Dreaming up a surprise
A lovely week my friends! I give you sunrise from the world's largest religious monument - Angkor Wat
and a quiet spot from the chili patches
Some days this week were bittersweet. But I'm loving the joys and faves:
This goodbye is not forever. Someone dear to me is away for a couple of days. On call for an important politician, he does not know when is he returning to base. Communication to the outside is quite restricted. Then out of the blue he sent word saying he was making use of what internet access was allowed 'along palace perimeter...' and then he was gone. But I'm glad he tried to reach me.
Monuments Men. Those art pieces! They took my breath away.
The Valley is a friend's short story which he asked me to edit for an alumni newsletter. I was hesitant; warned him I might unwittingly ruin it. My mind went back to that article I wrote 19 years ago. It was too late when I realized how unnecessarily sentimental it sounded; it was already published in a national women's magazine. I don't exactly trust myself with creative writing nowadays but while having a go at the very thing I realized I was enjoying the process. Although what I would normally accomplish in 15 minutes dragged for an hour, it turned out a pleasure. What a break from technical stuff!
'Shriveled banana,' according to an online review of this Cassia Cafe dessert. Curious and looking for fun, I singled it out of the menu. Despite the cashew nuts as its saving grace I reckoned it was still a risk but I went ahead and ordered one to complete a lazy Sunday brunch. It has a bit of a price so I expected to be deliciously surprised and I was. Clearly, looks are not everything.
In the mood for generosity. A niece's FB shout out goes: "Queen is having a concert this summer... I really wanna go!" I couldn't resist asking, "Queen? If it's Queen, i.e. Brian May, Freddie Mercury (RIP)... don't miss it sweetie!" She replied, "yes Tita (Auntie)... but I'll have to go alone. My clique doesn't really like their music. Plus, a ticket costs almost 200$ because obviously it's THE queen... but I'll find ways."
This darling niece has taste for household name stadium rock; was probably influenced by her seminary-bred father ;) Poor kid. I see myself in her 25 years ago - young, passionate, penniless. Suddenly an idea came flapping its wings in my face. Isn't it my longtime dream to watch The Queen live? Now since I could not fly to Montreal anytime soon, what if I'd just wire her $200 so she could go to the concert? I quickly made a mental survey of the checkbook but had to temper my excitement as I realized I have Vietnam and South Korea lined up on my travel timetable in the coming months.
and a quiet spot from the chili patches
This goodbye is not forever. Someone dear to me is away for a couple of days. On call for an important politician, he does not know when is he returning to base. Communication to the outside is quite restricted. Then out of the blue he sent word saying he was making use of what internet access was allowed 'along palace perimeter...' and then he was gone. But I'm glad he tried to reach me.
Monuments Men. Those art pieces! They took my breath away.
The Valley is a friend's short story which he asked me to edit for an alumni newsletter. I was hesitant; warned him I might unwittingly ruin it. My mind went back to that article I wrote 19 years ago. It was too late when I realized how unnecessarily sentimental it sounded; it was already published in a national women's magazine. I don't exactly trust myself with creative writing nowadays but while having a go at the very thing I realized I was enjoying the process. Although what I would normally accomplish in 15 minutes dragged for an hour, it turned out a pleasure. What a break from technical stuff!
'Shriveled banana,' according to an online review of this Cassia Cafe dessert. Curious and looking for fun, I singled it out of the menu. Despite the cashew nuts as its saving grace I reckoned it was still a risk but I went ahead and ordered one to complete a lazy Sunday brunch. It has a bit of a price so I expected to be deliciously surprised and I was. Clearly, looks are not everything.
In the mood for generosity. A niece's FB shout out goes: "Queen is having a concert this summer... I really wanna go!" I couldn't resist asking, "Queen? If it's Queen, i.e. Brian May, Freddie Mercury (RIP)... don't miss it sweetie!" She replied, "yes Tita (Auntie)... but I'll have to go alone. My clique doesn't really like their music. Plus, a ticket costs almost 200$ because obviously it's THE queen... but I'll find ways."
This darling niece has taste for household name stadium rock; was probably influenced by her seminary-bred father ;) Poor kid. I see myself in her 25 years ago - young, passionate, penniless. Suddenly an idea came flapping its wings in my face. Isn't it my longtime dream to watch The Queen live? Now since I could not fly to Montreal anytime soon, what if I'd just wire her $200 so she could go to the concert? I quickly made a mental survey of the checkbook but had to temper my excitement as I realized I have Vietnam and South Korea lined up on my travel timetable in the coming months.
But I'm not forgetting the whole thing yet. And this is not a bad place to dream up a surprise, is it? Charm could set you in the mood for generosity.
Pretty vase.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blues!
ReplyDeleteHoney on the Way
I hear it's Adam Lambert of American Idol that's fronting the band on this tour. He can actually do all the Freddie Mercury parts.
ReplyDeleteGreat feedback, Photo Cache! Thanks a lot. I'll go tell the niece :)
DeleteI'm sure the niece would be thrilled by your generosity.
ReplyDeleteHi Hazel,
ReplyDeleteWow! What a generous aunt you are! Thanks for sharing that beautiful blue vase, and thank you for your kind comment.
Have a Happy Blue Monday!
Pretty water view of the little arched bridge. The Queen performance sounds like a very tempting event.
ReplyDeleteI would yield to that temptation in a heart beat if I lived close to the concert venue.
DeleteQueen is also my favorite. You're so generous Tita (we call Tita as Tante here).
ReplyDeleteLove the reflection.
Just a slight variation in spelling, isn't it? I'm rather warming up to 'Tante'
DeleteSo much joy in connecting, whether it's with a much loved niece or an unexpected email from a special someone who's away.
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous shots.
ReplyDeleteLove that vase!!! I'm a Queen fan, as is my husband, from way back!!!! but.....Adam is NO replacement for Freddy. Lol
ReplyDeleteThe younger generation won't probably mind it so much as WE will always miss the voice that defined Queen.
DeleteLOVE your Dante quote! And I loved Monuments Men, too -- mostly the impassioned speeches about how important art is to who we are. Loved that. Hope you have a great week ahead!
ReplyDeleteLoved that too. What a mission those men tackled!
DeleteThe bridge is so cute ! And your meal looks yummy...
ReplyDeleteHi, I came here through weekend reflections and love the reflections shot of the little bridge, very Monet. I laughed out loud at the shriveled banana..
ReplyDeleteSssshhhh....... lol!
DeleteI'm glad your friend was able to get in touch just for a minute. It's hard not to be able to communicate.
ReplyDeleteThat would be a generous gift! Wow, I didn't know concerts were so expensive.
The legends, the household names are.
DeleteTwo beautiful spots to sit or stand in awe.
ReplyDeleteJM Illinois
U.S.A.
Hazel, lovely images and post. The sky shot is beautiful. enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteWow, beautiful places to visit! I'm glad you were able to 'connect' for even a minute with your special someone.
ReplyDeleteOK, now I want to see The Monuments Men!
Wonderful post ~ great photos and so glad you heard from your 'friend' ~ happy day to you ~ xxx
ReplyDeleteartmusedog and carol
Oh, Freddie. I cried the day he died. I was telling my son that's a concert I wouldn't have missed.
ReplyDeleteso sweet! help her out with the concert! hehehe, kulit, 'no?
ReplyDeletethat banana looks intriguing! is that plantain?
thanks so much for sharing and linking this lovely post over at Food Friday, Hazel
enjoy the rest of the week!