Cookies!

I like cookies and I had some the other day that are among my favorites. These small donut-shaped cookies are orange-flavored and covered with dark chocolate. I ate these for the first time last Christmas when Carlos and I were vacationing in La Fortuna -- and I hadn't been able to find them since then. Until...I was in San Jose a few weeks ago and they were in a supermarket there! I stocked up with 3 packages and have been having them as little desserts/treats ever since. I really like dark chocolate and orange together!

Chu Totoro in felt

Last night, while watching a movie, I made this little felt Chu (blue) Totoro for my friend since her birthday is on Monday. Sheesh, there are so many birthdays in September!

Chu Totoro is one of three forest spirits that inhabit a big tree in the animated film My Neighbor Totoro. This is a great movie -- full of cuteness! I think this Totoro turned out pretty nice, but it was hard to make -- but maybe I should make another one to keep for myself?

Birthday party

Woo-hoo, yesterday I turned another year older and another year...wiser? Anyways, I had a nice laid-back get-together last night with all 4 of the other researchers that are here right now (yay low season!). We ate chips, drank soda and wine, and made the chocolate chip pumpkin cookies that I mentioned in a previous post. I was a little worried about the wonky oven here, but we let it pre-heat for an hour and it worked pretty well. The cookies turned out great! They are more cake-like than cookie-like, but that is even more delicious in my opinion. The recipe called for an entire package of chocolate chips but I only put in half -- I don't like chocolate to overpower the cookie. We watched the Simpsons in spanish while we baked and chatted -- it was a nice time and we ended up with tons of cookies! I highly recommend this recipe if you like soft cakey pumpkin and chocolate things. What a good birthday!

Neighbors robbed

A couple of nights ago, our neighbors' house was robbed. They are currently on vacation and the person watching the house returned late at night to find a gaping hole made in the wall and lots of electronics and other items missing. This is nothing new (a bike was stolen from the front of their house a few months back) and robbery around here is very common. It takes something like this to remind you that this is still a third world country. The police came over and took statements, but they will never catch the person or recover any of the stolen items...it's just the standard bureaucracy.

Carlos and I are very careful about our safety here, but the houses are built so shoddily that all it takes is a crowbar or hammer to get in through the wall or window at an opportune moment. We never tell anyone when we leave our house for a few days (you can't really trust anyone here -- even neighbors) and we leave lights on. We also have no items of value in our house whereas our neighbors have every luxury imaginable and live like well-off gringos. I am a little worried that the robbers will come back for more, but we will be very vigilant and careful as usual. Although Costa Rica is a fairly advanced country, there are constant reminders even here in the little town of Puerto Viejo Sarapiqui that crime is rampant and you must be vigilant with your valuables and general safety.

ATBC 2008 T-shirt

I've been meaning to write about this for a while, but every time I brought my T-shirt to the office, I forgot to take a picture (until yesterday that is). Here is the T-shirt from the ATBC conference in Paramaribo, Suriname this year.

Unfortunately, I was unable to go, but the president of ATBC sent along 3 T-shirts and lots of goodies for me anyway! I really think the logo turned out nice -- the colors were perfect and they were able to print it large without losing resolution. I am currently working on the logo for the 2010 Frugivores and Seed Dispersal conference to be held in Montpellier, France -- that is definitely a top priority for me and I can't wait to go (in 2 years). I will probably post a picture of that logo once I have finished it and sent it off.

Chocolate chip pumpkin cookies

For my birthday (in about a week -- eep!), I am planning to make some cookies. Since I love pumpkin-flavored things, I found this seemingly easy recipe for chocolate chip pumpkin cookies online:

CHOCOLATE CHIP PUMPKIN COOKIES
INGREDIENTS:
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 tsp. cinnamon (substitute pumpkin pie spice)
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 (16 oz) can pumpkin
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp. milk
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 cups chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Add pumpkin, oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 375º F for 13-14 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes. Remove to wire rack to cool completely.

I think this will be a nice treat -- it is like a chocolate chip and pumpkin bundt cake my sister once made that I liked. I hope these cookies turn out OK since the oven here is a little strange...I am also not sure if what I have is baking soda or baking powder...hmmmm...we'll see when I make these on the 15th!

"In a world..."

This was a phrase made famous by an omnipresent voice actor named Don La Fontaine. You have definitely heard his distinct deep voice in countless movie trailers (over 5,000!) and TV advertisements . I just read that he died early yesterday at the age of 68 -- it is really hard to think of what will happen to movie trailers now that they will not carry the awesome and iconic voice of Don La Fontaine.

My sister is the best!

YAY! In response to my post about the closing of Star Trek: The Experience, my sister braved the hoarde of trekkie nerds and managed to buy me a keychain to commemorate this fantastic ride/museum/experience. Thanks Shannon -- you are the coolest little sister EVER!! Did you talk to any borgs while you were there?