Harlow

There's something about this time of year that makes me really nostalgic. I always think back to what I was doing three, five, seven years ago, and how my life has changed since then. This time of year always makes me especially miss Harlow, where I spent the autumn of 2005 during my undergrad at Memorial.

When I talk to other people about their Harlow experiences, the same words usually come up every time; their time in that small English town was "life-changing", and I know that for me, it truly was. I had the opportunity to study great classics like Pride and Prejudice, Great Expectations, North and South and works by Shakespeare, and then visit the areas of England where the books took place, or where the author grew up, or where they were laid to rest. To be able to have an experience like that to look back on fondly is something I'm so grateful for.

The picture below is just over seven years old. Even though it's been a while, I can remember it being taken. I was sitting in a T.G.I. Friday's in London, the one on Coventry Street, just down from Piccadilly Circus and across from the London Trocadero. My folks were visiting me for a couple of weeks and we stayed in London for the weekend in a lovely hotel on Gloucester Road. I remember being so happy to see them and missing Newfoundland and the people there...but at the same time, I was completely content with being in England and loving my little life there.

I can honestly say I think about Harlow every single day since my time there.Whenever I talk to people who are considering studying abroad for a term, I always, always encourage them to do so, because you will undoubtedly learn more about yourself, others and life in general than you ever thought possible. If you're thinking about making a move, just do it. Stop wondering and do it. :)

The Monthly Friday Night Supper Club

Last week, I had a couple of girlfriends over for dinner. Once a month, we get together on a Friday night and either try a new restaurant we haven't been to before here in St. John's, or one of us cooks a meal for the other two, while someone else brings a bottle of wine and the other a dessert. We call it our Monthly Friday Night Supper Club. (I like to name things. It's a thing.)

This past week, I made my favourite pasta dish for them. I've written about this dish before - infact, it was the first Transatlantic Tastes dish N and I did. This simple cherry tomato, balsamic vinegar pasta dish is so delicious and so easy, it's my go-to meal when I'm tired of stir fry and still want to have something nice and home cooked that's an upgrade from Kraft Dinner or Chef Boyardee Ravioli. (Don't get me wrong, I like a bitta KD every once in a while, but....come on. And as for Ravioli...well, it brings me back to my childhood. I eat it once in a blue moon.)

Anyway, this really is a simple dish, and it's great for a weeknight when you don't want to have to put a lot of effort into dinner, but on the flip side, if you want to have something tasty and impressive looking for a little dinner party, it works really well. You can find the recipe here in Jamie Oliver's cookbook, or you can take a look at my earlier Transatlantic Tastes post about it, so can try this dish for yourself!

I always have a good time when I get together with these two ladies - we met in university at different points; one I studied abroad with and the other I did several English and Religious Studies courses with, until the three of us were all in the same English grammar course. We formed a study group and from that came a real friendship. We lost touch over the last few years, with travelling and studying abroad in different places, but we reconnected this past January and have had a great time catching up. I've said it before numerous times, but one of my favourite things is catching up with an old friend and finding how what's been happening in their life.

I'm looking forward to our next Friday Night Supper Club, and I know the girls are as well. Here's to food and friendship!

Mmmmm, pasta. :)