Took some shots this morning before I got to work, some in the garden, some in the city, but I am going to show you just one.

It was almost 9:00 and I was still one bus stop from work when I jumped out of the bus and took it. There is this bridge that has a wonderful view in the city, regardless of the season. But this morning, when I finally got to the office, soaking wet, with the  hair all wet, cause I used the beanie for my camera, I was all smiles. You know that dumb smile that only snow can bring into one’s face? That was it. [who is the crazy one now, I wonder!]

I love this city. Especially in times like this.

Welcome to Wonderland.

Love,

Snow Queen

As you can imagine she’s not as happy as I am with snow, but at least she is curious enough to go outside.

This is how Christmas time should look like.

Kisses and warm hugs,
Rose 

Neal Caffrey

Relax, it won’t get more personal than this. But then again, who knows…

I’ve started this blog in the summer of 2009 and this story I’m about to tell you about was in 2007. Also the photos accompanying it are from the winter of 2008.

Yes, we’re so desperate for snow these days we’re going through our back-ups trying to remember it. So I’ve heard today that it snowed in Sahara. Okay, fine, maybe they wanted some snow, but what about us? It’s like we don’t deserve it anymore. This goes into the #what is category.

As I write this I’m listening to the very own song from Led Zep –  What is & What it should never be. Seams fit.

There’s this quote I wanted to share with you, found it in the new episode of White Collar – yes I am a huge fan of Neal Caffrey. It speaks volumes.

It had so much impact on my mind, I knew I had to do something with it.

If you want a happy ending it depends where you stop the story…  Nicely put. Right? So I decided just now that I had a happy ending. It ended on that night in the mountains when we laughed and walked hand in hand and we talked all night. And we were both so happy, that for me, from now on, that night, that specific moment is going to be the happy ending. That’s where I chose to stop the story. And that makes me beyond happy. This is the what it should never be part.

Have to warn you massive snow attack for you beyond this point.

Remember to have your happy endings.

Love,
Rose 

-Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 

I’ve been reading a few interesting articles this evening about creative people and somehow I got to this quote that made me scream “Eureka!”

[one can be found here: Understanding Creative People]

For me creativity is all about capturing somehow the fraction of second worth remembering for a life time. Either you do it in a photo, in a song, or in an entire novel, sculpture, painting, dance or movie, it is up to you. That split of a second worth remembering should live forever through you. Through your work of art.

So, here I am pleading for Creativity tonight.

Be creative. Be genuine. Be in love with life. Be yourself. Be fearless. Be alive.  Be intensive. Be chaos.

Love,
Roxana 

That’s the summary of this meeting. So I know Dia from Dianora.ro for two years now. Or maybe more than that. Last weekend we finally met face to face. Long story short… every single plan of us meeting [concerts, shootings, trips, coffees] got messed up by fate and we didn’t got to see eye to eye till last Sunday. When Narcisa from TravelGirls wrote me an e-mail sending out an invitation. Looked like she was supposed to meet Dia too on Sunday and why wouldn’t I also join them.

So, I took my favorite model, soon to be photographer too and we spent an amazing afternoon/evening enjoying coffees/beer and discussing the online community in Romania and World and planning things together. Also a small shooting in the City Center took place, braving the cold when you’re well accompanied is just easy.

Dia

Roxy [my omnipresent model ]

Dia and Roxy. Look at these serious faces. You should have hear the laughter!

And this is Bucharest by night… Imagine it during holidays and with some snow on. Won-der-ful!!

Thank you, Ladies for this wonderful meeting, may we have more in the future, more photos, more travels and definitely more fun. Also, the more the merrier, so let’s spread the word.

*Note to Self: Please stay still while taking night photos. And try to wait for people to stop talking.

Kisses,
Rose 

“And you wait, you wait for that one thing
that will infinitely enlarge your life;
the gigantic, the stupendous,
the awakening of stones,
depths turned round toward you.

The volumes bound in rust and gold
flicker dimly on the shelves;
and you think of lands traveled across,
of paintings, of the clothes of
women found and lost.

And then suddenly you know: that was then.
You rise, and before you
stands the fear and prayer and shape
Of a year vanished.”

Last year seams like a million years away. It’s been a beautiful year, a hard one too and I hope I learned all the lessons that were there, so I can move on. So I can start over. Clean slated, right? 

We toured the last day of 2011 in the city center, strolled the [not so] empty parks, the [not at all] empty streets, had coffee at Coffee Right and took photo breaks. 

No snow. 

We’re still waiting for it. It’s been raining for 2 days now and in the mountains there is some snow. But there’s always magic in the mountains, so it is normal that they would have it before we do.

We’ve got some relatives in town and there was the opportunity to get out and stroll the city.

Three pale faces up, two pale faces down.

Coffee break. Or tea. Or hot chocolate. Or Vanilla Caramel. Yes, please.

Coffee+WiFi=happy me. Add a book and cue in some good music and that’s a slice of Heaven.

Same two pale faces, but caffeinated. 

Love,
Rose 

Merry Christmas, my lovelies!

May your lives be full of beauty, of laughter and joy! Peace and love may always be found in your hearts and your loved ones always close.

May God in His immense love bless you with all the blessings and care for you with all His love.

Hugs from me and kisses and all my love!

Rose

I’ve tried it all. Silence, music, praying, meditating, pretty-please-ing, arguing, forcing myself to sit down and write. It did not work. And then I decided that I should at least write something. Anything. Free writing style. For at least 20 min. Reading afterwards I burst into laughing. My mind is something to explore, for sure. 

Here’s an excerpt. “I wish I could write. To write something nice. Something that might matter to someone. Something that might impress, stimulate someone. But I have in my head only pieces of phrases. Pieces of words. Guttural, nordic, weird sounds. I cannot form sentences. No way phrases. Not even think about writing a passage.“

Woke up late this morning, around 10, the fog was long gone, there was this interesting light, so I got the camera and headed for the garden. It’s weird to see winter roses, some other flowers still in bloom in the middle of December. 

Loved the light. Love the weather. Okay, I admit, still secretly wish for some snow, for a perfect white Christmas. But I tell you another secret. I am too happy to be even remotely bothered by these short-comings. Here’s my winter garden. And here’s that magic winter light I love so much.

So, here’s also a piece of advice. Do not let anything come between you and your happiness. Do not get down only because there are some unresolved things in your life. Do not let others dictate what you do, feel or how you live your life. And remember this. You are enough. For God, for your loved ones and for me. Yes, I might not even know you, but trust me, you are enough for me. Be happy. Magic time of the year has begun. Be full with joy.

So, no snow? It’s okay, you can still have fun for Christmas.

One single yellow rose. Perfection. Be happy! You are loved. And treasured. And cherished. 

Love,
Rose 

Sooo, I have many flaws. One of them is that I am not a good [night] photographer. The other one is I do not enjoy crowded spaces. Add them and you’ll understand how much I enjoyed the Christmas Market while in Vienna.

No, kidding, now. I really enjoyed it. Felt like a kid again, all those lights, sweets, punsch, kids running around, music and laughter. Yes, Christmas spirit at the best. Only if it would have snowed. I have a huge problem these days. In Bucharest there is this fog… okay, Foglandia if you want… and it’s been three days now. Where’s my snow, again?

So, this was what I could capture at the Christmas Market. It was much more beautiful than this, there’s still time for you to pay a visit, so I wish you good shopping and try their punsch.

Well, this is debatable…

At this point I was really hungry, so please indulge my cravings.

Real Christmas meaning. Please remember Jesus. Love. Family. Simplicity. Important values.

Greetings from Vienna.

Love,

Rose

- Lucas Scott

Oh, you must read the quote in Lucas Scott’s voice, otherwise it won’t work. Okay, just kidding. It’s a great quote and it applies so well to these modern times we are living.

My friend, Mihaela is supplying me with Christmas songs for a while and right now I am listening to Brenda Lee- Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree… and soon these days we’ll go looking for the tree and then let’s the party begin!

Ooooh, how I wait for this time of the year. How I spend my spring, summer, autumn day-dreaming about snow, Christmas days when everything is beautiful, peaceful, fun and feels like it’s going on slow-motion.

Yes. It all starts with the day we’re going Christmas tree shopping.

This year I plan to have Christmas shootings with anyone who’ll walk in those house doors. And then print their photos and give them as gifts. Probably write an inspirational quote on the back of the photo and send it by post. Lovely surprise, eh? I hope so! 

Meanwhile, I’m in bed, recovering from the third flu this year [yes, I am that lame!]  and I’m reading lots and lots of amazing books, enjoying my birthday presents and drinking hot tea with orange juice. 

Sending you out there many hugs, free of viruses, of course… What do you plan to do this year for Christmas?

Love,

Rose