Ruby Anniversary

A ruby anniversary marks 40 years to the date of a significant event.

The particular event I would like to bring attention to, is the 40th Anniversary of the opening of the Bhaktivedanta Manor in Letchmore Heath, Hertfordshire. One of the biggest Hare Krishna temples in the UK.
Now to many people this phrase may make no sense and the name itself may be difficult to pronounce - but to most of my cherished childhood friends, this location proves to be somewhere we hold very dear to our hearts... But let's start first with a little history lesson!

Bhaktivedanta Manor is a building which has gone through quite a few pastimes before reaching the hands of the Hare Krishna community - Through passing the hands of private owners in 1261, it was then demolished and a mock tudor building was then erected in 1884. It was at this time called 'Piggots Manor' and remained so until it became a nursing college, and finally in 1973 George Harrison (that's right, the long haired hippy from The Beatles!) generously purchased the property and handed it over to the founding guru of the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) Srila Prabhupada.

Phew, hope that wasn't too much info for you - but it's good to know your roots ;)

The Bhaktivedanta Manor

The fact that George Harrison bought and donated the building and grounds to the Hare Krishna's is something that astounds people even today - who in turn then want to know more about why such a high profile person wanted to do something so kind, and out of his own pocket nonetheless!
Well he had fallen in love with our founding guru and the teachings of Krishna Consciousness (If you haven't fallen hard, you might not understand) but i digress.

George Harrison with ISKCON founder Srila Prabhupada (far left)

What George had done on that day was leave a legacy that this year marks 40 years of the installation of the beautiful deities Radha Gokulananda (below).

What he also gave me personally was a place to grow up, study, make life long friends and follow my faith. Bhaktivedanta Manor served as my nursery and primary school, right up until I left for secondary school in a 'normal' surrounding. As the temple is open to all visitors and offers free food daily to all who are there, I was not left closed off to the outside world which in turn gave me a balanced upbringing whilst having a strong moral religious core, which is still with me today.

My Primary School

The grounds itself are stunning, with rose gardens, a lake you can wander around, a huge front lawn perfect for playing rounders and football, a dell we would make tree houses & mega swings in and a cow shed where we could help herd and milk the cows (oh and jump around the hay barn - don't try this at home kids). Could a child ask for more?

This location serves as the base for many religious festivals throughout the year, accepting thousands of visitors in, during busy periods and home to the monks (female & male) on a daily basis. It is very much a recognised part of the local community as a whole, it is a popular wedding venue and boasts  visitors such as Russell Brand and our own (current) prime minister as well.

So to mark the Ruby Anniversary, the manor will, as always, be holding the normal religious festivals but with the anniversary theme throughout - and again as always it is open to the public who can come in for a wander, watch a play in the theatre room, get some free yummy veggie food or maybe question the Hare's hard about why they shave their heads and dance around in orange everywhere!!
As a 'day out' goes, I can highly recommend visiting this amazing location - especially in the summer when the canadian geese are around and you can also visit the new calves in the fields. If you are religious or not, there is something to be said about the peaceful atmosphere and the insight into a new community that you may have before had misgivings about or thought to be a 'cult'.. If it is a cult, damn it's got a following! ;)

I am so thankful that this colourful surrounding was the backdrop for my childhood years, and is still where I go to meet & great god (he's good like that) and hopefully one day it will be the backdrop for my children too. I do wonder if George Harrison realised what he did on that day, and what legacy would be left so many years later - I'm guessing that if he could see the community we have there today and all  the people who's lives have been enriched by it's existence, he would probably be pretty astounded!
I for one am very grateful for the upbringing I had there, good & bad, because it has shaped me into who I am today and still plays a pivotal role in my social & spiritual life, even if I don't visit as much as I did as a child... They say 24 miles around a temple is Holy Ground, if so I am always bathed in the Lord's mercy :)


Kxxx

Spirit Me Away Ghibli

So tomorrow marks the start of Film4's Studio Ghibli season which will last for nearly 3 weeks, and I for one am mega excited!

For one it will mean that more and more people will get into contact with such an outstanding body of work created by director Hayao Miyazaki (among other directors under his tutelage), but also it means that when people see my Totoro purse there will be less & less questions like 'Who's that big bunny, he's cute' (he is pretty darn cute) but he is no bunny!! He is in fact a great spirit of the forest.

I am a huge fan of Ghibli films, starting with my first taste when a friend leant me his copy of Spirited Away only saying 'you will love this' - now personally I hate being told if I will like or dislike a film (Let me make my own opinion!!) It's also one of the reasons I take every critics review of a film with a pinch with salt (films are such a personal thing and all that jazz) - but this Mr.Millan is an expert in what I love, especially if it's originating from the East, so I watched it straight away... wow was I blown away!

The film is so superbly odd to outsiders (giant chicks, pig parents and spirits with no form) but like every Ghibli film, it has so much depth and heart that even if there are things that the more conservative person will deem to be 'too random' if they pay attention to the stories then there is always a lesson to be learnt. Like in Spirited Away where we experience where gluttony can take even the most caring of parents down, remembering who you really are and how you can still find friends in the oddest of worlds.. if your open to it.

The ideals Ghibli teaches like; honouring your environment, learning to love who you are, not judging anything or anyone at face value, the preciousness of family and friends or just remembering to be young at heart & that magic you felt growing up as a child, are all great morals to always remember.
But not only are these ideals presented in such a non biased manner, but the animation itself is so captivating that you are drawn to watch them again and again.

I guess that's why Miyazaki takes so much pride in directing it all scene by scene - and you can feel his attention and passion for his art through every moment. The films contain spirits and gods, common men and helpful beasts and all on a backdrop of mythological or present day Japan. There is something for everyone in this large selection of 'anime' films.

One of my favourite Ghibli films (which will come as no surprise to many) is My Neighbour Totoro, which was actually released in Japan on the year of my birth (1988),  it's a really simple and innocent tale of two girls who move to the countryside with their father and try to build their new home together, awaiting the return of their sick mother. But in between this, the girls meet Totoro a spirit of the forest - and a combination of Miyazaki's imagination and japanese folklore - he keeps the girls entertained and enliven their curiosity for nature and kind spirits, along with the catbus (and actual giant cat that's body is also a bus) they protect the girls and keep their spirits high during a tough time, of being without their mother.

This film is also one of my friend's daughter's favourites who would watch it none stops as a child, which has definitely inspired me to bring up my kids on these wonderful films.

Unlike Disney, Ghibli films always have very strong female leads who's goals go a lot further than just looking for their prince charming and sitting in a castle all day. They are warriors, sage's, protectors, pioneering engineers and adventurers and those are definitely the role models I want for my daughters one day!

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So for any of you who haven't ever experienced the wonders of Studio Ghibli, or the genius of Hayao Miyazaki, or for those who want to get together and re-watch classics, then tune in to Film4's Ghibli season starting tomorrow - I cannot recommend these films enough!
Studio Ghibli Season Film4

Now i'm off to get my Totoro onesie on and catch up with the Ghibli gang ;)

Love
Kx

Every journey has a first step..

Hello big wide world, and welcome to my blog!

This is the first time I have started a blog -Hooray!- I have always wanted a place where I could put down my opinions, thoughts (however random) and reviews of films & books etc. and it seems I have found it.

My little cove to express to the world my personal unique view on things.

So a little about me.. I love films and watch them with a passion and would really like to direct bigger films one day, I am obsessed with Japanese culture and am slowly teaching myself Japanese, I am Brazilian but have lived in the UK all my life, I am a Hare Krishna and love my religion (although I am not as committed as I should be).
I love animals and currently have a snake called Kali, a cat called Lali and two ferrets called Geoff & Winston as my lovely family of pets. I am pretty fascinated by tattoos and piercings - although I don't want to be covered in them like my boyfriend does - but I think a really well done tattoo on anyone looks gorgeous!
Changing hair colour is a given, I am a lacto vegetarian (I eat all dairy but no eggs) and adore cooking, so look out for some yummy recipes ;)
I have a passion for travelling and going on adventures and really want to spread my wings farther in the coming years.
I have a very big and wonderful network of family and friends who I wouldn't change for the world - even if they aren't always around, they're all out there doing there thang.

I don't plan on upsetting or offending anyone - but if this blog can cheer someone up, inspire them or just give some entertainment in anyway then it will be deemed a success :)

So please bear with me while I get it all up and running (like anything in this world, it will have it's own teething problems) but I hope that the blog & myself can grow and develop into something great together..

Love,
Kx