly been put aside but it's not as bad as it sounds: I mananaged to resolve one big space problem and my creativity ...is just flowing all over the place.
Lets start from the beginning: We finally found new apartment. Well, the one we have is fine, just a bit small. We had to put lots of things in boxes and they are standing in our cramped kitchen now. Enough of that, please.
Then, I finally started writing. The story turns out to be completely different from what I've been expecting but that's fine - my novel lives it's own life I suppose.
And finally I finished book one from my assignment. It was amazing journey through author's life and his experience as a writer. Well worth reading. Rule number one now is to read and write as much as I can, as Stephen has advised me to do.
Lets start from the beginning: We finally found new apartment. Well, the one we have is fine, just a bit small. We had to put lots of things in boxes and they are standing in our cramped kitchen now. Enough of that, please.
Then, I finally started writing. The story turns out to be completely different from what I've been expecting but that's fine - my novel lives it's own life I suppose.
And finally I finished book one from my assignment. It was amazing journey through author's life and his experience as a writer. Well worth reading. Rule number one now is to read and write as much as I can, as Stephen has advised me to do.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Hard work and the big preparation
The book still reads extremely well. It has lots of hints how to get yourself started with writing. So beside the reading I'm also going to write 1000 words a day.
Well, now I'm writing a story. For now I have the atmosphere described and I'm waiting for one of the characters to show up and lead the way. It's so exciting!
I began also preparation for Christmas. My in-laws and my husband's brother are coming over, well flying over from Wroclaw for the big week. As I have no experience in the field I decided to try and master one dish a week. I have a well treasured December 2006 issue of "Good housekeeping" - no laughing please. This week it's Brussels sprouts. They turned out really well. The recipe was with caramelised shallots and toasted pinenuts. Even my husband, who hates Brussels sprouts said it was delicious. Eh, Christmas is finally upon us:).
Well, now I'm writing a story. For now I have the atmosphere described and I'm waiting for one of the characters to show up and lead the way. It's so exciting!
I began also preparation for Christmas. My in-laws and my husband's brother are coming over, well flying over from Wroclaw for the big week. As I have no experience in the field I decided to try and master one dish a week. I have a well treasured December 2006 issue of "Good housekeeping" - no laughing please. This week it's Brussels sprouts. They turned out really well. The recipe was with caramelised shallots and toasted pinenuts. Even my husband, who hates Brussels sprouts said it was delicious. Eh, Christmas is finally upon us:).
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Liberating experience
I haven't felt so good in years career-wise.I feel liberated. I feel free to be creative. I had a feeling that I need art to express myself but I always thought it was painting I should pursue. I thought I hate writing. Now strangely enough it liberates me.
I must admit I'm hooked now on reading. I have my time, I have my space.It's amazing to find out how Stephen King created "Carrie". Everything seems to be happening on purpose. His helping wife, early poverty, his children. It all makes you work even harder and if what you do is what you love it's like the whole world comes to you and helps you, heaven opens up.
Yesterday I saw "The Illusionist". I'm not sure about magician types of movies but it was quite charming.The plot, the characters ...eee...it reminds me of Woody Allen's movie: "Scoop". This one was pretty cool and ..."I mean this from the bottom of my heart"!ha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X31pBRzhqaw
I must admit I'm hooked now on reading. I have my time, I have my space.It's amazing to find out how Stephen King created "Carrie". Everything seems to be happening on purpose. His helping wife, early poverty, his children. It all makes you work even harder and if what you do is what you love it's like the whole world comes to you and helps you, heaven opens up.
Yesterday I saw "The Illusionist". I'm not sure about magician types of movies but it was quite charming.The plot, the characters ...eee...it reminds me of Woody Allen's movie: "Scoop". This one was pretty cool and ..."I mean this from the bottom of my heart"!ha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X31pBRzhqaw
Friday, September 18, 2009
Concentrate on the Now
I got a question yesterday from my beloved follower about the list of books. Well, there isn't one. For now I will see how it goes. For now not knowing what I will read next works well.There is no big waiting list but just this one book I read. That's my new philosophy - Concentrate on the Now.
Yesterday I had a little catch up with Mr Jamie Olivier - Well, I watched the next episode of his "Jamie's American Road Trip". I think it's brilliant. It's these extraordinary cultures he is talking about through food. In high end restaurants you certainly will eat great food but it's the small places, family run where you can hear the heartbeat.
I've read a few chapters from my book. Why is it so that Stephen King's books remind me of my childhood. Well, I wasn't writing back then but this feeling of freedom, that you can do whatever you want the whole day it's just so captivating. I liked when he wrote about his trips to the movies to watch horror stories. Isn't that funny that when you are 12 or so is the best time to watch those movies. I've seen so many of them back then. When you grow up it just looses it's charm. Maybe movie selection just gets more sophisticated ...or there are no good horror movies anymore. Today's slashers? - No thank you!
I remember one movie form my growing up in particular: "Cinema Paradiso" by Giuseppe Tornatorre.It's the best movie ever. I somehow managed to get a DVD of that.It's charming. I wish it was the first movie I've ever seen(maybe it was, wasn't it?).One time I actually felt like one of the characters. It was in Crete in Paleochora in the south of the island. There was this open air cinema. There was no popcorn, which I hate, but there was beer, which I love. You sat there sipping your bottle, the moon shone over your head, millions of cats were running around and this entr'acte, a break in the middle of the movie to refill or go to the loo:).It was the ultimate cinema experience.
Yesterday I had a little catch up with Mr Jamie Olivier - Well, I watched the next episode of his "Jamie's American Road Trip". I think it's brilliant. It's these extraordinary cultures he is talking about through food. In high end restaurants you certainly will eat great food but it's the small places, family run where you can hear the heartbeat.
I've read a few chapters from my book. Why is it so that Stephen King's books remind me of my childhood. Well, I wasn't writing back then but this feeling of freedom, that you can do whatever you want the whole day it's just so captivating. I liked when he wrote about his trips to the movies to watch horror stories. Isn't that funny that when you are 12 or so is the best time to watch those movies. I've seen so many of them back then. When you grow up it just looses it's charm. Maybe movie selection just gets more sophisticated ...or there are no good horror movies anymore. Today's slashers? - No thank you!
I remember one movie form my growing up in particular: "Cinema Paradiso" by Giuseppe Tornatorre.It's the best movie ever. I somehow managed to get a DVD of that.It's charming. I wish it was the first movie I've ever seen(maybe it was, wasn't it?).One time I actually felt like one of the characters. It was in Crete in Paleochora in the south of the island. There was this open air cinema. There was no popcorn, which I hate, but there was beer, which I love. You sat there sipping your bottle, the moon shone over your head, millions of cats were running around and this entr'acte, a break in the middle of the movie to refill or go to the loo:).It was the ultimate cinema experience.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Book One: Stephen King " On writing. A Memoir of the Craft"
Pages: 367
I decided to read this book because I want to write! I have no experience in the field and I turn to the king for advice.There is a bit of damage made by my high school teacher to my confidence as a writer but hopefully that can be mended.
So far the book reads well. One thing only: The author thinks that you have to be born with the gift of writing. Is that so?Maybe. Hopefully it will come to the surface.
I decided to read this book because I want to write! I have no experience in the field and I turn to the king for advice.There is a bit of damage made by my high school teacher to my confidence as a writer but hopefully that can be mended.
So far the book reads well. One thing only: The author thinks that you have to be born with the gift of writing. Is that so?Maybe. Hopefully it will come to the surface.
The Assignment
To read and write about 20 books until 31th of December 2009
It's me now. Here on the Web! I love reading, I love jumping into the lives of characters ...the whole magic transformation but I never manage to have time for that so I decided to read 20 books until the 31st of December 2009. Belive me it really is a spectacular number for me, especially with almost 1 year old baby Nataniel and a lovely husband to feed.
It's me now. Here on the Web! I love reading, I love jumping into the lives of characters ...the whole magic transformation but I never manage to have time for that so I decided to read 20 books until the 31st of December 2009. Belive me it really is a spectacular number for me, especially with almost 1 year old baby Nataniel and a lovely husband to feed.
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