Working On: Some flash cards for Italian class. For anyone new here, I take Italian twice a week through Preply and I love it. I started pursuing Italian last fall in a course through the America-Italy Society of Philadelphia, and re-started virtually via Preply during quarantine. They actually just notified me that I have completed 31 classes and have a 22-week streak, so *Kip voice* I guess you could say things are getting pretty serious.
Feeling: Tired, but my heart is full. Sunday night Andrew and I hosted his old roommates (with whom I lived most of quarantine) and one of their girlfriends for our first dinner party at our new place. I made a simple salad (arugula, lemon, EVOO, salt, pepper, and grated parmesan), vodka sauce over farfalle and turkey meatballs (recipes available upon request - very simple!), and served berries and melon with fresh whipped cream and some dark chocolate for dessert. I actually really impressed myself? I had no dessert planned and right before they arrived, I took my hand mixer to the remaining heavy cream, some cane sugar (I didn’t have powdered), and vanilla extract and a perfect whipped cream was born. We cleaned our plates, guzzled three bottles of Spanish wine, and laughed for like, 4+ hours. Nights like that remind me how grateful I am for food and drink as connective celebration, and to have sweet souls/amazing conversationalists as friends. It also made me realize the beauty of growing close with new people—a friendly nudge to keep your heart open and extend love beyond your immediate circle.
Wanting: A therapist. After I did couple’s therapy with my ex last year, I took a long break from tangible mental health work. Unfortunately, old anxieties are creeping into my current relationship, and rather than self-sabotage, I want to heal for myself and for a future with the person I love.
Loving: Power divas. Across all genres. I can’t stop listening to Madonna, Dolly Parton, Ariana Grande, Mariah Carey, etc.