ROTTING FRUITS DECKED IN JEWELS BY ARTIST LUCIANA RONDOLINI

What do you do with rotting fruits?. Throw them away right?. What if something artistic with a message could be created using rotting fruits? Well, that's what Argentinian artist Luciana Rondolini did with rotting banana skin, apples, pears and even oranges. An artistic project under the title 'Tiffany' explores the idea of beauty and value. The outer skin of the fruits were bejeweled, while the decaying inner flesh is exposed, signifying according to Luciana Rondolini, " parallels to real life and the social maladies stemming from manufactured aesthetic, beauty and impersonal artificiality".

Luciana Rondolini

HALA FEBRUARY 2013 CARNIVAL ON FEBRUARY 15

Remember last year's Hala February Carnival? Well, the opening ceremony for this year is on Friday February 15 and promises to be more entertaining with "unprecedented events", because the publishers of the Guinness World Records Book have been invited to attend the 2013 Hala February opening carnival to record the world’s largest celebratory theater which will take place over nearly 100 meters stretch across the Salem Al-mubarak Street in Salmiya. Last year, we were there at around 1.30pm and the carnival started around 3pm. I suppose it should be around that time. I am not sure of the timing. It's better to arrive early so you can place yourself in a good location where you can get a clear view and take photos. 

I had posted about the Hala February Carnival that took place last year,  in February 2012, and here's the link to that post and photos - Hala February Carnival 2012

DON'T LOOK BACKWARDS FOR LONG, KEEP MOVING FORWARD

MY PHOTO FOR THE DAY - SHOULD I OR SHOULD I NOT?

Not only adults find trouble making decisions, children do too. Despite the rules in the zoo that states, 'Do Not Feed the Animals', I did mention in my earlier post how children were feeding animals. Now this little boy wanted very much to feed pita bread (see in his hand) to the deer and as you can see the deer eagerly waiting to be fed. He was a bit scared I think contemplating, whether to feed or not to.

HEART BREAKER PERFUME FROM VICTORIA'S SECRET

When I at the Grand Avenues Mall last week, I dropped into the newly opened Victoria's Secret outlet and  checked out their latest perfumes. Their newly released perfume for women is 'Heartbreaker'. Its a very feminine yet bold  fragrance comprising of  honeysuckle, vibrant bergamot and vetiver that just smells fabulous!  If you are  fragrance lover, you ought to try this out. It will not break your heart, but will certainly uplift your moods and leaving you smelling lovely. 

CATHEDRAL OF NORTHERN LIGHTS IN ARCTIC CIRCLE

On Monday Februay 11,  the Crown Princess of Norway, Mette-Marit, inaugurated the 47 metre high Cathedral of the Northern Lights built  in Alta, Norway, which is around 500 km north of the Arctic Circle. The church is designed by schmidt hammer lassen architects in cooperation with Link Arkitektur.

John F. Lassen, Founding Partner at schmidt hammer lassen architects explained that, “The Cathedral of the Northern Lights is in its design a result of the surrounding nature and local culture. The building is a landmark, which through its architecture symbolizes the extraordinary natural phenomenon of the Arctic northern lights. The cathedral reflects, both literally and metaphorically, the northern lights: ethereal, transient, poetic and beautiful. It appears as a solitary sculpture in interaction with the spectacular nature.”

The metallic spiral form of the building, actually clad in titanium, which  strong, light, brilliant and resistant to corrosion. The architecture of the cathedral is built as such to reflect the spectacular Northern Lights Aurora Borealis, during the  long periods of darkness during  the Arctic winter. The cathedral comprises of  administrative office, classrooms, exhibition areas, parochial area and the church room which can accommodate 350 people. 

For more information, visit  schmidt/hammer/lassen architects
Image source of Cathedral - Gizmag

CATHEDRAL OF NORTHERN LIGHTS - ARCTIC CIRCLE

NORTHERN LIGHTS - Aurora Borealis

THE COURSE OF OUR LIVES

This is one of the many interesting quotes from the movie Cloud Atlas. 

MY PHOTO FOR THE DAY - ELEPHANT GOING IN CIRCLES

Misleading title huh? I really didn't know what title to give for this picture. During a hurried stroll through a market place,  I saw this cute, funny battery operated toy elephant that was switched on, tied a bottle of juice with a string, and this little toy elephant was going in circles around the bottle, making  trumpeting sounds like a real elephant!. The whole thing seemed a bit funny.  It would make a nice amusing gift for a small child

BEAUTY ISN'T ABOUT HAVING A PRETTY FACE

Have you noticed some people, even though they may not be endowed with perfect looks,  yet they are absolutely radiant, charming, compassionate and beautiful. Their beauty is reflected in their thoughts, words and actions, and they radiate a positive aura.  They  pass on some of that goodness into everyone they meet. 

AVOIDING WEIGHT GAN IN CHILDREN - WORKSHOP AT SIX SENSES SPA

There will be a free workshop by Trudy Collins for parents on the importance of avoiding weight gain and promoting healthy eating in children. The seminar will be held at Six Senses Spa, Hotel Missoni, Salmiyah on Wednesday, 13 February at 10 am. If you are parent and have young children, do attend the seminar as it's important to introduce healthy eating patterns in children from a young age.

For reserving your seat at the Worshop, contact Six Senses Spa at  25770077

SCULPTURES OF ANIMALS WITH SHATTERED GLASS

Marta Klonowska is a very creative and talented Polish artist. Here are some of her unique and  amazing animal sculptures which are life-like in size,  using broken shards of colored glass. 

Marta Klonowska

FROM IMPOSSIBLE TO POSSIBLE

Alice : This is impossible

The Madhatter : Only if you believe it is

MY PHOTO FOR THE DAY - BLACK SWANS

This photo was taken at the Kuwait Zoo

THE HAPPIEST MOMENTS OF YOUR LIFE

Two days ago,  I got this beautiful quote by Don Miguel Ruiz by email. It read :

"These are the happiest moments of your life - when the real you comes out, when you don't care about the past and you didn't worry about the future."

Isn't that so true? When do you feel the most happiest? I feel the happiest moments of my life are when :

* I am having a good laugh, having an interesting conversation, or a good time with family or friends
* Dealing with or doing something important/ worthwhile and being totally involved head, heart and soul.  

* Listening to music

* Long distance calls and voice chats with my children who live abroad

* Visiting my children

* Attending musical concerts

* Visiting art galleries and exhibitions 

* Having my tea

* Reading, writing or blogging

* Walking around in the malls for hours

* Making a favorite dish,

* Going out for walks in nature parks with my husband

* Taking photographs

* Taking a stroll on the beach

* Sitting for hours and painting and not know the time fly
* Reading poetry
* At times just being on my own, away from noise and distractions and enjoying every moment of that solitude and the peace, clearing my mind and feeling re-energized.
* When I am able to let go of things I shouldn't hold on to or don't serve me anymore. 

These are the times I am the happiest, when I live and enjoy every moment, and there is no past nor future. I enjoy being centered in the present - whatever it is I am doing. It is in the present that we have the creative power and energy to do all that we need to - for it's our today that becomes our past and it's from our today, we birth our future  . 

It's important that we don't dwell in the past constantly reminding yourself of negative experiences, sorrow, pain or losses. We don't live there anymore and there is no going back. We can live our  life armed with wisdom from the lessons and experiences of  the past and choose to live mindfully in the present. Don't forget to remind yourself of all the blessings and good things that happened to you in the past and be grateful for them. It's also  natural to be curious, concerned and even a bit apprehensive about the future. You see at any 'present' moment, we will never have all the pieces of the puzzle of our future to know the whole picture. There is always an element of mystery surrounding our future. But we are endowed with all the faculties and supreme qualities, within us to help us in that journey towards our future. Don't let the thoughts of past or future spoil your peace of mind.  

Whatever it is you are doing at present, whether it is reading a book, drinking a cup of tea, washing dishes, listening to music, doing your work, taking up new challenges, handling a new project, enjoy whatever it is you are doing. And you don't have to cling on to what does not serve you or stop you from growing emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. When you live centered in the present, you are at the zenith of creativity, able to think more clearly, where you generate positive vibrations, and attract more good into your life.  Even if your mind wanders, don't give power to any disturbing or negative thoughts.  Let those thoughts just pass without being suffocated or engulfed by them. Being centered in the present can hugely benefit your emotional health and increase your happiness quotient.  

CHINESE NEW YEAR 2013 - YEAR OF THE SNAKE

Chinese New Year falls today Sunday February 10, ushering in the year of the Snake. It is also known as the spring festival. In Chinese calendar, each year is represented by one of the twelve animals. 2013  is the year of the black water snake. There were wonderful celebrations held yesterday and today across the world with parades, floats, lanterns, acrobatics, stage performances, food and craft stalls, traditional dances. The grand finale of the celebration would be the fireworks.

“Jinyumangtang” – (May wealth fill your hall!); “Dazhanhongtu” (May you realize your aspirations!); “Wanshiruyi” (May your wishes be fulfilled!) are some of the Chinese traditional greetings exchanged between people. A Chan Patriarch Buddhist saying goes, “Everyday is a good day.  Make every day a daily New Year celebration".