These are two of my favorite things to eat when I visit my family in Panama- especially at Christamas
CARIMANOLAS
3 lbs yuca
salt to taste Filling:
1 lb ground meat (iguana, gatosolo, vaca, puerco.....)
1 teaspoon chopped parsley
1 large onion chopped
1 teaspoon tomato paste
1 clove garlic pressed
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 or 4 capers Boil yuca with salt but do not allow to get too soft. Grind with fine blade in grinder and knead with salt. Form balls, flatten in the palm of the hand and fill with stuffing forming into an oval shape. Pinch to close ends. Fry in very hot oil until golden.
To Make Filling: Season ground meat with salt, worcestershire sauce, vinegar, capers, onion, sugar, garlic and parsley. Brown in very small amount of hot oil and add tomato paste. Simmer until quite dry.
If you want to freeze the carimonolas, dust with a little flour after they are formed and place on a cookie sheet in the freezer until firm and then place in sealed ziplock bags. To fry, take from freezer to hot oil at one time as they may fall apart. Do one or two at a time only.
(courtesy of Tula Brown)
Panamanian Tamales
Ingredients :
3 lb Cracked corn
1 Chicken 2 1/2 or 3 pounds
2 lb Tender pork
1 cup Onions chopped
1 tsp Achiote
1/2 cup Peppers to taste
1 can Tomato paste
3 Leaves of culantro or 1/2 cup Cilantro chopped
1 tsp Oregano
Salt and pepper to taste cup
1/2 cup Capers
3/4 cup Stuffed olives
3 Tomatoes
3 Cloves garlic
Banana leaves
String
Method :
The leaves are washed, boil 20 minutes, let drain and dry. Boil the corn until soft and grind to make the masa. Boil the chicken or pork until tender, remove the bones and saute in butter or oil. When this starts to brown add the onion, pepper, tomato, culantro, oregano and tomato paste.
Add 3 or 4 cups of water and cook to make the sauce. Strain and save both parts separately. Stir the liquid into the masa until it is a little softer than mashed potatoes. Take a piece of banana leaf, place a spoonful of masa in the center of the leaf, squash it down a little to make a pocket, add the meat sauce that was strained out, add another spoonful of masa and fold the leaf around it. Tie with string. Put a large pan of water to boil. Add the tamales. Boil for 30 to 40 minutes. Serve hot. They may be made ahead of time, frozen and re-heated. To re-heat, microwave or steam.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Christmas in Trinidad and Tobago
This is where I will be spending Christmas. I found this information online. Very similar in all Caribbean Islands.
Christmas is a very social time in Trinidad and Tobago with most people having parties. Both
children and adults go from house to house between neighbours and relatives for food and drink.
The radio stations play Trinidadian Christmas carols and songs as well as traditional and contemporary carols from the U.S.A.. A special Trinidadian music, Parang, is also played. Parang is an upbeat Venezuela-Trinidad hybrid.
Most people paint and make repairs to their houses and hang new curtains and decorations (especially lights) for Christmas. Often, this is the time that most people buy new electrical appliances and furniture. Most families spend Christmas Day at home with friends and family members.
The Christmas day meal is usually prepared throughout mid-December, and into the new year! The traditional Trinibagonian Christmas meal include apples and grapes, sorrel, ponche-de-creme (a version of egg nog), ham, turkey, homemade bread, ginger beer, pastelles (a version of tamales) and local wine.
Trinidadian Christmas fruitcake is traditional and is eaten in most homes. The fruits (such as raisins and sultanas) in the cake are usually soaked in cherry wine, sherry and rum for several months before Christmas!
New Years Eve is known as 'Ole year's night' in Trinidad, and thousands of people gather together in the Queen's Park Savannah in the capital of Trinidad, Port of Spain, for an amazing fireworks display.
Thank you to Angel Maharaj for her help in giving me information on Christmas in Trinidad and Tobago!
http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/trinidad_tobago.shtml
Christmas is a very social time in Trinidad and Tobago with most people having parties. Both
children and adults go from house to house between neighbours and relatives for food and drink.
The radio stations play Trinidadian Christmas carols and songs as well as traditional and contemporary carols from the U.S.A.. A special Trinidadian music, Parang, is also played. Parang is an upbeat Venezuela-Trinidad hybrid.
Most people paint and make repairs to their houses and hang new curtains and decorations (especially lights) for Christmas. Often, this is the time that most people buy new electrical appliances and furniture. Most families spend Christmas Day at home with friends and family members.
The Christmas day meal is usually prepared throughout mid-December, and into the new year! The traditional Trinibagonian Christmas meal include apples and grapes, sorrel, ponche-de-creme (a version of egg nog), ham, turkey, homemade bread, ginger beer, pastelles (a version of tamales) and local wine.
Trinidadian Christmas fruitcake is traditional and is eaten in most homes. The fruits (such as raisins and sultanas) in the cake are usually soaked in cherry wine, sherry and rum for several months before Christmas!
New Years Eve is known as 'Ole year's night' in Trinidad, and thousands of people gather together in the Queen's Park Savannah in the capital of Trinidad, Port of Spain, for an amazing fireworks display.
Thank you to Angel Maharaj for her help in giving me information on Christmas in Trinidad and Tobago!
http://www.whychristmas.com/cultures/trinidad_tobago.shtml
Second Life Experience
I did not like it at all. First the depictions are not anything I would use even if I wanted to "become" another person. Secondly, as I was using it there was someone who just stood in front of me and would not move- really freaky. And then someone started to fly- oh my goodness!
If I were to use it again it would be for group discussion. I think it is an interactive way to conduct group studies without everyone being in one room- it would actually look like we were having face to face dialogue- otherwise this is not for me. Way too creepy!
If I were to use it again it would be for group discussion. I think it is an interactive way to conduct group studies without everyone being in one room- it would actually look like we were having face to face dialogue- otherwise this is not for me. Way too creepy!
Cell Phones in the Classroom
From: sanbals,
1 day ago
This was my outline for my other class project. I am interested in your thoughts about having cell phones in class. I do not have a classroom of students so the dynamics would be interesting to me.
Thanks!
SlideShare Link
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Social Networking Tools
Why is Facebook so successful?
I believe it has become successful because people are looking to connect. There are people who are reclusive and this allows them to have some freedom and communication with the outside world. It has also successful because it is versatile and can be used for socializing as well as an educational resource
What's the gain?
The gain is that people are networking and connecting at all levels. It takes socioeconomic, racial and gender bias' out of the equation and allows people to "talk" to each other without reservation.
What is the loss?
The loss is basic human contact. Even though there is some human contact via these social medias, it does replace the "warm and fuzzy" feeling of genuine face-to-face discussion. Also depending on how Facebook will be used, privacy is completely lost.
What can educators benefit from it?
Like any social media there is some good. Educators can you the social aspects of Facebook to their benefit. Knowing that their students "connect" on Facebook, they can use Facebook for class discussions, group projects, etc. It provides a "meeting space" or extension for students to enhance the classroom experience.
I believe it has become successful because people are looking to connect. There are people who are reclusive and this allows them to have some freedom and communication with the outside world. It has also successful because it is versatile and can be used for socializing as well as an educational resource
What's the gain?
The gain is that people are networking and connecting at all levels. It takes socioeconomic, racial and gender bias' out of the equation and allows people to "talk" to each other without reservation.
What is the loss?
The loss is basic human contact. Even though there is some human contact via these social medias, it does replace the "warm and fuzzy" feeling of genuine face-to-face discussion. Also depending on how Facebook will be used, privacy is completely lost.
What can educators benefit from it?
Like any social media there is some good. Educators can you the social aspects of Facebook to their benefit. Knowing that their students "connect" on Facebook, they can use Facebook for class discussions, group projects, etc. It provides a "meeting space" or extension for students to enhance the classroom experience.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
My experiences with Social Networking
To date, my experiences with social networking have been enlightening but I am still skeptical about the exposure this brings to someone's life. For example, I would love to share the interactions and experiences with my daughter that I have filmed, but I would NEVER put her image or anything about her on social media sites for fear of exposing her to unwanted attention.
I have come to learn that although I find my life quite boring and nothing much to talk about, there is someone, somewhere that has something in common and would start a dialogue; someone who I would probably never speak with in day to day life.
All in all my experiences have allowed me to put some of my negative connotations abouts social networking to rest. I see the benefits of this from an educational standpoint and have enjoyed exploring my options of communication with people all over the world.
I have come to learn that although I find my life quite boring and nothing much to talk about, there is someone, somewhere that has something in common and would start a dialogue; someone who I would probably never speak with in day to day life.
All in all my experiences have allowed me to put some of my negative connotations abouts social networking to rest. I see the benefits of this from an educational standpoint and have enjoyed exploring my options of communication with people all over the world.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Locating Communities
How do we find an audience?
I think there is always an audience. The beauty of the internet and having social media is that there is someone in the world that finds you and your life interesting even if you do not.
How do we find an audience that we wish for?
I think if you network within in broader topics you may find a niche and will get to the audience you wish for, however there really is not filter for this. You have to take the bad with the good when it comes to using the web.
What is the difference between a blogger on youtube and JoshLeo?
In my opinion, I felt like I was experiencing someone's diary with Josh Leo. I don't feel that way with YouTube. I see YouTube mostly as entertainment although there are many educational benefits to you tube. I felt more like I was experiencing something with Josh Leo.
I think there is always an audience. The beauty of the internet and having social media is that there is someone in the world that finds you and your life interesting even if you do not.
How do we find an audience that we wish for?
I think if you network within in broader topics you may find a niche and will get to the audience you wish for, however there really is not filter for this. You have to take the bad with the good when it comes to using the web.
What is the difference between a blogger on youtube and JoshLeo?
In my opinion, I felt like I was experiencing someone's diary with Josh Leo. I don't feel that way with YouTube. I see YouTube mostly as entertainment although there are many educational benefits to you tube. I felt more like I was experiencing something with Josh Leo.
Feedburner
I am not exactly sure what I am suppose to do with this but I did sign up.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Dkrblog
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Dkrblog
Online Video Part 3
How small should our file be when we upload to the internet?
I am not sure, but usually if an upload takes more than 2 minutes something is wrong and I abandon the upload.
What are common compression standards?
I found this website which was interesting and gave some explanation of compression standards regarding jpeg and mpeg files. There is a lot of technical information regarding what compression standards mean. http://www.vmspdg.com/Compressionstandards.php
What is the legal situation when we publish video, audio images?
I stay way from uploading images that are not my own. I think a lot of the legal situation is similar to piracy, trademark and copyright laws.
I am not sure, but usually if an upload takes more than 2 minutes something is wrong and I abandon the upload.
What are common compression standards?
I found this website which was interesting and gave some explanation of compression standards regarding jpeg and mpeg files. There is a lot of technical information regarding what compression standards mean. http://www.vmspdg.com/Compressionstandards.php
What is the legal situation when we publish video, audio images?
I stay way from uploading images that are not my own. I think a lot of the legal situation is similar to piracy, trademark and copyright laws.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
My YouTube- using MovieMaker
This is a You Tube movie I had to create for a class this summer. I used Movie Maker to do this but it is a bit sketchy. This is NOT my job. The person did not want to be on camera for this interview so I decided to 'act' as the interviewee and used MovieMaker to ask the questions.
http://www.youtube.com/ITFinalProject
http://www.youtube.com/ITFinalProject
Friday, October 31, 2008
Ghost Droppings- Roberts Office at Halloween (Cross posted from blip.tv)
This is my attempt at cross posting from blip.tv
My co worker participated in a spin on "secret Santa" for Halloween and this is the result. His "Santa" decorated his office.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Online Video Part 2
How can we minimize input while maximizing output?
Use less resources that do not require as much memory but what your produce should convey the "heart" of what you are trying to express to your audience.
What are good resources for sound and music?
I use ITunes for music but for a cost obviously. Microsoft Office does have sounds you can use, but the quality is not that good. I also Google for the sound I need (like a drum roll, etc) and I can usually find it that way.
www.sounddogs.com is a good source for sounds.
Use less resources that do not require as much memory but what your produce should convey the "heart" of what you are trying to express to your audience.
What are good resources for sound and music?
I use ITunes for music but for a cost obviously. Microsoft Office does have sounds you can use, but the quality is not that good. I also Google for the sound I need (like a drum roll, etc) and I can usually find it that way.
www.sounddogs.com is a good source for sounds.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Preparing our media
What equipment do we have?
I believe it depends on what your needs are, how much money you are willing to spend and wants vs. needs. I have equipment that can assist me with social technology but I am not sure when or if I will need everything I have.
I have a desktop and laptop; webcam, digital camera, small digital video cam, a cell phone with camera.
How much equipment do we need?
I believe people think they have a need at the time of the situation, but they then find that over time it was for an acute need and not long term
What stories are being told online?
I think the reality of reality is what is being told online. It is not scripted for the most part, but people giving insight into their normal lives- some of which we find may not be so normal
What stories do we want to tell?
I think we want to tell what we believe are common interest of human beings.
How do we tell it?
We tell the stories like an everyday discussion, These stories should have a sense of normalcy
Who is the audience?
We never know what will peak someone's interest so the audience and the demographics vary
What is its role?
The role of the audience is to invoke conversation- conversations that people may normally not have face to face.
What is the difference between video in blog, on a website or on TV
On a blog a video invokes a myriad of conversations
On a website and on TV tends to be just for viewing, no discussion normally happens unless someone is watching it with you
I believe it depends on what your needs are, how much money you are willing to spend and wants vs. needs. I have equipment that can assist me with social technology but I am not sure when or if I will need everything I have.
I have a desktop and laptop; webcam, digital camera, small digital video cam, a cell phone with camera.
How much equipment do we need?
I believe people think they have a need at the time of the situation, but they then find that over time it was for an acute need and not long term
What stories are being told online?
I think the reality of reality is what is being told online. It is not scripted for the most part, but people giving insight into their normal lives- some of which we find may not be so normal
What stories do we want to tell?
I think we want to tell what we believe are common interest of human beings.
How do we tell it?
We tell the stories like an everyday discussion, These stories should have a sense of normalcy
Who is the audience?
We never know what will peak someone's interest so the audience and the demographics vary
What is its role?
The role of the audience is to invoke conversation- conversations that people may normally not have face to face.
What is the difference between video in blog, on a website or on TV
On a blog a video invokes a myriad of conversations
On a website and on TV tends to be just for viewing, no discussion normally happens unless someone is watching it with you
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