Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Undergrad Rap
Jim's name is in the credits of this rap video. I bet you didn't know that Jim was making rap videos!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
By Popular Demand
The couscous was from "How to cook Everything Vegetarian" by Mark Bittman. It's my favorite cookbook. Almost every recipe includes variations to choose from. His recipe is here, and my notes are in italics. It was really nice to see everyone today!
Pearl Couscous Pilaf with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 onion, minced
1 cup pearl couscous
What exactly is "pearl couscous?" I used the only kind they had at the store - the kind that comes in a box cleverly labeled "Couscous."
4 sun-dried tomatoes, reconstituted and chopped
He says to reconstitute the tomatoes by soaking them in a bowl of warm water - I'm not sure this is necessary. I just soaked them for a few minutes while chopping other ingredients. The texture didn't really change in that short time - they just became wet sun-dried tomatoes. Besides, "reconstituted tomatoes" don't sound very appetizing.
1 clove garlic, minced
I used 2 cloves.
3 tablespoons chopped pitted black olives
I skipped the olives.
1 1/4 cups vegetable stock or water
I used stock. I have a good recipe for that too, if anyone wants it - you can make a big batch and freeze in 1-cup portions to have on hand for recipes like this. Or you can just buy some when you need it.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Chopped fresh basil, mint, or oregano leaves for garnish
I just seasoned it with a little bit of dried oregano at the end.
Directions:
Put the oil in a pot with a lid over medium-high heat. Add the onion and pearl couscous and cook until the couscous is lightly browned and the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and olives and cook for another 2 minutes.
Stir in the stock, sprinkle with a bit of salt (remember the olives will add salt) and a good amount of pepper, and bring to a boil. Turn the heat to low so that the mixture bubbles gently, cover, and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the couscous is al dente, about 10 minutes. Taste, adjust the seasoning, sprinkle with chopped herbs, and serve hot or room temperature. Or store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days (reheat or bring back to room temperature and stir in a little olive oil just before serving.)
The other variations in the book sound good, too. One uses corn and poblano peppers instead of tomatoes and olives, and it's seasoned with cumin and garnished with cilantro. Others have mushrooms, spinach, or eggplant.
Pearl Couscous Pilaf with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 onion, minced
1 cup pearl couscous
What exactly is "pearl couscous?" I used the only kind they had at the store - the kind that comes in a box cleverly labeled "Couscous."
4 sun-dried tomatoes, reconstituted and chopped
He says to reconstitute the tomatoes by soaking them in a bowl of warm water - I'm not sure this is necessary. I just soaked them for a few minutes while chopping other ingredients. The texture didn't really change in that short time - they just became wet sun-dried tomatoes. Besides, "reconstituted tomatoes" don't sound very appetizing.
1 clove garlic, minced
I used 2 cloves.
3 tablespoons chopped pitted black olives
I skipped the olives.
1 1/4 cups vegetable stock or water
I used stock. I have a good recipe for that too, if anyone wants it - you can make a big batch and freeze in 1-cup portions to have on hand for recipes like this. Or you can just buy some when you need it.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Chopped fresh basil, mint, or oregano leaves for garnish
I just seasoned it with a little bit of dried oregano at the end.
Directions:
Put the oil in a pot with a lid over medium-high heat. Add the onion and pearl couscous and cook until the couscous is lightly browned and the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and olives and cook for another 2 minutes.
Stir in the stock, sprinkle with a bit of salt (remember the olives will add salt) and a good amount of pepper, and bring to a boil. Turn the heat to low so that the mixture bubbles gently, cover, and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the couscous is al dente, about 10 minutes. Taste, adjust the seasoning, sprinkle with chopped herbs, and serve hot or room temperature. Or store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days (reheat or bring back to room temperature and stir in a little olive oil just before serving.)
The other variations in the book sound good, too. One uses corn and poblano peppers instead of tomatoes and olives, and it's seasoned with cumin and garnished with cilantro. Others have mushrooms, spinach, or eggplant.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Six decades later, Arlington Heights vet receives his medals
This article was in today's Daily Herald.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Fall is here
Hey everyone. It's been a little while since there's been a post on here, eh? Well this weekend I'll be stopping back in the house (probably) Saturday morning. Charlie and I are going to go golfing in Wisconsin, too. It's hard to believe that I haven't been out golfing once this year. As a matter of fact, I haven't even swung a golf club!
Anyway, the semester is in full swing and I've been busy as all heck with classes, my assistantship, and a student organization I've become involved with. On top of that the Bulls pre-season has started, so naturally I'm pretty pumped about that. One thing that's pretty neat is that my roommate and I purchased a nice large flat screen television and Blue Ray player. I don't know if any of you have seen a blue ray, but it's so detailed that it really doesn't look real. The cool thing about the television is that it has a network jack in the back so we have it hooked up to our home network. I even went out and got a new hard drive for grandma's old computer and I've turned it into a media server so that it can stream movies and music to the television. Kind of neat, huh?
Other than that it looks like I'll probably be graduating with an MLS (Masters in Library Science) next May, And I've been thinking a lot about what I'm going to be doing then. Right now it's kind of hard to say. I think if it's at all possible I'll try to stay down here with Sam, but if that can't happen I might just try to find some work in a library back in the suburbs. It's been awhile, and I miss my friends and my family and I think that's where I'd like to be. But it's so hard to tell what will happen - one thing that I do know is that I'm really excited about re-joining the work force once again.
I hear old Jim went to Germany. What the heck is the deal with that?! What have the rest of you been up to anyway?
Anyway, the semester is in full swing and I've been busy as all heck with classes, my assistantship, and a student organization I've become involved with. On top of that the Bulls pre-season has started, so naturally I'm pretty pumped about that. One thing that's pretty neat is that my roommate and I purchased a nice large flat screen television and Blue Ray player. I don't know if any of you have seen a blue ray, but it's so detailed that it really doesn't look real. The cool thing about the television is that it has a network jack in the back so we have it hooked up to our home network. I even went out and got a new hard drive for grandma's old computer and I've turned it into a media server so that it can stream movies and music to the television. Kind of neat, huh?
Other than that it looks like I'll probably be graduating with an MLS (Masters in Library Science) next May, And I've been thinking a lot about what I'm going to be doing then. Right now it's kind of hard to say. I think if it's at all possible I'll try to stay down here with Sam, but if that can't happen I might just try to find some work in a library back in the suburbs. It's been awhile, and I miss my friends and my family and I think that's where I'd like to be. But it's so hard to tell what will happen - one thing that I do know is that I'm really excited about re-joining the work force once again.
I hear old Jim went to Germany. What the heck is the deal with that?! What have the rest of you been up to anyway?
Thursday, August 5, 2010
back 2 school specials on starcraft 2!
Back in my day, back to school ads had pencils, markers and rulers on them--not nukes and space marines. Times really have changed.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
536 looks for new ISP
Hey family bloggers! This is more of a question than a normal blog entry. I just want to know what internet service provider we should get at 536. We currently have WOW! cable and it's not cutting it. A fast connection would be nice...when are fiber optic isp's coming to our neighborhood?
---- Uncle Dan sent me these pictures of Joan Marie's baptism ----
---- Uncle Dan sent me these pictures of Joan Marie's baptism ----
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
award winning article
Hi everyone,
I just found out an article I wrote last year won an award. Check out the library press release here: http://www.library.illinois.edu/news/hahnpaper.html
Jim
Urbana, IL
p.s. - yes, I've been writing all day; I'm going to stop soon and go for a walk.
I just found out an article I wrote last year won an award. Check out the library press release here: http://www.library.illinois.edu/news/hahnpaper.html
Jim
Urbana, IL
p.s. - yes, I've been writing all day; I'm going to stop soon and go for a walk.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
article that I wrote for my non profit about volunteering
http://www.rtno.org/news-press/entry/volunteer-life/
4Mar 2010
Volunteer Life: Spring Break
By Tony Hahn, AmeriCorps Program Manager Assistant
Every volunteer has a life outside of volunteering. For students coming down for Spring Break, life probably includes spending time cramming, procrastinating, Facebooking and more procrastinating. Whether you love your classes or dread them like the plague, you’re learning something; even if it’s begrudgingly so. If you’re planning on volunteering with Rebuilding Together New Orleans for spring break, we hope you’ll learn something different than you’re used to and that you will truly enjoy the process. Who you are can be defined by what you do, the things you learn and how you use that knowledge. Your volunteer experience with RTNO has the potential to be a defining and memorable learning experience in your life and we encourage you to take full advantage of it.
Your volunteer experience begins the moment you show up to the work site. Orientation consists of a short briefing about the neighborhood you’ll be working in, the story of the homeowner, the goals for the week, safety precautions and a brief history of Rebuilding Together New Orleans. An AmeriCorps House Captain guides you, step by step, through the house’s work scope and will be your on-site leader for the entirety of your time with us. It doesn’t matter whether you have years of experience in carpentry or paint or no experience whatsoever, RTNO will utilize your skill set the best way possible for a house’s current stage. Volunteers may do anything from deconstruction, scraping, or painting the exterior of a home to tiling and finishing carpentry inside a home.
“Seeing firsthand how a few hours of my time, combined with all the volunteers, could truly make a difference. I was amazed at the amount of work accomplished in one day.” – RTNO Volunteer
As a former House Captain, the greatest part of working with volunteers was seeing them take passion in something they might otherwise never do. Not only is the work stimulating, but it’s channeled for an altruistic cause. The reward of a week’s work is seeing the visible progress made in bringing someone back to their home.
“With regard to the work that still needs to be done… the only tangible progress being made is from organizations like RTNO and volunteer groups willing to lend a hand… and the rebuild effort is grass roots, focused on ‘one family at a time’. Somehow we need to help build on that momentum… thousands of families are counting on us.” – RTNO Volunteer
Your volunteer life may be short, but the impact you make will remain in the homeowner’s house long after they move back in. After spring break you’ll return to your everyday life, but you’ll have a vivid picture of the city and its people. Being a part of the recovery efforts takes on a life of its own-you’re giving back, learning about the rebirth of a city and taking that knowledge back with you. That is something you’ll never get simply from a week on Bourbon Street.
“I was truly touched by the warm welcome that we received from all the people in New Orleans, not just the ones whose homes we were rebuilding. People were so kind and welcoming – they made me feel like it was my home, my city that we were helping to restore. The people I met made such an impact on me because it reminded me that we were there to restore more than just homes. We were there to remind others that our hearts are open to the people of that beautiful city.” – RTNO Volunteer
4Mar 2010
Volunteer Life: Spring Break
By Tony Hahn, AmeriCorps Program Manager Assistant
Every volunteer has a life outside of volunteering. For students coming down for Spring Break, life probably includes spending time cramming, procrastinating, Facebooking and more procrastinating. Whether you love your classes or dread them like the plague, you’re learning something; even if it’s begrudgingly so. If you’re planning on volunteering with Rebuilding Together New Orleans for spring break, we hope you’ll learn something different than you’re used to and that you will truly enjoy the process. Who you are can be defined by what you do, the things you learn and how you use that knowledge. Your volunteer experience with RTNO has the potential to be a defining and memorable learning experience in your life and we encourage you to take full advantage of it.
Your volunteer experience begins the moment you show up to the work site. Orientation consists of a short briefing about the neighborhood you’ll be working in, the story of the homeowner, the goals for the week, safety precautions and a brief history of Rebuilding Together New Orleans. An AmeriCorps House Captain guides you, step by step, through the house’s work scope and will be your on-site leader for the entirety of your time with us. It doesn’t matter whether you have years of experience in carpentry or paint or no experience whatsoever, RTNO will utilize your skill set the best way possible for a house’s current stage. Volunteers may do anything from deconstruction, scraping, or painting the exterior of a home to tiling and finishing carpentry inside a home.
“Seeing firsthand how a few hours of my time, combined with all the volunteers, could truly make a difference. I was amazed at the amount of work accomplished in one day.” – RTNO Volunteer
As a former House Captain, the greatest part of working with volunteers was seeing them take passion in something they might otherwise never do. Not only is the work stimulating, but it’s channeled for an altruistic cause. The reward of a week’s work is seeing the visible progress made in bringing someone back to their home.
“With regard to the work that still needs to be done… the only tangible progress being made is from organizations like RTNO and volunteer groups willing to lend a hand… and the rebuild effort is grass roots, focused on ‘one family at a time’. Somehow we need to help build on that momentum… thousands of families are counting on us.” – RTNO Volunteer
Your volunteer life may be short, but the impact you make will remain in the homeowner’s house long after they move back in. After spring break you’ll return to your everyday life, but you’ll have a vivid picture of the city and its people. Being a part of the recovery efforts takes on a life of its own-you’re giving back, learning about the rebirth of a city and taking that knowledge back with you. That is something you’ll never get simply from a week on Bourbon Street.
“I was truly touched by the warm welcome that we received from all the people in New Orleans, not just the ones whose homes we were rebuilding. People were so kind and welcoming – they made me feel like it was my home, my city that we were helping to restore. The people I met made such an impact on me because it reminded me that we were there to restore more than just homes. We were there to remind others that our hearts are open to the people of that beautiful city.” – RTNO Volunteer
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Nola Update: Saints and Fat Tuesday
Hey guys,
I'm doing good in New Orleans. Work is for long hours as usual, but it's good being busy. Working in an office has its perks, but I often miss the simplicity of just merely taking orders and keeping my head in my work. There's been a ton of changes in my work environment since even this last September when I started, so my coworkers are all adjusting at once. I'm being vague, yes, but going into detail is sure to bore most and nobody needs that. As always, I'm happy to be a part of something much larger than myself.
The city has been a thundering crescent dream (if that makes sense) or a better way to put it, has been on a never ending high since it became Mardi Gras season and the Saints football team made their way to the NFC championship all the way back on January 16th. I watched the NFC championship game in my house and afterward the fireworks, car horns, and screams throughout the city reminded me of the end of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, or what it must have been like to win WWII. The energy here is always contagious. After Mardi Gras day, the strangest feeling settled in: not having any huge event to look forward to.
It's taken me a while to settle down into normal life again. Working a lot and reading a good book helps with that. This March (HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT!) is going to be an exciting time, but for a different reason: Allison is coming into town the 10th til the 23rd, Dan and Sam are going to be here from the 20th til the 26th. There's even a chance ol Steve Pondelik will venture this way because he's looking for somewhere to work on a thesis paper (not sure if nola is the best if you want less distractions).
Having people from home will make the spring break volunteer rush at my work seem like no big deal- Jim and Tina came last year and we had an awesome time, despite my being so worn out. I love and miss everyone, and wish I could visit more often. My next planned trip to the great plains is going to be in early June, for Allison's commencement from Knox, which I think y'all should come to.
Is anyone else in complete awe that it's already March? 2010! Time is one crazy thing. And Tina is going to study in Prague!? Blows my mind.
Stay sharp.
Tony
I'm doing good in New Orleans. Work is for long hours as usual, but it's good being busy. Working in an office has its perks, but I often miss the simplicity of just merely taking orders and keeping my head in my work. There's been a ton of changes in my work environment since even this last September when I started, so my coworkers are all adjusting at once. I'm being vague, yes, but going into detail is sure to bore most and nobody needs that. As always, I'm happy to be a part of something much larger than myself.
The city has been a thundering crescent dream (if that makes sense) or a better way to put it, has been on a never ending high since it became Mardi Gras season and the Saints football team made their way to the NFC championship all the way back on January 16th. I watched the NFC championship game in my house and afterward the fireworks, car horns, and screams throughout the city reminded me of the end of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, or what it must have been like to win WWII. The energy here is always contagious. After Mardi Gras day, the strangest feeling settled in: not having any huge event to look forward to.
It's taken me a while to settle down into normal life again. Working a lot and reading a good book helps with that. This March (HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT!) is going to be an exciting time, but for a different reason: Allison is coming into town the 10th til the 23rd, Dan and Sam are going to be here from the 20th til the 26th. There's even a chance ol Steve Pondelik will venture this way because he's looking for somewhere to work on a thesis paper (not sure if nola is the best if you want less distractions).
Having people from home will make the spring break volunteer rush at my work seem like no big deal- Jim and Tina came last year and we had an awesome time, despite my being so worn out. I love and miss everyone, and wish I could visit more often. My next planned trip to the great plains is going to be in early June, for Allison's commencement from Knox, which I think y'all should come to.
Is anyone else in complete awe that it's already March? 2010! Time is one crazy thing. And Tina is going to study in Prague!? Blows my mind.
Stay sharp.
Tony
Friday, February 26, 2010
delay of gratification
we learned about this in my ed psych class that i took awhile ago and my prof showed us the video below. when we were going over the same concepts of social learning theory and albert bandura etc etc in my personality psychology class earlier this week i began to wonder why i never shared this video with anyone back home. it's really cute :)
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Letter from President of Tulane
February 8, 2010
Dear Students,
There are certain moments in life that are transcendent and transformative and are too wonderful for words. Sunday's Super Bowl victory was such a moment. It was a victory that went far beyond football, highlights, statistics or trophies. This world championship, coupled with the election of a new mayor by an overwhelming majority, is about the progress and future of our beloved city.
This was a moment for all New Orleanians. The way this city and this team, our team, have embraced one another is unique in all the world. While most professional athletes discuss themselves and their gifts at post-game press conferences, our Saints invariably talk about their city and what its recovery has meant to them and to the nation.
This is what I believe we will be celebrating when we welcome our hometown heroes at tomorrow's parade. In addition, we will be congratulating our new mayor, Mitch Landrieu, as he leads us into the future. So in recognition of New Orleans, our recovery, our revival and the unity we displayed in one incredible weekend at the polls and on the national stage, I am going to close the university (uptown, downtown and primate center) tomorrow at 1 p.m.
This will allow all New Orleans-area Tulanians time to gather with family, friends and neighbors (are there any other categories of people in New Orleans?) and celebrate what is truly a historic moment in the long life and new life of our city. Enjoy the parade but most of all enjoy the moment. It truly is our time!
Geaux New Orleans,
Geaux Saints,
Geaux Tulane,
President Cowen
Dear Students,
There are certain moments in life that are transcendent and transformative and are too wonderful for words. Sunday's Super Bowl victory was such a moment. It was a victory that went far beyond football, highlights, statistics or trophies. This world championship, coupled with the election of a new mayor by an overwhelming majority, is about the progress and future of our beloved city.
This was a moment for all New Orleanians. The way this city and this team, our team, have embraced one another is unique in all the world. While most professional athletes discuss themselves and their gifts at post-game press conferences, our Saints invariably talk about their city and what its recovery has meant to them and to the nation.
This is what I believe we will be celebrating when we welcome our hometown heroes at tomorrow's parade. In addition, we will be congratulating our new mayor, Mitch Landrieu, as he leads us into the future. So in recognition of New Orleans, our recovery, our revival and the unity we displayed in one incredible weekend at the polls and on the national stage, I am going to close the university (uptown, downtown and primate center) tomorrow at 1 p.m.
This will allow all New Orleans-area Tulanians time to gather with family, friends and neighbors (are there any other categories of people in New Orleans?) and celebrate what is truly a historic moment in the long life and new life of our city. Enjoy the parade but most of all enjoy the moment. It truly is our time!
Geaux New Orleans,
Geaux Saints,
Geaux Tulane,
President Cowen
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Spring Break
I won't be home for spring break this year. I've decided to build some houses with Habitat for Humanity for a week. I'm really excited about the opportunity. I'll be working in Eagle Butte, South Dakota on a reservation site. We ranked our trip choices 1 to 3 (the other choices were Iowa and Arkansas) and then if we were accepted into the program got assigned to one of our top two choices. Needless to say, Eagle Butte was my first choice. It's supposed to be a really cultural experience, we're supposed to spend time on a Buffalo Ranch, meet a lot of the locals, eat dinner with the family whose house were helping to build, and partake in a sweatlodge ceremony, among many other things. I'm really pumped and I can't wait to spend my spring break doing something more productive than watching Intervention reruns and complaining about all of the junk food in the house. Anyway, I'll miss you all. See you in the summer!
Further reading: (courtesy of wiki)
Information on Eagle Butte
Information on Sweat Lodge Ceremony
Further reading: (courtesy of wiki)
Information on Eagle Butte
Information on Sweat Lodge Ceremony
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
HevyDevy
I got danny boy here in the old mortuary-converted-to-borders in new orleans! We're just typing away at our computers, sippin americanos, and preparing for a night of awesomeness- one of our favorite artists, Devin Townsend, is playing in the House of Blues tonight at 5:30!
It's great having another Hahn here. My pipes froze last night and the night before so running water is scarce in my house. No showers, but I used some spring water to make coffee this morn. Last night something caused my toilet to start leaking water so I opened it up--and a geyser of water sprayed upwards. We were laughing so hard we forgot it was a form of filthy liquid. After shutting off the water valve to the toilet, we watched some John Rambo and bab5. The cold here is uncanny (mid 20s at night). Here's hoping no pipes broke over this last night- the plumber said he could fix it by noon today so we'll just have to see.
-Tony out
It's great having another Hahn here. My pipes froze last night and the night before so running water is scarce in my house. No showers, but I used some spring water to make coffee this morn. Last night something caused my toilet to start leaking water so I opened it up--and a geyser of water sprayed upwards. We were laughing so hard we forgot it was a form of filthy liquid. After shutting off the water valve to the toilet, we watched some John Rambo and bab5. The cold here is uncanny (mid 20s at night). Here's hoping no pipes broke over this last night- the plumber said he could fix it by noon today so we'll just have to see.
-Tony out
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
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