Happiness Recipe

Watch this video below and think about it... You may be surprised in your answer, and why you never did it in the first place. It's one of the most difficult things to rely on yourself instead of someone telling you what to do, because hey, no one else can be blamed if you make the decision yourself. 

Start by thinking about what gets you excited to wake up in the morning, and then go do it! You are the only one who has to live your life, and isn't it your the goal in the end to be happy?

I second guess myself everyday about studying the arts until I remember that if I do something I love I'll never want to escape from it. 

I am Making Art

Finally! 

I just got my flash drive back today. Here are my 1st and 2nd projects for Visual Arts class. You may criticize, analyze, or just plain look at them for their aesthetic beauty. Though the latter may appear a frivolous pursuit, I think it is undervalued in University.

Conceptual Trickery

"For this assignment I would like you to create a scene of conceptual trickery of your choice."

Attempting to Quantify Darkness - by Tess Paul

Conceptual Photography

"You are to take a series of photographs that reveal a system by which you obtained them."

16 Strangers' Milks from Safeway on 10th - by Tess Paul

Countdown

Hey there!
In my mind the countdown until the last day of classes (Nov.30th) has officially begun. I am enjoying writing all my papers so far, (English Lit, Art History, and Philosophy) and working on a new project for Visual Arts! (I will post the older projects today, hopefully). It's nice to feel so at home on campus and around Vancouver itself. Despite the rain that has been forecast to leer over us throughout this week, I am feeling very content.

Clockwise from top left: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Granville Island at Night

Katja and I decided to have a Saturday dinner at Granville Island. 

I was craving photography practice and some Indian Comfort food (so good). 

Then off to Starbucks for a late night gingerbread latte and peppermint mocha.

Aren't we festive? I can't wait for Christmas - and my favourite music: A Very She and Him Christmas.

A friend showed me this awesome App a few days ago called Songza. It has all these playlists specified to genre, mood, and time of day. 

I'm currently diggin' Indie Apartment Party

 

 

Katja's place of work

 

 

 

 

Another Recipe: Chickpea Salad

Hello!

It's going to be a short update since i just sliced my finger a little while making this salad :( Now that I think about it, I'm going to have a tough job typing up my essays! 

Here is another recipe (those who predicted this would turn into a food blog won't be surprised). This is a healthy one that is super quick and tastes better the next day!

Chickpea Salad:

1 Can Chickpeas (540mL)

1 Red Pepper - diced

1/2-1/4 Cucumber - diced

2 Tomatoes - diced

2 Avocados - chopped

1/2 a bunch of Parsley - chopped

1/2 Lemon - juice

a hearty drizzle of Olive Oil

as much Feta Cheese as you like :)

Recipe: Ginger/Pumpkin Bread

Can't decide if you want to make Ginger or Pumpkin Bread? Well, neither could I. 
Here's a great recipe I made this weekend and it's Starbucks official. Yes, your treat will taste exactly like that yummy candied ginger version, with a festive alteration; Pumpkin.
Also included is another inspo. board! Yay! I love making these.

Clockwise from left: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 1/4 teaspoons ginger
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon orange extract, optional
• 1 cup applesauce  <------------------------MY SUBSTITUTION: PUMPKIN PURE!
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

FROSTING

• 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
• 2 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9 inch square pan.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and salt. Then set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Stir in orange extract.
4. Mix baking soda into applesauce and stir into creamed butter mixture.
5. Add flour mixture. Mix until smooth.
6. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
7. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.

FROSTING:

1. Beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in vanilla and orange extract. Slowly beat in confectioner’s sugar.
2. Once the cake has cooled, evenly spread the frosting on top. Decorate with chopped candied orange peel or candied ginger .

Collageit

What's a Monday without a little pick-me-up inspiration? And an EggNog latte from Starbucks... there're back!

I've been seeing other bloggers making these inspo-collages and it got me thinking... I have a whole folder of images I've collected on iPhoto... why not give it a go? (Also, that Finnish bike is waaay too awesome, and I need to find a canadian equivalent.)

The App I used is called Collageit (free version of course). No complaints so far, a pretty straightforward interface and easy to use.

Also included is Too Close by Alex Clare. It may be mainstream now, but I'm too addicted to care.

Clockwise from top left:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,

Bangkok City

 Happy 19th Birthday Katja!
I had the pleasure last Thursday to dine at the Bangkok City Cafe (4th and Bayswater) with theses lovely ladies. The food is really good, on average $10.5 per dish, and they do take out as well!
Loving this Vancouver lifestyle.