Baby steps

 

One suspects that any move, whether it be town or country, requires a period of adjustment.  Currently, I am in that period.  My love for Berlin grows with each day, however, my love for myself on the other hand, feels as though it diminishes.  There is something about the Berlin culture, the avid radiation of cool, that forces more self-effacing souls, such as myself, to feel inherently undermined.

This bubble of insecurity is not aided by my lack of social interaction.  Being without paid employment, when the rest of the world is hard at work, results in more solemn moments than I care for.  I crave structure, routine, a fixed grid to divide my time with.  I worry that I'm not spending my free time constructively, not doing enough, seeing enough.  Am I being brave enough?

Most certainly, above anything, I feel lonely & in my loneliness, dark shadows form, encouraging the madness, feeding the doubts.  It's like seeing a better version of yourself, knowing what you can be, but struggling with where to start.  There are only so many trips to the shops in Mitte before you realise, the issue isn't your clothing.

I thought anchoring myself somewhere, finally making a home, would be easier, however, in reality, it seems I've just taken one small step on a rather long path.

click to follow for regular updates

If you enjoy what you read, please feel free to share it with others.

{Insightful Sunday} Enjoy the moment.

 

Oh Paris, how you break me, let me count the ways in which you make me suffer, as you do.

I knew I had a bad feeling about Paris.  The usual glee I feel, when I know a trip to the city of lights is booked, was simply absent & a low hum of dread was ever present, bubbling away beneath the surface.  There I was, sat in the airport departure lounge, a little misty eyed, although, perhaps, quite thankfully in the end, for only good reasons.  Or perhaps just the usual ones.

Less than three days, filled with tears & rain, stress & anxiety, with little breaks of optimism & perhaps, a little stirring of the heart.  I felt oddly heartbroken to be leaving.  Alas, is it not always the way, as soon as you have accepted a situation, it suddenly & finally changes.  So eager was I to leave for Berlin, I found myself unable to relax & enjoy myself.  Every car I booked, every flight, all ended in drama & lack of success.

Finally, I let go, I lived a little, I accepted my anchorage in Paris, I even opened my heart a little, to the city, to Him & then, as if without warning, I was off, to Stockholm, of all places, in an exaggerated detour to get to Berlin.  One final ride through the streets on the back of his scooter & I was off.  Teary eyed, standing in the check-in queue, wishing I had done more, wishing I had more time.

Paris certainly has an ability to feed your romantic notions, even in dismal conditions.  I can't say I strolled happily through the Tuileries, or stopped to glare up into the metal work of the Eiffel Tower & I didn't collapse with exhaustion, having climbed a mountain of stairs to reach the Sacré Cœur, but I did do a lot of people watching, albeit often through tear-filled eyes of loneliness & disappointment.

Thankfully, like a little ray of sun, breaking through the clouds, I did manage to connect with some interesting new people, new people who took me to hipster vegan eateries & informed me that Topshop had opened up in town.  New people who fed my desire to stay & who ultimately made me sad to leave.

Then, just as my time in Paris was coming to an end, I realised, quite disastrously, that I'd fallen, quite hopelessly, in lust with Him, the unavailable brown-eyed, bearded, skinny jean wearing Parisian friend.  Could this be any worse timing, or a fateful encounter, I've yet to decide.  All I know is, having finally reached Berlin, my mind couldn't be more in Paris.

click to follow for regular updates

If you enjoy what you read, please feel free to share it with others.

{RECIPE} Vegan Chocolate Macarons

 

This week's recipe is in honour of my travels to Paris today!  What could be more Parisian than a macaron!  I so often stare through patisserie windows, at the colourful array of flavours on show & sigh at my inability to eat any of them.  Hence my delight at finally finding a recipe for a vegan version!

This relatively simple recipe comes from the Madcap Cupcake website.  The macarons look delicious, chocolatey & just the right amount of squidgy.  If only I had time to bake them whilst in Paris!  Unfortunately however, my time in the city of lights will be short & sweet.  I am on a tight schedule, as I don't wish to miss the Labor Day celebrations happening in Berlin.

Perhaps during my time in Germany, I will attempt to whip up a batch.  Until then, my fingers are crossed for nice weather, safe travels & good times.  See you guys in Paris!

click to follow for regular updates

If you enjoy what you read, please feel free to share it with others.