¿How important is smell in our lives? At first sight (or smell), it might not seem to be that important… in fact, I’ve always thought that if I were given the choice to dispense with one of the senses, I would choose smell. But as I think of it, I really believe smell is becoming more and more important in our every day life.

It’s actually what tv is missing. Smell. Whenever we watch a movie or a show, I can’t help wondering what the place they’re at smells like. By the way the area looks, you can guess it stinks or smells nice, but you can only imagine.

Smell is important and if you don’t believe that, ask Chanel Nº5, or the cremes that Bath & Body Workds/Victoria’s Secret sell. We’re often guided by smells. We try to stay away from those that do not smell very well, but we love to stay as close as possible as those that have a nice scent. My favorite one, the smell of someone that has just showered.

However, smell is not only important when it comes to perfumes or cremes. It’s just as important when it comes to food or other aspects of life. There have been times in my life in which I haven’t tried a dish because of its strong smell, or have found myself running to the other side of the road to stuck my nose in a beautiful rose or a happy daisy. The smell of the sea, of rain on dry land, of old books’ pages, of candy, of gas stations… it would be hard to lead a smell-free life.

Next chapter: sight
PS: I apologize once again for all the possible typos/mistakes… I type these things while I’m at work…

Taste. I sometimes forget how important this sense is in our lives, but then I try a new dish that my taste buds do no like and I soon get a reaction in my body: goosebumps.

I must say I’ve always been very picky when it comes to food, I’ve been spoiled at home. My taste buds have been quite sybaritic over the years, not in the sense that I would only allow 60 euro dishes in my stomach, but sybaritic in the sense that I was not brave enough to try new meals.

But that has changed recently. I don’t if it’s an outcome of maturity in the culinary aspect or if it is that my taste buds have evolved. If two years ago you had told me, let’s go to a Japanese restaurant for dinner, my answer would’ve been NO, plain and simple. I would rejected the offer directly. I always say however, that out of every relationship we learn something and from my last experience I’ve learnt to eat and to enjoy the pleasure of eating.

New York City is a place that gives you the opportunity to try new dishes from every region of the world you can imagine. Even though I was reluctant to try new meals, I eventually surrendered and started investigating and tasting new flavors. While in New York I tried Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Indian (spicy and meaty, sweet and vegetarian), Mexican, Ethiopian, Moroccoan… it is an endless list. And let me tell you, it was all delicious. And yes, Ethiopian, as in the African country. I never ever thought I’d sit at a place with a huge washbasin looking like plate where every little poo in it (sorry for the expression, but I do not know how to describe what I saw in the plate) was a new discovery to my palate.

My hair still stands on its end every time I try something my taste buds do not like, but I enjoy trying new dishes.

Sweet, sour, salty, dull, spicy… there are so many flavors. It is a big palette and with just a paintbrush, in this case a fork or a spoon, we can please our stomatchs.

Life would also be hard if we lost the sense of taste. Imagine if eating grass tasted the same as eating strawberries with cream… or even worse, if nothing tasted like anything… honestly, it would kind of sh*tty (sorry for that).

So now that I’ve realized that my palate is not that elitist anymore, I’m going to try new meals. I’m curious about Greek and Argentinian food.

A couple of days ago, while driving home, a thought crossed my mind. I was enjoying listening to music, songs that I’ve always sung to while driving and I couldn’t help thinking what if I went deaf? What if I lost any of my senses? How different would my life be? And so, I started thinking about the importance of all five senses in our daily routine. Since I started talking about hearing, I thought I’d like to talk about this sense first.

I can’t believe Beethoven was deaf and composed such beautiful music. I mean, I do believe it, I just don’t think I’d be able to do that.

I guess we don’t pay enough attention to the importance of the senses, but life would be so different it we lost hearing… could you imagine not being able to hear laughter? or cry? or any sound? Silence. That would be all we got. Complete quietness. It is a little worrying, right?

One of my greatest fears has always been forgeting the sound of a particular voice. The voice of someone you love and is no longer by your side. When my Grandfather died, I knew I’d always remember his face, I have a picture in my wallet I can look at every time I want, but what about his voice? I close my eyes and try to remember what he sounded like whenever I’d pick up the phone and he’d say: Zein sorgiña zara? Handia, ertaina ala txikia? (Which witch are you, big, medium or small?). Thanfully, we have tapes to remember what he sounded like.

And I know this may sound selfish, childish or stupid, but I really don’t think I could live without music in my life. That is why I admire Beethoven so much.

So, think about hearing… and open up your ears to hear the beautiful sound of a clock’s tic-tac, the sound of birds singing, the annoying construction machines making a hole next door, or an aeroplane taking off… we’re sorrounded by sounds.

Coming up next: taste.

No, I’m not going to talk about the basketball hero. I want to talk about the Middle Eastern country this time. I have always been fascinated about Jordan, I don’t know why. Probably because of what I’ve seen on magazines. I recall looking at pictures of Queen Noor and Queen Rania. I’ve always believed that Jordan is somewhat a different Middle Easter country, the gate that will open to communications between Western countries and Arab countries in the future, I hope.

I’ve never really cared about the royalty, not in my country nor in the other ones. But, I’ve always found Queen Noor and Queen Rania to be examples of the modern woman, yet attached to their believes and traditions. They look at their future without forgeting their past, where they came from. Two elegant women that stand out among other queens and princesses. True examples, in my opinion.

As for the country, I’ve always dreamed of visiting Jordan. This country has seen the birth and raise of so many civilizations. There’s so much history to see there. Petra is the first archaelogical remain that comes to my mind, but I had a talk with a travel guide yesterday, and he really opened my mind about other interesting spots in Jordan.

So, I should probably mark this country as a future visit in my agenda.

(Post escrito sólo en inglés) Every now and then, I’ll browse my dvd collection and always pick the same movie: The Notebook. I remember the day a friend told me about this film, that is actually based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks. She told me she’d just seen it at the theatre and that she loved it. It usually takes 2 to 6 months (sometimes up to a year) to get Hollywood movies in my country and I just couldn’t wait that long. I was intrigued to find out what the movie was about. So, I downloaded it. The quality was terrible, it was recorded at the theatre but I still enjoyed watching it. I loved the plot, I loved the characters, I loved the fact the story took place at a Southern state (I love Southern states) and I loved the fact that it reminded me so much of my Grandma. I cry every time I see this movie. I try not to, but I can’t help it. I did cry a few moments ago, again. I thought I’d write down some of my favorite quote from the movie:

“And if in some distant place in the future we see each other in our new lives, I’ll smile at you with joy and remember how we spent the summer beneath the trees, learning from each other and growing in love. The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds, and that’s what you’ve given me. That’s what I hope to give to you forever. I love you. I’ll be seeing you” - Old Noah

“Young Allie: Now, say you’re a bird.
Young Noah: If you’re a bird, I’m a bird” - bathing at the beach.

“Summer romances end for all kinds of reasons. But when all is said and done, they have one thing in common: They are shooting stars-a spectacular moment of light in the heavens, a fleeting glimpse of eternity. And in a flash, they’re gone” - Old Noah

“She had come back into his life like a sudden flame, blazing and streaming into his heart. Noah stayed up all night contemplating the certain agony he knew would be his if he were to lose her twice” - Old Noah

*Sigh* Good night, y’all! (I miss you Grandma, I wish I could help you remember too).

Capricorn Horoscope 2008
The planets Saturn and Ketu will remain in the eighth house in the year 2008 and Rahu planet will be in the second house. Mars will be in the sixth house, while Jupiter will be in the twelfth house in the year 2008.

Wealth, Career and Business
The year 2008 is good for Capricorn individuals from the point of view of wealth and business. There may be an increase in the sources of income and you will be admired in the society. The chances of success in career are quite high this year. Financial gains every now and then, employment for the unemployed and success for politicians are some of the other positive effects of this year. Your enemies will be scared of you and your business will grow smoothly and rapidly. Even employed people will attain new heights of success. You may have to undergo sudden expenditures. Students have chances of being successful in exams, competitions and interviews.

Health
From health point of view, this year will be satisfactory for you. The position of Saturn, Rahu and Ketu may result in some minor ailments, like joints pain, headache, etc. You will need to be careful in health matters or you will have to bear some medical expenditure. Take proper diet and drive carefully.

Love Matters
Capricorn individuals may get the opportunity of taking part in some festive occasion this year. Love relationships will remain healthy this year. You may meet your soul mate. Those who are already in a relationship might get married. Engaged people will be happy with their better half. However, the second half of the year may not bring such good situations. They might be difference of opinions in the family, resulting in some amount of tension.

Travel
This year, you have bright chances of going on a long journey, especially a foreign trip. However, heavy expenditures involved with this might lead to some amount of tension.

Domestic Life
The domestic life of Capricorn individuals will be neither good, nor bad, especially in the first half of the year. The position of Rahu planet may lead to sudden tensions and disputes in the family. Unexpected expenses might become another cause for worry. Along with family tensions, there may be some problems in the life of your children also. Things will start to improve towards the second half of 2008. Once again, there will be atmosphere of happiness and general well being. Your marital life will improve and you will receive full support from your wife.