THE YEAR YOU WERE SIXTEEN

You were very happy to be at school in person for your birthday, even if you didn't have a party. We celebrated with peanut butter marshmallow squares and pesto chicken gnocchi. 

You gave away a lot of dolls and kids toys this year.

You fit into my waxed skis and gave me a run for my money. 

You were still disappointed to have school cancelled for snow days.

We made treats to take to school for Easter, Halloween, and Christmas.

We saw the musical Hamilton in Ottawa with Aviva, Jessica, and Natalie, and you liked it!

You saw an OMF for your jaw, and we decided against surgery. 

We went to our first open house for CEGEP, at John Abbott, in a snowstorm with Cynthia.

It was your first March break without downhill skiing,  but your dad took you cross country and we went to the biodome to see the first puppet (fish).

You made me a chocolate stethoscope for Mother's day. 

You had a french tutor by video, and you were always on time.

You tutored a kid at St. John Fisher Sr on Tuesdays, and loved it. 

You took the bus from Oak, and only missed it once.

We went to Tulipfest in Ottawa with Aviva, Jessica, and Natalie.

You did a school project on our beloved Stewart Hall.

You painted a turtle in the style of Norval Morrisseau, whom your art teacher knew.

You create new works of art in your spare time too.

We took Athina to Ile Bizard, where she walked through the mud without waterproof shoes! We went back several times, and La Grande Passerelle was finally finished!

You went to Battle of the Books meetings with Athina, but your grade didn't have enough interest for a time. 

We went to the fireworks show July 1st with Candice and Bill.

You had your first interview, for a Ecomuseum junior counsellor job that you took for two weeks in summer.

You became independent with taking bus as a commute within days, and then returned to visit on a number of occasions after your job was done. 

You lost your keys and precious keychains for the first time.

Your summer birthday was a big hit, with perfect weather!

We went to Saskatchewan for vacation, and you spent most of the holiday with your cousins Will and Thomas. 

We got to play farm girls in search of wild oats on a tractor with our cousins.

We visited Waskesiu where Grandma and Grandpa had rented a cabin with two rooms, one for us. 

You love Nathan's dog, Lucy. 

We played another round of disc golf, this time with a set of discs!

We went camping in Orford with Cynthia, and hiked and built sandcastles. You two had the big tent, and we managed to see the stars, have a campfire, eat way too many marshmallows, and hear a Great Horned Owl, despite the rain!

You didn’t go swimming often at Cedar Park pool, but when you did, you still loved it!.

Our neighbour John went to hospital with a heart attack, and died there several months later. 

Your Nan turned 80.

We had the bathroom renovated and new windows put in.

We went to the immersive Vincent Van Gogh show and you loved the quotes.

You got your first adult passport, which thankfully we didn't need to travel, because it took more than four months. 

First day of school.

You attend Yonkers by Lakeshore players, and Alice by John Rennie, and enjoy them both immensely.

You were part of Orange Shirt Day.

You loved jewelry club.

You went to New Brunswick for Thanksgiving.

You went to your first school dance with Athina, and then your second alone!

Pretty vampire for Halloween

Nathan came to visit us and fixed our back deck. We took him to the ecomuseum.

You taught Cali to come sit on a tote. 

Cali is hilarious! And adorable!

You created three amazing puppets, and wrote up your personal project, and presented it with confidence, knowledge, and enthusiasm. I was so proud!

It was a rarer event, but you still like to teach when you can!

You still stuck your tongue out for most pictures again this year!

We had our first Christmas party back at Dean and Caroline's since Covid hit.

We had snow for Christmas, and nice weather to ski. We ate mac and cheese for Christmas Eve, as has become a tradition. You got up early, but not too early, on Christmas morning. You had supper with your Nan and Dad.

 You helped (first time) to finish a new puzzle. 

We visited the biodome, and  planetarium, where learned about ice and the constellations.

You looked with your guidance counsellor, and found a three year program at Vanier College. You still want to be a naturalist.

You watch a lot of YouTube, and you really like Snake discovery, the Nerdy Crafter, and Evan and Katelyn

We went to the Nutcracker ballet. 

KALAPAW: DDO FILIPINO RESTAURANT

It was cold day last November, and I needed a place to write without the usual distractions of being home. I was leaving Centennial Plaza on sources, when I spotted Kalapaw.  I hadn’t seen this restaurant before, and I had never eaten Filipino food. As it turned out, I stood out a little by being non-Filipino, but mostly by eating alone. It was full of families, but it was roomy and there was no judgement.  I didn’t need a booth, so I sat in the middle of the restaurant and wrote, before, during and after my meal. 

It was a lot of food, but I took it home and made it into three meals in the end. Both my appetizer and meal had tender eggplant, something I still find hard to achieved reliably (in part because I refuse to use as much oil as is probably called for!). 

In the background is Ensaladang Talong which was listed as grilled eggplant, shrimp paste, taro chips, and tomato salsa. It was generous and would definitely be great to share.

In the foreground is Tortang Talong, an eggplant omelette served with rice on a bamboo leaf, with tomato salsa, and pineapple wedges.

I even splurged on a dessert, having safely stored my food in a takeaway container I keep in my car for just such occasions, and safe in the frigid temperatures outdoors. It was Buko Pandan de Leche, which was a vibrant green layered dessert with pandan gelatin, coconut strips, and milk. Having seen pandan in baking shows, but never tasting it, I am still not sure if I would recognize it. The dessert was good and full of coconut flavour as the dominant note. It went down easy, and I got my writing done with a cup of tea to extend my stay. 

It was delicious food, but blander than I had expected. The hospitality and service were stellar. I will definitely return, but with friends or family next time!