Bye bye 2013... Bring it on 2014

Those of you who have been following my blog must be wondering what happened to all those goan sweet making maskachaska?

And I am so proud to tell you all that I passed the litmus test of sweet making! Critiqued by the experts in the field ....my own family elders... Guys I made guava cheese, marzipan, milk cream, Baath, rum cake, kulkuls, date and walnut cake, jujubes, and neuri...ya and I can't think of more.... Hahaha but each sweet was bit into by five top family chefs who made comments like .... Aaah this gauva cheese is like how the Goans make it.... Someone else cried, no but the East Indians make it better.... The third shouted marzipan needs more flavouring while the Anglo Indian said no no no this how my mum made it... It's perfect (and val goes smile smile smile) the rum cake they said didn't have enough rum though half a bottle was poured into it.... I guess that part I discount as the family is use to more than half a bottle each day... So that's why the taste wasn't strong enough or coming through. Haha and ahem ahem not to miss the racist remarks within ;-)

Well this year we started a family tradition of the big Christmas brunch with a secret Santa. And we did so well.... Reindeer bands and sangria added to the flavour.... Hmm no wonder they couldn't taste the rum in my cake. Haha

2013 for one, brought me closer to family. Taught me to respect, cherish and value family. It rekindled the love I had and from here on I promise to be there for each one of them in whatever way I can.

This year has made me a different person..... A person who has woken up from slumber ..... A slumber of life... I now see, real people, real friends, real colleagues and I have stopped being naive or believing everything I hear or see.... I realized there is more to everyone who comes into your life.... They seek a purpose...they seek a reason.... It's for you to see that, understand it and and accept it. Refrain from  believing that what we read in fairy tale books as children that people love u for u. They love u or are with you because of a reason.

I also learned expectation is the mother of all disappointments. The moment you expect something ..... Baby your never getting it!

My mum use to say,'don't be selfish' .... But I learned that in today's world you have to be a weee bit selfish....live a little for yourself.... Love yourself.... And do what makes you happy.... And the whole world will follow u.

I also learned that your best friends are your pets. They love you and share your joy sorrow and pain selflessly like no other human could ever do. I love my puppies and I will give them all I have for the rest of their lives.

And finally no one can take you for granted unless you want them to...... So be strong express what you want, love yourself and respect what you have.

So 2014 here i come.... The new val... All geared up for a new beginning..... Living the phrase I coined for myself..."life is full of surprises... Live it"!

I promise myself to let myself go a bit next year.... Travel like a maniac, dance like no ones watching, and experience people in different shapes forms and nationalities. .... I promise my blog of experiences will keep you all entertained.... The new food I try, the new places I visit, the new people I meet and the old art I revisit...... 2014.... Bring it on!