Lovers to Friends

Because I understand no reason,

It’s the darkness what keeps me bound to this prison.

My face is scarred with tears,

I keep quiet and hide my fears.

I can’t seem to walk it off

Or put it off

I hate the facts

And refuse to act

Its not that I’m not understood

Just misunderstood

It’s the absence

It’s the void

It’s the meaningless

It’s the motionless

It’s the emptiness

Like I said, it’s the absence

Maybe the darkness

It’s a life of torn images

A torn heart

Torn apart

It comes from deep within

And remains therein

Not to be seen.

I blame it on me,

For relaying on uncertainty

And chasing disparity

“Flames to dust
Lovers to friends”

It’s true...all good things come to an end. 

The Complete Persepolis (A book you all should read!) :)

         I absolutely loved the book: The Complete Persepolis. It was informative, captivating, historical and stunning. As soon as I started reading the book, I was instantly hooked. The narrative format, and the design of the book made it appealing and easy read, yet the content was powerful and emotive. Perhaps the fact that the story line begins from a little girl’s perspective made it even more profound. The story revolves around Marji, a young girl living in Tehran in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Marji starts telling the story from her perspective as a 10 year old. It’s pretty impressive to see the growth, the changes and the maturation of Marji as time goes by and as the book evolves. I highly recommend the book to you guys! It is a book that will open up hearts and minds to foreign affairs and toils of people across from the world. It will also educate and introduce matters that might still continue to make news today.

Marjane Satrapi

In a world where constant change surrounds us, where our character and values are tested, especially in a country foreign to us, it’s very hard to remain faithful to personal believes and principles. This is exactly what Marji endured, and she tells the story with passion, humor, and sentiment. As I started reading the book I became interested in the history of Iran, I also sympathized with the Satrapi family and I even cried. It’s interesting to note that Marji has a witty sense of humor and she’s very intelligent. And as the story is being told I laughed, I felt the pain or anger that she felt and I feel the emotions that she’s portraying. And this is what a good writer should evoke in the reader.

I must admit that as I read the book I realized how little I know of other religions and countries. My interest sparked and I did a little more or research by reading and talking to people who lived in Iran. To my surprise their stories were similar to the ones from Marji. Only they were a little bit younger and they never went back once they left their homes. Overall, it was just as interesting as reading the book. Hearing this from other people who have the same views towards this issues was strengthened the opinion I already had about the political power in Iran. Far from being a political book though, this is a captivating memoir that opened up a new world for me to discover.

Overall, the book was wonderfully written and because I was able to identify some of my personal sentiments with those of Marji, the book became very dear to me. The main part of this book was discovering oneself in the midst of chaos and rebellion. Just like Marji, I also struggle to maintain my identity and values in this ever-changing world. Not just because I live in a country that doesn’t have the same culture as I do, but because I want to fit in.  But to what degree do I want to fit in? I had to ask myself that question too, what would I exchange in order to fit in? The answer came later in life, when I was twenty five years old I knew that I wouldn’t give up anything about my background because that is part of what makes up the “self” in me. Part of this is the respect towards my parents as huge part of my life, just like Marji, I cried in the end when her mom passed away. She’s right, even in today’s world, freedom still has a price. 

Stay tuned for another awesome book I'm currently reading! 

Friends and Friendships

The very first time I discovered I could have other friends beside my lovely sisters was in kindergarten. We were little in age and size, but we had big dreams and a big heart. 

 

What can I say, we were cute little kids! 

I remember hanging out with those girls at all times, regardless of time and place. They were smart, pretty and simply innocent. I remember playing with Barbie dolls and forgetting to go home after school, spending the afternoon with them.

It has been almost 20 years since I saw them, but I cannot forget the sweet memories and the mud houses we built together.

I'm in the back (left), my best friends are in the front (left and middle)

We, as human beings, were designed to create and build relationships. In fact, it is believed that 80 percent of the cortex (called the neocortex) was developed to help human beings understand each other with regards to intentions, feelings and thoughts. Much of our brain is devoted to relate to each other, which is why friendships are extremely fundamental to emotional and psychological well-being. Besides, friends are the only “family” we get to choose J

I love the diversity in culture, age, personalities and ideals in our friendship

And we know how to have fun! 

I have lived a live full of laughter, tears, pain, and many friends along the way to make me a bubbly and happy person. I have a lot of respect for those who took time to understand, know, and cherish me. I truly believe I am who I am because of those people.

Fermin, who was more than a friend and taught me more than I can explain.

In California

Cip, my far-away friend. We met in high school, and became good friends after high school

I wish I could still see this girl, she was sweet, cool, and never afraid of anything or anyone

I also have loved and lost some of my friends, but regardless of where we stand today, I am convinced that I will never forget the impact those friends had in my wondering live. I will never forget the way they helped me grow and the new outlook they provided to my live. I am truly thankful for such fortune, their kindness and wisdom will forever be embedded in my soul.

The days I learned from awesome people

This was by far one of the best days of my life, I will never forget that friend who made me feel so special. He will forever remain in my heart and mind. 

We were young and dumb, but this guy has known me since freshman year in highschool

In a way, this post is sort of a tribute to the people who care, love and accept me (and my sometimes irrational ideas) for who I am, despite the challenges in their own microsystems.

I have no words to express how grateful, appreciative I am for you, and how admiring you guys truly are. I have learned so many great things from you all, and I wish I could give back what I get from you; love, hope, believe, appreciation, respect and laughter.

MY CHINGU! The BFF ;)

And lastly…a few words for the ones that have showed me friendship since the day they met me! J

My little Sister Nena 

My wonderful mother and amazing older sister

How I love this woman, she's truly an example of a great woman

Do you know how amazing she is? :) 

She's elegant and beautiful, I learn from her all the time!

Chin-gu, you fit right in :)

The meaning of friendship takes form and becomes alive in my mother, father, and sisters. It is them that represent what love, forgiveness, friendship, and dreams should be. Friendship; It is my older sister who inspires me every single day to dream, live, learn, fight, and love. Friendship; It is my little sister who teaches me time and time again to love, forgive and excel.

They are my world, and mean the world to me!

I LOVE YOU!