Such a life began long before English lessons. It's a life that the dictionaries may otherwise describe as whimsical, or without rhyme or reason. I fly by the seat of my pants (sort of) and don't make the most understood decisions (to most others). Or... better yet... following my heart is the most important thing I know. I understood 'capricious' and have ever since been trying to understand the consequences of such a life. 'Irrational' or 'erratic' are a couple less applicable synonyms in my eyes.
But later on when I would spend more time in Italy, I discovered the capricciosa pizza. Yes! My favorite vocab word existed around the world and was used regularly! Not all, but many pizzerie offer this sort of mixed up pizza, sprinkled with various toppings of olives, peppers, eggs, meats, whatever the chef puts on! While I was naturally fascinated by the idea of it, I never ordered it. I was just happy to know it existed. And I always felt inclined to experience some of the more stable choices on the menu - the Margherita, Prosciutto or Fiori di Zucca. (Perhaps a bit contradictory to my whimsical desire for new experiences). Maybe it's strange to speak about pizza in such a way, but some stability for me does make sense and should be required. And even though I never ordered it, didn't mean I wouldn't look for it on each restaurant menu.
Soon after my capricciosa discoveries, a friend must have noticed my desire for personal discoveries. He was from Greece and sat next to me in the beginner Italian class at university. Well, on my birthday he gave me a book that a friend lent to him. It was The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho. He said, 'I think you'll really like this' and that it was 'very quick and simple.' I think I was half listening to my friend, because I was more interested in seeing how difficult the English in the book was and felt intrigued by his overwhelmingly large capacity for understanding new languages and ideas. What did 'simple' really mean to a foreigner? He was pretty incredible, I felt slightly jealous of him because he was my entire idea of awesomeness and talent (he was a classical pianist) all wrapped into one little gyro package while traveling the world. I wondered why he knew I would love that book and that author and for years to come... and I wonder how he is doing now. Incredibly, I'm sure.
Having read the book within the next day, I discovered who Coelho was: the best instructor of personal legends - following your best possible path in life... And he tells wonderful stories, that now, looking back, when I read this book about finding personal legends I thought it couldn't relate to me more - but the truth is that it applies to everyone, everyday in every way. Much to be said here but I'll leave the rest to Coelho... or just bring all this up again later...
Just one quote by Coelho that can easily haunt you:
When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.
And THAT is just one reason why I'll claim this whimsical, unpredictable life. Because you just never know.
But wanting to understand my personal legend/path in life/vocation/personality/etc/etc/etc is a journey all in itself. (Side note: I'm fully aware that atleast 92% of the population may feel this way as well). While my capricious self is ready and willing to accept any glimpse of a destiny, the challenge lies in the fact that I'm trying to adopt a practical nature, because that is what most people do when they finish school. Or reach 24 years old. Or are clinically sane. They get practical. I need to save money for the upcoming loan payments, potential moves for a career and life elsewhere and other ugly realities that are beyond me. Ugh.......... I'd rather leave the practicality behind.
To me, having just graduated, spent the summer out of the country, happily single and trying to figure three million gazillion things out, I need to find a way to make some sense in this temporary life. I say temporary life because isn't that what it feels like? When you are in-between wherever you were and wherever you're going?
So here I am piecing together all the pieces that might eventually make sense - big and small. There are discoveries around every corner. Had I not gone to London and bartended for 1 month, I wouldn't have learned that there are actually cocktails out there similar to the word capricious, too. There are caipirinha, capiroska and caipirissima. OK, so they are totally different words from capricious, but similar feelings are evoked by saying them. The cocktails are made with different liquors - chacaca, vodka or aged rum. So essentially you take the same drink and whatever mood you're in, you can substitute any of these liquors for a variation of the cocktail. That just leads me to think, it's nice to know there is a likely a Brazilian, Russian and Puerto Rican somewhere out there awaiting their destiny, too. hmmm... But more importantly is the idea of being open to discoveries. I'll continue to come across things like caipirinha cocktails and capricciosa pizzas halfway around the world. And although its description in English will read similarly to that of a deluxe pizza in the U.S., the capricciosa is very different. With no even set of ingredients and sometimes decorated in an uneven fashion, the pizza holds true to its name. And yet always stays the same. I know where to find deluxe pizzas around here, but seeking out the other is a lovely challenge. I just hope you can recognize your pizza along with me.
[Capricciosa pizza from Google Images]
You never know what you're going to get!
As warned: expect unpredictability!
Ciao :)
