Lesson from a cookbook
When I was a child, I was fond of reading books. I remember back then, during my elementary days, I would spend most of my time in the library during breaks and grab a classic book with pictures on it to read. I can still remember the first book I read: “David Copperfield” by Charles Dickens. Back then, I was excited about taking home some books from the library, and I couldn’t contain the happiness I got every time I had to fill up my borrower’s card. By the end of the school year, my card was full of writings from all the books I borrowed.
As I continued to age, my love for books never stopped. I still find solace every time I grab a book from my shelf. I still love the smell of the pages of the book every time I purchase a new one from the bookstore, another title being added to my reading list. Books have been a great companion to me as they always open my mind to a new set of ideas or perceptions.
One night, I decided to reward myself by watching a movie. I went to the kitchen and prepared a bowl of cereal for myself—cereal may be best eaten in the morning, but for me, it is best to eat any time of the day, just like waffles or pancakes. It took me around 10 minutes just to choose a movie. It has been my habit to consider the ratings by movie critics and the actors and actresses in the cast before I watch the movie. As I was scrolling the movie site, I then hovered the cursor over a film to see the preview. It was Meryl Streep who happened to be portraying a famous cooking expert noted for promoting French cuisine. It also starred Amy Adams and Stanley Tucci, some of my favorite movie stars.
“Julie & Julia” is a biographical film unraveling the beginnings of Julia Child, played by Streep, and Julie Powell (played by Adams), a struggling aspiring writer who attempted to cook every recipe in the book, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” by Julia Child, and blogging her experience making them in “Julie/Julia Project.” As I was watching the movie, I felt like it was not a good idea to watch the film because the dishes that were being shown were absolutely mouthwatering, making me crave for some at an ungodly hour.
Throughout the film, I was not only amazed by how the foods were prepared and made, but also by the life lesson a cookbook can bring. Set in different times, both Julie and Julia showcased that it takes time to fully explore our true life’s passion. Working on something that you love may require a lot of effort to do, but at the end of the day, with a pinch of determination and patience, it will be worth it. While doing something, never let go of your greatest weapon in life—the people who fully understand your ups and downs in this struggling world, who never get tired of showing their unwavering support in pursuit of happiness and success.
When I was done with the movie, I brought the cereal bowl to the sink. The water was not running that night, so I left it there. I went back to my room and whispered to myself that life may not always be an appetizing dish. It may get salty or bitter, but I should remember to learn from my past mistakes and not be hard on myself. I should also not be afraid to explore the possibilities of what is in store for me. I then went to sleep, still fascinated by the fact that a cookbook need not only be a teacher in the kitchen, but also in life.
Harney Wayne Ynel B. Santiago, 23, is a tax practitioner. He loves to spend his free time reading his unfinished books, writing essays and stories, or playing video games.
