I’ve been taking the stairs at the office intermittently since Aby brought to my attention this practical and inexpensive way to keep fit. I’ve been pushing myself harder partly to beat my own best time and partly to at least reach my officemate’s own best time which was way better than mine. Yesterday, I had all but given up on that second goal. But this morning, I was rewarded by a time of 1 minute and 36 seconds! To think I wasn’t even planning to take the stairs.
I don’t know why I held off watching Pan’s Labyrinth for so long because now that I’ve seen it, I totally regret my procrastination. From the title you would guess that it is a fantasy or fairy tale. Like most fairy tales, it is enchanting. But this is no children’s fairy tale. It is about the quest of a little girl to return to the fairy world. Her story takes place against the backdrop of the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War when guerrillas were still continuing their resistance against the government. The main story and the backdrop are both compelling by themselves. Both are also quite dark, bloody, visceral, even disturbing. Even the ending, though partly happy, is also tragic. The whole is a well-made masterpiece. I love it.
Rating: 5/5
by William Ernest Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of Circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of Chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
*Whenever life’s adversities come my way I always keep this poem in mind. But what inspires me more is that writer, William Ernest Henley, was able to survive great adversity– the poem was written from a hospital bed– and even succeeded in life. So whatever it is facing you, something worse is facing someone somewhere, and they are taking it. You can do the same.
by Mack David, French original by Edith Pliaf
Hold me close and hold me fast,
This magic spell you cast,
This is La Vie En Rose.
When you kiss me, Heaven sighs,
And though I close my eyes,
I see La Vie En Rose.
When you press me to your heart,
I’m in a world apart,
A world where roses bloom;
And when you speak, Angels sing from above;
Every day words seem to turn into love songs.
Give your heart and soul to me
And life will always be
La Vie En Rose.
I was told cut roses last a week. That got me reflecting. Roses are such a joy when you look at them, when you smell them, when you touch them. But that is only for a week or so. Then they wilt and are soon gone. The memory lingers but even that too will go.
There are many such things. Some lasts a long time: years, decades, centuries, maybe even eternity. Some last for a much shorter time: months, weeks, days, hours, even seconds. It may be a lamp-lit path, a pond full of lilies, the moon, the stars, a shooting star, a violin playing, people talking, life, friendship, love, and– of course– roses. They all bring moments of joy.
When such moments come along, stop and enjoy that moment for we don’t know if or when it will end. And if it does, don’t be saddened, for that is the way it is and will always be. Just keep in mind, that it was great while it lasted and treasure the memories as they slowly fade away.