Tag: writing

That One Time Lena Dunham Made Me Cry

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lena dunham quote

I love things that make you feel something. Getting people to react is such a beautiful thing, it means you are acknowledged and in one way or another, taken into consideration.

I just finished reading the introduction to Lena Dunham’s new book “Not That Kind of Girl” and I cried. Yes, I got tears in my eyes (and may have even made some type of noise). They were not tears of sadness, but more like those tears you release when you experience an “AHA” moment.

I may not be familiar with all of Lena Dunham’s beliefs and political views (I guess I am about to find out) but she has already moved me by opening up about her struggles and hoping to touch at least one life on the way. She may get a lot of negative comments due to her “over-exposing” or “exceeded” nude scenes in her show, but in just one simple introduction she has exposed herself in a way that we should all learn more about.

I admire people that come forward with their struggles, not for feeding their attention needs, but in a way that it is humble, genuine… and available. We all know we live in a world where appearances matter and the part you play is what you become in the eyes of society. What a beautiful and liberating thing it must be, to be able to comfortably be yourself and strip away from worries and judgment.

I don’t believe we can ever reach that ideal world that is somehow judgment-free, worry-free and happy all together. I do, however, like to believe that we are in a journey of becoming better humans, better souls. I like to believe that we are able to overcome obstacles and pick up little bits of happiness along the way.

Life is not easy and I question everyone who pretends that it is. I am hungry for genuine people and I am happy to say I am blessed to have found plenty throughout my life. I like people who are real, in every sense of the word.

If Lena Dunham’s book is not as good as her introduction sets it up to be, at least I’ve already been moved.

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Pretend

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I write to make sense of the nonsense in this planet
Dreams chatter every day
We learn to play the game
Smile when we have to
Take what needs to be taken
Maybe we’re all fooling ourselves
Lost in a sea of pretending not to pretend with endless empty laughter
Screaming inside
Planning and planning, with no set date to fly
Maybe we are not, maybe we know
We choose to play the game,
To keep going and beat the drain
Maybe we know when we’re set to sail,
Just let the breeze prevail…

Wanderlust problems and other itchy feet musings

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paris3

Once upon a time, I was blessed to call France my home. I would ride a bike to school, have lunch by the river, come home to a dog and a warm family and drink good, cheap wine with new wonderful friends.

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The thing about wonderful times is that they end, and as sad or exaggerated as it sounds, you never get them back. There’s something so bittersweet about it that I can’t help but smile. Sure, I could technically book a flight to France next week (I do have a credit card) but in reality it can never be the same. People and places change, but most importantly, you change as well.

That’s why we need to keep creating adventures, so you don’t miss the old ones that much. You will never get your old times back, but that is what makes them magical and timeless, the rarity and exclusivity of things that are gone.

It sure didn’t feel magical when I was stuck in my desk studying for a final exam, sad because I had ran out of money and my camera had broken. It sure was not exciting when I had to eat ham and cheese sandwiches for a week because I spent way too much money on my week at Spain, but once you leave and look back, it all sounds ironically perfect.

Sometimes things get even better when you have to look back to enjoy them. It’s almost risky though, to look back too often, as you tend to unconsciously edit the memories, add filters and suppress the mishaps (bike falls, broken cameras, hangovers, dry lunches, too cheap wines, boring lectures, train delays and scary flights).

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Still, you know you would do it all again and in your future attempts to somehow really do it all again, you will get new, exciting adventures that will keep the cycle alive.

Humans are never satisfied and our thirst can’t be quenched that easily, so let’s drink on.

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All photos taken by Cristina Nogueras © – Do not take without permission or credit

Breaking Standards, Savoring Irony

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hands free

They say we are young and restless, but some days that’s not how we feel. We are lost in a sea of loans and bills, looking out at the stars with all their glimmering cheer. We dream of places far away, our thirst unquenched, our fears unlisted.

We want to go places but we know we can’t fly. We are tied to the puppeteer, but we always want to dance. Time is unknown, just something we’ve heard of.

We are easily inspired with a fleeting desire that gets lost in the city lights.

– Cristina Nogueras ©

city lights

 

Photo Credits:

http://enjoythefood.tumblr.com/post/69846548946

http://parisfog.tumblr.com/post/69743392968

Sparks

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You don’t really know how it happened, you just know it did. At some point along the way, that little flickering flame took over and lighted up a fire. You saw the light and started feeling the warmth… you let it take over because, why not? You look back to try to understand, but you know you don’t need that because it just makes sense. It’s the kind of force that brings with it a feeling of contentment that can’t be easily equated. A light that has enough power to light a way into better days and with better days, more dreams are born. You feel refreshed in a way that only new chances can make you feel. The sweet realization that there is just so much more to come is enough to make you want to dance the day away…

Cristina Nogueras © – February 2013

What’s up with the mask?

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We seek to hide our imperfections,

raising standards with lies of perception.

We can’t face the truth alone,

yet we fly solo and forever roam.

We are selfish creatures seeking what we are not,

creating fantasies, thought after thought.

You give your all, you expose your fears,

yet when you scream, there’s no one near.

You see things in multi-color, fairy dust and all,

then reality hits and you start building walls.

 

By Cristina Nogueras © 2013