promised island

If answering email was an exercise, I'd be in tip-top shape

2009-09-09T00:09:00.001Z

Not that I am complaining about my shape. But if writing e-mails made one fit then my Zorro...I probably would become an Olympic athlete. Monday to Friday. Shame I am only efficient with work e-mails...

Harbury Trip

2009-09-06T21:24:00.009Z

Today the first from my planned periodical trips around West Midlands and Warwickshire. I decided I've been here for so long and I have driven so many roads and walked so many paths yet most of the English country side remains unknown to me.

I stared off with Harbury. Village rather then town I knew nothing about before. Which is a real shame as Harbury is one of the most historic (or even prehistoric) sides in Warwickshire. Remains of Ichthyosaurus and Plesiosaurus scattered around the fields indicate that somewhere in the Jurassic era surroundings of Harbury were buried under water.

Much later in around 500 BC Harbury was a home to Iron Age camp (although many Bronze Age cooking pots were also recovered). It is said that the place took its name from Hereburgh - a woman who ruled that Iron Age tribal society.

Since there is no castle anywhere nearby I naturally ended up on the cemetery next to the church.

The village is filled with attractive cottages, friendly pubs and delightful trees. Crown Inn on Crown Street serves good food and fine ale. Ideal place to have a rest after a long walk around.

But the interesting stuff I found out after I came back home. The community spirit has to be strong in Harbury and the area..

Definitely a day well spent.

Hello, my name is...

2009-06-12T14:49:00.001Z

Actually after careful consideration I would change my name to Regina Phalange. Just in case (Justin Case?) I am in the air plane and we don't have a phalange.... I can always be one:)!

Point the getaway car to Luxemburg

2009-06-12T14:33:00.001Z

Jump across the channel, drive through France, cross Belgium (pop out for coffee with your cuz in Bruges) and relax in the park in Luxemburg.

My dad used to have a house in Saarbruecken, so whenever we've travelled around Europe, we stayed there for day or two popping out to those lovely places around.

Today I've realised how long ago that was. And I love Luxemburg. It's really beautiful, people are friendly, banks are big:), shopping is good and summers are lovely. And I do really miss those summers.

And Luxemburg is close to everywhere:). Step to the left you have France and Paris in an hour drive or so. Step to the right, you have a beautiful German valley of Saar. Drive an hour or so to the South and you find yourself in Swiss Alps. Go to the North and you are munching on the fresh Belgian chocolate.

Your holidays in West Europe should start there. Enjoy.

My money's on the Tasmanian devil

2009-06-11T14:58:00.001Z

I just like the Tasmanian Devil cartoon character... that's all:)

Berlin is surprisingly delightful

2009-06-11T14:55:00.001Z

When I was a kid I really didn't like Berlin. In fact I didn't like Germany at all. Berlin is the closest European capital to my home town and yet I was trying to avoid it as much as I could.

I've change my mind as an adult, when I was studying history and with the group of fellow students we went to Berlin to see Pergamon, Egyptian and Papyrus Collection Museum. And then did some shopping. Berlin is a fantastic, artistic place and I love staying there for a while on my way home.

Celebrities Live

2009-06-11T14:38:00.001Z

Working in the busy hotel has its bright sides... even not into the celebrity scene. Being at the renowned university has many positive sides and meeting famous people is one of them.

(Making this list made me realise that I will prbably will not fit them all in so just the ones on the top of my head).

Kelly Clarkson
And I am not really up to date with celebrities. To be honest I didn't know she was one of them. This ordinary gril with pony tail and baseball cup, with the skin far from perfect, looked nothing like THE Kelly Clarkson from the video clip. She was very nice and quiet. Nothing like diva. And she has lovely simle with or without make up.

Pussy Cat Dolls
As with Miss Clarkson, I first saw them in person and then on MTV. And I was shocked how tall they seem to be on the screen. In fact they are very short, although nicely dressed. But very fussy when it comes to food (one of them was changing her room service order 5 times in 20 minutes).

Joe Satriani and his wife Rubena (?)
They were also staying in our hotel. Very nice people.

John Nash
I managed to catch the glimpse of his beautiful mind at Warwick.

Late Pope John Paul II
Shook my hand in Vatican.

Gordon Brown
When he was opening new digital labs at Warwick,

Edyta Gorniak
She is one of the best singers on the Polish musical scene and she is very pretty and talented. Met her way back, at the start of her career before she even had her first album out on the fashion show. She was very sweet. Then later I saw her in the musical 'Metro' and she was awesome.

Salman Rushdie
Had a quick chat with him when he signed my book after his talk at Warwick.

Kasia Nosowska
The vocalist of Polish band 'Hey' walking down the street of my home town... Simled and waved at me, probably because I was staring at her trying to guess where have I seen that face before?

Slavoj Žižek
I will meet him very soon in London - and I think personally this is the most exciting one.

'The shock doctrine' will help pass the time

2009-06-11T13:01:00.001Z

It helped during the night I spent on Manchester Train Station so I am sure it will help with the civic duty.

As far as I know Naomi Klein was not sued for writing and publishing that book, so I am guessing (taking into account that non of us is free from bias and some sort of hidden agenda) she largely wrote the truth.

And truth is usually inconvenient or even scary. So I agree with the quote of John Le Carre (from the cover of the book) that 'The Shock Doctrine' is scary as hell.

Anyhow... I think everyone, every single person should read it. Real eye opener, very passionate and interesting book. Well recommended.

Rock always needs to be blasted

2009-05-18T23:28:00.001Z

I do like my rock.The lauder the better.

Year 2000 by Silverchair

Come on it's the Anthem of my High School Rock.

Opium by Moonspell

You need to listen to this vocal and you would know why.

One by Metallica

That solo... it's a sin to listen to it quietly.

I like to relax with a good run or a good sleep

2009-05-18T23:14:00.001Z

Because I tend to suffer from different types of stress resulting either in sudden and sharp depression or the opposite - aggressive anxiety with high level of adrenaline being pumped through my veins, I have a range of things that help me relax. Those things often contradict each other. So here we go:

London marathon sponsorship Moo MiniCard front

Usually 10 km run makes the trick. You can add the aggressive squash session (solo or with male company will keep you tired). It used to be kick boxing but this might be dangerous to your ribs and I had mine broken last summer. You can calm it down later with swimming for 40 minutes. That's for aggressive stress. For more bitchy mood I use Mundele - my best friend or my sister - also my best friend. Those are two people I can complain and moan and swear. And they will patiently listen and tell me they love me no matter what.

And for the depressive one, sleep is usually the best. The book or comedy show (anything from Fawlty Towers, through Have I got News for You to Scrubs), nice cup of tea and recommended by Nicola White Chestnut drops - they really work. And yes... writing my usual rubbish helps as well.

If only Coventry were closer to Glasgow

2009-05-08T14:01:00.001Z

I will be closer to my sister.

Also I would put closer together: Carlisle, Atlanta, Vancouver, Bruges, Frankfurt, Stargard and Coventry and I have my happy life with my family:) Dream on.

I'd fit in well in 'Fight Club'

2009-05-08T13:31:00.001Z

Aggressive, fussy, revolutionary, crazy and trained a bit in Aikido and Kick-boxing

Perfect best friend for Tyler Durden.

My childhood arch enemy

2009-05-07T09:32:00.001Z

Her name was Iza (from Izabela) and she was a terrorist.

In fact she wasn't a terrorist. She was also 10 years old and was my class mate.

Looking at her from the perspective of time, I cannot stop but admiring her. I have no idea from where this 10 year old, rather ugly and not very smart kid, had this enormous manipulative power over each and every person in my class.

She was making our lives a living hell up to year 7. I think later on I stopped giving a toss but I must say it ended up with an act of violence from my part.

Yet, she is now a very beautiful woman and a mum herself, married to her school sweet heart so she is not all that bad I guess. Certainly we were stupid to be scared of her and letting her influence us so much.

You must respect your enemies eh?

Pot noodles is a tasty 'broke meal'? Em...no.. but I had to eat something. Anything?

2009-05-04T20:42:00.001Z

See me in Tesco looking for those? That's not a credit crunch.

It could mean one of two things.

Myojo Ramen Char Mee + Korean Kimchi Noodle - Win Sam Chinese Grocery, Glen Waverley

Either I've lost my bank card or someone in finance department fu**ed my payroll.

Either way, not having access to my account I would use those pennies scattered around my pockets, drawers, purses and whatnots to buy myself a hot meal.

Fortunately doesn't happen any more (touch wood) but trust me. I still cannot stand the smell of pot noodles after so many years.

Let me tell you about the duality of my nature since I'm both a cat and a dog person

2009-05-04T20:27:00.001Z

I'd like to think about myself as a cat person, yet after giving it a thought I must say I am both. And in the past I also had both cats and dogs.

Why a cat? First and foremost I like the low maintenance aspect. And it's because of my crazy busy life style, when I am almost never at home. And when I eventually find my way there I am feeling lazy. Cat needs quick fixes of food, love and attention but most of the time is capable of taking a good care of itself. I cherish their independence, attitude and ways a cat can show you love and respect. How much I used to love those little presents each morning - fresh supply of not-yet-dead but still not-very-alive frogs, mice and birds in the bottom of my bed.

I like their noise too. Everyone having a cat is probably aware of these sounds when it positions itself on your lap or tummy and purrs away, putting all your internal organs and your bones in vibration. There should be some sort of research proving those vibrations to have a healing abilities. I am almost sure they have.

I appreciate cats' clean life style. They are clean, they look good and this is what they seem to care about. Nothing more.

But the sweetest thing is when the cat slips into the 'parallel-dimension' state. Do you know what I am talking about? This is when the puss rolls its paws under its body and closes its eyes. You can be sure it's living a different life in the alternative universe and almost cease to react to outside world. My vivid imagination, eh? But I am sure there is something magical and mystical almost beyond materialistic about the cats.

I love dogs because they are not cats. They need your focus, they can't deal without your love. They have to be acknowledged.They are your friends. They keep you fit, they take you for long walks and make sure you have fun with them. They jump above your head when you are playing with them with sticks.They are faithful and caring. They will never let you down. They jump with you to the river from the bridge and swim with you amongst pissed off swans. You are on the first place in their life. They are your protectors. And they always miss you.

OK OK... I say 'they' but I do realise not all dogs are like that. Mine is. And when I say 'dog' I always have Sandro in mind. My black and white spaniel who is waiting for me to come home so he could die in peace. He wouldn't leave without saying good bye. And I so don't want to let him go.

Please get Smelly Cat out of my head

2009-04-04T07:45:00.003Z

'Smelly cat, smelly cat... what are they feeding you.

Smelly cat, smelly cat... it's not your fault'

Smelly Cat by Phoebe

I get most of my news from the Internet only

2009-03-31T22:35:00.002Z

For ages now.

I guess is the quickest and the most accessible. And green, lets face it.

I usually start from the BBC although it annoys me when it comes to World News. It's good for local news though. Then I guess it will be ynet and then whatever the news reader brings me.

Other than that.... well I do watch Press TV to get the view from 'the other side' and Al Jazeera English and honestly I think it's the best news channel in the world.

Papers and Magazines I am buying only when I have to. Used to read Guardian, the Times (only for law reviews) but my favourite is Independent. Ah yes... I do read Daily Mail from time to time for fun. And it's free in my Fitness Club. Otherwise I wouldn't spent a penny on this crap.

I could eat nothing but Japanese for a year...or more

2009-03-30T18:09:00.002Z

It is not wishful thinking. It is reality. I know. I've checked.

Lunch @ Dake Sushi by wEnDaLicious

Japanese. 100%. Feed me Sushi, Udon, Sea Weed and Wasabi Peas. And I will be happy.

The Children of Noisy Village brings me back

2009-03-28T12:46:00.002Z

I think it's the first book I remember reading and being read to me.

I had to be very, very small since at the time we were still living my first house. And my younger sister was not even born at the time nor was my mum pregnant. And since there is 5 years difference between us I had to be less then 5. And because we moved when I was 4, then I had to be more or less 3 at the time.

The fact I started reading relatively early I owe my mum who was a teacher and the librarian as well as my 9 years older sister who taught me many things.

This book reminds me of this very careless time, it reminds me about white, plane-shaped kite my dad gave me and reminds me about the noise the kite was making on the wind when dad was trying to teach me how to make it fly high in the sky. It reminds about my first driving lesson at the age of 3, sitting on my dad's lap behind the steering wheel (I know, very responsible). It reminds me about big, black dog named Cygan ('Gipsy' - I know, very politically incorrect). I remember honey bees and hives in the garden behind the bush not far from my playground where my dad build us a swing.

An I remember we had loads of swallows. Millions of them each spring and summer. And that they could be very noisy. And that my mum was telling me that when they fly low, close to the ground, it means it's going to rain.

And one day my mum and my sister brought me a little baby swallow that fell down the nest and they allowed me to hold it for a while. And they put back to the nest, making sure that the parents will not reject her. Her? I don't know. I think it was she-swallow.

I remember this book inspired me to have my own business - selling stones and rocks, which as you can imagine, was not very profitable and successful entrepreneurship. Yet you didn't have to invest much initially, perhaps maybe some time, but at that stage I had it in abundance.

Isn't that strange that in all your childhood memories the sun is always shining? Even when it was a winter. Even at night. Does that mean you had happy childhood? Yes I certainly think I couldn't have a better one.

Making out in Poland

2009-03-25T22:26:00.002Z

Being 14. What a nasty, wonderful age.

It was shocking, unexpected, horrifying experience.
When I was 14 I couldn't think about boys in this 'sexual' or 'romantic' way. Growing up, from the age of 5, I was surrounded by boys and they were always my mates with whom I played with plastic guns, climbed trees and pretending to be Robin Hood, locking ourselves up in the lift extension to scare our neighbours and with whom I had regular fights - any physical contact I could possibly think of.
It was one of those mates (named Arthur) I was growing up with that called me 'for-a-second' in private. I honestly thought he would talk to me about a new prank that we were about to arrange. And then he kissed me or rather grabbed me and pushed this tongue in my mouth. It could only end up one way... and it did... when he let me go I punched him in the face and left. We have never spoken about it afterwards and naturally he never attempted to do it again. Thanks Zorro. Looking at it from the perspective of time he wasn't really a great kisser. On the other hand, me lacking any experience and being taken by total surprise, I wasn't particularly responsive neither.
I think that that experience ended my childhood and boys were no longer my mates from that time on.

My bucket list starts with: Learn Irish traditional dance

2009-03-24T06:22:00.002Z

Just 5? I hope I will have time for more. Far more.

Learn Irish traditional dance
Not only do the dance seem to be an excellent workout, but the music that goes with it set me up automatically in the great mood. And the sooner I do this the better chances I do it well.

Go for my dreamed Euroasia trip
I have always dreamed about taking a car (or trans Siberian Railway) and travel across East Europe and Asia. On the way back I should see Middle East and then Africa.
East was always tempting for me more than the West.

Learn Sinhala
If this is ever going to be possible, since all the letters (I think 52 altogether look the same for me). But who said I need to be able to read it. Speaking is enough. And why Sinhala? I want to understand what is my husbands family saying to my kids:).
Under this point I would also like to mentioned being fluent in Hebrew, German, Scottish Gaelic and perhaps learn French... or Arabic... or Japanese.... or all of them.

Get a motor bike
And drive around Europe.

Having entirely environmentally friendly house
It will be great having self-sufficient and independent household. Only then you can really say you are the queen of your castle. And if you can make it all 'green' that's even better.

the debate that never will be concluded (part 1)

2009-03-22T08:14:00.006Z

Please see this first: FOR THE CLIP PLEASE CLICK HERE

It angers me every time that there are no two points of view presented in media. Therefore I decided to address some points myself. I encourage debate, but please do not try to prove I am racist. I am in the interracial relationship and I remind you that islam is not a race. If you then later accuse me of being islamophobic, then I would like to remind you that the old Greek word 'phobos' from which phobia came into existence in English language, means 'irrational fear'. And I don't have any irrational fears. I do not fear islam also. I criticise it. And that is very different from malicious falsehood or defamation. So.. here we go:

1. No one asks muslimah to take her head cover off. The issue here is not something that you wear or not on your head. The issue is in the covering of face, which in western culture is associated with crime and dishonesty. Facial identification is very important in the western culture and therefore we hold our ID documents (such as driving licence, passport, student card and so on) with our pictures on it. Face is necessary for the person to participate fully in the society. It is embedded to this extend that evolutionarily human beings have a separate part of brain responsible for recognising the faces solely. Face is also not regarded as a sexual or intimate part of one's body.
On the religious grounds (although personally, 'religious grounds' are not valid for me) there is no obligation to cover the face and the tradition of wearing niqab is pre-islamic.
So the 'hat' or the 'coat' in the Umm Farisa's argument shows only, that she doesn't understand the rationale behind the Jack Straw's statement.

Otherwise, she will acknowledge the fact that 'hoodies' were banned in many places in the UK on similar grounds. Yet Umm Farisa has to remember that one of the 7/7 bombers escaped from London dressed up as a woman, in niqab to prevent himself being recognised as terrorist and brought to justice.

2. Umm Farisa declares in her statement that laws of Britain directly harm muslims, which must not be taken seriously. Umm Farisa is trying to say that Muslims in Britain were unlawfully arrested and interrogated which is far from th truth, as all the cases in the recent years were related to terrorism and people arrested were charged and in most cases found guilty. Unna Farisa forgets multiple at temps of muslims to commit mass murder on innocent people on the British soil (some of which were successful), therefore it is largely justified by the state to use extraordinary measures to protect the general public. No other religious groups were targeted as no other religious and non-religious groups (whether christian, jews, hindu, sikh, atheists) pose a threat to the society and security of the state.

3. Statement about racism. Islam is not a race (which you can observe in the clip itself as two women are of European origin and the other one is of Asian origin, so automatically there is nothing 'racial' about islam). Similarly, niqab has nothing to do with the race. So this argument is simply silly and might be easily dismissed.

4. Piercings, tattoos and so on, they do not hide the person's identity and do not build the physical wall between the person and the environment. However in Britain itself they are certain laws referring to the tattoos. Therefore one would not legally get a tattoo on one's hands and face. There are also employment regulations refining to tattoos, body piercing and jewellery.

5.Unfortunately, the examples given by Umm Farisa, only show the true reaction of British society to the niquab. And this reaction in the light what I said before, is only natural. People do not feel comfortable talking to the person who can see them, but on the other hand they cannot see the person wearing niquab.

The other muslim woman in the program stated that the 'sister who wears niquab can go about her business as usual' and that might be true. However the issue here is not about the 'sister'. The issue is about the wider community. British society doesn't have a tradition of covering faces. On the contrary. I understand that some people willingly want to go against the society and general standards and that's OK. I understand that some people feel they don't want to follow the crowd and subject themselves to the 'rule of majority', they do not to adapt to the rest of the society. This however does not give them right to claim that society must adapt to them. And so their decision carries consequences (people stare, people refuse to talk or deal with you) - all those things and the true reasons for which a women decides to wear niqab in the free society, where she is not forced or obliged to do so. And pleasing the Allah is not a reason here. I would like to give you and example of the comedian reasoning (perfectly logical) that if your creator wanted you to cover your face, he/she/it will facilitate you with the flap of sling for the purpose. But let's not go there. It's really hard for me to imagine on the personal level, why the almighty god, the creator, the most powerful will demand wearing in this or that to be pleased, form the dust (read us).

But I can accept that the faith has nothing to do with logic and some how the person is convinced that the god wants this or that from him/her. Wasn't that what Pope Urban said referring to the Crusades: ' This is what God wants'. Well of course, a bit far fetched to know the mind of almighty?

I cannot accept niqab as religious however. Firstly because there is a large inconsistency in muslims as to what they should wear and how. So that in Britain, majority of muslims do not wear niqab and more or less 50-50 of muslim women cover their heads in one way or the other. That shows me that there is not a religious must in covering faces.
Additionally Umm Farisa mentioned that she often takes the veil off even in front of non-muslim women, but she refuses to do that on demand. So it is OK to do so when she wishes to, but when someone expects her to do so, then she throws a tantrum. She is muslim and no one should dare demand anything from her. How typical.

But this only goes to show, that islam in the minds of many muslims is an deliberate act against non-muslim society. It's searching for conflict. It's stressing the differences and expecting that the rest will adapt to you. This can never be a case.

Niqab is cultural feature, related to the climate of Saudi Arabia and not religious, being a pre-islamic tradition. Therefore the religious discrimination has to be ruled out from the argument.

6. Hatred is not put against muslims. They brought it to themselves. By bombings and killings on the British soil. By multiple attempts to mass murder and harm, by aggressive demonstrations, by demanding special privileges and by never condemning those who committed murders in the name of Islam.

'Koran' will make you LOL

2009-03-21T16:57:00.002Z

Bible, Torah, Book of Mormon, any of those.... but Koran the most.

What's so funny? Every bloody thing. The whole idea. Great laughter!
But the funniest thing ever? People actually take it as the word of god... AWESOME!

Where can I park my baby?

2009-03-21T16:52:00.002Z

I am really crazy about cars... for a girl.

A classic battle: sensible vs. indulgent - it's never an issue.
Money is.
And I think I am up for a little bit of both. So for day-to-day use I will end up with something rather small (could be even A Class, I'm not fussy).
But ultimate indulgence will be spyker. And this is what I am opting for:).

Nintendo...etc, please

2009-03-21T16:43:00.002Z

Please, don't even start on that. I am real gadget freak and I could go on and on and on about what I want. But then again.... do I really need all of this?