Magical Ribbons

Good evening everybody!

Exams time, I need a break! And to mark these few minutes properly, what would be better than talking about art, creativity and the magical Disney World? Tonight, I want to present you the wonderful work of a lovely imaginative lady called Hayley.

As the excellent representation of women, Hayley likes girly stuff; especially ribbons, as you are going to realize. Plus, I think that you could barely find a better inspiration in term of making people smile, dream and simply being happy! God bless Walt Disney! So here we are; I leave you now with some of my favourite ribbons. Open your eyes and enjoy the colours of memories!

Magic Carpet, collection 'Aladdin'

The Cheshire Cat, collection 'Alice in Wonderland'

Ballroom Belle, collection 'Beauty and the Beast'

That's How You Know, Giselle, collection 'Enchanted'

Jolly Holiday, Mary Poppins, collection 'Mary Poppins'

Jack Skellington, collection 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'

Topsy Turvy, Clopin, collection 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'

Rafiki, collection 'The Lion King'

Up, collection Pixar

Buzz Lightyear, collection Pixar

Steamboat Willie, collection Classics

For more beauties and further information, go to:
http://magicalribbons.com
https://www.facebook.com/MagicalRibbons?ref=ts&fref=ts/

"I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse."
Walt Disney

Chapter 2013

 

 I couldn't go farther without sending you my best wishes for 2013! First of all, I hope that you guys had tons of fun during the  New Year's Eve! A new year has begun, and, without a doubt, time will fly as quickly as usual. That why my wishes are these ones:

Get rid of your negative thoughts; learn how to love and respect yourself as your are, accept your weaknesses and value your qualities; be strong in front of the difficulties: they are put on your way so that you decide if your aim is worth fighting for; take time to care; seek beauty everywhere, especially in the most unexpected places; listen carefully; don't be afraid of following your heart, don't forget that madness too leads to wisdom; do not miss an opportunity to tell your relative that you love them, life is short!; keep the faith, and even more during the hard times: if you are not happy, it isn't the end; set new challenges; read, read, read; travel, do not miss an opportunity to discover the world you live in; drink liters and liters of tea; dance, practice, move until your feet hurt so much that you are not able to walk anymore; be happy; be super happy; and be happier; ... to summarize: make the best of 2013!

I prefer to keep my own resolutions for me, but let me share with you a charming idea someone suggested me:

have you got a lovely box? a pot? something that you can fill up? Keep it nearby. Everytime that you read, you see, you listen something delightful, or every time you accomplish something you're proud of, write it down on a piece of paper. Then, slip this paper into the chosen container. Keep it safe.
That's how your successes, happy times, inspirations and so on will come back to you on the very last day of 2013. We tend to focuse on the difficulties, so much that we forget to often how little details make life beautiful!

I wish you all an amazing new year, full of joy, laughters and marvels!

Egypt's Missing Peace

Good evening!

I really have tons of different ideas to post, but priorities are priorities, and mine are and will always be human life. We are putting an end on 2012 with tragic news. Here it is:

Have you ever heard about Ahmed Meligy? Ahmed is Egyptian, he is a strong peace activist, who only fights for democracy, equality, friendship,... everything which can make the world better. He got arrested today by the Egyptian police. What the hell could be his crime? Have a look:

http://blogs.jpost.com/users/egypts-missing-peace

Yes, Ahmed wrote articles for an Israeli website. I rely on you all: I hope that there is not a single reader here who believe that he got what he deserved! Look, he is strong enough to have no prejudice and to make brotherhood his way of life and a few hours ago, he was stopped by his own country. Don't you find it silly?

Ahmed needs you! He needs us to support his proud fight, so please, don't give him up! Click on the following link to hear a sweet friend of mine from Australia talking about her Egyptian brother:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUcQagjIh5g&feature=youtu.be

You know that our voice is powerful, so use yours for people who deserve it! Support those who give their lives for a better future, who believe in mankind, who are not afraid of standing against preconceived opinions! 


























I know that I'm supposed to send you my blessings for the new year, but there is more important to do right now! Your heart will tell you what you have to do!


How good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.PSALM (133:1)

Where there is life...

... there is hope.

As says the proverb.
I knew that November was going to be extremely hard to overcome, but I must confess that I absolutely didn't expect so many difficulties! Problems, contrarieties and setbacks have been coming more and more so far, and unfortunately, it doesn't seem to reach an end!

Oh, I'm fine! I'm always fine, it's obvious! But sometimes, evenings look so-so, because I wasn't able to work as much as I wanted to, because... Well, everybody knows this kind of situation, I can cut the story short :)
So, when I feel particularly tired, I'm glad to find out good surprises, little things able to put a big smile on my face for some reasons. And lucky me has just read a encouraging quotation from the great Shams-e Tabrîzî:

Whatever happens to you, don’t fall in despair. Even if all the doors are closed, a secret path will be there for you that no one knows. You can’t see it yet but so many paradises are at the end of this path. Be grateful! It is easy to thank after obtaining what you want, thank before having what you want.

Overcoming, ©Dina Bova, http://www.bsw-art.com

I guess that this should be far enough to reassure my worries once and for all, shouldn't it? Otherwise, it doesn't matter: my optimistic / childish side must always be right, so let's say that the show must go on!

So, dear November, make me suffer as you want me to suffer, I don't mind! On the contrary, I'll be happy to salute you with a huge smile stuck on my face in a few days!

Before leaving you after this short post, followers and passers-by, I'd like to remind you that the pics used here aren't mine. I always write down the exact source when I know it, but if someday you discover a picture of yours that you don't want to appear here, let me know it: I'll be pleased to remove it for you!

All the best, and please, get a kick out November!

We are the sparks which shine so bright

Orphaned Land @ Hellfest 2011, © Nidhal Marzouk

As some people may already know, my blog's name is taken from the lyrics of an Israeli band: Orphaned Land. Today, I read that somebody launched a petition, so that these musicians could reserve the next Nobel Prize for Peace. Maybe I will write another article someday, where I could share my deepest thoughts about them, but this isn't the point here (and, by the way, sometimes, feelings just couldn't be shared or explained by words, so wait and see). Read the following statement, take a few minutes to watch the video, and if the spirit moves you, take a minute more to sign the petition.

"This is my personal request to all my friends from the Middle East, Turkey, and in general from all my Muslim friends here on my page:

We know for a long time now that we are above politic, we know that if it was in our hands, peace would have prevailed right away.

Please enter this link and sign if you find us worthy, please also spread the word and share it on your pages?

I send my endless love to all of you and all my love and best greetings for the coming holyday in a few days.

Salam/Shalom/Peace.
Kobi"

 Kobi Farhi, Orphaned Land's singer

 

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/nominate-orphaned-land-for-the-2013-nobel-peace-prize.html

Turning a new page for Peace

Yesterday, I had the great honor to see my picture appear on an amazing facebook page called Turning a new page for Peace. Read the words of the owner to discover what it is about:

Let us pave together a new way for peace!
We are not a political organization, or any kind of movement. We are just people who wish for a better future for ourselves and our children.

This is not intended right now for working out practical solutions, but in turning over awareness, building mutual trust, and creating an atmosphere that will allow peace to flourish.

Each one of us is a human being – not our state or the people. We all share the same simple wish – to live our lives peacefully, with our families, and earn a decent living.

We can't live in hostility and hatred forever. These are only taking us away from those things we want! Instead they create a cycle of bloodshed which only leads to sorrow, pain and suffering to all.

Friendship and brotherhood are not less than an existential necessity!

Until now we thought that peace is a task to be carried out by the leaders. But reality has slapped in our face. The violence, fear and hatred – broke the trust between the sides and the faith in the way of peace.

The times are changing. We live in an age of revolutions, the internet gives us, the people, power that we didn't possess in the past. We are witnessing history in the making – as the people in the middle east, after long years of depression, are taking their fates in the their own hands and fight against tyranny and corruption – for freedom and justice.

It is time that we take the future in our own hands – also for peace. Let us come together in a call for true brotherhood and friendship with our neighbors. If we all do that – maybe the individual rain drops will come together to become a river of hope!

We are coming from love. We are here – to show that this dream is possible


This may sound naive to you, but seeing the implication of so many people, people who only dream about peace and brotherhood, touches me. Everyday we read awful stories and disasters, so why not trying to turn to an shining source, for once? After all, peace begins with a smile :)

If you have a facebook page, please have a look here: http://www.facebook.com/newpage4peace

I'm ready to live in peace.
What about you?

"Do it big, do it right, and do it with style" ~Fred Astaire

Good afternoon, Buenas tardes, Shalom, Bonjour!


Tons of work to do, today! That's what happens when you leave home during... well, a single day?! I can't believe how my life is currently busy: when I finish something, I can't even breathe for a minute before I've got something else to do. I love this activity, my present, my future, my projects, everything!

I realized yesterday that I've been practicing bellydance for a year now. And wow! What a great journey! I've already come to a point where I couldn't be grateful (and the word is weak) to my teachers for all the happiness they brought me! This space is for them :)

Asrar

First of all: Asrar. She has been my weekly teacher from the beginning, and I'm lucky to take lessons with such an enthusiastic, joyful and humble woman! She brings sparkles to my Fridays evening!!

Khalida @ Summertime Hafla

And there comes Khalida, this amazing dancer, great instructor and sweet person from Germany. She organizes regular workshops, invites various teachers with their own styles and passions, giving the students magnificent opportunities to learn!

Illan Rivière by Peter Zanniti

 



 I couldn't forget to thank Illan Rivière, from the bottom of my heart! Such a young dancer, but first of all such a breathtaking journey! He keeps a special place to me thanks to his creativity, his feeling, and last but not least thanks to his sweetness. Meeting him was absolutely fantastic, and his tips and vision of dancing are written with gold letters.

The reason of my absence, yesterday, was my participation at two workshops by Néphélée. She didn't only gave me my very first try with my favourite props -fan veils: she confirmed a fascination, and made all the dancers present at her second unexpected workshop live a deep moment, a real experience to cherish. 


I also was lucky to meet Johanna during my very first saidi lesson. Saidi is one of my favourite styles, and living such a nice course gave me will to learn about it more and more and more! 

Néphélée

And big thanks again to Feyrouz and her unforgettable dervish workshop, as well as Sonia Saida, who reconciled me with drums solo. 

Last but not least, I'm happy to have met so many great people during my course and workshops! That's why dancing is fantastic as well! :)

And special *mmmmuuuuuuuaaaaaaaahhhhhh* for my sweeties, Betül Efeoğlu and Johanna Najla: there should be far more women like you! :)))

 I hate blogspot for destroying the layout, sorry about the ugliness