The Charmed

Thanks to Nessa

The sister's new arrival was one of the most highlighted events in the neighborhood. Everyone was curious about how they would look in flesh and bones. Despite there were some photos broadcasted in advance, no one wanted entirely rely on them. It has been proven that you could easily be turned into a fool by putting too much trust in the magic of technology.

However, this was not the case. The sisters were even more beautiful in real life. It didn't take long, and everyone was put under their spell. Each of them had a unique personality, difficult to ignore and to turn away your head. No matter if blond and outgoing or more introvert with black hair, their strong presence was felt wherever they went. The sisters really knew how to add more fun and spice to life.

The only downside of the sisters was that they still seemed to have a great lack of responsibility most of the time. Turbulence followed them wherever they went, and they were labeled as the ultimate neighborhood crashers. Some things ended up in real disaster, and it was hardly to take control.

Authority was beginning to think about taking strict measures. After all, everyone should be able to learn their lessons and follow some rules. But, this was not a simple task to do. No one appeared to be immune to see into the sisters’ hypnotizing eyes. Unless someone with greater power would arrive, the neighborhood was doomed forever by the charmed.

“Charming people live up to the very edge of their charm, and behave as outrageously as the world lets them.”

~Logan Pearsall Smith

Note: We just got two kittens from a friend.

Tales on Tuesday Rules:

You could join Tales on Tuesday by telling a short, short (500 words or less) story based on the week's theme. Each theme will be the title of a TV show to provide some inspiration. Your story does not have to have anything in common with the TV show.

This week's theme: Charmed

Joey McIntyre, Stay The Same Lyrics

Last Saturday we went to my husband's junior high school reunion. Everyone was supposed to bring a gift exchange and he thought of something that could raise slight memories of their school time. It was an image of the New Kids on The Block in their early days, put into a wooden frame.

Wrapping the gift brought us in the mood to listen to their songs again... and listening to their songs got me to this week's choice for my Music Monday. Since my friend Amanda who temporarily hosts this meme just went through an Anniversary, I wanted to pick a romantic song. I love the lyrics of Stay The Same by Joey McIntyre. They are wonderful to lift up the spirit and always bring my mind to the special someone in life. I really hope Mr. Hubby stays the same, if not getting better than he already is.

Thanks to
Amanda & Diane

Next week is the beginning of July
so the theme is patriotic.
Show your colors.

Keep a song in your heart.

Use of Forgotten Words: Heimish, Auriferous & Curglaff

Thanks to Quilly

These weeks forgotten words are:

• curglaff, n. the shock one feels when plunging
  into cold water
• auriferous, adj. gold-bearing; a stone bearing gold
• heimish, adj. Warm and comfortable; homey; folksy

Please join us in our weekly romp as we try to rescue lost and forgotten words from the dusty halls of antiquity. [...] You’ll be entertained (and possibly educated) all at once.

Quilly

Here's my story:

The magic of the waters seldom failed to cast its spell, especially on sunny days. At times like these, a walk to the waterfall always came into thoughts. Who could resist the sense of freshness and nourishment it bestowed on you? Catching a glimpse of reflection carried away on soft ripples would be beautiful as well.

Alas, the young fellow didn't reckon on the swift change in weather. By the time he jumped into the water, the curglaff of the waterfall felt like freezing his body to death. He was choking for breathe and barely made it to the edge. How lucky to survive a careless act.

No one could force him to be insane enough nearing the down-pouring stream again. Not, unless there was assurance of plenty auriferous stones hidden behind the massive curtains of water. Then... and only then, he would consider to confront the ice-cold chill. Wealth has always been known for the ability to seduce the human mind. But right now, he only longed for the heimish customs of home.

Music is expression of harmony in sound.
Love is the expression of harmony in life
~Stephen F. Gaskin

Keep a song in your heart.

Flash Micro Fiction: Traces of Red

Do we still hear nature’s whispers,

when traces of sunshine fade into ashes by greed?
Hold on to the scent of sweet roses and companions,
or countryside beauty will be our eternal loss.

~ Rosidah Abidin

World Pool Wednesday
thanks to Ellie

Write a 33 word microfiction from three words to choose
(use at least one): countryside, roses, sunshine

Keep a song in your heart.

Challenges In Life Haiku

Thanks to Jenn this week's theme

Challenge

Blow away all grief.
No need to seize cloudy days.The sun will shine through.

~RA

Wherever you are, whatever you are going through... Life can be tough, but you got to have the spirit to move on and grow. Have a spirited day.

Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are.

~Bernice Johnson Reagon

Happy First Haiku-versary to all(If you decide to join, feel free to say that I've send you ^_^)

The challenge for our Haiku-versary is to bring in the most new Haiku-ers (“new” meaning never participated here before, and ideally people who will join us and stick around!). Please have your new Haiku-er identify themselves as coming from you in the comments, and use the proper graphic and link (below) on their blog. The winner* of our challenge will get their choice of a $25 gift card to Starbucks, Tim Hortons, or iTunes, and be announced with next week’s haiku!

Jenn

The basics for this meme:

Haiku is simple!
It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively
(a great way to use your fingers!)

Thanks for every visit and comment.

Keep a song in your heart.

Hawai'i Five O

Thanks to Nessa

Steve McGarrett never could forgive himself for the death of Chin Ho Kelly, being the perfectionist he was. It was his duty to protect his team members and to look after them, but he seemed to have failed in every way. Years of training with the Naval Reserve felt so useless now. Why couldn't he sense the danger ahead to save his undercover friend?

Flying 30,000 feet above the sky, avoiding Hawai'i, didn't make anything better. In a way, McGarrett knew that he was being a coward trying to escape. After his father's murder several years ago, he actually made a vow to never let anyone down again. This was the strong motivation behind the success, which turned him into the disciplined and credible officer known. If anyone got in trouble, he was there to look out for them. If there was something wrong, he always could be count on and came up with a great solution. "Book 'em Danno!" Case closed. Just like that.

But once more McGarrett was faced by the ugly truth that he couldn't keep his promise. Another tragic death had occurred in his close cycle, and he wasn't prepared for it at all. The pain of old scars emerged for a second time. This was torture. Where should he turn his restless head?

A sudden trembling filled the heart. The laws of gravity were taking charge, and he was falling without mercy... Crack! An awful sting went throughout the body. Half-conscious, he tried to open his eyes and observe the surroundings. What happened? Was he still alive?

"Did you hurt yourself when you fell of the bed, Commander? You got to hurry now. The new Hawai'i O Five series will air in a few minutes."

So, another nightmare had encountered McGarrett's sleep. He was aware that he got to get over his stardom syndrome immediately and get ready to give some way for a new team's success. There will always be a time where you have to learn to hand some things over. Regeneration is good.

Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring.

~William Alexander

Tales on Tuesday Rules:

You could join Tales on Tuesday by telling a short, short (500 words or less) story based on the week's theme. Each theme will be the title of a TV show to provide some inspiration. Your story does not have to have anything in common with the TV show.

This week's theme: Hawai'i Five O

Movies About Time Travel

Thanks to The Bumbles

My Top Five Movies About Time Travel

1. Back To The Future (1985): Adventure with Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd.
2. Highlander (1986): Action with Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery.
   
3. 13 Going To 30 (2004): Romantic comedy with Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo.
4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Romantic drama with Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt.
   
5. The Time Traveler's Wife (2009): Romantic drama with Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams.

For what it's worth: it's never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.

~Benjamin Button's letter to his daughter

I hope you enjoyed reading
my top list of Movies About Time Travel

Have a great week, everyone

Fox Lazy Dog Phrase

Catfish gave fox a favor by jumping over lazy dog.
If only they knew how to wake the mascot?
Embarrassingly, hot showers won't do the spell.

I just thought that the brown fox would like to have a break once in a while. After all, it's not easy to deal with a lazy dog everyday.

"The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" is an English-language pangram (a phrase that contains all of the letters of the alphabet). It has been used to test typewriters and computer keyboards, and in other applications involving all of the letters in the English alphabet. Due to its shortness and coherence, it has become widely known and is often used in visual arts.

Source: Wikipedia

Have an exciting week, everyone.

Keep a song in your heart.

Thanks to Susan at Stony River for Microfiction Monday

where a picture paints 140 characters... or even fewer

Every Sunday evening she posts a photo or illustration, and you compose a story in 140 characters about it on your blog. Thanks for hosting this meme and sharing the image, my dear.

Sayings About Friendships

"A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and shift it, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away."

~ Arabian Proverb (Source: www.friendship.com.au)

Who was your first friend? Did you have lots of friends when you were growing up or just one or two close friends? Share memories from your childhood friends. For women, were "mean girls" an issue when you were growing up? Or were you a "mean girl"?! How did your friends shape who you are today, for good or not-so-good? Do you still keep up with your childhood friends today?

The memories of my first friendships bring me back to kindergarten. Forgive the gray cells who just won't allow me to go beyond... I really love the graduation trip photo above, which portrays most of my best friends from that time. The little brown girl sitting in the first row is me.

As a child, I have learned that friendships are based on the heart, and you see a person for their warm personalities. Color, financial backgrounds, past or religion have never been barriers to make great bounds. I'm grateful to say that I grew up with many friends, and I can't recall that mean girls have ever been an issue. Maybe, because back then they just were a minority. You wouldn't go far by being a bully to others. It was not cool at all those days.

Friends always have been an important part of me. They helped me to grow through the ups and downs in life, and they still do. Even the experiences of some hurtful feelings have contributed to the person who I am today. Though sometimes it might be hard to meet up in person, I'm trying to keep up with my friends as best as I can. Thanks to technology, we still can be in touch and I have been reunited again with some lost friendships after separated from towns or countries.

What are your sayings about friendships? Have a friendly week, everyone.

Thanks to Linda

Seaside Microfiction

The magnificent beauty of the seaside
never failed to evoke tranquil emotions.

Ah... if only she had a teleport
to escape, whenever in need.

Alas, this was only a one-liner to the mind.

~RA

World Pool Wednesday thanks to Ellie

Write a 33 word microfiction to this week's theme: Nautical
Three words to choose from (use at least one):
Seaside, Liner, Port

Keep a song in your heart.

Father's Day | Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Thanks to Jenn
This week's theme

Fathers

A love beyond words.
Wisdom and strength to rely.
If he's standing by.

~RA

Father's Day is a day honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. It is celebrated on the third Sunday of June in 55 of the world's countries.

Source: Wikipedia

Happy Father's Day to all wonderful fathers. May you become a true blessing and inspiration for your children. Standing by in every milestone of their life. Showering them with great love, wisdom and strength.

I don't think that we celebrate Father's Day here in my country, but my deepest gratitude goes out to two beloved persons. My father and husband, for being all that they can be in their important role.

The basics for this meme:

Haiku is simple!
It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively
(a great way to use your fingers!)

Thanks for every visit and comment.

Keep a song in your heart.

Return To Mayberry

Thanks to Nessa

It had been years, since the last time Mike visited his hometown, Mayberry. He really missed the sweet scent of cherry pie filling the air, and the freshness of ice-cold lemonade pouring down his throat. Aunt Bee was a wonderful cook who never failed to please anyone with her tasty delicacies. It gave him a deep heartache, realizing that this time she wouldn't be there, waiting at the porch to embrace him in her arms. So many things had changed.

People were rushing by, ignoring the young man standing on the street. No friendly greetings or a handshake. Just haste. He looked at the sky, searching for signs of a little sunshine or light clouds. But, even these seemed to be not in the mood to give him a welcome. It was all gray.

Mike closed his eyes, trying to merge his soul with the surroundings. In the old days, this method helped him to feel the gentle touch of the blowing wind on his skin. It was his way to let mother nature nurturing all senses and to become at peace. That was the privilege of living in a rural free delivery than the smoky, sticky urban areas.

The sound of a honking car brought Mike back to reality. What was he thinking to daydream in the middle of the street? He forced his feet to move on in a faster pace, while singing the Mayberry March. They were waiting for him at the house, and he was already late.

Harold's scream could be heard loud and clear through the windows. By now, Mike was running across the yard to reach the front door. He turned the door handle in a hurry and stormed into the living room. There, they were all together. He could see their close bodies, bowing towards a black box. Again, another tremendous holler was released by his best buddy...

"GOOAAALLL...!!!"

"Aah, there you are Mikey. The kick off already started." His father, Sam, stepped forward to give him a warm, big hug; followed by the others.

Finally, it felt good to be back home again. Mike had no regrets for his return to Mayberry. Watching the World Cup 2010 with family and friends was something he already had anticipated for the whole year. It would be a time worth to remember.

Note:

You could join Tales on Tuesday by telling a short, short (500 words or less) story based on the week's theme. Each theme will be the title of a TV show to provide some inspiration. Your story does not have to have anything in common with the TV show. This is my first time to write a longer story for a meme. I still have much to learn.

Music is expression of harmony in sound.

Love is the expression of harmony in life

~Stephen F. Gaskin

Keep a song in your heart.

Monkey Suit | Microfiction Monday 35

No doubt that she would have preferred
him in another monkey suit.
But, this was a test for true beauty.
Did she come to seek money or love?
~RA

Note: Monkey suit = a tuxedo
(Reference at http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com)

Have an exciting week, everyone.

Keep a song in your heart.

Thanks to Susan at Stony River for Microfiction Monday

where a picture paints 140 characters... or even fewer

Every Sunday evening she posts a photo or illustration, and you compose a story in 140 characters about it on your blog. Thanks for hosting this meme and sharing the image, my dear.

Monday Movies About Babies

Thanks to The Bumbles

My Top Five Movies About Babies
(that came to mind)

1. Look Who's Talking (1989): Romantic comedy with John Travolta, Kirstie Alley and the voice of Bruce Willis.
2. Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter is Dead (1991): Comedy with Christina Applegate, Joanna Cassidy and John Getz.
3. Junior (1994): Comedy with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DaVito and Emma Thompson.
4. Ice Age (2002): Animation with voices of Ray Romano, John Lequizamo, and Denis Leary.
   
5. Waitress (2007): Romantic comedy with Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion and Cheryl Hines.

Dear Baby,

I hope someday somebody wants to hold you
for 20 minutes straight and that's all they do.

They don't pull away.
They don't look at your face.
They don't try to kiss you.

All they do is wrap you up in their arms and hold on tight,
without an ounce of selfishness in it.

~Jenna in Waitress, 2007

I hope you enjoyed reading
my list on Movies About Babies

Have a great week, everyone

Freestyle | Sensational Wednesday Haiku

Thanks to Jenn at You know… that Blog?

This week's theme

Freestyle

Hot trending topic.
Free access to the young mind.
A vision of proud?

My haiku talks about a trending topic on Twitter that has been going up and down to number one for two days now. I usually don't mind at all about these things, but protection for the Internet here in my country still needs some upgrades. Kids can easily access adult contents from many sources and devices that I'm afraid it might harm their young minds. I can't understand why some people seem to be excited and proud to be on number one for such kind of topic. Is there any prestige?

The term Ariel Peterporn has been originated from an ongoing scandal. Intimate videos featuring persons resembling to a famous singer named Ariel from the popular band called “Peterpan", with two famous female celebrities, have been leaked to the Internet. Rumors say that the singer has lost his laptop and these two videos are only a part from a series of videos, featuring other top female celebrities. Some of them already married. Further investigations are still in process.

The basics:

Haiku is simple!
It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively
(a great way to use your fingers!)

Thanks for every visit and comment.

Keep a song in your heart.

Antique Elephant Lamp | Macro Monday

Remember that the most valuable antiques
are dear old friends.

~H. Jackson Brown Jr

This antique elephant lamp welcomes you at the reception desk of the Royal Safari Garten Hotel & Restaurant. I should have taken a macro shot focused on the elephant parts, so that we could see the details of the lamp in close up. Too bad, I still wasn't feeling quite well at that time. My husband took me, my Mom and the kids to this lovely place to relax and have fun. Being next to nature always helps to lift up the soul, and it was good for me and my Mom's recovery as well.

Anyway, I hope you can see a glimpse of the antique elephant lamp details. It is made out of clay. Have a wonderful week, everyone.

Thanks to Lisa

Music is expression of harmony in sound.

Love is the expression of harmony in life

~Stephen F. Gaskin

Keep a song in your heart.

Lost Without Them | Monday Movie Meme

Thanks to The Bumbles

This week's movie topic:
Stranded Top 5

Share the top 5 list of movies you would want to have with you and why, if you were ever stranded on a desert island.

My Top Five Movie List
(that came to mind, in no particular order)

1. Finding Nemo (2003) for the spirit of never giving up. The little clown fishes made it through. So that's what I'm gonna do, too.
   
2. While You Were Sleeping (1995) for the romantic comedy. Love and humor always raises the mood.
3. Grease (1978). I've got to have some music. Get into the groove.
4. Avatar (2009) for the beauty of its visuals. Very moving nature images. I really love it.
5. Shawshank Redemption (1994) for its great cast and touching story. Witty.

This is the first time I join the meme. I hope you enjoyed reading my list based on this week's movie topic. Have a wonderful week, everyone.

Music is expression of harmony in sound.

Love is the expression of harmony in life

~Stephen F. Gaskin

Keep a song in your heart.

Donkey Work | Microfiction Monday 34

Thanks to Susan at Stony RiverWhy do ya think the fellow behind the screen stares at us?

Nah...beats me. May be, because there's no better thing to do
than donkey work.

Note: Donkey work is any hard, boring work or task.
(Idioms reference at http://www.usingenglish.com)

Have an exciting week, everyone.

Keep a song in your heart.

Microfiction Monday
where a picture paints 140 characters... or even fewer

Every Sunday evening Susan posts a photo or illustration, and you compose a story in 140 characters about it on your blog. Thanks for hosting this meme and sharing the image, my dear.

Three Word Thursday 55

Thanks to Quilly at Quilldancer

There might be times in your life where you have went through fatuity. Things that you have regret and you would change, if you could go back in time. Foolish decisions, which might lead to jeremiad or sorrow. Dark times that put shadow on your soul or even scatter your belief. Don't forbid yourself to rely on panjandrums, beloved family and friends with the power to help. Because if you can't stand up by yourself, sometimes you need a lending hand.

These weeks words are:

• fatuity, n. smug stupidity; utter foolishness
• jeremiad, n. a prolonged lamentation
  or mournful complaint
• panjandrum, n. a powerful personage
  or pretentious official
  

Please join us in our weekly romp as we try to rescue lost and forgotten words from the dusty halls of antiquity. [...] You’ll be entertained (and possibly educated) all at once.

Music is expression of harmony in sound.
Love is the expression of harmony in life
~Stephen F. Gaskin

Keep a song in your heart.

Milestones | Sensational Haiku Wednesday

Thanks to Jenn at You know… that Blog?

This week's theme

Milestones

Every stage hopes.
The soul showers in delight.
Strength gained by the heart.


~RA

The basics:

Haiku is simple!
It is 3 non-rhyming lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively
(a great way to use your fingers!)

Hi everyone, it is my first time to write a haiku and join this meme. I just used my fingers to keep on counting the syllables like Jenn's advice and sometimes getting some help of a tool on http://www.howmanysyllables.com. I really hope you enjoy my Milestones haiku.

PS. It has been two months since my last post. I have almost recovered now. Thanks to everyone for the wonderful support, encouragement, prayers and good thoughts through the hard times. Bless you all.

Thanks for every visit and comment.

Keep a song in your heart.