For: Travel theme: Playing by Ailsa
Travel theme: Playing

a girl in fringe, pretty in red
Hello everyone. Hope you’re all OK. Here’s my book list starting from the recent ones I’ve read:
Library of Souls by Miss Peregrine
Hollow City by Miss Peregrine
Shame by Jasvinder Sanghera
Peculiar Children by Miss Peregrine
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham
Unbroken by Laura Hillerbrand
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Funny Girl by Nick Hornby
West End Girls by Barbara Tate
Doctors by Erich Segal
The Third Twin by Ken Follett
IQ84 by Murakami
Out of India by Michael Foss
Love Story by Erich Segal
On Writing Well by William Zinsser
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Manon Lescaut by Abbe Prevost
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Greek Mythology
Shakespeare’s As You Like It
The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith
Don Vicente by F Sionil Jose
Dusk by F Sionil Jose
Tess of the d´Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
Papillon by Henri Charriere
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
For: Day 30 Thirty Books
It’s not about Dedcartes, Churchill, Coelho ou any other inspiring thinkers, whose quotes flourish the internet and the social networks.
No, this week is about a list of real people, unknown (or almost) to the world who had a real impact on our life.
Sometimes, just a little thing, a park, a teacher’s precepts, a piece of advice from a friend, you surely had such encounters in your life, or people who did little but changed the face of your world.
So much gratitude an so many memories for these little but so significant inspirations
Here is my list of people who have inspired me :
Him Indoors – his sense of humour is to die for. I love him to the moon and back and he inspires me to reach the highest star, climb the highest mountain and swim the deepest sea.
My Dad – his high regard of responsibility, generosity and kindness inspired me. I still miss him.
My Mum – her fun and closeness to family makes me love her more. Wish she’ll be with us for many years more.
HRH the son – ah, our pride and joy. His being so cool and takes his own time inspires me.
Jose Rizal – our national hero. His novels and the way he inspired people to fight for freedom is number one on my list.
For: The Great Book of lists, chapter 5.1 : People who inspired you by La duchesse d’Erat
I am currently…
READING Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. It mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. I have just ordered Shame by Jasvinder Sanghere – I’m planning to read that next.
RELAXING because it’s Ascension Day, a holiday here in Germany. It’s also Father’s Day.
ENJOYING THE DAY the sun is out, blossoms everywhere, birds singing and my washing’s out to dry. We might cycle to the park later on. The weather forecast for the next 3 days is good.
DRINKING water, tea and coffee all morning, just had a scrumptious brunch with Him Indoors.
BLOGGING, commenting, reading other’s posts and checking which challenge I can do.
LISTENING TO some classical music and opera while I’m blogging. Also listening to Him Indoors while he plays the piano, “I’ll be seeing you.”
LOOKING FORWARD to this long weekend as tomorrow’s a bridging day and we’ve decided to go swimming in the morning and probably go to town for lunch. Also looking forward to flying to Britain in two weeks’ time for HRH the son’s wedding to his beautiful K.
For: TGBOL, chapter 5.0 : I am currently… by La duchesse d’Erat
things we have to do in spring
change tyres to summer ones
have the car checked and washed
sort out some clothes, some to give away
in “Kleiderspende” or send via “Balikbayan Box”
put winter coats and boots away
have winter coats dry cleaned and hanged
buy new seeds and plants
Him Indoors works in the garden
put three tortoises out in the garden
give them dandelions from the fields
take lots of photos of buds and flowers
cycle to beer gardens and parks
hurray for spring!!!
(c) ladyleemanila 2016
My hobbies:
1. Blogging – loving it! First thing in the morning, I check my emails then answer all the comments on my blogs. I love blogging, writing some fiction, poetry and non-fiction, posting some photos, reading, liking and commenting on other bloggers’ work. Blogging community is amazing!
2. Reading – I read a lot! from romance, thriller, horror, comedy, autobiographies, etc. I seem to have books all over the house, reading them during the day. And my kindle must have around 300 books and I take it on holidays.
3. Cycling – with Him Indoors, our Sunday cycling to the beer gardens and parks. Our favourite place is Ostpark where there’s a lake with three fountain, just hanging around there and watching the ducks, geese, swans, model boats, people eating and drinking.
4. Swimming – with Him Indoors on Thursday mornings, before he goes to work and me, before I do other things. We’re part of early swimmers, half an hour swim then ten minutes in the Jacuzzi – a lovely way to start our day.
5. Shopping – till I drop! I love shopping, feeling the materials, fitting dresses, trying them on, looking at the mirrors, retail therapy some people call it. I love it! I go with my friend, then we have lunch or coffee afterwards.
6. Travelling – love seeing new and exciting places. With Him Indoors, we have been to different parts of the world, with their own cultures and traditions and sense of fun.
I’m going to have a dinner party and these are the people I’m planning to invite:
Beethoven and Mozart – they will provide the music, alternately, complete with orchestra or string quartet
Jamie Oliver and my Dad – Jamie will cook our five-course meal, while my Dad will be the sous-chef. My Dad would love that!
Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Ninoy Aquino – would be great to have them discuss about freedom, democracy and how to be patient
William Shakespeare and Jane Austen – William will write me a sonnet while Jane and I talk about our Mr. Darcy
Morecambe and Wise – they’ll provide the comic double act
For: The Great Book of lists chapter 3.1 : A party of choice
Daily Prompt – Do you play an instrument? Is there a musical instrument whose sound you find particularly pleasing? Tell us a story about your experience or relationship with an instrument of your choice.
Strike a chord
All the instruments I explored
The bandura when I was young
It had just been newly strung
And then I was a member of our band
Even though I knew it wasn’t grand
Played that stringed instrument well
I felt myself with pride such swell
When son started learning the piano
Good idea, we can probably have a show
I thought I’d have some lessons, too
But then I took more than I can chew
Somehow his interest wane and so did I
That was that and we have to say goodbye
To be honest, I was never good and so be it
Better listen than play for everyone’s benefit
For: Strike a Chord
Tell us how your week went by putting together a playlist of five songs that represent it.
Here’s my playlist of the week (in no particular order)
1. Snow (Hey Oh) by Red Hot Chili Peppers – we’ve got snow all week, well, we’ve got snow for quite a long time now. Sometimes, the sun is out, so it’s alright to go out. Sometimes, it’s just cold and grey so if I could avoid going out, I’d stay in and keep myself warm.
2. Write Your Story by Francesca Battistelli – I’ve been writing a lot! I feel like I’ve been opening my heart for everyone to see. Well, people say I wear my heart on my sleeve anyway, so there you are. I love writing and this week, I seem to have tried everything, from shadorma, photo prompt, writing prompt, fairytale, fiction, haibun, etc. I know I’m not good at them, but give me some points for trying, right?
3. The Imitation Game – He Dreamed of Machine by Pet Shop Boys – Him Indoors and I went to see the film: The Imitation Game and it was brilliant! It’s about Alan Turing and the Enigma machine. Alan Turing was the founder of computer science, mathematician, code breaker and a gay man before his time.
4. Summer Holiday by Cliff Richard – We’re going on a holiday and we can’t wait. It’s one of our Bucket List. We’ve always said we’d visit India once HRH the son is gone to university. He’s been away for 3 years now and we’re definitely booked next week to go to India – yay!
5. Happy by Pharrell Williams – I’m always happy, I think that’s my default setting – that no matter what, I’ll try to be happy and just count my blessings. But really, I’m happy and this week is a happy one – new client, started my gym again after a long time of not going, HRH the son skypes us regularly and he’s happy where he is and Him Indoors and I are happy together.
Creative writing, photography, opinions, random thoughts and pretty much whatever I feel like!
The blogging challenge keep you motivated and start the new year on the "write" track!
Having fun blogging with friends
A creative miscellany of mythic fantasies
Hoping to make the world more beautiful
get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself
"I saw the Angel in the marble, and carved until I set him free"
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