The Suzuki Method of Actor Training develops the actor's inner physical sensibilities, builds the will, stamina and concentration. The workshop activities include a series of exercises centered around the use of the feet in relation to one's center. These exercises are designed to throw the body off center while maintaining a consistent level of energy and not swaying the upper body. The energy necessary to accomplish this task is considerable and constitutes a primary focus of this work. In the course of doing these exercises the body becomes more centered, and thus changes the manner in which the actor views his/herself within their body. This change is also related to how the actor views their work onstage. Issues such as engrained habits become more apparent as do strengths and weaknesses. By developing the body awareness of the corporal center, and a consistent level of energy, primary elements of the actor's awareness are heightened. The best and most consistent evidence of this work is apparent onstage reflected through an increasingly centered and controlled actor. (Source)
Sunday, May 23, 2010
It's Not Easy
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Copying Laura Lou!



And a message from long ago that is still relevant today ... perhaps even more so!
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
A Night on the African Queen
This is the party we went for on New Year's eve. It was African themed called 'A Night on the African Queen', the 'African Queen being a boat used for exploration. I wish I could photograph the way everything was decorated - it was stunning. And then there were so many 'African' props like those hats, animal print scarves, moustaches, false bones through the nose, the list goes on and on! And of course, when one is with friends, one really does have the best of times!

Friday, February 15, 2008
Prague - a Royal Feast (and the end of our Imperial Cities tour)



Coming up next: My "Kenya" album.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Durnstein (2)
Monday, November 19, 2007
Vienna Third Day (1)




At about 10:30 we took the bus from our hotel and drove 45 minutes to Festschloss Hof, the country home of the Hapsburg Dynasty, originally built by Prince Eugene of Savoy. This palace, on the border with Slovenia (we could see the suburbs of Bratislava from the castle) has been recently reopened to the public after many years where it was first ravaged by the military and then by time and neglect. Restoration work is still continuing and the Austrian Government is trying to locate and return many of the missing artwork from the palace.
The palace originally had just two floors. When Empress Maria Teresia came to live there she found it a bit small so she added a third floor. There is however a painting done of the palace as it was originally built by Prince Eugene and I took a photograph of that because it appears so much more elegant and graceful with just the two stories.
The children went off to make pottery while a lovely lady called Maria gave us a tour of the palace, explaining its sad history and the efforts being made now to restore it to its former glory. The gardens are almost complete and they are a sight to behold indeed! We had lunch on the palace grounds after which the children went to the petting zoo while we did went off for a Schnapps tasting. Later we all enjoyed a horse & buggy ride around the extensive palace grounds. We learned of the existence of blue eyed donkeys and European bison. In days gone by children in Austria kept donkeys as pets instead of dogs & cats. The horses pulling our buggy were of a special breed too, really big boned, tough and shaggy.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Vienna Second Day (3)


Monday, September 24, 2007
Vienna Second Day (2)
The first layout is of Lily at the Imperial Bakery, helping to make the strudel. The second layout is of Ricky trying out a marionette. I had to journal what he did just after the photographs: He is not fond of puppets. But I really wanted him to see how they worked so I coaxed him into trying it. And just after I had finished taking the photographs, he threw the marionette on the floor and stomped off! Oh, the embarrassment! The lady was so angry! Try explaining to her what his problem was ...

Thursday, August 30, 2007
New York 1999



*******
Coffee Art - it is all the rage these days. Now, I'd rather have my coffee plain and steaming hot, than fancy and cold, but this is still worth a look-see.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Girls Night Out

31st December 1998: We celebrated in a very posh restaurant in Italy with our cousins. The food was some the most amazing I have ever had, the chef having a couple of stars Michelin under his belt. The wine was perfect and everything planned very well - all in all a great party! Unfortunately I still like letting down my hair on New Year's Eve so I am back to partying hard here in HK! I can do elegant most of the time but not on NYE!!Here is a reporter trying to file a report about soldiers burning drugs
And just a word of warning to the fishermen out there!
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Anastasia
Layout done with K & Co papers, Kambly rub-ons , Magic Scraps sticky rub on alphabets & gold leaf, Heidi Swapp crystal stickers and some digital prints that I cut out.
Halloween of 1998: We were invited for a really nice party. Lily dressed up as Princess Anastasia. That was the year the movie was released and so at the party there was every version of Princess Anastasia! Poor Lily! She wanted to be special. Instead she became part of a large crowd of princesses. LOL! The redeeming factor was a really great party for the kids. Lots of fun & games and treats.Now, if you are a cat lover you will adore this video ...
ETA: There are a few shots of cats jumping out at kids just in case that bothers you.
And if you love both cats and Jane Austen, like me, this one is for you!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
London in 1998

The layout below is done using Club Scrap Fossils kit from August 2004. I wish I had the real looking tickets - I know we got some in another kit but could not find them. When I do, I shall replace these two very silly 'Admit One' stickers!

Below is the layout reworked as per the suggestions from some very artistic and helpful ladies. Click here to see the original. Thank you to everyone who took the time to write!!
The school logo and the red '5' are hand drawn and cut with an Xacto knife. All other accessories are from 7 Gypsies.
The Time Traveller - video powered by Metacafe
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Prank Call
This is so funny I had to share it! I did feel a bit sorry for this poor telemarketer.
And now for the page - Lily at her Activities Camp. I am always amazed at how much more fun school is these days. Nothing like what it was for us - the most we did was go for a class picnic once a year. And I am thrilled that Lily is so adventurous. She loves doing all kinds of outdoor activities. So a whole week spent doing these crazy swingings across the waves and jumping off cliffs was just her thing.
I used a page from the school newsletter in lieu of photos and journaling. Some RS embellishments from my very old stash and some Heidi Swapp rub-ons. This is the first time I used the fuzzy rub ons. I need a little more practice but I think it should not be that difficult to manage to get them placed and rubbed exactly as I want them. Any tips are always appreciated.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Legally Teen!

Friday, April 07, 2006
Macau - An Architectural Experience

Friday, February 03, 2006
Winter in the Apennines
Descends the snow
Blanketing the earth.
Engulfing silence as it falls
Quietness and stillness everywhere.
Bringing peace
As the sun shines, the snow glistens.
Like a thousand diamonds that sparkle.
Smell the freshness of this winter wonderland
Trees laden with snow ...
Branches straining Bowing to the earth

With the New Year came sunshine and warm breezes. It was lovely watching the snow melting slowly. We stood under the firs and shook them till the snow fell off the branches. We watched the stalactites at the Fontana, dripping slowly, catching the rays of the sun, making exquisite rainbows. We were glad because while this was a winter wonderland, we were also free now to go back home!
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Florence, Italy

Florence was the home of the Medici family for many years. Between 1865 and 1871 Florence was the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. The Medici family was extremely rich and they patronized the Arts. Today many streets, churches and palaces in Florence are filled with examples of fine Renaissance work of the artists who flocked to Florence, and its wealthy patrons.
We wanted to see the Palazzo Pitti but because it was Monday, it was closed and we settled for the Boboli gardens instead. A word of advice – avoid Florence on a Monday! I am so sad because I wanted to show you the ‘Madonna of the Chair’ by Raphael, my favorite painting of all time. The original is in this building! This is a beautiful city that needs to be visited many times to discover all its beautiful art and history.





