Merry Christmas to all...

An entire month since I last posted. An entire season. I'm disappointed with myself but with finals completed and now surrounded by the comforts of home, I can dedicate some time to expressing my feelings about the holidays. My family welcomed the season by watching Miracle on 34th Street (the original version), my favorite Christmas movie for its 1940s feel and message that reaches all ages, that "Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to."

I remember the feeling of going to bed on Christmas Eve when I was little, of course after leaving cookies and milk and carrots for the reindeer. The fluttering excitement of wondering what Santa would stack under the tree. Once the morning finally arrived, my sister and I eagerly clamored down the stairs to read the note that reminded us to share our gifts and indicated whose presents were wrapped in which paper. Tearing each one open, I couldn't believe that Santa had remembered everything on my list.

Years later, I am still excited about the following day but for different reasons. Although there is always the thrill of opening gifts, I look forward to attending Christmas Eve mass, giving what I have thoughtfully picked out for my family, and spending a long, cozy day at home. As Christmas is such a commercialized day and the traffic of shoppers continues to baffle me, I revel in the traditions that my family has developed over the years. For I believe memories are the greatest gifts and to have the opportunity to return to them and relive them annually is the most significant aspect of the holidays.

Giving Thanks

Every year I find myself looking forward to this holiday more than any other. The festivities are simple - watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while the warm scents of pumpkin and apple pies waft from the kitchen, visiting with cousins and relishing the traditional foods, and welcoming the coming season with Christmas music and Miracle on 34th Street. Little stress is brought about as gift giving is not a focus and so it is not necessary to worry about finding the perfect gift for each person on the list. Rather, the day is dedicated to considering what we are grateful for. 

While I make a daily effort to not take anything for granted, Thanksgiving certainly reminds me how fortunate I truly am. I have a family that provides me with incredible love and strength - parents who are my role models and unwavering supporters, and a sister who unfailingly makes me laugh and whom I have grown closer with over the past few years. I have wonderful groups of friends both at school and at home, who share many of my values and interests. I live in a beautiful town by the ocean which I have come to love more each time I return home from school. I am receiving an excellent education and have the resources to pursue my ambitions with the belief that I will achieve them. I have nutritious and appetizing food on my plate for each meal. I am healthy with the abilities to participate in activities I enjoy. I have been given opportunities in various settings that have allowed me to grow as an individual and also influence others.

This list of people and things that deserve my gratitude is incomplete for there is no way I can conjure up every bit of essence in my life in a single day. As Thanksgiving day reaches its end and I reflect with contentment, I resolve to give thanks without regard to the time of year.

Little Italy

A few times a year, my family drives to Boston's North End. Our stomachs are grumbling because we have reserved our appetites; not because it is a food-filled holiday like Thanksgiving, but because we are anticipating the enticing and very filling dishes served at Giacomo's, a gem on Hanover Street, known for its handmade pastas and seafood.

Giacomo's typically opens at 5pm, but we usually arrive around 4:15, in time to claim our spots at the front of the line. As we wait on the sidewalk, we try to expel our feelings of hunger by occupying ourselves with people watching, a simple task when the characteristic neighborhood is normally bustling with interesting tourists and residents alike. As the line grows longer to the corner of the block, we smile when we hear passersby acknowledge its extent and stare up at the sign to find out which restaurant attracts so many customers when there are so many other eateries of the sort in every direction. 

The truth is, Giacomo's doesn't compare to the others. Eating at Giacomo's is an experience. The moment they open the door, we are pointed to a small table, not even an arm's length away from its neighbors because of the close quarters that seat few more than 50 people at a time. At the back is the bar, behind which several cooks have already begun preparation. Our waiter immediately rattles off the day's specials before hurrying us to decide on our order. We each commonly order our favorite dishes but today, instead of the handmade lobster ravioli, I am in the mood for grilled salmon. Until our meals arrive, we focus on devouring the perfectly crisp calamari and colorful caprese salad made up of tomato slices and rounds of mozzarella encircling roasted red peppers and topped with olive oil and shredded basil. We barely have time to clear our plates before steaming plates are placed before us. A long strip of pink fish, striped with the brown lines of the grill, which looks fabulously enticing with the heap of grilled summer vegetables and lemon wedges alongside it. I briefly admire the arrangement before taking a bite of the extremely tender fish which possesses a flavorful, yet not overly fishy taste. Not to be denied my share of pasta, I relish my side of spaghetti with marinara sauce. Before I regret my indulgence, I decide to wrap up my meal when I am slightly more than halfway through. Not only do I feel perfectly content, but of course I need to save room for my cannoli from Mike's Pastry!

Feed the Birds

This summer I am considering myself lucky that I have a job nannying for a six-year-old and a nine-year-old. Despite the long days, I relish the opportunity to make money while also soaking up the sun at the pool rather than spending hours sitting in a local shop. So far, it hasn't been terribly challenging finding things to do as they act their age and don't feel they are too old to do certain things like feeding the ducks. Just the other day, they were thrilled that their mom had left out a full bag of old hot dog buns. Their enthusiasm was evident as they bounded out of the house, reminding each other not to feed the greedy sea gulls who would inevitably bully the innocent families of ducks for some crumbs. Minutes later we arrived at the boat ramp in the harbor and they eagerly began tearing the soft white bread into little chunks, beckoning to the Mr. and Mrs. Mallard's relatives. Needless to say, they swiftly swam over, probably having learned the value of free food much like anyone else. I gave credit to both children, who aimed pretty accurately from the edge of the water and watched the bread make it safely to the circles of patient ducks rather than into the beaks of swarming sea gulls. Once our bag was empty, the kids were sad to leave their new friends "Pikachu" and "Quackers", but still talked vibrantly about the birds' loyal stance at their feet in order to collect a bit of bread. With so many children now growing out of Raffi and into the top 40 long before I did, I'm pleased to be spending my summer with two who are still young at heart.

Mmmm... Summertime foods!

Summer's warm weather is inevitably an appealing part of my favorite season, but I also appreciate the light, colorful foods that accompany it. Despite some of the ridiculous prices, I can never resist the fresh seasonal fruits when grocery shopping. I'm not sure if I can even count the number of times so far this summer I've sliced whole watermelons and pineapples, so juicy and perfectly ripe. Lush strawberries and raspberries have also been constants in the refrigerator and I'm eager for plump, locally grown blueberries to be ready to be picked.

Dinners never fail to disappoint either. A spinach salad topped with sweet corn, roasted red peppers, and asparagus, or chopped green apple, dried cranberries, and cheddar is light but oh so satisfying. Another featuring basil and tomato is more than welcome on warm evenings, the natural flavors playing off each other. This combination is simply one of my favorites whether served with pasta, rice, or orzo. Of course, anything on the grill is a summer staple - tender marinated chicken and steak tips with peppers, onions, summer squash, and zucchini - creating a vibrant palette and providing fresh flavor. And to think I have the next couple months to enjoy these scrumptious foods...so many possibilities to explore!

I run for fun

I've never considered myself particularly athletic. I danced for eleven years of my life and it wasn't until high school that I started playing field hockey. Still, I highly disliked the conditioning and intense physical activity, mostly doing it for the social aspect. I've always despised running. I'm pretty sure my fifth grade mile time was at least twenty minutes because I walked most of it. Obviously I improved a little bit by the time double sessions began in high school but I still struggled with my endurance level. Recently though, I've begun running. I felt like it was a good alternative to using the elliptical or treadmill and surprisingly, I enjoy myself. It's a perfect interval of me-time, running past the ocean and listening to upbeat music. Today I couldn't resist the sunny, 70-degree weather and ran my farthest distance yet: approximately 3 miles, to the lighthouse and back without stopping. 3 miles for someone else might seem like something they would do on an off-day, but for me, approaching my street at the end gave me an adrenaline rush because I had run the farthest I think I ever have. Though I'm not sure I'll be training for a half-marathon anytime soon, I think a 5K might be on the way!

"From where I'm standing, the sun is shining all over the place"

I spent part of this raw, dreary day watching one of my favorite feel-good movies - Singin' in the Rain. I fell in love with the musical when I saw it for the first time only a couple years ago. I haven't seen a lot of classics but the movie's comedic performances, original choreography, and upbeat soundtrack are charming. No matter my mood or the weather outside, I find myself unable to keep from singing along to "Good Morning" or smiling as Gene Kelly, so carefree, tap dances in the puddles. For 103 minutes, I am enchanted by old Hollywood...the glamor, the iconic dialect, the romance. It makes me want to put on a bright yellow rain jacket and shoes with bows like Debbie Reynolds', and tap in my kitchen. Certainly a remedy for any rainy day.