ioana
in quest for genuine
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About Me
- Name: ioana
- Location: Bucharest, Romania
I experiment with myself and the world around me. I always seek for that small sparkle of what's real and authentic in things, people, nature...
Archive
Monday, January 30, 2006
RED
“26 January, 2006 –Today, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Bono and Bobby Shriver announced Product RED, an economic initiative designed to deliver a sustainable flow of private sector money to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. It is the first time that the world’s leading companies have made a commitment to channel a portion of profits from sales of specially–designed products to the Global Fund to support AIDS programs in Africa with a focus on women and children.” (more)
I’ve been meaning to blog about this since Friday, unfortunately time wasn’t really on my side. Being passionate about the contribution one can bring to the development of the world, this news stroke me from the moment I saw it on CNN. Whenever sustainability comes in discussions, there are the optimists and the cynics. Most optimists believe that any philanthropy/donation can count for sustainability actions, while cynic heavily critic the actions that besides tapping on people or planet, keep the focus on profit as well. But might I ask, why should we expect the business world to do charity? I definitely don’t see such a business evolving in a....err…sustainable way :o)
Personally, I found Bono’s initiative quite innovative, and I’m really looking forward to its evolution! After engaging Bill & Melinda Gates in his fight against poverty, and staring on the cover of Times Magazine, Bono brought together for the launch of RED partners American Express, Gap, Converse and Giorgio Armani. A percentage of all the products bearing the RED brand will go directly into the Global Fund against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, creating both profitable business and sustainable incomes for the Global Fund.
Ok, so probably it’ll be years until I afford a Giorgio Armani or Converse product, but those Gap T-shits sure look appealing :)
I’ve been meaning to blog about this since Friday, unfortunately time wasn’t really on my side. Being passionate about the contribution one can bring to the development of the world, this news stroke me from the moment I saw it on CNN. Whenever sustainability comes in discussions, there are the optimists and the cynics. Most optimists believe that any philanthropy/donation can count for sustainability actions, while cynic heavily critic the actions that besides tapping on people or planet, keep the focus on profit as well. But might I ask, why should we expect the business world to do charity? I definitely don’t see such a business evolving in a....err…sustainable way :o)
Personally, I found Bono’s initiative quite innovative, and I’m really looking forward to its evolution! After engaging Bill & Melinda Gates in his fight against poverty, and staring on the cover of Times Magazine, Bono brought together for the launch of RED partners American Express, Gap, Converse and Giorgio Armani. A percentage of all the products bearing the RED brand will go directly into the Global Fund against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, creating both profitable business and sustainable incomes for the Global Fund.
Ok, so probably it’ll be years until I afford a Giorgio Armani or Converse product, but those Gap T-shits sure look appealing :)
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Out of my mind. Be back in 5 minutes!
I read this on a car sticker, on the way to an important meeting, rushing my way through the frost, the mob, and the crowded streets. It made me stop my run, just sitting their and laughing for about a minute :)
Most of the time we rush, there is sense of urgency around us, the meetings, the work, the deadlines, the agglomeration, pressing us from all sides, to run, to hurry, to achieve the targets and the deadlines. It gets even worse when you are a sales person like I am!
So I developed a shield against the rush: stepping out of my mind, or better said, into my mind. I plunge into a carrousel of thoughts and stories that I create for myself. Nothing related to work, no, no, not even before the meetings. Click – connect to the reality, click – disconnect. This ability is what gives relish to my live, having two worlds and blending them all the time.
It does have its disadvantages, of course. I ended up in other places than I wanted to for countless times, I got lost on the streets, and I have to confess I tend to forget different things (like the umbrella, the cap, the wallet, the papers, etc. etc.)
Sometime is good to be conscious though: when you walk nearby a bakery, and you treat yourself with the smell of fresh-baked bread; when it’s sunlight, and you can notice the tremble of shades and colors; when it rains slowly, and you can feel the drips on your skin; in the subway, when people tell their stories around you; when you eat, and you can feel the taste evolving as you let the food melt in your mouth. Ah, yes, consciousness is definitely useful many times!
Most of the time we rush, there is sense of urgency around us, the meetings, the work, the deadlines, the agglomeration, pressing us from all sides, to run, to hurry, to achieve the targets and the deadlines. It gets even worse when you are a sales person like I am!
So I developed a shield against the rush: stepping out of my mind, or better said, into my mind. I plunge into a carrousel of thoughts and stories that I create for myself. Nothing related to work, no, no, not even before the meetings. Click – connect to the reality, click – disconnect. This ability is what gives relish to my live, having two worlds and blending them all the time.
It does have its disadvantages, of course. I ended up in other places than I wanted to for countless times, I got lost on the streets, and I have to confess I tend to forget different things (like the umbrella, the cap, the wallet, the papers, etc. etc.)
Sometime is good to be conscious though: when you walk nearby a bakery, and you treat yourself with the smell of fresh-baked bread; when it’s sunlight, and you can notice the tremble of shades and colors; when it rains slowly, and you can feel the drips on your skin; in the subway, when people tell their stories around you; when you eat, and you can feel the taste evolving as you let the food melt in your mouth. Ah, yes, consciousness is definitely useful many times!
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Dance
When you step on the dance floor you start feeling the beat coming up through your feet, slowly making its way though your muscles as they begin to move, filling you with warmth on the inside. You feel the music resonating with your soul, taking over you, making you twist and turn. You dance your passions, your dreams, your love, your sorrows! As you move the hours go by, your energy drops, your muscles become sore, your moves turn stiff.
But the beat doesn’t stop!
You push your limits, squeeze the drops of energy, find new vibes within you, until you feel no more fatigue, no more pain, no more feelings. Until it remains only the dance!
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Jeux d'enfants
Diving from the books world into that of movies. Late Friday night in the office, not in the mood to work, not in the mood to go home, not in the mood to go out, what one can do better than watch a movie?
And a wise choice it was, Jeux D’enfants is one of the best movies I’ve seen in ages! A boy and a girl start playing together as children a game of dare, with a small carousel toy. The one that holds the toy can give the other a challenge, which he (or she) can accept of deny. Of course it’s a matter of pride, and they always accept the challenges, how silly or daring they might be.
But as the years go by and they reach adulthood the game turns into a way of escaping from facing the fact that they are in love with each other. Neither one can ask the other to love him/her, so the game becomes a way of staying connected one with the other without facing or assuming their love. The stakes get higher and higher, as they consciously and cruelly hurt each other, hurt others, destroying their families and their lives.
In the end, admitting their love, they take the greatest dare: they suicide together, descending in a pit that is filled with concrete. “Cap ou pas cap?” (dare or not?) they ask each other, as the concrete starts pouring around them. “Cap”
And a wise choice it was, Jeux D’enfants is one of the best movies I’ve seen in ages! A boy and a girl start playing together as children a game of dare, with a small carousel toy. The one that holds the toy can give the other a challenge, which he (or she) can accept of deny. Of course it’s a matter of pride, and they always accept the challenges, how silly or daring they might be.
But as the years go by and they reach adulthood the game turns into a way of escaping from facing the fact that they are in love with each other. Neither one can ask the other to love him/her, so the game becomes a way of staying connected one with the other without facing or assuming their love. The stakes get higher and higher, as they consciously and cruelly hurt each other, hurt others, destroying their families and their lives.
In the end, admitting their love, they take the greatest dare: they suicide together, descending in a pit that is filled with concrete. “Cap ou pas cap?” (dare or not?) they ask each other, as the concrete starts pouring around them. “Cap”
Julien: You know... there were lots of things I was game for that you never asked.
Sophie: Like?
Julien: Eating ants... insulting the unemployed... loving you like crazy!
I am a gamer myself. I find it impossible to ask to be loved. Instead, I give dares, set obstacles, play around, hurting the other on many occasions. There is no ending point, no pragmatic result that the game leads to. It is in the game itself, savoring the dares, preparing you strategy, pushing the limits, creating whole situations…I guess love and war are not tha different after all.
Not so long ago I swift the course of the game and turned the challenge towards myself: I asked for love, or for what I thought was the proof of love! But after all the time he endured the game, my lover said no.
Game over.
How about living instead? :)
Not so long ago I swift the course of the game and turned the challenge towards myself: I asked for love, or for what I thought was the proof of love! But after all the time he endured the game, my lover said no.
Game over.
How about living instead? :)
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Madonnization
I said before I am in a narcissistic time of my life, and I became self obsessed with my discovery process! Another obsession right now is Madonna’s new album, Confessions on a dance floor. I feel particularly connected to the lyrics, and the music mix is also amazing, ranging from flamboyant disco warbles to a smooth techno beat.
It’s been over two weeks of Madonnization, I seam unable to listen to any other music, so I have it on my mp3 player, on my computer, and it’s spreading to my colleagues too, it’s the only music played in our office :) I feel like it’s been written by my friend, someone who stood with me over a coffee for the past two months, who understands my struggles, who knows my hidden desires, who shares my crave for freedom, who has loved like I loved, and has lost and found again love like I have. Actually I feel the whole confessions are about me (yes, I know it’s an extremely narcissistic point of view, but it’s an approach that defines me in this faze!) But the album is just as self-absorbed as I am, it’s vicious, exuberant, painfully frank, and as feminine as one gets.
My very own selection of favorite lines:
Like it or not
You can call me a sinner
You can call me a saint
Celebrate me for who I am
Dislike me for what I ain't
Don't let the fruit rot under the vine
Fill up your cup and let's drink the wine
Better the devil that you know
Your love for me will grow
Because
This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me or leave me
Cause I'm never gonna stop, no no
Jump
I havn't got much time to waste
It's time to make my way
I'm not afraid of what I'll face
But I'm afraid to stay
I'm going down my road and I can make it alone
I'll work and I'll fight till I find a place of my own
It sways and it swings and it bends until you make it your own
Future lovers
Love controlled by time
Future lovers shine
For eternity
In a world that's free
Put away your past
Love will never last
If you're holding on
To a dream that's gone
Let it will be
Now I can see things for what they really are
I guess I'm not that far
I'm at the point of no return
Just watch me burn
Let it will be
Just let it be
Oh let it be
It’s been over two weeks of Madonnization, I seam unable to listen to any other music, so I have it on my mp3 player, on my computer, and it’s spreading to my colleagues too, it’s the only music played in our office :) I feel like it’s been written by my friend, someone who stood with me over a coffee for the past two months, who understands my struggles, who knows my hidden desires, who shares my crave for freedom, who has loved like I loved, and has lost and found again love like I have. Actually I feel the whole confessions are about me (yes, I know it’s an extremely narcissistic point of view, but it’s an approach that defines me in this faze!) But the album is just as self-absorbed as I am, it’s vicious, exuberant, painfully frank, and as feminine as one gets.
My very own selection of favorite lines:
Like it or not
You can call me a sinner
You can call me a saint
Celebrate me for who I am
Dislike me for what I ain't
Don't let the fruit rot under the vine
Fill up your cup and let's drink the wine
Better the devil that you know
Your love for me will grow
Because
This is who I am
You can like it or not
You can love me or leave me
Cause I'm never gonna stop, no no
Jump
I havn't got much time to waste
It's time to make my way
I'm not afraid of what I'll face
But I'm afraid to stay
I'm going down my road and I can make it alone
I'll work and I'll fight till I find a place of my own
It sways and it swings and it bends until you make it your own
Future lovers
Love controlled by time
Future lovers shine
For eternity
In a world that's free
Put away your past
Love will never last
If you're holding on
To a dream that's gone
Let it will be
Now I can see things for what they really are
I guess I'm not that far
I'm at the point of no return
Just watch me burn
Let it will be
Just let it be
Oh let it be
Friday, January 13, 2006
The LIBERATION of the shrew
It is irrevocable: on January 7th I turned 23!
Some while ago I probably would have considered this age as “23 soon turning 25 and going on 30!” A moment to set your track in life, to build a career, to slowly begin settling down. Luckily I’ve stepped on a different course!
I decided this year will be a revelation, that I will liberate myself from any constrains and I will discover my true authentic self!
Some while ago I probably would have considered this age as “23 soon turning 25 and going on 30!” A moment to set your track in life, to build a career, to slowly begin settling down. Luckily I’ve stepped on a different course!
I decided this year will be a revelation, that I will liberate myself from any constrains and I will discover my true authentic self!
Let there be dance! I will let my energy burst on the dance floor, will make my body groove with the music, I will passionately love and narcissistically gaze at myself!
Let there be music! I want to sing and scream, laugh and cry, live all my feelings, smell the sun burnt sand and lavishly plunge in the deep blue waters!
Let there be adventure! I will explore and experiment, I will travel, I will meet amazing people and will fall in love with their worlds, I will build and contribute!
It is irrevocable: there will be no taming involved!
I’m at the point of no return,
Just watch me burn!
Just watch me burn!
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Road trip. My style - the next episodes
...continuing from previous post...
Episode IV: Getting at Kuala Lumpur
An eight hours drive, while freezing in the crazy air cons from the bus. I woke up the morning feeling sick, and on the bus my condition only got worse, with casual throw-ups in the bus parking. Since I also had an annoying abdominal pain, I became very worried and decided to go to a hospital when we arrive at Kuala Lumpur (around 1 am). Pixi kept trying to cheer me up “Look, the twin towers!”, but all I could see was the pavement as I threw-up, and some dark sceneries in my mind of how they will discover I have appendicitis, and there will go my holiday down the drain! Fortunately, it turned out I was only badly dehydrated (apparently you have to drink a lot of water to go from 5 degrees temperatures to 35…go figure that, in all the excitement I forgot to drink enough :)) I will never forget Pixi’s face when I came out of the emergency room with a perfusion in my arm. But it was good, and gave me all the fluid I needed, so in the morning I was up and ready to go!
Episode V: Langkawi
Nature, green and harmony are the words coming in my mind when I think of Langakawi. We spend the days lazy surrounded by palm trees and the ocean, connecting to the nature, and to the beauty. Two weeks after, and I still feel harmony in my soul. We paddled the kayak for a couple of hours on the ocean and caught this incredible sunset into the water..Breathtaking!
The best view over the island was from para sailing. You have a parachute on your back and a boat drags you in the air, spending some 15 minutes floating on the air currents and dazzling your eyes with the view.
Episode IV: Getting at Kuala Lumpur
An eight hours drive, while freezing in the crazy air cons from the bus. I woke up the morning feeling sick, and on the bus my condition only got worse, with casual throw-ups in the bus parking. Since I also had an annoying abdominal pain, I became very worried and decided to go to a hospital when we arrive at Kuala Lumpur (around 1 am). Pixi kept trying to cheer me up “Look, the twin towers!”, but all I could see was the pavement as I threw-up, and some dark sceneries in my mind of how they will discover I have appendicitis, and there will go my holiday down the drain! Fortunately, it turned out I was only badly dehydrated (apparently you have to drink a lot of water to go from 5 degrees temperatures to 35…go figure that, in all the excitement I forgot to drink enough :)) I will never forget Pixi’s face when I came out of the emergency room with a perfusion in my arm. But it was good, and gave me all the fluid I needed, so in the morning I was up and ready to go!
Episode V: Langkawi
Nature, green and harmony are the words coming in my mind when I think of Langakawi. We spend the days lazy surrounded by palm trees and the ocean, connecting to the nature, and to the beauty. Two weeks after, and I still feel harmony in my soul. We paddled the kayak for a couple of hours on the ocean and caught this incredible sunset into the water..Breathtaking!
The best view over the island was from para sailing. You have a parachute on your back and a boat drags you in the air, spending some 15 minutes floating on the air currents and dazzling your eyes with the view.
On New Year’s Eve we stood on the beach, around a camp fire, surrounded by the beach vibes and Cuban rhythms, just drinking Champaign and chilling out. Five Romanians, a Russian and a Mexican.
Episode VI: Crossing the border
We lost by five minutes the bus from the Malaysian border, and had to walk our way into Singapore. There we were, dragging all our luggage, and walking the two kilometers of “no man’s land” in between Malaysia and Singapore. A loooooooooong bridge, a lot of military facilities, and a lot of laughs picturing how a Singaporean would react in such a situation!
Episode VII: The way back
The flight Singapore-Bangkok has been the worst air experience I had until now. We caught a heavy storm, and there were moments when I was extremely thankful for my safety belt!
Some three hours after I landed in Bucharest, I was already on a train towards a conference.
Eight more hours of road in front of me, I realized I find not tiredness in my roads, but excitement, that I need not stability, but chaos, that I am not given, but blessed with friends, experiences and love!
Road trip. My style
After celebrating Christmas together with my family, I set on the course to what I thought would be an exotic New Year, going to Singapore and Malaysia to connect with friends, love and cultures. But oh, boy, was I in for an adventure I did not foresee!
Episode I: Istanbul
My flight had 9 hours stop in Istanbul, so I went to explore the city on my own. I found there a mixture of precious experiences, and I took with me some delightful memories: the tandem sound on 3 muezzins calling believers to pray (in front on the Blue Mosque), the salty smell of the Marmara Sea (in the harbor), the cold touch of the breeze (while crossing the Bosphorus with the ferry), the warm lights of a small bazaar in the sunset (which I discovered randomly wondering around) and the taste of sweet Turkish delight (found everywhere, incredibly cheap, and incredibly tasty).
Cultural shock: I was approached by around 4 Turks, with the line: “Hello, would you like to go together for a tea?”, and one even “How about having a good time together?” And all the cars were horning at me! I guess they really live up to their reputation :)
Episode II: Ataturk Airport, Instabul
The departure board clearly said: 23.05 Bangkok. No flight to Singapore! I double-tripled and quadrupled checked, no flight to Singapore listed at any hour! After all type of scenarios crossed my mind, one being that I got there on the wrong day (don’t laugh, this has happened to me before :)) I went to the information office. So I found out that the one at 23.05 was my flight, and we have a stop over Bangkok…oh, happy day!
Episode III: Singapore
The life is sweet and calm. This country is so organized, so civilized and high-tech, that Western Europe seams like the dark ages compared with it! But I am somehow not so comfortable with this type of lifestyle. Too much comfort and the “dolce non far niente” for my style. Also I found life can lack authenticity, and people become restrained in stereotypes. I’m guessing at one point of my life I will need comfort and stability, but right now I’m in the pursuit for my very own authenticity, and I need an experience that will reveal it to me.
Episode I: Istanbul
My flight had 9 hours stop in Istanbul, so I went to explore the city on my own. I found there a mixture of precious experiences, and I took with me some delightful memories: the tandem sound on 3 muezzins calling believers to pray (in front on the Blue Mosque), the salty smell of the Marmara Sea (in the harbor), the cold touch of the breeze (while crossing the Bosphorus with the ferry), the warm lights of a small bazaar in the sunset (which I discovered randomly wondering around) and the taste of sweet Turkish delight (found everywhere, incredibly cheap, and incredibly tasty).
Cultural shock: I was approached by around 4 Turks, with the line: “Hello, would you like to go together for a tea?”, and one even “How about having a good time together?” And all the cars were horning at me! I guess they really live up to their reputation :)
Episode II: Ataturk Airport, Instabul
The departure board clearly said: 23.05 Bangkok. No flight to Singapore! I double-tripled and quadrupled checked, no flight to Singapore listed at any hour! After all type of scenarios crossed my mind, one being that I got there on the wrong day (don’t laugh, this has happened to me before :)) I went to the information office. So I found out that the one at 23.05 was my flight, and we have a stop over Bangkok…oh, happy day!
Episode III: Singapore
The life is sweet and calm. This country is so organized, so civilized and high-tech, that Western Europe seams like the dark ages compared with it! But I am somehow not so comfortable with this type of lifestyle. Too much comfort and the “dolce non far niente” for my style. Also I found life can lack authenticity, and people become restrained in stereotypes. I’m guessing at one point of my life I will need comfort and stability, but right now I’m in the pursuit for my very own authenticity, and I need an experience that will reveal it to me.
