Friday, November 30, 2012

31 Days of Christmas

 
Day 1: 8 o'clock
Helen and I are on our way to the Christmas Market :)
[you didn't really expect more from me at 8am did you?]
 
 Day 2: Peace
Now, before you go telling me that this is piece and not peace first take a moment to understand that this is no ordinary cake. This is lemon cake, the same lemon cake that my grandfather taught to my mother and that she passed onto me. Making this today did bring me peace and provides a calming taste of home.

 
Day 3: Something I Held
Meet Fish and his soon to be new friend
 
Day 4: Black and White

Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina was the first thing that I thought of when I saw that today was 'black and white' and although I did not find time to watch it today I still felt that it was a suitable picture
 
Day 5: Looking Up
 Looking up and out to enjoy the view from the road after meeting BJ (the horse Helen rides) and watching her riding lesson
 
Day 6:  From where you live/your country
This picture was taken where I live, but the objects in the picture are from my country. Thanks Mom!

Day 7: Stars
 
 
I've never done one of these, but have always thought it sounded fun. I'll do my best to update this post as often as I can/as often as I remember.

I spy

Ian took me to the zoo last weekend and we had a GREAT time. He is definitely the best and has been spoiling me rotten recently. Not going to post all of the pictures since the animals are pretty much the same as last time, but here are some that were a bit different.

I spy something... Green
 
 
I spy something... Round


I spy something... Trying to get into the trash?
 




 Oh gosh, I've been caught
 
What? Maybe I wasn't done with those veggies yet.

Almost there... so close... if only this shell would stretch a little bit more...

 Birds. Awww and they're friends :)

Prepare to meet Duckbird [Duh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh DUCKBIRD (like batman, only cooler)]. This may look like a duck, but it's in a tree like a bird [yes, ducks are birds... like a normal bird that belongs in a tree]. It also waddles like a duck, but makes chirping sounds like a bird [a tweet tweet bird, not a quack quack duck]. The aviary was closed the last time we were here and I am very glad it was open this time. So cool!

 
 

Hello there



The Last Three Months

I know I have been a bit out of touch since being back in Melbourne, but things got pretty busy here. Seems like I haven't really done anything, but write papers for months now. It is such a relief to be done with that for a few months. I had one intensive early in the semester, my semester long class had a lab that ran for a few weeks in September, then from the last week of September until now it has been back to back classes and papers. Some of the papers I was able to do early, but I basically had one week for each assignment that should have been give two weeks worth of attention. Plus, I had intensives during this time which meant even less time to work on assignments. A friend linked this a little while back and I couldn't help, but laugh because it was completely how I felt working on that last paper (Sorry for the language Grandma and Grams). I started working on the stupid thing, but just couldn't get motivated to stick with it. Panic set in, cried a few times, pulled myself together, cried some more, and got the thing done and submitted.



Okay, on to the more fun stuff about life.

Ian and I took a day in September to go to the Mexican Festival. It was... well... less than impressive and didn't feel very Mexican either. I'm not an expert on Mexican cuisine, but there should not be white rice in a burrito. Guess if I want Mexican food the way I think it should be then I'm just going to have to keep making it myself. When I win the lottery I think I might open a Senior Frogs here; I think it would do well (plus I'm dying for a veggie burrito and a crisp meat). Darn, now I'm hungry. Anyway, at least we were able to take some time to go out. We haven't had a whole lot of time for much.

Wow, looking back on it this semester sucked. Was too busy to do anything :(. Went out with friends a few times which is always a good time. The people that are in my program are awesome. We all get along really well and have a great time when we get to hang out away from studying (we have a good time studying together too, but it's just not the same as relaxing with a beer). It's a great group and we all do our best to keep each other on track with everything going on.

Helen invited me to go with her and a friend to the Melbourne Show (it's like the fair). It was so much fun and we all had a great day. Luckily no one really wanted to go on any of the rides, but we all wanted to spend time in the petting zoo.
Derp Derp

Hey...Wait...I've got an itch that needs scratching!!!

Awwwww

We know we're fabulous

Awwwww part 2
 
Kind of random, but here are some pictures that I took when Ian and I went to Albert Park. It wasn't the nicest of days, but it was still nice to get out.




I have had a few small personal achievements over the past few months as well. When we first moved into this apartment I decided I was going to make full use of the oven (not knowing if our next place will have an oven) and I have done just that. Cheesy scones were my first delicious creation. They were really easy to make and were really yummy. Of course, not everything has to be made in the oven.

These are fresh crepes with an apricot compote filling. My favorite filling is still nutella, but these were pretty good too. My current “project” has been my ultimate goal. Today I made pie crust from scratch WITHOUT a pastry blender. That’s right I did it the old fashioned way with two butter knives. And (after some swearing) I was even able to get it rolled out (using a clean tequila bottle) and placed nicely in a pie tin. Now I just have a do a little prebaking, let it cool, and it will be ready for some French silk pie filling :D. Mom sent me recipes in the box I got from home the other day and I couldn’t wait to try them out. Don’t worry, the pie crust recipe made enough for two pies so there is an apple pie in the works too. Apples are cheap right now too so I got some at the market today. Might start off easy and make a crisp first though.



I know, my life is super exciting; I go to school, do school stuff, and when I’m not doing that I’m cooking, doing some sort of crafty thing or playing whatever video game has my attention for the week. So glad to finally have some time to do things I want to do for a while.
So, what’s next? I need to register for classes for next year and get my research project lined up. I am also going to try to find work/volunteer experience doing something animal related for the summer. My back-up plan if that all fails is to become a beach-hobo. Either way I’m sure things will work out J. Again, sorry it’s been so long since the last update, but I should have more time now to get out and do things worth telling you about.