Remember that time I told you about taco night at our house -- simple recipes that are filling and fun -- we decided to welcome some friends to taco night in early December to help everyone to unwind before thesis reviews and then those hustlin' and bustlin' holiday weeks ahead. It doesn't take much to get taco night together and you can just lay it out there as a colorful array of toppings and sauces for everyone to have at. Make a quick grocery run, pick out some new things to try -- we added a pre-made avocado spread and polenta to our buffet -- simmer ground beef with taco seasoning and boil up rice for the side. And there you have it, taco night. Fortunately, our taco night turned into a slideshow of pictures from recent adventures. It was a blast and we highly recommend the next time a dinner party slows down or you are looking for something to do, plug phones into your tv and start going through pictures. It's interesting to see what others capture in their everyday lives.
And the charrette was a mere week before my review. Having barely digested the findings from the charrette, I set out to create a comprehensive presentation of my thesis research and design to date. I decided to present using Prezi, an online tool for creating the anti-PowerPoint presentation. This would allow me to move sequentially through my process and ideas for both my continued research and site development. I supplemented my Prezi with a few printouts for the jurors to reference while I presented. Although the week was long, I finished on Thursday night so that I could spend Friday rehearsing my presentation. Michael made me practice several times on Friday evening, against my wishes, but because he really does know best. And I am glad I did because my nerves had the best of me all Saturday morning, but were not found in my voice when I got up to talk in the early afternoon.
December was a whirlwind, but helped me to recognize how much I appreciate writing this blog and sharing with you! I hope that you will join me in the New Year as I embark on the many adventures that 2013 will bring. Stay tuned for ideas on what to do with those overripe bananas you find upon returning from holiday ventures, how to put a new spin on meatballs, and creating family traditions as a young married couple.