Mom was proud of me when I did with less, when I went without.
I had holes in my slippers. My baby toe stuck out on one foot and my heel on the other. The soles were peeling away from me. It was cold.
But she was proud of me.
Funny thing is, I don’t remember her ever having holes in her slippers. Maybe she did but I don’t remember it. I just remember my ragged slippers and all that was missing.
-Antonina
Three months ago, in November 2016, I was published. An online literary magazine gave one of my stories a chance, saw something good in it, and published it. This online magazine is Chantwood.
My short story is titled “Rebel Umbrella” and it is in Chantwood’s 5th issue, available for free download, with riveting cover art by Heidi Lichtfuss.
A shout-out to the Chantwood editors for giving my story their time and attention!
Thank you.
When I told my family and friends that I was being published they were as excited as me! Maybe even more so because I couldn’t quite believe it.
I hope others enjoy reading the story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Antonina
Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with things, with dates and appointments and people and changes.
I’ve been so focused on spending quality time with Dario and reading my books and watching my shows and learning to relax and be less anxious that I let my intentions of consistent blogging slide.
But I’ve been thinking and I don’t want blogging to feel like a time constrained obligation. So I’m just going to blog when I have time, when I have something to say or share.
Plus, I’ve started a new, full-time job. I’m in my second week and I swing between “This is good. I can do this.” and “What am I doing? Can I do this?” There’s a lot of new information and a lot of training. Thankfully everyone there is very nice and patient.
All I can do is try to be nice and patient toward myself, and take things one day at a time. So many cliches are so true, ha ha.
Antonina
Happy Thanksgiving folks! There’s really no point to this post except that I love food!
And so…the beauty of a roasted veggie meal. So warm and nourishing. So much prep work but very worth it.
Let’s take a look at some closeups of the potatoes, carrots and Brussels sprouts (itty bitty cabbages is really what they should be called) that make up a simple and glorious dinner. Or lunch. Or snack. Probably not breakfast but no judgement here.
Oh! And salad. Let’s momentarily pay tribute to salad.
Salt, pepper and rosemary for the roasted veggies. Salt, pepper and olive oil for the salad. Simple and amazingly tasty!
Antonina
I am so wobbly. Two wheels spin. A handle bar is beneath me. My knuckles whitish.
He is next to me. On his own spinning contraption. He asks me about my day. Initially it doesn’t distract me. But eventually I ride smoothly.
It’s hard to forget accidents. For mine, the handlebars shook and strained. I flew over the bars. My face shredded against gravel. A tooth flew out as well.
My body shook and darkness nearly overtook me many times. My vision faded, almost, like falling asleep.
My skin took weeks to heal. I was told, “Don’t worry, you’ll still be pretty.”
Oh, I wasn’t worried. Not about looks. I just wanted to heal and be whole.
And I am.
I’m riding with Dario.
___
Antonina
I like the idea of filling up the spaces based
on the location of the book’s story,
or where the author is from perhaps.
Or maybe the symbolism of how when lost
in a book, it’s like my head is in the clouds.
Books have a lot to say, and they prompt
so much within us.
Credit: Architecture Art Designs
They are towering…
Credit: homedit
industrial…
welcoming…
and unusual.
Of course what make a library a dream library
isn’t the shape or style of the shelves,
but the books within the space,
and the heart and mind of the reader
who loves the book-devoted space.
Antonina
One of my best friends is currently in her first semester for her Master’s degree. Yay! And congratulations to her!!! It’s an epic and wonderful undertaking.
I intend to pursue my Master’s degree as well and since my friend just experienced applying for the program, I solicited her help in the entire, confusing process. She happily agreed to help me.
Recommendation letters–Contact three professor’s, remind them who you are and politely request they consider writing a recommendation letter for you to be accepted into the Master’s program.
Essay–Select an essay from your college days that focuses on literary analysis. Ideally a very detailed paper. It must be 8 pages in length.
At this stage I’m thinking I’ll expand upon a 4 page paper I wrote on “The Bell-Tower” by Herman Melville.
The essay (and the grad application as a whole) isn’t due until May 1, 2017, so I have 6 months to complete the paper which is buckets and buckets of time.
And of course there are many more steps to complete the grad application but these are the two I tackled first. Well, those two and beginning an online application. Two out of three professors have agreed to write my recommendation letters and I’m about to begin expanding upon my Melville essay.
Wish me luck!
Antonina
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