Thursday, September 20, 2012

September-- Montaigne + Pumpkin + Tango = Joy.

Although it's still hot & humid here in Florida, I get all giddy when I know that Fall is arriving. Not only is it home of my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, but there's this exciting buzz in my world because I know that the holidays are approaching.

Since leaves don't turn beautiful golden and auburn shades in Florida, Autumn officially begins, for moi, when Starbucks begins serving their Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Mmmmmm. Sticking to my budget means that I can't get one every time I want one so I turned to trusty Pinterest to find a recipe. Found one for a Frappe. Didn't follow the directions completely but it was yummy. Nothing like what they serve at Starbucks, but that might just be because my blender doesn't like to crush ice.


This week for my French senior seminar ('Penser l'autre dans le context francographique') we had to read Utopia by Thomas More (1516), "Des Cannibales" by Montaigne (1580), and Le Quatre Livre by Rabelais (sometime in the 1500s). 


After finishing that INSANE amount of reading. I had to do something to de-stress :) So on Monday night-- by night, I mean, LATE at night-- I turned to Pinterest again to find a recipe. Found one for good old pumpkin bread but I changed it a little to make Banana Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins :)



Banana Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree

1 banana (would've done more but that's all I had)

4 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup butter, melted

2/3 cup water
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups white sugar (I substituted 1 cup Splenda)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour 
1/2 cup oatmeal
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin spice
1 cup walnuts (optional)

Thursday nights I spend 5 hours at the library trying to finish studying so that I can have some freedom on the weekends. I took a break and went to the Ballroom dancing club here at FAU where I learned the basics of tango. Oh my gosh, so fun!! Love it.

Good night! Back to studying I go!



Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Marcela n'est pas encore au Cambodge!

It's been almost 2 years since my last post. I obviously failed at blogging here but hope to bring this blog back to life. For more about my year in Cambodia check out the "Cambodia" tab on my Tumblr. I'll be posting highlights, lessons learned, treasured memories, and my scrapbook later, as well.

Say goodbye to my old blog! Marcela is no longer au Cambodge and, so, needs a new title. 


Can't wait to dive back into my adventure and share it with others! As well as share about the new journeys and challenges that I've encountered after coming home and those which are sure to come!