tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314249732024-03-08T00:43:55.908+02:00hopeful beirut..soul in flight...hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-2546517927590691842010-09-19T17:20:00.000+03:002010-09-19T17:20:14.218+03:00fictional speech - class 2009<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Rummaging through my old emails, i found a fictional speech i was asked to write for an English class... it struck me as insightful, and <i><b>more relevant to me now than ever before... </b></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><b>To the Graduating Class of 2009:</b><br />
<br />
Today, you stand before family and friends, ready to embark on a new phase of your life.<br />
<br />
All you have gone through has been in preparation for this moment, when you graduate from university and become once again a student of Life. And Life is a hard teacher, always giving drop quizzes when you least expect them, and changing the rules as soon as you get comfortable. Life is a challenge, a riddle, and it will take all your strength to figure it out.<br />
<br />
You see, up till now, you had everything planned out; you were going to work hard, go to classes, meet people, and make friends. You were living up to other people's expectations, and now it is time to set your own. What will be the milestones that define your existence, and what cause will you passionately strive for?<br />
<br />
People often make the mistake of judging their success in life by the career titles they accumulate, the car they drive, where they live, or what people say about them. They judge themselves through other people's eyes and they are always found lacking. They think they can always do it better, buy a later version, or be seen at a trendier restaurant. Yet, they are rarely satisfied, and are always lacking self-esteem, because they have not defined what they stand for, and as the saying goes, "if you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything."<br />
<br />
So I stand before you here today to tell you to fill your hearts with enthusiasm and your minds with reason, and use them to navigate through the new adventures that are beckoning. Conquer your fears and do not allow them to keep you from achieving your full potential. <br />
<br />
Stop for a moment to imagine the world without Steve Jobs, Mother Theresa, Gibran or Thomas Edison. They faced adversity and criticism but they didn't allow that to affect their state of mind or the strength of their conviction; and thanks to their vision, perseverance, and courage, the world is now a much better place. <br />
<br />
These are just a few examples of the pioneers who heralded new beginnings. They have stood the test of time and will be forever remembered as having made a difference, as their names are carved in humanity's collective consciousness.<br />
<br />
Therefore, as you embark on this new adventure, which is the rest of your life, take a moment to reflect on what you hold dear, and how you want to leave this world a better place. Balance you life with work, family, friends, and hobbies, and always be open to embrace the winds of change. And most importantly, take charge of your future, and hold yourself to the highest standards, and know that your contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference.</span></div>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-69775303566641788932010-09-17T23:17:00.000+03:002010-09-17T23:17:13.477+03:00JM Serrat tribute to Miguel Hernandez: Estupendo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmV4gwj_thW7sesTOrFKSoVEZxe7FzplOdmmcU36kaFrGOpahfvn-Mu-0fU20uTM6l2elVC_RH1KvlGye12Q_lfztaowF0z649fPHrlhWvV-wRWddc8YFTdvcmzK4QoUXEdZ5-/s1600/IMG00388-20100917-2030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmV4gwj_thW7sesTOrFKSoVEZxe7FzplOdmmcU36kaFrGOpahfvn-Mu-0fU20uTM6l2elVC_RH1KvlGye12Q_lfztaowF0z649fPHrlhWvV-wRWddc8YFTdvcmzK4QoUXEdZ5-/s320/IMG00388-20100917-2030.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQvxYLXbOu2sSb2rct9Vb_Egk0HsO9UsVncBXjypAQDa70IcoR8INiPKn7gcedX-kYaRe30HKlCH2RXHCoTsGxWN-fCPtVM24nwu7xrAeILNSWlBwRHcrAzRBch0Led901-Q7/s1600/IMG00389-20100917-2030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQvxYLXbOu2sSb2rct9Vb_Egk0HsO9UsVncBXjypAQDa70IcoR8INiPKn7gcedX-kYaRe30HKlCH2RXHCoTsGxWN-fCPtVM24nwu7xrAeILNSWlBwRHcrAzRBch0Led901-Q7/s320/IMG00389-20100917-2030.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ut0pNbwCQUrREyLIxTisAgv1d3mAyH1kAaZcxhqfiyljkaubKM6HtgNd20dbRsmRKfDsM7wLXqhIxH-YH9e2MKAJmIysuEry0w4mMDFgF-U-LPF8Sdq0Lg4E_wlTc7CrD1nw/s1600/IMG00395-20100917-2033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ut0pNbwCQUrREyLIxTisAgv1d3mAyH1kAaZcxhqfiyljkaubKM6HtgNd20dbRsmRKfDsM7wLXqhIxH-YH9e2MKAJmIysuEry0w4mMDFgF-U-LPF8Sdq0Lg4E_wlTc7CrD1nw/s320/IMG00395-20100917-2033.jpg" /></a></div>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-50083290290241781802010-09-17T23:13:00.000+03:002010-09-17T23:13:19.469+03:00Quote by Mother Theresa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCq5DMg3RUrjC-LeTo0R_kKxla69TntkAoF8OlmPlZbUT-pg1DyNZ2z_L6-J3mnItfup-prdcXOiqgt8ZqjwQRXt0l8WhpyQVWdPLMfoqSIl8Og2D5qludDv6IOebNok9tSlu/s1600/IMG00393-20100917-2033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCq5DMg3RUrjC-LeTo0R_kKxla69TntkAoF8OlmPlZbUT-pg1DyNZ2z_L6-J3mnItfup-prdcXOiqgt8ZqjwQRXt0l8WhpyQVWdPLMfoqSIl8Og2D5qludDv6IOebNok9tSlu/s320/IMG00393-20100917-2033.jpg" /></a></div>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-71160612741844310912010-09-17T23:11:00.000+03:002010-09-17T23:11:41.517+03:00letting go {past}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCwa8IZciinoSNoeTCEYzo3C5wBgLG3GwpOXUPfZmaWzmlkrez4GSBlsfdMABIFoYtyvfX38mB4A8MP9UUj5Ndp6-Mw7GPsVA8fHDCGlP3GLbZm9FIu_s7sY7i6-ewrvWssjZ/s1600/IMG00392-20100917-2033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCwa8IZciinoSNoeTCEYzo3C5wBgLG3GwpOXUPfZmaWzmlkrez4GSBlsfdMABIFoYtyvfX38mB4A8MP9UUj5Ndp6-Mw7GPsVA8fHDCGlP3GLbZm9FIu_s7sY7i6-ewrvWssjZ/s320/IMG00392-20100917-2033.jpg" /></a></div>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-25919240949312072022010-09-17T23:09:00.000+03:002010-09-17T23:09:05.342+03:00consejos por una noche de suenos...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvLvk2Hz1_dSZRbYX6quwSbIM4OTblRektstGXEvyN6r1OaPVOpfcvO2nEjdYiX63tPayYv0aj-LDogO5vaPgAukdqs5_S1m4DrCytMl-VrbFU2MCqBCQ6F5qHxkpSuSlL4f-/s1600/IMG00390-20100917-2030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvLvk2Hz1_dSZRbYX6quwSbIM4OTblRektstGXEvyN6r1OaPVOpfcvO2nEjdYiX63tPayYv0aj-LDogO5vaPgAukdqs5_S1m4DrCytMl-VrbFU2MCqBCQ6F5qHxkpSuSlL4f-/s320/IMG00390-20100917-2030.jpg" /></a></div>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-21108308726010102332010-09-16T13:34:00.000+03:002010-09-16T13:34:34.779+03:00internal dialogue by the fountain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq08_PikeE4B-WxdmoG9Dqj2zSpLuEQ0QUehbOLlu7cFcYYFUFupt7Qc5pbV7hgIElI5z_WRxC6byMty9hXh3dZoBzmOn4xdX2a8_w9O53mIPyJqpMM-PsLj0Cy_tnCpqfbMyM/s1600/IMG00349-20100916-1135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq08_PikeE4B-WxdmoG9Dqj2zSpLuEQ0QUehbOLlu7cFcYYFUFupt7Qc5pbV7hgIElI5z_WRxC6byMty9hXh3dZoBzmOn4xdX2a8_w9O53mIPyJqpMM-PsLj0Cy_tnCpqfbMyM/s320/IMG00349-20100916-1135.jpg" /></a></div>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-21317684687724434422010-09-16T13:30:00.000+03:002010-09-16T13:30:39.207+03:00Quote from Lope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUj997kPgfY8gdCMKtak9y_D_eAGtp5OruR7YCEh3lAl73wkU4j4dCzAofPIhbNOaP_Z-dFqFt4Zw6OTmrlg_6aFhN8e1trYlBt1SwqPsMaJYUsHBLBz-9dUq4AxmXu5tsSAj/s1600/IMG00352-20100916-1138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUj997kPgfY8gdCMKtak9y_D_eAGtp5OruR7YCEh3lAl73wkU4j4dCzAofPIhbNOaP_Z-dFqFt4Zw6OTmrlg_6aFhN8e1trYlBt1SwqPsMaJYUsHBLBz-9dUq4AxmXu5tsSAj/s320/IMG00352-20100916-1138.jpg" /></a></div>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-23663158317177703202010-09-16T13:27:00.002+03:002010-09-16T13:37:20.041+03:00restaurant reviews :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgk47hIfnyeM9FDvDzt5xBIHBxNOpjVzD7ot5xNw8xlc7xVNWlYE9vQB2bPS7UAFScxrGha5yXpcdSsx-ZX7Kp5Zy5vUXpwL-TAPtjcHkiXh55jSW4humajL91KT3bqcqCbgcX/s1600/IMG00353-20100916-1138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgk47hIfnyeM9FDvDzt5xBIHBxNOpjVzD7ot5xNw8xlc7xVNWlYE9vQB2bPS7UAFScxrGha5yXpcdSsx-ZX7Kp5Zy5vUXpwL-TAPtjcHkiXh55jSW4humajL91KT3bqcqCbgcX/s320/IMG00353-20100916-1138.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNV-24eux6YLJ5DgEWdPmhGbaYtOghNOhEo6_XQzyIKETLReOFWTHDcyTzl1cXnAtoIoKwhMsg7Yhald0p2MrDDrXsSTqXwHg9Ptkdms_ezhaOQYNmVrufoQb5jxgI1Pn-YSW/s1600/IMG00356-20100916-1149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKOGi7X9lg1LreDkbU8GMSQWzQgPYV89mwLUO9tDHQ0fMj2a_mhD3J-LHpHwzphj5xNsOta9fnX5ea_F18HoIcXBE0TTIHEv9GXOlHCRWlKT5ILhAHpC9qUntW97YDNIlmXYJ/s1600/IMG00354-20100916-1139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKOGi7X9lg1LreDkbU8GMSQWzQgPYV89mwLUO9tDHQ0fMj2a_mhD3J-LHpHwzphj5xNsOta9fnX5ea_F18HoIcXBE0TTIHEv9GXOlHCRWlKT5ILhAHpC9qUntW97YDNIlmXYJ/s1600/IMG00354-20100916-1139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKOGi7X9lg1LreDkbU8GMSQWzQgPYV89mwLUO9tDHQ0fMj2a_mhD3J-LHpHwzphj5xNsOta9fnX5ea_F18HoIcXBE0TTIHEv9GXOlHCRWlKT5ILhAHpC9qUntW97YDNIlmXYJ/s320/IMG00354-20100916-1139.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNV-24eux6YLJ5DgEWdPmhGbaYtOghNOhEo6_XQzyIKETLReOFWTHDcyTzl1cXnAtoIoKwhMsg7Yhald0p2MrDDrXsSTqXwHg9Ptkdms_ezhaOQYNmVrufoQb5jxgI1Pn-YSW/s1600/IMG00356-20100916-1149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNV-24eux6YLJ5DgEWdPmhGbaYtOghNOhEo6_XQzyIKETLReOFWTHDcyTzl1cXnAtoIoKwhMsg7Yhald0p2MrDDrXsSTqXwHg9Ptkdms_ezhaOQYNmVrufoQb5jxgI1Pn-YSW/s320/IMG00356-20100916-1149.jpg" /></a></div>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-10125160916658669582010-09-16T13:25:00.002+03:002010-09-16T13:25:58.882+03:00note to self<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUfnjsEr2gmGTgGS-jAiemjc2Vt9bbRJwAVAO5iNob2_x0spqzKw15Z7ViqNBa4zSVWcwNCKjbTWpVCKU-cFpBL5gatF8o8jMxTLi97BxmsRh5IRw_oHqeoIhLRe870RvOnyn/s1600/IMG00350-20100916-1135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUfnjsEr2gmGTgGS-jAiemjc2Vt9bbRJwAVAO5iNob2_x0spqzKw15Z7ViqNBa4zSVWcwNCKjbTWpVCKU-cFpBL5gatF8o8jMxTLi97BxmsRh5IRw_oHqeoIhLRe870RvOnyn/s320/IMG00350-20100916-1135.jpg" /></a></div>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-56915357163329225952010-09-08T13:14:00.000+03:002010-09-08T13:14:59.852+03:00illustrated inspirations<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUtzQ1VpRszN9YX3yW6etcjWDwWw5yYiQEL9zL-MGVF5Cjd1BfD0O5j5CkbU0MWuJ5-3qokLSqHLwJxnK0EUiesKRrXzcukxD0yyM8tcJ1u-kEBeSBm4GeQJf7sybrW1Gsir9/s1600/IMG00167-20100908-1028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUtzQ1VpRszN9YX3yW6etcjWDwWw5yYiQEL9zL-MGVF5Cjd1BfD0O5j5CkbU0MWuJ5-3qokLSqHLwJxnK0EUiesKRrXzcukxD0yyM8tcJ1u-kEBeSBm4GeQJf7sybrW1Gsir9/s320/IMG00167-20100908-1028.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there is never nothing going on... peaceful warrior</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eGx7vIXJ0K_S02ll_Al8B0yintRO5L6oahOSWJrbjUd0L_iHo76BOojQLK8490XqrTGOYJvYzgkr_tnmAsL6aWypUNJRaiUeX08zM_yCbOjWoq-m_HJ5WNo132dQObPiWGAW/s1600/IMG00173-20100908-1030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-eGx7vIXJ0K_S02ll_Al8B0yintRO5L6oahOSWJrbjUd0L_iHo76BOojQLK8490XqrTGOYJvYzgkr_tnmAsL6aWypUNJRaiUeX08zM_yCbOjWoq-m_HJ5WNo132dQObPiWGAW/s320/IMG00173-20100908-1030.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">20 poemas y una cancion desesperada... neruda</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOnPcoE66Gbb2jhBUx_00aWRzb9z-o8-I4ZuScbUCSyCR477edghT5M5oaqks_MbsR6kT5sNjmVPF_zz2NsmkVR6xvnL63LycMzXu7oBc4uWexnkVVVRR4Z_ZQlsQ4PZww_e_/s1600/IMG00174-20100908-1030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOnPcoE66Gbb2jhBUx_00aWRzb9z-o8-I4ZuScbUCSyCR477edghT5M5oaqks_MbsR6kT5sNjmVPF_zz2NsmkVR6xvnL63LycMzXu7oBc4uWexnkVVVRR4Z_ZQlsQ4PZww_e_/s320/IMG00174-20100908-1030.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">le petit prince.... st. exupery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-12267933103516550892010-09-08T13:10:00.000+03:002010-09-08T13:10:33.840+03:001 week in MADRID<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwYcL-P67qzxr81SZS085K69meTwCFHM0xw1B1lxTdntJ5Ady3su_vjoAh-6CK2BSQj-29mBoHiClaj8HsYEbkOzyAqsfFpMTF48GFQb5hMmuRIoiLQz1TNaisRcx386i2Fx3/s1600/IMG00157-20100907-1812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwYcL-P67qzxr81SZS085K69meTwCFHM0xw1B1lxTdntJ5Ady3su_vjoAh-6CK2BSQj-29mBoHiClaj8HsYEbkOzyAqsfFpMTF48GFQb5hMmuRIoiLQz1TNaisRcx386i2Fx3/s320/IMG00157-20100907-1812.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day in Madrid, with R.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYn31A_ApY0aOMf7oVS3oQZ_tVA4iLV2uiq4OKcd0ld7NlNyU2-UPvbXls3OjcOGEsmiu2DJrx94I9KtG8iUJOTz-8w_XO64lnoZpuTioxFQlW0QchdnS2nKyBv8yiI1-HKga/s1600/IMG00168-20100908-1028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYn31A_ApY0aOMf7oVS3oQZ_tVA4iLV2uiq4OKcd0ld7NlNyU2-UPvbXls3OjcOGEsmiu2DJrx94I9KtG8iUJOTz-8w_XO64lnoZpuTioxFQlW0QchdnS2nKyBv8yiI1-HKga/s320/IMG00168-20100908-1028.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navigating the Bureaucratic Jungle</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyomHAiFAKQp3I6uLq5_HqNlWseShcDR6I2B56Ad2ZOLFruMqHcY26PxYhB_6aiHQJdiO6AIt9xRGsOhQKzIYoJHRIQnn6LsVlTlmZk2EG6goP2M5S6ojjvHnx4WmOFKYpEPPU/s1600/IMG00170-20100908-1029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyomHAiFAKQp3I6uLq5_HqNlWseShcDR6I2B56Ad2ZOLFruMqHcY26PxYhB_6aiHQJdiO6AIt9xRGsOhQKzIYoJHRIQnn6LsVlTlmZk2EG6goP2M5S6ojjvHnx4WmOFKYpEPPU/s320/IMG00170-20100908-1029.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sequences below are journey maps, dated accordingly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyomHAiFAKQp3I6uLq5_HqNlWseShcDR6I2B56Ad2ZOLFruMqHcY26PxYhB_6aiHQJdiO6AIt9xRGsOhQKzIYoJHRIQnn6LsVlTlmZk2EG6goP2M5S6ojjvHnx4WmOFKYpEPPU/s1600/IMG00170-20100908-1029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPtHytWQkGP7oZx24I1VPGIFi8sIYoS0YqQrh5aAfxhyphenhyphenSaCKnoOozM-4bMJfHo_rF3L8Ynh4kyEixbW_Wx4LSofgYxGH6txhViarmqjfb5n92bl7S3zFY8Dg6ndJtFKNBq2sT/s1600/IMG00172-20100908-1030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPtHytWQkGP7oZx24I1VPGIFi8sIYoS0YqQrh5aAfxhyphenhyphenSaCKnoOozM-4bMJfHo_rF3L8Ynh4kyEixbW_Wx4LSofgYxGH6txhViarmqjfb5n92bl7S3zFY8Dg6ndJtFKNBq2sT/s320/IMG00172-20100908-1030.jpg" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDJi2cP4lbbJd_UKLpiDEtmN2eSIKK6IsLgNVIu87CpKYtwONb_069qNxp4OYUbFkTZ_Mm9F6Vaekl3RIVXEHdNfSD5CWOJr7mN6vG1a3XBoRVTcP0QRk0_ntrJWD2062E4-F/s1600/IMG00171-20100908-1029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDJi2cP4lbbJd_UKLpiDEtmN2eSIKK6IsLgNVIu87CpKYtwONb_069qNxp4OYUbFkTZ_Mm9F6Vaekl3RIVXEHdNfSD5CWOJr7mN6vG1a3XBoRVTcP0QRk0_ntrJWD2062E4-F/s320/IMG00171-20100908-1029.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3WiIaDUG8nJMpSRLDFSH9BBuH2clIY540oA0uohlydk6rQu2ZzyEFSq1DgktFmvjO-_blPJ6Pzx3QdXHqBWFifrJIpCGS89p2kU-k4STVVQuqYRLEPhMf12dcfkQDaPkIEL4/s1600/IMG00175-20100908-1037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3WiIaDUG8nJMpSRLDFSH9BBuH2clIY540oA0uohlydk6rQu2ZzyEFSq1DgktFmvjO-_blPJ6Pzx3QdXHqBWFifrJIpCGS89p2kU-k4STVVQuqYRLEPhMf12dcfkQDaPkIEL4/s320/IMG00175-20100908-1037.jpg" /></a></div>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-64138404936548234382010-08-30T10:45:00.000+03:002010-08-30T10:45:06.751+03:00and a new adventure unfolds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVU1DIJQvmfUZlAHgE-asv5-tWStlGgqa_j3JrgPfbnU8IcRSWBMEX7Ghb5SYOz5nvdekNuAHbGB3ZtqfojzNN-BDnOO81Sd48V2bs-2SzXwYWli3oeG1loR0atx7bU2IdmTl7/s1600/todayLeaf1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVU1DIJQvmfUZlAHgE-asv5-tWStlGgqa_j3JrgPfbnU8IcRSWBMEX7Ghb5SYOz5nvdekNuAHbGB3ZtqfojzNN-BDnOO81Sd48V2bs-2SzXwYWli3oeG1loR0atx7bU2IdmTl7/s320/todayLeaf1.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-10202654884476832332010-08-30T10:33:00.001+03:002010-08-30T10:34:02.922+03:00Quoting & Illustrating Rumi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBM2rrihCXeJJ6SlF8VMjaCk1v6h3oaWx3kS0I7lev7w9w7zNbAREGDTPuQRnppnFqEVnKo6R28GxEG11ctDUkseti9FtgeKTYEVcIUcKxmQTcx21dB4je2IyCJrc6rvBToP8/s1600/rumiquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBM2rrihCXeJJ6SlF8VMjaCk1v6h3oaWx3kS0I7lev7w9w7zNbAREGDTPuQRnppnFqEVnKo6R28GxEG11ctDUkseti9FtgeKTYEVcIUcKxmQTcx21dB4je2IyCJrc6rvBToP8/s320/rumiquote.jpg" /></a></div>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-60413487883093206012010-08-11T12:59:00.001+03:002010-08-11T13:00:56.520+03:00heart flow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgJHpxYzPFPV3EFuK00E5d0AAH9i5VDZxMj19j1KWMUv3nmRfwKXXsgVFhdIxgKPrKvTpc-ZdB4ohVUwQ_Xdpx6Usp_13yrhmCxv0XgB4Xn0fZozgOxYfBBqGpiZPdWc510Lq/s1600/illustration4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgJHpxYzPFPV3EFuK00E5d0AAH9i5VDZxMj19j1KWMUv3nmRfwKXXsgVFhdIxgKPrKvTpc-ZdB4ohVUwQ_Xdpx6Usp_13yrhmCxv0XgB4Xn0fZozgOxYfBBqGpiZPdWc510Lq/s400/illustration4.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-77425372485731401992010-08-10T08:10:00.000+03:002010-08-10T08:10:17.529+03:00time capsule clean-upentering into a room which has kept watch over so many loved ones in my family, and where i now surrender to a deep slumber every night... looking around at the clutter, outer manifestation of inner turmoil, and i start to shift... through the bags and boxes, the papers and dreams, the memories long forgotton, and those that bleed still... <br />
<br />
each object a time capsule, with embedded emotions and achievements, each piece expecting to survive the clean-up and not be thrown away, into oblivion and forgetfulness... <br />
<br />
yesterday i got rid of excess baggage, and at some point it tricked me into believing i was ok, immune, and i could deal with it all... it wasn't until nightfall that i realized the toll it had on my heart, and how it had kept me in the house all day, and how it had made me feel so sad...<br />
<br />
goodbyes never leave me untouched... they have an aftertaste depending on their circumstances... bittersweet, if they're inevitable... sour, if they're forced...spicy if they're for a short while... and cold if they're forever...<br />
<br />
in that jumble of things i said goodbye to a person and our dreams together and also to an organization and my growth within it... and just like that, i felt stripped of some pillars of my identity... <br />
<br />
and now the room is tidy again, everything meaningful has found a new place and some have kept their old positions, but the overall energy in the room has changed... there is now place to plant new dreams, and space to experiment... an awareness that only comes by letting go... <br />
<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1LsuciKmgVzk3EI_tlEpzvSox3PCNHmvJ4VCpO1yp-cAIvcn81nCgfPW9Wey3BZT5XF6SX-VXwDsbcpr45WilH14VwmXPLtjJtZqhzkNjbx-z5MyM5W1B6bQ2cxz3jZlI2MW/s1600/IMG00371-20100810-0752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1LsuciKmgVzk3EI_tlEpzvSox3PCNHmvJ4VCpO1yp-cAIvcn81nCgfPW9Wey3BZT5XF6SX-VXwDsbcpr45WilH14VwmXPLtjJtZqhzkNjbx-z5MyM5W1B6bQ2cxz3jZlI2MW/s320/IMG00371-20100810-0752.jpg" /></a></div>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-31468801335525272612010-08-06T01:22:00.001+03:002010-08-06T01:26:29.464+03:00inspired illustrationsAs promised, uncensored experimentations... in the medium of illustration... inspired by the book <strong>"The Forty Rules of Love"</strong> by <a href="http://www.elifsafak.com.tr/index1_eng.asp?c=1">Elif Shafak</a>"... truly beautiful... and definitely worth reading...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4iBvpl9h8Jj9rSwrTOh214VQyvVs8shjc9OjdVCWI_vkkbi0CTo2M4L986TDyy51gFoyJbeGvAU49JKL7U8GgIMfaLLsztXcu57a_IANk__vQKuS-FLRvtV198mbrBHgcDgOf/s1600/illustration3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4iBvpl9h8Jj9rSwrTOh214VQyvVs8shjc9OjdVCWI_vkkbi0CTo2M4L986TDyy51gFoyJbeGvAU49JKL7U8GgIMfaLLsztXcu57a_IANk__vQKuS-FLRvtV198mbrBHgcDgOf/s320/illustration3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDq__2Rs_tUAtP87apifKoh4EujxebZd5yhN7QjKmxvFStYULetSICHiRcfKz-C0LoFmnjWgYPQUU7bfUhyphenhyphenrISw1cQXZu-N0ytQ1FY1OXURx0EUvAGi_ZVWiWAK60_JLpdgYpE/s1600/illustration1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDq__2Rs_tUAtP87apifKoh4EujxebZd5yhN7QjKmxvFStYULetSICHiRcfKz-C0LoFmnjWgYPQUU7bfUhyphenhyphenrISw1cQXZu-N0ytQ1FY1OXURx0EUvAGi_ZVWiWAK60_JLpdgYpE/s320/illustration1.jpg" /></a></div></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEf90EnDeaQyKfQZq1ft1z6gkN7N8iNG4fq0gDEmCRRY1geeJD0f6vjJl-xs4MW49JtQphyphenhyphenB2oNQl_2GyRX6VEVKVYc4Usm4fzeVqZLnBLTzzDvvHQsxG4awv20-tHhhHEnN3/s1600/illustration2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEf90EnDeaQyKfQZq1ft1z6gkN7N8iNG4fq0gDEmCRRY1geeJD0f6vjJl-xs4MW49JtQphyphenhyphenB2oNQl_2GyRX6VEVKVYc4Usm4fzeVqZLnBLTzzDvvHQsxG4awv20-tHhhHEnN3/s320/illustration2.jpg" /></a> </></div></></><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><><>
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</tbody></table></div>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-27645911153523593462010-07-29T10:59:00.000+03:002010-07-29T10:59:41.266+03:00my ringsover the years, i have found my physical anchor to be a ring.<br />
every finger on every hand is symbolic to me, and the ring itself too.<br />
whether is was a gift, or self bought, <br />
simple or elaborate<br />
expensive or cheap<br />
<br />
for me, it has always acted as a symbol <br />
representing commitment<br />
both to myself and towards others<br />
<br />
a pact...<br />
made with the heart,<br />
acknowledged by the mind,<br />
and acted upon by the body.<br />
<br />
a beacon for my life energy,<br />
and a reminder not to falter,<br />
and to pick myself up after every hardship,<br />
or sweet victory,<br />
and go on...<br />
<br />
<br />
for many years i have chosen<br />
to wear a ring.<br />
<br />
i have carefully selected <br />
its shape, its color and its texture.<br />
<br />
embued it with meaning,<br />
and placed it on one of my fingers,<br />
looked at it often during the day,<br />
felt it while i drummed the steering wheel when driving,<br />
and been marked by its imprint on my skin...<br />
<br />
each ring was unique.<br />
each stood for a certain dream.<br />
sometimes for a person.<br />
<br />
but today, i am wearing a ring for myself:<br />
a commitment to me<br />
to grow<br />
to explore<br />
to heal<br />
to forgive <br />
to hope<br />
to risk<br />
to search<br />
to find<br />
to connect<br />
to be alone<br />
to be at peace<br />
<br />
<br />
over the course of a year, my right thumb has been graced with 3 different rings, <br />
and this makes sense, for the seasons in me have been changing and evolving,<br />
and at each stage had different needs.<br />
<br />
my current ring is a simple steel band, which has been surprisingly hard to find,<br />
and initially came with a little girl figurine... <br />
<br />
nothing being random in this world,<br />
it came as a reminder to honor and cherish my feminine side not just my masculine side...<br />
to acknowledge and balance these 2 major forces co-existing in each of us, making us whole.hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-30662107701845516602010-07-29T10:36:00.000+03:002010-07-29T10:36:06.047+03:00journey towards re-alignmentI have been trying to figure out what this blog is about, where it's aiming to go, what is it's contribution, and how it can communicate with others too. Since it is personal and i am currently all over the place, it too has been drifting somehow for the past few months... <br />
<br />
Lots of the thoughts crossing my mind these days have to do with belonging, with passion, with goals and with direction.<br />
<br />
I am on a journey to re-align, and while i find my right path, i will try many, in a sincere attempt to open up to the unknown, to the unfamiliar, to broaden my horizons and look at the world with new eyes...<br />
unlearning to learn <br />
discovering new media and tools<br />
pushing my boundaries - geographically, literally and metaphorically<br />
<br />
So with the conviction that clarity is underway, i will not wait for the perfect post, the poetic word, the compelling illustration... i will explore this void openly and without fear of failure, embracing it and moving on... following where the road may lead...hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-34149342156392247512010-07-19T09:05:00.000+03:002010-07-19T09:05:05.433+03:00f l o w i n gheightened state of awareness<br />
prepared, but not expecting<br />
ready to move on.<br />
<br />
letting go,<br />
piece by piece,<br />
feeling lighter, much lighter,<br />
not stuck in the waiting rut,<br />
not bound to a territory,<br />
<br />
ready to embark on a journey,<br />
inwards and outwards,<br />
and beyond.<br />
<br />
embracing a new consciousness<br />
seeking to create a story worth tellinghopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-85012751692777005462010-03-24T15:52:00.003+02:002010-03-24T16:29:55.631+02:00resolutions<div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":te">2010</div><div class="kl" dir="ltr" id=":te"><br />
beginning of a new decade<br />
<br />
<span id="profile_status"><span id="status_text"><span>flowing-positively-energetically-happily-with</span><wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span> purpose. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span id="profile_status"><span id="status_text">meow.</span><small><span id="status_time"></span></small></span><br />
</div>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-8880172781941111412010-03-24T14:02:00.001+02:002010-03-24T14:14:37.684+02:0027I stumbled across the post below on Paulo Coelho's facebook page... very interesting omen... reaching me on my 27th birthday, as i prepare to embark on my <b><span style="color: purple;">Goal/Dream*</span></b> and have been soliciting advice/opportunities/hope/adventure/ from many good friends around the world<i><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> ... after all, a Goal is a Dream* with a deadline... </span></span></i></i><br />
<h3 class="GenericStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-weight: normal;"><a class="GenericStory_Name" href="http://www.facebook.com/paulocoelho?ref=nf">Paulo Coelho</a> 24/03 It is the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting ( Es la posibilidad de hacer un sueƱo realidad lo que hace la vida interesante )<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></h3>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-89032487754900378512010-03-19T12:26:00.001+02:002010-03-19T12:36:58.875+02:00Happy Feast Day - St Joseph<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Today is the first time I celebrate St. Joseph's day without my grandfather, a pious and devoted man who taught me much by way of example and whose generous smile and cheerful nature helped him provide for his family the stable loving environment that made us all blossom... with the care and gentleness he possessed...</span></b></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">As I get ready to embark on a new adventure in my life, I feel his guiding hand near, and I remember him with a big smile, and a firm hand, and a willingness to work to achieve my goal*dream. I also promise to indulge in some tasty desserts, in memory of his sweet tooth and our shared secret moments!</span></b></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Join me in offering the Prayer below on behalf of all those, including myself who are on a journey of self-discovery.</b></span><br />
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</div><div style="color: #660000; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><i><b>Prayer to Know One's Vocation</b></i></span></div><div style="color: #660000; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">O great <b>St. Joseph</b>, you were completely obedient to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Obtain for me the grace to know the state of life that God in His providence has chosen for me. Since my happiness on earth, and perhaps even my final happiness in heaven, depends on this choice, let me not be deceived in making it. Obtain for me the light to know God's Will, to carry it out faithfully, and to choose the vocation which will lead me to a happy eternity. Amen.</span></i></div><div style="color: #660000; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">Almighty God, You entrusted to the faithful care of Joseph the beginnings of the mysteries of man's salvation. Through his intercession may Your Church always be faithful in her service so that Your designs will be fulfilled. Amen.</span></i></div>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-88127007547375382522010-03-11T17:03:00.000+02:002010-03-11T17:03:03.534+02:00Moving to Clara's MelodyThe fleeting moments of my last night in Torino brought tears to my eyes...<br />
it was an extremely moving performance about the life of <i>Clara Schumann</i>...<br />
<br />
What followed was an intimate exposure of a woman's life, in all its glory, sadness, joy, love, extasy and torn decisions... in her ups and downs... a woman in every sense of the world, no little girl, but a full fledged woman whose heart bore the scars of every battle fought, without ever losing her hopeful spirit...<br />
<br />
I was consumed by the performance...<br />
hearing it through the earpiece translated from italian to french <br />
Captivated by the 2 women on stage:<br />
One giving words to her emotions<br />
One putting notes to her soul<br />
<br />
Leaving me feeling Clara's pain,<br />
her drenched sorrow,<br />
her sacrifice and her triumphs...<br />
<br />
Her inner battle with who she was,<br />
what she <i>could</i> be... <br />
what she <i>should</i> be...<br />
what she <i>Wanted</i> to be...<br />
<br />
Her responsibilities and her desires...<br />
her failures and her successes<br />
her music, her melody<br />
<i>Herself</i><br />
...<br />
<br />
The anguish<br />
and melancholy<br />
her husband felt<br />
and that consumed him<br />
<br />
Her disappointment...<br />
that her love was not enough<br />
to pull him out of it... <br />
but that was all she could give<br />
<br />
Her love of light... and dawn...<br />
that fought away the darkness<br />
and opened up a new opportunity<br />
for work and play<br />
<br />
The intensity of <br />
her honesty with herself<br />
her fingers gliding over the piano<br />
pouring it into her very soul<br />
and from her soul to mine...hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-69229106182903720402010-03-10T17:07:00.000+02:002010-03-10T17:07:05.597+02:00re-energizing ripple effectI rejoin my routine today,re-energized, still rippling with the effects of positivity.<br />
<br />
I'm very happy i attended the conference, even more because it presented a well-rounded view, included multiple stakeholders and held a core message of empowerment... i had been afraid to arrive and find myself surrounded by people who wanted to protect women...<br />
<br />
Instead i found myself surrounded by strong, confident and feminine women, who were changing their world, in their way, with different tools but with a same objective, to create a better life for them and theirs.<br />
<br />
Another message i took away from the workshop/conference and which i hold dear, is providing women with choices, and not enforcing a specific one... <br />
<br />
Below is a small overview produced by the ETF (courtesy of Bent Sorensen)<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkQwVFB1T8I">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkQwVFB1T8I</a>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31424973.post-33608641737652405652010-03-09T22:01:00.000+02:002010-03-09T22:01:21.035+02:00ETF-Aftermath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l9iDrfEMbBKC3Pinh-nibKycXBGN9ck31HhkYw_o5ZR9hs_FXFA-MWPzgZGua7-gRsusyIhmg04bf2mX4loBWupY1zVitfFQgA0u4gQ_DA-5LbUwzn3rmu_JcjGt9yqMYvxN/s1600-h/blog+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l9iDrfEMbBKC3Pinh-nibKycXBGN9ck31HhkYw_o5ZR9hs_FXFA-MWPzgZGua7-gRsusyIhmg04bf2mX4loBWupY1zVitfFQgA0u4gQ_DA-5LbUwzn3rmu_JcjGt9yqMYvxN/s320/blog+small.jpg" vt="true" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I'm back home in Lebanon after a very interesting workshop/conference that i participated in Torino, Italy; organized by the ETF and Sylvia Cambie. Im tired and happily overwhelmed, having met many brave women from diverse backgrounds and countries, that are all actively putting their talent at the disposal of their communities. <br />
<br />
Below is a link to the article posted on the ETF website, as i promise to write in more detail tomorrow.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.etf.europa.eu/web.nsf/opennews/645BD1D0CD89C565C12576E0004CFB12_EN?OpenDocument">http://www.etf.europa.eu/web.nsf/opennews/645BD1D0CD89C565C12576E0004CFB12_EN?OpenDocument</a><br />
<br />
I leave you with our concluding remark featured on the YouTube Video we prepared for the conference:<br />
<strong><span style="color: purple;">BE the change YOU want to see in the world!</span></strong>hopeful beiruthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08730596406369616489noreply@blogger.com0