So a couple of weeks ago I ventured to make pumpkin bread. It's kind of hard trying to bake things here because they don't have a very wide variety of flours to choose from. I decided to make my own oat flour for it this time. The first try turned out pretty good. It was extremely dense and spongy. It was ok alone, however, it was fantastic as french toast. I would make this again just for the french toast!
I tried making pumpkin bread again, changing up the recipe just a little bit. I used applesauce instead of oil, no milk, and less flour. This time it turned out to be more of a gooey spoon bread. It was kind of fun eating bread with a spoon. It was really yummy with soy milk or peanut butter!
So, here are some more pictures! I just loved the stunning city!
This is Sis. Rippy who took me to see the city on Friday morning. She was so great!
Friday afternoon, mom and dad were done with meetings so we spent the rest of the day together sight-seeing. First we went to see Big Buddha. We went more to see the view of the tram ride up there than the Buddha. It was very beautiful and green! We were lucky to have a tram to ourselves on the way up. On the way down we were with a group of Thai people and I was able to see dad in missionary action. He talked a lot about the Gospel with him! Hopefully that started a spark!
(There was a little touristy village to shop and eat at the top. I really enjoyed that part.
(Chopsticks anyone?)
That night we went up to the Peak. It's a peak that overlooks the city, and the view of the city is unbelievable. We had dinner and then enjoyed just looking at the city. It was very peaceful and indescribably beautiful. I really have seen nothing like that ever. The pictures do it absolutely no justice, but WOW! I felt like I was in the middle of a fairytale! That was definitely the highlight of the trip.
I won't talk a lot since there are soooo many pictures! I took way too many pictures of the buildings because they were just so amazing! I have never seen anything like it. Yeah, it's way bigger than NY.
After spending a relaxing morning with myself on Thursday, I had lunch with all of the couples and then we went to the temple. It was a really nice, uplifting experience. I'm sad I can't go more. The little bit of grounds inside the temple area were beautiful!
After that we took a tour of a huge garden/park right in the middle of the city! We were all amazed how we couldn't hear any of the noise from outside. It was so peaceful and beautiful!
(The tree of like) :)
We took the star ferry back to the hotel after dinner, and I was absolutely mesmerized! I seriously couldn't tear my eyes away from this spectacular, one of a kind sight!
(Mom's very artistic picture!)
One of the senior sisters took me around the city on Friday morning. We took a 'ding ding', shopped at a market, and saw a 360 degree view of HK. It was very fun, and I'm so grateful that she would do that for me!
Sorry for not posting last week. We had a super quick trip to Battambong Saturday-Sunday. There's a video showing the trip back. It's not good quality but at least it gives you a little flavor for the country.
So, some of you saw on facebook, but I had a scary little run to the hospital on Wednesday morning. I woke up around 4:30 am with extremely, extremely, severe stomach pain. It was sharp and everywhere. I'm not kidding when I say I honestly have never been in so much pain in my life. I called mom and dad to come down because I couldn't move. They then took me to the hospital. It was kind of neat because before, the guard helped dad give me a blessing. It helped me calm down a little bit. Once we were at the hospital they gave me an IV to get some pain medication going. They were Khmer doctors so I could barely understand their english and I felt half delirious from pain, so I probably didn't tell them very well what I was feeling. I now understand what people mean when they say they passed out from pain. I nearly did. They also did an ultrasound, all this time the pain medication was not working. They finally gave me some different pain stuff and finally that worked. So the results? Nothing. They didn't find anything wrong on the ultrasound. They did say I have a kidney infection, but that had nothing to do with my stomach. One doctor thinks it's an ulcer, but we don't know because I was tested negative for ulcers at home. Mom and I think it was an extreme case of the bubbles. She's always told me growing up that people go to the ER because of bubbles, and now I believe her 100%. That's a long description, sorry. Everything is pretty good now (other than my usual stomach pain).
Ok, on to happier things! Saturday night mom, dad, and I went out to dinner at the "Titanic" restaraunt. It's sits right next to/on the river. It's a really gorgeous restaurant. I got Khmer Chicken Curry, which is so yummy!
After that we went to the night market across the street. It's a fun atmosphere, and nice because it's in the "fresh" air! We didn't stay too long, but I fully intend on going back sometime.
They had tarps over some of the isles. Needless to say, dad did not go in.
After that we went to an adorable ice cream shop called "Toto". The name itself describes the place. It's very bright, all in white, and a very European atmosphere. Unfortunately they didn't have mangoes and sticky rice available right now for me, but mom and dad liked the ice cream.
BAKING!!!
I'm happy to say, I still have been baking up a storm over here! I was worried I wouldn't be able to, but that's nonsense! Last week I made really yummy banana chocolate chip cookies.
Friday, I made tart, but yummy Avocado Lime Coconut Ice Cream.
Yesterday, I spent the morning making granola! I made Peanut Butter Granola as well as granola that turned into Muesli!
