Find and replace

While I was working as a proofreader in a publishing house, I had the chance to share my office with a very special lady, a professional, who was willing to share her knowledge. Maybe it is because of her that I learnt the most beautiful lesson of them all – if you know something, the best you can do is to share that knowledge, it’s this way that the circle is complete. And since I had years of experience being a teacher, her lesson touched fruitful land.

In life, I reckon it is important to find models, whether we search for them or not. Those Eureka moments are, without a doubt, chances for one to feel one’s brain alive, especially since it is a conscious way to meet it and see what those neurons are all about. Quoting Chandler, when do you ever feel your brain (of course, paraphrasing, because for that particular moment Chandler was referring to Joey’s ears – and yes, Friends series will always be a reference)?

Well, this particular lady I am referring to taught me a lot, much of the things being related to the errors that we make while writing or pronouncing: drawing pin (piuneză in Romanian), location (locație in Romanian), and the most important lesson of them all – find and replace command.

I always enjoyed Romanian classes, though I never was a brilliant student. But I must admit that, throughout the years, I have become somewhat of a Ross to the persons in my life. It came as a realization when I heard my husband, sitting in the dentist’s chair, saying the following: ‘Oh, I must correct what I have just said, otherwise my wife will judge me for this cacophony’.

Well, both drawing pin and location had been used incorrectly by me. Some people have it in them, that gentleness, in order for one to not be ashamed of oneself for saying something wrong. Something that encourages one to keep coming back with questions, concerns or curiosities. I absolutely adore these people. Rightfully, statues should be erected in their honor. This lady told me about the correct form of the aforementioned words, and ever since I have being correctly using those words even though I received funny looks.

I remember when everybody started using the word location. It sounded fancy and we all loved using it. But when I found out that in Romanian the meaning was rent, I started paying more attention to the words in fashion and always looked for guidance on the dexonline site. Again, paraphrasing our president – it’s better to be prepared than to not be prepared.

The greatest trick was when I found out about the command Ctrl + H (find and replace). Well, when you work with pages and pages in Word you better know some tricks. But aside from its main function, I do believe that sometimes find and replace can do miracles – giving one directions for cleansing. I guess everything can do with a little brushing up, whether it’s information or just simply replacing the old and not functioning anymore with the new.

I get it, sometimes I may go the extra mile and see things that are not exactly there due to my writing as vocation. But what if, starting from today, we put this command to great justice. Wouldn’t that be great to make sure we find and replace all those things that are not working for us anymore?!

I took an easy step. By starting with replacing coffee with Masala tea, I apply other criteria when buying books and starting exploring other domains (well, not quantum physics).

What about you? If you used this command, what would you replace and with what would make the replacements?

'Cusătoresele' (The Sewing Club). Two years since the book launch.

The book launch was a success. It was so nice that I wish I wasn't so nervous and that I could remember everything that was said, and especially everthing that made us laugh. Because there was laughter. A lot. And so because three wonderful ladies spoke at the event, artfully knowing how to combine text and life analysis.

Why should you read 'The Sewing Club'?
Well, I think you cannot be convinced only with the fact that it is well written, it has a special structure and you will not get the feeling that you are wasting your time reading it. 
Or that it presents new, but old subjects (things that everybody talks about, but only around the corners). And that Dan's discoveries will amuse you.

To be frank, I don't think I can be objective when it comes to this novel. But I must state the following and I am pretty sure that this might convince you into reading the novel 'The Sewing Club' - this is a novel that has been waiting for a while now to be written. And it has. 
By all means, please read it. You will agree with me afterwards.

Life without a smartphone

I don’t own a smartphone. Instead, my phone has buttons and is yellow. A treat to the eyes, indeed.

Now, I am not trying to put the foundation to a new religion (even though seeing that Kanye West has gone religious, why shouldn’t I?!), but after having read Matt Haig’s Notes on a Nervous Planet, I realized that people are in search of ways to try to tone down their everyday stress.

So keep reading. And I promise to also tell you a funny story about this ‘no-smartphone deal’ experience.

First thing’s first. Years ago, I was madly attached to my flipping phone and was not interested in changing it with a smartphone (even though I was given an opportunity). But when it broke, I opted for another classic mobile phone, in spite of the fact that around me people were using smartphones.

Well, to sum it up. The main reason that I chose a classic phone over a smartphone is that I have high expectations of my time. I must spend it in a useful manner and realized that a smartphone will get in the way (especially now with some many apps and even more notifications).

Sure, I have friends around who use smartphones and I see both the disadvantages but also the advantages. But I rather use my phone for only calls and messages, without having to stay connected that much to a screen. Either way, we’re spending our time doing our jobs by staring at a screen, and then at home we have other screens to change that with (our computers, our TVs, etc.).

I consider it being important to disconnect. To free oneself from notifications, alerts, emergencies, calls, emails… Even I do that during the weekends, when I usually keep the phone in another room than the one I’m in and only log at the end of the weekend to the accounts I have on social media.

How do I manage? Well, it’s simple. If I need to get somewhere, I put directions on a piece of paper and always arrive at the destination (should you need me for treasure hunting, you can count on me). I use Google to search for things, just like any other mortal, I watch videos and I read and reply to emails but only on computers. I’m an organizing freak, so I tend to schedule most of my posts on my pages and blogs, so no issue here, either. I guess it’s all a matter of priorities. You do what you can in order to make sure that you cater for them.

I think the best thing about not having a smartphone is that when you are in a meeting or you’re with friends, it’s easier to give them an undivided attention since you’re not always distracted by notifications and alerts. A more person-to-person encounter, if you like.

And quoting Ross, by not having a smartphone I feel like I’ve been given the gift of time and I’m doing all that I can to make sure I cherish it.

Try it (well, not necessary to get rid of your smartphone; but I would definitely recommend disconnecting once in a while)!

P.S. That funny story is as follows: we were talking with my colleagues about new available gadgets, and one insisted on the fact that I must have a smartphone at home (and parade this yellow bundle of joy just to make an impression). Otherwise, how could I be so much in the know with the latest technological innovations?! It amuses me that the fact of not having a smartphone these days is unthinkable. But that does not necessary imply that if you don’t own one, you don’t know what’s happening. I don’t live in a cave, I tell you. It’s just I like the yellow color and having my time my way.

Bottled Goods - Sophie van Llewyn

I will never shy away from saying that if we do not look back to the past that paved the way for our present, we will never learn (be it as individuals, society, country or planet).
And I think we should always try to learn and always question the errors made in the past for they help us make things better.

There were two reasons that made me want to read this book.
One, it was longlisted for Women's Prize for Fiction in 2019.
Two, it was written by a Romanian-born author and it depicts the 1970s communist Romania.

This is the story of a married couple in search for freedom. Though we only get to learn Alina's side of the story, we understand that things are not that easy for Liviu either. Following the defection of his brother to the West, Liviu drowns his sorrows in alcohol, while Alina suffers numerous abuses.
Of great importance is the depiction of the power that the Secret Services and their officers had on ordinary people - not only for those who have lived that time, but also for those who have not for they should be able to better understand the context of the Communist regime.

Alina turns for comfort to her aunt and so the story starts showing magical realism elements. Fear cannot be understood unless lived, but when children raise against their parents and vice versa and the feeling that nobody can be trusted is growing stronger and stronger, that's a sign that stresses the fact that something is wrong and humanity is altered.

Do not be afraid of the past. Be afraid of the fact that you might live it unless you open the eyes to the mistakes that made it!