YES! AT LAST!!!

I'm HOoked up! YAY~!!~~ It's food network ALL day for SU! *giggle*
For those who have known me for awhile will probably never imagine those words coming from me. *laughs* I'm not exactly the type to watch TV or get excited over watching movies on the tube. Unfortunately for me though; classes at the Notter School only run from Mondays to Thursdays every week. What does a girl do on Friday? Saturday? and Sunday?
...well...
Other than homework, cleaning my tool kit, washing out my uniform, doing the laundry and studying for quizzes or practical exams... and blogging of course; there really isn't much me to do alone!
Food network does give my quiet little apartment abit of noise and makes it a little cozier. I still go about my business doing other things like reading cookbooks and magazines...or cleaning and the sort; I just leave the TV on to keep me company!
It reminds me of the time when I'd be in the kitchen cooking; eavesdropping on TV shows the girls used to watch in Sydney during our evenings spent together. Oh how I miss my babies and my friends back in Australia.
I've been moving on alright here in Florida; the weather is a tiny bit temperamental with the cold winds and humid heat...but it's pleasant I must say. I've also made a new friend who's been real sweet with helping me with wheels while I'm still working out transportation issues with my drivers license ..etc.
Maggie is from Washington state and we're having lots of fun entertaining each other in this fairly foreign place for the both of us. It's nice to have someone to cook for; have dinner out with and just hang out sharing experiences. We humour each other just chatting about our lives and discovering so much more about different parts of the world we're familiar with. I admit we do go about the day with a fair bit of miscommunication despite the fact we both speak perfect English... it's just the "type" of English which tickles us both! I sliced my finger on the edge of a fluted brioche tin in the sink while washing up in class one day... I approached Chef James for a "plaster" and everyone turned around with a confused look on their face..and he said "a what?"!
I thought about it for 2 seconds and rephrased myself. "May I have a band-aid please?" and I was understood. *laughs* There are a fair number of words which I use that Americans find amusing. I guess it becomes part of my Malaysian charm. *shrug* I still say it's a lorry..not a truck *grin*
So what have I been doing for food?
Nope! I've not been eating out much; I don't really enjoy the American 'cuisine'... they have around Orlando. It's not easy to find something I want to eat..so the only option I have is to cook it myself at home. Most places here are fast food chains like Mcds, KFC, Dennys, Wendy's..and diners with burgers and fries or grill steakhouses like TGI Fridays and a couple of Italian pasta places. The portions are ridiculously huge as well! It's not easy to go out to eat on my own without having Maggie around to spilt it with me. We both usually sit down to a salad entree and a main meal which we both share.It's nice at home anyway.. I have a pretty lake right next mine, a small clubhouse for us residents and food network to watch on tv! I've yet to see Ace of Cakes which everyone has recommended... it's showing on Tuesday this week...I hope I'll catch it then!
The only problem with food network is; it makes you hungry....
...Watching people make and eat delicious food
...and photograph that food so disgusting well;
it really is a problem for me! It's so evil.. it gives me cravings! I CANT LOOK AWAY!! *AHhHHh* I could almost taste it! My secret technique for not over eating and cooking too much for myself daily is by only making enough in small portions when I feel eating..and not eating set meals 3 times a day. I can go about my day with something hearty I've made in the morning...and eating small dinners at about 5pm when my tummy gets grumbly again. I only eat abit out of the pan till I'm just satisfied..and portions that I don't finish; I usually wrap in the refrigerator for another time when I have the munchies again! So... I never make too much for the day...and I can watch how much I eat.. to make sure I don't go overboard with the yummies! *giggle*
So what have I been making for myself?Hmm... baked baby potatoes with skins on, dashes of sea salt and melted mozzarella! This tastes so much better than deep fried fries or potato chips. Its for potato lovers who truly love the taste of smokey baked crisp potato rims and soft flavourful centers filled with creamy potato goodness! Ah!... a bowl of these with some baby carrots thrown in and its my perfect dig in for brunch! Carbs like these gives me enough energy for the rest of the day.

A week after my first grocery shopping run; I woke up this morning to no milk or eggs or bread. I needed breakfast...and I dug around for whatever I could find. I had the cereal...but no milk.. I had the instant oatmeal..but no milk.. *laughs* I had half a bottle of "half and half" which is made from half milk and half cream; but i can't exactly be eating cereal with THAT can I?!
I decided to use half that amount to make breakfast cookies coated in crunchy crushed cornflakes and loaded with chewy oatmeal goodness inside! The dried blueberries and cherries makes these huge delicious cookies much 'healthier'! Haha..alright I'm in denial.. they still have sugar and butter in them..but *shrug* what's a girl to do with no way out to get groceries? *sneaky grin* I'll have to wait till next week when I'll be driving myself around. I would love to share the recipe with everyone as they were so good and crisp! but unfortunately my kitchen is yet to be fully equipped with a measuring cup or weighing scale. I made these in a little mixing bowl, a large spoon and approximate amounts of everything! *laughs* It was a mix and bake which I put together purely from 'feel'; I threw in whatever I felt like..and added a little more of this and that as I went along. Sorry guys.. maybe next time. I'll try to make them again with good measurements.
It's actually a real pretty day outside..and I think it'll be a splendid idea to take a walk around the lake. I won't having time to enjoy the outdoors next week as classes are going to be absolutely insane! I'll be having 7am's till 9.30 pm's till the middle of the week... I better get in as much fresh air as I can now! We're making croissants and laminated doughs like puff pastry and danishes next week. I'm so very excited!