MOTHERHOOD-RELATED Q&A

It is a time for a motherhood-related Q&A. Thank you all for your questions, I am delighted to answer them. Enjoy reading! 


What are the best joys of being a mum?
Seeing the excitement in Kian's eyes when he learns a new word or a skill. Watching him grow and change every day. 
Seeing his kindness. I love when he wakes me up by gently stroking my face. When out of blue, he runs to hug me. When he brings me a book to read, and immediately jumps on my lap. When he cuddles his teddies. When he feeds the cat. When he loves the food I cooked for him, and the toys I made. These seemingly ordinary moments make me a better and a happier person.

What was the toughest moment so far?
A few nights in a hospital after the labour. Everything was new and scary not only for a baby but also for me. 

What kind of person would you like your child to grow up to be? 
A happy, grateful and intelligent free spirit, who is hardworking, kind and generous. A brave, creative and independent feminist. A successful dream chaser.


What do you tell Kian every day?
I tell him that I love him. Million times a day. I repeat over and over again that he can do anything he puts his mind to. That work is fun, and it is a core of success. 


How becoming a mum has changed you?
It made me believe that everything is possible. I have co-created a little human, I brought him to this world and I keep him alive by producing the milk for him with my own body. It is the most divine feeling ever.
I started taking care of myself more, and I do regular doctor check-ups. And it reminded me how fun it is sometimes to have a makeup-free face and be able to wash it during the day and to rub my eyes!😊
On the negative side, the over-responsible part of me is worse than ever! #monicageller


What did he take after you?
He has my eyes, my nose and the profile of my face! His hair looks exactly like mine in childhood. He is a good-hearted little chatterbox, who loves to make people laugh.

Unfortunately, there is one quality I don't like about myself, and he has it, too.
Perfectionism stopped me from doing many amazing things in life because I would never be satisfied with the results of my work. I hope I can help him to get rid of this quality soon!


What kind of mother are you?
Imperfect, sometimes over-responsible, but always loving, caring and supportive. Conscious in a way I talk to him, feed him, show him the world.
I am open-minded, I never ever punish him. Instead, I explain to him that all the choices we make in life have consequences.


What would make you feel that you failed as a mother?
If he became a heartless, violent, rude and materialistic bully. It would mean that I never gave him enough love, attention and respect. 

FEBRUARY 2018 FAVOURITES

Matt LeBlanc, Courtney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer in Friends. Photo: Warner Bros

'F.R.I.E.N.D.S'

Name a more iconic sextet!🙂 At the beginning of 2018,  I found out that all seasons of 'Friends' are now available on 'Netflix'. Guess, who hasn't slept for 1,5 month.🙂 The show was what I was mainly watching throughout half of January and the whole February. Despite seeing plenty of episodes in the past, I have never seen all 10 seasons before.

If, for any reasons, you have not watched Friends before, do it asap. This is the most hilarious TV show ever, created by Marta Kauffman (the co-creator of my beloved 'Grace and Frankie') and David Crane. I love all the characters, but I think Monica, Ross and Chandler are my favourites. 

Who's your favourite Friends character? And what is your favourite episode/ quote/scene?

'Call Me By Your Name' by Luca Guadagnino

One of the best movies I have ever seen, perfectly crafted, written and acted sensual love story. Unusually fresh and visually breathtaking.

Summer '83 in sunny Italy. Oliver (Armie Hammer) joins Elio's (Timothée Chalamet) family for a few weeks as an intern, to help professor Perlman (Michael Stuhlbarg), and to work on his own doctorate. The Perlmans are very sophisticated intellectuals and artists, living in a dreamy Italian villa. 

At first, a charismatic guest intrigues Elio with his slight arrogance. Afterwards, they start to spend more time together, going for bike rides, discussing art and swimming. Shown with a charming delicacy, the relationship between them slowly blooms. You can read my full review here. 

'Blue Is The Warmest Colour' by Abdellatif Kechiche

'Blue Is The Warmest Colour' belongs to the similar category with 'Call Me By Your Name', with the coming of age and LGBT related themes. However, it is done totally differently to Guadagnino's movie. 'BITWC' is much more literal and rawer. The intense, 4-minute long sex scenes make it also less intimate.

15-year-old Adèle, dissatisfied by sex with boys, becomes attracted to a blue-haired girl she passes by on the street. Emma is a young artist, free spirit, whom Adèle explores her sexuality with. Well received by critics and audience, the film was accused by some to be a straight man's fantasy rather than a picture of a real lesbian love (both sexually and emotionally). I totally understand this point of view. Nonetheless, it is a great movie, wonderfully acted.

Saoirse Ronan and Beanie Feldstein in 'Lady Bird'.  Photo: Allstar/IAC Films

'Lady Bird' by Greta Gerwig

This is the movie everybody talks about. I watched the trailer and I loved it. I watched the film, and I liked it a little less than I expected.

It is a comedy-drama about individualism, coming of age, feeling lost, the struggles in family bonding and the difficult love between mother and daughter.
This certainly is a character movie, and the acting is a selling point of it. Saoirse Ronan was fantastic as always. I loved her in 'Brooklyn', loved her in Lady Bird. She is a wonderful actress. The supporting cast was great, too. The tacky outfits and interiors brought me back to the times when I used to draw on my walls, and wear the most unflattering clothes and makeup. 


I truly enjoyed watching it, I can not wait for Gerwig's next film, and I am excited to watch her talent bloom in front of an international audience. 
To me, 'Lady Bird' was missing some kind of freshness, that I saw in 'Call Me By Your Name' or 'Mustang', though. Nonetheless, it is a great movie. 

Favourite music

In February I was listening mainly to the film soundtracks, and there are two that I need to mention:

Soundtrack from 'La La Land', which I have been listening to religiously for the past few months. My two favourite songs are the rhythmic and uplifting 'Another Day of Sun' and magical 'City of Stars' (both by Justin Hurwitz).

Soundtrack from 'Call Me By Your Name', probably the best one ever made. My three favourite songs are 'Love my way' by The Psychedelic Furs (released in 1982), 'Mystery of love' and 'Visions of Gideon' by Sufjan Stevens. Very moving, emotional. Just perfect. I wish Sufjan got an Oscar for 'Mystery Love'.

Watercolour painting and upcycling

One of these things that I always wanted to learn but I was always postponing is the watercolour painting. In February, after seeing the coolest tutorial on Youtube, I just went out, bought the basic supplies and started to paint. I find it very relaxing, even though I usually have to hurry because I don't have too much time for it. 
I painted four pictures in the past month, and I have to admit that I didn't hate them, which is so much unlike me!  
I love upcycling things, too. I started my upcycling journey as a teenager, making jewellery from household items that were no longer in use, repurposing old furniture and clothes. In January and February I came up with a few upcycling projects for my son's future bedroom, and I was happy to have found time to execute them. Had so much fun!

'Humans of New York'

I have been following the 'Humans of New York' facebook page for the longest time. Some of the stories that they share are heartbreaking. Recently, two of them made me even more grateful for everyone and everything that I have in my life. 

1. A lesson of courage, maturity and nobility from a very wise young girl. You can read it here.


2. A short story about the most beautiful love between parent and child. Pure and unconditional. It is available here.

'Call Me By Your Name' film review

Timothée Chalamet as Elio and Armie Hammer as Oliver in 'Call Me By Your Name'.  Photo credit: Allstar/Sony Pictures Classics 

'Call Me By Your Name' is an exceptionally sensual film about a relationship between 24-year-old graduate and 17- year-old boy.
Summer '83 in sunny Italy. Oliver (Armie Hammer) joins Elio's (Timothée Chalamet) family for a few weeks as an intern, to help professor Perlman (Michael Stuhlbarg), and to work on his own doctorate. The Perlmans are very sophisticated intellectuals and artists, living in a dreamy Italian villa. 

At first, a charismatic guest intrigues Elio with his slight arrogance. Afterward they start to spend more time together, going for bike rides, discussing art and swimming. Shown with a charming delicacy, the relationship between them slowly blooms.
This movie isn't action-packed, there are no fights and special effects in it. It flows at its own pace. The background of the story is calm, which allows us to fully concentrate on the chemistry between main characters. The only problem they have is that the summer will eventually end. 

Despite that the plot focuses on rather common cinematic topics (summer romance, homosexuality), this movie is unusually fresh and light. And the music enhances the beauty of it. From Elio's distinguished piano playing scenes and delightful songs in the background to the sounds of nature.
The acting is definitely one of the selling points of 'Call Me By Your Name'. I love the dynamics between Chalamet and Hammer, both on and off-screen. The supporting cast is wonderful. I have got to mention Michael Stuhlbarg, who gives a truly moving performance as professor Perlman. 

Visually breathtaking, thanks to the outstanding cinematography and gorgeous location, this film features several impressive long take scenes. Some of the most beautiful ones are definitely when Elio plays the same piece of music in three different ways on the piano, the one with professor's monologue, or the fantastic final scene.
The director, Luca Guadagnino, known for making several great films, including 'I Am Love' or 'A Bigger Splash', crafted 'Call me by Your Name' to perfection. All parts of it, the script, acting, scenography, editing, music, the cinematography, created a coherent whole. So timeless and meaningful, yet so bracing.
A truly great piece of filmmaking. You do not want to miss it!