Wednesday, December 09, 2009

Global Climate Talk and Coal in India

The UN is currently having their Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen right now. The goal is to stabilize greenhouse gas, aka GHG. Leaders from all over the globe have made speeches and the program lasts for about a week.

If you are interested, here is the website for the conference: http://unfccc.int

In anticipation of this conference, MSNBC is featuring picture stories dealing with climate change in a few different countries.

It is true that we, the USA, are a reliant coal nation, if we only knew all the information about depending on this mineral. We mine coal in the Appalachian region of the US, but the gases that are emitted affect everyone .... carbon dioxide and methane, both greenhouse gases that are directly linked with global warming. These gases pollute the air as well as the waterways and into the land.

In India, the area where a majority of the coal is mined is called Jharia. The area is so poor that families steal the coal to make a few bucks for their families to live. Also, families live directly with in the most dangerous parts of these coal mines and fire with children using these areas as jungle gyms.

I am scared to see what type of health problems creep up in the next few years, not only in India but also in the US from these fumes.

Take a look for yourselves.

Burning coal deposits pollute lives in India
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34114624/ns/news-picture_stories/displaymode/1247/?beginSlide=1

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Bombay Sweets = Delish

So today after having an interesting class in Indian Culture and Outsourcing Animation a few members of the class headed to Bombay Sweets on S. 13th Street, an adventure in itself!

This was my second attempt at Indian food and I like it thus far. Last class, about a month ago, we went to Maharaja before class to celebrate Diwali. I couldn't tell you what I had to eat as it was buffet style and I had a bit of everything, but it was delish! I do know that I really liked the Naan and the ice cream for dessert.

So now onto my second attempt: Bombay Sweets .... wonder if they will ever change it to Mumbai Sweets?!?

So now for my experience .... I was the first one to arrive and asked for the reservation, please keep in mind there were 95% open table and only two other people in the restaurant. Wasn't sure if there was a back room, those mirrors can be tricky sometimes!

So after receiving a few tips from Simar I ended up going with:
a Samosa for an app, Masala Dosa for meal, a Mango Lassi for drink and tasted a jalebi for dessert (and ohh was it delicious and sweet and fried!). I would have to say the meal was delicious and it is amazing how many flavors can be packed into one dish. I am scared for myself with the desserts as they all look phenomenal and I LOVE sweets.

I am excited to try more Indian food!

See a video on how Jalebis are made:
www.geobeats.com/videoclips/india/new-dehli/jelabis

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Dear India, I am so excited to meet you.

Welcome to my blog, so this is new to me but I think it is going to be fun. So here we go in the world of cloud computing with a dash of higher education.


I will be posting before I depart, while I am in India and after I return to the great city of Milwaukee. I have been out of the country before to include Europe, Mexico, Aruba and China, but I have ha feeling that nothing is going to compare to this upcoming trip to India.

What I know of India so far is probably very naive and based on TV programs, books and movies as well as calling various help desks for work or personal computing. I do have a habit of recording anything on cable that has India in the title to try and prepare myself... whether it be The Food Network, PBS, The Travel Channel or Business programming, hopefully it helps a bit! I have been to Maharaja once for lunch, it was my first time, and definitely not my last ... I really enjoyed trying all the foods. I also have browsed a few travel books and cultural books about India, but words and pictures can only tell so much, I can't wait for the experience and the envelopment of the culture.

Assignment 1:

Post my pre-trip perceptions about India by 11/1/09, at least 5 about the people, social and cultural environment and the business world.
  • I think the country is going to be very busy with people, autos and animals which translates into pure chaos in my mind. I have the picture in my head of people squeezing into any last space on a train or bus. I also have a feeling that personal space is not as we have it here in the USA. I also feel that there will be a great disparity between the rich and the poor. And I think it will be dirtier than I expected, but amazingly beautiful at the same time.

  • Another perception is that a lot of help desks are located in India and the people of India are better able to speak the English language than we are! Very smart people. I also have the perception that companies that deal with USA are set up very similar in the style of the workplace. The technology business world is up and moving quickly in the right direction. Also in reference to business, I feel that anyone will work to make money, whether it is for a large multinational company, a family run business, or a street vendor with food or textile.

  • I also think of the media I have seen in reference to Bollywood and Slumdog Millionaire with the fast speed of a 'Hollywood' type life. I also envision very dramatic movies and televisions programs for some reason.

  • Another perception would have to be that entire country is colorful whether it be clothing, food, flowers, spices or celebration. I feel like every time I see a picture of someone or something or some place in India, the colors are vibrant and evoke a sense of happiness because they are so rich in color and texture. I also imagine flowers everywhere, especially used for worship.

  • As for the culture and the people, the notion of family is the most important and religion plays an important role in daily life. I imagine families staying very close to other members as well as their lineage. I am also excited to see a people that have been around for 1000s of years, 100s of religions and various languages, yet the democracy is so 'new'.

So these are my perceptions for now, I can't wait for them to change!