White Wine Sangria

White wine sangria, because that’s how you turn less than perfect wine into deliciousness.

So funny story: I initially made this the day before my birthday and I was super jazzed about working all day, celebrating that night with a couple glasses with a ton of boozy fruit (my favourite), and then going to camp the next day bright and early in the morning.

I was so excited all week, so when Friday came along, I finally made the sangria and finished taking the photos. And then as I was putting it away in the fridge to chill and set, I dropped the entire jug all over the floor.

…

*insert loud miserable moaning here*

A more detailed recant of this is available >here<

Birthdays have never really been a big thing for me. Even as an only child, I don’t particularly remember anything superbly special on my birthday other than Vietnamese cake that tastes weird and has an odd texture that’s nothing like North American-style cakes. I remember some family BBQs, not too many, but some. I mostly remember just hanging out with my mom, maybe watching a movie, blueberry picking, or just staying home and eating my favourite Vietnamese dish.

This year I was so lucky to have spent my birthday with so many people. I celebrated my birthday the weekend before my actual birthday because I wanted to celebrate with my family before I left for camp. I was surrounded by 30-40 people, none that I’m particularly close to, but it was humbling to have so many people gather and tell me to have a happy birthday.

 

 

Then I got to spend my birthday at a place that I hold so closely to my heart. National Music Camp (yes, band camp) is where I grew up surrounded by band geeks, board game geeks, and just all-around geeks in general. These people GET me. They understand my energy, my quirks, my loves, and it’s the only place where I am perfectly happy to give hugs all day and every day.

I’m not a cuddly person.

But I had 72 people sing me happy birthday beautifully in tune and harmonized, as musicians are wont to do, not once, not twice, but three times. I was superbly awkward each time, but it didn’t matter. I LOVE THESE PEOPLE. I love this place. This place is full of skipping and dancing before dinner, music floating over the lake, yoga on the docks, and people that are all uniquely awesome.