Digressions

Two days ago I finished a one week course of The Art Of Living, Phase 1. It was mindbowing.
I can't tell you much about it, because it would spoil it for you.
In a nutshell, it's basically a breathing course, where they teach you amazing breathing techniques that take you waaaaaay past alpha state, into such a deep state of peace it's hard to believe possible.
Anyway, I STRONGLY recommend anyone to take it, because it is more than rewarding. Besides, it's everywhere around the world, so I don't think anyone will have trouble finding a course close by.
To check out more info, go to http://www.artofliving.org/intl/ . It will change your life, truly.

And mine DID change, just 2 days after I ended the course. I have made one of the most important decisions in my life to leave my current studies, because they are not making me grow.
And right after I made this decision, I found out that they are making a movie out of one of my favourite books, The Host (the same author as Twilight, Stephenie Meyer)!!!! And the main character is my dream character!!! I NEVER wanted anything so badly as I want the opportunity to play Melanie Stryder. The movie doesn't even have a script yet, but whatever!!! I do not believe in coincidences, so I KNOW that this is my chance to follow my dream career (acting, btw).
Now, I want to ask a HUGE favour. Given that I live in another country, I need any info I can get as to when are they holding auditions, etc. I HAVE to be there, so I will truly appreciate anything you adorable gals can do for me.
Thank you so much and I ADORE YOU!!! You gals are the reason I believe I can make it as an actress, and I will be forever thankful. Give yourself a great hug on my part.
You were the first ones to encourage me, AND I AM DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR IT!!!!
All the love and positive energy I can muster goes out to you incredible women.
Gratefully and lovingly,
Mariana

Nope, not talking about black horses. I'm talking about a GORGEOUS pair of pants I bought!!
Why on EARTH are they the subject of my post?! Well, they are inspiring me to maintain a healthy routine of dieting and exercise: I was VERY lucky to find them, but the largest size can't be really considered my size. So I need to drop a few sizes in order to fit comfortably. Don't worry, I can afford to lose a few pounds.

I came back recently from my cousin's wedding in Buenos Aires, and I had an experience I'll never forget. First, because it was a BEAUTIFUL ceremony, and my cousin was so happy she looked like an angel. Second, because I actually caught the bouquet (sort of)!!! I had already decided I wasn't going to try and catch it, because I thought it kind of disrespecful to older women who are even more desperate than me for love. So I moved opposite the bride. But she moved again and I wasn't fast enough. The bouquet hit a disco ball and fell right on top of me!! But I had such a panic attack when I saw all those women with their ravenous eyes on the prize, that my instincts made me toss it as far away from me as possible.
In retrospect, it's funny. But I was scared senseless, LOL.

Back home, I had an epiphany that had nothing to do with anything. It hit me out of the blue, but it made total sense. I realized that I was making compromises with myself when I didn’t truly believe I was going to fulfil my dreams, so that my belief system wouldn’t collapse. So, from now on, I am striving for more faith in myself. No compromises allowed.

And the last highlight of my week. I recieved a mail about this argentinian priest that was going to talk about the importance of the spoken word in day to day life. Given that I was going to church already, I stayed to hear him. And I was thrilled with him. He talked so wisely!! One of the things that stuck most with me are the three rules we must check before we speak: first, we must say the truth. Second, we must not speak ill of anybody who isn't present. And third, what we say must serve some purpose. Doesn't seem that complicated, right?
Then he told a little story: a man was stranded on a deserted island. He prayed every day to God for someone to come and save him. One day, tired of not getting an answer, he decided to build a shelter to keep the stuff that was helping him survive in the wild. After it was completed, he went on a tour round the island to see if there was anything on the horizon. By the time he got back, his shelter was on fire, and all his tools were consumed by it. He got really angry at God, and couldn't understand why his things and his work were taken away from him. Next morning, a ship arrived at the island to save him. He asked them how did they know he was here, and they told him they had seen the smoke signal.
Pretty intense story. The conclusion I draw out of this is that we create this situations for a very specific reason, which me might not always see. But we have to trust in our subconcious, and we must believe that all that happens is drawing us closer towards our goals, no matter how far do we think we are.

Random thought of the week: why do people shout? It's because when we are angry, our hearts separate, and in order to hear themselves, they must shout. Nice little thought (from the priest again).
Random phrase of the week: To grow is to look back and see how much you've grown.

Love you guys!! I promise next time I'll try to be a little more concise!!

Mariana

P.S. Thanks for all the encouraging comments on the previous blog entry!!

P.P.S. I have found out that the cute cafeteria guy is in year 2 of my same career!! And that the preschool guys is going to be 20 this saturday!!

Wow!! My first blog entry!! Never imagined it was going to be so soon.
But thanks to Linda Kay, I realized I really wanted to write it. So thank you Linda .

Hmm… trying to search for a topic, but I guess it will be just total randomness. I’ll just let the ideas flow to the page and you make whatever you can with them.

So… a little background. I’m 19, I live in Uruguay, South America, I speak Spanish as my native language, I study Systems Engineering at the University (just about to finish my fourth week of my first semester), I love to read, I love horses, I love acting, I love my family, I love …. Well, you get the idea that the list is quite long (I can get quite “passionate” sometimes, although people slightly more grounded call it “obsession”, LOL).
I’m quick to laugh and VERY slow to get up from bed (I’m DEFINITELY not a morning person, and getting up at 6.30 doesn’t help my mood). I choose to be happy every morning and I have recently decided that the day I have opened my eyes to is THE DAY (take it as you like it). Curious fact: I’m not very conversational in the morning, even though I can make your ears fall off once I’m fully awake.
I enjoy music thoroughly even though I have no serious aspirations in that area, except learning how to play the piano.
I am very insecure when shopping: having poor personal taste (I’m educating myself, don’t you worry), I make my sisters choose my clothes (although I have veto power).
I’m fascinated with animals, and I am going to build a beautiful shelter for the homeless ones.

OK, enough of the background. Feel free to ask anything I might have missed out. I’m going to write about my current “obsession”: love (and by this I mean Saint Valentine type of love, romance).
Ever since I read the Twilight series and The Host (all Stephenie Meyer books), I am DESPERATE to find my other half. I mean, since I can remember, I have been single. And I feel I am totally ready to be in a relationship. I want to feel the butterflies because the guy I like is smiling at me, or holding me, not because I am reading a book that features Edward Cullen (which is my perfect, imaginary other half).
Last year a woman found it “endearing” that a girl of 18 was still single. I could have smacked her right there, but I’m too well behaved (sadly, snif). I find it alarming!!! My only consolation has been the song “Can’t Hurry Love”, by the Dixie Chicks (great song).
I have decided that enough is enough, and I have traced a plan of action. First, I am investing serious hours on my hair and clothing (guys are always hooked by the eyes, shallow creatures). Second, I have decided I have to broaden my horizons. In the past, I generally got stuck with one guy I liked, and after I realized it wasn’t going anywhere, I just forgot him. Now, I have at least three guys that I like. One is “cafeteria guy”, a gorgeous piece of eye candy I always encounter at the cafeteria (hence the name, obviously). I don’t know his name, I have never crossed a word with him, but I find he has a beautiful smile. Another one is a guy I went to preschool with; today I suddenly remembered him (totally out of the blue, I haven’t thought about him in YEARS). I’m pretty sure I had a crush on him when I was a kid, but I don’t know if it was one sided or not. Thing is, after I remembered him I added him on FaceBook, and my oh my, he is a sight to behold. And funny thing is, his cousin is getting married next month, and I’m INVITED!! So I will TOTALLY see him there. Coincidence? Hmm, I wonder…
The third guy? Haven’t seen him yet, but I’m looking for him. The three-guy method raises the odds in my favour, and gives me triple the excitement of sighting (you know, when you see him across the room, and you make every effort possible to be in his line of vision looking alluring).
I have a lot of work still to be done, because I have yet to overcome my shyness. Seeing progress, though.

OK, for a first post it got pretty long. I’m glad I got THAT off my chest, and hopefully next entry will deal with acting. Depends on my mood.

LOVE YOU PEOPLE!! And I give you a standing ovation for actually reading all that. I wish you happiness and romantic encounters for this week!!

Random thought: I can’t believe the American Idol people saved Matt Giraud, and had let Scott MacIntyre leave last week.

Mariana