Being Single, Living Single

Picture from Henri Bendel's facebook (I love the picture I felt like it matches this post)

Do you know how it feels to be lonely? It's probably the reason why I decided to write this post about being and living single.
Like some of you I know what it means to be a single lady. I know what it means to live by yourself. I guess many of you who will read my post, will understand what I talk about. I believe that there are the pros and the cons of being single. But still being lonely is not ...a good feeling at the end of the day...really not (Smile)
The positive aspect of being single is probably the fact that you can do whatever you want to . There is a certain freedom to do whatever you want for instance:
You can wake up late or early  during the weekend it all depends on how you feel.
You can cook and eat whatever and whenever you want.
You are free to be lazy sometimes and it is ok to be lazy when you do not have strength because you were busy and overwhelmed with so many activities during the week.
After going out for shopping. It's ok to have your clothes on the floor because you just do not feel like you want to organize things right away you can do it later. (Please  do not confuse with being messy and dirty or unclean...)
You can be back to your place late or early. You like your place in a certain style you choose the decoration and everything.

enjoying a bubble bath like Betty Boop!

You can take your time taking a bubble bath like all the ladies. You like to sing or put a good music to relax. Nobody will be knocking at your door and say: "Hurry up now! I have an appointment scheduled! Try to be fast there!" See? it's sometimes not cool right?!


or having a warm bath with good music to relax!

The negative sides of being single are probably more in my list because loneliness is one of the most difficult thing to live. Some studies in psychology show that people who had companions  (or husband) even a pet lived longer than those who were single and lonely.
When you are single you must do all by yourself. You must be strong and think twice and fast. Nobody will help you find good ideas over a difficult situation let alone an emotional support.
If you do groceries or shopping you will do it yourself nobody to help you carrying heavy bags to home.

   You listen to music and you can feel melancholy. Nobody to make you happy or make you smile. This is such a sad situation...
You can't share your thoughts about what happened at work or at school. I mean nobody to listen to you if your heart is heavy and sad. You have no shoulder on your side to cry. You cry alone. If you are happy you are happy alone nobody to share the reason of your happiness. If you are sick you have to take care of yourself alone.
You go to the park alone. You eat at the restaurant alone. You go to movies alone...
Just to name few of them and it looks like there are more sad notes in the single life (Maybe it's me I don't know). I do not think that being alone or lonely is a good thing but when you have no choices you simply deal with the situation. I don't want to be negative I just say the facts.
         People always say being single It maybe the best time of your life I always wonder why they say such things. They are probably right but on the other hand I believe that it's all about one's experience. Something that I personally realized with life it's that there is never a perfect 100% situation. For example, you might think that I like being here but at the same time I do not like this or that situation. You always have to make a choice anyway and assume the consequences as well. Let's say for example you do not want to be single anymore because you cannot handle this loneliness anymore. Once married there are decisions to make. You basically accept to compromise and give up a part of your freedom. You have to change some little  "bad" habits which can be irritating to your partner.( I heard so many stories about it). At the end of the day you definitely have to make a choice, a decision  and simply assume it.
My conclusion of this post will be a thought. This is what I think: " Let's try to be happy when being single and when married" I do not say give up on finding Mr or Mrs Right. Always keep hope for love.  It is really not easy but you don't want to feel sad or bitter. You want to keep smiling and smiling will attract people (Something that I myself am learning still and I admit it is not easy) But life is precious and we want to take a good advantage of it. What I do it's to do what I enjoy to do in my free times to avoid feeling loneliness. I avoid listening to sad music and I think a pet is a great thing in the house because it brings comfort. I embrace who I am and by the time I am waiting for Mr Right I try to set up a plan of my life and my personality should be once engaged. I should envision my life in the future. It's simply like trying to get ready (through readings, people's advice...) for the possible new part of my life.

       Another happy note on my thoughts: I am a huge perfume lover and I think perfumes have some meanings and should be wore according to how you feel or your status. For instance, like I said earlier I should embrace who I am at this moment and I always thought that Chanel perfumes:

Coco "Mademoiselle" Chanel

Coco "Mademoiselle Chanel"  because  I am a "Mademoiselle" meaning single for now and it means for me to enjoy my single life for the moment because it wont last long... maybe. Then, "Chance" of Chanel because it reminds me that I should always take a chance in my life and it gives me hope and luck that I would be able to meet  the right partner someday.  "La Petite Robe Noire" of Guerlain, representing an elegant lady.

Guerlain : "La Petite Robe Noire"

Marilyn Monroe holding Chanel's perfume (She said in an interview back in the days that she only wears Chanel perfume at night)

Coco Chanel Number 5, "Miss Dior Cherie" of Dior because the warmth and the spice they bring a happy note in my life's melody. They help me to embrace my womanhood, me being a woman and feeling good and beautiful. Also I like Lancôme perfumes for the same circumstances almost. For example "La Vie est Belle" of Lancôme because Life is indeed beautiful when we decide it should be this way. I like the smell of  "Pleasures" of Estee Lauder. These perfumes' design and smell is so fresh and wearing them reminds me that I should allow my life to be happy and I should be proud of this precious life and being single is not the end of the world it is just another window to see life in general. These are the right perfumes to use during this period of my life (That's me thinking! that's my opinion I don't know about you...)

Miss Dior Cherie

If I was a single man I will choose those of Yves St Laurent which are: "La Nuit de l'Homme" and "L'Homme" because you re indeed "The Man". I like to smell both. I think they are just good ones

"L'Homme" Yves St Laurent

"La Nuit de L'Homme" Yves St Laurent

I hope you like my post if you have  some comments feel free to drop them in the box below I will gladly read them Thank you!!

The 86th Academy Awards (The Oscars 2014 The D day!!!)

Yes! today 3/2/2014 is the D day for the Oscars! Are you excited like me? I hope so! In order to make you feel the moment, I would like to take you back in the History of the Oscars which I think it's important to know once again and to understand why it is such an amazing event. I will do a short summary of the history but if you are interested to know more about it, check out these websites:
https://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/about/history.tml
http://oscar.go.com/oscar-history
You might find the answers of some of your questions.

Why the Oscars? I think we need to remember that every work deserve to be rewarded (or awarded) and have a recognition. The Oscars also known as the Academy Awards are this recognition for actors, film directors and many others like the costume designers, those who have composed a music  or soundtrack for a movie etc.These artists are officially honored for their creativity and their achievement in the Film Industry. I will simply say that it's a "merit" to have an Oscar but it's also a merit to be nominated because it's a title that you keep in your entire career life. You will always be known as "The Academy Award Winner" or as "The Academy Award Nominated" which is important in the career of Film industry.

When was the first Oscar ceremony? According to Wikipedia.org and some other websites that I read, the first Oscar event took place on May 16, 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The second took place in 1930. We all know that there is the Event itself and then, there is the "After Oscar" party which I think they call the Oscars Governors Ball and "Vanity Fair" Gala etc but I have to make sure about this information first.
 Who was the first winner? According to the same websites, Emil Jannings was the first Academy Award Winner as a leading role for his performance in the movie entitled "The Last Command". I have never heard or watch this movie. I didn't know about this artist either but it's always good to know just for personal information. 
However, after reading and watching some documentaries about the Oscars, I understood that people were complaining about the fact that African American artists (or actors) did not have recognition that they deserved. I did my researches and I found out that it is only in 1963 that the first African American actor won an Oscar. His name is Sidney Poitier for his role in the movie "Lillies of the Field" Let's say from the 20's to the 60's which is a long period of time no African American actors were Academy Award Winner even though they were already in the movies ndustry. Then, according to Wikipedia and this History University Professor's blog: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elwood-d-watson/the-complex-history-of-af_b_4856311.html
 It is only in 2001 that the second African American won the Oscar. His name is Denzel Washington and also the actress Halle Berry. It certainly raises some questions about why did it take so long for them to be honored like their other colleagues? They were not new in the industry and like the other actors they were also talented and had enough experience. I do not know the reason but I just read the facts and the facts make me simply wonder why?
 Today, I think there is a little bit of changes and diversity in the choices which makes people who have the acting passion to have hope. This year, it's good to see revelation of new actor and actress such as Lupita Nyong'o who is really talented.
I will be sharing pictures but I precise that they are not mine I pick them up from google.com
It's exactly 4pm on my watch the red carpet is soon to start. Presenting Rachel Smith and Lawrence Zarian. The Oscars will take place in the Dolby theater tonight.  I can see Michael Strahan and Kelly Ripa, Lara Spencer and Robin Roberts from "Good Morning America" and many others. All the celebrities are coming on the red carpet and it's an excited crowd of fans who welcome them. I have my choices and my taste already but also I read fashion designers review or comments and the poll about how celebrities are wearing the gowns. Unfortunately I won't be able to put all of them because the list will be too long. Therefore I will just put some of them that actually captivated my attention and those of many others.
For the best style so far:
Lupita Nyong'o ( Actress a "12 Years a Slave") looked like a princess in her nice blue pale Prada's gown.
Jennifer Lawrence ( nominated for "American Hustle") was in a red peplum dress Dior Couture's gown. I think she had a nice dress but I didn't really like her make up this time. I think I  like her last year dress and make up more than this year.
Charlize Theron was gorgeous with her black dress of Dior Haute Couture. I loved everything about it and I like her necklace as well.

Jennifer Lawrence, Kerry Washington, Amy Adams

Charlize Theron wearing Dior Haute Couture

Cate Blanchett (Leading actress in "Blue Jasmine") looked great in her  Armani Prive's dress.
Anne Hathaway had a simple make up. I think she doesn't need a lot because she is such a beautiful woman! She wears a special Gucci dress that I love. Yes! she is like a princess!
Amy Adams (Nominated for "American Hustle") is wearing a sapphire blue dress from Gucci.

Amy Adams wearing Gucci, Lupita Nyong'o wearing Prada, Sandra Bullock wearing Alexander McQueen

Sandra Bullock (Nominated for "Gravity") looks stunning!!! I love her midnight blue draped dress from Alexander McQueen. I even like her make up.
I loved Kerry Washington's lavender gown from Jason Wu. Really this lady wears her pregnancy so well! She is beautiful! I also like her make up
Naomi Watts in her Calvin Klein white dress looked nice!
Emma Watson looks gorgeous in the Vera Wang's gown. Some people didn't like it I don't know why.
 The "Not good":
Lady Gaga! I didn't like her style at all. Even many people didn't like it too! The make up wasn't good at all.
Did you recognize Margot Robbie on the red carpet? The blond lady of "The Wolf of Wall Street". I didn't recognize her Some did like her new style but not me I like when she keeps her blond hair.
Some people didn't like Penelope Cruz's dress. I don't know...but I didn't see something wrong with it. I think it was ok.
So many people are coming and leaving I try to remember what I saw first...

 Men were also elegant:
Leonardo DiCaprio (Nominated for "The Wolf of Wall Street") in a Giorgio Armani ensemble

Leonardo DiCaprio

Bradley Cooper (Nominated for "American Hustle")
Jared Leto
Zac Efron and many others

I like the way some couples were dressed:
I think about Mathew McConaughey  ("Dallas Buyers Club") and his wife Camila Alves
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Chiwitel Ejiofor and his girlfriend Sari Mercer looking stunning!

Olivia Wilde  (wearing her pregnancy so well!) and Jason Sudeikis
Chiwetel Ejiofor ( Nominated for "12 Years a Slave")and Sari Mercer
If you want to see more comments and pictures shared about the Red carpet fashion, check out this website:
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/academy-awards-red-carpet-2014-gallery-1.1708292?pmSlide=1.1708282
I am watching the ceremony now! I will be writing about everything tomorrow

 
03/03/2014

I think you agree with me that Ellen DeGeneres did a great job hosting the Oscars yesterday. She is really creative and original in her sense of humor. I like the pizzas part when she invited people to eat pizzas. I also liked when she took some selfies with celebrities while presenting. I also like when after she took the picture to the audience, she said: "Hash tag blessed!" that was so hilarious! I laughed at her jokes about Jennifer Lawrence falling it was not bad  it was just funny! She knows how to make you laugh.
Now let's talk about the Academy Winners yesterday which is the most important part I think. Who are they? I must say that I was impressed about artists' works in general! What I like about the Oscars is to realize that they are so many creative and talented people who are working hard behind the making of movies. I mean, make up, costume design, special visual effects, songs etc. It is simply amazing because without them there will be no movies. We basically focus our attention on the actors only but we sometimes forget the people who work hard and make the movie to be successful. I truly admired the work of the make up artist ladies who did the make up of Jared Leto and Matthew MCCounaughey for the movie "Dallas Buyers Club". The transformation was such an amazing and outstanding artistic work! For this reason, the two ladies won a well deserved Oscars yesterday. If you wonder why, then watch the movie to understand what I am talking about.
"Gravity" won a lot from, pictures, visual effects, I mean all the behind and the making of this movie was a complete success.They won most of the Oscars for this work however, none of the two actors were winner yesterday.
The best costume design was won for "The Great Gatsby" and I say 100% well deserved! Just watch the movie and you will agree with this choice.
The 3D animated cartoon "Frozen" won the Oscars for Best original Song "Let It Go"

The Best Supporting actor Academy winner was Jared Leto for his role in "Dallas Buyers Club"
The Best Actor Academy winner was Matthew MCConaughey for his leading role in the movie "Dallas Buyers Club"

The Best supporting Actress Academy winner was Lupita Nyong'o ( and I was so excited and happy for her and for what she represents for many) for her role "Patsy" in "12 Years a Slave"

Lupita Nyong'o winning the Oscar

She is such an inspiration and her speech that night moved me . It brought me the deep desire to fight and stand for my dreams as well. She is an outstanding young actress with a good career ahead of her.

Best Actress Academy winner was Cate Blanchett for her leading role in "Blue Jasmine"
I hope you liked the singing performances of the different soundtrack and songs like the one of Pharell Williams with "Happy" A song which was a great success and viral around the world.
I think I said everything! so I hope you liked my post. If there are some mistakes do not hesitate to let me know in the comments box below and I will make the changes. Also you can drop your comments or questions I will gladly read them and reply to them as well and soon as I can. Thank you!

The 86th Academy Awards (The Oscars 2014 prediction)

Ok! First, I must start by saying that I like movies and I want to add this: I am so excited for this Sunday event: Yes! The Oscars!!!!! Of course! I cannot miss it at all! The Oscars will air on Sunday night on abc  March 2, 2014, 7e/4p.I am more than ready and you should be too! (smile) It's only once a year so let's watch it! Ellen DeGeneres will be hosting the event so I know it will be so much fun! She is really talented and always know how to make people laugh. She is the perfect host for the event!

Ellen DeGeneres

Why do I decide to write about this event? Simply because I like Arts in general which include movies and actors 'work. Yet, I have never written about it before now because I never thought it was important at that time. However, I realized that this year I should write about it because I felt so inspired to do so. It is something that I want to share with those who actually have the same passion (You like movies).
What is special about the Oscars? Well I think first, the Red Carpet Fashion of course. What ladies wear how they wear the gowns. Who wears it right and who looks gorgeous it is simply a combination of all of it. Second, the excitement of the actors who are going to be awarded for their hard work during the year. Third, the revelation of new actors such as Lupita Nyong'o that we did not know before "12 Years a Slave" even though she was already acting and producingsome movies. Those like Barkhad Abdi who are an example of the American dream coming from a simple life to suddenly be a lucky Academy award nominee. Then last, the performances during the ceremony.
People have already made prediction about potential winners for this Academy Award. Yet I must say most of the movies were good last year! I admit that movie like "The Wolf of Wall street" was really controversial and it was a subject of discussion on TV. Despite the fact that some scenes were really "too much" to my own opinion, I must say that I was impressed by the way the actors played their roles.

 

the movie trailer:

 Leonardo DiCaprio showed to his fans once again how talented he is. I am myself an admirer of his work through the years and his career as an actor and I think he deserves the Oscar this year. The fact is I am never fed up of his movies. I saw him played the "Great Gatsby" and many other movies he is a really good actor! I can tell how this man is so passionate  for his work and how easily he can embrace another personality in his roles. For me it's simply amazing!

the movie trailer:

Chiwetel Ejiofor did a great job in "12 Years a Slave". He took me back to that time where life was not happy and easy for Black people in America. He made us encounter the real character through his acting work. One could feel the emotion, the fear , the sadness he played that role as if he was himself Solomon Northup (the real person who wrote this story which was his own story) ...The desire to live instead of surviving was so strong in this man. You could feel all this emotion from the movie. I believe that Chiwetel also deserves the Oscar that's the reason why I believe that the Academy will not have an easy decision to make this year. The movie "12 Years a Slave" touched me a lot because It taught me a lot from life that we take for granted!
I don't know if you remember how Matthew McConaughey was transformed for the movie "Dallas Buyers Club". He literally lost so much weight people couldn't even recognize him. Yet it shows how passionate and professional these actors are! And that's the beauty of Acting.
Some people really liked the movie "Gravity" with George Clooney and Sandra Bullock. I personally didn't watch it because I am not a science and space person. I only read the headlines of the story, people reviews and some clips of the movie. People liked the pictures of the movie.

"Gravity"

My wish was to see the movies: "The Buttler" nominated but it didn't happen (Oprah Winfrey did a great job as well as Forest Whitaker). "Long walk for Freedom" with Idris Elba. From my personal point of view this movie was a really good movie. The message was strong and important for those who believe in freedom but maybe not enough to be nominated for the Academy Award. I also thought that the movie "42" would be nominated this year but unfortunately it didn't happen. I like the story of this movie it was simply about Jackie Robinson, a brave man, a national hero with a strong personality. This movie moved me so much and I really think that there were some lessons of life to take and learn from this movie. Ok! Now
 
Here are the 86th Academy Awards Nominees:
Best Picture:
American Hustle
Captain Phillips
Dallas Buyers Club
Gravity
Her
Nebraska
Philomena
12 Years a Slave
The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Actor in a Leading Role :

 Christian Bale (American Hustle)
Bruce Dern (Nebraska)
Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street)
Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave)
Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club)

Movie trailer: "Nebraska"



Best Actress in a Leading Role:
Amy Adams (American Hustle)
Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)
Sandra Bullock (Gravity)
Judi Dench (Philomena)
Meryl Streep (August: Osage County)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Barkhad Abdi (Captain Phillips)
Bradley Cooper (American Hustle)
Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave)
Jonah Hill (The Wolf of Wall Street)
Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)

Movie trailer: "American Hustle"

Best Actress in a Supporting Role 
 Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine)
Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)
Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave)
Julia Roberts (August: Osage County)
June Squibb (Nebraska)

Then, you have the other categories such as: The best Cinematography, the best costume and many others.
Some people predicted:
about the best actor in leading role, Leonardo DiCaprio (which will be his first Oscar) or Matthew McConaughey will be the winner. My choice will be Chiwetel Ejiofor and Leonardo dicaprio to win this category.
About the Best Actress as leading role, They said Sandra Bullock or Cate Blanchett or Meryl Streep. My choice is: Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep to win this year.

"Captain Philips" movie trailer

"Dallas Buyer Club" movie trailer


For the Best Actor in a supporting role they said: Jonah Hill or Jared Leto. I agree with this prediction. About the Best Actress in a Supporting Role, they predicted: Jennifer Lawrence or Lupita Nyong'O or Julia Roberts. Once again for this category I agree with them.
About the Best pictures, they predicted: Gravity, 12 Years a Slave, Nebraska. I agree with two of them which are "Gravity" and "12 Years a Slave" but I think "The Wolf of Wall Street" can win as well.
I didn't watch all the movies last year but I can tell The actors are done an amazing work so for me, being a nominee is not bad at all it's a step toward more. However, I will be glad to see Lupita Nyong'O win.
About the red carpet fashion, I think I just do not have any prediction but so far Lupita Nyong'o has wowed us many times with her style, her pure, simple  and natural beauty in and out. I admit I am a big fan already not only for her performance and her style, but also for her personality. At the Golden Globe and last year Sandra Bullock wore really nice dresses I simply loved the style. I liked Julia Roberts' appearance at the Golden Globe awards this year, she looked fresh and beautiful. Usually Eva Longoria always come with something special and nice. Kerry Washington is the beauty as well I like her style so yes I know she will wear something special. Therefore, I cannot make any prediction about the fashion style or who will be dressed better than who. I think, I just want to be amazed once again and that's the beauty about the Oscars. I will post some of the pictures from websites tomorrow.
So let's see on Sunday the results and the entire ceremony. I will write a post about everything that captivated my attention also my thoughts and many other things. I think from today I decide to write the next Academy Awards.
If you have any comments about the movies which are nominated feel free to drop a comment below I will be glad to read it. Don't forget to tune in on time! Turn on your TV on abc channel. Don't forget the red carpet and simply Enjoy the Oscars!!

African Traditional Spa

   I thought about writing this post because I recently watched on a TV show a scene that reminded me of some childhood memories and precisely the spa concept. In that show two men were getting a traditional spa from I think a Pacific island's culture. The spa looked so much as the one "we", in my country (Gabon) has: The two men were taking a bath in the warm water and another man was pouring some water with a wreath of leaves on their heads and backs. This scene took me back to my childhood. My grand mother used to give me some traditional African spa to make me feel good and strengthen me because children could easily catch some germs in public places and so forth. Some little germs that could make them sick for few days. In order to create this strong organism and to make me recover of any tiredness of the week she would simply give me this nice spa some days in the month. This spa had two parts which were the bath and the massage. The massage session was a good physical and natural therapy.  

   Nowadays, the spa concept seems to be like something new that we discover on TV or magazines. Some of us experience it when we go on vacations or when we want to have fun! For others they take it because they can afford it and it is good business with all the marketing and advertisement around. For people who have a culture like mine, it is simply something that we used to do on a daily basis to invigorate children, women who just gave birth (this is another specific traditional spa) or adults in general.
      

     After watching this scene on TV, I suddenly realized that people have been doing some same rituals for years around some part of the world especially when it comes about health and beauty. Some cultures would simply have some similarities in the way they do things. For instance, when my sister went to Brunei, she told me that the way people welcome their guests was almost like "we" do in my cultural background. She quickly felt like being "at home" which was fascinating because we are from different continents. 
Back to the two guys who were taking the traditional spa: I was impressed because they were doing something that is related to my roots, the "who I am" and I felt so touched right away. When you live abroad and you see people doing something that reminds you of a cultural ritual or ceremony it simply moves you. My parent used to tell me that "we" used to give spa to children since the old days in my native culture. That is the reason why children were healthy and could do a lot of physical and domestic activities. At that times "modern medicine" was not a part of the culture. The mothers or grand mothers were doing this work to raise and give natural healthy cares to children. When thinking about these old days compared to nowadays, I feel like my people lost a lot by embracing and kind of putting on the side (even forgetting) our own culture, we tend to be medically weaker. Our life span in my country has literally reduced and it raises many concerns. I strongly believe that we should bring back some of our natural knowledge paired with modern medicine then, this condition will certainly be improved. It will probably be a challenge but still I think it worths the idea.

 Back to the traditional spa given by my grandmother, she would basically boil some water in a large cauldron with some special plants and barks of trees which had some natural virtues for human bodies . The water had a smell of this infusion of these natural elements. Then, after waiting for few hours so that this water would not be too hot, she bathes me with all of it and she also used a wreath of plants and leaves the same way the man was doing on TV pouring water on my face, my head and my back. She was gently singing children traditional songs in our native language to me and I liked it so much  you could tell how happy it made me feel! This warm water  (Not too warm) felt so good on my skin. I felt so refreshed after all that ritual. I understand today how important it was because it was not only a simple ritual to make me feel good but it was for my health in general. I do not recall being a person who easily got sick even today I can see the results.

   Then, once the bath was done, she would give me good and warm massage all over my body with a natural almond oil hand made in a traditional way. She would be massaging my entire body while she sings some nice songs to me again. It made me feel relaxed and invigorated. I wish I could go back to  these times because I realize today how important it is now. My mum used to say that massage gives nice body and a good skin. That always made me smile but now I understand that it was a whole concept behind this short statement. I also remember the story she told me about the lady who was scrubbing her daughter's skin with the sand and mud deposited on the river 'shore. It was not that common but it shows how people already knew a lot of beauty ideas. For instance, everywhere you will find the mud treatment in spa institutes and it is used the way the lady was doing to her daughter. Therefore I totally agree with the fact that nothing is new the only difference is the improved way of doing things.

 After reading this post do you think that there is a huge difference between the old traditional spa and the one that we see in hotels or resorts or the one shown on TV today? From my perspective, I do not see any huge differences only the fact that the environment and the place where it is done is more modernized. My grand mother was singing to me some songs while she was giving me the treatment. I notice that people listen to music to feel relaxed during spa session. I don't know a lot about the natural elements they use in the spa institutes however, I know that my grand mother was taking natural plants and barks of trees which had all the sap with all the virtues in. I believe that the results are the same in both cases maybe with some little differences. At least my grand mother 'spa was free! (smiling) It was just something that I wanted to share with you.
If you have any comments feel free to drop them below I will be glad to read them. Thank you! Videos of what we use for a traditional spa

A Tribute to Caribbean Music

Music From Caribbean!

    As you can see I favor Music a lot! Music is my main hobby if I can say it this way. I Cannot stay a day without listening to music. I think music is a good therapy especially when you are stressed. I even watched some TV documentaries and read some testimonies where people actually explain the benefits of music and how listening to music improved medical conditions. In fact, I like to discover music from other countries. Usually artists use music as a mean of communication or to express their feelings or to show their cultures. Sometimes I found myself listen to songs in other languages and I do not even understand the lyrics but the fact that music is connected to soul makes me want to listen to them more and more. I feel like being cradled in another world with the waves of the sounds. Just by looking pictures of these islands, ones will think they are in paradise. (The pictures are not mine)

I put some links of where I picked these pictures below

 I was thinking about writing a post about music of French Caribbean many times ago but I thought  will also include the Portuguese creole 'songs as well. Because I grew up with this type of music since my early age till now, I felt like I should share and say something about it. Just picture a nice afternoon in a nice island, you are sitting on the beach and enjoy the smell of the ocean or you can simply be in your bathtub full of foam and bubbles. You have some scented candles around, you feel relaxed and comfortable. Then, you listen to songs in French or Portuguese creole. I am so proud and happy to be open to other cultures and that is what my "Carnet de Voyage" is all about. My Carnet de Voyage takes you to another world and another place where you simply enjoy life.

La Compagnie Creole "Vive le Douanier Rousseau"

Music from Caribbean is really special but first I have to explain that the lyrics are mainly talking about Love in general. It can be a broken heart or a hope of love or a love that is unbreakable. (however it can be lyrics about happiness and delightful life like the songs that of this group "La Compagnie Creole" that I post) La Compagnie Creole was a famous group when I grew up. Their style was really  (beguine) biguine! Zouk music is usually for people who know what it is to be in love and ..."romantic!" If you are not romantic, well, it will be difficult for you to enjoy this music but still I believe that It does not hurt to try to listen  to it sometimes.

Guadeloupe Island

additional music

The French Caribbean for instance are composed of islands like Martinique, Guadeloupe, Marie Galante, Guyana, Reunion, St Pierre et Miquelon, La Desirade, Les Iles St Martin and many others. Usually the music from some of the places there is called "Zouk" the dance is called "La Biguine". They speak Antillean Creole or if you want it is simply a French creole. (If I am wrong for some of the information please feel free to drop a comment below in the box and I will see how to update it. I will really appreciate it but I know most of it is right!

Two young ladies in traditional clothes (Martinique) I love this picture!

La Compagnie Creole "Ba Moin en ti Bo"

 O! By the way. Just a sweet memory about that song "Ba Moin En Ti Bo" that I want to share with you. It reminds me of the times at the primary school we would have that song playing and most of the Compagnie Creole's songs during the school's fairs and carnivals. The kids would be really dressed up (or some costumes) from home and the nice tropical sun, the birds singing in the blue sky, the palm and coconut trees...The ocean coast was not that far so the atmosphere was really good! It felt so good to live! Everybody was happy so kids would be running everywhere and we would have some cakes, candies I mean everything!!! Teachers were really nice to us when such events took place. Usually we had different games around but once the party was finished my nice dress was completely stained because of all the goodies !!!

"Awww !! Thank you La Compagnie Creole for these good times under the tropics! You were one of the best group ever!"

Nice dance!

 Most of African people like music from the Caribbean because there is a strong African rhythm influence and connection. We all know the dark part of the human History when many young African people were forcibly deported (slavery) from the continent to go to America. There, another culture was created and it is this originality in the sounds of that music which make us like it. Here in my post I will also share some Kizomba songs. Ok! people tend to confuse Kizomba and Zouk. I can say it is not really different in terms of lyrics which quite often is a tribute to Love and relationships however, the rhythm is different. Kizomba is a mixture of Angolese traditional music and Portuguese music (Remember that Angola, Green Cap, Sao Tome, Mozambique are countries and Islands in Africa which were colonized by Portugal). You can feel the mixture of the cultures in it. This music is a type of Zouk I will simply say.

 La Compagnie Creole "Bon Baiser de Fort de France" (Kiss from Fort de France)

I remember that this song"Kiss from Fort of France" we used to sing it in class at school and at home during Xmas times. This song reminds me of so much good memories. Maybe some of you  would think that this culture or songs are a little bit strange etc. Which I perfectly understand but they meant the world to us and we loved everything about it! Many times since my young age, I dreamt about going there and spend good vacations.

That song has completely changed my understanding of celebrating Xmas forever. When I was young it was difficult to think Xmas without snow, chimneys everything like in the western culture because that was what we saw in books at school and on TV. It was frustrating because I could not see the snow falling in my country because no snow can fall in tropical countries. I could not see Santa like in the books. But after listening to that beautiful song "Bon Baiser de Fort de France" (Kiss From Fort of France)  I realized that Xmas can also be fun under the tropics with the sun and our trees. We could decorate our native trees and that was original too ! Santa could just walk home to home and that was ok! I realized that it was ok to have doors opened everyday. It's even more fun because we could go playing out as much as we wanted without having to worry to catch cold. No need to be covered too much!

Thank you La Compagnie Creole!

The artists that I chose are mainly from Guadeloupe islands, Martinique islands, Haiti, Reunion islands, Green Cap (cabo verde) and Angola (in Africa)...I picked and mixed some of the retro zouk (some old ones) with some recent ones. You will notice some little differences in the vibrations and rhythms. When listening to Caribbean music I feel myself carried away in the tropical delights and I want you to experience the same thing. Take a time to listen to the videos below that I picked from www.youtube.com, the songs are my selection of the singers or songs that I like to listen especially when I need to relax. They are well known songs. Unfortunately I won't be able to translate the lyrics but enjoy the music! If you have some comments thank you to post them below I will gladly read them and reply.
Now Enjoy the tropical delights!!

Guilou Lafage: "Libreville" this song is a tribute to Libreville capital city of Gabon

Guilou :"Vin O Swe La"

Zouk Machine "Pissime Zouke"

Zouk Machine "Sove Lanmou" (To Save Love)

Zouk Machine "Maldon"

the Famous group Kassav

Jocelyne Beroard "Siwo"

Tanya St Val "Boogie"

Eric Virgal "Pa fe mwa la pen" (Don't hurt me)

Eric Virgal ft Orlane "Notre Histoire" (Our story)

Perle Lama "Emmene Moi" (Take me)

 Eric Virgal ft Orlane  "Viv Epiw" (Living married)

Perle Lama "Aime Moi Plus Fort"

Talina "je Jure" (I Swear)

Orlane "Quelqu'un Comme Toi" (Somebody Like You"

Leila Chicot

Princesse Lover

Double Effet "Mwen lovely"

Sonia Dersion;"Natirel"

Jocelyn Labylle ft T Vice " I want to see you"

Alan cave "Se pa pou dat"

Jocelyn Labylle "Quand tu Veux" (Whenever you want)

Jocelyn Labylle is my favorite! I like her so much!

Jocelyn Labylle "Ma petite Lumiere" (Ma little light of mine)

Tina "Reviens Moi" (Come back to me)

Teeyah ft Miguelito "Mon bebe" (My Baby)

Teeyah; "Oui je peux"

and many others...Some Kizomba songs now:

"Ai Amor"

Johnny Lima "Always in my Heart"

Mariza "Terra Franca"

 web links where pictures were taken:

http://www.happytellus.com
http://cafe.themarker.com
http://hqworld.net/gallery/data/media/154/cascade__basse-terre_island__guadeloupe.jpg
http://www.panierdesiles.com/I-Grande-188-les-jeunes-filles-en-costume-traditionnel.net.jpg