ORANGE PICKING IN SICILY
Yesterday I had one of the most surprisingly good days. It started awful…
I woke up congested and with a terrible headache and simply did not feel like getting out of bed at all. It took me about half an hour to convince myself I should (since I already paid for the trip I was supposed to attend). I finally dragged myself out of my warm and comfy bed and somehow got ready for this trip (which, at this point, I started to dread). And off I went…
As it turned out, my friend (who, by the way, convinced me to go in the first place) was also not feeling too chipper herself (we both shared symptoms of either common cold or flu, who knows…). And thus, we found ourselves sitting at the back of a van, sneezing every so often and drinking water to stay hydrated…
Perhaps it helped because by the time we got to the orange farm, we forgot about the cold or flu (or whatever it is) and actually started having a good time. However, the good time was just beginning…
The nice farmer and his wife welcomed us to their home as if we were part of their family. Then we went orange picking–the whole reason for the trip. It was an experience in itself, especially for someone like me, who likes nature but more form the distance than first hand. And here I had a chance to experience it first hand, not only covered nearly up to my knees in mud but also walking in weeds almost hip high just to get a chance to pick my own Sicilian blood oranges. Crazy, isn’t it? How I didn’t end up covered in ticks is simply beyond me… But I did end up having a time of my life,even though I had to carry my bag of oranges (that most likely weight about 10 lbs) up the muddy hill!
As if that wasn’t fun enough, we had this wonderful Sicilian lunch, which included lots of home-made wine and freshly-squeezed orange juice waiting for us at the farm. This was the perfect ending to a very adventurous morning. And the day that began dreadfully, turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life.
The funny thing is, I think you can only experience something like that only here in the Mediterranean. People are simply so friendly and they welcome you as if you were not this stranger but part of their family, which gives it a different meaning. And makes it far more special…
BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Since I am currently oversees, I have been trying to keep up with some of my favorite series online (“Brothers and Sisters” among them). Luckily, I have been able to catch up with “Brothers and Sisters” and OMG!
First of all, I can’t believe Kitty has cancer. The episodes when she found out she had lymphoma and was battling it made me cry like a baby. And then her problems with Robert… Thank God he saw the light and came around. I would hate to see them split. They make such a wonderful couple… And the fact that Rob Lowe is so incredibly hot has nothing to do with it (oh well, maybe just a little…)
Then there are Scottie and Kevin trying to have a baby.. Tell you the truth, I don’t quite know how I feel about it… Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against gay couples having children… It’s just that Kevin has become a bit of a control freak and I’m just not sure I like that side of him. And Scottie is simply way too understanding… But I suppose that comes with love, right?
The one thing I am still wondering about is Holly and whether she will fall for Dennis’s trap or perhaps ahe will find out what the heck he’s up to… That may be interesting to watch. i only hope that Walkers will not suffer on the power struggle between their nemesis… Although I really thought that Holly came around… But I guess we will ahve to wait and see…
TERMINATOR SALVATION
It’s been over 20 years in the making and the story is still kicking! This latest part to the saga of John Connor and his resistance to the SkyNet and their machines only gives is justice.
Directed by McG (who also made “Supernatural”) and starring Christian Bale as John Connor and Sam Worthington as Marcus Wright, is a fast-paced and keeping-you-on-the-edge-of your-seat kind of a movie that is true to the spirit and nature of the previous Terminator films.
The year is 2018, which really is not such a distant future and as far-fetched as the idea of machines taking over the world may seem, it really is not so impossible. John Connor is trying his best to stop the machines and listen to his long-gone mother’s advice, which guides him in the fight against SkyNet. His main objective quickly becomes finding young Kyle Reese (Anton Yelchin) and protecting him because without Reese it all may be in vain. Along his struggles, he finds an unlikely ally, a stranger whose origins are quite obscure.
Will Connor find Kyle and keep him alive long enough? Will he be able to survive himself before the machines find him? Will he become the salvation that everyone is waiting for? Or is humanity’s salvation something else entirely?
“Terminator Salvation” is as unexpected as it is good and even if you’re not a fan of the Terminator saga, you still may enjoy this film for its excellent use of technology in the film-making process and the suspense and fast-paced action. And if you’re a fan, well… judge it for yourself…