What 80s Music Taught Me

The Bangles! Who wouldn't want to hang out with them!

Depending on when you met me you may or may not know of my obsession with 80s music. I used to wear it on my sleeve. And my legs, and my feet and my ears and especially in my hair! I dressed 80s as much as my confidence would allow. Now I don't dress like that so much. But if an 80s themed costume party suddenly broke out, let's just say I'd be well prepared and Wang Chunging in 5 min! (plus and extra 5 to tease out my hair!)

That guy right in the center, yeah, that was my hair!

Though I don't look the part anymore I do still listen to the music that started it all. I can't remember exactly why I got so into 80s. I think discovering John Hughes in High School played a bit part. (If you haven't seen Ferris Beuller's, Breakfast Club or Pretty in Pink shame on you!) But being the typical teen not wanting to conform to anything, I realized that many of the decades were over saturated in followers; the swing kids, the 50s, and the hippies. So I claimed what I did not see anyone else doing. Now in my older and wiser years I realize that I am not purely defined by how I dress or what I like and I am free to appreciate what I truly find my self drawn to. (Freedom!)

Read what you like! And dress and listen and do! Forget the status quo!

And the Cure! How can one band make some of the happiest and loved filled songs and some of the most depressing and introspective! And look like that!

Rabbit trails, aside I love 80s music. When you step back from the big hair, confusing clothing choices and technicolor make up there is something of quality there. Maybe not of the most refined and perfected but that is my point. They tried things. The use of electronics, like the holy Casio, was being push to the technological limits of the day. Hair and fashion was at the same time antiquated and futuristic. Lines and geometric shapes were everywhere. Seemingly pushing the limits of art and fashion. A lot of it is cheesy, a lot of it is painfully repetive. You can see how after 10+ years of it Grunge whould make it's way on to the scene. Nothing should last forever.

Duran Duran! Awesome for a time but you can't be Hungry Like the Wolf forever!

I am alway surprised when someone says they don't like 80s music. I don't think they have really listened to it. Michael Jackason and Madonna aside, there is much to be enjoyed. A few from the vault: Soft Cell, Camouflage, Huey Lewis, Kim Wilde, Loverboy, Nik Kershaw, The Power Station, Spandau Ballet, and Ultravox!, to name a few. They have one or two big hits that you would most likely hear on 80s night in you local club. But their sound and lyrics are grabbing.

Soft Cell. One of the weirdest yet good looking guys ever!

Now what did this all teach me?, as my title prompted. When I look back at myself at that time when I was obsessed with 80s music it is like nature making a change. I was busting out of a cocoon. I was not painfully shy but shy all the same. I was so worried about how I looked to people but desired to be unique. Not wanting to stand out in a crowd or be the first one to sing along but dying to inside! The unabashed ridiculousness of the music I loved helped me embrace the goof inside myself! I could be that outgoing person so long as I had my music. Now I have weaned myself off my little crutch and can still be a silly and fun. The spirit of no shame in their music and looks taught me to be myself! Even if that self is a little ridiculous! I now reign it in to make myself presentable to society. And I have other likes and obsessions now that play in to what I wear and listen to. But if you really want to see the 80s freak in me, just play Love is a Battlefield or the Safety Dance.

Also! In the 80s it seemed like it didn't matter how you looked! They "ugliest" people made some of my favorite music! How different to today when people run to plastic surgery to try and obtain perfection, rather than practicing their art!

All right already!

Racked with guilt, I now am back to blogging. The longer I wait the harder it is to bring myself to up date. And there is actually things going on in my life! I don't have the energy right now (as it is 1:30 am) to do a retroactive let-me-cover-everything-I've-done-the-last-few-months post so will start with one that is short but with pictures!

Since I have no home to call my own, I take what I can get. And I have got a room.

A very nice room with lots of space and a great big bed and lots of wall space. What I did not have until recently was the money or tools to spend on fixing it up. But I was blessed with a bit of extra money this month of March; which went to paying bills without stress (always a treat!), blessing a friend with a day of fun, and getting things for my room!

I got a new bedspread, duvet and pillows!

I had been borrowing a set from someone in the church but now I have my own! I just got white because I am still searching for something pretty that will go with my "Kiss" painting.

Pretty much the same as when I moved in but a few new bibs and bobs on the windowsill and I hung one of my paintings above the window!

Some new hooks to hang important things on! Like purses and my house robe! The hook the robe is on is a lovely iron heart with and edelweiss flower a friend got in Switzerland! So cute!

I collet postcards, photos and pictures that inspire or awe me! I decided to hang them up on my main wall! The room definitely feels more "done" now.

And lastly, my corner! A shoe rack and cork board with jewelry! (an idea I stole from my housemate!) Plus some amazing stencil art my bother Nathan did!

So that is it! I felt quite pleased and accomplished after I did all this. I still have more I want to so we will see how it goes. I realized I need a good creative outlet. I had my jewelry making and had started painting in the States but didn't bring any of my tools with me. I think I shall go to the art store and get some paper and acrylics. That would do my spirit good!

The Clearing Skies

ok, I haven't posting in a while and I bookmarked this on my top sites and it mocks me every time I glance at it. Maybe I'll post something so the ghost of bloggers past leaves me alone.

The winter is finally subsiding! There have been numerous days with sunshine and blue skies! So many that I've lost count in fact!

To recap:

Christmas and New years great fun but I missed my family. I plan to spend the next holidays with them not matter where they or I are! Since this a college town and a lot those in our church are students, many when home for the holidays, so for a month between Dec and Jan it was kinda lonely. But then everyone came back and I left! I went to Germany to visit my folks for two weeks! It was amazing! There was lots of snow, good food, helping at the college, making cappuccinos and watching Jonathan be awesome at basketball.

Then back in Cork! To be honest I've been a little down since I came back. It was so refreshing to be with family and friends who have known me for a long time, then to come back and get back into building relationships mode was tough. I know God is with me and He is my friend. Its a struggle to let Him be so close when you want something else. But I'm coming out of it (I think the sunshine helps!) and in fact I am going to have dinner with three girls tonight!

Right now though I am going to be baking banana bread! It's like therapy! Plus it's kinda a creative outlet. Something I need right now! If you can believe it all my jewelry making equipment has been misplaced! We're not even positive what continent it is on! And I don't have the money to go buy replacements or any other are supplies right now. So baking will have to suffice! At least other people can really enjoy it afterwards!

My Room

This is my room in Ireland! I have been blessed to live in a great house and have a spacious room at an affordable price! Here are the pictures! I plan to to some decorating but that is an expense that is way down on my list of need!

My closet and chair. And of course the holy flag of Sweden. ;)

The view from my window! Not amazing but it gets good light in the morning!

My dresser and bed! Luckily the room came furnished!

My nice big bed with my Gustav Klimt curtain. He is one of my favorite artists!

Sick Bay

Eoin and I playing when he was sick with the chicken pox

So I've been out of commission since Wednesday night. I just have the common cold but it has really beat me up. So as I've been sitting here in my room for the last 48 hours I've had lots of time to think, to read, to update my iPod and to think of all the things I miss from America. Truly I can do just fine with what this wonderful has to offer. But there are a few things that take my fancy and tickle my taste buds that are not found in Europe.

If anyone reading this is overtaken by the Christmas spirit of giving and wished to bless me with a little package from abroad I would be most stoked!

• Goldfish Crackers - The rainbow colored ones, cause the purple ones taste best!
• Cold Cream - Ponds or generic brand, I feel like an old lady using this but it is the best makeup remover!
• Extra Polar Ice Gum - The little blue dots are so fun!
• Suave Rave Pump Hairspray - Most of the hair spray here is aerosol, and I prefer a pump, plus the Rave smell reminds me of high school!
• DayQuil/NyQuil - The capsules not the liquid, medicines like this you have to go to a pharmacy to get
• Trader Joes Chocolate covered Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites - pure bliss!
• Bobby Pins - I think Goody or Conair makes the one with no slip grip, a style must!
• Dr Scholls For Her Comfort Insoles - I do a lot of walking here!
• and last any puzzles for playing with Eoin. He is 4 years old, so maybe nothing with more than 20 pieces.

Thank you so much for reading and if you want to send one one and any of these things please send to:

Aan-Sofie Guzik

46 Ardfallen Terrace

Cork City, Ireland

Good Day

Yesterday was a great day! I showered in my house! Went to tea with a lady from our church. The tea was in support of Cork Penny Dinners, a soup kitchen in town. At the tea, I met the Mayor's wife, Tanya Murphy and we chatted a few lines. Then I found a cute new store/boutique and bought a friend the perfect Christmas gift. Next I went home and started cooking a traditional Swedish dish. A potato casserole type thing, it turned out great! Then I went to the Neglia's to watch Eoin. He was in a good mood and sweet if not a little hyper! We played and did muscle therapy. I minded him while Mike went to a prayer meeting. He would stay in bed so to get him to settle down I had to lie in bed with him, I almost fell asleep! Then I came home and cleaned my room!

A wonderful day!

Christmas Ball

Well last night was the 1st annual Calvary Cork Christmas Ball.

It was so much fun! We have been planning this for weeks and this week had been especially crazy. But it all came together and was amazing! Rachel, Jacq and I decorated, the place looked stunning! We strung ornaments on fishing wire and lined the ceiling with them! We put lights all over and huge silver snowflakes that we cut from wrapping paper. We had a mini christmas tree with fake presents and loads of candle all over the place to give a wonderful glow! There were loads of people there and almost everyone got on the dance floor for a bit. Some never left! The food was fantastic and the musical events delightful! (Goo job Siona, Hannah, Rachel, Aden, Ian!)I ran around all night, watching Eoin, setting up food, cleaning up, talking with people, dancing, filling water, taking out filled trash cans, and I had so much fun!

This was a fundraising event too! We charged 10 euros a ticket and the profits went to Jacq who is going to Brazil in March, and Ian who is helping with the church in Waterford. They were able to get a good amount of money to help out with their ministries.

Mission Christmas Ball......Success!

I got home at about 1:30 am and slept till 12:30! I haven't slept that much since I was jet lagging!

Anyway, it was such a good time and I am so grateful everything went well.

My hair and makeup for the ball!

And God has been blessing me so much lately! I was able to get enough support to make it though January with paying rent and everything. I will be hitting the pavement on Monday to find a job. Some students from the bible college in Germany came to Cork to visit for 2 days, my parents paid to have them bring 2 suitcases of my things for me! Christmas came early! So now I have more wardrobe and shoe options! I feel so blessing in this week! Praise and thanks you God!