You don't MOVE a national monument, or do you?

I'm writing this entry because for the World EXPO in Shanghai next year, the Danish designers of the nordic pavillion decide to temporarily relocate our beloved "little mermaid" so that she could be the centerpiece of the Danish decoration. Furthermore, water from the Danish harbour will also be n display around her. I guess regular Chinese water won't do when the designers have made up their mind about everything being Danish and most importantly that we do not lose the "Danish feel"




How on earth did they come up with that idea in the first place? Physically moving a national monument out of it's place and transport it to another country. Somewhre it just doesn't seem right in my eyes but then again, I'm just another citizen among many.

Yes, I can definetely see it from another viewpoint that by moving her to China also gives not only the mermaid but also the kingdom of Denmark a lot of exposure. Say, if we get 1 million tourists per year to come then by taking her to the world expo means that she could be viewed by aprox. 70 million people. Yes, I get that it's a wonderful opportunity especially for people who aren't fortunate to go travelling or go to Denmark to get to see her. It's clearly also a sign of goodwill to be taking an original monument to another country to improve on international relations.

But I give you here the other options that tourists will have, should they happen to be in Copenhagen next year from May to October:



This statue is made by sculptor Anne-Marie Carl-Nielsen, wife of composer Carl Nielsen and will be replacing the little mermaid but she will be situated in front of the Royal library instead. It's an interesting figure, the eyes are wide open, almost panicking and her mouth looks like she's gasping for air.

In case you didn't know, there are many canals around Copenhagen and right next to a bridge in the canal are these stone figures from the old poem/song: Agnete and the merman.



It shows the woman Agnete with her husband and their 7 children dancing around in the water, at night it's illuminated and for people who don't know about it, it can be a weird vision. The first time I thought someone had jumped in and they had sunk to the bottom, mind you I was 7 years old. So I do not have the fondest memories when it comes to this one.

Last but not least only a 10-minute walk from where the original mermaid is situated, there is a small square called the genetically modified paradise. In the water of the quay there is the result of Bjørn Nørgaards mermaid. Quite interesting, I'll have to take some more pictures of the statues around but for now I only have a pic of the mermaid.




So if you're thinking about coming to Denmark next year don't expect to see THE mermaid, instead there will be these other options available shown above. But then again Denmark isn't just about a statue...or is it?

As for me, I still think it's weird just moving a monument but then again, maybe I just need some time to wrap my head around it...

Night Butterfly

Hey Lovelies ^_^


I'm back with an autumn look. I decided to go against "the rules" and do dark eyes and dark lips. In some cases it works imo, when it's not OTT but the colors complement each other it can be pulled off (fingers crossed)

Eyes:

On inner upper lid I applied a medium gray eyeshadow.
A medium violet applied to outer 2/3 of eyelid up to crease.
A light purple applied to inner lower corners.
Dark warm purple applied along outer 2/3 of outer lashline and upper mobile eyelid, slightly defining crease.
Black eyeliner applied thinly on upper lashline.

Lips:
A warm plum/burgundy for dramatic effect.






Thanks for looking! ^^

Hey Lovelies ^^

Just decided to do a repost of yet another old entry of mine from ABB, yes I'm that lazy -_- (Please don't judge me!) ^_^

I was standing in my local beauty store, buying toothpaste, foundation and lipbalm when my eye spotted a color...a very vibrant color. So... of course I had to get it... how could I not?

Got home and immediately started playing with make-up and eyeshadows. This is the result...




Eyes:
Helena Rubinstein e/s duo in Emerald fun
Chanel e/s in Lutin blended on inner part of crease






Thinking that it needed something, I lined my eyes with MAC liner in Inkspill, upper lashline and dotted on lower. Sorry, I blinked before the liner had dried making it smudge. If you would look away from that please! ^_^


Thanks for looking!

I love you...

But I can't seem to get the words over my lips. Why is that?!?

Let me explain, no there's not a man in my life. Let's make that clear first. No, what I'm referring to here is something that I hope I'm not the only one to have experienced.

I don't know how it is in the rest of asia, but in places like China, Taiwan and Japan displays of affections are rare, some would say, maybe even non-existent. Don't get me wrong, there was and still is a lot of love in my family but we just don't know how to bring ourselves to say it. At least I dont...

As a kid, growing up in an asian environment inside a larger Danish society, I would often be envious of my friends who often got hugs and affection from their parents. For a while I thought that my family and myself included were dysfunctional. My parents would never hug us kids and the words "I love you" were never uttered in our home. Why? you ask. Because it's just not common, it's not what we do.

I remember once asking my dad about it and he replied: I don't think there's a reason to say it all the time and make it trivial. The most important thing is how you feel about that person. He then proceeded to tell me that he loved me and I should never ever doubt that even if it meant him not saying it everyday.

After I grew up things have changed around the house. My dad seems to once in while be a little more affectionate with me and my siblings, maybe something he missed doing when we were younger? I don't know, but my mom is still the emotionally distant person she'd always been.

Even though things changed with my dad I feel like I haven't changed. Even my friends notice it: That I'm just not that big on bodily contact. Is this a piece of my childhood where I was "deprived" of physical affection? Even today I can't bring myself to say those words to anyone...well at least anyone living.

I have no doubt that my parents love me and my siblings. But looking at them today, my brother, who I was talking to, directly told me that he wasn't comfortable when I put my hand on his shoulder to emphasize point I was making. I think it's safe to conclude that the three of us are in the same boat when it comes to physical touch.

This is part of why I think the words "I love you" seem to have lost all meaning. They become trivial when people just utter them over and over without thinking. When sitting at a café and hearing a man talk to his wife and son over the phone, saying "I love you" at the end of the conversation and that he'll be home shortly, only to turn around and stick his tongue down his mistress' throat and a hand up her skirt.

I feel like I have something to give but I don't know how. I can't make my mind go over the fact that my grandparents need me to be more emotionally available at times. So I do what I know.

I make my grandmother a cup of coffee every afternon when she wakes up and give her a manicure from time to time. I shave my grandfathers head when his hair is too long or find that glucosamine and chondroithine online when his knees are hurting. I tweeze my mothers eyebrows and dye her hair to make her feel pretty. I clean my brothers ears for him when it's necessary. I help my dad out with minor secretarial work because I can. I'm trying to spend every moment with my sister when she's available to let her know I'm there and to show I care. I bake and make enormous amounts of desserts and baked goods to feed my family, because this is how I know how to do things. I feed and care for them.

I can't hug them, because my entire body just shuts down when I start thinking about it

I love them but I can't say those words... Just like my mom. She loves us and shows us in so many ways. Just not the ones that are considered "normal" in a society.

So I'll whisper it here, right now. Out into the big cyberspace because that's the only way I can say it.

...

More uniforms...

So lately my brother finished the mandatory military services and is now standing guard whereever he is assigned. Be it the Queens Palace, (one of the)summer residence(s) etc.

My family and I went to see him in action and to take pictures. Just posting a few of them.


This used to be a summer residence but is not used as residence anymore. Now it houses the crown jewels (heehee, sounds so funny) and is open to tourists. It's the Rosenborg castle and because noone lives there, they only have to wear their green military uniforms.



My grandparents and my brother. Can you tell by my grandmothers face how proud she is?






The statue in the middle of the square of the Queens palace. It cost so much back in the days, that the king almost had none left to rule the country. He wanted an impressive statue and hired a renowned sculptor from France.







Standing gurad at the Queens palace, in the "real" uniform. The red one is reserved for special occasions like the Queens birthday and so on.

It's kind of weird for me to admit, because I'm his sister and all but...I suppose that if you don't look too closely...then my brother's not THAT bad-looking after all. Haha, he's turning into a fine young man... I guess... ^^

Only in Denmark...

I was on my way home from the supermarket, grocery bag in hand when I turned the corner and starting walking down my street. I stopped and almost dropped the bag because the sight that met my eyes was to die for!

Only in a non English-speaking country can this happen. I suppose Damm (pronounced DAAHM) is the surname of the person behind the bus tours... but still this was too funny. So I rushed home to get my camera so that you, my viewers could see this with your own eyes.








Hope you enjoyed it! ^^

No more buys until November!!!

I am so excited and almost can't wait for November to come. (Wow that's gotta be a first)

The reason for that is simply because H&M this time has decided to collaborate with Jimmy Choo, yes ladies you heard me right. At selected stores on November 14th the H&M/Jimmy Choo will be available.

I almost skip-hopped down the road when I first found out a while ago and I've also had Choo dreams lately. I can't wait to buy pairs and pairs of Choo's at "H&M" prices, so I just thought I'd want to share this although I'm pretty sure most of you already know about this.

According to hm.com not only will the collection span over shoes but some clothes as well and for men there will be shoes bags and accesories.



Picture courtesy of the album: Jimmy Choo for H&M facebook site

I'm as excited as a little girl waiting for her birthday to come...only I'm not really a little girl anymore and birthday is several months away... But I'm still excited!!! \(^o^)/

I know for sure I'll be acting like a madwoman on November 14th. Anyone with me?? ^^