gratitude.

In light of recent events (bombings, massacre, natural disasters, completely UN-natural disasters, another talented artist leaving the music scene too soon) this has left the world, including myself shattered and simultaneously thankful about my life in general right now. It's made me think how all the stupid, little problems I may have look exactly that: stupid and little.

Due to such frustrations of life, I felt I really needed to make this gratitude list. To anyone going through a difficult time, I am rooting for you, I believe in you, in all of us!

The people out there who prove amidst all the evil, there are still heroes in the world

Plans to head to Malaysia next week {!!!!!!!!!}

A scheduled interview for {dare I say} a potential dream job.

Friends & family {and all the good things happening to them}

My patience {many would call a virtue.}

Free tickets for the Yard theatre opening last Friday {thanks Martin}

Coffee dates.

Great vintage finds just 'round the corner, like here and here!

Music.

Serendipity.

Carrots {low in carbs, low in price and fills you up. Win win!}

Ebay purchases actually arriving on their 'estimated delivery dates'(!)

The sunny, summery weather London had over the weekend which invited all my shorts, sunnies and sandals out to play.

Everyone could use a moment to count their blessings. stop and smell the roses. whatever you wanna call it, don't underestimate the power of a grateful heart. 

It's in these moments of gratitude that allow us to celebrate all the good things that happened and allow them to help us survive the.. well, more challenging moments. 

what are you thankful for this week?

Currently crushing on:

Maybe it's because she is Malaysian. Maybe it's because I've secretly always wanted to learn to play the ukelele. Or maybe it's because she is down right fabulous!

I can't stop listening to the sweet tunes of Zee Avi - my current musical obsession du jour.

As smooooth as buttah, this girl's voice is like having honey dripped, very slowly into your ear.

Minus the sticky-ness of course.

I definitely recommend putting on her records whilst cleaning the house, dancing around the living room, putting on something comfortable, and maybe over a glass of wine with a loved one? And not necessarily in that order.

A few things I've learned

That thing you’ve always wanted to do/visit/learn: Do it now. Stop putting things off for tomorrow and in turn better opportunities will often arise.

immerse yourself in a totally different culture not even remotely similar to your own {i think we'd all have fewer miscommunications and a whole lot more peace if we stepped into the shoes of another world view from time to time. }

Even if you are like me and don’t want to have kids, start spending time with them. I think grown ups still have a lot to learn from kiddies.

That piece of fruit will not balance out the burger + fries+ ice-cream sundae meal you had earlier.

Being happy truly is the best way to look beautiful.  Learn to love yourself and the people around you and your positive energy will reflect in your appearance too. Turn that frown upside down people!

It is OK to cry. Even you, big boy.

Call me old-fashioned but there is no substitution for hand written letters, both in sending and receiving. Remember that feeling of excitement over receiving a letter from a real person in a mailbox? Neither can I.

You really don’t need all that stuff. Trust me.

Oh, that thing you said you were going to take with you before heading out the door, but then decided not to at the last minute. Yeah. You’re going to need it.

You will get your heart broken. Probably more than once. Everyone will hurt you in some way, but it’s up to you to figure out who’s worth the pain.

Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So love the people who treat you well, forget about those who don’t. Believe that everything happens for a reason. {Nobody said it was going to be easy, it’s up to you to make it WORTH IT.}

Don’t underestimate the power of a good laugh and a long sleep.

 You are ridiculously awesome and so am I. We all are. Whether or not we believe that about ourselves, it is absolutely true.

via pinterest.com

What have you learned?

11.07.11

Another tragic month of July for little Cyprus.

The question remains why wasn't the fatal cargo confiscated in the first place? According to the son of the Navy Commander, who was one of the victims of the explosion, the government had known about this problem for two and a half years !

Will will switch back the lights in the hearts of all those who have lost their loved ones? The two so-called politicans who have resigned?

Are those soldiers serving the country or a few vested interests?

Fuck politics and the  'justice' system. Only when the Cypriot government adopts some priorities, then its people can follow.

My heart and deepest condolences goes out to those injured or who have lost their beloved and to those who have died for something that could have been so easily avoided.

R.I.P

xxx

Tattoo.

Lately I've been entertaining the idea of a tattoo.

I had the idea of turning this infinity symbol:

into the shape of two intertwining fishes. You know, as in Pisces. Perhaps something like this?:

Romantic. Indecisive. Moody. Emotional. Sensitive. Intuitive. I've always had a certain fascination to my beloved star sign, not to mention astrology in general.

This tattoo inspired me of another idea:

I was born into a family of members whose initials began with three C (including myself) and one S. What about a tattoo in the shape of 'C ^{3 '} connected to an 'S?'  It would have to be in pretty calligraphic writing and I would put my artsy fartsy - ness to the test.

Whatever, it looks a lot better in my head.

Now, if I could only decide where...That would be the first step in deciding if I should finally do it.

The problem? Commitment. A tattoo is a huge one. A lifetime one. Somehow I am more willing to give my heart away to a man for the rest of my life than have a symbol or writing permanently on my own skin. That's odd, isn't it?





Do you have any tattoos? Would you consider getting one done if you haven't already? And why?

{all images via Tattoologist}