life is beautiful

They say that bad luck and hard times are just a series of unfortunate circumstances.  They also say that those who have strong faith and conviction can choose to see happiness and light amidst times of turmoil and darkness.      In this context, some of us may be reminded of the Academy Award winning 1997 film "Life is Beautiful."

The film begins in pre-WWII Italy, where a young man, Guido, of little means falls in love with a beautiful, more well-to-do school teacher, Dora.  The couple have a son, and despite the disapproval of Dora's family, the family creates a beautiful life together.

And then WWII takes center stage and the family's world changes.  The family is taken to a concentration camp on the day of the young son's birthday.  Refusing to allow these horrible circumstances to bring unhappiness and despair to their otherwise beautiful life, Guido shields his son from the horror of the camps by making a game out of the circumstances.

(view enlarged format for enlarged subtitles)

More inspiring clips and commentary on this timeless film can be found at: http://www.miramax.com/lifeisbeautiful/

while they last

Cold and rainy days are beginning to set in around the northern hemisphere here on planet earth.

We should all follow the lead of Sarah Smith (shown here frolicking through sun-kissed hills in Tuscany, Italy) and take advantage of the final few moments of warmth and sunshine while they last.

timeless works of art

Flipping through the pages of time, a handful of images have made an enormous impact while at the same time providing social narrative to the buzz of the day...

Remembering JFK

Admiring Muhammad Ali

Gossiping about John Lennon and Yoko Ono

Gawking at Cindy Crawford and k.d. Lang

Anticipating the next bold move by Lady Gaga

Some magazine covers have captivated us and left us speechless over the years.  Some photographers and editors have pushed past selling magazines and instead used some of the most iconic, memorable personalities  to create timeless works of art... 

is this antarctica?

Is this Antarctica?

Yes it is.

As a matter of fact, this man-made geothermal pool is where students at the University of Antarctica take a break to chill out...er, warm up in between classes.  Yes, that's right...the University of Antarctica.  As mind-boggling and trippy as it sounds, it's true.

The Main Campus Library

The Commons 

Scenery on Campus--Flash-Frozen Waterfall

Students undertake courses in everything from Antarctic science and cultural studies to Business and History. Accommodation in residence halls and participation in school sports programs (ranging from traditional sports like baseball, football and hockey to more unique activities like snowball fighting) keep students engaged and feeling at home while studying at the most remote place on earth.

Who wouldn't feel proud to list an MBA from the University of Antarctica on their resume?  Some academic programs can be studied from afar online, and many of the courses are free of charge in order to attract students to this exotic, unorthodox approach to university education.  I'm intrigued to learn more.  If you are too, check out the school at:  http://www.antarcticaedu.com/.

And for a local perspective, check out Scott Kessel's blog which tracks his year stay on the Great Iceblock down south:  http://www.scottafar.com/.  Scott's blog provides great photos and insight on a whole world and culture taking place at the southern tip of our planet.  Could this be the next "in" destination?

life goes on

A memorial in downtown Manhattan not far from Ground Zero displays special artwork in remembrance of 9/11.  Tiles donated by local factories serve as canvases on which NYC children have worked with local artists to express their thoughts and feelings about the tragic day none of us can ever forget.  

Carly Moffitt sends in these photos of New York City and
 the site of Ground Zero. 

"It's eerie to be at the exact spot which at one point was center stage to terrible devastation and chaos.  And yet it's a beautiful summertime day in the NYC.  In every direction you can see and hear construction, tourists, taxi's and just movement in general.  In one moment you realize that life is so fragile and hanging by a thread, and then in the next moment you see people like these cycling by without a second thought.  It's at times like these you realize that no matter the circumstance life does go on..."   

down under

Sounds from Australia. Courtesy of Aramis.

Check out http://annansiobhan.wordpress.com/ to read about 2 Irish gals who will travel and track their adventure Down Under.  Best of luck, ladies.

the other side

A group of well travelled individuals sets out to explore Morocco, and everyone feels confident with their previous experience in developing countries.  They share glamorized images of romantic Casablanca, bartering in ancient marketplaces filled with great fabrics and textiles, colors, spices and smells... 

     

        

Clinging to Hollywood-like fantasies of a country can sometimes present visitors with interesting surprises.

Shannon Ryan submits these photos and tells us that she can remember exactly what she was thinking and feeling at the moment each photo was taken during her recent trip to Morocco.  Contrary to the romanticized images she held prior to landing, Shannon tells us she arrived right in the middle of Ramadan when shops are closed early and nightlife activities are hard to come by.  There was an overwhelming heat and sense of developing nation in the air.  It is these conditions which serve to fade out the fantasies and highlight the poverty and political issues with which the country continues to struggle.

Taking a step back, however, Shannon and her crew start to see past the surface and are reminded of one of life's most valuable lessons.  

"Trekking through the sand dunes, I felt really small.  They are so massive.  They are amazing structures-- they continually clear their canvas and footsteps are wiped away with the wind and pull of gravity.  I walk up the sand dune and come back down again only to look and see it’s like I was never there."

It might just be this same principle which guides the lives of the Moroccans.

"Children still seem happy if not happier than Western kids when they are playing even though they have so little.  Morocco is not wealthy, they don’t have much, but they are happy with what they have..."

Perhaps we should all learn to traverse the dunes we encounter in our lives knowing that our travels through them are temporary.  Just like the vanishing footprints of those who cross Morocco's massive dunes, our troubles and challenges don't last forever and there's always happiness to be found on the other side.