Weekend in Seoul

Dad and I had a great weekend in Seoul. Early Saturday morning, two bus loads of people left Handong at 7:00 am for the 5 hour trip to Seoul. The bride and groom had arranged for the bus and provided everyone with a breakfast bun, fruit and kimbap to snack on during the trip. We made 3 pit stops along the way - I guess they anticipated that people at that time in the morning would have weak bladders. The buses took us right to the church where we were greeted with a crowd of people. The church was huge - it had a cafeteria, coffee shop, book store, 4 floors tall with I don't know what all else. Really amazing. After milling around in the front entrance for a bit we headed up to the floor with the santuary but first making a stop to see the bride and take a picture with her. Then into the santuary to stake out a seat. At precisely 2:00 the bride walks down the isle on the arm of her father, no attendants, just the bride and her father. The ceremony was 30 minutes long. When we took our seats the auditorium was almost empty, when we stood to watch the bride walk in, I was surprised to see a crowd of people behind us, I don't know when they came in. They had the traditional music but because it was all in Korean, I'm not sure all what was being said. After the wedding, everyone went to the cafeteria where we were served an excellent feast with various types of food. The bride and groom changed into the traditional Korean outfits and returned to greet everyone. We continued on eating and they returned again at the very end, dressed very casually to say good bye to everyone as we were about to leave. No program just eating and visiting.

After the wedding, while the Handong group boarded the buses to head back to Handong, Dad and I headed for the subway station to find our hotel. At presisely 6:00 Rachel's dad, brother and brother-in-law met us in the hotel lobby and we walked to a local traditional Korean restauarant for a great meal with the family. Her mother and sister arrived later. We had a great time talking with them. The parents English was limited but the son and son-in-law spoke pretty good English. Rachel's mom has the same smile as Rachel. It was a very pleasant meal, we enjoyed it very much. They walked us back to the hotel and the son-in-law and the sister arranged to pick us up the next morning to accompany us to an English church service.

At precisily at 11:00 the next morning (this family is punctual), they arrived and we took a taxi to the church. This English fellowship for the church doesn't meet in a church building, it occupies several floors of a commercial building. It would have been difficult to find on our own. We enjoyed the service, good music and the pastor was good. After the service, they led us across the road to have lunch in a bakery where they serve breakfast and lunch. Great bread. It was a pleasant brunch, chatting and eating. Around 2:30, Dad and I caught a taxi to take us to the bus station. We boarded at 4:00 and arrived back in Pohang around 8. I slept most of the way back while Dad read his newspapers. Back in Pohang we picked up some groceries and took the taxi back to the campus. Overall it was a great weekend and we had a very pleasant time with Rachel's family. They are very warm and welcoming.

The only pictures we took were at the wedding.

The update - since I can't SKYPE on Sunday

Hello wonderful family of Mine!!

I hope and trust that everyone is doing well. What is everyone's plans for Easter? Just one week away! The Family get-together is on Good Friday at Aunt Kathy and Uncle Tim's house. It will be good to see the fam, and hopefully I'll remember to charge and bring my camera, so that you can see them too. This week has been interesting. I was feeling ill for the first part of the week, nothing definite just not right. I wasn't sleeping well, and I was anxious and restless (no particular reason why). On Tuesday I woke up to a beautiful snow fall. We got about 2cm (or so) which stayed until Thursday. While walking from the bus stop to work I slipped on the ice and landed hard on my wrist. It began to bruise almost instantly, and started to swell. One nice thing about working in a lab is that there is always ice around, so I iced my wrist on and off for most of the morning (Tuesday). Its a nicely coloured bruise, but beyond a little stiffness in my arm, no problems. The rest of the week turned out OK. I ended up having a couple of good nights sleeps, and I got a lot of work done in the lab. Yesterday, Friday, I went over to Grandma's house and we, Grandma, myself and Judy Gordon (G-ma's friend) went to a puppet show . . . that's right a puppet show, at a church just off of Inkster. Grandma knew the woman who was in charge of the show (Grandma knows everyone . . . she and Lynnette!). Uncle Ron and Aunt Trease (sorry not sure about the spelling) were there also, with Chantelle, Elise, and Aunt Trease's sister and niece. It was nice to see them, and we visited for a bit after the puppet show, before heading our separate ways. Today I'm going to Jenn's house for a good ol'fashioned movie night. We're going to make pizza and watch movies into all hours of the morning, which is why I won't be SKYPEing with you in the am. It should be fun!!

Well, anyway, I had best be getting ready, Jenn just called to say she was on her way to pick me up.

I LOVE YOU ALL LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS

LOVE,

REBEKAH

And a beautiful night in Polgridec

Letting it alll hang out!

YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!!

Cool Photo

Hi

I am not sure if I have posted this photo but it is currently rotating though as my background photo and I figured that I would post it to the blog because I really like it and it makes me feel calm inside.

I know that I didn't post the inspirational photo last week but here is my pick for this week.  Also everyone got off lucky last week as I was distracted with dealing with the AIESEC conference that I went to but I will be posting a new challenge sometime either today or tomorrow which everyone will be expected to complete before the beginning of April.

Love Ya All

Cookie Muffin Picture

Notice the homemade orange-blood orange-lemon-kiwi juice!! And the breakfast cookie Muffin!!! UMMMM!!!

What I have learnt this week?

I have been reading the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was a Jew, living in exile in Susa. He was a wine taster for King Artaxerxes. The city of Jerusalem was all broken down and the Jewish people living there had not bothered to repair the protective wall around it. The situation was desparate. Nehemiah hears about this and he is saddened by this situation. Through a series of events he returns to Jerusalem and rallys the people to begin rebuilding the wall. There are a number of people who are opposed to this and try a number of ways to distract Nehemiah from his task. They try scaring them away, they try shaming them and even they try tricking them, but Nehemiah stays focued on his task. In chapter 6, the priest gets into the act and invites Nehemiah to the temple to talk about the project. Nehemiah rejects the meeting realizing that this was a trick to get him away from his job.

I admire Nehemiah for his belief and focus. He believed that God had brought him back to Jerusalem for the task of rebuilding the wall. God provided him with the materials and the knowledge of how to do the job, also with the ability to motivate the people to do the job. He was not distracted from his task even by what would appear as significant opposition and obstacles. Also he was not tricked into abandoning his mission even by what would appear as religious activity.

It is easy to confuse religious activity with God's plan for our lives. Here at Handong there are so many good religious activites that one can get involved with. I am reminded that I need to follow the plan that God has called us to and not to become distracted by other 'good' things but focus on the areas that God has in mind for me.

Mom

Breakfast Burrito

I figure that since Wes shared a recipe made with left-overs that I could do the same. Dad and I call this Breakfast Burrito.


You will need Burrito Wraps or make your own which is very easy. Just flour, water and salt. You will need a frying pan, a hot element and a little oil (very lightly oil the surface of the pan or use a non-stick pan which is best).

Left-overs: We have used left over chicken, vegies or rice and bean mixtures. Just about anything in the frig will do. Warm your leftovers. Add additional spices such as garlic powder, salt and pepper and Thyme or Oregano to make a savory filling for the burrito.

Assemble your Burrito: Lay out your wrap, draw a line down the middle with mayonnaise, mustard or sweet sauce, then add your left-over filling. Don't use too much of the filling. Lay it out in a line down the center of the wrap - approximately 1.5 inches wide, the width of the wrap. Starting on one side, tightly roll the wrap around the filling, creating a log-shaped burrito. If you wish you can fold in the ends to prevent the filling from falling out before you begin to roll.

Now you should have your Breakfast Burrito completed and it's time to enjoy. Cut in half, pour yourself a cup of milk or hot milk coffee and add a cup of yogurt and now you have a complete breakfast.

Mom

Dad's apple.cheese muffins - my unique recipe

Well, I'm like Nettie - I'm not real good at following directions, instead prefering to deviate from the norm and improve upon the original (which rarely works, by the way, but sometimes I experience success!).

Here's my recipe for "apple/cheese muffins", which has been altered somewhat from the original - for this recipe, it's best to use a tart apple (medium to large size) and sharp/old cheddar cheese - the yellow cheese adds more colour, but old, sharp whit cheese is delicious too!

Here goes:

The basic recipe is found in the Wycliffe International Cookbook, but you can adapt from any basic muffin recipe:

Combine:
1-2 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk or yogurt (250 ml.)
1/4 cur oil (virgin olive oil is best!)
Add pieces from peeled, cored and cubed apple

Combine separately and add, siring only until flour is moistened (if using yogurt, you'll likely need to add more yogurt or some milk)
3/4 teaspoon salt (4 ml.)
1 tablespoon baking powder (15 ml.)
1/4 cup white sugar (I'm NOT like Nettie in this department - the more, the better!)
2 cups flour (500 ml., sifted)
1/2 - 1 cup cheese (the more the merrier!)

Be care not to overmix - the batter WILL be lumpy. Fill greased muffin pans 2/3 full. TOP WITH 3 - 4 PECANS OR SOME CHOPPED WALNUTS TO SUIT - this adds extra flavour as the nuts roast in the oven. Bake at 400 F. (205 C.) for 20 minutes. Remove pan from oven (remembering to use oven mitts!!!) and loosen muffins - wait for 10 minutes until muffins are cooler and then remove (less muss, less fuss!).

The muffins can be halved and topped with cream chesse, butter or margarine and jam -personally, I like apple jam, but your Momma prefers raspberry - ENJOY!!! (sorry, no pictures, but you know what muffins look like!!!)!!!!

Love you all lots!!!!!

Dad
XOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOOXOXOXOXXOXOOXXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXXOXO

For all you runners out there . . .

As I know there are a few of us who like to get out and enjoy nature's goodness, while working off the fabulous meals that we have all been consuming, I though I would pass along a neat website I was introduced to recently. Its MapMyRun.com it allows you to, well, map your run. I checked and I know that it works in Ljubljana and Pohang . . . sorry Netty no go for Albania (at least not that I could see). You can map out a run/walk/ride and see how far it is in miles/km. A nifty little tool. The website offers more things as well, but I thought being able to map out a running route was pretty cool.

Breakfast post

Hi all

I am posting a slightly unconventional breakfast.  I have become a bit of an expert in using food that I have made for dinner for breakfast, just to point out this is not my favorite breakfast but this was what I ended up making for this week.

Breakfast Curried beans

One can of kidney beans
One can of navy beans
One can of Chickpeas
One onion chopped
One can of diced tomatoes
Garlic to taste
1 1/2 teaspoon of curry powder
1 teaspoon of cumin
1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

First put a little oil in the bottom of a put and add the chopped up onions and garlic to brown

Once the onions and garlic are browned add all the beans and tomatoes and let simmer

Stir in Curry, Cumin and Cayenne pepper and salt to taste

After you eat your dinner with the appropriate grains to make a full protein for dinner place left overs in a container and put in fridge

The next morning wake up and try to figure out what you want to eat for breakfast and then realize that you are completely out of yogurt and granola so decide to improvise.  Take the curried beans from the container from the fridge and warm up in a pot over the stove.  Make yourself a grilled cheese sandwich and fry up a couple eggs.  Put everything together and enjoy a slightly unconventional breakfast and start a productive day.

Love ya and I will talk to you Sunday

Sooooo.... what have YOU been learning???

Hey family,

I'm curious what everyone is reading for their Daily Food. I'm in the Psalms right now. It's so cool, I've been noticing how God is so faithful to those who are faithful to Him and who are following Him. He is their refuge, their strength and their defender. I really like Psalms 71:15 "My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure." WOW!!! how can we ever stop speaking about God's righteousness and salvation. There is no beginning to His righteousness or no end to His salvation. We can never say, 'oh, thats it for God's salvation, sorry you didn't make the cut'. NO!!!! God's salvation is forever, for us and for others. I had to look up what 'righteousness' means and this is what is means: upright, just, straight, innocent, true, sincere. So this means that God will NEVER be corrupt. He will never show favouritism. If I search for God with all of my heart, and you do the same, He will not show more favouritsm to you than me. He is also the one that we can judge our own actions because His actions are forever upright, straight and just! We serve such an amazing God!!!

So what are you guys reading about in your quiet times????

Introducing the ONE, the ONLY: Huckleberry-Lemon Sones-that-really-turned-out-to-be-a-giant-cookie-muffin-concoction! Ummm!

Well, if you know me even a little, you'd know that following recipies doesn't run in my bones. When I look at a recipe I immediately think about how I can decrease the fat, use honey or less sugar, and use w.w. flour. (I tried to make waffles with no butter or oil but with applesauce instead. Needless to say, somethings need to have fat in them. Decided by all) So anyways here is the what the recipe was SUPPOSED to be:

2 c. flour

3 tbsp. w. sugar

1 tblsp. b. powder

1/2 tsp. salt

6 tbsp. butter

2 tbsp. lemon juice

2 eggs, beaten

1/3 c. half and half cream

3/4 tsp. lemon zest

3/4 c. huckleberries

This is what it turned out to be

1 c. w.w flour

1/2 w. flour

1/2 corn flour

1 tbsp. b. powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3 tbsp. butter

2 tbsp. lemon juice

3 tbsp. applesauce

1 tbsp. honey

2 eggs, beaten

1/3 c. yoghurt

1 tsp. lemon zest (I got a little carried away with the zest. I had to pack it in the tsp. to call it a tsp.)

jarred blueberry like things (because I don't know what huckleberries are, AND because someone had left us these jarred blueberries, at least thats what we THOUGHT they were!)

Anyways,... the concoction was good, but it didn't rise and kindof flattened like a giant cookie, but tasted like a muffin. So we ate a giant cookie muffin for breakfast. It was healthy, but definately needed more flour to make it more of a biscuit consistency. I liked it, my roommates thought it was OK but had a bit of a different taste. (Seems to be the way most people take my 'healthy' concoctions.) I've got a bit of a cold and thought it tasted fine! You can take what you want of the concoction, but I liked it!

Well, I hope that you guys have a great day! Love you heaps (Australian word)

Good Morning

You have just woken up at a little before 5:30 (thats am not pm) and have dragged yourself off for a run/slippery stumble in a foggy, rainy, hovering around +1, morning in Winnipeg. After returning and toweling off (that puddle looked shallow . . ) you head into the kitchen to try to scrap up breakfast. By now its a little after 6:00 (I didn't say it was a long run) and you only have 45 minutes to make and eat breakfast, post on the blog, package up lunch for the day, as well as brush your teeth, wash your face and comb your hair (who am I kidding . . . I never comb my hair), so what do you make? Rebekah's Breakfast of Campions, of course. A delightful concoction of Red River Cereal, sliced bananas, and a drizzle of honey, along with an orange, a glass of water, and potentially the cuppy of some home-made bread smothered in margarine (hey, I went running this morning!) I would post the recipe, but, its on the box of Cereal, and I think I might break copy right laws if I re-copy it here . . . lets just say it involves boiling water, a pinch of salt and . . . the cereal (exciting, I know). Well, I have past my alloted time to post this blog and now must run, only 20 minutes left before I catch my bus. TTFN (Ta Ta for Now)

My walk to church this morning . . .

Be jealous . . .

Learning Styles Quiz

*Learning Styles

Rate each of the following statements, depending on how true you think it is of you, by choosing a number between 0 and 4.

4 - Yes this is very true 3 Sometimes this is true 2 Occasionally this is true 1 Rarely is this true 0 Not true of me at all
1 When I’m reading, I picture the scene in my head. 4 3 2 1 0
2 I have a good memory for conversation. 4 3 2 1 0
3 I will remember something better if I have seen it written down. 4 3 2 1 0
4 I remember things best if I get up and move about. 4 3 2 1 0
5 I use my hands a lot when I’m speaking. 4 3 2 1 0
6 I like to picture what I am learning. 4 3 2 1 0
7 I remember phone numbers by the movement I make to dial to them. 4 3 2 1 0
8 I repeat things out loud or over and over in my head to remember them. 4 3 2 1 0
9 I doodle whilst I am listening. 4 3 2 1 0
10 I add up numbers out loud. 4 3 2 1 0
11 I can’t add up unless I can see the numbers written down. 4 3 2 1 0
12 I’m good at remembering the words to songs. 4 3 2 1 0
13 I prefer to watch something being done before I try it myself. 4 3 2 1 0
14 I like to ask a lot of questions in class. 4 3 2 1 0
15 I find it easy to remember where I last saw something. 4 3 2 1 0
16 I write out words to see if the spelling feels right. 4 3 2 1 0
17 I have a good eye for color. 4 3 2 1 0
18 I’m good a sports. 4 3 2 1 0
19 I am able to learn things off by heart quite easily. 4 3 2 1 0
20 I have a good ear for music. 4 3 2 1 0
21 I’m good at practical things. 4 3 2 1 0
22 If somebody gives me a set of instructions, I can remember them quite easily. 4 3 2 1 0
23 I tend to move around a lot on my chair when working. 4 3 2 1 0
24 I tend to fiddle and play about with my hands a lot. 4 3 2 1 0
25 I prefer to have instructions written down so I can see them. 4 3 2 1 0
26 I like to learn by doing. 4 3 2 1 0
27 I visualize a spelling to see if I have got it right. 4 3 2 1 0
28 I run a film in my head of what I have to learn. 4 3 2 1 0
29 I prefer to learn through discussion. 4 3 2 1 0
30 I like to hear exactly what I have to do. 4 3 2 1 0
31 I like to ‘just try it out’ rather than following instructions. 4 3 2 1 0
32 I like to learn by doing practical things. 4 3 2 1 0
33 I remember a phone number by the way it sounds. 4 3 2 1 0
34 I like to learn from slides and pictures. 4 3 2 1 0
35 I sing and hum a lot. 4 3 2 1 0
36 I like the teacher to use PowerPoint and write on the board. 4 3 2 1 0

*Honey and Mumford Learning Styles (1982, 1992)


Scoring

Each statement that you rated above indicates a preference for either a visual, auditory or kinaethetic way of learning and performing.
Visual learners find it easier to learn if information is presented so they can see it, and where they use their eyes or visual imagination to learn.
Auditory learners learn best by hearing and using their ears.
Kinaesthetic learners tend to learn best where there is a physical sensation, such as movement, touch or feeling.

Write down your scores for each statement and then add up your totals.

Visual Auditory Kinaesthetic
Statement Score Statement Score Statement Score
1 2 4
3 8 5
6 10 7
11 12 9
13 14 16
15 19 18
17 20 21
25 22 23
27 29 24
28 30 26
34 33 31
36 35 32
Total Score Total Score Total Score

Interpreting your score

No strong preference: If your scores for all three areas are similar, then you may not have a strong sensory preference for learning. If your scores are high (40-48 for each area), then you use all of your senses well to assist your learning. If scores are low (between 0 and 24), you may need to use your senses more consciously to assist your learning and experiment more with your learning.

A strong preference: The more marked the preference for one sense, the more you may need to ensure that you find ways of making good use of it, in order to make learning easier. Consider how you could incorporate into your study all the items, listed above for that sense. Be creative. You might also like to consider whether you would gain from using the other senses more.

Taken from: Skills for Success, The Personal Development Planning Handbook (2003), Stella Cottrell, Palgrave Macmillan, New York.

Dad's Favorites

Mcarthur Park: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG64qXz17Do

Mason Williams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z9nl3T31wI

Meatloaf: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I3yxGDXe5M

Salad week

Hey family,

so here is my most delicious thing I ate all week:

S-A-L-A-D. Ummm... salad with grilled veggies, fresh spinach, grilled beets (puts in some sweetness), and salty cheese. To top it off use balsamic vinegar! Ummmm... delicious!!!

Sorry no pics unless you want to see it the day after.... :P

Personality Quiz

Take the Fruit Personality Quiz. Do you know your personality.

Source: http://www.personalityquiz.net/foodtests/fruit.htm

Pick a fruit. Which fruit will you pick if you were handed one of these?
Take a look at the list of fruits below and choose one that is your favorite. Studies say that your choice reflects your personality, your inner self and your outer self.

1. Orange
2. Apple
3. Banana
4. Coconut
5. Pineapple
6. Papaya
7. Mango
8. Cherry
9. Black Grapes
10. Peach
11. Custard Apple
12. Pear



Orange
If orange is your favorite fruit; it speaks of a person who has enduring patience and willpower. You like to do things slowly; but very thoroughly and are completely undaunted by hard work. You tend to be shy; but are a reliable and trustworthy friend. You have an aesthetic bent of mind. You select your partner with care and thought; you love with all your heart, and are not in for just a fling. You avoid conflict at all costs.

Apple
If apple is your favorite fruit, you are an extravagant, impulsive and outspoken person; often with a bit of a temper. While you may not be the best organizer yourself, you make a good team leader; and are good at taking things forward. You can take quick action in most situations. You enjoy travel immensely. You ooze with charm when you are with your partner. You have an enthusiasm for life, unmatched by most.

Banana
You are a softie! Loving, gentle, warm and sympathetic by nature is the banana lover. You often lack in self-confidence and are quite timid by nature. People often take advantage of your sweet temperedness, and sheer vulnerability to a situation. You adore your partner in every which way, both for their mental and physical beauty! Because of the way you are, your relationship is always, very much in harmony!

Coconut
The coconut lover is a serious, very thoughtful and contemplative person. Though you enjoy socializing, you are particular about the company you keep. You tend to be stubborn but not necessarily foolhardy. Shrewd, quick-witted and alert, you ensure that you are right on top of any given scenario, especially at work. You need a partner with brains, and while passion is important it certainly isn't everything for you.

Pineapple
You are quick to decide and even quicker to act. You are brave in making career changes; if that is what is to your advantage. You have exceptional organizing abilities and are undaunted by the size of the task at hand. You tend to be self reliant, sincere and honest in your dealings with others. Though you are not given to making friends very quickly, but once you do, it is for life. You rarely, if ever, make romantic overtures. Your partner is often impressed with your sterling qualities but disappointed in your ability to show affection.

Papaya
You are truly fearless and take much that happens in life, in your stride. You give considerable thought to things you do. You have a sense of humor that along with your generous nature keeps you in most people's good books. You are a go-getter in your professional life, and have a knack for being in the right place at the right time. You enjoy meeting new people and seeing new sights whenever you can. Your sense of humor is what attracts members of the opposite sex to you more than anything else. It is simply charming!

Mango
A mango lover is a personality to be reckoned with; quite often you are a person who has quite fixed ideas, and influencing you is no easy task. You tend to be an extremist with strong likes and dislikes; and at times even like to control a situation. You enjoy getting involved in something that presents mental challenge. Strong as you may be, you are like a kitten when you are with your partner. You accommodate the love of your life, and make up for all the strong will elsewhere!

Cherry
If cherry is your favorite fruit, life isn't always as sweet for you. You often face ups and downs, particularly professionally; and find that you make small sums of money, instead of a lump sum. You have a fertile imagination and are often involved in creative pursuits. You are a very sincere and loyal partner; but find that expressing your feelings is not very easy. Your home is your haven, and you love nothing more than being surrounded by close family and your beloved partner.

Black grapes
You are a polite person in general, but do have quick flare-ups of temper that cool down just as quickly. You enjoy beauty in all forms, including beautiful people. You are very popular because of your warm, gregarious nature. You have a zest for life; you enjoy every thing you do, right from the way you dress, to your style and élan in your day-to-day life. Your partner must share your zeal and zing for life… to enjoy all you have to offer!

Peach
Like a peach, you enjoy the juice of life… it all its lush ripeness! You are the friendly sort, and are quite frank and outspoken, which adds to your charm. You are quick to forgive and forget; and value your friendships highly. You have an independent and ambitious streak in you, that makes you a real go-getter. You are the ideal lover, fiery and passionate but sincere and faithful in love. You don't however like to display all that passion in public.

Custard apple
You are a modest and conservative person; who can be quite sensitive at times. You tend to be thoughtful and contemplative, and therefore are rarely rash in doing things. You are quite ambitious; and are good at anything that requires much detailing or working with numbers. You are quick at finding fault with others. While looking for a partner, you value a person's intellect far above their looks or good old passion. You are quite shy and not very comfortable demonstrating affection.

Pear
If you put your mind to something you can do it successfully, but by and large you tend to be fickle and have trouble completing a task with the enthusiasm you started it with. You need to know the results of your efforts almost immediately. You enjoy mental stimulation; and love to get into a good discussion. You tend to be a restless and high-strung person, and are easily excitable. While you are quick to strike up a friendship with someone, maintaining it does not seem to be easy for you.

Yeah, yeah, I know what you're all thinking - he's late! But au contraire - he's just on time!!!! [and oh so good!!!!!]. Here it is, your father clearing the bar that he set so highly last week - last perhaps, but better-than-ever!!!!!

Just what you're all waiting for: TA DA!!!!! Dad's "new and improved" pancakes!!!! Pancakes with a delicious twist - absolutely mouthwatering!!! [by the way, this post should also qualify me for Wes' next challenge - a creative and mouthwatering breakfast - whaddya think?!?!?!? Anyways, here's the recipe:

Basic recipe

2 eggs

1 cup white flour

8 ml. baking powder

3 ml. table salt

Enough milk to make a creamy batter

Filling

1 large apple - peeled and cut into thin slices

1/4 - 1/2 cup craisins (raisins may be used in any household other than one in which

your Mom resides!!)

Topping

1/4 bar of melted margarine

1/2 cup brown sugar (dark, molassis sugar is best)

Cinnamon - to taste

(Work mixture to desired thickness: complete the topping last so it is still warm and

pliable)

Work pancake mixture with a whisk or an electric beater until smooth and creamy (don't

over-beat). Mix in the apple pieces and craisins (or raisins if Mom isn't around!). Set aside.

Oil up the ol' frying pan (olive oil is recommended) - wipe off excess oil with a paper towel

(IMPORTANT: DON'T do this when the oil is hot - I found that out the hard way!!!!) until

only the bottom of the pan is moist. When heat rises from the oil (very important to wait

until the oil is very hot!!!) pour mixture into the pan until it can be spread over the entire

bottom - make sure that the apple/craisin/raisin mixture is also spread fairly evenly over

the bottom!!). Reduce heat to medium. Wait until mixture is hardened, then flip (not easy, but you'll get the hang of it!!) - further reduce heat and allow the pancake to also brown on the other side - the filling will get warm. Repeat process with other pancakes (makes four).

When the pancake-making process has been completed, place one pancake on a large plate, pour on the topping mixture (to desired gluttonous levels), and then pour a small amount of maple syrup over the whole shabang - eat with a full appetite (and a knife and fork!!!!). ENJOY!!!!!

There, now wasn't the wait worth it?!?!

I love you all!!!!!

Dad

XOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOX

Mom's Contribution to Recipe Challenge #1

OK. I don't want to be shamed so will add my recipe of the week. Sorry I forgot to take pictures. This week Dad and I invited two groups of students over for a meal. Initially they were suppose to come together but unfortunately that didn't happen so we had two meal on consecutive days. Since the main event was a success the 1st time, I created the same dish on the second night with a few variations due to the fact that we didn't have all the ingredients.

The recipe is called Pork and Broccoli Stir-Fry. On the first night I used Pork Tenderloin which is very easy to optain here and relatively inexpensive since Korean people don't usually use Pork Tenderloin. It doesn't have enough fat on it for their dishes. First I sliced it very thin and marinated it in wine, garlic and ginger all day - prepared it in the morning so that it was ready for using that evening. That evening, I stir-fired the pork and set it aside. Next I seperated 2 bunches of Broccoli into small florettes and cut the stems into slim sticks. I sliced two bell peppers, one red and one yellow and 1 carrot into slim sticks also. Using a small amount of olive oil in the bottom of the deep frying pan, I stir fried the vegies for 5 minutes. To make a sauce, I removed some of the sauce from the meat and added salt, brown sugar, pepper and a couple tablespoons of cornstarch and a couple tablespoons of soya sauce. After mixing this together thoroughly, I added it with the meat to the vegie mixture. You need to turn the heat down and stir in the sauce and pork, stirring it often until the sauce begins to thicken. After some adjustments with salt and sugar, I arrived at what I thought was a tasty combination. That night I served it with rice made with chicken boulion. I served the stir-fry on a platter which we put in the middle of the table so that everyone could easily help themselves. There were very little leftovers that first night so the next day I had to start from scratch again.

On the second night, since we didn't have any more pork tenderloin so I used some thin pork cutlets that had been left in our freezer by the woman who lived in our apartment when Dad and I were in Canada/Europe. She stayed here for a change from her one room place and to take care of our plants. Anyway, she nicely left this package of pork in our freezer which was very much appreciated since it saved me from having to go into town to find more meat. I did the same in that I marinated it first. We thought that the wine made it quite sour the first night so I used apple juice and soya sauce the 2nd night and added onions. Again I marinated it for most of the day and just before they arrived, I stir-fried the vegies and made the sauce. I didn't need to add as much sugar the second time as I had used apple sauce for the marinate. Actually the second time, the dish was tastier than the first. Instead of rice, I prepared potatoes on the second night. Dad helped me to peel 6 potatoes. I cut them into thin wedges and placed them on an thickly oiled cooking sheet. I then sprinkled it generously with the famous Red Pepper Garlic Seasoning. This is Dad's favorite and when I was home I brought back 2 additional bottles. The brand name is Club House and can be purchased at Superstore. Before putting it in the oven, I stirred it, coating the potatoes in the oil and seasoning. I placed it in a hot oven, 250degrees C. It took about 15 minutes to bake the potatoes, but you need to open the oven and stir them around every 5 minutes. When they are tender and slightly bown, they are done.

Both meals were a success and there were very little left-overs at the end of each meal. Mind you our guests were students so they will eat anything and lots of it so that is really no surprise. Also they will eat anything that is homemade, a treat from cafeteria food or trying to cook on their own.

On both evenings, the conversations were good and we had a good time with both groups. The first night was 4 extra people and the second night was just 2 people. Both groups were mixed, men and women so of course, your father had a great time teasing the women and conjoling the men.

So that's it - two meals of Pork and Broccoli Stir-fry made slightly different but with the same result. You can find the original recipe as it should be made on the internet but one has to work with what you have and adapt for the situation.

Mom

Challenge of the week

Hi All

I realize that the week is still not yet up and there is still time to get your food post up (mom and dad I am looking your collective direction as your children have been successful in meeting the challenge criteria, even if Lynnette's post is a little questionable).  I would also like to point out that both mom and dad should be submitting their own recipes and entries to these challenges.  We all know that you both can complete each others sentences and are often thinking the same thoughts but still we know that you can both cook so there is no excuse not to each post something to the blog.

Anyways my new challenge for next week is breakfast.  I know that everyone in our family loves breakfast so prove it by posting what you made for breakfast (I guess we can allow food that was not made this week), the only catch of it is that you have to make your recipe your own.  Now to explain what I mean.  We all know how to make french toast and pancakes but what did you do to make your breakfast unique to you, this could be a different topping than what we normally have, or perhaps the addition of an unusual spice or it could be something that no one has ever had before.  If you have never taken a recipe and made it your own now is the time.  This week my challenge to all is to post your unique breakfast recipe (it does not have to be made in the last week but lets be honest if it is delicious why wouldn't you want to make it anyways).

I will talk to you all later.

P.S exploding eggs supreme is not an acceptable submission mom

P.P.S since it is generally dad who does the making of breakfast I think that we will give mom a pass on this challenge (unless she wants to prove us wrong)

Double Date

Sooo.... a few weeks ago Pastor Edi (his name is too long so P.E. for short in this story) invited Tracey, Blerina (my language teacher) and myself out for dinner. I asked Tracey to be my date and she, naturally, agreed. The OM team is secretly hoping that P.E. and Blerina hook up, so we like to try and encourage them! But we couldn't go for supper for a few weeks because things kept coming up. But last night we finally did it!

The night began like this:

6:00 pm: Tracey and I went to the church to meet Blerina and P.E.

6:30 pm: Tracey, myself and P.E. went to go pick up Blerina who was still getting ready. (typical)

6:40 pm: back at the church because P.E. had bought us three girls a blue rose (which was given to Blerina) and then we had to go back to the church because we had to put the rose in water.

6:45 pm: while waiting for PE and Bler. to put the rose in H2O I rode a bicycle.

6:50 pm: we are on our way but to where??? PE. jokingly says Durres. We say 'yes', and he says OK.

7:30: driving around in Durres trying to find this one restaurant that PE. wants to eat at.

7:35: pull over to ask people

7:38: driving knowingly on a one-way... the wrong way.

8:00: finally at the restaurant and ordering. We ate baked fresh fish that still had its teeth, eyeballs, and fins! Ummmm.... really good actually!! And risotto with 'fruit of the sea', meaning random pieces of sea animals like shrimp, octopus tentical (yup only one), some random squishy thing, and something that looked like a small tongue... (ewww) but really delicious. Oh and mussles, Ummmm mussles! The dinner was good with only a few stupid things spoken by yours truely, a good start! :P

9:30: finished (no toliet stop here because the toliet was TOO smelly) What to do now???

9:45: in an akullore (gelati/ice cream) shop for some ice cream. I got three flavours: chocolate, a lighter coloured chocolate and biscotti. How did I get those flavours? Well, that is the joy of language learning, I pointed to one flavour and asked 'are these chocolate?' (pointing to the two chocolate flavours) or so I thought, but I guess it sounded like 'ummm i'll take these two chocolate ones" because thats exactly what I got. Ha ha! Oh well, at least I LIKE chocolate!

10:20: leaving and trying to find a bathroom so go to a little local. Since you can't just use the bathroom you have to buy something, ended up drinking a tea.

10:35: try to use the bathroom but come back out a moment later really embarassed and losing all the desire to pee, as I can't find the light, no toliet paper and the smell should keep anyone away by at least 10 feet.

11:00: what to do, what to do.... oh I know.... A walk on the beach!!!!!!!! Sooo beautiful! Sometimes you couldn't tell the difference from where the sea began and the sky ended, they were one! The moon was gorgeous and the clouds in the sky.... wow... wow!!!!!

12:00: left to go home

12:30 at home!!

We had an awesome time!! Wow, so good. Here was the random song that became the theme song to the night (because its funny, kindof sounding like a polka, and being really random!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pey29CLID3I

If that doesn't open go to youtube and look up Simon and Garfunkel "El Condor Pasa (1970)" (what would you rather be?)

Now, its almost 9pm and I'm exhausted because only got like 4 hours of sleep!! Naten e mire!

Raising to the challenge

I would first like to say well played Becky well played.  The first post with pictures and everything.  I am sorry to say that my post will not have pictures and I didn't invent the dish myself but it is still delicious.  As you all may or may not know A friend of mine just recently left Ljubljana and I inherited a number of the thing that she didn't want to take with her and one of the things that I inherited is a large amount of lentils.  Now I am not one to waste something but I have been having a hard time finding lentil recipes which are not soups until I came across this one.

This is called Masoor Daal (I believe that it is an Indian dish)

Step 1:  Bring 1 cup of red lentils to a boil with one 1 inch piece of peeled ginger in the pot, once pot has boiled for 2 minutes reduce the heat and simmer for about 8 minutes or until lentils are soft.

Step 2:  While the lentils are boiling add a generous amount of oil to a pot and saute 1 chopped onion until translucent

Step 3:  Add 1 teaspoon of cumin (either seeds or ground cumin), 1/4 teaspoon of tumeric, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (or to taste)

Step 4: Drain the lentils and add to the onions and let flavors combine for a few minutes over low heat

Step 5: Eat with rice and bread or if you are feeling like something a little different eat with eggs and with a little cheese on top for breakfast.

Step 6: start the whole process over again because it was delicious and super cheap to make.

Dad/Mom what happened to that recipe which you said that you were going to be posting soon?  I expected that you would be the first post.  Also Becky I must admit when I started to read your post I thought that you had actually went ahead and posted perogies (spelling ?) and sausage and I was preparing to mock you.

The first posting of the challenge

Surprise, Surprise, I'm the first one to post. I don't know if I'm going to do any more cooking this week, so I decided to make one of my favorite dishes that I "invented" in Germany . . . the one pot Mediterranean inspired skillet.

Recipe:

Slice 1 large onion and a couple of potatoes into thin rings. Fry in frying pan, until potatoes start to get soft.

Add sliced sausage, fry until cooked.

Add 1 thinly sliced red pepper

Add additional cut vegetables as desired: ex. spinach and tomatoes, zucchini and eggplant, kohlrabi, etc etc etc

Cook until potatoes are finished cooking.

Season with Italian Seasoning, Black Pepper, or go wild and try something different.

Me . . . the cook!
Now just light the candles, plate your food and . . . .
ENJOY!!!!