I've never actually written these down before but I figured it would help to keep them.
1. Lose weight. Everyone that knows me should know that I have a few (okay a lot) pounds to spare and it seems like a good plan to do something about that. Not that I'm hoping on becoming athin or anything but losing a bit of weight would be a good idea.
2. Stop nailbiting. This is something I set as a goal each year and I almost succeeded this time but a 24h flight a few days after a 24h train ride was a bit too much :(
3. Study in Germany for a year and pass whatever I study there. This should be happening in August so I can work in july to make enough money to fund this trip. I'm not sure what I'll study there though, either law, literature, didactics or german cultural studies. Need to discuss this with some people first.
4. Pass first aid and help as a volunteer at least three times. My final exam is on the first of april so I have eight months to volunteer for three events. Seems more than doable if you ask me.
5. Finish my cooking challenge. Only 36 weeks to go (not including this one)
6. Finish my religious books challenge. This will be one of the biggest challenges. I'm almost halfway through the Bhagavad Gita but the Qorán and Bible are already waiting to be read. On top of that there's a whole list of other books I want to read so I will definitely need to make more time for this.
7. Meet Emily! This is like superimportant because I've known her for a few years now and it would be a life mission completed if I could meet her.
8. See Amanda Somerville live. Another life mission I'd like to see completed. I came very close this year but she had to cancel the gig because of her dog dying :(
9. Get the Amanda Somerville Fanclub out there! MY goal for 2009 was to get it beyond myspace which we did with the forum, in 2010 I'd like it to get a bit more active so some of our epic ideas can become reality.
Wednesday 30 December 2009
Tuesday 29 December 2009
Dragons
My dad's girlfriend got me an awesomely cute (and signed!) book about making polymer clay dragons for Christmas so naturally I had to give that a try. Here are my first two little ones: Gimm and Nareen
Week 15: Aachener Printen
I know I'm late again, that's due to the holidays though! I did really make my recipe on time, I just forget to post it...
Last week I made Aachener Printen. They are a typical German type of christmas cookies and they are absolutely delicious. A little bit complicated and they take a lot of time to make but they are so worth it!
You start by taking 100 grams of lemon succade and chopping it very finely. Then you need to warm up 250 grams of honey, 200 grams dark brown sugar and 50 grams of butter until all the butter have dissolved. Then you need to add one tablespoon of cinnamon, one tablespoon of ground cloves, one tablespoon of ground coriander seeds and one tablespoon of ground cardamom seeds. Mix this all in to get a syrup rich in flavour and sprinkle the succade over it. Set away to cool a bit.
When you think the syrup has cooled enough to touch you take 500 grams of flour andpur this in your bowl with the syrup and mix it all together. Let 10 grams of baking powder dissolve in two tablespoons of milk and add this too. You should get a firm though but it shouldn't be sticky, add more flour if necessary. When your dough is ready roll it in a bit of flour and set at room temperature for about 24 hours.
After the dough has set roll it out until it's about half a centimeter thick. Cut it into large rectangles and bake them slightly spaced in an oven that has been preheated at 180° for about 18 minutes.
I didn't cut mine in rectangles but I used my good old cookie shapes but that wasn't the best idea I ever had. The taste was still great but they were fairly hard. I probably could have prevented this by taking them out of the oven sooner but I didn't think about it at the time. That said, they were almost all eaten in about four days so they are definitely worth trying!
Last week I made Aachener Printen. They are a typical German type of christmas cookies and they are absolutely delicious. A little bit complicated and they take a lot of time to make but they are so worth it!
You start by taking 100 grams of lemon succade and chopping it very finely. Then you need to warm up 250 grams of honey, 200 grams dark brown sugar and 50 grams of butter until all the butter have dissolved. Then you need to add one tablespoon of cinnamon, one tablespoon of ground cloves, one tablespoon of ground coriander seeds and one tablespoon of ground cardamom seeds. Mix this all in to get a syrup rich in flavour and sprinkle the succade over it. Set away to cool a bit.
When you think the syrup has cooled enough to touch you take 500 grams of flour andpur this in your bowl with the syrup and mix it all together. Let 10 grams of baking powder dissolve in two tablespoons of milk and add this too. You should get a firm though but it shouldn't be sticky, add more flour if necessary. When your dough is ready roll it in a bit of flour and set at room temperature for about 24 hours.
After the dough has set roll it out until it's about half a centimeter thick. Cut it into large rectangles and bake them slightly spaced in an oven that has been preheated at 180° for about 18 minutes.
I didn't cut mine in rectangles but I used my good old cookie shapes but that wasn't the best idea I ever had. The taste was still great but they were fairly hard. I probably could have prevented this by taking them out of the oven sooner but I didn't think about it at the time. That said, they were almost all eaten in about four days so they are definitely worth trying!
Tuesday 15 December 2009
Week 14: Banana soup
This week's recipe is incredibly strange but incredibly yummy as well. It was given to me by a friend from school (thanks Sanne) and strange as it may seem it's a great combination.
You start by chopping up a red onion and frying it in some butter. Add one to two tablespoons of flour to form a bit of a roux. Next you need to add one and a half liters of broth (I used chicken but beef or vegetable should be fine too) and bring this to a boil. As soon as this is boiling add three sliced bananas, a teaspoon of curry powder and one 800 grams tin of chopped and peeled tomatoes (fresh ones would work just fine but they are a lot of extra work plus you'd need to add some tomato paste) and let this all simmer for about 20 minutes. Mix this all and serve with a tablespoon of cream.
The soup looks like normal tomato soup but has a very special taste to it. The banana flavour is very subtle but it's definitely there. Very enjoyable!
You start by chopping up a red onion and frying it in some butter. Add one to two tablespoons of flour to form a bit of a roux. Next you need to add one and a half liters of broth (I used chicken but beef or vegetable should be fine too) and bring this to a boil. As soon as this is boiling add three sliced bananas, a teaspoon of curry powder and one 800 grams tin of chopped and peeled tomatoes (fresh ones would work just fine but they are a lot of extra work plus you'd need to add some tomato paste) and let this all simmer for about 20 minutes. Mix this all and serve with a tablespoon of cream.
The soup looks like normal tomato soup but has a very special taste to it. The banana flavour is very subtle but it's definitely there. Very enjoyable!
Monday 14 December 2009
ASF news
Oh my has it been a while since I posted a normal blog... I've been really busy with school and friends and school and babysitting and school and life in general and, you guessed it, school. But I've also been preparing a very special something, the official Amanda Somerville Fanclub forum is now (finally) online!
This is the home for all the Amanda Somerville Fans out there, for now it's quite empty but we'd like to change that. We already have one exclusive song and we hope to have many more in the future. We also have a very cool competition on the way but you will hear more on that later.
So, in short, if you like Amanda's music or Amanda as a person or her work with other artists I only have one thing to say to you: register now!
This is the home for all the Amanda Somerville Fans out there, for now it's quite empty but we'd like to change that. We already have one exclusive song and we hope to have many more in the future. We also have a very cool competition on the way but you will hear more on that later.
So, in short, if you like Amanda's music or Amanda as a person or her work with other artists I only have one thing to say to you: register now!
Sunday 13 December 2009
Week 13: Pasta with bacon and mushrooms
This weeks recipe is a very classic one. you start by taking 250 grams of sliced mushrooms and frying them in a bit of butter. When they are almost done add 20o grams of diced bacon, 100 ml of chicken stock and 150 ml - 200 ml cream. Add salt and pepper to taste and let this reduce until the sauce is the right thickness. Meanwhile cook the pasta al dente and just add the sauce to the drained (obviously) pasta and there we go, all done. A classic and easy dish, not too healthy though xD
Tuesday 8 December 2009
Week 12: Lasagne verde
Oh my, I'm a bit late this week, again -_- The recipe however is delicious. You start by chopping up two cloves of garlic and about a kilo of fresh spinach and then sauté them in a large pan in some butter and add salt and pepper to taste. Leave to simmer on low heat while you prepare a plain cheese sauce with 100 grams of butter, 100 grams of flour, milk (no idea how much I always make my sauce without measuring) and about 100-150 grams of parmesan cheese. Personally I always add a bit of salt, pepper, nutmeg and (a fair bit of) chicken salt. When that is done you can start layering. Start with a layer of spinach, then a layer of pasta, a layer of sliced ham, another layer of pasta, a layer of cheese sauce, pasta and then start again with spinach and repeat. Finish with a layer of cheese sauce and sprinkle some grated cheese over it. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for 25 minutes.
Now I used green lasagne sheets that don't need pre-cooking but you can just as well use regular pasta or pasta that does need pre-cooking (obviously). This recipe is so much easier than regular lasagne bolognese and in my opinion just as delicious (if not more) and much healthier.
Now I used green lasagne sheets that don't need pre-cooking but you can just as well use regular pasta or pasta that does need pre-cooking (obviously). This recipe is so much easier than regular lasagne bolognese and in my opinion just as delicious (if not more) and much healthier.
Sunday 29 November 2009
Week 11: Addicting White Chocolate Chip Cookies
These are my first ever chocolate chip (well, chunk) cookies and they are actually a modifies recipe for regular chocolate chip cookies. I had a lot of white chocolate lying in the fridge and no one here really eats it so I decided to just try this and boy did it work out well. You start by taking 400 grams of flour, half a teaspoon of bicarbonate, half teaspoon of baking powder and half a teaspoon of salt and mixing it all togehter. In another bowl mix 160 grams of butter with85 grams of soft brown sugar, 85 grams of white (refined) sugar and a tablespoon of honey with a mixer, add two eggs one at a time while beating at a slower pace, otherwise the batter will seperate. Slowly add in the flour mixture and finally add 200 grams of chocolate chopped into chunks (you can ofcourse use store bought chocolate chips). The dough should be quite solid, make small doughballs (or large if you want large cookies) and squish them so they are a bit cookieshaped, make sure to space them enough on the baking tin and then put them in a preheated oven at 180°C for 10-12 minutes. The best way to store these is in a cookie tin with some baking paper in between them.
Yummmmmm cookies...
Yummmmmm cookies...
Sunday 22 November 2009
Week 10: fail
I tried to make paella this week but I epicly failed. It ended up looking more like a risotto than anything else and though the taste wasn't that horrible it still wasn't very good. I won't even bother typing up the recipe as you shouldn't try it.
Ah well, I learned a valuable lesson, only eat paella in a spanish restaurant!
Ah well, I learned a valuable lesson, only eat paella in a spanish restaurant!
Tuesday 17 November 2009
Week 9: Stoofvlees
I don't really know what you'd call this dish in english, something like beef stew I guess. I'll just stick to the dutch word for it.
You start by taking 500 grams of beef (just like with the goulash you want the tougher parts) cut into fairly large chunks (again, just like with the goulash) and frying it on all sides in some butter. next you add about two tablespoons of flour and add a bottle of brown beer, two bayleaves and some thyme. Stir well and let simmer for an hour and a half to two hours. And really that's all there is to it. this is typically eaten with fries but works well with any other type of potatoe side dish.
You start by taking 500 grams of beef (just like with the goulash you want the tougher parts) cut into fairly large chunks (again, just like with the goulash) and frying it on all sides in some butter. next you add about two tablespoons of flour and add a bottle of brown beer, two bayleaves and some thyme. Stir well and let simmer for an hour and a half to two hours. And really that's all there is to it. this is typically eaten with fries but works well with any other type of potatoe side dish.
Sunday 8 November 2009
Week 8: Puppy...err...apple pie
This week I was fed up with the puppy eating everything so I decided to make a pie out of him. Just kidding ofcourse, although I am fed up with the biremarks on all my stuff -_- I did however make a lovely apple pie. I won't type up the whole recipe because I can simply link to it :D
I did however remember to take a picture! Shocking isn't it :p (btw yes that is a keeshond shaped dough ornament thingy on there)
I can definitely recommend this recipe. it's fairly easy and when you cut into the pie you get a rich filling but the whole is not overly sweet. The only thing I did different is spread some eggyolk over the top before it went into the oven and skip the tin foil on the crust (because I didn't have any). Absolutely delicious!
I did however remember to take a picture! Shocking isn't it :p (btw yes that is a keeshond shaped dough ornament thingy on there)
I can definitely recommend this recipe. it's fairly easy and when you cut into the pie you get a rich filling but the whole is not overly sweet. The only thing I did different is spread some eggyolk over the top before it went into the oven and skip the tin foil on the crust (because I didn't have any). Absolutely delicious!
Sunday 1 November 2009
Week 7: Pasta with zucchini and salmon
Start of by cutting one medium sized zucchini into small cubes‚ do the same with two tomatoes. Fry the zucchini in some butter with two cloves of garlic. When they start to become soft add the tomatoes‚ 200 ml of cream‚ a bit of basil and some salt and pepper. Let simmer for a while until the sauce has almost reduced enough. Add around 200 grams of smoked salmon that has been cut into strips. Leave on a low fire for about 5 more minutes‚ add pasta and serve.
Very easy and very delicious!
Very easy and very delicious!
Sunday 25 October 2009
Week 6: Bread Pudding
I made this on monday so I'm a bit late with posting‚ sorry for that. You start of by heating half a liter of milk with 200 grams of sugar‚ don't let it boil‚ you only need it to be warm. Take 500 grams of old white bread and tear it into pieces. Do the same for 5-7 slices of gingerbread and then pour the milk on all pieces and let soak for a bit. Meanwhile you mix 5 eggs with a bag of vanilla sugar (about 8 grams)‚ some cinnamon and 150-200 grams of raisins (to taste). Make sure your hands are clean and squeeze most of the milk out of the bread and gingerbread. Add the bread to the egg mixture and pour the batter into a cake tin that has been buttered and flour-ed. Bake in a pre-heated oven for 45 minutes at 200° Celsius and voilà‚ delicious bread pudding.
Friday 16 October 2009
Week 6: Vegetarian Lasagne
This is a fairly easy‚ straightforward recipe. Everyone knows lasagne and it's not that difficult to make. This recipe is just a bit different from the one we're all used to. Mind you this recipe is in need of some finetuning. I haven't quite figured out how many layers to do because the way it's in my recipe book doesn't really work. I'd also suggest frying your aubergines first to avoid them staying spongy.
For the vegetable sauce:
Chop op an onion and 2 cloves of garlic and fry in some olive oil. Add 3 diced capsicums (red‚ green and yellow)‚ 2 diced sticks of celery‚ a diced courgette and 225 grams of sliced vushrooms. Let cook for about 5 minutes and then add 2 chopped up tomatoes‚ 300 cl of passata‚ basil‚ chili powder and some crushed cumminseeds. Leave to simmer while you make the cheese sauce.
For the cheese sauce:
Start by melting 3 tablespoons of butter‚ add 1-2 tablespoons of butter to form a solid roux. Add 150 ml of vegetable stock and 300 cl of milk. When this starts to thicken add 50-75 grams of grated cheese‚ 2 table spoons of chopped basil and one teaspoon of dijon mustard. Keep on stirring until you get a nice and thick sauce. You might have to add more milk if the sauce is too thick.
Layering:
Start with a layer of green lasagne sheets‚ then a layer of vegetables and on top of that a layer of fairly thinly sliced aubergine. On top of that a layer of pasta‚ a layer of cheese sauce‚ another layer of pasta‚ another layer of vegetables‚ aubergines and lastly a layer of cheese sauce topped with some extra grated cheese.
Pop this all in the over for 40 minutes at 200°C
For the vegetable sauce:
Chop op an onion and 2 cloves of garlic and fry in some olive oil. Add 3 diced capsicums (red‚ green and yellow)‚ 2 diced sticks of celery‚ a diced courgette and 225 grams of sliced vushrooms. Let cook for about 5 minutes and then add 2 chopped up tomatoes‚ 300 cl of passata‚ basil‚ chili powder and some crushed cumminseeds. Leave to simmer while you make the cheese sauce.
For the cheese sauce:
Start by melting 3 tablespoons of butter‚ add 1-2 tablespoons of butter to form a solid roux. Add 150 ml of vegetable stock and 300 cl of milk. When this starts to thicken add 50-75 grams of grated cheese‚ 2 table spoons of chopped basil and one teaspoon of dijon mustard. Keep on stirring until you get a nice and thick sauce. You might have to add more milk if the sauce is too thick.
Layering:
Start with a layer of green lasagne sheets‚ then a layer of vegetables and on top of that a layer of fairly thinly sliced aubergine. On top of that a layer of pasta‚ a layer of cheese sauce‚ another layer of pasta‚ another layer of vegetables‚ aubergines and lastly a layer of cheese sauce topped with some extra grated cheese.
Pop this all in the over for 40 minutes at 200°C
Tuesday 13 October 2009
Extra recipe: Pink!
This one doesn't quite count for the challenge but it's an spare recipe. In case there's a week I can't cook for whatever reason I have this one as an extra. I'm just posting it now because I promised some people I'd show the pictures of my pink dinner.
You start of by cooking 500 grams of potatoes and beetroot (I bought precooked beetroot though) and dicing all of that. chop up 2-4 pickled gherkins‚ (depending on size and how present you want the flavour to be) a small onion and some parsley (4-5 tablespoons when chopped). Dice a cooked through chicken breast.
Take a bowl and mix 5 large tablespoons of mayonnaise with salt‚ pepper‚ paprika (the powder) and the parsley. Add the onion‚ gherkins and chicken and mix well. Add the potatoes and lastly the beetroot. Make sure all is well mixed and marvel at the gorgeous pink coloured meal you just created. For a bit of extra crunch you could add one or two chopped apples.
Works very well with salad and bread but without the chicken you can easily serve it as a side salad during a bbq.
You start of by cooking 500 grams of potatoes and beetroot (I bought precooked beetroot though) and dicing all of that. chop up 2-4 pickled gherkins‚ (depending on size and how present you want the flavour to be) a small onion and some parsley (4-5 tablespoons when chopped). Dice a cooked through chicken breast.
Take a bowl and mix 5 large tablespoons of mayonnaise with salt‚ pepper‚ paprika (the powder) and the parsley. Add the onion‚ gherkins and chicken and mix well. Add the potatoes and lastly the beetroot. Make sure all is well mixed and marvel at the gorgeous pink coloured meal you just created. For a bit of extra crunch you could add one or two chopped apples.
Works very well with salad and bread but without the chicken you can easily serve it as a side salad during a bbq.
Tuesday 6 October 2009
Week 5: Mac 'n'cheese
Yes that's right‚ I made a special version of mac'n'cheese today. Believe it or not another Piet Huysentruyt recipe but his cookbook really is one of my favourites. Now this recipe is for 3-4 people instead of the usual 2 because I made a bit extra so I don't have to cook tomorrow night when I come home from class.
You start by cooking 200 grams of pasta and rinsing it with cold water. Then you have to slice 250 grams of mushrooms and cut 5 slices of ham in squares. Next you melt 50 grams of butter and then add 100 grams of flour. Stir well and leave on a very low fire for 5-6 minutes. Take 400ml chicken fond and add the same amount of milk and 100 ml of cream. Add this to the roux (butter+flour) and stir well until all lumps are gone (this takes a while) and you have a nice smooth sauce. Leave this to simmer for a few minutes while you squeeze a lemon and chop up some parsley (you need about 4 tablespoons).
After 5-10 minutes of simmering you add the parsley‚ ham‚ mushrooms‚ 50 grams of grated emmentaler cheese‚ a dash of nutmeg‚ salt and pepper and lemon juice to taste. Make sure this is all well-mixed and add the pasta.
Pour all of that into an oven dish and spread some breadcrumbs over the top. Put the entire dish in the a pre-heated oven at 180°C for 10-15 minutes.
This is a great variety to a classic and I'll definitely be making this again seeing as pasta (and in particular mac'n'cheese) are favourites of both my dad and myself.
You start by cooking 200 grams of pasta and rinsing it with cold water. Then you have to slice 250 grams of mushrooms and cut 5 slices of ham in squares. Next you melt 50 grams of butter and then add 100 grams of flour. Stir well and leave on a very low fire for 5-6 minutes. Take 400ml chicken fond and add the same amount of milk and 100 ml of cream. Add this to the roux (butter+flour) and stir well until all lumps are gone (this takes a while) and you have a nice smooth sauce. Leave this to simmer for a few minutes while you squeeze a lemon and chop up some parsley (you need about 4 tablespoons).
After 5-10 minutes of simmering you add the parsley‚ ham‚ mushrooms‚ 50 grams of grated emmentaler cheese‚ a dash of nutmeg‚ salt and pepper and lemon juice to taste. Make sure this is all well-mixed and add the pasta.
Pour all of that into an oven dish and spread some breadcrumbs over the top. Put the entire dish in the a pre-heated oven at 180°C for 10-15 minutes.
This is a great variety to a classic and I'll definitely be making this again seeing as pasta (and in particular mac'n'cheese) are favourites of both my dad and myself.
Thursday 1 October 2009
Week 4: Goulash (but not quite)
Thius week's recipe is a mild success‚ I do however know how to make it awesome just let it cook for a bit longer than I did and it should be perfect.
You need about 500 to 600 grams of beef‚ generally you want the slightly tougher parts because you'll let it cook for quite some time anyway. No need to use expensive tender parts when the cheap one will taste exactly the same in the end (or probably even better). Start by shortly frying them in a fair bit of butter after having cut them in cubes of about 3 x 3 cm (standard size I guess :p). Add 2 chopped onions‚ a clove of garlic‚ 300 ml of beef stock‚ one bayleaf‚ a bit of oregano and some cumin seeds. Let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes (this is a guesstimation‚ my cookbook didn't have cooking times for this recipe).
While this is cooking you have to thinly slice one red and one green capsicum and add them to the meat. After another 15-20 minutes add around 200 grams of mushrooms and 2 to 3 tablespoons of concentrated tomato paste (to taste really) and a bit of cream to thicken the sauce. If the sauce is still too runny (which is quite possible) you can always use some corn starch and water or milk to thicken it. Let it simmer for a few more minutes until the meat is tender enough to eat (that's what went wrong with me today‚ I wasn't patien enough and the meat was still a bit tough).
You can eat this with rice or pasta or even potatoes‚ very versatile and yummy!
You need about 500 to 600 grams of beef‚ generally you want the slightly tougher parts because you'll let it cook for quite some time anyway. No need to use expensive tender parts when the cheap one will taste exactly the same in the end (or probably even better). Start by shortly frying them in a fair bit of butter after having cut them in cubes of about 3 x 3 cm (standard size I guess :p). Add 2 chopped onions‚ a clove of garlic‚ 300 ml of beef stock‚ one bayleaf‚ a bit of oregano and some cumin seeds. Let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes (this is a guesstimation‚ my cookbook didn't have cooking times for this recipe).
While this is cooking you have to thinly slice one red and one green capsicum and add them to the meat. After another 15-20 minutes add around 200 grams of mushrooms and 2 to 3 tablespoons of concentrated tomato paste (to taste really) and a bit of cream to thicken the sauce. If the sauce is still too runny (which is quite possible) you can always use some corn starch and water or milk to thicken it. Let it simmer for a few more minutes until the meat is tender enough to eat (that's what went wrong with me today‚ I wasn't patien enough and the meat was still a bit tough).
You can eat this with rice or pasta or even potatoes‚ very versatile and yummy!
Thursday 24 September 2009
Week 3: Chicken with bacon and cream in the microwave
Today's recipe was absolutely new to me. I wasn't even aware of the fact that you could cook in a microwave but today proved that it's not only possible but really easy as well. It's another Piet Huysentruyt recipe‚ you'll notice that I quite like them as it's one of the main recipe resources for this challenge.
You start of by cutting a double chicken breast into cubes of about 3 by 3 cm. put them in an oven dish (make sure it's microwave proof too) with some butter and about 4 table spoons of diced bacon. Then you microwave the whole thing for 5 minutes on 750 watt.
When this is done you add one chopped onion‚ one chopped carrot and half a leek (also chopped ofc) and a finely chopped clove of garlic. The whole thing then goes back into the microwave for another 5 minutes.
After that you have to add 100 cl of chickenfond (or stock if you don't have fond)‚ 50 cl of cream and 50 cl of white wine. Pop the whole thing back in the microwave for another 8 minutes at half strength and serve straight away. It goes really well with rice. Pasta probably wouldn't be a good choice due to the runny sauce.
My dad and I really enjoyed this dish‚ it's a bit of an unusual combination but it tastes awesome. I'm really enjoying this challenge ^^
You start of by cutting a double chicken breast into cubes of about 3 by 3 cm. put them in an oven dish (make sure it's microwave proof too) with some butter and about 4 table spoons of diced bacon. Then you microwave the whole thing for 5 minutes on 750 watt.
When this is done you add one chopped onion‚ one chopped carrot and half a leek (also chopped ofc) and a finely chopped clove of garlic. The whole thing then goes back into the microwave for another 5 minutes.
After that you have to add 100 cl of chickenfond (or stock if you don't have fond)‚ 50 cl of cream and 50 cl of white wine. Pop the whole thing back in the microwave for another 8 minutes at half strength and serve straight away. It goes really well with rice. Pasta probably wouldn't be a good choice due to the runny sauce.
My dad and I really enjoyed this dish‚ it's a bit of an unusual combination but it tastes awesome. I'm really enjoying this challenge ^^
Wednesday 16 September 2009
Week 2: Chicken stir-fry with oranges
Last week was definitely a succes‚ but this week was even better! It was a recipe from the Belgian chef Piet Huysentruyt. He's quite famous here as he's been on tv with several shows throughout the years. His most known one is SOS Piet where travels through Flanders to help
people with their cooking problems.
This week's recipe was easy yet delicious and didn't take long to prepare. The combination may seem a bit weird and exotic but well worth giving a try.
You start with a double chicken breast which you cut in dice‚ then you let it marinate for a few hours in some oil and wokspices. I can't specify which spices as it's a pre-mixed thing I have in my cupboard but you could just replace it with chicken salt. Next you have to cut the flesh out of 2 oranges while making sure you get rid of all the skin and yucky white bits and catching all the juice because you'll need it. If you don't have much juice you might want to squeeze an extra one. Dice the orange flesh and put it aside for now. Mix the juice with 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and 2 tablespoons of honey‚ this is where you have to see if you have enough orange juice or not. You don't want the taste of the vinegar to be too overpowering so taste‚ taste‚ taste! Dice 125 grams of feta cheese and about the same quantity chorizo.
Time to start cooking! Heat up some oil and fry the chicken. After about 6 minutes (check if youe chicken is cooked all the way through) you should add the OJ/vinegar/honey mixture and the chorizo. After about 5 minutes add the orange and leave for another 2-3 minutes. Add the feta and rocket salad (as much as you want really) at the very end along with about 4 tablespoons of chopped coriander.
I served it with some tagliatelle because I happened to have it but I think it would be awesome with noodles or maybe even just with bread.
Obviously I forgot to make a picture again and seeing as it was delicious it's all gone now. I'll add a picture of Piet Huysentruyt instead.
people with their cooking problems.
This week's recipe was easy yet delicious and didn't take long to prepare. The combination may seem a bit weird and exotic but well worth giving a try.
You start with a double chicken breast which you cut in dice‚ then you let it marinate for a few hours in some oil and wokspices. I can't specify which spices as it's a pre-mixed thing I have in my cupboard but you could just replace it with chicken salt. Next you have to cut the flesh out of 2 oranges while making sure you get rid of all the skin and yucky white bits and catching all the juice because you'll need it. If you don't have much juice you might want to squeeze an extra one. Dice the orange flesh and put it aside for now. Mix the juice with 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and 2 tablespoons of honey‚ this is where you have to see if you have enough orange juice or not. You don't want the taste of the vinegar to be too overpowering so taste‚ taste‚ taste! Dice 125 grams of feta cheese and about the same quantity chorizo.
Time to start cooking! Heat up some oil and fry the chicken. After about 6 minutes (check if youe chicken is cooked all the way through) you should add the OJ/vinegar/honey mixture and the chorizo. After about 5 minutes add the orange and leave for another 2-3 minutes. Add the feta and rocket salad (as much as you want really) at the very end along with about 4 tablespoons of chopped coriander.
I served it with some tagliatelle because I happened to have it but I think it would be awesome with noodles or maybe even just with bread.
Obviously I forgot to make a picture again and seeing as it was delicious it's all gone now. I'll add a picture of Piet Huysentruyt instead.
Wednesday 9 September 2009
Week 1: Vegetarian Cannelloni
I've decided it was time for a challenge‚ a cooking challenge. From now on I will cook 1 new recipe each week. Seeing as I love cooking this is a great plan but it will also teach me 52 new recipes in a year's time as well as some new cooking techniques I hope.
Anyway‚ I started off with vegetarian cannelloni. Nothing tricky but something I hadn't cooked before. It proved to be much easier than I had imagined. You start off by frying a diced aubergine in some oil. After about 5 minuted you add 75 grams of chopped up mushrooms and 225 grams of fresh spinach. When the spinach has shrunk down you take this off the heat and start filling the cannelloni (pre-cooked for 6 minutes in boiling salted water).
While filling you can have your tomato sauce cooking. For this you fry one onion‚ add 800 grams of canned diced tomatoes and let that all simmer for a few minutes. (I'm not quite sure why to use canned tomatoes though‚ next time I'll be using fresh tomatoes because I much prefer their taste.)
When you're finished filling your cannelloni place them in an oven dish and just pour the sauce over them. Finish off by putting some slices of mozzarella on top of the sauce and place it in a pre-heated oven for 30 minutes at 190°C.
My dad and I very much enjoyed this dish. It's not heavy at all and contains a lot of yummy veggies. On top of that it's pasta which is something we both love to eat. A very good start for my cooking challenge ^^
PS: Obviously I forgot to make pictures but I will try to remember to make some next time.
Anyway‚ I started off with vegetarian cannelloni. Nothing tricky but something I hadn't cooked before. It proved to be much easier than I had imagined. You start off by frying a diced aubergine in some oil. After about 5 minuted you add 75 grams of chopped up mushrooms and 225 grams of fresh spinach. When the spinach has shrunk down you take this off the heat and start filling the cannelloni (pre-cooked for 6 minutes in boiling salted water).
While filling you can have your tomato sauce cooking. For this you fry one onion‚ add 800 grams of canned diced tomatoes and let that all simmer for a few minutes. (I'm not quite sure why to use canned tomatoes though‚ next time I'll be using fresh tomatoes because I much prefer their taste.)
When you're finished filling your cannelloni place them in an oven dish and just pour the sauce over them. Finish off by putting some slices of mozzarella on top of the sauce and place it in a pre-heated oven for 30 minutes at 190°C.
My dad and I very much enjoyed this dish. It's not heavy at all and contains a lot of yummy veggies. On top of that it's pasta which is something we both love to eat. A very good start for my cooking challenge ^^
PS: Obviously I forgot to make pictures but I will try to remember to make some next time.
Saturday 29 August 2009
Pigeons
I love them! There's not much more I can say about it really. I just love pigeons‚ especially the punk pigeons (Actually they're called crested pigeons or Ocyphaps lophotes in Latin) I saw in Australia. They have mohawks! How epic is that! Apparently they only live in Australia which sucks royal hippogriff because I wants one.
According to something I read earlier they aren't as dirty and filthy as the normal city pigeons but slightly hygienic. I jsut think they're pretty though‚ and epic.
So here's a vid of some more of them and I hope you like them just as much as I do ^^
Sunday 23 August 2009
Saturday 22 August 2009
Home again :(
And I'm not too happy about it to be honest. Don't get me wrong I'm happy to be with my family again but I absolutely loved Australia and living together with Steve. Ah well at least I have something to look forward to in a few years...
I do have good news as well though‚ we have a bew puppy! His name is Indigo and he's adorable ^^ I'll post pictures when I have some for now I'll leave you with some pictures from Australia.
I do have good news as well though‚ we have a bew puppy! His name is Indigo and he's adorable ^^ I'll post pictures when I have some for now I'll leave you with some pictures from Australia.
Thursday 13 August 2009
Days 30 - 33
Yesterday was awesome, we went to the beach (which is only half an hour walking from Tal's) and it's so breautiful there. Very relaxing as well. Good thing I didn't have any stuff with me to go swimming or I probably would have just gone in there and gotten ill because it was so cold.
Today we're not doing too much. It's our last day in Adelaide and tomight we're going out to dinner with Tal, Mila, Ari and Josh.
Tomorrow morning we'll be getting up very early to catch the train that will take us back to Sydney. Oh the joy of 24 hours on a supersonicly slow train. I reckon bikes would get us back much quicker but then we'd have a problem with the luggage...
So we'll be arriving in Sydney at 10 in the morning on saturday after which we'll be on the train to Newcastle (which goes slightly faster than the Indian Pacific) for another two and a half hours. And then we'll probably go ýay bed'and sleep until Steve's family gets there for a family dinner thingy.
So yeah, won't be able to text much the next two days as there's hardly any reception for most of the train ride...
Today we're not doing too much. It's our last day in Adelaide and tomight we're going out to dinner with Tal, Mila, Ari and Josh.
Tomorrow morning we'll be getting up very early to catch the train that will take us back to Sydney. Oh the joy of 24 hours on a supersonicly slow train. I reckon bikes would get us back much quicker but then we'd have a problem with the luggage...
So we'll be arriving in Sydney at 10 in the morning on saturday after which we'll be on the train to Newcastle (which goes slightly faster than the Indian Pacific) for another two and a half hours. And then we'll probably go ýay bed'and sleep until Steve's family gets there for a family dinner thingy.
So yeah, won't be able to text much the next two days as there's hardly any reception for most of the train ride...
Monday 10 August 2009
Days 27 - 29
I can blog about the future now, muahahahaha.
Saturday night was awesome, we were up till 4 am, then we went to bed and slept through most of sunday. All we really did was watch some movies because Steve and Mea had slight hangovers. Today is also pretty inactive seeing as we're going back to Tal's tomorrow. We're packing and watching some series and some drawing and writing and stuff.
So yeah., like I said, tomorrow back to Tal's so we won't be doing much apart from that I'm afraid. We should be going to the beach on Wednesday or Thursday though. That should be cool ^^
Saturday night was awesome, we were up till 4 am, then we went to bed and slept through most of sunday. All we really did was watch some movies because Steve and Mea had slight hangovers. Today is also pretty inactive seeing as we're going back to Tal's tomorrow. We're packing and watching some series and some drawing and writing and stuff.
So yeah., like I said, tomorrow back to Tal's so we won't be doing much apart from that I'm afraid. We should be going to the beach on Wednesday or Thursday though. That should be cool ^^
Saturday 8 August 2009
Day 26
Today was awesome so far, we entered the Magic: The Gathering tournament and I came in third last (which is better than I expected to do). I also beat Steve so yay for me. I had a lot of fun, met some awesome people and got lots of free cards ^^
Tonight we've got some people coming over for drinks and socialising which should be great fun as well. Good day. good day...
Tonight we've got some people coming over for drinks and socialising which should be great fun as well. Good day. good day...
Friday 7 August 2009
Days 22 - 25
We've been rather busy this week, tuesdaythe weather was crap which sucked but all was made up on wednesday with lovely warm weather as we went to visit the botanic gardens in Adelaide. I absolutely loved it there, it's basically a huge beautiful park with hidden ponds, a waterlily pavilion and an awesome fake rainforest.
Thursday the weather was horrible aain, loooots of wind. Today however was lovely again and we went out to visit Adelaide's museum. We had lots of fun there (yes I know this makes us seem like geeks). The Egyptioan section was small but good but I looooved looking at all the sparkly stones.
Tomorrow we're entering a Magic: The Gathering Tournament (my first) which will be interesting seeing as I only learned to play two weeks ago. Ah well, should be fun.
Thursday the weather was horrible aain, loooots of wind. Today however was lovely again and we went out to visit Adelaide's museum. We had lots of fun there (yes I know this makes us seem like geeks). The Egyptioan section was small but good but I looooved looking at all the sparkly stones.
Tomorrow we're entering a Magic: The Gathering Tournament (my first) which will be interesting seeing as I only learned to play two weeks ago. Ah well, should be fun.
Monday 3 August 2009
Days 16 - 21
Oh my, I seen to have forgotten to blog for quite some time. Not that much has happened though. The weather wasn.t too good the past few days so we stayed in and had some friends over while we waited for our colds to get better. Luckily those have passed now.
Friday we went to Adelaide with Adam, Dustin and Cody but I forgot to bring my camera -_-' We should be going back somewhere this week though because there are some things I definitely want pictures of (the mall with the balls for intance).
Next tuesday we'll be going back to Tal's until our train for Sydney leaves on friday morning. We should be spending saturday in Sydney but that will actually depend on if we have a place to store our suitcases while we trod the city. Then we're off again to Newcastle until I have to go home again.
I'm torn between missing everyone back home and going to miss everyone here. Part of me wants to stay longer (which is impossible but that's not the point) and part of me wants to go back home. *sigh* This will someday cause me a lot of trouble seeing as (if things keep on going as they do) my future lies here...
This trip is giving me exactly what I needed, some time to think everything through. I'm more certain of my relationship with Steve than I've ever been. Having him this close is wonderful and living with him comes naturally yet I miss home too.
Ah well, worries for later. Right now I'm enjoying every single minute here with him.
Friday we went to Adelaide with Adam, Dustin and Cody but I forgot to bring my camera -_-' We should be going back somewhere this week though because there are some things I definitely want pictures of (the mall with the balls for intance).
Next tuesday we'll be going back to Tal's until our train for Sydney leaves on friday morning. We should be spending saturday in Sydney but that will actually depend on if we have a place to store our suitcases while we trod the city. Then we're off again to Newcastle until I have to go home again.
I'm torn between missing everyone back home and going to miss everyone here. Part of me wants to stay longer (which is impossible but that's not the point) and part of me wants to go back home. *sigh* This will someday cause me a lot of trouble seeing as (if things keep on going as they do) my future lies here...
This trip is giving me exactly what I needed, some time to think everything through. I'm more certain of my relationship with Steve than I've ever been. Having him this close is wonderful and living with him comes naturally yet I miss home too.
Ah well, worries for later. Right now I'm enjoying every single minute here with him.
Wednesday 29 July 2009
Days 14 and 15
Yesterday was filled with packing, moving and snot. We've both got a cold and that sucks. But we got to Mea's alright and we're feeling a lot better today. Met up with some more friends today and cooked awesome risotto and that's about it. We should be going into Adelaide again on friday only this time we'll actually have some time tolook around and stuff.
That's about it really. I sound so boring -_-
That's about it really. I sound so boring -_-
Monday 27 July 2009
Day 13
Today was short yet epic yet sadlike. I slept in pretty late because I was totally exhausted from AVCon and because I have a cold (thanks to lemox). But yeah, today was our last day at Tal's although we made up for the sad by going out for dinner with some friends ^^
Tomorrow we're moving to Mea's which will soon be Steve's as well but to avoid confuion with Steve's parents' place in Newcastle I'll be referring to it as Mea's. But yeah that's where we'll be going for the next 2 weeks and then back to Newcastle until I go home again.
I'm going to miss a lot of people when I go back home again, just like I'm missing a lot of people from back home while I'm here...
Tomorrow we're moving to Mea's which will soon be Steve's as well but to avoid confuion with Steve's parents' place in Newcastle I'll be referring to it as Mea's. But yeah that's where we'll be going for the next 2 weeks and then back to Newcastle until I go home again.
I'm going to miss a lot of people when I go back home again, just like I'm missing a lot of people from back home while I'm here...
Days 11 and 12 (AVCon)
Despite it being a convention about 2 things I'm not really in to AVCon was absolutely amazing. We met a lot of Tal and Mila's friends and they were all awesome! The details of what we did are unfortunately fading already but the weekend was filled with hugs and laughter (ad guitar hero in which Steve came third over the whole con).
Dinner was epic on both nights. Saturday we went to some schnitzel place where I luckily had some vegeterian stuff because the Schnitzels were beyond plate sized. After that we went to Mark's for the AVCon after-party which was okay but we were all tired so we went home pretty early.
Yesterday we went to some pancake house and had epic pancakes and then said goodbye to Mel and Glen who were going back to Perth (very sad moment) and then we came home and slept for hours. (like 7 cause Tal had to go to work early)
But yeah, the weekend was epic and awesome1
Dinner was epic on both nights. Saturday we went to some schnitzel place where I luckily had some vegeterian stuff because the Schnitzels were beyond plate sized. After that we went to Mark's for the AVCon after-party which was okay but we were all tired so we went home pretty early.
Yesterday we went to some pancake house and had epic pancakes and then said goodbye to Mel and Glen who were going back to Perth (very sad moment) and then we came home and slept for hours. (like 7 cause Tal had to go to work early)
But yeah, the weekend was epic and awesome1
Friday 24 July 2009
Days 9 and 10
Yesterday and today are pretty similar to the past few days. Lots of guitar hero-ing and general hanging out with lemox. He'll be going home today though but no worries, we'll see him again at AVCon.
Tonight we're meeting up with some friends from Perth and we'll be going to Mt. Lofty where you should be able to see over the entire city.
If it wasn't clear yet, I love it here! The people are awesome, the weather is great (it's winter here now and the weather's comparable to a good spring in Belgium) and most of all I've got my Steve here ^^
Tonight we're meeting up with some friends from Perth and we'll be going to Mt. Lofty where you should be able to see over the entire city.
If it wasn't clear yet, I love it here! The people are awesome, the weather is great (it's winter here now and the weather's comparable to a good spring in Belgium) and most of all I've got my Steve here ^^
Wednesday 22 July 2009
Day 8
Today was lazy-ish but a lot of fun. Lemox (which is a nickname obviously as are most names I post here) came over and we talked and laughed and ate awesome liquorice (mango <3) and then Tal came home and the guys played some halo (which is lots of fun to watch actually) and then I came on here to blog.
That's about it really, nothing special but still great fun ^^
That's about it really, nothing special but still great fun ^^
Tuesday 21 July 2009
Days 6 and 7 (I think)
I kind of lost count already, but that's okay. Yesterday and today were lazy days. I think the jetlag is hitting now because I was extremely tired yesterday even though I slept quite well. Last night on the other hand I didn't get much sleep yet I'm not tired at all. Weird body...
Anyway, yesterday Steve taught me how to play Magic The Gathering (epic card game) and we had a short walk to get some lunch. That really is everything we did, I'd feel bad about it if lazy days weren't so enjoyable. Today we went to the Collonades (spelling?) shopping center to get our AVCon tickets (yay) and tomorrow we'll be going back there to meet up with some more friends.
That's about it I think, not very interesting I'm afraid but yet so totally pleasant ^^
Anyway, yesterday Steve taught me how to play Magic The Gathering (epic card game) and we had a short walk to get some lunch. That really is everything we did, I'd feel bad about it if lazy days weren't so enjoyable. Today we went to the Collonades (spelling?) shopping center to get our AVCon tickets (yay) and tomorrow we'll be going back there to meet up with some more friends.
That's about it I think, not very interesting I'm afraid but yet so totally pleasant ^^
Monday 20 July 2009
Days 3, 4 and 5
So Friday we had a look around in Sydney which I do like (as opposed to Steve). Saw the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge but the botanical gardens were shut. We'll see those on the way back from Adelaide though.
Saturday was mostly spent in a train as was sunday. It took us no less than 24 hours to get from Sydney to Adelaide but I managed to sleep through most of it. Steve didn't though, poor thing. When we got to Adelaide we met up with Tal and Mila who are both awesome and we're staying at Tal's until avcon (Adelaide's Anime and Videogames convention).
That was about it I think, all is awesome in the land of the kangaroos and emus (which both happen to be very difficult to make photos of).
Still can't post pictures I'm afraid...
Saturday was mostly spent in a train as was sunday. It took us no less than 24 hours to get from Sydney to Adelaide but I managed to sleep through most of it. Steve didn't though, poor thing. When we got to Adelaide we met up with Tal and Mila who are both awesome and we're staying at Tal's until avcon (Adelaide's Anime and Videogames convention).
That was about it I think, all is awesome in the land of the kangaroos and emus (which both happen to be very difficult to make photos of).
Still can't post pictures I'm afraid...
Thursday 16 July 2009
Day 2
Hey lovies,
Today was awesome, first we met up with Steve's uncle and grandad who are both very nice people. Ater listening to some musicwe went to see the new HarryPotter movie which is also really good (just like the other 5) but as usually the book was better.
Tomorrow we'll be going to Sydney and have a look around there before we're off to Adelaide on saturday so I probably won't be blogging the next few days.
Hope all is well there!
Today was awesome, first we met up with Steve's uncle and grandad who are both very nice people. Ater listening to some musicwe went to see the new HarryPotter movie which is also really good (just like the other 5) but as usually the book was better.
Tomorrow we'll be going to Sydney and have a look around there before we're off to Adelaide on saturday so I probably won't be blogging the next few days.
Hope all is well there!
Wednesday 15 July 2009
Australia blog part 1
Hey all,
So I got her all right and I'm staying with Steve's fmly for the next few days. I wasn't able to sleep on the plane but we'll catch up on that in a few.No pictures yet but I'll try to post some soon.
So I got her all right and I'm staying with Steve's fmly for the next few days. I wasn't able to sleep on the plane but we'll catch up on that in a few.No pictures yet but I'll try to post some soon.
Sunday 12 July 2009
FInal Preparations
Tomorrow I'm finally leaving!!! I can't remember ever having been this excited about anything. That could just be my memory failing though... Anyway, I'm all done packing (finished that yesterday) and now all I have to do is make sure I leave my room all nice and tidy and be the stresspandie I am. I can do that ^^
PS: here some more wallpapers, a pretty unicorn one and a pink dance one for my sister (she hasn't seen it yet though but she will tomorrow when she's here :D)
PS: here some more wallpapers, a pretty unicorn one and a pink dance one for my sister (she hasn't seen it yet though but she will tomorrow when she's here :D)
Thursday 9 July 2009
Wallpapers
Now that my paper is finished I finally had some time for gimping again. I figured I might as well share them here :) The first one is the result of some random brush using and I really like how that turned out. The second one is the proof that penguins are heartless evil creatures.
Edit: The third one is a typical vector art type wallpaper, lots of fun to make!
Edit: The third one is a typical vector art type wallpaper, lots of fun to make!
Sunday 5 July 2009
There's no a in definitely!
I don't see why everyone spells it wrong, especially American people seem to have problems with it, which is odd seeing as English is most of the time the only language they speak...
Anyway, on to more important stuff: A Very Potter Musical!
Yes indeed, it's back online, not in all it's brilliance though, all sexual references (including my favourite one) have been deleted :( It remains the most brilliant parody musical I've ever seen though! Here's the first song, you can watch the rest here.
Anyway, on to more important stuff: A Very Potter Musical!
Yes indeed, it's back online, not in all it's brilliance though, all sexual references (including my favourite one) have been deleted :( It remains the most brilliant parody musical I've ever seen though! Here's the first song, you can watch the rest here.
Wednesday 1 July 2009
This blog comes in two parts
Part one
Exams are over! And it's about time as well. Now all I have to do is write a 3500 word paper before next friday... That means I have 9 days, should be able to do that.
Part two
What else, AUSTRALIA! I got some money exchanged
today and Australian dollars are awesome. They're not paperlike, as all normal money is, but some type of plastic and they have a little seethrough window. Only 12 more days now! I'm so excited and I can't wait to be with Steve again and meet lots of awesome people ^^
Exams are over! And it's about time as well. Now all I have to do is write a 3500 word paper before next friday... That means I have 9 days, should be able to do that.
Part two
What else, AUSTRALIA! I got some money exchanged
today and Australian dollars are awesome. They're not paperlike, as all normal money is, but some type of plastic and they have a little seethrough window. Only 12 more days now! I'm so excited and I can't wait to be with Steve again and meet lots of awesome people ^^
Thursday 25 June 2009
Down Under - Bill Bryson
I just finished reading this bookand even though it's incredibly interesting and well written it's also 400 pages of pure torture!I'm now 18 days away from my very first visit to Australia and let me tell you, reading this book only makes the waiting worse. It describes Australia's beauty in such a way that you almost feel obliged to go there. The problem is that I already wanted to go, badly, so now I just want to go even more...
It's a great book though, very interesting and full of things you'd otherwise never know. An example? Well the Australians love big things, there's a big banana, giant koala, big pineapple (spongebob anyone?) but also a big lobster named Larry. How cool is that. Now I really can't wait to go there!
Thursday 18 June 2009
My dad's birthday present
Some people have been asking for a pic of that and seeing as I have a new camera I decided I should make and post one. His birthday was well over a month ago but that's beside the point. What I did was make a collage with pictures of my dad and I all through the years (you'd be surprise how hard it was to find these, usually he takes the pictures or I do) and then had that print on a 50cm x 50cm canvas and voilà. One awesome birthday present for the most awesome dad ever ^^
Friday 12 June 2009
Bagels
Some well-known facts about me:
The dark ones are walnut bagels and the lighter ones are with cheese. Both are absolutely delicious but the cheese ones are my favourite.
Anyway, 5 exams done, 6 to go...
- I'm in the middle of my exams
- Exams tend to get me stressed
- I bake when I get stressed
The dark ones are walnut bagels and the lighter ones are with cheese. Both are absolutely delicious but the cheese ones are my favourite.
Anyway, 5 exams done, 6 to go...
Monday 8 June 2009
Epica's Classical Conspiracy
I've doubted for quite some time about writing this review but I think I should. If you're expecting a technical review you better go read another one because this will be my opinion and nothing else.
Epica is my favourite band and it has been for quite some time now so I was really looking forward to this album. Unfortunately it's not what it could have been.
The Classical part
I have no idea whether the songs are well chosen or not, I hadn't heard of most of them but that's because I'm not much of a classical music fan. It was very nice to hear the well-known film music (Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars and Spiderman) played in a different way and as usual Ariën's drumming adds a whole new dimension. The songs from the Score sound awesome live and it's a shame that they can'tp play them more often. It's a shame that they chose to play 'In The Hall Of The Mountain King' because it's sooooo well known and I instantly compared it to Apocalyptica's version (which I prefer to be honest). That said, the rest of the set was well played (obviously I have not a single remark for the choir or orchestra as they simply did an awesome job) and Simone sang the classical songs surprisingly well.
The Epica part
Here's where they could have done better, I don't think the songs were very well-picked but I guess that's a matter of taste. I found it a shame that they didn't play Fools of Damnation which would have done the orchestra and choit much more right than Blank Infinity. The Last Crusade however was a nice opening song and I think a very good atmosphere creator. Sensorium and Quietus, again good songs to play in the beginning of a set but then...
Without a doubt the worst part of the entire album are the talks in between songs. Please Epica, work on your English. Organisator is not a word in English! Someone who organizes an event is called an organizer. Everyone who knows me is aware of my annoyances when it comes down to language, it's my (and not only mine) opinion that as a band they have a bit of a role model function. Is it too much to ask to properly learn the language you sing in? I could post a whole list of errors here (which I won't because that would be mean) but a little bit of attentiont to your language wouldn't hurt.
Right, back to the music. Chasing the Dragon and Feint were very nice to hear with a full orchestra and I don't have any major remarks about those, Never Enough however is ALWAYS a bad choice. Although Simone hit the end note (which was the first time I've heard) she couldn't hold it long enough which is truly a shame. Beyond Belief was, again, nice to hear with full orchestra but then they play Cry for the Moon. This is absolutely my favourite song and it's also the first Epica song I ever heard so as you can imagine I looked forward to hearing this. But they just don't seem to get it right. I hate to say this but Simone's pronunciation isvery bad on this album, particularly during this song. She needs to pay more attention to correctly pronouncing her vowels, especially the O. I realise I'm being kind of harsh here but it's really annoying to hear a beautiful song being ruined by Simone not paying attention to pronunciation.
Safeguard to Paradise, Not one of my favourite songs but a good one to play on a classical festival and her pronunciation seems to have improved a bit. As I said before I wouldn't have played Blank Infinity but one of the more epic songs, that's a matter of taste I guess. Living a Lie however is my favourite track of the album. I absolutely love how they altered it to contain less grunting. To be honest this is how I always imagined the song should sound (well not quite but when I play the album version I usually sing along to the grunted part).
The last four tracks (The Phantom Agony, Sancta Terra, Illusive Consensus and Consign to Oblivion) are predictable but good nevertheless (Sancta Terra as usual being one of my favourite songs to hear live), all are often played as final songs or encores on gigs and this was obviously no exception.
That concludes my review of the Classical Conspiracy. In all it was a bit of a disappointing album. I'm usually a real sucker for live albums but this one just doesn't have the X-factor other do seem to have.
I really do realise I've been quite harsh towards Simone 're a well-but proper English is in my opinion something quite essential if you're a relatively well-known band with English lyrics. Their lack of attention for language is the one thing that almost constantly annoys me about Epica. Neither their site nor their Royal Artist Club profile seem to ever get checked for grammatical or orthographical mistakes (or even typing errors) which doesn't come across very professional if you ask me.
Then again, apart from language geeks like myself no one probably ever notices...
Epica is my favourite band and it has been for quite some time now so I was really looking forward to this album. Unfortunately it's not what it could have been.
The Classical part
I have no idea whether the songs are well chosen or not, I hadn't heard of most of them but that's because I'm not much of a classical music fan. It was very nice to hear the well-known film music (Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars and Spiderman) played in a different way and as usual Ariën's drumming adds a whole new dimension. The songs from the Score sound awesome live and it's a shame that they can'tp play them more often. It's a shame that they chose to play 'In The Hall Of The Mountain King' because it's sooooo well known and I instantly compared it to Apocalyptica's version (which I prefer to be honest). That said, the rest of the set was well played (obviously I have not a single remark for the choir or orchestra as they simply did an awesome job) and Simone sang the classical songs surprisingly well.
The Epica part
Here's where they could have done better, I don't think the songs were very well-picked but I guess that's a matter of taste. I found it a shame that they didn't play Fools of Damnation which would have done the orchestra and choit much more right than Blank Infinity. The Last Crusade however was a nice opening song and I think a very good atmosphere creator. Sensorium and Quietus, again good songs to play in the beginning of a set but then...
Without a doubt the worst part of the entire album are the talks in between songs. Please Epica, work on your English. Organisator is not a word in English! Someone who organizes an event is called an organizer. Everyone who knows me is aware of my annoyances when it comes down to language, it's my (and not only mine) opinion that as a band they have a bit of a role model function. Is it too much to ask to properly learn the language you sing in? I could post a whole list of errors here (which I won't because that would be mean) but a little bit of attentiont to your language wouldn't hurt.
Right, back to the music. Chasing the Dragon and Feint were very nice to hear with a full orchestra and I don't have any major remarks about those, Never Enough however is ALWAYS a bad choice. Although Simone hit the end note (which was the first time I've heard) she couldn't hold it long enough which is truly a shame. Beyond Belief was, again, nice to hear with full orchestra but then they play Cry for the Moon. This is absolutely my favourite song and it's also the first Epica song I ever heard so as you can imagine I looked forward to hearing this. But they just don't seem to get it right. I hate to say this but Simone's pronunciation isvery bad on this album, particularly during this song. She needs to pay more attention to correctly pronouncing her vowels, especially the O. I realise I'm being kind of harsh here but it's really annoying to hear a beautiful song being ruined by Simone not paying attention to pronunciation.
Safeguard to Paradise, Not one of my favourite songs but a good one to play on a classical festival and her pronunciation seems to have improved a bit. As I said before I wouldn't have played Blank Infinity but one of the more epic songs, that's a matter of taste I guess. Living a Lie however is my favourite track of the album. I absolutely love how they altered it to contain less grunting. To be honest this is how I always imagined the song should sound (well not quite but when I play the album version I usually sing along to the grunted part).
The last four tracks (The Phantom Agony, Sancta Terra, Illusive Consensus and Consign to Oblivion) are predictable but good nevertheless (Sancta Terra as usual being one of my favourite songs to hear live), all are often played as final songs or encores on gigs and this was obviously no exception.
That concludes my review of the Classical Conspiracy. In all it was a bit of a disappointing album. I'm usually a real sucker for live albums but this one just doesn't have the X-factor other do seem to have.
I really do realise I've been quite harsh towards Simone 're a well-but proper English is in my opinion something quite essential if you're a relatively well-known band with English lyrics. Their lack of attention for language is the one thing that almost constantly annoys me about Epica. Neither their site nor their Royal Artist Club profile seem to ever get checked for grammatical or orthographical mistakes (or even typing errors) which doesn't come across very professional if you ask me.
Then again, apart from language geeks like myself no one probably ever notices...
Friday 5 June 2009
A puzzle, a piece.
A puzzle.
Complete?
Missing one little piece.
A piece of a puzzle, unaware that it's lost.
A piece of a puzzle, a puzzle long forgot.
A piece so worn down that it no longer fits.
A piece without meaning, without purpose or aim.
A puzzle, incomplete, complete in its own way.
Accustomed to the little hole of a piece that ran away.
A puzzle, complete, no longer missing a piece.
A piece. puzzled, feeling incomplete.
Complete?
Missing one little piece.
A piece of a puzzle, unaware that it's lost.
A piece of a puzzle, a puzzle long forgot.
A piece so worn down that it no longer fits.
A piece without meaning, without purpose or aim.
A puzzle, incomplete, complete in its own way.
Accustomed to the little hole of a piece that ran away.
A puzzle, complete, no longer missing a piece.
A piece. puzzled, feeling incomplete.
Tuesday 2 June 2009
More preparations
My flight is now officially booked :D In 41 days I'll be leaving for Sydney ^^ It's a 24 hour flight plus an 8 hour time difference which means it'll be the 15th of July (and really early) when I arrive there. It's a long time travelling but it's definitely worth it because after this I'll be spending almost 6 weeks with my boyfriend ^^
Now I have to go on study some more -_- exams are coming up and I'm not looking forward to that...
Now I have to go on study some more -_- exams are coming up and I'm not looking forward to that...
Saturday 30 May 2009
He lives on Drury Lane
My sister and I just paid him a visit, of course we took some recipes home and we tested them right away ending up with a grand total of 27 delicious muffins ^^
Half of them are chocolate-strawberry ones, half of them are pomegranate decorated with chocolate and lots of sprinkles ^^
I'd share them with you if they weren't so delicious :p
Half of them are chocolate-strawberry ones, half of them are pomegranate decorated with chocolate and lots of sprinkles ^^
I'd share them with you if they weren't so delicious :p
Tuesday 26 May 2009
Kai-Mook and others
I went to the zoo today, the one in Antwerp, not the one I went to last time. Kai-Mook, the first baby elephant ever to be born in Belgium, was born about a week ago and she is sooooooooo adorable!Of course I also made some pics of other animals so I'll just post those as well ^^
Shirt :D
Yesterday my shirt got here :D You know, the epica shirt I won with my lame comic, and I'm really happy with it ^^ It's not the one I wanted to win most but it's still awesome and superrare because it's 
handmade ^^ You can't see it on the pic but in the small moons on the side the faces of Ad, Mark, Yves, Coen and Arien can be seen. On the back it has all the dates from the South American tour in September last year.
Thursday 21 May 2009
Childhood goals...
I'm pretty sure all of us had a diary at some point in our young lives.I found my diary yesterday, I was about twelve when I wrote in it and I had a list of goals I wanted to accomplish
Oh, and I'll leave you with the pic of a giraffe in the zoo today, she was hilarious xD
- Fall in love Now that I did, and with such a wonderful guy who luckily loves me too ^^
- See killer whales in the wild Haven't done that yet but maybe someday I will, at the time I was all about killer whales and they're still awesome but not top priority anymore :p
- Visit Australia I don't remember why but already as a kid I liked Australia :p this one I will reach in 53 days ^^ (55 if you add the time it will take me to get there)
- Visit Egypt I think I'll pass for that, I don't remember why I was attracted to Egypt at the time but I'm not anymore
- Become a chef I doubt I'll be able to accomplish that, although I am the chef in my own kitchen :p
- Learn German I did that, by far the easiest point on this list :p
Oh, and I'll leave you with the pic of a giraffe in the zoo today, she was hilarious xD
Monday 18 May 2009
Do you know the muffin man?
I sure do and saturday when I was in Drury Lane for a visit he gave me all his secret recipes :]
Okay, maybe it didn't exactly go like that but I did bake muffins! everyone who knows me will agree that I get pretty stressed in the weeks leading up to exams (which is now basically) and today I got to a point where I annoyed myself so something needed to be done. Baking!
Not one but two kinds of muffins ^^ The top ones are with rhubarb and the bottom ones with melocakes. Now I'm not a big rhubarb fan normally but these muffins are absolutely heavenly!
Friday 15 May 2009
Pidgin...Just Like Your English
That's the name of my brand new pigeon themed bracelet :D I made the featherlike beads myself and in doing so I got the idea for this bracelet. I still had some feather charms and I bought a nice pigeon/dove one which was perfect to finish of the bracelet.
Now it may seem a bit over the top for most people but it's absolutely perfect for me ^^
I think this kooky style of jewelry is what I'll make more of. It's much more original and great fun to come up with and make :D
Oh, the name is from Fawlty Towers if you didn't know that yet. You should go watch it. It's brilliant.
Monday 11 May 2009
I won :D
This is really a big thing for me :p I never win stuff and this time I won a one of a kind Epica shirt made by one of the south american fans. I won it by making a lame photo comic :p It was actually the part of the contest I gave least attention to. But I won an epica shirt anyway ^^ I'll post a pic of that when I have it and here's a screenie of the comic. Yay for sillyness :p
Wednesday 6 May 2009
Oh Galice...
...what did you get yourself into? Galice is the working title of my latest writing project, if anyone wants to enter just let me know. You need to have a hotmail address though and you have to be able to handle criticism without burtsing into tears :p
It's basically a story we're writing without a set story line. The story develops as we write it, without boundaries or limitations. As long as it seems like a good addition to the story you can add it. If you want to know send me an e-mail or something and I'll add you. If you just want to read along do the same thing :p
PS: Eli baby, you're the love of my life ;)
It's basically a story we're writing without a set story line. The story develops as we write it, without boundaries or limitations. As long as it seems like a good addition to the story you can add it. If you want to know send me an e-mail or something and I'll add you. If you just want to read along do the same thing :p
PS: Eli baby, you're the love of my life ;)
Thursday 30 April 2009
I wish people on youtube would learn to spell
Seriously. Today was the 500th time or so that someone misread one of my comments giving me an angry comment back or a channel comment calling me a bitch or something. Now I don't really mind them being mad or annoyed by my opinion (although I don't get why) but if they reply they should at least use proper grammar and spelling. It really isn't that hard to write you instead of u and are instead of r. Really people, be angry all you want but use proper english (or dutch) and the world's a slightly better place already.
Monday 27 April 2009
OMG shoes
I bought new shoes today :D And they were like, cheap! I haven't bought shoes that don't cost an arm or a leg (or both) in years. The downside of being tall and having big feet :( apparently women can't buy decent shoes that are larger than a si
ze 42 (which is a size 8 outside of Europe I think). If you ever hear of a shoestore burner in Belgium, that would be me. shoes are big source of aggravation for me. But yeah, 
then I found these :D and they're totally awesome, here's why, the side and heel says OMG on it! Okay, actually it's DMG which is the brand but it kind of almost looks like OMG :DI admit it, new shoes make me happy...
Friday 24 April 2009
I love my room
And here is why. First of all, I have the most awesome dragon painted on my wall. The colours are a bit different from the picture though, the dragon is a dark red and my wall is beige-ish. In the bottom
right corner of the pic on the right you see another reason why I love my room. It's the latest addition to my collection of dragons (which is absolutely tiny :p) but I'm very much in love with him. His name is Tristan and he's a heavy little baby dragon. As you can see on the left he's quite big and he's completely in bronze. At first my dad was told he's a Griffin but seeing as nothing about him is lion or eagle I've decided he's jus
t a regular baby dragon. Ofcourse he needs a mum to take care of him. and luckily for him there's Ephemera. She's my gorgeous wooden dragon that hangs above my bed and guards me at night. She's also doing a great job in raising Tristan and teaching him how to hunt. Those are all the dragons I have (apart from the hatchling
which I've talked about before) but there are still 2 more things I want to show you. First of all there's this beautiful oil painting of a doll. It was made for me by grandmother and it has had a special place in my room ever since. The photo really doesn't do it any justice but this already was the best o
ne I was able to make (my photographing skills are terrible). And lastly there's this pencil drawing of a killer whale mum and her baby, also made by my grandmother. I used to be killer whale crazy and before we moved my entire room was killer whale/dolphin themed and this drawing fit in perfectly with that.
So there you have it, the top 5 reasons why I love my room. Tell me about yours?
Best wishes
Tessa
right corner of the pic on the right you see another reason why I love my room. It's the latest addition to my collection of dragons (which is absolutely tiny :p) but I'm very much in love with him. His name is Tristan and he's a heavy little baby dragon. As you can see on the left he's quite big and he's completely in bronze. At first my dad was told he's a Griffin but seeing as nothing about him is lion or eagle I've decided he's jus
t a regular baby dragon. Ofcourse he needs a mum to take care of him. and luckily for him there's Ephemera. She's my gorgeous wooden dragon that hangs above my bed and guards me at night. She's also doing a great job in raising Tristan and teaching him how to hunt. Those are all the dragons I have (apart from the hatchling
which I've talked about before) but there are still 2 more things I want to show you. First of all there's this beautiful oil painting of a doll. It was made for me by grandmother and it has had a special place in my room ever since. The photo really doesn't do it any justice but this already was the best o
ne I was able to make (my photographing skills are terrible). And lastly there's this pencil drawing of a killer whale mum and her baby, also made by my grandmother. I used to be killer whale crazy and before we moved my entire room was killer whale/dolphin themed and this drawing fit in perfectly with that.So there you have it, the top 5 reasons why I love my room. Tell me about yours?
Best wishes
Tessa
Thursday 16 April 2009
Preparations are progressing quickly
I can't believe how quick the Australian visa department is! I finished my application a bit before midnight and at 10 am I already had a mail saying it's been granted ^^
Next stop, booking a flight!
Next stop, booking a flight!
Wednesday 15 April 2009
The preparations continue...
So, I got my passport today which was kind of exciting because even though it's just a stupid passport it's the first time ever that I have one. It's also the start of my journey really and I'm very excited about going to Australia and being with my boyfriend and meeting his family and all.
I literally finished filling in my visa application about 2 minutes ago and now all I can do is wait for it to get approved ^^ I was surprised by how easy it is to apply for one on line. I had expected a bunch of questions about why and for how long I want to be in the country but all they wanted to know was a minimum of personal information and whether I was going as a tourist or for business. But that has been sent and now all I can do is wait for the e-mailof approval.
Best wishes
Tessa
I literally finished filling in my visa application about 2 minutes ago and now all I can do is wait for it to get approved ^^ I was surprised by how easy it is to apply for one on line. I had expected a bunch of questions about why and for how long I want to be in the country but all they wanted to know was a minimum of personal information and whether I was going as a tourist or for business. But that has been sent and now all I can do is wait for the e-mailof approval.
Best wishes
Tessa
Wednesday 8 April 2009
(P)EEP
As I'm writing this it's 6.20 am, I haven't slept tonight and I have a very good reason for that. There's a mouse in my living room. I saw it for the first time around 2am and started trying to catch it but it's still out here and I can't find it now :\
I checked the kitchen (which is tiny) and I'm pretty sure it's not there but I've also checked the living room every half hour since two and I haven't found it here either. It's making me kind of paranoid and I don't like that at all.
I wish I had a cat >.< then the problem would be solved...
I checked the kitchen (which is tiny) and I'm pretty sure it's not there but I've also checked the living room every half hour since two and I haven't found it here either. It's making me kind of paranoid and I don't like that at all.
I wish I had a cat >.< then the problem would be solved...
Friday 3 April 2009
Preparations have officially started
So as you probably know I'm going to Australia this summer to be with my awesome boyfriend. even though it's still more than three months away the preparing has officially started today ^^ It's just a silly little thing but all forms for my passport are gone so I'll have that in a week and a half. Next step, applying for a visa.
Best wishes
Tessa
Best wishes
Tessa
Wednesday 25 March 2009
Oh creative block...
...how you seem to love me! For the past weeks (more like months) I've been experiencing a severe creative block. Writer's block is normal for me, writing is more a result of a huge creative boost or sudden idea that came to me but lately even jewellery making, soap making, claying,... have all been limited to the occasional not too original project. It's quite frustrating to sit in front of all the wonderful arts & crafts stuff I've got and not be able to think of anything.
I've started this blog to force me to write every once in a while and that's not going too well seeing as I post like never and my usually very inspirational trips to the zoo don't seem to help a lot either.
I blame school though, they just keep giving us work and I also have to catch up from classes that overlap and even though I have no classes on mondays and fridays I'm always busy with schoolwork on those days so meh... The only creative thing I seem to be doin is cooking, not sure if that counts as creative though, it's just improvising with what's in the fridge.
Anyway, enough complaining for today, class starts in a few minutes and I still need to find me some water and some breakfast.
Best Wishes
Tessa
I've started this blog to force me to write every once in a while and that's not going too well seeing as I post like never and my usually very inspirational trips to the zoo don't seem to help a lot either.
I blame school though, they just keep giving us work and I also have to catch up from classes that overlap and even though I have no classes on mondays and fridays I'm always busy with schoolwork on those days so meh... The only creative thing I seem to be doin is cooking, not sure if that counts as creative though, it's just improvising with what's in the fridge.
Anyway, enough complaining for today, class starts in a few minutes and I still need to find me some water and some breakfast.
Best Wishes
Tessa
Thursday 19 March 2009
Baby dragon hatching
So, yesterday I was home from school early and I took out my clay once again and worked on a new project. Now it isn't too original but it was a lot of fun to do and though it's far from perfect I'm very happy with it. So here it is, my baby dragon hatching ^^
Monday 16 March 2009
The band has a new singer!
Which is awesome, I've been their singer for about half a year now and that's about four months longer than I had expected to be doing it :p The guys don't seem too happy about it but Soraya's a much better singer than I am, even they had to admit that. So I'll still be doing the few gigs we have left this month to give Soraya some time to learn the songs but starting april I'm no longer the singer of Simply Complicated. I won't deny I'll miss the rehearsals but I can still drop by every once in a while they said ^^
So yeah basically that's what I have to say, I'm working on something else but not sure if I'll post that because it's not finished and it's kind of personal :p
Best wishes
Tessa
So yeah basically that's what I have to say, I'm working on something else but not sure if I'll post that because it's not finished and it's kind of personal :p
Best wishes
Tessa
Sunday 8 March 2009
Introducing...Cupido
Seeing as you've already been introduced to Jocca it's only normal that I tell you a bit more about my lovely Cupido as well. As you can see he's absolutely gorgeous, he's a male spitz (at least I think that's what they're called in english) and he's the sweetest dog ever. He follows me around 24/7 and he even checks up on me while I'm sleeping to make sure I'm safe. Though he doesn't look like one he's a real guard dog, he's afraid of the mailman though but we're working on that.
He loves to take long walks but he loves it even more when it's snowing. He absolutely adores snow and on the few occasions when we actually have snow he'll run outside and then back in again for quite some time to play outside and then come in to try to get me to go out with him and play some more.
Another thing he -unfortunately- loves doing is emptying the bin when he's home alone. This results in a wonderful spread of plastic, paper and banana peels in the kitchen and occasionaly there'll be some left over meat or chicken and then he'll be the luckiest dog in the world (if you ask him).
As far as I know there's only one someone he hates, the cat from across the street. Though a beautiful black specimen, it's also a big meanie. When my dad and I are out Cupido's home alone guarding the place and he likes to do that in front of the window. Now the cat from across the street knows this and whenever he's home alone the cat'll come parading in front of the window teasing the dog because he/she's free and Cupido's inside. Needless to say this gets Cupido all annoyed and now he pretty much hates every cat he sees.
I think that's about all really, haven't got a vid of him to share with you guys though, you'll just have to do with the cuteness of the pic.
Best wishes
Tessa
He loves to take long walks but he loves it even more when it's snowing. He absolutely adores snow and on the few occasions when we actually have snow he'll run outside and then back in again for quite some time to play outside and then come in to try to get me to go out with him and play some more.
Another thing he -unfortunately- loves doing is emptying the bin when he's home alone. This results in a wonderful spread of plastic, paper and banana peels in the kitchen and occasionaly there'll be some left over meat or chicken and then he'll be the luckiest dog in the world (if you ask him).
As far as I know there's only one someone he hates, the cat from across the street. Though a beautiful black specimen, it's also a big meanie. When my dad and I are out Cupido's home alone guarding the place and he likes to do that in front of the window. Now the cat from across the street knows this and whenever he's home alone the cat'll come parading in front of the window teasing the dog because he/she's free and Cupido's inside. Needless to say this gets Cupido all annoyed and now he pretty much hates every cat he sees.
I think that's about all really, haven't got a vid of him to share with you guys though, you'll just have to do with the cuteness of the pic.
Best wishes
Tessa
Monday 2 March 2009
Religion
I have this thing with religion, I don't care what you believe in, as long as you truly believe it and have thought about it, I'm fine with it. Now myself, I don't believe in any set religion, I have my own beliefs and that's my right. I won't force my ideas upon anyone else but I'll gladly discuss them with someone. But apparently I'm an exception when it comes to that and it tends to get on my nerves a lot lately.
It caught my attention today when I walked by one of the buildings where the far right BElgian party 'het Vlaams Belang' (the flemish importance/interest) is located. They now have these posters up saying 'stop islamisation, no mosque in our neighbourhood'.
Now this annoys me because as far as I know the idea of an obligatory religion (at least in Belgium) was abandoned in the nineteenth century. But that's not what annoys me the most, that honour goes to how they don't protest against Judaism or Hinduism (or even Buddhism though that isn't a religion if you ask me). They only have a problem with the Islam. Now I'm not a muslim myself nor do I have any muslim friends so it doesn't affect me personally but it just ticks me off. I just don't get what everyone's problem with the Islam is. I get that there are terrorists and I get that they killed a lot of people, but that's exactly what the crusaders did years ago. I always wonder if people who say such things ever think the other way round, if we go to Turkey or Morocco or I don't know where (a free religion country ofc) don't we just continue following our own religion? Just look at the churches everywhere..
Again, I don't mind anyone believing in a certain religion and I don't mean to pick on the christians but I seriously think we should all be a bit more tolerant. I realise not many people really care about others anymore because society has evolved to a point where egoism is the standard but that doesn't mean it's a good one.
I think I'll leave it with that, I hope I didn't offend anyone cause I don't mean to but I just had to get this out...
Best wishes
Tessa
Sunday 1 March 2009
Introducing...Miss Jocca
I think it's time for all of you to meet one of my housemates, well, sort of. This is Miss Jocca, she's a beautiful young African Grey and she's also my little girl ^^. As you can see she loves to take a bath with her plastic boats, another hobby of hers is pretending she's a pigeon, she's very good at that.
She likes barking along with my dog Cupido (who you'll meet later on) and making us all look for our mobiles by making the 'incoming text' sound.
Little miss noisy was born in Belgium and she was hand-raised which explains why she speaks very good Dutch. Her favourite words are kusje (kiss), hallo, kiekeboe and of course her own name and Cupido's.
Just like anyone else she loves music and especially 'Black Horse and the Cherry Tree' by KT Tunstall. I'll leave you with a vid of her doing just that. Hope you like her!
Best wishes
Tessa
Friday 27 February 2009
The De Vocht Sisters hit Antwerp!
I had so much fun today, me and my sisters went out for a day of shopping in Antwerp. We started off in the zoo which was awesome cause one of the elephants is pregnant and it was one of the last times we could see her cause the baby's expected any day now. We had lunch with the sealions and then we went looking for my other sister and her bf.
Turned out they got the time wrong and wer half across town so we went looking for them and while doing so treated everyone in our way to a bit of singing :p Of course we sang the stupidest songs first and as off key as we could but hey, we had fun!
I only bought one thing though, but it's an awesome one. Childish as it may seem, I'm a huuuuuuge Piet Piraat fan. It's actually a tv show for little kids (which isn't that awesome) BUT there's also some theater shows and they are the best! They're absolutely hilarious and I bought one of them on DVD for half of what it would usually cost so yay for me ^^
I do have a question though, what's with the hooker shoes these days? I'm no big fan of them but they seem to be very popular cause every single store seems to be selling this kind of shoes... If anyone can answer that I'd be happy :p
So yeah that was my day, now I'm going to watch some more movies with my sis ^^
Best wishes
Tessa
Turned out they got the time wrong and wer half across town so we went looking for them and while doing so treated everyone in our way to a bit of singing :p Of course we sang the stupidest songs first and as off key as we could but hey, we had fun!
I only bought one thing though, but it's an awesome one. Childish as it may seem, I'm a huuuuuuge Piet Piraat fan. It's actually a tv show for little kids (which isn't that awesome) BUT there's also some theater shows and they are the best! They're absolutely hilarious and I bought one of them on DVD for half of what it would usually cost so yay for me ^^
I do have a question though, what's with the hooker shoes these days? I'm no big fan of them but they seem to be very popular cause every single store seems to be selling this kind of shoes... If anyone can answer that I'd be happy :p
So yeah that was my day, now I'm going to watch some more movies with my sis ^^
Best wishes
Tessa
Wednesday 25 February 2009
So...
So... I decided I should make a blog, don't ask me why though cause I couldn't answer that :p there'll probably be like 2 people reading this but still.
First of all, who am I? Well I'm a 19 year old Belgian girl, very boring, I'm studying applied (German, English, Dutch and Spanish) linguistics at artesis in Antwerp. I can also speak French and a teeny tiny bit of Russian but I've forgotten most of that. I'm not planning on being an actual translator or interpreter, I'd much rather teach, preferably Dutch or German.
In the bit of spare time I've got after all the homework I like to make jewelry, sculpt a bit (although I'm nowhere near good at that), I like to make soap from time to time, bake all sorts of things, read, write, sing, randomly hit some piano keys, pimp some shirts, do some archery (when my shoulder isn't being an ass), run the Amanda Somerville Fanclub together with Emily or make VoD merch. Just now do I realise how much hobbies I've got xD
What will I post here? A bit of everything really, it'll depend on what I feel like posting. At the moment it'll mainly be stuff about my frustration about school and not having much spare time but there'll also be some of my writing, jewelry, soap,...
I think that's about it, if you've got any questions just let me know :)
Best wishes
Tessa
First of all, who am I? Well I'm a 19 year old Belgian girl, very boring, I'm studying applied (German, English, Dutch and Spanish) linguistics at artesis in Antwerp. I can also speak French and a teeny tiny bit of Russian but I've forgotten most of that. I'm not planning on being an actual translator or interpreter, I'd much rather teach, preferably Dutch or German.
In the bit of spare time I've got after all the homework I like to make jewelry, sculpt a bit (although I'm nowhere near good at that), I like to make soap from time to time, bake all sorts of things, read, write, sing, randomly hit some piano keys, pimp some shirts, do some archery (when my shoulder isn't being an ass), run the Amanda Somerville Fanclub together with Emily or make VoD merch. Just now do I realise how much hobbies I've got xD
What will I post here? A bit of everything really, it'll depend on what I feel like posting. At the moment it'll mainly be stuff about my frustration about school and not having much spare time but there'll also be some of my writing, jewelry, soap,...
I think that's about it, if you've got any questions just let me know :)
Best wishes
Tessa
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