High five, again
I have mentioned, before, that I have a twenty-one-year-old daughter, nearly 22.
She was given an 'A' name. Alicia. Her father, half brother (now nearly 30) and myself all decided this was to be her name, before she was born. She is Spanish on her paternal side. She is super attractive. Super clever. Good genes. 'Alicia' is Spanish and Italian for 'Alice', which comes from the origins of 'Adelheid' or 'Adele' - Germanic for 'Princess'
In Spanish it is common to ask, "Que nombre has puesto?" - which literally translates as 'What name have you put?' Which I like...what name have you put with her/him? ..like a little tag.
She is truly on her 'A-Game'. Truth.
This morning, I had promised to call her at 10am...to be an alarm call...in effect.
She was half woke, half sleeping and had a new email...which she read
.....high five, high five, high five...etc.
...high ten X twenty times (at least) ...overkill : )
My unique child - my one and only - has been handpicked from 100's of design students to receive the First Prize Award in Interior and Exterior Design BA Hons.....
Tissues, please : )
She is to receive a cash award and a certificate on her graduation day. July.
A panel of Designers, design academics and writers have selected her dissertation as the 'best one', for which she was awarded 87% (a first degree with Honours)
I took her for lunch to celebrate. I love celebrating other's successes. I'm kinda 'American', in this way (Spaniards are good at cheering and celebrating success) Brits are not so good at being happy for others successes. I think the *Brits are mean like this, preferring to slag than to cheer. I have noticed this cultural difference, especially from observing the differences of American and Spanish culture.
Of course, she filled me in on her final project. Social Housing Theme. She used the Shadwell Riots (just post WW2) as a source of inspiration...her starting point.
History lesson:
After the Second World War and the Antisemitism in Germany/Europe, Shadwell was a Jewish Quarter/District. During this conflict between Jews and the police/authorities, many innocent Jews and Jewish families were killed, maimed and arrested. In their own defence they had 'knuckle-dusters' and basic household tools. Alicia, as a part of her project, designed and made a 'modern knuckle duster', as her design piece (using details from the masonry carvings of the St George's Mortuary, Shadwell - I remember the drawings .... up all night : {
I like this subject. My maternal Great-Grandmother was a *Ashkenazi Jewish immigrant, who married a Gentile (my Anglo-French Grandfather) and was living in London with her family at this time. I like to think of her with a great knuckle-duster encrusted with diamonds and precious gems. Take that! Pow, thwack...(Batman comic) "Now fuck off out of my 'hood". GO granny : )
Any subject about Jewish persecution interests me. The most persecuted race throughout history. 'G-d's Chosen People'.... Well, that is a big claim. It's as good as saying, "G-d favours us"....of course others will want to tear you down. It's pack animal...human animal behaviour. Haters gonna hate. Oh yes. You know the haters? Definition of 'Hater' = Admirers with a mean spirit. So yes, haters are lesser beings. Fact. Haters gonna hate (usually because of jealousy). Haters want to f*** you, or be you or hurt you. Haters gonna hate because they look for appraisal outside of themselves (they lost touch with G-d, who is within us) Haters are lost souls. Never fear the haters. They are intimidated.
From this Shadwell-Riots-as-inspiration, she has designed a complete Gin Distillery, and the products that it would trade.
Outstanding work. A* (star) Alicia.
It was nice, over lunch...talking about her plans, the next move, her new 'Housies', her new ventures. We discussed the difference between Artist and Designers...Well, I guess we are similar, but different. Artists are wired quite differently. I think that our brains operate in the abstract, mainly, and our work is a product of our intellect, hands and soul and from an abstract perspective. A designer is more like a craftsman: Intellect and hands and a large (3D) perspective with future vision.
Artists often attain a reputation for 'eccentricity', which is fair. Like I said, wired differently.
Designers tend not to get such a rep.
That is comparison is breaking it down to the simplest form - which both designers and artists excel at. Simplification.
You know. Truth. I feel, today, after having spent time with my gorgeous girl - that I can take a wee bit of credit. I must have done something right. It was puto trabajo duro, being both a mother and a father to her, a working mother as well as a homey mother. She has learned some good things from me. This was my full intention and part of the reason that I was quite protective, while also encouraging independence. She has been fortunate enough to have had the support of my family, 'the Sistas' (my sister and her partner) my parents (her grandparents) my brother (her uncle) as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luwAMFcc2f8
I sit and wait
Does an angel contemplate my fate
And do they know
The places where we go
When we're grey and old
'Cause I have been told
That salvation lets their wings unfold
So when I'm lying in my bed
Thoughts running through my head
And I feel the love is dead
I'm loving angels instead
And through it all she offers me protection
A lot of love and affection
Whether I'm right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me
I know that life won't break me
When I come to call, she won't forsake me
I'm loving angels instead
When I'm feeling weak
And my pain walks down a one way street
I look above
And I know I'll always be blessed with love
And as the feeling grows
She breathes flesh to my bones
And when love is dead
I'm loving angels instead
And through it all she offers me protection
A lot of love and affection
Whether I'm right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me
I know that life won't break me
When I come to call, she won't forsake me
I'm loving angels instead
And through it all she offers me protection
A lot of love and affection
Whether I'm right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me
I know that life won't break me
When I come to call, she won't forsake me
I'm loving angels instead
Written by RW, about his mother. That's what mum's do. 'And through it all....'
Yes, I walked that fine line. Mother/father/teacher/cheerleader/protector/carer/listener/admirer and friend. Do I wear my pinstripe suit or a stylish dress to the graduation? :)
I will wear myself. I will be 150% present.
Will I be the happiest and prettiest most 'Baddest Bitch' mumma? Yes.
Will she be the Star? Yes.
I am a very happy and proud mama. She is my star. Lucky star. Always and forever.
In the meantime, in between times, I'm taking myself on my first date next week. To a movie of my choice....and maybe dinner out. I will toast myself for my personal endurance and recent successes and the many challenges that I have had to overcome. As I said, I'm a great cheerleader - even, and sometimes especially - to myself. Single parent, artist, writer, explorer, dreamer, cook, gardener, community worker, self-discipliner, friend, advisor etc etc etc..my many different 'hats'.
For now...I can feel a carpool karaoke (James Corden) evening coming on. Laughing? I will be. Not forgetting thanks and praise to G-d, for all of my blessings.
Sunday I will be celebrating Father's Day with my next-door-neighbour-single-mum. We deserve it : ) We are SO worth it (hair flick)
*Strikingly, regardless of the place of origin, Ashkenazi Jews can be grouped in the same genetic cohort – that is, regardless of whether an Ashkenazi Jew's ancestors came from Poland, Russia, Hungary, Lithuania, or any other place with a historical Jewish population, they belong to the same ethnic group.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsUURLFnr9k
outstandingly funny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sottGW1p5os
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjvzCTqkBDQ&list=PLZ1f3amS4y1ffYEhGZDtawaEyRQQu69Bw
*Though I was born 'British', I do not see myself as 'British', and to be honest, I'm no so fond of the Brits. I only appreciate some British Comedy, and one or two British Films (The Italian Job, being one of the best...Happy 50th Birthday to the cult classic) and British political satire (Private Eye, Spitting Image etc)
I'm quite sure that I would have flourished better (or will flourish better) in another country, such as USA
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