Cook - Brioche

I've been meaning to post this for a while but I haven't had time till now. Before final exams, I helped my cousin make some brioche from a recipe provided Ina Garten, host of the Barefoot Contessa. You know, the lady who starts every recipe with a stick of butter. Anyways, I've never had brioche before but I was excited to make it since it was the first time I got to use the dough hook of our beloved Kitchen Aid. The recipe wasn't too difficult and quite easy to follow, but just remember to check your yeast to make sure it's still active and it's probably a smart idea to take your butter out of the refrigerator well in advance to let it soften. We didn't let it sit at room temperature because we didn't have enough much time, so we microwaved it instead.

The results were excellent, it smelt delicious and it tasted wonderful. It's a type of French bread but tastes better than your average loaf from the grocery store, probably because it contains half a pound of butter. I love the smell of fresh baked bread and the brioche had a great consistency that almost resembles a cake. We also prepared some jams to accompany the bread including blueberry jam, strawberry jam, and apple sauce. The jams were easy to make by simply combining some orange juice, frozen fruits, honey, and gelatin mix. The apple sauce is made from a traditional recipe of apples, cinnamon, and sugar, so nothing too complicated. My cousin thought the brioche wasn't worth all the work since you need to let it rise overnight but I thought it wasn't too bad. Hopefully, you will enjoy the picture and perhaps give it a try.

Cool - Websites

I totally underestimated how long CASB would take me, so I've been neglecting this blog for the past two weeks. Thankfully, there's no face-to-face session this weekend so hopefully I can get ahead on my tasks and even take some time to update COOP. I thought I would share with you some of the websites that I visit in order to avoid CASB.

First and most importantly, I have been following SkyscraperPage forum for the past two years and I have to admit that I can't start any of my tasks until I check up on the site. I waste most of my days on this website, but it's definitely sparked my interest for urban design and architecture. The Calgary constituent on the forum is probably the largest and I can't think of any other sources where you can find better inside information about Calgary development than SkyscraperPage. The posters range from employees of design firms to staff members of the city so this will probably be the first place to learn about current projects and future proposals. This site certainly has an urban bias, so some of you may not agree with the comments being posted. However, this site has really changed my opinion about urban planning and I now use it to fuel my debates with my fellow suburban friends.

I has been planning to discuss my favorite Internet sites for quite some time but unfortunately, Dan Levy had posted some of his favorite fashion websites on DOOP so I thought I should hold off on my list. Like Dan, I'm an avid reader of the Sartorialist, or should I say viewer. Scott Schuman is a fashion blogger who captures the amazing sartorial choices of New Yorkers, but has now traveled around the world to photograph distinctive international style. Over time, he has provided images for style.com and GQ magazine, but I've been following his blog before he hit it big. Anyways, it's a great site to get inspired by fashion from across the globe.

Another website that is part of my daily routine is Centre City Talk. The site is essentially a blog that is maintained by the City of Calgary but focuses primarily on the downtown core of the city. It has excellent information urban issues affecting the downtown and currently has some cool renderings of the new RiverWalk project and upgrades to Eau Claire Plaza. Obviously it's not as thorough as SkyscraperPage but it comes directly from the city itself.

Unlike Steph, I've made the switch to electronic newspapers a long time ago to reduce wastage of paper. Well that and I'm too cheap to pay for a newspaper. Anyways, the Calgary Herald is my primary source for local news but it really isn't the most objective form of media. Although it is a step ahead of the garbage that is the Calgary Sun, it really is not saying much. Just don't read the comments section, it really makes me lose faith in humanity and I honestly can't believe how stupid some Calgarians are...

I honestly swear I'm not ripping off DOOP but Men.Style.com is another site that I visit on a daily basis. The site contains a lot of articles from Details and GQ so save yourself the magazine subscription and just read the articles online. However, it does have some great content that is unique to the website and it also provides annual coverage of the fall and spring collections from New York, Milan, and Paris. Plus, Tim Blanks from Fashion File is a contributor to the site!

Finally, I can't compile a list of my favorite websites without mentioning GOOP, for there would be no COOP without GOOP. Oh Gwyneth, I too would like to nourish the inner aspect.

Complete - U of C BComm

You may have noticed the lack of updates recently but I'm sure you will be happy to know that I have finished my last final exam at the U of C. I can finally add a Bachelors of Commerce to my list of accomplishments even though I hardly feel competent in either business or accounting.

This moment has been truly bitter sweet since I have been waiting for the day that I would no longer endure the stress of group projects, midterms, presentations, and final reports, but now that it has arrived, I don't want it to end. Shocking, I know since I've been the most vocal about wanting to graduate and rushing to start work but a part of myself can't help but feel upset that it's now all over. I still remember working at PwC only to realize that it was August and completely dreading the thought of going back to school. My sister's convocation was also particularly hard after watching people from my first year graduating without me. One more year just seemed like an eternity and once again, I felt depressed to have to suffer another year as a student. However, today I was was surprised to feel genuinely upset that my way of life for the past 5 years will be ending once I leave campus. Well, because of CASB I won't have to miss all those wonderful assignments and exams, but I won't have the opportunity to see my friends on a daily basis, learn new ideas, or even act immature because I'm no longer a student.

I guess the grass is just always greener on the other side and now I'm just spouting tired clichés about how time has gone by way too fast and that I really should have appreciated my time in school. But like all good advice, it's always wasted on the young and now I'm complaining about how this final year really went by in a blink of an eye.

I'm going to stop whining now since I'm also extremely excited at the moment because I'm able to start a new stage in life. I consider myself very lucky to be employed during such a frighting time for new graduates and the fact that I'm able to work for a company that has treated me so well for the last 2 years, I'm even more thankful. I just feel slightly overwhelmed because school is now over and I'm terrified to be working full-time but these points in life are always a good chance to reflect on what you have done and realize just how far you have come.

Company - Bermuda Shorts Day

Today marked the last day of classes at University, so now on to final exams! Well I didn't have any lectures today but BSD always marks the official last day of classes at the U of C and it was quite a way to end. I planned to be in line at 11am but Donna convinced me to grab lunch before going to the beer gardens, so we dropped by Mac Hall for some A&W. It's been a while since I've been there since I can't stand the noise and smell but how fitting that we made a stop at Mac Hall since I still remember everyone planning to meet there on our first day at school. It certainly comes full circle. Anyways, BSD was a lot of fun this year despite the gloomy weather. A party themed around beach wear just isn't the best idea during spring weather in Calgary, but the overcast will always beat snow.

Initially I wasn't planning to go to BSD at all this year because I've been really behind in my readings but I started to realize how little memories I have at University. I've only been to BSD once before since I had no interest during my first year, I was on a co-op work term in my third year, and I was studying for my tax final in my fourth year. As mentioned in my earlier posts, I also rarely stay at school so my time on campus is really limited to class hours so the only thing I really remember about the U of C is usually school related. How sad I know, so I decided that I must go to BSD this year and it was definitely the best decision. I got to catch up with so many people including some high school friends that I don't get to see too often since they aren't in Business. I also shared some drinks with people I met through out University and hopefully we will all be able to keep in touch after convocation but considering most of my friends now work at PwC, I don't think that will be much of a problem. The music was also pretty good so I had a good time partying in Lot 32 (yes, very strange) and watching awesome dancing dude he just won't quit dancing. It was also really fun taking scandalous pictures of people's behaviour *cough* Stephanie Tse *cough*. All in all, BSD 2009 certainly topped my first BSD and I managed to avoid getting ketchup on my toes!

Complete - Nicknames

Seeing that my university experience is coming to an end, I started remembering some of the nicknames that I had for people over the past five years. Hopefully you can identify some of the names of the people who frequent Scurfield Hall.

• Steel Wool
• Pregnant Lady
• Wheelchair girl
• Louis Vuitton Guy
• Einstein
• The Ox
• British Guy
  
• Prince Harry
• Makeup Girl
• Caveman
  
• Skaterboy
• Stephanie's Lover
• Guy who tucks his sweater into his jeans
• Hat Girl
• Sara Palin
• John McCain
• Hiro from Heroes
• Angry Face Girl
• The OC Group
  
• ASA
• Model Girl
• Shadow
• Karl Naundorf's Twin
• Flat Face
• Old Man Murch
• Japanese Doll
• Old Lady
  

Try to name them all and if I missed anyone, let me know.

Cook - Bliss & Co. Cupcakes and Desserts

(Clockwise from top left hand corner: lemon cream, vanilla classic, Valencia, island dream, strawberry bliss, caramel bliss)

I discovered Bliss & Co. Cupcakes and Desserts after reading some reviews on Skyscraper Page and I was instantly intrigued to see a bakery in Chinatown that doesn't serve egg tarts and BBQ pork buns. I looked on Chowhound for some more information and I learned that it's located in Chinatown on Centre Street and 3rd Avenue near U & Me but you will need to go down some stairs so it might be difficult to find. It's run by two Chinese ladies from Edmonton and I think it's an excellent idea to bring some modern establishments to Chinatown that can hopefully bring some more life to the streets. They have some very traditional cupcakes but also some very interesting flavour combinations and it's great to see an alternative to Crave. My cousins told me that the cupcakes are frosted right in front of you and they also serve other baked goods including pies, cakes, and cream puffs.

The cakes are very delicious and extremely moist, while the frosting is delicate without too much butter so you can definitely taste the different flavours. I truly believe these cupcakes are better than Crave since I find that it is not overly sweet and the frosting to cake ratio is much better. Lemon cream features a fresh lemon cupcake with a tart and sweet lemon frosting. The vanilla classic cupcake is just like its name with a classic vanilla frosting with vanilla bean seeds throughout. Valencia is a unique twist with a chocolate cupcake topped with Valencia orange frosting. It's not my favourite because I'm not a fan of the chocolate and orange combination, but I do love the frosting and it definitely tastes like creamsicle. Island dream features shredded coconut baked right into the cake with a frosting that tastes like cream cheese and some more coconut. Strawberry bliss is similar to Crave's princess cupcake with a vanilla cupcake and strawberry purée frosting. Finally, the caramel bliss cupcake was my favourite with a rich chocolate cupcake, caramel frosting, and a drizzle of some more caramel. Overall, the cupcakes were delicious and I will certainly visit Bliss & Co. again, but next time I will try the chocolate bliss cupcake.

Anyways, next time you're in Chinatown, remember to visit Bliss & Co. and help your local Chinese businesses!! I included their business card but unfortunately, their website doesn't appear to be operational yet.

Company - Year End Banquet

Yesterday was the Haskayne Year End Banquet and I must admit that I had a great time partying with some old friends who I started the program with as well as some new friends that I met during my time at University. With only two weeks left of classes, my mind has been wrapped around group projects and final exams that I didn't realize that I'm actually graduating in a month! I still remember looking at degree navigator and seeing so many unfilled requirements but now all my courses have green check marks next to them, which is somewhat frighting.


Although my time at school has been filled with highs and lows, I must admit that I am finishing off University just as I started it, excited. I always knew that I wanted to go into Business and my first day at school during U of C 101 was filled with hope and potential but maybe I was blinded by the enthusiasm over free t-shirts and corporate sponsored pens. As a soon-to-be alumni of the U of C (knock on wood), the excitement is still there but it might be a little different. Sure the economy is in the stinker and the thought of layoffs is looming in the back of my head, but I feel like a first year again, full of uncertainty over the future but nevertheless eager to start a new chapter in my life.

Perhaps the only thing that was a little disappointing about the evening was the realization that I only recognized about 5% of the faces at the party. I blame the fact that they're all first and second years or they weren't in accounting. However, I really don't regret not being more active in Haskayne since I loathe networking since I hate being "business Colin". Plus, I really appreciate the relationships that I did form because these people never start off conversations by first asking what year I am in and then my company of employment. I suppose I could have stayed at school more often but I have to be honest, I can't work in the Business Library because I need to have all my books sprawled out on the floor for optimal studying. All of those late night adventures in Scurfield Hall that I missed out on...

Well, it looks like my time in Haskayne is coming to a close but what a night to remember. It was an honor to celebrate with some very talented people who will certainly change the business landscape of Calgary in the future and it's simply undeniable, UC BComm rocks!!