On writing

The past few weeks I've engaged in meaningful conversations with a couple writers and it has made me realize how much I actually love writing. Finally, I've found something I see myself doing for longer than two weeks! Not that I want to compare myself to the likes of recent Golden Owl winners but to quote Peter Verhelst: "At that moment I am at my best" and I couldn't agree more. It is hard to explain but when such a creative frenzy takes over, there's no telling where it will lead (which is the exciting part) or when it will end (which is the sad part seeing as it's usually very quickly). I'm only writing articles (for now) but the statisfaction of creating and even contributing is unbelievably good, intoxicating even.

Now the past few weeks have thought me an incredibly difficult lesson, less is more. It's easy and common knowledge but so hard to live up to when writing but you have to if there's a maximum word count. It just makes me sad to think how many interesting facts and events will never see the light of day because of maximum word count. So many tantilizing tit bits locked inside my laptop, waiting to be freed.

But I have to admit, I have the tendency of going on and on and filling my texts with funny anecdotes, personal touches and ultimately end up enforcing my world view in an upbeat and non-conformist way. Sound familiar? Trust me, many ex-professors of mine can vouch for that. For some reason I believe that entertainment is as important as being profound yet for some, putting those two words in a sentence is believed to be sacrilegious, again I refer to ex-professors. Ultimately we all have our own approach so by all means, do your thing. That's what makes it worth it.

In writing especially, I believe it's important to have your own unique voice. Ten people can write about the same subject, giving the same information but what ultimately matters is the way you say it. Your own style is what makes the difference, that's what distinguishes you from the mass and isn't that one of the reasons we write? To be heard? To leave our mark? This is also one of the arguments why I've never been a group player. There a numerous others but still. I respect other people's opinions, I just can't abide by them which usually leads to conflict but then again, I like conflict. It keeps things interesting. And this is also why my blood began to simmer, only slightly, when me beloved suggested I should maybe adapt to the general style of the publication I'm writing for. Listen very carefully people, never compromise! Be yourself, do your thing and be proud of it! Some people will like you (be happy), some will hate you (ignore them) and some will even love you (blessed be). It's just a matter of taste. And to qoute the legendary Billy Wilder's fabulous final words: "I'm a writer, but then nobody's perfect." To avoid confusion, they were printed on his tombstone. It doesn't get any more final than that.

Now finally, why write? Well for me, it's a moment of pure bliss. I'm literally tingly all over as we speak. Firstly, I do it for own twisted pleasure, secondly because I want to share something with the world and thirdly, there are other definitely less satisfying (trust me, I know) ways to make a living. Once again, my beloved, asked me about my stats one day and if I wouldn't want to crank them up a few notches but they are perfectly fine as they are. I don't want to send the wrong message but we only occasionally disagree. I'm not doing this for the glory people but if I happen to reach one single soul halfway across the world or even the street, that would be enough for me. At the end of the day I'll have already made myself happy and that's a start.

Twitterst thou?

For the past few weeks I've been in complete awe of the most adorable sound I've heard in ages: the prrrt of Tweetdeck. My sweet pea started Twittering a while back and introduced this loving sound into my bland little world. Personally, I never understood why one Twitters, it's like a Facebook update but supposedly cooler and without the stupid quizzes which I tend to like.

Yet after seeing the look on peoples face last week when I said I didn't Twitter I decided to take my next leap into the 21st century and joined up. The only problem is, I don't actually know anyone who Twitters besides my pumpkin and his blonde buddy.

So what's the deal? It's like the world is devided into Twitter die hards meaning dozens of Tweets a day and those who are convinced it's a pidgeon's mating call. I used to belong to the latter but am now boldly going where many have gone before. I just hope you all follow me there.

Reviewing my ass off

The past week has been pretty weird to say the least. For some reason everything seems to be going slower or maybe it just takes me longer to get things done, who's to say?

I'm reviewing a freshly baked batch of cookbooks as we speak. For some odd reason they're the only type of books I get but I'm not complaining. I actually love cookbooks but I hardly buy any because I don't want to overstimulate myself. Whenever I get one I get so excited that I want to make everything in it but usually end up making nothing 'cause I don't have the time and when I do, I don't have the ingredients. It's a vicious circle.

Anyway, I just reviewed Easy Breakfast and Brunch: Simple recipes for morning treats which is simply finger-licking good! The recipes are fairly easy, the photo's look gorgeous and once again I'm suffering from a pleasure overload! Where to begin: blueberry pancakes with pecan and maple syryp or wholewheat apple waffles with glazed prunes and greek yoghurt? It also includes a lot of egg recipes, traditional breakfasts from around the globe and how to make your own cruesli which I'm dying to try. Plus interesting tips on how to make the perfect cup of tea or coffee.

Next up is a book on oriental cuisine which looks really good as well. So good I have to keep myself from licking it. It's about the basics of oriental cooking and covers everything from making your own sushi to nasi goreng, yaki soba (Wagamama watch out!) and dumplings. Every step is illustrated so it's very easy to follow.

When I'm done here I'll probably catch up on some reading. I started in The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson a shocking two weeks ago and I'm still only half way. It's actually very good but I just didn't feel like it. Sadly, I'm gonna have to put it on hold for a while because I still need to read The Vanishing of Katharina Linden (Helen Grant) by next week which is crime fiction for adolescents. I'm interviewing Helen on Sunday so I'd best go prepared. Which means I won't be able to attend book club this month 'cause there's no way I'll be able to squeeze The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch in on time which is a shame 'cause I was looking forward to that as well.

In loving memory

This week I received the news I had been dreading for a few weeks now, my best friend of 15 years had lost her brave battle against cancer.

Despite the countless tears I've already shed and still am shedding as we speak, somehow it just doesn't seem real. I'm still in denial or something because I can't imagine her not being here anymore. It seems too surreal and probably means that the worst is still to come when it finally sinks in. I'm guessing that'll be after the funeral seeing as it doesn't get anymore final than that. Imagining a world without her just seems impossible.

Katrien was an extraordinary person who I met 15 years ago when she sat next to me during our first ever Latin class. The past few years she has been my rock, my inspiration and especially my motivation. This blog for example is partly because of her. She was my best friend, the one who knew all my secrets, my neuroses, who made me laugh, gave me a shoulder to cry on and was always there when I needed her. I owe her so much. Words can't even describe how much she'll be missed. She was the most honest, brave and loving person I'd ever known. Her life was never easy: she was bipolar, had boulimia, was a cutter and eventually got leukemia but despite all her mindboggling hardships she never gave up and had a lust for life that I am completely in awe of. Compared to her, I was a mesh and a vat of ever-growing neuroses and fear that paralysed me to ever accomplish anything. She will live on in our hearts and will never be forgotten.




Thank you Katrien for simply being you. You have given me more than you could ever imagine and I'll always love you. I hope you have finally found the peace that you so longed for.

Nigella with a twist

Early friday morning, I went into town to get myself a new hose for my vacuum cleaner. After a tiny altercation with a shop assistant, apparently you're not allowed to check if it's the right size by dismembering one of the models on display, I got home in the afternoon and literally enjoyed many hours of much needed spring cleaning. I eventually collected enough fur to create three more cats, seriously, it was that bad.

High on my domestic vibe, I also decided to do some baking. I couldn't even remember how long it had been so I started of easy. I got my dustcovered rolling pin out and made one of my pumkin's favorites: scones. For those of you who aren't familiar with scones, they are simple, sweet and soft bread-like little rolls which are perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea (especially filled with jam or chocolate paste).

At Christmas I got Nigella's How to be a domestic goddess which has a great scone recipe but sadly I am incapable of following it or any recipe as a matter of fact. I always seem to improvise. For me recipes give me ideas or basic guidelines but seeing as I am an aspiring goddess in my own right, I always have to give it my own personal touch. This is why I now present you with the recipe for Nigella's scones with a dash of Ginny Jones:



250gr of whole wheat flour

100 gr sugar

1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda

100ml of milk

50gr butter (she uses trex as fat but seeing as I've got no idea what that is...)

3 tablespoons of sour cream (she uses cream of tartar ???)

50gr raisins

That's about it. Nigella's doesn't put in raisins or sugar or whole wheat flour making them pale, soft and kinda tasteless bread rolls in my opinion. When I had scones as a kid they were always a little sweeter and moist (hence the raisins). You can naturally have savory scones as well by adding cheese to the mix but I prefer the sweeter ones.

Anyway, add the flour, sugar and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl. Knead in lumps of butter and the sour cream untill the mixture goes damp (likes sand). Add the milk and start kneading until you've got a firm dough. Last but not least, add in the raisins. Now put the dough on a floured surface and roll it out until it's about 3cm thick and start cutting. I have cookie cutters in all shapes and sizes but oddly enough no circles so I use a glass or my flower cutter. I know, very professional. Beat an egg and put some of the mixture on top of the scones before baking them in a preheated oven for 12 minutes on 250°. If you're lucky, they should have risen and be golden brown.

30 before 30

Today I started thinking about projects. What could I do that would be meaningful, to me at least? But after countless hours of just staring into space and occasionally at a customer, I finally realized that I didn't need a project per sé, just some goals and that is why I proudly present my list with 30 things I want to do before I turn 30. That leaves me 2,5 years to:

1. Find a job that doesn't make me physically ill.

2. Write a book, seriously.

3. Get my driving licence, after thirty it's just pathetic.

4. Act more, what can I say, I love it.

5. Take cooking lessons , focussing on desserts and master the art of icing a cake. For some strange reason I'd love to bake a wedding cake with lost of layers and flowers,...

6. Travel through The United States or go back to New York at least.

7. Catch up on my reading, meaning read every book I own and stick to it.

8. Stop obsessing and just let it go!

9. Master the art of yoga.

10. Meet Winnie the Pooh.

11. Blog more and actually comment once and a while.

12. Get a tan, or a shade other than red.

13. Sleep outdoors, just for the hell of it.

14. Relax on a beach somewhere.

That's all I can think of for now. I could have easily called it 14 before 30 but that doesn't have the same ring to it. I'll keep you posted ;) on the progress and future goals which aren't that crazy, right?

Life Lessons

During my lunch break, which is the only time of day I have left to read, I finished Julie & Julia. I really liked the book but not particularly because of it's content but because I could relate to the main character, Julie Powell, a simple secretary looking for meaning and finding in French cuisine. Although her culinary escapades are funny and sometimes very familiar, what really got to me is that she just created a project and no matter how crazy it sounded, went for it. It's that easy. Yet somehow I never seem to get round to it.

My latest excuse besides the job and fatigue is housework. Our apartment is slowly but surely starting to resemble a war zone where dust bunnies and dirty dishes are enslaving us. Ever since our vacuum cleaner died on me a few weeks ago, like all electrical appliances seem to do, the dirt has been piling up and there's only so much a broom or our cat can handle. This is why I'm dedicating my day off to some belated spring cleaning, joy! And if I'm lucky I'll be able to squeeze some fun in there as well.