YouTube, I-tube, let's all get on the E-tube!

Yipee, graduation day is here at last! It's been a fun ride with RULA 2.0, learnt some neat and cool stuff along the way. I must add, it certainly took me more than the 15 minutes they said that was needed for each assignement. Some assignments took me hours upon hours to get it right.


Created a YouTube account after many tries with usernames, passwords and verification codes needed to sign up. Anyway, got through that. The harder part was selecting a video to post. Then I remembered several years ago, someone had sent me an audio link to a song sung by a little girl, called "Cuppy cake song" if you haven't heard of it, it is one of the cutest songs sang by a little girl who was as cute. I loved this song the moment I heard it. So I did a search on YouTube and sure enough here it is, the original Cuppy cake video.



If you want more info on Amy click on the http link to get to YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12Z6pWhM6TA

Before you close the video, from the clips on the bottom, check out the version sung by the Chubby Boy. Second clip from the left, next to Amy. Watch his eyebrows at the end of the song. To see more of him go to YouTube.

Scroll further to the right and see the video of a grown up Amy with the chubby boy.

Aren't little Amy and Chubby boy adorable? The video of the two together was quite touching.

What I like about YouTube is that one can find videos on almost anything under the sun or even beyond. I like the embedding feature where you can simply copy and paste a video onto a blog. I can't really see the negative side of it. Except maybe one can get hooked on the videos and could spend hours going through them. Relating to library use, I can see the videos being used for instructional purposes.

From peas in a pod to music in IPODs

After ten assignments, which took me sometimes upto hours to complete, I'm trying to race through the finish line. Followed the instructions on Rula, downloaded ITune, took a look at it. I can see why some people would love this. It's a great way to pick and choose music one wants to download. I don't see myself a big IPOD fan for now. Unless I'm presented with a nice fancy Ipod!

Being cool with COOLIRIS

Amongst the browser tools for IE, I picked Cooliris as I have lots of pictures online on sites like Piccassa, Kodakgallery, Flickr which are compatible with Cooliris.

So far this is one of the best features I've learnt from Rula. I really liked the way the pictures are diplayed by Cooliris, it is really cool!

Socializing in Facebook and other networks

I've had a Facebook account for a while now. When I first got on Facebook it was quite exciting to see so many people there, especially friends who knew each other. It seems like a never ending chain of friends who know other friends and so on.

Soon after the initial interest faded, I find face book sort of congested, too many people and too much traffic. Not something I'd use often. I prefer the old fashioned email.

I do have a few coworkers on my facebook. I don't remember my account and password to log in at this moment.

A little GOOGLE goes a long way

Can't think of any thing to write for the Google document. The grey matters are taking a break after viewing all those Google applications and the infinite stuff that Google can do.

For my Google doc I posted a word game where you're all invited to participate. Click on the link below and lets have some fun!

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfbbn7wr_2g8m492gk&hl=en

I've used both Google and mapquest, find Google easier to follow. Creating the map was fun but not without exasperation! The map below is of the route I take to work, approx. a 20km drive that's lined with six Tim Hortons. By the time I get to work, I could be pretty perked up!


View Larger Map

A thing or two about LibraryThing

It's been a long while since I last read a book, from cover to cover. I could have done more reading had I been better able to juggle between my coffee and bagel and a book while at the wheels and at the same time watch out for those crazy drivers every morning on my way to work. One can only put up with so much spilled coffee and messy crumbs. Hence I decided to cut out the reading.

By the way the LibraryThing is a good way to set up one's own online library and to share views and comments of books read.

Here are some of the books on my "to read" list. They're from the Dummy series. Reading "Dummy" books somehow makes me feel smart!

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/Miche28

TAGGING along slowly but steadily and BOOKMARKING it all

Once I got the hang of bookmarking and tagging, the exercise looked pretty simple. It is liberating and sort of empowering to know that I can bookmark any sites and be able to access it from any computers.

I thought Wordle was really cool and interesting, it's almost like a big colorful puzzle. It would have been better if Wordle allowed more control in the layout as well as being able to edit after saving to gallery.

Here's a look at a couple of Wordle I created -

http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/573194/Foodaholic

http://www.wordle.net/gallery/wrdl/570785/Rula20

A FLICKR is worth a thousand clicks

I've posted pictures on several other websites but have shied away from Flickr as it looked complicated at first glance. On a closer look this time, it does look pretty cool and it has features I've not noticed on the other sites. Tagging being one of them and ofcourse being able to blog post as well. I also like the way the pictures are displayed when viewing. The edit tools are in clear lettering right above the picture. One drawback I find is that free accounts are limited to 3 sets only, unless I misread it. At this stage I still find the other websites easier to use, but I'm sure with practice I will become more comfortable with using Flickr.

After viewing all those wonderful pictures on Flickr, it's hard to decide on what pictures to post. From pictures of majestic views and breath taking sceneries to architectural wonders and intricate designs and patterns. From images of the the amazing constellation and the universive to cute little creatures. The list goes on. I thought of posting something which would appeal to both young and old, that an average person would enjoy. Something that is not only pleasing to the eye, but would tickle the palate as well. Such is life's simple little pleasures. So sit back, make yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy the slide show.



Pictures are posted in 3 separate sets. Check each set by clicking on the individual links below. To see caption of the photos, click on 'show info' on the top right.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9049613@N08/sets/72157613504099159/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9049613@N08/sets/72157613533823180/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9049613@N08/sets/72157613504745461/

WIKI -licious

As with the previous assignments, working on it the first time was a bit daunting. But looking at all those great recipes gave me the strength to carry on! Great idea with the recipe postings. It added tastes and color to the assignment. Not to mention it made me take quite a few trips to the fridge while working on this. Perhaps someday, a demo of these recipes will make it into Zita's lunchtime drop-in sessions!

One of the neat features of wiki, I find, is to be able to go in and edit and share info all in one place. I see this feature as a definate advantage for group projects.

If you're looking for some munchies that doesn't require any cooking skills yet would serve as a light meal check out - http://rula20.pbwiki.com/Quick-and-easy-snacks

Feeding on FEEDS

After a quick scan of the tutorial, I was eager to embark upon my second assignment. Encountered some initial frustrations when I couldn't add one of the rss feeds, I have yet to figure that one out. However, adding feeds from a published list was just a matter of clicking and adding.

It's convenient to have all your favorite reads being delivered to you in one place, like a warehouse of information. However, for some, it's information overload. For now, I see rss feeds as just another added convenience.

My rss feeds - http://www.bloglines.com/public/MicheCee

Around the BLOG in 84 days

That is twelve weeks of Rula 2.0 and thus begin the first of twelve assignments. Since Chinese new year is around the corner and it involves food, so here I go!

On January 26th, 2009, Chinese all over the world will be ushering in the year of the Ox. Traditionally the celebration spans over 15 days. In the celebration of the Chinese new year, food plays a very important role, they have a symbolic significance. Such food are also known as "auspicious" food. Shown here are few of the many auspicious food.

Togetherness Tray - Guests to Chinese households are offered treats from this tray which has 8 compartments, eight being the lucky number of the Chinese. Each treat in this tray has its own symbolic significance, it provides a sweet beginning to the new year.

The word fish sounds like "abundance" in Chinese, therefore a whole fish signifies abundance year round.

Dumplings or Jiaozi - Because their shape looks like ancient Chinese currency they're associated with wealth

Shrimps - The word shrimp sounds like laughter, hence eating shrimps will bring lots of laughter year round.

Noodles - The long strands of noodles mean longevity.

Sesame ball - Made with glutinous rice and filled with sweet bean pastes then rolled in sesame seeds. These are deep fried and expands during frying. Some believe this represents "expansion" of luck. Also because it is round and rolls around, roll rhymes with house (in chinese) therefore translating into a house full of silver and gold.

These and other "auspicious" food are now featured in Chinese supermarkets and restaurants. Click on the link to see some of the CNY food. They are on sale for a limited time only.
http://www.tnt-supermarket.com/en/index.php

Last but not least, Gung Hei Fat Choy (cantonese) or Gong Xi Fa Chai (mandarin) to everyone!