“I’m gonna live forever!”

On Tuesday my friend and I went for the first time to the Graz Opera for watching the musical “Fame”. It is playing in the opera since October and there are only two plays left. They great thing about buying the tickets is that students get a discount of 50%!

The story is of several students who attend the High School of Performing Arts from their freshman year until graduation, among them fame-obsessed drug addict Carmen, ambitious actress Serena, the comedian Joe, quiet, saintly violinist Schlomo, and talented dancer Tyrone. They want to become actors, singers, dancers and musicians.

I have also watched the movie from 2009 on which the musical is based on. The problem with the musical is that a lot of things happen, but the plot doesn’t seem to develop.

However, I really liked the musical: The actors are educated in a lot of various fields – from ballet to tapping and playing instrument. They seemed to be so passionate for their work!

“Fame” is really a visit worth, but if you can’t make it to the play, watch the movie which is also very impressive...

Unconventional = successful?

Have you heard about the guy who has lost a bet and now dressed up as a stewardess and worked for an airline for one day? :) His name is Richard Branson and he is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world.

Richard Branson, the founder and owner of the Virgin Group (Virgin Atlantic airlines, telecommunications, trains, cosmetics and credit cards) says his goal is to turn Virgin into “the most respected brand in the world”. Branson’s skill as a brand builder is one of the reasons underlying his longevity as a business leader.

I think it is difficult to separate the success of the Virgin brand from the authentic man behind that brand. He travels the world weekly, reinforcing his goo-natured, visible, jet setting, billionaire reputation. Once I read an interview in which he was asked what the most important quality of a good leader is. Here is his very honest and straight answer: “Being someone who cares about people is important. You can’t be a good leader unless you generally like people. That is how you bring out the best in them.”

Richard Branson is a very successful entrepreneur because of his stamina. At first, nobody takes him seriously. He was an unemployed crackpot, a dreamer but also a VISIONARY. However, by the time he has finally earned the respect of the business community, he has already made it.

Five amazing places I want to see

1. Santorin

Santorin is an island off the coast of Greece - thousands of years ago the site of one of the largest volcanic explosions in history. Today it plays home to spectacular views, crazy architecture, and a storied history. Supposedly the same eruption that destroyed it led to the legend of Atlantis :).

2. Iceland

Iceland features some of the most alien landscapes in the world. From huge, partially frozen waterfalls, to insane sunsets and sunrises, to miles of barren tundra; not to mention an outgoing population who’s down to party ;) – Ireland has everything. Moreover, it is a long dream to see the fantastic Northern Lights…

3. Australia

The essence of Australia is diversity: deserts, coral reefs, tall forests, snow-cloaked mountains and multicultural melting-pot cities. For me, Australia means adventures and a warm, friendly, relaxed lifestyle.

4. India

India's culture and heritage are a rich amalgam of the past and the present. This vast country offers the visitor a view of fascinating religions and ethnography, a vast variety of languages and monuments that have been present for thousands of years. If I think of India, Mehndi (body painting with Henna), the Holi festival, thousand different gods, yoga and a lot of wisdoms come to my mind.

5. The Amazon

The Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world and houses millions of creatures rarely found anywhere else, it’s worth seeing for thousands of reasons. Apart from the unique landscape, the reason why I really want to go there is the fact that nobody would expect me to survive a travel through a wilderness like this!