A Certain Romance.

So yesterday was Valentine's Day. Half of the teenage girls gushed at the half-wilting roses they received from boyfriends, and the other half mope at their lack of relationship. Some whine and complain about the holiday, others fall head over heels at the materialism of it all.

I however, am indifferent. I am pleased with being single, and I have no intention to be in a relationship anytime soon. Life is just wonderful without a guy to ruin it. I don't condone the holiday, but I won't go weep in an emo corner over the Hallmark holiday. Sure, those teenyboppers reveling over their boyfriends is quite annoying, but what's it to me? I'm too preoccupied with my own life.

When the topic of romance comes up, the ideas and subjects that correlate to it can go on. Everyone has their own interpretation of what it means. Some can be more meaningful than others, but what's so deep about Valentine's Day anyways? Whether it be weeping over Danielle Steel novels or watching the dashing and handsome Hugh Grant on screen, there are many ways that romance revolves around us. If I ask a girl my age what is their interpretation of romance, I honestly have no clue what I would get. Kids these days can be quite unpredictable, but the thought of getting something truly meaningful and thought-provoking is meek. Could it be the dozen roses their 'prince charming' gave them, or The Notebook? Those seem like reasonably predictable answers, I suppose. Maybe not my idea of romance, but whatsoever.

Then I wondered, "What is my idea of romance?" I mean, granted, I'm not the mushiest gal in the world, and although I can be sympathetic of others, I find myself to be more of a realist than a whimsical love pixie. I was thinking of just making this a journal entry, but then remembered my attempts to bring life back into this blog, I figured this might be more apropos.

So what is romance to me, you say? I've pondered this, and I got a lot of random and scattered thoughts. Along with going into detail over my thoughts, I will add some visual aid as well.

Romance is the Lost Generation. The dreamy works of Fitzgerald and Hemingway, depicting the City of Love itself and the wonderful, terse prose takes me into a trance full of dashing men in brimmed hats wooing me with words.



Romance is ruffles, chiffon and rosettes. Victorianesque in romantic blush, and so dainty and flowy, making me wish I was Marie Antionette of the French Revolution.



Romance is music. Whatever music you like. Mine is Coldplay. Their words truly touch my heart and soul and put a smile upon my face.



Romance is books. Books upon books, even if it is not a romance-inspired novel. My love of books in general is extraordinary, from the beautiful stories depicted on the pages right down to the musty smell of the leafs of paper. I hope to expand my book collection a lot more this year, and get some reading in as well.


Romance is Audrey Hepburn films. Whether she's the extravagantly lux Holly Golightly or Eliza Dolittle, her aura is amazing and it's hard not to fall in love with her.


Romance is baking. Baking a confection for someone you love, or just to enjoy yourself. It's self-satisfying and pretty darn tasty.



Romance is Spain and the Spanish language. Whether it may be the iridescent lights of Madrid or the Catalan spice of Barcelona. Or the mysterious, dark men of the land.


Romance is the simple pleasures in life. Mine is sipping green tea upon reading a good book, and staring at colorful macarons in decadent displays. As well as cracking creme brulee with a spoon, just as the girl I wish to be, Amelie, does.
...And romance, is last but not least, knowing that somewhere out there, someone is waiting to meet me and finally appreciate what I have to offer to their heart, and therefore making me accept that I have to love myself.

[[La Tartine Gourmande]]