Introduction

Things have finally relaxed. Our flat is almost completely redecorated, the kitchen is done, my parents have been here and left, and now I find myself with time in my hands - so I blog, among other things.

Today I'd like to introduce you to the newest members of our small household. For a very long time I have wished for them, although my hopes were quite modest and I never expected something like this:

My new aquarium!

I had hoped for a cute fishbowl with a couple of goldfish named Abi and Nepomuceno (Nepo, for short), perhaps a third one eventually, but that was all. Then one day my husband arrived home and asked me, "How would you like to have an aquarium?"

Apparently, some friends of ours who owned it wanted to buy a larger one and expand their fish breeding and, having heard my wish for fish, were willing to start me off with their old one and some fish. I was thrilled! Of course I said yes.

Therefore, allow me to introduce my little 'uns.

Forgive me for being biased, but he's my favourite! Meet Nepomuceno
(Nepo for short), a cardinal tetra.

Nepomuceno used to have a brother named Nemo. The day we went to pick up the aquarium and the fish, our friend had emptied it almost completely in order to be able to fish them out of the water more easily. Somehow, Nemo hid and our friend couldn't find it, and concluded he must have miscounted, or something similar.

The small amount of water and all the stones and plants remained in the aquarium and for an hour were tossed and turned during our drive back home. That evening, as I tried to put some order among them, we found Nemo! Hence the name. He was rather battered and a little bit dumb, but as soon as I put him in with the rest of the fish while I cleaned up the aquarium, he cheered up and ate with the rest.

A couple of days later he died, poor thing. Nepo is rather lonely, and because of the kind of fish he is he needs company, so when we get a chance, my husband and I hope to buy him some friends. [smile] To know more about his kind, click HERE.

Meet Gustavo and his Clan!

Gustavo and his Clan are swordtail fish. We have one male (notice the sword-shaped tail? Beautiful with black streaks) and three females. Because the only one who could be told apart from the rest was the male (the females are all alike, they don't have different physical characteristics) we decided to name him, and the rest as his clan. They reproduce very quickly so I hope to soon present you with a nursery. [smile]

To know more about the different kind of swordtail fish, click HERE.

Meet Abi, Cora and Unnamed-for-now, very orange, very dumb tiger
barbs.

They are also known as the Three Musketeers, although they used to be four. One of them was bullied to death by a swordtail female, so now they are the Three Musketeers. They are absolutely inseparable and quite funny in their dumbness.

We can name them because of their differentiating spots (or lack thereof) on their middle orange section. However, we still haven't memorized them, so for now they are Abi-Cora-Unnamed instead of being this one Cora and that one... you get the idea. We are thinking of a suitable name for the third. Any suggestions? We suspect they're all females...

To know more about tiger barbs, click HERE.

I must not forget the snails! No, the big one isn't their grandpa... it's a
shell I picked up from the shores of the Black Sea.

Included with the fish were plenty of snails. We must keep an eye on them because they reproduce with lightning speed and may become pests. However, I'm glad to see that the swordtails are keeping them at bay for now. They seem to really enjoy eating them up.

Who would know that one day I would own an aquarium and several fish, not just a fishbowl with two or three? Like I sometimes tell my husband jokingly, I have a new TV! Honestly, I have to check myself sometimes because I could sit down in front of it and watch the fish swim and play all day! My fishies are great and I really enjoy taking care of them!

Schubert's Serenade

♥

Memories

Sometimes you accidentally stumble with an old link fro years ago. You think to yourself, "Aw, I used to like this song very much!" but really underestimate the recollections it comes along with.

The waves of memories that rushed over me when I clicked the "play" button were overwhelming. *-*

When Photography Gets Frustrating

This morning, as my Mum drove us to school, I could see beautiful lines created by airplanes across the sky. They were everywehere. It was interesting how they were shaped, because there was a central spot in which each of them got to, parallely, and then they would all change route. Some would go left, others would go right, some would go straight on, and others would just vary their course a little bit, creating a pattern that first was lineal and all of a sudden was a muddled mess of lines going everywhere.
It was just past eight a.m. and the sun was starting to peep over the mountains, which gave a peaceful atmosphere thanks to the golden, bright light we still have. The sky was blue, and when I say blue, I mean blue. Because of the sun's golden light, the vineyards were such a vivid green it was breathtaking. Everything was perfect for a beautiful morning picture. So where is the problem? We were going to school, so 1., we couldn't stop (else we'd be late) and 2., I didn't have my camera with me. That is when photography gets frustrating.

Other examples in which photography gets frustrating? Those in which you discover you don't have the guts to go up to someone and ask, "Excuse me, can I take a picture of you?", or those in which you don't have them to take the picture and then walk up to that person and ask, "Excuse me, can I keep this picture?" I was in Barcelona a couple of weeks ago with a friend, and we went to a Burger King for lunch. We were both sitting there just chatting, and all of a sudden we hear this booooming laugh. A really happy, loud laugh. It made me want to laugh too. We looked over from where the laugh was coming, and there were four black people sitting and chatting and laughing, and the man that was laughing was completely a.w.e.s.o.m.e. He had the most amazing hat on, and he was wearing an extremely colourful striped shirt, leaning casually on the handrail he was sitting by. Oh, how I wish now, when I look back, that I would have gotten up, walked up to him and asked, "Excuse me, can I take a picture of you?" My friend kept telling me to do it, but I wouldn't dare!! I'm not a particular shy person, but when it gets to street photography, and taking pics of people I don't know, I'm an impossible case.

Another example? Yep, I've got a list of frustrating photography times. That time I walked out of a shop and there was a little boy licking at his ice-cream cone, with ice-cream about everywhere on his person but on the cone? Yeah, that's another time. There are more, oooh, so many other times in which I wish I would have taken such-and-such a picture, but now I can only look back and hope that all these frustrating times will give me enough "strength" and "encouragement" next time I'm in the same situation.


So, try not missing pictures because of a cause you could avoid, because they will haunt you for the rest of your life. I leave it at that.

By the way, these pictures are just samples of pictures I've taken with a camera I wasn't supposed to have with me at the moment. A camera I didn't need at that moment, but that I had taken along with me just in case, if you know what I mean. They're far from perfect, but they're the kind of picture I look at and think, "How happy I am I had my camera with me back then. :)"

Dreamlist

One more entry!

What a beautiful night it would make!

Winter Longing

Winter is white, blue, gray. Sometimes very orange and yellow, other times purple or pink.

Vull que torni l'hivern, amb els seus misteris i els seus secrets xiuxiuejats i revelats pel vent suau que parla a cau d'orella, o per la petjada cruixent sobre la neu fresca d'un matí asolellat.

Vull que torni l'hivern repartidor de nassos, galtes i orelles vermelles, aquell que concedeix floquets de neu per adornar les pestanyes rosses i ocasionalment, fosques, de la gent que camina respirant nuvolets blancs per la boca.

Vull que torni l'hivern fred que contrasta amb l'escalfor de l'amor de families i amistats que veuen te tots junts contemplant com la neu forma una cruixent catifa en la foscor exterior.

Vull tornar. Dubto, però, que aquest any tingui l'oportunitat de gaudir de la meravella que tothom denomina neu.

Home

Aren't some things ironic? When I'm away from home, I long for a hug from my parents. When I'm here... I long for snowy winter days in flat land.

I Am Impatient...

...for the birth to come!
You can see her big tummy better in this picture... she is due anytime now!

Wistful

I would be at the beach right now, lying on the fresh sand and barefoot. I'd grab some sand with my hand and let it trickle through my fingers, enjoying the salty breeze play around with it and with my hair. I'd be watching the stars twinkling above me, or the moon mirroring herself on the sea, while listening to the white crested waves crash on the shore, splashing my face and feet...

Saying Goodbye To 15

As my best friend said, yes, I'm saying goodbye to my 15's.
It's hard to believe I'm going to turn 16 in a few hours. But, as hard as it may be, it's the truth. And as usual, I'm wondering and thinking about this new year to come. What will it bring? What will it teach me? What will happen? What?
It's been a "tradition" to write a thoughtful post the day before my birthday, analysing the past year with all the details. So here it goes...
This year, the fifteenth year, has been a very special one, with plenty of unexpected but yet awesome changes and results. God's plans for my life continue to surprise me as I go on living. For instance, my going back to school. I know I've talked about this a lot, but it was such a shock for me at first that it is going to remain in my memory for the rest of my life.
The way I started my summer was so unexpected too that I couldn't really believe it at first. It did have an impact in my life too that was pretty strong, and I am still wondering why ever did that happen in the first place.
I have had the opportunity to meet plenty of wonderful new people this year, more than on the fourteenth year, or any other year, at that. I have learnt to overcome my shyness - wink - and feel at ease around people I don't know at all. I have developed a confidence I couldn't imagine in me. I have also developed a taste for culture in general, and things I used to consider boring at first, such as reading poetry or studying History, are enjoyable now. When I woke up on the 4th May 2008 I couldn't imagine that 364 days later I would have grown so much.
These are just a few examples. A lot of other things have happened this year, and everything has been a new experience, but it wouldn't have been what it has without all the people that love me and are always there for me. To my family, to my friends, to my school chums, to my teachers, to my fellow bloggers, to everybody I know... thank you. You have contributed in some way or other to make this year special, and all I can say is thank you, because there is no other way to express it.
And I pray that this year will too be a blessed one. That I may continue growing in every way. I am such a happy girl, and I'm thankful for that. It's a true blessing to be able to feel happy.

I'm going to be sixteen...

Thoughtful

Sara...

...y Anna...








¿...quién sabe en qué están pensando...?

Wishes

Happy

New

Year!

Best wishes, and God's blessings!

Seven!

Yesterday my little brother turned seven!
It was a great day, I think he enjoyed it! He got many presents, puzzles, balloons, an alarm clock, and he even had a go at piloting a boat that afternoon! We went to the Ebre River and had a boat all to ourselves.
Here are some pictures, enjoy!

Mummy and I blew all the balloons...

Plenty of presents and sweets!

The rice near the river... since it's very wet there, rice can grow. :)

At first it was quite stormy and dark, but it gives a touch of loveliness to it.

Right in front of us.

One of the sides on our way back. It was more sunny then.

Mummy!

Today is my dearest Mummy's birthday!
On such a special day in the year, I want to wish her the most wonderful, lovely, happy, blessed Birthday in the world!

• Because she is so patient with me!
• Because she understands this crazy, teenager mind of mine.
• Because she is so supportive in all the things I do, want and would like to do.
• Because she is a lot of fun to be with!
• Because she is the best at scratching backs.
• Because she is such a loving mother!
• Because she is she!!

And so I'm dedicating this post to her, my Mummy.

Nineteen!

Yesterday my sister turned nineteen!
I don't have any pictures of her birthday, because I was left without batteries, but I do have lovely memories.
I want to say, Happy Birthday, Sister!, and may God bless you in this new year you are beginning.
I won't try to write nineteen funny/weird/random things about her; I already did this last year, and it was difficult! But I wanted to dedicate a post to her, because she is so special to me.
I love you!

Sil*]

Today is Silvia's birthday! And I'm writing here about her. Because it's her birthday. Because she is a wonderful girl. Because she is my friend. Because she is... SHE!
When we are together, we always have a great time. Talking without stopping, joking all the time, teasing each other mutually... she is unique!

So since today she is seventeen, I'm going to say thank you to her because:

Bcause* from the start she considered me her friend.
Bcause* even though I am a silly, chatty teenager, she loves me all the same!
Bcause* I have always been able to tell her everything, and I can trust her.
Bcause* she's always listened to me, and helped me.
Bcause* I can talk in English with her! ^^
Bcause* she was the first one to... introduce me. :P
Bcause* we have many opinions and tastes in common.
Bcause* we can talk and share opinions on intelligent subjects.
Bcause* she is like an older sister!
Bcause* she is a good sport and I can tease her.
Bcause* she likes music! :D:D
Bcause*... she is Sil... and with that, all is said.

Silvia, you don't know how I love you, I wish you the best on such a special day! God Bless You!

17!!

Today is my brother's birthday!! You won't find a more proud little sister today...
During all my life he has been a wonderful brother to me, always ready to joke and have fun with people, and a very nice person to be with!!
Some unknown/random/funny things about him...

- He absolutely dislikes cheese, but loves chocolate!
- He collects the tin "openings".
- His favourite colours are black, gray and white.
- He wants to be a computer programmer... and already is!
- He likes rabbits, and some friends even call him that way... Rabbit!
- He has a wonderful sense of humor... always joking and saying funny comments!


Free Icons

11!

Today is my darling brother's birthday!!
He's now a big boy of eleven, so handsome, and almost as tall as me!! :S That is something I don't like very much... :D
Well, here go 11 funny/unknown/random facts about him!

1. He's my brother! (Weren't they supposed to be random or funny, or unknown? But I HAD to say so, I'm so proud of it!!)
2. He is exactly three years, four months, seventeen days and ten hours younger than me.
3. He loves biking.
4. He likes Tom and Jerry.
5. He was born at twenty past two p.m. (can you guess what hour I was born, by this?).
6. He starts laughin while he explains jokes, before he finishes them!! :D
7. He loves reading adventure books.
8. He's lived in three diffrent houses.
9. He has melting brown eyes.
10. He knows how to imitate very well Lola Bunny, Bugs Bunny's "girl friend".
11. He's eleven!

Dear, I'm so glad God gave me you as a brother!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Happy Birthday Mummy!!

Today's my Mummy's birthday! Happy birthday, Mummy, I love you with all my heart, and I'm thankful you're my mother! I'm so blessed to have such a Mother as you...
I LOVE you Mummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really do.

Some things I like about my Mama:

·She laughs a LOT and is VERY cheerful!
·She is a wonderful cook and is teaching me to be one as well (hopefully I'll be good someday!).
·She would take photos of what I wanted when I didn't have my camera.
·She has an endless patience!!
·She likes turtles a LOT!
·She sews and knits wonderfully!
·She plays piano and recorder beautifully!
·She sometimes reads stories to us.
·She likes WINNIE THE POOH!!



Maybe this post shows you a little bit how I love her, but you'll never dream how much I really do. I am really thankful that God has made her the way she is.

Eighteen!

Today is my sister's birthday! And she is eighteen!! Wow, I have an adult for a sister!!
Here are eighteeen things I like about her.

1. She is my sister
2. She lends me her things, like books and music.
3. She has lovely curly and dark hair.
4. She plays the violin and the piano very well.
5. She has a very nice smile.
6. She teaches me how to dance.
7. She has wonderful ideas.
8. She helps me with my maths and physics.
9. She is very smart and a very good student.
10. She has a lovely name!
11. We look very much alike.
12. We play our instruments together.
13. She has sense of humor.
14. She is fun to be with.
15. She writes beautiful poems!
16. She isn’t easily discouraged.
17. Her eyes, behold, throw flashes as burning carbuncles ...
18. She is eghteeeeeeeeeeeeen!!!!!!

As you will probably see, I love my sister dearly. I am so thankful to God that He made it possible for me to have such a sister as she is!!!!!!!
Wendy, "I thank my God upon every remeberance of you" (Philippians 1:3)

Dear, I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!