The New Year: History, Hope, and New Beginnings

Our sentiments for the New Year have always been the same since mankind started celebrating it –people strive to stick to their New Year’s resolutions and then stop doing so by February or right after the spirit of the holidays dissipate.

 In 1729, Bach called for protection from plague through one of his compositions, he called for joy and good health too among other things but thousands of years before that, New Year’s Day was never celebrated at all not until the Mesopotamians in 2000 BC started celebrating it during the vernal equinox. This celebration was in mid-March and not January. Various ancient cultures also celebrated something similar to that of the March New Year of the Mesopotamians. The Egyptians and Persians for example, celebrated New Year during fall while their Greek counterparts had feasts during the winter solstice.

In the early Roman Calendar, March 1^st is the New Year since it was the first month of the year. One has to note that in Latin, the word decem means ten, novem is nine, octo of course as one would surmise means eight while septem is seven. It was only in 153 BC when Romans started celebrating New Year’s Day on January 1^st  with January and February added to the calendar hundreds of years before. It was only during Julius Caesar’s time that January 1^st was officially installed as New Year’s Day though. 

It is interesting to note however that in the Middle Ages, this celebration was abolished because it is unchristian. Various times, various places, different celebrations -it all became confusing after that until of course the appearance of the Gregorian Calendar and January 1^st was restored as New Year’s Day. Enough with the trivia.

So here we are, another new year, another new beginning. Why is the New Year so important? The New Year or New Year’s Day at the very least is the mark of new beginnings - the very reason why different cultures seem to practice listing New Year’s resolutions. This doesn’t mean though that one should forget years past as Auld Lang Syne brought to our attention or brings to our attention each time it is sang.

While some cultures celebrate the New Year without having to subject their ears to any type of hearing loss, in the Philippines, it seems to be a requirement along of course with bloodshed and a tinge of gore –in various Philippine hospitals at least.

While New Year’s Day is a mark of a new page, new chapter, new beginning whatever one would prefer to call it, it is impossible to welcome the New Year without a hint of doubt and fear. The awful truth is that we are afraid of change –at least according to a number of experts. 

Change however can be wonderful but still, all we can do is hope for the best while doing our best to make 2013 a better year for all of us.

Happy New Year from the Diliman Diary!

Will the world end before Christmas?

The Mayans say that the world will end on the 21^st of December this year. There have been a number of failed predictions about the end of the world though which makes the Mayan doomsday schedule just one of those things that some people like to talk about. 

Montanus, who claimed he is the embodiment of the Holy Spirit said that the end of times were near. The word “near” is relative of course.

Before year 1000, many went out of their way to go to Jerusalem hoping to be saved because a rumormonger –a good one at that- said the world will end in the year 1000. The world didn’t end in 1000 of course –we are still here.

Charles Wesley of the Methodist Church

Methodist church founder Charles Wesley believed that the world was to end in 1794 while his brother claimed that the Great Beast would arrive in 1836 and that this event will cause the world to end. The brothers Wesley were wrong.

Jehovah’s Witness and The End of Days

Jehovah’s Witness –a religion, is probably the biggest fan of the end of the world because they predicted that the world will come to an end in 1914 and when it didn’t they said it would be in 1915. They released the same prediction three years later then the same prediction for 1920, and yet another in 1925. They also predicted that the world will end in 1941 –it did not of course but the group did not stop –they said the world will end in 1975 and when that didn’t happen, they waited for almost two decades to release the same prediction. Old habits never die it seems.

Joanna Southcott, Servant Woman’s Box

Joanna Southcott, a self-proclaimed mystic believed that she will give birth to the Messiah and when she does, the world will end. Southcott said at the time of her prediction that she’s due on October 19, 1814 –she was 64. While this would have been a milestone in medical history in terms of pregnancies in old women, historians believe that Joanna was never pregnant.  

So the day came and went and the world did not end. Two months later however, it did end –for Joanna at least. When she died two months after October of 1814, Joanna’s followers said that the mystic left a sealed box that should only be opened when 24 Anglican Bishops gather together to open it.

William Miller and the Great Disappointment

William Miller founded the Millerite movement which later on became known as the Seventh-day Adventist Church. According to Miller, Jesus Christ was scheduled to come to earth between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844. The schedule was not followed by Jesus Christ though and Miller died waiting.

What do the Seventh-day Adventist Church say about this? They say that Miller’s prediction was correct but the event did not happen on earth but in heaven.

Haley’s Comet, Planetary Conjunction, The Jupiter Effect, Hale-Bopp, and Y2K

Science made a grave mistake in 1910 when they thought that Haley’s comet will come with a poisonous gas that year. Nine years later, a respected meteorologist named Albert Porta said that the conjunction of six planets will puncture the sun which would then lead to a series of explosions. When Porta released this information to the public, mob violence followed while some committed suicide. Porta lost his job. Thankfully he got another job later on. Porta became a weather columnist.

The Jupiter Effect was a theory written by two astrophysicists –Stephen Plagemann and John Gribben. They said that the aligning of the planets in our solar system will cause major natural disasters. No major catastrophe happened but the tide was 0.04 mm higher than normal. The tide was high but we held on. 

Hale-Bopp, a comet, dreamt of being the “star” when it appeared visible to the naked eye for 18 months. An amateur astronomer stole the show though and said that he saw another object following the comet. 

Chuck Shramek, the astronomer, promptly called a radio show to release his “findings”. 

Although Shramek’s intention was not to cause any type of commotion, the Heaven’s Gate cult believed that the object following the comet was the spaceship that would pick them up from earth so that they could go back to their original home. The cult committed mass suicide in early 1997. No one knows where their supposed home is since mankind has been looking for an alien race for decades. A Facebook post has confirmed though that aliens do exist [see below].

By the year 1999, many feared that Nostradamus’ end of days prediction would happen. Many read into Nostradamus’ words and assumed that the King of Terror will descend on the earth killing everything and everyone in it –the King of Terror being the Cassini probe as interpreted by Nostradamus fans.

Photo via Sigmund, Carl, and Alfred

Nostradamus, a pharmacist, probably inhaled a few things to see the future. Nostradamus’ drug use aside, many say that some of his predictions were quite accurate but the one in 1999 was definitely just something he dreamt up. The year came and went and the probe did not descend.

Doomsayers never tire of this end of the world issue though and just a year later, some people were scrambling to prepare for Y2K.

The whole hoopla about the Mayan prediction was incensed when documentaries about it were shown on television and many a gurus from the world over started writing guidelines on how to perform an out-of-body experience to remove oneself from all the destruction that will happen to the whole of the earth when D-Day comes.

A few years back, stories about the Planet Nibiru came about even if the story of Nibiru is more like another installation of the movie Alien Vs. Predator. But because this is such an interesting subject I started digging –not literally of course because a lot of resources are needed in such an activity. I chanced upon a book called Hercolubus/Nibiru written by Zecharia Sitchin. Sitchin,  who passed away in 2010, said in many of his works that human origins involved ancient astronauts –specifically ancient astronauts from the Anunnaki alien race. The Anunnaki come from the planet Nibiru – a planet which Sitchin believes is a part of our solar system but traverses elliptically –the very reason why we’ve never seen it. 

He associates what happened to Noah, his ark, and the pairs of animals that surprisingly entered the ark without hesitation to a close encounter of the planet Nibiru. Sitchin said that Nibiru will come near Earth again.

I got to have a copy of the book in 2009, a year before Sitchin’s death and I remember reading a note by Sitchin himself that the book will be sent to anywhere in the world –to anyone who wants to learn more about Nibiru for free because his wish is for all of us to survive the destruction that Nibiru will cause. 

Curious, I gave his office my home address and a week later, I got mail straight from Spain. The  book is interesting but as one would expect, the ideas of the Azerbaijani-born author were rejected by the academe; describing his work as a mishmash of pseudoscience and pseudohistory.

Just the other day, some people on the social networking site Facebook started posting about the end of the world. No one really knows when the world will end though but if scientists are right this time, there might be major changes –so major these changes can include obliterating you or me or the person you do not like or the person you really like from the face of the earth.

Whichever the case, you can choose your plan of action –prepare your bucket list and do all that before the 21^st of December or prepare a doomsday survival kit or just go on with your life.

One last note though, the Mayans predicted the end of the world but never saw the Spanish coming.

Article written by: Sigrid Salucop

If Shoes Could Cry

A BBC report said that Imelda Marcos’ famed shoes –at least the ones that she left when she and her dictator husband hurriedly left the Philippines- are now ruined. Now a congresswoman, the former Philippine First Lady whose ostentatious extravagance resulted to the coinage of the word Imeldific, was not available to comment on the matter.

Termites, a series of typhoons, neglect and possibly hatred for the Marcoses resulted to damaged shoes, bags, and apparel. The late dictator’s formal native wear were also seen covered in mold for being stored in the Philippine capital’s National Museum without protection.

The former First Lady and her husband left staggering amounts of personal belongings says the BBC report and this includes a total of 1, 220 pairs of shoes.

It is interesting to note that Imelda Marcos donated a pair of shoes in a New York auction before and it fetched $10, 000 –something that Philippine officials should have kept in mind when they took Imelda’s shoes for “safekeeping”.

Over a hundred cartons of clothes, shoes, and accessories were transferred to the museum when they started showing signs of damage while in Malacañang during democracy icon Cory Aquino’s administration. They deteriorated further after being kept in an abandoned hall of the museum.

Photos via bild.de

UPCAT , CHEESE WAFFLE, AND COUNTRY SAUSAGE

by Food Fiend



It was early Sunday morning and raining heavily. The sky was still dark when we left the 
house. I was half-awake and badly needed a strong cup of hot coffee. Poor handsome 
hubby cannot stifle a yawn as he traversed EDSA on our way to UP Diliman . Second son 
hummed and sang to Maroon 5 songs as he chills while seated behind us. I reminded 
second son again to double check if his test permit, snacks, and water were all in his 
bag.


It's now after 6 in the morning and we just dropped off second son at the College of 
Law, still early for his scheduled 630 UPCAT exam. Better early than late I always say. 
The early bird catches the worm and all that jazz.

The Diary's Favorite #RejectedUPCATEssayQuestions

While graduating high school students in the country are preparing for the rather daunting UPCAT, graduates from the country’s premiere university are now having a lot of fun posting supposedly rejected UPCAT essay questions. Here are the Diary’s favorites:

“Ano ang cultural explanation ng pagkembot ng reyna habang pumapasok ito sa bulaklak?”

“Bakit pababa nang pababa ang spaghetti? Explicate using Newtons Law of Gravitation.”

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Si Spongebob ba sagot mo? Sya lang ba pwede tumira dun? Makipag-away.”

“Kung kasalanan maging pangit, pano ka hihingi ng tawad?”

“Bakit wala pa ring tatalo sa ALASKA? Explain briefly.”

“Why do birds suddenly appear?”

“Asan si Crispin at Basilio? Ibigay ang latitude nila.”

“Do you ever feel like a plastic bag drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?”

“Where do broken hearts go?”

“Ano ang favorite season mo ng Daisy Siete at bakit? Ibigay ang buod."

“In essay form, solve for x.”

“If 4 out of 5 people suffer from diarrhea, does that mean the 5^th one enjoys it?”

“If you were a cactus, why?”

“Bakit 3^rd party ang tawag kung wala namang celebration? Explian. At bawal umiyak.”

“If I fell in love with you, would you promise to be true? Defend your answer with feelings.”

“Tinimbang ka ngunit kulang. Computin ang kulang!”

“Kaano-ano ni Dora the Explorer si Internet Explorer?”

“Gaano kadalas ang minsan? Compute.”

Doctor Love: 12 Fascinating Facts About LOVE

Sure you’ve experienced it but there may be a few things you don’t know about the four letter word –L O V E.

Here are some of the most interesting things about love. If you want to learn more about this topic, please take a look at the references below. 

1. Sweat is an active ingredient in most perfumes and love potions in the past. Should you add a bit of sweat to your perfume? If you don’t stink, then it’s probably alright.

2.  Scientists say that most people would fall in love 7 times before settling down.

People who say they’ve never been in love have a rare disease called hypopituitarism wherein one does not or never feels the rapture of love.

3. The term LOVE comes from lubhyati, a Sanskrit word for desire.

4. In tennis, love means zero because some tennis players play for love in other words, playing for nothing.

5. Whenever one is heartbroken, one feels a certain type of pain. What is interesting is that, those who have been rejected show strong activity in their insular cortex –that part of the brain that signals and experiences physical pain.

6. Sometimes, the chase is an important component in having a romantic relationship.

7. Individuals with symmetrical faces have more lovers than those who don’t.

8. When women fall in love, they show more activity in that part of the brain that is responsible for memory.

9. Plato says in his Symposium that initially human beings were created whole that they had four hands, four legs, two identical faces, and were hermaphrodite. When they revolted against Zeus, the Greek God split them in two –man and woman. This created that innate desire to be with another human being to feel whole.

10. Falling in love is an urge –it is akin to sex and hunger –a primitive drive.

11. People who have intense romances i.e. the ones you see in the movies are more likely to divorce.

12. Romantic love lasts only a year or so. It is later followed by attachment love –a more stable kind of love.

References and Photo Credits

Ackerman, Diane. 1995. A Natural History of Love. Vancouver, WA: Vintage Books.

Ben-Ze’ev, Aaron and Ruhama Goussinsky. 2008. In the Name of Love: Romantic Ideology and Its Victims. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Buss, David. M 2006. “The Evolution of Love.” The New Psychology of Love. Ed. by Robert Sternberg and Karin Weis. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

Cohen, Elizabeth. “Loving with All Your Brain.” CNN.com. February 15, 2007. Accessed: July 20, 2009.

Fisher, Helen. 1992. Anatomy of Love: A Natural History of Mating, Marriage, and Why We Stray. New York, NY: Ballantine Books.

“The Drive to Love: The Natural Mechanism for Mate Selection.” The New Psychology of Love. Ed. by Robert Sternberg and Karin Weis. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.

Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love. New York, NY: Henry Hold and Company, LLC.

Tresidder, Jack. 2005. The Complete Book of Symbols. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.

imgfave.com

howstuffworks.com

layoutsparks.com

Top 18 Pinoy Pastries & Desserts

By Sigrid Salucop 

Filipino pastries may be simple but they sure are tasty. While many Filipinos crave for western pastries and cakes, there are those times when you just want a simple, gluten-free dessert i.e. puto or kutsinta or even both! Gluten-free or not, here are the best pinoy pastries and desserts that you can easily make.

Leche Flan

This is what one usually feels when
one eats a flan - <3 (heart/love)

The Flan is a dieter’s worst nightmare. It’s smooth, creamy and sugary goodness is just something one can’t resist. Although the name is very Spanish and even if it can be traced both to Spain and France –the origin of those uber yummy crème brulee and crème caramel, we have made this recipe our own. This dessert is usually served during special occasions. Oh yes…there’s definitely nothing leche about this flan.

Puto

Want cake but don’t want anything that’s too heavy? Get a puto. Also known as rice muffins, this recipe is also available in other Asian countries but the Philippine version is much sweeter –probably because Filipinos love sweets more than their neighbors. 

Puto Calasiao is deemed as the best authentic Philippine puto.

However, if you are in a Spanish-speaking country and you happen to cook some puto, better not say, “Have some puto, Puto!” 

Puto is usually accompanied by shredded coconut or topped with butter or cheese. The Tagalog however eat puto with dinuguan which is yum for many and disgusting for some –all about taste really.

Puto has a lot of versions but one of the loveliest is the Puto Pao. If you want dry puto, you can have the Castilian Puto Seco.

Kutsinta

Kutsinta for your sinisinta may not be a very good catchphrase for this Philippine pastry but it still is as yummy as other pastries around. This steamed, brown rice cake has an interesting story to tell though. 

Back in the year 1942, a woman by the name of Cita was hankering for freshly cooked rice. Her boyfriend Kulas, a rice farmer, decided to cook some for her but instead of adding a bit of salt to taste, he put in brown sugar and even put in too much water. 

With so many things to do at the farm, Kulas left the pot on the stove for too long, not even realizing the mistake he has made. When he came back, he found that he has made a sweet, pasty rice cake. He found it rather appetizing and decided to bring it to Cita. Cita of course loved the finished product and gave some to the people in their barrio. They named the pastry after themselves. 

Bibingka

This rice pudding is definitely Filipino but the recipe itself has a striking resemblance to bebinca, a pudding originating from Goa. 

The pudding from Goa however does not have rice in it but it has coconut milk much like the traditional bibingka in the Philippines. 

According to several historians, the word “bi” is Chinese for rice, no one knows where the other letters come from (yes they come from the alphabet you smart ass!) and what they mean though. 

Whatever bibingka’s history, let’s crank up the volume of the stereo and listen to Sharon Cuneta’s Maging Sino Ka Man while eating this Philippine rice pudding.

Ube Halaya

Many find purple yam odd because it’s err… purple. Although it is a good dessert in itself i.e. boiled and dipped in sugar, it becomes a lot better when it is made into a pan of creamy Ube Halaya. 

Sapin-Sapin

Made from either rice flour or rice soaked overnight, this Philippine pastry traces its origins to the northern part of the country. Sapin-Sapin is more like a stickier and rather creamy version of the kutsinta.

Maja Blanca

This coconut pudding is a Spanish dessert based on manjar blanco. Although this white delicacy can be served plain, many Filipinos add corn kernels to it making the usual maja blanca into maja blanca con maiz.

If you are tired of the usual maja blanca, adding squash is also a great idea.

Pichi-Pichi

This Philippine dessert made from sugar, cassava, and coconut with a hint of pandan is basically a soft puto. It is a favorite dessert from the province of Quezon. It is however also sold in other Philippine provinces. 

Polvoron

Simple yet delectable, polvoron is a powdery Philippine dessert based on Spanish shortbread cookies. Polvoron mixed with ground nuts is also used as the main ingredient in another Philippine delicacy –Turones de Mani. 

There are now shops that sell Polvoron cupcakes in an effort to reinvent this very simple dessert. 

Macapuno

Formerly a mutant of the coconut tree, the Philippine Coconut Authority successfully developed trees that yield 80% macapuno fruits making the macapuno another puno –yay to that yeah? Macapuno looks like the usual coconut but inside, it is filled with a yummy jelly. 

Due to its economic value, the Philippine government encourages farmers to grow more of these trees. Now let’s move to the dessert. Usually paired with ube or spread on top of a pan of crème caramel, the shredded macapuno we see is a preserved version of the fruit. It is full of sugary goodness and of course the unmistakable…err… macapuno flavor.  It is also made into candies like the ones in the photo.

Brazo de Mercedes

Brazo de Mercedes is a light and very delicate cake roll. Although the name is Spanish sounding, this jelly roll is more popularly known in the west as the Swiss roll. 

However, one has to note that the Philippine version is a lot lighter since no flour is used.

Ginataan

Described by many a Filipino children as the hot version of the uber popular halo-halo, Ginataan is served during the rainy season or for Filipinos living abroad, during wintertime. 

This Philippine dessert is known by many names, it is referred to as the alpahor in Chavacano, ginat-taan in Ilocano and tinunuan in Cebuano. It is also called bilo-bilo in some parts of the country. Whatever it’s called though, this dessert cooked in coconut milk is an all-time favorite among Filipinos.

No one is sure where the Ginataan originated from though but let's just keep eating it and hope that the answer will materialize at one point.

Champorado

Love chocolate? If you need carbs and you want chocolate with it, champorado is your best bet. Usually served for breakfast, this Philippine porridge can still be served for dessert or as one meal for someone craving for something sweet. Champorado is of Mexican origin but the original doesn’t have rice in it.

Palitaw

Made from sticky rice, Palitaw is another version of the Philippine rice cake. It is however usually served with sesame seeds. In some versions, the palitaw is topped with grated coconut. You can put both sesame seeds and grated coconut though like the one in the photo.

Napoleones

Most Filipinos would associate Bacolod City with the piyaya and the inasal but there is this one wonderful recipe from this beautiful city that is rather mouthwatering. It is called Napoleones and yes, according to some historians, the recipe probably came from Naples. Layered with custard cream and topped with white sugar, this puff pastry is to die for.

Bitsu-Bitsu

Bitsu-Bitsu and its twisted version the pilipit can be safely called as the Philippine version of a doughnut. It is fluffier than a churro, softer than a pretzel, and usually served sprinkled with granulated sugar –the result – Y. U. M. YUM!

Buko Pie

“Buko Pie, Buko Pie kayo diyan! Bagong luto!” Sure you always hear this inside busses coming from the southern part of Luzon. In fact, Filipinos are so used to it that many fail to realize how tasty this dessert is.

Alpajo

Remember the alpahor of the Chavacanos? Well this Ilocano recipe is nothing like it. The alpahor is ginataan but the Alpajo is a soft candy made from coconut, milk, and sugar. It's not sold anywhere though but some homes in the north still make them. My grandmother makes them every Christmas -they are oh so tasty!

Espasol

This dessert was described by a friend as something that tastes like dirt and ash but tasty -yes, tasty. 

Espasol is made from rice flour and coconut milk. It is dusted with toasted rice flour once it is shaped into the cylindrical shape Filipinos are so familiar with. 

Other Pinoy desserts that are also rather tasty include suman latik, tupig, and calamay.

Photos via 

cmthm1t1.bloggspot.com

prepys.com

pinoyadventurista.com

julianasworld.com

365pinoystuff.wordpress.com

filipinodesserts.net

marketmanila.com

chyngreyes.com

kitchencow.com

Dindin Lagdameo

pinoycookingrecipes.com

anjasfood4thought.com

applesaute.blogspot.com

Doctor Love: Top 6 Famous Love Letters in History

Thinking of professing your love to that special someone? Don’t send a text message or an email. Please.

Here are the top 6 love letters from history that will surely melt the heart of the ladies and provide the men a bit of inspiration and a little bravado to follow in the footsteps of some of history's greatest men.

Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn

Artist Arthur Hopkins

Sure he said, “Off with her head!” in 1536 but when the infamous playboy Henry VIII was still so in love with Anne Boleyn, he wrote her this letter:

“I beg to know expressly your intention touching the love between us. Necessity compels me to obtain this answer, having been more than a year wounded by the dart of love, and not yet sure whether I shall fail or find a place in your affection.”

Anne and Henry had one child they named Elizabeth.  Elizabeth later on became one of the most famous English Queens in history.

Napoleon to his wife Josephine Bonaparte

Napoleon’s real waterloo is his wife Josephine and his letters to her shows that the French leader had a soft side. He divorced her when she couldn’t bear him children but continued to write her anyway.  

He wrote this letter on July 17^th, 1796 when they were still married and Napoleon had to leave to command the French Army in Italy's borders.

“Since I left you, I have been constantly depressed. My Happiness is to be near you. Incessantly I live over in my memory your caresses, your tears, your affectionate solicitude. The charms of the incomparable Josephine kindle continually a burning and a glowing flame in my heart. When, free from all solicitude, all harassing care, shall I be able to pass all my time with you, having only to love you, and to think only of the happiness of so saying, and of proving it to you?”

Beethoven to his Immortal Beloved

Beethoven in his younger years.

It is believed that famous musician and composer’s immortal beloved is Antonie Brentano, a daughter of a diplomat.  Brentano, a married woman, being Beethoven's Immortal Beloved has been disputed by scholars Goldschmidt, Beahrs, Gail S. Altman, and Marie-Elisabeth Tellenbach because Beethoven had a strict moral code. These scholars are firm in their opinion that Beethoven would never have an affair with a friend's wife. The wealthy merchant Franz Brentano is believed to be a dear friend of the composer. 

Aside from the heartfelt letters Beethoven sent to his Immortal Beloved whoever she may be, he also dedicated his Diabelli Variations Op. 120 to her. Here’s one of his letters:

“Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, Be calm-love me-today-yesterday-what tearful longings for you-you-you-my life-my all-farewell. Oh continue to love me-never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved. Ever thine. Ever mine. Ever ours.”

Winston Churchill to his wife Clementine

The two were married for 57 years and constantly wrote to each other whenever one was far away from the other. In an interview released by the Smithsonian, Churchill quipped, "My most brilliant achievement was my ability to persuade my wife to marry me."

The man who carried Britain through its darkest hour has a soft spot for one woman and one woman alone -his wife Clementine. This photo of the couple was taken on the Thames in 1940

This letter was written by the former British Prime Minister on January 23, 1935:

“My darling Clemmie, in your letter from Madras you wrote some words very dear to me, about having enriched your life. I cannot tell you what pleasure this gave me, because I always feel so overwhelmingly in your debt, if there can be accounts in love…What it has been to me to live all these years in your heart and companionship no phrases can convey.”

Frida Kahlo to Diego Rivera

When Frida Kahlo passed away in 1954, Diego was by her side.

The famous artist wrote to her husband frequently. She once said that there have been two grave accidents in her life –one when she was hit by a streetcar and the other –Diego. Below is the letter sent by Kahlo to Rivera in the year 1940:

“Diego my love- Remember that once  you finish the fresco we will be together forever once and for all, without arguments or anything, only to love one another. Behave yourself and do everything that Emmy Lou tells you. I adore you more than ever. Your girl, Frida (Write me).”

Ronald Reagan to his wife Nancy

Wallace asked the President why the office didn't weigh on him like it had on others and the camera cut to a rosy cheeked, vibrant and twinkle-eyed Reagan and his response was "well, maybe they didn't have a Nancy." (Mike Wallace's interview with Ronald Reagan) 

President Ronald Reagan wrote a number of letters to the First Lady from the time they met. He gave her this love note on Valentine’s Day in the year 1977:

“Dear St. Valentine,

I am writing to you about a beautiful young lady who has been in this household for 25 years now –come March 4.

I have a request to make of you but before doing so feel you should know more about her. For one thing she has 2 hearts – her own and mine. I’m not complaining. I gave her mine willingly, and like it right where it is. Her name is Nancy but for some time now I’ve called her Mommie and don’t believe I could change.

My request of you is –could you on this day whisper in her ear that someone loves her very much and more and more each day? Also tell her this “Someone” would run down like a dollar clock without her so she must always stay where she is.”

Photos via flickr.com, chestofbooks.com, theroyalforums.com, santamonicaflowers.com, fortheloveofausten.com, smithsonianmag.com, istanbul74.com, jerseynut.blogspot.com, barewalls.com, time.com

Article and Research: Sigrid Salucop