Every Cloud Has a Sliver Lining

Someone told me a time ago I should change the dialogue I keep with my own life. This person noticed that I tend to express my thoughts using negative statements instead of using positive ones. Also it was pointed out to me that I usually relate to what happens to me in a negative way by focusing blindly on the downsides of any given situation.

When I heard this, a skeptical look appeared on my face, the idea of a dialogue with life seemed like crazy talk to me. But when I gave it a second thought, it made perfect sense. The idea is that we should relate positively to what happens to us, no matter how difficult or bad that thing is. Focusing on the negative sides only makes us lose sight of what the possible solutions are.

I've been trying to change my ways, and it hasn't been easy. Those who know me well, can tell that I'm a proffesional complainer and that I even get certain pleasure from putting all my rage out there. What's more, I used to think that complaining was some sort of release. After this new point of view, grumbling just seems useless. I'm not saying I won't do it again, but at least I'm trying to complain less.

It's not easy either looking at the bright side. We tend, by nature, to focus on what's going wrong with us and what we are missing instead of concentrating on what we are doing right and on what we do have. The idea is breaking free from that instinct for negativeness and start enjoying all that's good in our life, that surely is a lot.

We have the quality of life we want. Positive thoughts and positive views may help us improve our life.

Drawn

I don't generally like video games. I never had the coordination needed to play them, too many buttons to be pushed at the same time. It was frustrating for me when thr little man on the screen didn't do what I wanted him to do. So I retired from the video games world until resently, when I found the right kind of game for me: hidden objects games.

My last discovery is one called "Drawn". It is a story based game, in which you have to help a little girl save her world by restoring paintings. It is a game in which observation and deduction are fundamental to solve the many puzzles and riddles you find along the way. I can assure you that you are completely "drawn" into it.
Another one of my favourites is "Dream Chronicles", a saga in which you have to save different characters by solving intricated puzzles. In these two games you are required to find objects in the scenes which are necessary to do some other task. They are not easy though, since their graphics are relly good, and findig what's missing can take you a while.

So if you are bored, and don't know what to do, try one of these games. You'll find them most entertaining while at the same time. challenging.

TV, my way of relaxing

Many people may argue that TV nowadays is not what it used to be. And contradicting that opinion is not easy, especially if you look at  the content of our television. Argentinian shows can be described as shallow, low quality programmes that can't even meet their key obejective: entertain. Our TV is basically a collection of gossip shows, in which a bunch of characters parade just to get their moments in the limelight. Fiction is not usually better. Soap operas' plots have been repeated for years, so much so that you can tell how it is going to end after watching it for a week. Plots are so unnecessarily intricated that bore the audience to death. There are, however, great pieces of work in this area, but they are never given the prime time, which makes them go practically unnoticed.

Anyway, I love watching television, I could spend hours in front of the so called stupid box. But as you can imagine, national TV is not my first choice. I love watching American sitcoms and series, not that I believe everything they do is excellent, because they can and they have produced many bad shows, but in general I find their TV programmes much more interesting and well developed. It still amazes me how they can make shows run for years. I've been following shows for over 6 years now, without losing interest for a second.

Whether national or American, TV is there to entertain; I have to admit that it's sheer pleasure what I get from watching TV, just a few hours of complete and absolutely abstraction: no responsibilities, no problems, no nothing. It's a simple way of shaking a stressful day off.

How long shall I wait for him?

This was a question a friend of mine published on a well-known social network last week, and it got me thinking. Why is it us the ones that wait? Then it struk me: since we are little children, we, girls, are taught to wait; to wait for Prince Charming in shining armour.

Think of all the fairy tales we were told while growing up. Snow White, poisoned by apple, waits for someone to wake her up with a kiss; Sleeping Beauty, poisoned by spinning wheel, waits for someone to wake her up with a kiss; Rapunzel, locked in a tower, waiting for someone to rescue her, and the list goes on... They all WAIT! So what is it that we learn from these stories? To wait. It's seems to me that we were assigned a passive role in all this romantic scene.

Now, life isn't a fairy tale, we are not princesses, yet we wait. What if I don't want to wait any more? What if I refuse to accept the role assigned? Then I have to put up with society's judging eye. Women have come a long a way in changing stereotypes, but this is one that seems the hardest to brake. If a woman is ready to get out there and get herself a "prince", she is considered a tramp. Unfair, isn't it?

Anyway, I have always liked fairy tales and happy endings. I do like to believe in true love and that there's someone out there for me Am I waiting? Probably, I am.

A Poem

When I was little I used to spend a lot of time in my primary school library. I used to borrow a new book as soon as I finished a previous one. I enjoyed every story and lived each one as if I was there. I still remember some of the images my head created while reading. Funny thing, a vivid memory from something that happened in my mind.
One of my favourite writers was and is Elsa Bornemann. I won't write here her bio, it's not my intention, you can google her. I just want to share with you my experience with her. I want to share this poem with you. Romance del País que No Conoci


 Elsa Bornemann writes books for children, and is amazing how she can understand us, I'm including myself, because she understood me when I was one.
Back on my primary school days I was always in love with someone, always. Once in sixth grade I fell for a 7th-grade boy, and he was my boyfriend for a while -the only one my mother really liked. To make a long story short, it didn't end well -we stopped holding hands. That was the first time someone broke my heart, or that I got my own heart broken. At that time, I was reading this book by Elsa, in which this beautiful poem was included. I felt it was written for me, to put into words everything I couldn't say. So I copied the poem on a beautiful paper, and I gave it to the boy. He never said a word about it. Now, I look at those days and I laugh, I've always been a bit melodramatic, I have to admit, but those were my feelings, right?
A few months ago, I read this poem again. I still find it absolutely beautiful and I hope you like it too.

Give me a break!

Holidays, vacations, break, leave. Call it what you want, for me all these words mean the same: RELAXING! And the winter break can't come soon enough. One week to go, 5 days, 3 days, 2 days... I keep saying to myself so as not to lose it and end up killing someone...
I've never felt this tired before. I had done so many things this term that I can't tell. Workshop, Language, Workshop III. Not that many subjects, I know, but they are all very demanding. So much so that I even dream I'm planning! I feel like going mad at times. I'm sure you know what I mean.
I've reached a point in which my body doesn't obey my brain anymore: it takes me ages to finish a sentence, I bump into things all the time, I forget things, and of couse I fall asleep everywhere.
Being close to end of the term and looking back on it, I wonder: was it worth it? Every minute! I've learnt so many things and, I've grown so much. The sense of accomplishment is doping!
Anyway, I'm planning to enjoy my holidays as much as possible, sleep late, catch up with friends, and do all those girly things I've been leaving aside.