At times I feel like I'd be more motivated with a language partner. I have used a few language "hacks" that I'd read from Fluent in 3 Months, which is learn from a phrase book (I used lonely planet). And I have joined a meetup group, but I'm still finding it hard to go out and practise.
My mum has a few friends that she said I can talk and IM with, I'll have to take her up on that offer and push myself.
Friday 2 December 2011
Thursday 10 November 2011
Skyrim!
I have pre-ordered Skyrim from game.co.uk since it's much cheaper and in a way more convenient for the game to be sent to me. When I get it next week I'm going to disappear into a miasma of fun and a burgeoning addiction.
Oh to have a new and exciting game ^_^
For now I'll have to be content with EVE Online and wait, cause I really want that Hulk (which is mildly cheaper compared to the Hulkageddon prices). So I better get mining, or get myself a BS so I can finally do level 4 missions. Ironically with the Republic Security Services.
I'm probably a traitor to my race, oh well :D
All hail our glorious Empress Jamyl!
Oh to have a new and exciting game ^_^
For now I'll have to be content with EVE Online and wait, cause I really want that Hulk (which is mildly cheaper compared to the Hulkageddon prices). So I better get mining, or get myself a BS so I can finally do level 4 missions. Ironically with the Republic Security Services.
I'm probably a traitor to my race, oh well :D
All hail our glorious Empress Jamyl!
Tuesday 13 September 2011
Guten Tag!
I'm getting serious about learning German and also Esperanto. Today I focused more on German (with only an hour of Esperanto).
So here is a couple of sentences that I've combine from things I've learnt so far.
Heute ist Dienstag. Ich arbeite heute um drei Uhr. Morgen ich auch arbeiten. Ich arbeiten drei Tage Woche.
Today is Tuesday. I work today at three o'clock. Tomorrow I also work. I work three days a week.
Now I just have to practice saying that without forgetting pronunciation or any of the words :)
So here is a couple of sentences that I've combine from things I've learnt so far.
Heute ist Dienstag. Ich arbeite heute um drei Uhr. Morgen ich auch arbeiten. Ich arbeiten drei Tage Woche.
Today is Tuesday. I work today at three o'clock. Tomorrow I also work. I work three days a week.
Now I just have to practice saying that without forgetting pronunciation or any of the words :)
Friday 9 September 2011
Delicious and Nutritious
Well I lied about when I would post next.
...
I have difficulty with time. For me it doesn't really have any relevancy. But onwards!
Stew with no meat
This is a really simple and easy recipe if you've forgotten to take some meat out for dinner (or have lots of veggies that need eating up).
1L Stock (chicken or beef)
Carrot
Onion
Celery
Potato
1/8 cup Red Lentils
1/8 cup Yellow Peas
Salt and Pepper (I like to grind mine and use sea salt, and cracked pepper)
Herbs (I have a great blend of marjoram, thyme and sage)
Tomato Paste (I use a pizza one which has garlic and herbs in it)
Sometimes I use other veggies or add extras (like corn, sweet potato and pumpkin). It's a very versatile recipe.
First chop everything up. Next put the onion, carrot and celery into the pot. Add a little salt and pepper, a tiny bit of extra virgin olive oil (try using sesame seed oil or something else to change the flavour) and heat it up to low or medium setting on your stove.
Once that's cooked nicely you can add the rest of the vegetables, the tomato paste and stock. Combine it well and then you can add the lentils and peas. I like to put a bit more pepper in and then the herbs.
Let it simmer away for 40 minutes on medium heat, stirring every 10 minutes or so, so that nothing sticks to the bottom.
Voila!
It tastes even better the next day ^_^
...
I have difficulty with time. For me it doesn't really have any relevancy. But onwards!
Stew with no meat
This is a really simple and easy recipe if you've forgotten to take some meat out for dinner (or have lots of veggies that need eating up).
1L Stock (chicken or beef)
Carrot
Onion
Celery
Potato
1/8 cup Red Lentils
1/8 cup Yellow Peas
Salt and Pepper (I like to grind mine and use sea salt, and cracked pepper)
Herbs (I have a great blend of marjoram, thyme and sage)
Tomato Paste (I use a pizza one which has garlic and herbs in it)
Sometimes I use other veggies or add extras (like corn, sweet potato and pumpkin). It's a very versatile recipe.
First chop everything up. Next put the onion, carrot and celery into the pot. Add a little salt and pepper, a tiny bit of extra virgin olive oil (try using sesame seed oil or something else to change the flavour) and heat it up to low or medium setting on your stove.
Once that's cooked nicely you can add the rest of the vegetables, the tomato paste and stock. Combine it well and then you can add the lentils and peas. I like to put a bit more pepper in and then the herbs.
Let it simmer away for 40 minutes on medium heat, stirring every 10 minutes or so, so that nothing sticks to the bottom.
Voila!
It tastes even better the next day ^_^
Wednesday 24 August 2011
Yum!
Well the last week or so I haven't been able to cook that much, dinner mostly. But today I got to make Chocolate Mousse. Yay!!
Chocolate Mousse
200gm cooking chocolate (dark or milk)
3 eggs separated
300ml thickened cream (that can be whipped)
Method
NB: There are two ways that I know how to make it. Whipping/beating both the egg white and cream separately or just beating the eggs. In this recipe I've just done the eggs.
File a medium pot with a couple of centimetres of water, just enough that it doesn't touch the heat proof bowl. Put the chocolate and 1/4 cup of the cream into the bowl. Put the stove on low heat and let it simmer away. When the chocolate starts to melt slowly stir the ingredients.
NB: Don't have any water anywhere near the chocolate because it will seize up and you'll have to start again :(
While that is melting you can get the eggs separated. I do that by carefully cracking the egg into two halves, the egg yolk goes into a little bowl and the white goes into a small or medium bowl. You can use you're hands or a contraption if you want.
Take the heat proof bowl off the stove when the chocolate and cream are combined and let it cool down.
Using an electric beater - or if you're hardcore a whisk - and beat the egg whites till you get bubbles to form and it rises up (this is called soft peaks).
The first time I did this I had no idea what was suppose to happen, and I used a whisk and I didn't beat it hard and fast enough. The eggs just went white. The more you know!
Now when the chocolate mix has cooled down you can put the yolks in and stir till it's combined. Then you can pour in half the remaining cream and half the egg whites and slowly fold it in. The last half of both can be put in and combined.
Spoon the mixture into cups or glasses and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight (or if you do it in the morning till night time).
I also made a chicken veggie stew ... without the chicken. I just used stock because we ran out of chicken -_- I'll post that tomorrow. Now I'm going to play some more Morrowind!
Chocolate Mousse
200gm cooking chocolate (dark or milk)
3 eggs separated
300ml thickened cream (that can be whipped)
Method
NB: There are two ways that I know how to make it. Whipping/beating both the egg white and cream separately or just beating the eggs. In this recipe I've just done the eggs.
File a medium pot with a couple of centimetres of water, just enough that it doesn't touch the heat proof bowl. Put the chocolate and 1/4 cup of the cream into the bowl. Put the stove on low heat and let it simmer away. When the chocolate starts to melt slowly stir the ingredients.
NB: Don't have any water anywhere near the chocolate because it will seize up and you'll have to start again :(
While that is melting you can get the eggs separated. I do that by carefully cracking the egg into two halves, the egg yolk goes into a little bowl and the white goes into a small or medium bowl. You can use you're hands or a contraption if you want.
Take the heat proof bowl off the stove when the chocolate and cream are combined and let it cool down.
Using an electric beater - or if you're hardcore a whisk - and beat the egg whites till you get bubbles to form and it rises up (this is called soft peaks).
The first time I did this I had no idea what was suppose to happen, and I used a whisk and I didn't beat it hard and fast enough. The eggs just went white. The more you know!
Now when the chocolate mix has cooled down you can put the yolks in and stir till it's combined. Then you can pour in half the remaining cream and half the egg whites and slowly fold it in. The last half of both can be put in and combined.
Spoon the mixture into cups or glasses and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight (or if you do it in the morning till night time).
I also made a chicken veggie stew ... without the chicken. I just used stock because we ran out of chicken -_- I'll post that tomorrow. Now I'm going to play some more Morrowind!
Monday 15 August 2011
Food Experimentation
Well I've been looking at different foods to cook with, so I have been cooking things I've not cooked with before.
Example - Spinach
Not really something I would eat by itself, or in a salad, or raw; however, when combined with udon noodles, chicken, carrots and some homemade broth (well partly) it is something that I can eat quiet well. As long as I don't think about it and swallow down. I'm not at the chewing stage just yet.
Here is the recipe which feeds about 6 people
Chicken Breasts x 2 - cut into thin strips
One Large Carrot - cut into matchsticks
Shallots - just pick a stalk thingy, slice all the green parts and leave the white bit for later (you can use chives as well, if you wanted)
Bag of Baby Spinach leaves - no prep, and you can put as little or as much as you want
Udon noodles - I used three 200g packets
Soy Sauce - I used a couple of splashes (several tablespoons)
Mirin Sauce - just one splash since I've never used it before (couple of teaspoons)
Chicken broth - not that much maybe 1/3 cup, however you can add more
Lemon Juice - I used a lemon, so I cut a slice and just added it in. Probably a couple of tablespoons, though it can be to taste
Method
After cutting the carrot and chicken, get a pot or saucepan of water to boil.
Carefully put some of the strips of chicken into the water. Let them cook for about a minute then put them in a bowl (have several bowls). Keep doing this till all the chicken is cooked.
Then you can pour the water into a big pot, no idea what it's called. I have one for stew. Then put the udon noodles in, the carrot, the sliced green parts of the shallot and as much as you want of spinach.
Now comes the saucy stock part. Add the soy sauce, mirin sauce, squeeze of lemon and then the chicken broth. You can add all of them to various degrees or just have the chicken broth, but I liked the combination of them all.
Let it boil and simmer for 15-18 minutes, stirring gently every couple of minutes.
To serve, have one scoop and dump it right on top of the chicken and then add the white sliced part of the shallots. Add a bit of the broth, or a lot and enjoy!
If you're using chives I recommend to just add them at the end here so they don't lose their flavour. If you wanted you could add the lemon juice here as well, I guess.
It turns out really well and is very filling.
And now for the other experiment.
Almonds
A few days ago I came across a blog talking about almond milk. I was intrigued and curious so I did an internet search. Turns out it's very easy to make. As a byproduct it creates almond meal.
So I combined them together to see if some of my treats are just as good, but more healthy (for a given number of health).
Pikelets
1 cup self raising flour - I changed to 3/4 cup and 1/4 cup of almond meal
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons sugar - I used a mixture of organic and raw castor sugar
1 egg - room temperature
2 teaspoons butter, melted - we just have margarine which I heated in the microwave
1/2 cup milk - I substituted the almond milk
I also added a heaped teaspoon of honey which smells fantastic when cooking in the pan
Method
Sift the flour and baking soda. Add the sugar (which I sifted as well, I'm just like that), then add the almond meal and mix together.
Add the egg (I normally just beat them in the bowl with the rest of the ingredients around) and butter. I usually like to mix all the ingredients in, so it doesn't clump strangely when I add the milk.
Add the milk and mix through, getting rid of any big lumps of flour and such. Then lastly the honey.
Turn on the stove top to a low heat. Then just use a pan and put a tablespoon of the batter in. Flip when bubbles appear and then flip again after a minute or so. The first one will look a bit monged and pale instead of a nice goldeny brown colour because the temperature won't be quiet right, but after that (still good) pikelet the rest will be fine.
Serve hot and fresh like pancakes or let them cool down. They taste awesome with a bit of butter (margarine) and honey, or maple syrup, or cream and jam - if you wanted.
The experiment turned out very good. Much better than oats which soak up the milk in a strange way (though they are delicious as well).
Here are some photos of batter and the end products.
Batter
Nearly ready to flip
Golden brown goodness
End product, so good ^_^
Example - Spinach
Not really something I would eat by itself, or in a salad, or raw; however, when combined with udon noodles, chicken, carrots and some homemade broth (well partly) it is something that I can eat quiet well. As long as I don't think about it and swallow down. I'm not at the chewing stage just yet.
Here is the recipe which feeds about 6 people
Chicken Breasts x 2 - cut into thin strips
One Large Carrot - cut into matchsticks
Shallots - just pick a stalk thingy, slice all the green parts and leave the white bit for later (you can use chives as well, if you wanted)
Bag of Baby Spinach leaves - no prep, and you can put as little or as much as you want
Udon noodles - I used three 200g packets
Soy Sauce - I used a couple of splashes (several tablespoons)
Mirin Sauce - just one splash since I've never used it before (couple of teaspoons)
Chicken broth - not that much maybe 1/3 cup, however you can add more
Lemon Juice - I used a lemon, so I cut a slice and just added it in. Probably a couple of tablespoons, though it can be to taste
Method
After cutting the carrot and chicken, get a pot or saucepan of water to boil.
Carefully put some of the strips of chicken into the water. Let them cook for about a minute then put them in a bowl (have several bowls). Keep doing this till all the chicken is cooked.
Then you can pour the water into a big pot, no idea what it's called. I have one for stew. Then put the udon noodles in, the carrot, the sliced green parts of the shallot and as much as you want of spinach.
Now comes the saucy stock part. Add the soy sauce, mirin sauce, squeeze of lemon and then the chicken broth. You can add all of them to various degrees or just have the chicken broth, but I liked the combination of them all.
Let it boil and simmer for 15-18 minutes, stirring gently every couple of minutes.
To serve, have one scoop and dump it right on top of the chicken and then add the white sliced part of the shallots. Add a bit of the broth, or a lot and enjoy!
If you're using chives I recommend to just add them at the end here so they don't lose their flavour. If you wanted you could add the lemon juice here as well, I guess.
It turns out really well and is very filling.
And now for the other experiment.
Almonds
A few days ago I came across a blog talking about almond milk. I was intrigued and curious so I did an internet search. Turns out it's very easy to make. As a byproduct it creates almond meal.
So I combined them together to see if some of my treats are just as good, but more healthy (for a given number of health).
Pikelets
1 cup self raising flour - I changed to 3/4 cup and 1/4 cup of almond meal
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons sugar - I used a mixture of organic and raw castor sugar
1 egg - room temperature
2 teaspoons butter, melted - we just have margarine which I heated in the microwave
1/2 cup milk - I substituted the almond milk
I also added a heaped teaspoon of honey which smells fantastic when cooking in the pan
Method
Sift the flour and baking soda. Add the sugar (which I sifted as well, I'm just like that), then add the almond meal and mix together.
Add the egg (I normally just beat them in the bowl with the rest of the ingredients around) and butter. I usually like to mix all the ingredients in, so it doesn't clump strangely when I add the milk.
Add the milk and mix through, getting rid of any big lumps of flour and such. Then lastly the honey.
Turn on the stove top to a low heat. Then just use a pan and put a tablespoon of the batter in. Flip when bubbles appear and then flip again after a minute or so. The first one will look a bit monged and pale instead of a nice goldeny brown colour because the temperature won't be quiet right, but after that (still good) pikelet the rest will be fine.
Serve hot and fresh like pancakes or let them cool down. They taste awesome with a bit of butter (margarine) and honey, or maple syrup, or cream and jam - if you wanted.
The experiment turned out very good. Much better than oats which soak up the milk in a strange way (though they are delicious as well).
Here are some photos of batter and the end products.
Batter
Nearly ready to flip
Golden brown goodness
End product, so good ^_^
Monday 8 August 2011
Back into Gardening
Starting from the end of last month I've been slowly getting back into gardening. My first trial however was today while I was cleaning pots. Horror of horrors I found lots of tiny slugs :(
So onto the web to check out how to dispose of them without harming other plants and animals. Turns out there is a few things that can get rid of them.
Beer ...
Apparently left out at night in a little thin bowl thingy. I don't think I'll need to test that just right now.
Salt!
This worked a treat. However I should have brought the pot undercover so I won't get any on the grass, but meh. It's super effective (spot the reference)! But only works on the ones that you can see and get to. So I'll have to look for additional help.
Also I found two worms in the same pot, so I hurried them along before I exterminated the slugs. Now I want to make/get/construct a worm farm.
So onto the web to check out how to dispose of them without harming other plants and animals. Turns out there is a few things that can get rid of them.
Beer ...
Apparently left out at night in a little thin bowl thingy. I don't think I'll need to test that just right now.
Salt!
This worked a treat. However I should have brought the pot undercover so I won't get any on the grass, but meh. It's super effective (spot the reference)! But only works on the ones that you can see and get to. So I'll have to look for additional help.
Also I found two worms in the same pot, so I hurried them along before I exterminated the slugs. Now I want to make/get/construct a worm farm.
Thursday 10 March 2011
EVE Online Election Time
So finally it has come around. Campaigning and voting for CSM6.
This will be the first time I've participated in the CSM process since the last time I started playing EVE there wasn't one on (not to my knowledge). Unfortunately for me I was unprepared for the miasma of information regarding candidates.
How was I to choose the most worthy representative? And which candidate was a good fit for my interests?
Thankfully on the EVE forums an enterprising citizen had part of the answer. They had made a website that compares your views with that of participating candidates. There was a questionnaire you had to fill in and then once completed, compared it with the candidates answers. Plus most of them gave a bit of extra information on why they felt that way and also if a particular item was extremely important to them.
There was so many good answers, but it still left me with about 7-10 candidates to pick from. So I went on the EVE forums once more to see what they had posted and what the responses were. There was a lot of topics by the candidates and it was clear there was a few that would definitely get voted on, just by the shear size of the alliance and friends backing their candidate.
Hopefully mine will get chosen to fill a seat at the CSM table. There are nine spots with various roles and of course a few places reserved for the alternates in case of members quitting or scandal, as is what happened a month or so ago (and indeed several times during the history of CSM).
Now we just have to wait and see at the beginning of April for the election outcomes. My fingers are crossed that we get a good selection.
On a completely different note, I've decided to only update my deviant art journal and not this one just to save time for the Sketch a Day posts.
This will be the first time I've participated in the CSM process since the last time I started playing EVE there wasn't one on (not to my knowledge). Unfortunately for me I was unprepared for the miasma of information regarding candidates.
How was I to choose the most worthy representative? And which candidate was a good fit for my interests?
Thankfully on the EVE forums an enterprising citizen had part of the answer. They had made a website that compares your views with that of participating candidates. There was a questionnaire you had to fill in and then once completed, compared it with the candidates answers. Plus most of them gave a bit of extra information on why they felt that way and also if a particular item was extremely important to them.
There was so many good answers, but it still left me with about 7-10 candidates to pick from. So I went on the EVE forums once more to see what they had posted and what the responses were. There was a lot of topics by the candidates and it was clear there was a few that would definitely get voted on, just by the shear size of the alliance and friends backing their candidate.
Hopefully mine will get chosen to fill a seat at the CSM table. There are nine spots with various roles and of course a few places reserved for the alternates in case of members quitting or scandal, as is what happened a month or so ago (and indeed several times during the history of CSM).
Now we just have to wait and see at the beginning of April for the election outcomes. My fingers are crossed that we get a good selection.
On a completely different note, I've decided to only update my deviant art journal and not this one just to save time for the Sketch a Day posts.
Wednesday 2 March 2011
Day Two
Beach Time!!! Woohoo!!!
But naw, seriously I could only stay go for an hour (it was really hot). So I did a quick sketch of the beach and sea, and then I did some debris sketches.
I only had a 6B pencil with me at the time.
Part of the sides and bottom was cut off though :(
A few shells, some driftwood and a leaf.
As always to see the full image just click on it ^_^
But naw, seriously I could only stay go for an hour (it was really hot). So I did a quick sketch of the beach and sea, and then I did some debris sketches.
I only had a 6B pencil with me at the time.
Part of the sides and bottom was cut off though :(
A few shells, some driftwood and a leaf.
As always to see the full image just click on it ^_^
Tuesday 1 March 2011
Day One
This is the first day of my Sketch a Day for a month challenge.
I decided to get more familiar and experiment with the Sketchbook Pro program. I mostly used a Marker, and tried to blend some of the colours together. My rocks aren't great but I've only used the program two times.
Here it is.
Click on the image to see the full version.
I'll get more time tomorrow to do a sketch since I don't have work.
I decided to get more familiar and experiment with the Sketchbook Pro program. I mostly used a Marker, and tried to blend some of the colours together. My rocks aren't great but I've only used the program two times.
Here it is.
Click on the image to see the full version.
I'll get more time tomorrow to do a sketch since I don't have work.
Monday 28 February 2011
Sketch-a-Day
I have decided that during the month of March I will draw or create some art once a day. Might be able to see some improvement as I get into my stride ^_^
Hopefully I'll be able to sustain it.
Oh yeah, each day I have to do something different. It can't all be just people or sci-fi etc
Should be fun and challenging.
Hopefully I'll be able to sustain it.
Oh yeah, each day I have to do something different. It can't all be just people or sci-fi etc
Should be fun and challenging.
Sunday 27 February 2011
New Year
I haven't really blogged all that much, because I have slowly become addicted to EVE Online again. The worse thing though is that at the end of the year a new game is being released that I will HAVE to get. I have no say in the matter. None at all.
That game is Skyrim, and from what I have seen in the trailers, it's quiet shiny (except for the water, but hopefully that'll get fixed).
My other addiction is Minecraft. And I am always frustrated when it crashes and I haven't saved it; inevitably I get suffocated. It's no fun at all when that happens. When it does I just change worlds for a while to forget the painful experience. Until it happens again :(
The recent update kinda made me freak out. The shadows are just ... egh. I hope I get use to them but I don't know.
So now I'm going to try to control these addictions, by doing some work and then rewarding myself with an hour of a game.
This may take some time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)