Smiles, Hugs, Trees, and Sunset

I hope I can survive the weekend and not think too much about why I booked it off and what I had planned and where I wanted to be. Filling up my days with distraction.

Last night, I went to a CE event for work. Just a night for people from the company. To learn about the new shingles vaccine. Something I guess I, being a certified injection pharmacist, should know. Free food. Amazing view. Dinner in a gorgous park. Why not.

I'm not a floater and stationed at a specific location, but I'm amazed at how many people I know from the company. From the parking lot to the restaurant, I was greeted by so many smiling faces. "Amie! How's it going?". Managers I've worked with only once or twice remembered me by name, giving me a welcoming "Heyyy!"... or coworkers I haven't seen for half a year getting out of their chair to come over to hug me... and faces I see a little more often giving their sarcastic, "Hey, what's up. It's you again."... the warm greetings was unexpected and honestly... so nice. People happy to see me. It's a nice feeling.

I started to tune out the seminar half way through. As interesting as the topic was, my mind just wasn't there. I gazed out the window and looked out at the gorgeous sunset. The forecast had predicted rain, but the evening turned out beautiful and clear. The luscious green trees that painted the view was breathtaking. I couldn't help but stare. And for once in the past week, I felt still. Calm.

And then I took an extra long drive, listening to my current obsession, Serena Ryder's "What I Wouldn't Do"... and waited for the sun to set before I went home.

Ivories

The very last time I was at all serious about playing the piano was probably in 2007 when I played at my cousin's wedding ceremony. Since then, I've somewhat neglected it. I would occasionally play the odd song here and there, especially Christmas carols during Christmas... but that is really about it.

When I started tinkling around with the keys today, trying to provide some noise for baby Sarah to bop to, I thought perhaps I should whip out some old stuff and play it. When I got home, I took out my binder for the playlist we put together for my cousin's wedding, and I played through the entire list. From Jesu Joy, to Canon in D, to L-O-V-E, and to songs from the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack.

Good thing I purchased this Yamaha Clavinova (as my graduation present to myself nine years ago), because then I can play whenever I want. With the headphone plugged in, nobody else is disturbed by the noise. So I banged away at the keys, and swayed to the music. Even though it's been so long, it comes flowing back to my fingertips. Fingers are a little stiff, but I think I still got my skills with sight reading. And just like that, I was in the zone. Just like it did before, I ended up in my own little world, wrapped in my own music.

A Part Of Life - My Life

I have no doubt in my mind if you were to ask me what is the most important in my life. My family and friends. Even health and wealth are meaningless without them. And I have to say that I've been completely blessed with having the people that I do in my life. They make my world. My happiest days wouldn't be as happy if they weren't a part of it.

So, you could only imagine what this past weekend meant to me. 

I got to witness one of my long time highschool friend get married. She was absolutely gorgeous in her white gown and evening dress. I couldn't help but get teary watching someone whom I've known since we were teenagers enjoying one of the happiest days of her life. The reception was a gather of old friends and new. Friends from highschool who no longer live in the same city flew back to attend the wedding. It became kind of like a highschool reunion. Faces I've seen for many years and will probably continue to see from time to time for years to come. I love it. I love watching these people I've grown up with walk their own paths and come back to cross paths again to catch up. Nonetheless, there was something so very dear to my heart about celebrating a special day with an old friend. I live for these moments. And as the night quickly came to an end, I only got a brief moment to talk to the bride and congratulate her. She said softly and apologetically, "I'm sorry. We didn't get a chance to talk." Understandable. Even though all I really wanted to do was sit down with her at bubble tea, like we always do, and tell her how beautiful her wedding day really was, I whispered back, "Don't worry. We'll talk soon."

I went home that night hoping to hit the sack because I was beat, but instead, I whipped out my Cricut machine and scrapbook paper and went to town. One of my best friends texted me a photo of a kid's birthday party banner that she wanted for her daughter's birthday. I knew I could make it so I offered to help. It's just unfortunate that time wasn't on my time, and I can't seem to get enough of it. So there I was, 1am in the morning, trying to pump out this banner as quick as I can (as her birthday was the next day). Not to mention I had stayed up till 3am the night before working on other decorations for the party. When it was all done, I was super satisfied. And honestly, I was more than excited to show my friend how it turned out. Finally when I got to hit the sack at 4am, the sun was already peaking out in the sky. I didn't get to sleep much.

The next morning, I woke up to load my car of party supplies, and picked up my friend to help set up the party before the guests arrived. I switched to autopilot mode, and along with many great friends, we put up the decorations in no time. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't beyond exhausted. But, I would do it over and over and over again. I do it because of the same reason other people also pitched in to help. That's what friends are for. We all love her. There was something even more special than watching S turn one. I felt so much love within my group of friends. People who never fail to be there for you when you need them. In good times. And in bad...

With the news of a friend of a close friend passing away today after a very short battle with cancer, it took only a couple of phone calls before my friends and I whipped ourselves into a car, and drove over to be with her. We sat there in her living room... reminiscing on memories. Through tears. Through laughter. Through silence. 

It was a gorgeous day out with the sun shining. The heat warming up our skin. Yet, inside all of us, there was a piece of sadness today. We took an afternoon stroll together and knew this very moment was precious to us. The same friends who spent hours helping put together a kid's birthday party, were now helping support a friend in mourning. Life is fragile. And so short. There will inevitably come a time in our lives when we will grieve. Even through this moment of feeling sadness and unfairness, I think we also achieved a sense of calmness. Because we have each other. 

Lastly for this weekend, I got to see J. In between all of the "chaos" of celebrations and sadness, (and his busy schedule), I'm glad we made time to see each other. I was exhausted and desperately needing sleep, but I wouldn't trade anything in the world to miss... the way I felt when he hugged me, the way I felt when he kissed me, and the way I felt when I saw the way him smiles every time he sees me.

Haven't Been Posting

Yah. I haven't been posting. Life happens.

But, there is so so so much I wish I had time to document. New things I've experienced. Photos and pictures to keep. Great joys that bring life. But just not enough time in a day to even do it all, let alone document.

Life is good.

It definitely isn't without bad news and sorrows, frustrations and anger, and of course it's stresses and despair. But these are all inevitably part of life. And without it to contrast, it wouldn't be as easy to see the beautiful.

So, I've met someone new. I don't normally write much here, but rather, just post photos of things that either make me happy or things I want to remember. But I felt the need to write. About it. Because I want to remember if I could... this feeling of fascination of meeting someone new. The feeling of refreshment. Excitement. Like learning something new for the very first time. So much to see. So much to experience. So much to share.

It's like the very same feeling I felt when I picked up the chef's knife at the Dirty Apron and learned how to filet a fish for the very first time. Or the first time I strapped on harnesses to ziptrek across the forest at Whistler. The feeling of pure excitement.

I guess it's not every time you meet someone new that you'd feel this way. But when you do...  

Oh yah. The Dirty Apron experience? I have yet to tell you all about that. An experience of a lifetime. I'll save that one for next time.

Alayna's 1st Birthday

This little munchkin is so darn cute! She turned one on April 23rd. I cannot believe she's already one. I still remember the day when we visited and held her five days after she was born. Boy, has she grown. 

Happy 1st Birthday, Alayna!

Little One's Birthday Card

It started off something like this. I had a picture of it in my head that it would look something like this.

Then, I wanted to make it more personal. So, I added her name.

Then, the final touches to make it a one-year-old's birthday card. 

Swedish Night

Started the night off with sauteing a whole lot of garlic in butter. Instantly, you know it's gonna be a good night.

Meanwhile, mixing some bread and milk. This was the beginning of Fred's Swedish meatballs.

We whipped out the food processor. And the smiles.

Fred begins his rolling process. Handmade meatballs rolled before pan-frying.

Eddie helps with frying them up.

Kat moves on and helps Fred out with making the sauce.

This batter would soon turn into Dan's delicious "raggmunk" (potato pancakes).

The girls worked on whipping up Bran's sauce/dressing to her "gravlax" (sugar and salt cured salmon), while the boys continued to work on their own dishes.

Bran slices up the bread for this gorgeous cured salmon. 

Then, the bones were plucked out one by one. 

Gravlax! Both gorgeous and yummy.

Dan's raggmunk hits the pan.

And Fred's Swedish meatballs are finally done. Looks and tastes amazing!

Right before dinner, Eddie mixed up a Christmas Swedish drink, called "mumma". It is a mix of dansukker sugar, sherry, a lager and stout beer, and a sugar drink like Sprite. 

Someone wanted to point out that we were going to be drinking mostly head. Nonetheless, it was pretty good. Tasted something like a spiked coke. Sweet... and dangerous. Because it was a mix of all sorts, several of us got a buzz pretty quickly.

Table is getting set, which means... dinner time!

 

Dinner has usually been started off with a soup. This is Al's flavourful Swedish split pea soup. It was so yum that I had to ask him to share the recipe. After that, we got to share and taste each other's food. The table spread looked rather impressive. 

Here is my plate of food. Omigosh... it was all so delicious. I swear... every month's cook night gets better and better. I'm loving it a lot. Not only do you get to spend quality time with your friends and cook together, but I get to learn about different foods that I otherwise wouldn't have. Before Swedish night, if you asked me to name a specific Swedish dish, I couldn't have pointed one thing out besides Ikea's meatballs. I just love getting educated. And to eat while you're at it. A sure plus-plus!

And of course, we have to finish it off with an amazing dessert. This is Swedish apple pie. The biggest different between a regular American apple pie is that the Swedish kind has no crust. It is topped with a topping of nuts, flour, and sugar, making it a cross between a pie and a crumble. I have to say that this was actually one of the best apple pies I've had. The tartness of the granny smiths, the sweet yet not super heavy crumble-like topping, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream... oh, to die for!