CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

Hello everyone,

I'll be away for the whole of next week to Las Vegas. The national food science organization will be having their annual conference there and graduate students like me, will be participating in various activities.

As an individual, I have an oral presentation on my research project. Been working on it like crazy since last Monday. Also, this year, my university's team successfully got into the 6 finalists' list so my teammates and I will be a bunch of busy ppl in LV. Oral presentation competitions, poster competitions, sampling event.... @_@ I already feel tired thinking about it. That's not to mention the addition social events I need to help out with and attend for as well.... So much for the LV vacation plan. haha

Anyways, while I'm scrambling to complete my presentation, read up for the competition, grab a business suit, clean up my resume, pack and all, do pray for me and fellow university friends. Pls pray for a safe journey, that all things will go smoothly (hotel checkups, presentation setups), that we'll give our best in our presentations and competitions, that we'll be able to network with others adequately (for securing jobs) and finally, come home safely. ^^

Until then, take care, have fun and God bless you all,
Mave


PS: For those who chat with me, pls don't message me in the daytime weekdays because I'm at work. The reason why I'm online on MSN is because that's how my lab friends and I exchange work files since we've been having problems with our department network. Thanks! ^^;

Good luck Mave! >^^<

good luck!! and have fun!!!^^

Good luck and a safe trip! Conferences are one of the great treats of grad student life, so enjoy it while you can.

PS. If you're ever able to, ship some of that cider up my way, I'd love to give it a try

Good luck and have fun, I've been to Vegas but for a totally different reason. Actually admittedly to gamble, just be careful down there because you can lose money REAL fast. I lost over 200 dollars in less than a hour.

Have fun! *insert REM "All the Way to Reno"*

=D Good luck Mave, I'll be praying for your success and safety~!

I'll pray for you and the grad students going with you. Don't stress too much, you'll do great.

Mave, you are always in our prayers, and in mine. I will definitely pray for your safe travel and your time in Las Vegas. I know you'll have tons of fun. May you have a wonderfully blessed trip. ^____^

Let us know when you get back.

hey mave, have fun in las vegas! i'll be praying for ya!

love in Christ,

lynx

I shall be happy to greet you when you return. Meanwhile, you shall be in my prayers in greater specifity.

I guess I am a little late... but I still want to express my wish that Mave have safe and productive trip.

I am a little interested to know what type of foods are getting attention right now in the food science community.... I think that is due to the fact that I like to eat.

Hello everyone,

Thanks for your prayers and kind thoughts, I got my job done and made it home safely.

I've never been so challenged, physically, emotionally and psychologically in such a short frame of time so pls allow me to summarize my trip to spare myself some rest and time to clear my mind. I will also place the summaries in different posts for ease of reading.

Las Vegas is.....
1) extremely hot (weather-wise). My friends and I did not expect the monorail service to fall behind the schedule and had to walk/take a cab to the convention center. I tried to walk to the place on Monday while the temperature recorded 120'F and almost passed out on the way. I still wonder how I survived that walk, God must have protected me from heatstroke.
2) the land of naked women...>_< Everyone say, "DUUUHHH!" LV is Sin City after all. There were flyers and posters of almost naked/naked women everywhere and I kinda got tired of it. But I thought it was particularly funny when I saw a father jerk his little son from picking up one of those flyers (face down) on the road. "Dad, why can't I? What is it?" Dad: "No! Let's go!"
3) filled with freaking casinos. Just for the record, I only lost a dollar. I decided that casinos are just scams, meant to drain everyone out of their money. I don't understand how ppl can sit in front of the slot machine and watch their money disappear. *shakes head in disbelief* I only learnt how the roulette game works.
4) very beautiful architexturally. I love the buildings! I only had one night on the Strip but I've never seen such elaborate and artistic structures...Caesar's Palace, Bellagio, Paris etc. were all awesome. My only regret is that I didn't have more time to see more the buildings.

Las Vegas is a nice place for a vacation if you are not weak to naked women and gambling. Stay tuned for the next summary. ^^

Las Vegas was nice.

The food science convention was another story though.

The exhibitions, posters and my oral presentation went well. I think I'm getting the hang of doing presentations ^^. But the event that was interesting for me was the PD competition. My team lost the competition with a good amount of disappointment and tears. I've always accepted the fact that bias is prevalent and almost inavoidable in such events. But what happened to respect and fair treatment? All I want to say is I'm way more disappointed with the unprofessionalism demonstrated by some older industry members of the food science community rather than my team's performance. After the announcement of the results, I cried and was just simply exhausted from everything that has happened. Everyone probably felt the same thing and decided to hang out with each other for the last time (some of them are already working and will leave the next day).

So, we went out clubbing. I must admit it was one of my best clubbing experiences (which isn't many) eventhough 2 friends got hopelessly drunk and my high heels were killing me. I've always liked dancing and think it's fun doing it as long as, 1) you don't drink 2) stay away from strangers 3) retain minimal physical contact with the opposite sex aka "don't do THAT dance!" 4) choose a good place (little smoke, adequate space etc). And this time, I was allowed to enjoy all four criterion and stayed up until 3-4 a.m.

Next day, I dragged myself out to check out job opportunities and (finally!) the Strip with my old high school buddy from Iowa and walked around the Strip until 3-4 a.m. Yes, I was terribly sleep deprived during the trip.

Thanks for your prayers. I consider this trip a success even if we didn't win. My team and I obtained great invaluable experience despite it being unpleasant and I'll always be proud of being in this team. XD

I will take my time to response to everyone (PMs, emails etc, Omega, I'll answer your question in my next post) in the next few days and will not chat for a while. Owww...my body and head hurts. All I wanna do right now is to do nothing and to spoil myself. LOL

Glad you had a grand time, yeah the casinos are quite an eyesight in particular the Bellagio, Paris, Aladdin, and the Mandalay Bay. First time I went I just gazed at all the pretty colors and you know what? You're right, the casinos are scams, why do you think they have the money to build more and more--it only makes sense that they have more losers than winners.

It's good everything went well for the food science convention and even though you didn't win, at least you tried. Our prayers were everywhere for your safe return.

Ach. I just missed your return. But unless either of us has sudden plans, all should be well now.

I am glad you are back safely, and also glad to see that you had a productive time in most senses. Welcome back.

I don't believe in luck, so God be with you!

Mave wrote:I will take my time to response to everyone (PMs, emails etc, Omega, I'll answer your question in my next post) in the next few days and will not chat for a while. Owww...my body and head hurts. All I wanna do right now is to do nothing and to spoil myself. LOL

Since you mentioned my name in regards to responding to my small interest of the current food study trends, I just want to say to you to take the time to properly rest up. (I am not sure why I did not see your second summary post until now....)

Either way, take it easy if you can, and remember that at least my curiousity is not meant to be taken as an extensive inquiry.

I would say, "Welcome back," but it has already been almost a week since you returned. So I will just express my relief that you had an enjoyable trip and that you arrived back safely.

well, since i didn't get to wish you a safe journey, i'm glad you had a safe return. we don't want our special artist to be harmed. : ) glad las vegas was fun. it's a fun city, isn't it? i loved it.

I didn't even know you left!! >.<; Gotta hang around here more!!! I hope I'm not late...But welcome back Mave!!! So glad you made it BACK SAFE and sound!!! But Las Vegas sounds kinda scary to me more than fun...But fantastic to have you back!! ^^

welcome back, mave!

heh thanks everyone.

It's Ok if no one noticed my absence. Thanks for the welcome back greetings, it is nice to be back.

Omega, regarding the food industry, the most prominent trend I've seen in many food products is the low carb trend. Every companies practically jumping on the band wagon. While it does not necessarily advocate the Atkin's diet, it seems that everyone's into lowering their carb intake in general.

Soy seems to be experiencing a slow down and everyone is expanding their flavor profiles from the Asian region. Many are becoming bolder so Korean is no longer just kimchi or Japanese just miso flavor.

I'm pretty sure I've missed out many other trends...maybe there's something specific you're looking for, Omega? ^^

Mave wrote:Omega, regarding the food industry, the most prominent trend I've seen in many food products is the low carb trend. Every companies practically jumping on the band wagon. While it does not necessarily advocate the Atkin's diet, it seems that everyone's into lowering their carb intake in general.

I am not surprised by this since I see this low carb craze wherever I go, especially on TV or in the supermarket. It is low carb this and low carb that.... I mean I even see low carb energy bars. Low carb energy bars? Sounds like an oxymoron to me. With the way this craze is going, we might start seeing low carb computers and low carb cars.

I guess my questions in regard to this craze is that:

1. Has their been a serious critical study by the food science community in the health effects of such low carb products? (Do they live up to their ridiculous hype?)

2. Is there an industry standard (imposed by the FDA or self-imposed) on classification of "types" of carbs? I see some products trying to call themselves low carb (like ice cream products) by citing they have low "net carbs." I am wondering on the legitimacy and the standardization of such sub-classifications.

Mave wrote:Soy seems to be experiencing a slow down and everyone is expanding their flavor profiles from the Asian region.

Soy slowing down in Asia?! Eh?! (For those who do not know, I am raised by a Chinese mother. Thus, I am familiar with the importance of soy in Chinese cuisine.)

Mave wrote:Many are becoming bolder so Korean is no longer just kimchi or Japanese just miso flavor.

Well, at least they have not abandoned rice or noodles.... But if they are not using soy, what are they using to become "bolder"?

Mave wrote:I'm pretty sure I've missed out many other trends...maybe there's something specific you're looking for, Omega? ^^

Not really. My inquiry trusted on your judgement on what are the current significant trends.