Summer is by far my favorite of all the seasons. Even though I don’t get summer break, the season just feels more relaxed in many ways. There’s less rushing in the mornings to get my kid ready for school, there are no homework assignments to tackle in the evenings, and traffic on the freeways is less hectic. We do more activities outdoors as a family. However, it seemed like summer of 2019 was more hectic all around for my family. I was swamped with work…I even traveled cross-country for my job. My husband started a new job, which altered our family schedule a bit. Summer came quick, and left with hardly any notice. All of a sudden autumn is here. Days are shorter and life is back to full speed.
Stress at work and at home for all of us has started to seep in. Work moves at light-speed, making me feel that I haven’t accomplished anything, even though hours are long and packed with events. Even my son expressed how he is feeling stressed with everything our family has to accomplish from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Life is continuously moving ahead, and I am afraid I might be missing many special moments and opportunities to enjoy the life around me.
As I finally succumbed to the reality that summer is gone, I reflected on the few things I did during the season to get to know my city and the things that enriched my soul. I would like to share three of them with you.
1. Music has healing powers. It will always be on my “top five” to heal, self-care, and celebrate with music. I am a big fan of live music. My husband and I would usually have a couple of concerts planned for the summer. This year, we went to one show. A show that would have been worth it, even if it were my last concert ever. We saw the Avett Brothers for the third time at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. As usual, the Avett Brothers were fantastic. Their music makes me feel good, sad, happy, and connected. I faithfully and completely submerged myself in their music. The music was made even more special by the venue. The Greek Theater is my favorite concert spot in Los Angeles. The theater is located in Griffith Park and has fewer than 6000 seats, with an outdoor structure on the slopes of the hills. The acoustics are great, and there are really no bad seats. An experience at the Greek is a must for any Angeleno. If you do attend a concert at The Greek Theater, complete the occasion by consuming one of those L.A. Street dogs from the late-night food hawkers at the parking lot. Get “the works,” with peppers, onions, jalapenos, cilantro, ketchup, and mayo. You will never be disappointed, and don’t be surprised if you fall in love with your city all over again within the first couple of bites. The entire experience was divine, and instantly healed whatever was ailing my spirit.
2. Farmers Markets on Sundays is a relaxing adventure. Last month, I met up with a colleague at the Studio City farmers market on a Sunday. The market opens at 8 a.m. It is one street block of vendors on Ventura Place at Laurel Canyon, ranging from beautiful and seasonal produce, to flowers to seafood, breads and meats, and much more. Don’t skip the food stalls. I had a fabulous spam musubi for breakfast as I walked around and shopped. I left the market with a shopping bag full of late harvest heirloom tomatoes, wild mushrooms, berries, sea scallops, French baguette, and a bunch of gorgeous large sunflowers. It was a beautiful day and I was inspired and awakened by the connection I felt with my city and its people.
3. Visiting a new eating establishment is a good thing. A couple of weeks ago we checked out Ma’am Sir, a new Filipino restaurant in Hollywood by a well-known Filipino chef named Charles Olalia. The place was named one of the best restaurants by Eater L.A shortly after it opened in 2018. I was hesitant to go (and actually made and canceled reservations a couple of times). I do not want to be disappointed as it frequently happens to me when I visit Filipino restaurants. And I think, deep down, I was a bit jealous that it wasn’t me who pioneered a legit Filipino food establishment in Los Angeles. If Filipino food is going to be a part of the mainstream palate of L.A., I feel like I should be one of the major movers! The truth hurts, but I finally went. The place is casual and lively with a décor and ambience that fit the concept the chef is trying to convey. The cocktails were excellent. We tried a few things from the menu starting with sisig, a dish consisting of pig’s head, chopped up and sautéed with onions, peppers, and calamansi. It was served on a sizzling plate. We also ordered the classic pork belly lechon, hangover fried rice, and braised oxtail in peanut sauce known as kare-kare. The chef sent over a couple of desserts to our table, a sticky rice pudding called bibingka and pandan cheesecake. All the dishes were solid, no disappointments. I had a quick chat with the chef on our way out, to introduce myself and thank him for the complimentary desserts. It turns out we have a connection through some professionals in our industry whom we have both worked with at some time in our career. As we walked to our car, I relished in the joy I felt when I tasted the kare-kare, but also in the thought that the food I grew up eating as kid in the Philippines is no longer foreign in the United States. I am proud of how far the Filipino culture has traveled, and I am grateful for the work the Filipino-American chefs have contributed to this success…including mine. I left the restaurant with a satiated stomach and a heart full of gratitude. Ma’am Sir reconnected me with my roots and on a date night nonetheless.
A couple of weeks ago, I prepared a simple fresh tomato dish from the farmers market as a proper goodbye to summer. I know she’ll be back in no time and I am grateful for all the sunny days and possibilities only summer could offer to nurture my being.
Autumn with all its warmth and promises needs a proper welcome as well. Leeks and acorn squash are two of my favorite fall vegetables. They pair well in my all time favorite Filipino snack, ukoy. This snack is enough reason for me to visit my homeland.
Please enjoy a couple of recipes inspired from these summer explores.