Paul Wouters, director of the Virtual Knowledge Studio in Amsterdam, was our inspiring guest lecturer today. He talked about a lot of really fascinating things, but one thing that really struck me was at the very beginning of the lecture. Paul mentioned how in the U.S., we use the term “information technology,” while Nederlanders use the term “information and communication technology” (ICT). Americans’ omission of “communication” in connection with technology seems pretty significant to me. After all, if it were not for communication, it would be nearly impossible for people to get information using the technology we currently have. (I could go off on the meaning of information here, but that’s best left for MLIS classes.)
Technology does, in fact, change the ways we communicate. Continue reading ‘Guest lecture: Paul Wouters’
After lecture this morning, Greta and I decided to go to the Anne Frank House museum. When we got there, however, the line to get in stretched around the block, and we didn’t know if we’d have time to wait and go through before our group dinner tonight. We were both feeling a bit hungry, so we asked a man working in a nearby souvenir shop where we could find some good frites (Dutch-style fries). He gave us some convoluted directions to a shop several blocks away and assured us that all of the locals got frites there. He promised they would be “the best frites you’ve had in your life.” Continue reading ‘Frites, churches and a group dinner’
Today was the first day of the UW iSchool’s Netherlands Exchange program. Almost everyone in the program arrived today, so people were tired. I came a week early to check out Copenhagen, however, so my inner clock had pretty much adjusted to the time difference; I was ready to play. Luckily, I talked a few people into going to see the ships that were here for Sail 2010. Pretty cool. There were ships, people singing sea shanties, and fireworks that we watched from behind the bow of a particularly humongous ship. By the end of the fireworks show, the smoke was so thick that the fireworks were almost completely obscured, but we still had a great time. It was a great start to my Netherlands experience.
I’ve been thinking about doing this post for a long time, and I really don’t know why I’ve been putting it off. The past several months have been really hard for me — I think I’ve cried more since March than I did my entire life up until then. But I’ve also had a chance to reflect on how blessed I am, and so, in no particular order, here are a few of the things I’m thankful for: Continue reading ‘Blessings’
A few weeks ago I went to a reception for admitted students at Syracuse University to see if I could envision myself going to grad school there. The campus was beautiful, and I really liked what the alumni, professors and current students had to say about the university’s library and information science program. The town itself, on the other hand, was kind of a dump, so it’s kind of a mixed verdict. I still may end up going there, and I need to make my decision soon, so watch this space for updates.
After spending a couple of days in Syracuse, I went to New York City to play for a few days. I actually liked the city a lot more than I thought I would. It’s definitely an urban jungle, but I loved walking around Central Park, and I’d like to scoop up Broadway and Times Square and transplant them into Seattle. I did a TON of walking – my toes were an unrecognizable mass of blisters by the end of my trip. I didn’t take very many pictures this time around, but here’s a glimpse of what my trip was like.
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So, I haven’t blogged in awhile, as you can see. Here’s what’s been going on in my life between the last time and now.
I applied to grad school in the beginning of January. I’m planning on getting a master’s degree in library and information science. The highlight of my application process was doing an interview with Nancy Pearl, my librarian hero. I listen to her podcast, and I have a deluxe action figure of her with shushing action. A little dorky, I know. So far, Syracuse has accepted me, and I’m waiting for decisions from the University of Illinois and the University of Washington. I’m going to visit Syracuse in a couple of weeks and then spend a few days in NYC. Anyone want to join me?
The other big event was on January 9. Steve Swartz, the Hearst head of newspapers, came to the P-I and told us that Hearst is tired of losing money publishing the newspaper, so the company was going to try to sell it. If a buyer isn’t found within 60 days, Hearst will close the P-I. The 60-day mark is next Tuesday, so we’ll see what happens. You can probably get a pretty good idea of what we’re going through at the P-I by watching the video on the Rocky Mountain News website. It’s sad to see newspapers dying, especially with the up-close and personal view I have.
Paul Wouters, director of the Virtual Knowledge Studio in Amsterdam, was our inspiring guest lecturer today. He talked about a lot of really fascinating things, but one thing that really struck me was at the very beginning of the lecture. Paul mentioned how in the U.S., we use the term “information technology,” while Nederlanders use the term “information and communication technology” (ICT). Americans’ omission of “communication” in connection with technology seems pretty significant to me. After all, if it were not for communication, it would be nearly impossible for people to get information using the technology we currently have. (I could go off on the meaning of information here, but that’s best left for MLIS classes.)
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