Pythea's BlogPythea's BlogCurrent Affairs, Art, Design, Politics, Humour, all that is inspiring and important, at least to its author and visitors. 
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TUK TUK...COMING THROUGH...!!!
2008-06-04 21:07:00 Coming back to my post about India, I was reminded this morning that there was much more to say about it...true, but it was not my primary intention when writing that particular post. Nevertheless, it is true that during that week, many situations happened that deserve a little "highlight".Many funny moments (unbelievably funny!!! One time at dinner I laughed so much - and was not the only one - I completely forgot there was important people at the table as the atmosphere was so great), many hard working moments and moments of peace and enjoyment.So let me tell you about one particular moment...the motorickshaw ride!!!! Have you ever had the impression that you had absolutely no idea of what you were doing and if you would still be alive the next second? NOOOO???? Well, get on a motorickshaw and go for a ride in the Indian traffic...funny as hell (excuse the expression) and scary as hell!Where to start? Maybe I should mention the fact that it seems that traffic rules are not to be r... More About: Personal
Cheesecake...from India with Love!
2008-06-04 20:17:00 The need to bake (although am not quite sure, one can talk of "baking" regarding this cake), is still to overwhelming to let it go...as a result I have made a special cheesecake. A recipe I have learned from a friend of mine from India and who lives in Dubai.I stayed at Rani's place for a week and believe me was hard remembering I needed to diet...was not only the sweets, but all the other recipes, and her "masala dosa"...mmmiiiiaaammm...and if I would speak of Elizabeht's coffee...but I better stop here before I start craving for things I shoudl not eat (where's the chocolate when needed????????)!Ok, so here goes the recipe...I have modified it a bit (sorry about that Rani and Elizabeth!) but I guess that is the whole point when it comes to cooking...experimenting!By the way, the cookies were a major success at the office...so, have a go at the recipe and don't hesitate in "experimenting" too!PINEAPPLE CHEESECAKE Missing in the ... More About: Recipes , Love , Cheesecake , With Love
DUBAI...
2008-06-03 22:45:00 ...there is so much to say about it...and so little time...after all...each time you end up in Dubai you end up discovering a "new face" of the city!I was there for one week to visit friends and have fun...which I did!!! Another story, other chapters opening and closing...a re-discovering "journey".Nevertheless, aim number one was to have fun...how to describe the amount of fun I had there...? Could mention so many things...but maybe I can let you discover it through the photos of this post...enjoy it...more photos are coming...so hold on! More About: Moody , Mooo
India...mysteries...
2008-06-03 22:22:00 I was back in India very recently...for work...but it was wonderful to be back to that wonderful place.The moment I landed (at midnight) in Mumbai I was engulfed (not only by the incredible humidity!) by the atmosphere of peace and the sounds (not just the cars honking!) of the night.How to explain it? Don't know...maybe a sense of letting yourself live. One thing we seem to hold dear in Europe (and in most countries!) is this need to constantly be in a rush, go as fast as we can from point A to point B. WHY??? For one week, I lived at another rhythm...ok, ok...so you might say I rarely got out of the hotel so how could I know? I KNOW....and that is all that counts for me. After all, even the working rhythm (although generally doing more hours than I probably would in the office), the peace and "no rush" aspect was dominant.I re-discovered many things about me when there, closed and opened a few chapters...and that helped me to follow to the next travel which is the post above this... More About: Mooo
SWEET...IDEAS!
2008-06-03 21:52:00 Whenever I am stressed, sad, furious, disappointed or just plain happy...I cook...better yet... I bake! I am not a good cook, but when it comes to baking any kind of sweets...I am quite good according to "critics" who end up eating everything I bake in the blink of an eye!This evening was one of those occasions...don't ask me what kind of mood I was on...so, I needed to bake something to help me concentrate on myself again.I ended up trying a cookies recipe with some "left-overs" I had in my pantry (pity I did not have any macadamia nuts...next time). I ended the evening baking around 30 chocolate chip cookies (without macadamia nuts!!!! Yes, I know...next time!) and 6 "Pasteis de Nata" (the recipe and short background of this traditional portuguese pastry can be found HERE).So, enjoy as much I have baking and as much as my "critics" will enjoy it tomorrow!!!CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES INGREDIENTS 1 cup butter, softened1 cup white sugar1 cup packed brown sugar2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla ... More About: Ideas , Recipes , Sweet
Bang Bang...My Baby Shot Me Down...
2008-06-01 00:10:00 I was five and he was sixWe rode on horses made of sticksHe wore black and I wore whiteHe would always win the fightBang bang, he shot me downBang bang, I hit the groundBang bang, that awful soundBang bang, my baby shot me down.Seasons came and changed the timeWhen I grew up, I called him mineHe would always laugh and say"Remember when we used to play?"Bang bang, I shot you downBang bang, you hit the groundBang bang, that awful soundBang bang, I used to shoot you down.Music played, and people sangJust for me, the church bells rang.Now he's gone, I don't know whyAnd till this day, sometimes I cryHe didn't even say goodbyeHe didn't take the time to lie.Bang bang, he shot me downBang bang, I hit the groundBang bang, that awful soundBang bang, my baby shot me down...By Nancy Sinatra More About: Baby , Shot , Bang Bang
Off she goes...around the corner!
2008-04-23 20:17:00 Two more days and off I am to the other side of the world! After having been in India (Hyderabad) 4 years ago, I am returning to that wonderful and magical country. A country I learned to appreciate and where I felt good, but had so little time to discover. I still remember the warm welcome and the joy that greets you daily...the easy laughter, which is something that actually goes well with me as I laugh quite easily. I will also never forget the way life is enjoyed by each and everyone day by day although faced with problems that seem endless. A good lesson...that we tend to forget...too easily!I will never forget the eyes of the children amazed to see "gold" hair and their need to touch it to find out if it was real. I'll never forget feeling incredibly good with the children's laughter. Children saying good bye to "gold-hair" in HyderabadI will be back in incredible India (this time in Mumbai) in only two days. Although for work, I cannot wait to return to a place that r... More About: Corner , The Corner
Mr Bean Rushes To The Dentist
2008-04-17 21:44:00 This is a special dedication (from a CV!) More About: Bean , Mr Bean , Dentist
ASAS DE FRANGO PICANTES
2008-04-13 20:32:00 Ingredientes: 1,5 Kg de asas de frango 2 colheres (sopa) de páprika1 colher (sopa) de cebola ralada1 colher (chá) de mostarda1 colher (sopa) de casca de limão ralada1 1/2 colher (chá) de tomilhosal a gosto. 2 dentes d'alhopimenta ardida seca a gosto. 3 copos de vinho tinto de boa qualidade4 colheres (sopa) de azeite1 pimento "jamaicano" cortado em quadradinhos pequenos. (São pimentos muito fortes! Cuidado!!!)Modo de Preparação1. Misture todos os temperos acima citados numa vasilha e passe as asas nesse tempero.2. Deixe as asas marinar no tempero durante pelo menos 30 minutos.3. Aqueça o forno - 200 °C 4. Coloque as asas numa assadeira grande untada com azeite ou manteiga e leve ao forno quente5. Asse-as durante 30 ou 40 minutos. As asas devem estar bem doradas e estaladiças!6. Sirva-as num prato junto com pão ainda morno e um bom vinho tinto!N.B. Em vez de assar as asas no forno, podem-se também assar nas brasas durante um bom BBQ no verão!Esta receita é dedicada á pessoa a quem de... More About: Recipes
Never be a Stepping Stone...
2008-04-13 19:15:00 I remember way, way back whenI said I never wanna see your face againcause you were loving, yes you were somebody else and I knew, yes I knew I couldn't control myselfand now they bring you back into my life againand so I put on face just like your friendsbut I think you know, oh yes you know whats going oncause the feelings in me, oh yes in me are burning strong.(Chorus)but I will never be your stepping stone,take it all or leave me alone,I will never be your stepping stone,I'm standing upright on my own.you still call me up from time to timeand it would be so hard for me not to cross the linethe words of love lye on my lips just like a curseand I knew, oh yes I knew they'd only make it worseand now you have the nerve to play alongjust like the maestro beats in your songyou got your kicks, you get your kicks from playing meand the less you give the more I want, so foolishly.(Chorus x3)but I will never be your stepping stone,take it all or leave me alone,I will never be your step... More About: Stone
Now you see me...now you don't!
2008-04-06 20:28:00 A month...a whole month away from maintaining my blog...this one being the 3rd attempt to return to writing more often!For a while I thought about closing the blog, as I had no more time to maintain it frequently, but then the caring from all those that visit it pushed me to keep it on until I would finally have time to write on it.I never imagined that professional life could completely take over your life. It seems like my private life has completely disappeared. Nevertheless, I am enjoying all that is happening professionally...more responsibilities (more headaches), more challenges but a huge satisfaction to finally know that I am on the right track after having wandered on the different decision alleys of my life...I kept asking questions like "should I really be studying Political Sciences? Should I keep on studying Archaeology? Should I be working on the Humanitarian Aid field?" All those questions actually do have an answer now, the answer being yes. All those different alle... More About: Personal
How to react to Prejudice...!
2008-02-24 13:01:00 A lesson marvellously delivered by the serial "All in the Family" when Archie Bunker Meets Sammy Davis!!! More About: Prejudice , React
Suspiros...Sighs...
2008-02-23 22:13:00 The rose - A SighIf this delicious, grateful flower,Which blows but for a little hour,Should to the sight so lovely be,As from it?s fragrance seems to me, A sigh must then it's colour show,For that is the softest joy I know. And sure the rose is like a sigh,Borne just to soothe and then - to die.A Rosa - Um suspiroSe esta flor tão bela e pura,Que apenas uma hora dura, Tem pintado no matizO que o seu perfume diz, Por certo na linda corMostra um suspiro d?amor: Dos que eu chego a conhecerÉ este o maior prazer. E a rosa como um suspiroHá-de ser; bem se discorre: Tem na vida o mesmo giro,É um gosto que nasce e - morre. Almeida Garrett More About: Poems , Sighs
NEUUUUURRRAAA
2008-02-23 22:05:00 Estes dias tenho andado desaparecida de este blog...tenho andado com uma neura terrível. Não sei bem como explicar o estado de (des)animo...trabalho demais que me impede de pensar em mim? Talvez...serà que pode explicar uma ausencia de tantos dias...? Quem sabe.A verdade em que tenho andado preocupada demais com os outros, com tudo o que me envolve e acabei por esquecer a pessoa que no fundo deveria ser mais importante...eu!Quero agradecer todos os amigos e amigas que têm deixado mensagens preocupados por não me verem por aqui. É incrível como certas amizades acabam por nascer apenas atravês de palavras...talvez algumas das amizades mais sinceras nascem assim...fico contente por ter encontrado de novo a força e inspiração de escrever.
Rising of the Moon
2008-01-20 21:01:00 These pictures were taken during a "ski" trip in the Engadin region. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!!!The Engadin or Engadine (Rumantsch: Engiadina = garden of the Inn) is a long mountain valley located in the canton of Graubünden (Grisons in French) in southeast Switzerland. It follows the route of the Inn River from its headwaters at Maloja Pass running northeast until the Inn flows into Austria one hundred kilometers downstream. The Engadin is protected by high mountains on all sides and is famous for its sunny climate, beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities.In Romansch, which is the indigenous language of the region, the "Engadin" literally translates as the garden of the Inn River (Romansch: En). However, historically, politically and geographically, the Engadin refers to the entire region, including the Inn River Valley, its tributaries and the surrounding mountains. More About: Moon , The Moon
Pasteis de Nata
2008-01-20 19:48:00 This week end I felt like baking a pastry that is the most typical one you can find in all of Portugal. A pastry portuguese have at breakfast, middle of the morning, as dessert...in fact we have it at any hour of the day! The famous Pastel de Nata (or Pastel de Belém as it is known in Lisbon)What is a "Pastel de Nata"? (Plural: Pastéis de Nata). The "Pastel de Nata" is a small cream tart found throughout Portugal's pastry shops or cafés.It is believed that it was created before the 18th century by Catholic Sisters at the Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) of Belém, in Lisbon.Casa Pastéis de Belém in Lisbon was the first place outside the convent selling this creamy dessert, and there they're called Pastéis de Belém, after the name of the area.Since 1837, people have come here to get them warm out of the oven and sprinkled with the cinnamon and powdered sugar.It was the sweet chosen to represent Portugal in the Café Europe initiative of the Austrian presidency of the Euro... More About: Recipes
100% aprovada!!!
2008-01-20 19:35:00 Quero agradecer ao meu "primo" por me ter dedicado este prémio...há já algum tempo é verdade...mas que não tinha tido tempo de reclamar.É com grande prazer que recebo este prémio. Foi-me dedicado por uma pessoa que hoje em dia tenho prazer em considerar como sendo muito especial e com muita importância para mim.Como estive afastada durante 2 semanas da "blogosfera"...tenho de pensar seriamente a quem remeter uma copia deste prémio...já que como diz o meu primo FJ, todo prémio tem de ser encarado como seriadade e nõ apeans como algo mais para usar como "decoração"!A todos os que me manifestaram o seu carinho e amizade enquanto estive afastada, dedico-vos este prémio!Beijocas para todas e todos!!! More About: Friendship
BAAAAAAACCCCCCCKKKK!!!!
2008-01-20 19:08:00 Those who have been leaving sweet messages wondering where I had disappeared as I was away from my blog and from my usual visits to all the "friends", I wish to thank them.I am fine, I just could not find the physical time to maintain my blog anymore during the last 2 weeks. Often we think that we won't let work invade your life to the level of not leaving much time for your private life, yet, often you can't escape it and you just need to dedicate more time than foreseen to your professional life rather than the private one.So, am back, with lots of ideas for future posts...so hang on...Pythea is back!!! More About: Mooo
The Horrors
2008-01-12 16:33:00 Poverty is a major problem in our world. Children are the major victims.Every 5 seconds a child dies because of starvation..... that's around 18,000 each day... 5.5 - 6.5 Million children WILL DIE every year!....Below are links to websites where with just a "free" click you can donate to help feed the children. So don't be shy in sharing them...and click away to help!Children Care site:http://children.care2.com/The Hunger Site:http://www.thehungersite.com/clickTo Give/home.faces?siteId=1 More About: The Horrors
2000 VISITORS!!!
2008-01-03 19:44:00 I would like to thank all those you have passed by this little blog...it has now reached its 2000 visitor! Visitors are from all over the World, but mainly (and in order of importance) from Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, United States, France and Brazil. Many visitors from the Middle East and Asia have also passed by.To all those contributing to the success of this bolg...THANK YOU... and keep on doing detours around here...many more things are still to be discovered!
Portuguese Traditional Christmas Pastry...III
2008-01-02 17:43:00 "Bolo Rei" (literally, King Cake) is a traditional Portuguese cake, which is usually eaten around Christmas until the "Dia de Reis" (literally, Day of Kings, as a reference to the three wise men) on January 6th. Within the Bolo Rei, mixed with the white, soft dough, are; raisins, various nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc.), and crystallized fruit. Also included is the characteristic "fava", tradition dictates that whoever finds the fava has to pay for the Bolo rei next year. Included is also a porcelain trinket and whoever finds it will earn the crown and be King (or Queen) for one day.Ingredients:100g candied citrus peel, chopped 50g raisins 50g pine nuts 10ml Port wine2 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast 100ml water (luke warm) 1250g flour 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 100g unsalted butter, softened 100g sugar Grated zest of 1 lemon Grated zest of 1 orange 3 eggs, beaten 1 dried fava bean and small trinket Topping:1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water 10 candied cherries 2 segments candied orange ... More About: Recipes , Pastry , Traditional
Portuguese Traditional Christmas Pastry...II
2008-01-02 16:47:00 Rocky Balbino has given me another recipe of "filhóses". This one is made with carrots and follows more or less the same procedure than the one with the pumpkin. I never tried this recipe as it is not typical from my region in Portugal. This one is from Douro Litoral and I am originally from Beira Litoral.Here is the new recipe with thanks to Rocky (the photograph is from a cook book...however, I hope to substitute it soon with a picture of my own when I will have done this recipe)Filhós de CenouraIngredientes:1,5 kg de cenouras cruas100 g de açucar2 ovos250 g de farinha de trigoazeite para fritar1 colher (sobremesa) rasa de fermento em pó1 limãoaçucar e canela moída para polvilharsal Preparação: Corte as cenouras ao meio pelo comprimento e coza-as em água com sal, durante 25 minutos. Escorra sobre um pano dobrado. Reduza a polme, deite-o numa tigela e junte-lhe o açucar, os ovos e bata muito bem.Adicione a farinha previamente misturada e peneirada com o fermento.Misture e aromatize... More About: Christmas , Recipes , Pastry , Portuguese , Traditional
Portuguese Traditional Christmas Pastry...
2008-01-01 23:04:00 There are some Portuguese Christmas tradition that have stayed on in my family although we have been abroad for so long. Some tradition are nicer than others, and this is the case of a delicious pastry done on Christmas and New Year. They are called "Filhóses" or "Velhóses" according to the region in Portugal where they are made, but the recipe is always the same...most of the time!This is the tradition I will now make you discover...for me there is no real Christmas without at least one of my mother's "filhós"Ingredients · 1500g pumpkin (this weight is after the pumpkin was cooked and dried of its residual water) · 600g of flour· 4 eggs (optional)· 20g of live yeast· 5g salt· a (very) small glass of Port wine· sugar and cinnamon1. Peal a medium pumpkin, cut it in cubes and cook it in water without salt. Once cooked, let it dry and squeeze it well to get rid of any residual water.2. In a big bowl, mix the live yeast in a bit of warm water (careful not hot water, you would ?kill? th... More About: Recipes , Pastry , Traditional
Previsões 2008 Para o Signo de Gêmeos!
2007-12-28 18:49:00 Só por curiosidade...e porque ás vezes isto dos signos até bate certo...coincidência ou não...fui ver as previsões para o meu signo para o ano que vem. Estou mais ou menos de acordo com o que se diz...quanto ao "beijo apressado"...não sei...talvez tenha de fazer a pergunta a...bem...eu cá me entendo!Influencia GeralOs nativos deste signo, estarão muito preocupados com diversas coisas no ano que se inicia. Deverão ter cuidado para que essas preocupações, no sejam desculpas para incivilidade e demonstrações de mau gênio.Ao contrário dos arianos, quem pertence ao signo de gêmeos, estará demasiado mental, motivo pelo qual ha uma tendência a não ouvir a voz do coração, o que poderá levá-los a inevitáveis discussões com amigos e colegas de trabalho. Esta situação será o resultado de idéias errôneas e conseqüente tratamento inadequado, dos assuntos emocionais.Ha uma influencia geral trazendo preocupações e temores, não somente exagerados como infundados, os quais tendem a produzir uma atmo... More About: Para , Mooo , 2008
Of Course...
2007-12-27 19:39:00 ...the flu awaits for your holidays to get you. So, here I am in bed, with flu and hating every minute of it! To top everything...I am completely voiceless! Talk of Christmas Holidays! Every year the same story!...Pppfffffftttt!Meanwhile, will keep you posted from bed...and...as soon as back into shape...will come back with further news!
Quando I Portoghesi Parlano In Italiano!
2007-12-16 11:00:00 Questo video è dell'anni 1990. La qualità non é buona...però questo video è troppo divertente! More About: Italiano
What Blogs Are About?
2007-12-16 01:35:00 A video for people who wonder why blogs are such a big deal. More About: Blogs
BLOG DE ELITE!
More articles from this author:2007-12-16 00:15:00 O meu "primo" o FJ acaba de me presentear com um prémio do qual me acha merecedora! Para o comum dos mortais a reação seria "oh, um prémio", mas todos os prémios são bem vindos. Como disse num dos meus posts anteriores (o dos "Thinking Blog ger Awards"), servem como forma de reconhecimento formal do bom trabalho desenvolvido na blogosfera!Bom, mas como é óbvio, todo prémio que se respeite, obedece a certas regras...e neste caso elas são:Regras & SistemáticaA sistemática da promoção é simples.Como todo meme, é exigência um link para o blog que o indicou e outro para o criador do meme, neste caso o blog PutsGrilo!com. Os blogs terão até o dia 31 de dezembro de 2007 para receberem votos. Todos os votos depois dessa data não serão computados. Cada voto deve ser informado o mais brevemente possível por meio de comentários nesta página e somente serão computados votos emitidos por blogs com mais de 01 meses de existência. Além disso, não serão computados votos de uma pessoa para s... More About: Elite 1, 2, 3, 4 |
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