Adventure time

My first-ever flatmate, Jodie, took me on an adventure this week. A culinary one, my favourite kind.

Jodie lived in Jordan last year and has a love for all things Middle Eastern, so she drove me to Lakemba to gorge on fantastic Lebanese food (while simultaneously yakking each other’s ears off).

One of the nice things that’s come out of separating with my husband is reconnecting with old friends. And Jodie is one of the longest standing. We met … under-aged nightclubbing, I think, in Newcastle. (The pic above was taken at our first flat in Cronulla before we headed off to a pyjama party.)

Jodie was very trendy – spiky hair bleached so blonde that it actually turned to jelly once and fell off in clumps. I was dazzled by her style and her personality.

She’s always been so full of life and energy. No matter what is thrown at Jodie, she dusts herself off and gets on with it. I’m constantly awed.

Jodie is going through a divorce herself and is doing it much tougher than me. But she listened patiently as a whined about my problems and said lots of soothing, he’s an idiot things to make me feel better.

Her vivacious nature means Jodie is never single for long. She went to a movie a few months ago, started talking to a nice bloke at the bar and voila … she was suddenly dating the most lovely guy.

She gives me hope.

She also introduces me to the yummiest food. We went to Jasmins restaurant and, despite it only being 11.30am, gorged on a mixed plate, foule dip, fatoush salad and insane amounts of pita bread.

Then we staggered up the street to Patisserie Arja for the most divine rosewater puffs with ricotta cream and baklava.

I thought my pants were going to burst by the time we finished, but it was soooooo worth it.

It was such a novel way to spend the hours between school drop-off and pick up.

Loved it.

Song of the day: Chumbawamba “Tubthumping” (I get knocked down)