Alice’s Book Club – WINTER session of 2020

Special edition – live session with author Luminita Aldea

This Friday (March 13’20) I was glad to be able to proceed with the winter session of my book club, having with us the author Luminița Aldea as special guest.

Before I continue with my usual event related briefing, I would like to quickly address a current matter: in response to the present global health situation, for our gathering on March 13, 2020, I carefully reviewed all the updates given by the local 

municipality (Fraser Health Authority, BC Centre for Disease Control) for this specific day, as well as the federal Government (Public Health Agency of Canada), and concluded that our gathering for that very evening was in compliance with their recommendations. In addition, I took additional measures (and before the arrival of my invitees, I personally cleaned with alcohol all surfaces and provided all my guests that evening with sanitized hand towels) to help ensure that all participants experience a safe and healthy environment. Aside of that, for that very gathering, we all refrained from hugging or shaking hands, and the frugal snacks brought for the occasion were each separately wrapped.
We all understand that this is a difficult time and taking extra measures (by wiping down the surfaces we get in touch with & encourage anyone who is not feeling 100% well to stay home) is something everyone would benefit from.

We all stay strong and trust that in time this will pass.

Without any doubt, it was a session very different from our usual gatherings, but nonetheless, very special in every way! 

At this meeting we discussed the book "Shifting Sands" & few fragments from the book called "Acasa" ("Home").

Our special guest, brought along a charming positivism, a warm approach, and all blended in nicely and easily, as discussions unfolded.

Portrait: Luminița Aldea 

(As featured by "Suceava News"): Luminiţa Aldea was born in Mălini, but lives in Cornu Luncii, because "I like to live modestly, close to nature, among the trees, flowers and grass and I do not want changes that will wander me from my path", as she confesses.

The writer's debut novel is "Shifting Sands", published in 2005. Then, Luminiţa Aldea wrote the book called "Home", a grandiose project in which "she reveals what the holy notion of <home> means to me and my people", the author shows.

In the novel "Home", Luminiţa Aldea said that she paid her sacred duty to the ancestors, "but I also wrote my will as a toiling of the written letters." "Home" is a captivating book, in which the reader discovers the world of the orphan children, the universe of children raised by the state, in foster homes, where loneliness is also a friend and a foe, an angel and a demon. "Home" was a resounding success. Appeared in a limited edition, it made people from Suceava to sign up on waiting lists, at the Library of Bukovina, so they could borrow the book.

The third novel, an allegory, "How sweet are the bitter fruits", was published in 2014, as a result of "Culture unites Bucovina" campaign.
In the comments section, I’m publishing the links of several interviews author Luminita Aldea had been given over time.

Further, here is a brief synopsis of “Shifting Sands” novel, as circulated by “Goodreads”:
“Essentially a love story that proves love can survive against all odds - even against a tide of adversity which would cause normal humans to give up. This is an emotionally charged story, set at the time which started with the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and Adriana never gives up on finding her first and true love.”

On the other hand, if you wish to order any books author Luminita Aldea wrote, please contact her directly via this email address: aldea_luminita@yahoo.com

Via modern theology, our special guest was able to join us straight from Romania, and in order to be with us for our scheduled 6 pm (PST) meeting, the author had to wake up at 4 am (EET), so we could have a live conversation. Needless to say that the entire audience found her gesture really special!

Then the dialogue with the author launched, and each participant was taking turns in showing thankfulness for the occasion, sharing the impact materials in discussion left on each of them, asking questions and carefully listening to the answers received.

For your information, here I will share only few, rough, concepts (picked from both sides):
- How do you organize yourself and prepare for “writing”? │ When you begin writing, first allow your thoughts to clarify and then put all on paper.

- What is inspiration? │At times inspiration feels like insanity; it feels that you are in such a creative trance, hard for ones around to understand you.

- How do you manage to keep the reader interested in the story, as all the books our guest wrote are extremely captivating? │ All is based on ‘understanding’ …being capable to put yourself in reader’s shoes, and at the same time always being willing to self-improve.

- Where do you find inspiration? │Generally speaking, life situations give us so many opportunities…you just need to keep your eyes open, and at times, listening to music could also help.  
….and the evening nicely continued, while many questions / comments went on, and on, and on….all was good, rich in emotions, and truly fitting….laughing, talking, asking, sharing lead to genuine heart openings, with many sparks of light in the air….and time just simply flew by….

Now, very briefly speaking about music, few names of very well-known fragments of inspiration were given, and below I will list them, as some of us, from the audience, have exactly the same preferences:
-  “We are free now”  (the soundtrack/theme song from the "Gladiator” film), which I simply love it since 2012, when the movie first came into existence!!!

- “The Empire of Angels” (by Thomas Bergersen) 

- “King of the North” (epic Celtic music, by BrunuhVille)

Also, talking about life (from general to specific and the other way around), talking about the main characters from the books in discussion (and not only), comparing life-styles, discussing chances and opportunities, brought us all to an important concept: DESTINY, and here are few fundamental thoughts to ponder upon:
- What is destiny?
- How do you shape it? Can you truly shape it?
- Is really our history our destiny?

- Is our destiny written for us, or by us?
- Often the steps we take to avoid destiny lead us straight to it.
- Is destiny something we wait for or in fact we work for?

Many people believe that destiny is not necessarily a matter of chance, but rather a matter of all the choices we make.

The time we spent together flew by very fast, and as we waved “Good bye!” to our special guest, we all agreed that it would be lovely to visit again, as there are still a lot of important concepts left to discuss. 

We concluded the evening in good spirits, considering that kindness, positivism & good deeds are very important aspects of life, we all need to continue to focus on. 

Dear friends, as these days it feels the world is slowing down and stepping back, I wish you all find strength, listen to good music, study, research and reflect. Continue to offer heart-to-heart smiles, while allowing yourself and your loved ones time to respite, rest and restore.
Alice 

Mesaj primit înspre publicare din partea autoarei Luminița Aldea

Stimată doamnă, Alice,

A fost o onoare și o încântare să particip la întâlnirea cu dumneavoastră și cu invitații dumneavoastră la serata culturală pe care o organizați cu atâta drag. M-am simțit ca între cei mai dragi prieteni, de parcă nu erau între noi oceane, continente și țări. Ochii noștri, cuvintele noastre erau atât de pline de emoție încât eram tentată să întind mâinile și să fiu îmbrățișată.

Mulțumesc tuturor celor ce au participat, mulțumesc tuturor celor ce mi-au împărtășit impresii despre scrisul meu. Înainte de a-mi transmite asta cu cuvintele lor, citeam în ochii invitaților tot ceea ce voiau să-mi transmită și mărturisesc sincer că în ochi era mai mult decât au putut spune cuvintele.

A ținut prea puțin... A fost prea frumos... Am rămas cu un regret și trebuie să vi-l mărturisesc cu riscul că o să vă supărați pe mine, doamnă Alice! Nu a fost destul! Ca să fie destul, la cât drag am simțit față de mine și de scrisul meu, aș fi vrut să mă strângeți tare în brațe toți ca să fie perfect!

Toate cele bune și vă mulțumesc că m-ați invitat la unul din cele mai frumoase evenimente din viața mea!

Luminița Aldea

Choices, Chances, Changes…you must make a CHOICE to take a CHANCE or your life will never CHANGE.

March 8, 2020: Happy INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's Day!

Today, I’m sending along a bunch of warm greetings wishing all my dear girlfriends a wonderful International Women’s Day, filled with lots of special moments!

Ladies, it is your day, fill it with joy and stay grateful!

● A previous post on the same theme: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's Day (each year on March 8) – 2019

Socializing: 2020 – INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’s Day

A beautiful Friday evening gathering (on March 6'20) when together with good friends we celebrated the elegance & the significance of womanhood. It is recognized all across the world the major contribution women bring to our society – mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, wives – regardless of the role they each play, may we always remember that they each bring with them meaning, love, kindness, and bear life! HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's DAY!

To all the wonderful women out there: may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them! 

This event has been delivered in Romanian Language, featuring Romanian culture. 

● A previous event I organized on the same theme: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’s Day – 2019

● Some of my additional greetings referring to INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’s Day – 2020, 2019   

March 1, 2020: “Mărțișor"

“Mărțișor is an old tradition celebrated all over Romania every year, on March 1^st. This name ('Mărțișor') is a diminutive of March ('martie', in Romanian language), & according to an old custom, it is believed that the person who wears the red & white string, at least that day, would enjoy a good, prosperous & healthy year ahead.
Aside of that, since old times, passing from generation to generation, the Snowdrop flowers are considered spring heralds, everybody would enjoy having nearby.

I wish you have a wonderful day together with your dear ones!

● A previous post on the same theme: “MĂRȚIȘOR” (each year on March 1st) – 2019

Love & “Mărțișor" – a Romanian spring tradition

What a beautiful evening we all had on Friday (February 28’20) when we gather to celebrate the Romanian spring tradition, called “Mărțișor”, which is meant to announce that spring is near. Since weather is getting milder and flowers began blooming, we all feel that LOVE is in the air, and because of that we just couldn’t miss the opportunity to discuss several facets of it. 

While at this page, I’m glad to announce that my circle is growing, and new friends are joining. I was truly happy to welcome them all that evening with a fragment of classical music, featuring spring and gift each of the invited ladies with “mărțișoare“ I personally crafted few days before. I accompanied each “mărțișor” with the classical red & white silk thread, which I ordered ahead of time from Romania. The beautiful smiles my guests had on their faces when they each received my “mărțișoare“ as well as the authentic joy expressed, filled my heart with such a profound delight!  

On the other hand, even though I shared with you few times before the legend of “Mărțișor“, at this moment I only refresh its quintessence, as published by several ethnographic journals: according to archaeological research, the “Mărțișor” traces its history more than 8,000 years ago, and some ethnologists believe that the “Mărțișor” celebration is in fact an old Dacian tradition. 
On March 1^st, in Dacia, the Dacians (the ancestors of Romanians nowadays) would celebrate the New Year, as well as the 1^st day of spring, dedicating ample festivals honoring the rebirth of vegetation, as the entire nature would come back to life after the long winter hibernation. 
Since 2017, “Mărțișor“ was added to UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
After all “mărțișoare“ were distributed we settled in and our group discussions began, unfolding beautifully. 
Lots of poems were recited, personal memories were shared, legends were reiterated, featuring “Mărțișor“, LOVE and the coming springtime. 

Before I will give you more details about our evening together, I would like to briefly refresh that LOVE, over centuries, has been described by many as being one of the best feelings on earth – one that lots of people can’t live without, and it has been extensively praised by many poets, painters, writers, scientists, philosophers, and regular people. Nowadays, LOVE is one of the most talked about topics, on a wide range covering media people, academics, activists, spiritual figures, politics, and people from our everyday lives.

Specifically talking about my circle, this Friday, our conversations on LOVE were truly interesting, with lots of stories sharing personal experiences, scientific reports, psychological perspectives, poems (personal creations & from universal literature) and fragments / quotes (by Dante Aligheri, Bible, Eckhart Tolle, Hesiod, Lao Tzu, Mother Theresa, Smaranda Gheorghiu, I.Teodoreanu, Baudelaire, Charles Dickens, Erasmus from Rotterdam, Teodor Musatescu, Cohen & Albert Einstein).

Aside of that, since I had a number of couples as guests of the evening (being together for a respectable number of years – some by 60, 56, 32, 30, 4 years) they each shared what is the secret (in their opinion/s) of a happy, long and stable marriage. Practical advice, timeless insights...awesome, priceless wisdom!
On this briefing I will respect the privacy of the personal aspects discussed, but below I will give you only few general concepts:
- Love is a true force of life
- Love feels like security and stability
- Love is strictly linked with happiness
- Love is harmonizing relationships 
- True love will stay forever in your heart
- The love of a mother is the only form of love that exists in purest, truest and unconditional form 
- There are many types of love and here are few: Eros (romantic love), Agape (unconditional love), Storge (empathy), Philia (affectionate love), Pragma (long-lasting love), etc., but the highest of all is AGAPE (ancient Greek ἀγάπη…which is a Greco-Christian term referring to love, "the highest form of love, charity")
- The color of love is actually green, not red. Red is the color of passion between 2 people. Green is the color of healing, the color of nature, the color of balance and good health. We associate green with love on a global level. Green reveals our desire to foster understanding and acceptance between people.
- Love has been compared with the sun that gives the warmth your heart needs. Sun it sometimes covered by clouds, but you know is there, so does love - you can’t see it all the time, but you feel it.

Next, the love within the animal reign was discussed as well, and several examples of inspiration were given: the swans, doves, wolfs, penguins, dogs, eagles.
Further, one of our guests that evening nicely explain how beautiful even flowers “speak” about love!

Additionally, our group conversations referred to the coming springtime as well, and our dear friend Dorina read for us a beautiful childhood poem, we all knew since young age, and after she finished reciting it, the entire group began humming it and then it flew into really singing it….it was such a splendid delight for us all. Materials presented by our dear friend Dorina are published (with Dorina's permission) in comments section.
Then our friend Teo recited several poems (personal compositions), which are published (with Teodor's permission) in comments section. 

Spring is the season of joy, and heart knows it, that’s way at this time of the year people are happier than usual! It is as simple as that: when spring is in the air, heart knows it! Spring is the season of new beginnings, when many fresh flowers began blooming, animals awaken and the entire Earth seems to come to life again, all emphasizing the beautiful theme of rebirth and renewal.
Among other attributes, spring is truly beautiful because flowers are in bloom displaying a symphony of radiant colors and suave, rejuvenating fragrances. 
Also, scientifically speaking, there are extensive studies showing that looking at flowers could make you happy.
For instance, the snowdrop is the first flower of the year, and when it blossoms is a sign that spring is near, confirming that slowly the winter is fading, transforming into lovely springtime. We all grew up with the believe that snowdrops (“Galanthus nivalis”) are spring heralds, symbolizing hope and joy!

All my guests that evening felt the same way in their hearts, as many brought spring flowers for our reunion as well as “Snowdrops”, which in Romania are considered “spring messengers”. Even my husband, at home, brought me such a nice bouquet of fresh flowers, which filled my heart with profound delight!

On the other hand, since the International Women’s Day is coming soon (being celebrated around the world on March 8^th), we briefly mentioned several famous Romanian women, and here are a few:
- Dr. Ana Aslan (please read her biography in comments section)
- Poet & novelist, Smaranda Gheorghiu (please read her biography in comments section)
- Olympic gymnast, Nadia Comaneci (please read her biography in comments section)

Without any doubt, the good cheer was in our midst, and when all presentations concluded, our dear friend, Teo Trandafir sang us all an original spring song he personally composed. Truly beautiful!

We concluded the evening together with a very well garnished selection of light refreshments, which again allowed for prolonged enticing conversations and great fellowship – good food, nice people, interesting talks, positive environment…what else to ask for!?
Yet again, my most sincere appreciation to my precious, loyal friends who honored my invitation, and until next time, my best greetings to each!
Alice

A heart that loves is always young! 

 This event has been delivered in Romanian Language, featuring Romanian culture. 

● A previous event I organized on the same concepts: Love, Spring &“Mărțișor”– 2019

● Some of my additional greetings referring to VALENTINE's Day – 2020, 2019 | "Mărțișor" – 2019 | 
"DRAGOBETE" – 2020

NOTE: Dear readers, please be advised that on this website each of the previous postings, pertaining to the recurrent annual themes, portray a different perspective of the subject/s presented (same theme/s, but a different outlook without duplication due to the cultural richness of the specific topic/s discussed).