The shopping spree did not happen as planned. So last Sunday we went to mass, this time at 11h00 because then the organ played. After mass we walked to the cafeteria for lunch and then got an uber to Indu Indian shop which was not at all as I envisaged. Spices are so expensive and if I had to buy all the spices I needed, it would cost a small fortune and I would end up leaving it all behind in May when we go back to SA so I bought some packets of pre-packed spices for Lamb Rogan Josh, Chicken Tikka masala and Butter chicken. We got some authentic Indian tomato sauce which they call ketchup. There was so nothing authentic about it as it was Maggie tomato sauce and tasted just like the ordinary one.
One thing I noticed about food stores is that there is such a huge variety of things. For instance, if you want milk, there are half and half, 2%, low fat, whole mile with vitamin D, etc. You stand there for 10 minutes just trying to figure out which one to take. I wanted cream crackers and there was a whole aisle, I promise you, of crackers to choose from. As I needed the crackers to make custard slice, I needed custard powder and as I couldn't find that anywhere, I luckily also did not have to choose cream crackers for now. I need to get to Walmart, apparently, they have custard powder or else I have to order it online.
So then I felt like making steak and kidney pie and the steak was easy enough to find but you don't get kidneys in-store or butcher, you have to order it online and then you go online and they're out of stock. If I could give anyone advice who will be staying overseas for just a short while, it's best to buy pre-packed food, not very healthy although the package will tell you no GMO or MSG or whatever but it's cheaper than having to buy every ingredient and getting utensils and spices and everything else that you need to do home cooking. At least the communal kitchen has a biggish pot, a smaller one and a few pans but everything else you'd have to buy, like tin opener, peeler etc.
I now am the proud owner of a Wells Fargo banking account with my own card. Soon we will apply for our Greensboro ID's and a social security card so that we can work here. You are not allowed to earn any income without a social security card.
We met with the pastor/music director at the Baptist Church just opposite us, and John might be starting an internship there and I was offered one as well at $100 per week. Not much but better than nothing. So hopefully we'll be able to generate $200 dollars per week between the two of us. The pastor also has a classical guitar that he's never used and I would be able to practice on it and maybe join in the band. I would rather sing though as I haven't touched a guitar since November because of the shoulder operation.
I've now been to gym twice with Preston Ellington, my personal trainer and it's going well. Instead of just concentrating on getting my arm up to speed, he also wants to help me get more fit. The food in the caf don't help as it's top-heavy with starches. On a good day, I could make up a plate with some protein and veggies, depending on the time of day. We've discovered that if you go there after lunch, then only a few stalls still have food and it's mostly burgers, pizza and pasta. Best to then rather wait till 16h00 when they all open again for supper.
One thing I noticed about food stores is that there is such a huge variety of things. For instance, if you want milk, there are half and half, 2%, low fat, whole mile with vitamin D, etc. You stand there for 10 minutes just trying to figure out which one to take. I wanted cream crackers and there was a whole aisle, I promise you, of crackers to choose from. As I needed the crackers to make custard slice, I needed custard powder and as I couldn't find that anywhere, I luckily also did not have to choose cream crackers for now. I need to get to Walmart, apparently, they have custard powder or else I have to order it online.
So then I felt like making steak and kidney pie and the steak was easy enough to find but you don't get kidneys in-store or butcher, you have to order it online and then you go online and they're out of stock. If I could give anyone advice who will be staying overseas for just a short while, it's best to buy pre-packed food, not very healthy although the package will tell you no GMO or MSG or whatever but it's cheaper than having to buy every ingredient and getting utensils and spices and everything else that you need to do home cooking. At least the communal kitchen has a biggish pot, a smaller one and a few pans but everything else you'd have to buy, like tin opener, peeler etc.
I now am the proud owner of a Wells Fargo banking account with my own card. Soon we will apply for our Greensboro ID's and a social security card so that we can work here. You are not allowed to earn any income without a social security card.
We met with the pastor/music director at the Baptist Church just opposite us, and John might be starting an internship there and I was offered one as well at $100 per week. Not much but better than nothing. So hopefully we'll be able to generate $200 dollars per week between the two of us. The pastor also has a classical guitar that he's never used and I would be able to practice on it and maybe join in the band. I would rather sing though as I haven't touched a guitar since November because of the shoulder operation.
I've now been to gym twice with Preston Ellington, my personal trainer and it's going well. Instead of just concentrating on getting my arm up to speed, he also wants to help me get more fit. The food in the caf don't help as it's top-heavy with starches. On a good day, I could make up a plate with some protein and veggies, depending on the time of day. We've discovered that if you go there after lunch, then only a few stalls still have food and it's mostly burgers, pizza and pasta. Best to then rather wait till 16h00 when they all open again for supper.
No comments:
Post a Comment