QOTW #13: Let's Get Political

First of all, let me say sorry because of this post. I know it's not the kind of post I usually write, but I really need to get this out of my system and I swear I'll try to make it entertaining for everybody.

The quote is funny and everything, but it talks about something that I really think is true. My older readers will know I live in Spain, and we had the Presidential Elections yesterday, Sunday 26th of June. If you watch the news they said it in some countries, but the thing is the ones who won were the ones already in power and I DO. NOT. GET. IT.

First of all, these were the second elections we had, because after the result 6 months ago the politicians just couldn't agree to form a government so we were sent to new elections. The ones who won have completely failed to run the country on the 6 months they've been the temporary government. They've done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

Furthermore, the amount of corruption cases of that particular party is ridiculous. They've been involved on the most scandalous stuff and 1) The main media of the country have blatantly hidden it and 2) They haven't even apologised, let alone resign from their job. An audio tape has been leaked where the Interior Minister has admitted how they have fucked up completely the healthcare in Catalonia, the region I live in, and he doesn't even deny it. Or apologise. He's just so mad because it was a private conversation between two polticians and it was part of their job, why is everybody going so crazy over it? They have some important people from the party in jail. They are extremely right-wing and conservative, completely old-fashioned and closed to change (luckily my vocabulary in English is not wide enough to say everything I'd want to...)

And finally, the head of the party. He can't even speak. He just babbles stuff that makes no sense whatsoever. His best quote to date has been "The Spanish people, very Spanish and a lot Spanish!", something along these lines. If he can't even speak Spanish... other languages are out of question. It's so shaming that he represents Spain internationally when he can't utter a word in English. It's like when we were in high school and we voted for the most stupid one just for the laughs.

In other words, this party has been destroying the country for four years and six months, and MORE PEOPLE HAVE VOTED FOR THEM. MORE. It's not like they're still the biggest force but they're falling behind, which would be atrocious but acceptable. They went up. And they're just laughing at our faces while the people they have destroyed vote for them. It's so bad.

I swear, if Spanish people were dinosaurs, they would vote for the asteroid.

The way so many people are going to the extreme right-wing all over the world, even with evidence like the one we have in Spain about corruption, is scaring me. Mostly, it is a vote of hatred. Hatred to new things, to opening up and accepting everybody. It means closing in an age where it's about opening. With globalisation, people get scared, I guess. It's such a great opportunity and I'm really excited about the challenges it means. But they don't want to take the opportunity. They just want to lock up in their own world getting what they need and not worrying about the needs of others. I just hate it.

Okay, I think that's enough for today. I'm quite discouraged... things won't change if people don't want them to. But we'll keep fighting. What other option do we have?

A big big hug,


Acqua

My Blessing

I spent many years wondering what was wrong with me. I had this hope that one day I would find my place, and I envisioned it as finding the right friends for me, being able to party, go to dinner, and do loads of things with them. I saw myself doing the things that all teenagers were doing, like dating the cute boy I would find who would look past my armour and would love and accept me.

I never got that.

I never got what I wanted, but I got what I needed.

I wanted to find my place, but I saw my place somewhere I didn't belong. I didn't belong in those clubs partying. I didn't belong around lots of people. The problem was I kept looking for my happiness there, and I was never meant to have it that way. So I was left unhappy wondering why I was still lonely and deeply sad.

Don't get me wrong, I still wish I could do all that, and some times it gets me down. I'm in a better place now, but there are many things I'd want for me and I don't have. It's okay, though.

It's okay because then, I'm reminded that I'm blessed. I'm reminded that I have loads of stars guiding my way.

Last December, I thought there was a considerable possibility I wouldn't see 2016. I won't go talking about it because it's long and complicated, but it led me to balance what my life had been up to that point. And it made me see the things I cared about the most. And there were two that totally broke my heart (apart from the obvious, which is leaving my family and my friends): the fact that I hadn't taken writing more seriously and the fact that I would leave all the kids I've worked with behind.

I can't put in words how much these kids mean to me. When I'm with them, I can see every single word I say being taken into consideration. Of course, there are difficult kids who won't listen, but what one doesn't want to hear, the other will carry with them. The amount of kids who need someone to hug them, or pay attention to them, or make them smile, or just listen and show them that they matter... this amount is scary. I don't want any kid to feel lonely. Not happening while I'm around if I can avoid it.

As you know, I felt reaaally lonely as a kid, and it's really important to me that no kid feels like that. But asides from that... working with them just makes me really happy. Seeing life through their eyes, through the innocence and the brilliance of children, is amazing. Parents keep thanking me because they learn a lot from me, and I can't help but think I learn loads more from them. If you listen... there's so much they can tell you. And they're really grateful when someone is willing to hear.

I don't know where I'm going with this. The thing is... there's a particular generation of kids, those who are on their last year in elementary school (which finishes when you're 11-12 here) who are just my kids. They just are. I've had them at theatre, at summer camps, at the choir... I just have a very special bond with them, and because they're leaving school, they had put up a performance, so I headed to the village's school to see them.

They were so surprised and happy to see me there. The look in their eyes is something I will cherish forever. Knowing they trust me and I've been an influence to a small part of who they are is bigger than anything I could have ever imagined. There is where my happiness is at. With those kids. With the pride I feel when I see them grow to be these great boys and girls they are becoming. And with the way they show me they're grateful. That's my blessing.

I guess what I wanted to say is that you should keep your eyes open. I highly believe that happiness is something you make out of life, but sometimes, it comes from outside. And it might come from the most unexpected places. Your happiness might not be where you think you'll find it, and that's okay. There's just a different happiness waiting for you. And when you understand it... everything will change.

A big big hug,


Acqua

QOTW #12: Freedom and Respect

Guys, I'm not sure how this post will go down, but I feel like I have a lot to say and there's a lot inside of me that needs to come out, so please bare with me.

Two of the things I'm a huge fan of are the singing competition The Voice and Youtube. And two of my best friends are part of the LGBTQ+ community. So this has been a hard weekend for me emotionally.

Like most of you will know, Christina Grimmie, youtuber and contestant on the 6th season of The Voice US, was killed last Friday at her meet&greet with fans after a concert in Florida. On the following evening, over 50 people were killed on an LGBT bar, also in Orlando.

Apart from being a fan of whatever and friends with whomever, what I am to begin with is a human being. Both this events struck home, and they were quite painful, but there have been other news lately about people dying, and dying, and dying. And as a human being, I can't grasp the point of it all.

Why do people think that they even have the right to decide who lives and who dies? It's bad enough that people die of illness and accidents, but why do humans have to increase that tragic number? Christina was such a beautiful soul. Someone so grounded, so positive. She was one of those people that make the world slightly better. Why isn't she here anymore? And apart from the guy who worked at The Wizardring World of Harry Potter, the people who were killed in that bar might not have a name for us, but that doesn't make them less important. They had families, and a future. They mattered. And they're gone.

I don't get why it all is so pointless. I wish we could think more about the others. I wish we could let go of the differences and start treating others with respect.

Here's where I want to go with the quote I chose, which was an excuse to write this post but that doesn't make it less relevant. Freedom is important. You are entitled to have your freedom, but your freedom ends when the other people's starts. Freedom without respect is dangerous. If you're free but with no boundaries, you start acting like you're a god. And you're the only one who can put those boundaries.

I'm so upset. The world is upside down. I don't get it. I don't get why we can't all live with respect.

Go to your loved ones. Tell them they're important. Make sure nobody feels worthless.

I want to share a song with you, a song that Connie Talbot wrote as a tribute for Christina Grimmie and had me balling my eyes out. I hope you'll like it, here are the lyrics:

Sailing Safe [Original] – Connie Talbot
A Tribute to Christina Grimmie

Heartbreaking all around, 
We speak but there’s no sound. 
Black stains upon our cheeks, 
Our tears come falling down. 
Cry a river over you, 
And drown in its despair. 
I know I didn’t know you, 
But I know it isn’t fair. 

Cause we lost an angel, 
We lost an angel on Earth as well as Heaven. 
We lost an angel. 

And with this grief won’t you take our prayers with you please 
Now you have wings, you can teach the angels how to sing. 
And with our tears won’t you build an ocean back here. 
Sailing safe… 

You heal the broken hearts with your own melody, 
Taught us that it’s okay to not follow society. 
This world never deserved you so I say goodbye tonight. 
Good night, God bless you, rest in paradise. 

And with this grief won’t you take our prayers with you please 
Now you have wings, you can teach the angels how to sing. 
And with our tears won’t you build an ocean back here. 
Sailing safe…



A big big hug,


Acqua

QOTW #8 Dreams

Good Monday darlings! How are you today? I hope you're full of energy and ready for a new week!

Today's post is special and scary for me... and you'll see why! I think today's quote speaks for itself, and it's so true! Think about how many times you've given up on your dreams because you failed in achieving something. And now, think about how many times you've given up on your dreams because you were scared or you kept doubting. I bet the second option will bring more memories to your mind; at least, that's what happens to me.

And it's so ridiculous! I keep encouraging people to follow their dreams and then I'm too scared to follow mine. Hypocritical, I know.

That's why I'm here today.

You know for sure that my biggest dream is to become a writer. But there is something else I really love to do, although I'm usually too scare to share it. And that's singing. I've had the experience to perform in a musical and it was just meant to be. When I'm on that stage singing it's like I'm where I belong. I don't think it's what I want to do for a living, I don't want it to be a full-time job, but I'd like it to be a bigger part of my life than it is right now.

I actually have a youtube account where I post videos of me singing, although I've only shared one of them with my friends and they don't know there are more. I have loads of videos and audios on my phone, but I never seem to be able to make them public. I've started to take singing lessons this year and I almost fainted on my concert (don't think there was a lot of public, 50 people maximum!)

This blog is my "safe spot", and I tell you guys so much about me I felt like I needed to share this huge part of me with you! It didn't make sense to leave it out of this, it was like me hiding a huge part of who I am... and if I can't share my music with you here I don't think I can do it anywhere!

I think you've realised where this is going... I've recorded an audio of me singing one of my favourite songs ever, Gravity by Sara Bareilles, and it would mean the world to me if you listened to it. The audio is not the best because it was recorded on my phone, and I couldn't hear the background track very well, but still...

So this is me, putting my doubts and fears away and jumping off the cliff. I can't spend my whole life being scared. My dreams will pass me by if I do. And I won't let that happen.

I hope you won't either!

I leave you with the song for now. I hope you enjoy it and I'll see you on Friday!



A big big hug!

Acqua


PS: I was asked if I had twitter today, and I don't have a "blog twitter", do you think I should create an account?

QOTW #6: World Down Syndrome Day

Hi there! How are you? I hope you have had an amazing Monday and it will lead to an amazing week!

This is probably one of the most honest, heartfelt and emotional posts you'll see me writing, and I'm already tearing up just at the thought of it. And that's because I'm going to talk about a topic that really touches my heart and that I'm really, really passionate about.

Today is the World Down Syndrome Day. If you read my last post 50 Facts About Me you'll be aware of the fact that my best friend has Down Syndrome, so yes, this is a special day for me and I'd like to share this part of me that's so important with you.

First of all, let me start by saying that she IS my best friend. I don't say it so she will feel better. I don't say it out of pity. And I don't say it to look good. She is my best friend because she has taught me so many things. She is my best friend because she makes me a better person.

I can't even find the words to describe it, so I'm going to switch to the quote. And this quote is so important. My best friend has Down Syndrome, but she ISN'T Down Syndrome. This affectation is a characteristic about her, the same way we all have our particularities, but there is so much more to her that you could miss if you just look at that extra chromosome.

And it's not even like it only happens with Down Syndrome. I have anxiety, but I'm not anxiety. Other people have other things, but they're not that thing. And I find it really sad that some people can't go beyond that, because there is so much greatness they aren't seeing.

The only thing they want is to be treated equal. To have friends, to go out with them, to have a job, to have rights, to decide for themselves, to feel like humans. Because they feel the same way we do. They get happy, sad, upset, angry, nervous, excited... and then, why do we treat them like they're so different than we are?

I read a quote of a father directed to his daughter, who had Down Syndrome, and I thought it to be so brilliant: I have the feeling that I think more, but the question still stands: what things are more worth thinking?

I feel like this quote leads me where I wanted to go. People keep thinking she's lucky to have me, but honestly? I'm the one who is lucky to have her. She saved me in so many ways. She has taught me so many important things. She makes me better. She makes me more human.

And in the end... what is a disability? She finds it more difficult to get to some places, but she works as hard as it gets to reach her goals. And honestly, in the years I've been on this Earth, if I've learned one thing, it's that the only thing that matters in the end is being able to love.

When it comes to that, the disabled ones are the rest of us.

A big big hug,


Acqua