So I had some crispy double chocolate brownies I got from the store and it was so good but expensive. I also love cookies. I was like how can I make this crispy chocolate brownies and cookies in one. Below was the ingredients and procedure. And I was able to successfully create this combination. ❤
Ingredients:
1 1/4 all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda (not powder)
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon instant coffee
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
3/4 cups dark chocolate chips
Procedure:
1. Preheat oven at 355 F.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients such as flour, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder and sugar. Stir them until it is well blended.
3. Create a hollowed center from the dry ingredients mixture and add the melted butter, beaten egg and vanilla. Mix them using a food processor or a spatula until you get a dough consistency.
4. Add the chocolate chips in the dough and mix it very well.
5. In a baking pan, place a parchment paper. Get a teaspoon of the dough, round it and place them on the pan with parchment paper. Make sure to space them well as the dough will expand into flat cookies. (You can experiment on the size you like – make it smaller or bigger!)
6. Place them in the oven and bake for 13-15 minutes. Since they are dark, it is hard to see if they are cooked but you can use a fork to touch the side of the cookie. If they are not soft, it is ready! Baking it for 20 minutes or more will burn the cookie.
This is not a clickbait. But I made the best pork inalamangan (alamang=shrimp paste) today, and I am just so proud of it!!! Before I forget the recipe here is how I made it.
Ingredients:
1 kg pork cut into approximately 2-inch cubes
2 cups water
5 cloves of garlic
1 medium-sized onion
3 medium-sized tomato
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ground pepper
1 pc jalapeno or habanero (if you want it spicy)
2 tbsp salted shrimp paste
1.5 cup eggplant (optional)
1 tbsp brown sugar
Step-by-step procedure:
1. Boil the pork cubes in water for 15-20mins or until the amount of water is reduced. Remove the brown bubbles and oil coming from the pork when it is boiling.
2. While waiting for the pork cubes to boil, mix the onion, tomato, jalapeno and garlic in a food processor or blender and blend them altogether until all the ingredients are ground.
3. Put this mixture to the boiling pork once the amount of water is reduced. Add salt and pepper. Mix and let it simmer for 10-15 mins.
4. Add the salted shrimp paste and sugar and mix very well. Simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Not all people like eggplant but if you do, you can add the eggplant and boil the mixture until the eggplant is cooked and the mixture is thicker (approx. 10minutes).
Disclaimer: I do not mean to brag but to inspire future licensed agriculturists to give your best shot! Also, I did not garner the first spot but I was part of the top 10 during the 2014 LEA’s.
Aside from getting a government I.D., I am sharing with you some perks I got after getting in the top 10 highest places in June 2014 Licensure Examination for Agriculturists:
1. No need for another government certification test
If you are aiming for a government position, you can use this instead of taking the civil service examination (even if you are not a topnotcher).
2. Job offers
In my case, a week after the results came out, I got several job offers that I did not take since I was already employed that time. But, if you are a fresh graduate and getting frustrated to find a job – it will be a good opportunity.
3. Medal
It sounded silly but yes you get to have a medal during the oath taking ceremony. I am guessing you will also get this even if you decide not to attend the oath taking. It was just a piece of metal but it will gonna be a remembrance that you did your best and you made it!
4. Ego booster
At that time, I was questioning if I made the right choice of doing agriculture as a profession because I felt that I was dumb for the job but after 2014…I still feel dumb. LOL. A dumb professional who can persevere in a competitive world. It makes a lot of difference. LOL.
5. Adds value in your resume
I told you in the previous post that the grade would just be a number and will not define you. I still firmly believe on that. But getting a place in the top 10 in any licensure examinations in the Philippines will give your resume an extra edge over other applicants in the same career level.
6. Your constant reminder
After the exam, yes you may use it to get a job but after some time, it will be forgotten. And if you decide to walk on a different path, you may question the value of your LEA results. You will still face inevitable opportunities and challenges that may lead you to question your worth as an individual. In my case, there are days I feel like I am the most stupid person in my profession and all the things I do are not good enough. During those days, I remind myself that I am good, and bad days are experiences to humble me and keep my feet on the ground.
If ever you become part of the top 10 and decide to serve the country, I hope you still remain grounded and be the best agriculturist for a better agriculture of our country.
We went to Yellowstone and when we were heading back home (Nebraska), we decided to stop by the hot spring pool and spend the night in Saratoga, Wyoming to get some rest after a long drive before driving again.
We found the Sage Motel which was a 2-minute drive from the hot spring and was really cheap (paid $60 excluding the tax), clean and smells so good. Anyway, we intentionally wanted to stop there for the hot pool.
We were seeing good reviews about the Saratoga Hobo Hot Spring and it did not fail us!
The place has 3 pools namely main, small and lobster pool. During our visit early in September, the weather was cool but not freezing and for me it was a good weather to swim in a hot pool but I am guessing that winter would be a great time as well.
But, the best thing was it is free and open 24/7. Whenever you arrive or whenever you like, you can use these hot pools. The temperature of the pool varies and they put the temperature of the day in a white board so you can gauge if you can endure the heat.
The small and lobster pools were clearer than the main pool. But, the main pool was the one I endured and enjoyed the most because the other two were too hot for me.
In all the three pools, you will smell the sulfur which you may or may not be able to tolerate. For me it was not that bad and does not stick on the skin. Also, you may find small particles of moss in the water which did not make me itchy (I have a very sensitive skin btw).
Adjacent to these hot pools was a regular swimming pool which you need to pay a small amount of entrance fee. Unfortunately, this pool was closed when we were there. There was a river/stream nearby you can do sight-seeing.
The place has shower rooms to rinse. Make sure to bring your own towel and toiletries.
After swimming and you get hungry, the town has interesting cafeteria we tried. They have good pastries and beverages.
If it is on your way, plan to stop, relax and rest a bit before heading to your destination. It is worth a visit even just for a 30-minute dipping.
Before leaving the place, make sure to please do not litter and follow their rules.
Are you dreading for your up coming licensure examination for agriculturists? Do you feel like you are not prepared? You are not alone! I was in the same shoes 9 years ago! All the energy I used worrying whether I will pass or not was wasted. I passed and luckily got one of the spots in the top 10. Here are the 3 things I did that made me pass:
1.Focus on important things.
When previous takers told you to use the past reviewers from different universities, they were telling the truth. You will not have enough time to study all the things your professor in college taught you. The previous years’ reviewers really have magic. Some of the questions could be found in the actual questionnaire during the exam. And if you think you are running out of brain cells, focus on where you believe your weakest subject and use the available reviewers to refresh your mind on the information you needed.
2.Pay attention and be prepared with the examination requirements
Do you need to wear a specific color of shirt? Do you need to bring black or blue pen, or a pencil? Is the scientific calculator allowed? Make a checklist of the documents you need to be able to take the exam and a week before make another list of what you need to bring to the examination. Find the assigned room and check for the schedule (usually you have to be a bit early on the first day for the proctor to check you in and your documents) — this will reduce the panic and anxiety on the first day of the exam that you already have and will help you calm once you get to your seat.
3.Do your best and God will do the rest
During the exam just do your best. Try to relax – this will give you clarity to allow you to remember what you studied. Do not attempt to cheat. Aside from the big danger that you may get caught (that will do actual harm), you are also cheating mainly yourself. You got this. Believe in yourself. Manifest that you will pass. And after the exam just have faith that you will pass because you did your best. Prayer worked for me. I honestly did not expect that I would garner a place in the top 10 but I was praying really hard for months until the day of the results and heaven did not fail me.
Whatever the results, remember that it will just be an exam that should not define you. Yes, you may not probably get the permanent position now in your office but maybe the universe has a different plan for you. Keep believing! You can do this!
If the farmer applied 10 gallons per acre of 11-34-0 fertilizer, how much N and P are there?
The density of 11-34-0 is 11.7 lbs/gal. It has 11% N and 34% P2O5. To get the lbs of liquid 11-34-0, we must multiply 10 gallons by 11.7 lbs/gal which gives us 117lbs of 11-34-0. To get the amount of N, we multiply 117 lbs by 11% giving us 11.7 lbs of N per acre and if we want to convert it to SI units, we multiply 11.7 by 1.12 (1lb/ac = 1.12 kg/ha). Next, we want to know the amount of P, we get the amount by multiplying 117lbs to 34% since it is the grade of the fertilizer used. It will give us 39.78 lbs but in the form of P2O5. If we want to know the elemental P, we must divide to the 2.29 factor (because P2O5 (141.88g/mol) / P2 (61.94g/mol) =2.290 (Factor) which will give us 17.37 lbs per acre of elemental P. And to convert it to kg per ha we have to multiply it to 1.12 and get 19.45 kg per ha elemental P.
SOLID form:
It is like the liquid form calculation but simpler because you do not need the density of the liquid fertilizer. If we applied 100lbs of granular complete or 14-14-14 fertilizer we just multiply 100lbs by 14% giving us 14lbs of N, P, and K in this case. But remember that P and K are in compound form so to get the elemental form we divide 14lbs by 2.29 and 1.2, respectively. And again, if we want it in kg per ha, multiply by 1.12 the lb/ac.
NOTE: Be mindful of P and K as they are often in a compound form in fertilizers. If it is P2O5, you divide the value by 2.29 to get the elemental P and 1.2 to get elemental K from K2O.
It is June 21, 2023, 12 noon. I had been wanting to write this last Sunday in time for Father’s Day, but I could not as it was bringing me to tears. This year was the first time that I could not tell tatay “Happy Father’s Day” after more than 2 decades of almost constantly celebrating the day of the best tatay ever. It has been 8 months since he left, and the pain is still there. In quiet moments, grief visits me unexpectedly, especially on occasions that remind me of good times and habits that we shared – like yearly Father’s Day greetings. Whenever I greeted him during those years it never felt like an extra special day as he would not react that much and it is fine – his love language was service and not words of affirmation anyway. Usually, we would wake up early morning on that Father’s Day Sunday to go to church and then eat out to celebrate. I know from his smile that he really appreciated and was happy during those days. In 2021, I accepted the internship in the US to learn and gain experience as well as earn better for the life I imagined for him and nanay. But even if I was not at home, I would try to call or text nanay (because tatay never had a phone) to tell tatay Happy Father’s Day. It was a yearly habit for me because every day was a special day with the best tatay ever. Father’s Day became a habit – second Sunday of the week of June felt like an ordinary day regardless if we were out or at home and just say it out loud to tatay, until the year that I can no longer say that to him. The weight of losing the best tatay is slowly sinking in. The nightmare that I had always feared and that woke me up in the past brings me tears that do not wake me up anymore because it is a reality that I am facing every single day until I get used to it. I remember when I was a kid, I prayed so hard that heaven would give my tatay and nanay more years to live by trading 20 years of my life to give tatay and nanay 10 more extra years each. I wanted to give them a house, car, and easy life on Earth after college graduation which did not happen. Tatay got very sick when I was in 5th grade, he was so close to death but then I prayed so hard again that he would survive that time and promised something to God – but God was kind enough because I broke that promise and he still let tatay lived for 20 more years. And then, I promised myself to give them a convenient life before they left Earth, but I was very complacent. I thought he could still wait for that to happen – he tried and did his best. Dialysis was no joke; he was able to endure all the pain to fight for his life because we wanted him to fight – I was selfish and wanted him to wait for me for that day to come when he would not ride a tricycle anymore and not be anxious about typhoons that may destroy our house but that day will never come anymore because we had to surrender him to God – the pain he was experiencing seemed to be unbearable for his old body already. The thought that I will never see him again is still painful. I miss you tatay. You will always be the best tatay ever. Sana naibigay ko pa din yung buhay na pinapangarap ko para sayo bago mo man lang nilisan ‘tong mundo. Ang bilis ng panahon. Isang iglap wala ka na. Akala ko maiintay mo pa kong magtapos ng PhD. Ginagawa ko naman ‘to kasi natutuwa ako kapag nakikita kitang proud na proud kang binibida mo ko sa mga kaibigan mo. Sorry kung hindi ko naibigay yung maalwan na buhay sayo. Pero alam mo kahit mahirap handa akong ipangutang ka madugtungan lang yung buhay mo. Pero kita ko namang hirap na hirap ka na noon kaya kinailangan ko nang isuko ka kay Lord kahit ayaw ko pa talaga. Kahit handa akong ipaglaban ka kahit malubog pa ko sa utang wala akong pakeelam. Tay, mahirap itong PhD. Wala pa kong motivation lately kasi ikaw yung number 1 cheerleader ko sa journey na to tapos wala ka na. Ayaw ko nang ipangako na tatapusin ko to or makakapublish ako kasi ‘di ko natutupad pag pinapangako ko. Pangarap kong maipakita sayo yung dissertation ko na ginawa ko yung best ko. Gusto kong maipakita sayo yung last name mo na dala dala ko mga publication ko. Hindi ka man mayaman o feeling mo man pabigat ka sa finances natin, mahal na mahal kita at proud na proud ako sayo at gusto kong isigaw sa mundo na anak ako ng tatay ko dahil sa pangalan ko na ikaw ang nagpalathala at apelyido mo sa mga publication ko. Dadalhin ko sa puntod mo at ipapakita yung published paper ko. Hindi ito pangako, gagawin ko na lang. Miss ko nga yung ngiti at tawa mo. Yung bibilhan mo kong itik, mais at binatog kasi alam mong paborito ko yon. Yung sa umaga handa na yung baon ko. Yung gusto mong ikaw magprito ng isda ko. Yung kaya ko naman ihanda yung baon ko pero gusto mo ikaw pa din magluluto kahit masama pakiramdam mo. Sobrang naappreciate ko yon. Sana next life mo mayaman ka at hindi ka worried sa bagyo at finances. At kung papipiliin ako, ikaw pa din yung gusto kong maging tatay.
Disclaimer: this how to fly drone is based on what works well for me. I hope it will help you.
Pre-flight
Check weather conditions a day before and on the day using this url: https://www.weather.gov/. Wind speed of <15mph and clear sky or full overcast would be the best conditions to fly.
During and after the flight
Attach the iPad using the cord to the remote control and then turn it on (double push – quick first press then second long press) – should show dot lights accompanied by a ring.
Remove the drone from the box and turn it on (double push – quick first press then second long press) – should have the green lights on accompanied by a ring.
In the iPad, select DJI GO; click upper most left bar that says ‘dji Disconnected’ – it should show ‘Aircraft Status’ -> click ‘Enter Travel Mode’ to raise the drone into its flight position.
Select and mark the flight area.
Open Pix4D capture -> PROJECT LIST -> Project xxxxx -> Open -> locate your area of interest.The location of the drone should appear on the map close to where you are, if not check if the drone is turned on or restart the drone.Move the four corners of the flight polygon area and place white markers in each corner.
Save the project by pressing the save logo.
You are now ready to fly:
BEFORE the flight, turn on the camera of the drone by connecting the iPad to the camera’s wifi: rededge1634139. Once connected, open Safari mobile browser and open the MicaSense Camera App by opening the URL: 192.168.10.254. Click the gear icon where you will see the ‘Basic Configuration’ and then press the START button. There should be a red blinking light on the camera/sensor.
Take a photo of the calibration panel before the flight.
Open the Pix4D capture Project xxxxx again and press start. Press NEXT until all the green check marks appear and you can start the flight mission.
Be aware of the battery level of the drone. One battery can fly up to 15 minutes depending on the wind speed. If one battery is not enough, return the drone to home when the battery level is 35% or lower depending on the last location of the drone.
After the flight, calibrate again by taking a photo again of the calibration panel.
Return the drone to the box by going to DJI GO (‘dji Disconnected’ -> enter/exit travel mode to fit the drone into its mold in the box.
When flying, make sure to follow all the guidelines in the country you are flying your drone.
We went to an overnight camp last weekend in Lake Ogallala, NE, USA. I specifically mentioned where it was because it was my first-time camping in the US plus, this was a spontaneous trip. Unplanned. LOL. For context, I am not from the US and am more familiar with camping back home where there are a lot of sellers around the campsite so you will not need to go back and forth to the grocery store. Keep reading to know the list of things you need to bring and the lessons I learned.
The things that you will need will depend on what you and your companion/s want to do in your overnight camp. Do you want to do smores, stargaze, kayak, or paddle boarding? I went with one person and our goal was just to kayak, swim, and experience sleeping in a tent. And we learned a lot of things from that camping!
What did we have when we traveled? We brought 1L of drinking water, soda, charcuterie stuff, nuts, a swimsuit, a kayak, sunscreen, a pop-up tent, bedding, a blanket, a pot, plates, bowls, spoons, and forks. This seems to be a lot for an overnight trip, but we missed a lot and had to travel back and forth to the grocery and convenience store thrice which was 19 minutes away. Good thing we left earlier than we planned. The lake was an hour away from our house. We started driving at 9 a.m. We first stopped at a grocery store which was 19 minutes away from the campsite to get beers and before leaving, we realized that we did not have an insect repellant which is important especially when camping. Upon arrival, the kiosk in the campsite issues a parking permit but does not book your campsite so you can either reserve your area online or stop by the visitor center which is a 2-minute drive from the campsite. The good thing about heading straight to the campsite is that if that is your first time there you can see and locate first the location you would like to spend the night while booking online will let you know if there are still available areas. The downside would be you will lose time going back to the visitor center especially if it is not peak season.
Upon arrival, we got our parking permit which is good for both Ogallala and McConaughy Lake. Then we paid for our campsite at the visitor center and got our ticket that you need to clip in front of your area. We started inflating our kayaks and realized that we forgot the paddles and had to try the rentals, but they do not rent paddles alone, so we had to go to the grocery to get cheap ones. Then, we set up our tent. After that, we went kayaking for hours. We got hungry and since we brought charcuterie stuff without a cooler resulting in melted cheese and cooked the salami and prosciutto. LOL. It was not good, so bring a cooler if you are planning to bring those kinds of food and for your beers and soda so you will not drink warm beer and soda. LOL. After eating, we drove to Lake McConaughy to swim. You can bring some towels, toiletries, and bills for tokens when you plan to take a shower after swimming in the lake. They do not allow alcoholic beverages in the lake, so we had to finish the beer that we brought before going to the shore.
We headed back to our campsite because we forgot our towels and toiletries. There are shower rooms in Ogallala Lake that require tokens as well, so remember to have some bills to change to tokens in the changer in front of the shower rooms. Heading back, we realized that we finished our drinking water and we had to go to a convenience store which was a 9-minute drive just to get water so remember to bring drinking water.
Early morning the next day since we were so tired after all our adventure, we found some wood and a lighter and we made some fires to complete the camping experience. Packing up things is the same as preparing – make sure you are not leaving any valuables in your campsite and trash all garbage in the proper trash bins.
Even if you think that you are all prepared you may end up seeing yourself not bringing a thing or two. I am a spontaneous traveler and it allowed me to learn and relearn myself, but at the end of the day, a prepared spontaneous traveler is still better. Despite all the challenges and the things that we forgot, we still had fun and an overall good experience.
larswrites 