Healing

There's no cure better than being around friends and loved ones.

As I've told everyone who's asked in the past couple of weeks, how I feel really depends on the hour. Sometimes I feel great and at 99%, and sometimes I feel sick sick sick! Yesterday evening I was supposed to babysit, but the stars aligned and that was cancelled, so I got to spend time with Steph and her fiance, Paul. I went over to their place and Stephanie made me a nice cup of Trader Joe's Organic Mint Melange Tea (amazing) and when Paul got home we headed to a restaurant called Vietnam Kitchen.

Imagine: You're in the South End of Louisville or away from what is considered the culinary hubbub of the city. You pull into a strip shopping center that hasn't changed much since the 1960's. You walk into one of the locations, blinded by the sharp florescent lights and blindsided by the fact that every table is full. Don't run away: you've just arrived to Vietnam Kitchen.

Vietnam Kitchen is a prime example of the idiom "Don't judge a book by its cover." Despite its lackluster appearance, VK has great service and great food. I wasn't worried in the least bit, being in Steph and Paul's very capable hands, because I trust them, not to mention the fact that I had heard great things about VK before. They are vegetarian and vegan friendly, and they have foods for the adventurous eaters too! I ate a spring roll appetizer and an entree that had vermicelli, lettuce, peanuts, cucumbers, tofu, eggroll, a light sauce, and some other goodies. The last time I had tofu was when I failed HORRIBLY at cooking it, so I was apprehensive to try it again, but it's growing on me! We left VK with full bellies and full hearts :)

After dinner activities: playing cards with another friend, drinking four more cups of tea, eating veggie chips and chocolate with caramel and sea salt, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. If that can't make you feel better, what will?

Today, with a few inches of snow on the ground, I have a couple of things to keep me occupied.

As many cups I can squeeze out of this delicious mint tea:

And a book from the library of Steph + Paul:

Here's to healing!