LEMON SODA

Last Friday, right before I became deathly ill (and I say that literally), I went to a few exhibitions with my cousin. Observing art is one of my favorite things in the world, not only for the art itself but because I love to see people looking at art — the silence that consumes everyone into individual bubbles, where thoughts spiral through their faces to produce a reaction. Well that is exactly what happened with us; we had been talking non-stop during lunch and on our way, and the second we went through the exhibition hall entrance, that same silence took over us until we left.

One of the exhibitions was called “Maternity”, which was a collection of photographs from all over the world of a mother and her child. But it wasn’t just the amazing photographs of those moments captured that caused my spiraling thoughts to produce a reaction; one of the walls was dedicated entirely to visitor cards in which people wrote down what maternity and motherhood meant to them. They were so diverse not only in content but in length, the way some people can sum up just about anything in a sentence and others keep adding details.

My favorite two:

(From Portuguese)

Mom, I am very happy here in Madrid these days and everything I see reminds me of you! I wish my eyes would bring everything I see to you. I love you, Alessandra.

(From Spanish)

Mom, you were, are and will always be what I most loved, love and will love in my life. C.E

Ironically, as I fell sick that afternoon and spent the next two days lying around in bed, it was my mother who took care of absolutely every detail. And it usually is, as it happens, my mother who watches out for me, who is blunt and honest with me, who listens to me, who constantly gives without expecting in return. It is inexplicable, but she really does know me better than most; I cannot fool her for a second. She is not without faults, of course, but I have learned to accept those and what is left is someone I admire for her courage and drive, and for her sense of humor. Some of my most intense laughing fits come from laughing with her.

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. — Tenneva Jordan

So it isn’t Mother’s Day, but then again you don’t really need one specific day to celebrate your mother, do you?

December = extended family dinners, random decorations (which may or may not be too colorful, depending on your aesthetics), cinnamon wine and bad singing. It also is heavily related to gift-giving, though many have forgotten where the tradition comes from. Either way, I am usually partial to the DIY route (which I usually take) BUT, part of my greedy little consumerist self can’t help but lust after store-bought goodies.

A few such things:

• NARS duo eyeshadow “Brume” & “Brousse”
• NARS lip lacquer
• NARS Tokaido Express nailpolish
• Benefit BADgal plum mascara & black eyeliner pencil
• Sephora’s Double Ended “Perfect Complexion Brush”, “Every Day Brush” & “Smokey Eye Brush”
• MAC Baroque Buduoir Lipstick (yum!)
• Lolita Lempicka perfume

Of course there are other non-vanity related wants, such as:

• The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath
• The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
• Millenium Trilogy (I, II, III)

A little bit ambitious, but I would not be mad at anyone if they got me:

• CS4 Suite
• Analog camera
• A new iPod (preferably nano sans camera) since mine has officially died

A girl can dream! What are you lusting after?

Know first, who you are; then adorn yourself accordingly.
– Epictetus, Greek philosopher

Yesterday’s quote of the day was to remind ourselves that the outside is a manifestation of the inside, and so knowing who you are is important. The thing is, there are actually very few that know who they are. Most of us know who we are not, or who we are depending on the day as Miss Sofia pointed out. This too, counts!
I have decided to make a new series, Of the Universe, where I will speak of what it means to be born of the universe and of the universal entity of the self. This first part I will dedicate to something I posted a few months ago in Those Gypsies (point SIX is of special relevance):

After years of living abroad, I have returned to my home country to begin university. I am excited to begin a new cycle in my life in which new people and places will become part of me in both small & big ways. Traveling around the world has made me flexible to change, I no longer fear it and if anything I find it necessary.

I have learned from all the countries, sights, people and cultures I have been submerged into, and I have found several constant truths:

ONE.
Change is inevitable. Embrace it. It is vital for personal growth and evolution. With every cycle of change there will always be similar factors surrounding your life (strangers become friends – some will change to become enemies or strangers once again -, you become accustomed to new foods, new places and even languages…).

TWO.
Leaving someone “behind” physically does not mean leaving them behind altogether. They will still be a part of your life, maybe for a while maybe forever. It is up to both sides to maintain hearts together. If there is not enough interest or love to keep a friendship or relationship going, then it should be no surprise it died along the way. It’s simple.

THREE.
Family is invaluable. Share with them whenever possible, argue but be reasonable and if you are not in good terms with a relative try to mend the relationship somehow, so that you never regret anything once they are not around.
Great friends are like family. You are not related to them by blood but by spirit. Cherish true friends and keep away from the ones who are interested in something other than your friendship or companionship. Anyway it is always easy to tell true friends apart.

FOUR.
In matters of the heart, it is always easiest to let things be. If you are single, enjoy your freedom, don’t go looking for anything because things only come to you once you’re ready for them. If your heart is taken, do not set boundaries to it. Be cautious at first, but once trust is established love freely. I have found my person in the world and luckily I have learned from past mistakes so that I can be as amazing to him as he is to me, freely.

FIVE.
Patriotism is great, it is always important to know and be proud of where you come from. However, your country along with its culture does not make up the entire earth. Even if you do not plan to live elsewhere, try to travel and change perspectives once in a while. There is so much to find and so much to learn. I only hope I will continue to be healthy enough to travel until my hair turns silver and white.
We are people of the world, from the Earth.

SIX.
I am a person, and within me there are different energies and sparks. I am neon & pop, loud, a developing artist, explorer of the world, a gypsy looking for quiet and inner peace, shy and stubborn. I am a daughter, granddaughter, a friend, a student, an acquaintance, a lover. My love for music spans across many genres, depending on my mood and which energy reigns supreme within my person. And that is okay.

These are some of the things the world has taught me in my twenty years of age. I begin a new cycle in September, where everything and everyone will be foreign to me once again. I always get nervous, but it only takes a smile from a stranger and eventually a comment to start things off.

And that is me, for now :)
Thanks for reading (Sorry for the length!)

I was going though my ‘inspiration’ folder (yes, I have all my stuff separated into folders. It may have to do with my neat freak  tendencies), and I found these little gems. I’m in a flat with my mother at the moment, but if things to go plan I’ll have this little castle to myself. Then I’ll print all these out and go find everything I need to make everything magical and beautiful. I might want to get a job first, though.

Not sure where some came from, but a lot of them come from The Selby because I absolutely love that place.

• Gaining an hour for daylight savings.
• Skype dates with Tom (Lately we’ve been watching a lot of True Blood. I’m not sure how I feel about this yet.)
• Home made custard! I absolutely love that stuff.

• This little cardboard guy’s adventures on 365 Days of Danboard by Arielle!

• The inspiring story of Nick Vuychich (Pictured Above). Please read this!
• 101 Great Ways to Pack Meaning into a Lifetime (via aphazia!)
• Falling asleep after lunch and waking up just in time for a snack.
• My new haircut! It is nothing extraordinary but essential as my ends were split beyond repair.

What are you guys loving right now?