(Oxford) goodbyes

"I said goodbye to a dear friend this morning... There is no sweetness in the day that makes it better..." 

You think you've toughen up. You've done it all before and as most people will tell you, it becomes easier. I'm not a toughie when it comes to goodbyes; I give everything in relationships, there is no holding back and that makes parting that little bit harder... and wetter. I've moved around a few times and I got through it, sure, and I got through it pretty alright, but tears were shed.

When I moved to Oxford, things changed. Suddenly, I wasn't the one leaving. Oxford is such a transient place... So transient some would say is not for me, a nostalgic little Portuguese soul with her fado and saudade. And some would be, quite possibly, right. I remember the first of my very good friends to leave. And then the second. And then the third. I stopped counting. One more moved and my happiness for him and them softens the ache of yet another goodbye... but just a little bit.

Today, as Autumn settles back in and the long British winter looms in the not too distant future, I said one more goodbye. Phil touched my heart in so many ways, mainly because I never wanted him to. You see, sometimes when you've said enough goodbyes and you think you're done with it all, you shy away from temporary people; Oxford has plenty of them. This is not an official decision, it's just how it is. And sometimes, in spite of your best efforts, there will be people who get through your lack of interest and show you that temporary is really what you make it. Memories can last a lifetime; so can friendships.

Phil and Bec have added so much to my life and I've been so much happier these last couple of years for knowing them that I wouldn't have it any other way, no matter how many todays I had to go through.

P.S.  Dear friends reminded me earlier that technology is there to make our lives better. And they warmed my heart.

::inspiring Mondays::

I have a cold, the mother of colds. I woke up at 5:15. I was out of the house by 6:15. I was on the 6:55 train to London. We were delayed by over an hour. The later train arrived before us. I was late to the event I was attending. Yet, I had a good Monday.

It's all about perspective. I arrived. All my loved ones are safe. Very little else matters. I mean, really matters. In fact, everything else is just a bonus.

:: my family.
:: my friends.
:: Yoda as my screen saver reminding me of the power of the force and what I can achieve just by doing it (I have finished it but I still prefer this earless Yoda photo!)

How was your Monday? I hope perspective worked in your favour :)

nós por cá todos bem

This week has flown by. There was sightseeing last weekend, cycling during the week, going on a narrow boat - aye Captain - and packing. Today there is a cold, blog writing, knitting and... sunshine!

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Nós por cá todos bem is a randomly scheduled feature for when images describe what's happening around here so much better than words could. You can read the first post here.

reasons if reasons were needed

I agree. I so agree. And, perhaps more importantly, I accept it.

At a time when time is ever so precious and we're all going from commitment to commitment with pit-stops at other time consuming tasks (like doing the laundry, cooking, exercising... hum... sleeping), keeping a blog - and dedicating time to it, of course - may seem, how shall I put, a waste of time. For a while, I thought about this and questioned whether my time was well spent here. I concluded it is!

On important matters such as this (and take this as the first clue that this space is important to me), I like to consult with Little brother. It's a conversation we've had a few times and he always tells me the same and you know what? I learned it now. I love writing and I love photographing and I love putting it together here. What better way to spend your time than doing things you love?

Enjoy your wasted time this week!

cool news

So, what were the good news I alluded to on my last inspiring Mondays? I am one of the new contributors to Fe-line, an online publication primarily aimed at women.

I'm really excited with this opportunity to write for an established publication and connect with local people through my writing and little snippets of life. I will write one article a month, largely on a topic of my choosing. I did put forward several ideas in my proposal, but all of the sudden nothing seems worthy of that first article. Do you know that feeling? It's quite awesome... hehe!

There were several reasons why I wanted to be a Fe-line contributor and the cool thing is that some are only becoming clear now. I love when that happens! I love that feeling you get when things just feel right and the more you sail through, the better they feel.

Let the writing begin!

Photographing the every day

If, like me, you like to photograph little snippets of life, you will love this post by a Beautiful Mess. It's all about photographing the everyday and capturing the essence of daily life. The light in their photos is enough to make me dream and want to have my camera with me at all times. Like it used to be.

::inspiring Mondays::

I woke up tired. It's cold. I cycled in a strong head wind. I had a frozen jaw until 10 in the morning. But... I decided I will share here a bit more of this business idea I keep hinting at (just not today), I had some pretty exciting news smiling at me from my inbox (I'll explain in detail later in the week) and I had an amazing hot shower followed by a delicious dinner. All in all, I win!

It has been a while since my last inspiring Mondays, early August if the scientist in me demands precision. Just over a month, a good month of summer and welcoming the changes ahead. A month of an unexpected (but oh so good!) blogging break. A month that didn't need inspiring Mondays. And while life is good (read above), I'm back to feeling a gentle need for a little Monday's blog posting hot chocolate.

:: Michael surprising me with the most beautiful 1920 Singer sewing machine. ♥ the machine ♥ Michael.
:: Little Brother is back from his holiday and our normal texting and emailing has resumed.
:: hot showers. again, hot showers.
:: cycling. it definitely brightens my day.
:: writing.
:: the excitement of having news to share :)
:: no rain on my cycle today. windy, yes, but dry.

How was your Monday? Exciting? I hope you are having a lovely start to the week!