I'M BACK!

I'm back.
I'm back.
I'm back.
I'm back.
I'm back.
I'm back.
I'm back.
I'm back.
I'm back.
I'm back.
I'm back.

I'm back!



And news - I'm going to HONG KONG!
25th of September for 2 weeks and it's like MADNESS in my mouth to even say it!

To make this official, I gave myself a new desktop background - HK skyline.

So far, I haven't left Europe.
I've travelled a lot in Europe, but never got outside this continent.

I cannot even begin to slightly comprehend what this will be like.
It will shift something, something necessary.
I've got 5 weeks till we go, and plenty I want to do before.

This summer again has been fairly strange.
And again, when I blog little, it means stuff's a mess.
But what is mess for?
Mess is for working through it.
Which is what I'm doing.

I've got loads of pictures from the past few weeks, which I'll post soon.
Most of my time I've spent with the Spanish one.
I've decided to stay with her for a bit - it seems to be good for both of us.

Plenty will be done.

I've developed a thing for being a little chicken, again.
I'm not entirely sure where this came from.
10 years ago, at the special age of 14, if someone would've asked me: Hey, Maria, how would you describe yourself in 10 years?
I mean, cowardly would not have been one of the chosen words.

And it bores me, truly.

So, no more.
Whatever.

Here's to travelling, here's to marvel and exploring and friends.

Yours truly.
And now I'm back.
M.

water for the thirsty

I had the most amazing conversation yesterday.

I met up with the pretty one, for a catch-up, as we do.
And then we started talking about her work stuff, which doesn't happen very often.
But we somehow got onto the topic and I asked her to tell me stuff.

And there I was, sat next to one of my dearest and closest friends, and had my mind blown to stardust.
The way she was talking about her work things, her ideas, the way she carries them out, her focus, the impeccable focus and dedication.
It was just absolutely incredible.
I don't remember the last time I was that inspired by anyone.

And I just sat there, thinking, "what a Marvel of a Woman".

That clarity of thought absolutely hit me in the face, like a ton of angel bricks or something.

And I mean, we spend so much time together, all the time, and chat so very much.
But somehow we've never had a conversation quite like this.
Just before meeting up yesterday, I had a chat with Pisces-2, saying that I lack focus.
And then this conversation followed.
It's just like I had been looking for water, sitting next to a well.

What a marvellous human being.

And the thing is.
With all the business talk, and the "idea" what a "true" business woman "should" be like, she is genuinely one of the nicest people I know, in the whole world.
Just the kindness and generosity knows no bounds or measure.
As a human, as a friend.

Seriously.
I was so inspired by this conversation.
The focus of thought.
If I would have 10% of the clarity she has, I don't even know where I'd be.

Glorious.
I am so grateful this happened.
So grateful that I have her in my life.
All I need to do now is apply this, grab it by the reigns, and apply this.


I have to be honest with you.
None of what I've written is forwarding just how much the conversation moved me.
In some strange way.
But yes, I'm really not doing it justice.


In addition to this I realised I'm turning 25 next March.
Since I decided to live to a 100 years, this marks the first quarter.
And it's always been a thing for me for some reason.

So.
Focus and clarity.
If it doesn't nourish your soul, get rid of it.
Whatever you can come up with that you want to get to, you can get to.

And keep the people who fan (the f_ck out of) your flame!

Back
on
track

With so much love.
M.

leave the world behind

This is what I want.
Out of life.
This is what I want out of my existence and time given on this awesome planet.
I want the miracle and wonder.
No steel, no concrete. I don't want the new and I don't want the shiny.
I want open spaces and freedom and love for everything.
I want a little boat and stormy seas.
And I want moss and rain and nature, because that is what Home is like.
I want to swim in cold seas and look at stars and whatever.
Just marvel.

I always get back to this -
I want to marvel.
And I want to share my life with those who want to marvel too.
It's not my job or duty to convince anyone at all that all of this is a miracle.

I want to get my feet wet, travel, and sing.

And I want to give myself what I want and work at living a life like this, with peace and balance and quiet and calm.
Because if we don't give ourselves what we deserve, no one will, ever.
Ever.

And this is a solid piece of advice (and I rarely dish out solid advice) - if you find the little miracles, the friends who wonder and marvel with you, do not and I mean, do not let them slip away. Life is too short and these people do not grow on trees.
Because they are magic.

If the topic is "Things Maria wants to happen", this is top 1 of the list.
No questions asked.

Now please find some headphones or plug in your speakers, and watch this video.

Always.
M.

don't die at 25

“Most people die at 25 and aren’t buried until they’re 75”

—	Benjamin Franklin

This quote, is so true.
This happens (and happens visibly) so much.
You notice people around you, not growing anymore.
And this is me deciding, I won't do that.
I refuse to be safe, or choose safe.
I refuse to die this young.
This period of time is for choosing brave and showing some frikkin' courage.
I want to keep the trust of a child, for a long long time.
And the courage to go head first.
And to keep looking, for the thing that makes me happiest, in this world.
And believe that true love exists.
And fall in love with everything, all the time, every day, with no questions asked and no boundaries.
And eat ice-cream.
And run around.
Because when did having fun stop being a normality.

I won't die at 25.
I won't die at 35, or 45, or anything-5.

I will carry on developing, and seeing, and seeking.
And marveling.
And wondering and wandering.
And seeing magic everywhere.
Because otherwise there is no point.

With all the love I hold.
M.

MARVEL

Iron Man 3 and the second Thor.
Dying.

I mean.
Let's face it.
I am Nordic Warrior.
And therefore this Thor madness just tickles my soul.
And Iron Man is a  h e r o. I mean, the guy's an engineer.
And Robert is so cool.

Lots of Marvel excitement.

Geek-o'clock.
M.

town

Yesterday and today was for town.

Yesterday I went central and walked about for a bit. Spent significant time in Waterstone's, the book store, and then in HMV browsing the classical music section. And got an item from each place.
Then I met AEM and we went to see Midnight Tango, which is the second time I've seen this show (in addition to watching it on the DVD which I bought immediately after visit number 1) and it just keeps getting better. We saw this show a year ago, which might as well be 700 years. I remember what I was like, watching that show a year ago, and I'm so much happier now, and things are just going in a good direction. One year. That's all.
Then we made our way back home and had hot chocolate.

Today got the train in and went to Barbican (which is the largest culture centre in Europe and therefore kicks butt, so hard) to meet a dear friend, who I really don't see enough of. We had coffee and good chats. She's one of the people who is just so nice for my soul, can't explain it any other way. Just so so nice in my soul, and for my soul.

2 days of town, and I've got 2 conclusions.
1) London is a glorious, glorious, glorious city of the world. Just glorious.
2) I'm so happy I'm moving and getting a much much much needed change of pace.

So both things are correct, and good in different ways.
I've got a week left to enjoy this marvel of a place and then I get to go Home.

Good thoughts. 
M.