april 30

In class I was again challenged by the design of my project and how I want to print the book out. My goal was to write out as many directions for each meal as possible. I was very satisfied at the end of class when out of the eight I had left I was able to complete five. What helped me along was discovering a structure of how to write everything out. I had a 'What you need' paragraph, a 'directions' paragraph, a 'notes' paragraph' and a 'creator' paragraph. This idea came to me as I was reading one of the 'Food' magazines from the library. I was easily able to figure out what I wanted to put on each page and this consistency helped with the flow and organization of my pages. My work in class left me with the goal of completing the directions for the rest of the meals and figuring out a design for my pages. I was able to finish the rest of my meals with little issue because I had done the proper organization needed to do so. However I did not at all expect the design of my pages to be so diffcult. This took more online research on how to move pictures the way I wanted them to, make words appear where and how I wanted them to and so forth. I watched many tutorials online and after quite a lot of work I was able to design my page. I worked for much much longer than I had anticipated but because I was determined to stay ahead of deadlines I was able to complete my goals. I plan to continue to edit the structure of my pages and be sure to leave time for the finishing touches. I know creating the actual book and printing will take a lot of time so I need to make sure I'm prepared for the extra work.

april 29

My in class goals for today were to continue working on finalizing the scripts to the recipes. It was a very frustrating day of work and I had to work through a lot of different challenges. So far I have completed all of the pictures except one because I still have not made the trip down to Dunkin Donuts. So in class I went ahead and started writing down the steps to make the meals. I didn't even complete one because it turned out to be a lot more work than I had anticipated. Over the weekend I had decided I would make my own book with a hard cover instead of buy one from a program. Because I am doing this I need to work on finding a system that works for me to print out the pages in the right order. So in class I searched online for ways to do this using powerpoint. Me trying to figure out powerpoint and looking at other programs was very inproductive. I had no idea what I was doing because I didn't have very good direction. I just kept getting side tracked with ideas that just didn't make sense for my project in the end. This left me with no direction to give my self outside of class which also did not go very well. Outside of class my goal was to figure out a system that worked for me to print the pages out in the correct order. I again failed at doing so. I am having the hardest time trying to figure out what it is I need to do in order to print the book in an appropriate manner. My next step is probably going to be to find someone who is very good at this maybe in the tech department and ask for help. I let my failure in class get me so frustrated that everything els I wanted to do outside of class was negatively effected.

April 24

In class I listened to more presentations from classmates and noticed something special. I enjoyed how people actually care about their projects and that's what will make them special. I could tell in Johnny's presentation his genuinely enjoyed learning about the way the body worked and just this self interest made me want to pay attention. In Jeff's I could tell motivational speaking was something that was personal to him just by the way he presented the information. Out of class I began adding directions to the cookbook. I found it very easy to just write out what I had done and then go back and figure out ways to make separate steps easier to follow. For example I started out narrating what I had done to complete the Eggs in a Basket meal and then numbered the steps and also included side notes or tips that I thought would be important. The issue with this was it didn't present well. It didn't look or flow the way I wanted it too. I am going to continue working on improving this part of the book. I've had some trouble finding time to go to dunkin donuts in the morning for two of my final meals and I am to get those done by friday. After that I have to focus hard on getting the steps written down in a way I like and readers can follow. Time is creeping up and I'm getting kind worried about getting all the editing done. If I follow the calendar I made though it should work out.

April 23

In class today I had my mid term presentation. My goal was to properly present what work I had done. I don’t think I did a great job of showing the amount of work I did. Maybe I could have recorded myself actually going through and making one of the meals because that process is one of the most important parts of the project and also the most time consuming. I don’t want my project to come off as a just some time filling thing. I want people to understand that food isn’t something I just enjoy, its something I actually care about. I tried to portray that to the class but I’m not sure its something I could have put in words. This is why I think my short story is so essential to the project. Out of class I continued to edit and improve the short story. I also did some research online and in the library for designs for the book. I found some ideas in the food magazines I found in the lib. A lot had holiday or seasonal designs but some also had a lot to do with the actual food, which I liked more. I need to start working on the final designs. Online I found sites that would put together the book for me official but I do not have time or money for one of those programs. I think if I put my best effort forward in taking on the responsibility to make the book as official as possible. I also am going to keep in mind that I’m taking pictures from the dinning hall. 

april 22

Today in class my goal was to listen and absorb some ideas that my classmates had to share with their presentations. Honestly I liked hearing that other people were having trouble too. It may sound bad but it was comforting that I wasn't the only person who had run into a few obstacles. This however does not meant that I can ease off my work just that it is alright to change things around if necessary. After hearing what some of their projects will turn out to be I am happy I have chosen a product that will leave me with something more than a report. I liked the idea of having something more than words as a finished product. I feel that projects should be a physical representation of the words that you could have written. Out of class my goal was to make two more meals but I only actually ending up making one. This was because I did not organize my day as I usually do during class time. In the end I ended up spending a lot of time editing and retaking pictures. I've realized that in itself is posing to be my biggest problem. I am able to get the materials, come up with different meals and make them, but it is very hard for me to make sue all the little things are done properly. By the end of my work period I was able to take pictures of previous dishes, which meant I had to recreate them, and edit them enough to look presentable for the project. It was productive day but one of the least fun parts of the project so far. I am now only left with two more meals that I am making which require a trip to Dunkin Donuts. After those two meals I have to come up with the most popular orders from local resturants. I am on track to have pictures taken and meals in the book by the end of the week, leaving me with writing out steps and tips for the rest of the project. I am going to have to make sure I have enough time to edit it all to make it into a final copy, as of now that editing is my only concern.

April 21

In class today my goal was to organize my pictures and gather what I have accomplished for the mid term presentation. I was able to organize the visuals I wanted to present to the class. I decided that actually showing what foods I had made would be appropriate. I also had time to think about hat questions I wanted to answer during the presentation. In order to do this I had to review everything I had done. Mainly in class I do a lot of prepping for me to work sufficiently out of class. Without the given class time though, I wouldn’t be able to get as much done outside of class. Out of class today I continued to work on my presentation and caught up on some of the meals that I had to do over the weekend. I also found that I had to retake some pictures because I am not the best editor of pictures. I also am considering after the out of class work that I may have to change the style of my pages in the book. This is because of how many pictures I have for each meal. I am almost finished with the meals, which is very good. I did fall behind a bit on the meals but finished the essay I’ve been working on.  

April 16

Today I was able to accomplish my out of class goals in my free block. I made the eggs in a basket at breakfast and the J.C.C. sandwich after advisory. I was surprised at how easily it was to make the eggs in a basket; all I had to do was ask Steve. I realize I am going to have to put a picture of him in the book to give him credit. I’m also finding it quite easy to focus on tasks and get them accomplished. I got the idea to also take pictures of all the things I used in each step in order for the meals to be easier to follow in the book. Today in class my goal was to work on my cover for the book. To do this I needed to make a chefs hat. I was able to gather the materials I need to make it. This took me a lot longer than anticipated. I was able to get the construction paper from the arts library, a plastic bag from someone in Spaulding Hall and an apron from the Dining Hall. I realized it’s actually a small hassle not to have these materials yourself. When you have to rely on other people to get things for you it’s a huge time consumer, however this is forcing me to make the most out of the free time I do have. Making food isn’t a hard way to spend my free time because I pretty much do that anyway so there isn’t too much of a conflict. I’m excited to get the meals all created and pictures taken so that I can begin the assembly of the book late next week. 

April 14

Today in class my goal was to organize the foods into groups to see if I could figure out how to design the book. I was able to figure out that the book will basically break down into four sections. First will be a breakfast page, second a lunch, third dorm snack, and fourth delivery. It was satisfying seeing it all come together once I started writing it all out and working through some issues. In class I was also able to create a key for readers to tell which foods are healthy, quick, or my favorites. While setting all of these things up on their designated pages I realized I am going to need some sort of introduction to the book and also a cover page. I began a draft of my introduction and came up with an idea for the cover page. I plan to have a picture of me in a chef hat and apron with the title Food Survival Guide for the LA Boarder. Out of class I was able to, as planned, make two of the foods from my list and take pictures. I put to use the time I had between mx and free block, which I will try and continue to take advantage of. I took note of the steps it took and what to be cautious of while making the Chocolate toast and PB and J crackers. Tomorrow is Wednesday and I have a bit more time to work on my snacks so I will try and get some of the more complicated meals made. 

April 15

I In class I planned to get as many meal/snack ideas as possible that I could create in the next few weeks. After class I just wanted to keep working on this list until I had 20 ideas. In class I was able to come up with about 12 ideas. The longer the list got the more challenging it was to come up with creative ideas. After class I talked to a few people from the dorm about any special sandwiches or snack ideas they and actually got a few useful responses. I think my biggest resource might just be the people that live on campus. That would make sense seeing as how so many people are look for a way to add creative foods to their everyday diet. It was interesting to see how at about my 15th idea, the foods became more and more out there, such as cake in a cup or ramen/mac n cheese. I am very excited to put some of the new and fun ideas to the test. I also realized I may want to consider a section of the book being failed experiments. Or even make the video on the failed meals instead of recording my favorites. It may be something to consider further down the road but I will have to wait and see how they turn out.