HOLIDAY (kind of)

So I'm back again! Back from the abyss that is preparing for holidays, back from the pit that is exhaustion at the end of the school term... And back, most importantly, from Germany.

I appreciate it's been a long, LONG time. But I've had fun! I've been busy. I don't just sit there doing nothing. I do things, see things. We saw Sans Soucci palace (it means without cares- OHNE SORGEN)... And we went to the Jewish Museum in Berlin, which was harrowing, possibly partially due to the fact that as we were translating from German it took longer to read and to find the information (though there are panels in the museum next to the German ones which have the English, I was testing myself). Taking a long time to read these chunks of information means that they really hit a home string. We (there were eight students and two teachers) read about the experiences of Jewish children and families during the Holocaust... I highly recommend going and seeing for yourselves. Unless you were on the trip with me or have already been (though it won't hurt to go again). It's on Lindenstrasse 9-14, 10969 Berlin. The building was designed by Daniel Libeskind, who after having completed the museum was suddenly in demand. His work is revered.

So on this trip, there were two teachers (as I said), me (a Year 13), Anya, Huw, Sadie and Tegwen (Year 12s), and Abbie, Rowena and Mel (Year 11s). I felt a bit odd being the oldest non-teacher there. We had a lot of good conversation, a lot of snooker games, and a LOT of food.

We were there for four days. I hate flying. I loved walking back through the front door, though, because my mum cried. Four days, I know. I cried too. A mixture of tiredness and having missed her so badly... It was amazing.

I'm afraid I got up at quarter to five and need to try to fill a full day tomorrow, revising and decking the halls. Probably not with boughs of Holly.

Advent, Advent, ein lichtlein brennt... I can't remember the rest, but it was two or three weeks ago I heard it...

FROHE WEIHNACHTEN!!! Merry Christmas!

Have great holidays/ festivities!

Happy reading, folks!

(And the morning light sings, and brings) new things...

As I'm sure many of you have experienced while you were young (if you are still young, hopefully you're experiencing it now), the rather useful phenomenon that is your parents pushing you into trying new things. After a while you come to have favourite foods and certain ones you avoid. I, for example, am a great pasta lover, but I will lay down my fork (or stab the chef with it) if you place cauliflower cheese in front of me. Personally I feel that particular dish is an abomination. But I digress.

So, my parents did indeed tell me to try new things. This year, what with my feeling a little more adult, and actually having some disposable income (part-time jobs, most of it I'm saving for university though), I thought I'd like to start eating out at some different places. Back in July, I did a review of an art exhibition (not food, in this case) that my friends had created. I sincerely must re-mention it was damn good. I am lucky to have such talented friends. But back to my point! I enjoy writing short reviews. If nothing else, it gives me a tangible, written opinion, that because it is on the internet can never be lost or misplaced.

So, last Friday, I went to Filini. Glass tables, very clean cutlery, food presented very well (actually it was almost too beautiful to eat, and then it tasted almost too good to actually swallow, but there you go), service impeccable. The waiters and waitresses who attended our table did so very efficiently. And they enjoyed their jobs. A tip for you: no matter how mundane a person's job may seem, they're doing it. And you should thank them. Sincerely. It can make their day.

Anyway, the food. The food! Meat antipasti, Meat and cheese antipasti, Various breads with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. That was the starter. Main course:  Risotto ai frutti di mari profumato al limone (Lemon scented seafood risotto). It was incredible, not undercooked or overcooked, the squid wasn't chewy but actually soft (undercooked, it's a bit like chewing a small rubber ring)... ANd dessert, which is my biggest regret of the last month. Not because it was bad; it wasn't. Filini's has literally the best, creamiest tiramisu I have ever eaten. It was divine. But I was full. Darn.

Amazing setting. Overall, 9/10. Only nine because I would have liked a little more light- it wasn't dingy but it could have done with a little more visibility. But I LOVED it!!!

Happy reading, folks!