Another year gone by....

My Calendar is based on the School Year. Just as it was in my youth, so many years ago, so it is again, and will be for at least another 11 years...

There has been so much to write, so many celebrations and festivities, visits to and from loved ones, but alas, I hadn't found the words to put down until now. Let's just say that I've been so happy since July 2011... just because. My day to days have been simple, yet there's been a growing peace and silence within for which I am ever so thankful.

New developments in my life include:

I feel happy conversing in French. I cant say that I speak better than I had a school year before, but I feel comfortable and enjoy myself just as much in French as I do in English. I am spending more time with French friends, and I feel like this is a certain victory for me.

I now give work out sessions and cooking lessons to friends and sometimes their kids. This has been a relaxing and great way to spend my time. Many have proposed that these new hobbies become my new career....and, I'm turning those ideas around, seeing where inspiration leads me. For now, I am just so grateful to be in a place where I can have fun - all the time!



Recent highlights:

I received my Filipino Passport and have been getting in touch with my Filipina-es. For my 44th birthday, we celebrated with my 3 favorite Filipinas and their French hubbies, as well as my good friend K and hubby V, to represent the HK in me. The evening is hopefully the first of more to follow and was titled: South East Asian Chics and their French Hubbies Soiree.

My beautiful Birthday Cake, made by 'Cakes by B'

I took Olivier and his girlfriend of 3 Years (!) to Disneyland. We spent almost 48 hours together, the 3 of us, and I must say that Oh my, puppy love is so sweet. The 2 of them took care of each other, looked after each other, and had a 7 year old's rendition of meaningful conversations to pass the time in the eternal lines for the rides....They were so well behaved and considerate of me too. I tell you, I've really been given the perfect son for me.

Didier and I just celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary. We've been together 13 years now. Wow....I know there are many romances older than mine, and I only hope that all those others are enjoying the endless wonder of being and feeling in love. Of course we're no longer cute, young pups, but I still look forward to his return home, our evening routine with our son, and our nightly slumber. Am I sounding old and/or corny?

I suppose there's nothing to report, nothing flashy, exciting and new. But for me, this is a revelation. I am perfectly happy 'just because', and whenever I can, I celebrate, even if it is just waking up with a smile.

Be that as it may, when we do throw a dinner party, the following have been the year's, the most popular:

Balinese Peanut Sauce and Crudite

Scallop Cevice
Dumplings
Filipino Vegetable Lumpia

Thai Mussels in Coconut Milk
Salty Chocolate Cake

I apologize for not getting all the recipes out to you with this entry. I promise to do so shortly. I just wanted to check in with you on this grey, rainy Friday afternoon, while I had the chance. I hope you too are enjoying your day, rainy or otherwise.

More soon xo