The Bridge to Terabithia

Today we decided to go to the cinema as a family – the chosen film is Terabitha. We brought along my 4 year old son and my 18 month old baby. They were well behaved during the film and both children’s interest were caught. Well, I guess it’s because it is a story about children and their strong imagination.

Personally, I like it. After being disappointed with Eragon, my expectations for American fiction movies were rather low. This however gave some respect back. It is a movie that shows a story of pre-teen boy and girl with domestic and school pressures. And this story is also about friendship and imagination, the highs and lows of school life, etc. It is great, it touches the person watching it. My son enjoyed it and my 18month daughter just watched, never got distracted. As a responsible parent, I believe there is nothing wrong with this movie, it is both happy and sad but life is like that too and even worse! It is well done because the story is easy to understand – not too complicated, also the message got through, it made the viewer smile, laugh and cry. But most of all it teaches a lesson and that’s what ALL movie should be about.

From my point as a viewer, there is no pretentious  animations, everything fits well.

If by any chance you saw the trailer, please keep your mind WIDE OPEN because nowadays the trailers are hacked parets of the movie rearranged into a different story.

the Notebook – a movie to watch

After feeling rather low this week with inspiration and motivation on low level, my hubby thought something I like would help. And being a hopeless romantic, I fell in love with this movie.

The note book is about the memories of an old woman who suffered dementia – it seems that she wrote a story of how she and her husband met and their struggles. Her husband who loves her so much even stayed with her in the hospital where she stayed so he can read for her. This heart breaking movie made me cry rivers, even my husband beside me cried too. It also show real love between husband and a wife. I’ve learned a bit through this movie – it is not all about sex (no matter how good it is) it is also about dedication, care and hard work. It is unconditional (specially if it is reciprocal).

This movie is not only for those who really need to shed a tear, if you think you are going through hell with your other half – watch this together, I think it could help and give you something to think about.

Synopsis
Based on the celebrated novel by Nicholas Sparks, THE NOTEBOOK tells the story of a young couple who overcome insurmountable odds to experience the true power of love. In a modern-day nursing home, a kind-hearted man (James Garner) reads a tender story to another patient (Gena Rowlands). The story begins during one glorious summer in small-town South Carolina in the early 1940s. Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) is a blue-collar log mill worker who courts the wealthy and sheltered Allie Nelson (Rachel McAdams). Before long, sparks are flying and the pair is in love. But eventually Allie’s snobby parents force their separation, and when World War II arrives, Noah heads overseas to serve his country. In the meantime, Allie becomes a nurse and falls for another man (James Marsden), to Noah’s dismay. Nonetheless, he buys and fixes up the mansion he promised Allie he would one day restore, and when he and Allie reunite just before her wedding, their love blossoms once again. Decades later, in the nursing home, the story reaches its heartfelt conclusion. Directed with extreme sensitivity by Nick Cassavetes (son of co-star Gena Rowlands), THE NOTEBOOK is aided immensely by the naturalistic performances of Gosling and McAdams, whose chemistry is palpable.

Get it from Amazon.co.uk for only 6.98£
RRP: 19.99 £

Olympus EX25 extention tube

This is a small and affordable accessory that could turn your regular lens into one capable of close macro photography. I’ve attached mine to my E500 and 14-45mm lens on manual mode and went into the garden for a test. The sky is overcast and is getting a bit darker (PM). So I just compensated the lack of light by longer exposure time in hope that the wind will not pick up.

Snowdro, Olympus E-500 with X25

With the EX25 you really need to get your knees dirty as you are more likely to kneel to get close.. very close to your subject. Some of my in-laws’ neighbours must have thought me bizarre since I almost laid flat on my belly just to get a good shot at some tiny snowdrops. Thank goodness there wasnt enough space to do it so I had to cram down to take a shot.

Grass flower – Olympus E-500

So instead of buying a 300£ macro lens or even the 179£ macro lens, get this extention tube for only 93£ from Amazon.co.ukand give your lenses a macro capability (on MF).

Principality of Seborga

In August 2006, we went for a drive to the hills. Our destination is the Principality of Seborga which is close to Vintemillia. It is not a very long drive through the motorway and for the passengers, it is a scenic one.

The Old Principality of Seborga is located in the back hills of Liguria, at only 45 minutes from Nice through the motorway and 15 to 30 minutes drive from Genova and Monaco. From its point at 500m above sea level, the Principality enjoys and exceptionally mild climate and beautiful panoramic views of the French and Italian Riviera.

The Principality comprises of 10 square miles territory with a population of around 2000. The towns of Vallecrosia, Vallebona and Bordighera were part of the Principality.

The Seborgans earn their living by cultivationg and exporting their crops all over the world.

The capital is small, filled with charming streets, small doors, beautiful mural paintings and beautiful views. There are three restaurants in Seborga and they specialise in local dishes mainly with rabbit and goat.

The Church of Saint Martin

The food was really good both meat and the vegetables. If you think you tasted the best olive apperitif already, then come to Seborga and taste the real delicacy . I ate rabbit when we went there, it was succulent and tasty; matched with potatoes and mushrooms it was divine! We agreed that it was the best meal we ever came to eat on the Riviera after 7 years living there and frequent visits to the restaurants.

The restaurant -Seborga

Charming streets of Seborga

The existence of the Principality dates back to as early as 954. With the election of a monk as their head of state who also becomes the Prince of Seborga. Historians consider Seborga as the first consitutional monarchy of the world and experts in international law agrees that the Principality of Seborga cannot be considered part of the Italian Republic.

Mural Paintings – Seborga

For more details on Seborga, click here to visit their website.

Bulbs by Geoff Hodge

Colins Practica Gardener

Synopsis
Planting bulbs is an excellent way to ensure a flowering garden. In this new addition to the hugely successful Collins Practical Gardener series, all the details of bulbs’ specific needs are provided. Sections on Selection of bulbs, planting and troubleshooting give you the know-how you need. Every step of bulb gardening is covered, from buying to protecting bulbs through the winter and advice for planting combinations. Suggestions for growing bulbs in pots and indoor displays offer an alternative to outdoor bulb gardening. With full information for over 100 genera of true bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes and tuberous roots, this book is everything you’ll need to raise healthy plants. The diagnostic troubleshooting chart is an invaluable feature enabling you to identify plant problems from the symptoms, and the pests and diseases section details how to prevent and combat these difficulties. Packed with information, advice and practical tips this informative guide to bulbs is the most attractive and down-to-earth reference of its kind.

Contents include:

1. Introduction to bulbs
   
2. Types of bulbs – bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes, tuberous roots
   
3. Buying and handling bulbs
   
4. Planting
   
5. Naturalising
   
6. Growing in pots
   
7. Feeding and watering
   
8. Staking
   
9. Care after flowering
   
10. Indoor displays
    
11. Forcing bulbs
    
12. Winter protection and storage
    
13. Propagation
    
14. Planting combinations
    
15. A-Z directory
    
16. Troubleshooting chart
    
17. Pests and diseases
    
18. Common name plant index and subject index

For a beginner in gardening, I find this book very informative with details and differences of bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes and tuberous roots. The many photographs of flowers also helps in identifying the plants with the detailed descriptions and care chart to care for it. The plant directory is easy to use with the alphabetical tabs which helps a lot.

I have identified several of my flower photographs thanks to this book and its easy explaination on how to plant and care is very helpful too!

Find this book from Amazon.co.uk at only 5.59£