The Bard and the Yes Country

I had to work my brain very hard tonight, trying to fathom what on earth I had said 'yes' to today. That's what university does to you - leaves your brain incapable of remembering things which aren't related to work. When I finally remembered, I realised it was study related anyway: I answered in the affirmative when invited along to watch the upcoming Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) production of King Lear in Stratford-upon-Avon. How could I not? King Lear is my joint second favourite Shakespeare play, second only to Hamlet. -Yes, I am sad enough to rank Shakespeare plays.- So, even whilst it is study related, it's a not a bad kind of study related, it's bloody marvellous! I think I should calm down - I can get very excited when Shakespeare is involved. My only reservations about this production is that I'm not a great fan of the guy playing the lead, and considering he's on stage for a lot the play it could be an issue. But, with all my positive thinking, I will put my reservations aside.

The play itself is not a very 'yes' kind of play, especially considering one of the most famous lines is: 'Nothing will come of nothing'. It is a tragedy, so it's what you'd expect really. Along with Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet it is one of his most heartrending plays, it's virtually impossible (unless it's a disastrous production) to not feel sad and on the verge of tears by the end. Despite all this, though, the actual experience of going to the theatre and watching a good production (of any play, ballet, even musical) must be considered a 'yes' experience. In my book, it's one of the best experiences in the world.

Just yesterday I was asked if I would like to go to Spain during the summer. I don't think I need to state what my answer was to that. It got me thinking about different countries, specifically countries which give off positive vibes (on the whole). Now, I haven't been outside of Europe, so I'm not the best judge, but of the countries I have visited (and live in - Britain) Spain definitely gains the title of 'the Yes Country'. There always seems to be so much energy and life. I love that the cities come alive at night with all sorts of people (not just drunken youths - not that I want to stereotype too much). I love the dance, I love the language, I love the scenery! All those positive vibes. And what I find truly remarkable is that this energy is present despite the dark past which lies beneath and occasionally rears its head. Truly a wonderful country. It makes me want to smile.

If Spain is my 'Yes Country', what would be yours?

Much love
xxx

The First 'Yes' Moments of 2010

New Year's Day: I find it worrying that I can barely remember what I actually did on this day - it wasn't even a week ago. Clearly I did nothing which was significant to write on here.

Saturday: Now, this day had an awesome 'yes' moment. Seeing as I've been writing uni essays for more or less the entire holiday I agreed - with a little reserve at first - to go and watch Cinderella (non-panto version) at Warwick Arts Centre with my parents. It was brilliant! Totally different from seeing a panto or watching Disney - no fairy godmother or Buttons - but both funny and dark. I wasn't expecting toes to be cut off and eyes pulled out, but there you go! Absolutely worthwhile.

Sunday and Monday: When I checked my e-mail on Sunday morning I had received a message from a penfriend (yes I still write letters!) in Brazil who has been on a European tour asking me if I could meet her and her friends and family in London this week. I debated, and then realised I should just say 'yes', which I did. So, Monday, I was off down to London for part of the day. It was both a lovely and slightly bizarre experience. London, I admit, scares the hell out of me. In fact, any big city does (hence why I went to a small city for university, and also why I love Granada so much). It worked out okay, though. Meeting was fine. We took a look in The National Gallery and then headed off to Westminster. Both of those parts of London are beautiful - cold but beautiful with the icy weather. The main difficulty was that my penfriend kept asking me where places were in London and where they might find places to eat nearby - to be honest I had no idea. My knowledge of London is extremely lacking, and my sense of direction is terrible too. So, as you might have guessed I was pretty useless. The other minor barrier was language. My penfriend spoke very good English which was great, but her family and friends (there were five altogether) did not speak much English, and I speak no Portugese at all. We got by fine for the most part though. Had it been Spanish, or even French, I could have made some attempt at communication - that's why learning languages is such a bloody good thing, then I can actually communicate with people. Anyway, overall, it was really nice to meet them all and nice to be in London too, if only briefly.

Tuesday: I had a very cool 'yes' moment yesterday: I drank some Moroccan mint tea! That might sound extremely sad, but it has two reasons for being bloody brilliant. Firstly, it was the experience of actually saying the word 'yes' when my Dad asked me if I wanted some, and secondly, the drink itself was amazing! I had initially said 'no' when Dad asked me, which I fairly speedily reversed when I realised what I'd done. He got out his little Moroccan tea pot-thing and gorgeous little glasses, made the tea, and then we sat and drank some. I then realised what an amazing drink it is - and I am convinced it is what I drank in Granada, which brought lots of lovely memories back.

I have not had any 'yes' moments so far today. Although I'm going out for a few drinks tonight which is a kind of 'yes' in my book :D

Much love
xxx

WELCOME...

...to my 'Diary of a "Yes" Girl'... In no way do I profess this to be an original idea. Reading 'Yes Man' by Danny Wallace, a Christmas present from my older brother, has driven me to do this - I mean start a 'yes' diary. (I am an avid reader of the classics, so reading 'Yes Man' is somewhat of a departure for me). It probably sounds crazy, which it is, really. But it's a good kind of crazy, a positive kind of crazy - the kind of crazy that I need.

I have a habit of saying 'no' to things - not to everything, but often to the little things which probably matter a lot - like going out for a quick drink as a break from work, or trying a new kind of food, or even drinking tea. Yes, tea. I don't drink it. But that's only because I've always said 'no, I don't drink tea' when people ask me if I'd like a cup, not because I don't like it. I have no idea whether or not I like it. I haven't drunk a cup in about ten years!

So, in this 'diary' (I almost typed dairy, which would provide an interesting spin on things) I intend to record the things I say 'yes' to, whether big or small, and my experience of those things. Now clearly, I am unable to say 'yes' to literally everything as I am in my final year of university and work is essential, but I will say 'yes' to what is reasonable and manageable, and, if possible, exciting. And I will especially say 'yes' to things for/in the summer months. One significant 'yes' experience I had last year, which I haven't really thought about as a 'yes' moment until now, was going to Granada, Spain, for two weeks to study Spanish. It turned out to be one of the best experiences I've ever had.

Please feel free to leave comments, ask questions, throw suggestions at me, share your own 'yes' moments/experiences, and tell me what you think about 'Yes Man'. If you haven't already read it, go out and buy it, or borrow it off someone you know. And then read it, of course!

I give you all permission here and now, that if I haven't written for several days, or even a couple of days, do leave a comment and badger me, or e-mail me, or facebook or text (for those of you who actually know me). If I don't have a valid reason, then I have let down my 'yes' diary, and myself, and even the world out there - a lot of things really.