When I arrived at the Ministerio Pistarini airport in Buenos Aires on that April afternoon in 2010, I dragged 52kg of luggage behind me, along with a hand-carry baggage and my shoulder-slung handbag.
It was quite surprising that I’d managed to fit in most of my life into two Echolac suitcases that were bursting at their seams. It was even more astonishing that I, a supposedly practical Singaporean who’d originally planned to live her whole life in her home country, had booked a one-way ticket to Argentina, por amor – for love.
Back home then, a couple of my friends had already taken the lead in cross-cultural relationships, and seeing them – Geri and Suzy – move to other countries for their then-boyfriends and now-husbands, I’d felt inspired and encouraged to do the same.
So there I was on that autumn afternoon, my hair greasy and limp after 30 hours of flying with Malaysia Airlines, my suitcases slumped with heaviness by my side, deciding to give my relationship with Juan a run for its money.
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At that point in time, I didn’t have any friends of my own in the Argentine capital, and for the first few years here, the lack of my own personal social life would weigh heavily down on me.
Particularly during the holiday seasons, when my birthday and Christmas and New Year’s clumped together in a span of one month, I would feel the sharply hollow ache of not having my own friends and family near enough to gather together for a meal of disporportionate amounts of food.
There would be days of varying levels of homesickness; some days I would just zone out and watch series on the AXN channel that would remind me of home, other days, bouts of tears would overwhelm me when I’d wonder about the possibility that friends and family back home might not miss me as much as I did them.
As with most things, time made things better. After almost five years of Porteno culture, and a finally-approved permanent residence visa, I’ve learnt Spanish well enough that I sometimes think (and occasionally swear) in Spanish.
I’ve acquired a taste for asado, choripan and chimichurri, eat more ice-cream than I’ve ever had in Singapore, and am proud to say that I’ve finally found girlfriends that I can call my own.
Among my entire repertoire of friends, there are various groups, and one of them is aptly named “Las novias de los novios argentinos” – which literally translates into “the girlfriends of Argentine boyfriends”. This club (I like to call it club because it sounds exclusive) is made up of 3 Spanish girls, myself and an American from Florida – all of us have somehow found ourselves living in Argentina after being charmed by its boys.
Then there is another group, essentially made up of Juan’s friends’ girlfriends – with whom I share dinners, teas, lunches and shopping sessions, particularly when the boyfriends are busy watching football matches.
And there is Mechi, one of the most beautiful people I know both inside and out.
Last Thursday, I turned 29. Just like that, I slid right into the last year of my third decade on earth. The transition felt so incredibly normal yet so significant at the same time.
This year, my birthday fell on Thanksgiving, and I celebrated with all these girlfriends that I am so thankful for.
There are so many things I can give thanks for – my family and friends back in Singapore, the new friendships that I’ve formed here in Buenos Aires, the opportunities I’ve been given to explore what I love best (writing, cooking and photography), and being a part of two extremely different but equally important cultures.
This is the fourth birthday that I’ve spent here in Argentina, which also means that I’ve been here in South America for almost five full years.
I’m based in a country that is so far from my home country, but one where despite its cultural differences and sometimes still unfamiliar customs, has undeniably become a second home for me.
I am constantly aware that there are so many things to be thankful for, and this year is going to be the best year yet.
I already know that.
To celebrate my birthday, I bought myself a waffle iron – it’d been one of those things that has been on my to-get list for the past two years – and I took the plunge and bought myself this one.
The day after making this culinary investment, I put it straight to use, and made these gluten-free oat waffles (lightly adapted from Kate’s recipe) – delicious, crispy waffles that go so incredibly well with sweet honey and fresh berries.
I loved using my waffle iron – I felt so professional and matured (no idea why. I just did).
Best of all, I loved devouring this stack of delicious oat waffles…and I’m sure you’ll do too..!
Gluten-free Oat Waffles
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 6 waffles 1x
Description
Crispy gluten-free oat waffles that go so well with sweet honey and fresh berries.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups gluten-free oat flour (or 1 1/2 cups gluten-free oats ground in a food processor or blender)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of ground cinnamon (optional)
- 3/4 cup milk (I used cow’s milk, but you can also use coconut milk or almond milk)
- 5 tablespoons butter, melted (or coconut oil)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups fresh berries of choice (I used strawberries and blueberries)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the oat flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon
- In another bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, eggs, honey, and vanilla extract
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients, and mix well until just combined (it is ok if the batter is a bit lumpy).
- Let batter rest for 10 minutes to give the oat flour time to soak up some of the moisture.
- Plug in your waffle iron to pre-heat it.
- Once batter has rested for 10 minutes, mix batter with your spoon for one last time, and pour batter onto the heated waffle iron – enough to cover almost all of the surface area – then close the lid.
- Raise the lid only after there is no more steam being emitted by the waffle iron, and when remove waffle when it is golden and crisp.
- Transfer the waffles to a baking tray, making sure NOT to stack them (or they will become soggy), and place in a 200 deg Fahrenheit oven until you are ready to serve (this helps keep the waffles crispy)
- Repeat with remaining batter until all batter is used up.
- Serve waffles with honey and fresh berries!
Notes
Barely adapted from: Cookie + Kate (http://cookieandkate.com/2014/easy-gluten-free-oat-waffles/)
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: Gluten-free
Thinking of you this morning, dear Flea!
A waffle iron – What a wonderful investment that brings joy 🙂 These waffles look mighty delicious!
Sending so much love your way xoxo
Thanks dear. Appreciate your thoughts and love.
xoxo
Your blog is one of the few that I mainly read because of the story… Of course I love the recipes as well, but I enjoy to get an always open and (I feel) honest glimpse into your life. Thank you for that. 🙂 I hope you’ll keep that up.
Secondly, it’s awesome that you jumped into cold water those five years ago. I can only imagine how it feels to be in a foreign country permanently. I have only stayed 3 to 6 months in a foreign country (Singapore among them) and I always knew it would end. So I feel like it’s entirely different, I only had a couple of months to enjoy the most of the place I stayed at. However, when you know you are going to stay it must be a tough ride for the first months. So strong of you to stick through that time and you were rewarded for that with great friends.
I’m very much looking forward to Buenos Aires, we are going next March. 🙂
Tina, you don’t know how much your comment made me smile! So great to read it first time in my morning!
Thank you for always reading and for sharing your thoughts with me! And please let me know when you’re in BA, if I’m in town and not back visiting in SG, let’s meet up for a coffee or a meal! 🙂
I’m so glad it made you smile. I read a post the other day saying that you should tell other bloggers if you like what they are doing. Something so natural, but still I rarely do it. 🙂
Of course I’d love to meet up. 🙂 I’ll definitely let you know the dates an we can see if that suits you. 🙂 Looking forward! 🙂
That definitely sounds like a good piece of advice to follow! I should tell other bloggers how I feel about their work more often too! Thanks for the reminder 🙂 And yes, hope we get to meet up if our schedules coincide!
What a beautiful post! LOVE the recipes and the thoughts (and words).
How brave you were to leave Singapore for love. And how wonderful that your intuition was correct and you’re building a good life.
I am JUST starting to make friends, less than 2 months into it. Right now, I lack girlfriends but I’ve been making male friends. Hopefully that is next in my life, just like it happened in yours.
Grr, I meant to say “recipe”, singular. The waffles look gorgeously fluffy!
Joyti! So glad you enjoyed the post. Making new friends in new places can be challenging so much of the time, but at the same time, also very thrilling because we get to break out of our comfort zone and meet people from totally different walks of life than ours! Where did you move to recently? And do you like it there? I’m sure you’ll soon make new friends!! It just takes time. At least you already have male friends! Big hug to you!
These waffles look great and crispy – very inviting and tempting 🙂
Looking at your pics, I am reminded of the many suppers our family had with Adeline’s family late into the night.
Just last week, Daddy, Ron and I were at this new waffles outlet along the East Coast Park together with Catherine, Eric, Adeline and Gracia enjoying our waffles with ice-cream.
You must try out this outlet when you are back in SG. I am sure your waffles taste just as good or even better (especially with the healthy ingredients of your waffles).
Lots of Love and blessings 🙂
Mum
★★★★★
Mummy…definitely must bring me to this new waffle place when I go back next year!!! 🙂
Sure, will do so – I think you will like. 🙂
★★★★★