Author: aucolehadassah

how blunt I’ve become. The safe space that I’ve stepped into  is so welcome for me to just be. It’s a clear soil that will allow me to grow. There is no judgement or defensive behavior. I no longer tolerate any form of passiveness. I call it as it is, hopefully sans opinion(still working on that).

This is bliss, no?

Maybe.

Judgements and defensive behaviors are conceived from familiarity. One is given association to a trait or tendency and thus, is expected to live in alignment. When an adverse or unanticipated reaction takes place, those who witness will formulate an opinion that is usually negatory to their perception of the individual. The familiarity gives a personal connection and entitlement; as in, entitled to decide what is right despite not being fully aware of a given situtation.

That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad thing.

Given:

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind”

Dr. Seuss
US author & illustrator (1904 – 1991)

I’d like to break down the quote. Unfortunately, I used to be quite fond of this quote. I love the great Dr. Seuss very much, actually. However, this quote contains a fallacy.

p1 if ___ minds, ___ does not matter
p2 if ___ does not mind, ___ matters
p3 X minds
p4 Y does not mind
∴  x matters; y does not matter

Simple enough for ya? This is a false dichotomy, or false dilemma. The great Seuss claims that the possible outcome is set. You cannot mind and matter. You cannot matter and not mind.

If life were only so simple…

Shout out to the angsty teenagers that have reblogged this on tumblr or any other obscure social media site. Not sorry to break it to you but it’s false. People that mind can, in fact, matter and people that don’t can simple not care at all. What is necessary is to recognize the people that act, think, and have experience in your best interest( the right interest?) rather than those that simply encourage you to be who you are and say what you feel. It is not necessary for X to matter and not mind.

digression: If you don’t already, please understand the differences and conditions of necessary and sufficient. It is a basic foundation of logic.

That is not to say that you shouldn’t. I encourage you to be who you are and say what you feel but before you do, please know who you are and have purpose in what you say.

I know who I am. I know my roles, strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies. Contrary to, perhaps, popular or your own belief, I am not on some trip to self discovery. Goodness, no. I’m grounded in who I am and what I stand for. God forbid that I recoil from my scruples, the people that matter will mind. And they will say what they feel.

I am here to grow. How? In every way possible/ Whatever God has planned. And don’t try to pull that whole “grow in the wrong direction” thing. Nah, that’s not an option. To grow is a positive verb. It is an active statement. That is to stay, it isn’t okay with stagnant ideologies. It is progress. As confident as I may come across, I know that I need to grow more comfortable in who I am. Yes, I am aware of what I require but sometimes, I get scared of the magnitude of push there will be( the push from push comes to shove kind of push).

So, there. I need not apologize for my theories. Keep smiling and goodnight.

ft swagtastic blazer #sharp

ps it started raining approximately three minutes later

Last night, I went to bed to the sound of rain. I woke up, multiple times, to the sound of rain. I got out of bed to the sound of rain. I did my devotions to the sound of rain. I ate my apple, outside, to the sound of rain. This isn’t that Florida type of rain, no, goodness no. It’s cold, wind assisted rain.

In case I haven’t told you yet, it’s very cold*tres froid* here. Ironically, the program staff have told us that it is unusually warm, this February, in Florence. Uh, no. Just.. no. No, it’s not warm. I sleep with my pei pei that I brought from home, a sheet, and a quilt. The pei pei goes over my head because my face gets freezing and it’s fluffy. It is common to sleep with socks on. I am thankful that I brought my robe that I wear all day, in the apartment( this includes sleeping). Reba sleeps with a beanie. I have yet to succumb to that.

It was chill. Just for reference, Romania was below freezing however, it never felt cold. Here, it’s about 40 degrees fahrenheit and it feels far below freezing. I suspect it’s due to the wind and less humidity but I’m not a pro so I’m just going to live with it. The alternative would be death and considering it’s one of my daily goals to live, let’s choose life. Shall we?

We had an 8 am class and another class until the evening but in between, we had a few hours. Fortunately, the rain cleared out for the time being so we went to the San Lorenzo Market.

The Dynasty Lives

We opted for organique burgers because a) #basic and b) comfort food #tasteofhome

The ceiling is separated by a partition of clear plastic.

It’s pretty popping in here. There’s an upright piano on one end of the upstairs food court area. While we were eating, a conservatory student was playing on it. The piano is public and has to do with the modern art movement that the previous mayor of Florence encouraged.

We ran into this stand after the burger. Not to worry; we’ll be back for you.

The downstairs of San Lorenzo is a full blown market.

Tourist season is upon us.

 m a j e s t i c

Since hugs, here, are not satisfying my quota necessary to function properly, I have been subsidizing with chocolate. Lindt di Firenze has gelato in the back; you would never guess from their magnifique storefront. And yes, I prefer the real thing.

On a more irritable note, the weather, paired with colleges students partying incessantly, is causing their already weak immune systems to fail them once again. That’s right people. They’re getting sick. We, the healthy and of sound mind, are subject to these in class because unfortunately, you can’t party whilst studying abroad save for getting sent home for #slackin. Pity. My straight edge squad is loading up on the emergenC stash, eating oranges and bananas, and trying to drink as much l’eau as possible. While this may sound simple, it is not. The hydration culture here is pathetic. They need me to start a movement on #themovement but that’s another story for another day. Vitamin C is also difficult to find. I cook my tomatoes with eggs for breakfast in order for the lycopene powers to be amplified. Even with all this conscious effort, it doesn’t feel like enough.

I will not will not will not get sick. There had to be three negatives since two would cancel each other, turning the statement into a positive and one negative doesn’t have enough emphasis. Goodnight.

 

“It’s my time to shine”

-Mars, 2011

The quote is relevant because it’s my responsibility to plan spring break seeing as my european repertoire is strong(ish?). I have decided on Vienna and Budapest. Budapest was chosen because a) it’s my favorite place on the planet and b) Reba hasn’t been able to bask in its beauty. They also have thermal waters, an epic house of parliament, the Danube, and rose shaped gelato. I enjoy the architecture styles, modern people, and overall cleanliness. As for Vienna, well, it’s the mecca of music. Personally, I prefer music to paintings and sculptures(sorry Italy…). Transportation is a bit more challenging to plan while Air B&B is comical to book, almost like a contest.

Is this a dilemma? Not typically.

Why is it now? Because I have to decide between activities.

ahem, all aboard the #strugglebus510

Luckily, most of the spring break agenda has been set. I’m low-key on top of that. The real  question is Aida vs Cosi fan tutte. For some assistance in choosing between my mother’s favorite opera(almost sold out and significantly more $$$) and my favorite composer, Mozart, I decided to consult with the great Reba.

To do this effectively, I took on the role of educating her. This is most easily done by firsthand experience. In doing such, I decided to blast my Mozart. If you have seen or listened to Cosi van tutte, you will note that the overture begins majestically, at forte. Reba happened to be talking while I was listening and bless her heart, she had a mini heart attack while the sforzando disrupted her train of thought.

I am continuing with Cosi fan tutte, blasting it through my earbuds to save any bystanders from heart attacks. #bless

That is all. Enjoy your day.

Well, that’s not really all but to write while listening is a crime.

//edit: my professional, opera singing auntie has released the verdict: sticking with Aida

costco pizza sounds really good right now

Since we arrived in Florence; we made it!

By made it, I mean that there have been three successful grocery trips, trash and dishes have yet to be an issue, and there are only two things I might find worthy of complaining. In case you’re curious, those two things are 1) it’s cold and 2) the shower floods the bathroom every single time. C’est la vie. We have adjusted to calling this lovely apartment our home.

And now, without further ado, le weekend.

This is Reba, leaning as one with the tower.

The flick side

They’re keeping it slanted in order to attracted us, peculiar beings.

Exhibit A

Yes, their baptistry is slanted as well. All this sinking nonsense is due to Pisa once being a  sea town.

Ah, the Roman symbols.

I’m annoyed because this could have been a perfect shot..

The art scene was very big on recycling materials so when the Duomo di Pisa was rebuilt, the old materials were moved around like the Latin inscription pictured above.

The baptistry has the most wonderful acoustics and took so long to construct that it is comprised of gothic and medieval detail.

This beautiful tub is where the magic happens (they practice infant baptism).

The baptistry has an interesting staircase. It felt longer because the steps were taller.

The Duomo di Pisa is ornate but also having a face lift. Notice that canvas on the right? Yea, I too feel cheated.

In my opinion, Lucca was much more enjoyable than Pisa.

Because I had the best chocolate filled croissant of my life.. and the heater was on.. and there was wifi(which i did not benefit from because i didn’t bring that kind of tech with me. Please be proud).

The Kween enjoying simple foods

After the ride home, we got off at the Florence train station and walked towards ..well.. home. To do this, we have to walk through the city center. This is where all the shops are located, Duomo and Co, as well as some renown restaurants. Mi favorito, United Colors of Benetton, was having a beautiful sale where the great Reba snagged a bunch of dresses and I got the smartest blazer. I dislike the word blazer. It sounds tacky. Too bad it makes me look like a total swagtastic thuggggggggggggggggg. Hi mama. That one was for you :*

On Sunday, I was ecstatic to go to Boboli. This is a garden that I’ve had to sketch over and over again in studio lab, to the point where I felt like I went mad. What’s brilliant is I dragged Jamie and Reba out of the apartment a tad early so that we might be able to avoid lines, tourists, etcetera. Fortunately, we got there precisely when the gates opened, at 8:15, and were not only the first ones in but also the only people for a good portion of time. It was blissful and we had free reign. We ran around the features, completely astounded by the solitude and quality of preservation( especially in the porcelain museum, wow. just. wow).

If Caits were with us, she’d probably be prancing around yelling out “all by myself”. Miss you dude.

Tuscano

Wsup

 Kween Bexy #longmayyoureign

The building is obviously slanted so, naturally, I find this upsetting. Not everyone appreciates a tilt, Pisa. #comeatmebro

Please, slant… don’t. Be straight. Do right.

That’s right y’all; I dragged them to a porcelain museum.

Luxe

Tres booji

On some of the sets, different scenes were painted on each cup so as to tell as story.

This kind of slant works for me. No. No, it doesn’t.

She was intrigued by the porcelain turtles. I guess that’s a start?

We might drive each other crazy.

My homie, Neptune, chilling with a few ducks #rare #squad

I have issues.

This photo of the goat is dedicated to my sister. You’re so GOAT.

Featuring green tea aqua.

She has an issue with affection.

kinda cool

original gangsters

Firenze, or, home.

It’s sharper weather here. That is to say that it isn’t colder temperature wise but it does bite. Just thought you all should know. I also really miss singing with my #fam. I don’t miss very much but I do miss that. Reba thought it wise to look at photos of burgers.

#bless

 

Aiyya

Ma fan

I just found another hundred or so photos from Romania. Unfortunately, they’re pretty great so I will share them but not right now.

Let’s focus on the present!

Bongiorno, americans( i assume). Reba, Jamie, and I are at the dinner table working on our respectful blogs and forms of updates. It’s pretty swag that we’re all in the same boat.

Classes are not bad so far. Some are interesting, others are high key snooze fest worthy. I guess that’s normal enough. Us three have developed some form of squad extensions to join us on weekend excursions. We’ve booked Venice so that should be cool.

Surprisingly enough, I don’t miss the diverse options of cuisine. Rather, I quite enjoy the stable staples of the european diet. Many flavors and sauces overwhelm the palette anyways. The simplicity of food is pleasant. Pizza is exquisite but for some reason, Costco is the #truelove. Still, I don’t miss it.

Enclosed are a few photos from when I decided that taking the brick outside would be a good idea. Enjoy what you will.

Our street but not our door.

Jamie

Piazza Gaetano Salvemini is a few feet from our heavy, wooden door. It’s convenient.

We “ran” into the running club on our way to the Duomo.

This is the distance from our place to the Duomo. Wow, so far. Much length.

Hey hey heyyyyyyy

#squat

The kween. Notice how she is above. That is very kween.

LOOK IM ALIVE AND NOT SLEEP DEPRIVED.

swaggy, no?

All parts taken from so many feet away that the lighting didn’t tint it yellow so I’m really happy about how this turned out; also, no tripod #wsup

It’s a cute car across a gelato place, with weird light vectors due to POURING rain.

Nope, not at universal studios.

Caught reba and jamie at the club HAHAHAHAHHAAH

The day after

There are stupid cranes everywhere since Florence saves all of its repairs for low season i.e. right now.

Urban Art

Squad of the day

Part Deux

Idk, i’ve passed by so much renaissance art that urban art stands out more. Am I twisted or what?

Up on a hill across the home base

By Boboli

Flip side

hi

They make decisions in here or something.

The pizza was pretty fantastic 🙂

Reba got pistachio and I stuck with my nocciola.

Jamie: straight up tourist

We were honestly so happy because it took 30 minutes to find this place.

Rebbie and Gracie

Nocciola= Bae

Gracie and Almond and Coffee

They’re kinda cool.

It’s a little pretty here, I think.

ta ta for now

I SO SORRY I SO SORRY I SO SORRY

School started so everything is low-key hectic and I did, in fact, go shooting. I’m going upload photos tonight but for now, here’s a little something to keep your seatbelt on.

I went on an epic run yesterday. Tres flique. Anyways, at the end of making it to Boboli, crossing multiple bridges, and going up and down a few hills, I ran this beautiful building on my side of the bridge. It was somewhat near my home, next to the Duomo.

I just thought it was pretty.

Today, I took a squad to walk around. We went a few miles and ended up at that same beautiful, majestic building.

It was the Uffizi. Yeah, that world renown gallery. No. Big. Deal.

I guess I didn’t think much of it because when I was running, it was 7 am and nobody was there. Misleading much?

 

The gelato here is so good.

 

Yesterday called for some serious travel(including the local tram where i used euro pesos-what i call the euro coins), mild headaches, and noses running so far that they’d leave a trail behind them.

To say the least, it was strenuous.

PRAISE THE LORD WE’VE MADE IT! #itisbarelyfinishedkindof

This morning was part deux of trois séances d’orientation. I’m in Italy speaking French. Bono. The rooming arrangement goes as follows; Reba, Cole, and Jamie. No, she is not to be mistaken as a filler for Caits. We are individuals that are experiencing new; not attempting to replace gold. 

Anywho, our quaint(jk it’s actually spacious) apartment is located quite far from anything(jk it’s actually next to everything). I have yet to come up with a name for our trio but we are situated 2.5 blocks from the Duomo. If you know what the Duomo is, you’ll know we’re central.

After moving in, we had a group walking tour with the other students in our neighborhood. Apparently there are quite a few but because it’s the start of the program, everyone is equally confused and interestingly enough, their walls are up. It’s fine. I can deal with that. Just give me a week.

Then we went to the grocery store. Like lazy lame-o’s, we went to the nearest one. This only means that we went to a place with lesser selection and targeted for lazy lame-o tourists(as well as booji locals). We obtained what we felt was necessary minus things that required a stove because we experienced a hiccup with our gas and the bathroom window. Not. our. faults.

Once my stuff was put away as best as I felt like it should be, I hung up my art. This art is kind of really encouraging. It’s starting to feel a teensy bit cold. There aren’t any real hugs yet. You know which ones I’m talking about: the ones where you can feel the energy transfer over.

Enclosed are a few photos. I didn’t really feel like lugging around the brick today. Also, the update from the last few days will be posted hopefully soon. I might just backdate it.

Jamie and a panini from the next block over

My life, my love

you can’t take the city out of a city girl #recycle

We have a shoe shelf and we, all three, have house slippers #yes

My room ft Shirley’s cheeto canister and a messy desk that I will organize in the morning

art from the heart #fam

Well, it’s around 9 pm and the heater has finally turned on. I guess I’ll turn in too.

 

I woke up to my mom making these cute little flower things. She isn’t naturally artistic however, she is very proud of accomplishing this feat. It’s cute. I don’t even mean that sarcastically.

We had my favorite soups for lunch. I was ecstatic.

That layer is poppy seed and the creme is made with egg.

Fortress of Oradea ft happy couple x2

Ma mere

The Fortress is located across from the newest, unfinished Orthodox church. This short bridge took approximately 10 minutes to cross.

I climb things.

Wifi: oh yeaaaaaa

kween or russian doll or reba idk

A droplet hit the kween.

Hello from the otha side

I am trying to be cool. JK, Reba made me.

She was too cool.

Cousins are not allowed to have fun.

No. Fun. Allowed.

Squadoosh

My liege

Don’t Worry

Be Happy

Before this photo, Reba actually fell into the bowl. It was not funny at all.

Le Russian Kween et Cole

Reba got distracted while we were crossing back.

#blessed

Reba ft Indian Marble

Ironically, I pride myself in being unorthodox.

It will all be intricately painted.

“bones of the Saints”.

Ciuperca

Ciuperca is at the top of a hill in the city of Oradea which allows for an awesome view of the city.

Historical arche ft repetition

Russian Doll aka Reba

Reba and Tusi Lenutza making homemade pasta

Rebeca took over for Rebecca because Rebecca grew fatigued.

This is Ema, one of ma mere’s dearest compadres.

Yep.

I’ve actually known Tommy and Edu longer than Reba. Edu jams with me 🙂

Băiatul, Madeleine, and Etienne are not pictured due to being in the USA.

BRB CRYING

The following transpired in the span of January 26th, 2016.

Cousins and best friends @breakfast

#mainz

Reba & Cole wait for ma mere to leave Casa de Marze for the day

L’arbre de Noël en plein air

Ma thé et Reba’s café au lait

Salomea ❤

Reba et Mea

“I only get to see you every four or five years”

Ea este atât de dulce

It’s so strange to yet be a teenager and have had enough time on this earth to have “old friends”. These familiar faces are encouraging markers of growth. Individuals become more than a person in a different place but rather one that you’ve been blessed with the opportunity to share memories. Last time I was here, a good 4 or 5 years ago, Mea – along with a few other friends- and my siblings hung out almost every day. We would swim and trash (with legos) my mom’s friends home. Seriously, we played with legos everywhere. all day. everywhere.

In e u r o p a, it is more common for students to be world travelers. The common person understands that the world is larger than what they’ve grown accustomed and realizes the importance of learning through experience. This firsthand, adventure form of exposure forces adaptation to new bacteria and cultures( didja catch that?). Mea has been to many countries and of all, she prefers Barcelona in Espania. So far, my favorite city is Budapest in Hungary. It’s a city that is quiet enough. Intelligence is valued and gelato can be shaped into a rose and remain affordably priced. Pizza is ridiculously good. It is enjoyable to watch soccer with the people( yea, saw the FIFA semi finals at a pizzeria there, once upon two fifa’s ago).

Ma mere and her old squad. They survived a technical high school and all work in EE for the rail systems.

The break room is well lit, with many toys to play with.

The window of one of the control rooms

more toys

more window

“Scoot over, you’re making me warm”

-Tusi Lucia

Their downtown, highrise kitchen

Their daughter, ma mere’s cousin, Sorrini

vintage, ya feel me?

high key digging the aesthetic

Auntie Wynne, check out Reba’s posture

post modernism

Ma mere et Sorrini’s mere

yung sorrini

Ma mere wanted to visit her high school principal.

One Direction told her to stare at the ground. So she did.

The lift with two sassy queens #mylife

She’s an elderly, wise woman. She is stern and strong. She is beauty.

And she told me not to dye my hair white so obviously, ma mere said “amen”.

She also told us to beware of Italian men and their ways. Unlike the many others who have said the same, she paired her warning with advice:

Out-smart them

….football… not legit futbal..

Old age

i just thought this was a peaceful image. kinda eerie but still. thoughts?

Her plans in the stairwell

The majority #postcommunism

We, then, headed back to the home of Tusi Lenutza and her lovely family. They are #highquality and very #favefam.

Reba on her evening stroll

le tram

Ma mere introducing #sibsters to her auntie and uncle

Tusi Cornelia’s 84th birthday

Dinner@ Tanti Doinitza’s aka first salad of the trip

Still on the honeymoon

avec cole

avec reba

Lighting lowkey lame but she’s the chef

#grlpowr

The playground

fin