Happiness Is…

I just took a stroll under the birches in our garden and suddenly a couple of very important thoughts came to my mind. One of these thoughts has been active in my sub-consciousness for a while now: all that really matters is happiness.

The following song is on constant repeat. I heard it on the radio ages ago, and then a friend mentioned the name of the singer and I actually found it on youtube.

All You Need Is Love

Привет, друзья!

It’s been a while. Life is good, nothing much has happened although there is plenty going on. Let’s see if I manage to get this blog up and running again, I’ve missed the writing.

Monday Music

Ahhh. Tak lubie jezyk polski.

Life. Now.

Imagine a small fluffy and confused bright yellow ball. That’s me, happily but somewhat hesitantly bouncing toward you! Yesterday I went to Stockholm and ended up sleeping in the sunshine because it was so comfy and warm. And there were some Russians around and it was so pleasant listening to Russian that it was way too much of an effort to keep my eyes open.


Random Russians

Today I have been trying to get my act together a little bit. In the end, I’ve only been drooling over a certain British actor*. And sorting clothes. And talking about boys. And doing push-ups. Well, the day is still young. Two hours to go ‘til midnight. I can still squeeze in some writing before it’s time to go to bed.



*and so would you, if you knew who I’m talking about.

Getting Ready…

…for Spain!

Planning A Workout

This blog has been quiet about exercise lately. That doesn’t mean that the working out isn’t happening, it usually (sometimes) is. Right now I’m planning a workout for this afternoon, so I thought I’d share the planning process with you.


I usually try to train 4-5 times/week at the gym and I (try to stick to) use a 3-split program.


Day 1: triceps + biceps
Day 2: back + shoulders + chest
Day 3: legs


In an ideal world days 2 and 3 are repeated at the end of the week.
The strength training is followed by some kind of cardio, today that will be body combat. And then yoga, yay!


Today I will focus on training the upper body, e.g. back, shoulders and chest. This is my absolute favourite day because I find the pain delightful... just kidding! Wherever free weights are concerned, I use supersets (e.g. two exercises right after each other).


1) Push-ups/Press-ups (5 x max) + back raises (3x15-20)




2. Dumbbell row + chest press w. dumbbells (3x12 each)



3. Military (dumbbell) press + inclined flyes (3x 12 each)



4. Shoulder raise (lateral & front) + rear lateral raise



5. Row in machine (3 x max) OR barbell row (3 x max)


6. Lat pulldown (3x12)

Partners In Crime

Z: and then when we are lying on that beach in Spain, I can check out the guys. It’s a pity you can’t, though, because you’re happily building a house with your boyfriend.

K: well, I can help you before you look. Just to make sure that they are worth looking at in the first place.

If You Think You Can Tell Me What To Do, Beep Off.

This post was inspired by Natalie’s post on women, careers, marriage and children.
________________________________________
I’m 28 years old and I recently broke up with my boyfriend. Actually he broke up with me. (everything is good and we remain great friends, thanks for asking). I’m also the black sheep of the family because a) I don’t have kids, b) I don’t own a house, and c) my job situation is slightly dubious at the moment. Nobody has ever considered proposing to me. 

My friends and family are having children, building houses and baking cakes. Sometimes I wonder what kind of failure of a woman I am. Children scare me, I don’t want to live in the countryside, I hate baking and I have a great master plan for my career. I want to travel, live in different countries, develop as a person and have a laugh on the way. 

People approach me on a regular basis, asking about this matter. They reassure me that I, too, will find someone. That everything will be ok. Apparently there is still time for me to have children, too. BUT YOU HAVE TO HURRY, YOU’RE ALREADY 28. And what if I don’t want them? Oops. I forgot, for some people it’s completely unacceptable to say those things out loud. 

At the moment I don’t mind, but all this reassuring seems to indicate that there is something wrong with my situation. Or better yet, me as a person.

Yeah. I want to get married one day: but it has nothing to do with marriage as an institution. No, I want to get married because I want to share my life with someone who’s into the same things as I am. Someone who also wants to travel and learn and have a laugh on the way. If there is no such person, then be it. I’ll survive. I DON’T want to be socially forced into anything just because “well, that’s what people your age do” or “as a woman you SHOULD do this, that and that, otherwise you’re a complete failure”. I don’t want to regret the things I didn’t do because I ended up doing things I didn’t want to do – like marrying someone because he seemed OK and then have 3 children with him and go for a career that turns out to be completely uninteresting. 

So, am I selfish? Maybe. But I also believe that happiness is extremely individual. Only I can make myself happy, and only I can know what makes me happy. I’m an individual (and that means that I’m so much more than just a 28-year old female) and I’m fully capable of making my own decisions. There is no need for others to meddle in my life.

На ногах не стоит человек.

There is something special about travelling by train. It’s peaceful, people are quiet. It’s the perfect place to read poetry and think about life and other important things.
Below you can find the first lines from Alexander Blok’s poem двенадцать (The Twelve). The translation is my own.

     Черный вечер.
     Белый снег.
     Ветер, ветер!
     На ногах не стоит человек.
     Ветер, ветер -
     На всем божьем свете!

     Завивает ветер
     Белый снежок.
     Под снежком - ледок.
     Скользко, тяжко,
     Всякий ходок
     Скользит - ах, бедняжка!

Black evening.

White snow. 

Wind, wind!

The man cannot stand on his feet.

Wind, wind!

On all of God’s earth!

The wind is twisting

The white snow.

Under the snow, there is a crust of ice.

Slippery, hard,

Every walker slips – oh, you poor thing!