365 days project 2. Day 85. Family

   You can't choose your family. That's what they say. You come to this world belonging to a group of people who will always be around you no matter what you do. You'll see them at birthdays, weddings and funerals and sometimes you'll spend holidays with them. 

   When you're a child, all you know is your family. You love them all to bits and you look up to them. You want to be like them when you grow up and you love that they know so many things you can learn from them. Then comes adolescence when you basically hate everyone. Your friends become your family and you spend most of your time with them. Your parents are your enemies and you feel they never understand you. When that period passes you become an adult. And when you're an adult you'll be wise enough to understand that even if you didn't want to be born in that family and you have your differences and dramas at times, that group of people will ALWAYS be there for you and you need them just as much as they need you. 

   Family is such a complex word and it includes so many feelings, memories and if you're lucky, that place you'll always call home. 

   We don't choose our family but whoever chooses it for us is surely having fun watching all those interesting stories developing. Hopefully, most of them have a happy ending. 

365 days project 2. Day 81. Hang in there

   How many times did you hear it? 'Hang in there!' from friends, parents, brothers or sisters, coworkers, doctors and everybody else. It seems easy to say and hard to do, huh? But you also said it yourself to the people around you. And you know why? Because in the end, that's what helps you move on in life, surpass all the tough times and become wiser: hanging in there.

   'How can I hang in there when life keeps throwing lemons at me?' you probably ask me. Good question. Well, you see, everybody has a sparkle inside them. Something that keeps them moving. Some hidden light that makes you climb even the highest mountains and not give up even when the weather is really, really bad. So all you have to do is look inside and find that light. Ask yourself: what helped me get over the worst times of my life? And that is the magic answer:) My answer? Faith. My husband. My family. My best friends. The passion for my job. Knowing that everything happens for a reason and that it's all temporary, a lesson I have to learn. 

   So don't worry. Even if the storm is loud and scary, hang in there and know that tomorrow the sun will shine again! :) I promise it will!

365 days project 2. Day 79. Life is like soup

   Life is like soup. You might not always have the finest ingredients to make the most delicious soup on the planet, but as long as you can make a good base (out of carrots, onion and celery), I guarantee you'll be happy with that soup! 

   Similarly, if your basic needs are covered in life, you'll always be happy. And I'm not talking about food, drink and sleep. Sounds easy? It is! Just think about it. What are the most important things you want in your life? While you might choose family, love and a decent job to be happy, others need thrill, adventure and friendship. And we can all be happy in this beautiful world if we fulfill those basic needs. 

   I know, it still sounds too easy. Family can involve arguments and grudges, love is hard to find and jobs... well, you gotta work a lot to reach your biggest dream. I agree, but what's stopping you from putting everything in order? YOU! If your family doesn't agree with the way you act or with your choices, choose not to let that affect you. If love is hard to find, does that mean you have to stop believing in it? It will come to you when you are ready for it. And if your dream job seems far away, why not start small and then slowly go up? 

   Believe me. Life is like soup. And soups might seem hard to make, but if you put a bit of effort, you'll surprise yourself. You can do more than you think you can. Don't wait for tomorrow to have a happy life! Start today! :)

365 project 2. Day 64. B U

   You are so special! I know that sometimes you forget how special you are because you seem not to know how to accept compliments or because when a big challenge comes you think that it's too big for you. Other times you think you are small and insignificant because that's how society or family made you feel your whole life. But, you know what? It's all a nightmare and you can wake up from it whenever you want. What about NOW?  Believe me! You are very, very special and unique. And I'm not just saying it because that's what goes around on the internet. I know because otherwise you wouldn't have been born on this beautiful, amazing planet. 

   It doesn't matter if you're gay or transgender, it doesn't matter how you look like, it doesn't matter if you had a tough childhood or not, or if you had zero friends for the longest time because you never knew how to make friends, if your classmates all had a boyfriend or a girlfriend and you were the only single person in your class. It doesn't matter if you were bullied for being a nerd, for being fat, for being gay or whatever else. Nothing matters if you stop believing them. Just let them speak and close the doors of your mind around them.
   You are special. You are amazing. You have so much potential to help the others grow. But you have to grow first. Believe in yourself. Accept compliments. Laugh more. Go out and explore the world. Be you. B. U. whoever you want to be.

365 days project 2. Day 34. Thank you

   There are times when you can't do everything alone no matter how much you want to do it all by yourself. Sometimes the project is way bigger than you anticipated and if you've also never done this before, you can be sure you'll need someone with experience... or at least people who are willing to help just because two, three or four heads think better than one :)

   I keep thinking back at the wedding every day and I always find something new to be thankful for. Today I am thankful for my bridesmaids who were always by my side, making sure everything was under control and I wasn't stressed. And thus I was the most relaxed bride ever. I could just dance and have fun and I owe it all to them. Man, bridesmaids are a huge blessing!

   These days we're rushing all around town to register our first car that we bought just last weekend. It's all so new and different to me since I've never done this before. Oli is not Romanian so he has no idea how this process should be solved either, therefore we need my dad, brother and even mom for the rescue. Today mom, Oli and I went to an inspection with the car and I am so thankful we were able to go there together and support each other through every new stage. Thankfully, it all ended well.

   Life just wouldn't be the same without help when we need it. And the most beautiful times are the ones when help comes when you don't expect it. That's when you know who truly cares about you. 

  Thank you, bridesmaids and family for making my life so much easier and keeping me happy! You're the best!

20 wonderful memories of 2015

Dear diary,

Another wonderful year has passed and this time I succeeded to do things I always wanted to but never had the chance: I moved out and I went to Canada! But these are only two of the best memories I gathered this year!

At the beginning of the year I wanted to be "right here, right now and enjoy the journey that goes on". I think I mostly achieved my wish and I'm proud of that :)

What happened this year?

1. We went to Baisoara to a friend's cabin right after New Year's Eve and we had so much fun!

2. I moved my office at the kidergarten from the big building where all the kids are to the small building where I felt secluded at first but where I feel very peaceful now. Changes are good.

3. I moved in with Oli, my fiancé! After amost 27 years of living with my parents, it was a welcome change. I was able to decorate the new place exactly like I always wanted and truly make it my very own cozy home. We had friends and family over for my birthday, Easter, housewarming party, Thanksgiving and Christmas and I loved decorating the place for all these occasions!

4. I applied for the Canadian visa for 8 hours on my birthday and I got it a week later! Woo-hoooo! It was a loooong and complex process that actually took months, but I did it! 

5. We had Oli's family over in Cluj for the first time ever and we traveled with them around the country to see the Mocanita in Viseu de Sus and Castelul Corvinilor in Hunedoara!

6. Oli and I visited Sibiu in a romantic getaway weekend and we loved it! I fall in love with that city every time I see it!

6. I went to my first wine tasting and it wasn't as pretentious as I thought! I really enjoyed the presentation and the wines!

7. I went to another summer camp as a teacher but this one was small and ended rather badly with all of us being sick. Nevertheless, I loved the kids and the places we saw together!

8.  Oli and I went to 2 weddings together: one with friends and the other one with the family. It was fun!

9. I went to Canada for the first time in my life and before that I also saw Munich and Reykjavik! I loved every second of my summer trip abroad!

10.  I started my 4th year as a kindergarten psychologist. Who knew years would pass so fast? I was disappointed, I wanted to give up but people around me supported me and gave me the trust I needed to go on. Working in the educational system is very difficult and not always rewarding, but I know now I should focus more on the kids and their joy of seeing me rather than on the adults around me.

11. We went out to picnics with my family! Even though they weren't as often as the last years, they were relaxing and fun and we still kept alive our traditions of picking snowdrops and mistletoe! I realized I only feel completely at home when I'm out in the nature!

12. We traveled to the Czech Republic and to Slovakia with our friends! I realized I don't like the big capitals like Prague but I loved Olomouc and Bratislava!

13. On Nov 7th, Oli and I celebrated our one year anniversary since we got engaged!

14. This year I made 6 Advent calendars for my friends and I started late, as usual. But I'm definitely getting better and better at it! :D

15. We had Hans and Dana twice in Cluj this year! They came back for Oli's birthday and we also celebrated Christmas early with them! Wonderful times!

16. I made a 30 years anniversary album for my parents. I worked on it for 3 months and it was definitely one of the most complex projects I had ever taken in, but it was worth it. We now have a lifetime of memories on paper!

17. Oli and I spent our first Christmas at our own place and we decorated it so beautifully: not only with one, but with 4 Christmas trees!:D We went caroling with my family and we reconnected with some relatives we haven't seen in a long time.

18. We went on with the wedding planning. We had a "Save the date" photoshoot too! We can't wait to get married in less than 5 months!

19. I cooked a LOT of new things and I feel I'm getting better and better at baking! 

20. This year all my dreams came true! I have my dream home, my dream husband to be, my dream job and my dream life all in all! I am so very thankful for everything and I can't wait to see what 2016 will bring!

Personal motto for next year: "Stressfree... carefree... happy!"

Very excited,

D.