Secret Garden

This is a very belated post of *everything* mentioned here. But I have a lame excuse -- Due to my unfortunate skiing accident (twisted my knee during my last run on the slope), I haven't been able to get out of bed to do much for the past two and half days. Le Sigh

While I'm lame (yeah, literally), there were so many things happened that deserve celebration:

First of all, there was the Valentine's Day that came and went. Even though it's behind us, I still want to send a belated wish of love to every one of my friends. I know it's three days past Sunday, nonetheless I wish love finds all of you not only on the day Cupid was officiating, but also thereafter. May that love be the romantic kind and/or in friendship, I wish it continues to fill your heart, letting you know you are cherished. ♥

Okay, enough of the schmoop...  As it happens, by unique cosmic alignment, this year's Valentine's Day also was the start of a new year according to Chinese Lunar Calendar. So to all my friends who celebrate the beginning of the new lunar cycle, I wish you a very Happy Year of Tiger. May fortune follows you throughout the next 365 days! And dear ala_tariel, thank you so much for the Lucky Red Envelop! Can you imagine my joy and surprise at seeing it?! (((HUGS)))

The beginning of the new year certainly was lucky for Chinese figure skaters. At the Winter Olympic in Vancouver, they cinched not only the Gold but also the Silver medal for the Pair's Competition, ending the Russia/Soviet dominance of the sport since 1964. As a Chinese, I'm immensely proud of what these athletes accomplished. Yet, as a spectator who loves watching pair's figure skating, I couldn't help feeling nostalgic for what I consider the greatest pair skaters of all time -- Gordeeva & Grinkov. While I enjoyed every program G&G ever performed, my favorite is the artistic program they skated in 1994's Canadian Professional Championship. In this piece, with the music of Russian composer Rachmaninoff's Vocalise as the backdrop, they brought Rodin's sculpture The Kiss to life. After 16 years, it still brings tears to my eyes. In the spirit of romance, here's the link to a clip on YouTube.  While I'm at it, since Valentine's Day hasn't gone too far, how about another schmoopy pick-me-up? Many of us G&G's fans remember well of their 1995 Star On Ice program in which they brilliantly interpreted Ella Fitzgerald's The Man I Love. After watching these, can you feel the romance filling the air yet?

Speaking of romance, who doesn't love a good bromance these days? And I dare say that on television, none other better portrayed it than CW's Supernatural. Turns out I'm far from the only one to think that. Why? Because it's official: SUPERNATURAL IS RENEWED FOR SEASON 6! Yes, I'm beyond ecstatic. I came into the fandom late (in season 4), and I so wasn't ready to say goodbye to the boys just yet. I'm fully aware of the rumor that while still going to return as the writer and/or executive producer, the creator and show runner Eric Kripke is going to hand over the day to day running of the show to one of the current executive producers Sera Gamble. If true, this may seem as a caveat, but I think it hardly qualifies for concern. After all, Sera Gamble is the most prolific writer for the show. Up to now, her name is credited as writer(s) for 21 (aired) episodes while Kripke has only 15 under his belt (and Ben Edlund has 12). Granted Kripke and Edlund wrote more pivotal ones (finales & cliffhangers), but I think the ones leading up to them are just as important. Thus I have confidence Sera would do well if she is thrust into leadership position. Meanwhile I'm having growing respect for Eric Kripke for handing over the reign when he knows his time and energy are going to be divided between SPN and developing new shows. So without reservation, let's CELEBRATE more bromance to come our way!

mady by ala_tariel