My computer is not importing photos lately, so I always end up saving them up and then posting them all at once from school. And then I have to write a big, rambly blog entry. But whatever.
Last week it was Kaya’s birthday and I made Falafel for her birthday dinner. Everything from scratch: fresh Falafel, fresh pitas, tahini sauce, tzadziki sauce, plus fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and onions. Pretty much the same recipe as we made at Emily’s in Cambridge, except that this time Kensy brough his special favorite yoghurt. The photos sort of speak for themselves, but it was really tasty, and I think Kaya was really happy that we did something special for her, and I was really happy to see her smiling.
Last weekend I went down to Punta Banda, Mexico. I guess you already know that from the video I posted. That was the primary output of the weekend, I suppose. But it was also fantastic to get to spend some time with Josh and Aaron. Aaron lives down there and works for the organic produce distributor his Aunt and Uncle own.
We had a great time. There was some drinking, there was some cooking, there was some visiting of amazing taquerias. The taqueria down there is a totally different experience. You order things directly from the guy at the grill, and he whips tacos together like lightning. You can order a bunch and then sit and eat, but a lot of people just stand there, ordering and eating things as they feel. It’s fast enough you don’t need to plan ahead.
And I should mention the content, which is delicious cilantro and onions and salsa and chicken on tasty, chewy grilled corn tortillas. We walked past a tortilleria in the market, and it was amazing! These women were shepherding bits of dough into this amazing greasy black Rube Goldberg machine that pressed them into perfect circles, send them along a conveyor belt, dropped them onto a big round griddle, which rotated around to a contraption that flipped them.
The tortillas were coming off so fresh and fragrant and toasty and puffy. Man. I really need to get back into making tortillas. I feel like there is so much more art for me to master.
The one other thing I want to mention is the dinner co-op I am starting. I think I blogged about it a few weeks ago, but this week Kensy and Kaya signed on emotionally to support the idea, and it was off like a flash. The three of us ate on Tuesday (stir fry!) and we decided to do it every Tuesday and Thursday. Last night we had indian at my place. Kensy and I cooked up Aloo Saag and Chana Masala, and invited a handful of hillcrest people who we know. I was really excited that my friend Matthew who I know through the women’s center came and brought his roommates. They were totally fun to meet.
The food and camraderie was great, as was the ensuing debauchery and the going out and dancing and the coming home at 2am to an enormous pile of dishes. But one of the nicest moments of the evening for me was talking to Matthew about the art project I’m working on. I’ve been going through some rough emotional spots for the last month or two. One of my friendships which is one of the most important to me in the world has been a real struggle recently, for a ton of tough reasons. And my approach to these things is really to try to understand them deeply and to explore my thoughts and emotions until I feel like I can see a clear picture. But for some reason in this case that’s been super hard. So it’s been a struggle.
But I had a totally cathartic moment on Thursday. Something changed in me, and I felt like all the sudden, instead of sinking I was heading up to the surface for air. And I don’t think I’m quite at the point where I’m taking in that first big gulp of breath, but the feeling of moving up is wonderful. And I think expressing where I’m at through art is going to be really therapeutic. And Matthew was really supportive of that, and his support meant a lot a lot to me.
Also, my dad gives good advice about love.
say hi to your dad :)