Journal Entry - Phantom of the Opera

Visiting the bookshop a few months ago, I've spotted a book "The Phantom of the Opera". I knew there's a movie called like this and we even have it at home. But I've never watched it before. The decision has been taken at once and the little book appeared in my bag.
In this post I'd love to make a few comparing of the book itself, written by Gaston Leroux, and the USA movie from 2004.


To start with, I should say that those who like detective stories with a shade of drama, should read the book. Those who prefer romantic stories and fantastic music - movie. But myself I'd recommend to do both.
When I've started reading the book, I was quite interested by then. I absolutely loved the way of expressing ideas, thoughts and how the story was told. I felt myself a visitor in the destroyed Opera, where a kind storyteller entertained me with the most famous mystery. I swear I could hear all the sounds there while reading, starting with steps and finishing with amazing voices of opera singers.
In some pages I realised that I must watch a movie. I'm a very impatient person, so I couldn't resist leaving a book for a while (which later was left for a few months).
I should say that this movie was one of the greatest music movies I've ever watched. BUT the movie story will surprise you with a great lot of differences from a book, in some good or bad ways.
As advantages, I can name music, written by talented Andrew Lloyd Webber. I already have the printed note sheets, 'm playing them from time to time and it gives me goosebumps. The movie music will get into your blood and won't let you calm down for some time, as it did to me. It was a great enjoyment to listen to the singers and to the playing orchestra.
As for the actors, I have a few "yes" and "no". I am absolutely happy of the way they represented Raul. I didn't like him in the book so much, for his character there was ... weak, I could say.
As I have mentioned before, the book sounds like a detective story. The movie is a drama. A beautiful opera singer Christine and 2 men, from which she has to choose - lovely story. Such a beautiful Phantom, I adored his appearance and voice. But he wasn't presented even half that ugly as in the book. Which is, perhaps, good. I am glad, though, they gave us chance to pity Eric (Phantom), since in the book in the end all you feel towards this man is disgust and hatred. Well, probably not so harsh, but close to this.
Certainly, this movie does has some flaws, where I include the acting of some actors.
In common, I do recommend everyone to get familiar with these wonderful art creations and share your opinion too.

Toffy xx

Outgoing Mail - Owl&Fox

Hello, mail addicts! How is your summer going on? I hope you enjoy it and make your dreams and plans come true.
So far I'm pretty busy in real life, I have an exam session for university entering, but it's exciting to realise that soon I'll be free. The results come on Saturday when I will know if I'm accepted or not. Wish me luck!

Now on to some mail. I'm slow with writing and sending now, but I keep receiving some letters. I'll share the incoming mail as soon as possible.
If you remember from my last blogpost, I've made a funny owl envelope, which goes to my new wonderful friend Yoshi (check out her blog!). She's sent me some adorables, I'll definitely show them in the next post, where I'll tell about my latest incomings. I thought I'll treat my new penpal with a few stickers.

The other letter goes to my penpal Ruta, which appeared to suddenly become my constant penpal. It's so cool! I drew her a little TARDIS, ohyes, I'm a Doctor Who fan. Maybe she likes it too? I'll learn out very soon. 

Also I absolutely love Fab's envelope design. I don't have a color printer, only a b/w one, but I have markers and washi tape, ha!

So, you see, I'm going super slow on my letters, but soon it will speed up. Want to be my penpal? Just drop me a message or a comment! :)

Toffy xx

Sneak Peek - Storage and Decoration

Hello everyone :) Life in Minsk is going pretty good - I had a very exciting day yesterday, which included an exam (passed for 8 and happy for this) and my first experience in being an enterpreter at business meeting. I loved this because I've never been talking to a foreigner in real life and it was a really great and useful experience. He said he loved my English and many other nice things. I hope I impressed some people there because I really want this job, haha!

But now closer to the subject. I thought I'd share with you some pictures of how I store my supplies and use my postcards.

I've always hated empty walls, it makes such a dull impression and sometimes even scares me. I'm used to having posters or anything else on the wall. For a year now my room is decorated with postcards. This is just a part of them, that's hanging over my bed. I put on the walls only non-official cards. The biggest one is from the UK sent by my dear friend Alan. I have more cards from him, but they are posted on another wall. The one with owl is from Debe, Germany and the one with teddies from a french friend Jan. The first one is from another british friend Bill. The last (2nd) one has been sent to me by one of my old penpals, with whom I'm unfortunately not communicating now.

Other postcards and envelopes I keep in boxes, albums and storage baskets. The first album is for the Postcrossing cards (it's already full, wow!) as well as the one with a red drawn ribbon. In this box I keep Postcrossing cards, that are oversized, shaped or go with envelopes. The basket keeps my recent mail, but I am going to buy some files to store the mail by sender. The green one also keeps envelopes.

As for the supplies, then these are my favourites. Some of the stickers I use most, also my favourite washi tapes (it's not all I have, but just the favourites), and, of course, my favourite pens. I prefer the black one to write with and a white one to decorate. And of course, where would I go without an owl rubber ^^  and a nice pencil. Also I'm using the mat for crafting and writing letters, helps me to save my damaged-without-it-table :D

I have a lovely shelf (not pictured here) where I keep my cardmaking supplies, such as paper, stickers, brads and the stamps, of course. This is a box with my inkpads and stickers. I don't have a lot, my collection is only growing!

As well as for cardmaking supplies, I have a seperate shelf for my mail supplies. This is where I keep my empty postcards, stickers, envelopes and other little additions.

Well, this is it so far! How do you keep your supplies? Tell me in comments!

Toffy xxx

Vintage thinking

Hello, friends :)

Today is the first day after long holidays and it feels like Monday to me. But great, it's Friday! Which means the weekend is up to appear next evening (as I'm studying on Saturdays). To celebrate the weekends I took a walk in the center of Minsk, my city, along the favourite avenue here. And I was so so delighted to see it changing and updating.
We are holding the World Hockey Championship here, starting May 9 2014. So the city became so charming! I love the tulips they planted around the trade center's roof.

Concerning the mail, they let out beautiful postcards and lots of special stamps. I still have a few in my empty-cards-album, so feel free to contact me if you want some!

Speaking of mail, this week I entered my first Round Robin. And I think it is so exciting! This is a real new experience for me - and 3 more postcards to cheer up my mailbox! I am also getting ready to gather a nice circle of penpals. So I just couldn't pass by the craft store without buying a treat - some cute vintage brads. I really love vintage, especially stickers and paper.

The brads are from Scrapberry's.

I hope your weekend is going to be nice, sunny and full of craft ideas and activity.

Toffy.

A welcome note

Hello, dears! It's time to start a blog I've been dreaming of for quite a long time. The blog to reveal some of my life spots, but mainly snail mail and postcrossing stuff. And I bet there ARE things to show and share.

I'll be really glad to make friends with you and getting some new penpals as well.

You can read up more in the tab "About Me" up in the blog.

Toffy.