My Blog

Ithaka

Krista Iman — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:50:28 GMT

As you set out for Ithaka hope your road is a long one, full of adventure, full of discovery. Laistrygonians, Cyclops, angry Poseidon- don't be afraid of them: you'll never find things like that on your way as long as you keep your thoughts raised high, as long as a rare excitement stirs your spirit and your body. Laistrygonians, Cyclops, wild Poseidon- you won't encounter them unless you bring them along inside your soul, unless your soul sets them up in front of you. Hope your road is a long one. May there be many summer mornings when, with what pleasure, what joy, you enter harbors you are seeing for the first time; may you stop at Phoenician trading stations to buy fine things, mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony, sensual perfume of every kind- as many sensual perfumes as you can; and may you visit many Egyptian cities to learn and go on learning from their scholars. Keep Ithaka always in your mind. Arriving there is what you're destined for. But don't hurry the journey at all. Better if it lasts for years, so you're old by the time you reach the island, wealthy with all you've gained on the way, not expecting Ithaka to make you rich. Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey. Without her you wouldn't have set out. She has nothing left to give you now. And if you find her poor, Ithaka won't have fooled you. Wise as you will have become, so full of experience, you'll have understood by then what these Ithakas mean. Godspeed my love, Godspeed on your journey. A part of you will remain with me forever and always. I love you.

Sappho

Krista Iman — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:49:00 GMT

Some poems of Sappho of Lesvos.... ****************************************** It's no use Mother dear, I can't finish my weaving You may blame Aphrodite soft as she is she has almost killed me with love for that boy *************************************** Sleep, darling I have a small daughter called Cleis, who is like a golden flower I wouldn't take all Croesus' kingdom with love thrown in, for her *************************************** Pain penetrates Me drop by drop *************************************** Tonight I've watched The moon and then the Pleiades go down The night is now half-gone; youth goes; I am in bed alone *************************************** My lovely friends How could I change towards you who are so beautiful? *************************************** You remind me Of a very gentle little girl I once watched picking flowers ************************************* When they were tired Night rained her thick dark sleep upon their eyes ************************************* I have no complaint Prosperity that the golden Muses gave me was no delusion: dead, I won't be forgotten

I'll Never Return

Krista Iman — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 12:34:39 GMT

This is a poem written by the martyred Meena (1956-1987). An advocate for women rights in Afghanistan and a powerful voice for social activism and who spoke out against the Russian Occupation. Meena was the founder of RAWA which endures to this day as a beacon of hope for Afghani women. Meena was assassinated by agents of KHAD (Afghanistan branch of KGB) in Pakistan on February 4, 1987. To read more about Meena and RAWA go to http://www.rawa.org/meena.html ******************************************************** I'll Never Return I'm the woman who has awoken I've arisen and become a tempest among the ashes of my burnt children I've arisen from the rivulets of my brother's blood My nation's wrath has empowered me My ruined and burnt villages fill me with hatred against the enemy. I'm the woman who has awoken, I've found my path and will never return. I've opened closed doors of ignorance I've said farewell to all golden bracelets Oh Compatriot, I'm not what I was I'm the woman who has awoken I've found my path and will never return. I've seen barefoot, wandering and homeless children I've seen henna-handed brides with mourning clothes Ive seen giant walls of the prisons swallow freedom in their ravenous stomach. I've been reborn amidst epics of resistance and courage I've learned the song of freedom in the last breaths, in the waves of blood and in victory Oh Compatriot, Oh brother, no longer regard me as weak and incapable With all my strength I'm with you on the path of my land's liberation. My voice has mingled with thousands of arisen women My fists are clenched with the fists of thousands of compatriots Along with you I've stepped up to the path of my nation, To break all these sufferings all these fetters of slavery, Oh compatriot , Oh brother, I'm not what I was I'm the woman who has awoken I've found my path and will never return.

Justice For Ireland

Krista Iman — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 16:10:13 GMT

This is one of my all time favorite speeches. Not just because I have some Irish heritage but because so many people from so many different countries all around the world can identify with the words of this speech, no matter how long ago it was written. May we pray for peace and justice for all.... Daniel O'Connell (1775-1847) was a great Irish statesman, called the Liberator of Ireland. He led a movement that successfully forced the British to pass the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829, allowing Roman Catholics to become members of the British House of Commons. Until 1800, Ireland had its own separate Parliament which included many Catholic members. However, the British Act of Union abolished local political control by establishing the United Kingdom of England and Ireland. King George III permitted only the Church of England Irish to participate in the British Parliament, which had a centuries old history of discrimination against Catholics. This left the majority of Irish Catholics without proper representation. O'Connell worked to pressure the British to end this discrimination. In 1828, he even ran for Parliament and recieved a huge margin of Irish votes. Athough he could not be seated , his victory favorably impressed the British prime minister and reform finally occurred in 1829 with the passage of the Catholic Emancipation Act. O'Connell then became a full-fledged member of the House of Commons and an eloquent spokesman for the Irish cause. He succeeded in getting more reforms enacted improving the treatment of the Irish. On February 4, 1836, he gave this speech in the House of Commons calling for equal justice. *************************************************************** Justice for Ireland It appears to me impossible to suppose that the House will consider me presumptuous in wishing to be heard for a short time on this question, especially after the distinct manner in which I have been alluded to in the course of the debate. If I had no other excuse, that would be sufficient; but I do not want it; I have another and better - the question is one in the highest degree interesting to the people of Ireland. It is , whether we mean to do justice to that country-whether we mean to continue the injustice which has already been done to it; or to hold out the hope that it will be treated in the same manner as England and Scotland. That is the question. We know what 'lip service' is; we do not want that. There are some men who will even declare that they are willing to refuse justice to Ireland; while there are others who, though they are ashamed to say so, are ready to consummate the iniquity, and they do so. England never did do justice to Ireland- she never did. What we have gotten out of it we have extorted from men opposed to us on principle- against which principle they have made us such concessions as we have obtained from them. The right honorable baronet opposite (Sir Robert Peel) says he does not distinctly understand what is meant by a principle. I believe him. He advocated religious exclusion on religious motives; he yielded that point at length, when we were strong enough to make it prudent for him to do so. Here I am calling for Justice to Ireland; but there is a coalition tonight- not a base unprincipled one- God forbid! - it is an extremely natural one; I mean that between the right honorable Baronet and the noble lord the member for North Lancashire (Lord Stanley). It is a natural coalition, and it is impromptu; for the noble lord informs us he had not even a notion of taking the part he has until the moment at which he seated himself which he now is. I know his candor; he told us it was a sudden inspiration which induced him to take part against Ireland. I believe it with the most potent faith, because I know he requires no preparation for voting against the interests of the Irish people. (Groans.) I thank you for that groan- it is just of a peice with the rest. I regret much that I have been thrown upon arguing this particular question, because I should have liked to have dwelt upon the speech which has been so graciously delivered from the throne today- to have gone into its details, and to have pointed out the many great and beneficial alterations and amendments in our existing institutions which it hints at and recommends to the House. The speech of last year was full of reforms in words, and in words only; but this speech contains the great leading features of all the salutary reforms the country wants; and if they are worked out fairly and honestly in detail, I am convinced the country will require no further amelioration of its institutions, and that it will become the envy and admiration of the world. I therefore, hail the speech with great satisfaction. It has been observed that the object of a king's speech is to say as little in as many words as possible; but this speech contains more things than words- it contains those great principles which, adopted in practice, will be most salutary not only to the British Empire, but to the world. When speaking of our foreign policy, it rejoices in the cooperation between France and this country; but it abstains from conveying any ministerial approbation of alterations in the domestic laws of that country which aim at the suppression of public liberty, and the checking of public discussion, such as call for individual reprobation, and which I reprobate as much as any one. I should like to know whether there is a statesman in the country who will get up in this House and avow his approval of such proceedings on the part of the French government. I know it may be done out of the House amid the cheers of an assembly of friends; but the government have, in my opinion, wisely abstained from reprobating such measures in the speech, while they have properly exulted in such a union of the two countries as will contribute to the national independence and the public liberty of Europe. Years are coming over me , but my heart is still as young and as ready as ever in the service of my country, of which I glory in being the pensionary and the hired advocate. I stand in a situation in which no man ever stood yet- the faithful friend of my country- its servant- its stave; if you will- I speak its sentiments by turns to you and to itself. I require no 20,000,000 (pounds) on behalf of Ireland- I ask you only for justice; will you - can you- I will not say dare you refuse, because that would make you turn the other way. I implore you , as English gentlemen, to take this matter into consideration now, because you never had such an opportunity of concilitating. Experience makes fools wise; you are not fools, but you have yet to be convinced , I cannot forget the year 1825. We begged then as we would for a beggar's boon; we asked for emancipation by all that is sacred amongst us, and I remember how my speech and person were treated on the Treasury Bench, when I had no opportunity of reply. The other place turned us out and sent us back again, but we showed that justice was with us. The noble lord says the other place has declared the same sentiments with himself; but he could not use a worse argument. It is the very reason why we should acquiesce in the measure of reform, for we have no hope from that House- all our hopes are centered in this; and I am the living representative of those hopes. I have no other reason for adhering to the ministry than because they, the chosen representatives of the people of England, are anxiously determined to give the same measure of reform to Ireland as that which England has received. If I have not fatigued myself, but the House , in coming forward upon this occassion. I may be laughed and sneered at by those who talk of my power; but what has created it but the injustice that has been done to Ireland? That is the end and the means of the magic, if you please- the groundwork of my influence in Ireland. If you refuse justice to that country, it is a melancholy consideration to me to think that you are adding substantially to that power and influence , while you are wounding my country to its very heart's core; weakening that throne, the monarch who sits upon which , you say you respect; severing that union, which you say, is bound together by the tightest links, and withholding that justice from Ireland which she will not cease to seek until it is obtained; every man must admit that the course I am taking is the legitimate and proper course- I defy any man to say it is not. Condemn me elsewhere as much as you please , but this you must admit. You may taunt the ministry with having coalesced me, you may raise the vulgar cry of 'Irishmen and Papist' against me, you may send out men called ministers of God to slander and calumniate me; they may assume whatever garb they please, but the question comes into this narrow compass. I demand, I respectfully insist: on equal justice for Ireland, on the same principle by which it has been administered to Scotland and England. I will take no less. Refuse me that if you can. Daniel O'Connell- February 4, 1836

The Art Of Living

Krista Iman — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 21:25:02 GMT

*Adventure* A man practices the art of adventure when he heroically faces up to life...When he says like Frank Crane: My soul is a Columbus, and not watery wastes, nor glooming mysteries...shall send me back, nor make me cry 'Enough!' When he has the daring to open doors to new experiences and to step boldly forth to explore strange horizons. When he is unafraid of new ideas, new theories and new philosophies. When he has the curiosity to experiment...to test and try new ways of living and thinking. When he has the flexibility to adjust and adapt himself to the changing patterns of life. When he refuses to seek safe places and easy tasks and has, instead, the courage to wrestle with the toughest problems and difficulties. When he valiantly accepts the challenge of mountain-top tasks and glories in a job well done. When he has the moral stamina to be steadfast in the support of those men in whom he has faith and those causes in which he believes. When he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints. When he considers life a constant quest for the noblest and best. When he has the nerve to move out of life's shallows and venture forth into the deep. When he recognizes that the only ceiling life has is the one he gives it and comes to realize that he is surrounded by infinite possiblities for growth and achievement. When he keeps his heart young and his expectations high and never allows his dreams to die. When he concludes that a rut is only another name for a grave and that the only way to stay out of ruts is by living adventurously and staying vitally alive every day of his life. Chapter 9 of *The Art of Living* by Wilferd A. Peterson.

Eat Your Flowers, Dear!

Krista Iman — Tue, 29 May 2007 13:08:19 GMT

Here are some new things to try for the summer. Nature is beautiful that way. Enjoy! Rose Water Drink (Gül Suyu Şerbeti) Serves 6. 1 1/2 pounds of rose petals, red or pink. Scented and pesticide-free. 5 cups water 2 cups sugar 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon pine nuts Wash the rose petals under running cold water and place them in a medium-size, nonreactive saucepan with the water. Add the sugar and the lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for about 20 minutes. Cover the saucepan and chill 4 to 6 hours. In a small saucepan over high heat, stir the pine nuts for about 1 minute until they are golden. Strain the rose-petal liquid through a double thickness of cheesecloth. Divide it among 6 cups and top each serving with the pan-roasted pine nuts. Variation: Instead of rose petals and 5 cups of water, you can use 1 cup of bottled pure rose water and 4 cups of water. Lavender Butters: Honey Lavender Butter 1 stick softened butter 4 tsp. dried or chopped lavender (pulsed or chopped) 4tsp honey Mix and enjoy! Great on toast, scones, coffeecakes, etc. Lavender Herb Butter 1 stick softened butter 1 tsp. dried chives 2 tsp dried lavender (pulsed or chopped) 1 tsp dried parsley Mix together . Good on grilled cheese sandwiches, vegetables, boiled potatoes or noodles. Lavender Garlic Butter 1 stick softened butter 1 tsp dried lavender buds pulsed in food processor 1 tsp dried parsley 1/2 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp garlic powder Mix together. Great to use as a garlic bread spread. Dandelion Honey 1 liter dandelion petals 1 liter water 3 slices lemon 1/4 vanila bean cut in half 1 kg sugar Pick the dandelions in full sunshine. Pull off all the dandelion petals and put them in a pot with the water, lemon slices and vanilla bean. Simmer for about 30 minutes. Let the mixture sit by the side of the stove for about 5-6 hours. Strain to separate the petals from the juice. Return the juice to the pot and bring to a simmer. Slowly add the sugar and simmer until desired thickness. (Takes about 4 hours). Serve on toast, muffins or danish. Yields about 1 liter. Rose Hip Puree (This is from an old 16th century recipe used to make rose hip tart.) 1 1/2 cup prepared rose hips 3/4 cup water 2 tablespoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1 tablespoon lemon juice Simmer the rose hips in water until soft, about 10-15 minutes. Stir in sugar, spices and lemon juice and simmer for about 5 minutes. Use puree for tarts, icecream toppings or to eat as a sauce. Bon Appetit!

Brain Salad

Krista Iman — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 17:20:37 GMT

2 sets lamb's brains water 2 tablespoons vinegar 1 small onion 1 teaspoon salt 10 black Greek olives 1 large tomato, sliced 3 chopped green onions chopped parsley oil and lemon dressing 1. Wash the brains under running water and soak for 1 hour in cold water to which 1 tablespoon vinegar has been added. Remove the membrane and veins under cold running water. 2. Put 4 cups water in a saucepan along with 1 tablespoon vinegar, the onion, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the brains and simmer 15 minutes. Remove from the pan. Cool, pat dry with a towel, and cut crosswise into 1/2 inch slices. 3. Arrange the brain slices on a serving plate. Garnish with the olives and tomato slices. Sprinkle the green onions and parsley on top. Pour enough dressing over the salad. Serve as a salad for luncheons or buffet dinners. Serves 6. Courtesy of *The Complete Book of Turkish Cooking* by Ayla Esen Algar. Enjoy! (Just don't invite me to dinner...)

Let us not be blind...

Krista Iman — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 11:27:54 GMT

"Let us not be blind to our differences, but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which these differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For in the final analysis our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal." John F. Kennedy at The American University, Washington DC. June 10, 1963.

How many dead to reach the stars?

Krista Iman — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 12:06:40 GMT

How many dead men will it take To build a dike that will not break, How many children must we kill Before we make the waves stand still? Though miracles come high today, We have the wherewithal to pay, It takes them off the streets you know To places they would never go alone... How many men to conquer Mars, How many dead to reach the stars? Saigon Bride - Nina Dusheck and Joan Baez

The infinity of the Sea...

Krista Iman — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:05:03 GMT

We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream. Wandering by lone sea breakers, and sitting by desolate streams. World losers and world forsakers, for whom the pale moon gleams. Yet we are movers and the shakers of the world forever it seems. -Arthur William Edgar O'Shaughnessy The loneliness you get by the sea is personal and alive. It doesn't subdue you and make you feel abject. It's stimulating loneliness. -Anne Morrow Lindbergh for whatever we lose (like a you or a me) / it's always ourselves we find in the sea. -ee. cummings My bounty is as endless as the sea, my love as deep. The more I give thee, the more I have, for both are infinite. -William Shakespeare The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach-waiting for a gift from the sea. -Anne Morrow Lindbergh But let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another, but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Kahlil Gibran

Oh, buy some depends and breath mints already!

Krista Iman — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:53:56 GMT

Here is an excerpt from an article from Today's Zaman, the english printed Turkish daily from yesterday... An expat American woman wrote in to ask about how to get a divorce from her Turkish husband...so, the article went over some of the legal proceedings, blah blah.. This part jumped out at me though and almost made me choke on my roll... ..Turkish courts have ruled on several matters regarding these grounds for divorce. For instance, if one of the spouses continuously refuses to have sexual intercourse this may be considered as grounds for divorce. Other grounds that have been accepted in precedent cases include revealing family secrets, insulting the other spouse, humiliating activities against the other spouse, bedwetting and having bad breath. I can just see it now..."Sir Judge...my husband constantly wets the bed at night and I wake up soaked. Quite frankly..it's putting a damper on our romantic life. Oh, yeah and his breath in the morning could curdle milk. I just don't think I can go on with this marriage..." Oh,go buy some depends and breath mints already!

My Dear Istanbul

Krista Iman — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 22:28:28 GMT

My Dear Istanbul They have melted my soul and frozen it in a mould; They have named it Istanbul and put it on earth. There's something smoking inside me; air, colour,grace and climate; That's my beloved who came from beyond time and place. Its flowers are golden stars, its waters is sweet; The moon and the sun have always been Istanbullian. The sea and the earth have reached their union in her And the dreams have turned to reality in her. Istanbul is my life; my motherland... Istanbul, Istanbul... History has eyes, the riddles on ancient walls; Cypresses, cypresses are of fine stature; they're the curtains Of two worlds... A steed rears up on the clouds; Diamond domes, perhaps there are billions of steeds... The minarets are index fingers pointing to the sky. In every embroidery a meaning; we must die. Death is more alive than life mercy is greater than sin; When Beyoglu is drowning in worldly pleasures, Karcaahmet weeps... Seek the meaning, find it! Find it in Istanbul! Istanbul, Istanbul... The Bosphorus, the silver brazier of the Bosphorus, boils the coolness; The depths of heaven on earth are in Camlica. Playful waters are the guests in the basement of the sea-side house; A photo of the sad face of a former diplomat hangs on the wall. Every evening flames on the windows in Uskudar, A haunted house, big as the city... A song from the Ud or the Tanbour? It sings 'Katibim' behind the bay-windows... Its women are like sharp knives, Warm like fresh blood, Istanbul, Istanbul... Time on the seven hills embroiders Seven colours, seven voices, endless manifestation...! Eyup is an orphan, Kadikoy is dressed up, Moda is haughty, Wind in the Island plays tricks with the girls. Each dawn, the arrows fly from their bows. Cries come from the Topkapi Palace still. The mothers are the best of sweethearts, Istanbul is the best of places; Never mind the cheerful crowd, those who cry are happier. Its nights smells of hyacinth, Its Turkish the nightingale's voice. Istanbul, Istanbul...

Generation To Generation

Krista Iman — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 22:21:39 GMT

In a house which becomes a home, one hands down and another takes up the heritage of mind and heart, laughter and tears, musings and deeds. Love, like a carefully loaded ship, crosses the gulf between generations. Therefore, we do not neglect the ceremonies of our passage: when we wed, when we die, and when we are blessed with a child, When we depart and when we return, When we plant and when we harvest, Let us bring up our children. It is not the place of some official to hand to them their heritage. If others impart to our children our knowledge and our ideals, they will lose all of us that is wordless and full of wonder. Let us build memories in our children, lest they drag out joyless lives; lest they allow treasures to be lost because they have not been given the keys. We live, not by things, but by the meanings of things. It is needful to transmit the passwords from generation to generation. Antoine de Saint -Exupery