in Rio

No words to describe how beautiful is this DVD of Bebel Gilberto... I was simply agape while watching it.

Everything perfect: her voice and the melody at that unequaled landscape - during the day, sunset and night... Wow! So nice... I just regret not being there for its footage.

I miss Rio so much! - not only the postcard, but everything which comes along: friends, buzz, career, respect, recognition...Well, it must come at the right moment. 

After all, I remember who I am:

Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand / Just like that river twisting through a dusty land / And when she shines she really shows you all she can / Oh Rio, Rio dance across the Rio Grande

A gold gift! Thank you ♥

nothing is for nothing

I really believe that things happen in our lives with a major propose. Well, so, it is up to us to make a good use of each opportunity when they come, the best we can... They may pass, and most part of them probably won't be regive to us later - are 'one-time' occurrences for the cause of the good. Natural gifts.

Don't waste those graces!

mon monde

Comme cadeau, volontiers ♥

Cependant, si je pouvais, je lui donnerais le monde entier...

Bonne fête à celui qui a volé mon cœur: mon mari, mon petit prince, mon gentil tyran.

Je t'aime, mon amour! Fort, fort.

good luck

Do you believe in that story of finding a suitcase full of money (on the street, for example)? 

Well, I DO! I believe I found one.

However, when it seemed happen, I avow I doubted. I always think that this kind of thing is a TV prank, or a kids trick. After all, I didn't looked for that.. not even played the lottery or went until the end of the rainbow to find a pot of gold... It came so gratuitous... Finally, I didn't take it.
 
In Brazil we often say that "quando a esmola é demais, o santo desconfia" (translating... when it's a great alm, the saint suspects), in the same meaning of the proverb: It's too good to be true. Because, truly: IT IS!

It would be perfect: just on my birthday. What a gift! What a blessing! A boon in life. Probably, it will give us the opportunity of a (nice) honey moon, that we haven't had yet.

Anyway, there's something else for me to be defensive about that...while living abroad, I simply fear the fact of taking (someone else's) dollars, which DO NOT belong to me, could harm me. Seriously!

It was not dullness, but caution. Prudence. Unfortunately, it wasn't THE time. Not mine. 

(Althoug it's said that a lightning never strikes twice in the same place...) I beg: Please, good lucky, don't give up on me! Try it again, later. Maybe something I'm aware I deserve it.

o melhor presente

“Wouldn’t be awesome the world if libraries were more important than banks?”

In this spirit, inspired, I combine "business with pleasure"... Without consumption, in favour of knowledge!

Thus, today, on the National Readers Day in Brazil, I give a tip for my ideal birthday gifts: BOOKS. The secondhand ones, cheaper.

in French:


Anaïs Nin

Henry et June
Vénus érotica 
 

Biz (Loco Locass)

La chute de Sparte


Gérald Godin 

Ils ne demandaient qu'à brûler 


Jean de La Fontaine

Fables
 

Jules Verne

Le tour du monde en quatre-vingts jours
Vingt mille lieues sous les mers
 

in English:


Jane Austen

Sense and Sensibility
Pride and Prejudice
Persuasion

in Portuguese:


José Saramago

Ensaio sobre a Cegueira
 

no matter the idiom:


Eduardo Galeano

As veias abertas da América Latina 

Les veines ouvertes de l'Amérique latine 

Open Veins of Latin America


Gabriel García Marquéz

Cem anos de solidão 

Cent ans de solitude

One Hundred Years of Solitude

Do amor e outros demônios 

De l'amour et autres démons 

Of Love and Other Demons

Memória de minhas putas tristes

Mémoire de mes putains tristes

Memories of My Melancholy Whores  


Isabel Allende

Afrodite 

Aphrodite, Contes recettes et autres aphrodisiaques 

Aphrodite: A Memoir of the Senses

___________________________________________________________ 

 

Where to buy it in Montreal:

Bouquinerie du Plateau - 799 Mont Royal Avenue East;

Boutique Volume, 277 Sainte-Catherine Street East;
L'Echange - 713  Mont Royal Avenue East;
The Renaissance Bookstore - 1310 Mont Royal Avenue East; *(a bargain!)

or in a place behind Quebec National Library, on Savoie Avenue. Unfortunately, I don't know its name...

popcorn love

To whom I cherish the most: my mom ♥
 
With all my heart, for her birthday, a hug world size, which/to approach us... more and more. 

Today and from now on, while physically far.

happiness

In spite of The Grand Finale of Saltimbanco, among all other great gifts received in this Christmas, the best one was Lis. Without a doubt! 

It came antecipated, in November, and has surpassed all expectations by now. Fortunately.

Top top!

Hooray!

Today it's HIS day! 

Although it's said Noël, in French, that means 'day of birth', the occasion we celebrate the saint is on the day of his death....

The first time he was cited stablishing his relation with Christmas, was in 1822 by Clement Clark Moore.

In the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" the patron of children, was described as Santa Claus, giving them gifts in the Eve Christmas. Maybe that's why this opus is also called "The Night Before Christmas".

In fact, he hadn't wear yet a red suit. Created by Haddon Sundblom, this image we all know nowadays: the fatter figure of a old man, came in 1920, with Coke (Coca-Cola) advertisings.

The biginning with conspicuous consumption linked with Christmas Holiday!

Anyway...  

I have just to thank him for giving me graces ♥

Long live to this legend!

against frost weather

I used to dream about a winter black jacket of Benetton. Fluffy, with many buds. A little undue for the tropical cold of Porto Alegre city, I confess. All the same, during several years of my teenages, I went there just to check the price. Something about US$160.

Impossible for me, at that moment, buy it. Too expensive for a luxury. Nevertheless, in 2010, travelling in Europe, I found a similar one. New... for US$ 50! A bargain. I nearly bought two! No, not in a store, in a street market. A generic one. F*ck Benetton!
 

Maybe, I always knew one day I would live in a freezing place, where I will really need it. Today, it's a necessity in my current life. 

Lucky, I received from my step sister a pretty good long one. For very low temperatures, coat the ass is required (we quickly realize that!). 

Not even - 30°C scares me anymore...

l'automne est bon pour moi

La phrase est du livre de Mara Tremblay que je suis en train de lire, 'Mon amoureux est une maison d'automne'. Un beau cadeau que j'ai reçu de chers amis.
 

C'est vrai: ce période me fait rêver... Travail, famille, voyages, rencontres, maison, minou, pitou, bébé, enfants. L'avenir de la vie.
 

Tout ça va arriver, mais chacun à la fois, au bon moment. Comme il faut.

Pour une autre saison...

avec beaucoup d'amour

Comme le temps passe rapidement! 
(presque six mois depuis notre mariage déjà...)

Nous sommes plus heureux que jamais. Alors, on profite de cette bonne phase pour remercier à tous amis et parentés pour votre générosité et affection.

Cela restera pour toujours en nos cœurs.

Merci! ♥

with all heart

Love, the best gift of all.

Near or away, only a "thanks" may be enough, when sincere.

Simple actions can change the world; a few words, too... Always help.

toutou Anarchopanda

C'est le Jour des Amoureux au Brésil.

Et ici, au Québec, j'ai reçu le cadeau parfait pour l'occasion! ♥

Merci Pat,  non seulement pour les choses matérielles qu'on acquiert. Le vrai amour excelle ça.

Être avec toi, en soit, c'est déjà fantastique! 

the folly of love

Which was the biggest one that you have committed?

Probably most part of people will answer something as a huge and extreme change, or even a real madness - indeed. Me, on the other hand, I prefer the little simple things to prove that I've a crush on him.

I sincerely believe that it is possible demonstrate all love I feel through routine acts. As time goes by, inclusively, those are exactly the details which couples used to forget... putting them aside as long as they get along.

Making your partner a sandwich, for example, with all ingredients he likes (and had gone so far so as to buy them!), doing that with all your heart... I'm pretty sure as much as he is going to be pleased, he'll fall in love! - day by day, more and more.

However, if he doesn't, you can try to please him with other "easy" kindness. He is supposed to be charmed by every single thing you do... (at least in the first three months of relationship) and return you both this care and affection.

On the contrary, for sure you can make different things, in order to amaze him... take a extreme resolution maybe, but I don't think it's necessary a so heavy work when love is reciprocal, when both are involved. When we give someone more than other deserve, it's not fair with ourselves.     

Simple as that. It's the law of attraction: it's giving that we receive - and it MUST works. After all, life should be a two-way street. If not, it doesn't worth...

as a child

Happy - after all, who doesn’t like to gain gifts? As a little girl, I confess I was astonished when my father gave me his own poncho - something I know that it is special for him due to its gaucho's tradition, our culture.

Even surprised, I couldn’t deny… It will be more worth for me. Essential - it’s possible to say, owing to the severe cold weather. Now, I can’t stop thinking in other types which I might ask “mom” or “dad” later!

By the way, it is really in right now. Simply perfect!

more than words

“Melhor que o livro em si, são as suas dedicatórias” - Yes, I hit the nail on the head! Wow... Actually, I already knew that… ('cause I think the same way!) So...

On the first page, something like that:

Ik ben eindelijk iemand tegen gekomen voor wie dat boek echt logisch is. Vertel me later hoe de reis was! Liefs.

It’s just my (best) way to say ‘Thank you’, and the rest... well, is everything that I have taken with me, and is still here… (I always knew that I will feel something special) This kind of sentiment is difficult to change inside us, besides, it just happens - "unintentionally" and with "no" reason and intention to be bad, or harmful for anybody!

About the book (and not the affection), it is true: for the first time in my life I gave it for the correct person. Nevertheless, it was (better: IS!) more than a simple (another "Budhist") gift…

I believe that both this philosophy and the proposed inquiry of values come in a good occasion, aswell the challenge of being zen(ner) is wonderful - and necessary, inclusively! A reflection about our lives, how we are conducting it by our acts and thoughts is vital! Moreover, it also helps us to be a better person.

It was just a friendly kindness, but could be (even) more… maybe a Thai massage, with whole feminine vanity and everything else! At any rate, I hope it works! After all, I’m constant.

At the right time, I will write about this incredible trip. Await!

*(So do I… written words - in the old school way of course ;)

california of mine

I think one of the best anniversary gifts I received (actually the most expressive, which I will never forget!) not only this year, but in my whole life, was my father's one. Asked for, he gave me his 'top ten list' of Rio Grande do Sul's Music (called there “Gaudéria” aswell), including latin songs from our hermanos.

This is our reality - for who doesn’t know us and also our culture: we are joined to them over and above borders. Unfortunately we only can’t speak the same language - in fact not EXACTLY… since, there, we are used to speak a kind of castellano, or a “portunhol” due to the proximity to them.

As a consequence to have been given to me, it is my list now! I was deeply touched when I read his email sent to me, not only owing to my birthday, whereas it is something related with my roots too. Obviously, I've approved it - as much, then I am obligated to post here! Thus, let’s see:

1 - Cordas de Espinho, from Luiz Coronel (who were my father’s college professor). Became famous the version recorded by Fafá de Belém;

2 - Guri, from Cesar Passarinho;

3 - Canto Alegretense, from Antonio Augusto Fagundes (Nico Fagundes) and Bagre Fagundes;

4 - Pedi ao Vento, from Os Monarcas (actual);

5 - Orelhano, from Eleu da Slva (doctor from Rosário do Sul), recorded by the argentine singer Dante Ramon Ledesma;

6 - Romance na Tafona, from Luiz Carlos Borges;

7 - Los Hermanos, argentine, recorded by Mercedes Sosa. However, the best version is Elis Regina’s one;

8 - El Condor Pasa, icon of Chilen’s music and latin american folklore;

9 - Céu, Sol, Sul, from Leonardo;

10 - Sabe Moço, from Leopoldo Rassier, of “Não Podemo se Entregá Pros Home” (a protest song).

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, this is my musical theme of my cultural roots and traditions. What is yours?

grateful

It's time to get in touch with things we always used to dream about (or always used to care about... whatever!) - making reference to the Mutantes in their song Technicolor. 

What else can I ask or wish for? I'm right now along people who really love me, more than all... and will always be with me, wherever I go, whenever! - even if a long time passes... As much as or more than ever! 

No matter what happens: It's family, true love. "É impossível ser feliz sozinho", like Vinicius, the poet, prophesied (eternalising his verse).

*Mommy, I love you so much. Happy birthday (this is just a little gift for you)!

como tudo começou...

Gostaria de ter distribuído presentes no dia seis de dezembro, ou na véspera, como manda o figurino. Assim, estaria dando o real sentido ao natal - que depois foi deturpado pelo  gordo, capitalista que toma coca cola, inventado pelos Estados Unidos. Mas a partir do ano que vem... Se Deus quiser!

Fiquei realmente emocionada com o comercial do Santander que está no ar e mostra a história de Nicolau. A animação so cute conta que foi sua a ideia da distribuição de agrados, louvando essa iniciativa de bondade que depois se tornou popular no mundo inteiro. Salve o verdadeiro Santa Claus!

Nada é por acaso. E, logo agora que venero o santo, vejo propaganda na TV e matéria no Fantástico a seu respeito, conheço até um “marinheiro” devoto... Visitei “sem querer” sua igreja em Amsterdam e foi assim tudo começou, pelo menos para mim. Agora, não vivo sem.

Meu Senhor e meu Deus,
arrancai de mim mesmo 
tudo o que me impede de ir a vós.

Meu Senhor e meu Deus,
dai-me tudo aquilo
que me conduz a vós.

Meu Senhor e meu Deus,
tirai-me de mim mesmo
e entregai-me todo a vós.

E o melhor presente que posso dar, sou eu mesma – de corpo e alma. Amém.

menina má

A dúvida que não me sai da cabeça: não fui eu uma boa menina para ter ganhado as  pancadas que levei da vida em 2010? Vou além, questionando-me o que poderia ter feito eu de errado o ano inteiro (ou antes até, desde 2009) para acontecer isso comigo.

Ou será que foi falta de sorte e eu NÃO merecia tanto? – segundo minha cartomante, infelizmente a resposta para esta última pergunta é ‘sim’. Foi “gratuito”, azar. Mas, vendo pelo lado positivo (sempre tem um, mesmo que só tempos depois compreendamos o sentido do ocorrido), fortaleceu-me – e talvez o motivo seja justamente esse... Tudo tem uma razão nessa vida.

Só não sei dizer, se tivesse que responder ao Papai Noel, se estaria pronta para outra. Fiquei traumatizada, não nego. Tamanha intensidade e sensibilidade me fizeram reavaliar MUITA coisa e, consequentemente, mudar bastante. Agora, se ele quisesse saber se me comportei direitinho, eu admitiria que, quando boa, eu sou ótima; mas quando eu sou má, eu sou melhor ainda! Sem ressentimentos.

Ho Ho Ho! Que venha 2011. Aliás, qual será meu presente?