INVICTUS

 INVICTUS

Invictus, meaning unconquerable or undefeated in Latin, was written in 1875 by William Ernest Henley.

Invictus by William Ernest Henley | Poetry Foundationhttps://www.poetryfoundation.org › Poems

https://worldview.unc.edu/news-article/invictus/

Invictus by William Ernest Henley is an inspirational poem. This poem depicts the poet's attempt to motivate himself when there is no hope at all. When the poet writes this poem he has already lost one of his legs. So, in such a situation of mental and physical agony, the poet tries to lift up his courage.

不可战胜

作者：威廉·欧内斯特·亨利

重重夜色之中，

黑暗如地心深底，

感谢上天诸神，

赐我不屈灵魂。

就算被踩倒践踏，

也不会畏缩呼叫。

就算承受无数打击，

头破血流，却不弯腰屈膝。

尽管这里充满愤怒泪水，

恐怖阴影若隐若现，

岁月越是逼人，

越会发现，我，勇敢无惧。

无论天堂之门多么狭窄，

无论刑罚加身多么严苛，

我是自己命运的主宰：

我是自己灵魂的统帅。

Invictus

William Ernest Henley

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 bludgeoning 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.

FASHION: the fashion industry

 

the Fashion industry is a multibillion-dollar global enterprise devoted to the business of making and selling clothes.Some observers distinguish between the fashion industry (which makes “high fashion”) and the apparel industry (which makes ordinary clothes or “mass fashion”), but by the 1970s the boundaries between them had blurred. 

Fashion is best defined simply as the style or styles of clothing and accessories worn at any given time by groups of people. 

There may appear to be differences between the expensive designer fashions shown on the runways of Paris or New York and the mass-produced sportswear and street styles sold in malls and markets around the world. However, the fashion industry encompasses the design, manufacturing, distribution,marketing, retailing,advertising, and promotion of all types of apparel (men’s, women’s, and children’s) from the most rarefied and expensive haute couture (literally, “high sewing”) and designer fashions to ordinary everyday clothing—from couture ball gowns to Juicy Couture-brand sweatpants. it's not just about the style or type of clothing, but instead encompassing it all overall, as a collective. Sometimes the broader term “fashion industries” is used to refer to the myriad industries and services that employ millions of people internationally in all forms of skills.

https://www.bl.uk/business-and-ip-centre/fashion-industry-guide-new

Fashion is a general term for a popular style or practice, especially in clothing, footwear, accessories, makeup, body piercing, or furniture. Fashion refers to a distinctive and often habitual trend in the style in which a person dresses or styles themselves to in a sense of behaviour. Fashion also refers to the newest creations of textile designers. The more technical original term costume has become so linked to the term "fashion" that the use of the former has been relegated to special senses like fancy dress or masquerade wear, rather than everyday wear. while "fashion" means clothing more generally, including the study of it. Although aspects of fashion can be feminine or masculine, some trends are androgynous and all fall under the term fashion and into the fashion industry. The fashion industry consists of four levels: the production of raw materials, principally fibres and textiles but also leather and fur; the production of fashion goods by designers, manufacturers, contractors, and others; retail sales; and various forms of advertising and promotion. Clothing industry or garment industry summarizes the types of trade and industry along the production and value chain of clothing and garments, starting with the textile industry, embellishment using embroidery, via the fashion industry to apparel retailers up to trade with second-hand clothes and textile recycling.

https://www.britannica.com/art/fashion-industry

FASHION: tv shows fashion influence on society

 People deal with fashion every day and also become crazy for fashion. According to Crane (2000) clothes are the key factor  which can make or destroy one’s personality. Today each person wants to look perfect for .Everyone wants to look perfect and each girl always wants to be a fabulous, set apart from others. Whether current or past time, fashion always been involved in women's lives; a woman always keeps looking for new ways which introduced new fashion. Dressing is a big part of  beauty, it not only reflects one’s personality but also represents the glow of beauty and even personality. Style and the clothes ones buys and wears is mainly influenced by fashion magazines, TV ads, TV dramas, fashion shows, TV personalities or peer groups. Clothes, make up, accessories and fashion can be used to cover up or "change" one’s facial features, figure, skin tones, height marks etc if one feels are not unattractive, then trendy apparels can be used to cover these defects. Or when one likes something about themselves, fashion and apparel can be used to emphasis and draw attention to it for example a great figure with tight clothes, skin tone and clothes colour, etc. 

https://www.popsugar.co.uk/fashion/shop-your-tv-fashion-interview-47957142

Fashion as apparel is a process in which old fashion is presented in a new look. TV, fashion shows and magazines are the major factors which change and influence the apparel of teenage girls, young women, and adults of all ages. 

The modern era is the era of globalization; in which media has made the earth as a global village, it removes the distance. All types of media provide you each and every necessary updates regarding your favorite topic, style, celebrity etc.

Definition of Fashion 

The word fashion refers to the meaning of new, in, popular stylish designs for dresses, hair or other accessories for decorating personality, giving style. Whichever type of apparel is currently "in vogue" and a huge population wear it, is called fashion.  Fashion never remains in its original form, it changes or modifies with time and place; evolving, if it remains without any modification then nothing will be introduced as a “new” style  Fashion is sometimes imprisonment. Which people have themselves imposed on them, while they know, they feel comfortable without much in fashion - restricted in what can and cannot wear, what would or would not be deemed as acceptable by peers.When a product is widely spread ad popularised among the people, people adopt it on large scale and you can observe that it was not seen before, it is known as fashion.

 Definition of Media 

The word media refers to the meaning of main sources of communication; these can be in the form of written, visuals with narrations or written plus clips or images, these ways that can interact with a large number of people in a single moment is called mass media. Mass media is use to shape opinions, views, impact, thought, impression or message of it audience, either the audience is broad or limited

Definition of Television 

The television is a system which alters the visuals and sounds into the electronic signals and then people can see the combination of visual and sound on the screen. All forms of mass media have a significant effect on the lives of audience but perhaps no others have thepower like television, television has both visuals and sounds, which makes it different from other mediums. Moreover, on this, people can see everything which they want without going anywhere; means people can see cricket, movies or other shows at home without investing money on tickets or facing undesirable weather or situations.Through this medium people see different channels on screen, different shows movies and topics, which frame the minds of people for adopting the culture of others. television can also leave long lasting effects in the shape of fashion, emotion, mental disturbance and fear. both positive and negative.

Role of media in fashion world 

At present, media is involved in everything; it’s creates a way for launching and promoting something or play a role in destroying others. According to “Media in fashion”, a few decades ago, fashion was not so much popular among the people but now it makes it's place in the field of media and it has established a big industry, it provides awareness about the latest trendy fashion among the people through print, electronic and digital media too. A study's conducted for measuring the number of women in the United Kingdom who become fashion addicted and found that a large number of women adopt different fashions influenced through media such as TV shows, movies, magazines, etc. 

fashion can also bring a change and variation to traditional clothes.Television, internet, fashion shows, magazines - all these are the mediums are used for introducing new trends, new fashion and new brands for people which gradually becomes integrated and accepted as part of their clothing. Nowadays each house has one or more TVs, which provide numerous fashion shows along with the internet and social media, containing new dress designs which took the people in the world of glamour. 

some argue that clothes are the most important thing but if so, in the present era it cannot remain within one shape. They also say that with the passage of time, fashion has made its place in culture; slowly and steadily people are accepting the latest trends and want to know the updates about the upcoming fashion which are mostly provided through the media because media is used to set trends for us through magazines, social media and television. Through television, fashion shows play a role of providing latest news regarding latest fashion.  Fashion trends are influenced by popular figures in culture like celebrities, musicians and other high-profile individuals. Current fashion trends are often cyclical, taking cues from decades past and reworking them to fit within modern tastes. Their fashion choices and styles are promoted through these various forms of media to society. 

Fashion exists in every culture and it is often adopted or modify for that culture and can slowly influence changes in it,  the process of adopting or modifying a cultures fashion starts with radio, television, fashion shows, internet, social websites, newspapers, banners, billboards, advertisements or through magazines as people come into contacted with these multiple times a day, everywhere they go, with these mediums influencing us everywhere several times a day we are strongly influenced by them which leaves impact on the outfits of people, in their fashion choices.

Today everyone wants to create his or her own identity, media plays a role of a teacher to this creating a splendid image of an ideal personality; to some extent media succeeds in this purpose because today television has become integral part of every home - children, teenagers, youth and adults all have easy access to it; this access, helps them portray their image often resemble someone they admire or like who appears on TV screen and is an incentive to them to adopt innovation in their clothes and develop their own form of style based on this influence. Television is one of the most viewed mediums of mass media in society, its easy to access and is immediate. one can easily get knowledge and information by watching television; and this can take advantage of this to their own desires helping to influence and sometimes create changes within their culture, norms, values, custom, traditions, education and fashion.

print and electronic media are the main mediums which create waysforthe fashion industry in changing our way of living by promoting branded items, apparels, footwear, jewelries and other accessories. Media has made teenagers more fashion conscious; teenage girls often try to alter the shape of their body, to make their their own identities via style, to try to look beautiful by adopting different apparel wanting to look like a beauty who appears on the screen of television or film.. 

Media always plays a role of an informative source. In the beginning it provides  limited sources of information, It has limited items and purposes. But with the passage of time it becomes more of a demand of each home and everyone in it. it is available in different types like radio, television, newspaper, magazines etc. All these types bring changes in the life of human beings. a television is a necessary element of every home or a phone/computer to watch shows on. many girls want to be up to date with fashion. Fashion shows on TV channels are a great source for such purpose. It provides all the necessary information regarding fashion apparels, fashion designs or current fashion trends without going anywhere. This facility has enabled girls to have a passion for fashion. This fondness for fashion has changed the dressing style of young girls and adopt different fashion. for example asian and Middle Eastern cultures wearing more western designs, from daily wear to even wedding dresses and other formal occasions, not just casual life.

TRAVEL: DAMBULLA & MATALE

tIt was an early start. but our room was supplied with a kettle, tea, coffee and cups, plus when asked for more juice they were happy to supply it. it was still pretty dark when we set off. we had our own private driver with a nice cool air conditioned car. we headed in the direction of Matale which is 23km/14miles  away from Kandy. he stopped en route while the sun had just started to rise and let us take some pictures over the fields. very picturesque and quiet. the area has a lot of tea, rubber and cacao plantations. Matale is famous for its monastery and rock temple, "Aluvihara" we visited this and the "Sri Muthumariamman temple" 

https://www.thrillophilia.com/cities/matale 

we stopped first to visit visit the rock cave temple. as it was early there wasn't really anyone about, just a couple of old pilgrims.

Aluvihara Rock Cave Temple

Sri Muthumariamman Temple

next we stopped at a roadside cafe for breakfast curry and some nice juice. cheap but still quite tasty. we then stopped at the  Sri Muthumariamman temple, it's in the small town, a hindu temple, beautiful decorated and colourful. there was a ceremony on so we couldn't go inside be we could walk around the outside and take pictures. the temple is dedicated to Mariamman, the goddess of rain and fertility. We didn't spend to much time there and got back in the car heading to Dambulla to visit the royal cave temple. 

Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple / Dambulla royal cave temple

we parked in the car park, it was quite hot and sunny by this point, maybe around 10am. there wasn't too many people about. tickets cost about LKR1,500 per person and LKR25 for shoe storage once you get to the top, you need to be wearing Proper attire, covered at least to elbows and knees - which is a common requirement for the religious sites in Sri Lanka, and some other south East Asian buddhist countries (eg parts of Angkor Was, Thailand reclining buddha etc) shoe removal is the norm for asian temples (in Myanmar I felt like I didn't need shoes I had they off so often) . 

there is also a security check before entry to the temple, but again common due to the bombings a few years back in Colombo.

The Dambulla royal cave is a recognised UNESCO site, its been a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries. it's a cave monastery, with  five sanctuaries, and is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m2 ) are of particular religious importance importance, as are the 157 statues inside as well. it was established by monks in 3BCE

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/561/

there's a lot of steps up, and in the early morning it can get a bit uncomfortable as the temperature and humidity rises. thankful not so many people. The temple is high up on a hill/small mountain.there wasn't too many there which was nice, so we could enjoy it at a leisurely pace. 

When we headed back down again it was around midday, the cool of the car with the air conditioning was much appreciated. from this we continued North and stopped at one of the many Spice gardens

we were given a private tour, shown different herbs spices and fruits and told about their uses and benefits for different health issues and overall healthcare. 

Golden temple of Dambulla

Tourist site to see the Rock Caves and access to the Golden Temple. 200 LKR.

Part of the royal cave complex, at the back bottom of the mountain one can look around at a small museum area and view the giant golden statue.

it was hot, we were tired, I relaxed outside while Andrew went in. there was a nice pond area nearby, and a tasty drinks stall, cheap too! we got 3 fruit juices.  the then jumped back in the car and heading on and going to the spice garden which was cool and shaded under all the trees  

https://famouswonders.com/dambulla-golden-temple/

SPICE GARDEN

vanilla. a great substitute for sure, sweet tasting and smelling. my favourite 

 

lots of different fruits, even the huge smelly durian, though I personally like it. Durian is Thai and means "king of the fruits" 

 

this type of pineapple can be used medicinally but not for eating as a little poisonous and indigestible. 

very small, red and very cute. they had natural remedies for so many things, skin care, teeth, herbal teas, tea for male potency, oils for hair growth, massage etc. there's a gift shop at the end where you can buy the different things they produce, and offer discounts for multiple purchases and can even post worldwide. 

we were also given a health massage and demonstration with some others. it was relaxing, different from other massages but good. they used a natural oil they produced at talked about different techniques they could use plus the benefits. of massages. Andrew got some things in the shop, including some teas. you can pay with American Express. 

we stopped at a culture village experience, but we decided against it, seemed a bit gimmicky and there was plenty of other things we still wanted to do such as the rock and safari park

MOUNT SIGIRAYA

next was MOUNT SIGIRIYA , the "LION FORTRESS" another one of Sri Lanka's UNESCO world heritage sites. known by locals as the 8th wonder of the world

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/history-magazine/article/sri-lanka-sigiriya-fortress

Built in the 5th century it was discovered by an archaeologists in the 1800s. its high with a LOT of steps. not an easy climb at all. inside the cave it is beautifully decorated with frescoes  though unfortunately you can't take pictures as it may damage the art. the rock/ mountain is in fact an extinct volcano and  is surrounded by western style gardens from the colonial period 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigiriya

while Andrew climbed it (entrance fee is 30 dollars, locals pay 50Rupees) I went to a local hairdresser and beauty salon nearby.run by locals you could speak the very minimum English I got my eyebrows threaded. they were quick, painless and very very cheap, I was a small run down beauty shop, a local town area, basic and used only by locals. I sat in the old beauty chair while they did it. there was a small tv on in the side room and the girl also had her small baby there too. they were friendly and nice and it was an interesting experience 

https://sigiriyatourism.com

the countryside fields along the road are beautiful. glimpses of natural beauty 

. 

 

our next stop in the late afternoon was the nature reserve,  not minneriya as we were informed most of the elephants had already moved from there but instead to 

HURULU eco park

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g665220-d2486380-Reviews-Hurulu_Eco_Park-Habarana_North_Central_Province.html

HURULU eco park was established as a biosphere reserve in 1977 in particular for elephants who tend to migrate here during the dry season (usually April/may until September)  Minneriya National Park, the Kaudulla National Park are nearby and the elephants tend to migrate between these, july to September in Minneirya, then Kaudulla, and usually spending December and January in Hurulu, hence why we choose this one, and we found lots of them! there's also a few endangered animals to be spotted here too such as the Indian star tortoise, Sri Lankan leopard and dusty spotted cat, though we didn't come across any. 

https://minneriyasafari.com/hurulu-eco-park-habarana/

   

there was a lot of elephants. some with babies too, and some got pretty close to us which was great! 

 there were lots of elephants to be spotted. we got really close up to a few!! we had our own private jeep too which was cool.  this reserve had lots of small Rocky Mountain cliffs, the driver stopped and left us climb a small one, it was so nice sitting at the top. overlooking the land and spotting some birds while we relaxed and enjoyed the scenery.

 

we also spotted lots of birds such as hawks/eagles and peacocks who like to fly and hang out in trees....it was. little intimidating to say the least, I didn't know they did that 

there was some water buffalo too

 we were leaving just as the sun was starting to set 

 

on the road out, towards our final destination, our hotel, we spotted a lone elephant walking along the main road! was so exciting to see. we finally arrived late at night to the hotel. a really nice place, four poster bed, bathrobes and an infinite style  pool beside the lake it verged on