What a splendid way to spend a quiet Saturday evening; celebrating the arrival of our UK visas, with great food, great wine and even better company.
Kane and I admire the waterfront view, enjoying generous slices of Chèvre accompanied by the last of my bottle of Chablis - Bliss! I have been eyeing off Valli Little's recipe for Tomato Soup with Melting Bocconcini since pinching the May edition of Delicious magazine from mama's house; finally a large pot of goodness is simmering on the stove top.
It is in moments of contentment, like this, that i find myself reflecting. Today, reflecting on how plans and goals can change so drastically - yes as we mature, but more so in response to the twists and turns in our path (I believe that it's a wee thing called life!). However, for most, certain themes remain alive and constant. For a lifetime. No doubt you guessed that this next statement was coming but yes, my 'theme' is of an edible nature. At age seven, I dreamed of climbing half way up Enid Blyton's faraway tree, to share pop tarts with Silky and Moonface (just out of curiosity - didn't we all dream about that??). One decade and reality check later, my university break involved ten hour days de-handing bananas so that I could afford specialty delicatessen purchases during the semester. For those of you who have de-handed bananas for a living: you will understand when I say that I also became subject to a nasty case of RSI. For those of you who have not de-handed bananas for a living but have a burning desire to do so: it.will.be.the.death.of.you. Apologies - back to the theme. Four years later, graduated and earning, I find myself dreaming of navigating the canals of regional France on a non-commercial river barge, relishing in the delights of only the best local produce...or better yet, extended stays in the quaint B&B's of Parma, Italy. The wondiferous fact of life is that all of a sudden, these plans/goals/dreams are no longer a distant mirage - but a fast-approaching potential reality! While Kane and I are living in London, I will be utilising the opportunity to explore food culture across Europe at any chance possible. To put it into perspective, in a mere 25 days, 10 pound London to Parma airfares with Ryan Air, may well be at our disposal! Wheeeeeeeeeee!!!
If you aren't familiar with Parma as culinary haven, you simply MUST commence your research at once!! I first stumbled across the region when researching a prospective food-trail throughout Northern Italy - the motherland of Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma prociutto; how could it NOT have been on my radar? My research almost brought a tear to my eye! Did you know that it takes around 600L of cows milk to produce one 40kg round of Parmigiano? Incredible. What I love even more is how diverse it is! I grate Parmigiano for table use - yes - but also adore eating it in small wedges, drizzled with Balsamic vinegar. Just as I am overcome by disappointment that the wedge is finished, I remember that the rind can be saved and later, added to a minestrone for increasing depth of flavour. To waste any of this product seems such a terrible shame! I shan't be offended if you navigate away from my blog for 45 minutes to find out what all of the fuss is about, just so that we are on the same page. Infact - let me be polite and wrap my excitement, so that you can pop off to http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/emilia-romagna-and-san-marino/parma , or better yet, take a peek at http://www.taste.com.au/delicious/article/travel/parma+rome+milan,772
In the meantime, I will be researching potential modes of employment in London. It turns out that I must wait 18 weeks for my speech pathology registration to be processed by the UK Health Professions Council!
Until next time,
Ciau!....I hope that your next meal is Parma-inspired and Buonissimo!!
Kane and I admire the waterfront view, enjoying generous slices of Chèvre accompanied by the last of my bottle of Chablis - Bliss! I have been eyeing off Valli Little's recipe for Tomato Soup with Melting Bocconcini since pinching the May edition of Delicious magazine from mama's house; finally a large pot of goodness is simmering on the stove top.
It is in moments of contentment, like this, that i find myself reflecting. Today, reflecting on how plans and goals can change so drastically - yes as we mature, but more so in response to the twists and turns in our path (I believe that it's a wee thing called life!). However, for most, certain themes remain alive and constant. For a lifetime. No doubt you guessed that this next statement was coming but yes, my 'theme' is of an edible nature. At age seven, I dreamed of climbing half way up Enid Blyton's faraway tree, to share pop tarts with Silky and Moonface (just out of curiosity - didn't we all dream about that??). One decade and reality check later, my university break involved ten hour days de-handing bananas so that I could afford specialty delicatessen purchases during the semester. For those of you who have de-handed bananas for a living: you will understand when I say that I also became subject to a nasty case of RSI. For those of you who have not de-handed bananas for a living but have a burning desire to do so: it.will.be.the.death.of.you. Apologies - back to the theme. Four years later, graduated and earning, I find myself dreaming of navigating the canals of regional France on a non-commercial river barge, relishing in the delights of only the best local produce...or better yet, extended stays in the quaint B&B's of Parma, Italy. The wondiferous fact of life is that all of a sudden, these plans/goals/dreams are no longer a distant mirage - but a fast-approaching potential reality! While Kane and I are living in London, I will be utilising the opportunity to explore food culture across Europe at any chance possible. To put it into perspective, in a mere 25 days, 10 pound London to Parma airfares with Ryan Air, may well be at our disposal! Wheeeeeeeeeee!!!
If you aren't familiar with Parma as culinary haven, you simply MUST commence your research at once!! I first stumbled across the region when researching a prospective food-trail throughout Northern Italy - the motherland of Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma prociutto; how could it NOT have been on my radar? My research almost brought a tear to my eye! Did you know that it takes around 600L of cows milk to produce one 40kg round of Parmigiano? Incredible. What I love even more is how diverse it is! I grate Parmigiano for table use - yes - but also adore eating it in small wedges, drizzled with Balsamic vinegar. Just as I am overcome by disappointment that the wedge is finished, I remember that the rind can be saved and later, added to a minestrone for increasing depth of flavour. To waste any of this product seems such a terrible shame! I shan't be offended if you navigate away from my blog for 45 minutes to find out what all of the fuss is about, just so that we are on the same page. Infact - let me be polite and wrap my excitement, so that you can pop off to http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/emilia-romagna-and-san-marino/parma , or better yet, take a peek at http://www.taste.com.au/delicious/article/travel/parma+rome+milan,772
In the meantime, I will be researching potential modes of employment in London. It turns out that I must wait 18 weeks for my speech pathology registration to be processed by the UK Health Professions Council!
Until next time,
Ciau!....I hope that your next meal is Parma-inspired and Buonissimo!!
25 days is such a short time and as the lives of everyone around me change so dramatically I am forced to question "When will I climb the Faraway Tree again and travel through the unpredictable worlds that float overhead?" In 25 days Ruki, you will be surging into Europe onboard the exhilaration of realising a dream. In 25 days my eldest brother will be married and also scooting away to explore the colours and cuisine of Morocco. My sister will off to save lives in third-world countries and my parents set to cruise the Canadian coast for an extended holiday.
ReplyDeleteEach day I pass the concentration camp of that banana farm on my way to work and the bleak memories of complete boredom and creepy men with no teeth remind me of how much really has changed for me. I love my job; even I am escorted down stairs by joking 14 year olds who are making fun of the fact that I face-planted while running a 100m race in the teacher's team on sports day. (Don't worry, many likened the smooth army roll I did to that of a ninja.)
Yet, as many know the infinite pull of the travel bug never seems to disappear. The options are endless, it is simply the choice that remains.