Sunset

Like glowing orange flames spreading over the sea,
etching the silhouette of the western hills,
making them stand out in the cloud mist surrounding them.
Layers of warm colours; a sweet pretty pink like cotton candy, orangey-red reminding me of blood oranges, the yellow of yolk, contrasting with the blue of the sky.
A few lone fishing boats visible in the distance,
fisherman bringing in their nets,
signalling the end of the work day.
The last seagulls circling in the air, looking for a late snack before settling in for the night.
In the east, the moon is already out, almost full.
Made me think of a round piece of cheese with holes in it and edges nibbled off by a hungry little mouse.
Taking in the picturesque image took my mind off being in a crowded bus, full of people eager to get home, rattling along on the uneven road.

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Posted by : Ping

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Progress

The last few days have seen some progress of sorts for which I am thankful for. I met some nice people through Steffen (mainly his colleagues), got a letter from the institute that I need to apply for my 'codice fiscale' (tax code) that everyone living in Italy needs, received word from the HR department that the 'Nullaosta' I need to apply for my visa at the Italian embassy in Singapore will probably be ready around 10 Nov (but I am still keeping my fingers crossed, hopefully it won't be delayed yet again), got my offical 'codice fiscale', signed the contract for the apartment yesterday (and paid up the 2-month rent that will not be returned so that now I am broke), and attended my first Italian class today where the teacher was very nice and among my classmates was also a very sweet chinese girl with whom I've made friends with.

Once in a while, unpleasant things happen (conflicts always occur when people are close) and times when I miss home and wish I hadn't chosen to come here but when I count my blessings, I have more than enough to be grateful for.

It really made my day today that I managed to find the school which someone in the Anglican church I visited last Sun recommended to me and was able to join the class.

With the very vague instructions given to me, it took almost 2 hours of walking up, down, here and there and people pointing me in all sorts of different directions until luckily, an Italian lady who spoke German walked me to the right place. Phew!

I am determined to do my best to learn the language before I have to start at the institute. As my sister would say, 'Fighting!' :)

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Posted by : Ping

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Dessert for lunch

Very often, I would surf food blogs to ogle at the beautiful pictures and wish I could make my blog as lovely to look at as theirs. But unfortunately, I am no chef (I love to cook, but the food I cook, though edible, hardly ever turns out photo-worthy) and my photography skills are still, regrettably, not there yet (for lack of a better way to say, no good).

Thinking of what to cook everyday for lunch AND dinner makes a great big headache, as I have learnt since I've started living overseas. (I understand fully my mom's woe now! Hence, I welcome any ideas for cheap and easy-to-make lunches or dinners!) There're no nice & cheap hawker centres here in Europe to go for lunch! However, years ago, in Paris, there was the rather nice canteen near our workplace where food prices were subsidised so I could afford to go there during lunchtime with my colleagues. And in Tuebingen there was the mensa (actually, for the most part, I didn't care for it because the food was not great, other than the salad bar, but that was a bit on the high side for a student since the cost is by weight). The bakeries in Germany though are a lifesaver! There's such a variety of yummy breads you can buy at afforable prices. And the bretzels, oh my, do I miss them! :)

Right now, before my papers are ready (still waiting, not much progress... sigh) and I can start work, I play 'housemaker' = grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, washing. (Oh ya, and watching dramas online of course! :p) And sometimes, when I feel hardworking, I also try to learn some Italian from the internet and books that I can get my hands on.

Yesterday, the 'breadwinner' has suggested that I make milk rice pudding (Milchreis in German and Riz au lait in French) for lunch. A dessert for lunch? I used to think that a very strange idea. I don't think in Singapore we eat a sweet item for lunch (or dinner). But in Schwabenland (South Germany), where they love sweet stuff as I've been told, it is not uncommon.

I hope later I can post a little picture of my attempt at making above-mentioned dish. Will try hard to make it look presentable. :)


Milk rice pudding with sautéed apples

It's almost the weekend! (Though for me now it doesn't make much of a difference, the weekdays and weekend, but it does mean getting out and exploring the area, I hope.) So, have a good one, peeps!

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Posted by : Ping

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