Indian and Tibetan Buddhists believe that a kingdom called Shamballa is in the Himalayan valleys and it is not easily accessible. Only those who aspire to reach glorifying heights in spiritualism are considered eligible to access the mythical kingdom. The kingdom overflows with harmony, love, peace and enlightenment. Inspired by the kingdom, Shamballa bracelets were born. They are exclusive, they are special, and they are trendy and are they only for the rich?

The Stones In Shamballa Bracelets

The stones found in Shamballa bracelets are of different varieties. Right from ordinary wood to costly stones, Shamballa bracelets have every type of stone that you could think of. Regardless of the type of stone you choose, you stand to enjoy the healing power of Shamballa bracelets. Shamballa bracelets were originally made using metal and hematite beads. Later, many materials found place in the unique jewelry namely cubic zirconia, Swarovski crystals, resin, plastic and other inexpensive materials. Even waxed linen and nylon string are used in the making of Shamballa bracelets. Expensive stones like diamonds and other precious gemstones are used in Shamballa bracelets. Hence, it could be said that Shamballa bracelets are for every one and they do not cater to the needs of the rich only.

Colors In Shamballa Bracelets

Each color has specific qualities. Shamballa bracelets come in different colors. You may make your choice based on your personality and the areas where you feel you need to improve. Seven colors in Shamballa bracelets are associated with seven energy centers and hence by making the right choice, you can ensure sound physical health and mental attitude.

Priceless In Terms Of Worth

Shamballa bracelets have healing power regardless of the type of stones you choose. You may opt for costlier ones or seek to go for the inexpensive stones. Whatever may be your choice, you can be assured of results by wearing a Shamballa bracelet. The colors have influence and so do the seven energy centers. Hence, while making your choice, take some time to analyze your personality and your health condition. Costly stones are attractive and worth when you consider investment, but the bottom line of wearing Shamballa jewellery is to ensure harmonious life.

Life is not just about existing. It is about existing in good health in a peaceful environment and with compassion for others. Life is about love and love binds all. It is not about wearing costly ornaments. It is about being simple, honest, helpful and happy. Shamballa bracelets offer all these to you and here the rate of the stone does not matter. What is worth is the benefit the bracelets have to offer. The benefits can be enjoyed regardless of the stone you choose. Even if you choose the cheapest of stones, Shamballa bracelets will look unique on them and still hold their meaning they promise. Shamballa bracelets are priceless even if you choose a cheap stone. Shamballa bracelets are not only for the rich; they are for every one who seeks it.

***

About the author:

Rekha is currently working at Maruti Beads – an online handmade beads & jewelry store. She keeps herself updated with latest fashion trends and likes to write articles on surrounding topics.

You may scrub and scrub your face with soaps, toners and other products that promise to clear your acne, all with no success. Or you may not want to use such harsh chemicals on your face and are looking for natural remedies instead. Here are 5 natural (and effective) remedies that you can use to treat your acne and start taking back your confidence:

Honey

You wouldn’t think that slathering a thick, sticky goo over your face would help to clear up your acne — you’d think it would just clog your pores and make the problem even worse. However, honey has natural antibacterial properties, which will help to disinfect your face and heal blemishes. It will also leave your skin soft and moisturized, which can help balance oil production that might be increased because of dry and irritated skin. Just apply it as a mask and rinse clean.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is another great cure that has natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, both of which can help to reduce acne flare-ups and treat the ones that are already there. Coconut oil has many healing properties, so it can also help to minimize the scarring and other complications from your acne. Like honey, you can just apply it directly to your skin like a moisturizer. No need to even wash it away.

Turmeric

You can make a paste of turmeric powder with a little bit of water and apply it to you face like a mask. The turmeric will help stop excess oil production. Like honey and coconut oil, it is also anti-bacterial, so it can help you treat the root cause of your acne. You can also mix turmeric with honey or coconut oil for a mask with double action.

Lemon Slices

You can gently massage your face with lemon slices to help lighten the dark scarring left behind by acne and to tighten your pores to prevent the formation of new acne. Be careful though: If you have sensitive skin, using lemon could make the problem worse as it could dry out and irritate your skin, sending oil production into overdrive and causing more flare-ups. Use it on a small portion of your skin to test its effectiveness before moving onto your whole face.

Balanced Hormones

Hormonal issues are often at the root of recurring acne problems. To treat your acne holistically, you have to focus on treating your hormones. You can do this by eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, healthy fats and proteins. Avoid processed foods, lots of caffeine and sugar. Drink plenty of water, get a lot of sleep and reduce stress wherever you can. You’ll feel better and you’ll cure your acne naturally.

What other techniques have you used to cure your acne with natural ingredients or other holistic strategies? Share your tips in the comments, and tell us about your experiences!

***

About the author:

Amber Satka writes on financial topics, such as her look into auto manufacturers rebates. Amber is a former office manager and current mother and writer.

This is an article that I had written for my school’s School Magazine 2012/13. Now that the magazine is officially and finally published and out there, I think that it’s then eventually all right to at last share with you what I wrote. Hope you like it! Don’t forget to share your views as well in the comment box below

***

   “I won’t have a gay son.”

   “Then, mom, you don’t have a son.”

   “Fine.”

   In the award-winning television film, Prayers for Bobby, Bobby Griffith decided to end his life because he could not live with the guilt of being homosexual. Although he had gone to live on his own with an understanding cousin and his caring boyfriend, he could no longer bear it. He could not live while knowing that his mother did not accept him as he was.

   This film is based on a true story.

   It is said that people fear what they don’t understand. I totally agree with that. The time period between being a child and becoming an adult, called adolescence, is a very hard and inevitable path. If we think about it closely, the physical part of this transformation-in-progress was the easiest one, am I not right? We quickly get used to our new body.

   But what about the emotional part of it?

   “Why can’t you admit that you can’t stand what I am?”

   “What you’ve become.”

   Teenagers have to go through so many mood swings as they gradually discover new feelings… which can’t be controlled! Our steps become more and more unstable. Where would this lead us? We are scared. We are constantly searching for a branch, a big rock… a hand; anything that can help us to rise up again to get back on track. If it ever happens, then, we move on, but deep inside we are no more the same.

   The main goal for an adolescent to accomplish is to find what they really are. Finding one’s true self. And sometimes, when the answers come out earlier than expected, they are insulted, bullied and rejected, not only by friends, but by the persons who mean the world to them: parents.

   I nevertheless understand that any parent would be panicked if the child they always thought they knew told them that he was an homosexual and that they don’t know this child anymore. This is when worlds turn upside down.

   But being gay or lesbian or bisexual is not a “sin” or an “illness”. It is natural. Teens should not feel guilty about their true sexuality. (Note that I’m excluding all those who embrace a new sexual orientation by choice because it is ‘cool’ or ‘trendy’. Don’t try to pretend to be someone else when you don’t even know who you genuinely are.)

   “I know now why God didn’t heal Bobby. He didn’t heal him because there was nothing wrong with him.”

   Are you aware that so many adolescents dread the moment they wake up and have to go to school? So many of them wish they could stay at home everyday, so that they will not have to deal with the stares and naughty names. Some actually do it. This is definitely worse than laziness. It is the anxiety that slowly builds up inside of their growing mind that will make them fall sick, not the fact that they are attracted to the same sex.

   Now, who is to blame?

   Even the tiniest remark can feel like an arrow in the heart.

   “I didn’t know that each time […] I referred to Bobby as sick and perverted and a danger to our children, his self esteem and sense of worth were being destroyed. And finally his spirit broke beyond repair.”

   So wake up everyone! Today is the time we all do something about this. We live in a civilised and modern country – and we should prove it. Actions speak louder than words do, don’t they?

   “In God’s eyes kindness and love are what it’s all about.”

   All the quotes have been taken from Prayers for Bobby which were uttered in the film by Bobby’s mother, Mary Griffifth.

Daphnée Kwong Waye

An Evil Nymph

Like most things, writing seems a lot less difficult if you have an idea of how to do it. This is easily done, with a workshop or a writing course. Like riding a bike, these are skills that you only need to learn once, and then get used to implementing. Most professional copywriting companies like Gaps Writing offer offers courses on how to write well, and what constitutes good writing. If you are a business owner or manager, it is particularly important.

Bad writing destroys your credibility with the reader. If you are trying to write a persuasive piece and you do it clumsily, then you might just find that it’s not doing any persuading whatsoever. While you’re thinking about it, why not have fun and test your skills out? Here’s a challenge, and you will need to muster all of your best persuasive writing skills.

Think of something that you really want.

Maybe you want an extension on your homework assignment. Maybe you want a raise from your boss. Maybe you want your parents to take you on a holiday. Maybe you are trying to convince your partner to buy a dog. Write a one page, five hundred word pleas for whatever it is that you’re after, using three or four main argumentative points. Give it to the person that your appeal is aimed at. Wait and see what happens!

***

About the author:

This is to inform you that I… well, I… (it’s so hard to say it but) I need a break from the blogging world.

Yes, that’s why I skipped this week’s Picture it & Write, I’m sorry for that.

It won’t take long, I hope, but for the time being I’m backing away from my blog. I’m just having a hard time in real life for the moment; I’m going through a lot lately. Thus I decided to trim my hobbies/activities temporarily.

So that I can find myself again.

This is my latest photo by the way

There are still some guest posts that I need to publish that I’ve already approved and scheduled in the past, which you will be able to read and respond to while I’m taking my break.

And I’m still going to tweet, so for those who are interested, here’s my Twitter: @DaphYin.

And well…

I’m really really sorry.

But I need to do this.

I don’t know when I’ll come back, but be reassured that I will. Hopefully I might still post some photos from time to time.

Again I’m sorry.

Till we meet again,

An Evil Nymph.

This week’s photo challenge theme is escape, which is a word that can strike every one of us in various different ways, in terms of feelings, images…

At first, for the challenge, I wanted to photograph something liquid that would flow out of frame, as if it was being set free, escaping… It could have been water or paints (since I have a lot of these these days). But I finally decided to use the above photo, which was one of the many photos that I took during my trip in Malaysia last year (for those who remember!) and which I took from a temple near Genting Islands if I remember well. It was so cold since we were very high in altitude.

But the feeling of being at the top was awesome!

What I especially like about this photo is that you can perceive two flying birds in the sky, and I’ve been loving birds for a while now . Also, the clouds or mist just adds to the feeling of being set free, up in the sky, over the mountains and even over the clouds…

It was just an epic moment; a beautiful viewpoint!

Wish I was a bird too, to escape…

Escape from routine life, escape from sadness, escape from imprisonment – being doomed to remain stuck on the solid ground… and in my case, at school – escape from cruelty, hypocrisy…

And I believe that nature is Our Mother, who will always open her arms for us whenever we need them. She is always ready to comfort us… and soothe us with her beauty and songs.

So, it’s been a little more than 1 year that I went to Malaysia for holidays, and I wish to escape again later, maybe on my own since I’m 18 now, and bring back even more inspiring memories and photos to share Travelling around the world is just one of my biggest dreams, because, as my 3 birds tattoo shows off, I am born to fly, to be set free, to discover…

To escape.

Any other personal opinion/interpretation of ‘escape’? I’d love to read yours!

An Evil Nymph.

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This article serves the purpose of helping people take their negative emotions and channel them into something useful and positive. Dealing with stress and anxiety can affect one’s mental health, so dealing with it in a healthy manner can reduce the intensity of these emotions over time. Consider using creative methods to deal with these emotions so that you can get on with your life and stop wasting time wallowing in these pessimistic feelings.

With all the expectations placed on us each and every day, it’s no wonder that the average level of stress experienced by people is increasing each year. There are different ways of coping with stress, such as exercise or doing yoga. However, have you ever considered channeling all of the stress and negative emotions associated with it towards something productive?

You would never think that you could get results out of using your negative emotions for something. Usually, people are trying to get rid of or ignore their negative emotions so that they can get on with their work. However, if you’re creative, you could produce something interesting out of what’s causing you to worry, such as writing. Some of the best writings come out of the most intense emotions ever experienced, and worry is one of them.

Here are some tips to keep in mind if you’re ever considering venting your troubles in this way.

•  Keep a notebook nearby at all times. It helps to jot down anything that comes to mind when you’re stressed, sad, angry or just generally not in a good mood. These notes can be used to later on when you have more time to consider what you’re writing. You can even use these in your stories, poems, haikus, or whatever it is you’re interested in writing. Not only does it give you material to work with if you’re having a writer’s block, but it also helps you to vent instead of bottling up your emotions and making yourself feel worse.

•  Don’t be afraid to just write, even if it’s unpolished. The point isn’t to create a masterpiece on your first go. Free writing is a great way of getting your ideas down on paper on a computer screen before they’ve disappeared. Worry about editing what you’ve written later, when you’ve had more time to consider your words and are in the right frame of mind to edit it. Getting the spelling and grammar right the first time should be the least of your worries, so try to write without stopping, despite how many glaring mistakes you’ve made. No one’s going to be reading your emotionally-charged private writings anyway, so there’s no need to get everything perfect on your first go.

•  It never hurts to go back to what you’ve written at a later date, even if it’s months or years after you’ve written it. You might that there is lots of useful material for your stories, especially if you want to include it in a letter or dialogue that a character is having. Such raw emotions produce great writing, because you tend to hinder yourself less in how you express yourself. You’re less likely to censor yourself when you’re experiencing such emotions, so that writing will be more raw and unfiltered.

•  Time yourself. If you really want to channel these emotions effectively and be done with them, set a timer and force yourself to only write during that time, without taking a break. This forces yourself to deal with what you’re feeling for that set time period. Then, once the timer goes off, you can set everything aside and start to relax. Harboring these feelings can be bad for your health, and it’s unlikely you can change whatever is causing you to feel this way. So write, write, write and then move on so that you can grow from the experience.

Channelling your negative emotions into something useful not only produces some material for you to work with, but it also helps you cope with these emotions in a positive and healthy way.

***

About the author:

Steve Davids is big on social media. He loves to make new friends, even if it’s on the Internet. Mr. Davids is known for his short essays and a highly conversational style of writing. Steve has written hundreds of articles for various online sources over the past few years.

“Take it. Take it!”

It sounded like a hiss, like the wind, but I knew that he had spoken. By he, I meant, the blue man. A hunchback, yet muscular, with a pretty face. Except maybe for the bushy eye lashes and the dark lips.

It, I mean, he was on his knee, bowing to me, keeping his head low. We were in a cave. Alone. It had been raining outside, and by now, night had fallen. Silly me, I had escaped from the camping site, seeking for more adventure, got lost…

And found it.

It was a very dark and cold cave, but the shining pill box that the man was holding tight around his fingers pierced through its persistent blackness. What were those pills? Why did he want me to take them? Were they harmful… or evil? Was he?

The pills shone in a bright orange light, hurting my eyes, yet I could not stop staring at them. I suddenly wanted to taste them, to know…

I gave away my hand…

“NOOOO!!!”

I jumped and rushed a few steps back as I watched in horror the flesh of the man tearing apart near the armpit. A dark blue substance oozed out… as well as a… an arm?!

A mechanical arm. A robot-type one. The man bowed even lower and started to tremble slightly. He was scared, but he was reluctant to show it. Yet he seemed immune to the obvious pain near his shoulder and steadily kept his arm clutching the pill organizer straight and pointing at me.

While the substance, which was surely blood, dripped from the metallic arm to the dirty floor, the robotic fingers opened and closed as if it was stretching out after a long sleep. It now looked new and shiny, but not as bright as the pills. Then, it urged forward. The man winced. More blood poured out from his wound.

It wanted to take the pills.

“Take it…”

His voice was barely audible, but it seemed that I had received an electric shock. Without giving it a second thought, I seized the pill box away from the mechanical arm.

And ran for my life.

An Evil Nymph.

Anyway, here’s my take for the challenge, a pattern that appeals much to me:

It’s a writing pattern! Awesome, right? Fit for aspiring writers

In fact this is the pattern found on my birthday shirt, the red one, which I showed in a photo in my birthday post, although the pattern can’t be clearly seen from a distance.

***

Also, here’s finally my latest and fourth speed drawing video, where I’m drawing a white direwolf, that of Jon Snow of Game of Thrones:

Don’t forget to support my work by liking, commenting and subscribing

Enjoy!

An Evil Nymph.

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For those who have commented on my birthday post, I thank you all so much for your wishes and I’m sorry if I didn’t reply to any of you, but there are actually like 30 comments and I wouldn’t write ‘Thank you’ 30 times, although I thank you 1000 times!

Then, some of you have asked the very frequently asked question when someone gets a tattoo, especially for the first time: did it hurt?

And instead of answering individually, since it’s going to be the same answer everywhere, I decided to make a whole post about it!

So…

DID IT FREAKING HURT??

My fresh tattoo – just removed the bandage on the day I got it. Those who’ve read my birthday post have already seen this.

Yes… and no.

In fact it’s somehow scary when you go to a tattoo salon for the first time, especially when your mother’s freaking out next to you. The waiting is the hardest: I was so excited to finally get a tattoo – something that I’ve been dreaming of since I’m… 14? – but at the same time, I was nervous.

I had read a lot about getting a tattoo a few years ago and I remembered that some said it hurt like hell and others said they could bear the pain. Of course it depends on the tattoo designer and your own level of sensitivity. However I was quickly eased by a friend of mine who had already done a tattoo in the past, with the same tattoo designer whom I choose, and she didn’t feel a thing. Alright, she felt ticklish.

The thing is, seeing the needles and how the designer prepares his stuff can make you nervous all the more, but if you go to a professional, he will do his best to put you at ease, make conversation. And he will unwrap a new needle in front of you. The one I went to was so hygienic that he even wore 2 pair of gloves.

When he started… well there was a kind of pain, but it wasn’t a pain that would make you cry or shout. Just a… ticklish pain. Very bearable. Getting stomach ache is worse. Trimming your brows is worse.

Furthermore, I was so fascinated by the process, how he did it, how the ink spread from the needle to my skin and would slowly form my cute little self-drawn birds… that I didn’t care any more about the ‘pain’ if I can even call that ‘pain’.

Soon I got used to the ‘pain’…

The funny thing is that when he first started, he drew like a line, and suddenly stopped and looked up at me and asked: ‘Are you all right? It’s okay?” And in my head I was like: ‘God but you’ve barely begun; it’s cool, I feel awesome!’ But I just said: ‘Yes ‘

He continued with his work, then stopped again to ask me if I wanted a glass of water. I said no.

Hehe, I said no because, being an artist, although a different kind of artist, myself, I sincerely appreciated his work on my skin and was awed at such an art… Tattoos… Doing his best to reproduce the drawing as it is… (of course he traced the original drawing with ink first, but even then, don’t think it’s easy for us to copy-paste… artists aren’t photocopy machines)

I loved every moment. It was even like watching an art video on YouTube LOL! Except that there was the ‘pain’

After 10 days I’ve been using an antibiotic cream (recommended by the tattoo artist) and from now on I have to use a hydrating lotion. It’s indeed still recovering, but after about 2 weeks it will be completely fine!

There’s something that I had read on the internet that was true in the end: the outline is more painful than the colouring. Maybe because you get used to the needle at some point.

When it’s finally all over, you stare at your lovely tattoo and you think: yes it was totally worth it! I could definitely do another one The nervousness, the ‘pain’… all worth it.

And I think that’s why many say that it doesn’t hurt at all. When I was done, I couldn’t even remember the pain clearly. I can’t remember it at all now that a few days have passed. In my head I think I’m way too excited to have a tattoo to relate this awesomeness with pain.

So I guess that to answer your question, dear readers, I’d conclude that it’s painful, you won’t escape it, but it’s bearable and in the end you won’t even remember you ever felt pain.

The little birds were drawn in 15 minutes by the way, for those who are curious… Too short, right? Time flew way too fast!

I will definitely get more tattoos in the future!

Any more questions? Ask them below!

An Evil Nymph.

Here are some natural ingredients that you can use in your soup as anti aging products that have health benefits without causing health hazards.

Avocados

Avocados are creamy and juicy and contain monounsaturated oleic acids that are the best for your body and also help your body in combating the absorption of cholesterol and other dangerous substances. They are high in the substance that benefit eyesight such as lutein and the overall benefit from then is a healthy and young looking skin.

Beets

Beets are full of betacynin, a disease combating phytonutrient responsible for the distinctive color of this root vegetable which helps stop skin deteoriation and is a good source of folic acid and folate compounds that stops colon cancer and osteoporosis and acts as a highly potent anti ageing product.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are replete with phytonutrients that help combat health hazards, eye disease and boosts immunity. The vegetable also helps in combating skin ailments such as flaking skin and wrinkles and acts as a major anti ageing product.

Blueberry

Blueberries are high levels of anti oxidants that help in keeping your skin fresh and free of wrinkles. The natural plant compounds present in blueberries that are called xanthocyanins have anti diabetic effects as well and protect the heart muscle from damage thereby improving blood circulation to the skin and asking as a powerful anti-ageing product.

Leeks

Leeks, onions and garlic helps slow the growth of blood pressure and cholesterol levels that keep your skin younger and fresh. They also inhibit the growth of prostate cancer, colon cancer and other carcinogenous cells. They have antibiotic properties as well that inhibit the growth of germs and prevent skin disease.

Turmeric

Turmeric is an excellent treatment for a lot of diseases, having digestive benefits and anti-inflammatory properties. It also has properties as an antiseptic compound and overall health and skin benefits. Turmeric can be eaten, used in skin pastes and also other ways.

Oregano

Apart from being a great pizza topping oregano also has other benefits such as very high levels of anti oxidants that help prevent ageing and gives your skin an overall youthful look and other health benefits. It clears digestion thus helping in proper blood movement, improving bowel movement and other health properties.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has a very high level of antioxidant concentration, the highest in all herbs and spices that help in acting as an anti ageing product.

It also has a highly positive beneficial effect on blood glucose concentration, so foods containing cinnamon can help you in feeling steady and satiated.

***

Author bio:

The above article is written by CJ who specializes with skin care and anti ageing products and runs her own small salon. She loves to advise people with beauty and health care tips via her articles.

Anyway, here’s this week’s Picture it & Write:

Everything has an end. But Lyna wished her childhood had never ended.

She stared at the little fat and chubby baby. Skin pink. Eyes glowing. Up at her. Smiles exchanged. Laughs.

She had called her Diana. And right at the moment, Diana was in a big bowl filled with colourful cereals. She was so small that Lyna had found it amusing. She knew that it wasn’t the right thing to do; she was skipping breakfast because of that, and she knew that her husband hated that she did such silly things.

Such childish things.

But Diana loved it.

Lyna knew that these little moments in the morning, before her husband would wake up and start bullying her, were the most precious moments of her days, and also her courage to wake up everyday and face the world.

She could not die. Not now. Not now that she had a beautiful little girl. She could not be selfish. It was her duty… and will to protect her baby and raise her up unlike her parents did to her. She would make sure that Diana would be well educated and would strive for a life directed by herself, on her own, having choices, and living for happiness. She would never force her to marry at 16 or stop school at 13 to work in the fields.

And most of all, she would make sure that Diana would keep her childhood untainted.

“Stupid whore! What are you doing??”

Lyna froze as her ears exploded with the harsh echoing voice of her husband behind her. She did not even notice the blow coming right after that.

His hot palm thrust her to the ground. The shock vibrated throughout her whole body. Her arms were burning while they had tried to soothe her fall.

Cries. Diana was crying. Shrieking.

“Silly woman, now make that thing stop! STOP NOW!”

The shrieks grew even louder.

To her horror, Lyna heard the painful music of shattering glass and falling cereals.

She jumped to her feet. Where was Diana? The bowl was broken into millions of pieces. The rainbow of cereals were crushed.

And he was gone.

Suddenly she heard faint sobs. She looked down. There she was! Under the table, safe and sound. Still under the shock, Diana was struggling to stay silent but could not help the tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Oh my darling,” Lyna murmured as she picked her up. Thank God, her baby had nothing broken!

She then stared at the wide opened front door. No, she could not live like this, nor let her daughter remain in such a home.

No, at night, when the man would come back, drunk, she and Diana would be gone. Forever. She knew that she could do it. She knew how to find a job, how to live on her own. She had learnt… in secret. And now was the time to put her knowledge into practice.

But… in the end where would she go?

An Evil Nymph.

What are we really reaching out for in life? Money? Success? Love?

Or merely Happiness?

And when you’ve reached what you wanted, what do you do? Then, what happens?

You look back and realise you’ve missed a few steps. You wee too much in a hurry. Yet there is no return.

You just stare.

And you also realise that it isn’t happiness, whatever you were aiming at, that you’ve reached. Happiness isn’t necessary at the top, not forcibly unreachable or demanding a lot of effort.

Happiness resides within every step of the way that we call life. Often we do not recognise it. But it is present. In every smile. In every hug. In every kiss.

It always remains by our side. Then, it is up to us to see it. To believe in it.

Open your eyes, open your heart. Invite it.

And most of all, don’t be afraid of it. Don’t fear that it will leave you unexpectedly. It will never do this. But you might. And when you do, you might find it even more difficult to get it back. To grasp it again within your hand.

Yet it is always there.

Have faith, that’s all you need to know, that’s the real secret.

And be happy

Love,

An Evil Nymph.

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Now you’ll know why I wasn’t able to blog until now.

So yeah, on Friday, it was my birthday. I’m not the party-girl type, so I didn’t have a very big party with drinks and evening dresses…

It was better than that.

And that was because we went on our annual educational tour (school outing) on that day! Such a coincidence, right? So we put our pens and copybooks away and headed for the wild forests…

In fact we went to Domaine De Lagrave where we walked among the wilds and climbed on top of a mountain until we thought we would die of exhaustion or cold or… laughter!

This was the only photo (my best friend and I!) we could take since the journey was way too dangerous to take any more. Furthermore, it was raining… very frequently! So we clung to the very strong (we hadn’t realised they were that strong until that day!) branches and roots and stems and climbed! We helped one another, and of course they were experienced people who were there to help us as well.

And at the top of the mountain (not the very top though) I just felt like… wow! All these efforts were worth it! Well, the sky was very misty but… well the feeling of being at the top, our bellies full of Chinese guavas (the best ones I’ve ever tasted in fact!), was… very icy.

Yeah, the feeling of achievement was there, but we were all mostly freezing and wet! And we shouted and laughed like crazy girls.

And they all sang ‘Happy Birthday’ for me.

Then, we had to go back. And we were like: ‘Oh. My. God. Nooo!!!’

Anyway, we made it! All safe and sound although filthy and dead tired!

Afterwards there was the traditional family dinner at a Chinese Restaurant called ‘Xia’ (I like it a lot, the name I mean).

And here’s my 18th birthday cake:

I really love the design, but they had missed an ‘e’ in my name! My real name is ‘Daphnée’ but they wrote it like ‘Daphné’ and since I am sooo picky about my name… especially on such an important occasion. Anyway, the solution: I hid the ‘né’ with the candles

Taah-dahh!!

But the best part of the cake is that… it was bloody red on the inside!!!

A red velvet cake!!!

Yet, the taste was… I didn’t like it. Not sweet enough. Almost like some cheesecake. Don’t know if it’s how it’s supposed to be, but well… I just like the red colour!

Then I went to stay at my grandmother’s, because on the next day, Saturday 4 May, I was about to get my gift…

When I first started this blog, I had published a post called 10 Things I Want To Do When I Hit 18 (click on the title to check it out!). So now here I am, 18, and the first thing I wrote was to get a tattoo. By the way the second one in the list is to get the best red wine, but finally I prefer champagne so I bought the best champagne instead

Anyway, when I first started this blog, I also showed my dream tattoo (click to view) to you. (I didn’t do that one though, in the end; since I had a better idea…)

Thus, on Saturday 4 May, I got myself my very first tattoo!!!

From this:

To this:

And finally… this:

I was born on the date of three
For the birds to go and fly free.

3 May, 3 birds; 18 years old, finally free (like, more independent)!

An awesome birthday gift!

Thus it was the best 18th birthday ever! Which technically lasted for 2 days!

As from now on, my blogging schedule is getting back to normal, at least I’ll try to. Guest posts during the weekend, a random post on Monday, Weekly Photo Challenge on Wednesday, and finally Picture it & Write on Friday!

An Evil Nymph.