While I can’t speak for all people, I have a niggling feeling most people are ready to hit that “reset” button. Even if family life and couple life was ok in 2020, it seems like many people missed the freedoms they had, the options to go out, hugs with friends, sitting along in a coffee shop watching the world go by with a cozy book and the humans bustling about + around… Speaking with some introverted friends and it’s been really hard for them as well. The few friends they have they cannot see nor enjoy quality time together.
I have found it hard to read the news. I take it in small, spontaneous doses. I don’t know how the rest of the world is really doing, especially those countries that are not in as advantageous of a situation as some other ones. While they have many worries and issues, one of the growing ones in developed countries is loneliness. I wonder how people are managing it now, with the growing number of split-ups, divorces, isolation…
For NYE, I had 3 other friends over and it was just really nice to snack on food (we had serrano ham, manchego cheese and I made vin chaud / mulled wine – makes a difference with brandy/ congnac!!) and drank the rest of the boxed wine LOL yes even the box wine here in France is yummy 🙂
We watched the Toulouse Orchestra play a special Dec. 31st concert and then watched random music videos the rest of the night… for like 4 hours haha. It was just really nice to chill and relax with friends and hang out. I really miss it and going out to explore.
I’m hoping to find some new hobbies off the computer but I can’t really think of what at the moment. But at least my visa is approved til the end of May! 🙂
It was very odd how one lady seemed like she had a lot of power to just extend my visa! I guess they may have certain autonomy which is nice. However, as nice as she was, couldn’t say the same for her colleagues. One guy approached me and said “Konichiwa” (…WTF…?) and kept cutting me off when I was trying to answer his questions. Then, I was introduced to another lady and wow, she didn’t give a shit to understand my situation. She was exasperated, annoyed and basically just told me that I wouldn’t be eligible for any other visa after this last extension. So, I need to (insert dismissive wave of hand) get out of this country afterwards. Shocking. #welcometofrance
Well, my plan is to talk to the Australian embassy next week… we’ll see then!
Anyhow, I got a delicious bottle of whiskey from Sweden, Mackmyra. Really smooth and complex – Love it! The folks at Bar Spirit are really friendly and knowledgeable. Tastings allowed too 😀
Getting into wintery food / bev, my friend V was very kind to give me some nice tea powder and teach me how to make Masala chai. I also followed a recipe to make masala chai tea to get an idea of proportions… I want a mortar and pestle now too!! TIP : “Masala chai” means tea with milk 🙂 So if you want no milk in your tea, you’d ask for “black tea”. There you go!
For the Xmas weekend, my sister and I cooked via video together and ate this yummy Japanese seafood creamy udon!!! You’ve got to have it same day – It’s not good to reheat the next day. Also, I made it with squid and another time with cuttlefish and both yum!! I would recommend using Ikura, salmon eggs: so yummy!!
I made also some slow boil, multi-hour soups:
- Pork rib daikon soup = https://steamykitchen.com/42032-chinese-daikon-soup-recipe.html
- Oxtail, onion, daikon soup = https://thewoksoflife.com/oxtail-soup/
These aren’t difficult at all and only need 4-5 easy ingredients but it just takes a long time to cook, like ideally the day before and for 6+ hours. With the chilly weather, it actually makes for a fun and yummy project for the day 😀
I haven’t felt very happy. I’m not sad nor depressed nor anxious nor mad either. Just not jolly Christmas feel nor Happy new year. It’s nice receiving messages from friends with these well wishes but I don’t feel like initiating them. It’s unlike me and it’s not where I want to be but it seems like it’s where my heart is at the moment.
I’m hoping to make new friends. I do miss meeting people and going to meetups and exploring the world. Hopefully I can stay in Toulouse longer and put down some (temporary) roots 🙂
Antics & Adventures 