Modern Kitchen Basics; Monday, First Period [01/20].

[chef_chocobro]

"Just like the microwave," said Ignis, taking a moment to nudge his glasses up his nose as he started in on the lesson for that week, "many of the appliances you find in the modern kitchen focus entirely on convenience, ease, and speed, sometimes to the detriment of quality, and I find that same to be true for the modern coffee maker."

He gestured now toward your standard....well, not exactly standard, Ignis couldn't bring himself to just trot in some cheap basic model, but rather one that he could live with having to make due with should the occasion arrive. But it was also not alone on the counter, either.

"However," he continued, "there are actually a great many different ways of making coffee in the modern kitchen that to restrict ourselves to just one of the most rudimentary convenience one would be doing you all a great disservice. So while we will be familiarizing ourselves with the reknowned and economical Mr. Coffee, I would also like to introduce you all to my other, more intimate friends Monsieur French Press, Admiral AeroPress, Miss Moka Pot, and, of course, a personal favorite of mine, Signorina Espresso Maker."

No, he did not regret running with that theme, and, yes, he was a very serious person.

"And, of course," he added, "since I know quite a few of you likely prefer tea over coffee, I have also brought in a few modern contrivances to make that a bit more easy, as well. Of course, boiling water with a kettle is pretty standard, but with an electric kettle might be something you encounter that I encourage you to try. As well as a Japanese-style water heater," no, Ignis did not know that he'd somehow wound up with the Hello Kitty one, ahem, "and, finally, a device that will not only heat the water but also make the tea.

"Needless to day, there are a variety of different devices to get into today, so let's us get started, and the sooner we cover them, the sooner you can start seeing what you find most intuitive or effective for your own needs."

Earth Cultures, period 2

[unusual_sith]

Lana smiled and waited for everyone to show up, then nodded. "One of the biggest religions on this planet is Christianity. One of the seats of power of Christianity is the Vatican, in Italy. They have what supposed to be a really spectacular museum - not just of Christianity, but of culture for that entire area of the planet. There are so many museums we could spend an entire semester there." She stopped and thought. "Maybe in future. Anyway, you can run through all of them or just pick one, whichever you choose."

She passed out a list of the museums. "There are art, archaeology, ethnology, a number of chapels - that is, houses of worship - all kinds of things. Do remember if you go to one of the latter that there may be people worshipping there, so be respectful."

Or skive off and go eat. You were in Italy; that was totally valid.

"I've arranged the portal to pick us up in about six hours and get us back in one; that's about as far as they could stretch it this time, but I did want us to not have to hurry too much. I'll see you back at our entry point then. If you need me before, you have my number, or you can probably find me at the archaeological dig."

Because she was a nerd.

Habits of Highly Efficient People [Monday, Period Three]

[good_for_six]

Today class was meeting for, well, technically you couldn't really call it brunch in the middle of the afternoon, but it was a distinctly brunch-equse affair. Because they would not have their class ideas appropriated like that!

"To be a truly efficient person you need to avoid burn out," Isabela said as she poured herself a mimosa that was decidedly light on the juice.

"You see it all the time in academia," Aphra added. "You get all these people who are used to being the smartest one in the room but who never learned out to properly moderate their efforts so they push themselves to hard they never actually even finish their degrees. Tragic." As opposed to those who had to take unorthodox methods of securing theirs.

"So really we're looking our for you when we tell you to slow down and enjoy the nicer things in life, like this meal," Isabela added. Nobly.