***The Next Story to Read for Book Club***

Good morning,

After Thursday (3.29.07) book club meeting at Max Cafe, I asked Sandra what story we will read next. She mentioned to me I could choose the next story, So I looked at the book and decided the next story to read. " The Department of Nothing ", written by Colin Firth. Because he is one of my favorite actors and I've already known who he is. We may enjoy the story, or not at all; The title sounds interesting. Let's find out!!!
" the Department of Nothing " is our next story from Speaking with the angel .

See you Next Week.

More help on formatting...

Sorry I missed class today! I look forward to seeing you all every Thursday, so my week doesn't feel quite "right" this week...

Anyhow, I hear you have some more questions about formatting the Time Out CEP blog so that it doesn't automatically go to the most recent post. It sounds like you want an index page, or a main page (as it's called on web pages). Try checking out this link and searching "archiving pages."

Here's a blog entry that might be useful as well:
"Which is Better..."
It kind of sounds like you want more of a website rather than a blog, so Google Pages might be the way to go in this case (although it'll be a lot of work learning a new application I think.) It's worth taking a look at Google Pages if you get a chance.


Hope this helps, if not, please come in with more questions on Monday (I'll also show you how to setup your own Plugoo...

PS...I don't think "Dummies Guide to Blogger" is the correct title for you guys!

Changes on Time Out CEP

Hey everyone
A quick post to tell you I've changed the labels on the Time out CEP blog, EAT AND DRINK instead of restaurants guide, and MUSIC for Magda's review and mine. I'm gonna start work on our assignement and if I that works, will post it in the google thingy. Is it ok to delete everything we have written there and start new ?
See ya, keep up the good work !!

Book Club Today

Yoko, Pilar, Sandra and I had such a great time together. We went to the Max Cafe, and had a very intellectual, profound conversation about our first story "NippleJejus by Nick Hornby" ...... for about 10 minutes. For the rest of time, our conversation focused more on other very important issues such as "How we met our significant other" and things like that.
Well, Pilar and I didn't read the story today, so we found it kind of hard to discuss. However, it was definitely a nice time to get to know each other better. I realized that I've always longed for time only for our private chat freed from a class assignment. I truly look forward to next book club. I promise that I'll be prepared for it. When is it going to be? I hope more people could join next time.

Do we continue to read the same book? Or would it be a different book?

changing the size of videos in the embed code

Hi...
If you want to make a video smaller, simply adjust the embed width and embed height numbers:



Normal (width = 448, height = 365)


Small (width = 320, height = 240)

Plugoo...

Here's an interesting little widget called PLUGOO. Check out the website here and let me know if this could be something we could use to chat on the blog...

BOOK CLUB!

hey, just want to remind you this thursday we are going to have the first session of our book club...
it will be from 12 to 1 pm in some place around TC! it is kind of a cool excuse to continue our nice time and conversation even after class!!
if there is any problem for time and date let's talk about it tomorrow...!!!

see you!!!

break dancing baby

Just had to share this little dude break dancing! Enjoy..

I wish weekend was longer

Hi everybody,

I hope you've had a wonderful weekend. I went to my cluster meeting today. It took place in Queens this time and we went to one Indian restaurant. I paid only $12 (including tax and tips) and I could eat and eat...My luch was so yummy! If you're interested, the place is called Jackson Diner and here's the address: 37-47 74th Street, Jackson Heights.

I'm also posting the pics we took last Wed. CEP rocks! :P

Coffee Time Again!!

Oh, I was so nervous about my presentation in the class today.
But It's a nice day after the class, specially on Thursday, isn't it? I've read " NippleJesus", Sandra. what's the next plan you're thinking about?

We talked about sections of Timeout CEP today. Reveiw is going to be a different titled layer.
I suggested Pilar that she post about her trip of San Francisco and Sonoma Country in Travel section. I'm sure Pilar can write about her San Francisco.
Also Emmanuelle's Rock Trip, Magda's Home,and Sue's Myrtle Beach ( whatever they titled ) which were posted in CEP planet, may go to Travel/music/home? That why I asked how to connect with another links(CEP Planet / Words and Images)in Timeout.
Tara said that we could choose a favorite topic as the final assignment of Timeout last week. You may think about these as the final?

Anyhow, I'm wondering what plan you will have this weekend.
NY Spring is around the corner, I hope. No SNOW & COLD PLEASE.

Have a good weekend.

Fire at TC???

When I was on the way home around 7:30 pm, I passed by Teachers College. (My home is at 120th St. and Morningside Dr.) And I realized that something was happening in front of the Whittier Hall - the one facing Amsteram Ave. There were 4 or 5 fire engines standing on the street with their sirens on. And I saw a few fire fighters coming out of the building. I looked up to find out what happened in the building, but I didn't see any fire or smoke.

Did fire break out at Teachers College? I hope not. After a few minutes, I saw fire engines starting to leave. (I was at a grocery store across the street.) Well, I guess nothing serious actually occured, but still wondering what brought them to the building.

In fall of 2005, I lived in a brownstone building on 113th St. One evening, someone knocked my door. I asked who, and she answered she was my neighbor living downstairs. What she said was that fire just broke out on the 2nd floor (I was on 4th.), so it would be better to escape even if fire didn't seem that serious. First, I was a bit surprised and afraid, and started to think what I should bring along with me. My passport? My laptop? What else??? Then, when I opened the door again, I was not able to see anything clear except thick layers of smoke filled in the whole staircase. I was toally freaked out. My head suddenly got blanked, and somehow I managed to go down one step by one step while it was still impossible to look ahead. When I reached to the 2nd floor, I saw many fire fighters moving back and forth. I felt a little relieved.

I succeeded in escaping out of the building after all. All I brought was a bundle of keys. Fortunately, that fire didn't harm anything in the building except some stuff inside the unit where fire originally came from. This is my nearest experience related to fire. It turned out nothing, but it scared me enough. Everyone, be careful!!!

NYC for parents

This is very exciting...my parents will arrive in New York next Friday!!! I am very happy of showing them around and have them here for two weeks. I am very curious about their reaction in front of the big apple: my mum and dad love to travel but never travelled outside of Europe, it will be a lot of fun to see how they feel about NY and the lifestyle here. I have some ideas about where to go with them but would love to have some suggestions from you!!! tell me about your favourite places in the city and places where you can have beautiful views....

THE GIG OF THE CENTURY !!

OH... MY... GOD !!!!! Sometimes I cannot believe how intuitive I can be lol
One hour ago I was on google, not really knowing what I was looking for. I wrote something in the search bar, then I erased it and typed "Paul Gilbert", to get some news from my favorite guitar player... and then my heart stopped.
Do you know what G3 is ? It's a "concept" band, 3 great guitar players playing a solo gig and then a big jam together.
So what did I read ? "G3 Amrican tour !! Joe Satriani, John Petrucci... and me." . Me ? wait. Paul Gilbert ? Paul Gilbert is on tour with G3 ? I mean, Paul Gilbert is on tour ? in America ? Not in Japan as usual ? wait. I'm in America too. wait (start to hyperventilate). ok. Dates. Oh my God. New York City, april 11th. wait. What day is it ? (run down stairs to calendar). Wednesday. Oh my God !!! My day off. Run back upstairs, type ticketmaster, clic clic clic I don't care about the prices show tickets left buy. Done. I'm the proud owner of a ticket to the concert of G3 2007 at Madison Square Garden.

Short Story!

Hello everyone! How is your spring-break going??!! How is S.Francisco Pilar?!

I didn't leave the city this days and I am enjoying the nice weather outside. Today I was walking and stopped at Bryant Park, where the New York Public Library is, and was soooo beautiful!!!!.. a lot, really a lot, of people having lunch in the park, outside, I couldn't believe my eyes!! it put me in the best spring mood...hope you guys are also taking advantage of the warmth!!!

I picked up the story for the Book Club, if we are still interested in doing it! I didn't have time to read it and I just choose it because I really like the author: Nick Hornby. So the story would be "Nipplejesus" by Nick Hornby.

Bye everyone! looking forward seeing you on Monday!!

NYC welcomes hungry birds from Africa

Yes, being an au pair can be very amusing from time to time...I truly hate when kids play with food and waste it. The youngest boy I take care of often has gold fish for snack when I pick him up from school in the afternoon. A few times I saw him throwing gold fish in the air and trying to catch it in his mouth. Naturally, this 7-year-old guy is not as good at this activity as he would like to be, so his snack tends to fall to the ground. I can't really stand such situations and I said to him: 'Oh, come on! The kids in Africa don't even know that there's something like gold fish. They are starving and you are wasting your food. Shame on you, Mikey!' I don't think I exaggerated; I just wanted him to understand something. Yesterday, we were waiting for a bus and Mikey was eating gold fish (yup, again!) in the meantime. Suddenly, he dropped a couple (he said it was by accident...yeah right!). My reaction was typical: 'Mikey, I told you something about wasting food. Don't you remember that?' He said: 'Yeah, I know, but birds from Africa can have it!' I found his reply hilarious:D I was standing in the street and laughing like crazy. Birds from Africa...Yeah, birds from Africa are also starving so they can fly to Manhattan and have the gold fish that Mikey dropped. OK, I know he's only 7 (almost 8), but still...

Wait a minute Mr Postman!

Hi Everyone! I want to share with you a creepy story that happened to me few days ago. When I knew I was pregnant, I called a doctor that my sister in law recommended and went and visit him. He examined me and he also took a blood sample as to be analyze. Bye, bye, see you next time.
You may also know that when I came here in January I hired a visit insurance with a maternal plan (just in case), the thing is "just in case" was suddenly " a "fact", I was pregnant. Great news, so nice, so soon, so everything!!! Well, one week after I had gone to the doctor I received a call from the Dr's office saying that they have called my insurance and they've said that my plan doesn't cover maternity. How come? My husband and I, called the insurance office to ask what was going on and they told us that we are not covered because the "small letter" (that actually was bold and quite big) says that you are covered only if you get pregnant 30 days after the date you hire the service. Of course, it wasn't my case. Bad luck.
The worst is yet to come. One day, Pablo came home with a letter for me. At the beginning I was so excited, I never receive letters!! The excitement suddenly was gone, I read in the envelope "invoice included". Invoice? Which invoice? It was the laboratory! I received an invoice for $1,187.73!!! Can you believe that? That money for a blood test???!!! We called everyone, the doctor, the laboratory, the insurance!! No way, we have to pay!! The thing is that if I had known the price for the blood test, I would have buy a ticket to Argentina, go home, visit my family, my nephew who I don't know yet, and take and do whichever exam I need without paying anything!!! I cannot believe how expensive is the health care system in this country! I don't want you to get depressed on a Friday night, not even during spring break. The good thing is that I still have hope, I went today to a Hospital and talk to a woman that is going to help me with my case. If the lab gives me a waiver, I will share the good news with you, of course!!! Actually it's been a while without posting, so I decided to write something and this is what came up to my mind first, maybe because it's something that really matters me at this moment.
Have fun wherever you are, see you soon, Pilar.

NO GUTS, NO GLORY :P

Pretty Cool

Just wanted to share this cool video...

Meatloaf, Girls!!

Hi, Girls;

When I came back home today I'm so hungry and I made this!! it's meatloaf, an American food.
Everybody can make it: as easy as
Banana Loaf of Madga.

Try it.
Receipt is below;
You need

Ground meats (beef/ park/ veal) 1 1/4 lbs.
Onion chopped 1/4 cup
Fresh parsley chopped 1/4 cup
Carrot shred 1/4 cup
Cheddar cheese shredder 1/4 cup
All-purpose flour 2 tbs.
Dry bread crumbs 1/4 cup
Worcestershire sauce or Soy sauce 1-2 tbs.
One egg beaten (Jumbo egg 1 or Large egg 2)
Milk or Sour cream 2 tbs.
Oil (such as extra virgin olive, canola is better)

Seasoning; Salt, Fresh Ground Black Pepper, Garlic powder, Herbs De Provence or Canadian Seasoning(if you don't have these spices, you can use allspice, thyme, rosemary, sage,fennel, savory, tarragon, as your desire)

Medium size casserole( mine is oval about 2-3 servings)

Cooking:
Preheat oven to 350F. In a large bowl add all ingredients except egg, milk& spices. Mix well toghether. Add spices, milk and egg. Place in a casserole lightly coated with olive oil. Bake about 1 1/4 hours in the oven.
While you baking loaf you can make some of vegetables, such as mashed potatoes, green peas, cauliflowers(this is your side dish).

The meatloaf is done, you can wait for about 5-7 minutes and serve at the table.
It goes good with red wine or beer.
Enjoy your meal!!!


P.S.
If you left the meal, it would go better taste next day. You can cook double in weekend and save for tomorrow.
It is not necessary to use salt because of cheese and Worcestershire sauce already having salt.

HELP ! HELP ! HELP !!!

Okay everybody !
I tried to save the promos for the edit jam as drafts, then to publish the one we're keeping, but I had a few problems :
- I cannot find Yoko's
- I cannot find Sandra's promo
- I think it's because I'm only allowed to change my posts !

So, I need ;
- each one of you to save her promo as a draft (once on the dashboard>manage posts>edit>save as draft)
- Yoko re-publish yours
- Sandra send me your picture by email
Then I will publish the final version !

Hope it will all work out. I'll keep you posted !
See ya'
Emma

Where am I???

Hello, class.
Does anyone of you remember that I was going to Myrtle Beach for spring break?
Well, I am in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina right now. o.o;;;
What a surprise. I mean, I didn't know that it is in this week. Spring break in Business School is always one week ealier than other colleges in Columbia. I forgot about this, and realized on Monday that our depature should be on the next day.
This time, I left it up to my husband to do all the planning for the break, so he did. And I only asked him where we would go, not when. Well....what happened is, I ended up here in Myrtle Beach.

The weather is fantastic. Very warm, sunny, beautiful golf courses all around. (Except weather, though, New York is much much much better. The town is quite boring for me.) Anyway, once I came here for vacation, I decided to enjoy as much as I can. But still, I feel so bad that I have to miss classes this week. The theme of this week sounds so much fun to me, so I really want to be a part of it. Tara and Joachim, please let me catch up.

I am coming back this Saturday. See you guys all.
(BTW, when will we all meet again? March 19th?)

Banana bread, anyone?

Guess what I was doing after our class yesterday? Yup, baking, baking, baking and…cooking!!! Results: lamb chops, Smokin’ Sexy Chocolate Cake (one of the boys I take care of asked me to write this phrase on that cake) and banana bread! The last thing is extremely easy to make so I want to share the recipe with you, guys! Here we go:

You need: 3 ripe bananas (well mashed), 2 eggs (well beaten), 2 cups flour, ¾ cup sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat the oven to 350’F. Grease a loaf pan. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Put the batter in the pan and bake for 1 hour.

Simple, huh?

Bon appetit!

CEP Book Club?!!

As it was so much fun to hang out together on Monday I was thinking that could be cool to start a CEP books club. We could choose a fun book, a contemporary American novel or something different (like for example a book about democracy in the world or in the US as we discussed about it!) and we can all read it and comment it on the blog, in class or in front of a cup of coffee!! how does this sound??!! not feeling like reading an entire book in english??!! I thought it could be cool thing to do so let me know!! may be our teachers can recommend something cool!

Monday's Class

I think we had a little too much fun writing reviews of local coffee shops during class on Monday! I thought you might enjoy these pictures of all of us at Kitchenette. Did everyone enjoy their breakfast here?

Future Rock Stars ?

Hey everybody, here's a video of my kids, so you can really see how fun and entertaining they can be sometimes ! Hope that does the trick ! I'm pretty proud of myself !
Hope the EditJam went well, sorry I couldn't make it, due to those two. Expect to hear some feedback !
See you Monday !!

Democracy

This is the interesting video about democracy & fascism by Dr. Howard Zinn.

How much does this coffee cost???

I don't know if I can afford Starbucks anymore!

video

I wonder if there is something about this video that I don't get??!! what you guys think??!!

Emmanuelle's test 1, 2, 1, 1,2

Dudes, I did it! :P

Yeah, I did it!

Guess what's showing in this video

Can you?

Pilar @ home

Hi Everyone! I am just writing to you to tell you that I could not go to class today, because I am feeling awful. This Thursday morning sickness is worse than the other days, so I've decided to stay at home. I hope to feel better tomorrow to enjoy the Edit Jam II. See you, Pil@r.

Hooray for our class !!

Just a quick post to say that yesterday, I had my monthly meeting with the other au pairs of my cluster and our counselor. We had to introduce ourselves bla bla bla and tell if we were taking some classes. And a lot are taking CEP classes at TC and say that it's... BORING !!! I was glad to prove the opposite !! Hooray for Tara and Joachim !! (and Skye :P)