Quick Pitch Competition gives young entrepreneurs leg-up in business world - Daily Nebraskan - News
Remember when I mentioned my chicken coop project awhile back. Well I pitched it at a competition and though I didn't win - you can see me presenting on this clip!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Thoughts from spring break
It was amazing to have a spring break again, now that I'm back in school! I went to visit one of my best friends in Colorado. We've known each other basically forever, but it's been a long time since we've actually spent much quality time together. It was so much fun! Colorado is beautiful, and I actually think it's somewhere that I could see myself living. (Though Oklahoma is still #1 on my list.)
Something we talked a lot about was her and her husband's adoption from Ethiopia. I have always thought that adoption would be something I want to do, and discussing it with her last week confirmed that desire once more. I can't wait for her to bring little Jude home, just as I can't wait to start the process myself (in a few years, or actually more like many years). It's such an incredible journey that they have been on, and I cannot even begin to describe my heartfelt desire to follow in their footsteps! There are somewhere around 150 million orphans worldwide, which is equivalent to 1 in every 2 people in America. If you are in the U.S., look at the person next to you - one of you would be an orphan.
Passion...we are all passionate about things in our lives. What are you passionate about? Obviously, adoption is a passion of mine. Well, I should probably amend that to say that human rights, particularly those of children are my passion. I am heartbroken each time I read about or see a documentary on genocide or human trafficking. It is so difficult to believe that humans can commit such atrocities against fellow humans.
Another passion - reduce, reuse, recycle. I love recycling and figuring out new and different ways to positively, or at least not negatively, impact the planet. I think it started back in 5th grade when there was a contest sponsored by the newspaper to promote the new public recycling program that was being implemented. I drew three blue bags with faces and wrote reduce, reuse, recycle under them. Seems like a silly, simple little drawing doesn't it? And I will vouch for the fact that my skills as an artist are very much lacking. Nonetheless, I won the contest. The prize was having the sketch printed in the newspaper. I was so excited about my drawing and about getting blue bags and about the concept in general. My parents recently got rain barrels and I'm so excited to see them in action sometime when I'm back home. I have used bubble wrap for the past few years on my windows in the winter to reduce heating usage and costs. And recycling is so ingrained in my habits that when I lived in a city without a recycling program, I hauled it all back to my parents' with me to include with my their recycling. Next on the list, learn to use the public transit system in Lincoln. It's challenge since there is an unofficial stop near my house, but no way to know when the bus will come by my stop. Now that it is warming up, I can easily stand on the corner for as long as it takes for the bus to drive up.
More passions to come...
Something we talked a lot about was her and her husband's adoption from Ethiopia. I have always thought that adoption would be something I want to do, and discussing it with her last week confirmed that desire once more. I can't wait for her to bring little Jude home, just as I can't wait to start the process myself (in a few years, or actually more like many years). It's such an incredible journey that they have been on, and I cannot even begin to describe my heartfelt desire to follow in their footsteps! There are somewhere around 150 million orphans worldwide, which is equivalent to 1 in every 2 people in America. If you are in the U.S., look at the person next to you - one of you would be an orphan.
Passion...we are all passionate about things in our lives. What are you passionate about? Obviously, adoption is a passion of mine. Well, I should probably amend that to say that human rights, particularly those of children are my passion. I am heartbroken each time I read about or see a documentary on genocide or human trafficking. It is so difficult to believe that humans can commit such atrocities against fellow humans.
Another passion - reduce, reuse, recycle. I love recycling and figuring out new and different ways to positively, or at least not negatively, impact the planet. I think it started back in 5th grade when there was a contest sponsored by the newspaper to promote the new public recycling program that was being implemented. I drew three blue bags with faces and wrote reduce, reuse, recycle under them. Seems like a silly, simple little drawing doesn't it? And I will vouch for the fact that my skills as an artist are very much lacking. Nonetheless, I won the contest. The prize was having the sketch printed in the newspaper. I was so excited about my drawing and about getting blue bags and about the concept in general. My parents recently got rain barrels and I'm so excited to see them in action sometime when I'm back home. I have used bubble wrap for the past few years on my windows in the winter to reduce heating usage and costs. And recycling is so ingrained in my habits that when I lived in a city without a recycling program, I hauled it all back to my parents' with me to include with my their recycling. Next on the list, learn to use the public transit system in Lincoln. It's challenge since there is an unofficial stop near my house, but no way to know when the bus will come by my stop. Now that it is warming up, I can easily stand on the corner for as long as it takes for the bus to drive up.
More passions to come...
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Biscuits
So far, this blog has served only the purpose of keeping friends and family up to date. I'm going to start adding some new things like recipes, both for fun and to add some substance to the blog!
Today's feature recipe is biscuits! This is my go-to recipe whenever I want biscuits. They are perfect as a side with chili or scrambled eggs or as the main meal with jam or honey or sausage gravy for breakfast.
Elise's Biscuits
Dry:
1 cup flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sugar (I use a full teaspoon if I plan to eat them with jam or honey)
1/4 teaspoon salt (the original recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon, but I always halve the salt)
Wet:
6 Tablespoons milk
2 1/2 Tablespoons oil (I usually substitute applesauce for half the oil)
400 degree oven
1. Stir together the dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately.
2. Add the wet mixture to the dry and stir until moistened.
3. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a slightly greased cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes (12 is usually enough).
Yum! I use unbleached flour, so the biscuits come out a little darker than when using bleached flour.
Also, I'm looking for a great gravy recipe for biscuits & gravy. If anyone has one, please point me in the right direction!
Today's feature recipe is biscuits! This is my go-to recipe whenever I want biscuits. They are perfect as a side with chili or scrambled eggs or as the main meal with jam or honey or sausage gravy for breakfast.
Elise's Biscuits
Dry:
1 cup flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sugar (I use a full teaspoon if I plan to eat them with jam or honey)
1/4 teaspoon salt (the original recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon, but I always halve the salt)
Wet:
6 Tablespoons milk
2 1/2 Tablespoons oil (I usually substitute applesauce for half the oil)
400 degree oven
1. Stir together the dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately.
2. Add the wet mixture to the dry and stir until moistened.
3. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a slightly greased cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes (12 is usually enough).
Step 1 Step 2
Step 3
Yum! I use unbleached flour, so the biscuits come out a little darker than when using bleached flour.
Also, I'm looking for a great gravy recipe for biscuits & gravy. If anyone has one, please point me in the right direction!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Family Visit!
Last weekend, my family came to visit and we had a blast! Highlights include:
My mom and sister also helped me put up a fun vinyl wall piece, which looks amazing, but will not stay up. Letters keep falling off and it's almost not worth the effort to keep sticking them back up and repressing them down every time I walk into the kitchen. Oh well...here's the picture anyways!
Also, Valentine's Day was one of the best ever - girls night out! Went out to dinner at a really cute little restaurant in the Havelock district - Engine House Cafe. Yes, it is what it sounds like. The restaurant is in the original fire station built in 1900, and Havelock was originally a small town outside of the city. It has a historic little shopping area, farmer's market, and was even featured on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The cafe has breakfast all the time; I had the biscuits and gravy, which was awesome. I would definitely recommend it, and I can't wait to go back!
- Red Robin...yumm!
- Open Harvest Coop
- Oklahoma State vs. Nebraska Basketball game
- Noodles & Company
- Five Guys Burgers & Fries
My mom and sister also helped me put up a fun vinyl wall piece, which looks amazing, but will not stay up. Letters keep falling off and it's almost not worth the effort to keep sticking them back up and repressing them down every time I walk into the kitchen. Oh well...here's the picture anyways!
Also, Valentine's Day was one of the best ever - girls night out! Went out to dinner at a really cute little restaurant in the Havelock district - Engine House Cafe. Yes, it is what it sounds like. The restaurant is in the original fire station built in 1900, and Havelock was originally a small town outside of the city. It has a historic little shopping area, farmer's market, and was even featured on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The cafe has breakfast all the time; I had the biscuits and gravy, which was awesome. I would definitely recommend it, and I can't wait to go back!
More to come soon!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Did I really last post in November??
Wow! Where has the time gone? I can't believe my last post was November!!
I had a wonderful holiday season with my family back home in Kansas! It's so exciting to look forward to more than 2 days off for Christmas!
School started mid-January. I thought I was in for a treat because the first 2 days were canceled due to snow, however when we received even more snow recently and school was not canceled, I was pretty disappointed. The road crews here are nearly non-existent, which seems unreal for a state that gets a lot of snow. Give me those KS road crews anyday!
My big news is that I was accepted into the PhD program for next year; it was really just a formality, but it was definitely nice to get the 'official' news! The second big news is that I am only a few days away from getting internet at my house...no more hanging out at Panera for hours on end working!
My family is coming to visit this weekend for the big basketball game! We will be wearing ORANGE!
Go Pokes!
I had a wonderful holiday season with my family back home in Kansas! It's so exciting to look forward to more than 2 days off for Christmas!
School started mid-January. I thought I was in for a treat because the first 2 days were canceled due to snow, however when we received even more snow recently and school was not canceled, I was pretty disappointed. The road crews here are nearly non-existent, which seems unreal for a state that gets a lot of snow. Give me those KS road crews anyday!
My big news is that I was accepted into the PhD program for next year; it was really just a formality, but it was definitely nice to get the 'official' news! The second big news is that I am only a few days away from getting internet at my house...no more hanging out at Panera for hours on end working!
My family is coming to visit this weekend for the big basketball game! We will be wearing ORANGE!
Go Pokes!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
BUSY is my new middle name...
Well, I've been asked for more blog updates, but I have to say that I have just not had any spare time to write them! Plus, I don't have the internet at my house, so I'm limited to when I'm on campus.
Anyways, here we go. As the title says, my new middle name is indeed, busy. I have written six or seven papers so far this semester, and I still have six or seven more to go! Yikes!
On another school note, it is shocking how many deaths, family problems, and illnesses there are when students have an exam near a holiday! My students took an exam today or will take it next Tuesday, but at least I'm giving them candy, so hopefully that makes it a little bit better!
I am trying, however, to take time to relax! First was Homecoming!!! Below is a picture of the 75,000+ people at the Walkaround, a picture of one of my favorite house decs, and a video of my other favorite house dec!!!
A couple weekends ago my family went to the Oklahoma State game versus K-State in Manhattan. What a great time! I have to admit that since it was the morning after Halloween that I was extremely tired, but who cares! Halloween also deserves a mention because one of my classmates and his wife hosted their 9th annual party, and it was a blast! Here's Darby as a Jester and me as a bat on Halloween night ready to hand out candy to our many many trick or treaters! It was so much fun to see the children all dress up! And of course, I personally enjoyed my orange Halloween lights!
This Saturday, I am headed to Lawrence to watch the Pokes at KU and to visit one my best friends and the absolutely cutest smartest little boy in whole world!!
I'm ready for my family to get here for Thanksgiving! Black Friday here we come!
Anyways, here we go. As the title says, my new middle name is indeed, busy. I have written six or seven papers so far this semester, and I still have six or seven more to go! Yikes!
On another school note, it is shocking how many deaths, family problems, and illnesses there are when students have an exam near a holiday! My students took an exam today or will take it next Tuesday, but at least I'm giving them candy, so hopefully that makes it a little bit better!
I am trying, however, to take time to relax! First was Homecoming!!! Below is a picture of the 75,000+ people at the Walkaround, a picture of one of my favorite house decs, and a video of my other favorite house dec!!!
A couple weekends ago my family went to the Oklahoma State game versus K-State in Manhattan. What a great time! I have to admit that since it was the morning after Halloween that I was extremely tired, but who cares! Halloween also deserves a mention because one of my classmates and his wife hosted their 9th annual party, and it was a blast! Here's Darby as a Jester and me as a bat on Halloween night ready to hand out candy to our many many trick or treaters! It was so much fun to see the children all dress up! And of course, I personally enjoyed my orange Halloween lights!
I'm ready for my family to get here for Thanksgiving! Black Friday here we come!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
StRaNgE DaY
It's been a strange day for me today. Overwhelmed with so many different feelings. This morning, I was taking role for a lecture section, and Koch people were there to talk about Koch and the internship program. I felt so strange to be there, but not as a Koch employee. I had to resist the urge to jump in and add facts or answer questions! For a few minutes, I desperately missed Koch, the people there, my job, recruiting, my boss, my interns...even my cubicle. Because I did not come back to school because I hated my job; I loved my job. I came back to school because I was and am certain that I did not want to work in a corporate job forever. But I sure do miss it sometimes.
Later I went to lunch with some of the other grad students in the department, my colleagues if you will. I love the people here too. And during lunch I was overwhelmed with feelings of belonging and humility, I guess. Let me explain. I was describing a project that is due for one of my classes on Thursday. (In fact, I should be working on it instead of writing this post, but alas, I'm not.) The criteria for the project are ambiguous at best. My professor mentioned on Friday that he would like me to write about interviewing and had I heard from a different professor in Wyoming with interviewing information. No, I have not! I emailed her to ask about it and to see if perhaps my professor had talked with her already. But it seems unlikely that I will get a response back from her in time to complete the paper. So, I can instead work on a project about commercials aimed at adults vs. children. I'm sure that I can complete a 5 page paper by Thursday with this topic, but I'm concerned that my professor will be expecting the other topic. So I was telling my colleagues about this...complaining is probably more like it, and what do you know, one of them chimes in that he has a couple of books about/that have chapters about interviewing! I'm so blessed to have such amazing people as colleagues here!
Wowsers. Confusing day. And now it is time to go give my students their 1st exam. Good luck to them!
Later I went to lunch with some of the other grad students in the department, my colleagues if you will. I love the people here too. And during lunch I was overwhelmed with feelings of belonging and humility, I guess. Let me explain. I was describing a project that is due for one of my classes on Thursday. (In fact, I should be working on it instead of writing this post, but alas, I'm not.) The criteria for the project are ambiguous at best. My professor mentioned on Friday that he would like me to write about interviewing and had I heard from a different professor in Wyoming with interviewing information. No, I have not! I emailed her to ask about it and to see if perhaps my professor had talked with her already. But it seems unlikely that I will get a response back from her in time to complete the paper. So, I can instead work on a project about commercials aimed at adults vs. children. I'm sure that I can complete a 5 page paper by Thursday with this topic, but I'm concerned that my professor will be expecting the other topic. So I was telling my colleagues about this...complaining is probably more like it, and what do you know, one of them chimes in that he has a couple of books about/that have chapters about interviewing! I'm so blessed to have such amazing people as colleagues here!
Wowsers. Confusing day. And now it is time to go give my students their 1st exam. Good luck to them!
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