Conference

Last semester, I was asked to complete a big research project for my macroeconomics class. I decided that since I would be devoting a lot of time to research for this project, it might as well be about something I am very interested and passionate about. What topic did I finally decide on? Broadway, bien sûr!  My paper ended up examining the relationship between Broadway and the economy and how the two affect one another. Well, come January, I got a letter that said my research paper had been selected to be presented at the Honors Council of the Illinois Region. Say what now? They want me to present my paper at a conference? Me? I don't know what you think about that, but I think that is pretty darn cool!

When I got to the conference, I discovered that I am a part of a session entitled "Economic Analyses and Outlooks" and will be the middle presenter out of three. The first boy presents on "Structures in Economic Development" and I have no earthly idea what his speech was about. Frankly, from conversations I heard later, I don't think anyone in the whole room understood what his speech was about, but, at the time, it made me super nervous. How was I a part of this session speaking about economics when I didn't understand any of his economics? I just want to talk about Broadway! I glace at the list to see who is after me. It is another boy and his speech was about the accounting department of the United States government and  examines how well university's bachelors programs prepare students for the field. Whoa buddies--won't these people in attendance be surprised by what I have to say! Instead of being nervous about how much I do not belong in this group, I begin to think of myself as a breath of fresh air. These attendees need a speech like mine so they won't go insane! Turns out, I was right. After presenting, we opened the floor to questions and the first dozen or more, and, in all, probably 76.8% of questions were for me! People kept wanting to know my opinion about various issues relating to Broadway, different producers, and new shows as well as theatre in general. Good thing I can talk about Broadway for hours! I didn't, but it is nice to know that that skill can come in handy somewhere! :)  

Redesign

Yes, Photobucket deleted my old blog background. While that made the blog have a plain white background (and me sad) for a couple days, it also presented the opportunity for a blog redesign. Hopefully, I'll get to a design that I like enough for it to stick around for a while. Also, Photobucket will definitely not get the chance to delete this one--- Hello TinyPic!

Ahn Trio

At this show, I sold their cds. They had two, but sold them through different companies. One accepted checks, cash, and credit cards, while the other accepted checks and cash (but the check must be made out to a different person). Two things here. One, by hand credit card machines are unnecessarily difficult to use. Two, customers are really confused by this pricing policy. You see, if you want to buy both cds, the only way to use one method would be cash. Since you could only use a credit card for one, you would have to pay with something else for the other. If you wanted to pay with check, you'd have to write two (one for each company). Regardless of the policy, and while there were a few baffled consumers, I managed to sell a whole bunch of merchandise. Yay marketing! 

Kenyetta

Kenyetta Dance Company

Guess who designed this snazzy poster?

Hint: It was me!!! :) 

M-Pact

Poster from the M-Pact performance

Note: While I did help with the setup, I did not make it to their actual performance. 

Why you ask? The whole town completely iced over! 

(No joke! Some guy was actually ice-skating all over campus!) 

Adventures in Cooking: Molten Chocolate-Nutella Pudding Cakes Edition

 

Ready for a super rich chocolaty dessert? 

Ingredients

• 1/2  cup  all-purpose flour
• 1/2  cup  unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2  teaspoon  baking powder
• 4  ounces  semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 8  tablespoons  (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 4  large eggs
• 1  teaspoon  vanilla extract
• 1  cup  sugar
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 6  tablespoons  Nutella

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Mist 6 6-oz. ramekins with cooking spray. Place a roasting pan in oven; pour in 1/2 inch of hot water. In a bowl, whisk flour, cocoa and baking powder.
2. Combine chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl; cook on high, stirring once or twice, until almost melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk until smooth.

3. In a bowl, with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat eggs, vanilla, sugar and salt until pale yellow, about 5 minutes. Beat in melted chocolate mixture. Stir in flour mixture. Spoon half of batter into ramekins. Drop 1 Tbsp. of Nutella into center of each. Cover with remaining batter.
4. Transfer ramekins to roasting pan. Bake until cakes have risen and are cracked on top, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm.

Mother says I was a dancer before I could walk...

My mother is currently in the process of organizing all the photos from when we were little. She set these aside to show me when I got home. Guess I've always been an optimist in a fluffy tutu!

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*Yes, I am aware that I am not in a tutu in the third picture.  It just made me laugh out loud!  How Broadway is that costume and pose?

Adventures in Cooking: 3 Musketeers Puffs Edition

I know it sounds a little different, but I actually liked these! It's kinda like a fast way to make pain au chocolat!

Ingredients 

• 1 package Pillsbury Crescents
• 1 packages of 3 Musketeers Funsize Bars (usually group of 8)

Directions

1. Place one piece of candy in the center of each crescent.
2. Fold crescent around candy, being sure to cover all of it. Pinch seams closed.
3. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake in a 375 degree F oven until golden brown, about 11 minutes.
5. Serve warm.