Enjoy!

Link to Rendez-vous des saveurs

Executive Assistant – CAHRC

This job posting was found using a fantastic job search site: charityvillage.com

Have a fantastic weekend everyone! Thanks again for reading my humble blog!

Not-so-Lazy Zaza

I had come back from Lebanon thinking I had been crazy all these years – all I needed to be happy was a career where I could move around anywhere in the world (e-Publishing), and one which paid enough so I can buy some land, maybe have a little olive oil business.

One year later – I have graduated – and, now, I am starting to feel anxious.

I’m looking to expand my horizons and work in the field of agriculture and tourism. But let’s face it, I’m having trouble connecting with those who can make it happen. What is missing?

My schoolmate said it best when she said one of the most precious things school can give you besides knowledge, is a mentor.

What is a mentor? Someone with a vested interest in your success.

I might not have a mentor right now, but I’m doing what many are doing – connecting with “long-distance” mentors via twitter, or for some, observing them on television (Hi Martha! Loved your show today). I recently tweeted to author Mireille Guiliano (French Women Don’t Get Fat) and not only did she reply – she did so in two separate tweets!

Keep networking and remember this : No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, yes.

That was a lot to type, but I got the point across, eh?

Your circumstances are one thing, what you make of them, is your thing.

Thank you, mentors!

LazyZaza

Have a look at the buildings that will be open to the public for one weekend only! This weekend!

http://ottawa.ca/residents/heritage/doorsopen/buildings/index_en.html

I will probably be going to 7 Rideau Gate, a couple of embassies and the Bank of Canada.

I visited Le Cordon Bleu cooking school during Doors Open Ottawa many years ago and left with a huge existential crisis. If I win the lotto, you can find me there!

I will post some pictures with my little PowerShot.

Thanks for reading!

Don’t even bother bringing your laptop there – you just might want to unplug in such a beautiful city. Just like the ol’ days!

I was able to get a student discount with VIA rail, only after filing the paperwork needed for the required ISIC card, which is available at Travel Cuts Agency (there are several in Ottawa). I only paid $150 for a return ticket! Totally worth the hassle since it’s good for a while.

My cousin was presenting at a nursing (oncology) conference there and flew in from Beirut for the occasion.

Since I love to travel – perhaps I should have been a nurse? From my volunteer work at The Ottawa Hospital and the amount of conferences available for them, they seem to have a lot of opportunity to see the world and exchange ideas and research among themselves.

Her subject dealt with the coping mechanism of breast cancer patients.

Hmmm… given my sensitive heart – overly sensitive heart – perhaps the care of these patients are better left to the strong of mind and nerves.

Then again, we only have the limits we impose on ourselves … don’t we?

Talk to you tomorrow!

Lazy “Strong of Heart” Zaza

So this is it. After 8 months of studying full-time in e-Publishing, I will be handing over my final assignment today.

I toyed with the idea of making an animated poem, and even uploaded some strawberry-shortcake tiramisu how-to video, but frankly – it wasn’t doing it for me.

As I sat at the Algonquin College Library, I was listening to iTunes and heard it: the song I wanted to use in my animation. The theme of the project? Hello, World.

Stay tuned! I should have it uploaded by tomorrow since I am still working on adding interactivity to the play and replay buttons.

Enjoy your beautiful day!

Lazy

UPDATE: wordpress doesn’t support SWF files – unless you pay. So I can’t show you my movie now. I’ll pay, but later. Sorry guys and girls.

While “The Best Cocktail Party in Ottawa” sounds like my cup of tea (ha), I a) don’t have a ticket and b) will be with the family I miss so much that week. (No, that’s not my excuse to not have a ticket!)

PS. Did any of you know how easy it is to cook plantains? I went to a store called Los Andes in my neighbourhood and bought some, and I also bought one cactus leaf. I’m still holding on to the latter…

How to cook a plantain

Just peel and fry in oil, or boil with the skin on. Tastes like those fried banana desserts found in Thai restaurants.

How I love my eclectic, diverse, and totally un-snobbish neighbourhood, and I love the Outaouais!

Lazy Zaza

Do you collect information provided by your employees, customers, or by the general public?

If so, you would benefit to read about your rights and responsibilities under the Personal Information Protection and Electronics Documents Act (PIPEDA).

Warning – it’s easy to read, accessible and most importantly, very useful.

If anything, it will keep bad dreams about privacy breach audits away, no matter how much fun those audits must be.

Upon landing on the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s homepage, just choose “Information for Organizations”.

There, you can see some communication materials for you and your business, including the following

- A Guide for Businesses and Organizations
- Privacy Guide for Small Businesses: The Basics
- Guidelines for Processing Personal Data Across Borders
- How to Protect the Privacy of Your Employees
- How PIPEDA applies to Charitable Organizations
- Privacy and Your Business: Privacy Breach Handbook

In the booklet “A Guide for Businesses and Organizations” for example, I learned that organizations are obligated to inform individuals of the reason for the collection, use and disclose of their personal information.

Do you have a timetable for retention and destruction of your employees’ personal information? Can your front-line staff answer your client’s (or potential client’s) questions about the security of the information they provide you?

It sure pays to provide privacy – especially since your competition is just a click away.

To get familiar with the essentials of privacy protection, or to see how your organization is doing in that area, why not take the Privacy Quiz for Businesses?

Good thing my result will remain private!

or will it …

I think it will.

Sweet Dreams!