Life as Usual

Hi guys,

I came back from Iasi on Friday, just in time for all the holiday madness. Because I was away from home for almost a whole month, I didn't yet get the chance to buy Christmas presents for my loved ones or to look for a New Year's Eve outfit. And these days, going to the mall is suicidal :). Sure, I could have done this while I was in Iasi, hadn't it been for my baggage weight limit...So, during the next following days, I will take care of all the Christmas shopping, or literary die trying :).

I will let you know how that went. Until then, though, let me tell you a bit about my stay in Iasi. Iasi is the academic and cultural center of the Moldavian region. I must say I was impressed with the city: beautiful churches and monasteries, old, imposing buildings, museums and memorial houses and amazing parks. While trying hard to preserve its heritage (major restoration projects everywhere: at the Palace of Culture, the Great Synagogue, etc), Iasi surprised me with an interesting ensemble of new buildings and parks right in the city center. The Palas Project contains everything from restaurants, parks, office buildings to a huge mall and an outdoor skating  rink. The area around the mall looked very festive during this time of the year, with a lot of Christmas decorations, a sound and light show projected on the Palace of Culture, and music everywhere.

One of my favorite places to visit was Creanga's hut, where the photos were taken. The guide had this really amazing way of transporting us back to the time Creanga lived there, during the last years of his life. She was using the same language I was familiar with from his beautiful stories.. Plus, I met this cute little dog, who pretty much made his way into all of my photos. But I didn't mind it at all! I mean, look at its face...:)!

Now I'm off to the mall...Wish me luck!

Hugs

Mamalina

Sweater: Camaieu
Shirt: Promod
Patns: Zara
Boots: Bata

Parka: Mango

Ion Creanga's hut of Ticau, Iasi

Beautiful painting by Balasa in the Hall of the Lost Steps, Al. I. Cuza University in Iasi

Al. C. Cuza University, Iasi

Lacery in stone: Three Hierarchs Monastery

Holiday excitement

Counting down the days until Christmas? Join the club :)! There are only 12 days left! Sometimes I ask myself why do I still get incredibly excited about Christmas? Then I remember: it's because it allows me to revert to being a kid! Every year I spend Christmas with my family, back in my hometown. And with every year, comes the same story: I literately eat the Christmas spirit (which in my family translates into a 5 meals-a-day menu filled with pork steak, corn bread, apple pie), every Christmas song I hear makes me cry (?!?), I make lists and pray that my parents/bf will respond to my ridiculous demands, I watch my favorite movie (which I've seen at least a 100 times), and it's OK, because it is my Christmas "tradition".  Are these reasons enough to love Christmas? I believe they are :D!

On a different note, next week will be the last one spent in Iasi. This past weekend I went home to see my boyfriend, and tomorrow he will be returning the visit :). I really hope that I will be able to visit Iasi on this occasion, because all I did since I got here was to go to work, to the gym and to the mall (hey, I had to do something to calm my home sickness, and what better way than shopping?)

Hugs,

Mamalina

Skirt: Zara
Shirt:Camaieu
Sweater: H&M
Boots: Promod
Necklace: Accesorize
Coat: Mango