Back to Basics & Baking

        First of all I'd like to apologise for the radio silence - since I've come home I've been resting pretty much 24/7 as my chronic fatigue has deteriorated drastically due to the last 3 months. I've there for decided (well, partly because my body is making me) to go back to basics, and start rehab and recovery from the beginning. Struggling to do anything at all on my own is such a huge pain, so I'm spending the days resting, using my wheelchair to get about, and starting to do some basic exercises, in the hope that the rest will renew my energy, the use of the chair won't wear me out and the exercises will start to build my strength.
        That's the plan anyway; and although my plans don't seem to be going quite how I'd like, I really hope starting from scratch will finally help me recover.

       Another thing I've gone back to this week is one of my favourite hobbies - baking! With my current situation, I find doing any sort of activity difficult, so my Mum and I decided to start again with a basic recipe (I've had a 3 month break from baking - hardest thing ever!) of banana bread. It was so much fun to get baking again, even if I had to let my mum do most of it, and thankfully the recipe came out great!

Recipe - Gluten Free Banana Bread

Ingredients
150g Mashed Bananas (peeled weight)
200g Gluten Free Self Raising Flour
1 tsp Xanthan Gum
125g Pure Sunflower Spread
125g Light Soft Brown Sugar
Grated Zest of 1/2 a Lemon
2 Large Eggs
100g Sultanas
100g Chopped Pecans
        (The last two are optional, and could be substituted with chocolate chips, dried fruit, or other nuts).

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 180C, 160C Fan, or Gas Mark 4.
2. Line your loaf tin.
3. Mash your peeled bananas in a bowl and set aside for later.
4. Beat together the sunflower spread, brown sugar and grated zest in a mixing bowl.
5. Beat in the eggs, and add the flour and xanthan gum, until thoroughly combined.
6. Add the bananas and stir, and lastly stir in the sultanas and pecans.
7. Put the mixture in the loaf tin, and bake for 50-55 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly pressed.


        This recipe creates a delicious, fresh banana bread, which is perfect with a cup of tea before bed, or served with custard as a pudding.

Welcome Home

        I'd been trying to think of what to write even before I was completely home, and nothing I was preparing to write would cover what happened! I was packed and ready nearly two weeks before (a bit eager I know), and did the final few bits of packing that weekend, ready to head home on Monday.

        We started out reasonably early on Monday morning, driving down to Portland to catch the Concord bus to Logan International. It took about 4 hours, and it was 4 hours of me getting slightly frustrated at every little thing that happened, or things that certain people did. Arriving at the airport, with time to spare, even though we got caught in Columbus Day Parade traffic, was a quiet relief. I wasn't able to check my bags in for a couple of hours, so we went to the Boston Bar & Grill and grabbed some lunch - although I'd already snacked on sandwiches, crisps and cookies on the way down and had said I'd grab something before I got on the flight.

        After having lunch it was time to check in my bags, and head to security. The queue went quite quickly for the bag drop, and because we ate in the Boston Bar & Grill the receipt allowed me to go through the upper classes security lane. Saying goodbye to Uncle Ian was hard, and I got upset - all a mixture of upset, and anxiety of flying on my own for the first time. The queue was a lot shorter than the normal security section, but it still took a long time, and it was such a pain to do it on my own, as I had four trays of my things going through the scanner!

        On the other side of security, I went to the little news agents, and brought a drink for the flight, and later on some chewy sweets for take off and landing. I had lots of time to kill so brought a small hot chocolate, and tried to get the nuisance internet to work so I could chat to Mum and Dad - I got it working on and off, but in the end gave up and let them get to sleep anyway, and went to my gate to wait to be called.

        On the plane I was sat next to two guys, probably a bit older than me, and they were really lovely. There was also a crowd of 'grannies on tour' near me, which were quite amusing. I was pretty darn anxious, but taking off and the start of the flight was actually a lot better than I expected. The dinner was the best gluten free meal I've had on a plane so far, and I got to watch Monster's University which I've wanted to see since it came out. The film was great, so funny, and even though it's made for children I still loved the story and the characters are super as always.
        Just before breakfast was served, I got up to go to the bathroom and on the way back I had to wait behind the breakfast trolley. Next thing I know, my vision is blurry and two men are holding me up from behind, as I was swaying all over the show nearly about to faint. They got the attention of the air steward, and he told me to sit down, but before I could I felt extremely sick, and had to run to the bathroom. I'm never sick, which can sometimes be a bonus, but other times you feel like it might help - this was one of those times. The steward got me some water, sick bags, and told me just to stay sitting for a while, until I felt well enough to get back to my seat. Eventually I did get back to my seat, but after a while I felt myself going all over again, and so they took me to the jump seat thing at the back, and got me some coca cola (flattened coke is meant to reduce sickness, which it did); I then started shivering crazily, so next thing I had a hot water bottle and blanket, and they had radioed ahead to Heathrow to let them know that I would be needing the beep-beep cart to go through the airport.
        I went back to my seat before landing, and the guys made sure I was okay, and everyone was so sweet when they got off the plane wishing me well and making sure someone was waiting for me.

        I honestly couldn't of asked for better people to look after me on the plane - both the steward and stewardess were extremely kind and caring, and did everything they possibly could to make me feel comfortable and well.

        After getting through the airport on the beep-beep cart, not having to wait at the passport check, I got my luggage and as soon as I looked through the double doors I saw my family waiting for me with signs and a balloon, and I just knew that I was home and that even though things haven't been great, I was home and I would be able to go through everything with them now, instead of half way around the world.

Goodbye

        Goodbye. It's something I have been trying not to think about. I've been trying to think about it not as a goodbye, but as a see you soon.

        Today is my last day at UMaine, and the only thing to do was see Brianna for the last time. This past week I have only been in yesterday and today, as I have been unwell, and Bri has no lab work due to writing her thesis. We caught up at lunch yesterday, and put off the goodbye until today - I brought her a gift, and she adored it (so happy about that!), and she gave me plenty of abalone shells. All that was left was to say goodbye. Incredibly, I didn't cry - until I got back to the office - but it was still extremely hard, as I have become so close to her over the last few months, and she has been so supportive, understanding, and has done everything she can to make my experience amazing.

        I really don't have the words to express how thankful I am for her, or how happy I am that I got to become such great friends with her. She is truly incredible, and gave me such sweet advice for my future.

Little Bit of Charity

        Yesterday evening, Katie and I represented the UMaine Food Science Club in the community by going to the Ronald McDonald house and cooking a meal for the residents. For those of you who haven't heard of the Ronald McDonald House, it is a house sponsored by McDonalds that gives families who have children in hospital a home away from home, with a comforting, supporting environment, where families can meet others in similar situations, and allow them to be near to the hospitals whilst not having to stay in hotels all the time.

        I originally thought that the whole food science club would be attending, but it turns out that they find it difficult to organise everyone to go, so it was only me and Katie - this didn't bother me at all, and between the two of us we managed to cook the meal, and make some pudding.

        We started off by hitting the grocery store and getting some last minute things including, veggies and cheese ends; if you go to the deli cheese counter and ask for cheese ends they give you a bag of spare or ends of their cheeses for such a good price! We then headed to the house, and set up in the kitchen and began cooking. The dish Katie had chosen to make was called 'hearty chicken casserole' - I'd say it wasn't a traditional casserole, but it was still delicious whatever we want to call it! It consisted of chicken, kidney beans, celery, and onion cooked in a tomato and creamy sauce, with melted cheese on top, all served with white rice and steamed broccoli.

        I think the meal went down well, even if some of the children were very opinionated on various parts of it, and there wasn't much left at all, so we sat down with a portion ourselves and I absolutely loved it and would happily make it at home. For pudding we had already prepared the pretzel bites - we did pretzels dipped in chocolate for any peanut allergy sufferers, and then the main pudding was pretzels with a creamy peanut butter filling dipped in chocolate. Hopefully the kids will like these better, kids always like sweet foods!

        After we had finished eating, washing, drying and generally tidying we said goodbye to some of the residents, and the man who was on duty, and jumped in the car. Katie had been telling me about a Giffords ice cream stand that was only a short drive away, so we decided to treat ourselves to dessert. The stand was surprisingly busy for a Tuesday night at 7 o'clock, but we got served quickly and both absolutely devoured our ice creams! I went for a cup with one scoop of vanilla and one scoop of mint chocolate chip; I'm not really meant to eat dairy as it upsets my tummy, but having a bad stomach anyone I thought it wouldn't make any difference. Both these flavours were incredible, and the ice cream was so smooth and delicious, and all made here in Maine. Katie 'accidentally' ordered a sundae, and it included a scoop of s'mores ice cream, a scoop of muddy boots ice cream (it has pieces of brownie in), caramel sauce, whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry! Katie was an absolutely cutie and treated me to it, as she wasn't sure whether she would see me again before I leave on Monday - I really hope that I will see her on Thursday or Friday at uni though!

        I really don't know what I'm gonna do without this girl back home, I've got to know her really well and just love hanging out with her!

Airport Diner

        The Airport Diner is located in Manchester, New Hampshire - I knew little about New Hampshire before visiting this past weekend, only that their motto is "live free or die" (a little drastic, I think), but upon my visit I now know that you can find some extremely good diner food there! The diner is situated next to a large hotel, and near to the Manchester airport - hence the name - so has a flowing trade; what makes it even better is that the food is incredibly good and the atmosphere happy and relaxed, so people visit from far and wide, not just passing trade!

        The restaurant was clean and tidy, with the interior reminding visitors of the boom of the diners, and allowing them a traditional experience. The decor inside was simplistic and classic, with the added bonus of model aeroplanes hanging from the ceiling, and hand painted art on the walls to mimic the skies. However, none of this drew the attention away from the food! As soon as you entered, the dessert and pudding glass case was in view, so you could drawl over those while being served. Even better, if you sat on the counter, or in a booth nearby, you could watch every meal be made, with the precision and care each of the chefs gave them.

        The menu includes all of the classic diner food, such as burgers, steaks, sandwiches, and a large breakfast selection, and although many of these classics appear simple, the chefs and owners at the Airport Diner have hit the nail on the head with the flavours and taste, and have ventured to new depths by adding an unusual twist onto some of these classics.

Try some diner lingo!

        On the Friday evening, the restaurant was really quite busy, so we sat at the counter, and despite the hustle and bustle of people coming and going, the service was quick, easy and the staff were extremely accommodating, and as warm as the pies they serve! We dived straight into the mains, with myself ordering a bacon, cheese burger with no bun, fries and a salad, and my Uncle ordering the chilli salad served in a ginormous taco! The burger was delicious, perfectly cooked and the fries seasoned perfectly. My Uncle's portion was huge, and could of easily served both of us! The chilli was delicious, and had a great depth of flavour, with a slight heat that lingered in the mouth. The salad included a great mixture of vegetables, which allowed for a cool bite after the heat of the chilli. Being gluten free I didn't try the taco, but just the look of it was appealing - I have a feeling that if I had wanted that meal they would have happily served it without the taco basket, and probably offered another option like chips for myself, as they were extremely understanding of my dietary requirements.
        There were a variety of desserts to choose from, and we ended up choosing the Grasshopper Pie, which is essentially mint chocolate chip ice cream (all ice creams are hand-made) in a gram cracker pie crust, served with whipped cream, fudge chocolate sauce, and sprinkles. The portion size was huge again, and we delved straight in! I avoided the gram crust, but even without it, the dish was great - the mint chocolate chip ice cream was smooth and perfectly flavoured, and the fudge sauce, I would happily fight someone for that!

        We returned twice on the Saturday for both lunch and dinner, as the diner is in a perfect location, which was easy for us to get to - we stayed only one junction away on the motorway. For both lunch and dinner we sat in a booth, as it was quieter than Friday, but still with a great amount of people. I ordered 'The Doo Wop' which included two eggs any style, a choice of bacon, Canadian bacon or sausage, home fries or beans, and toast. They even gave the option of gluten free toast for a $1 upcharge, which was perfect for me! The meal was great, and I was absolutely stuffed and couldn't eat it all. My Uncle choose 'The Big Cuban Melt' and it was definitely big, and even came with chips and a pickle.

        For dinner we both decided that we had our best diner meals yet - I had the roast beef with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables, whilst my Uncle had fried steak with mash and veggies. Both dishes were phenomenal, and I would recommend anyone to try these! I also highly recommend everyone to try the dessert of banana split! This was no ordinary banana split, but the best banana split (the server even said to us that she makes the best one in the diner). Banana served with chocolate, strawberry and vanilla home-made ice cream, with pineapple and mixed fruits, fudge chocolate sauce (in spoonfuls), whipped cream, strawberries and sprinkles. It is safe to say I had the biggest food baby after that monstrosity!

Hello Banana Split!

        If you are ever in Manchester, then please treat yourself to the Airport Diner, the food is amazing and the prices extremely great value. The restaurant, the service and the food were just top notch.

New Hampshire

         Friday afternoon and I'm packed up in the car with a great playlist (courtesy of yours truly), a hot chocolate and some jam sandwiches, ready to head on the journey to Manchester, New Hampshire. Luckily, we had a good trip down and the setting sun made for a peaceful view. Travelling is definitely not my favourite thing and I was ready for a nap when we arrived - so a nap I had.

        The Holiday Inn Express we stayed in was great, and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Manchester. I got the luxury of a twin double room, which gave me the choice of two beds, and was extremely spacious and super clean.

        After freshening up we headed to the Airport Diner, which was just one junction down the motorway. It was really busy, which I expected for a Friday night, so we got two stools at the counter. The food was great, and the pudding delicious - so we headed back twice the next day!

        Our plan for Saturday was to visit Mount Washington, which I had searched and found out was 3 hours away - we were only an hour from Boston! - but my Uncle insisted it was 40 minutes to an hour, until he searched it as well. Time for a re-think. I went down to the lobby and looked at the guides available, and eventually found a State Park not too far away, so off went. Bear Brook State Park is located in Allenstown, New Hampshire and gave us a nice break to see the Autumn leaves. I think that the park would be a great place to visit in the Summer, as there was a little beach on the edge of a lake, with the trees surrounding the distance.

        For the remainder of the day we got lunch at the diner, and then spent the afternoon at the hotel - which was really needed! We headed back out to the diner for dinner, and had one of the best banana splits known to man!

        Sunday was reptile expo day - I had more of a slow start with my Uncle coming back to get me from the hotel. At the show we walked around, and also manned the stool; I was classed as a "vendor" which was pretty cool. It was quite bizarre to see so many reptiles, especially snakes, all in one place, and it was even weirder to see people carrying cotton bags and thinking "they've got a snake in there!".

        After spending some time there we started the journey back home, stopping in Portland, Maine for lunch (well an afternoon snack) at Whole Foods, and to do a brief shop in Trader Joe's. Travelling back really didn't go down well with my body, and I felt extremely sick and dizzy, and was glad to get back to the house and my room.

        The weekend has definitely taken its toll, and I'm glad I'm inside today, hiding from the rain and the wind. The weekend was really lovely, and nice to see somewhere different and do new things.

        It was also another state to check off my list - bonus! 5 down, 45 to go!

Counting Down the Days

        The countdown has begun (technically it started a few weeks ago), so the final countdown has begun. One week. One week and I will be getting on the plane that's taking me home. It's safe to say I'm ecstatic - although there is a surreal feeling that it is bittersweet.

        I never even thought I would make it to the point where I was staying, yet here I am 3 months later, still going (a little slower than I started). Much of my experience has been quite unexpected, not how I pictured it at all, but I have still enjoyed it, minus a few things. These things seem big now - in the near future they won't matter a bit and hopefully I will be laughing about them. Truthfully, I'm laughing at some of them already, it helps so why not?!

        The definition of bittersweet is "both pleasant and painful mixed together" (the first definition I found was 'a poisonous Eurasian woody vine' - not quite what I was going for!). Leaving is definitely both pleasant and painful, as I am letting go of things that are draining and toxic to me, on the other hand I am leaving family, and also new friends who I have formed great friendships with. I know that I will keep in contact with them, and hopefully sometime will get to visit them again, or have them visit me. I really wouldn't have got through this without them, or without my family at home spurring me on!

        I seem to have a million things to fit into this last week, and I am so worried that I won't get everything done in time, as people aren't quite as organised as I would like them to be. All I can do is keep trying to get things done - one of them is pretty important though, getting a suitcase! I thought I was sorted when my Uncle gave me a suitcase, but unfortunately it turns out that it is my Aunts and he shouldn't of giving it to me in the first place. So now I am needing to go out and get a suitcase so I can actually get all of my things home - it makes more sense now why I'm really stressed eh?
       
        It doesn't help that my body is continually declining, and I just need to be home where I can actually rest and not have so many things that are stressing me out and making me worse. To do that I have to get through this week, which I know is going to be a fight against my body.
        Lets get through the week, and lets make the most of the time I have remaining, as I know I will miss some things when I go, and I'm always going to have that to-ing and fro-ing in my head of whether I'm doing the right thing. I just know that at this moment, home is the place for me.

A Breath of Fresh Air

        I've been hauled up in the house these last few days feeling exhausted and rubbish, due to different circumstances, so yesterday I ventured back out to university and it was great to be out in the fresh air again, and do something rather than sit waiting for the time to pass - although getting more time to speak to my family was nice!

        It was an extremely long day and it is taking an extra toll on my body, but I was glad to be out and about. I started up at 7.30am (which really shouldn't be allowed) and spent the morning snoozing in my Uncle's office; not very productive but it had to be done, with the added bonus of a hot chocolate. Then I sat down for some lunch and headed up to the lab and spent the afternoon with Bri. There wasn't much to do as Bri is holding off on some lab work until she has figured out what to do, a good idea in my eyes, as it is key to her research - sadly she's had a rubbish week in terms of her research, so hopefully she gets the break through she deserves!

        The day night before I found out that I was going for a meal with Uncle Ian straight after university, as he had to take a guest speaker out for dinner when she arrived in Maine. He also informed me of his lab drinks he had to go to beforehand. So I got dropped at Margarita's, and sat with Erin at the bar (cheeky), whilst Ian went to collect Victoria from the airport. We were joined by Jess, and a couple of others a little while later. It was so nice just to chat to Erin and Jess, as I haven't really done much just going out and relaxing with people. I also found out that I had some things in common with both of them, on certain subjects *cough cough*, which was actually really refreshing to hear similar opinions to mine!

        At 6pm Erin and myself walked across the road to Woodman's to see if we could get a table for 8 people - there is usually quite a wait for tables, let alone one for 8 people - but just by chance, the lady was able to arrange a table of 8, and we were able to sit straight away. Erin and I texted everyone to head over, and about half an hour later we were all sat around chatting - the dynamic of the group was great, and even though I don't know them all really well, I got on well with them all, and had a really nice time! For starters Ian ordered fried calamari, spinach and artichoke dip with toasted flat bread, and an onion blossom; unfortunately, I can't eat any of these due to the gluten, so the lovely waitress got me some celery sticks so I could try the dip, and although I wouldn't personally choose the dip, it was delicious! For my main dish I ordered haddock pomodora (haddock baked in tomatoes, basil, garlic and olive oil, served with rice and carrots). This was completely the opposite of what I usually order (I normally play it safe with a burger), but my oh my it was so so good, and I polished it off in a flash! The desert was also heavenly - chocolate lava cake, what more do I need to say?!

        The evening really exceeded my expectations, as I was worried about going to my Uncle's lab drinks without him being there, and sitting awkwardly at a dinner with people I didn't know well, but it was relaxing, lovely and such a nice change from what has become my usual day to day goings on.