Names... Part II

A few years ago I took stock of my name and how it reflected my identity.

As a teacher for 18 years of my adult life, I was referred to as Mrs. X, Miss X, or Ms X. (insert last name, or sometimes last initial for X) I also have a last name that can really rhyme, so there were a few who would call me Mrs. Y (insert rhyme), this would happen if they knew me well. The rhyme was perfectly fine, so I’d just laugh. Sometimes the students would just call me ‘Teach,’ and in the early years when I taught small people, I was often referred to as ‘Teacher,’ while a few slipped up and called me ‘Mom,’ or ‘Mommy.’

As a parent I’ve been called Mom, Mommy, Mama, and when the kids were annoyed with me, Mother. (Draw out the first syllable like a teenager might and you’ve got it.)

My husband calls me by my first name, but when the kids were younger, he often referred to me as Mom...as in “Ask mom what she thinks...” He also calls me ‘Honey,’ ‘Sweetheart,’ and other nice names.

However, at a certain point a few years ago, I realized that between work and home I rarely heard my own first name. In fact, it was getting to the point that if people called me by name I rarely realized they were talking to me.

The problem wasn’t with the roles I had; I was fine being a mom, teacher, wife, aunt, sister, and daughter, etc. The issue was that most of those roles did not call me by my first name on any regular basis.

Does it matter if a person isn’t called by her first name? For me it is important. It is who I am. I can certainly find my identity without hearing my name, but it is nice to actually have it as a part of who I am. It is a part of what defines me. I like my name, too, so it’s a good one to use.

Lisa is who I am and will be through all of the roles in my life. Lisa is the person I was before I was a teacher, wife, and mother. Lisa is the person I am now in a new career, as a mother of two grown children, and still as a wife. It is as much a part of my identity as all of the other things I am. For awhile I lost that part of my identity by being the other things for so many people.

I know that identity isn’t regained by being called by your first name, but it does remind me of who I am, and I also need to take care of who I am as much as I need and want to be a mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.

Mimes in Barcelona and Madrid Spain

In my brief travels in the larger cities of Spain, specifically Barcelona and Madrid, I've seen a number of mimes. These mimes aren't the type I grew up hearing about. The ones I learned about were the French type that primarily have black and white costumes, gloves, and faces.

In Barcelona, and Madrid the mimes are dressed like the Statue of Liberty, or other types of characters. They are often in body make-up that matches the fabric of their costumes. The colours of the mimes are often metallic, a gold or bronze hue. They stand or sit still like statues and generally they have a hat or some other container that you can put money in; once you do the mime will move.

The guy above was in Barcelona, I didn't put money in his pot, because I was worried about what he might do! He did look pretty funny, though!

The mimes really manage to stand up to the heat of the day. Their make up always looks very fresh. 

In Barcelona we found most mimes along Las Ramblas; Madrid's mimes were mostly in Plaza Mayor. We saw the angel in Madrid and the cowboy in Barcelona.

Barcelona and Antoni Gaudi in Spain

Barcelona is a beautiful city. The people are interesting, the architecture is fantastic. Antoni Gaudi is one architect who created his own interesting beauty in the city. Gaudi's work is not to everyone's taste. I find his buildings and design fascinating. He was very inspired by nature; his architecture reflects the curves and shapes of the natural world, something unusual in a world of straight lines.

Gaudi Apartment

Gaudi is also known for his use of light in his design and structure.

He designed unique furniture with interesting shapes and curves.


Gaudi's most well-known building is the Sagrada Familia. This cathedral is still unfinished. When I travelled to Barcelona I learned that the cathedral was expected to be completed on 2026.

Construction on the Sagrada Familia began in 1882. Although Gaudi died in 1926. The Spanish Civil War in 1936 halted construction and World War II also caused some delays. In fact, when touring Barcelona our guide told us that for a time Gaudi's architectural plans were thought to be lost during WWII.

Later it was discovered they had been hidden in the walls of a building so that they would not be destroyed by the Nazis.The Sagrada Familia has an interesting exterior; there are towers with coloured stone sculpture representing the four seasons. The biblical sculptures that adorn the cathedral are modern and smooth.

Gaudi created part of his fame, when he was still alive. One of his most well-known projects was the renovation and redesign of Casa Batillo. This large home was given a new exterior and interior to reflect Gaudi's style and vision.

Casa Batllo

Casa Batllo

Avocado, Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Here's a light salad that is great any time of the year. We had it tonight on a spectacularly hot summer evening.

I use one English cucumber, one or two nice sized ripe tomatoes, (tonight's salad had lots of cherry tomatoes cut into quarters) one ripe avocado for a nice sized salad for the two of us, but then we don't have other vegetables with it. If there are more than the two of us eating this, we just have more vegetables and/or another salad.

Dice the cucumber, tomato, and avocado into bite-sized pieces. Toss them in a bowl with one of the following:

A dash of salt and pepper

Balsamic vinegar

or a dressing of your choice.

I prefer just a bit of salt. It keeps it plain and simple and brings out the taste of the vegetables.

If you're a weight watcher...the salad is 2 points for the avocado, THAT'S IT!

Balance

Say no to anything that is not a high-value use of your time and your life.

So long New York

I may write other posts about our trip sometime, but not right now. Our short visit was jam packed with many interesting events, sights, sounds, and tastes.

It was a great trip.

These pictures were taken on the way to the airport.

Have you ever visited this site?

Thought for the day...

Be still,

Stop thinking.

Feel.

Take action.

Visualize.

Repeat.

 The Universe

Thoughts become things... choose the good ones! ®

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