Amelie Poulain + Pastry = My Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day with a special someone feels good.

Even if many write off the occasion as commerce, that somebody's celebrating their love for you is endearing.

Nothing's lost if you're alone.

V-Day is not about a person; it's about the big L.

At 27, I've never had a valentine.

Last year was my only semblance of a Valentine's. A guy I liked had asked me to be his valentine via email. I was ecstatic to spend the night on Skype, listening to My Funny Valentine and watching him unscrew his bed.

As a gift, he created a PowerPoint presentation.

Each slide contained cutesy messages, accompanied by my photos and his -- pics he'd taken especially for the occasion. I was touched he had styled his incorrigibly-straight hair with gel. Cute coming from a geeky tech, ain't it?

He even inspired an impromptu Valentine's Day poem.

Then, he dumped me. Love is oh-so everlasting! *eye roll*

This year saw no successor to the valentine throne. So, the early bird that I've become got out of bed at 6 PM, wore a witness protection program coat and headed for the patisserie.

To avoid arousing neighborly suspicion of my party for one, I threw the pastry box in a black plastic bag and swung it home.

Luckily, despite the whipped cream, the pastry was solid. Once home, I slid under the blanket, a DVD into the player and gluttony began.

My favorite movie is Amelie.

The romanticism dancing in broad Parisian daylight plunges you in a worry-free world where you feel afloat — a feeling whipped cream on my pastry accentuates.

I like how Amelie, an unpretentious waitress, brings intrigue and anticipation back to the now-dull love game.

She goes on a 48-hour-do-good spree that smacks her back on the bum and drops her dream man at her door.

Amelie, and its otherwordly Yann Tiersen soundtrack, make life seem more digestible.

Enough 'bout me. Tell uncle Wilmy about your VDay. senyum

50 comments:

  1. Remember there's a surprise in store very soon. I have been giving you hints, lately. Could you figure it out? ;-)

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  2. Uncle Wilmy? Someone is just a little too young to be calling himself Uncle anything..or at least addressing his readers with such a moniker :P

    So...okay...you asked how we spent our Valentine's Day. Mine was spent running errands in the morning....skyping with my friend Em in Wales and then spending a couple of hours talking with my valentine, Iulian. It was quite nice but would have been better if we were able to spend it together as well. You know the feeling I speak of Wilmy. Anyway, it would have been a little more enriched if I were capable of enjoying the rich, decadent pastries you tantalized and teased us with :P

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  3. @Angelo: First, Happy Valentine's Day. Glad you had a good one! Trust me, it was good because it didn't include me; I'm told my cynicism has become too contagious. ;-) I went back to bed way too early that night. Eating all the cake on my own wasn't a good idea; I don't feel too well now. Welcome back, Angelo.

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  4. Uncle Wilmy!! Ha,Ha,Ha!!!

    Je vais te paraître bien ennuyante... c'est probablement la seule journée de l'année durant laquelle mon homme et moi ne manifestons pas d'attentions spéciales ou de mots charmants l'un envers l'autre! (Non que ce soit une pratique courant chez nous, mais notre amour se mesure beaucoup plus dans le non-dit que dans des actes "obligés" pour l'occasion)
    Nous ne décidons pas à l'avance de ne rien faire, ça se fait tout seul. Les plats sont lancés directement sur la table, sans nappe ni chandelles. Nous mangeons l'un face à l'autre en naviguant chacun sur notre portable personnel. Et je me retiens de ne pas pouffer de rire!

    Je l'ai déjà exprimer souvent sur mon blogue, moi, les fêtes obligées, inscrites sur mon calendrier, je trouve ça tout, sauf sincère! Et... moins on a d'attentes, moins nous sommes déçus! Ce qui revient à mon commentaire précédent...

    Néanmoins, ma vie est loin d'être banale. Et nos sentiments sont exprimés en gestes et oui, en paroles, mais à des moments des plus inattendus. Ce qui les rends encore plus exquis!

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  5. @Lucrecia: Ah, je ne savais pas que tu avais un chevalier pour veiller sur ton coeur. C'est trop mimi, Lulu! :)

    Une fois de plus, toi et moi avons un point en commun. Contrairement à ce que ce blog laisserait croire, je ne suis pas branché parlotte quand il s'agit de manifester mon amour ou mon amitié.

    Un regard doux, un sourire complice, un calîn réconfortant ... en disent long. Les "Je t'aime" ou autre formules de 'politesse' affective commencent à perdre leurs charme, je trouve.

    Atablé l'un en face de l'autre, chacun sur son ordi portable? On dirait Brad et Angelina dans Mr. and Mrs. Smith, sans les ordi et les explosions! :p C'est attendrissant, ceci dit, car ça laisse de l'espace à l'autre tout en étant présent à ses côté.

    Je vous souhaite tout le bonheur (subtil) du monde! ;)

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  6. As I told you, my beau and I decided to celebrate our Valentine's Day a week early (both too impatient to wait a week >.<) So on the real day we went to the Harley Museum in Milwaukee. He knows nothing about bikes so I was his lil tour guide. We also got ambushed by my dad and his g/f so that meant meeting 1/2 my parents got taken care of, if not very impromtly. Dad drove down to the museum as well but left us pretty much alone outside of just saying hi and giving hugs. It was a good day ^_^

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  7. @Andrea: Happy Early & Belated Valentine's Day :-) Spending VDay at a bike museum? Talk of an original idea! Introducing the boyfriend to the family on VDay? Even a more original idea! Looks like you're getting what your once-cynical heart deserves, Miss Andie - a good sweeping off of its feet. Hah! Really happy for you. :)

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  8. Always LOVE to hear from you! Happy VD to you too! ;) XO

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  9. @Dann: Same here, truly. :-) Welcome back!

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  10. oh, i am sooo late! and i'm soo sorry, my darling! anyways, belated happy V-day to you! i've spent mine with hubby and the kids, like the usual... (pfffft! boring!) and because we're trying to save up for the trip, we settled for carbonara and jerky beef. :) it was fine, though...

    and another "OH!".. i can't get over that movie! it is my all time fave! :) i've seen it for like 5 times... and i still cry with her! LOL! i'm jealous now because of those pastries. rrrrawr! it's past 3am here and i'm craving.. hahaha!

    wilmy, (i kinda like its sound!) what's with the surprise huh? i got a feeling that i'm goin' to like it!

    ~smooches and hugs for you! sorry, it's late!~ xD

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  11. btw, great-great short poem you got there... :)

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  12. @i_wander: Look who's here ... welcome back! :) There isn't an ideal way for spending Valentine's Day. So, spending it with your family is one good way to celebrate. :)

    Amelie is my favorite movie, too! And I do cry, as well. The scene when she rushes to open the door to see Nino standing there, with his eyes full of love, gets me everytime!

    As for the pastry, you'll have to come here and I'll spoil you sick with a box or two. I'll even hold your hair when you throw it all up. :p

    Surprise, surprise ;) Just wait and see! Big hugs to you :)

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  13. I have the movie; Amelie. I love the music from that movie so much, that I picked up the soundtrack a few years back.

    As for Valentines Day! Well, its over rated and full of silly little expectations, which annoy the dickens out of me!

    But I pulled through, went out, purchased a card, flowers, candy, and other necessary accouterments and fulfilled my duties as a boyfriend!

    Thank God its only once a year!


    P.S.

    The desserts look so YUMMIE!

    Tony.

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  14. that's sweet, wil! holding my hair while i'm throwing out! LOL big time! :D i super missed your blog!

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  15. @Tony: Happy Valentine's Day, Mister Toneh! :D Good that you purchased the necessary VDay accoutrement; we wouldn't want Mr. Wonderful to feel loveless. ;-)

    If you don't like the commercial connotation of the day of love, you should have had an Amelie-themed VDay, at home, with your hubby. Followed by some quiet cutesy time, with the Amelie soundtrack playing in the background. See? Just ask hah

    It was awesome talking to you on Skype, the other day. 4 hours of pure typical Tony cheer! And, yes, the pastry was insane. :p

    BIG HUGZ

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  16. @i_wander: What are friends for if not for holding friends' hair? God knows I have awful gag reflex, though. :p This blog super missed you, too. You, guys, make or break it!

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  17. Hahaha! Your blog is so random, funny and a bit thoughtful as well. I guess I'll be your avid fan from here on (:

    Oh and Uncle Wilmy, my V-day sucked to the max. I think even yours was better xD

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  18. what happened to my 2nd comment???????? :(

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  19. @ Veni: A bit thoughtful and even my V-Day was better? OK, glad to know that. ;)

    I read your most recent post and you seem like a fun girl. We should, definitely, pay frequent visits to one another's blogs. We seem to have the same mental age, anyways. :p

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  20. @Angelo: No second comment was registered from your account, sir. Would you like a refund? :)

    Did you look closely at the right sidebar? ;)

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  21. my valentine's day was the pits, because the previous night had been too great. having dinner in a little restaurant i was introduced to originally by lucrecia. we all had the most delicious food, a bit of wine and lively conversations. but spending hours in a chair left my spine in ruin, forcing me to cancelled my plans on v-day, expected to spend the day with a str8 boy. how romantic is that??? he's fine, he's just str8...
    i look at the pastries and i'd like one right now. but considering what i had at the restaurant, i'm not envious. it was a chocolate torte, napped with frangelico liquor. simply divine!!! at the first bite, i was breathless with pleasure. now, tonight, i'll just have a piece of cherry pie.

    so...
    this is what you meant about "a badge"...
    cute!!!

    finally,
    a belated v-day wish!!
    may you feel the love within,
    and meet its match outside.
    :)~
    BIGHUGZ

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  22. wilmy, you never fail to surprise me! how naughty and really nice! ^_^ i lurrrve it! thank you soooo much!!! i wish i could borrow your own badge and have it displayed in my blog... :)

    but i'm not taking back the pastries, ok? :D you owe me 2 boxes. LOL! as if i could get there... but who knows?

    ~super big HUGZ for the badge and believing in what i can do!~

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  23. @Ticklebear: Sounds like you celebrated Valentine's Day on its eve, much like the New Year or Christmas are usually celebrated. ;) It sucks your back hurt from the sitting, but your stomach and senses seem to have climaxed that night!

    How is it to celebrate, or plan to, VDay with a str8 guy?

    I can't believe I didn't wish you a Happy V-Day. Worse, I don't even recall if I did or not. Ah, old age! Happy VDay, my friend :)

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  24. v-day with a str8 guy isn't v-day...
    it's just two guys watching a movie on tv, having a couple of beers and talking a bit, not too much...

    he's an aries like me: not a big talker...
    :)~
    HUGZ

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  25. @ i_wander: You can have as many pastry boxes as you want. Just make it here, which by the way is not that impossible ;) You have great content on your blog, so it only made sense for me to link to you. My readers will, eventually, tire of my nonsense, so I wanted to give them breadcrumbs to blogs I like. :) Plus, you have been so kind to me, so ... Hugs!

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  26. @Ticklebear: You never know, dahling. I've had more luck with straight guys. ;) An Aries, huh? That explains a lot of things. ;p

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  27. don't even go there, boy!!!!!!!!!!!!
    :D~
    HUGZ

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  28. @Ticklebear: I'm not going anywhere :D You've defied all astrological signs' possible interpretations with your big kind heart.

    Ah, regarder la télé a du bien en fin de compte. ça m'a rendu humain :p

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  29. in trying to remember my 2nd comment :).....Your sarcasm? I have no clue what you speak of...:D I actually enjoy your sarcastic wit Wilmy and I can overlook it when it is not correctly applied :P So having said that, I enjoy your cyber company my briend! Again, thanks so much for the road map to my blog :)

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  30. my, my!!
    i didn't know we were on consecrated grounds... i officially declare:

    ANGELO-1
    WILMARYAD-0


    ...
    ;)~
    HUGZ

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  31. @Ticklebear: Somebody's been watching too much sport on the telly lately, eh? :p Hugs

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  32. perhaps....perhaps....
    what is too much though???
    i know i'm not getting enough sleep,
    but that is customary...
    at least, now,
    i have a reason to stay up at night
    and get up in the morning.
    :)~
    HUGZ

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  33. @ Wilmy...please excuse the bitch-slap, it was meant to be more of a love tap but the fact it is on your "sacred ground" I guess amplified the remarks...:D I guess I will have to be careful with my angelic tongue in the future :P

    @ Ticklebear...thanks for the strong arm of support my friend :) I need ALL the back-up I can get to be shielded from the sometimes sarcastic wit of our beloved Wilmy :) I truly am no match for either of you I am sure :)

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  34. @ angelo di gioia:
    well, i may be called TICKLEBEAR, it sounds cute, but it's only a nickname after all. i've had other nicknames, some wil knows about...
    :D~
    HUGZ

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  35. aaahck! my blog is boring, i think! but still, i owe you... :) one day, i'll be able to travel and i'll get to see you and the others. ~mmmuah!~

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  36. @ Ticklebear: "i have a reason to stay up at night
    and get up in the morning." <-- To that extent?

    Maybe we should hook you up with a hockey player whom you'll accompany to practice and local games. That should perpetuate the staying up later and getting up early for a good reason ;-)

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  37. @Angelo: No worries, my briend. Was just teasing you, as always. :) Ticklebear just doesn't know how I only tease people I like. ;) He knows now, though. Hah!

    P.S. You're studying French. Ticklebear's first language is French. Do the math. ;-)

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  38. @i_wander: Your blog ain't boring. I, personally, find it fun (and who, in his right mind, would dare contradict uncle Wilmy?) Oh, if we ever meet, I'm sure we'd have a great time! :-) And you don't owe me anything; you've been kind to me and Ticklebear all along, and I'm thankful for that. Muwah!

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  39. i don't like hockey...
    but hook me up with a football player, and that'll be just fine.
    :)~
    HUGZ

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  40. @Wilmy....yes, I understood you were just teasing my briend ;)

    Actually about the French lessons...I have done the math for all concerned :D Ticklebear....you...and Iulian who is also proficient in the French language so...you tell me...lol...how can I fail????

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  41. @ angelo di gioia:
    de maintes facons,
    de maintes facons,
    my briend!!!...
    ;)~

    HUGZ

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  42. @ Ticklebear: Don't hockey and football players have the same build anyhow? :) Flipping my Rolodex ...

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  43. @Angelo: I highly recommend Ticklebear. French is HIS first language! I'm just an intruder to the language. Certified :)

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  44. but the fact that i have an english keyboard and can't do the french ponctuation might prove a tad confusing...

    :D~ +++++

    so, wil?
    how's that rolodex coming along????
    ;)~

    HUGZ

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  45. @ Ticklebear...I see that this is an suggestion I will not win ;)..chuckling to self....it will be a while before I even have enough words memorized before I am able to actually carry on any kind of conversation...de maintes façons :) :)....non? I just started to study.

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  46. @ Wilmy....point taken...point understood....lol...but let me catch up please:P Remember me?...slow and methodical?.....trouble rolling the tongue? :D

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  47. @Ticklebear: You and Angelo could talk on Skype, so that no typing is necessary and he'll get used to hearing French.

    If and when both of you have time. :) And you could charge him; Angelo is filthy rich!

    My Rolodex seems to mostly have numbers of plumbers, carpenters and electricians. lol Still interested?

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  48. @Angelo: I would have volunteered to help, but since I wasn't your first choice, there is a glitch on my sulking ego. LOL

    P.S. Just do not pronounce French endings like you would in Italian. Conseil numero 1 du jour! ;)

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  49. @Wilmy.......and just exactly WHO was my first choice? ;P

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  50. @Angelo: If I knew of your interest in learning French, I would have spent the summer working with you to achieve your goal (instead of sulking in my corner about a guy who keeps wishing me the best every time he wants to get rid of me)!

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