In A New York Minute - The Eagles

We are all constantly chasing after something and as time skips merrily along, a little too fast at times, the years roll on by in the blink of an eye and it could be over before we know it.

Occasionally we need to settle down, even if only for a minute - to watch the sunrise, feel the breeze, smell the coffee, listen to the birds .... whatever your heart fancies - 

and essentially give ear to nature as it gives it's speech to us in a million ways.

We are surrounded with so much beauty, it's right here and we forget we don't need big bucks to appreciate them.
Go on have a smashing day!

"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people" - Victor Borge

There was a time I was tutoring 5 year olds. And believe me, those were the most rewarding and fulfilling, happening and exciting moments that I've had. You could never predict what was coming next!
Exams were looming, which was a stressful time for me, as I'm sure many of you have experienced. And this particular day, we were learning our opposites. With fingers crossed and after an exhausting practice session, we began our review. It was simply stating the opposite of a word and using them in a sentence as an example.
The following was the ensuing conversation -
Me - "Can you give me the opposite of tall accompanied with a sentence?"
Student - "Short. I am tall and he is short."

Me - "Very good! Now the opposite of high is ... "
Student - "Low! The ceiling is high and the floor is low."

A high-five later -
Me - "Now who can give me the opposite of "dark"?
Student - "Light! When it's dark out we must turn on the light!"
Fair enough! I could heave a huge sigh of relief ....

And here is the cincher!!                                                                        

That is hubby dearest and me after that lesson!

Me - "What is the opposite of thin?"

In a New York minute - out popped the answer!

Hold your breath for this one ....

Student - "Fat! You are fat and we are thin!"

A pat on the back to me for getting through that with a straight face and with the utmost patience.

Mind you, I didn't hand out any candy or stickers after that session ......

The Karate Kid (2010)

Haven't we watched at least one of "the Karate Kid" movies that have been made since 1984? But I want to particularly write about my favorite starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. I'm pretty biased, considering I can watch my favorite martial arts star - Jackie Chan and his famed moves and a beautiful China, of course.

As the story goes, which does nor veer too far from the original - give or take a few details to keep it new and interesting, Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) moves from Detroit, Michigan to Beijing, China owing to his mother's job. As exciting as the new place is he soon encounters bullies who are trained in kung-fu. He seeks the help of a maintenance man, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) from the apartment complex where he lives. Dre Parker who has an issue with keeping his jacket off the floor soon begins a journey of self-discovery, discipline and respect.

 All of 12 years Jaden shows off a six pack while he comfortably does his splits and he takes your breath away while he trains on the Wall of China and by the  splendid Wudang Mountains.

Truly the best, 1984

Who could forget Miyagi (Pat Morita) and him teaching Daniel kung-fu through what may seem mundane and menial tasks - like waxing the car, sanding down the patio, painting the fence, the house .....

Just a mention, while I was living in Vegas I was lucky to see the Mr. Noriyuki "Pat" Morita shopping on occasion, serene as ever, at the Smiths' on Rancho Dr. close to where he lived.
An image snapped, locked and stored in my memory.

I don't know how she does it (2011)

It is the 21st Century and we still seem to live in a misogynistic world. Kate Reddy is here to prove that women can successfully do what men can and do it even better! 

Kate (Sarah Jessica Parker) is a wife, a mother of two and a finance executive with an investment banking firm in Boston. She seems to be able to do it all  and is a powerhouse of efficiency, diligence and energy. She is a devoted wife, a loving mother who plans birthday parties and an accomplished employee who can deliver powerful power-point presentations, winning projects for the firm she works for. Her husband (Greg Kinnear) fondly calls her the "juggler". However, can Kate successfully keep all her plates spinning and not bring them crashing down?
Are you working hard and in need of a break? You've got to dial the baby-sitter or find a play-date and call the girls over, sit down with this adorable flick, kick-back and relax.

Salud to all hard-working women and working mums

The Fields of Athenry ( lyrics )

I attended a private school founded by Irish nuns and one that flourished under their tutelage. And that would explain why we were partial to the Irish and their deep, mellisonant songs. We would sing a popular few during music class when we wanted to break the monotony from the demanding practice schedules. 
I was lucky to visit Ireland some years ago and I instantly fell in love with the beautiful Emerald Isle. I was looking through some pictures we had clicked, fondly remembering the lush, rolling hills dotted with sheep, enchanting gabled homes, a cold glass of Guinness and the hearty Irish breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, a fried tomato and pudding. Oh the Memories!

Here is a song I love and one I would like to share ...

Helen Keller ~ “Happiness depends upon ourselves.”

It's been raining for a few days now and there is no sign of the rain letting up. Am I actually missing the sun? I can't answer that, considering how over the last few months the sun has been sucking the life-blood out of everything. Maybe I do miss it a little if only to just dry things up a bit. If you know Indian monsoons then you know the mess they can create and I was lucky to be home, sipping a warming, delicious cup of tomato soup when I heard a voice call out.

A quick peek out the window told me it was the local vegetable vendor. This is luxury as I get veggies home, it's super fresh, as it comes directly from neighboring farms and to top it all it's pocket friendly! That was incentive enough for me to grab my raincoat, shoes and some change. What a mess the whole place was but I plodded on. After looking around a bit I sighted a diminutive woman bearing a huge load over her head, now seeking shelter from the rain. On close inspection I noticed she was young and tiny, making the bundle she carried seem too much of a burden. I began making my selection of the beautiful greens and was careful with the whole pile that was precariously placed. That is exactly when Murphy's law decides to kick-in - the bundles chose to topple over that very moment. Oh My God, I wanted to scream!
Before I could do anything, though, out of nowhere two little hands grabbed the fallen lot and handed me one.Only then did I see the sweetest little kid that I had seen in a while. He was tiny, just like his mum, tanned and dressed all prim and proper, hair combed with not a strand out of place. What grabbed me was the sweetest, heart-melting smile and tiny but sparkling, impish eyes. The little bundle of dill that he held out to me, for that quick instant seemed like a beautiful bunch of  flowers.
I was amazed that despite all odds the smile that radiated from that little person was the truest, purest and the happiest one that I had seen in a while; replete with childlike openness, innocence and pure joy. A smile the likes of which I hadn't seen in a long while and one that I was not likely to forget any time soon.

I often say a quick prayer of thanks whenever I get a moment that grabs me. That was one such moment. I had to remind myself of all that I had and all that I should be grateful for;  Cherishing moments and appreciating little joys and the good things that come my way. I must remember to smile, even though all occasions would not necessarily call for one.

I said a quick prayer for that little one and silently thanked him for the lesson he had taught me that day.
"“Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” - Aristotle

I absolutely love this picture and I just had to share it

The Girl From the Train - Irma Joubert

I was at the library looking for a break from the thrillers I had been reading. So that was a no-no to James Patterson, Michael Connelly, John Grisham, Robin Cook, Sandra Brown or Nora Roberts .. My current favorites. So what then? My eyes happened to fall on "The Girl from the Train". With the current state of affairs in the world today - the war, the economy, the immigrant crisis, this seemed liked the perfect book. So as the story goes ...

It's a rainy morning and I have the perfect book in my hand, hot coffee to go with it too.

It is World War II and Little Gretl Schmidt, all of 6 years, is a survivor. Born and raised a German Jew she managed to escape what would have been a cruel fate at the Auchwitz. But she's paid a heavy price losing her grandmother and her sister in the bargain. Mercifully she is rescued by Jakob, a Polish Catholic, who pities the beautiful child he sees and he takes her under his wing. Three years fly by strengthening the special bond they share. But war is cruel and life is tough and Gretl must flee. By divine providence Jakob decides to send Gretl to South Africa, so she can stand a chance to be adopted by rich, Protestant families looking for German orphans. Being one of the lucky few - Gretl, now christened Grietjie, is blessed with a privileged life and is surrounded with people who love her - a father who adores her, a mother who treasures her, a brother who is a brother and a grandfather who loves her. A loving family, a sound education and a career she adores as a translator is more than one could ask for. But there is something missing - her heart yearns to meet Jakob, after all these years.
Time, distance, language, cultural barriers and faith are the impediments that could keep Gretl and Jakob apart. But will it? A story of courage and determination to fight all odds amidst all conflict.
For a moment here and coming to recent times, I would like to remember the little 3 year old Syrian boy, found washed up the shores of a Turkish beach, dressed in a red shirt and blue shorts .. An image splashed and embedded deep within, never to be forgotten. A lifetime of possibilities and hope lost to this world ...

Just to remember the song and the singer that touched innumerable lives . Here is to a better world - to happy people 👴👵, happy children 💑 and a happier world 🌏.

About Time (2013)

It was about time, and no pun intended here, that hey showed a decent film on telly.
Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson) - ginger-twerp as he is fondly called - is from Cornwall, England who had a beautiful childhood growing up. However, he is geeky and awkward around the ladies. So on his 21st birthday when his father tells him about a gift every male member of the family was granted when they turned 21, Tim is pleased. He is surprised to learn he can travel back in time! Tim is soon off to London to pursue  a career in law and there by happenstance he meets Mary (Rachel McAdams), the girl of his dreams. He uses his gift to fall in love and get married. But Tim unselfishly also helps better the lives of those he cares deeply about - A dear playwright friend becomes a raving success thanks to Tim's intervention, his sister finds love and marriage and Tim spends time with his dying dad, moments that he will cherish for an entire lifetime. However, before bidding farewell, his dying father shares his own "secret" to happiness. And it is this secret that will open Tim's eyes, inadvertently helping him to appreciate life, living each day as if it were his first and last.
I found the concept of time-travel intriguing and I have watched "The Time Traveller's Wife" numerous times. However, I found "About Time" extremely touching and adorable. Tim says and I quote, "enjoy the rest of the ride for as long as you can", my now favorite movie quote ever.
This is one movie I would keep going back to.

Word for the day :-
lithe - (especially of a person's body) thin, supple, and graceful