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.