topron and the chocolate factory

yesterday we went to an authentic swiss chocolate factory that goes by the name of Maestrani (website here). it was really great; we actually got to see how the chocolate is made, as it is first taken out of the shell that holds all the cocoa beans (we didn't see that part), then crushed and stirred (we saw the machines that do that, and they were churning), then added to milk powder, cocoa paste and cocoa butter (they explained all the different combinations in order to get dark/milk/white chocolate), poured into molds and cooled down. then they are taken to another part of the factory where they are wrapped. it was really an amazing experience. i had never been to a factory before this. we also got to taste some samples...it was tasty, but honestly i can't say that it beats all chocolates just because it's swiss. i mean it was really good and they are famous for it here, but it wasn't like..."omg, i've never tasted anything like this before". chocolate is chocolate; some girls (ok most girls) will disagree. i also bought some goodies from their store for some of you back in LA. going there made me want to start growing cocoa beans (slowly but surely turning into my dad). it's a really cool plant but will obviously take great care and maintenance as far as its environment goes. in nature it only grows in tropical environments so that has to somehow be replicated (greenhouse, temperature control, lights, etc...). so that was a really cool experience.

that same day we arranged to have a poker night at my place for a bunch of students in the group. those that made it really had a great time. we taught some people how to play and ended up putting 5 franc in the pot for each tournament (we played two tournaments). the first one was won by one of the girls that we taught how to play for her first time (that shit always happens), and the second tournament was one by ANOTHER girl that we taught how to play that same night. i came in second so i got my money back for the second tournament. i have to say it was really fun. we laughed a lot and learned a lot about each other. the get together definitely gained enough popularity to happen again very soon. poker can be very funny with the right people.

anyway, today i wanted to see if i could make something a little more "interesting" as far as food goes, and i wanted to take a day's break in eating super conservatively healthy...so, i made tuna casserole. right now it's sitting in the fridge awaiting going into the oven (i want to put it in the oven just before i'm ready to eat it), and it looks MIGHTY GOOD!!! it's two layers of penne pasta, tuna with onions and mushrooms in a creamy sauce (a little like alfredo, but slightly different taste), topped with mozzarella cheese and a few slices of tomatoes. i'm excited to taste it. i've never made anything like that before, so i'll keep my fingers crossed.

other than that..everything is going GREAT, i'm having a better time here than i ever thought i'd have.