* If Only She Had Listened

It’s 2 am and I just can’t fall asleep.
I’m sitting on the roof, looking at the bright stars in the sky, with the memory of that night burning in my mind. I can still see her tearful blue eyes breaking my heart.
I had invited Clarice to come to my house to see a movie the day before, but she smiled and said she would give me an answer later in the evening. I was so excited with the idea of having a chance to be alone with her and to finally express my true feelings.
The dinner was on the table when the phone rang ‘Pete, I’m so happy! James D. asked me out for a street race! Can you believe it?’ – actually, I could. My best friend, that was also the girl I was in love with, would rather be with the typical bad boy – Mr. D.
We argued; I said it was a terrible idea, that street racing was dangerous and that she shouldn’t jeopardize her life just because she had a crush on some stupid guy; but she wasn’t listening to a word I said. I didn’t even mention our plans, I just didn’t want her to go on that silly race with Mr. Danger.
It was late at night and I was staring at the TV screen, angry with myself because of my impotence, when I received a text message that would make my world collapse.

« Clarice and JD had an accident.
Come FAST »

I ran out of the house in panic and a few minutes later I arrived at the scene of the accident – I froze when I saw the state that the red car was in.
In a little while I was already standing on pieces of broken glass, holding her blonde head in my in my arms and I soon realized that my hands were all bloody...
“I love you” were my last words to Clarice while hers were “I’m sorry”; but my last thought will forever be like her painful scream, if only she had listened.

! Upgrade Yourself !

I found out some cool and interesting music groups...

Check out and sing along:

Mazgani

Beirut (I just love "Elephant Gun")

* My life

My name is Clara, I’m twenty years old and maybe, if everything goes right, you’ll see my name, in the future, in the news, in the press or even in an exposition like World Press Photo. Well, I’m a little bit ambitious, but, in fact, I’m going to need a lot of ambition. So, let me tell you a little bit about myself…
I live in Lisbon and have lived here for all my life. My house is in a quiet quarter called “Campo de Ourique”, right in the centre of the town, near the beautiful garden “Jardim da Estrela”, where I walk my dog Mao everyday. He follows me in everything I do: he sleeps while I’m reading, he listens to the same music as I do (from The Doors to Ali Farka Toure, world music and many genres, from a smooth jazz song to a vibrant drum&bass rhythm).
I’m finishing this year my Journalism degree, which I hope will open many doors to pursue what I want to do: photojournalism. In fact, next year, I hope to complete my academic education with a Photography course abroad and apply myself to a Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation scholarship. In order to do that, I have to develop my personal portfolio, that’s why next week I’m going to Madrid and Barcelona to capture the concept of street art.
Travelling is one of my biggest passions. Me and my friends are always doing crazy low-budget trips, which lead us all over the world, sleeping on beaches and parks, surfing (I simply love bodyboard, plus I’m lucky to live close to the sea), cooking in amazing monuments, meeting different people and having good moments to remember and share.
“Life’s a beach and then you dive”.

* telling lives.... that´s mine!!!

When I was born, in 1985, my mum was 19 and my father 20. It was a very difficult situation. They didn’t finish school and they were far away from being responsible. Only eleven months later my little sister Cheila was born and the situation got even worse. My mother moved to her parents-in-law and my father went to Switzerland to earn money. I’m sure that this period of life was extremely hard; their financial condition wasn’t the best and they didn’t have any chance to give us a safe and good future.
But they still kept and loved us; they did everything they could to guarantee a good future. To earn even more money, my mother went to Switzerland too and me and my sister stayed with my grandmother for a whole year. When they came back I didn’t recognize my parents - now I know that this detail was terrible for them, but at this moment it was the truth.
Well, my uncle was living at this time in Germany and he got a job for my dad, so the whole family moved there. I was five and quite curious but soon I realized that it would become more difficult than I had expected. Because of this big change in our life I couldn’t establish a strong connection with my parents. I’m pretty sad about that but above all I’m so thankful for what my parents did all those years, I know it was a huge challenge to live in another country, without being able to speak the language and let their parents behind - and all this with two children to take care of. I’m really proud of my parents, I’m grateful for all the sacrifices they have made and I feel blessed for having them!

* Assessment 1 - Change

It was the best time of my life. I was in love and engaged, I had a great job and my life was beginning to start a new period - until the accident.
After a friend’s birthday party I was driving home when something happened and I can’t explain what it was. I lost control of my car and it went off the road into a tree. I don’t remember anything after that but I must have suffered serious injuries because I woke up in hospital. When the doctor told me the diagnosis I was shocked. I couldn’t believe it; how would I be able to manage my life from a wheelchair? I didn’t understand why destiny was punishing me so hard.
Tom, my fiancé at the time had always been there for me, he never gave up and cheered me up all the time. Just two days before the tragic accident happened, he had proposed to me and we were planning the wedding. But now, what would our future be like? I was insecure and afraid but Tom never went away.
Just one year after all that, he proposed to me again and we decided to marry as soon as possible.
Now 30 years later when I’m thinking about this time it’s still hard but I can’t and I won’t imagine how my life could be different because of the great life I have had with two beautiful, healthy children, and to become paraplegic was just a station in my life and not the end.

* a blank canvas...a kiss.. a criminal charge!!!

In 2002, while a young woman was visiting a Museum, she committed a huge mistake. First she admired all the beautiful pieces of art and felt so peaceful in there. But then she came to a separate room and didn’t realize that this room used to be private and not open to the public. Because of all the interesting stuff she founds in there she spent nearly one hour looking for something different. Almost hidden in the corner she finally found a blank canvas but she didn’t has enough time to analyze it, because the person in charge was coming, so she thought it may will be amusing to leave her own mark on it and kissed the white canvas three times. After that she left the Museum quietly and went home without thinking about what she did.
Then, the next day while she was eating, she heard of the tragic incident. She turned the TV up louder and was shocked. The police were searching a young girl who had been seen in the Museum yesterday. This girl was accused of damaging the back of a famous painting with stains of lipstick and it resulted in a criminal charge.

! Upgrade Yourself !

[click in the image to enter the site]

* Big Fish - Movie Review

"Big Fish" is a very sweet drama film about stories of the life of Edward Bloom. Edward (Ewan McGregor) has been a storyteller his whole life, and he has told these stories to his son. Will Bloom feels like he doesn't know his father because of his habit of telling exaggerated and untrue stories. He got mad at him and he hasn't spoken with him for years, he thinks his father is a liar that never cared for his family. One day his mother tells him that his father is dying of cancer and he returns home to find out the true stories of his father's life. This film is about Edward's fantasies stories through flashbacks that begin when his son visits him for the last time.

Although this is a really good film it's not my favorite. But I like it because it’s about the power of stories and the wonder they hold. In this film we see the real and the fantastic and we find out that the truth is somewhere in the middle. His father doesn't lie to make himself better, but is trying to tell the truth more beautifully.

I got involved and I admired its beauty. Edward says things like "the biggest fish in the river gets that way by never getting caught". In the end, Will becomes the storyteller.

Written by Tatiana Saavedra

* When I Turned My Back, I Realised He Had Gone

It was a bright sunny day in spring. As I was walking down the road I could see the birds around the trees that were swaying with the calm breeze. I was mesmorised by the colours that afternoon. After my walk in the garden, I stopped by the bridge, looking at the little river where there were frogs jumping around. I was amused by that image when I realised that graceful swallows were flying from under the bridge to the wide open sky.
Distracted by that thought and by the memories that were crossing my mind, I hadn’t noticed that a man was by my side, also distracted by the amazing nature that surrounded us.
The old, black man started talking to me about the migration of the swallows and I was listening to him while also remembering all the things that my father had taught me about nature and wildlife. These thoughts were interrupted as the man introduced himself.

He looked tired and heavy – as if he had a hard job and a complicated life, but still he seemed happy with all the good things life had given him; he showed me a picture of his children and told me their names and asked me mine. At the time I thought that maybe I should feel uncomfortable with talking with a stranger, but I wasn’t. I felt like we were the only people in the garden, absorbing all the smells around us: from the fragrant roses to the “fresh cut grass” smell. Only we could understand each other.
When I asked him his name, I could never have imagined what a coincidence the answer would be. His name was the same as my father’s - the one I was missing the most. I felt his presence in the form of that stranger and everything made sense. I felt grace and smiled.
But I had to go. I had to go home. I had to move on.
I did, and as I turned my back, I realised he had gone.

Written by Beatriz Araújo

* Can tears wash away sadness?

I can't describe the pain I feel inside, the pain he made me feel. I trusted him. He said he wanted to be with me. I should have known it was all too good to be true. I told him how I was tired of being hurt and I believed it when he said that he wouldn't hurt me... lies… all lies. It was all an illusion, when I really needed him he wasn't there. People around me say that I will get over him and that I'll find someone new and love again but they don’t know the pain I feel. I sit here, my eyes overflowing with tears. How could he hurt me so badly when all I did was love him?
Thoughts and lies that he said swarm inside my head but what hurts me more is when I remember the day I said "I love you" and as I turned my back I realised he had gone.

Written by Tatiana Saavedra

* My Life

Hi!!!
My name is Tatiana Saavedra and I am Portuguese. I was born March 8, 1987, in Faro. I'm 20 years old and I'm living with my parents. My father is a Pilot and he was allocated in different places to do his job, so when I was a child I lived in a lot of places like: the Algarve (Vila Real de Santo António), Alentejo (Beja), Lisbon (Massamá and Oeiras) and Germany!
I remember when I came back from Germany, my family hadn't seen me for a few years and they treated me as if I were the same age as when they had last met me! They gave me gifts that were inappropriate for my age and they talked to me in a way that made me feel silly. I understand that when someone isn't there to see you, they may forget that you’ve grown up. Travelling, meeting new people and new cultures are my passions! I Love big cities with lots of culture and activities.
I want to finish University and get a job in tourism. After that I want to know the world. I know the next few years will be exciting and stressful at the same time but I want to take positive steps and be proud of myself. I also want to remain positive in spirit and have wonderful moments with my friends and family.

Written by Tatiana Saavedra

* A Blank Kiss

They hadn’t yet reached a safe distance from the Museum when they heard the sirens. The safety of the package was their only concern. They had been running through Paris’ darkest streets for 30 minutes when Laura told Henri to stop.

‘I just want to say that no matter what happens from now on, I’m glad we did this together’, she said to him.
‘Me, too’, her partner said, smiling. ‘Thanks to you my performance has improved so much’

Laura had already surprised him with the compliment, but the unexpected kiss was too much.

Later, in the hotel suite, Henri decided to take a quick shower. After what had happened, he now felt free to admire her beauty. She was changing her clothes and pretended not to notice it. While he was in the shower, he was telling her about all the amazing plans after he receives the money. But a chill shivered down his spine when he detected nothing but silence coming from their room. He ran from the bathroom to the bed. He panicked when his eyes met a package on the wrinkled sheets. By the time he had finished unwrapping it, all those happy thoughts had faded away. She had swapped a priceless Picasso for a blank canvas, complete with a small note on the reverse:

Love, Laura.
P.S. I’m sorry

He was surrounded by officers, warning him about the criminal charge against him, but all he could think of was Laura and the amount of money they could have shared.

Written by Beatriz Araújo

* My Life

Music, music, music. Ever since I was a little girl I have surrounded myself with music. When I was at the primary school, I started to listen to the radio and also to collect music albums. The songs that I liked the most were in English and because of that I felt motivated to learn the language in order to understand what my favourite artists were singing.
Consequently, my interest in the English language increased and became another passion alongside music. My ability to fall in love with a song, almost immediately, and listen to it over and over again was a huge help in the learning process.
I was only 12 years old when I was forced to face a serious problem in my life. It was at that time that I discovered the power of music. Sure we can have fun and dance whenever we listen to a song. But that’s not it. Music has the power to heal the pain we’re feeling, the power to let us express ourselves, the power to unite people and the power to make us both travel through memories and time.
Maybe that’s why I always have a couple of songs for each person or moment in my life. It’s a way of photographing a personality, a mood, an environment or even an experience. My friends are always making fun of this, because every song has a special meaning for me and I can have thousands of explanations for it. They also laugh every time I interrupt a conversation just because a song starts playing and I can’t help but sing along with it.
The happiest day of my life was when I first saw a live performance by U2. I was so thrilled about the show. I hope they’ll come back soon.

Written by Beatriz Araújo