Oh! What a joyous way to begin spring.
With the sunshine, my brother Soltan and his lady Tuba brought warmth to add flavour to the month. The past week has been a family affair, with my kids joining us for meals, dinner at Troy's pub for a delicious hamburger, and other invites from friends.
Last Friday, we had a small gathering at home to celebrate the new arrivals, which turned into a wholesome party of 30! We just can't do small.
Lawrence, who had attended my last party, mentioned the surprise of seeing many new people arrive. As the introductions continued, he also noted:
"Haldita, it's amazing how you've met everyone here, either on a beach somewhere in the world or at Fabric!"
His actual statement made me think and smile. Soltan played his cool tunes. Tuba never stopped being a great host. She moved constantly between the living room and the kitchen, ensuring everything was in order and everyone felt at home. This helped the party continue until after 6:00am.
The last guests left after playing various acting games, suggested mainly by Shiba, sitting around the dining table.
We even managed to get my neighbour up, complaining about the loud music at 1:00am. I got a little pissed off and told him how I have never complained about the sound of his radio constantly on, at a high volume, so he should bare my party one night, once every three months! Think about my mood; I even told him to get a life! Damn.
Needless to say, the next day, I went down at midday, knocked at his door and offered freshly cut flowers and a box of Easter eggs, with my apologies. He was lovely and charming, and we let the bygones be bygones. If only everyone could be so civilized and accepting.
We still managed to get to Portobello on Saturday, with my Girl, Soltan and Tuba, to hang out with their friends only, to find out I had met one of them years ago (as in 20 years ago) back at home, visiting his parents. It was great to know he remembered me so well.
We, obviously, have yet to make it out that evening.
On Sunday, our plan to walk in Regents Park with family got diverted to heading to Kenwood Park in Hampstead. Spring was in the air; the magnolias on the trees shone magnificently under the rays of sunshine. The trees were still naked from the winter. It has been a while since I last visited this hilly park in North London.
In the evening, I joined the sexy Ansel for a drink at a local pub as he told me of his new project of a book on nudes. I mentioned owning a Helmut Newton book of photography, a generous gift from Massimo. (Oh! And even he managed to show up at the party on Friday before his early flight the following day). In Newton's massive edition, as unique as the photos are, we both agreed on the form of the models posing for the nudes being too close to perfection, a rarity in the real world. Ansel's idea of accurately depicting the womanly shape through his particular chosen subjects for his new book made total sense. Brilliant. Although he said it would take time to complete, I cannot wait to see it.
When I reflected on many subjects and how generations change, the heading' When's my turn? ' came to mind.
As an example, in the past, my mum Angel would turn down any chart music I would be playing as a teenager by commenting:
"What's this rubbish you're listening to?"
Since I have acquired a taste in House music recently, she now says:
"What's this boom boom music with the most ridiculous, minimal lyrics you're listening to?"
And now... My Boy has grown up. Every time he sits in my car, the absolute first thing he does is turn down my music. His remark would be:
"Mum, everyone can hear your music. Turn it down!"
Something's gone wrong here. First, my mum and now my kid want to have their way. Hence, 'When's my turn to turn the music down?'
However, it did make me smile when my Boy borrowed one of my CDs to copy and listen to on his iPod. My mum never liked my music, and my Boy doesn't like drawing attention. I just want my music loud.
Today was an exciting day. After my pilates class, I rushed home to change and booked a spa break over the Easter holidays. Decided I needed time alone to reflect upon my life. The trip to Kerala with Aisha, Aida and another girlfriend two years ago had left me inspired, and Juliette's proposal at the party to join her and her friend on their healthy trip seemed like a good idea to get away.
So, I called her travel agent and booked myself an appointment. Juliette happened to be one of the guests at the party, whom I had met with my sister Hala at Club Med in Gouna, a beach holiday in Egypt.
A sunny coffee in Chiswick with Colman was all I needed to enhance the smile on my face, and the meditation course at night turned it into a fulfilling day.
Sometimes, simple does it.
With the sunshine, my brother Soltan and his lady Tuba brought warmth to add flavour to the month. The past week has been a family affair, with my kids joining us for meals, dinner at Troy's pub for a delicious hamburger, and other invites from friends.
Last Friday, we had a small gathering at home to celebrate the new arrivals, which turned into a wholesome party of 30! We just can't do small.
Lawrence, who had attended my last party, mentioned the surprise of seeing many new people arrive. As the introductions continued, he also noted:
"Haldita, it's amazing how you've met everyone here, either on a beach somewhere in the world or at Fabric!"
His actual statement made me think and smile. Soltan played his cool tunes. Tuba never stopped being a great host. She moved constantly between the living room and the kitchen, ensuring everything was in order and everyone felt at home. This helped the party continue until after 6:00am.
The last guests left after playing various acting games, suggested mainly by Shiba, sitting around the dining table.
We even managed to get my neighbour up, complaining about the loud music at 1:00am. I got a little pissed off and told him how I have never complained about the sound of his radio constantly on, at a high volume, so he should bare my party one night, once every three months! Think about my mood; I even told him to get a life! Damn.
Needless to say, the next day, I went down at midday, knocked at his door and offered freshly cut flowers and a box of Easter eggs, with my apologies. He was lovely and charming, and we let the bygones be bygones. If only everyone could be so civilized and accepting.
We still managed to get to Portobello on Saturday, with my Girl, Soltan and Tuba, to hang out with their friends only, to find out I had met one of them years ago (as in 20 years ago) back at home, visiting his parents. It was great to know he remembered me so well.
We, obviously, have yet to make it out that evening.
On Sunday, our plan to walk in Regents Park with family got diverted to heading to Kenwood Park in Hampstead. Spring was in the air; the magnolias on the trees shone magnificently under the rays of sunshine. The trees were still naked from the winter. It has been a while since I last visited this hilly park in North London.
 |
| Kenwood Park - Hampstead |
In the evening, I joined the sexy Ansel for a drink at a local pub as he told me of his new project of a book on nudes. I mentioned owning a Helmut Newton book of photography, a generous gift from Massimo. (Oh! And even he managed to show up at the party on Friday before his early flight the following day). In Newton's massive edition, as unique as the photos are, we both agreed on the form of the models posing for the nudes being too close to perfection, a rarity in the real world. Ansel's idea of accurately depicting the womanly shape through his particular chosen subjects for his new book made total sense. Brilliant. Although he said it would take time to complete, I cannot wait to see it.
When I reflected on many subjects and how generations change, the heading' When's my turn? ' came to mind.
As an example, in the past, my mum Angel would turn down any chart music I would be playing as a teenager by commenting:
"What's this rubbish you're listening to?"
Since I have acquired a taste in House music recently, she now says:
"What's this boom boom music with the most ridiculous, minimal lyrics you're listening to?"
And now... My Boy has grown up. Every time he sits in my car, the absolute first thing he does is turn down my music. His remark would be:
"Mum, everyone can hear your music. Turn it down!"
Something's gone wrong here. First, my mum and now my kid want to have their way. Hence, 'When's my turn to turn the music down?'
However, it did make me smile when my Boy borrowed one of my CDs to copy and listen to on his iPod. My mum never liked my music, and my Boy doesn't like drawing attention. I just want my music loud.
Today was an exciting day. After my pilates class, I rushed home to change and booked a spa break over the Easter holidays. Decided I needed time alone to reflect upon my life. The trip to Kerala with Aisha, Aida and another girlfriend two years ago had left me inspired, and Juliette's proposal at the party to join her and her friend on their healthy trip seemed like a good idea to get away.
So, I called her travel agent and booked myself an appointment. Juliette happened to be one of the guests at the party, whom I had met with my sister Hala at Club Med in Gouna, a beach holiday in Egypt.
A sunny coffee in Chiswick with Colman was all I needed to enhance the smile on my face, and the meditation course at night turned it into a fulfilling day.
 |
| Drive through Hyde Park before sunset. |
Sometimes, simple does it.
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