tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11947844884832573002024-02-07T07:24:23.393-08:00The Paper ElephantTraveller / Teacher / Writer / CookUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-43258335924104394302015-12-01T22:16:00.001-08:002015-12-03T15:57:54.662-08:00Teaching Tools #3 : Classroom Blackboard LabelsThese are found in every elementary classroom in Korea, though of course the only English ones you see are in the English Classroom! Being the creative type I can't resist the change to mak things, so here's my own take!<br />
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I also get to shamelessly use my own drawing (the strawberry, alas, is not mine but oh so cute!): </div>
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Happy Organising!</div>
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Link: <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B7z2sxiGpIVyfkY1c2lYSXR1Umc2SGZ6d1VzbkZSWkw1Mk1jWWtzZFVqVEpBV0ZUcFVQeHM?ltmpl=drive" target="_blank">Classroom Blackboard Labels PDF</a></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;"><u>*Please remember that these are for personal use only. Thank you.</u></span></b></h4>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-29470090177390602762015-12-01T22:14:00.002-08:002015-12-03T15:56:13.135-08:00Teaching Tools #2 : InstagramWith older students, especially if they're not confident or comfortable with English, it's useful to tap into something they know. In this day and age social media, SNS in this part of the world, is how everyone communicates or keeps tabs on what's going on. I made these prompt cards with this in mind.<br />
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The pictures have all been taken from the wonderful blog: <a href="http://writeworld.org/" target="_blank">WRITEWORLD</a><br />
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Kudos to all the artists and photographers who have had their work featured on this website! Their work is beautiful, diverse and thought provoking. Just what I needed!<br />
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These are designed to be conversation starters, giving something tangible for the students to work from. They are geared towards the older learner. </div>
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The PDF has 50 pages of prompts (pg.1-50), one blank page (pg.51) and a backing page (pg.52). As you can see from the photos, I printed the backing page onto brown paper. I then laminated all the cards, for durability. </div>
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Link: <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B7z2sxiGpIVyfkY1c2lYSXR1Umc2SGZ6d1VzbkZSWkw1Mk1jWWtzZFVqVEpBV0ZUcFVQeHM?ltmpl=drive" target="_blank">Instagram Picture Prompts PDF</a></div>
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<u><span style="color: red;">* Please remember that these are for personal use only! </span></u></h4>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-7744792355877315352015-12-01T22:13:00.000-08:002015-12-03T15:54:08.975-08:00Teaching Tools #1 : OrganisationOne thing I love about being a teacher is being able to make and create things! I love being able to whip up a worksheet that complements the text book, make a game or even something entirely new. I also love to be organised.<br />
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So to kick off the Teaching Tools set of posts, I'm going to share a PDF I made full of useful teachers sheets. Of course these all depend on where you are working (elementary, hagwon etc...) how much independence you have in class, what you need and how you teach. So far I have found these useful and all you need is a printer!<br />
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Page Guide:<br />
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<li><span style="color: purple;">Contents Page</span>. This is blank and ready for you to fill out should you choose to use it. I like to store master copies in folders, so you can either print or use a photocopier! </li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Lesson Plan. </span>This is a comprehensive lesson plan that gives space for a fair few activities.</li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Monthly Plan. </span>Or a 4 week plan. For overview of all activities etc.</li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Weekly Plan. </span>To give an overview of lessons during one week. </li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Class Progress Sheet (Grade) </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Class Progress Sheet (Level) </span>These just help to keep track of what progress you've made that day and remind you where to start next class. If you're like me and have a memory like a fish it's very useful! There's one for grade classes and one for level classes. </li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Register (27)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Register (10)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Register (15) + Notes. </span>They do what they say on the tin. Choose depending on class size. </li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Homework Record (Class) </span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Homework Record (General) </span>Keep track of who has (or hasn't) done their homework. Always handy to know who to reward with a Homework Pass! </li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Homework Pass (This Week's)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Homework Pass (Today's) </span>Two homework passes depending on how and when you give homework!</li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Candy Certificate. </span>If students are particularly worthy, a larger candy reward may be in order! I like to turn it around and reward with shareable candy like jellybean's! </li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Reward Chart (cat)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Reward Chart (dinosaur)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Reward Chart (robot)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Reward Chart (cat II)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Reward Chart (snail)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Reward Chart (star)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Reward Chart (bear)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple;">Reward Chart (bee) </span>Get them one to keep one in their folder or stick them inside the cover of their books. Each ten stickers gets a reward. Or however you choose to use them!</li>
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Happy Organising!!<br />
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Link: <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B7z2sxiGpIVyfkY1c2lYSXR1Umc2SGZ6d1VzbkZSWkw1Mk1jWWtzZFVqVEpBV0ZUcFVQeHM?ltmpl=drive" target="_blank">Teacher's Documents PDF</a><br />
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<u><span style="color: red;">*Please remember these sheets are for personal use only! Thank you. </span></u></h4>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-32245096957948280202015-12-01T22:12:00.002-08:002015-12-01T22:14:10.763-08:00Lights, Camera, Water....Those in the know are aware that I made my way to Korea via Hong Kong. If any place in the worlds spoils you rotten, Hong Kong does. To focus on one aspect in particular, there's a pretty cool light show in Hong Kong, not going to lie. Of course, it's the backdrop that makes it, but who can argue with that.<br />
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I loved the light show. Standing on the promenade, listening to the joyful tune that was the symphony of lights (take that as you will) and occasionally managing to see some of the lights through the clouds/fog/smog. On a clear evening it was awesome.<br />
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I knew, when I moved here, that there was a light show in Changwon on Yongji Lake. I didn't go and see it before it stopped for the winter. I was afraid that I would think it inferior in comparison to the epic light show in Hong Kong. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, a bit the bullet and broke my Yongji light show duck.<br />
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It was fabulous.<br />
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It was better than Hong Kong!<br />
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Not only a light show, but a water show. The music was good, it was clever, it was beautiful. It was pretty epic, I'm not going to lie. It just goes to show that you don't need a stunning backdrop at all - but it helps!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a fish....</td></tr>
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...and now there's a dancer!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-84036212507542689182015-12-01T22:11:00.000-08:002015-12-01T22:13:54.003-08:00Moving to Korea: Need To KnowMoving to a new country is one of the most daunting things you can do. Moving to a country where this is minimal cultural diversity and even less English can be even more terrifying. Korea is definitely on this list. It doesn't help that of all the information out there on the internet, the majority is less than complimentary. In addition, some of it is a little dated... things move <i>fast</i> in Asia! So, to help anyone moving here any time soon, and let's face it this post will probably be defunct in no time, so until then, here's a few things you should know:<br />
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*feel free to ignore any or all of the following as all are entirely my own observation and opinion! Maybe I should disclaimer that I love Korea!! :P<br />
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***</div>
<h3>
1: Take everything you read on the internet with a pinch of salt, but a wise mind. </h3>
<br />
So I'm talking about all those horror stories. We've all read them (or at least, those of us looking at coming to Korea) and they really do ramp up the terror. The thing is, Korea can be a hard country to live in and that's not because of Korea or the Koreans, but more to do with us as the foreigners. It's just different, they're different, we're different and it's not for everyone. Whilst it's true that some horror stories have and do happen, read everything with a questioning mind and rely on your gut instinct.<br />
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<h3>
2: They DO have deodorant here. </h3>
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Granted, it's not a large selection, but they have it. And it's easy to find. So that's that issue de-bunked.<br />
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3: The bedding is just fine, as are the towels. </h3>
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I read so much about bringing your own bedding and towels. My initial response: "Ain't nobody got time for that!" In all seriousness, who really wants to cart their bedding all over the world! So I bought mine here. And my towels. And it's just fine. I even prefer it. They have these wee ties on the duvet and the cover so that the duvet NEVER moves. As a sleeper who tosses and turns a lot this is a revelation. Pure genius I tell you. And they do have big towels! (I'd recommend making a Korean friend and getting them to help you order off Gmarket!)<br />
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4: Learn to read Korean. </h3>
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This is one piece of advice that everyone gives and it's one that is invaluable. There aren't too many English signs about (at least not in these parts, I'm in the South of the country) so reading Korean is invaluable. It is really easy, once you've got the basics down. It's also really useful for menus, once you've got your favourite beer, soju and side dishes down, you're good to go!<br />
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5: You're not in Kansas any more, Dorothy. </h3>
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When in Rome, do as they Romans do. It's an obvious truth that a fair few people forget when they're here. Some people don't like the idea of bowing to others, they may not like the fact that everything has to be signed off by a multitude of people before it get's the go ahead and I know that many people struggle with the last minute nature of things. Well for the latter 2, it's not just the foreigners who get irritated by this, it's just as much of a bind for the Koreans too! As for the bowing - it's their culture and they have invited us in. It's a mark of respect and they will respect us so much more if we try and respect their customs and culture, as we should.<br />
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6: The Korean's are lovely, lovely people. </h3>
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Perhaps I should have started this... I remember reading so much about how Koreans were rude, unwelcoming and, a few times, downright tyrannical. This could not be further from the truth. There are a few oddballs and people you don't want to be around, but that is in no way unique to Korea, that would be true of any country in the world. I have found Koreans to be incredibly kind and welcoming and more than happy to lend a hand should I need it. They have invited me to dinners and into their homes. The society here is focused on family and community and I have been lucky that I have not been treated as an outsider. It's a wonderful thing to be part of: embrace it.<br />
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7: Personal questions are the norm - don't be offended. </h3>
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You will frequently asked your age, if you're single, and if so why/when you will be married. It's totally normal. Just roll with it!<br />
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<h3>
8: ALWAYS recycle. </h3>
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Find out which day is the day for recycling, and keep a stock of clear plastic bags for this purpose. I've used large white bags from stores *shops, I mean shops, slap my wrist* and they do just fine, especially when they're obviously full of recycling. And always have a handy supply of rubbish bags (available from convenience stores and large supermarkets in blue and yellow! They're very on the button about it, so make life easy and follow the rule, and as a bonus you can feel really good about yourself.<br />
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9: Take your shoes off indoors. </h3>
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Always. Always, always, always. Especially in elementary schools and absolutely if you are visiting someone's home. It's got to the point that I now carry around a pair of socks if I'm wearing sandals! A #koreanproblem for sure, but I'm totally OK with that!<br />
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<h3>
10: Try the food!!!</h3>
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This should be a no-brainer! You've travelled the world, try the local delicacies. Whilst they may not all be to your taste, there will (hopefully) be something that lights your fires, and if not then at least you tried. Liken it to someone telling you your home cooked food is disgusting. No one wants to hear that. Here, all Koreans are very proud of everything Korean, and why shouldn't they be - it's their country. Show them you're willing to try, even if it isn't you thing. They will appreciate the effort!<br />
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11: They have Earl Grey Tea! </h3>
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Someone mentioned to me in passing that they had read there was no Earl Grey tea in Korea. That's not true! They have Earl Grey - they even have Twinings! So all is good with the world!<br />
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<h3>
12: They coffee isn't half bad! </h3>
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Korean's love, and I mean <i>really love,</i> their coffee. Coffee shops everywhere. I'm pretty sure their instant coffee is some of the best I've had (and I dislike instant coffee intensely). Their local coffee chains aren't half bad either, and you can buy their coffee beans. Once more, all is good with the world!<br />
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<h3>
13: There's more to Korea than Seoul.</h3>
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Seoul is amazing, it really is. It's big and busy and full of all the things you can't find elsewhere in Korea, but there's so much else going on in the rest of the country! Don't be afraid to explore or even live somewhere else. I was dead set on Seoul to begin with, but I'm not beyond thankful that I ended up in a quieter city. Wherever you are, Seoul isn't very far away! All hail the fabulous public transport!<br />
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<h3>
14: The public transport is... just wow!</h3>
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The public transport in Korea is awesome. It runs, it's cheap, it goes everywhere! Your journeys might take a wee bit of planning and a change here or there, depending on where you're going, but in general it's a breeze, and I love it!<br />
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***</div>
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<br />
And so ends the list. Phew! I wasn't expecting it to be that long, but if it helps then fabulous! Anything else I need to add, let me know!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-20238036410523318102015-12-01T22:09:00.000-08:002015-12-01T22:13:41.762-08:00Recipe 2: How Do I Spell This Again?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpl4HM38ngZXmW_w-8M0cUx1lvcj_buEoPaO4sYbNt17IBjAVmAXVt2wFHe6P_nSIeA5ItSm-fP7tZD199h9y9pP1oWi7I1dsD0HnqGxpFjgk2s41cFDHYlbIqB2W40Dn1tL09KGw45k/s1600/20150603_182300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpl4HM38ngZXmW_w-8M0cUx1lvcj_buEoPaO4sYbNt17IBjAVmAXVt2wFHe6P_nSIeA5ItSm-fP7tZD199h9y9pP1oWi7I1dsD0HnqGxpFjgk2s41cFDHYlbIqB2W40Dn1tL09KGw45k/s400/20150603_182300.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Here we go for Recipe number 2, 떡볶이, also know as ddeokbokki, teokbokki, topokki and dukboki. I have gone for the Korean name above as romanizations are confusing me more and more these days. My Korean skills are still pretty patchy, but I much prefer to read the Korean over searching for the romanizations - I feel it leaves less room for error (but there will always be error, at least for the time being.) But I digress...</div>
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떡볶이 is my ultimate lazy food. It's also a classic street food. Meandering around, especially in busy areas, it's not uncommon to find a wee canopied stall with a smiling lady mixing up her 떡볶이, it's a cheap and delicious way to grab a snack. Then there are the 떡볶이 restaurants where all sorts of options can be added to you 떡볶이 and you can munch away as it sizzles away in front of you. </div>
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Have I ever mentioned how much I love the way so much of the food here is cooked on the table, right in front of you. It makes eating out a much more enjoyable and social experience. There really are a lot of things that Korea does right! But I digress... again...!!!</div>
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Back to 떡볶이... what do you need: </div>
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<u><b>Ingredients</b></u></div>
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<li>떡 (here-after called rice cakes.) These are pretty essential (as if that wasn't obvious from the name) and come in an array of shapes and sizes. Personally I'm a fan of the tubular ones! </li>
<li>Red Pepper Paste</li>
<li>Red Pepper Flakes</li>
<li>Sugar</li>
<li>Fish Cake</li>
<li>Green Onion / Leek</li>
<li>Boiled Eggs</li>
<li>Water</li>
<li>Dried Anchovies</li>
<li>Dried Seaweed</li>
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First you need to make the stock. This is wonderfully simple (and used for many Korean recipes, so it's good to know.) Take your anchovies and seaweed and put what you need in a pan. I now do this by eye, but you don't need much. My advice is the same as that given to me by a bread baker many years ago: Add as much as you think you need, then add a little bit more. Throw them into a pan, add as much water as you think you need (depending on how many people you're cooking for) and let it boil. Again, as long as you feel it needs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYOJBcoEebjp8NuylKircjXsjckRgmnw7m5z8yp9EoUSVdd8Ngifh21aSiaIOQ-awVSI2IhHKg9BqTKZUwxOW7et5i4JZiY8TfD1APUyIc_ZcuhpfEtM3YcKO11c_dc4qyXFo4w3arJ8/s1600/20150603_182556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYOJBcoEebjp8NuylKircjXsjckRgmnw7m5z8yp9EoUSVdd8Ngifh21aSiaIOQ-awVSI2IhHKg9BqTKZUwxOW7et5i4JZiY8TfD1APUyIc_ZcuhpfEtM3YcKO11c_dc4qyXFo4w3arJ8/s400/20150603_182556.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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When you're happy it's boiled enough REMOVE THE ANCHOVIES AND SEAWEED! Don't forget to do this - it's not pleasant! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AklCxxOeMeYJkzdt_co4dgxUTA35Rt03YrPxVZX3CFKJt6OCMp-EFvnQ52rP7N_exv8MO88wnTdfEEJHBbgcDkxHKw4_959zn4qCeUebfUvWGwlaE7FqbbeA8ansTpfPWY83rFQWQ1s/s1600/20150603_183402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AklCxxOeMeYJkzdt_co4dgxUTA35Rt03YrPxVZX3CFKJt6OCMp-EFvnQ52rP7N_exv8MO88wnTdfEEJHBbgcDkxHKw4_959zn4qCeUebfUvWGwlaE7FqbbeA8ansTpfPWY83rFQWQ1s/s400/20150603_183402.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Gather the rest of the ingredients: </div>
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Make a paste using: </div>
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1tbsp hot pepper paste</div>
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1tsp pepper flakes</div>
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1tsp sugar</div>
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and mix it all up!</div>
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Chop the fish cake into chunks, gather as many rice cakes as you want/need and cut the green onion/leeks so that they're in long sticks, but make sure you score down one side, not enough to slice them in half, but enough so that they will separate during cooking. </div>
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Now throw all of these into the pan and stir away. </div>
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You don't have to add boiled eggs, but they add a nice extra texture. I've used wee quail eggs here, with are mighty easy to get hold of down in your local mart! I usually add these towards the end of the cooking process. </div>
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When it's cooked the 떡볶이 should be soft and chewy (in a good way). Serve up and munch away.</div>
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You can mix it up as you like: add some ramyeon, some chicken or some cheese (or all three as per my first 떡볶이 experience). The possibilities are endless, but sometimes plain and simple, and very very spicy, is best! </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-61786498887336120022015-12-01T22:07:00.001-08:002015-12-01T22:07:35.065-08:00Recipe 1: Kimbap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjr0uSIjMIwSlP55akm0X-yTd7VklhUAdPubJiqa0hFYLjKpV3ZzSkPu_yYY8-eKmFpsG0knNZdIEomZ0AVEyRjmWOo3QoyM1L3nOjx76WIRoPg2P7nax2X46HBmddEpKPF3ZnqvZcwO0/s1600/20150527_190018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjr0uSIjMIwSlP55akm0X-yTd7VklhUAdPubJiqa0hFYLjKpV3ZzSkPu_yYY8-eKmFpsG0knNZdIEomZ0AVEyRjmWOo3QoyM1L3nOjx76WIRoPg2P7nax2X46HBmddEpKPF3ZnqvZcwO0/s320/20150527_190018.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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Are you ready to put all that know-how from the last post into action? No, me neither, but we're going to jump in anyway.<br />
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Here's what I'm going to use in my kimbap.<br />
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<li>Rice</li>
<li>Kim</li>
<li>Fish Cake</li>
<li>Ham</li>
<li>Carrot</li>
<li>Cucumber</li>
<li>Burdock</li>
<li>Radish</li>
<li>Salt</li>
<li>Sesame Oil</li>
<li>Soy Sauce</li>
<li>Honey</li>
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So first things first. If you're using a rice cooker or a pan, get your rice going so it's cooking while you cook everything else. If, like me, you use microwavable rice then cook it later.<br />
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Start with the carrots and cucumber (and burdock if you're preparing it from scratch.) They should end up looking a little like this: </div>
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Place the cucumber on it's own plate and sprinkle with a little salt. This is to draw the water from the cucumber. Doing this now means the salt has time to do it's stuff while you prepare everything else. </div>
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Throw the carrots into a pan (though not literally, mind) and add the soy sauce and honey. I do this by eye, a healthy few slugs of soy sauce and just a wee but of honey to take the edge off the saltiness. As you can see, there isn't much in there. Let this simmer for a minute or two. When you're ready, use tongs to remove the carrots from the remaining liquid and put them on their own plate. This may seem like dirtying a lot of plates, but it's better to get as much of the liquid away from both the carrots and cucumber as possible before adding them to the tray of gloriousness you'll see later! </div>
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Time to introduce some more ingredients. Here we have, from left to right, the kimbap ham, pre-scored for all your kimbap needs; the burdock and the yellow radish and the fish cakes. (These are the same fish cakes that are used for ddeokbokki (which also has more romanizations than you can shake a stick at!)</div>
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I drain the liquid from the burdock and radish and fire it onto the tray, like so: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQsFlDxn8Tcp2REYgIWPxoyBQcu_azrlFmWNGB3g0YQX5kyjpuSSUAAfDotmV-wXgjlVAUYRcZxMmcMnHhrDfWmakIfOMFS-IZF93I9F3NS6NMJ02CpKgxGqbE9I1ZbjRtlMSqf42jrQ/s1600/20150527_192356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQsFlDxn8Tcp2REYgIWPxoyBQcu_azrlFmWNGB3g0YQX5kyjpuSSUAAfDotmV-wXgjlVAUYRcZxMmcMnHhrDfWmakIfOMFS-IZF93I9F3NS6NMJ02CpKgxGqbE9I1ZbjRtlMSqf42jrQ/s400/20150527_192356.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I then slice a fish cake:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uGp-hWFa79jL6yCGyvG4c8Q6EfFqZKeSWooXgaQvcbRwPBp79YNVOgDAKBKp2hhT_4yILGyrb3xlLUXt56cWeyyf0CXjo2_cJJSuMYywxQk9oYibKWiHnOhnNakoXKIjodieMqfyjWY/s1600/20150527_192705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uGp-hWFa79jL6yCGyvG4c8Q6EfFqZKeSWooXgaQvcbRwPBp79YNVOgDAKBKp2hhT_4yILGyrb3xlLUXt56cWeyyf0CXjo2_cJJSuMYywxQk9oYibKWiHnOhnNakoXKIjodieMqfyjWY/s400/20150527_192705.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then add everything to the tray. Now doesn't that look like all kinds of yummy!</div>
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It's worth noting here that the ham is the only think I keep wrapped up in it's own wrapper and I only remove as much as I will need for that day's kimbap making session. In this case, I'll be making two rolls, so 2 sticks of ham.</div>
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In the interest of aesthetics, I'm making this kimbap with white rice and I'm using this tub of microwaveable rice. There are three sizes of these and this is the middle sized one that perfectly makes 2 kimbap rolls, and they're not too big either. </div>
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Once cooked according to instructions (or when your rice has finished cooking) add a splash of sesame oil and a pinch of salt. You don't need to do this, if you don't want too (but I like to.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkq0xCS0C7CYQU6NBerDRHdT4_89zYTY-ixU_jdnrs9FkZ2WNLAHM23hgWOM2PGUvKg93RQnS6gXHTqvGbOPtdcBkO66ULTfXpKJ9zLFq-uFZrpIVL7MiPUkRtBLJ91fzbQbpMFlYijNs/s1600/20150527_193429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkq0xCS0C7CYQU6NBerDRHdT4_89zYTY-ixU_jdnrs9FkZ2WNLAHM23hgWOM2PGUvKg93RQnS6gXHTqvGbOPtdcBkO66ULTfXpKJ9zLFq-uFZrpIVL7MiPUkRtBLJ91fzbQbpMFlYijNs/s400/20150527_193429.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then we get out our seaweed. This is the one I'm using at the moment. If I'm opening a new pack, I use it straight away. I then fire the rest into the freezer. When I take the sheets I need out of the freezer, I wave them over the flame on my gas hob a few times each side, just to get rid of excess moisture (tips and tricks Koreans have taught me!)</div>
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And here we are all prep'd and ready to go! </div>
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Spread out the rice. The rice scoop is so useful here and spreads as well as compacts the rice. </div>
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Add your filling. 1 stick radish, 1 stick burdock, 1 stick ham, 1 strip of fish cake and carrot and cucumber to your hearts desire. </div>
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Then use the rolling matt to roll it. Make sure you squeeeeeeze as you go! It should end up looking like the photo below. Then brush the top of the kimbap and the blade of your knife with sesame oil. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptOFwdQgqtfiS5phyphenhyphenrLU-CWE3rb30CaMOxnT76FFsiPdpmQo4aT0sVp4yGmR7f8R0VFd9HWbgd1MIo7wv2cctmf3lQKVsW-UAp76lfeaYgQWOhJ0RoSqtykX8NQGdoSOOy1kheFc2UPY/s1600/20150527_194008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptOFwdQgqtfiS5phyphenhyphenrLU-CWE3rb30CaMOxnT76FFsiPdpmQo4aT0sVp4yGmR7f8R0VFd9HWbgd1MIo7wv2cctmf3lQKVsW-UAp76lfeaYgQWOhJ0RoSqtykX8NQGdoSOOy1kheFc2UPY/s400/20150527_194008.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The sesame oil makes cutting the kimbap a smoother job and ideally it will come out all neat and tidy. My initial attempts were far from this neat. Filling splurged <i>everywhere</i>, but practice makes (nearly) prefect.</div>
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If, like me, you have a think about pretty dishes, transfer your kimbap. I love how perfect a kimbap dish this is (and so colourful!) And then munch away. </div>
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The remaining filling can be cling-wrapped and put in the fridge ready for tomorrows assembly. And the day after. And the day after. And the day after that. It's also a mighty handy thing to make for lunch on those desk warming days during school vacations, and oh so shareable too! </div>
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If you really want to have a "food of life moment" my CT told me that cold kimbap can be dipped in beaten egg and fried for breakfast. This is, hands down, the best breakfast ever. </div>
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Go forth and experiment, switch up the fillings and find a routine that works for you! Sandwiches, eat your heart out, I have kimbap! </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-79601149538259752922015-12-01T21:49:00.001-08:002015-12-01T21:49:32.008-08:00Preparation Takes a Little TimeHello, Aloha, Bonjour, 안녕 or whatever greeting you prefer! It's been a wee while, hasn't it. I started a second blog a while back, where this post first appeared, but I missed the ol' Paper Elephant so I'm shifting everything onto this blog whilst I give the old girl a much needed facelift!!<br />
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So here we go, ten months into my Korean adventure (at the time of writing), I bring you some of my kimbap know-how.<br />
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Kimbap (김밥) is very similar in appearance to Japanese sushi. It is not sushi. Not even a little bit. For a start, there's no raw fish involved, there can be no fish at all, but that depends on your personal preference. It's a hugely popular item in Korea, finding it's way into lunch boxes in place of sandwiches and is pretty healthy too. Yes, it may have a hefty amount of rice in it, but that too is down to personal preference and no one ever said you HAD to use the white variety.<br />
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The downside to kimbap, is the prep time. It can take a wee while to get your ingredients prepared and set out (also dependant on how many ingredients you want to put into your kimbap and how readily available some ingredients are (the primary example here being burdock, which I never remember seeing EVER in a British supermarket, but I can't imagine my Kimbap without it!)<br />
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Before we can even think about making kimbap, we need some lists:<br />
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<b><u>Essentials:</u></b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Rice (this can be white, brown, purple whatever. So long as it has a modicum of stickyness. When I was taught to make kimbap, my friend actually used a combination of rices, cooked together)</li>
<li>Yellow Radish</li>
<li>Burdock</li>
<li>Carrot</li>
<li>Cucumber</li>
<li>Ham</li>
<li>Kim / Seaweed (very important as this is what you wrap the kimbap in)</li>
<li>Soy Sauce</li>
<li>Sesame Oil</li>
<li>Honey</li>
<li>Salt</li>
</ul>
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<b><u>Optionals:</u></b></div>
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<li><i><b>Fish cake.</b> </i>Of the Korean variety. This is a flat, floppy rectangle that is made of ground fish I guess. Personally, for me this is in the Essential list, but as not everyone is a fan of our friends from the sea, I'm putting it here. On a side note, fish in Korean is 물고기 which literally translates as 'water meat'. It's one of my favourite words! </li>
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<li><i><b>Fish sticks.</b> </i>Much the same as the fish sticks you get in the UK. Pink things with white in the middle. I don't mind them, but I don't go out of my way to use them. I forgot them one day and didn't notice the difference.</li>
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<li><i><b>Egg.</b> </i>In the form of the thinnest of thin omelettes.</li>
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<li><b><i>Side dishes</i>.</b> Now, I don't know the name of all them (bar the ever present kimchi) but any number of these can be added to you kimbap depending on your personal preference.</li>
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<b><u>Variations: </u></b></div>
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The options here are endless, but here are a few suggestions:</div>
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<li><i><b>Tuna.</b></i> Replace the ham with tuna. You can add a wee bit of mayonnaise if you like, but you have to make sure it's not too runny, or it can be such a bind to wrap.</li>
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<li><i><b>Bulgogi.</b> </i>This is a marinated meat, most often beef.</li>
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<li>Or you can be really adventurous and make your own combinations. This year, for Christmas, in lew of a Christmas Dinner, I made Christmas Kimbap. It consited of chicken (poached) cranberry stuffing, vichy carrots and a token green vegetable (I think it was pak choi). If I repeated this, I'd probably use lettuce, but I was please with the end result and it definitely tasted of Christmas!)</li>
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<b><u>Utensils: </u></b><br />
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Bar the obvious, here are some things I have found invaluable when it comes to making kimbap.<br />
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<li><b><i>Sushi/kimbap roller</i>.</b> You honestly HAVE to have one of these!</li>
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<li><i><b>Brush.</b> </i>A pastry brush will do, to brush your kimbap and knife with sesame oil to make slicing it easier - honestly this makes all the difference in the world. It took me a while to be able to slice my kimbap without the filling splurging out all over the place. </li>
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<li><b><i>Tray</i>.</b> This is a very useful piece of kit. when I prep my ingredients, I like to lay out what I'm using on a tray. I then cling film it up when I'm done and fire it into the fridge. This way, one day of prep means the kimbap is ready to go any time. It also makes the assembly line quicker when the ingredients are in one place.</li>
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<li><i><b>Rice Scoop. </b></i>This isn't necessary at all, but I find it useful to gauge quantities of rice and it flattens/spreads the rice out well.</li>
</ul>
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Phew!! You made it to the end! Congratulations! Kimbap really is all about the preparation, but I promise you it's so worth it!<br />
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I'll give you time to digest all of this (digest.... get it... ah I'm too funny................... or not) and I will return later to show you how to turn this:<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-86070535624676630692014-04-02T21:10:00.000-07:002014-04-02T21:10:07.868-07:00"How Am I Going To Explain That?"This was the first things that came out of my mouth when I left the cinema. The film in question was '<i>From Vegas To Macau</i>' (also apparently knoqn as '<i>The Man From Macau</i>')<br />
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I still, several months later, don't really know how to explain this film! It was the most bizarre, hilarious and at times completely confusing but all in the most fabulous of ways. The plot line was deeply, deeply questionable. It started as one thing, then ended as another, no reasoning in between. At times it was gritty and dramatic and at others it was a slapstick comedy. To be honest, I still don't know how to explain what I saw... but I liked it. </div>
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I am having a huge love affair with Asian cinema at the moment, and it's very very different to much of the Cinema in the the West. It's sometimes darker and gritter and often far more "over-acted" than I'm used to, but just go with it! It's fun! <i>Vegas To Macau </i>had to be seen, I live here after all and it's always fun seeing places you've been on the big screen, and I was interested to see Chow Yun Fat in something that wasn't <i>Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon</i>. (I'm still in denial that <i>Pirates Of The Caribbean 3</i> happened - my friend swears I've seen it but I don't remember a thing. If I did see it, I appear to have erased it from my memory!!) He is an excellent actor for sure.</div>
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If you're in the mood for some crazy, off the wall Chinese cinema, then do watch this. It's just <i><u>SO. MUCH. FUN</u></i>. Though I can't guarantee that you'll be able to explain it afterwards...</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-12718660408842734412014-04-02T20:47:00.000-07:002014-04-02T20:47:06.170-07:00When Imagination Meets RealitySo it's not like I've been doing nothing for the best part of five months (five months of no blogging...oh the shame) I have been doing so much stuff, some of which is still on-going, finger majorly crossed, but the high point was the visitor I had over Chinese New Year! The <b>best-friend-from-home-not-seen-in-two-plus-years</b>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are just <i>too</i> cool!</td></tr>
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Whilst the major downside of living abroad is that you can't take your friends and family with you, these are the very same people who give you the greatest joy when they visit you and you can proudly show them around the place you call home. The Best Friend and I have had our ups and downs, but even now she is back in the old U of K, it feels as if she's just the same old bus ride away (and I do still miss a good old Glasgow - Edinburgh bus journey). Some things really do never change! </div>
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Her introduction to Asia was a crazy one. It just so happened that SHINee had their concert tour in Hong Kong the same day she arrived. I posed the option of going to a concert to her, without telling her who we'd be going to see, and with her (half) consent, I got us tickets: </div>
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It was brilliant. We didn't know what was going on half the time, she was jet-lagged and we had a double language barrier (Korean <i>and</i> Cantonese and yet we still managed to answer half the questions - we got skillz...), but blimey are these boys good live and my K-Pop love was nicely indulged! This is an excellent representation of how we felt: </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit to the genius who made this!</td></tr>
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What followed was two weeks of awesomeness, including a mosy to the Big Buddah, playing <i>Guidebook or Ritz </i>in Ozone (highest bar in Asia, dontcha know!) and enjoying the sun of Chinese New Year (which descended into a bitterly cold February but that's by-the-by). One of the most amazing things we did was go to Tai O. I'd been meaning to go for Yonks and just not done it however I'm so glad I waited to go with Le Pal. No one else could suitably understand just how inspirational of a place it was. For us, it was perhaps one of the closest realities we'll get to out imaginings of our brain child. We have spent hours on end picking apart what certain places look like, and wandering around Tai O, land and water, suddenly one of those places was physically in front of me.</div>
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Picture SPAAAAAAAAAM! I'm now off to go and battle with a plot and try and find a way of fitting everything I want/need into the epic. Somehow I will find a way of getting it all in there... somehow!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-82624360396665681682014-03-28T00:10:00.001-07:002014-03-28T00:10:18.487-07:00The Woes of a Bad Blogger...I. Have. Been. AWFUL!!!<br />
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I have a plethora of posts I've started to write and never finished! It doesn't help that I am using my laptop less and less for anything other than music and films... I'm going old school as much as possible these days (the number of technology related disasters I have had are too numerous for my liking - I seem to repel it...)<br />
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As it's Spring time, I've decided to have a bit of a change and to get around to doing more reading, writing and reviewing... Well that's the plan, and we all know how they always change!<br />
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Here goes nothing... See you the other side of the Spring Clean!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-15815551680284969482013-10-15T03:42:00.000-07:002013-10-15T03:52:11.850-07:00Keep Calm and Drink Tea!I'm having a moment... my first moment in 18 months... and I'm having a decent sized wobble. I seem to be powering through it fairly quickly now that I've screwed my head back on. I've been thinking about good times I've had, which in turn has been making me think of all the hypothetical good times there are to be had in the future... What's that thing people say? Tomorrow is a new day... Even so, here's a wee list of the things that are the source of some mighty fine memories.<br />
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<li>late night bus journeys from Glasgow to Edinburgh</li>
<li>(or by train)</li>
<li>Scotland in general</li>
<li>late night Potter chats</li>
<li>Chicken Casserole</li>
<li>Fighting crime in dark corners!!</li>
<li>Cafe Nero (I mean Pacific, you're good, but it's not the same...)</li>
<li>laughing till your stomach hurts</li>
<li>COLD WEATHER!!!</li>
<li>dancing like a lunatic in a box, no matter who's watching</li>
<li>putting a smile on someone's face when you hand them their morning coffee</li>
<li>"To the outside world it looks like bullying..."</li>
<li>classical music and coffee in the snow</li>
<li>studying in a library - there is nothing better</li>
<li>lectures! </li>
<li>Midday Pints! </li>
<li>PIRATES (because really, Pirates!)</li>
<li>"What if your train was an ACTUAL train!!!!"</li>
<li>a proper pub</li>
<li>watching rugby at a reasonable hour</li>
<li>sitting on the windowsill in the architecture studio</li>
<li>a salad that doesn't cost the earth!</li>
<li>The Hive (R.I.P.)</li>
<li>talking out ideas</li>
<li>a hug, when you need it</li>
<li>Mighty Boosh evenings</li>
<li>having someone to sit with - conversation not required</li>
<li>cafe's in bookshops</li>
<li><i>Mamma Mia</i> a la Flatmate and Wine!</li>
<li>WEEKENDS</li>
<li>Radio 1 (I miss waking up to this, even if I have to listen to Nick Grimshaw - that's the state we've got to!)</li>
<li>People being a phone call and a short distance away, rather than a phone call and half the world away.</li>
<li>Cones on statues</li>
<li>Christmas lights on Buchanan Street</li>
<li>Rowing on the Clyde</li>
<li>Daft Friday - Oh what a night! </li>
<li>A 2 hour journey to the homestead as opposed to 24! (worth every minute though, even a lay-over in Dubai!)</li>
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But,despite all that, and today's sadness, I've got me a supply of Earl Grey tea, for as some wise person somewhere said: </div>
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<i>"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy tea, and that's kind of the same thing!"</i></blockquote>
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Well said Sir, well said!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-43280359264159756082013-10-15T00:01:00.004-07:002013-10-15T00:01:58.050-07:00Sad Songs Say So MuchYes Elton, yes sad songs DO say so much. Not that I have anything against a happy song, far from it, after all there's a time and place for everything! But a sad song can evoke a wider variety of emotions. I've been listening to the same song and it's not even a sad one, the sentiment is incredibly sweet and heart warming, but today it's had me in tears. Every so often, when you're feeling emotionally fragile, a song comes along and completely floors you. Great!! Just great!! - Thanks John Legend for writing beautiful music and reducing me to a sobbing mess (it really is a great song though - really, go and listen to<i> All Of Me</i>.)<br />
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<i>Love in the Future</i> is actually a great album from John Legend! I loved <i>Evolver</i> and then wasn't greatly enamoured with anything that followed (<i>Ordinary Peopl</i>e is a good song, but just didn't do it for me!) - he's making up for it now though, despite my tears!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-76912481398942904602013-10-11T04:00:00.000-07:002013-10-11T04:00:30.750-07:00Another day, another public holiday...One of the things I have come to love about autumn in Hong Kong is the number of Public Holidays (not that you can really call it that, it's not really autumn without the leaves turning brown, the clocks changing and the frosts beginning to set in, but that;s by the by). After three months straight of one day off a week, a run of three public holidays is just what the doctor ordered! That's not to say that the days don't also have their downsides! <div>
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I enjoy these magical days off when I stay at home, or at least in my local area. Venturing into crowded areas on a Public Holiday is only going to cause more harm than good, especially when the pedestrian rage comes in to play! I have discovered that while I don't have a people problem per-se, I do have great difficulty with masses of people with little-to-no spatial awareness and an uncanny knack of stopping in places that make it impossible for you to dart around them. If anything, spending time in Hong Kong makes you a master weaver when it comes to maneuvering along pedestrian crowded pavements! (British People Problems Abroad anyone...!!)</div>
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This is the last Public Holiday before Christmas, and while I feel I should be making use of it, I am instead going to stay holed up in my local area doing my usual thing - the biggest debate is whether I get myself a sewing machine to occupy my time or not... The pro's and con's of sending fabric home, or manipulating it into a wearable form so it can make it's way home in a suitcase. Knowing that the burners for the job hunting engine are about to be reignited in the not too distant future, a more versatile and more "me" working wardrobe needs to be concocted and with even more capsule qualities than before. Without doubt, Pinterest is about to become my closest Allie (like it wasn't that before). In fairness the decision is most likely to be swung by the fact that my after school activities were majorly limited by the horrendous post-run shin splints that had me hobbling around like a granny for three days - I gather this was great fun to witness, even if I was in my own personal world of agonizing pain! Have to provide the humour somehow!</div>
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So ends another random waffle, tailing off into the distance and losing it's pace as I get ever tireder as the clock winds down on today's proceedings! I'm about to hit the 18 month mark (good lord, when did that happen) but I am no more used to 6 days weeks and the lack of That Friday Feeling - I can count only one in the last 18 months - ONE!!! One thing is for sure, I appreciate two days off in a row far more now than I ever did before, and in celebration of such an event happening this weekend I shall leave you with some celebrating penguins - what's not to love!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-9971518002175462832013-10-10T03:53:00.001-07:002013-10-10T03:53:39.280-07:00Sometime you just need to start so you can keep going! <u>FINALLY!!</u>! <i>Short Stories From The East</i> has a <a href="http://shortstoriesfromtheeast.blogspot.hk/2013/10/music-series-1-gloomy-clock.html">new post</a>!! <b>Hallelujah!</b> And about time too, if I do say so myself! It has been a long, dark and empty time. I've had more than a little bit of doubt and more "can I do this" moments than are really healthy for a writer, but I'm back! The determination is flowing and I am itching to write on every scrap of paper that stays still for long enough (believe me, though I am surrounded by the stuff, it is in constant motion!)<br />
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It turns out I just needed to write something, no matter how random the waffle was, just to have something new and posted. It feels good... like I've got a little of myself back. It seems I've been weirdly out of kilter since the changeovers and due to Summer... It's all coming good!<br />
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This is a short one - I am now off to filter my inspiration. There are so many stories to tell! In the meantime, I'm going to leave you with this beauty... joyful!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-1186679349981373012013-10-09T21:44:00.001-07:002013-10-09T21:44:28.345-07:00When it comes to music, language is no barrier! I have always had my ipod's<b> <i>recently played</i></b> playlist capped at 250 songs. This is out of age old habit (I haven't altered it in the six years I've had an ipod) and because it generally allows for a decent turn over of songs. At the end of every month I used to save the playlist so I could go back and listen again, sadly that ipod died a heroic death and the playlists were lost <span style="color: magenta;">*<i>sobs quietly into consoling cup of tea</i>*</span>. That is something I should probably start doing again... I digress.<div>
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What surprised me when I scrolled through the playlist this morning was how the majority of the songs are not in English. There is currently an extraordinarily large amount of K-Pop, a bit of J-Pop thrown in, a fair whack of French music some German tracks and even a lone Spanish one floating around, covering a vast range of genres. There's reggae, some indie rock, pop of various guises, a little R&B and much in between! </div>
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I speak none of these languages fluently, but when it comes to music I have found that this has little-to-no impact whatsoever. The music and the voice alone are enough to convey the message of some songs, and sometimes understanding the lyrics is surplus to requirements (although when the odd word or phrase in English is thrown in, it adds a whole new aspect to working out the meaning of a song - especially when you pick up on incorrect grammar!). </div>
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All that said, one of the few track on the playlist that IS in English is '<i>I Miss Her</i>' from Jessie J's new album, <i>Alive</i>. While it's not going to win an accolade as the greatest song ever, the lyrics connect on such a deep personal level that I can't help but love it. It's a song that put one of my worst fear's to music, but that in itself makes the prospect OK. Music has always been part of who I am, I associate places and people with music. There are songs I associate with Lower School, some with Upper School, some with 6th From, and more than a few that remind me University! I wouldn't have it any other way. Music has this way of transporting you back to the best (and occasionally the worst) memories. It can fire up your imagination, comfort you when you're sad and celebrate with you when you're happy. You can love, laugh and cry to music. It can fix you when you're at your lowest, even if you don't speak the same language. </div>
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In the end, music is universal. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-20909314445432394742013-10-06T07:16:00.001-07:002013-10-06T07:16:10.624-07:00All Quiet on the Eastern Front...I have been shockingly bad at keeping up with posts in recent <strike>weeks</strike> months! How did that happen...?? I became a brain dead zombie for the duration of summer, that's how, and I just about seem to be returning to regular functionality - all in time for the winter bugs to hit! Oh the joys! But, finally, I have (mostly) leveled back out and I have done something worth writing about! I visited a Theme Park!!!<br />
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Now for many this will be received with a shrug of the shoulders and a "so what", but I have never been to a Theme Park before... I have made it a third of the way through my 20's and avoided them all together until last Monday, at which point I was running around Hong Kong's Ocean Park with the same amount of excitement as a five year old!<br />
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The best bit... PANDAS!!! oh yes... I have now seen Pandas and all they do is... eat... Well I suppose they have to, so who can blame them, but all that eating makes Pandas a dull watch. The reaction from the locals when the Pandas appear is amazing. Whoops, cheers and shouts of amazement and joy. It was both strange and endearing at the same time - it is their national animal after all! Oh!!! And there were penguins! They are so CUTE! (yes, yes, lots of capitals... they really are though!) It's oh so black and white at the moment...<br />
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The rides part of the Theme Park experience, I could take or leave. I've been on a roller coaster now, so that can be ticked of the <i>Mental List Of Things I should Do At Least Once </i>(a long title, but does what it says on the tin) and I can also tick of Ferris wheel (yes, I'd never been on one of those either). These - and other rides - were great fun but I'm not feeling a great need to run back for round two however - brilliant day though it was.<br />
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Ocean Park being Ocean Park there are, of course, lots... and lots... and lots... and lots... of fish. Seals, Dolphins, Walruses, stingrays, A HAMMERHEAD SHARK (I am rather fond of them...) and jellyfish to name but a few (and some rather snazzy carp too). They were great (especially the jellyfish - very artfully displayed) and I had so much fun wandering between the different tanks!<br />
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All in all a great day out - and FINALLY we have a post.... deary me it has been far, far, far too long! Off to find my writing hat...<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-60349997039347351982013-08-11T05:49:00.000-07:002013-08-11T05:49:17.804-07:00Of course it counts.... it's a classic! (52 Books #24)So the 52 books has stalled again and it's going even slower than before. To be honest the life of an English teacher in foreign lands is not one that generally affords you long holidays and summer is often more busy rather than less, so less time available for reading (even less so with a visitor who's arrival is imminent but without and means of communication... men... typical!) But I have managed to read something - <i>Little Women</i>. <div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpkRPrsfmpHHuVJK1Njnwmr3EB02rh1F6bmEVV64VVPdhxYWl7sy2wcIz7Fh81N70c7xl-y0b2xEpo08DFynEOAYl8lBHdzBcYN7rr5zTCNX5SrLRZHZ_yy1keHCYV2rSUqYXRmidabk/s1600/jw_smith_pix_bookcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpkRPrsfmpHHuVJK1Njnwmr3EB02rh1F6bmEVV64VVPdhxYWl7sy2wcIz7Fh81N70c7xl-y0b2xEpo08DFynEOAYl8lBHdzBcYN7rr5zTCNX5SrLRZHZ_yy1keHCYV2rSUqYXRmidabk/s320/jw_smith_pix_bookcover.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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This is one of my favourite books of all time and as it's been a ridiculously long time since I've read it I'm including it in my 52! There's not really much to say about this book that hasn't already been said... Louisa M. Alcott is one of my favourite authors, and I love her much underrated <i>Eight Cousins</i>! The people she writes about are real and likable and in the end I love that love wins through all that she writes, even when there are deaths. </div>
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You'd have to be living under a rock not to know about the death of one of the four sisters in little women and it is one of the few books that makes me weep every time I read it, despite knowing what's coming and despite the tender care with which it is written!</div>
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I love this book, and the re-reading came at a perfect time - if you haven't read it, then find yourself a copy! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-89236227593160444822013-07-28T01:17:00.002-07:002013-07-28T01:17:59.562-07:00Lazy Sunday CookiesSunday morning, lurgy free... what to do!? Naturally tidy the room, organise the wardrobe and bake! In my room tidying escapades I came upon yet another hat, so I've spent the day wondering round in black and looking very philosophical (no poetry spouting though).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-acPibsGowQRBsGo6KCEmtpyA6Pw_iWJrGyfdWxCYxfQVKe4YtdhDfHqRF88gK0m9w6QqroeLgOvzSEeHtfGbl8occZ46Wk1B2GKaSOb7huh666xd1MuXIJSaC2ylDOo86hOciTIqvtY/s1600/IMG_20130728_121614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-acPibsGowQRBsGo6KCEmtpyA6Pw_iWJrGyfdWxCYxfQVKe4YtdhDfHqRF88gK0m9w6QqroeLgOvzSEeHtfGbl8occZ46Wk1B2GKaSOb7huh666xd1MuXIJSaC2ylDOo86hOciTIqvtY/s320/IMG_20130728_121614.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, with wooden spoon in hand, and nod to France oh so neatly placed (I didn't plan that one) in homage to my baking buddy having realised that this was the first time I had baked without her about, I was ready to go! I bring you an amazing baking brain-child:<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lazy Sunday Lemon Cookies</b></span></u><br />
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<b><u>Ingredients:</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
6 oz Butter<br />
2 oz Icing Sugar<br />
1/2 lb Self-Raising Flour<br />
1 decent sized Lemon<br />
Icing sugar<br />
<br />
<b><u>Method:</u></b><br />
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1. Pre-heat the oven to 190C/Gas 5.<br />
2. Cream the butter and sugar together.<br />
3. Grate the lemon zest into the sugar mixture and mix together.<br />
4. Work the flour in with your fingers until it comes together in a ball.<br />
5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut into rounds.<br />
6. Put on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes till a pale golden brown.<br />
7. Let them cool on a wire rack.<br />
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Now here is the really good bit...<br />
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8. In a small bowl/cup pour in a small amount of icing sugar, then squeeze in the lemon juice from the grated lemon. Mix well.<br />
9. Keep adding icing sugar to this until you reach a consistency that is spreadable but not too runny. I was lucky that this made exactly enough icing for the number of cookies I had!<br />
10. Spread your icing onto your cool biscuits, leave to set and then nom away!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErkq3fHrrPiLGeJTvofGGaREchYT2xYOW3EjXtC575A8xOvpHbo7urvulOQEgIqpCkb5bTmqQBqhci0DAi_T1PpeNDXlwA8xHw1JcuuXARoEuRb2PfftWqx3cG8rI9Ffdt5LgoNx4shs/s1600/2013-07-28_14.47.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErkq3fHrrPiLGeJTvofGGaREchYT2xYOW3EjXtC575A8xOvpHbo7urvulOQEgIqpCkb5bTmqQBqhci0DAi_T1PpeNDXlwA8xHw1JcuuXARoEuRb2PfftWqx3cG8rI9Ffdt5LgoNx4shs/s320/2013-07-28_14.47.49.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-19169621858874035812013-07-27T23:26:00.000-07:002013-07-28T00:52:42.771-07:00Nothing beats a good ol' sing-song! Friday 5:30pm - the time that one of my most challenging classes arrives. Imagine my surprise when this rowdy class of four boys were utterly enchanted and captivated by McFly's <i>Love Is Easy</i> and constantly requested to hear it again - they even remembered to say please! It just goes to show that nothing beats a good song! Oh all right I know I'm biased and that I have a deep love for McFly that has been firmly rooted since they appeared 10 years ago (10 years ago - cripes) but the point still stands, music is powerful!<br />
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After this revelation, I pootled off home to have an evening of chilled out cooking (and a fair bit of weeping as a mountain of onion was involved) and I stuck on an album from a band I wasn't familiar with but had been suggested to me by Amazon and Spotify. The album in question is Kodaline's <i>In A Perfect World</i>. This time it was my turn to be blown away.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ulcBWE6u8SwBNe9mi5SNc6IydTIdP69BX_ss0qN8Fy2ouqDiqaPUBtNadh4V1gHDfmk_NjZ8S24x6F-jLDsfzKdnGq8FRkY2i_iVWZUUdGbmeIVZlt1uwlulA1MzigHh-mWT6T254NM/s1600/kodaline_in-a-perfect-world-packshot-1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ulcBWE6u8SwBNe9mi5SNc6IydTIdP69BX_ss0qN8Fy2ouqDiqaPUBtNadh4V1gHDfmk_NjZ8S24x6F-jLDsfzKdnGq8FRkY2i_iVWZUUdGbmeIVZlt1uwlulA1MzigHh-mWT6T254NM/s320/kodaline_in-a-perfect-world-packshot-1000.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't not love this cover - It reminds me of both my homes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To anyone reading this in the UK, I realise I must be well behind the times! In my defence, it takes a fair wee while for music from the homeland to permeate over here, and I don't listen to the radio anymore (bar the odd Radio 4 program... yes... yes I did just admit to that!) To anyone not in the know, what I have discovered is that Kodaline are apparently a "Dublin-based Irish alternative rock quartet". Well that sounds grand to me! Although it was Amazon that gave me the recommendation, I had iTunes pennies to use up, so hoisted myself over there for purchase and I am rather glad I did! My favourite track on the entire album (I ended up with the Deluxe version) is <i>Latch</i>. Love of the goosbump variety there, and it's not often I get that!<br />
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I find the whole alternative rock/ folk hybrid genre a difficult one. I want to love so much of the music, but some of it does nothing for me. I heard the Lumineers album and immediately thought of my sister and she loves it, but it doesn't light my fires in the same way. Kodaline have lit those fires and they're roaring away! What a delight!<br />
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As there was a request for more recipes on here, I will share with you what I was cooking as I made this magical musical discovery! There is no name for it really. Mum calls it a barbecue sauce, it could be called a sweet and sour sauce, but whatever it is it's very very yummy!<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Random Saucy Goodness</span></u></b><br />
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<b><u>Ingredients:</u> </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
3 decent-large sized onions<br />
Olive oil<br />
a small <i>glass </i>bottle of tomato ketchup (preferable Heinz)<br />
White or cider vinegar<br />
granulated sugar<br />
<br />
<b><u>Method:</u></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
1. Slice the onions. Now there<i> IS</i> a correct way to do this for this recipe. See the hast picture below and cut as indicated by the dotted red lines (I hope this makes sense!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKL4W_5jGB5PvEVUkJ3RwSS_AR-JJS4JwemVbdxeclGaq_gZ5NJBtg5HvynHrUeZhJ5DbJgtc7u9UBEO2l41rS1IL2v_EoLuA4iyxyQXEvchbTXhv2nzRvIeNQCxHl4MZezUJFIXK1Pk/s1600/2013-07-27-16-02-48_deco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKL4W_5jGB5PvEVUkJ3RwSS_AR-JJS4JwemVbdxeclGaq_gZ5NJBtg5HvynHrUeZhJ5DbJgtc7u9UBEO2l41rS1IL2v_EoLuA4iyxyQXEvchbTXhv2nzRvIeNQCxHl4MZezUJFIXK1Pk/s320/2013-07-27-16-02-48_deco.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2. Splash some oil into a large saucepan or a wok and add the onions, breaking them up as you go. Drizzle a little extra oil over the top. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0p907ehcfQFOZXJzMVE7IndKU8lY3Ii_dJNTeBuUUvhE5aKRuQTAAUhLuLI4FcX9ClljJ4Fkf9zFgLXCLB00Zk9yYbk_oP3THu4IKquoxLZstqQ0lMOFMpkMrWjagzfuMxdCfrO5W4o/s1600/2013-07-26_22.55.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0p907ehcfQFOZXJzMVE7IndKU8lY3Ii_dJNTeBuUUvhE5aKRuQTAAUhLuLI4FcX9ClljJ4Fkf9zFgLXCLB00Zk9yYbk_oP3THu4IKquoxLZstqQ0lMOFMpkMrWjagzfuMxdCfrO5W4o/s320/2013-07-26_22.55.36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. Turn on the heat and cook the onions down till they are soft, stringy and opaque. Be careful not to burn them.</div>
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4. Add the tomato sauce, stir in, then fill the bottle with water, shake and add to the pan so you have all the tomato goodness and exactly the right amount of water! </div>
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5. Let the mush simmer for a wee while, then add splashes of vinegar and spoons of sugar till is reaches a taste to your liking - there are not instructions for how much to add. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXlgRUPpU8vejJoOLytU9Me-L1i-BgpUarlZz0KIUEsmCj9x2FJyBvAlXsUaGm4aPNzNMWw50R8gm8Hl-8WfUue1WUH44JDTfV_NwMZ4vLv5pO0m8C6M6YDwg4PwkGUrILQLl2JZC9nY/s1600/2013-07-26_22.59.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXlgRUPpU8vejJoOLytU9Me-L1i-BgpUarlZz0KIUEsmCj9x2FJyBvAlXsUaGm4aPNzNMWw50R8gm8Hl-8WfUue1WUH44JDTfV_NwMZ4vLv5pO0m8C6M6YDwg4PwkGUrILQLl2JZC9nY/s320/2013-07-26_22.59.20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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6. This can be eaten straight away or be kept for a good while in the fridge or frozen and it is always at its very best the day after it's made. </div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-77338101485032931882013-07-26T02:56:00.000-07:002013-07-26T02:56:28.092-07:00Revamp...There's been a bit of a revamp over at <i><a href="http://www.shortstoriesfromtheeast.blogspot.com/">Short Stories</a></i> as it's previous incarnation, pretty though it looked, it wasn't doing anything to persuade me add to my stories and as my little place for my imagination soup to have a more physical home it ought to be a place I want to put things, so this is what it now looks like: <div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KkD60IXJm3M0EM0yX7y5qNUzm3Qi7ecl7nd6yc8mbyn_ibLpOOVe95biP419FclcT-OQgzM6IQb_9bvBpfGVVN05MFGk38yr0Q73q8mEIs3hNO5idHm071RgJEgJbzYU-CyDyUF0MiA/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KkD60IXJm3M0EM0yX7y5qNUzm3Qi7ecl7nd6yc8mbyn_ibLpOOVe95biP419FclcT-OQgzM6IQb_9bvBpfGVVN05MFGk38yr0Q73q8mEIs3hNO5idHm071RgJEgJbzYU-CyDyUF0MiA/s320/Untitled.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm much happier with this layout and hope to be adding more and more to it, at far smaller intervals, in the future! It's definitely been a slow burner of late, but the cogs are turning and I want to know where all these stories end up going... even I don't have a clue what's round the next corner! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-19377025242538243002013-07-25T07:06:00.001-07:002013-07-25T07:06:02.825-07:00Comfort CookiesOne of the simplest of recipes and one that provides fantastic comfort in hours of need that I thought I'd better share all the cookie (although bear in mind they come out quite spongy) love!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNJOzoekM-VehzM_vH9rHcR-aIzRF9XgBdakocpcfe8gk5yIhc8GmOzDzD6gTz-DseDFdJ1pYebTSTHF2XboUMPHQAzgNkCdamNfLl-Nz7xQGJ-cm55sSGJnpTad7OLCihvf4p0F5iXM/s1600/IMG_20130725_104902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNJOzoekM-VehzM_vH9rHcR-aIzRF9XgBdakocpcfe8gk5yIhc8GmOzDzD6gTz-DseDFdJ1pYebTSTHF2XboUMPHQAzgNkCdamNfLl-Nz7xQGJ-cm55sSGJnpTad7OLCihvf4p0F5iXM/s320/IMG_20130725_104902.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><b>Ingredients:</b></u><br />
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100g flour<br />
50g sugar<br />
60g butter/margarine<br />
1 tsp vanilla essence (I promise that it's better with the stuff and I never normally bother with it!)<br />
1 egg, beaten<br />
pinch of salt<br />
1/2 tsp baking powder, dissolved in hot water (though I always use self-raising flour anyway)<br />
1 small bag M&M's (or smarties, or chocolate-chip, raisins...)<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Method:</b></u><br />
<br />
1. Pre-heat oven to 175 C.<br />
2. Cream the butter (or margerine) and sugar together.<br />
3. Add the egg, vanilla essence, salt and baking powder and mix.<br />
4. Add the flour and mix it in.<br />
5. Throw in your M&Ms (or indeed whatever you fancy)<br />
6. Bake for at least 10 minutes (use your judgement - I know all ovens are different and have their ticks)<br />
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These are best eaten the day they're made and are so deliciously comforting that you'll wish you made more (but be glad you didn't or you'd have scoffed the lot!) Luckily for me, this recipe is perfect for those with a wee oven and it makes five generous cookies (or if you accidently double the quantities like I did then you end up with five <i>ma-hoo-sive</i> cookies....).<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-76330565760289929502013-07-25T02:11:00.000-07:002013-07-25T02:11:05.610-07:00Lurgied up but battling on...There is only one thing worse than being ill... Being ill and not being able to read. That happened to me on Monday, and it sucked! Endless time to read is usually the only saving grace of being under-the-weather, and the only thing that keeps you from the insanity that is illness related boredom. Sadly I am not in great danger of the latter. Although I have been struck down with tonsillitis, it's a mild bout and I am working through it (yet another astounding set of words to put on a page for those who know me, but in the past 14 months I've worked through nearly every illness thrown at me bar the occasion I was signed off by the doc!)<br />
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Even so, on Monday morning I was in my bed and all I could do was sleep. In fairness I needed it, but it was also my precious morning off... I was planning some epic reading time this week, and all of it has been nabbed from me in the name of recovery. There have, however, been a few inane things I have managed to do so far this week: </div>
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<li>I Got Stamps...</li>
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Yes, yes I know this is sad (and I haven't divulged my full collection on here) but I just can't get enough of them, and being the snail mail aficionado it means I can create things like this:<br />
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Now come on, who doesn't want to receive a letter with waving robots adorning the paper and the envelope! Sometimes I think that I should go into business, but then it wouldn't be so exciting would it! And besides, it wouldn't be nearly so much fun sending them then! </div>
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<li>I've found great joy in eating dragon fruit out of the bowls given to me by a departed friend... now just look at how good that looks! </li>
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<li>I started to write out a blog post in long-hand! What can I say, I'm old school like that! </li>
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And the best bit, when I started feeling that bit better;</div>
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<li>I BAKED!! It's been a long time since my last baking outing and it's still as calm and therapeutic as ever (even if they did come out a little on the large side!)</li>
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Slowly, things seem to be on the up ill-wise! Naps have been my saviour and all the news of the Royal Baby has done wonders in passing on good feelings a-plenty. Here's to next week looking a little brighter, now I'm off for a cookie and a nap! </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-71372012509488589772013-07-18T19:58:00.000-07:002013-07-19T01:06:26.353-07:00Recommendations for a Friend #1 (52 Books #21, #22 and #23)I was asked recently to make <i>personal</i> book recommendations to a friend - well who am I to refuse such a request! And so she (and she know's who she is) now has her very own set of posts for just this purpose! I have also realised that, by some fortunate happy accident I'm remembering books I'd forgotten I'd read this year, so that's a few more to add to the 52 books list!<br />
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So, jumping in with <i>Angelfall </i>by Susan Ee.<br />
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This was one of those books that was first published digitally and received popularity through word of mouth. I picked it up on Amazon when it was going for a lowly 99p, and devoured it almost instantly. <i>Angelfall</i> is a shoe-in if you were a fan of Suzanne Collins' <i>Hunger Games</i>, following the similar theme of the older sister protecting the younger one. It will also appeal to <i>Twilight</i> fans, as it features a human/mythical romance, but as with both aforementioned it's all about the way the stories packaged and <i>Angelfall</i>, although being a familiar plot, was readable and different enough story. The sequel is coming out in mid-November, and I just hope it's worth the wait!<br />
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Another recent book I've read has been another Ngaoi Marsh, this time <i>Death In a White Tie</i>.<br />
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This one follows on directly from <i>Artists in Crime</i> and expanded on the characters beautifully. There's not much more I can say about these books that I didn't say <a href="http://the-paper-elephant.blogspot.hk/2013/05/running-away-from-me-52-books-15.html">here</a>, but the same longing for a long-forgotten era is jolted when reading these books, especially as this one is set against the backdrop of the first "season" of the protagonist Roderick Alleyn's niece as she makes her entrance into society as a debutante.<br />
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The final book in this wee list of suggestions (and 52 books tally) is <i>The Thirteenth Tale</i> by Diane Setterfield. I first bought this book when I was at uni, I'm going to hazard a guess at 2008, and read it after purchase. I remember thoroughly enjoying it, so I picked it up again to remind myself why.<br />
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I loved this book for two main reasons. One, it's an out and out mystery that surprised at every turn, and two, the novels two leading characters are an author and a bibliophile. It's a book persons story. I am all about a good story, and a nice gothic mystery full of deep and dark family secrets makes a book you can really get into! Definitely one to give a whirl!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194784488483257300.post-43660945315800382452013-07-15T22:33:00.001-07:002013-07-15T22:33:06.585-07:00About time for down time! Phew! (and 52 Books #19 & #20)It's been the best part of four weeks since I got back from my holiday to the UK and I've been rushing around being ridiculously social every since (for anyone who know's me this may be something of a surprise as I am most usually to be found eschewing large get-togethers in favour of down time with a good book, cup of tea or a blank page). There have been farewell parties, sad goodbyes, euphoric returns and a myriad of welcomes. This weekend I've spent my time off doing sweet f-all. It's been brilliant.<br />
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That's not to say I haven't enjoyed my running around though! I've been to new places (lets be honest, that's hardly difficult in Hong Kong, there is just SO MUCH to do), experienced a variety of weathers (well it's a Hong Kong Summer, though without a doubt cooler than last year - who'd have thought I'd ever look at 81% humidity and respond with "that's low!") and been on a Junk - only taken me 14 months!<br />
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What the last few days has afforded me (and about time too) is ample reading and writing time! I have just spent my time giggling away to Miranda's gloriously funny<i> Is It Just Me</i>?<br />
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Written as she speaks, it was a total delight and had me laughing out loud the whole way through! Miranda holds a special place as I spent happy times watching it with one of my friends who has now left Hong Kong, but fear not - she has gone armed with her Heather Small mask! In all seriousness, what more could you ask for!<br />
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I was finishing the above as the new broke that J.K. Rowling had written the Robert Galbraith book, <i>The Cuckoo's Calling</i>. My, what an outstanding marketing ploy that was. Naturally, I had to see what all the fuss was about.<br />
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While I have never pegged Rowling as the most technical of writers, it's never mattered due to her ability to tell an excellent story. I, personally, enjoyed <i>A Casual Vacancy</i>. I found it so very different to Harry Potter, yet still as readable. It was just what it needed to be - a complete departure. <i>The Cuckoo's Calling</i> dips a toe back into adventure (something that Harry Potter couldn't be without) and it's clear that Rowling was much more comfortable writing this one. I have a hunch this may also have been due to the complete lack of pressure surrounding it's writing and publication - and who can blame her after storm that is Harry Potter. It's well worth the read!<br />
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And for the next seven weeks I will be battling through summer courses and generally having fun with my students, that this week includes Mayan Headresses! Looking rather fine, even if I do say so myself!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0