tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25495533944278788742024-03-13T15:05:26.050+00:00Elle ZhangElle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-83574627940892369252011-01-30T17:06:00.001+00:002011-01-30T17:06:21.798+00:00Politics - no apathy<div class="pp_items"><div class="pp_item" align="center"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/15dae71e-e634-4952-9610-338894222195_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><p>It's important to be interested, not apathetic. Because interest allows me to bring God's reign more effectively. To be interested is not the same as to subscribe.</p></div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-9165152780043968602011-01-30T16:59:00.001+00:002011-01-30T16:59:48.363+00:00Manchester in photos: Student and union protests against spending cuts<div class="pp_items"><div class="pp_item" align="center"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/a3cc725b-1751-470a-9065-bb6ca04c1ee1_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><p>I walked past the early conception of a joint student and workers' union protest along Oxford Road on a crisp cold Saturday morning, 29 January 2011. The police were out in anticipation of up to 15,000 protesters, although the final reported numbers came to less than that.</p></div><div class="pp_item" align="center"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/9751585b-5c42-44ef-846b-a23e88eb0fbf_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><p>I wasn't sure whether to bleep out the sign as I don't want expletives on my blog. However, blogging from my phone has it's drawbacks - no Photoshop!</p></div><div class="pp_item" align="center"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/bd605715-c916-4139-9c56-a915c7cef2f8_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><p>Police officers can has better camera than you, oh owner of phone camera.</p></div><div class="pp_item" align="center"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/e51d7bf7-52fa-4227-a2c7-756c299c8e7c_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><p>All waiting to march. </p></div><div class="pp_item" align="center"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/12f2588b-4072-4c31-86c1-da26f9379679_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><p>These men turned round so I can get a proper shot of their Socialist Worker newspaper. </p></div><div class="pp_item" align="center"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/8349b36a-d75e-4f65-a435-253adeef3755_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><p>Frontline of a peaceful protest.</p></div><div class="pp_item" align="center"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/f3fc9db5-b815-4137-8d06-89c69e61fa0a_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><p>Doing their jobs</p></div><div class="pp_item" align="center"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/c56844c0-53a0-4f44-b84c-00282bfe9b84_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><p>These horses attracted quite a lot of attention from passers-by not involved in the protests. The starting point of the march was in front of the Manchester museum in the university do lots of families with children were very excited about seeing police horses up close.</p></div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-18152311687011610272011-01-13T15:47:00.001+00:002011-01-13T15:47:45.127+00:00Mandarin or apple?<div class="pp_items"><div class="pp_item" align="center"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/6b77ced2-439f-45c4-8208-e6d327f40d53_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><p>Just a quick one of two drinks that I've never come across before. I think they are central American (correct me if I'm wrong). What does jarritos mean? In any event these were Mega-Sweet and made me even more thirsty!</p></div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-14154633419058737192011-01-06T23:04:00.001+00:002011-01-06T23:04:28.689+00:00Salvadorean breakfast<div class="pp_items"><div class="pp_item" align="center"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/38135a70-ed6e-4cdd-b226-e4f190e61443_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><p>Two pupusas filled with beans, pork and cheese. Scrambled eggs with rice and beans on the side. D took me to a local pupuseria where his mum used to work. All this for US$ 7. You can't argue with that. It kept me full until dinner time. D's mum is a legendary Salvadorean chef! Her pupusas are so good that customers used to ask for her so they could thank and tip her personally.</p></div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-60448904449087588292011-01-05T03:42:00.002+00:002011-01-06T20:51:34.133+00:00San Pedro Fish Market<div class="pp_items"><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/8e829636-a894-43be-a153-44da39feeb46_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
We took a drive to San Pedro so I could have some steamed crab. I got this half-tan from sitting at an angle to the sun for an hour while we had some of the most delicious seafood I've had in awhile.<br />
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This is D's order. He's big on flavours and ordered a pound of shrimp (prawns) from the Market which they then cooked on the grill with spices, butter, vegetables and potato. The result was sublime. The prawns were extremely fresh and albeit very messy to eat. You can order a whole mixture if different types if seafood. Just pick the type of seafood you want from the Market, then tell them how you'd like it cooked (with potatoes? Vegetables? Plain?). You then pay and get your bag of fresh seafood and receipt an you bring both to the ladies in the open kitchen who will cook it (the seafood, not the receipt) for you.<br />
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I had two huge fresh crab for US$10. Wow this was well worth it. I had to grab the live crab with tongs an shove them into a bag. This is then handed to the vendor who will weigh the crab and tell you the price. After paying, you get a buzzer which will page you when the crab is ready. I love steamed crab. Fresh crab is amazing on its own, no spices or condiments required.<br />
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I love this photo because it shows the perfect partner to seafood on a sunny day - cold beer! I wouldn't have minded a cold juice or soda either, as long as it's cold. It also shows the cute little mallet I had to pay a dollar for. Of course! How else would I have been able to eat my crustacean lunch? <br />
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Just to give you an idea of how much they were charging for prawns / shrimp. Shocking!!! My crab was sooooo much cheaper.<br />
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Grill em up! The aroma emanating from this cooking spot was wonderful. I was hopping on one foot and then the other eagerly waiting for D's to be ready. Like my Ma use to say of me: ni den dao jing chang le! Literally meaning 'you're waiting till your neck grows long!'</div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-5899880048765474512011-01-04T20:55:00.001+00:002011-01-04T20:55:10.528+00:00Vintage McDonalds<div class="pp_items"><div class="pp_item" align="center"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/be1524d8-525e-4861-a082-7a34e2d7073a_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><p>We were driving in a thunderstorm and D pointed out this old McDonalds. Apparently it's one of the first McD's in California. I took the opportunity at the red lights to capture a shot of history.</p></div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-34231829211106921602011-01-03T22:32:00.003+00:002011-01-03T22:37:05.694+00:00Sushiboy at LAX and another farewell<div class="pp_items"><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/52471510-3218-463e-bcc3-4fde89f65eea_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">This was a quick last meal in Los Angeles. My flight back to London was delayed by more than two hours and was given a voucher for a meal. Having had an overdose of calorie-laden meals for the past two weeks, I opted for an udon combo from Sushiboy. It was nothing to write home about. The broth, inari, seaweed and fake crabsticks were very ordinary. It came with a side of California roll. I'm not a fussy eater but I didn't finish this. It may have been the sub-par meal, but more likely me being very sad from having to say goodbye to D. I was too heartbroken to eat and was feeling slightly sick in the stomach.</div></div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-56556269934131921842011-01-03T18:11:00.003+00:002011-01-03T22:36:40.056+00:00Space part 2<div class="pp_items"><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/73b83d27-def6-47cd-a29b-a1fe3433779f_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">One of the things I love about California (besides the fact I'm not freezing my bottom off) is space. There is so much of it! I love being in or near a big city and yet able to see wide open horizons. I took a few shots of our journey to go sleighing in fluffy mountaintop snow. I'll need to ask D how we got there as I have a bad sense of direction and need to pay careful attention to be able to tell. I know we were on the freeway for about an hour in total. I remember a 10 and a 15 and some strange rock formations (see above) but that's about it.</div><br />
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Can you see the snow cap in the distance?<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">We went in a convoy of two cars. D scoffed at me for using the word "convoy". He used to lead convoys in the army and insisted this was not a convoy. I explained that two vehicles and above make a convoy. We are still in a disagreement on this point!</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">D's car has a sunroof. It was tinted and so everything looks grey. Cirrus clouds! Wahoo! Remember that from school?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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Oh boy will I miss the wide open roads and blue skies.</div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-43167247641764641882011-01-03T17:36:00.002+00:002011-01-03T22:38:08.722+00:00The Pike, Long Beach<div class="pp_items"><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/e9b6a581-6dfa-4b7e-9854-f74a00cdfd18_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
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We went to the Yardhouse for a leisurely beer and snack by the waters. To D's delight, we discovered the beer tasters which was perfect for us to have a little try of everything.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">The tasters came in two fixed sets, the white beers and the darker beers. Being a fan of Blue Moon and Hoegaaden (sp? I'm blogging from my phone) we chose the white. They came in six little helpings which look like they're about a third of a pint each. Perfect for two people. It became apparent that every white beer except one had a fruit as one of their ingredients. My favorite was the classic whitbeer without the hints if fruit. It's a shame that D threw away the list of beer names. I can only remember the beers by their fruit - apricot, tangerine, cherry, strawberry and blueberry. The flavored were subtle and the beers were definitely not sweet like the famous fruli ales. That worked well for me as I don't like sweet drinks (I dislike dessert wines or liquors like kahlua or midori.</div><br />
</div><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/3753efc0-72ca-4475-9c21-81f1d5c6468e_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">I ordered a plate of yardhouse's sliders. This came with a side of very thin sliced fries and a pickle. They were sooo good washed down with cold beer!</div></div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-81506052116011766132010-12-31T18:13:00.002+00:002011-01-03T22:38:59.926+00:00Breakfast at Coco's<div class="pp_items"><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/7f0aa068-ebeb-4427-a407-54abaab1f4ca_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
You've got to love a place where cake is an acceptable form of breakfast. We went for breakfast (it was almost lunchtime) at Coco's in Norwalk. D's breakfast combo cane with this coffee cake, which contrary to my expectations, didn't contain any coffee. It was a spiced pumpkin cake so I have to assume that the word coffee cake makes reference to the fact that you have this with coffee. Is that right? It was moist and rich, and came with whipped butter on the side. Seriously, American breakfast places put butter on everything! French toast, pancakes, crepes... I'm sure my eggs were cooked in butter. </div><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/95de9291-321c-4513-a940-be3463658380_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
I have my coffee black but was interested to know what these little cups of creamer taste like. I don't know what half and half or French vanilla is so I opened one of each to try. Half n half is sooooo creamy. I can't believe it goes into coffee. I expect a layer of fat to be floating on top of your cup of Joe if one of these go in. The French vanilla. Hmmm...where do I start. First of all I didn't expect this to be sweet but boy was it SWEET. it was pure corn syrup with artificial vanilla flavoring. Like the half n half, it was also very creamy. I think I'll pass on these but I'm glad I know what they taste like now.</div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-56613825270885327852010-12-31T07:21:00.003+00:002011-01-03T22:39:52.862+00:00If the helmet was white<div class="pp_items"><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/53d860d0-666e-4c94-a278-5eb16e2365be_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
I could be a Stig lookalike. I persuaded D to let me ride on his Kawasaki Ninja as opposed to taking the car. We kept bumping helmets at starts and breaks. Is that normal? What can a pillion rider do to avoid this?</div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-7729049634953655822010-12-29T15:52:00.002+00:002011-01-03T22:40:28.332+00:00A visit to IHOP<div class="pp_items"><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/e4ad3ab9-79a5-4d3c-9551-3732ded9128b_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
I think it stands for International House of Pancakes. Two eggs, sausage, bacon, ham and hash brown potatoes with a side of pancakes and 5 types of syrup. This is why I'm fat! A quick note about the bacon in America: it's always cooked to a crisp, compared to the more chewy, meaty bacon in the UK. I can't decide which one I like better. All I can say is I'm glad to be going home soon to my treadmill. </div><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/83f7b1a4-3be2-436e-a661-b05671045834_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-20782976807294903872010-12-28T17:40:00.002+00:002011-01-03T22:40:50.233+00:00Space<div class="pp_items"><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/79c1ce0d-320d-4bdd-b328-4cbfb2c3dbc1_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
Wide open spaces, snow capped mountains in the horizon, sunny skies and four lane roads. I will miss you. California you are wonderfully made by our Creator.</div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-50862226193855992692010-12-28T17:21:00.002+00:002011-01-03T22:42:59.527+00:00A Salvadorean Christmas dinner<div class="pp_items"><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/6e27f922-6d0f-4ccb-a74c-d81f3073a6ac_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
Not a turkey or brussel sprout in sight! The cylindrical thing is a chicken tamale which is really hard work to make but so delicious! D's mom wrapped masa around flavourful chicken shreds and cassava. This is done in a leaf and foil to form the cylindrical shape, stacked one on top of the other in a giant pot and boiled. D's Tia (aunt) made the rice and potato salad, both bursting with flavour and his mom also made the beef stew. I've never had any of these before but they were so good sprinkled with lots of cilantro and hot sauce. </div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-71508562349032323142010-12-28T03:59:00.003+00:002011-01-03T22:43:29.740+00:00Santa trap<div class="pp_items"><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/2d0662c0-c742-497e-b399-f73e471e2eb8_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
Little M walked up to me with an enlightened, excited grin on his face today. 'Hey do you know how to get Santa to come to our house?'. I said no I didn't know. 'You put cookies and milk out!' he replied. Apparently, someone in elementary school told him. So his mum bought some colourful Christmas cookies and let him pour out some soy milk (silk) because the Santa that visits his home is lactose intolerant. Personally, I found the green and purple colours quite off-putting. But sugar cookies are sugar cookies and they are yummy once you get over the unnatural hues.</div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-61087737920015292942010-12-27T17:08:00.002+00:002011-01-03T22:42:16.792+00:00Wienerschnitzel review<div class="pp_items"><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/76e50094-1a99-4fec-b028-39cd1140adff_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Just a quick stop by a nearby Wienerschnitzel, a fast food hut which will douse chilli and cheese over anything on their menu - fries, burgers and hot dogs. We got two chilli cheese fries and three chilli cheese dogs and settled ourselves on the open air seating. The fries were beautifully crisp and made to order, and the hot dog was grilled (not boiled - hooray!). A sloppy meal but I loved mopping up the chilli with the soft bun. This was the perfect salty, flavourful meal washed down with my favourite soda, root beer. I just wish diet root beer existed; I'll be its biggest fan. This was my first WS experience and I'll definitely be back.</div></div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-51599194154788461772010-12-21T15:25:00.003+00:002010-12-21T15:39:24.954+00:00Good news, bad newsGood news: I found the perfect puffer Coat - matte, machine washable, faux fur detachable hood, down-filled, tie belt - it ticked all my boxes. The Gap ones are super shiny.<br />
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Bad news: It's from Hollister and retails at $140<br />
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Good news: It's 30% off<br />
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Bad news: it's still $98, and there's a Calvin Klein equivalent (online only) reduced to $78 albeit without belt. And since the CK one is online only I can't try it. So am I paying $20 for the belt, the right to try it on, and the HCO logo which I actually <i>don't</i> want to be associated with as I'm not a teenage Betty surfer girl but instead a lawyer working in a chic and tailored English city?<br />
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Good news: I like the Hollister coat and unlike the CK, I dont have to pay shipping. After converting to GBP, it's cheaper than the closest M&S equivalent I could find (which isn't great).<br />
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Bad news: it's Hollister. And what if there is a further reduction in the next few days?<br />
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Good news: it looks and feels perfect on. I don't have time to track the prices of puffer coats. I spend enough time tracking securities and financial trends.<br />
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Bad news: side distraction, Betty size M?? Yes I chose M for some room for thick jumpers but I used to be a Betty S!<br />
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Good news: I'm not a teenager any more and I love the present and look forward to my certain future.<br />
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Bad news: aiihhh seriously, Hollister?<br />
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Good news: I bought the coat!Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-43310953762919745292010-12-19T05:54:00.001+00:002010-12-19T05:58:32.256+00:00Manchester-London Heathrow-LAXI'm now in LA! My previous experiences flying from Manchester to the US with Delta and American Airlines weren't too good. The three major issues were:<br />
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1. The airlines had layovers in a city on the East Coast, such as Philadelphia and Chicago. Connection times are often pretty tight and it's mandatory to pick up your luggage at your first US stop and then re-check in for the onward flight. Praise God I have never missed a flight but I've cut it seriously fine sometimes.<br />
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2. After 7 hours of flying, it's awful to know that you have another 5 hours to go. The flight from Manchester to London was under an hour long and then it was 11 hours straight to Los Angeles.<br />
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3. In flight service on the British Airways flight was SO much better!<br />
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Will post photos very soon once D gets off the computer. I'm blogging from his iPad. I love LA so far, and seem to have brought the rain with me from England. It's been raining a lot, which is totally out of character for the sunshine state.Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-88434701470896347602010-12-08T23:20:00.002+00:002010-12-08T23:27:07.119+00:00That H&M Du Juan red Christmas dress<div style="text-align: center;">Remember <a href="http://ellezhang.blogspot.com/2010/11/du-juan-and-sun-fei-fei-for-h.html">that dress</a>?</div><br />
Well obviously supermodel Du Juan looks perfectly svelte in it. Woowwweeet! As for me, I needed to get a UK size 12. The size 10 was unforgiving, and any form of unforgiveness is <b>out </b>as far as I'm concerned.<br />
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I wore the dress to my office Christmas party and we were accidentally-on-purpose arranged to result in an alternating red and black pattern. You can never go wrong with red in this time of year. No-ho.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P7C5Q-Spnms/TQARz5MrPRI/AAAAAAAAAUA/LZmflWTeEf8/s1600/christmas+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P7C5Q-Spnms/TQARz5MrPRI/AAAAAAAAAUA/LZmflWTeEf8/s400/christmas+party.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Photo <s>borrowed </s>taken shamelessly from L's facebook page. I hope she doesn't mind! I didn't bring a camera that night. I had a lot of fun but sadly fell ill the following few days. The venue (the town hall) was extremely cold. Incidentally, this was the night when my colleagues imparted some pearls of wisdom to me regarding "control underwear". Seriously, how did I not know they exist seeing as I could definitely use some? A google search the next day revealed that control underwear are in fact quite expensive so I didn't look into the subject matter any further. </div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-71394070375982962062010-12-07T21:09:00.003+00:002010-12-07T22:26:55.742+00:00Catch up - the past 2 weeks in photos<div class="pp_items"><div align="center" class="pp_item">My birthday outfit<br />
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All saints button detail off-shoulder top, uniqlo striped culottes, uniqlo heattech grey stirrup leggings, and Marks and Spencer's round toe faux fur cuff boots.<br />
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<img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/89e9e4ec-ac07-4576-b668-4f164f87b112_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
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Heavy snowfall outside my office window. After 5 years here, snow is still such a novelty for me!<br />
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</div><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/f912e97c-5ab1-4013-9e76-ae3524de11c7_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
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Student protests against the proposed tuition fees hike. Funny placard quotes included "First Dobby dies, now THIS??" and "Dumbledore is rolling in his grave!". Um, students, we want to be taken seriously yes?<br />
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Celebratory dinner at Giraffe with WP. We were celebrating God's goodness and faithfulness as she received good news that her contract as a travel copywriter is being extended. WP is a very good writer.<br />
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Farewell party, a send-off to good friends who are returning to South Korea after a stint in Manchester. In the photo I'm squashed between darlings Ju-He (leaving us! boohoo) and Charis, the brilliant owner and chief designer / buyer behind GRAFEA, a boutique of luxury leather goods. Link to her online store on the side bar --> This woman has Vogue magazines dating to before I was born!</div><div align="center" class="pp_item"><br />
<img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/89db497e-1f24-4ec9-a89c-7b8e42179dde_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div align="center" class="pp_item"><br />
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Glistening Beijing roast duck for my birthday dinner. Mmmmm... What a blessing! This was seriously yummy.<br />
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<img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/c0e85bcb-d2c3-42b2-bf3d-35a174c0e0ea_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div align="center" class="pp_item"><br />
A birthday gift basket put together by good friends J and WP :) Supersized mugs and marmite. They know me too well.<br />
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<img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/d2765bbf-aabc-439f-9169-88773dda842b_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
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Thank you Jesus.<br />
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</div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-60448029612213403892010-11-24T22:09:00.001+00:002010-11-24T22:13:25.308+00:00Du Juan and Sun Fei Fei for H&M<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_3PqTnwV8k/TNx4oMUSV7I/AAAAAAAARUc/-v6y40-ibug/s1600/Du+Juan+%2526+Sun+FeiFei+-+H%2526M+Spring+Summer+2011+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m_3PqTnwV8k/TNx4oMUSV7I/AAAAAAAARUc/-v6y40-ibug/s400/Du+Juan+%2526+Sun+FeiFei+-+H%2526M+Spring+Summer+2011+-+3.jpg" width="341" /></a></div><br />
Saw this latest H&M winter campaign on Market Street, Manchester today and nearly clapped with delight! Aren't they stunning? I'm partial to the red dress (£9.99); it's perfect for Christmas.<br />
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Credits: The image is the property of H&M, sourced from AsianModelsBlog.Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-87311271528646059292010-11-12T21:21:00.036+00:002010-12-07T21:20:43.139+00:00Pizza Express, Old Colony House, 6a South King Street, Manchester<div class="pp_items"><div align="center" class="pp_item">So it was the night before my birthday, and the night of the Christmas lights switch-on in Manchester. Here are some fireworks as proof!<br />
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<img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/76b4136b-5f90-4ff1-a698-a82aa163bdcb_b.jpg" style="cursor: move; max-width: 100%;" /><br />
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WP and I decided to go to Pizza Express at the Old Colony House. Pizza Express is a very well known and ubiquitous franchise in the UK, and they are very hit and miss when it comes to food and service standards. For instance, the worst Pizza Express experience I've had is at the Piccadilly Gardens branch. The service was poor and the food wasn't great. The only thing that was nice was the Sicilian lemonade, and that's because it came out of a bottle.<br />
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This Pizza Express at South King Street was miles better, and we really enjoyed our dinner there. WP ordered the Diavolo - hot spicy beef, pepperoni, onions and Tabasco sauce. Lots of green chillies!<br />
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</div><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/1698e365-adbd-48ea-b2c8-63b0d9e75030_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
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I ordered the Pollo Pancetta but substituted the red onions for caramelised onions (which was actually a chutney). This was yummy, the pancetta was perfectly crisp around the edges and there was plenty of cheese.<br />
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Check out the size of my pizza. I was undeterred!</div><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/efae274d-120c-49e9-9c24-db6bc293783a_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
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The get-up was very standard Pizza Express: clean, no-fuss and efficient. We were up for a no-fuss dinner and this ticked all the right boxes.</div><div align="center" class="pp_item"><img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/1fbf0545-eacb-47be-b8cd-0bdfaa2627e2_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
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This was the beginning of a long weekend of feasting and being non-vegan!</div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-45358457225325646532010-11-10T22:17:00.027+00:002010-11-10T23:13:46.547+00:00Vegan Zucchini / Courgette and Onion Mini Cornbread - Recipe<div class="pp_items"><div align="center" class="pp_item"><div style="text-align: left;">So it's only day 4 of my 40 day vegan trial and already I'm slightly frustrated at the lack of options available to me in the cafe at work. I love savoury snacks but there is always some form of lactose or egg-derived ingredient on even the most vegetarian option on offer.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So when I got home this evening, I decided to whip together a savoury snack I could pack to work which doesn't taste like grass, hommous or lentils. I found some cornmeal lurking in the kitchen and decided to make a vegan version of the traditional cornbread. Now I am no expert in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_food">soul food</a> by <i>any </i>stretch of the imagination so I appreciate this will be a very distant relative to proper southern corn bread. Nevertheless as someone who has been cooking since the age of four, I do have some common sense in the kitchen and promise you the final product is pretty yummy for something with no butter, milk or cheese in it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Firstly, get your muffin tray. I use these cute re-usable silicone cups from Asda. You don't need to grease these and they work so well. Very cheap too. Oh, and easy to wash after! Grate 3/4 of a <b>courgette/zucchini </b>(depending which side of the pond you live) into a bowl and season with <b>salt and pepper</b>. As you can see from the photo below, the mixture starts becoming mushy as the salt causes the zucchini to seep water.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="http://static.pixelpipe.com/ac5e315a-80d7-4543-a864-dfee6155d82f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/ac5e315a-80d7-4543-a864-dfee6155d82f_b.jpg" style="cursor: move; max-width: 100%;" /></a><br />
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Next, add <b>softened onions</b>. I'd softened these a couple of days ago and kept it in the fridge. I have a habit of softening a huge batch of onions at once and storing them so that as and when I fancy something quick, I don't need to chop and fry onions from scratch, stinking up the kitchen.<br />
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<img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/f09770d1-bdbd-41e1-8f69-7117c996f3bb_b.jpg" style="cursor: move; max-width: 100%;" /><br />
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Then add <b>half a cup of soy milk</b> and <b>4 tablespoons of oil</b>. This soy milk is sweetened because that was all I had but I don't think it makes a difference. Excuse the Old El Paso salsa in the background. My flatmate was making burritos.<br />
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<img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/42ec67ba-4dd0-4fd5-928e-7837a2a1ab5d_b.jpg" style="cursor: move; max-width: 100%;" /><br />
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Then add <b>a cup and a half of corn meal</b>. There's a story of how this cornmeal ended up in my kitchen but I'll save the story for another day. For now, I'll just say I didn't know this ingredient existed in UK supermarkets before and this is the first bag I bought.<br />
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<img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/d79f785d-a92b-4059-b8c4-3a5f9bcd6859_b.jpg" style="cursor: move; max-width: 100%;" /><br />
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I love the bright yellow colour of cornmeal!<br />
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<img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/3e13ae62-2991-477b-87d0-6cc9155e218e_b.jpg" style="cursor: move; max-width: 100%;" /><br />
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Mix it all in. Now, I know the next step will cause either<br />
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A: looks of horror and disgust<br />
or<br />
B: whoops of delight<br />
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as along with a teaspoon of <b>vegetable bouillon</b> and <b>turmeric</b>, I add a generous squirt of <b>Marmite</b>. I love Marmite. I have it almost every day, on crumpets with butter, on toast, in rice porridge, the list goes on. You don't have to add Marmite if you don't like it, but trust me, it's so good and doesn't actually taste that strong in the grand scheme of things.<br />
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<img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/df5c9218-7b04-4d35-a89e-5203c9fbe626_b.jpg" style="cursor: move; max-width: 100%;" /><br />
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Mix very well (remember you added bouillon so MIX MIX MIX). Spoon into the muffin moulds.<br />
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<img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/d6657a72-465a-4984-b9fa-97afabedb44e_b.jpg" style="cursor: move; max-width: 100%;" /><br />
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They call me yellow mellow...<br />
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<img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/f274fdb1-3185-460c-b71b-82215ee1cdc2_b.jpg" style="cursor: move; max-width: 100%;" /><br />
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Bake in a pre-heated oven at 190 deg celcius until golden brown. These babies took about 20 minutes. Just keep an eye on the baking in the last 10 minutes.<br />
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<img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/465dc0a0-9dcf-4af7-ac2e-1a883e3be3e6_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /></div><div align="center" class="pp_item"><br />
Mmmmm... I love the sight of shredded zucchini peeking out! The cornbread is on the heavy side as I didn't add any baking powder and plain flour so maybe I'll include those next time. However, I really like it this way as the zucchini keeps the cornbread moist and it's not crumbly at all, unlike some cornbread I've tried in restaurants. I like the slight pull you get once it cools down.<br />
Do try this at home! It's totally vegan and no animals were harmed in the production of this recipe.</div><div align="center" class="pp_item"><a href="http://static.pixelpipe.com/ac5e315a-80d7-4543-a864-dfee6155d82f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-71320339656637468852010-11-08T22:49:00.005+00:002010-11-08T23:01:57.140+00:00Vegan Day 2<div class="pp_items"><div align="center" class="pp_item">So as promised, here is my vegan lunch for day 2 - I forgot to take a photo of day 1's lunch and wolfed it down quicker than you can say "lactose-free". Say hello to my lunch box! It's quite boring but it's functional. I fancy some of the really cute bento style boxes but those are expensive so we'll stick with what we've got.<br />
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<img src="http://static.pixelpipe.com/d6179f4b-07ed-4101-b70f-ed3feb5bdc59_b.jpg" style="max-width: 100%;" /><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>Contents:</b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Some low fat hummous</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Carrot sticks</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Vegetable curry - I made this at home with some Japanese curry mix, cauliflower, zuchinni, carrot sticks (I'm going to turn orange), sweetcorn, onions and spinach.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">An orange</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">A plain bagel</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Some rice crackers</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Estimated total cost of all items in this packed lunch: £1.47</div></div></div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2549553394427878874.post-15980053259446642342010-11-07T21:32:00.000+00:002010-11-07T21:32:25.154+00:0040 days of vegan<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today I embark on a 40 day challenge I set for myself, something which I've been convicted of doing for awhile but never got to it due to lack of organisation and a general fondness towards eggs, cheese and protein. I am <i>particularly</i> fond of a good steak:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Before...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P7C5Q-Spnms/TNcVl0yufXI/AAAAAAAAATs/g5TqMNCfyGU/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_P7C5Q-Spnms/TNcVl0yufXI/AAAAAAAAATs/g5TqMNCfyGU/s400/IMG_0108.JPG" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>After...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P7C5Q-Spnms/TNcVmLM84vI/AAAAAAAAAT0/gEeE4i0d63I/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_P7C5Q-Spnms/TNcVmLM84vI/AAAAAAAAAT0/gEeE4i0d63I/s400/IMG_0112.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">I watched a programme awhile back documenting how our food is produced. Whilst I have nothing against eating meat, eggs and dairy, something wasn't right. Over the next few weeks, I felt a stirring in my heart to actively try to trace the origin of my foods. It was harder than I thought it would be! I couldn't be assured by the labelling on my food that the chickens of my eggs were free to roam or that my steak was a cow that was regularly let out to peacefully graze. I'm by no means a PETA champion but do feel that as stewards of God's creation, there is something to be said about making choices that encourage ethical farming. Farming issues are not just about animal rights, but include environmental issues, workers and farmers' rights, economic justice and health and safety.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Every time we buy something, we are casting a vote as to what we want: baby corn flown in from Thailand or potatoes delivered from a field 30 miles away? Affordable barn hens or slightly more expensive free range organic chickens?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The reasons I'm challenging myself to go vegan for 40 days are two-fold:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">1. The labels in the supermarkets are, in my opinion still not clear enough and can be misleading. I don't have very much time at all and certainly cannot spend the additional minutes deciphering labels. The problem of Freedom Food vs Free Range vs Organic vs Red Tractor vs Country of Origin etc etc etc is completely eliminated if I just cut out everything that came from an animal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">2. Free range meats are expensive! I can't afford them anyway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">As there are almost zero pure vegan options in my office cafe, I've decided to pack my own lunches to work. To make things a little bit more fun, I'll be documenting my work vegan bentos every now and then to let you have look at what a noob-vegan is learning to make/ pull together! Watch this space :)</div></div>Elle Zhanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13925673292148690549noreply@blogger.com0