Bitter taste of failure

Ah...today I had the oppotunity of understanding the bitter taste of failure...literally! As you would've known if you had read my last post, I had planned to make banana pancakes today. However, when frying the pancakes, they were too mushy, causing them to be unable to be flipped over and when they were able to, they were burnt. Not only that, but they tasted very bitter. This is due to the fact that, we had no baking powder at home and my sister and I agreed that baking soda was the same thing, so we substituted that instead. BAD MOVE! This would explain why the pancakes were bitter the last time I made pancakes as well. Sigh...and here I was thinking it was the burnt butter. I had to chuck the batter away because we just couldn't use it.

It was very heartbreaking :( Note: If you have no baking powder, a good substitute would be just to not include it and use self-raising flour instead of plain flour, because it essentially is the same thing as baking powder.

Anyways, I've wasted enough time dilly-dallying on the internet today. I have to get cracking on my assignments or else I am so screwed! Which..technically, I already am. Mannn...what the hell am I going to do??

~Aurora

Banana pancakes

You guys probably all remember my pancake making only a couple of days ago of some simple pancakes. Today at dinner, while my mum was telling us to eat more bananas since we had some at home, I was struck with the memory of the delicious banana pancakes that Laurean, my food tech buddy, had made during one of our practical food tech lessons back in yr 8 or 9. They were delicious and since then I have always been meaning to try to make them. But it seems like I've never really had the chance.

Well...after my mum's urgings to eat bananas, I decided to finally take up the challenge and make them. I've been searching around for recipes and finally found one that is quite to my liking. Here it is below:

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon white sugar

2 tablespoons baking powder

1/4 tablespoon salt

1 egg, beaten

1 cup milk

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 ripe bananas, mashed

Directions

1. Combine flour, white sugar, baking powder and salt

2. In separate bowl, mix together egg, milk, vegetable oil and bananas

3. Stir flour mixture into banana mixture

I was reading the reviews and I decided to add a few touches to the recipe, under the guidance of what the reviewers had to say. I decided to add 1/2 teaspon of vanilla extract because it is suppose to make the pancakes taste more delicious. Also, apparently some reviewers said that the pancakes were a little mushy, so I am gonna change 2 ripe bananas to 1 1/2 bananas and see how that goes. It was also suggested that all the dry ingredients be sifted to ensure  smoother pancakes so I shall do that.

And last but not least, I was reminded to keep a low temperature flame while cooking the pancakes because when I cooked the other pancakes, some turned out a little burnt. I am also not going to use butter when frying my pancakes because, also due to the high temperature flame, the butter burnt and ended up making the pancakes taste a little bitter. I think I shall used oil instead to make it safer.

I know that usually all-purpose flour constitutes to plain flour and I usually use plain flour for my pancakes, but one of the reviewers said that they used self-raising flour and it turned out well. I am tossing between using plain flour or self-raising flour. If anyone could give me a tip towards which flour would be a better alternative, hopefully before the end of the night since I am making it tomorrow morning, it would be much appreciated :)

Other than that, I hope you guys have a lovely rest of the day. And maybe you guys can try the recipe too!

I'll make sure to take pictures of the final results and post them up to let you guys see how I did.

~Aurora

Peek-a-boo!

PEEK-A-BOO! Keke...I just felt like saying that.

Isn't the picture so adorable? I was googling peek-a-boo on images and it popped up...along with some other disturbing images but let us not discuss them.

Hm...I have been blogging a lot these days, which is a good thing I suppose. :)

Ergh...I have to work hard these last few days before the holidays end. I was just doing my modern essay when I realised that it was due in the SECOND week back, meaning I shouldn't be wasting my time on this, when I should be doing other stuff that are due earlier. Ah...silly me. I've just wasted less than half my day on it. Tsk tsk. Oh well, I suppose I've done some of the modern to save me some time when I actually have to do it.

But I should go on to do other stuff now.

Keke...I was bathing in the sun (clothes on thank you very much, you dirty minded people :P) on the yoga mat we bought our mum, while reading Emma. It was very nice and warm. :)

But that's besides the point, I think I shall start on my economic essays now so that I can get it out of the way to study later on. Then I should really start my English speech. Keke...

I hope you guys are working hard too :)

~Aurora

Goofiness

Keke...I thought I'd better post these photos up before I realise how stupid I look in them and decide not to. Just to let you guys see how goofy I look with the glasses that I mentioned in the previous post. Sorry about the quality, the webcam on this laptop was weird. So yeah.

Rate my goofiness!

~Aurora

P.S. I realised that these are the first photos I've ever posted of myself on this blog. Way to make a first impression :D

P.S.S. Yes...I can be very asian at times. And I do take luvos of myself once in a while. I would just like to take this time to clarify that I do not always take photos of myself. Kekeke

My cosy little home

Sitting alone in the kitchen of my house, listening to the peaceful music of Yiruma, I feel oddly at peace. It made to start to think about a home of my own.

For starters, it had to be an apartment because i think anything bigger would be too big for only myself to live in. Secondly, I would love for a cosy couch which i could grab some blankets and my laptop to snuggle up in as I surfed on the internet and did other stuff. A small, cute kitchen would be lovely, with a countertop (i think that's what they call it) so I can eat breakfast there. Of course, if i could, I would love an apartment which looked out to the ocean or where you could view the sun rise every morning. It sounds absolutely wonderful. The floor would be mostly carpet except for the kitchen and the toilet and the laundry room which obviously has to be tiles. This would ensure a cosy atmosphere within the house because I think that tiles makes the home feel cold.

I would also have a veranda where there would be a nice chair which I could sit on and read a book while looking out to the scenery. The walls within the house would be a simple, baby pink or very faded pink that is almost white. Around the house would be pictures of all different shapes and sizes of me with the people close to me or of scenery, the places I've been too, anything!

Now, as for my room, it would be the same colour as the rest of the house, maybe a little shade darker but nothing too dark. And I could stick those shadowy pictures that I've been around to add little touches to it. I don't require a huge room, a fairly average sized room would be a-okay with me. And I would have a little vanity mirror and a wardrobe full of clothes and things. A window would also be good, facing the nice scenery preferably. I would place my bed under the window so that when the sunlight shines in the morning, I could wake up to it :) A beanbag would also be good in my room, or maybe just a cushiony chair. Of course, a desk would also be necessary.

That's a rough description of a nice cosy home which I wouldn't mind having. I'm a very simple girl who doesn't need extravagant things to make me feel happy.

What's your dream home?

~Aurora

Day...I don't even remember :P

Hello lovelys,

Today has been another uneventful day. Sigh...I seriously feel like I'm wasting my days. I don't go out and do something fun and at home, I don't do my homework. I actually don't know what I do, but soon enough, it's towards the end of the day and I feel so depressed because I have accomplished next to nothing. I always say that I will do work, but of course, that never happens. I can feel the time slipping through my fingertips and I can't seem to grasp on it.

In some ways, I wish I was the studious me from a while back. I dunno when, but slowly I started to slack off to become the lazy slob that I am now. And I know that year 11 isn't really that important, but as an asian, it is in my blood to not accept anything less than my asian expectations..which is pretty high standards.

I know that I have to work hard, but I can't seem to bring myself to do it. Now that I am capped (I know, I know, I'm already capped after just a few days :P), I am hoping that I can actually start to work hard since I now have nothing to distract me. To lessen my distractions even more, I'm planning to go to the library tomorrow to work. Hopefully I'll be productive! Then I can treat myself to some korean pancakes that I have been craving for a while now.

I must admit, I was afraid of going to the library myself because I was afraid of what people would say. Thankfully, after hinting subtly to my sister, she decided to come and study with me. I love her! Keke...and I'm gonna treat her to korean food seeing as she treated me to jap food a while back.

On the bright side, I have started one of the assignments, albeit, very late in the evening. But a start is a start and you know the quote: The hardest part of any journey is taking that first step. Keke...I know that I still have a long way to go, but I am going to give it my best! Fighting!

On another note, I am currently wearing fake glasses. Haha...it's actually those 3D glasses, but I've taken out the lenses. I think my sister started the trend, I got these glasses from little sister who has 2 pairs. They say that people who wear glasses are smart and studious. And my sisters wear it when they are feeling studious. But for some reason, when I wear these glasses, I actually feel more stupid and goofy. :) I'm one of a find :P Honestly, I look so funny in the glasses because they are way too big for me, but they are fun to wear. Keke. Not that I would wear it out because people would probably look at me like a weirdo.

Anyways...I better start getting to bed and maybe to read a bit more of Emma. Have a nice night :) Or should I say day, since it is already the start of a new day :D

~Aurora

Pancakes

Today I decided to make use of my time and cook up something. I used to always bake things in the holidays, but this holiday, I seem to be very lazy. But I did end up making some pancakes. And though they aren't perfect, they are definitely delicious to eat.

I dunno if someone had already invented it, but a while back I had started to eat pancakes with ice cream and honey and it was absolutely divine! And I have been having it ever since.

Eating pancakes doesn't seem like a formal thing does it? Usually people just eat it with their hands I would think. But of course, I don't do that. I actually use a knife and fork to eat it, believe it or not.

Anyways, I regret not taking a photo of the last pancake I made after I dressed it up nicely with ice cream and honey because it was really big and looked deliciously. But I made a replica and have posted it, as you can see in the above pictures.

If you have time, you should give it a try, making the pancake as well! Because something so simple can be such a delight!

~Aurora

Sophie Scholl

I just finished watching Sophie Scholl for my english speech. It is honestly a very sad, courageous and true story. She really was a strong hearted, brave girl who stood by her ideas and beliefs till the very end despite what others said. In the movie, even the investigator who was questioning her found her admirable and it could be seen at times that he was very much moved by what Sophie had to say. He even gave her an oppotunity to give all the blame onto her brother who was one of the founders of the White Rose organisation that she was in, in order to save herself. But of course, she courageously denied, saying that she took every part in it. Now, that may not have happened in real life, I'll have to research into that to find out, but stuff like that is really admirable.

It was definitely a fantastic movie which paid homage to Sophie Scholl, who scarificed her life in order to bring to the attention of the German people that what Hitler did was not the right way to go. I'm really glad to be doing this as my english speech and hopefully I'll be able to give Sophie Scholl the credit she deserves.

Sophie Scholl died at only 22 years of age on 22 February 1943. Her last words were:
How can we expect righteousness to prevail when there is hardly anyone willing to give himself up individually to a righteous cause. Such a fine, sunny day, and I have to go, but what does my death matter, if through us thousands of people are awakened and stirred to action?

~Aurora

Camera

Hm...recently my dad asked me if I wanted to get anything because my Hong Kong uncle is coming to Australia and could buy stuff for us. I asked for a camera and now I have to decide which camera I want. I want one of those professional digital camera but I want it to look good as well. But I'm not sure what to get. Any suggestions?

But man...the money's coming out of my pocket :(

Day 3

Hey guys,

I must admit, I had gone onto blogspot and had read a few posts from the people I follow...and I was just about to go off with writing a post of my own. Waii...I really don't wanna do this because I'm a lazy bum but I must stick to my promise, so here I am.

I honestly didn't do much today. I feel better though, apart from the coughing fits that I get once in a while which I must quickly run downstairs to get water for because coincidently, whenever I need water, my cup is empty :(

I actually had planned to vacuum today and start reading Emma. But that all went down the drain very quickly. I woke up this morning and because I hadn't started to read Emma like I said I would yesterday, I decided that I should stay in bed for a little while and read. But, I was disturbed on my 6th page by my grandma who told me to go and cook the dumplings because she had to go out. So that plan was stuffed. Then my sister comes and tells me that her friend is coming over. And I think it's pretty rude to vacuum while a guest is over so the vacuuming idea was also tossed out the window.

So, I ended up bumming around again. But then, I decided to at least finish off some eco notes. And I was going quite well for a while, before slacking off again. And thus, ends another day of my holidays. Honestly, I know that there aren't that many days left, no matter how much I don't want to admit it. And judging by the huge amount of work that I need to get done, I really should get cracking. So I vow to do as much as I can starting from tomorrow. I'm gonna watch as much as I can today :P and then starting tomorrow I'm gonna work hardcore!

I know that this plan may not work. But I'm gonna try as hard as I can to make it work because I know that I will need all the time that I can get. Of course, I need to go out as well or else I'm gonna go crazy. But other than that, I really need to work hard.

Wish me the best of luck. And I hope you guys are enjoying your holidays! Albeit, not too much :D

~Aurora

Day 2

What's up people!

I've kept my promise and I am once again blogging. Aiya...I'm still sick. In fact, I think I got worse over night. I coughed non-stop throughout my sleep. It must've been so annoying for my grandma who sleeps with me...apologies to her. I have a running nose, coughing non stop, sore throat and a blocked nose. It's absolutely dreadful. My grandma decided to take me to the GP once and for all to check what's wrong since I have been sick for 2 weeks now and it doesn't seem to be going away even though I've been taking medication. I apparently have a fever and a very red throat. So now I have been prescribed some medicine, which I must rant is very expensive. I mean, come on, 3 tiny little tablets which I'm suppose to take once a day, for $21! I mean, does anyone else find it strange that one measily little tablet costs $7?

But anyways, I was having a rather bad day. Had to get up to have a shower in order to go out, much to my body's dismay, even though it was nearly noon. Then had to suffer through the cold waiting for my grandma to buy some groceries. Went to the doctors, but we missed our appointment and now had to wait to try to squish in a time slot to see the GP. So we sat there for more than an hour, waiting for the doctor. My auntie also came for a little while, and she 'commented' on my hair, saying it was totally out of fashion and that my sister's hairstyles are so much more stylish. Gosh...what a bitch. Anyways it took no more than 15 minutes for us to actually see what was wrong with me. Had to wait in the cold for the bus home. The bus driver charged me $3.30 for a freaken bus fare when it was usually only $1.60, just because I didn't have my student ID. I mean, come on, I've never had to do that before, and suddenly I do. Fuck you buddy. Ergh...I ended up bawling my eyes out, much to my embarrassment. It was just so embarrassing because I only brought my mp3 and my phone out and so I had to wait for my grandma to get some change to give to the stupid bastard. I mean, how bad must that look? A full grown lady, relying on her grandma for some change. Erghhh

And so I ended up crying my eyes out at home. I know that it was a stupid thing to cry over. But I just couldn't help it. Sigh...I'm so silly.

So all in all, I have done nothing once again. I'm planning to burrow my head into Emma tonight and try to get reading because you guys have all been saying that it is good.

I hope you guys had a much better day than me.

:) Aurora

Update?

Hey,


It's the holidays and it's about time I paid a little more attention to this blog. I'm not gonna make any absurd promises, but I will try to post at least once a day.


Sigh...I'm still sick, coughing like no tomorrow. And to add to my pains, I've now been gifted with a running nose. It's a wonderful feeling...ha..can you hear the sarcasm just oozing out? It's so horrible man. My one saviour from boredom: singing, has been taken away from me because I can't sing for more than 1 line without breaking out into a cough, which would be cool if I could break out into some mad, high tempo cough-boxing, but unfortunately, I hold no such talent and so my coughs only come as a pain to me. I've actually been sick for nearly two weeks now...which is pretty bad. Hopefully I shall get better soon!


I've done nothing productive so far. All I've managed to do is fix up my English tutoring notes...which overflowed so I couldn't fix everything in a folder..so now the leftover sheets are just sitting on the floor. So much for packing up. I also managed to do some business notes, but I didn't get very far. Just thinking about all the stuff that I am putting off is so depressing. It's suppose to be a holiday, but with all the work that is piled up, it sure doesn't seem like it.


I'm gonna be positive for now (although I believe my confidence and positivity will slowly die out as the days go by) and say that if I manage to work hard and get all my work done, I can leave myself time to relax and really par-tay towards the end of the holidays before school resumes! Sounds like a plan :P


But seriously, my days so far have consisted of eating, sleeping and watching stuff on youtube. I think that's about it. Oh and reading news about korean celebrities. Keke


I'm currently listening to songs by Yiruma. Sigh...he's piano skills are just...indescribable. They're really calming and I just feel so relaxed. His music also really brings some kind of emotion out of you. I don't know about you, but when I'm in a room by myself, listening to his soft, melodious music, I sometimes get the urge to cry because it's so touching. It's really beautiful. If you haven't heard his music, you should really get off your ass and go listen to it because you are totally missing out. Actually, after this post, I'll go try and upload it as my playlist so you can listen to it as you read my posts :)


Well...what now? I really should get out of the house. Do something a little more interesting than watching korean idols on youtube. Maybe I'll go out tomorrow and rent some dvds and buy some ice cream. That would definitely be a treat. I also need to get my hair cut some time. I didn't realise until recently, but my hair has grown awfully long. And while I do like long hair, I don't think it really suits me. Pssch...as if you care right :P


I should go visit the library as well and borrow some books to read. I haven't read in a while...although, now that I think about it, I have to read Emma. Keke...I'm sure it's a very interesting book..but I can't seem to get passed the first few pages. I shall get cracking on that tonight :)


Ahh...there I go again, my coughing fit.


Alrightie, I should probably go do something now....what that something is...who know? :S I certainly don't.


It'll probably end up being youtube :D


Have a nice holidays guys...and that's for being loyal enough to actually read through this very boring post. Actually, scratch that, thanks for reading all my boring posts...I don't know why you guys still do :P


사랑해 sarang hae
keke...I love you all :)


~Aurora