Sorry my friends! I hadn't realized you were waiting impatiently for an update!
I've been so busy and happy recently that I have neglected this blog. I hope you agree with me that it is a good sign... I'm starting to let go of the stress and pressure... and starting to enjoy life more! I'm getting up and seeing where each day is taking me. I've been staying home a lot, and caking. Caaaaaake. This is turning into a serious obsession.
And apart from that, there are always friends to have drinks with, shows to see, meals to cook. So here's a good long photo essay blog post for you so see what I've been up to!
For more than a month, I've been dancing bulerías por fiesta with maestro Juan Paredes:
This photo in his flyer pictures his energy perfectly! I am loving his general bulería classes. I go there to learn to let go and enjoy just dancing. As bulerías is an improvisational dance, it's one of the hardest flamenco dances there is! Juan is incredible relaxed and is a master at showing us what good vibes can be transmitted at a "fiesta", when one dances from the bottom of the soul, with all his body, even when doing the most simple moves. He sings to us without end and gives us a lot of support! I'm still not very relaxed, but getting there. Gracias maestro!
Last month was J's birthday. I stewed up a good pot of Vietnamese Pho soup for him!
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| Onion, anis stars, cinnamon sticks and ginger! |
A month ago, I was having a particularly bad week. I had no clue how to continue dancing, what I was doing in Sevilla anyway, and where my life was going (that was before I had discovered cake). I realized I missed home, the river, the forests and the mountains. So John took me out for a walk in the park. We both brought our iPod and iPhone and shot pics all afternoon. The Parque del Guadalquivir, on the right side of the river, was a strange place, built for the Expo in 92, and neglected every since. Even though it was open, we were the only ones in it. There were dried up water fountains, observation rides that were closed down, and all sorts of cool plants, cacti and bell flowers.
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| Dried up water fountain |
The walk helped me air my head. I enjoyed taking pictures of stuff. I decided to just continue doing the Artist's Way, dance a little, and see what happens. This is what did:
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| Shaken, not stirred |
I still felt lost... so I decided to take a day off and spend it at the beach, alone. I took the bus to Matalascañas, sat on the sand, collected seashells (another dream come true!) and took a lot of pictures that day. Here's one:
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| "La Peña", Matalascañas |
The following week, don't ask me how it happened, I got pulled into the world of cake online. I've been delving into online resources, watching tutorials about sugar and chocolate and flowers and fondant. I discovered the fantastic brand that is Wilton. I made my first homemade fondant and have been hooked ever since! I've learned about things I had no idea existed. It's just amazing. I'm regularly spreading sugar all over the kitchen and making things and learning, learning, learning. I'd love to run and get all the materials but since I'm in Spain I have to limit myself till I get home. I did order a very basic decorating set online:
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| Wilton Basic Cake Decorating Set |
5 decorating tips, a flower nail, food colors and some decorating bags with couplers! And here's the cake that happened afterwards:
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| "Hello world!" Cake. Photo by John Flury |
I baked it for my dear aunt who came for a glorious 4-day visit in the middle of May. Since I don't have an oven, I had to operate with store-bought cake base... which doesn't taste very good in my opinion. But since I'm still learning, I'm making do with what I have. It's actually very interesting to see what I can achieve with limited equipment. One gets quite inventive...!
We had a great time with my aunt. On Friday she took us to Cádiz by car and we spent a day at the sea, getting photographed. The following 4 pictures are by John Flury:
The last picture is a professional-looking portrait of my aunt that John took for his photography series, "Lichtdialoge". You can click on the picture for a more detailed version!
After my aunt left, I kept going strong with caking. I've been practicing different techniques of decorating. I'm completely in love with it. I've always loved sugar and chocolate and I love having the opportunity to learn, in my own kitchen, in my own time.
For my birthday two days ago, I invited some friends over for cake and coffee. I spent all morning making little bites for them. I even decorating muffins with red and white dots, but forgot to take a picture...!
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| Petit fours (Chocolate cake with peanut butter filling and chocolate ganache) |
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| Buttercream frosted cupcakes |
I received so many nice messages and lovely gestures for my birthday that I feel truly blessed. I'm deeply thankful for all the great persons in my life. I know I'm loved and I love you all right back! :) I'm very very happy right now and can't wait to see everyone when I get back home. Not quite two months left....!
And finally, this picture is for my beloved grandparents.
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| Birthday gift table |
Chère Mamie & grand-papa, mille mercis pour votre cadeau... J'ai maintenant 2 pelles à tarte en forme de tranche de tarte, des clips pour des cartes postales en forme de petits gâteaux, et un nouveau set de décoration de cupcakes! Je me réjouis déjà de vous gâter... :) Gros gros bisous!
xm
