GI 2009-2010 class photo!

more baking therapy/procrastination

My papers are not going the best. I am trying, maybe not hard enough, but they are just taking so long. Anyway, Ellie was in need of a pick-me-up today, so I made these delicious cookies. Seriously, the best cookies I have ever made. The picture isn't the best, as its from my phone, and definitely does not convey the amazingness. However, if you check the original recipe here, there is a better picture.

I modified the recipe a bit. First of all, they are gluten free! I used a white gluten-free flour mix, and added a little less than 1/4 tsp of xanthan gum. And secondly, I used milk chocolate chunks instead of dark chocolate chips.

I think next time I make these, I will use some white chocolate chips. The amount of chocolate in these cookies is a bit hilarious, but also so delicious.

Spring is here?

Hello gentle readers! Spring is here. Seemingly... although it was quite cold and rainy yesterday. I think there is going to be more cold weather before proper spring sticks.

Here is what I am up to in between papers (which are going slowly).


I made many batches of these cookies, chocolate-peanut butter cookies. The first time I made them by the recipe, but Maple Syrup is expensive here, so I substituted Golden Syrup - which is far too thick. I have been baking a lot of things lately, which soothes the soul after all the paper writing when its not going well.

With the occurrence of spring weather comes awesome things like this:


Back to papers for me! Come visit!

Lent Term Ends

I am on my first week of Easter break. Lent Term, and all teaching, is done - no more teaching in my Master's!? Its just me and my paper writing.

Right now I am working on a 5000 word paper for my Gender and Postcolonial Theory class - its going to be a gender and race discourse analysis of the media portrayal of Haiti after the earthquake. If you have any opinions or ideas, send them my way!

The weather is finally getting better in London, spring is showing itself and you can spend long periods of time outside and not be uncomfortable! Ellie and I have big plans to spend lots of time in London parks, with delicious food.

Life has been pretty normal, I have been very busy with school work lately. But, my lovely friend, Kelsey, came to visit a few weeks ago. She was here for a week and we saw lots of the sights around London. (Below: Kelsey and I with the penguin at LSE)


I have pretty much acclimatised to London, I feel like I am fully present here. I remember when I first got here, I was having some anxiety about the whole experience. I never knew which way traffic was going to go and I was overwhelmed constantly by the number of people. But I feel at home now. It is not the same as Seattle, and honestly I really miss living in Seattle. However, I am a fan of London.

Lots of work ahead of me! 3 papers, a research proposal, and an annotated bibliography due on 26th April! Hope everyone is well!

How has it almost been a month?

Time is flying by! Flying by. I am already almost half way through my last term of teaching at LSE. Work is piling up, and I am struggling to keep up. But I am working hard.

Here are some pictures from Bilbao! I couldn't get the pictures to actually upload to the blog but this URL should work.

It was such a lovely time. The ceremony was so beautiful. I think what struck me was how official this gay union is! There was no sense that the wedding or the union wasn't real, it was completely validated by everyone. The ceremony was in a government building and officiated. Carlos' family was so lovely, all there to support him. A few of William's friends flew over for the ceremony as well.

The reception was in a restaurant in the hills above Bilbao. It was renovated to look like a Basque farm house. When we arrived, we were sent downstairs for wine and an appetizer of cured ham and baguette. The ham was carved right off a leg when we got there.

After lots of wine and ham, we went upstairs to start our courses. I can't quite remember all of the courses, all I know is that by the 3rd I was too full to keep eating, yet I still soldiered on. The food was mostly seafood. The last course before dessert however, was steak and chips. During all the courses, we were topped up on wine anytime we got to the bottom of the glass. After the steak, we were brought a beautiful dessert (picture is in the album), that had a piece of white chocolate with Carlos and William's names on it. We were given Champagne for the toast. At the toast were some amazing tributes to William and Carlos - some of William's people attempted toasts in Spanish. Quite a decadent night!

If any of you are considering a trip to Spain, I definitely recommend Bilbao. Its so beautiful and tranquil. Also, easy to get around - bus, underground, tram. Plus, its so walkable. Definitely want o go back!

Lent Term Begins

I have just turned in 3 essays:
1) 2500 word essay
2) 3000 word essay
3) 250 word essay (for Spanish)

I worked on those essays little by little, didn't leave them to the last minute and I am very glad for it. I saw my classmates on facebook freaking out about getting essays done.

I don't have any interesting adventures to report at the moment. I didn't leave my flat for several days, mostly because of the cold and because of essay writing. Not much adventure there. There was supposed to be a blizzard a few days ago, it did not hit London. There has been snow for the past few weeks on and off, but not much in London. Again, no adventure there.

However, on Thursday I go to Bilbao for my dear friend William's wedding! Ellie and I are staying in an actual hotel, with the husbands-to-be. The ceremony is at the city hall, and after we are going to have the reception in a restaurant overlooking the city. We have been told there will be several courses and lots of wine - in addition to an amazing atmosphere because we are celebrating a couple's love.

I will hopefully have lots of pictures to contribute to this blog after my trip. I may or may not be purchasing a low-end camera soon...