M is for Mirror, Mirror

I love mirrors. I have one in every room, mainly for decorative purposes.

There are various superstitions regarding mirrors being gateway to other worlds. The story that comes to mind is 'Through the looking glass' by Lewis Carroll. A wonderful classic full of imagination in a fascinating world Alice steps into.

 Others believe if you have the unfortunate luck of breaking a mirror, you will have seven years of bad luck. It is also believed that when you look at a mirror, it shows your true self.

Can a soul be trapped in the mirror *shudder* Can mirrors interact with someone's soul?  Maybe that is why in the myth says that a if you want to know if someonw is a vampire, use a mirror to check for their reflection.

Superstitions  and Myths aside, anyone watched Mirror, Mirror, played by the wonderfully talented Julia Roberts?  On this trailer, she says she'll marry the prince, gives him a love potion, only to find out it's a potion for puppylove. :D and the prince is whining all over the place. I, for, one look forward to watching it. I would like to share the trailer with you courtesy of Youtube.






                                            As a girl who grew up reading fairy tales, I did enjoy Snow White and her army of dwarfs. very cute. mmmh I wonder if a time is coming for Beauty and The Beast cinematic retell? I sure look forward to that one. :)

What is your favourite fairy tale?










What do you see when you look into the mirror?

L is for Longstockings, Pippi

Tommy and his sister Annika have a new neighbor, and her name is Pippi Longstocking. She has crazy red pigtails, no parents to tell her what to do, a horse that lives on her porch, and a flair for the outrageous that seems to lead to one adventure after another!



Pippi Longstockings, in german, Pippi Langstrumpf. Aah, this girl reminds me of my younger years *dreamy sigh* Minus the red hair, stripped mismatched stockings, no parents.

This is also my daughter's favourite tv series. She loves Pippi so much that during the Fasching (Carneval) season here in Vienna, I searched high and low to find a wig that resembled Pippi's hair, the strip stockings as well.

A Little about Pippi Longstockings.

Pippi Longstockings is in truth an unusual young girl. She is financially independent since she owns a sackful of gold pieces. She can shoot a revolver and sail on the seven seas. She is both cheeky and kind, she can carry a horse and she can outlift the strongest man in the world, Mighty Adolph.

I truly admire how Astrid Lindgren created this character (maybe I am biased because in a way, I was like Pippi, well not carrying the horse part and outlifting Might Adolph, but I was cheeky. Very cheeky) she made a loveable character. Even when she is upto no good, I can't help but love this 10 year old. I've watched the DVDs with my 7 year old daughter (that's part of our bonding ritual) and we both adore Pippi. 

A fun read — not a feminist agenda

Astrid Lindgren was not exactly proceeding from an explicit feminist agenda when she wrote her wonderful stories about this remarkable girl and her two close friends. That, however, has not prevented Pippi from becoming a source of inspiration in the struggle for gender equality. She is still the hero of the day.

Throughout the world, girls have been encouraged to have fun, to be a bit more daring and to have faith in their own ability. Pippi Longstocking has performed wonders. Source

Long live Pippi Longstockings! :D

Friday Fantastic Author Feature: Debbie Peterson

I am really excited to welcome Debbie Peterson, a fellow Inkspeller, and the author of 'Shadow of The Witte Wieven'. I'm reading her book currently. What I can only say about it is that it is unlike any other book I've read before. Simply wonderful, unique, mysterious and well written with a dash of romance. So without further ado, let's welcome Debbie Peterson.

Book Summary:

Despite a contract on her head, lone Drug Enforcement Agent, Aliyana Montijo must ferret out a mole and stop the assassination of top DEA officials, as so ordered by the Colombian drug lord she seeks to take down. The task is a daunting one, for there is no one she can trust. No one that is, until she encounters a most unlikely ally.
Former seventeenth century captain of the Dutch West Indies Company, Wolfaert Dircksen Van Ness, now from a parallel dimension, encounters the beautiful agent during an unearthly storm in the Bermuda triangle. Drawn to the Spanish beauty he rescues, he pledges his assistance, despite her reluctance to accept either his help or his heart.
Can Wolf bridge both space and time to claim the woman he loves?

CeCe: Please tell us your name:

Deb: Debbie Peterson


CeCe:What book are you currenlty promoting When will it be released and by which publisher?

Deb: The book is a paranormal romance concerning a beautiful undercover DEA agent (working a Colombian drug cartel) and a handsome 17th century sea captain (now from a parallel dimension), who meet rather abruptly during a storm in the Bermuda Triangle. They team up to prevent an assassination of the top DEA officials and their families. And along the way...

The book will be released April 21, 2012 by Inkspell Publishing.

CeCe: How much research did you do for this project?

Deb: Quite a bit. I had to know a lot of things about the DEA, the organization, weapons, latest in technological gadgets etc. I had to learn about brigantines and the Dutch West Indies company. I also had to know a lot of things about the South American drug cartels, just to name a few.

CeCe: How did you come up with the story idea?

Deb:I saw a beautiful picture of a raging storm over the ocean and my imagination took flight…
CeCe:Which genre is the book?

Deb: Paranormal Romance


Cece: Which genres do you enjoy reading and writing?

Deb: I love reading the classics, and of course, reading and writing fantasy, paranormal romance.


CeCe: Where can readers and fans find you - online that is?

Website: http://dk-peterson.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DebbiePeterson.author
Blog: http://debbie-peterson.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DebbiePeterson1

Thanks Cece!

Thank You, Debbie. It was a pleasure having you here on my blog.

K is for Kärnten (Carinthia)

Kärnten which is also Carinthia, is the southernmost state in Austria, bordering Italy and Slovenia. Although the inhabitants of this wonderful state speak German, they also speak a Carithian dialect, which is sort of like the Southern Bavarian dialect. This area is framed with mountains and valles. Carithia is also known as the country of water, as has lots of lakes and see.
Carinthia is also the Land of the Celts, Romans, Slavs, Carantanians and Carinthians, the history of the different peoples and their influences can still be explored today.v

One of the most famous places is the Lake Wörthersee.


During Summer, here is the place to be. Not only can you go yatching, but they have also  Beach Volley Ball Beach Slam and Carinthia Ironman Austria - a long distance triathalon race which consists of swim, bike and marathon.

In the evenings, there are other events like theatre, cabaret and music.

Other unique places:

Minimundus Park: Around the world in just one day. It displays famous buildings from around the world in miniature form.


Taj Mahal                                                        Pisa

cusoon.at

I visited Minimundus about 3 years ago, and was amazed by the sheer beauty of it. While visiting very site, I felt as if I was transported to that particular country without even going there. Fantastic. Here you'll find miniatures of Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Tower Bridge and Big Ben, Statue of Liberts, Taj Mahal, Sidney Opera House all in one place.

Kanzelbahn

One can ride inside these cable cars and see the panaromic view the area. 

Another fascinating site, is the dripstone cave in Obir. with around 200 million years of geological history, open from Mid April to October

             velden.at                                                               

affenberg

mmmm interesting. very interesting. 

credit

Aw...aren't they cute? These three cuties can be found in the Affenberg (Monkey Mountain) Park also in Carinthia. 

J is for Josh Groban

If there is a voice that makes me want to sink on the ground I'm standing on and weep in joy, it's Josh Groban. Remember 'You Raise Me Up' truely genius, right? He is my 'to-go-to' artist when I feel as if my world is falling apart, or need inspiration or uplifting music, not to mention the awesomeness of the lyrics and his voice.

I remember the first time I got to know about Josh Groban was in Ally McBeal (remember that tv series with quirky characters, and each court case as strange and funny as the characters themselves? - I loved it by the way and still do. My dvd's can attest to that.). I think it was in season 4 episode 23. He plays Malcom Wyatt, a preacher's son. A girl from school agrees to go with him to the prom. Then she bails out on him. And of course, Ally gets the case.  To cut the whole story short, she goes with him to the prom, and he sings 'You are still you'. My gosh, I can't even begin to explain the feelings that song evoke in me, and how the prom crowd cheers after. Here is the clip from youtube: (the prom one didn't work, so I got this one, which is just as awe-inspiring as the other one)

Oh here is another: Broken Vow. Lara Fabian, another of my muses, did the song as well. The lyrics are soo sad, but the voice makes up for it. Magnificent.

Josh Groban is one of the most amazing artists, and humble too. He's my muse, and his music a source of comfort.  I would love to meet him hopefully one day. I'd gush the the whole day and week about Josh, but I think I'll give it a rest and let you discover  about this ..this..oh, well,, words fail me..again.

Who is your to-go-to artist? Your favourite? Does Josh make you want to spread your wings and fly?(Or wish you had wings to fly..like me?

I is for Innsbruck

Innsbruck one of the most beautiful towns in Austria, as well as the capital of Tyrol. It's one of the best ski places, with beautiful resorts and breathtaking view of the Alps.

In Innsbruck, there is this wonderful Care Im Turm -Panaroma- Cafe. It is situated at the Bergisel Ski Jump You are guarantee to have a perfect view on Innsbruck as well as the jumpers.

Watten is a town located 13km from Insbruck. While there one can visit the Kristalwelten - Crystal World - Swarovksi (photos above)  

Watten

Can visit the Labyrinth which is part of the Crystal World. I was there a long time ago. I should make a point of going back. 

Marketing Deluxe

In Winter, starting November, the Christmas markets are a places worth visiting, surrounded by the Alps. Breathtaking.

Innsbruck Turismo

Apfel Strudel - Apple Strudel - A traditional Pastry with coffee on a blue skies, sunshine winter day.

Europabrücke

But before a the coffee break with Apfel Strudel, I hear there is this wonderful site close to Innsbruck where you can bunjee jump.  The Europabrücke -Europa Bridge is 190m above ground. I plan to visit one day. I've never been there myself. I'm not sure if I'd try this extreme adrenaline pumping activity.  Maybe one day. :)

H is for Home

A few weeks ago, my friends and I were debating a particular subject:  Home. How does one define where home is? Everyone had their opinion.  Is it a place where one lives? 

Is home a castle house? 

Or is it a place like this: 

I am originally from Kenya. My mom, three sisters and brother and a whole bunch of relatives are in Kenya. I live here in Vienna with my children. I miss that part of my family, but my other part  is here with me. I've lived in thatched roof houses/huts, lived in posh houses, and in a tent. It was comfortable yes, and to some extent adventurous, but not as home-y as I'd have liked. Would have been much better if my family, my loved ones were with me. 


Right now my heart is in two places: Kenya and Vienna. 

Sometimes when I travel by myself and spend the night someplace far from my children, I toss and turn, and by morning I'm a sleepless mess. It's because my heart isn't attached to that foreign place. 

Personally, I believe home is where you go at the end of a frustrating day, to the arms of the ones who love you and you love. It doesn't matter whether it's in Africa, Europe, Asia... 

Home is where your heart is.

What is home to you?  Would love to know what you think.