June 24, 2021 – Universal Day of the ROMANIAN BLOUSE

June 24 has been recognized and celebrated around the world as the Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse. This circumstance marks the Midsummer Day, also known as “Sânzienele” in the Romanian folk beliefs. Also, it is important to mention that “the Romanian Blouse has been an international symbol of the Romanian culture and a source of inspiration for some of the world’s greatest fashion.” Initiated and coordinated by the online community La Blouse Romaine, in 2013, this type of celebration is an opportunity to publicize and further broadcast an old and beautiful Romanian cultural tradition.

My warmest regards to all who observe this occasion & continuously promote the Romanian identity outfit – “ia”.

June 24 marks the Midsummer Day – “Sânzienele” in Romanian folk beliefs. 

● A previous post on the same theme: The Universal Day of the ROMANIAN BLOUSE – 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). 

June 20, 2021: SUMMER solstice

This year the annual summer solstice is occurring on June 20^th, marking the longest day of the year, as well as the beginning of summer!

On the first day of summer, I’m wishing you all a pleasant, safe and peaceful new season!

● My previous greetings on the same theme: SUMMER Solstice – 2020, 2019

June 20, 2021: Happy FATHER’s Day!

Each year, many fellow Canadians observe Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June. This is a statutory holiday loved by lots of people, but beyond this, it is also the perfect day to show respect and appreciation to fathers all across. Just like mothers, fathers are important too….love them, cherish them and celebrate them.

A loving father gives strength to a family!  

● My previous greetings on the same theme: FATHER's Day – 2020, 2019

June 1, 2021 – INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN's Day

 To all who observe this, HAPPY INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN's DAY! 

On the first day of the meteorological summer, the attention to protecting the interests of children is drawn all across the world, while new emerging issues are examined thoroughly. What is also very important on this day, is addressing the sustainability topic: children are probably the most important and the most appropriate segment of the world's population for environmental discourse, as they represent the future generation. Numerous initiatives are taken upon on International Children's day, in order to educate future adults on how to better take care of the planet - today and in the years to come.

● My previous greetings on the same theme: INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN's Day – 2020, 2019

Alice’s Book Club – SPRING session of 2021

As the current spring is nicely unfolding around here, on Friday (May 28’21) I was very happy to be able to meet with few friends for my seasonal book club session, this time discussing relationships.

On the other hand, since lots of restrictions relating to this prolonged pandemic are still in place (to different degrees, in different areas), I continue to choose the available technology, having our meeting on line.  

Now, the topic of the evening (“relationships”) is actually really vast, and I truly believe that in life it is extremely important to know how to build healthy relationships, how to keep them and how to terminate them if they become toxic.
During our gathering this time, I think we just barely scratched the surface, but nonetheless, we addressed a number of significant aspects. Aside of that, participants were given ahead of time reading materials issued by two big Universities, but beyond that they each brought along many personal perspectives. It was really great to notice how easily my guests engaged so openly in conversation, bringing at the dialogue table different standpoints relating to the subject of the night. 

Like I always do, in my public briefing, I won’t get into very specific details, keeping confidentiality in mind, but I will pencil below only several highlights, worth considering, as well as several concepts extracted from classics:
- Relationships cannot grow without proper (& effective) communication; if communication starts to fade this would have a negative impact on your relationship/s
- Sometimes you learn more about someone at the end of a relationship than at the beginning (pay attention to details in order to avoid potential disappointments) 
- As we go through life, we understand that it is not important to have many relationships (or very many friends), but it is more important to have true relationships 
- It helps to understand that the relationship you have with yourself is the most important relationship in your life
- Choose your relationships wisely; being alone will never cause you as much loneliness or headaches as having the wrong relationships
- No relationship is ever a waste of your time; if it didn’t bring you what you wanted, for sure it taught you what you don’t want
- When a relationship is over, leave; don’t continue to water dead flower (keep toxic people far away)
- Great relationships are based on honesty and clarity, not on guessing or mind-reading / - Communicate respectfully, even when it is uncomfortable or uneasy
- Always remember that in a relationship, someone’s effort is a reflection of their interest in you (if the effort is not equal you might need to reconsider)
- Wise people believe that good relationships do not depend on how well we understand someone, but it depends on how well we manage misunderstandings
- A great relationship is about two important things: first, it is about finding out similarities, and secondly, it is about respecting differences
- It is important to know well your entourage, so make sure everybody in your ‘boat’ is rowing and not drilling holes when you are not looking.
We wrapped up the evening all agreeing that it is paramount to keep our relationships positive, remembering that quality is way more important than quantity.

Also, here I’m sharing with you two materials I put together a while ago, relating to this theme, called:
“Importance of FRIENDSHIP” & "Few additional words of wisdom about relationships".

As I conclude my briefing, once again much gratitude to these beautiful friends who made time to be able to join my seasonal book club….their kindness very encouraging and their support is always highly appreciated! Until we meet again, my warmest regards!
Alice

Time is precious, so make sure you spend it with the right people.