Wow! Today was a heck of a day, all things considered. I got a lot done that I'm proud of, some of which I can't talk about in case my boyfriend reads my blog (it's regarding his present). Let's just leave that as I am proud to say I still have all my fingers.
Anyways, I woke up around 8:30 today and was baking my first batch of cookies by 9:30. By the time my dad came home from his nature walk, molasses cookies were almost done. The molasses cookies were the easiest I baked, mostly because I think I had the most energy for them. I got the recipe here at Bon Appetit. They were wonderfully chewy and spicy even though I didn't have any cardamon. To be honest, I don't know where to get it here!
After my dad cleaned up, we started baking Snicker-doodles together. Ah, Snicker-doodles. They have such a whimsical name! Since they are one of Nick's favourite cookies I felt like I ought to make them, and they weren't very difficult. Got that recipe atSally's Baking Addiction, though I must say they turned out a little differently than expected. Mostly because they spread like there was no tomorrow. Also I doubled the amount of cinnamon in what my family affectionately calls "doctoring". We almost always double the amount of vanilla or cinnamon in a recipe... guess there is never enough for us! Go strong flavoured or go home.
The last cookie we made was Spritz cookies on my mom's request, which were the darn messiest cookies of the bunch. Some of them came out really stupid looking when the dough got too soft in the tropical heat, which was a pain. Anyways, the dough was basically butter, which got everywhere. I almost ruined the recipe when the milk box nearly dumped into the bowl, which was scary. Easily got over eight dozen cookies from the recipe on the Wilton box for the press. Thank goodness we have friends to give these things away to, or I can say good-bye to my abs.
Also, about that milk. The milk calls itself "Milk Beverage" on the box. Not "milk" or "natural milk". "Milk Beverage". Does anyone else think this is weird?!!?!
I'll upload pictures of all this tomorrow. I'm tired from the second part of my adventure that I can't talk about quite yet.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
You Know You Live in Asia When...
- You've paid for cuts of meat in your food that would NEVER be eaten in the USA. Fatty pork is just not tasty in America (your loss, USA!)
- There are bubble tea shops everywhere that are really good quality.
- Chopsticks are the default in food courts
- You have to ask for a fork, and good luck with the knife
- You can't spot your friend anywhere, because you're in a crowd and everyone has black hair
- There's some silly-looking tourist in a funny hat ready to go trekking or something, who stops you and speaks really slow asking for directions.
- There's a smell that you cannot figure out what it is, and question if you really want to anyways.
- "Insert country's name" food is not "Insert country's name" food, but "FOOD"
- For example, "Chinese food" is "Food" in China
- There's a tiny old granny walking around who you swear is 110 or so
- You see poorly made T-Shirts with some interesting English words on them. My personal favourite was in Taiwan, with a T-shirt that read "Bubble Star Sparkle Love". What?
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Still Excited
Well, I found out at 1am on the 14th that I got accepted into BU. And I'm still freaking out about it. I'm surprised I'm this excited, to be honest. I thought my chances were decent considering my school stats... but it's still rocking to be admitted. Pressure is off!
It's actually finals week as of 30 minutes from now, which is kind of unfortunate since I haven't put in as much study time as I would have liked to. I've found out that I basically have to not fail all my finals to maintain my current grades, which isn't a problem for most of them. I can actually get a C on my stats test and still maintain my current grade (which is not a C), so I'll study for that. Really now, you can't study for an essay that you don't have the prompt to!
Also, Facebook is a lot more fun, with my future classmates chatting about themselves and generally being excited. The environment on there is really fun, and I'm already connecting with people from around the world. Also, there are a lot of neuroscience majors on there. It's curious really, who got in. Lots of people from the east coast, a handful of Americans living elsewhere like me.
What I wonder is how these people are in real life. See, on the internet people can come off as super cool, open and friendly. I posted something really general and have had a fair amount of friend requests. Yet, if you put me in a room with people I don't know, I'll hang out in the corner until someone comes up to me. Isn't it funny how we are all so much more open on the web? Heck, I'm writing my personal thoughts here on a blog. Do you think I'd ever say this stuff if you came up to me? Only if you knew me well!
My dad also did my senior portrait, which I'll post here when he's done fiddling around with it. It's not a typical beauty shot (I wouldn't allow it), so that's pretty great. I think it says a lot about me and captures my personality in a photograph. THANKS DAD IF YOU READ THIS!
It's actually finals week as of 30 minutes from now, which is kind of unfortunate since I haven't put in as much study time as I would have liked to. I've found out that I basically have to not fail all my finals to maintain my current grades, which isn't a problem for most of them. I can actually get a C on my stats test and still maintain my current grade (which is not a C), so I'll study for that. Really now, you can't study for an essay that you don't have the prompt to!
Also, Facebook is a lot more fun, with my future classmates chatting about themselves and generally being excited. The environment on there is really fun, and I'm already connecting with people from around the world. Also, there are a lot of neuroscience majors on there. It's curious really, who got in. Lots of people from the east coast, a handful of Americans living elsewhere like me.
What I wonder is how these people are in real life. See, on the internet people can come off as super cool, open and friendly. I posted something really general and have had a fair amount of friend requests. Yet, if you put me in a room with people I don't know, I'll hang out in the corner until someone comes up to me. Isn't it funny how we are all so much more open on the web? Heck, I'm writing my personal thoughts here on a blog. Do you think I'd ever say this stuff if you came up to me? Only if you knew me well!
My dad also did my senior portrait, which I'll post here when he's done fiddling around with it. It's not a typical beauty shot (I wouldn't allow it), so that's pretty great. I think it says a lot about me and captures my personality in a photograph. THANKS DAD IF YOU READ THIS!
Saturday, December 14, 2013
COLLEGE ANNOUCEMENT
Well hello fine folks of the Internet,
Yes, it's 2am Singapore time. I just wanted to post that I'm officially in Boston University's class of 2018!
Well, it's the next morning and I am less tired now. I announced on Facebook that I got in and so far have about 90 likes, which is crazy. It's funny how people you don't know too well congratulate you as if you are their best friend. Well, I'm looking forward to going Back to Boston! I made a new blog called backtoboston2018.blogspot.com that is currently really lame. But that will be my new blog when I go to university. After all, it doesn't make sense to write on "Sent to Singapore" when I no longer live here.
I'm in a good mood today. Didn't sleep that much last night, but that's okay. Going to celebrate with a cup of bubble tea!!
Yes, it's 2am Singapore time. I just wanted to post that I'm officially in Boston University's class of 2018!
Well, it's the next morning and I am less tired now. I announced on Facebook that I got in and so far have about 90 likes, which is crazy. It's funny how people you don't know too well congratulate you as if you are their best friend. Well, I'm looking forward to going Back to Boston! I made a new blog called backtoboston2018.blogspot.com that is currently really lame. But that will be my new blog when I go to university. After all, it doesn't make sense to write on "Sent to Singapore" when I no longer live here.
I'm in a good mood today. Didn't sleep that much last night, but that's okay. Going to celebrate with a cup of bubble tea!!
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Rain with the Sun Out
The title of this post is not just something that happens in movies. It's not just in books or poems, and certainly not just in one's imagination. No, it can definitely rain with the run out, like how it did yesterday when I was walking home from the bus. And in case you were wondering, it wasn't nice and romantic. It was cold and heavier than I though it was going to be. It's also reflective, so for a moment it seemed like snow. Or maybe I'm just missing winter.
It's finals review week, which is really more like underclassmen-panic week. So that's pretty entertaining, because as a senior I couldn't be bothered to flat-out panic. Sure, I'm studying like the rest, but I'm not constantly calculating how many questions I need to get right to get an A or anything. Maintaining my current grades is all I really need to do this semester!
It's kind of funny to watch everyone studying far harder than they have been the rest of the semester. There are some people who I was fairly certain have never opened a book now pouring over them. Well, I guess that is the spirit of finals, and it got me thinking.
Considering the emphasis we put on exams, does it mean anything when we actually take them? Is there a reason for them in high school, other than as preparation for college or whatever? Some teachers don't like finals, or give creative ones. Personally I think they should be optional if you already have an A+ in the class because you have obviously demonstrated that you know the material. If the school is going to make such a fuss about this standards system, then why is there a last-ditch chance to adjust one's grades? Seems illogical.
Considering the emphasis we put on exams, does it mean anything when we actually take them? Is there a reason for them in high school, other than as preparation for college or whatever? Some teachers don't like finals, or give creative ones. Personally I think they should be optional if you already have an A+ in the class because you have obviously demonstrated that you know the material. If the school is going to make such a fuss about this standards system, then why is there a last-ditch chance to adjust one's grades? Seems illogical.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Annoying Things About Singapore
Well, I don't know if these things are exclusive to Singapore, but they sure do seem to happen a lot around here.
The first thing that drives me crazy is the SLOW service! The other day I went to Koi Tea in the basement of 313 Somerset, and it took me 10 minutes to get my drink! The place seemed a bit understaffed and no one seemed to really care that people were standing around and tsking. Restaurants will let you sit for ages before asking for your order, and good luck getting the bill. It's not everywhere, but slow service happens too often to not consider it part of living here.
Another thing that really annoys me is when people stop on the bottom/top of the escalator to check their phone. It's quite dangerous at best when there are loads of people, not to mention really inconsiderate. Check your darn handphone somewhere else, please!
Can't forget about the general attitude people have when they don't have something/are too lazy to check. I've been in stores where I've asked if they had a product, and the salesperson would say no. After a bit of digging around, I've often been able to find it! Seriously now, I thought you were trying to make money....
This isn't really any person's fault, but here in Singapore your hair will act totally haywire. My mom looked like a lion, and I think it took two years before my hair looked decent. I've learned now to avoid aircon when possible and don't go outside with your hair even remotely damp, but it's super annoying.
Imported things. Everything here is imported, which I don't mind. But I do really hate being told to buy this or that because it was made in Germany or the USA or wherever. And of course they mark up the price to crazy heights when something is French or Italian.
Looping conversations. This is pretty common at restaurants or with service people in which you ask a question, get no response, and have to keep rephrasing it until you get the "I'm not sure" answer you suspected. Ugh.
Seems about accurate. I probably sound like a little spoiled princess, but sometimes you need things done quickly and accurately!
The first thing that drives me crazy is the SLOW service! The other day I went to Koi Tea in the basement of 313 Somerset, and it took me 10 minutes to get my drink! The place seemed a bit understaffed and no one seemed to really care that people were standing around and tsking. Restaurants will let you sit for ages before asking for your order, and good luck getting the bill. It's not everywhere, but slow service happens too often to not consider it part of living here.
Another thing that really annoys me is when people stop on the bottom/top of the escalator to check their phone. It's quite dangerous at best when there are loads of people, not to mention really inconsiderate. Check your darn handphone somewhere else, please!
Can't forget about the general attitude people have when they don't have something/are too lazy to check. I've been in stores where I've asked if they had a product, and the salesperson would say no. After a bit of digging around, I've often been able to find it! Seriously now, I thought you were trying to make money....
This isn't really any person's fault, but here in Singapore your hair will act totally haywire. My mom looked like a lion, and I think it took two years before my hair looked decent. I've learned now to avoid aircon when possible and don't go outside with your hair even remotely damp, but it's super annoying.
Imported things. Everything here is imported, which I don't mind. But I do really hate being told to buy this or that because it was made in Germany or the USA or wherever. And of course they mark up the price to crazy heights when something is French or Italian.
Looping conversations. This is pretty common at restaurants or with service people in which you ask a question, get no response, and have to keep rephrasing it until you get the "I'm not sure" answer you suspected. Ugh.
Seems about accurate. I probably sound like a little spoiled princess, but sometimes you need things done quickly and accurately!
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Awesome Restaurant!
Why hello there. I'm not certain why food has been on the brain lately, but I think it has something to do with December. See, living here it's really hard to remember that seasons actually change. Everything is varying degrees of the same.
Anyways, last night I went to an awesome French place called Bistro du Vin across from Great World City and the hawker centre in that general area. Sorry I'm bad about directions/locations, but anyways, Mom said there's also one in Shaw Centre. Regardless, the food rocked. I didn't take any pictures because I'm really not the sort of person to do so, but I can assure you that it was really good.
We turned up there and found out even though the place was booked out, we could eat there as long as we left by 8:30. Not too bad at all for a Friday night. They had a set lunch menu that was $28 or so that looked yummy. To start out we got a mixed meat platter that went really well with the bread. They also had French Orangina which really does taste better than the stuff in cans they sell at school. I got a spring chicken dish that was super yummy. Then I got a chocolate fondant (which is a lava cake for my American readers) which was easily the best I've had in Singapore. It was kind of funny- I kept saying while I was there that I was going to blog about it, and here I am.
The best place about Bistro du Vin is definitely the atmosphere. It actually felt like being in Europe, which is really unusual here where there are so many wannabe European style places. Between the noisy but not annoying surroundings and the general layout of the place, it felt properly French. Also, the service was really good, which is an absolute RARITY in Singapore. Maybe I'll make a post about eating in restaurants here someday.
Well, I'm off looking for Christmas cookie recipes. We actually have friends in Singapore this year to give them away to, for better or worse (I mean, who wouldn't like an entire batch of cookies for themselves?).
Anyways, last night I went to an awesome French place called Bistro du Vin across from Great World City and the hawker centre in that general area. Sorry I'm bad about directions/locations, but anyways, Mom said there's also one in Shaw Centre. Regardless, the food rocked. I didn't take any pictures because I'm really not the sort of person to do so, but I can assure you that it was really good.
We turned up there and found out even though the place was booked out, we could eat there as long as we left by 8:30. Not too bad at all for a Friday night. They had a set lunch menu that was $28 or so that looked yummy. To start out we got a mixed meat platter that went really well with the bread. They also had French Orangina which really does taste better than the stuff in cans they sell at school. I got a spring chicken dish that was super yummy. Then I got a chocolate fondant (which is a lava cake for my American readers) which was easily the best I've had in Singapore. It was kind of funny- I kept saying while I was there that I was going to blog about it, and here I am.
The best place about Bistro du Vin is definitely the atmosphere. It actually felt like being in Europe, which is really unusual here where there are so many wannabe European style places. Between the noisy but not annoying surroundings and the general layout of the place, it felt properly French. Also, the service was really good, which is an absolute RARITY in Singapore. Maybe I'll make a post about eating in restaurants here someday.
Well, I'm off looking for Christmas cookie recipes. We actually have friends in Singapore this year to give them away to, for better or worse (I mean, who wouldn't like an entire batch of cookies for themselves?).
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Blog Related: Being a Blogger and Which Blogs I Read
This post is a response to a bunch of my classmate's questions about blogging. See, when I tell many of them I have a blog, the first two things they say are 1) how have you managed to keep it running so long and 2) how do you feel about having your personal life all over the internet?
Well, let me address these issues individually. I've managed to keep the blog running so long (which isn't really that long at all) because I love writing. I'm not the best writer by any means, and I don't have a particular product that I sell with this blog. I just talk about my opinions and observations, and occasionally give halfway decent advice. Contrary to the popular belief of my classmates, I don't make money off this in any way, shape or form. Now when I'm in college I'm considering making a new blog to follow that experience, and I might put a banner ad on it to generate some pocket money. But for right now, money isn't a motivating factor. I'm currently writing because I like it, and people seem to like reading.
The second part assumes I have a strong internet presence, which I do not. I am not followed by loads of people or anything, and though lots of people have read this blog, they have read it over nearly three years. So, while yes my personal life is out on the internet, it's not really in anyone's face. You do have to search to find this blog, it doesn't just pop up on its own.
So there are some answers to some questions. I doubt the people who asked me will ever actually read this, but hey, it's worth a shot.
Also, I feel like sharing some of the blogs that I read, because they are really cool. Also, I'm sure they won't mind the advertising. I read more than this, but these are my current favourites. It's always nice to have extra food for thought! Yes, they are kind of girly. But I have absolutely no shame about it :D
www.theproperlady.com
I like learning about being feminine ^.^ I think it's good to remember that men and women are complimentary to each other, not against each other.
www.dessertfortwo.com
Quite possibly my favourite food blog. I love that the recipes are for two people- the sweets easily stretch to three!
www.yummyhealthyeasy.com
I'm pretty certain everything on this blog is delicious.
Also, this website's peanut butter cookie in a mug rocks:
http://www.number-2-pencil.com/2012/03/10/peanut-butter-cookie-in-cup/
Well, let me address these issues individually. I've managed to keep the blog running so long (which isn't really that long at all) because I love writing. I'm not the best writer by any means, and I don't have a particular product that I sell with this blog. I just talk about my opinions and observations, and occasionally give halfway decent advice. Contrary to the popular belief of my classmates, I don't make money off this in any way, shape or form. Now when I'm in college I'm considering making a new blog to follow that experience, and I might put a banner ad on it to generate some pocket money. But for right now, money isn't a motivating factor. I'm currently writing because I like it, and people seem to like reading.
The second part assumes I have a strong internet presence, which I do not. I am not followed by loads of people or anything, and though lots of people have read this blog, they have read it over nearly three years. So, while yes my personal life is out on the internet, it's not really in anyone's face. You do have to search to find this blog, it doesn't just pop up on its own.
So there are some answers to some questions. I doubt the people who asked me will ever actually read this, but hey, it's worth a shot.
Also, I feel like sharing some of the blogs that I read, because they are really cool. Also, I'm sure they won't mind the advertising. I read more than this, but these are my current favourites. It's always nice to have extra food for thought! Yes, they are kind of girly. But I have absolutely no shame about it :D
www.theproperlady.com
I like learning about being feminine ^.^ I think it's good to remember that men and women are complimentary to each other, not against each other.
www.dessertfortwo.com
Quite possibly my favourite food blog. I love that the recipes are for two people- the sweets easily stretch to three!
www.yummyhealthyeasy.com
I'm pretty certain everything on this blog is delicious.
Also, this website's peanut butter cookie in a mug rocks:
http://www.number-2-pencil.com/2012/03/10/peanut-butter-cookie-in-cup/
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Singapore Weather in the Nutshell
Well, it's been a couple of days since my last post. There hasn't been a whole lot going on lately since the show is over and I've been coming home every day after school at 4. It's a little weird, but last night I went to bed at 10:30 so I am not complaining at all!
Anyways, Singapore has had its fair share of rubbish weather. It's been cool for the past week or so by Singapore standards, and definitely less humid. We haven't seen the sun in its full tropical glory for a while now, and its been raining/drizzling a lot. Oddly enough, I've been wanting to wear sweatshirts and long pants all the time. Evidently my blood has gotten thin-- and I'm not too pleased with myself as a result. In MA, anything above 50 F is shorts weather (if you are a teenage girl, that is).
Well, the crappy grey weather has got me thinking about Singapore weather overall. There are a few types for sure worth mentioning.
Anyways, Singapore has had its fair share of rubbish weather. It's been cool for the past week or so by Singapore standards, and definitely less humid. We haven't seen the sun in its full tropical glory for a while now, and its been raining/drizzling a lot. Oddly enough, I've been wanting to wear sweatshirts and long pants all the time. Evidently my blood has gotten thin-- and I'm not too pleased with myself as a result. In MA, anything above 50 F is shorts weather (if you are a teenage girl, that is).
Well, the crappy grey weather has got me thinking about Singapore weather overall. There are a few types for sure worth mentioning.
- It's so hot you want to die
- Steamy like a sauna
- Crappy and overcast (relatively rare)
- Windy and cool (occasional evenings)
- Rain Varieties
- It's drizzling... generally means that soon it will be....
- Pouring
- Deluge
- Impossible to see because of the rain
- So heavy you can probably swim to wherever you want to go
- Thundering
- In the distance
- So loud you think the storm is right over you
- Like the cloud is personally above your head
- Ready to burst your eardrums
- Lightning
- Lighting up the sky in the distance
- All cool looking
- Too close for comfort
- Hitting a lightning rod/building near you
Yup! Seems accurate :D
Monday, December 2, 2013
The "Lovely" School Bus
Okay, let's start out this blog post with a quick quiz.
1) If you are a bus auntie (lady who supervises kids on school bus) and one of the children throws up from carsickness, what is the appropriate response?
a) clean up the mess
b) comfort the child
c) ignore the problem
d) spray aerosol air freshener on the child in question
e) two out of the five of these
2) If you are riding the bus, what is the appropriate response to a child throwing up from carsickness?
a) sympathise
b) move away from the mess
c) mock the child
d) scream "WHO PUKED?!" over and over again
e) complain that the bus smells
f) three of the five of these
If you picked answers "e" and "f", then congratulations! You passed the quiz. In regards to question 1, the correct two responses were "a" and "d", and question 2 was "c", "d" and "e". Now that you understand how my Monday morning went, let me tell the full story.
There was a really big accident on PIE today which caused the buses to take a massive detour, which was really awful. We went all the way out to Jurong, on really bumpy roads that could use some work. Thankfully we didn't get stuck like some kids (some got in at 8:30), but the ride was less then pleasant. Aside from feeling like I was on a roller coaster, someone got carsick. I don't blame the kid because I thought I was going to get sick too, but the response was less than impressive.
Really, bus auntie? You're going to spray the poor kid with aerosol air freshener? Does anyone else find this really ridiculous, and NOT a good solution at all? Follow that up with the nasty kid's reaction, and the poor kid must have felt really awful. I find the children on my bus to be rude and mean to each other (as well as impossibly loud) while this year's bus auntie is just rather of incompetent.
Oh well. Only one more year in this school
1) If you are a bus auntie (lady who supervises kids on school bus) and one of the children throws up from carsickness, what is the appropriate response?
a) clean up the mess
b) comfort the child
c) ignore the problem
d) spray aerosol air freshener on the child in question
e) two out of the five of these
2) If you are riding the bus, what is the appropriate response to a child throwing up from carsickness?
a) sympathise
b) move away from the mess
c) mock the child
d) scream "WHO PUKED?!" over and over again
e) complain that the bus smells
f) three of the five of these
If you picked answers "e" and "f", then congratulations! You passed the quiz. In regards to question 1, the correct two responses were "a" and "d", and question 2 was "c", "d" and "e". Now that you understand how my Monday morning went, let me tell the full story.
There was a really big accident on PIE today which caused the buses to take a massive detour, which was really awful. We went all the way out to Jurong, on really bumpy roads that could use some work. Thankfully we didn't get stuck like some kids (some got in at 8:30), but the ride was less then pleasant. Aside from feeling like I was on a roller coaster, someone got carsick. I don't blame the kid because I thought I was going to get sick too, but the response was less than impressive.
Really, bus auntie? You're going to spray the poor kid with aerosol air freshener? Does anyone else find this really ridiculous, and NOT a good solution at all? Follow that up with the nasty kid's reaction, and the poor kid must have felt really awful. I find the children on my bus to be rude and mean to each other (as well as impossibly loud) while this year's bus auntie is just rather of incompetent.
Oh well. Only one more year in this school
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