One Fine Day

It was a pleasant long weekend spent mostly catching up on sleep. When my little girl snoozed, I snoozed along. Too bad, hubster had to work and was only given a day off to spend with us so off we went to the outskirts of Dubai where the sun, sand and sea sparkled. 

We joined the water-loving throng in Atlantis Marine and Waterpark. My little girl was a bouncy ball of joy in her pink, floral swimsuit eager to plunge in the adventures that lie ahead. Her happiness was so contagious, her swimming-challenged mommy couldn't help but cozy up to the crystal blue waters. I prefer lounging and eating junk food while inconspicuously people watching. 

Little E loved The Torrent River ride where she sat contently on a water float while being scooped and whisked off by artificial waves. She wriggled in delight the whole time. It was priceless.

I had planned to post some snaps but my curious little nephew went on a binning spree on my phone the other day before I could save them on a memory stick. Thank goodness I was able to upload some of them on Instagram - Me and Little E , Litttle E and me 

Films for the Heart

My all-time favorite movie has to be Sleepless in Seattle. I've watched it countless times, wept fresh tears every time and be transported to seventh heaven during closing credits with Make Someone Happy (Jimmy Durante) playing in the background. Here is the final scene where Annie, Sam and Jonah finally meet. 

  

For films that pull at the heartstrings or simply give you the warm fuzzies, you may want to also check out:

While You Were Sleeping (1995)

As Good as It Gets (1997)

Flipped (2010)

I have to end this post with this unofficial music video of "Make Someone Happy" I found on YouTube :)

 

 

This All Too Familiar Arabesque

It's been a while since my last post. I'm back to my lazy, lackadaisical self again. I lost the fizz when my birthday month ended. Poof. So here goes nothing...

I was never girly growing up. Of course, I wanted to be! I missed out on those dreamy summer dresses, pretty froufrous and the chromatic world of cosmetics and lacquered nails. My closet housed gray/black shirts, high rise straight leg/boot leg jeans and a few odd bridesmaid pieces used only once. It wasn't entirely because I was devoid of any fashion sense. I could always refer/copy the stuff I read on Seventeen magazine. What kept me from trying a different look altogether was my bowleggedness. It's a condition affecting the legs marked by having an arch from the thigh or knee cap. In my case, the deformity starts below the knee cap. Deformity is such a dreadful term but yes, I am mildly bowlegged and it's the real reason why I never wore skirts, dresses or anything that exposed my legs. The rest of the 'ungirly' qualities simply followed suit one after another. It was this incident back in high school that made me cognizant of this flaw. It was one person's frivolous comment that started it all. If only my emotional quotient had been remarkably high at 14, maybe I would've cared less what anyone thought about me and not lose out on all that girly glory.

Today, I have this wonky gait from trying very hard to appear not so bowlegged. I call it the ballerina stance sans the arm positioning and poise of course :) I am still quite self conscious of my legs even if I am now in my thirties. I am grateful for what I have and I've stopped saying it's unfair a long time ago. We just deal with life the best way we know how. Plus, thank goodness, for stylish maxi dresses!

Sarah McLachlan et al.

If you ask me off the top of my head who my all-time favorite female singer is, I'd tell you Sarah McLachlan. You see I'm not the type who spontaneously comes up with answers to random Q&A's. It takes me a bit of time to arrive with something precise. Probably because I lack conviction in my supposed taste in music, literature or anything for that matter. Sarah McLachlan might just be the exception to this hackneyed theory of myself. 

I confirmed this recently, like an epiphany before me while watching the New Girl episode where Jess (Zooey Deschanel) broke up with Russell (Dermot Mulroney-the guy from My Best Friend's Wedding *squirms*) and was listening to the song River by SM on auto-repeat while sulking for days. Then I remembered, SM was also frequently being played in the 90s TV series, Felicity. Not only that, a big chunk of a scene in one episode had one character, Meghan (Felicity's goth roommate) babbling about SM in the excerpt below (Source: IMDb)

Meghan: This is how I know Felicity still likes you. You ready?
Ben Covington : Yeah. Wha... what is it?
Meghan : Sarah McLachlan.
Ben Covington : What?
Meghan : When Felicity showed up last year, head over heels for you, Sarah McLachlan was all she listened to. If "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy" wasn't in the CD player, it was only so "Solace" could get a little airplay. I started calling it 'Ben music'... not to her face but behind her back. But then it went away, and I thought Sarah was gone for good. I almost started celebrating. And then you showed up again. You offered Felicity this cross-country trip of a lifetime, which means I got to memorize every lyric from "Surfacing"... all 10 songs! This year started off McLachlan-heavy, until the big break-up, and then all of Felicity's hair went away, and so did Sarah. Until you guys broke into the pool. Now maybe it was a coincidence, but guess who started to make a comeback? It was gradual, but constant, and now if you want me to, I can sing any song from "Mirrorball" which really annoys the hell out of me! So if you're ever curious about whether Felicity has the hots for you, just check her boom box.
Ben Covington : That's the dumbest theory I've ever heard. 

It just might be a coincidence that Sarah McLachlan's music happens to be ubiquitous in other stuff I'm into. These observations do not only confirm the obvious which is I am a big fan ever since but that I am without a doubt, a sucker for schmaltz.

If this convinced you to check her out, I suggest start with her Mirrorball album :)

The Playlist and Johnny

After watching Tim Burton's Dark Shadows the other night, I found myself lusting over Johnny Depp once again. The infatuation began as far back as Edward Scissorhands,  waxed and waned over the years. It has been some time since I appreciated a film he stars in, and the last one I remember giving a thumbs up was his short stint in Alice in Wonderland as The Hatter. Too bad, The Tourist was panned a flop despite his team up with the equally hottie, Angelina Jolie. His general appeal seems to resonate in playing offbeat characters rather than the predictable heartthrob roles. I totally loved him in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

I've named the current playlist on my phone, "purple popcorn" for no profound reason other than my predilection for the color purple and love for food. The list is a mix of alternative rock, band and a tinge of soul.

 

Further down, the songs are:

Face of Faith by Nellie McKay - I first heard this song in the film, Rumor Has It. Too good not to share so here's the link (not the official music video but it will do) http://youtu.be/Q7UUh67j8ts

The Ghost in You by Duncan Sheik

Gravity by Sara Bareilles - A male friend of mine said, chicks dig this song. I have to agree with him on this one. Plus add to that the fact that Sara Bareilles is sheer talent. 

In My Place by Coldplay - This track is from their album, A Rush of Blood to the Head which to me has to be their best one. 

Linger by The Cranberries - I think, it was the lead vocals, Dolores O-Riordan who heralded the rock chic look.

Stay by Lisa Loeb - I love anything by Lisa Loeb.

Truthfully by Lisa Loeb

A Whiter Shade of Pale by Annie Lennox

Wonderwall by Oasis - Who knew Oasis had it in them to write the perfect love song. A part goes:

"Because maybe, you're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all, you're my wonderwall"

Wandering around the blogosphere

"...be yourself - not your idea of what you think somebody else's idea of yourself should be." - Henry David Thoreau

                                                                                                       

I thought I'd start off with a quote for inspiration. I've discovered some amazing bloggers over the past week having surreptitiously tuned in to one of the blog chats on twitter. One of them I adore to bits. Besides her fun and multifaceted website, it was her very down to earth demeanor that set her apart. In her simple way, she gave me the boost I needed to keep writing. She's a breath of fresh air from the blogging mavens I've come across on twitter who seem to have yielded to occasional snobbery. 

Here's the link to her blog - Kero's Celebration and here are a few more of my favorites.

I Live in a Frying Pan
Kenna
The Hedonista
my Nappytales 
Edenland
Weesha's World 
Easy as pie in Dubai
CoffeeCakesAndRunning 

The Wonder Years (Series)

Growing up, I had the hugest innocuous crush on Fred Savage from the 80's/90's series, The Wonder Years. I loved watching the Arnold family go through life's ups and downs as if I was a part of it all. It was a story full of characters that you'd instantly identify with. Set in the 60s, it's a day-to-day account of how Kevin Arnold in his teens coped and embraced life as we know it.

Some of the big actors and actresses of today played minor roles in the series, still fledglings at that time. There were Giovanni Ribisi, Seth Green, David Schwimmer and Juliette Lewis to name of few.  

I've selected some 'light bulb moment' lines worth sharing. Source: IMDB

"When you're a little kid you're a bit of everything; Scientist, Philosopher, Artist. Sometimes it seems like growing up is giving these things up one at a time."

"All of our young lives we search for someone to love. Someone that makes us complete. We choose partners and change partners. We dance to a song of heartbreak and hope. All the while wondering if somewhere, somehow, there's someone perfect who might be searching for us."

Inside you the time moves and she don't fade

So I’ve been listening to Duncan Sheik’s The Ghost in You on auto repeat on my daily trek home from work. It seems I could not get enough of it. I discovered this rendition by Duncan Sheik while searching for the mp3 of the original track by Counting Crows. 

While listening to it, the nitty-gritty ride home becomes a bit animated. My mind meanders off to an inculpable world while my eyes remain transfixed at my reflection on the tinctured window opposite me. I drop all my inhibitions and send all thoughts flying off like the disarray in Seussville. Like a film in medias res, I create my very own music video in my head unabashedly and with boldness I can never ever muster once I step out of that world. 

I am triumphant while it lasts, I smile inside. Who knew a song could whiff magic like that. Me thinks, it’s a gift from God.

  

The Mirror Has Two Faces and discovering Puccini

I was 17 when I first watched the film The Mirror Has Two Faces. Fifteen years later and it still has the same prepossessing effect on me.  The beautifully written script hasn’t wavered in its ability to strike a chord somewhere in the beginning, in the middle and to the very end. The musical score was equally genius, interweaving both classical music and mainstream ballads. I loved the team up of Barbara Streisand and Jeff Bridges and their enamoring chemistry on screen. It would be wrong not to share my favorite quotes from this movie so here are the lines that briefly suspended me from reality. 

For those of you who missed out on this great movie, here is the trailer from IMDb, http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi4176871705/ .

My favorite part would have to be when Rose (Barbara Streisand) was discussing their lesson in class as transcribed below. I’ve highlighted the best bits in my humble opinion. Enjoy!

“Rose: So this is the scene at my sister’s wedding, right. There she is getting drunk regretting she ever got married for the third time, mind you. My mother is so jealous she’s sprouting snakes from her hair and I’m thinking this is perfect. We've got three feminine archetypes: The divine whore, Medusa - and me. Who am I? What archetype?

Trevor: The Virgin Mary?

Rose: Thanks a lot, Trevor.

Rose: No, the faithful handmaiden. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. It does prove however what Jung said all along. Myths and archetypes are alive and well and living in my apartment. As l stood beside the altar beside my sister and her husband to be, it struck me that this ritual, a wedding ceremony, is really just the final scene of a fairy tale. They never tell you what happens after. They never tell you that Cinderella drove the prince crazy with her obsessive need to clean the castle. But she missed her day job. No, they don't tell us what happens after because there is no after. The be-all and end-all of romantic love was ... Mike?

Mike: Sex?

Rose: Mike, Mike, Mike sex on the brain, Mike.

Student: Marriage.

Rose: Marriage, that’s right but it wasn't always like that. In the twelfth century there was a notion known as ''courtly love'', which had nothing to do with sex. In most cases, it was defined as a passionate relationship between a knight and a lady of the court who was already married...And so they could never consummate their love. In this way they would have to rise above your ordinary ''going to the bathroom in front of each other'' kinda love, and they would go after something more divine. They took sex out of the equation, and what was left was a union of souls. Think of this. Sex was always the fatal love potion. Look at the literature of the time, Lancelot and Guinevere, Tristan and Isolde. All consummation could lead to was madness, despair or death. Clinical experts, scholars and my Aunt Esther are united in the belief that True love has spiritual dimensions, while romantic love is nothing but a lie, an illusion, a modern myth, a soulless manipulation. Speaking of manipulation, it’s like going to the movies and we see the lovers on screen kiss and the music swells, and we buy it, right? So when my date takes me home and kisses me good night, and if I don’t hear the Philharmonic in my head, l dump him. Now the question is why do we buy it? We buy it because whether it’s a myth or manipulation, let’s face it, we all want to fall in love, right? Why? Because that experience makes us feel completely alive where every sense is heightened, every emotion is magnified and our everyday reality is shattered, and we are flung into the heavens. lt may only last a moment, an hour, an afternoon but that doesn't diminish its value because we're left with memories that we treasure for the rest of our lives. l read an article a while ago that said that when we fall in love, we hear Puccini in our heads. l love that. I think it’s because his music fully expresses our longing for passion in our lives and romantic love and while we’re listening to La Bóheme or Turandot, or reading Wuthering Heights, or watching Casablanca a little bit of that love lives in us, too. So the final question is: Why do people want to fall in love when it can have such a short shelf life and be devastatingly painful?

Student 1: Propagation of the species?

Student 2: Psychologically, we need to connect with somebody.

Student 3: Because we are culturally preconditioned?

Rose: Good, but too intellectual for me. l think it's because, as some of you may already know…while it does last, it feels fucking great.”

I'm Wishing

I love this clip from the original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It reminds me of the time I believed in soulmates and all that nonsense.

What's your T.O.?

"Stuck in a rut"would make a very appropriate facebook or twitter status right now. I've worked for the same crummy company for seven years, and I've memorized my boss' footsteps by ear to my advantage as a forewarning. I know that totally sounds ungrateful and whiny but it's a fact for me. While I'm enthused at the idea of sharing what's a day like in ma life, I prefer not to bore you with it. On a more positive note, I am certain this is just a passing phase. I also believe that I will take over the world in the not so distant future *evil grin*. 

We all cope with our current situations differently or do not cope at all. As for me, when days seem longer than usual and when I seem to have run out of things to google, I listen to this CD which was a surprising discovery. My favorite song in the album is titled My T.O. and a part of the lyrics goes:

"Something that you really like a lot

Something that you feel so glad you've got

Again, I thank you Mr. Winnicott

I love my T.O."

As a tot, I don't remember having a lovey or blankey. I may have had one but have forgotten about it. As a grown up, it was more of comfort food than a comfort object or transitional object. After listening so many times to the CD only did I realize, it's become my T.O. Most of my days are spent in front of a computer since my job entails a lot of paperwork. Now, I simply pop in the CD and voila, it's an instant stress reliever and I am able to work more effortlessly from my corner. It's the perfect T.O. It's a CD packed with great compositions that makes those wearisome moments seem bearable.

I think no one's ever too young or old for something that helps you stay on an even keel whether it's that decrepit Wuthering Heights pocketbook you've read too many times or that Sleepless in Seattle DVD that you've watched for the nth time or that scruffy old teddy bear on your bedside. Whatever it is, it becomes a piece of the puzzle that's you.