10 Things #3

At the end of every month, I make a list of the most notable things I enjoyed, consumed, or experienced.

This is 10 things from January 2023. 

1. New Home. It’s been a month since we moved into the new digs and we love it. After being on the road for what feels interminable, desperately dependant on the kindness of people to keep us sheltered, we’re just thrilled to finally be nesting. We can’t believe we live in Malta now!

2. Picnic With New Friends. Short hike around Manoel Island before we settled on a spot. In hindsight maybe not the best place to bring food out, birds were brazen and relentless. Across we saw Valletta and I was told people swam the length of where we were on these steps to the walled city in the summer. Maybe someday.

3. Chinese New Year. First celebration away from home and family. On Chor Yat, we normally have hotpot together so in the spirit of tradition, I went to the nearest Asian food store I could find and bought all the necessary ingredients. Then we ate together via FaceTime. Me for lunch and them for dinner. Thank god we were only 7 hours apart.

4. Cooking. New home means kitchen to ourselves. I have been making two meals a day for us since we moved in. But more importantly, I have acquired the skills for cooking rice over stove. The method is 1 cup to 1.5 cups of water on high heat. Wait until the water boils then cover with lid and set to the lowest heat. Cook for 12 minutes. After that, fluff the rice, put the lid back on and leave it for a few more minutes away from the stove. Tastes just like restaurant rice.

5. Baking. New home also comes with an oven so I’ve been making tasty treats. Haven’t got any baking equipment yet so nothing too complicated at the moment. But even with just an oven you can do lots of things like this Apple Crumble from Jamie Oliver.

6. What does it mean to know for sure? My friend, Al wrote this piece about what it means to know your partner’s favourite restaurant except it’s so much more than that. It’s also the best thing I’ve read this month.

7. Shinunoga E-wa. This cover by Belle Sisoski is 10x better than the original (sorry Fujiikaze). Can’t believe she’s only 17 and already an amazing and wildly talented producer and multi-instrumentalist. Excited to see what she’ll do next.

8. 25 Best Films Of The Year Video Countdown. I don’t always agree with David but he does a terrific job with the edits every time. Tears welled up the size of balloons watching 2019 cause movies are fucking great.

9. Daily Hamstring Flexibility Routine. My fitness goal for 2023 is to be able to touch my toes without bending my knees. I’ve tried many stretch-with-me videos but this routine is the one I return to the most. My body will always be slightly achey the next day but I’ve been feeling stronger and standing taller.

10. Hit The Road. Fully enjoyed this — the tenderness, the despair, the humour, the meandering dialogue, the landscape, the music, and that little devil of a kid who stole the show. What an endearing story. Masterful in shifting and layering emotions. Seen this twice in the span of a week and already can’t wait to watch it again.