The Art of Letter Writing

Are modern conveniences that convenient? My phone recently broke, and I was stranded for two days with no link to the outside world besides my laptop. I realised that my phone had come to own me more than I own it. This sad realisation made me see that as a society we have become slaves to our possesions, the convenience and instant gratification of modern gadgets make them a common choice when one needs to reach out to another person, but are they really the best form of communication?

As Phyllis Theroux once said "To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart". Modern forms of correspondence I believe lacks the sentimental touch that a letter posseses. The anticipation of the arrival, makes the recieving of one all the more enjoyable.

Sadly though this form of contact has been lost through the ages, and replaced by fancier, faster means of mail that leave no room for mystery or suspence, perhaps this is why we are so unable to exercise patience.

I believe that if people took more time to write letters to the ones they loved, they would discover the simple joy it can bring and ability it has to combine solitude with good company. So the next time you want to get in touch with someone, try writing them a letter.

Songs to Make My Summer Sweeter

Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl

Beach Boys - Surfin USA

The Hollies - I'm Alive

Jeff Beck - High Ho Silver Lining

The Kinks - Sunny Afternoon

The Trogs - With A Girl Like You

The Turtles - Elenore

Damien Marley - Welcome to Jamrock

Jason Mraz - I'm Yours

The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Regina Spektor - Us

Mungo Jerry - In the Summertime

Mumm-Ra - She's Got You High

Meaghan Smith - Here Comes Your Man

Carla Bruni - Quelqu'un M'a Dit

Black Lips - Bad Kids

Black Eyed Peas - Don't Lie

The Beatles - Octopus's Garden

The Blue Van - There Goes My Love

Bob Dylan - I Want You

How to Make a Daisy Chain

öGather some daisies. Look for daisies with short but thick stems, as this will make them stronger. Healthy, fully opened ones are best.

öMake a small slit in the base of the stem. Be careful not to go all the way to the bottom.

öThread the stem of another daisy through the slit.

öRepeat this process with more daisies.

öWhen you are satisfied with the length of your chain, thread the stem of the last daisy through a small slit at the top of the first stem.

And voilà! The perfect summer accessory.

Muse of the Month: Mona Lisa

The face of the Mona Lisa epitomizes art. She is the woman with the myseterious smile. A smile that perhaps hides a secret? We do not know. People recognize her on postcards, t-shirts, handbags and prints. We may be familiar with the painting itself, but who is the real Lisa? And who is this olive-skinned beauty with the knowing smile?

Lisa Gherardini was born on June 15, 1479 in Florence, Italy. She was the oldest of 7 children, with one sister and five brothers. Her father had an old family name and made his money producing olive oil and wine on his many farms. Her mother was his third wife- the first two perished in childbirth.

Lisa married a widower named Francesco del Giocondo on March 5, 1495 and became Lisa del Giocondo. Her dowry was modest, which suggests that they married for love. It is speculated that they purcharsed a home the same year that Leonardo da Vinci painted Lisa, in 1503.

Lisa had 6 children in during her lifetime. She outlived her husband who was said to have passed away in 1538 from the plague. In his will, Francesco provided for her future and returned to her the price of her dowry. He recorded his love and affection for his wife, stating that she had always been faithful and should have "all she needs."

In the painting itself, the position of Lisa's hands indicates faithfulness and the richness of her clothes may have been exaggerated for potential buyers.

We may not know much about the woman who has become our icon. She was a mother, wife, sister and daughter. She loved, she lived and was immortalised by human creativity. I believe that she portrays the ultimate woman, embodying all the strong roles that a woman takes on in life. Showing that even the ordinary can be extraordinary.

She remains an enigma. The brilliant strokes of Da Vinci's paintbrush have ensured that she continues to evoke wonder, admiration, and inspiration in all who lay eyes upon her.

Forgive My Absence

I know that I have neglected my blogging responsibility, and I apologise. I have been otherwise occupied, that unfortunately left me no time to acquaint to the world wide web. But now I am back! To fill your head with pointless, but hopefully amusing posts that will make you appraise, admire and j'adore the sweeter things in life.