24 weeks (6 months)

Graduation! Class 177

Last Day of Class

Baby Doll

And what will be their guillotine?

John Maynard-Keynes--a 20th century British economist--once remarked that we have a strong penchant for organizing our present lives according to the defunct vision of some long dead economist (which is ironic, I know).

It is shameful, really, this neo-mercantilism shrouded in capitalistic, free market rhetoric. And all the while, I can hear them saying of our complaints, 'Let them eat brioche.'

Newly Pregnant-Central Park

Poached Pears

My wonderful parents came to see us last weekend. So delightful! They were my food critics. Creamy carrot soup, poached pears and a salad...I was going to be graded on these items the very next day.

U2 - Freedom for Iran

Of course they would start with our absolute favorite...

Climate Change Coordinator

Last mention of the UN internship, I was preparing for the impending interview. Hours after the interview, I was offered the position of Climate Change Coordinator for the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA)!

My first day on the job was quite an overwhelming experience. It is a very demanding and fast-paced environment. This is the very challenged I have needed.

On any given moment, it is normal to listen to persons communicating in ten different languages and about subjects in which I have such acute interest. It is exciting to have almost full access to UN meetings and conferences, and the persons whom I meet are fascinating and knowledgeable characters. One day, I was asked to hand-deliver a letter to Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon--when I arrived at his office, however, I only got as far as his guard at the reception desk.

I survived the first two weeks, and now (after considerable research) I feel that I have an adequate handle on the subject and the direction in which the office needs to be headed regarding climate change.

The Day After...

So...there's an ice pack on my swollen eyes. We worked for 15 hours on the menu below.

I got up today, rewarmed some of last night's menu (gourmet left-overs are just some of the perks to being a culinary arts student), ate, and went right back to bed!

It was a wonderful, demanding experience--I was literally shaking a good portion of the time. I will be ready to do this again in maybe 2 years. (hehe)

First Time as a Line Chef!

We cooked for 100 guests.
The menu:

Parsley Geleé with Chilled Tomato Water

Winter Squash Tasting

Farro, Beet Tartar, Herbs,
Bitter and Tender Greens, Lime Curry,
Roated garlic sauce

Saffron Pears, Rosemary Infused Ice Cream,
Molasses Cookie Dust

I have an interview this Monday (31 August) at 1 United Nations Plaza, 12pm, for an internship.

www.wfuna.org

Every place I have traveled, I have seen each nation's war heroes immortalized in their frozen statues, their unflinching gazes--equal in their bucolic and sophisticated settings.

From parks to plazas, history books to oral legends ('I cannot tell a lie; It was I who chopped down the cherry tree')--we want to believe that the warriors of our history were more noble, wise, and good--that they were some how more justified in shedding blood than their adversaries.

Whether victor of victim, the defeating one or the defeated, each tribe elevates their soldiers to the status of infallible demagogue.

But what makes us so certain that we have the right story?

As Mr Orwell observed: Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.

At times, the heroes whom we honor and esteem so highly make us destined to repeat what made them so noble. Would that we honor a hero who, instead of wielding sword and might army, allowed himself to be run through so that killing--in whatever way and under which ever cause--would finally be put to death!

This is what we feel like...

Sigur Rós - Glósóli from sigur-ros.co.uk on Vimeo.

I just found this...7,000 views!

New York

jazz, cheese, and awaiting a thunderstorm...

Violence

I have been thinking long on this subject, and I am ready to state my conclusion:

Any act of violence done to any one at any time or place cannot be the way of Jesus no matter how inevitable or justifiable a person, authority, or nation may claim it to be.




Crucifixion Sketch, Nathan Simpson, 1991 (oil on canvas).

'...They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.' — Isaiah 2.4