237. Make something out of air dry clay

 

After completing a pottery course nearby, I decided to use my new skills to create something cheaply and at home. The result was a hodge-podge of lumpy, slightly cracked pieces, but having now sold one I feel that they could've been a lot worse.

Illustrated here is a candle holder which I use as a vase for dried lavender. It's actually quite pretty with the two paired.

220. Make 3 Recipes from My Recipe Book

 

I now have almost all my maternal recipes memorized. 

The 3 that stand out are:

1. Peanut Chicken Curry

2. Mussels with tomato sauce

3. Matapa

239. Read 20 Books this Year

 

I never considered audio books really reading a book, but that all changed this year. I actually finished this task way earlier than expected so now I've extended it to 25 for myself. 

Here's the list

1. Tender is the Flesh

2. Homesick for another world

3. Grid Systems

4. Mary John

5. Cuba My Revolution

6. A Chosen Exile

7. Lapvona

8. The Bell Jar

9. My Year of Rest and Relaxation

10. Who's Loving You

11. Kafka by the Shore

12. Dune

13. Martin Eden

14. Harry Potter e a camara do segredos

15. Bordados

16. My Brilliant Friend

17. Money 

18. Crying in H Mart

19. MY Sister the Serial Killer

20. So You've been Publicly Shamed

21.A Darker Shade of Magic

147. Find a Portuguese programme to watch

 

Causa Propria - is a murder mystery detective program on HBOmax. I noticed it immediately when I logged on, thanks to the Portuguese name.

So far I've only watched two episodes. It's quite intense in the sense that the language is spoken quite fast and I have to pause to translate every now and again, but ultimately the show is very calming, autumnal, and of course dark and murderous. 

130. Cycle in Another Country

 

Of course where did I complete this resolution but in Amsterdam of all places - the capital of biking. 

Cycling around Amsterdam is a fantastic experience but it's not for the faint-hearted. You need to be confident on a bike - which I was. What I didn't count on was being slow. I went with a friend who powered through the streets. At one point we even lost each other, but only for a few minutes. 

I think now having done it I wouldn't mind a solo trip again to Amsterdam or another, flat, cycling Dutch city. Just so I can see the city at my own pace. Plus Amsterdam, despite being I'm sure full of human trafficking, is still fairly doable alone. 

97. Get some artwork and frame and hang it up

My house is filled with artwork now. It didn't just take me renting a house. I began in my rented room, but now I have a living room I can fill it with all the artwork I like - and with the power of command hooks, I do!

120. Go to Porto

 

This is actually a resolution I completed a long time ago but never got round to posting. 

Now I'm an alfacinha Porto seems a world away, but as someone said to me, it almost has that Britishness or in particular Scottishness which appeals to my own British heart.

22. Complete Times crossword

 I don't know if this counts, but since starting this blog I've completed the New York Times crossword various times - and not just the Monday one!

216. Cut out beef and dairy for one month

 

I actually ended up dating a vegan, so, it was more like 2 years of no meat and dairy

247. Visit a new city

 

Napoli

I visited the city thanks to a close acquaintance. It was my first time meeting a boyfriend's parents, and in a city I'd never ventured in. I had been to Italy though, but each time had been quite fleeting.

The experience was like something from a quintessentially Italian romp. We met the nonna, we tried the mama's expert cooking, we drove (in a fiat, sipping on sicilian lemonade) down the winding roads to the Amalfi coast, up to Possitano, and of course explored the luxurious fashionable shops of the elegant streets of Napoli.

I'd been told that, in simple terms, Napoli, is a shithole. But the reality is, it's just bad press. Naples, is a fine city. Hell, more than fine, it's a world of it's own. I've never been somewhere were nature looms over so beautifully. Vesuvius truly makes the city. Paired with the sea, it really is a dream.

The food was wonderful too, but really it was the atmosphere and sights that did it for me. It really is a most beautiful part of Italy, and somehwere to be proud to call home. I can't think of a better place to visit afresh.

262. Go to a portuguese meetup

 

I'm an introvert

I may be quiet but luckily, over time, I'm not as quiet as my anxiety would probably have it if it had full reign. 

I attended the meetup with a friend who is also learning Portuguese. It took place in a soup canteen on the river's edge of Lisbon. After waiting 15 minutes, and two failed attempts and embarrassing mis-meets with the wrong person, we finally found our host.

I won't talk too much about the even because everyone was lovely, but it was quite strange all the same. I use this blog as a sort of capsule of memories so I hope this will trigger it later. All I can say is I didn't return and I have no plans to, but ultimately it was a good and memorable experience. 

266. See a play in Portuguese

 

King Lear

I'm lucky in that I come from a town in the UK where Shakespeare is performed every year for the public. However in all my time seeing the plays I've never experienced King Lear. 

As I'm living in Portugal we went to see the play in Portuguese. I knew beforehand this would be a stretch of my language skills so I made sure to 'revise' the play before so I knew exactly what was happening. Thankfully this helped immensely and I think in the future I will do the same again.

The play itself was wonderful. It was a modern retelling, but still using formal language (had to get used to vos) and featured just three actors playing all the parts. I really loved the theater too and plan to visit again as soon as I can.

189. Read 1 book for each month for 6 months

  

My year of rest and relaxation - Ottessa Moshfegh

And we come to an end, and what an end. I started this book not really feeling it, but then managed to finish it in a couple of days. My second read was at a market stall where I was feeling decidedly depressed. It's not a pre-requisite to be close to submerging yourself under a bridge but being slightly low definitely makes the main character more relatable and less annoying.

Essentially this is a book with a very snarky, judgmental protagonist, yet it probably shows a side of us many have, even if it manifest differently. Moreover, being a female protagonist it was freeing reading about sluggish, self-pitying behavior in an age of self-care.

It could be argued that her solution to sleep for a year is exactly that - self care. But with the cocktail of sedatives and alcohol it's completely different form 2020's yoga and smoothies. 

A must read for young and unhappy women.

189. Read 1 book for each month for 6 months

 

Kafka on the shore - Haruki Murakami

I'm not sure if I'd say I'm a fan of Murakami but I've enjoyed his books in the past. My favorite is Norwegian Wood, a basic choice, and it makes sense since I also really enjoyed the Colourless Tsukuru Tazaki, and that is possibly one of his less magical novels. That's not to say I don't enjoy the magical realism prevalent in almost all his books. It's just that as a reader I'm more drawn to atmosphere and relationships. The later being less developed in my opinion in his stories.

Actually while on this critical ledge I'd like to also complain slightly about his depiction of women, or men's relationship with women. I find it quite creepy how his male characters almost always obsess over the child-like qualities of beautiful women, or even at time teenagers. For me Murakami is borderline paedophilic at this point. Perhaps it's a commentary on our most inner desires, but as a young woman it's creepy.

As for Kafka on the shore I feel like this book is for people with a higher knowledge of myths and esoteric symbolism, both of which I have very little of. The story itself is fine - an odyssey or metaphor for finding yourself and exploring the labyrinth within, but on the levels I enjoy most (atmosphere and relationships) it did very little for me. Maybe one day I'll enjoy the riddle at play, but for now it's simply an interesting read.

226. Go on a trip outside of Lisbon

 

Óbidos is a walled moorish town an hour outside of Lisbon. The main draw of this hilltop location is not just it's characterful winding streets but the plethora of bookshops you find inside, thanks in a large part I assume, to the yearly and world renowned book festival that takes place around October.

I managed to visit it on a particularly sunny day which added to the charm. Underneath the blue skies I was taken in by the wonderfully white walls, adorned with white laced curtains and blue doors, amongst the calçadas or cobblestoned roads. 

Not being a vegan at the time we found a great portuguese restuarant with traditional food that served wonderful lulas and fish. If I had been a vegan however, I think the town would still provide as there was a health food type place outside the walls.

Although Óbidos is small, you can visit the next door city fairly easily (although the bus doesn't come that often). Named Caldas da Rainha, it's a strange place, half market town, half spa town but still pleasant to visit. It is definetly less picturesque than Obidos but it gives you some life and bustle after the quiet. 

189. Read 1 book for each month for 6 months

 

Dune by Frank Herbet

Having been gripped by the film it only made sense to me to expand my insight into the world of Dune.

The main focus of this fascination was the religion surrounding the myths of the book, and sects such as the Bene Gesserit. I was gripped by the philosophy underpinning the super human elements and wanted to know more about this element of the story. I think the scene that gripped me most in both the book and film concerning this was the test Paul must take to prove he is human (or in other words, strong minded and capable). I won't spoil it but this idea of feeble mindedness being a flaw of the inhuman, however much I disagree with it, captivated me and made me wonder what other kind of philosophies would arise from such a sect.

I was also taken my the story's take on environmentalism and how the universe functions as a whole. I think the intricacies of an eco system as described in the book are essentially what is followed today but I suppose the book takes it further by creating a whole religion and movement around it.

Now I've finished the first book (which was a mighty read) I'm curious to know more about the bene gesserit and what happened to Dune. There was so much about super human powers but I have no understanding of how these were developed. I'm also interested more in the positive philosophy Herbet tries to sell in the book to see how much I agree with it, or not.

189. Read 1 book for each month for 6 months

 

Martin Eden - Jack London

I'd watched the film of this first as recommended by my boyfriend. Unlike the film the original is set in what appears to be 1920s California (or earlier). I loved the film and the underlying story of a simple man yearning and striving to become something more, something enlightened.

Initially the book feels like a motivational piece about the value of working hard, with passion and love, whilst keeping your wildness, however, the ending of this book, which I won't reveal, leaves me to question the main characters initial work. Was it all worth it? I would say from the author's point of view - yes, but from my own I'm not sure yet.

260. Get a Massage

 

What a wonderful pleasure. As you may have guessed from some of my other resolutions I've gained some weight and as of such I've begun exercising regularly to help try and shift some weight. So spurred on by this I finally ventured out to find a masseuse.

Being a woman looking for a masseur is a bit of a strange predicament. Probably because I'm poorly informed but to me massage parlors are places where you might get more than a massage, I really did just want a massage. Luckily, I found I really was poorly informed because each parlour I found on google seemed not´only legitimate but wonderully decked out. 

I opted for a 20mins deep tissue massage to sort out the problems gained from new exercises. It was great. I left feeling new, with no aches. Sadly this didn't last long. 

228. Start my own business selling physical goods

 

Some time just before the start of the pandemic I started my Etsy store. By that time I was already selling pictures and cards to shops and people and realised I could make this into an actual second business that utilised my skills in graphic design and art.

The shop has transformed my life. I now engage with a community because of it. A community of screen printers, fellow market stall holders and engaging clients. Sure, I had a small following on my instagram before, but now I really feel like I engage in the lives of those people.

189. Read 1 book for each month for 6 months

 

Money: A User's Guide Laura Whateley

I entered into this book as a clueless and penniless twenty-something. I'm now penniless, twenty-something and better informed. The book is written by a journalist who started out as a sociology graduate and not as an economist or banker. Thanks to this the book reads well and is very enjoyable to devour, as I did, in a few days. Unlike other self-help books the book doesn't waffle but gets straight to the point. The guides are not only practical though, but detailed and each chapter seems as important as the next.

Thanks to the book I can confidently start looking into starting a shares portfolio, saving for my pension, and I've even started using a banking app again that allows me to see in bar charts an pie charts how I spend my money.

I don't normally rate books on here but 5 stars

126. Attend a morning market

 

Not only did I attend this market - I was a seller!

Now that I sell physical goods I've begun amassing some of my products for such markets. The one bedroom apartment we live in isn't really built for the amount of things I have but somehow we make it work. At the moment I have a few pretty Hays crates with all my prints, scarfs etc. Plus a bedside table. There's also a LOT under our double bed.

The markets (I've done two now) have been great fun. The first was a bit lack luster. I made one sale and really didn't know how to set up my stall, but the second was a great success. I even got to meet other stall holders, which, as someone from another country with few friends was a wonderful experience.

132. Make pottery

 

In December I found a ceramicist in the city I live in who offers workshops. Better yet she offered private lessons for a very reasonable price. Not wanting to enroll on a course just yet, I opted for the private, and enjoyed two days of practice. The first was spent making the pottery from clay. I made a cup using the rolling pin technique and a pinch pot espresso mug with a very expressive handle. 

Day two, we got to glaze the pots. The only difficult part was remembering not to scratch my face or eyes because of the chemicals in the glaze. After letting the tether fire the pots I ended up with twp pieces I love and use regularly. Wanting a bit of a break and practice before starting again I've even started modelling with air dry clay at the weekend. Needless to say the end result is less impressive but it's still enjoyable.

146. Learn to make a pudding that I actually like

 

Last year I started dating a European, unfamiliar with the idea of British meals. Wanting to add some 'exoitism' to his life I began cooking up sausages and mash, leeks and baked beans. Finally I prepared a pudding I've always loved but never for some reason made (even though I know it's quite easy). Apple crumble. So simple, just cut up some apples, add cinnamon, sugar, lemon juice and cover in buttered oats. Perfect.

137. Go on a road trip

 

To Porto!

I don't know if this actually counts seeing as how we didn't stop in another city. Perhaps I'll count this as a half count, but it was the first time I drove hours to another city with a friend, with the purpose of staying in and exploring the city. We ate great food, took nice photos and stayed in what was quite a surprisingly nice Airbnb given the cost (it even had a garden). It wasn't my first time in Porto, but going with a friend and not my parents I was able to be led to amazing hipster brunch spots and areas I'd never explored before. I feel like this time round I really gained an understanding of why it's such a hipster hot spot and I like it.

221. Buy a secondhand going out dress

I found the dress at a local vintage market that comes once a month. Now that I've put on so much weight it's much harder to find things that not only fit but suit me. However, this shift dress somehow sits perfectly in my opinion, slipping gently over my protruding stomach and highlighting my best feature; my legs whilst simultaneously keeping the modesty that is often lost with a somewhat bustier chest.

And as it's second hand I feel even better knowing I got it for only a few euros. I think it was €15 but I liked it so much it may even have been €30.

88. Paint a Picture

 

Sometime last year I decided to participate in the local market here. After my first market I realised people were on the lookout for original and handmade work at a good price. I'd always wanted to get into painting so I created 3 pieces from gouache based on still lifes. The paintings were actually quite successful, as I sold reprints of them. The only problem is that I've stoppped painting. I suppose I'm not sure what to paint now.

40. Buy or receive a polaroid camera

 

This was actually a Christmas present from the year before last. After some research I found an adaptable, good enough starter Polaroid for myself. I still haven't mastered it but I'm trying when I can. The success though has been in selecting a colour that is so stylish that at times I wear the case as a bag. The lilac tone makes me happy simply on it's own. The model is an instax mini 11. So far I've managed to take one good photo of myself and a few good ones of my friends. Disappointingly my landscapes and cityscapes have been pretty poor. I've been a bit torn away by the arrival of my Mum's old film camera but this post is a good reminder to try and take some decent Polaroids again. 

164. Make a Recipe Book

 

I made my Mum, my sister and my brother a digital and printed version of our family recipes. The aim was to preserve and learn the knowledge that is Mozambican cooking. So far I've been able to make the peanut chicken, the tomato mussels and the matapa (although this needs to be added). And there is so much to add!

I feel this will be an ongoing project and I like that. 

189. Read 1 book for each month for 6 months

 

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

In my late twenties I feel I've worked harder to connect with the side of me that is foreign, and like the main character (and author) of this book, I want to really engage and live within this side. Like Michelle, I don't speak my Mother's tongue fluently but also like Michelle, I try hard to connect to the food and people.

I've never been to Korea but growing up in Romania we were introduced to bimbap and kimchi from the Korean students at the American school. The book has made me want to travel to Korea and warm my heart and stomach with it's broths, meats and rices. 

I also enjoyed the way it was written. It wasn't particularly overly poetic but rather straight forward which makes sense given the subject matter of death. And if anything it'll make you appreciate your mother.