Wednesday, May 27, 2009

I feel like running away.


Have you seen the "Runaway Bride"? That's how I've been feeling lately. There are three more months of studies ahead, a part-time job which turned out to eat far more time than half a day, a house to care for, and most important of all - a toddler to look after. I need a break. Desperately. I know writing fragments is unprofessional but this one pleases me. It is dramatic.



Aside from the hectic everyday life, I'm feeling guilty. I had to send my son to a daycare and despite the fact that I found what I believe to be the best existing centre in the city, I still feel a lump in my throat every day. It is me who is lonely and needs him. I can hardly wait to 5:00 p.m. to take him back. Sometimes he is playing and doesn't feel like going home yet and I feel so proud and sad at the same time. He is walking his own path already, I know. Where does my path lay I wonder?

Have you ever had the feeling that someone/something is pushing you back only to make you realize you're going in the wrong direction? What do you do then? Change your ways or keep going like you always did? Tell me!

I tend to think that negative trends are trying to tell me something. I've been in the middle of such for the last two years and can't help but feel like I must make a turn and look for other opportunities, elsewhere. It scares me though. Because this time I think it will be a major change. Roots will have to twist and ground will be lost, cracks will appear...

I'm in a travelling mood again, does it show? My dreams won't leave me alone. As usual my travelling is not simply vacationing but means new life, new places, new people, all from the beginning, and so on. Some people tell me they envy me. Others just shake their heads in contempt. I can't figure out how to treat my own folly. Still, I adore these dreams. They keep me standing on my feet when all around seems dull and lacking perspective.

Have you ever found yourself at a place where you suddenly realized you belonged there? Would you share the story? Were you able to leave? Forever or did you go back there?

It seems I will go back, sooner or later. This restlessness is so well known to me. I've felt like that before. It always ends the same way - something is ruined, another comes to life. There is a little of nostalgia, of course, but the overwhelming happiness covers it with golden patina. Until the next dream hurts the eyes with its unbearable honesty. And "the road goes ever on and on," as my most favourite author Tolkien once wrote.

Meanwhile I translated a book - teen fiction. Hopefully, it will be published and will bring success to its author. I miss writing. I've been coming up with different stories for my son and may be some day will sit and write them down. As about the book I started about a year ago, it is still in my head but somehow words don't come out smoothly these days. After days of heavy thinking, I decided it needed a break.

Me too.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

The time I start dreaming of my fairy land has come!



We were all terribly sick at home - the baby, the husband and myself. It was really scary as I thought of all this flu news and took the baby to the ER twice a week! Thankfully, it was just what they call "common cold" and which turns out to be neither common nor cold, but a sickness caused by more than 100 viruses, can you believe that? Well, our virus was not only cruel but also very resistant to any over the counter pills. Anyway, we got out of this at last!





When the spring comes I always feel an urge to go back to the sea where I've spent so many happy hours, days and years. It is my big love and I miss it badly. It is curious how things haven't changed over the years and Provence has never left my heart. I can smell the lavender even now, sitting in my living room at the other end of the world. The sun rays touch gently my skin, the grapes melt in my mouth and the brightly patterned dresses of the women run in front of my eyes... And I love it, this land of fairy tales, princes and princesses, elves and gods of old. I still hope one day my feet will take me to my own house there.



So, I've been quite nostalgic lately and my craving for the sea and Provence led me (no wonder!) to a good portion of Ratatouille! Here is a recipe I make which is slightly different from the original and is closer to my personal taste without being too far from the real stuff:

1 kg tomatoes
1 average to big eggplant
2-3 average zucchini
3-4 bell pepper (I prefer 2 green and 1 red)
2 big onion heads
3-4 cloves garlic
herbs - I use thyme and parsley, or parsley only, or thyme only, and don't use basil
olive oil
salt, pepper

Grate the tomatoes. Originally you should peel them but I don't do that. I simply buy well riped tomatoes and grate them with regular grater. Chop the onion and garlic. Clean the bell pepper, cut into small pieces (bite size). In a big pot with thick bottom, put the olive oil, onions and chopped garlic. Add the bell pepper. Cover to keep in the moisture and stew, don't fry! Cook for 20 minutes, stir regularly, and add olive oil as necessary to prevent singing. Add the tomatoes and the herbs. Stir well and cook more. The mixture should thicken before you proceed. Cut the eggplant into circles. Cut the zucchini same way. Originally you should not peel them but I don't like it this way and I peel both the eggplant and the zucchini. Add them to the pot. Cook until they are soft and ready. Enjoy! Or check the highly original recipe and preparation given on this website which is at my links section: http://www.beyond.fr/food/ratatouille.html