Serendipity

iGoogle was effectively the first platform for personalized themes and apps. Google sunset it on November 1st, 2013. One of the most interesting stuff I found on iGoogle were motivational posters. I had, in fact, downloaded the lot and saved for my collection. After many months I chanced upon them today. Sharing them here - evocative pictures, inspirational words!                                                                                                           ...

There was something serene about those ocean-blue eyes and that effervescent smile - they reminded one of a glorious summer day, of azure skies and aquamarine waves, of carefree, happy moments; they gave the assurance that everything will be alright in the end. There was something enchanting about Paul Walker. My introduction to him, though, wasn't through the blockbuster franchise Fast and Furious, through which he endeared himself to millions as the cop with a golden heart. In fact, I had watched Brian O'Connor only once on the screen, in Fast Five. My first Paul Walker moment came at Christmas time, six to seven years back, when I chanced upon this quaint holiday movie - Noel .  He played a New York City cop, and looked supremely dashing. But there was more to it. With much delicateness and sensitivity, he portrayed the emotional turmoil that his character was going through, it tugged at my heartstrings; he didn't occupy a lot of screen time, but he captured my heart...

In the winter of 2012-13, I finally fulfilled my long cherished dream of visiting the City of Love, the City of Light, the land of 'joie de vivre' ! It was a birthday present that I got for myself! Paris was beautiful, amazing, spellbinding. I could go on endlessly; and it would take me several more posts to describe my short but incredibly memorable Parisian adventure.  This post is dedicated to my visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral. This was one of the high points of my Paris trip, in fact, of all my travels. It has been a dream ever since, as a school kid, I had read a translated, abridged version of the Victor Hugo classic 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame', it has fueled my imagination ever since.  As I made my way to the fabled cathedral, a trusted map pointing my way forward, I came upon this sign which trumped all maps. This was definitely, undoubtedly the surest sign that the Cathedrale Notre Dame de Paris was right ahead. And there it was - majestic...

Now I have two favorite balloon movies - ' Up ' and this amazing little gem that I discovered quite accidentally today morning!   The Red Balloon / Le ballon rouge - IMDB Talk about happy accidents, talk about 'serendipity'! The ending is magical and will forever remain entrenched in the heart.

                                                                        'Senna' makes for an intense, heart-wrenching, visceral experience. 

Disney's philosophies, which they espouse in their beautiful movies and in some heartwarming quotes, resonate deeply our everyday lives. All we need to do is believe and see; or see and believe, any which way. This is my humble attempt to look beyond the obvious, delve a bit deeper and try to discover those pearls of wisdom in my own way. "Everything the light touches is our kingdom" ~ The Lion King Bonjour Paris ~ Sunset on the Seine from atop the Eiffel Tower "Don’t just fly, soar."  ~ Dumbo Through the looking glass ~ At a Parisian shop window      "Home is the comfiest place to be" ~ Winnie the Pooh                           Home away from home ~ My home in Stockholm for 18 amazing months "Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart." ~ Winnie the Pooh    Pictures say a thousand words ~ Goodbye gift from my wonderful host family ...