Wine in the afternoon

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I know silly excuses are lame, but I feel bad for the lack of updates, so let me explain: As I mentioned a lot of times, the end of the year is quite complicated, and I’ve been studying a lot. Unfortunately, I failed economy and will have to take it again next year. Looking on the bright side, that’s better than passing with a bad grade this semester, because it’s a subject I really must learn in order to succeed in the years ahead. Now I have less tests and papers due, so I’m almost on holidays and I’ll go back to updating more frequently. And I’m getting excited about my schedule for next semester, even though I’ll have a copious amount of classes due to my failing economy and not taking some of my required classes this semester.

This week is going to be chaotic, but really fun. I’ve got a lot of internship work. I’m pretty sure I mentioned it before, but I’m an intern at a major newspaper. I actually only work on the teenager section, which is published weekly. I work with a group of 5 other interns and about 5 journalists, and I do everything raging from suggesting stories, writing on their blog, writing a bit for the paper and doing interviews. Yesterday we had a meeting, and I’m really proud of myself because my suggestions were a total hit. Today we interviewed an Israeli musician called Idan Raichel, and he was incredibly interesting, I’m still amazed. Plus, he gave me his e-mail and told me I should totally come to Israel sometime, which was great for my little groupie heart. Tomorrow we’re all going to see his concert (plus side of this job: free tickets!), and afterwards we’re going to the band contest the newspaper promotes yearly (and I’m VIP, free drinks & food & all sorts of pampering). I’m really excited about all of this, and I’m getting really sad that the internship ends on February, because I’m enjoying it a lot, and I’ve made some great friends there.

Tomorrow there’s band practice, and that’s very motivating and exciting too. I hope everything turns out okay (even though I’m not feeling all that sure about my bass-playing skills). And the day after tomorrow I’m going to the opening of an exhibition, and it’s going to be rad. The artist, Gerard Fromanger, is a friend of my mom, and his work is really interesting. And other awesome plans for the weekend include a killer party on friday and karaoke night on sunday. Unfortunately, though, my modelling gig was postponed.

So, guys, what are your plans for this week? Anything you’re excited about?

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Wow, I can’t believe November is almost over. 2010 is just around the corner, I should start my end-of-the-year obligations already. But let’s get to this month’s Just a Minute (courtesy of August Street).

Listening… to Cobra Starship, Lady Gaga, She & Him, Led Zeppelin, The Killers & Interpol. And a lot more, but that’s just the sort of stuff that has been going on in my head lately.
Reading… Lolita, by V. Nabokov.
Watching… Old Audrey Hepburn movies, The Dreamers, and rock’n'roll movies like Rock’n'roll High School.
Buying… Cookies, Books and a 2010 Moleskine planner.
Wanting… Vacations!
Trying… Not to fail Economy. I think I did well on the test, but not well enough. Let’s see how that goes.
Loving… Jimmy Page, dancing through the night, laying in bed reading all day, daydreaming, my family, writing letters & cards, Christmas approaching.
Making… Lists & plans, as usual.
Writing… Blog content, music lyrics, lists.

Miss Sofia

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• Vacations: As of today, I basically don’t have any more classes this year. I have to take tests and turn in some papers, but I can stay home the rest of the time. That means sleeping in late, resting, going out…
• Travel plans: I’m still saving for Paris, but I’m planning on a nice New Year’s getaway with some friends. We’re probably going to my grandparent’s beach house, and it will be fun, fun, fun!
• Health: My grandfather was released from the hospital yesterday, and I visited him last night. He’s still weak, and he can’t walk well yet, but he’s getting better, and that makes really glad. My sister cried so much when she saw him – and she’s not usually a crier! -, it was the sweetest thing ever.
• Modeling: I’m not a model. I’m usually quite camera-shy, actually. But this week I was invited to model for a photoshoot to promote a party. The photos are being taken next week, and I’ll post some of the better ones for you to see. I’m really, really excited!
• Partying: It had been a while since I last got out to party, but last weekend I did, and it was awesome. Me and some friends went to a great club (it was actually a photography studio that doubled as a club), and the songs were great, the company was great, and we danced until the morning and grabbed breakfast at a gas station convenience store. Now I’m really excited and definitely want to go out dancing with them again.
• My video project: I think I might have mentioned this before, but me and a friend are working on a mini-documentary on bass players for underground local bands. It’s a college project, and tonight we’re editing because it has to be presented tomorrow in our Communication & Art class. The footage is great, and if it turns out well I’m planning on working on an extended version during summer break.
• Friends: I go to two different universities, as I’m majoring in two different things. In one of them I have friends, but I didn’t really talk to anyone at the other one. Luckily, this is starting to change, and I met some nice and interesting people lately, and yesterday I had a killer time with them. We talked about movies and music and college and it felt great.
• Lomography: I’ve signed up for a Lomography workshop in december, and I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully it will be fun.

What about you, dolls? What are you excited about?

Wish me luck, because I have an economy test today and I need to get a good grade!

Miss Sofia

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This time of the year always means I’m struggling with getting all my grades up, studying for exams, writing papers, doing copious amounts of homework and not having time for myself. Yesterday I came home early from college and spent hours reading my economy textbook and trying to really understand it, and after I was done with it (not exactly done, actually, there are still two chapters to go) I had to plan the documentary I’m doing for my Communication & Art class with a friend.

On a side note, I’m actually really excited about the documentary: It will be a mini-doc (about 4 minutes long) about bass players, and we’re interviewing some of our friends who play the bass. Today we’re shooting, and we’re going to edit it on thursday, after I’m done with my economy test (finally!). Wish me luck, lovelies. If it turns out well I’ll put it up on Youtube for you to see.

But, coming back to the important stuff… I always find it hard to study. I’ve never been a bad student, I go to a great college and all, but actually sitting down and studying and getting work done is always very difficult for me. Over the years I developed some methods, so to speak, to improve my concentration, but they’re not perfect. I get easily distracted, and sometimes I just totally doze off while reading whatever it is that I’m supposed to be reading. So I thought I’d share some of my tips with you, and ask for a little help.

• Music: I know a lot of people can only concentrate when it’s silent, but silence creeps me out. I always listen to music when I’m studying, preferably things I like but don’t know the lyrics to. If I know the lyrics I’ll inevitably start singing and get distracted. Jazz, electronic and classical music are good for studying purposes.
• Food: I’m hungry most of the time. If I start studying and I get bored, I immediately get hungry, and then I stop studying in order to eat. So I have a small snack before starting to read, and I keep a glass of water and/or fruit juice and something to snack on during my reading. I like getting crackers, small fruits (like berries and grape) and peanuts. Chocolate is also good because it keeps me awake.
• Finding the best time: I study well during the afternoon and during the night (and when I say night I mean after 23h). My mind just doesn’t work in the morning, and in the evening I’m usually tired and want to get some rest reading a novel or watching a movie.
• The best place: I have to be comfortable to pay attention. Therefore, I usually study sitting in my bed. But, depending on my mood and on the weather, I might study in the porch, or in the living room’s table, or sitting in a park bench.

What about you? What helps you concentrate?

Miss Sofia

I’ve never been a fan of Lady Gaga, but she’s starting to grow on me. This weekend I went to an incredible party and I had loads of fun dancing to that song, so I thought it would be good for today’s Music Monday. Fun, upbeat and good to dance to!

Miss Sofia

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This week I re-watched 3 Hepburn movies: Charade, Funny Face and Paris when it sizzles. Even though I had seem all of them quite a few times, she never ceases to amaze me with her flawless elegance and style. So why not dedicate this Sunday Idol post to her?

Why you should love her: She had unusual features that later became the very definition of beauty & elegance; Her style was impeccable; She spoke French with the cutest accent; She could make any sort of character absolutely loveable, whether it was a philosopher turned model or a high-maintenance prostitute who dreamed of marrying a millionaire; She could speak French, English, Spanish, Italian and Dutch, and is seen trying to speak Portuguese in Breakfast at Tiffany’s; She contributed meaningfully to UNICEF; She got 2 Academy Awards, a Golden Globe, 2 Tonys, an Emmy and a Grammy.

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.

Random Fact: She serenaded JFK for his final birthday in 1963, one year after Marilyn Monroe.

How to celebrate her: Learn a foreign language; Shoplift; Get a cat named Cat; Throw a ridiculous and extravagant party filled with people you’ve never met; Go on the hunt for millionaires; Go to Paris (or Rome, or NY); Dress beautifully and elegantly in black, tan and pearls; Eat a bagel; Go to Tiffany’s (when I went there, the elevator guy told me I was lovely and sang It’s Now or Never to me during the whole elevator ride. It was marvellous.); Flirt with everyone; Start a stamp collection; Embrace life; Learn ballet; Help others, volunteer, donate to charity, read to children; Wear Givenchy; Watch any of her films; Read Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Pygmalion; Fall for an older man.

Miss Sofia

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I know it’s Saturday so this #FollowFriday is late. But, as I said on my last post, things have been complicated around here. My grandfather is finally doing better, but he’s still under supervision at the hospital for the next day or so. I want to thank all of you so much for the positive thoughts and nice wishes, because it really meant the world to me.

So here we go with Saturday’s #FollowFriday!

• Two very interesting articles on the Twilight craze by Alex and Kate.
• Fluorescent lingerie. Love it or hate it?
• These photos of crying men by the photographer Sam Taylor-Wood are just beautiful.
• Alix, from The Cherry Blossom Girl, is definitely one of my internet girl-crushes, right along to Gala Darling.
• My Tumblr, because I like some self-promotion too.

Have a great weekend, lovelies. And, once again, thank you for your support. You’re great.

Miss Sofia

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This morning I woke up with bad news. My mother’s in Paris, but she’s coming home early because my grandfather was rushed into the hospital again. Therefore, today’ s TilT is hard to write, but I think that’s when it’s needed the most. Still, it’s going to be just one thing:

• Family & Friends: Things have been complicated, but I’m grateful for my supportive family and my great friends who are really helping me right now.

Miss Sofia

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Today I left the house at 8h30 (way too early for me – I usually get up around 10) to go downtown to update some of my documentation papers. Me, my dad and my sister ended up coming back at 14h, which means the whole process took more than 5 hours – and most of them were spent waiting. This annoyed me to no end, since I didn’t have time for lunch and I was terribly late for college. But, like most things, it had an upside: It inspired me to write today’s post. Yay (see, this is me trying to look on the bright side of life)! So here are my very special thoughts on how to spend the time you wait in line.

• Catch up on your reading. I read more than half of Brave New World (the book I’m currently reading) while waiting. But I suggest taking stuff you have to read but don’t really want to, like school books. You won’t have many options, so you’ll actually get some reading done instead of procrastinating in order to watch Glee.
• Alternatively, do your homework.
• Set your iPod on shuffle and people-watch. The idea is seeing how the music influences your opinions on people. So look at someone, skip to the next song and then try to make up a story for that person. You’ll see how differently you think when you’re listen to Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps and Oops, I did it again. And if you’re like me and have around 13000 songs on your iPod you’ll probably discover something you’ve never heard before.
• If you want, write down the stories you make up for people. It’s an interesting creative writing exercise, and it always reminds me of this book (one of my childhood favourites. If you’ve never read it, I suggest you do, regardless of your age. It’s great).
• Write lists. I love lists, no matter what they are about. Write your Christmas wishlist, a to-do list for the next week (or month, or year), your new-year resolutions, a list of people you love but don’t see enough, a list of things you love right no (I strongly recommend this one if you’re feeling upset), a list of songs that have been stuck in your head for the past few days, a list of movies you want to see but haven’t seen yet, a list of books you want to read and should get at your library, a Top 5 of John Cusack movies (I did this on twitter with a friend once, it was fun. We also listed favourite John Malkovich films and favourite John Hughes movies. I think we were going through a John obsession, now that I think of it.), anything at all.
• Make phone calls and/or send e-mails (if you have a Blackberry, an iPhone, or something of that sort). You know the calls you were supposed to make, and the e-mails you promised you’d respond asap? Well, get it done with.
• Write postcards. If you don’t have anyone to send postcards to, please sign up with Postcrossing (yeah, yeah, I know, I just can’t stop talking about it).

How do you spend your time in lines?

Miss Sofia

I went to a rock festival on friday and saw four bands: Holger, El Mató a un policia motorizado, Super Furry Animals and Gogol Bordello. They’re all great, and you should get to know their music. So here it goes:

Miss Sofia