In 2012, when my second son was under a year old, I decided to apply for jobs in publishing, an industry where I knew I could thrive, given my background in comparative literature and translation and my love of books. I had quitted my lovely charity sector, full-time, yet low-paid job, when my first son … More “I shall use my time” – To my fellow mums
Thank God there is a positive side to everything, even to being a fastidious virgo. I take no pride in being an obsessive person, one who wastes time and energy getting irritable over minor things or matters that don’t even concern me. I mean, why can’t I just enjoy watching a film while those around … More Tips for a good night sleep from a fastidious virgo
For many years now since my arrival in London, I have been having the same recurrent dream: I am in a house, my own house, even though it changes from one dream to another, when I suddenly discover a door or a staircase that leads to an extensive section which I didn’t know existed. The … More The ever expanding house of our unconscious mind
My favourite people in the world share the same beautiful quality of being humble. Some are friends and family members, others are transient acquaintances who left a mark that I can’t erase and still hold the magic power of making me smile whenever I remember them. Humble people make joyful company. They know how to … More I’ll be searching for the humble ones
There is no better way of enriching one’s perspective of the world than to live in a country different from one’s own and thus be exposed to diverse idiosyncrasies and cultures. Certainly, London has to be up there among the best cities in the world to experience diversity. Throughout my almost 14 years of life … More Nordic wisdom and ‘hygge’
If I had to pinpoint a single author from the catalogue of beloved writers to whom I owe my love of reading, without hesitation, I would choose the wonderful Eleanor Hibbert (1906-1993), the prolific English author who penned Gothic Romance novels under the pseudonym of Victoria Holt and whose books I had the pleasure of … More Home 2
Hi Everyone! It feels so good to be back! Can’t believe it’s been four years since I last published something here and gosh hasn’t the world gone beyond bonkers ever since! In my universe as a Venezuelan living in the United Kingdom, with a significant part of my close family living in the United States, … More I’m Back!
Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose has a very special place in my secret library of all-time favourite books. This library, which I carry in my heart -even though there is an exact replica in the shelves hanging in my living room- is a treasure that I guard dearly. Just like the main character … More Laughter
The colonisers that settled in Venezuela throughout the decades that followed the Spanish conquest were not the most illustrious of Europeans. In Spanish Crown imperial geopolitics, Venezuela played a minor role. High-flying politics was played at the Viceroyalties -provinces of the Spanish Empire- in Peru, New Granada (Colombia), Rio de la Plata (Argentina) and New … More An idyllic melting pot
Perspective is an instrument of depth, and life without perspective is devoid of sense. Imagine one straight line on a white stretched canvas or a single crotchet floating on an empty stave. Imagine a world inhabited by manufactured humans all looking and thinking and feeling the same. No contrast. A single point of reference. Nothing to … More Perspective