blogging on the bus

As I type this, I am sitting aboard a Coach Canada bus headed for Toronto, coming from Montreal.  I am traveling at approximately 100 kilometers and hour.  This bus is equipped with wi-fi.  Technology!!!

It seems very strange to me that I am able to access the internet without using any sort of telephone or dsl or ethernet cables involved at all.  I remember when I went to France, after being in West Africa for over a year, and suddenly there was wi-fi internet at the school I had gone to.  It blew my mind that you could access the internet without a cable!  However, that’s all become old news, and you still have to have the wireless router attached to a cable somewhere.  But here I am, posting to Word Press, totally wirelessly!  It’s amazing!

Anyway, I am heading back to Chicago for 2 reasons.  I got a job!  A job that requires me to re-enter Canada and apply for a work-permit at the “Point of Entry”.  Also, I don’t have any winter clothes in Montreal and want to get a few things from mom’s basement.

As of Monday, November 8th, I will be the new Branch Librarian at the Montreal Children’s Library Richmond Square Branch, located in Little Burgundy.  I’m so excited !!!

I also found a new place to live, sans cats, in St. Henri, a 15 minute walk from Richmond Square.  Everything seems to be working out in the best possible way for me right now.  The universe is finally aligning in my favour!!

I had a great Halloween, despite my boyfriend’s best attempts to sabotage the festivities.  In a last minute turn of events, I decided to be a dead lumberjack.

happy halloween!

More pictures from the weekend can be found at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/baberahamlincln/Halloween2009

 

Happy Information Literacy Awareness Month!

I was just made aware of the fact that 3 days ago, President Obama declared October as “Information Literacy Awareness Month”.

I think its really exciting that information literacy is gaining such recognition, and such powerful advocates.  While doing research for the presentation I did in Nebraska, I came across the following site:

http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/

Another exciting educational initiative with powerful advocates that also promotes information literacy, ans information literacy integration at the primary school level.  I believe that UNESCO also recently declared 2009 the “Year of Information Literacy” or something along those lines.  IL is blowing up man!  It’s the next big thing!  Good thing I got in on the ground floor, because now everybody’s going to be jumping on the IL bandwagon.  Hooray!  It’s a global information literacy party, and Barack Obama is a party animal!

On a personal note, another candidate was selected for the position in Nebraska.  This leaves me feeling a bit rejected, but it’s probably for the best.  I would have quit in February anyway!

I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be staying in Montreal… if I can’t find a job here, I probably won’t stay much longer.  However, considering that unemployment in the states is now at a 20 year high, I probably won’t be able to find a job at home either.  Oh well, I can always start pan-handling.  Here’s my sign:

autumnal fun with the future dr. nicole

I have gotten my official acceptance letter into the PhD program at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand’s School of Information Management program.  They want me to start March 1st!

I’m still working out the funding and scholarship details, but for the time being, I don’t know how things will an out in the future.  If I am offered the job I interviewed for in Nebraska, if I get the scholarship, if my sweetie wants me to stay in Montreal… it’s all very complicated and confusing right now.  But, at least I have something to look forward to now, rather than feeling like an unemployed, useless sack of skin like I have for the past few months.

This weekend was full of autumnal fun, including apple picking, a hay ride, and a drive through the Eastern Townships with my old pal from Vientiane, Isabelle.

quinn farm on ile perrot

izzy and the apples we picked!

We attempted to re-create the Sticky Finger’s Tom Yam Martini, which I have to say, for my first try, based only on having drunk several liters of them in my day, I think my recreation was pretty spot-on!

moi at iza a granby

There’s an apple pie I must attend to now, but I’ll write more soon!

in montreal…

I am currently in Montreal, however… I’ll be on my way outta here shortly, for a few days at least, for a job interview in Nebraska!

Until that time, I don’t really have much to report, other than mundane banalities regarding daily life as what is essentially an unemployed childless housewife.  We don’t even have a TV for me to watch my soaps on!

Actually, I’m busy reading up on Intellectual Freedom in Academic Libraries, and checking out the Library Bill of Rights.  I should, right now, be preparing a presentation I aim to deliver at this interview in Nebraska, however I’m feeling a bit uninspired and stumped.  The nature of the assignment is quite vague “a 15-20 minute presentation on any aspect of librarianship that interests me”; perhaps that’s why I’m having trouble coming up with a “wower”. Any suggestions are warmly welcomed.
I really found the Library Bill of Rights to be inspiring and incredibly relevant, especially considering the bulk of it was drafted in what… 1950 ?! Give it a read if you have a minute, it won’t take any longer than that, I assure you.  I’m constantly amazed by the foresight, intelligence and respect that librarians possess.  We’re basically the best ever.

If this job works out… drink a Beerlao to celebrate! And come visit me in Nebraskie anytime!

life updated.

Well, things often don’t work out the way one expects them to.

I’m not going to Liberia.

5 days before I was scheduled to leave I found out that I would not be medically cleared to go.  I was in the process of packing my bags.

This was a result of my PAP coming back “AS-CUS” in addition to High-Risk HPV being detected (HR-HPV).  They have scheduled me for a colposcopy on September 3rd.  While it’s not a serious condition, and unlikely to cause any serious health concerns in the future, it’s enough for Peace Corps Response to tell me I have to defer my departure for at least 4 months.

A brief introduction to HPV (which I knew nothing about until a week ago)- HPV is a STI that 80% of women will have at some point in their life and has no symptoms.  HPV usually goes away on it’s own within 6 to 20 months of infection in most women with healthy immune systems, and there is no treatment for the HPV. However certain strains of HPV can lead to cervical cancer if undiagnosed and unmonitored.  Pre-cancerous HPV can be treated to prevent cervical cancer, which takes years to develop, hence the importance of monitoring the virus and yearly screenings for women over 30.

There is a vaccine against HR-HPV which I highly recommend for any one under 26.

If you live in Illinois, and are unemployed and uninsured like myself, you should be eligible for free treatment and screenings through one of the following 2 programs -

The Illinois Healthy Women program:

http://www.illinoishealthywomen.com/

Or the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program:

http://cancerscreening.illinois.gov/

Of course I will keep everyone updated regarding the results…

But, there is  silver lining to every dark cloud, or something like that, right?

I’m moving to Montreal.

Ticker bought me a one-way plane ticket for September 8th, and I’ll be staying indefintely.

Let’s just hope I find a job!

I’m also still waiting for word about my PhD application, which I’m hoping to start in the spring.

In the meantime, some pictures from my birthday, and Corina’s visit to Chi-town!

the bean

rollergirl

in chicago trick!

nicole turns 30!

Hey pals!  Don’t forget I’ve got the big 3-0 coming up on Monday, the 10th of August!

How did I get so old !??!

Love letters, gifts, cards, giftcards, money, cash, checks, presents, champagne, cake, balloons, flowers are warmly welcomed.

final countdown!

I’m leaving for Liberia on August 22nd!

Hence, I have been quite busy and haven’t had a whole lot of time to post in my blog.  In addition, I haven’t been up to many interesting things.  In fact, mostly I have been busy running around trying to take care of a multitude of medial tests and exams required by Peace Corps Response before they will “clear” me to leave.  This has included the following:

• HIV Test
• Hep B Surface Antigen
• Hep B Core Antibody
• Hep C
• G6PD Titer (I don’t even  know what this one is for…)
• TB test
• Urinalysis
• Pap smear
• CBC
• Physical exam
• Dental exam
• Panorex x-rays
• Bitewing x-rays
• Tetanus Vaccine
• Meningitis Vaccine

What a pain in the ass working for the US Government is !

Still in the process of sorting everything out, and sorting out my PhD application.

So, it’s been a short and busy stay here in North America, and all my plans have been a bit complicated by a certain some one in my life… though not an unwelcome complication!  You’ve probably already heard the news, but if not, and to de-obfuscate any intentionally vague comments I made have made earlier, I will spill all the beans now.  Recently I made the acquaintance of a very special boy and, as cheesy as this may sound, we’re in love!  It’s pretty serious and I’m really unbelievably happy and feel so lucky to have found him.  Logistically it’s a bit complicated with all my globe-trotting adventures, but I’m not worried.  However, this may mean that my adventures around the world will soon be coming to an end… and HOLY MOLY!  I might actually be settling down some time in the near future!!  Who would have ever thought it was possible?

shamlessly exploiting my students

Ok, I know this is probably unethical, but I won’t use any names and I’m almost sure none of my former students will ever see this.

A few months ago I gave my students the following writing exam, based on one of the lessons in our textbook:

1.) Write a letter in response to the following letter received by Annie.  Give your advice.

Desperate in Love
Dear Annie,
I am a 17 year old student and I am in love with my teacher.  She is a 34 year old woman from Australia.  She has been my teacher for 1 year already, and I have loved her since the first day I saw her. Everytime I go to school I see her and I feel nervous.  I am afraid to tell her how I feel.  I don’t know if she loves me because I am not a very handsome man and I am very shy.  She is single and she always smiles at me and is very kind to me. I am afraid if I tell her how I feel she will ask me to leave her class, or maybe if she loves me she might get fired from her job.  Please help me and tell me what to do!
Warm regards,
Lonely Pubao

and the responses I received were beyond brillant.  My favorite, written by a 13 year old boy:

I'll tell you about love...

recipes shamlessly stolen from a restaurant

I scanned these from a document I received from “Tamarind Restaurant” – where I took a Lao cooking class last August!

Koy: Minced Meat and·Herb Salad (Usually called Laap or Laab)
Served as laap in many Luang Prabang restaurants, kay is actually very different from laap Luang
Prabang style. As with most Lao dishes any meat can be used. Vegetarians might like to substitute tofu, eggplant or mushrooms. Local families have their own variations on this recipe, often made with raw meats, most commonly buffalo or fish.
Ingredients:
1 clove garlic, chopped
150g buffalo or beef, minced, ground or finely chopped
2-3 small spring onions, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped coriander
1/2 stalk lemongrass, finely chopped 1 cup chopped mint (see glossary)
I tsp salt (to taste)
1 tablespoon roasted sticky rice powder (see glossary)
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 1/2 teaspoons fish sauce” 1-2 chillies (to taste)
1 small handful fmely sliced banana flower fsee glossary)
2 snake beans (see glossary)
1/2 cup pak hom baen leaves (see glossary)
1 tablespoon of fresh galangal chopped fmely (see glossary)
Method:
• In a wok or pan, heat oil and gently saute half the garlic. Add meat, continue until lightly cooked.     .
• Remove pan from heat, add remaining ingredients to combine, including remaining garlic.
• Arrange on a serving platter, garnish with greens and serve with sticky rice .

The cooking class was excellent – the best in Laos according to many people!  If you are Luang Prabang, I highly reccomend it.

The other pages aren’t coming out so well with the OCR… when I have time I will post more!

How to make Sticky Rice/Glutinous Rice/Khao Niao

More from Coco’s Lao Kitchen!

Sticky Rice is an essential component of the Lao diet.  It’s actually a different variety or rice and must be cooked in a different way than regular rice.  Usually in a Lao home there will be a large basket full of sticky rice at any moment.  The rice will be put to soak the night before, and then in the morning somebody (usually the wife.. or one of the daughters) will steam it.  Lao people are convinced sticky rice tastes better if steamed over a charcoal fire.  After the rice has been steamed and cooled a little, it is then put into the basket, or baskets.  Most Lao people take a basket of rice like this with them for lunch when they leave the house in the morning, whether they are going to the rice paddy or to take care of the buffalo, or to the office.  The rice stays fresh in the basket all day, and if there is some left over, you can re-steam it for a few minutes the following morning to freshen it up.

Lao people have a lot of sayings about sticky rice.  They say it makes you stick to the ground, that’s why Lao people are short.  They also say it makes you fat, and so you shouldn’t eat it at night.  Sticky rice is really filling, and keeps you feeling full all day.  I’m not sure where it is on the glycemic index, but I think it might be high.

Anyway, here is my recipe for sticky rice.

Firstly, you have to be sure to buy “Glutinous Rice”.  This will usually be imported from Thailand if bought outside of Asia.  Look for the keywords “Sticky Rice”, “Glutinous Rice”, or “Sweet Rice” on the bag.  The rice grains are generally more opaque than ordinary rice and can be short or long.

Soak the rice in water at least 3 hours.

sticky rice soaking

You will need a tall pot to steam the rice.  In Thailand and Laos there are special narow-necked pots that are used to steam the rice, but if you can’t find one, any tall pot will do.

cooking sticky rice

The essential component of making sticky rice successfully is that you have some kind of steaming basket (either wooden or metal, don’t use a plastic colander!) that is suspended OVER, not in, boiling water.  Also, there should be some kind of seal around the basket, so that when the water boils, instead of escaping through a hole, most of it should be directed under and into the basket of rice.  The rice/basket CANNOT be touching the water!  Your rice will turn out like gooey slop.

Bring water to a boil in a pot, and steam the rice for about 15 or 20 minutes, covered.  You can occasionally (2 or 3 times during the cooking process) shake the rice around to ensure even cooking.  Cover it with a pot’s lid or another basket.

steaming the rice

After 15 minutes, taste some to see if it’s fully cooked.  Be careful of over cooking, the rice will become gooey.

When it’s done, put it in a basket as shown, or another almost-air tight container.  It can be kept unrefrigerated for about 24 hours.  Steam it for a few moments to refreshen it if you want to eat leftovers and enjoy your delicious khao niao!

sticky rice basket

And don’t forget – AT WITH YOUR HANDS!