Menstruation as a source of strength

I wrote about PMS in quite a negative way some posts back. I want to talk about that, because it is cliché and untrue. For all men reading this, at least those who are uncomfortable with talking about womanly things like menstruation.. sorry! You can stop reading now.. Or continue and maybe gain some insight? (Not that I think I have truths..)

It is so easy to just think of menstruation as something uneasy, unwanted and something we would much rather not have to deal with. Some weekends ago I did a workshop I am still pondering about. It was called 'Menstruation as a source of strength'. This might sound tacky.. Heck, I'm not going to apologise for that.
It was even more interesting than I imagined. The woman who did the course (Lucia) told us about how we are connected to our cycle, like the moon (and connected to the cycle of the moon, too). But this is something most people already know. Full moon (and ovulation) is a time of 'being out there', being active. New moon (and menstruation) is a time of cleanse, dealing with things that haven't been dealt with in the last month. Now of course this is in short and therefore not too accurate, but this is the main idea.
So having menstruations and having this cycle is part of who women are. It should be treated as an valuable asset, not something unwanted. It should even be celebrated.
We shouldn't have to get this emotional and stressed either (I think). In the 'cleaning out' part of the cycle, we should be able to turn our attention inwards, to ourselves. In this society, it is difficult to slow down, retreat and take time. Or maybe we value working so highly we don't take the time?

Keys to my new studio!

Blog post without a picture

I promised I would show the wonderful wilderness that is my garden (after a month of not being able to go there). I'm afraid I can't make it happen. My camera broke.. The guy at the store (who was quite handsome) told me a repair would not be worth it. So I guess I have to look into buying a new one.
I really don't like blog posts without pictures...

So how about a garden-safari in words?

Graduated!

It's about time I update you all on what is going on.. I graduated! It feels good and strange to not be a student anymore. My finals exposition was perky (if that's the word..)



My paintings, drawings and texts were arranged like a poem, instead of evenly spaced and spread out on the walls.



I took a little break and spent a week doing nothing at all. Now it's back to work, arranging stuff, cleaning up the mess from before the exams. I'm looking for a space to work (if anyone has suggestions, please let me know, ideas are welcome).
My garden turned into a wilderness. The neighbours were not pleased, but to be honest, I think my garden is the most beautifull of all. It is filled with flowers and vegetables and berries. Abundance.. Too bad I can't leave it like this. If I can get my camera to work again, I'll give you a safari.. ;)