How was your weekend?
A tale of people, food and significant numbers by Anna Atsu
“How was your weekend?”
When someone pops the classic "How was your weekend?" question, it's like they're tossing a verbal doughnut into the conversation coffee – a delightful, fluffy circle of words to dunk into polite chit-chat. Now, they might genuinely want to know if you wrestled bears or discovered a new species of couch potato, but let's face it, it's often a social dance of niceties, not a deep dive into your soul.
I used to avoid all conversations at the bus stop and on the bus, viewing them as a threat. Why? I don’t know. But today, I embrace and willingly participate. There is clearly something I need to hear from those people.
So, there I was, contemplating the deep, philosophical significance of this question in the majestic arena of professional settings, imparting my wisdom to the eager minds in one of my courses. I encourage you to wield this query like a social coffee connoisseur, blending in seamlessly and getting people to cheer for you as if you were the protagonist in a 90s sitcom.
Now, brace yourself, because today I'm flipping the script. I'm asking you, "How was your weekend?" And just in case you're still pondering the proper reply, I'll jump into the ring first.
But let's spice things up a bit, shall we? Instead of the usual mundane weekend recap, I'll hit you with two idioms straight from playful banter. Brace yourself for some informal, grown-up silliness:
"I've been snowed under"
and
"turning that frown upside down."
If you need more than a couple of cheeky expressions, buckle up, my friend. It's time to venture further into the wild and wacky world of words. So, check out what follows, and let the linguistic adventure continue!
Finally receiving payment for the very same course delivery allowed me to indulge in some retail therapy for shoes and for Deliveroo together with other trips to shops and takeaways. Now, after a full fridge state and perusing various shops, I find myself equipped to answer the ubiquitous "How was your weekend" query while adorned in footwear, that not only I wear, contemplating the intricacies of a cobbler's life.
Leading up to the weekend payday, my concerns were fixated on the costs of writing, prompting me to open a delightful book titled 'Poems about Me.' However, this weekend unfolded with a collection of poems both amusing and poignant. Rainy weather elevated the river near my residence, while my refrigerator, my culinary sustainer, brimmed with provisions. Despite these comforts, my desire to explore diverse places, invariably linked to culinary delights, remains a challenge to align with calendars, especially in destinations not yet served by my budget-friendly airline allies.
Follow your dream
Win the Olympics, be a scientist,
author, acrobat,
fly a balloon.
You can be a pop star, actor, film star,
Pilot, astronaut,
go to the moon.
You can sell fridges,
You can build brindges,
you can sail a ship on the seven seas.
Be a physician,
you can be anything you want to be.
Don’t listen to the moaners,
knockers, complainers,
you are unique in every way.
Someone will always
try to discourage you,
but you can do it
whatever they say.
Be determined and never give up.
You are much, much better
than you think you are.
All you need is a burning desire.
Follow your dream
and you’ll go far.
Roger Stevens
A local takeaway experience offered a unique encounter. He may not have been a U.S. president, and my dress wasn't white but green. Nevertheless, my hair proved to be a captivating attribute. Despite discovering we were headed to different parties, my party lingered outside, eagerly awaiting chips with ketchup before my Thai food arrived. The conversation unfolded, revealing my status, and when he was bold enough to continue he shared his unmarried status and his love for his four children, punctuated by an English-style jest about his barber son helping him lose his hair. Despite our banter, my hair failed to secure a complimentary meal from the fry seller.
A reminder surfaced that transitioning from a single to a married state often results in fewer invitations, not only to conversations but also to gatherings, with some aspects resonating better than others. For some reason, there is a perspective that envisions people in a relationship as wanting to breathe only each other's air and not needing other conversations in their lives. Parenthood exacerbates the isolation, leading to self-contained parties due to binding evening routines, crying, and the general chaos of family life, which not many are able to cope with, even with a generous dose of humour.
My love for hosting is hindered by the limitation of managing no more than seven drink requests and the constraints of available seating. While parties are a joy, invitations are scarce, influenced by various factors, including the number of free weekends and the number of free seats left on the invitation card.
Our lives revolve around people, and when we gather, we eat. Personally, my affection is directed more towards people than food. I stock my fridge until the light is obscured; I don’t rely on takeaways and occasional fine dining experiences. Today's reflection centres on great people and great restaurants, although some of the best parties have unfolded around a takeaway or a simple cup of tea.
As someone you know said this weekend:
“Isn’t funny that your fridge is the same height as you but the door never closes until there is nothing more than the light left?”
As spring approaches, with plans to explore fine dining establishments with newfound and old friends, I want to share insights into my culinary preferences. This season marks a first departure from indulgent hammam baths, savouring kebabs and Turkish delights to time I will spend with friends in my own home or reputable restaurants.
Summer, then, promises an exploration of undiscovered beaches, accompanied by self-cooked or takeaway meals with precious people, who call me anytime after a walk with dogs with caffeine-indulged names and the ones who whatsup from the beaches of Mexico to share their views untranslatable to any audience.
So, before sharing these anticipated adventures, let me share my “food dream places”, ranging from the more affordable to the less accessible but enticing options:
If you ever visit Poznan, make sure to check out the Michelin star. Poznan is the place where one of my heroines, Joanna, resides. She is the latest Master Chef winner and the author of the beautiful book, whose title translates to “Look Feel Savour". Joanna Szymanowska in "Patrz Czuj Kosztuj" allows you to enter her extraordinary world, which I wouldn’t ever call a teaspoon crazy. The book is not only a collection of recipes for delicious dishes, but also a journey through the astonishing culinary imagination of the winner of the twelfth edition of MasterChef.
Yes, it will link to Joanna… There are many beautiful women around that region of France that I am very eager to be friends with, but this place was introduced to me while watching great Joanna on a small screen last year. In the very heart of Burgundy's vineyards, just a breezy 20-minute drive from Dijon, this spot started as a wine farm built in the 12th century by monks from the nearby Abbey of Cîteaux. Then, in the 16th century, a Renaissance-style château was added to the existing buildings. And guess who's reigning supreme over that castle? Alexandra Bouvret, the iron lady herself. Cheers to Joanna, Alexandra, and the monks with a knack for winemaking and architectural upgrades! 🍇🏰
Phuket, nestled in the southeast corner of Phuket Island - wise, ancient, and probably has stories to share about the good ol' days when coconut trees were still saplings. It's one of those Thai islands that I've got on my bucket list, full of dreams but not as full of golden coins for all the tickets. And let me be upfront with you - my mission is clear. I'll munch my way through every street bar in Phuket before heading back home, and if I happen to bring some extra "souvenirs" in a suitcase or comfortably settled around my waist, well, consider it a cultural exchange program with the local delicacies!
“I am not going to blend in,
I’ve never been one for mixing well.
I don’t know how to watercolour fade into the colours around me;
I always feel like spilt ink,
The accident on top of the purposeful pain below.”
Tyler Knott Gregson
Books wield their power when they give you wings, and I don’t just mean the ones you use in your kitchen. It's all about people. Culinary books can transform you into someone you never thought you could be. Biographies and memoirs are worth reading because they unravel the stories of vulnerable individuals who decide to share what others hide in the recesses of their memories.
While awaiting Joanna’s memoir, let me share my favourite memories from watching her. It's not just about the places, although the finale took me to Dijon, Marseille, Lyon, and Saint-Lager, where I hope to go one day. For now, I am sharing Joanna, not just because Poznan is my city, the place where I first studied, and the destination I frequent the most, where my beautiful friends reside. Joanna, once an accountant, stands out because you would never guess her former profession by observing the chaos organised by her mind on her kitchen top and her free spirit just above it. I adore Joanna, not only because she emerged victorious, but because she was ready to share herself just as she is, and that's her true success. A beautiful personality, amazing energy, and a bold woman.
Lastly, a weekend invitation from a friend, complete with her singleness, promises a tender and delightful experience with other dear friends, akin to all the exquisite food I've ever had.
Ps to Joanna: I've expertly observed—okay, maybe stalked—all your wedding reels on Instagram. So, you're officially hanging up the wedding planner hat, and let's be real, we were practically cosmic strangers before the Insta-wedding bonanza. But hey, Joanna, fear not, for I am scheming my grand entrance into another wedding to unleash my Oscar-worthy dream speech! Now, about those contacts of yours - could you pass them along to other fabulous ladies residing in French castles? I'm on a quest to discover just how many beautiful, still-unmarried women I can channel. Consider me the self-proclaimed Love Enthusiast with a mission!
Your madly-in-love Insta moments had my heart doing a conga line. I'm itching for more 'first dances'—seriously, let's keep the dance floor alive! You see, my father was a wedding videographer, and I was a wedding photographer in a past life. We even worked side by side in a dark room developing photos. That's how I cultivated my love for beauty, observing love, and generously sharing love. Plus, I'm a mustard and wine aficionado, and Dijon is whispering sweet nothings to me, and I don’t only mean the deep colours. Whether in a castle or not, it sounds like the perfect spot for a romantic dinner, or maybe even a wedding reception...hint, hint. 🕺🍷🏰
Now, I'm not just wielding a paintbrush; I'm crafting love portraits with words. This time, the masterpiece was meant to capture you and your beautiful imagination. So, the next champagne toast – my treat, of course! Celebrating love, daily and on special events is my gig, and trust me, it's a job I take more seriously than deciding what socks to wear.🥂💃
The takeaways for you?
Load up, considering you know I eat a lot!
Drink for yourself; you are the best "cup of tea" for yourself.
Fill your internal fridge with all the goodness you can share until there is nothing more left besides your own light.
Champagne is great for celebrations of all sorts, both the grand public occasions and the solitary sips before you lay your head on a pillow.
People are crucial in our lives, whether we are solo, paired, or in larger groups.
Every interaction in life holds significance; at times, the ones with strangers and neighbours provide the most strength to navigate relationships with significant individuals, whether they are a single person or a larger number.
Unless you are a vulnerable underage girl in a too-short skirt with too many drinks over you, talk to strangers. Don’t shy away from sharing your views, beliefs, goals, feelings, imagination, and your loved ones to a degree that you are comfortable with.
Be kind. While you might forget about it in 5 minutes, the other person might remember it forever.
See friends in everyone, no matter how little they can offer you or how much you can compensate them for it.
Surround yourself with people who inspire you to be better. No drama, jealousy, or mess. Just higher goals, good vibes, and positive influence.
When you are ready, invite friends over. No need to cook; you don't even need to count the number of placemats you have for the mugs or consider the views outside your window. Share moments and a little bit of yourself: laughter, a listening ear, a smile, or simply silence.
Play only fair plays.
Be ready for any eventuality. The way to the castle can be well-paved or full of mood (or mud, whichever you choose to go with).
My shopping extravagance counts on a chateau experience whatever it will bring…
Reads in Polish from the last and the first of the Polish winners of MasterChef:
Since weddings don’t happen every weekend, drink champagne by yourself. That’s the one I share with myself:
Kind greetings to you all!
