What did I learn?

First thing is first, I learned that I can surprise myself. After first year I really did not know what I wanted to do. There were so many options. I didn't think I wanted to continue with journalism, I didn't think that I could do deadlines, I didn't think I was cut out for this. But the work for Advanced Beat Reporting made me change my mind. I did so well in this class and I didn't mind the work, and it made me decide that maybe I do want to continue with journalism if I am doing so well in this class. It's been rocky these two years with my decision on what career I wanted to do, but I think I may stick with it. Blogging, web design and social media are the three strengths I've found in my two years here and thanks to this class, I think that I should do it. Second thing is that I think I've met the greatest people here, whether it be teachers or students, everybody (mostly everybody) has made a difference in my life and I appreciate the way we have helped each other.

Thanks Alison for a great two years. :)

Cleveland Range releases The Convotherm ConvoSmoker Combi

Cleveland Range has released a smoker for their Convotherm combi ovens called the Convotherm ConvoSmoker combi. It features a built-in smoker box filled with flavoured briquettes to give fish, beef, pork, poultry, cheese and even vegetables a smokey taste. The unit has the ability to cold or hot smoke food, as well as barbeque or pit roast. Cold smoking can be achieved by placing a 4" solid pan filled with ice above your smoke box. The ConvoSmoker has faster cooking times than a traditional smoker, and has the ability to steam foods while smoking at the same time

www.cleavelandrange.com

OPUS Vancouver Hotel offers iPad 2 in every room

According to a press release on OPUS Hotel's website, they are the first Canadian hotel to offer an iPad 2 in every hotel room. Preloaded with popular apps and web links, the iPads take luxury hotel experiences to a whole new level.

“We have a track record of offering our guests the best in business and leisure travel,” said general manager Nicholas Gandossi.  “Our partnership with Travelvu has allowed us to introduce our newest virtual lifestyle concierge amenity.  It is the latest extension of our highly personalized services, a platform enabling our guests to enjoy the best of our city at any moment throughout their stay.”

 Instead of the hundreds of pamphlets that hotels usually carry, the iPad 2 in each room is also equipped with OPUS' favorite places to shop, dine, exercise, relax, to help guests decide where to visit during their stay.

Guests choose a muse according to their interests and lifestyle: modern & minimalist Mike, stylish & sophisticated Susan, artful & eclectic Billy, vibrant & outgoing Pierre, or daring & dramatic Dede. These concierge muses use the guests lifestyle choice to identify places to shop, dine, exercise, relax, to help guests decide where to visit during their stay. This is more environmentally friendly than the hundreds of different pamphlets that hotels usually carry.

OPUS encourages guests to travel through Vancouver with their iPad 2 as a GPS to make their stay in Vancouver a special experience.

Photo courtesy of OPUS hotel