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║today my way║

poland, woods, lake, memories
poland, memories, family time, uncle

























I remember walking to school with my brother and a group of girls and boys from our neighbourhood every day from age eight onwards. In the summer, days had us spending most of our time outdoors, unsupervised, climbing hazelnut trees, dipping toes in the waters of wild rivers, eating home grown or wild unwashed fruit, riding bikes or exploring deeply mysterious woods nearby with all the other kids doing just the same. My mum was not always sure of where we were. We took fresh air and the open space for granted, it all belonged to us. We used our imagination and creativity in our escapades, scrapped knee was only a two minute drama because others were waiting to dip into a game of pigeon hunting or finding the best you'll-never-find-me spots. 

And then on our recent holiday in Poland where I spent most of my life, my uncle showed us round his neighbourhood that reminded me of a place I used to run wild as a child. My mind was looking to recreate a texture of the sludgy bottom of the lake I was taking my first lessons in swimming, the subtly intoxicating in all weather scent of nature I remember without hints; leaves, pine cones, interesting undergrowth finds that accessorized my space back then and are even more intriguing now. I'm convinced I'd feel at my happiest here at any time of the year making it the loveliest reading/relaxing nook in the world.    

in the woods, childhood, lake, family time

neighbourhood tour, poland, explore the world
poland, childhood, memories, lake


Now I'm looking at such places as oasis of relaxation not a treasure hunt; I'd turn my face towards the sun with an interesting collection of letters in hand instead of chasing ducks in the tall grass. I'm all for calming, lounging experience but don't say anything to Nadia who's been in an adventurous mode ever since. Being so desk-bound these days, my kind of relaxing is the kind that takes me back to dearest and most innocent times in my history, feeling a little homesick is only a slight exaggeration. We met my uncle and his partner twice this time around as their company is nothing but uplifting and so laid back I wish I could create myself. He is my grandma's youngest brother I mentioned here a couple of times before. An avid traveler, photographer and computer enthusiast has a heart of gold and a lot of lovely places to show up his sleeve. We said our good byes to the shiny luminous surface and headed for delicious flavorful dinner at my uncle's place. We could stay longer and did, sharing stories over coffee and home made pie. I can't wait to show you more of what we did and what didn't disappoint. Happy summer, friends x 
   
us girls, poland, exploring, lake, the woods
poland, memories, summer, summer activities
summer, family time, exploring
summr time, exploring, poland
poland, family time, in the woods, holidays
nadia, family time, childhood, memories
explore the world, in the grass, in the woods
awesome time, poland, exploring



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BLAME IT ON THE VIEW
BLAME IT ON THE VIEW


And my poor eyesight. No, blame it on the view primarily.

I had another amazing opportunity to head out for an adventure around country park in Swanage. We started the day uphill before popping into my optician. Almost 25 mile drive to get a professional advice on the type of contact lenses I should be wearing while having many stores just at the end of my nose must be a weird decision to maintain a good eyesight. We were never uncertain about how to tie ourselves to this place - the more strings attached the happier returns. So we moved away to a crowded town but the plan has always been simple - to feel comfortable away because of things to come back to. And if optician is what has tied us here, let it be wholeheartedly. Each time we visit we pick up fragments of things that are changing and yet they're timeless to our hearts. 

We are thrilled to the point of jokingly browsing the listings of properties for sale near the house we used to live. There's never a sign of activity here so we knock on the door to make sure we don't surprise anyone. Rarely someone opens it. The door either stays flung open or we greet our friends as they appear from nowhere. On early days of our visits we were leaving notes on scraps of paper, looking around the house for snippets of new things, the mid-afternoon lull in quiet murmuring of the fields, petting cats on our way out. We peaked into our room, shared a few memories or surprised gasps and went to greet the downtown. We did it again this time but the view was altogether different. The newly built house of our ex-landlords and friends' daughter has been placed where our space used to be. From a double vintage styled room there is only a little nook with sofa and hundred old wardrobe leaning towards the wall. Despite the new layout there was everything to be admired about this wild garden again - nothing really reduced it to give new building a life but it naturally embraced it from all angles allowing the old house shyly admiring its tall next of kin. We kindly examined the new addition - freshly build with all the technological facilities, even 'loo with the view' breathtakingly facing the moor. 

I still prefer the old building, wooden floors echoing our late footsteps, long grass seducing the bricks or being beaten down by the rain. I could see Nadia gathering cats to her arms and chasing butterflies, saying hello to the postman making his way to the back door fighting with benches and carrying packages and magazines I subscribed to a long time ago. What if Nadia was raised here, with the symphony of the sea and clashing of trees, everyone knowing each other and being eager to help. Is it better to dash away from the bustle of the city once in a while or rush to it from the peacefulness of the sleeping village?

BLAME IT ON THE VIEW


BLAME IT ON THE VIEW
BLAME IT ON THE VIEW
BLAME IT ON THE VIEW

BLAME IT ON THE VIEW
BLAME IT ON THE VIEW
BLAME IT ON THE VIEW
BLAME IT ON THE VIEW
BLAME IT ON THE VIEW
BLAME IT ON THE VIEW
BLAME IT ON THE VIEW

BLAME IT ON THE VIEW

BLAME IT ON THE VIEW

And then we returned home to rise to another day of the same views and chores. But here in this place, the stone, the sea were cast in a palette of different tones. There's no rush in nature, no hurry in exploring it. And that makes Andrea and her family our relatives in a way. I love the idea of it. Definitely. 
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ASSUMING THERE WILL BE MEMORIES WE WANT TO REMEMBER

It's cool to be a woman. Adventurous, focused on herself and others, independent. Believing in herself no matter what. It's cool to be a grown woman. Able to understand, give affection and attention or show the door when needed. It's also cool to be a woman in love with a man who is a total support whatever his woman sets her eyes on (thank you, Dee!). 

It's cool to be a friend - let it be your spouse, relative, stranger. I tried steering away from mentioning some e-mail conversations I had with my close cousin-become-friend for the past weeks (my head is spinning from recent challenges!) but it did have had an impact on me even though I didn't want to live through them. I am the last one to hold grudges against anything (eight leg creatures excluded) or dwell on the past so big was my surprise how many accusations she displayed. I still can't take my head around this and although I strongly believe in talking about what you're not happy about it is obvious the only way to seemingly and temporarily for her to feel better is to put me down. I fear arguing but silence and ignorance after expressing readiness for 'making it work' makes this whole situation bittersweet. Sometimes friendship starts with a bang, sometimes it's how it ends. I'd like to stay on the brighter, hopeful side that we will laugh just like before (that just means a lot more catching up to do later ;).

Also my brother has flown back to Poland weeks ago and I had plenty of time to reflect over the events of last month. Starting anew can be a little intimidating but I am sure he will do just fine while secretly wishing he will be back to the UK just in a couple of weeks after I make some phone calls and tirelessly flip through endless newspaper adverts. Amidst all the emotions my brother brought to our walls I've always focused on the positive side of events encouraging productivity and fun. Some days were tense, other were plentiful in hope and excitement so we had more reasons to continue with knocking on office doors and simply took every day as it came. For the first tearful hour after he'd been gone I felt I disappointed him entirely, maybe not with the lack of effort but by arousing an unnecessary hope he came to revise. He's not one of those men that eat you alive but we were working on that part. It got better every day. As usual, some steps backwards but still more forward. Results will come, I’m sure. 

As a result of this low mood lately I have been embracing our family quality time even more - remembering that Nadia is going to the nursery this September I will hold her for as long as I can or at least until her squished cheeks cannot tolerate it anymore. It's okay to feel blue sometimes and content the day after. 

Hope you're having a great week! x 

ASSUMING THERE WILL BE MEMORIES WE WANT TO REMEMBER
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i happen to love looking back
I happen to love looking back
I happen to love looking back
I happen to love looking back
I happen to love looking back












































































































What will make her heart swing? Every time she goes back to that precious time in her life invited by an accidental image, sound or flavour will she want to stay there unbelievably long? Will she have this nostalgic affection to all things from her childhood like slightly scratchy blanket, teddy bear without ear, memories of beach being deeply a happy place from crispy dawn till breathtaking dusk? I would so much love if she did as each thing can be equally satisfying today as it will be in years to come. 

This brings me to a 30 day blogging challenge in drawing attention to 'my earliest childhood memory'. I could easily recall the contentment many of them add to my life but that faded, a little mysterious memory due to my age and circumstances of that time has always shouted warmth the minute I brought it out just like a book from the shelf. I can see my mum's hands holding me tightly in her arms, perhaps lulling to sleep while my only a couple of months old eyes are curiously wandering out the window and landing on the cold, greenish metallic body of a tank sneaking in behind buildings. My mum can't really remember that particular day but I'm holding on to that memory with all my strength - her arms gave me warmth and security in times of revolutionary changes when Polish government drastically restricted normal life by introducing martial law in an attempt to crush political opposition. I'm safe and content there, calm as never before. I guess we all seek that blissful state throughout our life. I'm happy I can still go back to that time whenever I want to. x
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It's a tough life being photographer - from all the pictures that make their way through cable onto the computer only a couple eventually get chosen for the public view. Which one holds the light perfectly and which angle describes the landscape without too much exposure? And most importantly, which one of the lot tells that special story at the very first sight? Continuing my blogging challenge I had a little trouble with choosing the views of 'A place on Earth that is special to me' as this is not a place from the first page of a travel magazine. Pea sized, sleepy village where I spent the best time of my life... my childhood. I grew up in the south of Poland, countryside of river banks, woods, gooseberry fields, apple/walnut trees I used to climb, animals of every sort and sound (with the most incredible pet names they are). Together with my little brother and his friends (oh yes, my childhood was plentiful in testosterone) we were invincible in runs, ball games and unripe (hard as stone) plum fights around neighbouring fields and orchards. At the end of the day we were always in great need of a good wash but happier than any child with more toys or shinier bike. 

There were times when I visited Poland and was unable to spend a day in my childhood village due to severe weather conditions or not having enough time to wander on the fields falling asleep well after the sunset. They were the saddest moments and from then on each year I make space in our family calendar for visiting that railroad village to which my heart belongs.  

P.S. Can you feel the ground wobble? It's me dancing vigorously at the news of my brother visiting us soon. Can't wait to show him my favourite spots and eateries. Spring is definitely coming earlier this year!

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People collect postcards, stamps, receipts from their favourite restaurants. I collect tangle of emotions through my photographs and capturing, studying them afterwards makes me the happiest girl on earth especially when the images bring the best memories out. 

Photograph I have chosen for the Printerpix competition celebrating photography together with Tots100 parenting website and giving away a fantastic prize to one lucky blogger is equally funny and heart warming - my three year old daughter playing freesbie and running after the disc with her grandma having the great daisy-sprinkled tract of field all for themselves. I would love to get overwhelmed with such view on daily or weekly basis but it is only so precious in its effortless family fun because of its rarity. Our whole family lives in Poland so when discovering unfamiliar lands while visiting us, they happily create a laid-back, weekend-like atmosphere of laughter and fun much to a great amusement of everyone, especially tiny pair of never pausing feet of my little girl. I love how she is excitedly looking up at her granny enjoying rare playful moments. And my mum-in-law looks ready for everything little doll will come up with on this warm summer day.

"This post is Eli's entry into the Printerpix Photo Competition."
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I'm Eli, an optimist in training collecting an awful lot of ballet pumps and spending too much time admiring the sea. You'll find me writing about the joys of parenting, fashion, simple pleasures that all together create a beautiful life. xx

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