Mind you, it’s been a long time since I
posted an entry on this blog. Admittedly, I have been too lazy, and sometimes
too depressed, to even think about writing what everyone is expecting from me:
a beautiful journal on how I enjoy my time abroad. To be honest, I felt completely
disgusted by the mere thought of it.
However, after having gone through a lot of
ups and downs, I started to feel that perhaps it isn’t that bad to share some “thoughts”,
or even fun anecdotes of my time in here. Therefore, I decided to write
this entry.
The first thing you need to learn when you
leave home is how to cook, and when I say that, I mean to cook properly! You know, everyone has a
different way of cooking. My mom’s way of cooking is completely fabulous! Mine,
on the other hand, well… let’s put it this way… you better have a strong
stomach, otherwise, avoid it!
To be completely honest, I didn’t know what
to do on my second day in England. Mainly because there was that little voice in my head
telling me “Hey, you could try that McDonald you stumbled upon on your way home”,
plus the fact that I had no idea of how to use that “modern” kitchen. I knew I could not just rush into the first
McDonald without even trying to make something on my own, so I went upstairs to
get my best tool: my laptop!
After two exhausting and difficult minutes
of research on Google I found an easy recipe for me: rice. The steps were easy
and nothing could go wrong. I was preparing every utensil to start cooking my
very first own meal (I mean, it was not my first meal because I had made lunch
for my grandfather in Chile a couple of times, though with the help of others so I felt it was my first one)
when I discovered that there was one thing missing: the toaster!
Nevertheless, when there is will, there is
a way! I went online again, but this time to look for a recipe without a
toaster… I know it might sound silly, but I found it! And, to make it even
better, it was much easier than the first one I had found before. Just four simple steps: boil the water, throw
the rice, low the heat, cover with a lid for over twenty minutes and voilá!
Lunch is ready!
I have learned other things during these
four months, but I don’t think they are worthy enough to be mentioned right
now. However, the one thing worth mentioning is a peculiar sensation I experienced whenever
I cook.
Some of you may know that my grandmother
used to cook a lot. In fact, I think I have never tried something better than
what she made when she was still alive. Well, back to the point, there’s a strange vibe, like an otherworldly
presence every time I’m in front of the kitchen making my lunch. I didn’t know
what to think at first. Nevertheless, I
finally understood what that is.
As I said before, everyone has a distinct
way of cooking, and as consequence, there are certain smells attached to those
people. I discovered that mine is almost identical to my grandma’s! I cannot
describe that sense of destiny, or fate if you wish, at that moment. It was like
going back in time to be loved by my granny and her delicious dishes J
I think this is a really long entry. I didn’t
mean to write a longer one, but I couldn’t help it. I wrote this in English
because I don’t want some people getting to know the content of this diary. I
hope it’s not that bad. You know, the old insecurity thing that your language
skills are not good enough to write a decent paragraph. I suppose it will
eventually improve… some day.