...well, I guess I got a little excited after I finished those essays. Ian's coming for a visit (yay!) and he'll be here for about three weeks, so I don't think I'll be posting much (if at all) in that time. I'll do my best to play catch up and post a recap of our travels after he leaves.
Here's what we'll be up to:
First it's off to Berlin to visit Liv for a few days. Then we're heading to Copenhagen to visit Christian, who was a foreign exchange student at Masco when Ian and I were upperclassmen.
Then we're heading back to London for a few days. We haven't yet planned anything for that time except for a Premier League football match. Fulham vs. Aston Villa!
After than we're going to Scotland. First Edinburgh, then Inverness, then the Isle of Skye. The Isle of Skye is where Dunvegan Castle is, ancient seat of the clan MacLeod (come on, we have to go there). I think I'm most excited for the Scotland leg of Ian's visit.
Finally, we're coming back to London for a few days. Again, we have no set plans for this part, but we're considering a few day trips from London. Perhaps Stonehenge/Bath and Canterbury/Cliffs of Dover! Yes, please!
So that's what I'll be up to in my blogging absence. You can bet there'll be LOTS of pictures when I get back. Something to look forward to!
Until next time...
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Hampstead Heath and Scones
Yesterday we had absolutely gorgeous weather here, so when I was planning my excursion I decided it absolutely had to be something outside.
I went to Hampstead, which is still in the city, but nearly as far north as you can go without leaving London. I walked around a bit and took some pictures, really soaked it all in. It reminded me of Hyde Park (Chicago) in springtime. Just a little more upscale.
As I walked, I followed the "Mystery in Hampstead" route from my Fodor's 24 Great Walks in London. But I did it backwards. The journey was supposed to start at the Hampstead Overground station. I started at the Hampstead tube station, which is where the walk is supposed to end, so I just followed it in reverse.
The walk wasn't a particularly eventful one. It had me stop in front of a lot of old houses that have the blue historical markers on them. But it was nice just the same. I took a detour through this little garden when I came to it:
Wandering along back on the trail, I stopped at the Keats House! I was bummed, though, because it's closed for renovations. I couldn't go inside.
But seeing this sign almost made up for it.
Excellent. I continued on and walked into the Heath, where I wandered around a bit, and then climbed to the top of Parliament Hill. There, I had an excellent view of the city below.
I plopped down in the long grass and took out a book. I read for about an hour and finished it. It was nice to rest after all the walking, and to rest my feet as well. I picked the wrong day to break in my new shoes, I think. I bought them to replace the ones I had that were already on the way out, but then became my bakery shoes. These ones are similar, half sneaker half mary jane, but slightly more on the sneaker side. Anyway, I had the most enormous, painful blisters on my feet after walking around in them all afternoon. I was hoping to be able to wear them to Germany, Copenhagen, and Scotland when Ian comes, but I can't bear the thought of putting my feet back into them right now. And they were so comfortable, too!
Anyway, enough whining. I had a very lovely afternoon and found myself and excellent reading spot! When I got back to New Cross, I decided to bake the scones I had planned on making on Saturday. I started with the chocolate scones. I was working out of the Avoca Teatime cookbook I got in Ireland.
Now, I don't have a scone pan and the dough was too sticky to shape into triangles by hand, so I had to make due with just plopping them down in blobs on the cookie sheet. That wouldn't have been such a bad thing, but then they spread! This is how they ended up:
It's hard to tell from the picture, but they're huge! They're also not very scone-like at all. Much more like whoopie pie ends, except less sticky. They're very cakey and, actually, kind of dry. But I think they'd be all right with a big scoop of ice cream on top!
My second round of scones, also from the Avoca Teatime book, was pear and almond scones. I just happened to have two pears and some flaked almonds (and all the other ingredients), so I figured that recipe would be perfect! Now, with chopped pears in the dough, I couldn't have the scones spreading, so I put them in a muffin tin. This is how they came out:
They look like muffins rather than scones! Ah well. And they actually taste a lot like the muffins I made from the recipe in the Avoca book. And, personally, I think these could use more sugar. They weren't very sweet at all (the recipe called for just 65 grams!). I also couldn't figure out why the scones wouldn't brown. They were definitely done, so I didn't want to overbake them, but they still look sort of...raw? I blame that one on the oven. Stupid gas oven.
Well, despite the fact that my scone attempts didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped, my roommates will still eat them. And I will too! It was a lovely, lovely Sunday. I wish everyday could be that sunny and relaxed and wonderful. Minus the blisters.
I went to Hampstead, which is still in the city, but nearly as far north as you can go without leaving London. I walked around a bit and took some pictures, really soaked it all in. It reminded me of Hyde Park (Chicago) in springtime. Just a little more upscale.
As I walked, I followed the "Mystery in Hampstead" route from my Fodor's 24 Great Walks in London. But I did it backwards. The journey was supposed to start at the Hampstead Overground station. I started at the Hampstead tube station, which is where the walk is supposed to end, so I just followed it in reverse.
The walk wasn't a particularly eventful one. It had me stop in front of a lot of old houses that have the blue historical markers on them. But it was nice just the same. I took a detour through this little garden when I came to it:
Wandering along back on the trail, I stopped at the Keats House! I was bummed, though, because it's closed for renovations. I couldn't go inside.
But seeing this sign almost made up for it.
Excellent. I continued on and walked into the Heath, where I wandered around a bit, and then climbed to the top of Parliament Hill. There, I had an excellent view of the city below.
I plopped down in the long grass and took out a book. I read for about an hour and finished it. It was nice to rest after all the walking, and to rest my feet as well. I picked the wrong day to break in my new shoes, I think. I bought them to replace the ones I had that were already on the way out, but then became my bakery shoes. These ones are similar, half sneaker half mary jane, but slightly more on the sneaker side. Anyway, I had the most enormous, painful blisters on my feet after walking around in them all afternoon. I was hoping to be able to wear them to Germany, Copenhagen, and Scotland when Ian comes, but I can't bear the thought of putting my feet back into them right now. And they were so comfortable, too!
Anyway, enough whining. I had a very lovely afternoon and found myself and excellent reading spot! When I got back to New Cross, I decided to bake the scones I had planned on making on Saturday. I started with the chocolate scones. I was working out of the Avoca Teatime cookbook I got in Ireland.
Now, I don't have a scone pan and the dough was too sticky to shape into triangles by hand, so I had to make due with just plopping them down in blobs on the cookie sheet. That wouldn't have been such a bad thing, but then they spread! This is how they ended up:
It's hard to tell from the picture, but they're huge! They're also not very scone-like at all. Much more like whoopie pie ends, except less sticky. They're very cakey and, actually, kind of dry. But I think they'd be all right with a big scoop of ice cream on top!
My second round of scones, also from the Avoca Teatime book, was pear and almond scones. I just happened to have two pears and some flaked almonds (and all the other ingredients), so I figured that recipe would be perfect! Now, with chopped pears in the dough, I couldn't have the scones spreading, so I put them in a muffin tin. This is how they came out:
They look like muffins rather than scones! Ah well. And they actually taste a lot like the muffins I made from the recipe in the Avoca book. And, personally, I think these could use more sugar. They weren't very sweet at all (the recipe called for just 65 grams!). I also couldn't figure out why the scones wouldn't brown. They were definitely done, so I didn't want to overbake them, but they still look sort of...raw? I blame that one on the oven. Stupid gas oven.
Well, despite the fact that my scone attempts didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped, my roommates will still eat them. And I will too! It was a lovely, lovely Sunday. I wish everyday could be that sunny and relaxed and wonderful. Minus the blisters.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
I'm back!
That's right, folks. I've finished all three essays. Hallelujah!
As I was writing the third essay it occurred to me: I went through this April writing madness exactly a year ago when I was struggling to finish my BA thesis while taking three classes, doing Best Buddies, and heading up the 5th and 6th grade tutoring group with Washington Park Youth Programs. How on earth did I do it? Well, I basically lived in the library. I even had a locker there. Sad, I know.
I had also been writing since the beginning of February, which helped. I started researching and writing these three papers later than I should have. Chalk it up to the Kendall procrastination gene (ha, love you Dad!).
But I also realized this: I just wrote 15,000+ words in about a month. For my BA, I wrote 21,285 words (I checked) in about three. While the pressure of doing the BA was far greater, I'd say this April was a lot more writing-packed than the last! I mean, I was about 3/4 of the way to another BA! Oh my...
So, the reason I haven't blogged much lately is because I've basically been stuck in my room or in the library working on these papers. I think I left New Cross about three or four times in the last month, and only out of absolute necessity. I hardly had time to run, either. Needless to say, I was going completely stir crazy!
Which is why I decided that today I needed to go out somewhere. First I went for a run through Blackheath, my favorite running spot here. It was sunny and warm (well, about 60F) and gorgeous. It was amazing to be back outside, pounding the pavement again. Then I went to the library to polish up my final essay, which I finished last night. Check. Print. Done.
Then I went to the National Portrait Gallery. I've been itching to go for a while now, so that was the first thing that popped into my mind when I decided to head out for an afternoon excursion. But before I went there I needed to make a pit stop at Foyles, the second best bookstore ever (it's pretty awesome, but nothing beats the Seminary Coop).
I had taken this book (see below) out of the Goldsmiths library in February, but I was reading it more than I was studying, so I had to return it and ban myself from reading these wonderful stories until I was done with my essays. And I thought, hey, if I get all my work done, perhaps I can buy the book for myself as a reward!
Good idea.
The sweetest reward £18.99 can buy.
I spent about two-and-a-half hours there, staying until 6pm when it closed. I spent a lot of time in the Tudor galleries and the ones that covered up to 1800, but then I started to get museum fatigue (and it was getting close to closing time), so I went a little more quickly through the Victorian, 20th century, and contemporary (after 1990) galleries. All in all, it was an enjoyable afternoon. And I got a bit of a history lesson in there, too!
On the train ride back from Charing Cross to New Cross Gate, I was feeling quite happy. Perhaps it was partly the sun. Perhaps it was the relief/excitement of being done with my essays. Perhaps it was the fact that I was finally out of that godforsaken room. Perhaps it was the fact that songs by British artists kept coming up in the shuffle mode on my iPod. Whatever it was, I was feeling very happy to be in England.
I had planned on baking up a storm this evening when I got back, but after being on my feet all afternoon I decided against it. Tomorrow, though, you can bet I'll be making chocolate scones. YUM!
So instead of baking, I made dinner and headed to the library to watch a movie (hey, it's free and going to the movies costs at least £8). Nothing I was looking for was on the shelves, but I noticed "This is England," and remembered my flatmate Steph had recommended it to me. So I watched that. It was very good, but I think I was more in the mood for something...well, purely entertaining. Either way, I'm adding it to my list of movies watched this year and going to bed! It's been a long day. But in a good way. (Ha, that rhymes.)
Cheers for now! Ah, it's good to be back...
As I was writing the third essay it occurred to me: I went through this April writing madness exactly a year ago when I was struggling to finish my BA thesis while taking three classes, doing Best Buddies, and heading up the 5th and 6th grade tutoring group with Washington Park Youth Programs. How on earth did I do it? Well, I basically lived in the library. I even had a locker there. Sad, I know.
I had also been writing since the beginning of February, which helped. I started researching and writing these three papers later than I should have. Chalk it up to the Kendall procrastination gene (ha, love you Dad!).
But I also realized this: I just wrote 15,000+ words in about a month. For my BA, I wrote 21,285 words (I checked) in about three. While the pressure of doing the BA was far greater, I'd say this April was a lot more writing-packed than the last! I mean, I was about 3/4 of the way to another BA! Oh my...
So, the reason I haven't blogged much lately is because I've basically been stuck in my room or in the library working on these papers. I think I left New Cross about three or four times in the last month, and only out of absolute necessity. I hardly had time to run, either. Needless to say, I was going completely stir crazy!
Which is why I decided that today I needed to go out somewhere. First I went for a run through Blackheath, my favorite running spot here. It was sunny and warm (well, about 60F) and gorgeous. It was amazing to be back outside, pounding the pavement again. Then I went to the library to polish up my final essay, which I finished last night. Check. Print. Done.
Then I went to the National Portrait Gallery. I've been itching to go for a while now, so that was the first thing that popped into my mind when I decided to head out for an afternoon excursion. But before I went there I needed to make a pit stop at Foyles, the second best bookstore ever (it's pretty awesome, but nothing beats the Seminary Coop).
I had taken this book (see below) out of the Goldsmiths library in February, but I was reading it more than I was studying, so I had to return it and ban myself from reading these wonderful stories until I was done with my essays. And I thought, hey, if I get all my work done, perhaps I can buy the book for myself as a reward!
Good idea.
The sweetest reward £18.99 can buy.After that, I walked down Tottenham Court Road toward Trafalgar Square, where the National Portrait Gallery is.
I spent about two-and-a-half hours there, staying until 6pm when it closed. I spent a lot of time in the Tudor galleries and the ones that covered up to 1800, but then I started to get museum fatigue (and it was getting close to closing time), so I went a little more quickly through the Victorian, 20th century, and contemporary (after 1990) galleries. All in all, it was an enjoyable afternoon. And I got a bit of a history lesson in there, too!
On the train ride back from Charing Cross to New Cross Gate, I was feeling quite happy. Perhaps it was partly the sun. Perhaps it was the relief/excitement of being done with my essays. Perhaps it was the fact that I was finally out of that godforsaken room. Perhaps it was the fact that songs by British artists kept coming up in the shuffle mode on my iPod. Whatever it was, I was feeling very happy to be in England.
I had planned on baking up a storm this evening when I got back, but after being on my feet all afternoon I decided against it. Tomorrow, though, you can bet I'll be making chocolate scones. YUM!
So instead of baking, I made dinner and headed to the library to watch a movie (hey, it's free and going to the movies costs at least £8). Nothing I was looking for was on the shelves, but I noticed "This is England," and remembered my flatmate Steph had recommended it to me. So I watched that. It was very good, but I think I was more in the mood for something...well, purely entertaining. Either way, I'm adding it to my list of movies watched this year and going to bed! It's been a long day. But in a good way. (Ha, that rhymes.)
Cheers for now! Ah, it's good to be back...
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter!
As I am getting very tired of reading dry, academic texts, I thought I'd take a brief break to write a blog post.
Not much has been happening around here in the last couple of weeks except for lots of reading and writing (and some procrastinating, of course). And how could I forget: Liv's friend Amy recently stopped by for a weekend visit on one of her many European travels this semester! I stayed in and wrote like crazy while she went out to paint the town with a few friends. She came back in the evenings, read Titus Andronicus for homework until I proved too distracting ("Sure you don't want any more Jellybabies??"), and on Sunday morning we made French toast and fruit salad for brunch before she left. Mmm!
But today...today, is Easter. I haven't had an Easter at home since high school and I really miss it. (Yes, even the Honeybaked ham.) It's one of those holidays that just passes by unceremoniously without family there to make it feel special. But, lucky for me, my mom and dad (OK, mostly my mom) go the extra mile. I got a small box in the mail earlier this week, and I've been dying to open it. I waited until today, however, so that I would have something to do to mark the day as Easter.
As you can see, the Easter bunny was good to me this year! My mom also sent along a packet of onion soup mix so I can try the real version of the recipe for onion roasted sweet potatoes she recommended me. (All I could find here was "onion sauce mix" which wasn't quite right...) The PEZ bunny came in a care package from my Aunt Susie that arrived about a week and a half ago and the purple felt bunny is an adorable little thing Ian sent along for Valentine's Day. Aww...
Opening that package was definitely the highlight of my day. A close second was the other break I took from reading, during which I made mini crustless quiches! I had some spring onions and cheddar to use up, so I added broccoli, fresh parsley, grated carrot, eggs and voila! OK, it wasn't quite that simple. But being crustless, they were quicker/easier to make than your average quiche.
I haven't tried one yet because it's not quite dinner time, but I'll let you know how they taste. I made roasted potatoes to go with them, too. That will be my Easter feast. Yum!
So that's the news of the day. For now I leave you, dear friends and family, with Easter wishes and a little cheer(s) from across the pond. Hope your day is wonderful!
Not much has been happening around here in the last couple of weeks except for lots of reading and writing (and some procrastinating, of course). And how could I forget: Liv's friend Amy recently stopped by for a weekend visit on one of her many European travels this semester! I stayed in and wrote like crazy while she went out to paint the town with a few friends. She came back in the evenings, read Titus Andronicus for homework until I proved too distracting ("Sure you don't want any more Jellybabies??"), and on Sunday morning we made French toast and fruit salad for brunch before she left. Mmm!
But today...today, is Easter. I haven't had an Easter at home since high school and I really miss it. (Yes, even the Honeybaked ham.) It's one of those holidays that just passes by unceremoniously without family there to make it feel special. But, lucky for me, my mom and dad (OK, mostly my mom) go the extra mile. I got a small box in the mail earlier this week, and I've been dying to open it. I waited until today, however, so that I would have something to do to mark the day as Easter.
As you can see, the Easter bunny was good to me this year! My mom also sent along a packet of onion soup mix so I can try the real version of the recipe for onion roasted sweet potatoes she recommended me. (All I could find here was "onion sauce mix" which wasn't quite right...) The PEZ bunny came in a care package from my Aunt Susie that arrived about a week and a half ago and the purple felt bunny is an adorable little thing Ian sent along for Valentine's Day. Aww...
Opening that package was definitely the highlight of my day. A close second was the other break I took from reading, during which I made mini crustless quiches! I had some spring onions and cheddar to use up, so I added broccoli, fresh parsley, grated carrot, eggs and voila! OK, it wasn't quite that simple. But being crustless, they were quicker/easier to make than your average quiche.
I haven't tried one yet because it's not quite dinner time, but I'll let you know how they taste. I made roasted potatoes to go with them, too. That will be my Easter feast. Yum!So that's the news of the day. For now I leave you, dear friends and family, with Easter wishes and a little cheer(s) from across the pond. Hope your day is wonderful!
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