Bintang

The Day I Enjoyed a Beer

I didn’t believe it would ever happen either. And I’m not sure it’ll ever happen again. You know when you’re on holiday, and you’re feeling the vibe of your new temporary home. You’re chilled. You’re content with yourself as a being. You see a beautiful, billowing, bold dress at a market stall, and you think Yes! This is who I am now. I’ll buy this dress, and I’ll wear it with pride when I get home, and everyone will see the person I’ve become. And then it sits in your cupboard for years, until you throw it out with a grimace, chiding yourself for being so naive.

This, was a little bit like that. I visited Bali over Christmas, and it was incredible. Sitting by the pool in the glorious Indonesian sun, I discovered Bintang. Grapefruit Bintang to be precise. I became a beer drinker. I even upgraded to regular Bintang, in half litre bottles. I felt like an adult. I had achieved one of my goals. I was winning.

But, as with your stylish dress, when I got back home, and tried being a beer drinker, it just didn’t fit right. It tasted awful. I felt uncomfortable. The smell, the taste. All of it awful. So I’ve gone back to my old faithful, gin & tonic. Tried, tested & loved.

Here’s to the next holiday where I can become, once again, a beer guzzler. Just like I’ve always wanted…

The Weekend I got my Snuggle Blanket

Humans can be the most wonderous beings sometimes. Sitting here on a Monday morning after my birthday weekend, I’m reflecting on the power of people. Over the past few days, there have been so many words and gestures, actions and thoughts from so many different people that have lifted my spirits, that it is difficult to know where to start.

The number of people wishing you a happy birthday on Facebook has become a modern measure of, well I don’t know what, popularity perhaps (65 if you’re wondering). I had some beautiful messages from around the world. Some meant more than others, that is true. It was nice to read through them all, and think about the last time I saw them, or what they are up to in life. My sister wrote me the most beautiful poem and posted it on my wall, it was so touching, personal and heartfelt, I am reminded of just how important she is to me.

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So… today I drank beer…

After a tough morning eating pancakes (thanks Jay!) and watching Heidi run a half marathon (well done Boo!), we went off to meet the rest of Heidi’s running club, Team in Training. We were a little bit early, so had to find somewhere to shelter from the English weather I seem to have brought with me. The only place open near by was the Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing Taproom (oh, and a bakery, but the wisdom of the group decided on Taproom).

A perfect opportunity to start work on a bucket list item – learn to enjoy beer. So, in my infinite wisdom, I decided to order a flight of beers, and roped Heidi in to help me. I was looking forward to trying the best three or four beers the brewery had to offer. Little did I know, I’d ordered a flight of 8 – EIGHT – beers.

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