Three Languages

Last night and into this morning I watched the tri-lingual film, The Band's Visit. An Egyptian police band, set to perform at an Arab Cultural Center in Israel, mistakenly gets on the wrong bus winding up somewhere other than their planned destination. The film follows the band members' interactions with the townspeople they meet. Does it sound too boring, too uneventful? I got that impression from my mother when I described the plot to her. I tend to like quirky films such as this, yet can see where others would not. I particularly enjoyed the use of language throughout this film. The Egyptian and Israeli characters spoke Arabic and Hebrew respectively, but when conversing together spoke in English. In one scene, an Israeli character is speaking to an Egyptian character and says, "Tell me something in Arabic. Something, I don't know, to hear the music." Yes! Isn't language so beautiful and intricate just like music?! To me, hearing a language other than my native tongue is like hearing a song for the first time. Don't misunderstand me and interpret that last sentence as my not thinking English is a beautiful language. I feel all languages are beautiful in their own unique ways, but to hear a language spoken that I myself do not speak completely captivates my mind!

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Delectable Breakfast

Yesterday brought the first snow storm of the season. Upon waking up this morning I decided I needed something warm & cozy to fill my stomach: cinnamon pancakes with honey and maple syrup. My taste buds are on cloud nine. I am ready to conquer the cold!

Night Letter

in the quiet moments of nighttime the wind whistles
t h r o u g h the stove pipe
the clock ticks and chimes with every hour
tucked in as daylight shines on the other side of the world
ready waiting listening for tomorrow.

Adieu midterms!

Midterms are finally over. Phew.

After classes I made my way through the cold rain to my car and took myself on a mini-shopping spree. I've had this feeling lately that I'll find some superb clothing treasure or trinket while thrifting, but it hasn't happened yet. I decided to forgo the thrift shops and take on the mall. I ended up paying full price at H&M for what the receipt calls a "fancy jersey." Think: purple 3/4 sleeve shirt adorned with ribbon and some embroidered eyelet loveliness. At first, I thought about buying the same shirt in gray, but when my eyes met the purple version it was a done deal. On to Old Navy where there was a MASSIVE clearance sale going on. After picking through a sea of racks I found a black skirt for $3.49 and a white boyfriend cardigan for $7.24. Not too shabby.

When day breaks I need to get back into focus-on-school-mode and begin writing a paper that is due next week. I've already decided that once it is typed, printed, & handed in I am going to treat myself to watching this version of "Pride & Prejudice" again. I think it will be 4+ hours well spent.

Sensory enjoyment

Sight
This past week my friend Sarah and I went to see Frozen River. Fantastic film! It is loaded with perspective, feeling, and meaning. It felt so real watching it, as if I personally knew the characters. I am hoping it gets recognition during award season. The next must see on my list is Happy-Go-Lucky. It looks so delightful!

Sound
I cannot stop listening to Basia Bulat's album "Oh, My Darling." Give it a listen! Her voice is so richly sweet and she's as cute as a button!

Taste
Last weekend I tried out this recipe for Carrot Honey Cookies. Delicious! I omitted the nuts (because we didn't have any) and the raisins (thanks but no thanks). I want to make them again soon and I'm thinking of adding a touch of either cinnamon or nutmeg to the recipe...

Touch
The mornings are chilly as of late. I love wrapping my hands around my cup of coffee or tea and feeling the heat.

Smell
Take a deep breath and smell the dried Autumn leaves as they fall from the trees. Aahh.

Delicious Autumn!

"O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow
Make the day seem to us less brief."
- Robert Frost, from "October"

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October."
- Nathaniel Hawthorne

"I sometimes think that the other months were constituted mainly as a fitting interlude between Octobers."
- Aldo Leopold, from "A Sand County Almanac"

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."
- George Eliot

"The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.
The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I'll put a trinket on."
-Emily Dickinson