Fourteen Citations for Our 2009 Paper!

Google Scholar Alerts sent me another alert today: there has been a new citation for our Learning Library 2.0: 23 Things @SCPL, published by Library Management in 2009. Those 14 citations are from Australia, Canada, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Korea, Taiwan and U.S.

Watson Won a Million-Dollar Prize

Per Ying's reminder, Paul and I watched a three-day Jeopardy show (Feb. 14-16, 2011) featuring Watson competing with Jeopardy's two all-time champions, Brad and Ken. With ups and downs, Watson managed to become a final winner of the one million dollar prize.

It is a very interesting endeavor not only in the sense of entertainment value, but more so in that IBM has pioneered in transforming science fiction into reality. In the process, Watson has revealed his weaknesses such as being born with no hearing, bulky hardware, and some algorithmic errors in missing key parameters like answering Toronto when the question was concerned only with US airports.

However, Watson has shown tremendous potential to many aspects of our life. One of them, as my colleague Heidi pointed out, is that he can help doctors determine drug interactions for their patients who take multiple drugs.

The growth of Watson is just like that of us human beings, from imperfect to perfect. His infrequent lack of confidence has helped to demystify the myth perpetuated by science fiction that solving all our problems is just a computer keystroke away.

Happy Valentines!

Happy Year of Rabbit: 2011!

Who are rabbits?
People who were born in 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

What are rabbit people's characteristics?
People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract.

What does the year of rabbit signify?
According to The Holidays Spot, A placid year, very much welcomed and needed after the ferocious year of the Tiger. We should go off to some quiet spot to lick our wounds and get some rest after all the battles of the previous year.

Which animals come before and after the rabbit?
2008 is the Year of the Rat
2009 is the Year of the Ox
2010 is the Year of the Tiger
2011 is the Year of the Hare (rabbit)
2012 is the Year of the Dragon
2013 is the Year of the Snake
2014 is the Year of the Horse
2015 is the Year of the Ram (sheep, goat)
2016 is the Year of the Monkey
2017 is the Year of the Rooster
2018 is the Year of the Dog
2019 is the Year of the Pig (Boar)

SCPL Chrismas Parade 2010

Despite the rain and chilliness, we finished our 2010 Christmas parade on Pacific Avenue at 11:20 am. It is inspiring to see so many smiling faces and encouraging words from two sides of Pacific. It is also comforting to know that the community loves our public libraries.

Paul and Nick joined me as part of spectators and parade photographer. Here is the site to link to 128 parade photos courtesy of Titangos Photography Studio.

Meeting Father Pavlos

Last Sunday, Paul and I were fortunate enough to meet Geronta Pavlos from St. Catherine's Monastery, Sinai. He was a special guest of Father Marks. It is really touching to see them do the service together.

Through Sister Joanna, Geronta Pavlos delivered his memorable lecture on the right attitude toward Sunday services and communions: you need to go to Sunday services early, or you will miss the holy ghost; you need to fast for the communion. It will not do you any good if you have not.

More sites about St. Catherine's Monastery:
1. Orthodoxwiki
2.Sacred Sites

We were blessed and had photos with him via iPhone.

It's That Time Again: Happy Halloween

On the eve of Halloween, Lee Anne has sent her yearly greeting again:

My New Afghans

Courtesy of Titangos Photography Studio, my three newest baby blankets are online.

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My First Acquaintance with Gim-bap

Lee Anne has made us 9 rolls of Gim-bap. For some reasons, my mind was still thinking of them sushi.

As it turns out, Gim-bap or Gimbap or kimbap is a popular Korean dish, similar to sushi, in the sense of preparing for ingredients such as gim (seaweed sheet), steamed white rice mixed with salt, vinegar and sugar, spinach, danmuji (pickled daikon radish), fish, eggs, etc. The taste is also similar.

However there are some differences existing between Gim-bap and sushi, according to Lee Anne. Gim-bap is spiced and served with radish kimchi (무김치). Its cooked rice is sprinkled with sesame oil. The fish used in it is called fish cake, and spinach is sauteed with garlic.

A very clever way Lee Anne uses to roll Gim-Bap is cover bamboo mat with freezer bag. Once rolling is done, discard the bag and no hard washing is needed.

What a fun afternoon to see how Gim-bap is made!

Patchwork Flowered Afghan

Thanks to Titangos' Photography Studio, my latest afghan has come into being. More photos are available for viewing at his Flickr site. The pattern is based on Nicky Epstein's Cover Up with color modifications.