Tag: brownies

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Day 20 in China during the Coronavirus

Emily Short

Okay so! First and foremost, Zac made brownies!!! Bit of a back story… Last night Zac said he was going to make me the best brownies in the morning to make it up to me. I was thinking thank god since he forced me to get out of bed by stealing the duvet, making me freezing cold, just to get his phone as he left it in the bathroom (Yes, brownies was the price he had to pay)… Anyway, I was over my anger quickly because of his promise.

This morning came around, I was so excited buuut Zac wakes up and says “I can’t do it, I need more sleep, I’m getting old” I was thinking, okay he is very old, he’s probably only talking about another hour in bed. Fine, I’ll wait, who has brownies at 9am anyway… 4.5 hours later!!!! Ohh okay I see how it is. He emerges out of the bedroom and says “okay, I’m making you some brownies now.” My face was like…

I was in disbelief. OMG. Firstly, I was so patient! and secondly, HALF THE DAY WAS GONE. What happened to brownies in the morning?? It doesn’t matter, he was finally making me brownies and I’m appreciative of that. BUT THEN, he starts getting the ingredients out that he’s going to use to make them, things like oats and peanut butter, and I’m thinking oh my days, I have waited nearly 5 hours for flapjacks!?! He’s saying “Emily trust me, they’re brownies” I wasn’t convinced, so much so that I may have even got a little bit salty about it, I wanted brownies and now I’m expecting flapjacks… my hopes were destroyed. 30 minutes later after sitting in silence because I was so distraught thinking that I’m not getting real brownies, Zac walks out with steaming hot, gooey brownies… I tasted them… OMG they were scrummy yummy lumptious!! Of course, I’m not saying it out loud (that means that he won) but in my head, ‘I’m sorry I ever doubted you, you are the bestest brownie cook ever and I love them’, out loud it went more like ‘Yeah, they’re real nice. Thanks babe’… I’m smooth. He obviously knew I loved them though since every time he turned around I was stood in the kitchen picking at the brownie tray, hehehe! So yes, I can confirm Zac is a very trustworthy and competent chef, lucky me!!

Next! After eating these brownies…and the left over cheesy, god-like creation… and the other side meal of bolognese (Zac also made) I was feeling a little bloated and realised I needed to work on controlling my appetite. BUT as I said before, I eat like an athlete who has ran 5 triathlons! Anyhoo, due to this feeling I didn’t want to do anything but I got pushed out the door to go for a run with Lola, yes, I went on my second run! It’s going well! Missed the handstands again… I don’t think I can complete the handstand challenge, I’m too scared of the poo landmine field on every patch of grass near our apartment, also, there are so many random shrubs and trees, they’re in my way and are a little inconvenient, though they really enhance the aesthetic appreciation of the grounds since China is a concrete jungle. Then, after the run, I came back in and did an upper & core workout which is fab because obviously, I deserved another brownie! Yeah yeah yeah yeah!!! People workout for many reasons… I workout to eat more brownies, YUMMAY! Gawd I sound like such a fatty. It is under-control I swear!

That was my day, riveting isn’t it! So thinking about tomorrow, it is going to be the 3 week mark in isolation and we have survived! We haven’t gone completely nuts, we haven’t caught the virus (although Zac had a close call), we’re still engaged, so no real fall-outs, and we’re finding more activities to do to make this experience more enjoyable! In this case, I think so far we have been quite successful! Also, it’s Valentine’s day tomorrow! Wow, I never thought I’d spend a Valentine’s day in isolation, and my birthday is close so could also have a birthday in isolation, SAY WHAT!?! That would be very lame but as cheesy as it sounds, at least I’m with Zac and that’s all I really need. I’m so cute!

Tomorrow, we’re having a pizza party and I cannot wait because I haven’t had pizza in sooooo long! Yes, all of my main points are about food because currently, food is the way to keep me distracted from this ridiculous situation of just being inside of our house most of the time! Pizza, YAY, How exciting!

I hope you all enjoy and love your food as much as I do, I’m so happy for you!

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Day 16 in China during the Coronavirus

Emily Short

YAAY! Tomorrow. is. PAYDAY!!! We cannot be more ready for this as we finally get to leave the house for a real reason. We’re going to the shops (the only ones left open) and spending our money. Yeah yeah yeah yeah!! The plan of attack is; we’re going to the superstore, the only one that sells western foods like grated cheese and pasta sauce because we need to start baking/cooking fun things such as pizzas and brownies to get us through the days since we’re going to be stuck in this situation for a while! I’m really hoping that Ikea is still open because I want to treat us to a new pan. How exhilarating. I burnt our other one and we need to get this necessity to survive this boredom just in case all businesses completely shut. We have NEVER cooked so much in our lives.

I was so happy when Ikea opened last month, it’s brand new in Guiyang and as soon as you step in the building, its like Narnia, you feel like you’re back in England again. It’s home… within Sweden. Imagine living in China where all signs are in Chinese characters, everyone speaks Chinese, and you only ever see all the Chinese ways. Then suddenly, as soon as you enter Ikea EVERYTHING is in English (also, Swedish and Chinese). What a dream. I really think that English signs, Ikea meatballs and flat-packed furniture is what I need to remove myself from this isolated experience.

Ikea also check your temperature on the way in. #Coronavirus

Anyway back to the plan, after we spend a lot of money by getting all of our yummy food and new household items, I am going to order us a couple of burgers from one of the only delivery restaurants that is still open. Praying that this specific place is still delivering because the burgers are incredible. I know, strange, I’ve been to America, Australia, most European countries and CHINA is where I think I have found the best burger I have every had (Stubborn Bull Burger, for anyone wondering). I also think we deserve a break from cooking. Usually these burgers are rapid at arriving to our door BUT the security doesn’t let any non-residents inside of the area anymore. This does mean I will have to walk to the entrance to collect these delish burgers myself (not really door-to-door service is it) but I think I’ll be able to handle that, so exciting!

Talking about security, overnight they have implemented two new things. I told you they would have an update! First thing is that everyone has to scan the barcode and fill in the online form using their phone by answering a few questions about their identity and accommodation on site. Obviously, I can’t read Chinese and can barely speak the language, yet the staff still insisted for me to use the online form. I spoke into my translator and said can’t do that, I’m English and I can’t read Chinese, so they let me through. That wasn’t too tough but I mean come on, there’s no way they can expect me to be able to read Chinese when they know I’ve only lived here for 5 months. Second thing, Lola is not allowed outside of the accommodation area anymore, so bad! How boring is it going to be for her now just walking around in circles in the same place because we aren’t allowed to let her off the lead either. My poor baby. I guess this means we’re going to have to take up running! In this case, thank you Lola for keeping us fit.

Okay, back to the plan, after eating these incredible burgers, we’re making brownies, Zac doesn’t know this but I’m pretty sure he won’t disagree, also I need his help since I fired myself from being the chef and he says brownies are his niche… I’ll believe it when I taste it!

After a day of eating yummy food, finally! I’m pretty sure we won’t have a reason to be bored anymore because we’re going to want to just slump anyway. See, I’ve got it all planned out. We need a day like this, Zac is still ill… has now developed a cough (coincidently when I asked him to take the dog out)… I swear it better not be this virus! I don’t think it is, he hasn’t been outside and we’re quite cautious of what’s hygienic and what’s not. Probably still has man-flu. “I can’t go out *cough* *cough* I’m sick” Gretchen Weiner, Mean Girls. I’m kidding, he’s not putting it on, my little big fella is actually sick so that’s why we need brownies in our lives! For me, I’m a good nurse and I’ve worked out today so I deserve it, YAY!