Commonplace book

The first time I heard of the notion ‘commonplace book’ was in my rhetoric and argumentation class in my second semester of undergrad. For a while I kept it neatly going, amassing my favourite quotes in a nice overview. When I look back at them now, I smile, because they are still relevant to me today. That is what I think the true purpose of a commonplace book is: not just to amass everything neatly in one big overview as a stock for debates, but also to teach oneself about life, purpose and content. Unfortunately, over the years the Moleskine I used to house the commonplace book has housed lecture notes, ideas for papers, to-do lists, an interview with a Barcelona representative of UCLG, an overview for my French exam, my mother’s account of our 2013 Andalusian holiday, a list of what my potential partner should be like (yes, really, I think I jotted it down because some ThoughtCatalog article suggested I meet that person not too long after that – ironic how stupid things like this actually seem to work out) and a thesis overview. In short, it is a microcosm of my life the past few years. The last thing written in it was a quote again:

Thesis Thursday – future ponderings

It is one of those little happy moments: it sunny outside, I am drinking a nice cup of cherry-flavoured tea and I’m listening to Paolo Nutini. It is Thesis Thursday, the day where I work on the little monster that is my masters thesis. The past couple of days I’ve crafted yet another CV and I have been busy pondering over the future, looking at more internships and even entry-level positions. I will in all likelihood graduate with a MA degree this summer after spending just four years in academics – but they’ve been four good years. I’ve learned a lot and grown a lot in those four years and for that I’m grateful.

First dream: realisation

I have long doubted whether to start a blog. These days we are bombarded with all forms of information about people and things, whether it is in the news, Facebook or ThoughtCatalog. I like that we are busy with trying to connect to the world and to each other, but at the same time I would like to refrain myself from oversharing or confronting others with what keeps me busy.

However, I do think blogs are a useful tool to reflect on one’s life and share the everyday moments that make life so enjoyable. I will therefore occasionally be posting what I refer to as ‘my little dreams’, the moments that make me happy, the thoughts that pop up and what keeps me busy and driven.

I am blogging to share and learn, maybe even a little bit about myself. I would like to take this opportunity to share a plethora of interests – whether that is music, books, food, fashion or art.