Because spelling counts

Via: Online Schools

Baby steps in the Kitchen

Culinary, I am not. I don't particulary enjoy cooking and I'm not one of those people who can look into their fridge/larder, take out a few items and come up with some gourmet delight. Nope, doesn't happen.

However a couple of days ago it was the usual 'what are we going to have for supper?' and I knew that in the fridge was a packet of lovely fresh tortellini filled with parma ham. I had bought two packets and a jar of sauce some days ago and we had one packet with the sauce which, although it was very nice, was too strong for that type of pasta, so I made a mental note to have the second packet with a plainer sauce. Which is what we did. P got out a recipe book and put me to the task of preparing a white sauce! I had never attempted this in my life; I didn't even know how white sauce was made; however, 20 minutes later I was stirring a lovely, soft sauce with herbs and was feeling rather proud of myself. OK, it was simple; however, I believe in baby steps to achieve something.

Home design

I've been catching up on the blogs that I follow and a lot of people post pictures of their dream houses, or even their actual houses and how they'd like to decorate the interior. Well there are certain things that I do like in houses, for example, I think that parquet flooring is just divine and I would love it! I also like modern coloured kitchens. However one piece of furniture that I think would be a must for me is something similar to the TV wall unit below, possibly with more shelving!

I wouldn't fill the sides with ornaments and knick-knacks because they'll just gather dust and I'm not much of an ornament person in any case; however, I would stack books at different angles and put flowers and just a couple of items to give it character. And then a lovely large TV screen in the middle. And soft, leather sofas to watch it from ;)

Control tower to virus base: Attack!

It seems like the 'ill virus' that I have escaped from for a few years now has finally caught up with me. Tonsils hurt, body aches, skin colour is not even worth describing - yup, it seems that I either have the flu or my old friend, tonsilitis.

The only upside to tonsilitis is that ice-cream is recommended for recovery.

This afternoon I totally conked out from 3:30 - 8:00! It wasn't just sleep, it was a complete knock out to the point that getting out of bed was such an ordeal that it wasn't even funny. I managed to eat supper but it didn't taste as good as it probably was. I even had a couple of chocolate biscuits afterwards and they didn't pick me up. That's definitely a sign that something is wrong!

Oddly enough the left tonsil hurts more than the right one. Though that could actually be normal and not odd at all. I'm not the doctor so my diagnosis can hardly be considered accurate. I did manage to have a cup of tea which was lovely so I guess there are small victories.

I'm not used to being ill so when I am it hits really hard and I'm usually out for a week or so. I'll see how I wake up tomorrow, perhaps there is hope of a 24-hour recovery!

Adding to the bottom drawer

On Sunday my friend and I are going to sell our wares at a car boot sale. I've been a couple of times before and they're quite fun really, despite the waking up at 5:00 a.m. business!

So this afternoon I went through my stuff and packed a couple of boxes with items that I want to sell during which I came across 2 gorgeous large blue glass plates, a sparkly wine bottle coaster and a set of lovely Maltese prints. It seems like my mother doesn't want these but I do and have stashed them away along with the other 'things for my (future) house'.

Everyone around me seems to be moving into their own places and I can't wait to do that myself and be able to decorate and have a space that's mine - a space that's larger than a bedroom and en-suite effectively.

However it's the interior decorating that I'm really looking forward to :) Because truth be told, I don't know if I'll enjoy living alone in any case!

He said, she said

I'm considering abandoning online conversations over IM programmes unless either absolutely necessary or for quick communication such as confirming a time/place situation, because time and time again I find that they often lead to misunderstandings and unnecessary hassles.

Due to the lack of tone and expression it's very easy to misinterpret messages and trying to explain what you actually meant is another hurdle in itself because you often encounter the same problems. So perhaps I'll give myself a break from instant messaging for a while and see how that goes; after all, if someone wants to get in touch with me they can call!

The art lovers affair - Book Review

The below article is my first book review for The Sunday Times of Malta. I really like the way that it came out and book reviews are definitely fun to do. Right now I'm on to my second one and have started reading the book which promises to get even more intriguing from what I can tell until now...

---

The art lovers affair
Giselle Borg Olivier
The Sunday Times, Malta
01 Nov 2009

IAN RANKIN: DoorsOpen, Orion, 2008, 316, pp. â��12 Have you ever wanted something that was seemingly unattainable? Something that was owned by somebody else but they didn’t appreciate it in the same way that you would? Would you risk your future to get...read more...

Tech Tags: The Sunday Times, Malta newspaper Culture And Entertainment

Also available to read at http://www.contentforsuccess.com/the-art-lovers-affair-book-review/

Julie & Julia

Yesterday evening I watched Julie & Julia at the cinema - don't you just love the cinema when the weather starts getting colder?

I didn't know what the film was about. No, I didn't know who Julia Child was; I never watched a cooking programme before Ready, Steady, Cook! However I really did enjoy the film, possibly because of all the mouth-watering food shots that it included! And also because of the blogging factor - I like films that are aware of social trends.

I think it must be lovely to be able to cook like that and derive such pleasure from it. I don't think it's something that I would particularly inspire to do; however, perhaps if you've got people whom you're cooking for then it takes on a new stance and no longer remains 'the chore of cooking because food is necessary'. One of the dishes that she prepared that struck a chord for me was probably the simplest of bruschetta with tomatoes and cheese - so simple, yet so effective.

I like the idea of various snack foods as a main meal rather than just one plate. Bruschetta, couscous, potato salad, stuffed tomatoes, vol au vents - a lot more work definitely, but more fun!

I love the above picture where she presents of one her dishes to her friends (no that's not a spoiler) because the setting with the fairy lights is just so pretty.

Show me the shops and let me free

The weather's finally changed/changing; timepieces go back one hour today; the days have got shorter - winter has shown its face once again. Not that I can complain when having summer that lasts for approximately six months.

One of the major changes this time round is clothes. Wardrobes always change once the weather changes; however, the in-between stages of hot and cold are decidedly a pain in the butt when it comes to deciding what to wear. Also opening drawers and cupboards to see clothes that you've worn so many times before can be a bit depressing - to go along with the weather it seems! And at the moment I am in the midst of a shopping crave.

I need retail therapy. I want to go round the shops and buy new clothes. I can just feel the shopping lust. I don't get it often given my clothes bartering tendencies but sometimes a girl just needs new threads in her wardrobe. Having said that, feel free to take a look into my online wardrobe and see whether there's anything that you'd fancy owning. I'm willing to sell for very cheap prices - need to make space for new clothes ;)

Production Week

We've entered Production Week for our One Act Play. Lines are learnt, costumes are chosen, entrances and exits are planned. Tonight we set the lighting, Wednesday is our dress rehearsal, Friday we have an audience. Sunday we're judged, and it's all over!

It seems to be a lot of work for just 2 runs but it's worth it. It was a very fun play to be in and we were (and still are!) a very good cast which makes things a lot easier. I actually can't wait to perform it in front of an audience and get reactions to my lines and jokes. My character is extremely humorous so the feedback will be interesting - no feedback will be disastrous!! I'm also interested to hear the judges feedback since this will be my fourth One Act play in five years and hearing critique over the years can be very fruitful.

One positive aspect to rehearsals that I've noted has been the fewer hours that I've spent in front of my PC. Apart from work that is. Since we rehearse in the evenings I don't have the chance to get stuck in front of my monitor and I don't miss it!