Sunday

Sunday morning: ocean swim, very cold water, sun-kissed skin, the lingering smell of saltwater even after a shower, chocolate and coffee swirl toast and a cup of coffee for breakfast.

Sunday afternoon: Muesli and apricot for lunch, baking as the cricket is on, the smell of baking cake wafting through the rooms, a blueberry coffee cake and a cup of coffee for afternoon tea.

Sunday evening: Watching episodes of Summerland, roasting a chicken, the perfect roast chook and vegetables for dinner, m&ms for dessert.

My Sunday was delicious. What about yours?

What is simple is true

I am beginning to think that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all
Laura Ingalls Wilder

Last night, Jon and i went to Martin Place to see the big Christmas tree being lit up for the first time this festive season. The whole place was packed with people, mostly parents with young kids. We found ourselves a good spot and waited until the countdown began: "six, five, four three, two, one" and then...two seconds of nothing followed by cheers as the tree was lit. Soon after, there were fireworks which i absolutely love because it's loud and pretty and makes (almost) everyone happy. Jon and i thought it was only right that we shared a kiss amidst all this happiness. I am loving my collection of happy "Jon and Gen" memories. Especially when there's a Christmas tree, carols, gingerbread latte from Starbucks, police officers dressed in santa hats and SANTA himself involved.

a moment

I was watching Oprah, where a woman whose boyfriend had shot her in the face, appeared to describe her trauma. She had lost an eye, her nose and mouth. It was hard not to gasp. Her boyfriend had been abusing her for eight years. He took offense with her talking to other men; he asked her to wear baggy clothing so she wouldn't show off her figure; he hit her; he yelled; he pulled out his gun on a previous occasion. But throughout all of this, she still loved him.

While i was watching this, and it was hard to even watch, i had to let Jon know that i appreciated him for everything he didn't do- no drinks, no drugs, no smoking, no abuse- Jon is just so kind that i often take it for granted. But today, i was reminded that there are men out there who make earth a living hell for women; there are men who don't respect women and belittle them constantly.

After years of being told that i was too dumb, too fat, too troublesome, i am now being told, by someone who has only known me for a year, that i am beautiful, creative, intelligent. I am princess. It just makes me stop and think and give thanks.

show stopper

I had a fantastic birthday. Jon made us yummy coffee early in the morning. I sent him to work, bought the Herald (the only reason i buy the papers on Tuesday is for the Good Living pull-out, where all things food-related are discussed)and went to Zoe's for breakfast where i had some organic sourdough toast with butter and jam and a skim cap as usual. As i sipped the coffee, i couldn't help but think that Jon's was so much nicer. And i usually love the coffee from Zoe's! Oh, thank God i'm with a man who makes good coffee, even if it was a hiterto undiscovered gift. Lunch was spent at Centennial Park with Sarah and Lisa who made us fritatta. We had some pink sparkly together with our meal before heading to Max Brenners at Double Bay for some babka and Venezuelan dark chocolate. It was lovely!
As the sun set, Jon grilled me some steak (beautifully done just the way i like it) and we had some white wine. AND then, we watched The OC, where i tried to get him in the loop about what has been happening since he has never watched the show before. Midway through The OC, we had some of Lisa's leftover animal cupcakes (the ladybug) and some chocolate macadamia coffee for dessert. So much good food throughout the entire day.
And then, we danced. It was magical. Our first dance. I will never ever forget it. I am completley in love with this boy.

It was a great day, filled with love, food, text messages and phone calls from friends and family near and afar.

birthday weekend

Birthday weekends are indeed full of excitement. On Saturday, Jon planned me a party which was great apart from the fact that i greeted everyone, fainted and had to rest in bed for the next two hours. After a rest and a cry, i found myself well enough to join everyone for afternoon tea where we had tea, animal cupcakes (made by Lisa and which were so good, they require an entry of their own with pictures) and my birthday cake made up of two layers- orange and poppyseed and chocolate, which Jon made and then proceeded to write "LOVE YOU" with m&ms (how sweet is this boy?). I also, as requested, had 25 candles on my cake. I love that i have the bestest people around me. I received a coffee maker from everyone, which i am loving!
On Sunday, we went to Bronte beach for Lisa's birthday bbq, where we had amazing muffins (made by Lisa- quite the baker), an assortment of yummy sausages and pink wine. It was a lovely, laid-back (after trying to find parking for close to an hour, which wasn't very laid-back at all) day and a fun time was had by all.
And tomorrow, for my actual birthday, MORE fun things will occur. I love birthdays!

It is you i have loved

I had forgotten the good bits about bus journeys. The 'not needing to concentrate'; the 'looking out the window to people-watch'. On my way home from the city, i dreamt while listening to some songs from my mp3 player- Edwin McCain, Shaun MacDonald. I dreamt of weddings and love and other equally beautiful things. How lovely it was, for a whole half hour, to be able to do nothing but dream. It put me in such a different mood than that which i've been in the entire week. I arrived home calm and with a desire to start putting things back in order. The way they were meant to be. Upon checking the mail, i found a birthday card from my dearest aunts, my first for this coming birthday. I wanted to cry. Because i am so incredibly loved. Right now, Jon is slaving away in his home making food (i have no idea what's on the menu) for my party tomorrow- the party which he planned. Somedays i can hardly get my mind around the fact that i have a boyfriend. That he loves me. I want to jump up and down and get some sparklers out. Or something equally exciting. But no.
Tonight, i want to rest in this love i find around me. I want to accept being loved and revel in the absolute joy that it brings.

Steal my breath

My feet are sore from walking but the soreness reminds me that i have feet. I can walk. Although it's sunny, there is a slight chill in the air. The light quilt my auntie made me keeps me warm as i mark exam scripts. I am currently obsessed with bagels. Today, i had a poppyseed one with cream cheese and jam. I have discovered that i like to log in to bloglines when i am having breakfast as there is a certain joy in perusing blogs while sipping my coffee and for a minute or two, being privy to someone else's life. Someone else eating a bagel. Someone walking in autumn leaves. I love the bloggers i read. They inspire me and remind me to be spontaneous- like making a detour early on Saturday morning to go to the beach and let the sun warm my bones, my soul; the saltwater to heal my pain. Somedays, i want to reach through the computer screen and touch their knitted sweater. Somedays, i want to have a cup of coffee with them in New York. Just to say yes. yes, i understand.

fade into the background

I always make snap judgements about people. And then a few months later, i feel like the biggest idiot because i was wrong and hey, they're actually nice. And good. One thing i've learnt- there will always be someone who dislikes you for being you. One other thing i've learnt- for that one person, that will be ten others who tell you that you can do it.

i wish i could go to bed and sleep until it's all over

back to basics

I decided to check out the Good Living Growers' Market on Saturday because of the dismal state of fruit and veggies in the supermarket and because it's just my idea of fun on a Saturday morning. What could be better than braving the cold and rain, sipping coffee and perusing the stalls selling everything from flowers to cheese? Nothing. Nothing could be better. So off we went, returning with a bag of salad leaves, apples (which are soooo delicious), a loaf of bread (so yummy) and peaches (which turned out to be not-so-sweet, probably beacause it's the first of the season). Then, we went to the organic market at the Entertainment Quarter and bought some garlic (a colleague mentioned that if there's only one thing you buy organic, let it be garlic) and beautiful flowers which are currently sitting next to me. The plan is to someday stop shopping at supermarkets, except for essential stuff like laundry powder. Today, i am going to have a Greek salad for lunch and angel hair pasta with parsely, red chilli, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts and parmesan for dinner. I do enjoy good, healthy, home cooked food.

running wild among all the stars above

I feel alive today. Maybe it's because of the rain that has fallen softly on our land, the aftermath of which i enjoyed as i walked the streets of Glebe, arms laden with books i borrowed from the library. Because Sydney doesn't see much rain, i've come to enjoy and even savour each moment of it- the sound, the smell, the feel, the cool winds after. It was a nice respite from the piercing heat that is the norm in late spring and summer. I can't believe we're in the last month of spring. I don't want it to be over. I love the sight of budding flowers on otherwise bare branches and the first time you realise you can go out in a dress and pretty sandals. And then it gets hot and i wish i were on the other side of the world. But now, it's perfect. I mean, right now. As i'm writing this, i can hear the leaves rustling and there's a sweet smell outside to accompany the sweet smells inside emanating from freshly baked pain au chocolats. I love the French name for it. Much better than chocolate croissants. Although when i went to my new favourite cafe (which i have since found out is called Coffee, Tea or Me), i chickened out and ordered a cappuccino and "chocolate croissant", in plain English. I didn't want to embarrass myself by tripping over the words even though i had practiced beforehand. The picture you see here is of my cappuccino on the lovely wooden table with lovely white flowers. Temptation was too great for me and i scooped up a bit of the foam and chocolate powder to taste before i realised that i had wanted to photograph it. It still looks good though. I have been so taken by food and cookbooks recently. And i have been obsessed with anything chocolate inside a flaky puff pastry. Hence my baking pain au chocolats today. It turned out pretty well, especially when teemed with a nice big mug of coffee. Tomorrow, if the weather is clear, i'm going to the Good Living grower's market at Pyrmont to see if i can get some good, fresh vegetables. The supermarket is a terrible place to buy veggies from, i have since realised. I wish my budget allowed me to buy organic, but at the moment, i have to stick with the best of the worst. I feel like my life is expanding to incorporate many new interests and i am pleased. I am pleased with my myself. Might i even go so far as to say that at this very moment, i love myself? Yes, why not. Maybe tomorrow i'll wake up feeling sad. Maybe. But for today, everything's as it should be.
And for that, i give thanks.