Weekend Trip

Yes, this is also a post about my weekend.... a two-day trip to Constanta. It was nice returning home but I felt very tired and nostalgic. I slept and recovered and time passed so fast... At least I had the chance to spend a few moments on the beach. I missed it so much. The sea is part of my inner soul structure. I will always return wherever I go, no matter how far. The smell of the sea is the smell of home.  Nevertheless, I felt like there is nothing left for me to do in Constanta. Now I am busy making Bucharest part of me, part of my art, my life and my soul. This is a wonderful adventure. I love my new friends, I love the hours spent in the studio. I don't have much time to think about what's happening because it all happens so fast! A month has already passed since I started university and I still feel like a newcomer with no experience. Yes, there are many goals waiting to be accomplished. I wish I had the time to post daily... really....

And still, the sea is always in my heart . White seagulls fly through my mind.

It's a deal

A lot happened since my last post on the blog. Guess what...? Level 2: university student. Well, yes after a long summer, I finally made it. I passed my exams in Bucharest and I was accepted, not only in the painting class but also in the history of arts. Which means: double agent, double student, double success, double trouble.... and... a big double chocolate cake for me at the end! hihihi

I feel great, relieved! Even though summer is over, the weather is still sunny and warm enough during daytime. The sky is blue and.... I have so many things to do! Find a place to live in the city which is from now on my second home, buying stuff, organizing, cleaning, replacing, preparing for my new life. But who cares? Why should I worry, even for a second? I feel fine and energized!

Looking back, I think it was a wonderful experience with a happy end... because good luck will always be by my side as long as I have on open mind and a loving heart. 

I regret nothing. This is what's best for me for sure. I learned so much, I met new people, I made new friends. In other words this was one of the most exciting holidays of my life.... and still is.  

Now I can read as many books and watch as many movies as I want! My reloaded September vacation, here I come!  The beach is more beautiful than ever. It just couldn't have been better.

Of course I will start posting artwork again real soon! Remember those en-detaille portraits? Brace yourselves !

On your marks. Get set. Go !!

All recovered and ready for a new start I've decided to share some photos of my grandma's beautiful garden in the countryside. We paid her a visit last week. Wandering around flowers, orange big pumpkins and colorful butterflies made me feel calm, accomplished. I just love those drops of shiny color which pop out everywhere.

Tomorrow my two-week holiday at home comes to an end as I will be heading to Bucharest in order to attend some painting courses at the University. I can't wait to explore the city which I will very soon call home. Even though I visited Bucharest two or three times, I know very little about it, its streets, parks and museums. 

This time I have no doubt that I will be accepted because I will also sign up for the history of arts courses. I love reading a lot, I enjoy writing and studying, ... but I also love painting! I don't know what's going to happen; all I know is that I am happy again and ready to learn new stuff, explore and make new friends. Who knows? Maybe extraordinary things are waiting for me in Bucharest. Maybe the rejection in Cluj was a blessing because now I'm stronger and I feel I learned many many things; and I will never forget my friends there. I am actually staring to enjoy this experience. :-)

I'm so very curious.... I'm going to be here with new posts as soon as I can !

Upside down

I've already arrived home... and I don't know if I like it or not. My admission experience wasn't very happy... because I didn't make it. I'm not going to be an arts student in Cluj. It hurts. Why? Because now I have to change my plans. All my plans. Failure was not an option. Yes, I was a little afraid but I didn't think that this was going to happen to me for real. It happened. I just couldn't stand the feeling that, after an entire year of hard work, I wasn't able to make it. I felt just like someone slammed the door into my face and I could do nothing to change the verdict. I thought of my parents who did everything for me, I thought of my teacher who helped me so much, I thought of my friends who managed just fine.

Now I've decided to apply for the arts university in Bucharest. Here I am. I've never ever imagined that I'm going to be a student in Bucharest. It was never an option. It wasn't part of my plans... but now those plans mean nothing. My mind is upside down. I can't wait to get back on my feet. 

Learn to accept failure and transform it into a new opportunity. Learn to embrace the unexpected and don't make long term plans. Learn to stand tall. Learn to be a winner even when you fail.

This is not the end. 

Last post before the Cluj challenge

As you might know I've decided to become a student at the University of Arts and Design (UAD) in Cluj-Napoca. Well, the admission exams begin Monday! Tonight I'll be heading to Cluj with my parents and brother. It will be a great challenge and experience. I've been working very hard lately, spending hours and hours in the studio on my own. Eventually, my teacher chose the best paintings which are going to travel along with me as my portfolio. I'm trying to be as optimistic as possible and think only of happy stuff... but I must admit that I am afraid that I'm not going to make it...

For example I like thinking about this gorgeous project I just found : http://kiterunners.ro/

I like the idea so much that I'm going to submit as soon as possible! More about this after I return home from Cluj. ;-) 

Here are some details of my most recent paintings. Not much, I know, but enough to make you curious!

Wish me good luck !!

Cyprus adventure part 4: Hala Sultan Tekke Mosque and Larnaka Salt Lake

So here we are, my friends. This is the last Cyprus adventure post. It's about a place which reminded me of that famous tale... Ali Baba and the forty thieves. Plants, sun and sky transported me instantly into Arabian dreams. Again, no one was around and I liked that so much! 

Beautiful Hala Sultan Tekke is a tiny mosque hidden in exotic vegetation. Larnaka Salt Lake is almost dry during summertime and, in winter it is visited by graceful pink flamingos. April is quiet around...

This is it! I mean... it's not actually but I think that's enough. ;-) Bye-bye beloved island. Let's move forward! I have other things waiting to be shared. I'll announce new posts on my facebook and instagram accounts!

Cyprus adventure part 3 : Cape Greko Peninsula

Cape Greko Peninsula was one of my favorite places in Cyprus. It looked just like a Pirate Bay, a secret harbor where they used to meet and hide treasures. Maybe there really is a miracle chest buried on Cape Greko Peninsula!! I'll find it next time I visit Cyprus and then I'll be rich and lazy for the rest of my life! Hmm... Maybe I shouldn't do that, shouldn't I? 

We explored the place but didn't stay very long. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't so nice. I loved it anyway! It seemed like time stood still as there were no other tourists around, everything was silent, nothing was moving. Views were so gorgeous and the sea was stunning as always.

Oh! I was just about to forget about the strange plants which grew all over the place on dry stone. They reminded me of seaweed. Creepy and beautiful!! *_*

I hope I didn't bore you with my Cyprus posts. I still have one more prepared which, I think, will be the last. It's been over a month since I came back and I have much different stuff to share. So get ready for the end of the adventure, the forth post and the last.

Cyprus adventure part 2

Are you ready for the second part of the adventure? Here we go....

Second day! Tough day for dad who drove on the left side of the road for the first time. As I said, Cypriots aren't the most patient drivers, but dad managed just fine. We visited Ayia Napa, said to have an exciting nightlife, no. 2 in Europe, actually, after Ibiza. The beach was nice too, with golden soft sand. And the sea. Breathtaking! It had the most wonderful color I've only seen in photos of unknown deserted island in Pacific. The Mediterranean is just as beautiful. The reason why water was so clear were the rocks on the seabed, so taking a bath wasn't so easy....We explored some cliffs near the beach and then walked until we reached the touristic harbor.

 The most beautiful sea I've ever seen!!

 That's salt :-)

 We explored the cliffs near the golden sand beach and we found an aquatic cave perfect for snorkeling.

Well I didn't have the chance to take a bath but.....

 

View of Ayia Napa from the touristic harbor.

Special selfie for the end! Stay tuned as I'm preparing new posts!

Cyprus adventure part 1

As exams are approaching you might think that, during my entire spring holiday I stayed at home like a nice girl and studied. But no. My parents offered me the most wonderful vacation in the world! We visited Cyprus and spent a great week away from home.

Cyprus is an island located south from Turkey in the middle of beautiful Mediterranean Sea. Although it should belong entirely to Greece, the northern part of the island is under Turkish occupation since 1974. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is only recognized by Turkey. The political situation is complicated even today with the Turkish army maintaining pressure at the border.

Despite the frightening "concentration camp" fences we saw now and then along the road, we had no trouble and we spent most of our time on the Greek part of the island. We rent a car so we can move around easily. That's how most tourists do and I also think it's the most practical and cheap idea. Ours was a nice red Ford. hahah. Rented cars there have red numbers so locals always know who they deal with. :-)

First impressions were astonishing. The weather was fine, sunny and warm, while in Bucharest we had to survive a windy, rainy one. brrrr During the first day we had lots of time to explore the neighborhood. We stayed at Frixos Hotel in Dekeleia, 10 km away from Larnaka. (which I'm going to talk about later)

Everywhere, beautiful white houses and bungalows, summer villas I wish I owned just next to the beach. The air was fresh and sweet smelling. Trees and bushes were all flowery. Lemon trees, orange trees, palm trees and so many other plants I don't know the names of. Walking around town was a delight. One could feel the sun gently touch his skin, smell only divine flavors and see only beauty. 

I liked very much our hotel. It had a remote backyard and a big swimming pool. The room we stayed in was spacious, clean and had a bonus great view of the gorgeous blue sea. I also loved the fresh fruits, squash and delicious cakes they gave us for breakfast. There was always someone there if you had any question and the staff was one of the most friendly I've ever met. 

 

Larnaka is one of the biggest cities, 10 km away from our hotel in Dekeleia. It's famous around the world for its palm trees main boulevard. Actually, the first picture I've ever seem of Cyprus on Pinterest was of this street. It is truly wonderful, next to the sea shore and the touristic harbor. We strolled around narrow cobbled streets in the old town paying attention to the cars. People there drive so fast! They surely aren't patient drivers. But as I usually enjoy lively streets, I had no problem with that.

Oh and I loved the huge fountain. :-D

Part two coming soon... ;-)