On Growing Up

Ok. So it just wouldn't be my blog without a long period of absence and a lame excuse for said absence.

Anyways.

I've been dabbling in this thing called growing up. I think I might be turning into a grown up. This is a big step for someone who was raised watching Peter Pan (especially the Mary Martin version) and may have even attempted to fly only crashing to the floor along with the television. I survived. Moving on.

Evidence of growing up item 1: I cooked a fancy meal for the Irishman for his birthday. I managed to cook this meal within a reasonable amount of time (it was ready when I said it would be!) and it was the very first time I had ever cooked scallops or made risotto balls. I didn't burn anything and neither of us got food poisoning. Oh and it tasted amazing.

Scallops on a bed of spinach, mushrooms, and pancetta.

Panko crusted risotto balls stuffed with honey-goat cheese.

Evidence of growing up item 2: I went to the races! Ok, I don't really know if it us strictly a grown up thing as there were plenty of children running about but let's just go with it. I didn't wear a fancy hat but I did wear fancy shoes so that counts, right?  The whole time I was singing Ascot Gavotte from My Fair Lady in my head. Probably shouldn't have mentioned that last detail.

After the races we (the Irishman's family and I) went for drinks in a pub (naturally). There was a 21st birthday party on upstairs. I felt very old as I noted how short the girls' skirts were. I was merely showing my ankles. Seriously. We were invited to attend the 21st party but we declined. We later crashed a 60th birthday party (there was cake!) and then I began worrying about inevitably growing old and what I would look like when I'm 60.

Evidence of growing up item 3: I went to a live podcast put on by The Antiroom. It was a panel of women who work in writing/journalism/media discussing women, feminism, and literature. It was a nice evening of interesting conversation and I am looking forward to the next one. I went because Sheila Heti, a Canadian writer, was there and I had just finished reading her book "How Should a Person Be?". The book is witty and honest and I felt very relevant to where I am in my life trying to figure things out and wondering about this growing up thing. Oh and I got my book signed.

Evidence of growing up item 4: I took the Irishman away for the weekend. We went to Wexford and I drove a car on the opposite side of the road for the first time. We stayed in a B&B on a farm. I awoke to cows mooing. It was beautiful and nice to get away. The sun was out so it was almost like summer.

So I think I might be growing up, a bit. And that's ok, as long as it doesn't happen too fast. And I can still eat more cake.