firsts

yesterday there were a few firsts - the first time i applied nail polish again after leaving it bare for a long time because partly i don't really care if my nails are painted and partly because a previous brand of nail polish wasn't very easy to use. i decided i needed to feel a little more polished and so i'm now on opi's 'over the taupe', given to me by ying ying last year.

and then, it was the first time husband and i went to teppei, a japanese restaurant known for their value-for-money omakase menus. husband said it was to celebrate our 13th year of getting together as a couple - the first time (and last) i committed to having a boyfriend. when we left the house, it was storming; we couldn't see beyond the grey mists. the restaurant is a little nook that sits about twenty, with the seats surrounding the open kitchen. they served about ten dishes, not including dessert at the end, a scoop of ice cream for each of us. i loved that it was a specially singled out day to go out and that it felt special, and as we whispered in low tones - partly because we were commenting on our observations of what was around us - in the ambient light, the slight peeks to see our neighbours reactions on the food, the not-too-conscious make belief feeling that we could be in japan, and later, during a stroll about the neighbourhood, the cool touch of the after-rain and the holding of hands. i think i am a sentimental person, and i do love history, and the nice thing about being together with someone for so long is the history that we share - the secrets, the codes, the habits that layer our relationship and our conversations.

last week, the husband had a bouquet of flowers sent to me. roses and carnations and tulips. so there was, and still is some life within the house, and with it, reminders of a sweet, sweet boy, romance, although, what is equally sweet is the husband helping me with the chores while i churn out my last article, and also, the opening and sharing of a packet of pocky hearts.