Many people have told me that my collections always have stories behind them, and that's because much of what I have is very precious to me. When I moved countries seven and a half years ago, I couldn't take many things with me, so I donated a lot and brought very little with me.
Then there were many things I used in Argentina, such as notebooks and journals, that I didn't need here or didn't feel the need to buy or use. But I can assure you that when I go to a shop, I look a lot at notebooks with spectacular designs, many of them fantasy-themed. But the truth is that if I had them, I wouldn't be able to use them. I would feel too bad; they would be like works of art. Some of them are really beautiful.
But as I said, I just look at them, at their beauty. I know there are people who are fans of notebooks and collect them, but I'm referring to those with fantastic drawings or pure art on them. Those are the ones I like.
So when I saw the theme of the month, I said to myself: I don't have any. Days went by and I remembered things, I asked my family and they had some, so what I bring you today is a collection of notebooks and notepads from three people. Some are just notebooks for writing and nothing else, there's no story or much to tell.
Such is the case with these two simple notebooks, one is mine and the other is my brother's. Guess which one is mine, it's easy. They are very useful and I used these notebooks a lot in Argentina.
The following three belong to my brother. They are much smaller notebooks that he has used and continues to use for different things: accounts, notes, lists, studies he has done, and he always keeps them close at hand. Even if he wants to design a piece of furniture and build it himself, he designs it right there, establishes the parts he needs, the measurements, and much more. He uses them for many purposes. Everything is there.
But from now on, the notebooks or notepads below have a story, some longer than others, but stories nonetheless.
The black notebook is one of those that has the date and you can write down the day's activities. The story is that my adoptive aunt gave it to me. The notebook that says ‘Boquita’ is a very old notebook that belonged to my godmother, who was a fan of the Boca football team in Argentina. She used it to write down the numbers she played in the lottery, and she said it was on doctor's orders. The idea was to pay attention to numbers to keep her mind busy.
Of these three notebooks, the light blue, oblong one belongs to my mother and is about 14 years old. She writes down important things in it. The texture of the covers is rough and hard. She has had it for a long time and it is somewhat worn, but she still uses it and it contains information that is important to her.
In the case of the red notebook, I was given it at one of the jobs I had here, when I worked in sales.
And now I will tell you about the two notebooks that are most important to me, which have no use or which I personally have not written much in.
The first one, which says ‘Live Free’, is very special because it was given to me by a former student whom I appreciate very much. Her name is Estela and she is a pastry chef who decorates cakes for events. She is over 80 years old and still makes cakes. We talk every day, and I say good morning and good night to her.
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This notebook is very special because she gave it to me before I left Argentina, but not only for that reason, but also because it contains her own recipes, recipes that she developed over the years and which are written in her own handwriting. This notebook is one of the priceless memories that I will always have. It is not just a notebook, it is a little piece of her life and her wisdom, it is what Estela is, and she has passed it on to me with much love.
She wanted part of her to go with me, so she gave me this legacy, as if I were her daughter. Estela and her husband Nelson were both my students. Nelson is no longer with us, but they are among those special people I will always hold dear in my heart.
Last but not least, I have this notebook that is very special to me. It was given to me by a student whom I love very much and who shares my love for cats, and she knows that I love them. I always remember her because we talked a lot in class. Her name is Sonia and she is a vet. She also helped me a lot once by giving me a book on natural food for kittens with problems. We share special things about cats, thoughts, points of view.
This notebook is special not only because of who gave it to me, but also because it came with a card she made with what she learned in Photoshop classes. Those things are priceless; it was a farewell card.
Look, the notebook is beautiful, it has kittens and lots of pink, what more could I ask for, and her message is wonderful: ‘How do you want me to love you?’ Of course, these two notebooks are my favourites.
And I thought I didn't have to bring this initiative, but I found myself remembering many beautiful moments I've experienced and that will always be with me. It seems that in the end I always have a story to tell.
Thank you very much for joining me today. I send you my best regards, see you soon.
Amonet.
Used translator Deepl.com free version.
