What is LOVE

 My whole life I have been on the pursuit to find love. Saturated in the idea of what it can be, I got ideas from movies, books and my current relationships. I never thought that I would question what love is. Life takes you through ups and downs and you realize that the painted pictures on Hollywood screens are far from the real thing. I wish it was not complicated, but simple, normal. But it has been made into a ritual, into selfish ambition and that its all about yourself. 

On the contrary love is about sacrifice. Love is putting another ahead of yourself. Giving the best of what you have to the person you love. Or even giving up the most precious thing for the better good.

Its quite funny how this one thing, unseen, makes the whole world spin. Love is what keeps us going. Love is what changes us. Love breaks all our strongholds. The thought of knowing that someone loves you, inspires and encourages. It pushes you forward, to better achieve. 

We are quite mistaken if we think that love is romance, sex or broad term: lust. We have been lied to and frankly I believed the lie. I believed that love was passion and sexual desire. Far from that, love is no such thing. I blame Hollywood for concocting these ideas and happily ever after and ruining my understanding of love. I want to bring this to light.

The perfect definition of love goes like this: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 

1 Corinthians 13 

Mr. Darcy

Every hopeless romantic can concur with me that this fictional character has captured the hearts of many ladies. We dream of young handsome bachelors with such gentleman like behavior and aura, meeting and associating with their kind is a dream. I am blunt with relationships though, but back then this was of a delicate importance and relationships were really sparse as rules of courtship were in place. As we see in many films and texts there are many instances when characters of the opposite sex spend time together but briefly, it almost makes the scene seem so awkward. They talk have a cup of tea and then out of no where they say "OH! Look at the time, I must leave." The gentleman bows smiles, leaves and the scene ends. This brings us to Mr. Darcy. He is so polite and knows the rules and will never break them unless he senses something of significance. On many occasions we see how Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth meet alone but on very short encounters. Mr. Darcy knows what he wants. He goes for it and when he is faced with reality that Elizabeth would never marry him even if he was the last man on earth (from the scene when he proposes but gets refused), he is angry and surprised that anyone would ever reject him. It could even pass that he was a proud man, but what man would not? Having such wealth and receiving respect from many. As the story continues Mr. Darcy's good character starts to show through and that's when Elizabeth has a change in mind. Every Mr. Darcy has there good and bad side its just how you perceive it.

Look out for my next post on Courtship.

An afternoon excursion to the Art Museum

I have long dreamed of visiting the art museum. I was there for a field trip when I was a child. Would my experience be the same when I was there such a long time ago? The awe of seeing a Monet in real life and looking over to my teacher as she said "Don't get too close or the alarms will go off!" I don't know if she was joking or in reality as soon as you would lean just a few inches from the precious paints that a wretched sound would go off and a team of highly specialized protective services would show up and attend to the problem. But that was my imagination just getting carried away.
I am not an art fanatic but I love to see European paintings. The faces of people from time past. Just the idea these people were alive and breathing! Just like you and me. Here is some of them, admire them with me.

These are from the Seattle Art Museum and Portland Art Museum.

Simple Tiramisu

After reading and going over many recipes on how to make the perfect Tiramisu cake, I ran into many variations of this decadent italian sweet. Theres the italian use of raw eggs, the time consuming baking and the simple tiramisu. This recipe is ultimately good for those moments when you crave something sweet, yet easy, without pain staking labor.

Heres the recipe, (simplified for convenince)
*The recipe has no exact measurements so eyeballing and mixing to your right consistency is best.

1-2 packs of Italian lady fingers (I had trouble finding them in the regular grocery store, but I found them in the Russian store or try a European store)

1 container of Mascarpone cheese

About 1 container of thawed whipping cream

Powdered sugar

Vanilla extract

Rum imitation or Rum for bolder flavor

Brewed good quality coffee or expresso

Cocoa powder or Belgium good quality chocolate

-----------

1. Mix cheese with a hand mixer until smooth

2. Add whipping cream, the more you add the runnier, mix so there will be no clumps

3. Add powdered sugar through a sifter to desired taste and sweetness level

4. Add about 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and rum, mix

5. Pour some of the coffee in a flat container add about 1 teaspoon of vanilla and rum, mix

6. Dip lady fingers in coffee mixture, without fully soaking the cookie, line the bottom of a cake pan with dipped cookies

7. Add a layer of cream mixture on top of cookies, repeat until you have filled the cake pan

8. To top add a layer of cocoa powder through a sifter or grate some chocolate on top to finish!

9. Cover cake with plastic wrap or a cover and set in the refrigerator over night

10. Open up and enjoy!

Anna Karenina

 

The Famous tragic novel by Russian writer Leo Tolstoy becomes a cinematic adaptation.

An addictng series

If you haven't seen the first two seasons I surely suggest to, I was hooked. The story is about an Edwardian family that lives through tough and lavish times.
Here is a peek at season 3 that came out recently.

Pompadour

Royal figure

Embers gleam

Damask wall

Multitude color

Wooden frame

Gold

Crystal

Mirror

Fabric:

Silk

Velvet

Adornment:

Rubies and sapphire

Embellished:

In Pearl

Diamonds

Trimmings

Fine French

Lace

Pompadour

White powder

Faces bodies

In assembly