Sunday, 6 October 2013
Thursday, 3 October 2013
Red Nails
I have a funny thing about red nails; I know it is a classic but I always thought it never suited my hands. I know I sound a little bit crazy but I really feel like some colours just dont suit my skin tone. And when your wearing a colour and your looking at your hands all day, as you tap away at the keyboard, well it kind of drives me crazy.
But this almost pink/kind of berry red is currently my favourite.
Inglot is available in the UK, but I was actually introduced to it by my Polish friend here in Cyprus. Inglot have a great range of colours, the consistency, in my opinion is the perfect balance not-too-thick/not-too-thin and the formulas have a great shine. I almost don't need to put a top coat on except to keep my nails from chipping.
Wednesday, 2 October 2013
when there's no indian take-away
One of the things I love about Cyprus is the food and the fact the every occasion is celebrated with a family feast. They love their meat in Cyprus and a Meze (the Cypriot version of Tapas) is my best friend. But the choice of international cuisine is somewhat lacking. I am yet to find a good Chinese restaurant and I haven't encountered an Indian take-away in the entire three years I have been here.
The upside of this is that it has forced me to get a little more creative in the kitchen. My attempts do not detract from my internal need for a takeaway curry, but you know...........I have to work with what I have got.
Enter the super quick and easy curry recipe. I used leftover roast chicken from the day before, green beans, red pepper and onion, korma paste, Philadelphia cheese and some chicken stock. So how does all that become a curry you ask. Well it's really very simple!
Fry the onions, red pepper and green beans for around 10 minutes (note I had zapped my beans for 5 minutes in the microwave before adding them).
The add about a tablespoon of korma paste (more or less depending on your taste-buds) and cook for another 5 minutes. Stir in about 1 and half tablespoons of Philidelphia cheese and once its combined add 1 cup of chicken stock.
Then add the chicken (if your using already cooked chicken that is). While it simmers for 10 to 15 minutes, you can cook your rice. Voila. Dinner is done in around 30 minutes.
*if anyone in London want's to send me a curry in the post, feel free!*
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
let's talk about the 1st October
Today is Cyprus Independence Day - the day that Cyprus became independent from the British in 1960. And a day that I should maybe not shout about being a Brit living in Cyprus. A public holiday here, the day is usually marked with a huge military parade, including military vehicles and aircraft, that happens to go right past my apartment.
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Except this year, it was deemed not financially feasible (and quite rightly) to put on such a show.
Cyprus is in the grips of recession and to blow a whole lot of state money on such a celebration would have been totally ridiculous to the outside world. There are many things I find easy to comment about when it comes to Cyprus; I know every country has it's flaws and I am in no position to judge considering this is not "my country". But it is my home. I pay my contributions like any other resident. And as such sometimes I can't help but voice my opinions.
But instead of going on a rant today, I would direct you to a pretty wonderful article published today by the Cyprus Mail. The writing captures very honestly the way Cyprus has worked for the last 53 years of it's independence.
"After half a century, a ruling elite of corrupt politicians, greedy trade unionists, dishonest businessmen and self-serving lawyers has sucked the state dry...This, regrettably, is what the Cyprus Republic has been about in its 53-year history. We cannot even boast that after 53 years, we built a State in which there is rule of law, let alone equality before the law."
This article paints a rather bad picture of the island, but ask many people and they would agree with the fundamental truths behind the writing.
Maybe the next years will see some radical reforms and allow the island to really embrace it's independence. Only time will tell.
