Noogler, Day 12: Back to classes

Today I had to get up extra-early to go to the gym. I won't be able to make my normal Thursday timeslot because I have class then, so I had moved it to this morning. Which made for a tired, but quite vigorous, workout. I think the pharmacist's advice helped, too. I slept well last night, and was doing much better today.

After my workout, though, I did have to shake a leg to make sure I could get to class on time, with a banana as a quick snack. I did actually end up getting there early, though, and sat in The Hub until it was time to go to class.

The instructor was an engineer whom I'd briefly spoken with before; I needed to talk to her about data I'll be needing for my starter project. More about this class another time; for now, I'm hoping to get done writing this by midnight.

I should probably explain one of my photos from yesterday. In case you couldn't read it, it reads:

GOOGLE CULINARY TEAM KITCHEN FOOD STANDARDS

• We will source fresh, seasonal, local & organic produce as a first choice & preference
• All prepared meets are nitrite & nitrate free
• Our chicken is always antibiotic & hormone free
• Our beef, lamb & pork are premium, natural products
• We follow the seafood standards as outlined by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program (http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp)
• We will engage local artisan vendors that can provide the quantity and quality of culinary products expected by Googlers
• All stocks, sauces and dressings are made from scratch
• We do not use products that contain MSG

OUR STATEMENT OF VALUES

• We encourage openness, creativity and the sharing of thoughts, ideas and new concepts
• Our menus are produced with sustainable, local and organic products using healthy cooking methods
• Our goal is to educate our staff, customers, vendors and ourselves about the food experience and the effect it has on our global community
• We commit to live our values by participating as a team in at least one charitable event each quarter in our community
• We commit to continually evolve our business model to improve service, quality and efficiencies

— Google Culinary Team

Okay, that was one sign. I read another today. I'll preface this by saying that we normally use ceramic plates and metal flatware, which can be taken elsewhere and left in a microkitchen to be bussed if so desired. There are also disposable "to-go" boxes and flatware. The other sign was about that.

ABOUT OUR NEW "GREEN" FOOD CONTAINERS, TAKE-OUT BOXES, PLATES, AND CUTLERY

We are now using non-oil based disposable "take-out" packaging made from renewable, tree-free, resources that are sustainable, compostable and biodegradable.

Our paper plates, take out boxes and soup cups are made from "sugar cane bagasse," the fibrous residue remaining after juice is extracted from the crushed stalks of sugar cane. The use of this agricultural waste product to make food containers prevents it form being burned in the sugar cane fields, reducing air pollution and the production of greenhouse gasses.

Our new 100% corn-plastic cutlery, clear take-out and deli containers are made from NatureWorks(TM) PLA, a corn based plastic. Naturally derived from corn, the basic raw materials for PLA are carbon dioxide and water. Growing plants, like corn, take these building blocks from the atmosphere and soil. They are combined in the plant to make carbohydrates (sucrose and starch) through photosynthesis. Dextrose, a natural sugar derived from the starch in kernels of corn (or maize) is used as the primary raw material for PLA. NatureWorks(TM) PLA uses up to 50% fewer fossil resources than conventional plastics in its manufacture. It can compost completely back to carbon, water, and organic matter, keeping a balance in nature.

Now, lunch is done, and back to classes. They were over interested topics, but by the end of the day I was still a bit glazed over.

The classes took up most of my day, and as I write this, it's now just a bit past midnight. (Part of this is because I got distracted watching "House".) I guess that means it's time for me to send this off.

I remembered to take a picture of my balloons today. It looks like they're almost done with their job. I suppose the MTBF for mylar balloons is about 2 weeks; I've only got a short time left of being a Noogler.