Book review: The Story of Awkward, by R. K. Ryals

To be fair, I was not expecting much when I started reading this book. But it mentioned "awkward" and I've had my share of feeling that way. So I gave it a go.

And, honestly, it was the best thing I could have ever done.

The book is told from the point of view of main character (also the narrator) and, let me tell you, without spoiling it for you, it made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me dream and, when I finished it, it made me feel like going back to the start because I got addicted to this book.

I loved it! The characters are well created. The story, filled with awkwardness, captures you as you won't believe it.

R. K. Ryals is definitely a writer I will be following more closely.

R. K. Ryals, The Story of Awkward. Kobo Books

Tea, poetry and me (Ana Simões, 29/03/2019)

Image found here

Time flies, days pass, stars fade,
The tides change endlessly.
But there are things in my life that remain:
Tea, poetry and me.

Relationships might be fleeting,
Though they won't end painlessly
But I have all the love I need:
I have tea, poetry and me

Happiness and joy can last a song,
While a bad day might feel eternity
But still it won't last as long
As tea, poetry and me

My heart may break into a thousand pieces
But I promise you you will still see,
Tomorrow we shall still be here
Tea, poetry and me

Time flies...

...and so does life.

Almost 4 years have passed since I started this blog. So much has changed in my life.

Jobs changed, loved ones passed away, health issues have come and gone, life got in the way of blogging time and again, and so many challenges have been faced since September 5th, 2015.

I've gained further insight into life and its hardships (another way to say I am older) and, on the verge of turning 40, it is time to reassess this blog.

It sucks big time to try to learn a language by myself. I learn a lot better with a teacher. So French is not as good as I would like to.
However, I am back to learning German (with a teacher, mind you), so lets see how far that'll take me.

I still write, but not as often as I would like to. I wish to go back to writing poetry, so lets see how that goes. Inspiration, I am looking at you.

You can still expect the unexpected from my blog.
Only now, besides social criticism, poetry, photography, books and movies reviews, traveling and music (yes, I still bug everyone with that), you can also expect suggestions on what to visit everywhere I go (be it in my country or in any other I might be lucky enough to visit), and food related articles (be it recipes or restaurant reviews).

Yes, I love food! And I am owning up to that.

Food is love, it brings people together, be it family or people of different communities.

Food is life. Photosynthesis does not work all that well for me. Chances are that for you it doesn't work either.

Food is utterly fun! It's like spellwork for your tummy.

And it's my favourite way (even if not the most positive) way of coping with stress. It beats, however, throwing people off windows. To be honest, that sort of behaviour is frowned upon and I don't look good in prison fashion.

Photo found here

So, yes, expect the beauty.
Expect rage.
Expect pain, sorrow, but expect also love and happiness.
Expect everything as that is what you will likely find.

Expect me soon...