would you do it?

            I've always liked when people can connect other passages from the Bible with Christmas. At first sight, there's nothing there about a manger, baby Jesus, angels and so on. And then, at the second look, there's everything about Jesus and His birthday. Last Sunday was one of these kinds of sermons. The pastor talked about the rights Jesus has disclaimed to come here, among us, have nothing and redound us. If you stay 2 minutes to think, it might change your life. So, He, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, He had everything, and I mean it, He had power, He didn't own 3 houses... He own the Universe. Can you imagine that? Then, think about this: He came on earth, with nothing. Even the manger he was put in, wasn't his. Then, He grew up and you know the rest of the story. If you look close enough, you'll realize all His life He owned nothing. Now, my question is: "would you do it?". If you were Jesus, would you have done it?

          Christmas is about learning to be unselfish. Christmas is a miracle. Think about it: a virgin gives birth to a little boy, puts it in a manger. Shepherds seeing angels, and they were singing. Three wise-men following a star. Then, Herod kills lots of babies, but the only one who he wanted dead, is alive. And how Mary and Joseph got to go to Bethlehem, so Jesus would be born there.
          Let's spread around the joy of the true meaning of Christmas.

winter colds no more

{photo via}

          As a woman, I like to take care of myself. Especially now, in the winter when it's cold. So, for you, my ladies, i prepared some homemade beauty tips, in order to help you have some fun while getting prettier. 

         It's been said a lot of stuff about coffee... good and bad. I just found out coffee can be your ally when it comes to cellulite. Here's how: 

         * revigorant and exfoliant facial mask:

     Mix 1/4 cup of grounds from when you made coffee with one yolk of an egg. Apply on the face and wait for it to dry. Rinse with warm water.

         * for your hair:

       Make a really strong coffee (e.g. espresso), put some drops of olive oil and some drops of perfume in it. Wait to cool off. Put it on your dry hair for 15-20 minutes. Rinse well.

         * anti - cellulite lotion:

     Mix the grounds left from two coffee cups, with paprika cut very small and some olive oil. Put the mixture on the problem zones, wrap around with plastic foil. After 10-15 minutes rinse.

        For the dark circles under the eyes, wrap a grated raw potato in a cloth, and apply on your lids for 15-20 minutes. Wipe off the residue and then apply eye cream.

        To keep your legs beautiful, take 1 cup Lemon Juice, Cinnamon (for smell), 2 tablespoons (or less) olive oil, 1/4 cup of milk, and water you can make a wash that leaves skin refreshed and fragrant (the amount of water does not matter). Put it in a tub where you can soak your feet or your body. Next dry your feet or rinse them with water and mild soap.

        You love your hands, right? You can mix sugar and lemon juice. Rub it on palms till sugar dissolves. Wash with cold water, and you'll have soft hands again.

         There are plenty tips for your beauty, you just need to moisturize your skin enough and be gentle with it.

         Last but not least, don't forget to enjoy the holidays! 

Christmas spirit...

{photo via}

         Every year, there is a cycle we respect so much that we think it is normal to be that way and if something changes, all our world goes crazy in seconds. We think we are revolutionary because once a year we go and help those in need. Or because we went caroling for 3 whole nights (excuse me, American buddies, for you caroling means 4 houses ?... Here, we go caroling from 9pm to 5-6 in the morning. That's awesome, believe me!!). Or because we thought of a poor child and we filled up a shoe box with some goodies. I might sound too harsh, my dears, but you know what? I'm getting fed up with all these stories. They are nice, right?... To visit some kids in an orphanage, or go shopping with an old lady, or just spend a day with somebody who's lonely. Cute things that melt our hearts and make us feel better if we do them. I'm not saying it's wrong to do them. Not at all!! It's just this Christmas spirit that suddenly changes us, even if we don't believe there is a God, and even if we think the "Jesus story" is just another fairy tale. I mean, what's about this time of year that turns even the most malefic human being in the best citizen? Just on December. Maybe half-way thru January. And then, everything is forgotten. 

         I listen carols at least 2-3 times in a year. Of course, the whole Christmas time, and then, during the summer. Anybody who hears that looks at me like I'm a weirdo.... and I have no idea what they can think (probably something like: "poor girl, she thinks Santa comes each time you listen carols.." - just kidding). The truth is, if I would have to answer why I listen carols on summer, I'm not sure. Maybe the spirit they put in me... the joy they spread.. the peace, the hope, the remembrance of Jesus' birth... How do you think it would be if the Christmas spirit would surround us all year? A better world, right? And, honestly, who doesn't want a better world? If not for yourself, I'm sure for you kids (and here's another subject about kids and the society..). 

          So, I agree with Christmas spirit: carols, gifts, Santas around the city, more smiles, snow, Jesus in a manger, the shepherds, the wise-men, and so on. But I still hope one day, Christmas spirit wouldn't leave us the next day after Christmas. I still hope for a Christmas spirit all year round.

romanian day...

              For couple of days, everything becomes Romanian. And lovely. Romanian and lovely. Odd, but true, everyone is a patriot. Even for a day each year. All Romanian world around sing from the bottom of their hearts the National Hymn, cry and miss their country even if they're home. For one day, everything is about Alba Iulia, about what have been and what's left. On a cold cold day, nobody care about the weather, and everyone is fascinated with the parade. The ( not so ) big people of Romania go in front of thousands of people and tell their speeches with so much passion, then we all sing all kind of patriotic songs, and cry again. We go home, impressed and deeply touched. Splendid day. When Romania became Romania. Such a pity (that) Romania doesn't really exist anymore. After this day, when all are in love with their country ( president, politicians, military, doctors, kids, moms, dads, teachers, brothers, sisters, even the homeless guys), everybody takes its usual course. Nobody cares about anything else than "what can I do for me?". 

I wish that the Romanians would never stop being Romanians. 

"how do you..?" series

             Have you ever wondered what would you be without all the support you've got in your life from anybody around you? From the sweet cashier girl that told you sincerely what a good choice you took with that pale pink button up, or from that super nice talk from your boss? From the ones we barely notice to the ones we hope for and to the ones we need like a breath of fresh air. It gives you so much self-respect and self-confidence knowing others encourage what you think, you do, you chose. Receiving is easy-peasy, right?
            I'm just curious how you react when it comes your turn to support somebody. Anybody. Piece of cake? Not anymore, huh? Well, recently I've come around this problem, too. When Hubby came home from Germany, and he told me the boss from there is expecting him to go there again, next week, for another 4-5 days. I burst intro tears: "but, you've just been there for a WHOLE WEEK!!". Poor guy. Now I realize it's not easy for him, either, and he doesn't wish to be always away. After crying like half hour, I thought I could support him. Oh, man, was that hard!! And that's just a small example...
          How often do you say: "good job!" or " I know you can do it!"? Cliches? Yeah, maybe, but sometimes, a cliche, a pat on a shoulder, a smile, or even just a look could be more than enough.

a house or a home?

      
      Houses are part of our lives since forever. Building a new house, is easy nowadays with this super modern technology, but I'm wondering how hard it is to really build a home. The guys from Ryan Homes came with the answer: "We believe that the most important element of your home is you", and for the last 60 years they've built exceptional homes in 23 metropolitan areas. And they are still doing it, if you're interested in buying a home. They started in as a small, family-run business in Pittsburgh, but they easily got in the top 5 builders in the US.

       If you wanna skip really fast the steps from this  

to this

you just need to know about the new homes in Virginia or  if you don't live in Virginia, just the homes for sale that are in 13 of the eastern states ( New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia).

         I think all houses are pretty, but the homes built by Ryan Homes make you feel the warmth, coziness and privacy of a real home.

a note for you

           I wanna thank you for:

• holding me in your arms when we sleep;
• the surprises you made me yesterday;
• taking me out for a walk and then to the movies - it was a great time;
• treating me like a queen;
• the face you made when you saw my new haircut ( it was speechless, awesome and great - I could write a whole story out of that look);
• the sweet, tender and strong, protecting hugs you give me;
• telling me which of my clothes you like;
• bringing me chocolate and Harribo (you know what I like..);
• being there for me.

                   Love, Wifey