13 Years in Los Angeles, The Italian Cookie, and The “Odds” of Life

Vultures don’t have feathers on their heads. They eat dead meat, which is messy; the absence of feathers helps them stay clean.

I read this in the Little Kids First Big Book of Why, with Catherine, just a few nights ago; she loves these National Geographic Books.

April has been incredibly busy (more on that in a few paragraphs), and when we read about vultures I didn’t realize we were on the last few days of the month, when I usually sit down to write the newsletter.

That night, we learned that nothing in nature exists by mistake, by chance, a pure coincidence.

April is my anniversary month; on the 26th I celebrated 13 years of life in Los Angeles. On April 26th, of 2010, I landed at LAX for an interpreting job; the rest is a blurry miracle.

Every year, when April comes, I can’t help but think about the odds against which I ended up here. And by here, I am not only referring to America, but to where I am in life: increasingly free, increasingly aware, increasingly in the flow, increasingly in acceptance and trust, in awe, in openness, as well as profound gratitude.  

The odds…

Last weekend, while eating Triple Beam Pizza for dinner, we all watched Fantasia, and as a melody by Tchaikovsky played, I turned to Ben and said: “In order to write something like this, he must have really been born for it.”

As you may know from Instagram, this past week I studied for my Food Safety Manager exam; one of the questions was about the risk of backflow (when contaminants from “dirty” water flow back into the stream of safe water, making it unsafe to use) in a food establishment, and about the necessity to install a device to prevent it. 

Just like vultures, and the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the answer to that question—a back flow prevention device is intended to prevent cross contamination — made me think of the person who invented a back flow prevention device. What they invented is so very specific, that I can’t help but believe this person was born to do exactly that.

The odds…

How can I not believe that we all have our very own individual task in this lifetime? How can I not believe that everything that happens to us does need to happen, to take us to the next level, to fulfill and honor our very own existence in this world? How can I not believe I had to be here, where I am today, geographically, emotionally, intellectually, psychologically? I couldn’t have been here now, hadn’t I been exactly where and who I was until the day before getting on that plane to LAX. And believe me if I tell you that I wasn’t a vision for you, back then.

“The odds of you being alive is a miracle, so that’s what you are.. a miracle”

Neil deGrasse Tyson 

“There are signs.  People find them in the ordinary and in the extraordinary. They are open to argument and refutation, but their impact on the ones who receive them can only be welcomed.”   Brennan Manning writes in his book, Abba’s Child.

Happy Anniversary to me!

And now, the updates:

– The Summer Culinary Box will ship soon. THANK YOU ALL for purchasing it, and for making it such a successful beginning for me and my partners.

– Many of you know that I have officially opened The Italian Cookie —Not Your Ordinary Cookies (on Instagram I am @alicetheitaliancookie)! You will soon be able to purchase my made-to-order frangipane pastries in 4 unique flavors:

Earl Grey and Orange

Kumquats and Caramelized Fennel Seed,

Roasted peanuts, Rosemary & Cranberries

Gianduiotto (chocolate and hazelnut).

I will cater your events and deliver, if you live in Los Angeles. These are the perfect dessert for your dinner parties, for party favors, for birthday presents, or for unique, special, and healthy treat for you and your family.

Not in Los Angeles? Don’t worry! You’ll be able to buy the dry mixes for these exact same pastries. These cookies are always vegan and gluten free; I use heirloom organic North Carolina rice flour from Anson Mills, almond or hazelnut flour, avocado oil and raw cane sugar. Never preservative, never something I wouldn’t feed my daughter. To inquiry about prices and catering email me at: [email protected]

– Catherine’s surgery was successful; they removed her adenoids and put in ear tubes. Thank you all for the love.

– I have been extremely busy, and tired, but I have also been extremely happy and proud of myself.

I knew there was something I had to do in Los Angeles!

I want to use this space, this month, to thank all those people that from day 1 have participated in this journey of mine, of ours; you are too many to name, but I know you all are reading, and you know I am talking about YOU.

Some have taught me lessons, others have guided me, trusted me, gave me a chance, believed in me, fought for me, fed me, fixed my car, helped me move, kept me safe, looked out for me, held me, pushed me, welcomed me, inspired me, helped me grow, kept me healthy, kept me grounded.

You know who you are; I am forever grateful.

See you next month,

love,

Alice