Hey, you! đ°
Back to work, back to reality. The last 4 days were great, but it's time to go back to reality.
Before I start telling you all about my long weekend, I hope that you had a wonderful time with your loved ones and that this time filled your hearts with love, hope, and peace! â¤ď¸
Let me tell you first about Palm Sunday, which is exactly one week before Easter Sunday. The Husband and our daughter went to Sunday mass on Palm Sunday and because I'm so used to how it's done in the Philippines, I told S (our daughter) not to forget a palm and have it blessed. Except that in France ... it's not the way it's done. No one at church gives you a palm, you have to buy it! Hahaha
So you buy a palm, bring it to church with you, and it will be blessed by the priest. He does so because they are symbolic of Jesus' life, his ministry and ultimately, his sacrifice.
Honestly though, I do not know where to buy palms in France. Maybe in a flower shop? Let me know in the comments if you know. Contrary to the Philippines, they do not look like palm - check out the photo above. They are called des Rameaux and Palm Sunday mass is known as Messe des Rameaux.
In case you're wondering how it looks like in the Philippines, it's in the photo above.
So, S went to school from Monday - Thursday and on Thursday evening, she went to the countryside to stay with my French family.
The Husband and I decided to stay in the city because he was working on Good Friday and we were invited at our friend's house, which I was super excited about!
I was super excited because our friends, who are from South Africa, prepared Cape Malay Pickled Fish. This dish is typically eaten on Good Friday in South Africa. It is sweet and tangy, and wonderfully spiced. It paired perfectly with their Homemade Potato Salad and Garlic Bread. It was sooo good! We are so lucky to be able to experience other cultures and I cherish each moment. Our friends have truly become our chosen family here.
For dessert, I brought them Biko. If you read the last post, then you know how special Biko is for Filipinos during Good Friday. Click here for the post.
On Saturday, the Husband and I went to the Asian store to pick up the ingredients I needed to make Pancit Bihon to bring to the countryside. Earlier in the week, my sister called telling me she was craving for some. I always get nervous because she loves loves loves my mom's pancit and I feel like my pancit does not hold a candle to my mother's. But anyways, I try. I set some aside for us and the Husband loved it! I thought it was pretty good too. Just not like my mom's. Hahaha.
On Sunday morning, we took the train to the countryside. A cup of Cafe Latte with Oatmilk, Bon Iver, Fields of Green, and 24 minutes later we were at our destination. We had a direct train, so it went really quick. My sister was already waiting for us at the train station.
In case you're confused, my sister is actually my half-sister, but to me she is just my sister. We share the same dad, but not the same mom. Our parents had a really good divorce and when each remarried, we would go on vacation together. One big happy family. I believe that this has really helped my relationship with my sister. She is 25 years old than me, so most days she still treats me as a baby. It doesn't help that I'm just 5 years older than her daughter (my niece).
Anyways ...
We had Easter lunch at my niece's new house. Her new house is simply gorgeous and has the best view ever. Life's a bit complicated at the moment, but I'm sure that they will be very happy in this house. Her kids are now 5 and almost 3 and they are the cutest ever. They'll be staying with us in a few weeks and I can't wait. They have so much fun living the city life when they're here, especially because they come from a little town of 200 people. I'm not kidding.
We were quite spoiled by my niece. We were served some Hors d'Oeuvres, followed by Foie Gras, then Roasted Pork, French Green Beans, Roasted Potatoes, Cheese and Salad, and Black Forest Cake and Strawberry and Cream. It was a feast! We stopped eating Foie Gras at home, but when invited, we don't turn it down. I just stopped buying some for myself.
A few hours later, it was time for us to go back home and with S this time! We could have stayed overnight, but S needed to study for her classes. The Husband too. I just decided to take the day off. It felt so good.
And now, I'm back to regular programming.
How was your Easter weekend?
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