My new favorite Japanese restaurant
Judith
Stephanie
I found a car smaller than the Smart car
Authentic Chinese food
Monday, March 2, 2009
Testing out the new camera
My new favorite Japanese restaurantJudith
I found a car smaller than the Smart carAuthentic Chinese food
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
A visitor
My dad came to visit me after my stay in Barcelona. We saw as much of Paris in 4 days as some tourists see in 2 weeks. It was definitely a whirlwind tour! My favorite part was our day trip to Tours, an hour from Paris, where we went on a tour of a couple castles. Here are two of Dad's "metro cam" segments:
Vicky, Christina, Barcelona . . . but no Javier or Woody Allen narration.
Time to catch up a bit I suppose. I've fallen out of my blogging habit without wi fi chez moi. Sorry. :( Now that I have internet AND a spiffy new camera, it's time to go wild! (If blogging can be considered a wild activity, I think not.)
Vacation was absolutely lovely. I wrote a paper, tutored, worked on a few documents for the consulting company I do translations for . . . wait, this was supposed to be vacation, right? I made up for it in the final week, jetting off (ha! jet. It was Ryan Air, which requires more bus time than jet time) to Barcelona with the lovely Americans, Stephanie and Elizabeth.
(The photos are theirs. I was still cameraless at the time.)
I think my favorite parts of the trip were visiting la Pedrera, one of Gaudi's building, and eating paella. Typical tourist stuff, I know, but I don't care!! It was great!
As for the Vicky, Christina, Barcelona reference, we decided Stephanie was Penelope Cruz's character (she's more exotic than either Elizabeth or me and has the great hair), Elizabeth was Scarlett Johansson (blonde and voluptuous), and I was Rebecca's character, Vicky (neurotic and analytical). They know me so well. :)
Vacation was absolutely lovely. I wrote a paper, tutored, worked on a few documents for the consulting company I do translations for . . . wait, this was supposed to be vacation, right? I made up for it in the final week, jetting off (ha! jet. It was Ryan Air, which requires more bus time than jet time) to Barcelona with the lovely Americans, Stephanie and Elizabeth.
(The photos are theirs. I was still cameraless at the time.)
I think my favorite parts of the trip were visiting la Pedrera, one of Gaudi's building, and eating paella. Typical tourist stuff, I know, but I don't care!! It was great!
As for the Vicky, Christina, Barcelona reference, we decided Stephanie was Penelope Cruz's character (she's more exotic than either Elizabeth or me and has the great hair), Elizabeth was Scarlett Johansson (blonde and voluptuous), and I was Rebecca's character, Vicky (neurotic and analytical). They know me so well. :)
silly me
For the past few months I've been balancing my laptop in all sorts of positions in search of a wi fi signal after losing my wonderful free signal. One knee raised, elbow on the light switch, stick out your tongue, . . . ok, three bars, hoorah!
Tonight, I finally caved and prepared a nice little note in French for my neighbor, politely asking if I could pay for access to his network. I stepped up to the door, note pre-taped, and heard the tv on inside. I stashed the note in my pocket and knocked. Before I hardly had the words out of my mouth, he had the code written down and didn't want me to pay anything!
I HAVE INTERNET!!! FAST, GLORIOUS FREEEEEE INTERNET!!!!!!
Tonight, I finally caved and prepared a nice little note in French for my neighbor, politely asking if I could pay for access to his network. I stepped up to the door, note pre-taped, and heard the tv on inside. I stashed the note in my pocket and knocked. Before I hardly had the words out of my mouth, he had the code written down and didn't want me to pay anything!
I HAVE INTERNET!!! FAST, GLORIOUS FREEEEEE INTERNET!!!!!!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Secret Shame
Ok, I admit it. I saw Twilight . . . and loved it. Yes, this angst-ridden vampire drama is definitely aimed at a teen audience, but that was what made it such a glorious treat after weeks of studying, writing papers and sufferring through exams. Even though I laughed through the entire thing, a part of me can't wait for the sequel.
My favorite part was when they were describing his vampire skills. The camera would cut to a close-up of the word "fast" on a computer screen and then show the vampire, Edward, running really fast, and then it would show "strong" and he'd lift something over his head. NOTHING was left to the imagination, and every point was made about five times to make sure you didn't miss it.
The next best aspect of the film was the dialogue, incredibly basic with a 4th grade vocabulary. However, it worked for the film. As much as I would love to think that I quoted Proust in my high school years with the ease of a Gossip Girl prima donna, I know better. It was perhaps better that the characters of Twilight were a bit on the quiet side (their sentences averaged at about 3 words per sentence, less if you factor in the meaningful stares as communication); any depiction of real high school banter would have been far less interesting.
My only regret about seeing it is that the author, who apparently has no imagination for dialogue and doesn't understand the concept of subtlety, will become fabulously rich from this whole endeavor.
My favorite part was when they were describing his vampire skills. The camera would cut to a close-up of the word "fast" on a computer screen and then show the vampire, Edward, running really fast, and then it would show "strong" and he'd lift something over his head. NOTHING was left to the imagination, and every point was made about five times to make sure you didn't miss it.
The next best aspect of the film was the dialogue, incredibly basic with a 4th grade vocabulary. However, it worked for the film. As much as I would love to think that I quoted Proust in my high school years with the ease of a Gossip Girl prima donna, I know better. It was perhaps better that the characters of Twilight were a bit on the quiet side (their sentences averaged at about 3 words per sentence, less if you factor in the meaningful stares as communication); any depiction of real high school banter would have been far less interesting.
My only regret about seeing it is that the author, who apparently has no imagination for dialogue and doesn't understand the concept of subtlety, will become fabulously rich from this whole endeavor.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Good news!
My speakers are working again on my laptop!
Ok, as exciting as that is, it's not my most exciting piece of information to share. I had my interview Wednesday evening by telephone, and I was offered an interview on the spot (on the line?) with the World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines. I'm very excited!
With tests and papers I don't have much to write these days, and I can't even post pictures as I lost my camera before break. I hope to get back into the groove in February.
Ok, as exciting as that is, it's not my most exciting piece of information to share. I had my interview Wednesday evening by telephone, and I was offered an interview on the spot (on the line?) with the World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines. I'm very excited!
With tests and papers I don't have much to write these days, and I can't even post pictures as I lost my camera before break. I hope to get back into the groove in February.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
January . . . yuck
The holidays are over and my least favorite month is here. Oh January, could there be a worse month? To make it worse, my semester did not end before winter break, so I only have tests, papers, and cold, rainy days to look forward to until spring. At least I have my memories from winter break to keep me warm.
I went home for two weeks, and what a wonderful two weeks it was. Mom taught me a few knew stitches, and I knitted up a storm. The family and I spent a lot of time playing games, putting together puzzles, cooking, watching movies and relaxing. Rachel and I busted out the instruments a few times for a jam session (don't really think it can be applied to classical music. . . perhaps it was a clam session). Mom even joined us with her cello one day.
As for gatherings, I celebrated with the Cramers the day I arrived. In all of my jet lagged glory, I managed to pull it together and enjoy the day. Christmas day was spent with the Heads. We debunked tradition and celebrated with a salad theme. I needed a salad since my absence had stripped me of all defenses when faced with my mom's wonderful cooking. Even with the salad, I believe I managed to put on 5 pounds in two weeks. Ohh carmel corn, you will be the death of me. Christmas eve, Rachel and I spent the evening with our parents and Mom made her traditional clam chowder. To top it all off, we had a beautiful white Christmas. Snow in the country is just so much prettier than snow in Paris.
I saw a few friends while back in town. My friend from Guthrie Center, Mandi, and I spent an evening with our moms. For New Year's eve, my friend Chris organized a party for several members of our graduating class. To my surprise, Chris and I were the only ones not married or engaged. This is simply a statement of fact. I'm not looking to change that status any time soon. :)
I have a conference call for an mysterious internship on Monday. Hopefully I will have details about my plans for next fall earlier than I anticipated.
I went home for two weeks, and what a wonderful two weeks it was. Mom taught me a few knew stitches, and I knitted up a storm. The family and I spent a lot of time playing games, putting together puzzles, cooking, watching movies and relaxing. Rachel and I busted out the instruments a few times for a jam session (don't really think it can be applied to classical music. . . perhaps it was a clam session). Mom even joined us with her cello one day.
As for gatherings, I celebrated with the Cramers the day I arrived. In all of my jet lagged glory, I managed to pull it together and enjoy the day. Christmas day was spent with the Heads. We debunked tradition and celebrated with a salad theme. I needed a salad since my absence had stripped me of all defenses when faced with my mom's wonderful cooking. Even with the salad, I believe I managed to put on 5 pounds in two weeks. Ohh carmel corn, you will be the death of me. Christmas eve, Rachel and I spent the evening with our parents and Mom made her traditional clam chowder. To top it all off, we had a beautiful white Christmas. Snow in the country is just so much prettier than snow in Paris.
I saw a few friends while back in town. My friend from Guthrie Center, Mandi, and I spent an evening with our moms. For New Year's eve, my friend Chris organized a party for several members of our graduating class. To my surprise, Chris and I were the only ones not married or engaged. This is simply a statement of fact. I'm not looking to change that status any time soon. :)
I have a conference call for an mysterious internship on Monday. Hopefully I will have details about my plans for next fall earlier than I anticipated.
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