D is for Doughnuts

So a fair few months ago (last October to be precise) I started an A B C series that never actually got past C. Either I was very unorganised or extremley unispired back in October, but since the idea was there, I am going to return to it with enthusiasm.

And what better way to re-introduce ourselves to the series than with a food post. Of course it was going to be a food post. 

So D is for Doughnuts. 

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In England, I think my heart skipped a beat every time I saw a Krispy Kreme sign glistening in the distance. But even a lovely little jam filled doughnut from the bakery round the corned would make me as happy as a kid at christmas. 

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And now it's not even a traditional doughnut that gets people talking; the humble doughnut holes have notched up some cake credentials too. And then there is the doughnut muffin - although if I am totally honest with you, i'm not sure how I feel about mixing doughnut and a muffin. 

In some ways I feel it is just fundamentally wrong to combine the two. But nevertheless, I am sure they taste absolutely awesome. 

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Now if I was to actually attempt to make doughnuts myself (and considering I am not a baker) I think I would follow this recipe here. I mean anything that is titled 15 minute doughnuts from scratch wins in my book; because 15 minutes is all that stands between you and a taste sensation. 

That is of course unless your like me and cant following a baking recipe to save your life! 

expat adventures involving the ocean

Being an expat brings with it many benefits. And being so close to the oceans is one of them. 

Although I lived in London my entire life, Nicosia is a very different city than what I am used to. And sometimes I can feel a bit smothered in this city that escape is inevitable. Cue a spontaneous trip to the beach with the pooch and the boyfriend, to run around like children, feel the sand under my feet and smell the fresh ocean air. 

There is something about staring out into the blue expanse of the ocean and gazing as it hits the horizon, that really calms and clears my mind. And it is the perfect Sunday afternoon activity; sitting at my desk today with nice memories of warm sun and soft sand made Monday that much easier.

And it's a nice reminder of how lucky we are, especially considering the positively arctic temperatures the British spring is throwing at our friends and family back in London. I think we win on the weather front. 

sunday sound #14

I don't like hip hop. At least not in the traditional sense. But a few days ago I was introduced to Macklemore. And the whole concept of hip hop transformed in my head. He is bold in his lyrics but for better reasons than most. There is something about the meaning, the beat and words of this song that make me love him a little more with every listen.

And he has cool and beautiful videos too.

guest blogger // Lisa from getagoodguy.com

Holiday romances are not something I know much about. Love and life started off with the boy in London and then transplanted us here in Nicosia. But it was not a holiday romance. Many expats may have found themselves as expats thanks to a holiday romance; these are the success stories. The magical stories of love across oceans that lasted. But i'm sure amongst the dream endings there are some nightmares too. 

Here, guest blogger Lisa from getagoodguy.com explores if holiday romances can last the distance?

Going on a holiday opens up a whole new world for you, literally and figuratively. Apart from enjoying the sights, activities and sounds of a place you’ve never gone to before, spending a week or two in a beautiful spot on the planet also offers the possibility of meeting a person who could give your vacation a romantic spin that you would never have expected. Holiday romances are but normal for people who go on vacations. With the relaxed atmosphere and beauty of the place you both find yourselves in, being into each other and taking advantage of the opportunity becomes so much easier. In most cases, holiday romances are quite perfect and make you really happy.

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However, holiday romances are also typically short-lived. Unless the person you had a fling with on holiday lives in the same area code as yours, the chances that you will ever see each other again are practically nil. Still, holiday romances don’t have to be as short as they are if you don’t want things to be that way. If you feel like your holiday romance deserves more than just a few days of life, there are several things you can do to make it last a bit longer.

One of the things you can do is to keep your lines of communication open long after you’ve parted ways. If you both agree to keep things going between the two of you, then exchange emails, calls, texts, Facebook or Skype messages on a regular basis. You are, after all, in a long-distance relationship, and the things mentioned above are what people in such a relationship do. Always stay in contact if you want what you have to last.

It would also be great if you actually make plans to see each other periodically. If you have the time and the resources, this should not really be a problem. You can choose to meet on another holiday, or you can actually visit each other’s cities. Many long distance relationships actually work this way, with a number of them really succeeding, if the fact that they ended up getting married is any indication.

A major ingredient of any long-distance relationship is trust. If you both have decided to be in an exclusive relationship with each other, then don’t go out with anyone else. Of course, the combination of loneliness and distance can make dating someone else who is close by tempting, but it is a fact that many long distance relationships have withstood the test of time because the people involved actually trusted each other.

In any case, keep in mind that keeping that holiday romance going is far from being easy. There is a lot of hard work involved. If you’re in this kind of relationship, always be ready for the possibility of having to let go. Clinging on to a holiday romance even when things are no longer working out can only make the both of you unhappy.

About the author: Lisa Jones is the Editor of the blog getagoodguy.com (http://getagoodguy.com), offering frequently updated dating advice for women. (http://getagoodguy.com/internet-dating-advice-for-women/)

midweek mix 03/04/2013

This weeks midweek mix has taken on a slightly different style, well in fact it is more of a short apology for lack of posting. 

Indeed we did mix it up a little this week with an impromptu trip to the hospital and several hours waiting to see if my slow pulse was anything more than just a slow pulse. 

But thanks to the confirmations of Mr cardiologist, I am now at home, typing on my little computer, under the duvet. And don't worry, someone is definitely keeping their eye on me.