My 6. semester

Dear Optimists,

I’ve been looking forward to this semester for the past five – even though I’m going to get my Master’s as well and that’ll be another 4 semesters – but this will be the end of my Bachelor’s degree years!

I must admit that it’s been overwhelming, more than I thought it would be. No doubt that nothing in life comes easily, but I wasn’t exactly prepared for the workload.

(Wait. Isn’t that the books Den read to his future nieces?)

Last night I had a chat with Mette about my not-so-impressive ability to handle stress. She made it clear that I had to put myself first instead of everybody else – something that I tend to do at all times; if people around me are happy, I’m happy. It should be the other way around.

I heard what she was saying, but I wasn’t listening (sorry, Mette). I was really too focused on listening to my pulse that I could hear so clearly in my ear – bum bum bum.

Then she sent me this.

And I understood.

Always, ALWAYS remember yourselves, Optimists!

Thank you for being there, Mette.

Love,
Nadia.
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Being one of the cool kids

Dear Optimists,

I was never one of the cool kids growing up. But that changed last week.

Not too long ago, I drew a picture for my friend, Mette of the two of us walking hand in hand with humour between us.

She saved the illustration on her phone, so that every time she picked it up she’d see it. It pleased me that I could make her smile with ease without actually being there or doing anything.

Mette works at an after-school centre. One day the children accidently got a hold of her phone and saw the drawing. Mette told me how they went on and on about how cute and adorable the drawing was for several hours minutes.

Finally, I was one of them! I felt like drawing something for each and every one of them. I felt like this:

(Surprisingly, they liked this drawing better!)

I swear. I’m not coming down from that piedestal!

Love,
Nadia.

Guest Post Wednesday: Waxing – What beauty feels like

Dear Optimists,

We women know it. We’ve all tried it.

The “Winter Syndrome”.

Where it’s been a little too long since you have become acquainted with a shaver, which is pretty darn obvious when you look at your legs and wonder if you’re Big Foot. I often suffer from that syndrome.

One day back in July, I was sitting in the sun, reading my women’s magazine – and there it was.

An ad and a free sample for some sort of wax strips, which was kind of perfect since earlier that day I had found a case of off-season Winter Syndrome on my legs. Looked like fur.

So I grabbed the wax strip and started reading the instructions. It was, after all, my first time “waxing”.

1. Heat the strip between your hands for 5 seconds. Pull the strips gently apart. “No problem,” I thought to myself. “Consider it done.”
2. Press the strip onto the skin with the wax side down, and smooth it for approximately 5 seconds, rubbing in the direction of the hair growth. Easy! It actually feels kind of nice…

3. Immediately thereafter (immediately!? F**k! I read a text while waiting! Oh well…) Hold that area of skin taut with one hand, and then get a firm grip on the bottom of the strip with the other. Keeping the strip as close to the skin as possible, pull it off quickly, making sure to move against the direction of hair growth. Nooo problem! I’m quick as a ninja! So I grab the wax strip, make one quick pull…

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUCH!!! Holy Mother of Jesus Christ! Are they trying to kill me!? Seriously!? Oh dear God, I can’t look at my leg… I’m sure that least half of my skin is missing…

Okay, okay… I do it… I look down, at… oh. Would you look at that. My leg has never been more smooth… So soft…
I’d better hurry down to buy a package, while being thankful for I didn’t try a Brazilian.

Love,
Mette of the Danish blog Tanketorsken (Danish for inadvertent mistake)