Rekindled interest in the Romanov family

When I come to think of it, I've to admit, I don't really know so much about them.

By the time I was born, the Romanovs had been dead for almost 70 years. I first knew about Anastasia in 1997, when I saw the fictional animated film. I quickly moved on as the movie led me to believe she lived happily ever after. It was only in 2009, when I happened to be reading about World War I (after watching Joyeux Noël during Christmas), that I gained a clearer understanding of what happened.

But it was in late January 2013 when I rekindled my interest in the Romanovs. While listening to that famous disco song of Rasputin, I decided to google him on Wikipedia, then clicked Alexei and then finally Maria's biography article. Only then did I absolutely know for certain that Anastasia had been murdered. From that day onwards, I never stopped thinking of them.

Lego Faora-Ul minifigure

The minifigure, just as it looked on sale. Blu-Tack was used to attach the helmet to the hand. Note that the hairpiece doesn't fit with the armor, unless you don't mind seeing a slight gap above the forehead.

Bought this minifigure seperately as I'm unwilling to buy a whole expensive set. Lucky for me, the Lego store I went to appear to sell minifigures individually by unboxing some of the sets they came with. However, the larger the set, the more expensive the minifigure (there are few exceptions though). In my case, Faora is exclusive to the Superman: Battle of Smallville set, which is both large and pricey. Still, it's better than having to buy an entire set which I will probably just put aside one day to collect dust.

Quality printing on the torso. Faora actually looks better without the armor on.

In memory of the Russian Grand Duchesses

From left to right: The Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia.

I found this somewhere on the internet, and I decided to reuse it here. I did some rewording to make it fit, so sorry if it doesn't rhyme (that's not the point of this post though).

They may be gone for almost a hundred years
And they lived on me for over a hundred years ahead
But they'll always be on my mind
Until the day I die

Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia were their names
They never knew me but I love them like nothing will be the same
I wish that I could dance with them under the bright moon
And go around the world to celebrate their birthdays

I wish I could keep the love satisfied
So they would forever be in my mind
I also wish I could find a way
To stay by their side just for a day

They held me during my lonely times
Which happened a lot of times
I know none of them will ever be mine
But they'll be always be on my mind

95th anniversary of the Ipatiev House massacre

95 years ago today, the lives of the Romanov family came to an abrupt and brutal end. The manner in which they were murdered is still very difficult for me to accept. The thought of how the fiends handled and disposed of them so bestially only makes it worse. Is the world really so grim?

Ever since I first paid real attention to the Romanov family in January of this year, I've always wished I could time warp to July 1918 and save every one of them, including those who accompanied them into exile. But try as I might, regardless of how long, nothing will ever bring them back. I never knew them, so I'll never get to hear their voices, see them in real color or feel the touch of their hands. All I can do is mourn them, lament their passing, and think of them in my imaginations.

Call me crazy, but I really cannot help it. I'm not sure how to put this, but to Nicholas, Alexandra, Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Alexei: may you all rest in peace, and lots of love from me.