Chan Weng Kit's Blogspot: Beef Bourguignon

Wednesday, 10 January 2018

DAY 494-498

Jan 7 - 11

1) As the year kicks in, I find that I am no longer able to update my blog as regularly as I have up to this point. In spite of trying my utmost best, the various responsibilities and tasks that I have on my hand even before school reopens is enough to keep me from my favourite past time. However, what I have to skimp on quantity, I will absolutely not when it comes to quality. I'll just have to learn to compile days of activities into one blog post, with plenty of pictures in between :)

2) So I celebrated my birthday on the 8th. My good friend Zi Yan met up with me at the library. I had a couple of things on my agenda on this day, a) find a study table; b) buy some slacks and sweatpants; c) film a short video for my Student Ambassador vlog; d) get a haircut XD; e) celebrate my birthday! So we tackled the most pressing issue first - filming a video of my college, to promote RCSI in my blog for Education in Ireland. Alas, it was not meant to be. The staff on duty mentioned that we needed a "work permit" in order to film at the college. So I would have to email someone at Student Services to obtain permission first.

3) On to the next bit - celebrating my birthday the only way we knew how - buffet lunch! I thought it'd be fun to have buffet at Jimmy Chung's, which coincidentally was the first meal we had when we were dropped off in Dublin all those years ago ^^. The food was really good, not to mention the myriad of cakes and desserts. After stuffing ourselves silly, it was time to search for a study table. I'm not kidding when I say we literally searched the whole of Dublin 1 (at all the accessory shops and hardware shops) before FINALLY finding a suitable table at Argos. It was two small tables for €22.50 - and at this point, that sounded very reasonable to me. Bought it $$

4) By this time, it was getting dark, so I decided against the pants and haircut, leaving it for another day. I took the bus 27b back to Beaumont - right in front of my new accommodation. Speaking of my new home, it has been lovely so far. Prior to coming here, quite a number of seniors advised me against putting up at Beaumont, as it had absolutely no 'city life' to it. While that may be true, I am perfectly comfortable with living here so far, as everything that I could want is within walking distance. In particular, I am thoroughly impressed with the variety of meal options i.e. frozen meals here. There's a supermarket chain called Iceland here, and they have some top-notch meals at really cheap prices. That's my go to place from now on.

5) Classes begin again on the 15th, this time in Beaumont. While I am happy to be in a new environment, part of me is dreading what might come next. Many have commented that this semester is brutally challenging, so I look forward to it with equal parts excitement and trepidation. That sums up my blog post this time, and I hope you enjoyed reading about it. Thanks for visiting, and hope to see you in the next one. Cheers!

Thanks buddy for celebrating my birthday with me!!

- at Jimmy Chung's Chinese Buffet

RCSI Library Beaumont - my soon-to-be second home :)

That is a torpedo sized bottle if I've ever seen one XD

Their desserts are par excellence <3<3

Apple crumble with a generous helping of vanilla ice cream

My two study tables :)

Beef bourguignon (a.k.a. beef burgundy) with mash potato

Iceland's very own fish pie

(with large cubes of salmon, haddock, and tiger prawns!)

Ham and leek gratin

Steak chianti ragu

Thursday, 22 September 2016

DAY 21

Sept 22

1) Today started off with me waking up at 7 a.m. sharp. Touch wood I have able to wake up punctually without the aid of an alarm clock, and hopefully will be able to keep doing so. Donned my pair of jogging shoes and left to jog at St. Stephen's Green. This morning was really quite chilly, to the extent that your fingers and ears would start to ache. *Thankfully* the cold receptors in my body have been completely destroyed, so I don't feel cold in my extremities anymore.

2) There was a photoshoot for the scholarship recipients today. Reached RCSI at 10.15 a.m. and had to wait a while before we were greeted by Ms. Flavia, along with the photographer for the day. They brought us to a studio where we posed for the university magazine! It was indeed an honour to have our photos taken, as well as to contribute a short testimonial on life in Ireland as a scholar.

3) With that taken care of, I made my way to the Students' Services to pick up my hoodie. It cost me €25. Worth it, since I only have one hoodie and winter is fast approaching. I then paid Dunnes a visit to do more grocery shopping for next week. Came back at 12, just in time to meet up with my friends for lunch at - where else - AK. Henry's. Today's meal was a little more expensive, since I chose the beef bourguignon instead of the vegetarian option.

4) Carried all my stuff back home, and proceeded to plot the timetable for my meals for each week. I finally settled on what to buy and how to cook it. Hopefully things will fall into place. Anyways, in the evening there was this rock-climbing event at Stillorgan, located in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown. It was my first time using the Leap Card, taking the LUAS, as well as my first time rock-climbing. I wasn't very good at it, but I really enjoyed it a lot! It gives me newfound appreciation for the athletes I see competing in Ninja Warrior, Sasuke etc.

5) At 8.30 p.m., we finally decided to call it a day. Took the LUAS line back to RCSI, where I, as usual, walked back home alone *sobs*. Cooked dinner tonight, and came to finish my blog for today. I am both physically and mentally drained today, so I'll end on this note. Thank you and goodnight!