RIP Madiba

"I have walked that long road to freedom. 

I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. 

But I have discovered the secret that, after climbing a great hill, 

one only finds that there are many hills to climb" 

I still cannot believe that Nelson Mandela is not with us anymore. When I got the news about his death, I didn't believe until the morning after, when it hit me. The man, who was and still is such an inspiration, who fought hard for his beliefs, who changed his country's and the world's mentality, who inspired people all around the world, died. Many people can say to me, yes I was expecting that, he was ill and 95 years of age, and all that, but for me Mandela is one of those people that you don't expect to die and that they're going to live forever. However, for me, he will always be here, we will always be an inspiration, we will always be the person that when I feel like I can't do something, I will think about how hard he fought even though he was in jail and he still conquered his dreams, he still overcame all the barriers that existed and he still changed people's minds.

Yesterday, it was my graduation, and during the ceremony, the university's Chancellor, and teachers honoured him, by quoting him and did a minute's silence in his memory. One of the things that they all said was "You are graduating in the week that one of the most important and brave person in the world died. You should see this as the way to inspire you to change the world and fight hard for your dreams"

As Mandela always said "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

For the man that inspired the world, Thank You! You'll always be with us.

RIP MADIBA 1918-2013 :( 

Now it's Christmas

It's almost Christmas!! 

The time of the year that everyone goes mad, buying Christmas presents, and all that. For me it's more than just presents. To be honest, I don't even care about the presents anymore, as I feel Christmas is now an excuse for consumerism, instead of spending time with our loved ones. Living away from home as made me valuing this time even more. 

This is the second Christmas I'm flying home and I am super excited! Going to spend time with my nana, cooking the traditional Portuguese Christmas dishes, telling funny stories to my family and special spending time with my little cousins. That is Christmas for me. 

But for the past how many years, Christmas for me doesn't start until The Killers release their Christmas song. Everyone has their favourite Christmas song, everyone stars to feel Christmas when the traditional songs such as "All I want for Christmas is You" (which I do hate, by the way), "Let it Snow", and so on. For me that moment is when The Killers realise their Christmas song. Since 2006 they have realised 8 songs: "A Great Big Sled" in 2006, "Don't Shoot Me Santa" in 2007, "Joseph, Better You Than Me" in 2008, "Happy Birthday Guadalupe!" in 2009, "Boots" in 2010, "The Cowboy's Christmas Ball" in 2011, "I Feel It In My Bones" last year and this years they've realised "Christmas in LA". 

From the list above, Don't shoot me Santa, Happy Birthday Guadalupe and Boots are probably my favourite. This year's song has just reached the top 5 of my Christmas songs, and I already know most of the lyrics (sad, I know). Well, so you can know what I am talking about, and for those who haven't listen to it yet, here it goes:

 

(I won't write about The Killers all the time, it just happened that the time I found to write on the blog was about them)

We all love a bit of music

One of the things people should know about me is that I am a huge The Killers fan. I mean, since I first heard Mr. Brightside I was in love. Back then Brandon Flowers voice wasn't as good as it is now, but sure it made me fell in love with. 

From all the albums, Day and Age is my favourite one. I mean “Dustland Fairytale” is just amazing. Then you have “Goodnight, Travel Well”, which I have no words to describe how different and amazing it is. But from all time, my favourite songs will always be “When You Were Young” and “Here With Me”. Even though the last one is from Battle Born (the most recent album), I fell in love with it the first time I listened to it. 

All this to say it's their 10 year anniversary, which I am really proud of them for that. In 10 years they've released 5 (amazing) albums and to celebrate they're releasing a best hits album called Direct Hits. And I am really excited for it, even thought I already have all the hits of the album, except for the new ones. I've already had a look at the songs list and had a quick listen to Calvin Harris' remix of "When You Were Young" but I'm not sure if I quite love it. I Love Calvin Harris and I really do think he is one of the best DJ's at the moment, and I had the opportunity of going to his concert which was amazing, but I'm not too sure about this remix. Maybe I'll just have to give a little bit of time and sit and proper listen to it. 

Though, one of the things that make me super sad is the fact that in 10 years I was never able to see them live. The first time they went to Portugal, in 2009, I couldn't get anyone to go with me, as they were playing at a festival (and unfortunately, none of my friends are big massive fans like me). I was so depressed that day. Then last year, on my first day out in Liverpool I got a flyer from the Echo Arena, in which they were giving a gig. I never felt so happy in my life. That happiness lasted me an hour, until I went to the website and seen that it was sold out. But there is still hope, that one day I will be a proud owner of a ticket for a The Killers concert. 

Meanwhile, I am counting the days for “Direct Hits” to be release so I can buy it and whilst I wait, I'm leaving you with “Shot At The Night” that easily became one of my favourites. (I'm easy, I know!)