What does Ale love more than being inspired? Nothing really. Apart from the obvious family and friends and baked goods, nothing comes close to how much I love being inspired. As a journalist, I like to say that it is my job to be inspired by the ordinary. Because if you look at it, observe it, think about it long enough, you're bound to be surprised. And I think that's pretty neat.
January 15, 2014:
Ever since I've been home I've made it a priority to clear my head of the insanity that was last semester. In doing so, I've been lucky enough to have lots of time for quieter holiday celebrations and time to be inspired. In my scurrying to find gifts for one of my best friends (the day of her birthday of course), I came across this book, How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are. Who knew wandering around aimlessly in Anthropologie could be so inspirational--pinboards aside. I knew my friend had been to Paris many a time and loved the fashion and lifestyle there, so I figured this gift was a no-brainer and made my way to the cashier. It wasn't until she was opening her other gifts (after loving the book) that I began to flip through the pages. Done and done. I fell in love immediately and went straight back to the store the next day to buy my own copy. In it, I found tips on aloofness, fashion, and what the 4 collaborative authors called "typically bad habits of the typical Parisienne." It was hilarious and made me all the more anxious to hop on a plane, order a myself a croissant, and photograph the tour eiffel. All while sporting all black, red lipstick, and heels no shorter than 4". Personally, I have had a love affair with Paris since I picked up Hemingway's A Moveable Feast and visited the enchanting city a few years ago. I would recommend either purchasing this book (if it suits your fancy) or find a culture that you find so completely romantic, exotic, and consuming that you must learn more about it. Once you do that, do the next best, most logical thing and buy a book! You'd be surprised how excited it keeps you; hungry for more information, more pictures, more insights.
"A Parisienne always has a good reason to be sitting on a bench...when she is walking out for good and slams the door behind her to show she means business, and then realizes she has no idea where to go."
July 22, 2014:
Ok, you and I, we're going to make a pact. A pact ensuring that neither of us will discuss how long it's been since I've posted on this tab. Deal?
Deal.
Awesome. Now that we've got that squared away, it's time for some late night inspo. Today was a glorious day in that the items I purchased off of Amazon finally came in. *Praises*. Amongst a new school backpack and miscellaneous things for the house, I received Brandon Stanton's Humans of New York book of photography. You know what that means: sweats on, bun up, no one talk to me. I am busy. Busy marveling at the creative genius that is this wonderful blog host. It's not so much his photography that gets me or the way he turns light in a way that makes you wonder how the universe can know to arrange itself according to Mr. Stanton's needs. For me, it's the idea behind it all. He doesn't so much make art, but finds art on the street and finds a way to show it to the rest of the world. His art is people. People on the sidewalk, people in funny-looking hats, people eating, people laughing. People. Humans. Collections of cells we pass by on the street every day but never have the courage to compliment or admire publicly. Brandon Stanton has this courage and more: a quality camera and a beautiful city to shoot in. His blog inspired me to look closely in the art of the every day and to realize that people are in fact, just people. Like you, and like me. And we all have interesting stories to tell if someone is willing to have a listen.
May 20, 2014:
I decided to make today a shameless stay-at-home day. I threw on sweatpants, made myself a smoothie, and indulged in one of my not-so-guilty pleasures: documentary watching. With all of the hustle and bustle that was the end of my first year, I figured I deserved a little R&R, and let me tell you, it was sweet. I sat down on my worn couch and watched Miss Representation, a film concerning the portrayal of women in the media, wonderfully directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom. It was full of statistics, commentaries, and evidence that was both shocking and enlightening. It makes you question really-- are we truly aware of how deeply affected we are by the media? How keen are we in defining beliefs and ideas as our own rather than something that was ingrained in us by a screen or a tabloid? I've never been a fan of online debates so the only thing I'm going to do here is pose that question. How affected are you by the media? And, not only that, but how does it make you see yourself and those of the opposite gender? Think about it.
Of course the 89 minutes weren't enough for me so I sought inspiration elsewhere. I found a resource on Tumblr, a blog shown to me by one of my closest friends. I also found a website headed by Zooey Deschanel. These three avenues are focused on women in current-day society. They gave me the chance to explore femininity and what that means today. I'm not asking you to be a feminist. I'm not making you start a movement. But I AM strongly encouraging you to be aware. Be aware next time you look in the mirror, next time you comment on someone else's appearance, next time you open up a magazine, and next time you turn on the TV. Be aware of the illusion, and be aware of reality.
May 4, 2014:
I've said it many times before and I'm going to say it once more: Life is absolutely crazy. The way it changes, it never stops; it can be as heartbreaking as it is wonderful. But that, my friends is the beauty of it. The unpredictability of it-- I find it almost enchanting. I've been listening a lot to my homegirl Regina Spektor these past couple of days. The reason I'm attaching her song, Us, here is because I find it to be a beautifully happy and at the same time, a somewhat sad song. Kind of like life. The ups, the downs, the in-betweens. It's a roller coaster. But it's one we are all tall enough to ride. And we shouldn't ever forget that.
Enjoy!
April 26, 2014:
I'm hoping to keep this one rather short, but I couldn't go a day more without saying this. (Deep breath).
Do not be afraid to dance to the beat of your own drum. Be unique. No, don't just be unique. Be fearlessly unique. You may spend your life molding it according to other's. But one day, my friends, those people are going to change. I'm not saying it's bad or good. But it will be different And if your fulcrum is someone else and their interests and perspectives and style, then when they change, where does that leave you? Go ahead, try that sport you've always wanted to try. Audition for that play, go to that small-band concert. BE YOU. Because not only will you be happier, but others will notice. And maybe, just maybe, you can inspire others to do the same. And that's the greatest thing.
April 18, 2014:
The other day I had the opportunity to indulge in a Girls' night by hitting up my university's theater production. The department's Spring show this year was none other than In The Heights. Being the theatre geek that I am I had already memorized the entirety of the opening number. However, that was about all I knew. One of the girls I was going with described it as a modern day musical filled with hispanic cultural references as immigrants struggled to make something of themselves in Washington Heights. Needless to say, the excitement was real. And not just because I was finally going out with great friends who knew how to make me laugh as well as they knew how to accessorize (and help me out with my own outfit as well ;)), but because I knew what I was about to see would be absolutely spectacular. And for the first time in a while, I had been absolutely correct. The cast and crew blew me away. The talent was through the roof, the music was wonderful, and sassy Latino culture references made bubble inside. To make a long story short, I have been listening to the final number of the first act...on repeat...for 6 days now. It only makes me more excited for my own show coming up this weekend! Listen to it, share it, help me spread the bubbles.
April 12, 2014:
Recently, a lot of funny things have been happening around me concerning love. For the first time, love hasn't been the stuff of fairytales. It hasn't been up to Rom-com par and this has opened my eyes. I came to realize something that I have never realized before. Love can really suck.
Now before you freak out and call me a pessimist (something I pride myself in NOT being), hear me out. One of my friends is in the process of realizing that the man she loved was simply not healthy for her. He made his baggage her baggage. He took and took and took and had nothing to give back. Another friend came to the realization that love is a slow, often painful process if both parties are not on the same page. The key here is patience. But when your love seems to be moving at a steady pace, a sudden jolt can be almost traumatizing. It is upsetting to say the least. And who has the patience to be upset?
To be honest, I have recently hit a road-bump in my own relationship. Something I have never been accustomed to. Not only can love suck, but it can be scary and confusing and thrilling. Does that mean we stop looking for it? Of course not. But oftentimes it means that we need to press pause, take a breath, let out a cry or two, and remember that no matter what, the kind of love that is both essential and completely under our control is the kind of love we have for ourselves. And there is NO reason for that one to suck.
A dear friend of mine shared this video of one of my favorite modern-day poets, Sarah Kay. Listen to her words, love yourself, and allow yourself to be inspired.
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