Sissi

I have recently watched two films of the trilogy of Sissi starring Romy Schneider and what beautiful films these are to view! So magical and wonderful!

I would recommend these films to people who love a romantic story and a beautiful setting.

Sissi was a princess of Bavaria who married the Emperor of Austria, Franz Joseph and became Empress.  I was enchanted by the beauty of the Austrian alps, the mountains where Sissi grew up
and where her family home was located.  In many ways I am reminded of the film The Sound of
Music, for the beauty of the settings and the charming household of siblings.

  Sissi was of a naturally happy and joyous nature with a
beautiful personality.  Her charm and natural ways enchanted the Emperor, who was very much also
under his mother's guidance.  His mother let it be known to him that she had stepped aside but she was also very much in control of political matters to a certain extent.

  Sissi was different from her mother-in-law with firm views of her own.  The people loved her.

The second film is of the story of Sissi as a young Empress.  This film is also wonderful.
The Austrian Alps and the Tyrol feature in this beautiful story in which Sissi is also crowned Queen of Hungary at Franz Joseph's coronation by popular acclaim.

The pageantry, music and beauty of these films remain in my imagination.  They are so beautiful.  I look forward to watching the third film of Sissi, the fateful years and there is also a film of Victoria in Dover, the Story of Vickie, which I also look forward to watching.

Hawaii-theme Celebration Party

A wonderful Hawaii -theme celebration party was held

by Joan Small in which talented poets and singers

contributed their works.

The songs by Deborah were magnificent, some old favourites:

an Andrew Lloyd Weber song, “Love changes everything” “The

Prayer” an Italian opera song, “Mi Babino Caro” which was very

beautiful and Deborah's last song was “Climb Every Mountain”

from the Sound of Music which was a wonderful rendition. Deborah

chose this song as she was brought up in a convent by the Blue Mountains

of Sydney and she did get to see two musicals which she loved. “My Fair Lady”

and “The Sound of Music.” The

mother superior in the film, The Sound of Music, told Maria that love

between a man and a woman also came from God. The Mother Superior

did not wish for Maria to remain in the convent. Maria may have believed

that she would be serving God by staying in the convent.

Deborah had not sung in public for

12 months previously and she sang beautifully.

There was also a folk singer, though I did leave before I

heard this singer. I am sure that the folk songs would have been

wonderful also.

Poems were recited by talented poets and an actress gave a

comical show of living a prim and proper existence in England and

then leaving to live her life in Australia, where customs, clothing and

manner of speech altered. This acting was very good.

There were many published authors which was very inspirational.

A veterinarian who had written a book of holistic medicine for animals, who

attended with her 91 year old mother and a poet who had published

a book of poetry. Another writer, who had written a book of his time

in Poland during the Second World War.

Some people were celebrating milestones and hardships which they

had overcome in the previous year and were looking forward to the

next year with hope and a positive outlook with good wishes for the

future.

The food was wonderful, deserts included, though did miss out on the

chocolate treat as I left early. A writer had written a book

of natural chocolate and there were to be treats of this chocolate also.

Joan also made wonderful fruit punch for the occasion.

The bright colours and Hawaii- theme with leis

worn by so many people enhanced the magic of the happy occasion.

A short speech was given of the seven principles of the Hawaii Way

which help to gain a more positive approach to life.

Joan Small gives workshops to assist people with publishing their own

works and I am thinking that it would be good to attend one of

these work shops early next year or when there is a next available

work shop. I am finding that writing a blog is good practice for self- expression.

For further information:

http://www.joansmall.com/2011/12/06/celebrating-is-energizing-celebrate-every-day/

My best wishes