October Updates: Bohemia, Books and Culture

Just wanted to update you all that I survived my Europe - Bohemia Trip, with flying colors! I was not tired and carried my own weight. That includes my luggage and my parents' luggages. I didn't have to take my contraction medicines and was able to participate in all of the activities by the group. I was also able to be the navigator in our city walks and found interesting places when I was assigned like lunch, sites, etc.

I'll share some of the photos on my next post.

Speaking of unexpected surprises, I was also able to get some book for C to donate to his school...part of the school's anniversary celebration request. Although it's not mandatory, I felt that the school has given (and still giving) a lot to C in his development, how can I refuse to do this.
Would you believe that I found the below two books in a small village in Czech's Republic (Czesky Krumlov) en-route to Prague? Yes, it's in English!

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce : I bought two of these - one for the school and one for our home since I loved the story!

It's a Book by Lane Smith : I am reminded of C's love for books and his iPad...all at one go in this book.

There's Going To Be A Baby by John Burningham & Helen Oxenbury : a really touching book that would or might help me introduce C's new sister while encouraging to read and look at wonderful illustrations. It's got to be one of the best "new family member" book that I've currently seen in the market. I love it even if it's a bit worn out and the lady in the store wouldn't give me a discount for its age...

One of the highlights of my Bohemia trip was being able to squeeze in some museum time to see the below in real life. It took me back to high school/college years wherein I was still an Art History student. Amazing on how much impact art has been in my life and it still never tires me to sit in front of these sort of works and just "soak up the culture".

The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, 1907-1908
Oil and gold leaf on canvas, Belvedere Museum, Vienna Austria

It's one of the most powerful and memorable works of art that I've seen in my life aside from the below that I can still remember "taking in the moment". (I.e. "excited-out-of-my-pants / time-stopped / heart-pounding-with-excitement" sort of moments!)

Here's to reliving "moments in art" and more works of art to see in real life!

The Birth of Venus, Sandro Botticelli, 1486
Tempera on canvas, Uffizi Gallery, Florence

One: November 31, 1950, Jackson Pollock, 1950

Oil and enamel paint on canvas, MoMA, NYC

Untitled, Mark Rothko, 1968

Synthetic polymer paint on paper, MoMA, NYC

Reflections of Clouds on the Water Lily Pond, Claude Monet, 1920

Oil on Canvas, MoMA, NYC

Study for a Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Georges Seurat, 1884

Oil on Canvas, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC

Pieta, Michealangelo, 1499

Basilica di San Pietro, Vatican Italy

Irises, Vincent Van Gogh, 1889

Oil on Canvas, J. Getty Museum, LA

Dancer Taking A Bow, Edgar Degas, 1878

Pastel and gouache on paper, J. Getty Museum, LA

October means Halloween's around the corner...I'm excited this year since I get to dress-up C again with another round of costumes. Now that he's going to be participating more and especially before I head off to give birth, it's one of the special seasons that we can both share as mom and son before his sister arrives.

Here's what I did....using last year's Halloween photo with his cousin, Zack.

Credits: Freakin Adorable The Kit by Mari Koegelenberg and Danielle Engebretson available at SSD; Font - Another Typewriter