The List

I've come face to face with others and my mortality this week, that's what a funeral, a dying relative and being holed up indoors for a week will do to you. 

This year will be my 33rd on God's earth and I found myself doing what would have never crossed my mind a few months ago. Instead of New Year resolutions (which I admittedly make but never write down) I found myself making a 'to do before 40' list. Not that the number 40 is the end, but I guess I chose the the figure both symbolically and so as to set a deadline I can respect.

Some of my friends already have this list, some have a travel list like the seven wonders of the world they'd like to see. I've always kind of laughed such a list off, in my regard, thinking destiny and life have already written mine so who am I to interfere. 

Well the funeral and the thought of looming death got me thinking, what if when my time comes I look back and realise I have not done half of what I wanted to. So, yes, I've written a list. It's not too long, it's not specific in the details, it may change, well hopefully it will as I get things done. 

The point is, I've learnt or reaffirmed a few things about myself. I'm not intent on seeing the wonders of the world but I do want to learn how to ride a bike and I do visualise myself on Vepsa holidays scooting around Sicily. I'd love to swim with dolphins and learn how to surf. Although upon reading some of the list I may giggle and snort, it is what I want deep down! And who am I to stop myself?

2010 is all about reaching for the stars with my feet a few millimetres off the ground.

an Ode to January Sales

                                                                                  A spot of shopping

January 2010 has started off well, amongst various resolutions of major weight loss and staying away from the booze, I also decided to indulge in the January sales.

I just came back a happy shopper, having found quite a few good deals my favorite being a red leather pair of gloves from M&S! I was lucky, due to the wickedly cold wind and rain the shops were not crowded and you could actually see and get to the clothes.

I had forgotten how therapeutic shopping could be!:)

November '09

So November 2009 has whizzed by! Between 2 trips abroad and a bought of the flu (not of the swine kind) I have stumbled upon December and I'm wondering what has happened in the meantime. Some how I've been snap happy throughout the month of November and below is a resume of my memories and lessons.

                       This is why I love living in Malta, where do you find such beautiful skies!?!

A friend of mine and I went out for dinner and I discovered Primitivo (above) and the road sign below...

                                                                        enough said...!

Moscow is tough and cold... in more ways than one could imagine

   I will definitely return to the multi- cultural city of Malmo, Sweden, although rainy it was beautiful and inspiring. Aside from Abba, Pippi long stockings and Bjorn Borg, Sweden has other great exports such as the crime story I read while there, it was a gift and is set in Malmo so I thought it appropriate. It is from the 1960s Martin Beck series "Murder at the Savoy' by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo.  I'm intrigued and hooked!

2,600+ students graduated this year from the Univ of Malta and boy have we heard every single one of them celebrating around the offices from morning till sundown... what stamina!

And on the 30th November I bought a Christmas tree which did not fit in the booth of my car and eventually did fit into the back seat with a shove and a push... It now sits in my hall with the rest of my decorations patiently awaiting the 8th December... but that is another story or blog.

Festa ta` San Martin

The feast of Saint Martin (11th November) must be one of my favorite feasts in the year. I suspect this is mainly because of the food traditions linked to it. 

Tradition dictates that most children are given a borza ta` San Martin (a bag of St M.), which usually comes full of nuts mainly almonds, walnuts and various citrus namely mandarins and oranges. Back in the day some lucky children would also be given 75 cents from the older people in the village.

This morning I went to my baker, round the corner, to buy milk and saw my first hobz ta San Martin (St Martin bread). I had to buy two, cut them in half and devowered one with a tick layer of butter spread in the middle. The mix of the sweetness from the bun and saltyness of the butter is divine. 

The buns are soft and sweet, made with flour, butter, milk and lemon and tangerine zest. Most times a liquorish sweet can be found stuck in the bun. They are seasonal and make for a tasty alternative b'fast.
For the foodies amongst you, a good recipe can be found here

Public (mis)behaviour

Today I decided to take a break from reading newspapers, on-line comments and most current affair (political) blogs. Reason for this is that it's downright depressing!! 

Whenever I sit down with a cuppa tea to relax for an hour or so and catch up on what is happening 'out there', I get a kinda loony tune impression. There seems to be a lot of confusion in what people write. Maybe the wave of enlightenment that has swept over many has filled their brains to full capacity and this knowledge is quickly rather than slowly driving them insane (my personal theory).

I donno! All I know it that I've decided to shy away to preserve my sanity. I hope the on-line mood picks up before the Christmas season begins or it is going to be truly bleak holiday period.

In the meantime I shall be reading about fun things in life such as shopping, books, theatre and cinema. 

And that leads me to my last point. Last night I watched  a fantastic film 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie' (1969) originally a Muriel Spark book but adapted to a film including fantastic actors such as Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens. Such a classic and a good laugh! It should bring back lovely memories to all of you who went to private schools!:)

(Photo: http://www.welcometothedoghouse.net/pics/english_bulldog_wallpaper.jpg)

My Summer '09 in Malta

Summer was a mixed bag, the usual BBQs and some culture thrown in!

 

A visit to Villa Francia, Lija (top) and the 

neighbourhood (bottom)

 

A dessert that characterises Summer 

 

And a Wedding!:)
 

Summer did start off with a sad adieu to some dear friends who returned to the USA. 

Then there was Moby's concert but no decent pictures were taken as I was too busy jumping, yelling and singing (screaming) along!:) 

I moved house in August... moved from the South West of Malta to the deep deep South. 

And I wonder why I'm exhausted! 

Well Summer '09 will definately be one for the books and I will look back on it with pride, happiness and nostalgia!

nervous and apprehensive...

Not about exam results no not at all... stomach butterflies about going out as an adult with people to socialise, after 9pm in a wine bar. Am I mad, I like to think not, but yes my behaviour is even alarming to me! I've been a hermit for most of Summer and I'm feeling out of touch. What to wear? how to look?! I'm fine doing day activities but when it comes to going out 'partying', feelings of inadequacy start to surface. I'm sure I'll get over it one of these days... when I grow out of my thirties:)...

Well yes I was a hermit, went out for one wedding and one party in total, those will be the memories of Summer'09 for me. But Winter '09 is still to be discovered. In November I'll be traveling to Russia and Sweden, I've been 'grounded' for about 9 months. It will be good to get out of the country. And then in December there is Christmas a wonderful time in my books. Chores around the house, painting 2 flights of stairs about 36 steps in total, shall be a first but I'm up for the challenge, do not want any more destructive workmen in my den!