the way ahead

YO! its raining here in Malta, which a very odd sight for us locals. Most people freak out and think they are going to melt like a salt sculpture hence all the roads get jammed, people stay indoors, power outs etc. But looking though this moist atmosphere there are thing that I cant wait to do:

• spend a week in Gozo with my mates
• get my final year started
• wear my winter clothes :D
• start my winter routine of German learning 
• new exercise mantra
• hunting for vintage 50s movies

any other suggestions?

xoxo P

Polandia!

So, as you may or may not know, I am currently in Warsaw, Poland. I came here with my brother who is playing with the Special Olympics in Bowling here. Its quite cool actually. We are set up in a central hotel with great links all over. We went for a few days to Krakow which was awesome. Last time I was there was 2years ago with friends, and it was fantastic to be back there. Also went to Auchwitz for the 2nd time. Which in itself was an interesting experience because the impact of the visit was deeper and more real I guess - not as overwhelming as the first time. This time I also got a chance to visit the Salt Mines which I didn't visit last time. Last Sunday was a lazy day with a nice long walk in the park where there was a free open air playing of Chopin which provided the soundtrack while lolling around the royal gardens and feeding squirrels. Later on that day I relaxed in the sauna on the 31st floor of our hotel with a great view of the city. That was followed by a great concert that also included works from Chopin with a modern twist, such as an accordion, folk quartets and singing. It was really nice and interesting.

Since most of Warsaw was destroyed during the war (90%) all of the buildings here are relatively new, but they have rebuilt the old center in the original way which allows one to appreciate the architecture. The rest of Warsaw is pretty modern, loads of sky-scrapers and big hotels.

Ill keep on updating y'all laterz...my coffee is here!

cheers!

back on the rock.

So, I've been back here for just over 3 weeks. My daily planner has been chock a block with appointments and lunches and parties. Its been nice to meet some people again and catch up on life with them. Its a convenient thing about the smallness of our nation that it is relatively easy to organize a meeting with a few old friends relatively simply.

I have also been crudely reminded of the things I despise. The social pressures, the common ignoramus, the self-instated celebrities - they are all still here. People haven't changed really. I was only gone for 6 weeks so granted I cant expect the nation to completely change, but I believe I have changed or grown a little bit. I've realized what quality of life I want for myself, and what kind of person I want to be. I realize how hard I am on myself and the number of ridiculous rules that I apply to my life here just because of what I feel society pressures me to do. At the end of the day, trips abroad into societies where I am a foreigner gives me that fresh page - that blank canvas on which I can see myself and trim away at the bull that has been accumulated over the months of living in an overcrowded rock. At which point I can start to see myself as the true me and work on myself as a person - socially, spiritually, sexually, economically, physically, mentally. Self growth is so important. It allows the person to become who they are in essence. Some people need distance from the familiar to do this, such as my self. Cos within the familiar - we feel comfortable and this causes us to be lazy and hence - not do anything and never change anything.

Change is good. Cant wait for change soon.