Yeah, Bones is my current TV addiction (aside from The Good Wife and Dexter which I started watching again) and it's probably a factor why I'm slacking in thesis writing. But really, I am just so unsure how to write it. 

My work is an offshoot, and quite frankly I don't know how to write something that is almost just the same thing. Yes, I was made to do more theoretical work on the topic and we were exploring new ideas that are sadly not yet in fruition but I feel conflicted. Very much so. I've hardly done anything new and I can't write, knowing that what I'll say has been already said. And I can't write based on what I think I can do just because, and it'll be so weird. 

I can't write not knowing what point I want to make. Crap. 

I'd love..

This weekend is slated to be a gift buying (and making) marathon here in our household. I love picking out gifts, but it's really helpful if I know what the recipient wants. It doesn't have to be anything super specific, just a good gauge of what he/ she wants or needs.

I already received what I wanted, thanks Lolo :), but I'll make a list of things I'd like to get just the same. It's fun to daydream anyway. Hehe

1. Tag Heuer Ceramic Watch (Daydream kung daydream!)

2. LX5

3. Logitech Comfort Lapdesk

4. Cute cable ties

4. Baking/ Desserts cookbook

6. Bag big enough for school but not too big 

6. Red shoes

7. Little planner

8. Publication

9. Good health

10. Complete family picture (Even though some of my cousins are in the US.)

 

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These photos are not mine, click on the images for their sources.

Cookie Phase

I've been experimenting with baking lately, more specifically cookies. Now that I know the exact temperatures on our oven knob, I can bake in ease. Hehe

Today Ina and I baked some sugar cookies and my left over cranberry oatmeal dough. The first couple of batches were a hit! However, in the third batch we lost LPG so we had to stop. I put the dough of the sugar cookies and the trays with the scoops in the freezer. Then after the tank was delivered, we finished the last batch of sugar cookies.

L-R: Baked at room temp, scooped then chilled dough,

 chilled then scooped dough.

Now, here are my observations as to baking cookies so far.

1. Sugar cookies should be baked with the dough at room temperature. It's okay to chill the dough for around 20-30 mins to ease scooping but leaving it to freeze and pop it directly in the oven is a bad idea. Sugar cookies are obviously laden with sugar and it's baked at a relatively high temperature (at least compared to chewy ones) and sugar tends to burn when it's heated long.

2. For chewy cookies, it is imperative to chill the dough and it's best that way before you place it straight into the oven. I think that's the thing with chewy cookies, the cookies are cooked slowly in relatively longer and at lower temperatures. The chilling is key to maintain its shape, believe me.

3. There is this thing with over mixing, I guess you just know it by feel. I can't really say how you can tell if a batter is over mixed; just mix your dough well for a couple of minutes after all ingredients are incorporated and some more unless specified. Luckily I haven't had a batch of over mixed cookies so far. I hear they're pretty hard.

Baking really is an exact science, and it pays to follow your recipe religiously. Just tweak it from there. :)

UPDATE 6/12: We made a superb batch of Banana Crunch Muffins (recipe by Ina Garten). I am so making that again the next chance I get.