The Happiest Place on Earth
March 16, 2008
the following links are mostly links to photos
Yes, Iceland. Nicknamed The Land of Fire and Ice for it’s icebergs, geysers, and volcanoes. What more can you ask for? How about some cute, fluffy, icelandic, horses, arctic foxes, and puffins?
According to the Human Development Index, Iceland, as of 2007, is ranked number one for being the most developed country. Looks like Icelanders figured out how to live efficiently on sustainable energy.
Now, it wasn’t until i discovered the music of the band Sigur Rós a few years ago, that I started becoming interested in Iceland. Their music is intense. Of course, it’s all in icelandic, and even some hopelandic (made up language by the lead singer), so I don’t understand what’s being sung at all, but his voice, plus the instruments delivers a dramatic feeling. A very strong feeling indeed, enough to give me goosebumps at certain points in some of the songs. Last year, in October, they came out with a film called Heima, where the band played a series of free shows around Iceland, some outdoors and some indoors. I’ve never seen a film quite like this. It was a documentary film, for the most part. Members of Sigur Rós talked about Iceland, and their music in English, but with a terribly thick Icelandic accent, which was sometimes hard to understand. While songs of theirs were played, images of the Icelandic landscapes moved across the screen, and it was absolutely exquisite. The landscapes fit so well with the songs, making it all very moving. If you didn’t have an interest in visiting Iceland, you definitely will after watching Heima.
There are some other fantastic musicians from Iceland that I have really enjoyed, including Múm, whose albums are very very eerie sounding, which may creep some people out. Emiliana Torríni’s music, whom my boyfriend, Cameron, introduced me to (thanks Cam!) sings in English, with a slight Icelandic accent. By the way, I’m always open to Icelandic musicians, so feel free to suggest some!
Two of the top things on my list of Where to Go and What to See Before it’s Too Late, include both Iceland and auroras. What could fulfill me more than seeing the auroras in Iceland? Plus, the landscape in Iceland is just breathtaking. I hear it’s pretty expensive in Iceland though, especially their biggest city and capital, Reykjavík. Even so, I am determined to visit there within the next five years. Flights from Baltimore, MD are pretty cheap ($200) during certain times of the year. The hot springs (pic: wow, how neat would that to be to camp out right there!) are a must. So, someday soon, I will make the money and find the time to visit Iceland.
Where did I put that tissue?
March 4, 2008
I’ve come to the realization that my nose starts running regardless of where I am. I’m in my second year of my life in Oregon and I can no longer proudly say that I don’t have any allergies. What can be the reason otherwise? I don’t think I’ll ever really find out what I’m allergic to, because there is no way in hell that I am getting a bunch of needles poked in my back for an allergy test. So instead, I decided to figure out a healthier and cheaper remedy then taking an allergy pill everyday. According to BeeSource, taking a teaspoon or two of local honey everyday, for several months can fix me up. Luckily, Eugene, Oregon is full of natural food grocery stores, making it easy to find some local honey. I headed to Sundance Natural Foods and bought a 16oz jar of Heavenly Honey Oregon Clover for only $3.99.
Every time I reach for a new tissue (and I try to use a single tissue as much as possible, until it falls apart), I remind myself that I need to buy some sort of handkerchief. I’ve always thought they were ridiculously disgusting. Carrying around a few wads of snot in your pocket until you decide to give it a wash. Only now, am I realizing how much more environmentally friendly they are… now that I’m reaching for a tissue about ten or so times a day. Not only are they more eco-friendly, but it keeps me from wasting money on tissue box, after tissue box (I’ve never seen a store carrying tissue refills, just boxes). So as I was ordering a single hanky from hankettes, about to put my credit card information in, the shipping and handling came out to $20! That’s a pretty expensive shipping fee from Canada to Oregon. I was really excited about that one too, so I guess I’ll have to keep searching for another organic cloth handkerchief…
