So far this week I still have a cold that won’t let me breathe at night and a ton of assignments piling up on my desk. I found out my Windows 7 Starter doesn’t allow for the option of changing the wallpaper, threw a mini (nerdy) fit only to find fish on my plate for dinner. Then a documental came on TV about Africa, the forgotten continent. A few minutes in I just felt stupid, because I have everything and so many have nothing; then helpless, because I can donate but never really know whether or not that made any difference, and where’s sitting at home and doing absolutely nothing going to get me?
Remember Live 8? The G8 summit? Where’s that gone? So much research going into beauty procedures, how to enhance this and that, and so many people dying of diseases we might not even have heard of in Africa. I’m guilty too; it’s not like I think about it every day, or like I don’t indulge in makeup and shopping, but seeing things like this is a big slap in the face I think we all need once in a while.
“If anyone has any suggestions on how to stop this, how to make it better, please come and tell us. We don’t know how to stop the war, we need help because we are born into it and die in it”
That is what one of the Ugandan kids from the documental was saying. I wonder what it feels like to live in constant fear, to lose your family and have to live as the world watches on and does nothing about it. I’m not saying we can eradicate the wars, but so much more could be done. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem like a lucrative option for businesses or pharmaceutical companies, and then it comes down to money over lives.
So this week, I’m loving everything in my life. I don’t think I’ve ever been truly unhappy, so I’m thankful for that! I invite you to take a step back and put things into perspective; what’s really important in your life, and what can you do to make someone else’s day/life/experience better. Join Bloggers Unite and blog for causes, help spread the word!
summer
Imagine a dolphin dancing in the sky.
Let it dance with joy.
Think of yourself at the bottom of the ocean
watching.
Imagine a group of dolphins dancing in the sky.
Blow kisses to them
in your mind.
— 100 Acorns
I don’t think I could ever be angry at a dolphin, they look too sweet. Spring is making its way to Spain and I am so thankful for it! We had 14 degrees today, but as usual I find myself thinking one season ahead: summer. What are your plans? I’ll most likely be spending some of it in Beijing, and then hopefully I’ll be able to get myself to the sea, somewhere!
Hi lovelies! It’s been two busy days, but Lemon Soda has finally been made over! More magical, purple (important) and hopefully navigable for everyone. I’m super excited about new projects I’ll be working on as well :3 How’s the week been going for everyone? Closer to Friday! So far I’m loving:
- My Social Psychology book because it’s beautifully explained.
- My Social Psychology professor — she reminds me of a less exaggerated version of Sybill Trelawny from Harry Potter. Always fun!
- Mint green. New nailpolish and cardigan to celebrate :3
- My new Eye Bright from Benefit. I just line my bottom lash line and instantly it looks like I’ve slept 4 hours more than I actually have.
- Taking a nap as soon as I get home (PJ’s and everything.)
- Planning a sushi date with friends for next week. Unfortunately it is way, way more expensive here than it is in Beijing and Hong Kong, but at least it gives us a good excuse to dress up.
- Planning Tom’s trip to Madrid — now that the touristy part was done with on his first visit, it’s time to get to the good stuff!
I hope everyone has been doing great, tell me things!
What do you guys do when you’re so ill you can barely move? And I’m not just talking about headaches, I’m talking about some of the unpleasant ways your body has of de-toxing (i.e. vomiting)? Tuesday night I went through one such unpleasant de-toxing for a few hours, and I’m not usually the weak stomach type. It’s times like those when you realize how great it feels to feel alive and not so close to death.
I could barely keep water down, which was frustrating because by the end of it all I was so dehydrated and exhausted. Luckily my grandmother came around with an amazing remedy: flat Coke. Half a cup of it and I was fast asleep! The next day my meals consisted of plain mashed potatoes for lunch and bread and flat Coke for dinner. My stomach muscles are a bit sore today but I have my appetite back and have re-discovered my love for water and fruits. Yay for being healthier!
Hi lovelies! How is everyone and what have I missed?
Barcelona + Tom = amazing weekend! It was incredibly windy and cold (as opposed to last week’s 16 degrees!) so we were wrapped up and kept walking into shops and cafes just to keep warm. The city was beautiful, though, so it was all worth it. I hadn’t had a sore throat in a while, so of course my body decided this would be the best time to act up, but Tom is a sweetheart and got me some hot chocolate before bed and lemons in the morning so our Valentine’s was saved! We mostly spent it eating and in the metro talking about important things like the soul/body division and space. It was perfect.
So being a tourist for the weekend made me realize the importance of not looking like one; we all know pointing upwards every few meters and wearing a camera around our necks are obvious no-nos, but having a huge sign in red print that reads ‘I’m a tourist — come get me’ may lie in the subtleties. Here’s how to avoid that and a few tips to keep in mind while you’re out exploring the world:
- Know where you’re going. Metro stations you need to get off on, bus numbers and relevant street names.
- If you must check your map, do it in a cafe or inside a shop.
- Bring only the cash you’ll need for the day, preferably in small bills (seems simple enough, but I’ve seen a couple of people flashing big bills around! The reason they are so noticeable is because not many people walk around with them…And they tend to come in pretty colors.)
- Keep change and metro/bus tickets separate from your wallet so you don’t have to keep reaching for it.
- Dress as you would at home, keeping in mind the local weather. Unless of course, you’re going on a Safari across India or something that would require shorts or hiking gear. Keep in mind dress codes you might have to adhere to depending on the culture you’re visiting. *There seems to be a common misconception that Southern Europe (France, Spain, Italy) are always warm and sunny year-round. This is only really true in the summer months, but even then there are alternatives to wearing shorts and sandals: skirts and dresses for women, light pants for men, stay away from synthetic fibers and you’re good to go!
- Pay attention to your choice of bag — big sporty bags are usually a good sign you’re a tourist.
- Be wary of people who stop you for help/conversation/etc in the middle of the street; just keep walking and shake your head in a “No, sorry” motion.
- Look for street names subtly, definitely not pointing or straining to look upward for them!
- Keep your camera in a regular bag or purse, avoiding camera bags and backpacks! While taking a photo, do hang it around your neck so that nobody can snatch it from you. But as soon as you snap just put it back in there.
- Be polite — research local customs before your trip and if possible learn a few keywords in the local language; most people try to help out someone making the effort to communicate in their language.
- If you want to experience the authentic local culture, stray away from tour guide books and guided tours and ask at your hotel lobby (or in any shop) what areas of the city might be interesting for you to check out.
The point isn’t to blend in completely, but to avoid becoming an easy target for savvy local robbers. Always keep an eye out and notice your surroundings!
