tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20842416405890217402024-02-18T23:53:34.448-05:00Those who wish to sing always find a songIrish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-53574050706844869982011-04-23T23:23:00.000-04:002011-04-23T23:23:17.085-04:00QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Writing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"All writing, even the clumsy kind, escapes in its loops and slants a yearning deeper than an intention, the soul of the writer flopping on the clothes-peg of his exclamation mark"</span><br />
~Paul Theroux, <i>Saint Jack </i>(1973)Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-90176293049338254302011-04-23T23:04:00.000-04:002011-04-23T23:04:03.899-04:00New York on a Budget Part 1This weekend two of my friends from home came up for a visit, and to paint the town red. Since NYC is just a stone throw away, we decided to spend the day in the Big Apple.<br />
<br />
Our first stop: Coney Island.<br />
This week it was a bit chilly to fully enjoy what Coney Island has to offer, however it was still wonderful. With it's campy atmosphere, carnival rides and famous Nathan hot dogs, there was no wrong doing here. We spent $6 dollars to take a ride on the Wonder Wheel. One of my more adventurous pals persuaded us to go on the "swinging seats." This, as I found out, is not ideal for those who have a death-defying fear of heights. While my one friend was smart enough to ask to get off after one go round, I decided to risk my life, and or sanity to stay on the ride, not to leave my friend solo. You can not go to Coney Island and not enjoy a Nathan's hot dog. I ordered mine with peppers and onions, while my other friend ordered a chili cheese dog, bot options were less than $5.00 and well worth the long wait in line. The D, F, N, or Q will take you straight to Surf Ave, to show a different side of New York City.<br />
<br />
We then headed over to McSorley's. A neighborhood favorite since the 1850s, McSorleys is one of the city's oldest Irish bars. The atmosphere is great, and the beer is better! There are only two options, light or dark. And with every $4.50 order, you get two glasses of the stuff. It is probably one of my favorite spots in the city, and a must see, just for history's sake.<br />
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Our Third stop was Kabin Lounge. Located on 2nd ave between 6th and 5th, this divey bar has been a favorite of mine for two years now, especially with its 2 for 1 happy hour special on anything you want. PBR, while not classy, is affordable at $3 for 2, or if you want something a little stronger get the Jameson and Ginger Ale for $6 for 2. With a guaranteed seat in the bar, you and your friends can finally have a chance to sit down and catch up.<br />
<br />
Hungry? 2 Brothers Pizza has a great deal and some GREAT pie! For $2.75 you get 2 large slices of pizza and a soda. There is limited seating in the establishment its self, however there are plenty of curbs and stoops to find in the East Village that will accommodate you while you enjoy your slices. <br />
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It was great having my friends up to visit, I love getting to show them around! One thing I did learn however is to never offer to give a Piggy Back Ride after a few drinks, well unless you like having a chipped tooth, bruised leg, scratched nose and scrapped hands...no? I didn't think so either.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Song of the Week:<br />
"Low Budget" -The Kinks<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0HEW5bXqKbU" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-45705539393081394532011-04-17T08:19:00.000-04:002011-04-17T08:19:11.230-04:00QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Playoffs<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"The playoffs separate the men from the boys, and we found out we have a lot of boys in our dressing room."</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #373737; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">—New York Rangers general manager Neil Smith after losing to the Washington Capitals</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #373737; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><br />
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</span></span></div>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-28260800798198446682011-04-17T08:03:00.000-04:002011-04-17T08:03:31.580-04:00Spring has SprungFINALLY!<br />
<br />
Having spring show up weeks after its official date of March 20th is old news. Winter weather has always lingered around longer than one would like for years. Heck this year it snowed on March 20th...not a very welcoming gesture for the 1st day of spring if you ask me.<br />
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Following the snow, has been days and days of rain...cold, bone shivering rain. As the saying goes "April showers, bring May flowers." I actually don't mind rain, but when you add it to 40 degree windy weather, my attitude towards mother nature goes sour.<br />
<br />
However, TODAY, Madison, NJ, opened it's arms wide and welcomed Spring; with its big bright sun, moderately warm temperature, birds chirping, deer grazing, squirrels chasing squirrels, daffodil's blossoming kind of day. So before burrowing into the depths of the New York Public Library's Microfilm department, I took advantage of Spring and went for a nice jog around town. I clearly was not the only one with such a fabulous idea, for the streets were filled with my community neighbors trying to get a little exercise in before mass on a beautiful day today.<br />
<br />
So <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Get up, get out spring is everywhere"</span><br />
<br />
Song of the Week:<br />
"Spring Fever" - Elvis Presley<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wLfqd9lT6yw" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-37894830911409861252011-04-10T14:55:00.000-04:002011-04-10T14:55:12.933-04:00QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Procrastination<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow. "</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;">~Mark Twain</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCcvHhHwjcV4z4h_mGGdjtlvbfi8UlMJ-NoX59RTBXY-OpzYcpNofi8qxBS3lpVrLl48eo9Hoq9YbuqycSBOrG_PEeh0WPmnuMo1HweBs-IYGbI_odVlU_j2Pzzb36f278HskbHEDeNxX/s1600/procrastination.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCcvHhHwjcV4z4h_mGGdjtlvbfi8UlMJ-NoX59RTBXY-OpzYcpNofi8qxBS3lpVrLl48eo9Hoq9YbuqycSBOrG_PEeh0WPmnuMo1HweBs-IYGbI_odVlU_j2Pzzb36f278HskbHEDeNxX/s320/procrastination.png" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><br />
</span>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-28530279836633460212011-04-10T14:48:00.000-04:002011-04-10T14:48:35.699-04:00I'll do it Tomorrow..Procrastination (v) pro-cras-ti-nate-tion<br />
:to put off intentionally and habitually<br />
<br />
Origin: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Latin</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><em xmlns:mwref="http://www.m-w.com/mwref">procrastinatus,</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">past participle of</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><em xmlns:mwref="http://www.m-w.com/mwref">procrastinare,</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><em xmlns:mwref="http://www.m-w.com/mwref">pro-</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">forward +</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><em xmlns:mwref="http://www.m-w.com/mwref">crastinus</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">of tomorrow, from</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><em xmlns:mwref="http://www.m-w.com/mwref">cras</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">tomorrow</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">First Known Use: 1588</span><br />
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It's a graduate's students worse enemy, the reason why diets don't start until a week after the intended start date and a huge factor for a majority of stress related feelings. But why do we continue to act upon such tasks with the art of procrastination? After my first encounter with procrastination, I swore that I would never do it again. However, come paper time, it lurks its evil head around the corner and BAM, I find myself in the same situation all over again.<br />
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There are many forms of procrastination. The "Hey One Drink Won't Hurt" night out with your friends that ends up as a next day of non-productivity; the "I need a clean atmosphere to work in" which turns you into the Mr./Mrs Clean, you find yourself cleaning the stove, the toilet, scrubbing the floor, washing all of the dishes, that are already clean; one word "netflix," its a vortex of procrastination, I warn you if you wish to avoid procrastination STAY AWAY FROM NETFLIX!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4P785j15Tzk" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe><br />
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However, in the long end, the work ends up getting done, you earn a few gray hairs, and loose many hours of much needed sleep. You will swear never to procrastinate ever again, however I'm sure it'll show it's ugly face again. For once a procrastinator, most likely you'll always be a procrastinator.<br />
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This week's Song of the Week:<br />
"Watching the Wheels" - John Lennon<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/moCf_pghM-U" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-1679172342128348142011-04-03T21:51:00.000-04:002011-04-03T21:51:49.322-04:00QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Influence<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;">"Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everyone I've ever known."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">—</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Chuck Palahniuk</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Invisible Monsters, 1999)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYU4QVZvFZ1w8kcyEMY-5ROM9mal_YjLslHMdcdFqibVCGDo6mtS1Ryyco5sZcrfUpAJHY3MN_k0X5wPo38h03nIdXdRsxz1NpJTLjDtf22G_LV7DP51rCUjuvYevMo_qWJo1F2R3YtAbK/s1600/barbie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYU4QVZvFZ1w8kcyEMY-5ROM9mal_YjLslHMdcdFqibVCGDo6mtS1Ryyco5sZcrfUpAJHY3MN_k0X5wPo38h03nIdXdRsxz1NpJTLjDtf22G_LV7DP51rCUjuvYevMo_qWJo1F2R3YtAbK/s1600/barbie.jpg" /></a></div>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-62428348330761054122011-04-03T21:38:00.001-04:002011-04-03T21:42:50.633-04:00Eat, Drink and Be Merry...Dinner and drinks in the middle of the week? Yes please.<br />
This week I thought I would bring the procrastination of writing my thesis to a new low...cooking dinner for a few of my friends, and maybe throw in a little drink and apples to apples in there as well...So this week I dedicate my blog to food, good times and my love for procrastination.<br />
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The menu: Stuffed Chicken, creamy potatoes and one nice and veggie-full salad!<br />
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<b><u>Stuffed Chicken</u></b><br />
<i>Ingredients: </i><br />
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<ul><li>an even amount of chicken breasts (you need to multiply however many you want to make by two)</li>
<li>fresh spinach (chopped)</li>
<li>sun dried tomatoes (chopped)</li>
<li>feta cheese, crumbled</li>
<li>1 cup of milk</li>
<li>bread crumbs</li>
<li>tooth picks</li>
<li>aluminum foil</li>
</ul><i>Prep Work:</i><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeBOm5LQUYoQpO8YBM9P7KnFaOHgVf_C4Bt9eNvR3zHMJ3Jksxls53mB3MSYolthpvBn0yJt6-B5kvXtOKW5E6-VXSXOjLis44FglHPqdEqV7epihMCimr99hIzPGMus3PIoOognSBDem/s1600/IMG_2729%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeBOm5LQUYoQpO8YBM9P7KnFaOHgVf_C4Bt9eNvR3zHMJ3Jksxls53mB3MSYolthpvBn0yJt6-B5kvXtOKW5E6-VXSXOjLis44FglHPqdEqV7epihMCimr99hIzPGMus3PIoOognSBDem/s200/IMG_2729%255B1%255D.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preheat the oven to 350 degrees </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUOKj5VZs-Hlk2hLxXl1T_T21f5TvKCn7ZPG11p5vxIEAVg-LVNp4c8-0sodROO0NzgdEDTx1b0EEjeSxOcGO8X7FNV_zF_8ckBE0pSdPhHT91SDXnS6fd00mELCvRAd8m8OwS5qNCMC1/s1600/IMG_2728%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUOKj5VZs-Hlk2hLxXl1T_T21f5TvKCn7ZPG11p5vxIEAVg-LVNp4c8-0sodROO0NzgdEDTx1b0EEjeSxOcGO8X7FNV_zF_8ckBE0pSdPhHT91SDXnS6fd00mELCvRAd8m8OwS5qNCMC1/s200/IMG_2728%255B1%255D.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover some baking sheets with aluminum foil.<br />
This will help when cleaning up later!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhop01Nw6HFahfJvd8PB39ajHcLlhV1lqRNZHZOkWzKY_6kmrrq9bE9P5UjhTztIXDqko8SyLmnwCBlLtQ5Uc4C4cfXnaMuEd-727IeVXKznNt8kmtTW11npzN12f-gnPZ8K0oyoBEkR98-/s1600/IMG_2727%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhop01Nw6HFahfJvd8PB39ajHcLlhV1lqRNZHZOkWzKY_6kmrrq9bE9P5UjhTztIXDqko8SyLmnwCBlLtQ5Uc4C4cfXnaMuEd-727IeVXKznNt8kmtTW11npzN12f-gnPZ8K0oyoBEkR98-/s320/IMG_2727%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Make sure that your spinach and sun dried tomatoes are chopped. And that your feta cheese is crumbled, your milk is an a bowl and your bread crumbs are in a large zip block bag.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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You want to be able to make an assembly line of the ingredients you need; if everything is ready to go, it will be easier on you.<br />
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<i>Instructions:</i><br />
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<ol><li>Place 2 pieces of chicken in the bowl of milk.</li>
<li>Place the milk-coated chicken in the zip block bag filled with bread crumbs</li>
<li>Shake the zip block bag, until both pieces of chicken are coated.</li>
<li>Place on piece of bread crumb coated chicken on the aluminum foil covered baking sheet.</li>
<li>Fill the piece of chicken with a layer of spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and feta cheese</li>
<li>Place the second piece of bread crumb coated chicken on top of the other, and secure it to the first piece with tooth picks.</li>
<li>Cook for an hour at 350 degrees</li>
</ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2154c3c8FwY3GQfgIKtoiKYIxUu-OWhqLxzr47mVdsYe0yhS-MWbNvwGiS2J5WgFlGknpfUEbIxST5LdwjZLtlex1tLSB7A5pRV6nYcq2yvP56te713TLuZolcYDYAwfqloVgJLOI2RzC/s1600/IMG_2736%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2154c3c8FwY3GQfgIKtoiKYIxUu-OWhqLxzr47mVdsYe0yhS-MWbNvwGiS2J5WgFlGknpfUEbIxST5LdwjZLtlex1tLSB7A5pRV6nYcq2yvP56te713TLuZolcYDYAwfqloVgJLOI2RzC/s320/IMG_2736%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<b>Creamy Potatoes </b><br />
<i>Ingredients:</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1QMP4GzYuW5WvuAn3TkCmku7QxVcpkbLpjkoZDmQEfzJTd0CLzPpPIS-UcHUcN_iE9wBmsl-qgqklFh2wb6g543emxl-AasaH6NSO6aSH8BNIk3EjO3eTuT_44wOGF-rUqkTn7Xo-7BJ/s1600/IMG_2715%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1QMP4GzYuW5WvuAn3TkCmku7QxVcpkbLpjkoZDmQEfzJTd0CLzPpPIS-UcHUcN_iE9wBmsl-qgqklFh2wb6g543emxl-AasaH6NSO6aSH8BNIk3EjO3eTuT_44wOGF-rUqkTn7Xo-7BJ/s320/IMG_2715%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<ul><li>Desired amount of potatoes ( I used a pound to feed a group of 8 people) </li>
<li>2 quarts of heavy whipping cream</li>
<li>3 cups of shredded swiss cheese </li>
</ul><i>Recipe</i><br />
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<ol><li><i> </i>Wash, peel and slice the potatoes into smaller pieces.</li>
<li>Place the potatoes into a large pot and cover the potatoes with the heavy whipping cream.</li>
<li>Boil the potatoes and cream until the potatoes are soft. This should take approximately 20-25 minutes.</li>
<li> Drain out half of the heavy whipping cream.</li>
<li>Place layers of the potato cream mixture and swiss cheese in a baking dish.</li>
<li>Finish with a layer of cheese on top.</li>
<li>Bake in the oven until the cheese browns. This takes approximately 15-20 minutes</li>
<li>Take out of the oven, and enjoy</li>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGuq_zELAufC6XXULbM1KlwEXfavYHXOGBkGHa8nf1YdqL0IVa6rDI_1pBio83jy2BUxWU8lsKGnIGSP-MNcZeEDpq5MDpWj_naQ0tljXMc8SSM59ztlF-gFd7478bI2dqJFf1Iv2jSvl/s1600/IMG_2738%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGuq_zELAufC6XXULbM1KlwEXfavYHXOGBkGHa8nf1YdqL0IVa6rDI_1pBio83jy2BUxWU8lsKGnIGSP-MNcZeEDpq5MDpWj_naQ0tljXMc8SSM59ztlF-gFd7478bI2dqJFf1Iv2jSvl/s320/IMG_2738%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><i><br />
</i><b>Veggie-full Salad</b><br />
You can't really go wrong here. I tried to add as many veg possible for my non-meat eating friends. I included, peppers(red, yellow and orange), red onion, mushrooms, chick peas, feta cheese, spinach and romaine lettuce and grape tomatoes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMopJmgFQZAx16hxQzoj5o09NXXI7I53eeEYmzZg2s4L1Hjs-2s8AgKmf5kUcmb2L8Ns_QTpIgPEPdMTZ-N6LlK7j8yDf_5Jhrz-2WPCJ8HAIyMizp8UpnjyLAsNjmW7TsT8ti2DwIsMv/s1600/IMG_2735%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMopJmgFQZAx16hxQzoj5o09NXXI7I53eeEYmzZg2s4L1Hjs-2s8AgKmf5kUcmb2L8Ns_QTpIgPEPdMTZ-N6LlK7j8yDf_5Jhrz-2WPCJ8HAIyMizp8UpnjyLAsNjmW7TsT8ti2DwIsMv/s320/IMG_2735%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Overall, everyone seemed to enjoy the meal! We were able to find enough seating in my lovely apartment to accommodate for everyone. Old friends chatted with old friends, new friends made some new friends, and everyone seemed to enjoy the nice break in the the middle of the week.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyb07gop2d25IwRuWTggtVifDXphzwzURjFxGrGKFLIIm7xlHDi6QCrKfeoUkD0TKGzRLlYjbg4PFWpuNDcKfJUz0bMQze9xv8FA7yWIMeY_6NFUGzFSEMBGVESEVmEDeUO3407uBwdxe4/s1600/IMG_2740%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyb07gop2d25IwRuWTggtVifDXphzwzURjFxGrGKFLIIm7xlHDi6QCrKfeoUkD0TKGzRLlYjbg4PFWpuNDcKfJUz0bMQze9xv8FA7yWIMeY_6NFUGzFSEMBGVESEVmEDeUO3407uBwdxe4/s320/IMG_2740%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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We concluded the evening with some vino and a nice friendly game of apples to apples. Laughs were plenty, and good times were had.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlbWa5iXBxicL7wNvrw3wSsbK_jJ1HPWehLrfDGgM6JuBvCUWOqVyop_CNtFU5cHMG4qBHIRIBK7yRlEq5mKjocopT0xCQT14vtlOvuNxaD9xrut0U6MkMHQlGDAPed1DUDXDvK97HXqq/s1600/IMG_2746%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlbWa5iXBxicL7wNvrw3wSsbK_jJ1HPWehLrfDGgM6JuBvCUWOqVyop_CNtFU5cHMG4qBHIRIBK7yRlEq5mKjocopT0xCQT14vtlOvuNxaD9xrut0U6MkMHQlGDAPed1DUDXDvK97HXqq/s320/IMG_2746%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">ALSO, I would like to dedicate this week's post to a food friendly gal who writes a pretty rad blog on food! Soooo you should definitely check out her work: <a href="http://sliceofearthlydelight.blogspot.com/">http://sliceofearthlydelight.blogspot.com/</a><br />
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</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Song of the Week:</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Jimi Thing" -Dave Matthews Band</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-88690092192189169942011-03-27T13:14:00.000-04:002011-03-27T13:14:33.709-04:00QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Drinking<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;">"Sometimes when I reflect back on all the beer I drink I feel ashamed. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams. If I didn't drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, it is better that I drink this beer and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver." ~Jack Handey</span><br />
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</span>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-67033065632146125102011-03-27T13:05:00.000-04:002011-03-27T13:05:01.249-04:00Mmmmm GreaseHangovers...a drinkers worst enemy. They sneak up on you to remind you how much "fun" you had the night before. The windowless room becomes too bright, your stomach feels as if there was an victim of assault, and your senses are heightened so that the smallest noise, smell or movement is multiplied by 500%. However how does one cure the feeling of a hangover? Sleep? The Hair of the Dog? or my personal favorite, the greasy home cooked meal, aka heart-attack on a plate.<div><br />
</div><div>Why is it that after a night of heavy drinking that many of us turn to greasy food the next morning? If drinking three meals worth of calories did not do the trick the night before, why continue to add on the calories the next day? Besides the deliciousness of some grease soaked food, there is <i>some</i> science behind why many of us prefer to add on the extra calories. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Not only does Alcohol reduce our inhibitions to make some (sometimes) bad decisions, but it also affects our appetite control in our brain. However, to beat the hangover to the punch, many have advised to eat a nice greasy meal BEFORE your night of drinks. By doing this, a layer of fatty grease lines your intestines so that it helps to slow down the absorption of alcohol that you intake. Eating greasy food the following morning seems to be more psychological than physical, but I'll take it...with a huge glass of water on the side.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Song of the Week:</div><div>Jimmy Buffett - "Cheeseburger in Paradise"</div><div><br />
</div><div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jBsPZV14I-k" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe></div>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-27030044885344678822011-03-20T15:10:00.000-04:002011-03-20T15:10:15.614-04:00QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Break-UpsI'm borrowing this idea from a friend of mine. As a person who loves a good quote, I thought I would try it out!<div><br />
</div><div>In respect to this weeks quote, it goes out to my little sister. Whose boyfriend of three years broke up with her over the phone. Which I guess is better than a text message, but still, a cop out in my opinion...</div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">"Take your records, take your freedom</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Take your memories, I don't need'em</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Take your space and take your reasons</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">But you'll think of me"</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">Keith Urban - "You'll Think of Me" (2002)</span></div>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-35274740691836310652011-03-20T14:55:00.000-04:002011-03-20T14:55:20.554-04:00Pionta Guinness, le do thoilSo this past week, I was able to spend my favorite holiday with some friends old and new.<br />
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My morning started off as usual for a Thursday. Woke up at 8:50, rolled out of bed, put on some clean clothes and headed to The United Methodist Archive. I worked from 9 until Noon, and was able to get my hands dirty with history. I'm currently working on a research project for a organization called MARCHA, a caucus of The United Methodist Church dealing with the Hispanic Americans who follow the denomination. I have the devious task of searching page by page through the United Methodist News Service documents from 1969 to present. So far I have found a few documents regarding the organization, but have been aware that there have been many articles dealing with women's rights...the 1970s was a decade for fellow females!!<br />
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Any who, work was fun, I got to go home and rest a bit before heading out to Morristown to meet with a few of my fellow Druids. We went to Hennessey's Washington Pub, a great spot for a pint of Guinness, and some traditional Irish food Year round. I had the fish and chips special, you can't go wrong with some fried fish and potatoes while drinking a few dark beers! The bar was packed with people of all ages, families brought their children, sons were taking their intoxicated parents home, men were wearing kilts, and there were too many Aran sweaters and green shirts to count.<br />
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After a few pints, and some great conversations I then headed West, to a town called Byram, New Jersey with a friend from school. I had promised that I would go out to her neck of the woods and see what the craic was like. After meeting her parents and getting re-pampered, we headed out for a great night out on the town. We went to a bar called New Jersey Bar and Grill, or the Bag to many of it's local patrons. It was a great place to spend st. Patty's day. I fit right in with my friend's group of friends and had a great night. I also ran into an college buddy from my undergrad, we shared a shot, and got to say our hellos. My night was filled with $2 beers, Irish-Car bombs (although I wish that they would call them by another name :( ), shots of Jameson, Guinness, Smithwicks, a few broken glasses, a bunch of laughs and some new friends by the end of the night.<br />
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My favorite thing about st. Patrick's day is not about the drinking. It's about the mood that people are in. It seemed that everyone that I had run into that night was in one of the best moods of their life. Maybe I was looking past some who were not so happy, but the day just breathes happiness, cheer and joy. So I wish that everyone enjoyed their March 17th, whether you celebrated the holiday, or not.<br />
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Song of the Week:<br />
"Whiskey in the Jar" - The Dubliners<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8eOIU9ekSMk" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-72927270025079713102011-03-13T22:05:00.000-04:002011-03-13T22:05:46.247-04:00Mardi Gras...and All That JazzSo this year I was able to go on my first spring break in 6 years! Since I had so much fun during New Years, I decided to experience New Orleans during Mardi Gras would be my best bet...so I called up some of my friends who live in the city, and sure enough my plans were made!<div><br />
</div><div>Before going to Mardi Gras, my depiction of the festival was that it was one day (Fat Tuesday) and that people were wild and crazy, acting in ways of sin and foolishness. Man was I wrong, well...to a certain extent. Mardi Gras is not just one day, in fact it's many. Its a carnival season celebrated before lent. Parades occur EVERYDAY for a month before Fat Tuesday, and ends with Ash Wednesday. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I flew down to New Orleans on the Friday before Fat Tuesday. Saturday and Sunday were supposed to be days filled with tailgate-like celebrations, but due to weather, my parade experience was given on Bacchus Sunday. Let me give you a little throw down of how the day panned out:</div><div>7:00AM wake up/shower, etc</div><div>8:00AM pick up keg (of yummy Abita Amber)</div><div>8:30 Drop off keg/ find parking</div><div>9:00 let the drinking begin</div><div>11:00 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="kk1" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">Krewe of Okeanos</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="kk1" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">11:45 Krewe of Mid-City</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="kk1" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">12:00 Krewe of Toth</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="kk1" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">5:15 Krewe of Bacchus</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="kk1" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">Followed by the Krewe of Endymion which ended near midnight</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="kk1" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Our spot was held by some brave souls at 4am, and by the end of Endymion, the strip of land between St. Charles Street was deserted with the occasional group of "hard-core-keg-standing-parties", heap fulls of beads that parade goers missed and piles of broken chairs, tables and other items of trash that people left throughout the day. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10:00 AM, ready for some bead catching and Brew drinking</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the Floats during Okeanos</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A band during Mid-City</td></tr>
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</span></span></span></div><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">The parades were not like how I imagined though, they were more than great. First off, the event is a more child-friendly environment. Locals make these ladder/chair contraptions for little ones, so that they can enjoy the show as well! The parade route is filled with marching bands, brass bands, decorative floats, masked men and the occasional celebrity! Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa were throwing beads in Endymion and Andy Garcia was the king of Bacchus. While some of the float riders were tempting female parade goers with the fancier throws by a little peep show, the parades themselves were rated PG! Well maybe PG-13 with the amount of drinking that was surrounding everything else.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Endymion</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anderson Cooper Threw me beads, NBD</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooool WTWA inspired float!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Now Bourbon Street was another story all together. Everything you could have possibly heard about the craziness of Mardi Gras does occur in the vicinity of the French Quarter. Boobs, Barely-there costumes, balcony throws, and protesters fill the streets to an uncomfortable amount. Its a different experience entirely, and one that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime, whether you enjoy this crowed mess is to each their own...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"></span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protesters...<br />
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</div><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"></span></span></span></div><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"></span></span></span></div><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">One thing is certain though, </span></span></span></div><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">The more time I spend in B-E-A-Utiful New Orelans, the more I fall in love with it!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">So until next time NOLA, </span></span></span></div><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">stay classy,</span></span></span></div><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Love Amy</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpX2Yim8efuKg7oV0J_zhNfOKCAayXjCkZb5vgg3Z_aVa47GPKnodz68ZY82U8CwqVsPiYunK2BL9ub2asFzf4PE5U2rZwib9eUHUdXnbu_G4NjCBsVqOrQ7fKE2Mk_rJ7yrkT-kyLpYQi/s1600/IMG_2692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpX2Yim8efuKg7oV0J_zhNfOKCAayXjCkZb5vgg3Z_aVa47GPKnodz68ZY82U8CwqVsPiYunK2BL9ub2asFzf4PE5U2rZwib9eUHUdXnbu_G4NjCBsVqOrQ7fKE2Mk_rJ7yrkT-kyLpYQi/s320/IMG_2692.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">This Week's Song of the Week:</span></span></span></div><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;">Hot 8 Brass Band - "Sexual Healing" (Marvin Gaye Cover)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="kk1" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/s75WIkQBYzk" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe></span></span></div><div><span class="kk1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-37640607449101450952011-02-28T10:40:00.000-05:002011-02-28T10:40:31.585-05:00I Feel Good....And I Knew That I WouldAs many of you know, I love going to museums. From the architecture on the outside, to collection items inside. From modern "art" to impressionism...from dinosaur bones to historical documents. I love being able to use my senses and engulfing the culture around me. For the past five years, I have been making sure that I do not take New York City for granted. I make sure that I go to at least one new museum a year, while making multiple trips to the ones I love. One of my favorites has always been the MET. There is just SO MANY different genres of work crammed into <i>one</i> building. I'm able to put my headphones on, and enjoy whats around me. From people watching, to admiring portraits, paintings, sculptures and more.<div><br />
</div><div>However, the one thing I love the most is the process of actually getting to the museum itself. Unlike the American Museum of Natural History or Ellis Island, there is <i style="font-weight: bold;">no</i> subway that takes you right to the admission desks. You either have to take the 6 to 77th and lex, the B or C and walk across central park, or taxi it...And I don't mind. After living in the area for 6 years, I've never gotten sick of walking around the city. I get to take it in. Sure, sometimes you're in a rush and need to get there <i>ASAP</i> but many times, you just enjoy it for what it is. </div><div><br />
</div><div>One building that has always caught my eye is that of the American Irish Historical Society. It's what seems to be a small town home sandwiched between two larger buildings. It's architecture is beautiful, and for those who love the Irish culture like myself, the Irish tricolor is hard to miss hanging from the building's flagpole. I've noticed it many times, have many snapshots of the building on my phone/ camera but never dreamed that one day that I would get the opportunity to get to go inside.</div><div><br />
</div><div>My wonderful advisor has allowed me the experience to get to roam the halls of this establishment. For the past week I have acted as a docent to the <i>Jackie Clarke Collection</i>. A wonderful collection from co. Mayo. I've been able to meet and greet with some of the collection's archivists. while at the same time see history in the making. The collection has some amazing pieces in it correlating to themes such as diaspora and the 1916 uprising! I've got to demonstrate my Irish-American knowledge by providing tours to those who are interested! While many of the tours have only included one-to-two people at max, it has still given me the opportunity to practice my skills as a tour guide. There was never really, a set script to the collection, so each time I'm able to make the tour my own! </div><div><br />
</div><div>This experience has given me the chance to meet new people, in the field I <i>will</i> someday join. The fact that I enjoy going back each time makes me feel great! I've found something I love doing, which makes my search for continued education seem well worth it and totally justifiable! I Feel Good!</div><div><br />
</div><div>This Weeks Songs </div><div>"Papa's Got a Brand New Bag/I Feel Good" -James Brown</div><div><br />
</div><div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y7Z56dxeGMA" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe></div>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-47204847595634747812011-02-20T11:17:00.000-05:002011-02-20T11:17:37.284-05:00"Irish for a Day...Southern for Life"So I was talked into submitting a paper to the call of Papers for the ACIS Southern Conference. With much skepticism and fear of actually talking in front of a group of strangers, I was hesitant and fearful that my paper would actually get accepted...and on January 6th the verdict was set...a gaggle of Drewids would be heading south to Savannah, Georgia for this Irish conference because ALL of our papers were accepted.<br />
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The conference took place in Savannah's historic district! Where most of the streets are cobble stone, and the culture of the town just oozes out from every corner and seam that keeps the city together. On my first day here I had much time to kill, so I decided to explore the city by foot. So in the high 70 degree weather (In FEBRUARY mind you) I took in the southern air and enjoyed my afternoon. One of my favorite parts of Savannah is the number of squares and parks that they have (26 to be exact). Perhaps the most visited and better known is Chippewa Square. Which was the location where Forrest Gump sat on a park bench, telling the world that life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're gonna get. While the park is just as green and beautiful as the Hollywood version, the bench was just a prop used while filming. You can however visit the bench for a cost of $5 and a visit to the Savannah Visitors center, and home of the Savannah Historic Museum.<br />
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One thing which surprised me about my trip to Savannah was the town's Irish history. There is a rather large Irish population found in this southern city. It was the final destination to many Irish immigrants over the years, and the town actually is home to the 2nd largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the US! Who knew?<br />
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The Belfast Boys playing a private show for us at Kevin Barry's Irish Pub<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> Seán O'Se Singing us a song!!! </span><br />
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AND One can not come to Savannah with out visiting Paula Deen's restaurant The Lady & Sons. You have to get there early to put your name down for lunch and dinner (the line starts at 9:30, and usually wraps around the industrial looking building). But it is well worth the wait (and the cost)!! Inside the restaurant has a lived in feeling where you feel like your eating at someones home rather than an up scale establishment. I some good southern eats, and probably gained 500 pounds and 10-15 new cavities, but that's something I will just have to deal with.<br />
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It was good luck to touch the rain spout...soooo it had to be done!<br />
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So overall my trip to Savannah was well worth the fear of public speaking. I was given the chance to practice my conference skills (in front of an audience of familiar faces thanks to the support of the Drew Community), listen to some pretty awesome Irish presentations to expand my knowledge of the culture I LOVE, experience the Savannah night life with a few great friends old and new, soak up the southern sun and culture with it's warm weather, live music, and good cookin'. One thing is certain. As I trek back to New Jersey's cold winter weather and cosmopolitan streets I sure will have <i>Georgia</i> on my mind.<br />
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This week's song of the week:<br />
"Georgia on My Mind" - Ray Charles<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Thls_tMuFkc" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-36088397271744124842011-02-14T01:11:00.000-05:002011-02-14T01:11:44.429-05:00Nothing is more American than an Eric Church concertIf you have not had the chance to experience Erich Church and his band live in concert, than you my friend are missing out on something. I recently got to experience his show for a second time on a whim. I knew that he was playing near by, but in a place which is really hard to get to unless you drive there...a place called the Starland Ballroom (Think the barn/dance hall in <u>Foot loose</u>). This place is literally in the middle of nowhere, New Jersey.<div><br />
</div><div>After waiting 10 minutes on the road (due to concert traffic), maneuvering parking directed by local VFW members and crossing the dim-lighted street (as well as dodging non-concert drivers) I finally got to wait in the 20 minute long line for ticket holders. (Mind you it was about 20 degrees outside...it was no spring picnic). Conveniently my phone died as soon as I got inside, where I was supposed to meet up with a couple of friends. However, as luck/karma/something could prove it I ran into a a few mutual friends of mine and my other country loving pals. I was able to wait with them as we were able to all join together.</div><div><br />
</div><div>After hugs, and the how-do-you do's were passed around, it was not long before the first act went on. Sean Patrick McGraw and his band were not too shabby for an opening act. They were mostly upbeat, sang songs about being cowboys, and kept the crowd jumping and grooving while the caught up with old friends, met new friends and threw back a few cold ones. However, the crowd was still anxious for the main event...chants of ERIC and some random boos to towards the stage were shouted by some of the more Eric Church loving fans.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Between sets there were even chants of U-S-A...these fans were country lovin, American pride, whiskey drinkin', cowboy hat wearin', kind of New Jersey folk...much different from the more popular "Guido" stereotype which people may have due to the popularity of such shows as the Real Housewives of New Jersey and Jersey Shore.</div><div><br />
</div><div>But it was well worth the wait!</div><div>Eric Church and his band have an AWESOME opening act, with lights, guitar solos and intro using Clutch's "Electric Worry" , instant goosebumps and a feel for a promising show were presented.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8hlTwIm8KxkWOLtTRtBJWdD4drC5Nxg-NZqyIW4udIUOQGho8ZyYxd2zTcwwLtdwEsQ3oSmcOM0azLnX6TrTBVz6e_36KwqMxVReijaJl5ZlrZqskJoUIdb0Q7WWKsohwcuiUcAhMk2m/s1600/IMG_2398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8hlTwIm8KxkWOLtTRtBJWdD4drC5Nxg-NZqyIW4udIUOQGho8ZyYxd2zTcwwLtdwEsQ3oSmcOM0azLnX6TrTBVz6e_36KwqMxVReijaJl5ZlrZqskJoUIdb0Q7WWKsohwcuiUcAhMk2m/s320/IMG_2398.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>He sang everybody's favorite songs as well as his own. At the end of the night the crowd left more than happy, well at least those who weren't thrown out, not lucid, or passed out in some corner of the bar. The crowd sang along, people danced along to the songs which had the beat bumping and swayed and threw their lighters up to those which were more sentimental. If one thing is certain, New Jersey welcomed Eric and his band with wide open arms, and they put on a damn good show in return.</div><div><br />
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</div><div>This Week's Song of the Week:</div><div>Eric Church - "Smoke a Little Smoke"</div><div><br />
</div><div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XxWjtWONuGc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><div><br />
</div></div>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-90030210055338742712011-02-05T13:47:00.000-05:002011-02-05T13:47:09.502-05:00Last semester...so bitter-sweetSo my last days at Drew University are quickly dwindling away. <br />
I am happy that I will be recieving my Masters this year, but there are so many obsticals I must overcome that are still in my way..so lets take a look<br />
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Plans for the Present (aka graduating)<br />
1) In order to delay my loan payments I had to be considered a full-time student. Therefore I needed to take a class on top of my thesis work. The class I chose is interesting and will help me with my understanding of Irish history in the long end, however its readings and papers are def cutting into my thesis time. <br />
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However my time is not spent 50/50 with those two subjects...so lets take a dive into other projects/activies I devote my time to:<br />
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2) I'm still working at the General Commission on Archives and History for The United Methodist Church. I work here 15 hours a week, it's the bane to my existance because its what pays the bills...its also teaching me the many skills and abilities I will need to perform in future job settings...so this is equally important...which divides my time 33.3/33.3/33.3...But oh wait there is more! of course silly!<br />
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3) I was asked to present one of my papers to an Irish conference in Savannah, GA. So what the heck I thought I'd give it a whirl. I answered to the call of papers AND my paper got accepted...wooohooo? I HATE public speaking...so that should be fun... A lot of my friends and advisors from school will be traveling there as well so it shouldnt be that bad...and it will look GREAT on college/job resumes...right? So as of right now that leaves my time to 25/25/25/25<br />
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4)And then there is my time spent as the History and Culture Convenor...I basically am the link between students, the faculty and the GSA. I am supposed to voice out the opinion of the masses and bring peace and prosperity into the minds of those in the History and Culture Program...also good for the resumes...and getsme more involved with what really goes down here on Madison Ave. Leaving my time at 20/20/20/20/20<br />
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THE FUTURE<br />
My time also has to be spent job/school searching for future plans which means <br />
a) school applications (in Library and Information Science) AND<br />
b) job resumes (in libraies, museums, schools, etc etc)<br />
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Most of the schools need Essays and applications which = time...while most of the jobs require that I have a degree in Library and Information science...I will lump these two together...leaving me at 16.7/16.7/16.7/16.7/16.7/16.7 equally shared time between my activites I must perform before graduation<br />
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I also need to throw in sleeping/working out/eating (and drinking...just to keep me sane) which leaves me a grand total of 14.3/14.3/14.3/14.3/14.3/14.3/14.3 equally divided proportions for my last months here at Drew..so again, I'm happy that I'll (hopefully) be graduating this semester...but at the same time I'm equally terified of how it will take place<br />
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This post's song:<br />
"Bitter Sweet Symphony" - The Verve<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rV5VmhY3-Sw" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-68162515941046558372010-12-13T10:38:00.000-05:002010-12-13T10:38:25.551-05:00Not Your Average North Pole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgR1C0TvbjHDOXVFeccBeSJ7WezavQTm2jU0piSulOfIrLd3O5cgrE0EQDsGGyIOCXIKYzh4c_wDakqCLeSPdAFEiaIaAR-kGv14MvoHwf9lovGgbLTYkV6vI_NXQoMO6Ol4G05HIHEnIs/s1600/68171_555510785242_47101802_32474168_2438881_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgR1C0TvbjHDOXVFeccBeSJ7WezavQTm2jU0piSulOfIrLd3O5cgrE0EQDsGGyIOCXIKYzh4c_wDakqCLeSPdAFEiaIaAR-kGv14MvoHwf9lovGgbLTYkV6vI_NXQoMO6Ol4G05HIHEnIs/s320/68171_555510785242_47101802_32474168_2438881_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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For those of you who were not aware of the mass Exodus of Santas in NYC this past Saturday, a little thing called Santa Con was in action. It's basically a "Santa crawl" though out the city. With many starting points conveniently placed around NYC and it's neighboring cities, the santas are given location points throughout the day so that they can meet up and spread some holiday cheer. While holiday costumes are a MUST, one does not have to rock the Santa look. Throughout the day I saw a wide variety of peoples creative minds at work...there were elves, the "north pole", candy canes, reindeer, Hanukkah Harry's, penguins, Santa "on vacation", Darth Vader Santa, the Grinch, green man, where's waldo Santa, the misfit toys, and many scrooges. <br />
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Out of all of New York's traditions this has been one of my favorites by far. Santa con can be what you make of it... for some, its a flash mob of sorts, and for others its a "bar crawl"...however I have been advised not to actually call it a bar crawl...for every time you call Santa con a bar crawl a sugar plum fairy dies. It's another excuse to dress up and have fun with friends and family. AND the looks from people who have not heard of Santa con before, or are just visiting the city for the day are PRICELESS!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYEjBhShnCx1LMfXjOCAunWNh_X8q_-7534MvBZL04NNUpkTV7g_orgcIqyKaB-UtOoxeFU5n6LIzItWMWwPYVzLiBcQXZQh1UYYVmTdwUA4jPDLXsqtXlWK94t-DRAc3Q1WGmQ7va7H6/s1600/163408_1682159968867_1083607763_1814351_6962959_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYEjBhShnCx1LMfXjOCAunWNh_X8q_-7534MvBZL04NNUpkTV7g_orgcIqyKaB-UtOoxeFU5n6LIzItWMWwPYVzLiBcQXZQh1UYYVmTdwUA4jPDLXsqtXlWK94t-DRAc3Q1WGmQ7va7H6/s320/163408_1682159968867_1083607763_1814351_6962959_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Towards the end of the night, your childhood, hallmark image of Santa has quickly deteriorated. I saw some pretty messed up Santa things...Just because you are in a Santa suit, does not mean that one can break the law...Santa con gets pretty rowdy once it gets dark out. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nJ1YtBbk9SjAP39NWEohWu-UTRoEphIvnZSIzTlWWv9-QHL60ZIXxxxAFT2nc02MV6sx2OvuolOG_exh8aO7tGR6KDhJAMKbQDN1URmHurLy_k_0uJXl4Ej15viJkscJhaF_rSlY2XQD/s1600/33798_555511094622_47101802_32474169_7973701_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nJ1YtBbk9SjAP39NWEohWu-UTRoEphIvnZSIzTlWWv9-QHL60ZIXxxxAFT2nc02MV6sx2OvuolOG_exh8aO7tGR6KDhJAMKbQDN1URmHurLy_k_0uJXl4Ej15viJkscJhaF_rSlY2XQD/s320/33798_555511094622_47101802_32474169_7973701_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
This was my second year participating in Santa con...And I would totally do it again...mostly for TWO reasons: 1) It's way too much fun to drink in a bar filled with that much holiday cheer and 2) It's not just for us "adults" its also for the kids...there were so many children who were having just as much fun as we spotting the different holiday characters throughout the day! I LOVE the holiday season in NYC, and so should you!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfABOGR6DX2hpgK0qy3xuLrsCkf4ScJfW4C2Wny5QSRG-XQN6M71ox2eMyjJNiXOJo2_JFukW9XOIi9Plxs6DjNEzqtSKeUSKtP_LeJRkF9zouhCjjEwkoAOI3u_mJz4br0nIorNHlIHU/s1600/69591_1684001054893_1083607763_1818613_2742527_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfABOGR6DX2hpgK0qy3xuLrsCkf4ScJfW4C2Wny5QSRG-XQN6M71ox2eMyjJNiXOJo2_JFukW9XOIi9Plxs6DjNEzqtSKeUSKtP_LeJRkF9zouhCjjEwkoAOI3u_mJz4br0nIorNHlIHU/s320/69591_1684001054893_1083607763_1818613_2742527_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Happy Santas and thier elves...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" - Bruce Springsteen</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iSgEDKjmT5o?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iSgEDKjmT5o?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></div>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-79443733360445158682010-12-04T13:21:00.000-05:002010-12-04T13:21:33.333-05:00A Thank You...Thank You Very MuchWell Thanksgiving 2010 was another successful year filled with good food, amazing friends and great times. This was my third year celebrating Thanksgiving in Croton-On-Hudson with one of my best friends and her family! Traditions were kept and new new stories were made. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvr_FE7Lb6pRucZwiBRIN6S7UdHoXzjAIbmNpCtV6d153jxQ7A9Tsz_kkhUVaurK6ntr8zV3t0AfbFFL3QB0a25u1AwLjrWuC7sV4JfwhRvRC3tfW1MC-HQwFfo1wf8jvWjShZeWiQ8r36/s1600/IMG_2034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvr_FE7Lb6pRucZwiBRIN6S7UdHoXzjAIbmNpCtV6d153jxQ7A9Tsz_kkhUVaurK6ntr8zV3t0AfbFFL3QB0a25u1AwLjrWuC7sV4JfwhRvRC3tfW1MC-HQwFfo1wf8jvWjShZeWiQ8r36/s320/IMG_2034.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>This year the girls made two pumpkin pies and one apple!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgvlpkV31H0NLDbPKDltURI7rv2uZQmW-lRqJHU2tEegZBn7felJjLYEuVRs4YGpm6v3OQQw4bghUiBEw2d8sRyei60FKW_Y0UnjqYUcY4k1-_nX65pCjGkHpRBin37L-R1gX-pAjD0n2/s1600/IMG_2040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgvlpkV31H0NLDbPKDltURI7rv2uZQmW-lRqJHU2tEegZBn7felJjLYEuVRs4YGpm6v3OQQw4bghUiBEw2d8sRyei60FKW_Y0UnjqYUcY4k1-_nX65pCjGkHpRBin37L-R1gX-pAjD0n2/s320/IMG_2040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It's tradition to open the holiday poppers before the meal...inside is a silly toy, a paper crown and a horribly amazing joke! This year I received a plastic pig paper clip...yeahhhhh<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We then concluded the weekend by celebrating my friend's 23rd birthday! We went to Brother Jimmy's in NYC and began with the famous fishbowls filled with "swamp water." Although I'm a bit skeptical of the amount of alcohol that was really used for the beverage, it sure was tasty! They played great music and we were able to catch up with some old pals!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3ql0St4NRSRuPma8rbKa5d1AEUZLz17ar4Hv7RNEYRXu4-VcJYrgcXog9d6GTDlw0_GdpAMCPdF8UroUzxMIDi3SM3xKR12-NV0Mt0ssp7LQzdDOvlOEb3HBZR3raCkP7euUPRV1mF-0/s1600/IMG_2041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3ql0St4NRSRuPma8rbKa5d1AEUZLz17ar4Hv7RNEYRXu4-VcJYrgcXog9d6GTDlw0_GdpAMCPdF8UroUzxMIDi3SM3xKR12-NV0Mt0ssp7LQzdDOvlOEb3HBZR3raCkP7euUPRV1mF-0/s320/IMG_2041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">This weekend seriously got me thinking of how thankful I am for the friends that I have kept over the years. As cheesy as it may sound, my friends really have become family. We've been through so much over the past couple of years and we still keep in touch and updated with our crazy lives. Whether we're finishing up grad school and pursing more dreadful applications for PhD programs; Acting as an Au-pair in a foreign country; or acting as a PR for a political campaign we will be in each others lives.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The trek through life can be a tough one. We've all have had our ups and downs, and it's a great feeling to know that you have a gaggle of supporters who are there to get you through life's little diddies. Recently I've had a lot of support as I've been finishing up my numerous papers for grad school...as well as the help I've been receiving as I finish up applications for more education opportunities...both here and overseas! It's a wonderful feeling to know that I'm not alone on my pursuit of happiness!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I am also grateful for my actual family as well. They have had to put up with my craziness for 23 years, and still claim me as their own. So thank you y'all...It's because of you that has made me who I am today.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-12425957877676892732010-11-15T21:06:00.000-05:002010-11-29T17:37:18.265-05:00There are not enough hours in a day to satisfy a grad studentSo I've done it again. It's 9:00pm on a Monday night, and I have a 15-20 pager due at 4:00 on Wed! Great! I know that I will get the paper finished in time for class only because I have found myself at this point every semester thus far in my graduate student experience.<br />
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Looking back, I probably could have worked on such coursework instead of the mustache party, Dave Matthews Band, John Butler Trio, endless hours of watching Eureka on Netflix, or my friendly hellos to my neighbors next door...but in all reality, its those events that keep me sane in this crazy life I live.<br />
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I will continue to tell myself that I need to fix my time management skills. But its like they say...once a procrastinator, always a procrastinator. My nights will be filled with power naps, Barry's Gold Label tea and little laps around my apartment. It just gets me thinking though, if I can produce grade A papers on the dime, how good they would be if I actually took the time and wrote a decent paper...Untill next time I guess<br />
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"Where is My Mind" - Placebo with Francis Black<br />
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<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bPE2zKbORF0?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bPE2zKbORF0?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-18428343621103663602010-10-15T13:06:00.000-04:002010-10-15T13:06:58.427-04:00That was a crazy game of ....apples to apples?Following our weekly trip to the campus pub, we thought it would be a great idea to continue our fun and play apples to apples....with a box of wine, a handles of Beam, two bottles of Long Trail Double Bags and Baileys (and no it was not drunk of a boot...). For those of you who have not experienced apples to apples....I am sorry...but it is a game where you receive 7 "noun" cards and you have to match it to an adjective the best you can with the cards which you are given...One person is to judge the options, and changes each round. Sometimes a "correct" item is chosen, while other times a less appropriate, but more humorous card wins the round...those who have the most green cards at the end of the game is the "winner." However, when playing with a good bunch of friends on a drinking night, there really are no winners or losers.<br />
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It got me thinking though. How each one of us thinks so differently, when a given adjective is placed down...while some of us would appreciate the humor of a less appropriate noun, others might become appalled and be quick to discard such an opinion. <br />
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On ANOTHER NOTE,<br />
all this drinking and fun had me on roll, and I thought why not bring up a touchy subject!! My favorite...Let's put a group of my closest and dearest, in an awkward situation while in a night of drinking of fun! My curious mind brought up the Abortion issue...deep...maybe too deep for some, but it was defiantly interesting to see what people had to say about the topic...just like the game of apples to apples, some agreed with each other, while others were appalled and disagreed full heartily. It is important for me to state that I believe that there is no correct answer to such an issue, that valid points can be made for either side, and how I respect both opinions of the matter. However like many issues there will those who agree with it, and those who don't, there are also those stuck in the grey area in between.<br />
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Regardless of this little social experiment that I threw at my friends, we still had a great time and stayed up til the wee hours of the next morning. Thus creating the best game of apples to apples that I've played in a long time!<br />
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Apples to Apples to Apple, Fiona<br />
"Fast as you Can" - Fiona Apple<br />
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<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NbxqtbqyoRk?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NbxqtbqyoRk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-88624235127828693972010-10-03T14:14:00.000-04:002010-10-03T14:19:19.306-04:00GO TEAM GOAnother aspect of a person's identity is to have similar beliefs in a common notion. Whether it's the music you listen to, the books you read, the food you eat, there are many qualities that unite a community together.<br />
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One of the most dedicated of these topics is the sports team. In retrospect, I consider it more of a culture. There are many different levels of fandom ranging from supporter to die-hard fanatic psychos.<br />
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Whether you watch the game on a TV at home with close friends and family, at the bar with new friends and family, on the radio, or live at the stadium/area itself. These supporters ban together into an community which creates it's own identity. An identity which gives you the feeling of belonging. You can watch the game 10,000 miles away, and if you spot another team supporter, you become instant friends, you are rooting for the same team, the same family, the same identity.<br />
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It's always the same goal in mind for these supporters of sport...whether you are a fair-weathered fan, or an over-obsessive fan...whether you have played the sport maybe once in the past, or have followed it religiously through newspapers, magazines and TV programs...we're all trying to make a community that we feel home at, no matter how far away from reality that it may be.<br />
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"The Sporting Life" - The Decemberists<br />
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<object height="364" width="445"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UHrkH3qocxA?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UHrkH3qocxA?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-9286618400396434372010-09-30T19:39:00.000-04:002010-09-30T19:41:46.915-04:00Rain Rain Go AwayThere has been an abnormal amount of rain in these parts of the woods lately. Its drving all of my friends mad, bonkers, crazy, etc. etc. AND it's not even a cool nice chilling rain, its hot, humid and sticky! <br />
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I supose there are some who have enjoyed the fruits that it has bared to the area. For instance, my neighbor loves the sound of the rain rapping against her window. It puts her in a trance and she is able to sleep better.<br />
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I personally blame all of this persipitation on myself. I have forgotten a rain jacket at a friend of mines house for over a month, and just to my luck the monsoons have flooded down upon us.<br />
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So take it as you may, enjoy it or hate it, because it's Jersey weather...and it's here to stay.<br />
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"The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" - Missy Elliott<br />
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<a href="http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHcyJPTTn9w&ob=av2e">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHcyJPTTn9w&ob=av2e</a>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-2306950043003731062010-09-29T23:13:00.000-04:002010-10-03T14:19:51.525-04:00National DisastersPrior to coming to Drew, my thoughts on national identity have been mostly positive. It's a way for a people to embrace their culture, identify with others in their search for identity, and celebrate one's historical past. However many of these thoughts have changed after having to read for my classes in Irish History, the Fin de Siecle as well as my course in the history of disability. Yes, maybe some of these readings have been a little more biased than others, but it still opened my eyes to new ideas.<br />
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Nationality has been around for a long time. However the trend towards nationality has really established itself during the Fin de Siecle. In a time period of world warfare, it was important to have the support of the country to which you were fighting for. It is no surprise that some of the most concise descriptions of national identity has been found in Joseph Stalin's personal writings. In effort to making a socialist community, he made a list of requirements for such a culture to obtain a national identity: " a common language; a stable community; a territory; economic cohesion; and a collective psychology and character" (Davis 1995: 75). <br />
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In an attempt to create a national identity, they have in reverse created a black and white set of rules with no grey areas in between. By creating what it means to have a national identity, they have further created the ideal of the "other." If you don't fit into our national ideal image, then you don't belong at all. While we live in a time where it is more accepting for the "grey areas" there are still instances to where this "other" is still lurking around today. In today's wars and political debates, we continue to label ourselves with our many different national identities. We continue to see people as the other in a negative way. Yes I understand that NOT everyone will hold the same view points, history and culture for that matter. Not everyone will get along, such rivals and enemies will still be had. I just hope that one day we will be able to embrace our national identities and just appreciate how long it has taken us all to get where our identifies are today. How far we have evolved from black/white ways of thinking, and that maybe we could add a little color in next to the shades of grey.<br />
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As with many good ideas, nationalism was an idea which may had good fundamental origins (to bring a culture together and to celebrate one's history and beginnings) and in turn has turned into a <em>national </em>disaster.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Davis, Lennard J. 1995. Enforcing Normalcy: Disability, Deafness and the Body. New York: Verso. pg 75.</span><br />
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I couldn't pick between these two songs...so I'm adding both :)<br />
<span style="font-family: "Cambria", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"American Girl" - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: 31.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Cambria", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YS3xOmI1Plk?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YS3xOmI1Plk?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object></span><br />
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"Star Spangled Banner" - Jimi Hendrix<br />
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<object height="360" width="580"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Oet-ZNuRuMw?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Oet-ZNuRuMw?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"></embed></object></div>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084241640589021740.post-40785359426715388102010-09-21T12:22:00.000-04:002010-09-21T12:24:28.078-04:00Feelin GoodSo I just finished my first day at the archives! It was a general orientation of where things are and the rules and regulations for working at the institution. I then got to put my skills to work with a fun little scavenger hunt arround the stacks! I also got to assist one of the researchers in a memior project! Overall A successful day at the archives!<br />
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I'm looking forward to finally get some experience time in this field! I believe that it is super important to have an understanding of our past. One way to which we can accomplish this is by collecting primary souces from our own history. While secondary sources are great to work with, they often hint the author's bias of his/her interpretation of the document that is being looked at. The archives will be a place where history can stay alive, and I'm excited that I get to be a part of it on some level!<br />
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"Feelin Good" - Nina Simone<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CJA69C6SlRk?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CJA69C6SlRk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Irish Rosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01044625847178343436noreply@blogger.com0