A morning person

Every weak day, when my alarm starts playing that tune I picked for my mornings, I always get up immediately and don't think it twice. It's amazing how fast I get out of bed if you acknowledge the fact that I was asleep just seconds ago. Never had I thought of this until somebody happened to be there one time and got surprised on what a morning person I was.

Me. The laziest person of my family, a morning person. Now that's something I had never heard. So, I started to think about it and I figured out why I was such a morning person.

First of all, nightmares. I have so many nightmares, and if not nightmares, lately my dreams have been so dull and boring! So, yeah, of course if my alarm wakes me up, I won't protest, I'm being saved from the demons in my mind!

Secondly, even if I'm half asleep, and I don't really want to get out of bed since it's so warm and cozy, there's always a thought in the back of my mind: "This waking up suffering will end soon enough and then you'll get to do what you like and see all the people you love". And that's it. That's my secret. That's the reason I want to get out of bed each day. There are too many awesome people in my life and I can't wait until I share the first laughter of the day with them and I can hug them so tight they start complaining about it. (Yes, I'm a hugger. I'm from Mexico, give me a break!)

Just think about it for a second, what was the only reason why we actually enjoyed school? Friends! Because even if you aren't doing something you like, at least you have your friends with you. What's that saying? "Misery loves company". Now think about your life after school, or when you're in college (when you actually study what you like). You're doing what you like aaand you get to see the people you love everyday. At least for me, it doesn't get any better than this.

Because even if you're studying abroad, or your friends happen to be very busy. Anywhere you happen to go everyday (work, school) you always form a family that care about you and support you. 

Ugh, I must sound like those annoying happy people, right? I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention while I was typing this. SORRY!

"Start your day with a smile and see how fun it is to clash with the rest of the world"

-Mafalda (comic character by Quino)

Honestly (and with love),
Andrea.

There's a difference

Art by Jeremy Geddes

Lately, I've been thinking about why people sometimes confuse honesty with rudeness. I think I've finally figured it out. Some other friends think very similar, and are always honest but even I have some rules about my honesty. They don't. 

Apparently, some people think that because they have the right to talk, they HAVE to say every single thing that crosses their mind. And all they say to defend themselves when being accused of being rude is say: "I'm just being honest".

NO! Being honest does not mean that you have the right to hurt people's feelings or say things that won't help anybody. If you are to say the truth, use it wisely! It's true that the best way to avoid trouble is to say the truth, but, at least in my opinion truth should is to be said when asked for and kept when it won't be helpful. Is the truth that you're about to say going to help that person? Does that person want to know what you're about to say? Is that person going to get hurt by your words?

Truth is rarely used nowadays and when I finally find people who use it, they use it as a shield when they're just being assholes. Why can't they tell the difference?

Honestly,
Andrea.

"You were the chosen one!"

Here's my first (and probably last) attempt at Kinetic Typography with After Effects. Enjoy!

PS: Star Wars fans will possibly hate this, but...deal with it!

 Honestly,
Andrea.

The Pain of Venus

"The Pain of Venus"
This was my final for Art & Creativity at VFS. It's supposed to be a Dada montage and I got a 10/10!

Perspective

Art by Bruno Dayan.

" "I dislike him."—Why?—"I am not a match for him."—Did any one ever answer so?"

-Friedrich Nietzsche (Beyond Good and Evil)

I find that it's natural in human beings to automatically hate a person who can do what you do...but better. Often I find myself wishing for people to fail, wishing them wrong...and why? Because they're more talented than me! And that's as selfish as it gets. I am well aware that those people are actually very nice, but then why do I feel they're doing wrong to me every time something they put my work under a shadow?

It's SO stupid. And I hate when I get like that, but with time I've learned to get me out of that place, and that is: to remember that I might be better at something that this person isn't good at. This might sound as if I'm waiting for revenge or something, but actually, it's more of realizing that you are THAT talented in something else too!

Can you imagine all the people who think the exact same thing about you? Hell, every time somebody says a compliment about my work to my face I'm like: "THANK YOU". Because I honestly forget I'm actually good at something some days! (Thank you, Jacky Yang!). After a while, I've learned to congratulate people when I really like their work, so, in case they feel like me, they feel assured of their talents. Please do help people that way! Either their work or the shirt they're wearing that day, a compliment always makes a person feel better.

This week, a teacher (talking about directors in films) said: "The director has got to be a person who knows a lot". PERIOD. That was it, and I knew how right he was. My main goal is to be a film director one day, but if I want that to happen, it'll take more than what I'm giving right now. So not only am I going to do my best in the projects I know I can do good, but also in the ones that I find it hard to stand out. And if it makes a difference, I'll ask the help of the people I "hate". 


Honestly,
Andrea.

Nietzsche

So...I'm a Nietzsche fan. I might just post images of his quotes from time to time without any description or thought of mine. I don't think he needs introductions :) .

Cyber-bullying

Last year, a girl named Amanda Todd committed suicide because she couldn't handle the awful things people said about her. She was being cyber-bullied. Although I'm sure this is not the first time this happens, I would like to express my concern about this subject.

Maybe I find this important, because I was bullied back in middle school and I can only imagine what this kids are feeling now, with the use of Internet, it has gone to a whole new level. The only thing that could "protect" you from bullies was the fact that they could get caught and have repercussions, and with the Internet, they can now all wear a mask and do it anonymously. So not only they hurt people without even signing those mean words, but they can do it faster and to more and more kids who they might not even know! 

When I was 13, I changed schools in the hope of a new beginning, to make new friends and get away from the catholic school I was in. Unfortunately, I seemed to attract too much attention (being a new girl in school), according to the "popular girls" in my school, so the change wasn't all for the best. From being a kid who was never even noticed by the popular group in my old school to being the center of all their hate: all I wondered was..."why me?, many other new students joined the school this year...I've done nothing wrong to these people". All through middle school I was bullied by the "popular group" of my generation. I was lucky enough to have true friends who sheltered and supported me when I was beginning to believe what those silly kids said about me. I might not have gotten to the point of thinking about ending my life, but changing schools was definitely on my mind and until these days, a mark prevails in me and my personality.

In my last year of high school, I made a short film called "Yo" trying to promote an awareness of the importance of this matter. And I'm glad to say, that without my distribution, other students from my hometown recognize that video since apparently teachers heard about it and started to show it in schools. When I heard about it, I couldn't help myself from thinking how little I thought my gesture had been and how many people I had reached. I want to reach more people through my videos (maybe, one day movies?). I want people to watch a movie and stop feeling alone, I want them to be able to identify themselves with the characters and find hope to their problems.

I wish this doesn't stay as only a dream of mine.

Honestly,
Andrea.

YES!

Art by Ronnie Boehm.

“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to 

have the life that is waiting for us.”

     ― Joseph Campbell

   Remembering some of the best days I've ever had, I realize that most of them began as any other day and the only reason I remember them is because something out of the ordinary happened. Because I did something I usually didn't do.

With this said, is it possible every time we say "No" to an invitation for something unknown to us, we might be missing out a great experience? As I said in my last post, I often get scared when it comes to change. But this past few weeks I did a little experiment: even if I didn't really feel like it, I accepted invitations to go out, and meet new people. All I had to say was "Yes" (That's right, like that bad Jim Carrey movie). And I've got to say, I've had a great time! It's not like I lived the best days of my life, but I did have a good time even when I didn't think I would.

 Give it a shot, maybe you find this whole "Yes to everything" phrase might help you get out of your comfort zone too!

Honestly,
 Andrea.

Dare

It is well known that life is out of our comfort zone, but how long does it take to actually let this message sink in and start doing something about it? I have to say, I am TERRIFIED of change. I'm a woman of routines, I like to make plans and I don't cross the street when the light's about to change. There is a quote that I love that says:

    "Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better."

-King Whitney Jr.

I must say I do want things to change, but it's inevitable to me to feel uneasy about not knowing wether that change is going to be good or bad. I've noticed that at my 19 years old, I live in a fear that would be found on an 80 year old woman who just wants to stay home.

The next video is an advertisement that I love, called "Dare, change". I hope you like it, I find it very inspiring.

I post this not only to share this thought with you, but to make myself move out from my comfort zone and try new things. Who's with me?

Honestly,

Andrea

The Cure

Art by Alan Nart.

Sometimes, life distracts us from our main goals because as the argentinian cartoonist "Quino" would say: "Urgent things don't leave time for important ones". We have so many things that we HAVE to do, that we forget about the things we WANT to do. Or even worse, as myself, you might forget that those things you have to do are actually helping you to get closer towards what you want to do!

About 5 months ago, I came to Vancouver pursuing my dream (which I share with many film students): to become a film director. Because, just like in any career you choose, you always, ALWAYS wanna be the best of them all, right? It's not enough to be "a doctor", you want to be "THE doctor". And it's pretty scary when you realize the number of people who want exactly the same thing as you do. It's dangerous to think of that because it even invites you to give up without a fight. Everybody deserves a chance and you must not forget that.

There may come times when you doubt yourself: if whether or not you should be here pursuing that dream, but you must never let go. Because without your dreams, what is left?

Fortunately, I found my personal cure for times like this, and it was to go back to the start, back to the core of my love for films: the cinema. It's pretty obvious, but I had actually forgotten the "magical" feeling I got every time I watched a new movie. So every time I start to doubt about myself and my dream in the film business, I go to the movies. Because, that's what it's all about! And I have to remind myself how important it is to me in order to keep myself from giving up!

No matter what you're studying, or working on, no matter what your dream is, find your personal cure. Find your cinema, and recur to it every time you feel the monsters coming back to haunt you. Defend those dreams of yours, people!

Honestly,
Andrea.

So close and yet...

Art by Elizaveta Porordina

The Internet is a real wonder, but is it so even when it costs us our social lives? Think about it: you communicate with so many people throughout the day, you exchange messages, pictures and a few laughs, but is your social life as good as when you actually SAW the people you consider your friends? Sure, it does help when those friends and family members are far away from you and you got no other choice but talking through the internet or phone calls, but aren't the ones that are far away receiving the same treatment as the ones that are close to you? Don't you hate going out with somebody and that they can't stop checking Facebook through their smartphones? I mean, if you'd rather be home and checking your Facebook all day long, why did you ever ask your friend if she/he would like to meet?

 It seems to me that the Internet separates people who are close and brings closer people who are separated.

Honestly,
Andrea.

First time

Source Unknown, let me know if you do! I found this on a friend's Facebook.

Can you think of the last time you tried something new? Do you recall the excitement? The decision you unconsciously made either you like it or not?

I've read so many times on the Internet (Facebook, to be more specific) that people should live their lives as if it was their last day on earth, but I disagree. At least, if I think of a day in which I'm told: "This is your last day alive", I would totally be a train wreck, I'd break rules, hurt people and just act crazy, because honestly, what else can you do? You're going to DIE.

In my opinion, lives should just continue their normal way and if that's not enough for you, then you're doing something wrong from the very beginning! In my opinion, everything that surrounds us is amazing, and I don't mean in a drugged "look at the sparkles" kind of thing, what I mean is: if you actually take in what's really in front of you, even a simple tree can amaze you.

Take it this way: right now, somewhere around the world someone is giving his/her first kiss. It's amazing to think that something so special and unique is happening to someone when you're actually just listening to your teacher talk nonsense about art. But actually, you have the power to experience something really really special whenever you want, with whatever activity you're doing:

When you remember to do so (or even NEED to do so), stop your thoughts for a second and acknowledge that the moment you're living in right then is never, EVER going to repeat itself. It's like you're time traveling to your past before you even need to do so! You get to enjoy every single detail that surrounds you once you realize it's a unique moment in your life. Because not even the weekly art class you go to is exactly the same as the last one (even if sometimes it seems so).

Try it! Tell me what you think! Did you feel the "first time" feeling I was talking about? What did you think about the experiment?

Go ahead, and the next time you kiss (or even just hug) someone, try to erase every memory of past kisses from your lips and enjoy the uniqueness of that first kiss.

Honestly,
Andrea.

End of background

So that's it for me showing the videos I created in the past, now I will actually get to write some posts like the first ones I started with!

If you want to watch more videos of mine, please follow me on my Youtube channel: anmepa93.

Now, prepare for some more heart to heart blogging about themes you can all relate to!

Honestly,
Andrea.

My backup plan?

So a miracle happens: my brother gets married. And you would think that I spent an awesome time at the wedding BUT I did not. The thing is, I was too busy filming with my camera all that I could get. So there are not many pictures of me on his wedding (except for the staged ones) and here's the reason why:

Yes, another music video haha. But actually, to this day I'm still very proud of my work here. I watch this video and it gives me goosebumps. I even dare to say it's better than the one they payed for. Maybe, if it comes the day when I give up on my dream of being a film director, I could at least make pretty decent wedding videos, right? hahaha. I hope you enjoyed it and please do comment!

Honestly,
Andrea.

Goodbye, high school!

In the last months of high school, my coordinator asks me if I would like to make a video for my generation due our graduation day. I feel this is a great responsibility and I don't know if I can pull it off but I accept. I'm more than happy to take my talent and create a gift for my generation and all the people who played a big part in the past years. So I come up with an idea with the help of a classmate, I draw the storyboard and I ask for volunteers. This is the video that was presented after everybody got their diploma, it is poorly made, but you get the idea of what I was trying to achieve there :) .

Honestly,
Andrea.