Monday Recap #3
Surviving Easter break, turning 43, lunch with The Ex, all whilst not to pee my pants and/or kill the kids...
Ohhhh term breaks….how I loathe thee…We don’t have these in the US. We have our usual winter and summer breaks, a spring break and then a couple of long weekends here and there, that’s about it. But in the UK, they have these ‘half-term/end of term breaks’ which happen after schools’ been in session for about 10 weeks. There are 3 terms in a year, each term is split into 2 parts and after each part, there is a ‘break’. Each break can be a week to two weeks off. So there are a total of SIX FUCKING BREAKS in a year…SIX!! FML…
It was also my birthday week! Mama turned 43 on 04/04! When I was young, kids used to make fun of me because 1. April 4th is also known as Children’s Day in Taiwan so I was told that I’m always going to be immature and will never grow up (this part is true) and 2. The Chinese word for ‘four’ is ‘Si’ which is phonetically similar to the word ‘dead’. So…kids would say I was ‘dead dead’ and that I was bad luck…didn’t help that I also lived on the 4th floor so I was DEAD DEAD DEAD…and it just occurred to me now that next year, I’ll be quadrupled Dead…4444…
Well, that was a positive spin on a Monday…Anyways, this means I am finding it difficult to find the time to write. But let’s see how I survived the first week of Easter break!
Monday
Took S to the trampoline park. I have a love and hate relationship with trampoline parks. It is fun to bounce around like an idiot but it’s also a stark reminder of how weak my pelvic floor has become since babies. Thank God I box and lift some weights because S is one heavy MOFO. I felt like I did 50 dumbbell presses while bouncing on a spring whilst simultaneously doing kegel exercises so I don’t pee my pants. It was a lot of multitasking for a Monday…
Not-peeing-in-pants achievement points: 1000 ⭐️
Tuesday (it’s my birthday, bitches!)
Had an excellent boxing session with my coach. Nearly punched him in the nose and was quite proud of myself.
Personal achievement points: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A baked my favorite cake, a Torta Caprese from Cupcake Jemma! It was her first cake and she did not burn the kitchen down. I actually enjoyed the cake! Must have more faith in my own kid.
Parenting achievement points: ⭐️⭐️
Made myself look presentable to go out, managed to fit back into my old All Saint leather jacket!
Fashion achievement points: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Finally got to visit Andrew Edmunds for the first time! Back when I was a ‘Lifestyle Manager” (another story, another time…), I used to book clients to this restaurant because not only did it have great food and an excellent wine list, it was intimate and romantic, especially downstairs. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had clients request this place because they were having love affairs…
Another good spot for some secret and sordid rendezvous is the dessert and cocktail bar, Basement Sate. The sign is discreet, just a red door and a flight of stairs. Low lighting and leather seats and pockets of corners for some stolen kisses.
Sexy achievement points: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Food highlights:
Roasted guinea fowl with broad beans was my favorite. It was succulent with a slight crispy skin. It was perfect.
The baked dover sole with brown butter and capers was simple but delicious. I think I impressed my date by removing the bone whole. All them years of fish eating in Asian households have come in handy.
Wednesday
Had a double date with another parent and child. Took the kids to central London, had lunch in Kulu Kulu (conveyor belt sushi, better than Yo! Sushi, decent price, busy AF so prepare to wait) and no one cried.
Parenting achievement points: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Saw a guy queuing for the Miffy Pop up (is it really worth it to queue for some cartoon bunny?!) wearing this bag! You can remove the battery and stick it in the wall and use it as an actual socket?! A is right, I do not get fashion…
Watching a grown man tied up in chains and hearing him moan behind a velvet curtain is not my idea of fun…
I fell asleep sitting in S’ buggy…my big butt did not break the buggy so…
Weightloss achievement points: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Food highlights
I like the temakis at Kulu Kulu. Ask for freshly made soft shell crab temaki and the ‘Special’ which is a temaki with raw salmon and prawn tempura with some spicy mayo.
Thursday
Spent the day at home because I was exhausted. S obsessed over my unpolished feet. Slightly concerned that this might grow into something that he’s gonna have to explain to a therapist one day…
Day achievement points: negative ⭐️
Food highlights:
Old ass bagels with fancy French butter
Friday
Took the kids to Greenwich Market! Never been, why in God's name have I never been?! Such a fun place, I could totally see myself living in Greenwich.
Spent the day chasing both kids in Greenwich park. Made me appreciate how adorable they are. Even though I am solo parenting now, while it is tricky and exhausting, I think I’m slowly getting the hang of it. Plus my kids are freaking gorgeous so that helps when they’re being little a-holes…
Family achievement points: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Food highlights:
Cubano from The Latin Bros. Wasn’t half bad. I was hoping for one with roast pork and they used BBQ pulled pork but it was still delicious. The bread was great, crispy but light and fluffy. Now I just really want to make a cubano at home…making a mental note…
Sirloin steak sandwich from Red Cow Carvery was decent. They had the longest queue! I really wanted to try the roast beef with Yorkshire pudding and gravy but A insisted on a sandwich. The steak was grilled perfectly but that was about it. I think the roast beef looked a lot better…the melted cheese was overpowering so give that a miss next time unless you really like cheese.
CHURRO. BAD. M’KAY? (not a highlight, more a ‘don’t do it!’)
Hot chocolate from Dark Sugar. This is a must if you’re near a branch. This is the most comprehensive hot chocolate menu I’ve ever seen! And it is mesmerizing watching the shaved chocolate melt into the hot milk…
Saturday
Got my lashes done. I have pretty eyes again! I am so lazy when it comes to beauty, I try to find the most effective way with minimal effort and lash extension is my jam. I’ve also been going to Junko for the last 6 years. I have searched high and low for someone like her and she is truly the best (for natural looks and suitable for Asian features) so if you’re in north London and in need of a good one, check her out!
Beauty achievement points: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I missed out on the Decatur pop up because they sold out in less than 3 hours! So I went and got some Shake Shack ranch special instead. I wouldn’t say their ranch is authentic but the food is always consistent.
Sunday
Had Easter lunch at Haidilao with The Ex and the kids. It went very well. We’ve decided that once a month, we will do a lunch gathering like this. We both agreed it would be good for the kids and for us. We also had a frank conversation about what we were like as a couple. Were we unhealthy for each other? How did we both become so complacent? Did we really try to listen to what the other wanted/needed? We knew we were good friends and good parents but as romantic partners, were we really compatible?
These were all big questions and I’d like to explore this further later on but a few things we did agree on is that we also did a lot of goods and we hope to walk away with lessons learned and become better people, better parents and better partners.
Separation achievement points: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Food highlights:
The fried pork strip was a good starter. Surprisingly, so was the fried chicken nuggets.
The bullfrog thighs were scary looking but very good in the spicy broth. Yes, they taste like chicken.
Not a highlight but important to know! Haidilao charges PER PERSON on using the sauce station! That a surprise…I thought it was free! So keep that in mind when you go.
I will do my best to find some time for the Thursday post but I do apologize if it’s delayed! Thank you so much for your comments, too! I’m going to use this evening to reply to all of them!
What is your least favorite holiday activity your parents made you do as a child? Let me know in the comments!
Till next time,
Tiff xx