Cute

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What's your favourite tv show?

Get Smart is probably my absolute favourite. One of the reason I wanted to go to school for engineering was to invent gadgets. lol. I also love M.A.S.H, Mad Men, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, and Frasier

Ask me anything

Lately on Colour Lovers

Okay so I have had a lot of off time lately. Working on personal projects, job searching.  Trying to lose some weight I gained when my SO visited me.  I've been pretty focused on the goal but my random creatively brain wonders when I'm not occupied with work.

The weekend finally arrived and I started going back to Colour Lovers, the site for those who love colours. I've been trying to get the hang of the "Seamless" Pattern maker.  It doesn't always work for me, but I've come up with a few templates that I love. You can see that I'm trying to keep it pretty simple right now.  I'll save my baroque damask for a later date.  I also find that doodling helps me plan my thoughts.  Unlike making a palette or colouring a palette, random inspiration doesn't seem to strike me.   The pattern maker has a few bugs but I love it still. One of these days one of these patterns may end up a bag or a neck tie designed by my nearly famous friend Aja, the fashion designer.

"And the dish..." and "ranawaywiththespoon",  is based off of one of my favourite episodes of Frasier.  When Niles and Daphne finally admit their feelings. 

I've another project I've started via colour lovers, a rather autobiographical one.  Talk about that later.

Bacon and rosemary scones

 I have a huge rosemary plant growing at my place.  I enjoy adding it in dishes from pasta to beef but since its fruition I have been wanting to make some scones with rosemary.  Preferbly with bacon, everything is better with bacon.

Well I finally got around to it this evening. This is only the second time I made a savoury scone. I adapted a recipe I found, with a bit of this and that.  The original recipe can be found here


Bacon and Rosemary Scones

Ingredients
6 oz all purpose flour (about 1.36 let's say 1 and 1/3 cup)
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon of mustard powder
4 tbsp soft salted butter (I actually used "lite" butter, b/c that's all I had)
4oz Feta
A good-sized sprig of rosemary, washed, then finely chopped
1 large  egg
3 tablespoons of nonfat greek yogurt
about 1/2lb of bacon baked,  chopped
Ground pepper for topping

Procedure
Preheat oven to 425F  or 220c (not exact conversion but for simplicity's sake)

Method

1. Sift all of the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl.
2. Rub in butter until mixture is crumbly-ish
3. In a seperate bowl beat egg and yogurt, leave a touch to brush the tops before baking
4. Add feta and rosemary to flour mixture
5. Blend into a dough (add a touch of flour if wet, yogurt if too dry)
6. Fold in bacon
7. Flour your area (counter top, I used a sheet of wax paper on my counter)
8. Roll dough till it's around 3/4 inch thick (for minis, 1 inch for regular scones)
9. Cut with  1 inch rounds (or 2-3 inch for regular) and place onto greased baking sheet (or wax paper on a baking sheet)
10. Brush with remaining egg milkture, dash a bit of pepper on scones
11. Bake for 10-13 minutes
12. Cool
13. Enjoy!

Keeping busy

I'm sitting here with a sore throat,  that's been plaguing me off and on for the past 2 weeks.  It's so ridiculous,  apparently I have chronic laryngitis.  I think it's from all the talking I've been doing lately.  It's amazing, sometimes I think working full-time might be less stressful than being a part-time worker seeking work. 
I love my job and I stay busy.  I teach the intermediate class at OTX West, work on the "Get Connected Oakland" website, create instructional videos.  I'm also the web manager for "Yes on Prop L" website, I didn't design it, it's a Google Site Template, I just update the site.

Tutoring one middle schooler in science,  getting ready to start a large weebly project and getting ready to post 2 bracelets and earrings on my Etsy page.

Just trying to make rent, pretty much.  Nah it's not that bad but I have to keep hustling until I find a full time job.  So in addition to my work, I spend at least 1 hour a day job-searching, working on applications, etc.  Meanwhile keeping up with my Japanese skills and working on building shelving for my apartment.  Somehow I still manage to have a little fun, like this past weekend when my older sister and her friend came to San Fran for the Nike Women's marathon. 

Come on' Tesla?  Don't you need an engineer like me?

So it's corn sugar now.

I didn't actually believe they would do it. Even when they did, I thought "it won't hit television". But yesterday when I was at the laundromat I saw an ad for "corn sugar". They've backed a multi-million dollar campaign including websites lauding its "benefits". It's a change you don't notice until you eliminate it from your diet. But I tell you I've been eating less and less hfcs every week and I feel so much better! I'm an engineering grad so I can understand the "soundness" of certain technological changes to our food, like odour-less garlic but I draw the line at things like "HFCS" and that "trout-tomato". I also admit I'm a graduate of electrical engineering and 2 things are not my strong point: biochem

Don't believe the hype in either direction. HFCS won't kill you or cause cancer anymore than sugar will but it doesn't act like regular sugar or regular cornsyrup. Those trying to lose weight or with diabetes especially should avoid HFCS. The most important thing to remember over-all is to just eat less sugar of any kind. Including superabundance of fruit juices if you have blood sugar issues. Eat less processed foods (i.e chips, candy, tv dinners, etc.) the less you eat, assuredly the better you will feel.

Read more from the corn industry at

http://sweetsurprise.com/
http://www.cornsugar.com/

Read more from others at:

http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2008/08/20/4274/the-dangers-of-high-fructose-corn-syrup/

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129971532

100% sweet, now with no HFCS!

Since July I've been slowly trying to wean myself  off of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS).  Why?  My honest reason, is I'm tired of companies putting it in things I don't think it belongs in.  Similar to my natural hair journey it's not nearly as holistic as it appears.  I like sugar, sugar belongs in jelly, candy, sodas, not HFCS.  If I pay for brand-name soda, it should have actual sugar in it.  If I pay for for premium candy it "had better not" have HFCS, and yet it does.



  But it was KFC that was the straw that broke this camel's back. I occasionally eat lunch there because I work in West Oakland where there is nothing near by.  When I eat biscuits I enjoy a bit of honey and butter on them.  I was reading the ingredients on the "Honey Spread" and first ingredient was high fructose corn syrup!  That's when I realised that this HFCS had just gotten to out of hand.  In Europe and Japan they don't put HFCS in every thing including sodas.  I guess Americans, they assume we wouldn't notice.  Admittedly it is has been very hard for me to stop eating HFCS. Especially when I was back home in the Deep South.  I still have my slip-ups, and I have a jar of jam in my fridge that I intend to finish, I hate to waste food. But I'm not buying anything else that has HFCS. I have definitely gone most of the past 3 months not buy HFCS drinks and I can totally tell the difference when someone ask me to taste a drink that has HFCS in it. It has this lime-ish (like the fruit) taste that is very noticeable in ginger-ale and other clear sodas.  I've learned a few things in the past few weeks that I think I will help anybody else who wants to eliminate HFCS.

1. If you love ketchup, stick with Hunt's. Hunt's has always been my personal favourite for it's thickness and salt:sugar ratio. But it's also one of the few major brands that by default has no HFCS, and it's still cheap.  Just double check as Hunt's recently went with a new HFCS formula therefore older stock may have HFCS.
2. Check every label! Sauces, chips, not just sweet stuff.  They hide this stuff everywhere
3. HFCS and corn syrup aren't the same thing.   Corn syrup is distinct from high-fructose corn syrup, created when corn syrup undergoes enzymatic processing that produces a sweeter compound containing higher levels of fructose.
4. Learn to make your own sauces, it's not that hard.  Especially if you love Chinese sauces like sweet and sour, duck sauce, etc.   You can make a big batch and it will keep a pretty decent amount of time in your fridge. Otherwise, spend the extra dime and buy all-natural condiments.

I still eat my regular amounts of sweets, and I have a huge sweet tooth. I have noticed a change in my level of energy and sugar cravings. When I eat real ice cream, candy, pastries with real sugar I don't crave more. I don't get as sluggish afterwards, I keep that "sugar high" and the "crash" isn't as noticeable.  Unfortunately for me I'm still addicted to "diet sugar" which isn't so healthy but I'm trying.  

As I gain more info on common non-HFCS I will let you know.

have a happy Monday,

Jasmine 100% sweet, now with no HFCS

Class is in session

Well I'm back from my very long holiday in the South. I enjoyed it tremenodously. I got to see a lot of my friends and family. Alyce, my god-daughter has gotten so big and she's so adorable! The climate nearly killed me but other than that it was a very enjoyable trip.

Tomorrow I start back at work, prepping for my Intermediate Adult Digital Literacy class at OTX West.

I love teaching this class!

Basically this is a class all about Google. Topics covered during the class included: Gmail in immense detail, Google Docs, Picasa, and new this month is Google Voice! Most of my students are 50+ and it's really great to see them take hold of new technology instead of relying on others. I wish my parents would do that a bit more. :) Though they probably would if they had the same opportunity, for a free 3 week class on Google. Most computer classes that are free are pretty banal. They are for absolute beginners and many of them cover no internet skills whatsoever. Let's face it these days you need to know more than making folds and Word. Also many people just don't realise how much you can do with just one Google account. Even if they have a Yahoo! or Hotmail account they can set up importing or forwarding. Once they store pictures on Web Picasa they can use them in a variety of places, share them etc. With the Picasa software they can do simple edits, effects, and even make collages and slideshows pretty easily.


I know that some of my more tech savvy readers believe that are better options for Docs, Picasa, etc. however it's ease and effectiveness are the reasons why I enjoy teaching this course. I use Google Docs everyday for work and personal use. Google Forms are the best thing ever. Admittedly I even use Picasa at times when I just need a quick edit rather than using Photoshop or the GIMP. Most of my students will never need to use Photoshop to it's true capacity and it can be difficult to get the hang of, especially if you weren't born in the digital age. Sometimes we take for granted our ease to the computer and grow impatient when those who do not use this technology as much as we do.

Class begins on Tuesday and is held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:oo - 3:00pm. The class is open to anyone who has an OTX computer, basic computer skills and a Gmail account. If you're interested in learning more visit the website at http://otxwest.org/classes.html

Hot like fire

I reiterate what I've said 1000 times before.

I love the outdoors, I love being outside.

However I hate humidity and 95+ degree evenings where just standing outside will cause you to sweat buckets.

I remember now why I was so lazy here, the heat literally drains my energy.

I cannot wait to go back to Oakland and get back to that beautiful bay breeze.

Calorie Counting

Ever since my gastric bypass surgery back in 2002, where I went from a ginormous 420lbs to being tolerably though still morbidly obese. I've know one thing: I have to write down what I eat. When I don't all kinds of junk food and too much of one thing (salt, sugar, carbs) or not of enough of something (protein, fibre) enter my body. Sometimes it won't cause me to gain weight, though eventually it will but it always has me feeling sluggish or ill for no "apparent" reason.

I've been using fitday since before my surgery and whenever I stick to it, I'm the better for it. It's amazing even with a 8-12 oz capacity how much I can put away in a day when I'm not paying attention.

But like a lot of people, it's sticking to it. Fitday is not as technology advanced as let's say FitClick, which I like but was almost too mcuh for me. Though I think that if you're in a group, even a small group like you and your friends it's a great site because they have groups and you can get a free diet and workout plans. If Fitclick had been around when I was in college and constantly tethered to my PC I'd probably be using it now. I especially liked the "tweet to food log" feature and the iphone app, not that have an iphone but that's awesome that they have one.

Fitday is simple, up until recently it didn't even have forum. You're just solo, enter in your food, your exercise. Make a weight goal. There's a little journaling area, and records for your mood, measurements, etc.

The thing I loved over at Fitclick was the fact that you could add other users' "Custom foods" so let's say ... Caramel Bugles, hich by the way are horribly addicting if you like sweet, or salty and sweet. I mean move over Kettle Corn, there's a new sheriff in town. In Fitclick you can search foods and if somebody else has entered that food in, you can add it to your foodlog.

The main reason I stick with Fitday is well, old habits die hard. Besides it has almost 8 years(off and on, albeit) of my nutritional history. Maybe one of these days I'll go and back log all the information into FitClick, that's the only way I can see me sticking with FitClick.

At Fitday it's the "old skool" way, create a custom food and then sit at your desk with the nutrition label or like most of us flipping from tab to tab, window to window at the nutrition table online. Since they don't have a mobile friendly site, I write down my food in a mini composition book, or on my DS with DS Organize. Then I go and find any nutritional information missing online. That gets tiring and Split Screen for Google Chrome is the only reason I have Google Chrome, for entering food log. Does anybody know if such a thing exists for Firefox? Fitday foodlog on the left and the nutrition on the right. It makes it way easier to enter in the food. The painful part? Realising just how much junk I ate Sunday during my ridiculous flight home. I'm determined not to gain any weight while I'm home, maybe even lose a pound or 2. So I have to keep track of just how much "Southern Comfort" I'm getting and not eat too much Krystal's and Waffle House.

Getting There...

Yesterday was such an "adventure".

Sunday started for me at 6:30 PST. I woke up, packed up my wii, packed up my ride's car with what seemed like a ton of luggage and headed for the airport with a stop at Jack in the Box along the way.

From Oakland to Seattle via Alaska Airlines. Arrived in Seattle around 11:00 am PST. I had a 3 hour layover, so I got some teriyaki, and some onigiri for the long second flight. Ironically my flight left in the international concourse with a bunch of people headed to Osaka. The only problem with partially understanding a foreign language is understanding it, and listening to silly student rumours.

My Delta flight from Seattle to Atlanta wasn't bad, the people I sat next to were nice, I didn't need a seatbelt extension, that's a plus. We had inflight television and a music station on the screen as well where you could make custom playlists. I finally saw the season 3 finale of Mad Men, thank you Delta. that was pretty awesome. 3 beverage services and free snacks, albeit peanuts and cookies but these days that's rare. I stashed a bag of cookies but stuck to my onigiri.

When I got to Atlanta, landing on the runway around 10:05pm EST, I thought I was going to run late for my 10:50 flight and anyone who's ever been to the Atlanta airport knows how crazy it is.

My flight was delayed until Midnite, where I spent some of the time speaking with a very pleasant mature Japanese lady.

I finally arrived in Columbia, SC at 1:00 am, getting to my lodging at 2am. So ridiculous.

My afternoon gone askew: Verdict reached in Mehserle trial:

The only personal opinion I have is: I honestly expected voluntary manslaughter. It did catch me off guard. But the jury made the wisest choice they felt was best.

The craziest thing was seeing West Oakland unfold or rather fold up. Stores boarded up as if they are closed or preparing for a hurricane. The Citi Trends near Jack London I thought had closed permantly but I found they were in fact open, just boarded up for safety.

Around 3pm PST I got a call at OTX, one of the parents who and her child were in enrolled in tonite's THCP Class. She was the first I heard, a verdict is coming out in an hour. No sooner than I got off of the phone with her. It all started to close in.

Our office and volunteer coordinators (Jocelyn and Jeff) immediately prepared to get any volunteers who take public transportation back home. People were kind and reached out, offering rides to others who lived near them or along the way. Jocelyn called and canceled tonite's class. Soon our boss (Bruce) called and said "shut it down." We were on our way. Our intern's supevisor called and wisely demanded his high school age interns "Get out of West Oakland, now."

Soon we heard that 580 had became a mess, and the buses stopped coming through West Oakland. One of our loyal volunteers offered Jeff a ride home, leaving his bike behind so more can fit in the SUV. I was glad of that because at first it seemed we would follow in a car, Jeff a bit of the ways on his bike. I really hoped that most pedestrians and bikers got rides home today or went in large groups early.

We were just out the door, when we discovered one of our volunteers who is in wheel chair had been dropped off by ParaTransit, which was really unintelligent. AC Transit is part of Paratransit, so if AC Transit won't go to West Oakland why would Paratransit?

Bruce came back to OTX and said he would wait for Paratransit to pick up our volunteer. So we all headed out. On my way home I saw the cars packed on 580, small businesses closing up, people heading home. I admittedly noticed that indie stores with white employees making a concious effort to head home. I don't blame them. Sometimes when people are angry their anger is pointed at the wrong people, just for their appearance.

The creepiest thing was as we moved closer to my neighbourhood, the lack of buses. The only bus I saw was the Transbay F extremely packed.

My corner of Oakland is quiet, honestly more quiet than usual. Normally kids are playing and people are on the porch but after a few friendly debates every "hunkered down" for the evening.

In the hurry I left my lunch, and the cupcakes for the small birthday celebration for one of our techs. A set of digital photos I had printed is currently residing in the closed Walgreens on 14th and Broadyway.

I'm watching the news now, but honestly I don't expect the foolishness that happened when it first happened. I hope not at least. I'll spend the rest of the evening at home watching netflix and playing video games, just in case.


Stay Safe Oakland.

Don't let the stereotype become a truth.

Well I'll be here for a bit more

OTX West offered me a part-time work as an instructor! I'll be teaching the Intermediate Class (for Adults) and hopefully soon I'll be able to teach the Take Home Computer Class as part of OTX's "Free Computers to Oakland Students grades 6-12".

This suppose to be interim work as I continue the search for an entry-level engineering positon, hopefully somewhere in the Bay otherwise back home (GA/NC/SC).

I have been trying so hard to find a job. Working tirelessly, I've probably applied to about 25 engineering positions here in the immediate bay (Oakland, SF, Hayward, etc.), San Jose and Silicon Valley; as well as back home in Georgia, North Carolina, and even BMW (Spartanburg, SC). I've had a few interviews but so far, no luck. I just need one good job, not everyone I apply to.

But I think my strategy has got to become more intense. There so many entry-levels out there these days that I've got to show the world that I am the ideal candidate. I am the creative, meticulous, intelligent promising engineer to be.

Otherwise I may have to go back to the restaraunt world. Not that's a bad thing, I love cooking. It's just I did go to school and earned a B.S EET for a reason. Besides I can be an engineer and still bake and cook as a hobby. A bit tough to be a hobbyist engineer, regulations and all that.

Happy Fourth o' July!

DK

Kanji, it's starting to sink in

As many of you know I have a lyric blog over there at Lyrically Speaking. You also know I love Jero, the blackanese enka singer. We gotta stick together. His new CD was released today in Japan, and I hope to go to Japantown and get it soon! I posted the lyrics to "Umiyuki" today at L.S, yes you japanese speaker/students/ anime fans the song means "Ocean Snow" It's a beautiful song. I found the lyrics and I was reading them I'm starting to recognize alot of Kanji. In fact all the boldfaced Kanji on the follow lyrics I've learned either growing up or in class.

凍える空から 海に海る雪は 波間にのまれて 跡形もなくなる ねえ　愛してても ああ　届かぬなら ねえ　いっそ　この私 身を投げましょうか？ あなた　追って　出雲崎 悲しみの日本海 愛を見失い　岸壁の上 落ちる涙は 積もることのない まるで　海雪 掌　伸ばせば 冷たい幻 世間を振り切り 宿命(さだめ)だと信じた ねえ　愛されても ああ　叶わぬ中 ねえ　いっそ　この私 殺してください 一人きりの出雲崎 明日(あす)を待つ傘もなく 濡れたこの髪が　芯まで冷えて 恨む言葉も 水面に消えて< まるで　海雪 ねえ　愛してても ああ　届かぬなら ねえ　いっそ　この私 身を投げましょうか？ あなた　追って　出雲崎 悲しみの日本海 愛を見失い　岸壁の上 落ちる涙は 積もることのない まるで　海雪

From high within the frozen sky, There falls the snow upon the sea. It melts into the waves below. Of it, there shall be no trace at all. Oh… Though I love you so, Ah… If I cannot let you know, Oh… Perhaps I might as well. Shall I throw even myself over the edge? Chasing you here, to Izumozaki The Sea of Japan filled with despair. Above this cliff where love vanishes from my sight, These tears falling down Leave no drops behind. So very like the ocean snow… When I reach out my hand, I catch that briskly chill mirage. To cast away the world beyond - I had believed that would be our fate. Oh… Though you may care for me, Ah… This love can never be. Oh… Perhaps you might as well. Please consent to take my life. All alone here, at Izumozaki, I wait on tomorrow, no umbrella in my hand. With sodden hair, chilled to the core. Even my bitter words Disappear into the water’s swell. So very like the ocean snow… Oh… Though you may care for me, Ah… This love can never be. Oh… Perhaps you might as well. Please consent to take my life. Chasing you here, to Izumozaki The Sea of Japan filled with despair. Above this cliff where love vanishes from my sight, These tears falling down Leave no drops behind. So very like the ocean snow…

Tech Support the hard way

Everyone's gotta have a hustle, rite?

4 year degree? sure that's great, but during the recession it don't put turkey bacon on the table. I am in Americorps so I'm not permitted to be employed to work during my service. But there's nothing wrong with a dollar here and there on the side. Especially while I wait for my Food stamps to get re-activated... that's a rant for another day.

Alot of people who know me and who call OTX have computers already. Or want faster, shinier computers than our free beige desktops with the CRT screen. But then those break and all we can do is refer them to ReliaTech (which is pretty cheap I must admit) but even still some people want really basic help. Like recently, a senior citzen just wanted me to go to their house, set up their computer and transfer the data from their old computer to their new computer. They said everyone they called said they charged at least 75usd. So I offered to do it for a much lower fee.

I know that they had Windows 98 which worked fine but the modem had allegedly died but what I failed to ask was the internet connection.

dial up <<>

The new computer they bought was shiny, black, and new with Windows 7 premium 64 bit, cd/dvd burner, 2 gb ram, and a half TB of Hard Drive. And they wanted to use it with dial up.
But of course the computer didn't have a modem. So we rode down to my work, hoping I could find a modem to work with their computer. We install Windows XP 32bit but I figured I could maneuver something with drivers or something... no such luck. In the mean time I installed Office 2000, took off Norton and put on AVG. AVG isn't the greatest but who can afford Norton after the trial? I also installed the Net Zero software

So I called Fry's and they had the modem. So on Saturday we rode down there. I installed the modem and the internet still didn't work. Turned out it probably wasn't the old modem at all, but a broken adapter on the telephone line. Got that replaced and everything was fine. I installed the printer, and found them one of the sexiest rollerball mouses I've ever seen and all I have left to do is transfer the data from the old Hard drive to a flash drive. I didn't have an enclosure with me and because of the dial up connection I was unable to efficiently install drivers for my flash drive (b/c they had the first version of 98 and my drive works with SE3 and higher).

So I will do that tomorrow.

After which it's all said and done I have still charged less than 75 usd. We all know most companies would have charged over $100, especially because it's an in-home repair. Crazy am I? What could I do? A retired senior who just shelled out for a new pc, paid for the modem, and bought a flash drive? It's not their fault. Would I do it again? Not willingly. But then again, I'm learning to ask seniors what type of internet connection they have and their computer has. I still can't believe I put a56k modem in a Windows 7 machine! How random.


Well I'm certain that I got a good recommendation, which should generate more business for this ACE of all trades.

Cheers,

DK

My ode to hella

Since I've moved to Oakland there has been one word that I have heard over and over
"hella"
Now I know you here it back east but here everybody says it
little old Chinese women, young black men
Japanese teachers, and little blonde kids.
though some youth use "hecka"
while in earshot of adults
hella
She was hella mad
That was hecka fun
That came out of nowhere, like hella fast.

...gotta love it

Oh to be an engineer...

instead of an engineer to be.

The job hunt continues both here and back home. As the proud recipient of a B.S in Electrical Engineering Technology, I'm most qualified for hardware, manufacturing, utilities, and various field engineering positions. I'm eligible in every state that matters to me at the moment to take the EIT and become a Licensed Professional Engineer (PE).

What I'd like most is to have a design engineer position but that's something that I've noticed goes to BSEE's rather than BSEET's. So while I search, I'll hold off on that dream till I have my treasured EIT certification. I'd also like working in green energy and computer/electronics as well.

I'm really hoping for a job where I can learn a lot and work alongside engineers in a dynamic environment. I think of engineering more of an art than a science, just art with rules like physics, lol. The recession is killing me, I have a lot of the qualities that people want, good leadership and team skills, communication skills, the degree, internship experience, natural motivation, problem solving skills, and knowledge. I'm also a pretty methodical and creative person. I love CAD, CSS, OOP, and 3 phase power. I have a fondness for electromechanics. Java is my favourite programming language, and yes I have a favourite.

But I realise that there about a million other people out there that are just like me. So I've just go to try harder.

Time is winding down

I know I know... where have you been?

I have been so incredibly busy between my project at OTX, Japanese school, job hunting, and trying to have some type of regular social life. So clearly my blogs have suffered. I'd like to tell you I'm going to do better but I'm not going to make a promise I'm not sure I can keep, lol. Well I'm certainly going to try.

My time in Americorps is winding down. Get Connected Oakland is now simply a matter of maintenance and find more resources. I need to attend some beginning computer classes around here so I can add those to the database.

Alot of people back home still think that I'm just as Glenn Beck would say "a bureaucratic slave to the President" not my family and friends (of varying political views) but narrow-minded people. I don't doubt that Obama becoming the President fueled some people to become an Americorps. But not me, I joined because I found the Digital Service Arts Corps an opportunity to use my technical skills for good. Because as much as I love cooking I didn't want to spend another year in a kitchen not using any part of engineering degree. Nearly a year has passed, my Americorps experience has definitely been different than I anticipated. But how can you anticipate moving to Oakland, to work and live for a year on pauper's wages (half of pauper's wages).

As for what's next, it's all about the dollar , Canadian dollar, or yen. I'd like to stay here in the Bay and live in Oakland for a bit longer or go back to the South, namely North Carolina. I've got to go where the money goes though. I've had one interview and put in only about 10 job applications so far. It's just been hard to find jobs out there. So if anybody knows of a company in the Bay or on the East Coast that's looking for entry level engineers, let me know.

Zazzle

Here's my Zazzle account and my first design on here. More to come soon

Resolutions Update

Well a little over 2 months into the new year and when I make my resolutions I try to at least see what progress I've been making. Things have been a bit off-kilter due to my current state of homelessness (relatively, I have no place of my own, staying with a co-worker). But I think in despite of the random drama I am making some progress.


1. Get an engineering job, some sort of job using my degree
Things Completed:
Finally got my resume' completed. It's 2 pages though. I'm considering trying to make a 1 page version. Though I will turn in the 2 page version to my top choices because I think all the information is concise and relavent. I've applied to one position so far. Trying desperately to turn in my first Bay Area choice job this week. It's an EIT program. I think that next April I'm going to try and take the EIT test. I've got a list of about 8 positions (6 here in the Bay and 2 back in the South).
Things to do:
I need to find some more positions to apply to. Need to complete my curriculum vitae (complete resume' for my website.) Need to finish my website, my professional website with my CV, current projects, and portfolio. For anybody so inclined to check it out and they shall see the random, nerdy creative scientist I am. Plus I need to finish it for freelance graphic and jewelry work opportunities.

2. Pass the JLPT N5 or N4.
Well class at Soko Gakuen has actually been going relatively okay. The moving waltz threw me off a bit but I'm coming back full circle. I can honestly say I've completely know about 100 kanji (50 out of 75 learned in class plus another basic 100 I've had to learn out of life's necessity) .
Things to do:
I need to practise writing more and read more Japanese. Get back on Smart.fm.


3. Improve my body and soul
Things completed:
Well my hair health has improved, lol. I'm natural (last relaxer in 1999) and I'm growing my hair out. It's finally starting to all look the same and lay in the same direction. I have soft kinky wavy type 4 hair. It doesn't fro w/o gel and/or blowdryer, more of a half-fro. My hair grows in a V and the tip has reached bra-strap length. Next stop Midback length. Less split ends as well. I've been taking my vitamins and etc. everyday with only a 5% fail rate. Being more concious of my weekday eating. Eating more fruits and vegetables. Great Lent is here and because of my anemia I can't fast but I still fasting from alcohol.
Things to do:
I haven't really done a whole lot in this direction because of my moving fiasco. I need to find a place to stay that's my own because it would really ease some of the stress off of my body and soul. And I need to start doing crunches again. I haven't gained much weight (2lbs that keep coming and going week by week) but I still have much work.

4. Read more
Things Completed:
Amidst everything I have actually been reading more. Albeit Objective C books from the library and Breadmaking guides online. My dear loaned me a book a fantasy fiction and a co-worker lent "End of faith" which I started reading. Unfortunately at the moment I have no idea where either one of those books are, lost in the packing shuffle.
Things to do:
Find those books, lol. Start reading a short elementary japanese book, I need the practise.


...and now you know the rest of the story.
Next resolution update: end of May.

Wagashi Magic Part 1

There are 3 things that you should know about me. I love to cook, I love sweets, I love learning. What better way to combine all the wonderful-ness than in a Wagashi workshop.

On Saturday I went to Japanese Cultural and Community Centre (JCCNC) for a wagashi workshop. The class is taught by Kimika Takechi and Larry Tiscornia who have both teach about Chanoyu (the Japanese tea ceremony) They have many decades of experience and study. The class was medium size about 16 people and was 25 USD (members get 5USD off, Thanks Mrs. H ^-^).

For the uninitiated, wagashi in the American sense is similar to Tea snacks (crumpets, biscuits, etc.) but in another respect it's so much more. It's sacred and beautiful part of the chanoyu and many learn and practise years the old tradition. Most Japanese order wagashi these days from Wagashi-ya. It is important to note that Wagashi-ya and Pan-ya are two different things.

We learned how to make 2 wagashi from start to finish. Uguisumochi and hichigiri. Uguisumochi means nightingale rice cakes, it is designed to remind you of the nightingale which begins singing as spring approaches. Hichigiri literally means pull and cut and is often served in Kyoto during the Hinamatsuri (Girl's day). The class was part demonstration and part hands-on, which I loved. We learned how to make An (shiro an and regular an) and the mochi that is used in many types of wagashi, including daifuku.

It can be intimidating to try to make wagashi but it's not really so hard for the basic mochi based. Kanten (agar agar/gelatinous) may be different. It many ways there are advantages over wagashi making to baking. I kept trying to use as little shiratamako (a type of sweet rice flour) as possible during forming the uguisumochi, afraid it would make it tough as flour will do with pastry. But this is not the case, you can always dust it off at the end. Also the mochi that we made in the microwave, the first time Takechi-san forgot to add sugar and it got lumpy. That can be fixed by heating it over the stove. If An is to thick you can add mitsu (simple syrup) if it's sticky you can let it cook longer. As long as you know what to do, it can be pretty foolproof.

Next time, I'll talk more about the specific type of wagashi I made, including recipes.

Moving again: things learned

Well things have come to an impasse with me and my live in landlord, so I'm looking for another place to stay.

I don't believe in the "cuss you out on the internet" theory, let me just say that double standards and control-ism is not my thing. Neither is age-ism for that matter. He has a way of making everything somebody else's fault, not accepting responsibility. But I've never had a roomie leave me, and I've only mutually(i.e no fighting or police involvement) decided to move twice for the better part of 8 years of living with roommates. About 80% of the people I've lived with I'm still in contact with (albeit this is thanks to facebook), basically people like me and I'm a good roommate. My landlord has had 3 roommates leave in 12 month period. Let the facts stand for themselves.

I know that everything happens for a reason, there was some reason the Lord wanted me to live there for the time I did. It was close enough for me to bike or walk to work, it was near a major street and lots of public transportation so I got to get the hang of BART and AC transit. It also allowed to be able to maneuver my way around here. So now that I'm moving again I kinda have an idea of what I'm looking for and what I want. Some of things I learned were:

1. When a person says they don't like having room-mates, they've never had room-mates until now. Especially when they're more established, red flag.

2. When somebody gives 30 days notice the day you move in, definite red flag.

3. When somebody shows you who they are (yelling, slamming, calling cops) and say I'd never do that to you. Don't believe that.

4. At my age, I'm looking for people who've been in school, military, corps, etc. Basically people who've lived with room-mates in the recent past.

5. With that said, I think I've been scarred out of renting a room in somebody's house. Looking for a more roommate situation.

6. There's nothing wrong with having house rules, it doesn't make you uptight and especially if I do rent a room in somebody's house that's got to be there. It sounds silly but to me my biggest pet peeve was him leaving his dishes for days, piling up and then him fussing because I'd come home at nite wash his dishes, cook something and then didn't have the energy to wash my own pan.

7. This is the biggie: just go by the lease. If you're lease says rent plus utilities, pay the utilities. Even if they say "I didn't know you're a student whatever, don't worry about it", pay the utilities. Though if you're in an all inclusive situation and you can spare it, it is nice to offer to contribute during the winter months or if you've had a guest stay for more than a weekend.



I've learned so much in the past few months. Living with room-mates before gave me insight but this experience has been majorly eye-opening.

till next time,

DK

OOP, you can't escape it

OOP, oops..., Object oriented programming - to some EET's/EE's it is their favourite subject, to some unrelated, to me? A neccesary tool that finds it way into my creative process and inescapable.

As of late I've had an idea for an iPhone app. No I don't have an iPhone or even an app based mobile but sometimes great ideas aren't necessarily for you. Like my senior project, the coffee maker - I do not like coffee that much. As an EET, I was required to take 3 programming classes, (Visual Basic, and Java 1 and 2), additionally I took C++ before I took Java. Of course this all sets you up for the programming that finds its way into your other classes and projects. Additionally being the nerd that I am, I do have a small affinity for OOP though admittedly I wouldn't want to do it full time for a career.

I had no idea where to start but luckily there's lots of information on the internet about iPhone App development. (This site in particular, the iPhone OS reference library) Objective-C is quite similar to C so there is a slight adjustment in my mind that needs to be changed (Java is my absolute favourite programming language, "evar".) but the concept is still the same. I only wish that I knew more people in my life that shared my creative approach to technology so I could have a bit more help with this project.

I know I start a lot of projects and don't finish them. Mainly to due to the fact that sometimes I just have too many ideas, but I have been trying to do better at documenting my work so when I pick things back up I don't have to re-invent the wheel. Also been trying to at least draw things out when I can generate the words for some ideas.

till next time,

DK

Happy Birthday Vivian

Today is the birthday of my dear friend Vivian, she would have been 26 today. Vivian committed suicide last September. I really rather not go into my personal thoughts but only say that, if you or somebody you know may be in danger please call 1800273TALK (8255)

This is for Vivian and the Scott and Hsu familia

2010 Resolutions

1. Get an engineering job, some sort of job using my degree
2. Pass the JLPT N5 or N4.
3. Improve my body and soul
4. Read more



Get an engineering job: When my year at OTX is over I would like to have a job lined up. I know that this is something I have to start working on now. I'm not sure where I want to work in the South, the Bay Area, or somewhere else. So I'm just going to look and apply to whole bunch of places. Since my degree's in Electrical engineering technology I'm looking into working for a utility or in manufacturing. Electric Distribution and Electric Machinery were my focus, aside from design (which I need a MS Eng or P.E to really use since I'm an EET) Some place where I can either do some field work with engineers who do design. Since that's my ultimate goal. Pretty much some real world engineering practice so I can work towards getting P.E in whatever state I decide to stay in for awhile.


Pass the JLPT: Well in 2009 I took the JLPT and while I still don't know if I actually passed or not, this year I intend to either pass the level I may have failed or pass the next highest level. I'm going to enroll in my first ever Japanese class to improve my grammar and try to practice my reading more.

Improve my body and soul: Taking a cue from 2009 I think that I did way better when I was just focusing on improving myself rather than trying to lose x-amount of pounds. My anemia and other vitamin defiencies haven't been so great the past few months so I need to eat more fruits and vegetables, and protein (which I don't really eat a lot of). It is possible to gain weight after gastric bypass, something I really proved in 2008 but the good thing is, it's a lot easier to get back on track at least in my opinion. I figure if I'm eating my daily requirement of fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy, and protein... my stomach won't have room for junkfood. Well it worked last year. Also while most of my exericing is fine, I need to do some more core exercise. everything's firming up but my gut. When I'm trying to be healthy, I feel better so that's the main goal

Read more: I didn't read very much in 2009 and that's something I hope to remedy in 2010. I love reading, non-fiction and fiction. The first book on the list is some review: Basic Electronics. ^-^

2009 Resolutions - how did I do?

Happy New Year everybody!

Every year tons of people make these resolutions. This year I'm happy to say that I did in fact do all my 2009 resolutions which gives me motivation to work towards my 2010 resolutions. What were my 2009 resolutions?

1. Finish college B.S EET awarded for May 2009 (despite being out of school since July 08 :P)
2. Take the Japanese Language Profiency Test Level 3 or 4 Took the JLPT 4 at SF State in Dec
3. Volunteer in Americorps or similar organisation for a year Volunteering until late July 10 at OTX
4. Take better care of my body and soul Lost about 40lbs, started exercising more, eating more healthy foods.

I think the key for me this year was to make realistic goals and not have set numbers. I just wanted to take the JLPT, not necessarily pass it. Because of this my Japanese has improved significantly. To volunteer, not specifically go across the country for a year. I never would have chose to go to Oakland, but God knew what I needed and I am grateful. To take better care of my body and soul, not to lose x amount of pounds. Ironically enough this is the most weight I've lost in a year since the few years after my gastric bypass surgery. Even though I was just losing weight that I gained in 2008, that's okay. I'm really proud of myself, I gotta be honest.

I'm still contemplating exactly what my 2010 goals are, so look for that on Monday.