Very interesting, isn't it? One can back to the China of his time via these paintings, he adopted Chinese techniques of painting, by the way.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giusepp...lione_(Jesuit)

Battle of Qos-Qulaq



Consort Ling of Qianlong



Ayusi (an officer of the Qing Army) Assailing The Rebels with a Lance



A Victory Banquet Given by the Emperor for the Distinguished Officers and Soldiers



Portrait of Emperor Qianlong



Qianlong in his studies



The Qianlong Emperor in Ceremonial Armour on Horseback



Ayusi Scattering Rebels with Upraised Spear



The Pine, Hawk and Glossy Ganoderma



Yinli mounted on horse (Yinli 1697-1738 was the 17th son of Emperor Kangxi)



White Falcon



Riding



Storming of the Camp at Gadan-Ola



A horse named Yuekulai (literally Moon-bone Steed)



Hundreds of Butterflies



Eight Steeds



Spring’s Peaceful Message



Picture of Jinchixian (金翅猃), a Chinese greyhound



Picture of cherries from Xian'e Changchun Album



Empress Xiao Xian

The Hispanidad. Does it really exist?

The Hispanidad is a cultural concept bringing together the various groups of countries and people that were part of the Spanish Empire especially those that were most influenced by it. Most people think of the Spanish colonies and territories of the Americas, but the Spanish Empire also colonized and/or conquered parts of Asia and the Pacific, Africa, and of course some areas of Europe. I've often wondered if every nation that was ever a part of the Spanish Empire views themselves as a part of a greater Hispanic identity today. Are members of the Hispanidad only those that believe in this concept?

Spanish Empire:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispanidad

The Native American ancestry of Puerto Rico and part of the blood that runs through my veins comes from these people and im proud of it. I may not be Native American but I do have ancestry from these noble people and I think its important for Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Dominicans, Haitians and Jamaicans to know the original ancestors of their land.

Do you Agree that Russians invented Anime instead of the Japanese? I made a small docu and i recommend to watch it to understand what i mean, since i show you there some facts and comparisons.

I actually said it a lot of times in forums that we Russians invented the artistic style of todays japanese Animation. [Snow Queen made in Russian SSR in 1957] was the first Anime in my opinion.

People also often times call me weboo and saying i watch too much animes, which i am pointing out this and they laugh at me. So i decided to make a video to show people my opinion because it sounds crazy but it makes total sense if you see the facts.

Anyone who doesn’t
Consider you good-looking
Couldn’t see anything
That’s redeeming about you

Everytime I remember
That I actually chose you
Unaware you were a loser
I end up feeling like this

Heart, you are so stupid
Whatcha see in that jerk?
Brain, keep up the good work
Teach my heart a lesson

Heart, you are so lazy
You should move on for me
But I see you couldn’t
Do that simple duty

Following your heart
Shouldn’t be tried at home
As I have shown
Don’t imitate my mistake

Heart, you are so stupid
Whatcha see in that jerk?
Brain, keep up the good work
Teach my heart a lesson

Heart, you are so lazy
You should move on for me
But I see you couldn’t
Do that simple duty

Heart, start beating
For somebody
Who’s worth it
Stop being so stupid

Heart, you are so stupid
Whatcha see in that jerk?
Brain, keep up the good work
Teach my heart a lesson

Heart, you are so lazy
You should move on for me
But I see you couldn’t
Do that simple duty

Some people like Coke, some people prefer Pepsi. Others like to drink some other brand (possibly local).

What's your favorite?

Let's start with this song:

Who else remembers those producers' songs with some fondness?

Jason Donovan - Too Many Broken Hearts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjidNzh3lDI

Sonia - You'll Never Stop Me From Loving You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUmFD8_0q9U

Kylie Minogue - Better The Devil You Know
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgvhvaSQZeE

Kylie Minogue - What Do I Have To Do?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q53e-IWTSTc

There have been posts about our culture's best dishes... but now its time to dish out the worst!

I'll start with "queso duro blando" (hard soft cheese)
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...OqjLx28UHL4LMs

Some people like this cheese with beans and tortilla but I find it disgusting and near unpalatable. It's a very sharp rough cheese with the texture of hard tofu and it has so much sodium, the only thing saltier I can compare to it is sea water. Oh, did I also mention it smells like feet.

Filmjölk (slightly similar to yoghurt. Part of the average Swedish breakfast, which is usually rather simple compared to that of the USA, if pop culture is to be trusted):



Knäckebröd (dry, hard & crisp bread. Another part of our typical breakfast):



Surdegsbröd ("sourdough bread"):



Tunnbröd (can be both soft and hard, often used when eating surströmming):



Tjälknöl (Moose meat, usually served with potato gratin):



Surströmming (Baltic herring conserved and fermented in brine. Produces a strong odour and is usually eaten outdoors during summer):




Lutfisk (Dried, salted fish):




Julskinka (Yule ham/"christmas" ham, probably the most important part of swedish Yule/"christmas" cuisine, often eaten with mustard):



Meatballs with lingonberry jam:



Ärtsoppa (pea soup, usually eaten with pork):



Spettekaka/spiddekauga (Scanian pastry):



Toscatårta (almond cake):




Semla (Bun filled with whipped cream and almond paste. Usually only eaten around shrove tuesday a.k.a. fat tuesday, sometimes eaten on a plate with warm milk):



Julmust/påskmust (soft drink consumed only around Yule/"christmas" and Easter. Originally created as a non-alcoholic alternative to beer. Slightly similar to coca cola, but still very different. Coca cola tried to compete with it during the above mentioned holidays and failed miserably :D):