Beautiful "souvenirs"

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There is a person who means a lot to me: my maternal grandmother. I spent much time with her during my childhood. She lived in the South of France, with chickens, a rooster, pigeons, rabbits, cats and a dog. She settled in a beautiful house built of old stones in the middle of the Provencal countryside. It had neither running water nor electricity. At night, we lighted up at the candle. I bathed in a basin of hot water, heated on a wood heater. She red stories that warmed my heart. The day we used to go together to walk in the forest to pick mushrooms, cut wood or fetch water at source.

My best memories date from this miraculous era. I will never forget that she taught me respect for nature, and has reinforced my love of animals. I remember one phrase she repeated often to me when I was on the whims: "A good war, and you would be better." Of course, we should not take these words in the first degree, but what she was meaning is that we should never complain too much, and think of those who have suffered much more than us, because she knew what is war.
Whenever I feel sad or that I lost motivation, I think of her and I say: "There is worse."
Today my grandmother, left for 9 years. And I think about her very often. I wanted her to see me grow. I hope she would be proud of what I became.

"I love you from the depths of my soul, Titi, I miss you so much."

My liberty

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Do we have enough time to live ? Ah! such a good question !
We work, take care of our family, have to buy something to eat, pay the bills, clean the house ... what else ?
So much people claim they have no time to take a nap or watch a movie. And they are right. This is modern life. Too much things to do, and no time to waste.

That's why I take my time all days. Each day God accords to me, I take a few minutes, or one hour to take care of myself. This is very important for me. What ever I do, the most important is : according time to be in peace with my own spirit. I can go on Internet, playing poker or watch the news. I can go in the forest and look at wild animals. I can read the newspapers and improve a bit more my english skills. Or I can sleep.
Maybe sometimes, I take too much time ... but the more I take my time, the best I feel good. And this is the only way I found to stay in peace with myself.

Life is short. And I take it easy.

The Beauty of the World

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Who can pretend : "I have no fear" ? Everybody has some! or if not, they are liars or they try to protect themselves saying that.
If we talk about traveling, there are some normal or common fears a lot of people can feel. And one of the most terrible : talking another language with people we don't know. It's, in the same time, terribly exiting, and terribly scaring. This is one of the moment we can improve ourself and know how we can manage. Maybe one of the most important moment in our life.

That's why I think it is very important to travel, especially when we are young. It's a unique experience that can help us to grow up. We need it.
Do you know some people who has never left their country ? even sometimes their city ? I know some. And they are very selfish and not very open-minded.

When I decide to come to USA, here there are my fears : Do I have enough money to live there ? Could I easily talk to new people ? Will I disappoint my parents if I leave my country ? Will I loose my girlfriend ? Will I be equal to the task ?
I had two options : be paralyzed and let my fears impose me to stay in France, or be risky and try to learn more about myself.

I did the choice you know ... and I have no regret. I met so many people coming from so many places around the world ... I can now easily go everywhere and continue to feel fears because of traveling ... but I will know how extraordinary will be the experience, even if I'm scared!

Halloween : Tradition or Commercial Feast ?

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I had my first real Halloween party last Friday night. It was the first time I wear a costume to celebrate this day ... the day of the deaths.
I had a lot of pleasure to disguise myself, cut my hair, put some paintings on my face, and wear special clothes. I enjoyed a lot to do that.
I think I didn't celebrate the feast as people did hundred years ago. But to wear a costume and to have fun with disguised friends was a way to celebrate it by our own.

In France, Halloween has not the same signification than in USA. Even if my country is Christian and a lot of people celebrate the day of the dead relatives. We call it "La Toussaint". Actually, Halloween is only a commercial feast when Big companies can make more money selling costumes, candies and decorations. I don't really know how much they own, but a lot for sure. And this is one of the reason why I don't really like to celebrate Halloween.

I made an exception this year ... and maybe ... because I loved my costume ... I will do it again.