INVICTUS

Invictus, Latin for unconquered, became an essential piece of Nelson Mandela continually motivating him through his presidency of South Africa. Through these words that he held so dear, that were his way of life, he managed to unite a strongly divided South Africa.

A movie was released this past Friday to show the tale, show it did. Starring Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, and directed by Clint Eastwood, I highly suggest the movie.

William Ernest Henley was diagnosed with tuberculosis of the bone at the age of 12. As time went by the illness merely worsened, troubling him academically. As a finishing graduate, doctors told the young man the leg needed to be amputated from the knee down. During recovery Henley wrote this inspiring piece:

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Invictus, Latin for unconquered, became an essential piece of Nelson Mandela continually motivating him through his presidency of South Africa. Through these words that he held so dear, that were his way of life, he managed to unite a strongly divided South Africa.

A movie was released this past Friday to show the tale, show it did. Starring Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, and directed by Clint Eastwood, I highly suggest the movie.

The First Snow Storm

The air is crisp, the wind chillingly felt, and the snow now layered on the solid soil, yes folks winter is here. The storm slowly worked its presence from across the country dumping inches upon inches of snow on unexpected towns. Last night and early this morning, Danbury got its taste.

There was a reported 3-4 inches in the area. The storm brought sleet, rain and snow that made for messy driving. There were seventeen accidents between Danbury and Waterbury on I-84, fortunately no one was severely injured in any, along with various police calls for assistance.

Plows were out early and the storm was fought off by local city-workers plowing the streets during the early hours, and it seems they have won the battle. However the war still wages on and we will see how the city fares.

http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Seventeen-area-accidents-on-I-84-281369.php

http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Snow-rain-blankets-region-with-slushy-mess-281021.php

Eurotrip

Over winter break, I will be partaking in a trip overseas with a couple cousins and eventually my brother.

Saying it, alone, makes me want to run around in excitement! There will be various new things to see, whether it be buildings, lands, stores, bars, and people, I look forward to every last bit. For the most part my cousin has mapped out our trip, I have all faith in him and have been more than willing to just wing it from the start.

The trip will start in England, arriving at Heathrow Airport in London. From here we will go to my Aunt's home and spend a night there before traveling north to Scotland. Here, we are spending a few days in a hostel then going back to London for Christmas.

On the 26th the three of us have a flight booked to Madrid. After a few nights in Madrid we are taking the train to Barcelona, where we will spend another couple nights. New Years Day, my cousins and I will meet with my brother in Paris and continue to the following year there.

After Paris, it will be two Days skiing/snowboarding the Swiss Alps.

Somewhere along the equation Dublin, Ireland fits in and Amsterdam is working on being included.

The reason I am even describing this is because of the possibility I will be updating this Blog from Europe, with pictures etc. etc. to document the trip.

and for everyone to be envious...sorry.