Stress, stress, stress

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I'm finally feeling that stress caused by school. I feel it even more this year since it's my last.

I should be studying History right now, and History tests really get on my nerves because it's almost a way to test your memory. You just spill your memory out and when one hour and a half is up you can't remember a thing you wrote. And this year is even more stressing because we have a new teacher, we have no idea what her tests are like, I have eighty pages to study until Friday and I'm freaking out because I'll be doing an exam in eight months.

Plus, I'm starting NaNoWriMo in four days (even though I'm still not very clear as to what I'll be writing). I have to finish a book I need to read for school because I don't want it sitting on top of my bedside table and I want to start a Maureen Johnson book. I haven't even watched Desperate Housewives, Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill or The Hills this week.

And I'm writing this blog. This isn't normal.

- Ana

NaNoWriMo

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I only discovered NaNoWriMo last year when people on YouTube were talking about it. I was so interested and so eager to be a part of it, but unfortunately it was too late to start. This year, I will do it. Although it's November and it's a month full of tests and projects and work, I'll try to keep up with it and write those terrifying 50,000 words.

There's a slight problem, though. It's sixteen days away and I have no idea whatsoever of what I should write about. I started working on something two years ago and I've done a few chapters, but nothing special. I've showed it to some of my friends without telling them who wrote it and they were really interested, so I have that feedback. It's a very girly-girl fashion related... draft. Think The Devil Wears Prada meets Gossip Girl. I would love for other people who don't know me to read a bit of it, say the first two chapters, and tell me what they think of it.

But anyway, I think continuing something I've started two years ago (but never finished or even continued it) would be cheating. I would already have a big advantage, wouldn't I? What do you think?

Are you thinking of joining NaNoWriMo? I reckon that if you want to write a book but never get around to actually starting it, this project is great for this. It's nice knowing that there are thousands of people on board :)

- Ana

Is hot water too much to ask?

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I feel like sharing with you my past week regarding my showering.

Monday evening - 9PM: No hot water. We weren't very worried here at home because the water heater sometimes decides to deprive us of this warm treat.

Tuesday morning - 6:30AM: Still no hot water. My mom woke me up at this hour informing me that the water heater didn't pull a stunt on us, it really had stopped working. No more, kaput, finito. She had to heat up tons of water, pour it into the bathtub and both of us had to take a bath almost like a cat. I'd try to lean my head backwards just so I could get water on my hair to rinse the shampoo off. It wasn't pretty.

That same day a wise man in this particular field came over and said we had to ship in a specific part of the water heater because it was out of stock. It would take one more week to get here, so we decided to get a new one. After going to several places looking for the appropriate water heater, we finally found it and it was quickly installed yesterday.

So, finally, after almost one week of cat-like bathing, burning my left hand in scalding water, half of my body freezing and the other half in warm water, reaching a point where the turned cold, yesterday was a treat. A nice, warm and relaxing shower waited for me. I got off the shower, my arms red and steamy, and the whole week and the cold water behind me.

How long have you been with no hot water? Or are you a lucky person and no such thing has ever happened to you?

- Ana

Classy Transportation

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I only started going to school by train about three years ago. Before, my mom always drove me to school, but then she got a job and I had no choice, that "luxury" went away and I was excited about it. Going on my own, picking up the free newspaper and read it 'til I get to my stop, I love it.

Anyway, this week, in three years of using public transportation, music was playing on the train. Classic and cheeky music. I think this is a great way to start your day! Every public transport should have music playing. It's a pity that people talk so loudly, though, I can't enjoy it as much as I want to.

A friend of mine told me that one or two years ago they played Christmas songs around this festive time, so I'm crossing my fingers and hope to hear those melodies I love so much. I always expect so much from Christmas and I always end up getting disappointed. I always want a white Christmas with logs burning away in the fireplace, sipping a cup of tea and wrapped up in a blanket while watching romantic comedies. And I always want to spend it with my friends, but that only happens on New Year's, which isn't bad but... New Year's is more of a party holiday, Christmas is a time for love and a time to be with your loved ones. Oh, well. 76 days to go.

- Ana

PS: Thank you so much to my new followers, I love you in ways you can't even imagine. <3

Treasurable Days

I have two best friends. Two people of whom I love very, very much and very, very dearly. We've known each other for seven years and we're best friends. It means a lot to me.

Yesterday we went shopping in downtown Lisbon and it was one of the best days I've had in my life. I'm constantly repeating this thought to myself, and I feel so good about it. It was the first time us BFFs went shopping together (and with a friend of mine who was a delightful company as well) downtown, and it was something I've always wanted to do. I secretly imagined all my Fridays being like this. Going to lunch, going shopping and taking hours looking at CDs and books and what have you, going for fresh smoothies at Ben&Jerry's and having the obligatory photo session.

We saw a building and we said we'd live there together, right where those flowery verandas are and I pictured it immediately: the three of us would go off to our own University and at the end of the day we'd meet up in our cosy home, share our frustrations and our happiness, watch chick flicks and put up fashion shows in our own living room. And occasionally we'd get inside our old Mini Cooper and go wherever. That would be a wonderful life.

Neither of us are in the same school anymore, and it only just dawned me how much I need these girls in my life. Physically. Right there. I don't want to have to wait weeks to show them something I saw in a magazine or to simply hug them and tell them I love them. The only thing we can do is embrace what we have now and continue going strong with a beautiful friendship.

Vanessa and Beatriz, I love you.

- Ana

Happy October

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I just wanted to wish a Happy October to everyone :) <3