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Calligraphy by Pauline Ibarra

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Some Thoughts on Enjoying Life

January 22, 2014

Slow Down Calligraphy via Happy Hands Project

Friends and family knew that I had a rough start this year, and we were lucky to have our darling girl up and about now. She had this terrible bug and had to stay in hospital for days, so much longer than we expected. Design and calligraphy work were piling up and the backlog was heavy on my shoulders. I couldn’t sleep, either at home or in the hospital.

During down times in the hospital, I had a few minutes to contemplate.

Ever since I became a mom, life has become even more fast-paced. I count minutes, work around a schedule and beat myself to stick to it. I get miserable over a few minutes wasted. I rush and try to cram everything in a day, trying to forget that there are only 24 hours and that includes sleep. I want to spend as much time as I can with my daughter that when I go out, I try to rush everything so I can get home right away. Sitting in the hospital while my girl sleeps made me realize that yes, I was wasting so much time in there doing nothing. And it’s perfectly fine. I’ll be able to manage my work schedule when we’re home and she’s better. I’ll be able to sort things out in time anyway, why rush everything?

I’m happy to say that while my little girl is still on house arrest, and we had to trim her beautiful hair because dread locks were starting to form, she’s so much better now and busy as a bee. And I keep reminding myself to slow down and enjoy what life has to offer. I should take a little stroll and enjoy the view instead of sprinting like a madman just to get home.

Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you. Hmmm. I’d like that.

in happy things # calligraphy, inspirational

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Hello! I’m Pauline and welcome to the Happy Hands Project! I’m a lettering artist and calligrapher located in Manila, Philippines.
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If you’re visiting Tokyo for stationery, don’t ove If you’re visiting Tokyo for stationery, don’t overlook Loft Ikebukuro! ✨
 
While the Shibuya and Ginza branches are popular, I found the Ikebukuro location easier to browse because it felt less crowded during my visit. It also had a great selection of notebooks, pens, inks, and journaling supplies, so I never felt like I was compromising by skipping the busier stores. 
 
It’s four levels within the Seibu Department Store and is just beside the train station. There’s also a small cafe where my kids hung out, while my husband and I took turns shopping.  
 
If you only had time for one Loft, which would you choose? 
 
#loftikebukuro #tokyostationery #japanstationery #penandink #tokyotravel
✨ Kakimori Inks, first impressions! I finally got ✨ Kakimori Inks, first impressions!

I finally got to try the two inks I picked up from @kakimori_japan in Tokyo—Tototo, a rich deep magenta, and Harvest Gold, a warm golden mustard.

Both are beautifully saturated and flowed effortlessly with my glass pen from @auneda. Which one would you add to your collection? 💛💜

#Kakimori #FountainPenInk #inkstandbykakimori #cursivepractice
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Friday night means we get to order kebabs for dinner and afterwards I can sit and watch Netflix while eating a slice of sticky chocolate cake (which I learned is a Swedish recipe, and I made it myself).  
 
Yay weekend! 
 
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#fountainpen #kakimori #kakimorifrost #arcusartisaninks #cursivepractice
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