LEMON SODA

We are of the universe, a galaxy of thoughts, of happiness and mystery, love, anger. We are a mosaic of eclectic crystals, sometimes an artist, others a bit of a diva, maybe a dreamer. People often feel that being one way automatically cancels out  some other part of their personality, when really there is no clear cut between black and white; there are millions of colors and shades that make us the way we are! (And I am not just saying this because I happen to be a walking contradiction…) This pours through every aspect of our life, our moods, our clothes, the way we decorate our home, those little things we love to do with the people we most cherish.

And remember, no matter where you go, there you are. — Confucius

It isn’t about labeling yourself, because labels confine your identity to one sole mass based on popular stereotypes, and while a few people do feel like they belong to a certain category (i.e. the way music might be in a specific genre), it all comes down to attitude, your tendencies, the part of ‘you’ that remains even as time passes. You might have a tendency to be quiet, yet around friends you are out going and the life of the party. That’s fine. Maybe you love the vintage look but on a Friday night you go all out, Poker Face style. That’s fine too. Your ‘essence’ will remain no matter how your mood/the stage of life you find yourself in determines what you wear or how you act. It is about knowing more about your ‘self’, being comfortable in your own skin (and being comfortable does not mean becoming static; there is always room for experimenting and trying out new things which may or may not work for you).

Of course it is definitely easier said than done. Many of us aren’t even sure of what our ‘self’ comprises entirely. This shouldn’t become an identity struggle, but rather just a reminder to be aware that we do not need to be constant with absolutely everything, that we are changing (the way that you can’t step into a flowing river twice), and to nurture every part of our inward being.

From my own self, I have identified the six parts that make up my essence for now, so to speak. Though they are and will be forever changing there are certain aspects of them that will always remain:

1. The Dreamer: She is looking for change, ways to improve her life and experience. Sets goals and seeks motivation to get them, trying (though very hard sometimes) to keep a positive attitude. May find herself up in the clouds from time to time, but if there is a will there is a way.
2. The Meditator: She is contemplative, keeps her surroundings in mind and always imagines the what ifs. Driven by curiosities, both big and small, she wants to learn and keep learning.
3. They Gypsy: She is spiritual without committing to any one specific religion, instead taking the best of each. Of the Earth, tries to find balance between the materialistic and the spiritual. Importance of mental health and spiritual well-being.
4. The Lover: She loves herself first, including all eccentricities, physical imperfections (though she battles with The Diva at times). A lover of everything that comprises life: the people, the places, the experiences. Forgives herself, finds a way to live with not-so-great decisions so that she may have better judgement next time around.
5. The Diva: Adds that little bit of drama. Everything superficial, indulges in shopping and little greedy wants. She is strong willed, quiet but stubborn. One day on top and the next hoping to blend into the walls, versatile, indecisive, jealous.
6. The Artificer: Loves to create, imagine. She is a perfectionist and very impatient, which is why she needs a little extra push for some projects (driven by The Dreamer)

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Which parts make your ‘self’? Do you tend to be constant in behavior, or are you a bit of a contradiction like me?

The first time I noticed the sky I was running around a sandy playground holding a red bucket. I was sure I’d find a treasure somewhere so I wanted to be ready. A faint humming noise filled the air, and as everyone looked up I saw a plane (a small bird in my mind) for the first time; in unison we dropped everything and started waving, “Byeee!”. I think I did that everytime I saw one until I was about 6.

The moon has always hung from its velvet waves, but it was only this summer that I thought the sky was truly beautiful; I was standing outside with Tom waiting for shooting stars to plummet to their deaths in less than seconds. And it was beautiful to be there in the cold, in the middle of the countryside with no other light than the one shining from the stars and moon, and with Tom. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.

Tell us when you first noticed the sky. Tell us when you first thought that the sky was beautiful.

I learned how important attitude is; I woke up extra happy today as my father came back for the holidays and as soon as I got to class I had people asking me if I had done something different, that I looked extra pretty today (ha!) ♦ I began reading The Bell Jar, and despite all the heavy duty studying I will be doing this weekend I am sure it will take me no more than two more days to finish it while I take breaks. ♦ I realized that I’m missing Tom terribly  and can’t stop thinking about where we’ll meet next!

Article:
Not really an article, but! This space is amazing. I could definitely see myself living there, it has all I need!

Photograph:

Beautiful photography from Lucia Holm.

Videos:

Quote:

There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them. — Sylvia Plath

What have been your favorites this week? HAPPY FRIDAY!

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?