Since I have completely filled my gmail/picasa photo website, I've started a new one! The url is:
ellensphotos2009.shutterfly.com
Enjoy!
Peace.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
South Dakotas: The Land of Big Buttes
The interns took a trip to SOUTH DAKOTA! and Nebraska, but "The Good Life" wasn't all that great. Most of the fun took place in the car, all 12 hours each way... a total of 1512 miles for the entire trip. And more inside jokes than we could count.
We took Friday off and drove all day and most of the night. On the way, we stopped first in Mitchell, home of the Corn Palace. The inside was just a big auditorium with a gift shop, but the outside was made entirely of corn. No joke. They did have some photos of all of the years and the outside of the palace. There was one that had a giant swastika sign on it, but they claimed it was "Indian Good Luck" - okay, Mitchell. Ok. We picked up some trucker hats and took some great photos with a giant corn-on-the-cob.
Continuing, we decided to take a detour and head through the Badlands, which actually turned out to be one of the most exciting parts of the trip. They were so unique, I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like it. And in the middle of nowhere! They kind of sprouted up out of nothing, which makes for a pretty amazing landscape. We also saw prairie dogs! In the wild! They were pretty loud, and dodging in and out of their little holes, so cute!
Next stop was Wall Drug. Ok, so the fun part was actually taking photos of the signs for Wall Drug all along I-90. Alexis had the camera ready and we ending up screaming and pointing if we were about to miss one. Well, maybe that was just me... There were 70-something signs, mostly advertising their free water and 5 cent coffee. Oh, and they're "new" T-rex, which turned out to be a la Jurassic Park and "fed" every 15 minutes. Once there, we took a photo on a jackalope. Oh, and we got our free water. It had a funky flavor.... haha.
We ate a lovely Mexican dinner in Rapid City before ending up in Hot Springs at a very quaint hotel on the river. We missed a lot of landscape on the way in since it was dark, but upon waking up, we saw that we were in the mountains! Such a nice change of scenery from the "Great Plains" in my opinion. We started our day by heading out to the Crazy Horse monument. We passed through some really small towns (ie. Pringle) and had a great time when we drove right through bison crossing the street! They're pretty ugly animals, but they were so close to my car! Crazy Horse was pretty impressive, but we were all pretty sure that they are never going to finish it. The family of the sculptor who started it refuse to take any help/money from the government and so they're pretty slow-going. Crazy Horse also was the home of some MARMOTS!!!
Next was, of course, Mount Rushmore. We wanted to eat lunch before taking some time with the presidents, so we drove to Keystone. On they way, we knew we were close to Mt. Rushmore but couldn't quite figure out where it was. We turned around a corner and, jokingly, I told the girls to look behind us, and there it was. In all its glory. In Keystone, we ate some pretty tasty pizza right next to a helicopter launching pad - not the quietest experience, but we were just happy to be eating. Mt. Rushmore was pretty cool, and of course, being very mature young adults, we each took a photo picking on the presidents' noses. Heh heh.
It was pretty late according to our schedule, so we headed back to the hotel and took a rest before heading off to Nebraska for dinner. The drive to Nebraska was only about an hour, but it was seriously the most boring hour OF MY LIFE. There is absolutely nothing there. Not even houses or farms. There's just grass. No hills, no nothing. Gahh. We found the only restaurant in the town of Chadron, so we settled down into a booth in Helen's Pancake and Steakhouse. Yum. They had Rocky Mountain Oysters, which aren't oysters, and therefore we didn't eat them. Jackie had Crow's Butte which started a ripple of giggles out of us mature young adults :)
The next morning we decided to just head out and drive home. I'm probably forgetting some things, but that was our road trip in a nutshell. It was really nice to get out of the Twin Cities for a little bit. Next adventure: we're dyeing our hair tonight! Ahhh!
Peace.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
KOOOOOOOZA
Two updates today: the circus and the global market.
First, the global market. Today, all of the interns were invited to go to the Global Market in Minneapolis as part of a larger intern exchange program called MIX. There were about 100 (ish) interns all working in the Twin Cities region at a bunch of different companies. We arrived to the market at about 9:00 am and received our "itinerary" for the day along with $20 that could only be used at the market (think gift certificate). The Global Market is truly global, with shops from cultures such as: Mexican, Vietnamese, Hmong, Mediterranean, Tibetan, Swedish, Caribbean, etc etc the list goes on. I started the day with some jamaica juice that never tasted so sweet - I drank a lot of jamaica in Nicaragua and Costa Rica... it's hibiscus. We were all squished into a little part of the building for Latin dance lessons with the bubbly Veronica, who incidentally teaches Salsa Aerobics every Sunday morning. We listened to a guest lecturer about diversity in the workplace (after all, the whole day was supposed to be about exploring diversity). And we were going to attend a cooking workshop but it turned out that the person mixed up the dates or something. So the day was basically spent wandering around the shops and trying to fill out the scavenger hunt answers. I ended up buying a set of three bamboo bowls, some hummus and pita, Pop Rocks, and a $1 pin that says "UFFDA" - if you don't know the significance of uffda, look it up :) It turned out to be a very good day... and what's more, we got paid to have fun!
Kooza: Cirque du Soleil never fails to amaze. Kooza was set in a yellow and blue striped tent that was set up in a parking lot in downtown St Paul. We bought the worst seats and ended up being about to see everything since there wasn't a bad seat in the house. And let me tell you, Kooza amazed me. The back story was beautiful, about "The Innocent" trying to find his place in life with the help of other characters such as "The Trickster" and "The King." The music was great - there was actually a live band! They were fantastic at syncing with the performers even if a mistake was made. And of course the acts were superb. My guts wrenched while I watched the contortionists (that's just not natural!) and my heart leapt out of my body at least 15 times during the Wheel of Death (see movie link below). I can't believe the strength that those people have and the courage to be jumping around and leaving their lives in the hands of others and very flimsy looking safety nets. They are truly daring people. The clowns were hysterical! They were so goofy, a little bit over the top on the sexuality (lots of leg humping...), and overall so entertaining. Let's just say, it will probably be a highlight of the summer.
Wheel of Death: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4DfSBnBR08
Peace.
First, the global market. Today, all of the interns were invited to go to the Global Market in Minneapolis as part of a larger intern exchange program called MIX. There were about 100 (ish) interns all working in the Twin Cities region at a bunch of different companies. We arrived to the market at about 9:00 am and received our "itinerary" for the day along with $20 that could only be used at the market (think gift certificate). The Global Market is truly global, with shops from cultures such as: Mexican, Vietnamese, Hmong, Mediterranean, Tibetan, Swedish, Caribbean, etc etc the list goes on. I started the day with some jamaica juice that never tasted so sweet - I drank a lot of jamaica in Nicaragua and Costa Rica... it's hibiscus. We were all squished into a little part of the building for Latin dance lessons with the bubbly Veronica, who incidentally teaches Salsa Aerobics every Sunday morning. We listened to a guest lecturer about diversity in the workplace (after all, the whole day was supposed to be about exploring diversity). And we were going to attend a cooking workshop but it turned out that the person mixed up the dates or something. So the day was basically spent wandering around the shops and trying to fill out the scavenger hunt answers. I ended up buying a set of three bamboo bowls, some hummus and pita, Pop Rocks, and a $1 pin that says "UFFDA" - if you don't know the significance of uffda, look it up :) It turned out to be a very good day... and what's more, we got paid to have fun!
Kooza: Cirque du Soleil never fails to amaze. Kooza was set in a yellow and blue striped tent that was set up in a parking lot in downtown St Paul. We bought the worst seats and ended up being about to see everything since there wasn't a bad seat in the house. And let me tell you, Kooza amazed me. The back story was beautiful, about "The Innocent" trying to find his place in life with the help of other characters such as "The Trickster" and "The King." The music was great - there was actually a live band! They were fantastic at syncing with the performers even if a mistake was made. And of course the acts were superb. My guts wrenched while I watched the contortionists (that's just not natural!) and my heart leapt out of my body at least 15 times during the Wheel of Death (see movie link below). I can't believe the strength that those people have and the courage to be jumping around and leaving their lives in the hands of others and very flimsy looking safety nets. They are truly daring people. The clowns were hysterical! They were so goofy, a little bit over the top on the sexuality (lots of leg humping...), and overall so entertaining. Let's just say, it will probably be a highlight of the summer.
Wheel of Death: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4DfSBnBR08
Peace.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Funny Monkey Viruses and AC
Unfortunately my laptop was attacked by a killer virus that learns and understands that you're trying to get rid of it so it adapts and changes so basically you can't remove it. Long story short, don't click on a link to watch a funny monkey video on rapid share, or something like that, because ten bucks says that it's the virus. I was able to save all my files, thank goodness, but they're on my dad's external hard drive... which is in Michigan where I am not. Instead of fussing with wiping out and reformatting the hard drive I decided that it was due time to get a new computer. My old one was pretty much a piece of crap, keys missing, wobbly screen, about 15 lbs. My new and shiny HP is only 14" and less than 5 lbs. It's a very nice computer, although I really can't wait until Windows 7 comes out because Vista kind of blows. Oh well. I was even considering a Mac for a while, but then remembered that all my Latin American friends only use Windows Live Messenger to chat, so I couldn't abandon them. I'm happy with my choice to say the least.
Today, after six weeks without, I have air conditioning in my apartment! A colleague at work heard that I was roughing it and said that she would be happy to let me use hers that she wasn't using! I am so thankful, because now I can actually wear clothes in my apartment and host guests! haha...
Tonight, fellow-intern Alexis and I are going to downtown St Paul to see the cirque du Soleil performance "Kooza." I am beyond excited. When I saw "O" in Las Vegas I wanted to join the circus... or at least become a traveling circus-fanatic. These shows are spectacular and will blow your mind with the acrobatics and make your sides stitch with laughter when you watch the clowns. And it's not crappy like Barnum and Bailey or whatever, it's pure art and so gorgeous to watch. No corny elephants and ladies dressed up in sequins... it's all award-winning costumes and true athleticism. Like I said, I'm beyond excited. We do have rather terrible seats, BUT I DON'T CARE!! :)
Work is work, just a lot more of it now. I actually was able to have a down day today and work on my final project, but tomorrow I'll have to pick up where I left off. Ahhh work.
Peace.
Today, after six weeks without, I have air conditioning in my apartment! A colleague at work heard that I was roughing it and said that she would be happy to let me use hers that she wasn't using! I am so thankful, because now I can actually wear clothes in my apartment and host guests! haha...
Tonight, fellow-intern Alexis and I are going to downtown St Paul to see the cirque du Soleil performance "Kooza." I am beyond excited. When I saw "O" in Las Vegas I wanted to join the circus... or at least become a traveling circus-fanatic. These shows are spectacular and will blow your mind with the acrobatics and make your sides stitch with laughter when you watch the clowns. And it's not crappy like Barnum and Bailey or whatever, it's pure art and so gorgeous to watch. No corny elephants and ladies dressed up in sequins... it's all award-winning costumes and true athleticism. Like I said, I'm beyond excited. We do have rather terrible seats, BUT I DON'T CARE!! :)
Work is work, just a lot more of it now. I actually was able to have a down day today and work on my final project, but tomorrow I'll have to pick up where I left off. Ahhh work.
Peace.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The Dreaded, but Beloved, Routine
I thought I would share with you exactly what I've been doing every day for the past week or so. It's a lot of prep for a whole of garbage, but what's new in the food industry, really? Here it goes:
1. Find 15 1,000 mL beakers.
2. Take beakers to analytical labs and turn on the magical reverse osmosis water machine.
3. Measure 1,000 mL into each beaker using 500 mL graduated cylinder (remember, there are 15 beakers and the water comes out at an extremely slow rate).
4. Bring beakers back upstairs to sensory lab and label with tape.
5. Measure out allotted amounts of salt, sugar, and citric acid for each of the samples.
6. Stir in powders to the correct beakers with a spoon.
7. Print off labels for all of the samples (15 samples x 20 people = 300 labels). References say what taste they are (Sweet 10, Salty 4, etc) and unknowns have 3-digit codes.
8. Put labels on 2 oz. souffle cups (remember, 300!!)
9. Lay out cups for selected sample and fill with about 25 mL of solution (remember, times 20 and then times 15).
10. Put lids on all of the cups.
11. Lay out 20 empty trays all around the sensory lab.
12. Place one of each solution onto each tray.
13. Clean up mess that has been made because spilling is inevitable.
14. Put tin foil on the beakers and the remaining 500 mL and place into fridge.
15. Next day, repeat steps 7-13 again, 300 little tiny souffle cups.
And that all takes about, oh, four hours working at a steady pace. Can you say tedious? Then, turns out, only about 11 people show up for panel and I just dump the rest of the samples. All that work for nothing :( The paradox of my day.
1. Find 15 1,000 mL beakers.
2. Take beakers to analytical labs and turn on the magical reverse osmosis water machine.
3. Measure 1,000 mL into each beaker using 500 mL graduated cylinder (remember, there are 15 beakers and the water comes out at an extremely slow rate).
4. Bring beakers back upstairs to sensory lab and label with tape.
5. Measure out allotted amounts of salt, sugar, and citric acid for each of the samples.
6. Stir in powders to the correct beakers with a spoon.
7. Print off labels for all of the samples (15 samples x 20 people = 300 labels). References say what taste they are (Sweet 10, Salty 4, etc) and unknowns have 3-digit codes.
8. Put labels on 2 oz. souffle cups (remember, 300!!)
9. Lay out cups for selected sample and fill with about 25 mL of solution (remember, times 20 and then times 15).
10. Put lids on all of the cups.
11. Lay out 20 empty trays all around the sensory lab.
12. Place one of each solution onto each tray.
13. Clean up mess that has been made because spilling is inevitable.
14. Put tin foil on the beakers and the remaining 500 mL and place into fridge.
15. Next day, repeat steps 7-13 again, 300 little tiny souffle cups.
And that all takes about, oh, four hours working at a steady pace. Can you say tedious? Then, turns out, only about 11 people show up for panel and I just dump the rest of the samples. All that work for nothing :( The paradox of my day.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Land of Ten Thousand Lakes
I apologize for not continuing to write about my adventures, but I have been without Internet for the last three weeks. But that changed today! So let me fill you in on what's been happening.
I'm in Minnesota! And what's more, I'm working in Minnesota! Land O' Lakes is treating me very well. I was placed in the sensory division of research and development and will be working on a two-part project that has to do with cheese analogs (think cheese without the cheese) and prism panels. That may not make any sense to you, but I think that's how it's supposed to be. I have no idea what exactly I'm allowed to tell people, but if you want to know any more, just be aware that I might have to kill you. It's nice to be back in sensory since I have done that kind of work before, but it's really different at LOL. A lot more relaxed!
I've been living in an apartment which I like; however, I don't exactly like the no roommates part. I've learned that I really need to be around people, especially living-wise. I have made some new friends which is good, haha. I've attended a wine and cheese tasting, brought home at least ten pounds of cheese, and even took a road trip with a fellow intern to Madison, Wisconsin, to visit my grandparents. I've been living without cable, and just until today without Internet. It's been a really interesting couple of weeks, and we'll leave it at that. Not too much out of the ordinary to report on, but I promise to keep you in the loop now that I'm back on the web.
Peace.
I'm in Minnesota! And what's more, I'm working in Minnesota! Land O' Lakes is treating me very well. I was placed in the sensory division of research and development and will be working on a two-part project that has to do with cheese analogs (think cheese without the cheese) and prism panels. That may not make any sense to you, but I think that's how it's supposed to be. I have no idea what exactly I'm allowed to tell people, but if you want to know any more, just be aware that I might have to kill you. It's nice to be back in sensory since I have done that kind of work before, but it's really different at LOL. A lot more relaxed!
I've been living in an apartment which I like; however, I don't exactly like the no roommates part. I've learned that I really need to be around people, especially living-wise. I have made some new friends which is good, haha. I've attended a wine and cheese tasting, brought home at least ten pounds of cheese, and even took a road trip with a fellow intern to Madison, Wisconsin, to visit my grandparents. I've been living without cable, and just until today without Internet. It's been a really interesting couple of weeks, and we'll leave it at that. Not too much out of the ordinary to report on, but I promise to keep you in the loop now that I'm back on the web.
Peace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
