Chez Speciale K

Chez Speciale K http://specialek.posterous.com Life ain't fair: use it to your advantage! | La vie n'est pas juste : profitez-en! posterous.com Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:49:00 -0800 The 2 things (ok, 3) I needed to make it through the MBA http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/37lvn3EOTNA/the-2-things-ok-3-i-needed-to-make-it-though http://specialek.posterous.com/the-2-things-ok-3-i-needed-to-make-it-though <p> <p>It's 2012 already and I feel like I completely missed out on 2010 and 2011. What was I doing on January 1st, 2011? Catching up on my readings for classes that were starting again a few days later. This year, on January 1st, 2012, we spent the afternoon cooking what turned out to be a nice family dinner.</p> <p /> <div>What a chance this year: lots and lots of sleep. Lots of time with friends and family. It feels like coming back to life.</div> <p /> <div>During the holidays I was talking with a friend about my program and what it took to survive it. Here is the conversation:</div> <blockquote style="margin: 0 0 0 40px; border: none; padding: 0px;"> <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.8ex; border-left-width: 1px; border-left-color: #cccccc; border-left-style: solid; padding-left: 1ex;"><br />(Me) To do this program, you need two things. First, you need to be unaware of what you're <em>really </em>getting into. Because if I had known how much work it would be I am not sure I would have chosen to do this program. Second, you need pride. Strong pride. The kind that keeps you from giving up because you just can't look all your loved ones in the eye and admit that you <em>failed</em>. That it was <em>just too hard</em>.<p /> (My friend) You know, some people would call this courage.<br /> </blockquote> </blockquote> <p /> <div>There you go, the recipe for MBA survival, Speciale K style:</div> <div><ol> <li>Ignorance of the true challenge that lies ahead</li> <li>Pride to keep you going when you're just too tired to care anymore</li> <li>Courage to wrap it all with a nice bow</li> </ol> <div><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Gradk-2" height="300" src="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/specialek/o5DsZTPKrMJv339ls8Y7Wo1Tc7eK6BstExbFn5unUIBhfUWaCtX3inkvQds5/gradK-2.jpg.scaled600.jpg" width="200" /> </div> </div> </div> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/the-2-things-ok-3-i-needed-to-make-it-though">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/the-2-things-ok-3-i-needed-to-make-it-though#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/37lvn3EOTNA" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/the-2-things-ok-3-i-needed-to-make-it-though Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:59:39 -0800 About the blindness of self-imposed limits http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/nlAD4Bt5su4/about-the-blindness-of-self-imposed-limits http://specialek.posterous.com/about-the-blindness-of-self-imposed-limits <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="User-photo-596019-864731" height="256" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/specialek/bN3UvWYXGie8vZf3ykqU09yBNJTzVsDuuEbjxAJJTMTaEpWWBj2tRHhC0V6J/user-photo-596019-864731.jpg.scaled600.jpg" width="256" /> </div> <div>So, here's the funny story of the day: this morning I was in the gym, getting the leg press loaded for my sets. Last week, I was able to press 300 lbs, and I was hesitating on adding more weight today, or going for more reps of that weight. I decided not to add weight, feeling that I was touching the limits of my strength and I was worried adding weight would make it too hard for me.</div> <p /><div>As I was doing the exercise, I felt good and it was going well. It was not as hard as last week, and I started wondering if I should add more weights since it felt easy.</div><p /><div><b>That's when I saw them.</b></div> <p /><div>Two 25-lbs weights, on the secondary weight supports of the leg press. I though I was lifting 300 lbs, but really I was lifting 350! And it felt easy!</div><p /><div>That got me thinking: how often do we stop ourselves from being great at something, not because we are unable to be great, but because we <i>think</i> we can't do it? How much have I stifled my own progress and growth by my lack of belief in myself? </div> <p /><div>What about you?<br /> <p /><p /><p /></div> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/about-the-blindness-of-self-imposed-limits">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/about-the-blindness-of-self-imposed-limits#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/nlAD4Bt5su4" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/about-the-blindness-of-self-imposed-limits Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:04:00 -0700 Really, how clean do your hands need to be? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/JWQELcVlFw4/really-how-clean-do-your-hands-need-to-be http://specialek.posterous.com/really-how-clean-do-your-hands-need-to-be <p> <p>It's been a while since my last rant. So here goes.</p> <p /> <div>Just saw the Kleenex campaign: <a href="http://www.kleenex.com/handtowels/AboutVideos.aspx" target="_blank">Your hands are only as clean as the towel used to dry them.</a> It's an ad for home-use paper towels.</div> <p /> <div>I just can't wrap my head around using <em>paper towels</em> in my home. That is a lot of paper to throw away - think about how many times we wash our hands at home in a day. Is that really a responsible, sustainable thing to do?</div> <p /> <div>The second problem is the assumption that bacteria is bad. Bacteria is part of our life. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_microbiome">We have it in our bodies</a>, we use it and eat in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheese">cheese</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoghurt">yogurt</a>. Bacteria is no Darth Vader. In fact, <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/probiotics/article.htm">bacteria is good for us</a>.  </div> <p /> <div>I find it irresponsible and exploitative of advertisers to play on parents' fears to sell products that are not good for the environment, and to promotie a level of cleanliness that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibacterial_soap">has shown no health benefits</a> above and beyond regular cleaning products.</div> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/really-how-clean-do-your-hands-need-to-be">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/really-how-clean-do-your-hands-need-to-be#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/JWQELcVlFw4" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/really-how-clean-do-your-hands-need-to-be Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:11:00 -0700 What if Jack was the beginning? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/NAy5u4VORM4/what-if-jack-was-the-beginning http://specialek.posterous.com/what-if-jack-was-the-beginning <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="040511_ms_jack_layton_3" height="300" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-08-23/oxEpaIuggItHmfDiDnndlsExhAcstaudynAhCjzuhAegGrrkHEwjwHkirokb/040511_MS_Jack_Layton_3.jpg.scaled600.jpg" width="400" /> </div> In Canada, we’re all sad that Jack Layton, our beloved left-wing politician, has died. It feels like we lost our most decent, positive, smiling political man. And we certainly did lose an admirable man.</p> <p><span>What if, as a people, we decide to honor Jack and honor his memory by demanding change in our politics? I’m not talking about political ideas here. I’m not suggesting we all go orange in the next election. What I’m talking about is bringing back decency in the House of Commons. Bringing back positive campaigning. Eradicating <a href="http://www.straight.com/article-381671/vancouver/liberal-party-releases-attack-ads-targeting-stephen-harper" target="_blank">personal attacks</a> between politicians. Making it wrong for a <a href="http://torontcan.com/2011/01/27/conservative-party-of-canadaattack-and-spin/">political party to launch a smear campaign</a> against an adversary.</span></p> <p><span>Any political idea that is good enough should be able to stand on its own. It should not need to bring down the character behind the opposing idea.</span></p> <p><span>Ideas should be debated. Not dress style or coffee preferences.</span></p> <p><span>In Jack’s memory, let us Canadians show the world that politics can be a clean fight too.</span></p> <p> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/what-if-jack-was-the-beginning">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/what-if-jack-was-the-beginning#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/NAy5u4VORM4" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/what-if-jack-was-the-beginning Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:52:20 -0700 The lessons of biking in the rain http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/H7KIP4shlik/the-lessons-of-biking-in-the-rain http://specialek.posterous.com/the-lessons-of-biking-in-the-rain <p> This summer I decided I would bike to work rain or shine. Barring events that require a car, I ride my bike to work. Now, in Quebec City, we've had A LOT of rain since bike season started. <p /> <div>Hence, here are the lessons I learned from the rainy month of May:</div><div><ol><li>Biking in the rain is far less bad than it looks. When biking, I didn't feel the rain that much.</li><li>Biking in the rain is <i>dirty work</i>. Water splashes from the bike and the wheels and I my legs get mucked up all the way up to mid-thigh .</li> <li>Bikes don't brake well in the rain. It's like driving on ice: there's no such thing as accident-free emergency braking, and I need to allow extra time for the bike to stop.</li><li>When it rains, there are few bikes on the road: fewer bikes mean a smoother ride when it comes to bike traffic.</li> <li>Even after 30 minutes in the rain with a face wind, biking feels great. </li></ol><div>I decided to bike rain or shine because in previous seasons, I ended up biking only once a week on average because of the uncertain weather forecasts. Now that I bike whenever I can, I ignore the weather (don't even look at it) and I enjoy the rides.</div> </div> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/the-lessons-of-biking-in-the-rain">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/the-lessons-of-biking-in-the-rain#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/H7KIP4shlik" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/the-lessons-of-biking-in-the-rain Sat, 21 May 2011 13:57:00 -0700 Global Business Project - The Hunt Is On! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/0ZLWHKgeClg/global-business-project-the-hunt-is-on http://specialek.posterous.com/global-business-project-the-hunt-is-on <p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I am getting to the end of my Master’s degree (only 5 months until the end of classes!!!) and it’s now time to think about our team project. The Global Business Project is a team assignment that must be completed outside of North America. It’s a project that must be done for real (for a real organization). This project can be “market entry into a new country, by a Canadian company,” or “market entry into Canada by a non-Canadian company.” It can also by a consulting project, such as “how to organize team” or “reviewing and proposing a new compensation system.” Essentially, it’s pretty open. The project includes a 5-day trip to a country outside of North America.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We are 9 members on our team: I in Quebec City, 2 members in Montreal and 6 in Ottawa. We have a total of 675 hours to invest in the project, at no cost to the organization. Our team includes a wide range of specialties: sustainable development, video game localization, public relations, change management, consulting, business leadership, sales, and marketing. We are a complementary, very efficient team that can bring a lot of value to the organization that will choose to trust us.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Do you know a business or non-profit that would like to explore international opportunities, but does</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">n’t have the resources or the time to move forward? A great project that would be perfect for a team is professionals about to finish one of the best-ranked MBA programs in North America, <a href="http://business.queensu.ca/mba_programs/qcemba/index.php" target="_blank" style="color: #942e06;">Cornell-Queen’s Executive MBA</a>?</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Please contact me!</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thanks for forwarding this message to your network!</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here's more about our team members:</span><span style="color: #500050; font-family: arial; font-size: small;"> </span></p> <div class="im" style="color: #500050;"> <div> <div> <ul> <li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/aravamudhan-mohan/0/843/425" target="_blank" style="color: #942e06;">Mohan Aravamudhan</a></span></li> <li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://ca.linkedin.com/in/damikim" target="_blank" style="color: #942e06;">Dami Kim</a></span></li> <li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/elliot-hickey/12/b97/459" target="_blank" style="color: #942e06;">Elliot Hickey</a></span></li> <li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/sanabel-elrayes/4/450/97a" target="_blank" style="color: #942e06;">Sanabel El Rayes</a></span></li> <li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/cara-salci/20/111/627" target="_blank" style="color: #942e06;">Cara Salci</a></span></li> <li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/wissen-yue-zhang/1/4aa/943" target="_blank" style="color: #942e06;">Wissen Zhang</a></span></li> <li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://ca.linkedin.com/in/julienldionne" target="_blank" style="color: #942e06;">Julien Dionne</a></span></li> <li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/michael-healey/23/890/ba9" target="_blank" style="color: #942e06;">Michael Healey</a></span></li> <li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://ca.linkedin.com/in/karinesimard" target="_blank" style="color: #942e06;">Karine Simard</a></span></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is our team:</span></p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-05-21/AFyjBaDrqspCBHokICzcxmhccFkehBfItACrunpHhgcJvrslmpdJtGrjgmaI/IMG_0564.JPG.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_0564" height="450" src="http://getfile5.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/temp-2011-05-21/AFyjBaDrqspCBHokICzcxmhccFkehBfItACrunpHhgcJvrslmpdJtGrjgmaI/IMG_0564.JPG.scaled600.jpg" width="600" /></a> </div> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/global-business-project-the-hunt-is-on">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/global-business-project-the-hunt-is-on#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/0ZLWHKgeClg" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/global-business-project-the-hunt-is-on Mon, 02 May 2011 09:46:00 -0700 Don't fear the pain http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/zx0IzpksPes/dont-fear-the-pain http://specialek.posterous.com/dont-fear-the-pain <p> <p>I've been thinking about this for a while now, but I didn't know how to present it without looking like a masochistic, pain-seeking, crazy woman.</p> <p>Then I watched <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/kathryn_schulz_on_being_wrong.html" target="_blank">this TED video</a>. It's about being wrong. How it feels when we're wrong and we don't know it, how it feels when we realize we're wrong, and how society teaches us that being wrong is bad.</p> <p> <object height="326" width="446"> <param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /> <param name="wmode" value="transparent" /> <param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff" /> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talk/stream/2011/Blank/KathrynSchulz_2011-320k.mp4&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/KathrynSchulz-2011.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=1126&lang=eng&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=kathryn_schulz_on_being_wrong;year=2011;theme=how_the_mind_works;theme=a_taste_of_ted2011;theme=master_storytellers;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=New+on+TED.com;tag=Culture;tag=failure;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="326" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talk/stream/2011/Blank/KathrynSchulz_2011-320k.mp4&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/KathrynSchulz-2011.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=1126&lang=eng&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=kathryn_schulz_on_being_wrong;year=2011;theme=how_the_mind_works;theme=a_taste_of_ted2011;theme=master_storytellers;theme=new_on_ted_com;event=New+on+TED.com;tag=Culture;tag=failure;" width="446"></embed> </object> </p> <p>I've been thinking about being wrong for a while, using the pain angle. I love to bike. I love to hike. Unfortunately, I don't have very good coordination. This results in regular falls. I trip on roots in the trail. I loose my balance when I try to turn on wet pavement and get thrown off my bike. Hell, after 3 days on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GR_20" target="_blank">GR-20 trail in Corsica</a>, my legs looked like this:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/specialek/3093884889/" title="Europe2008_1 504 by Speciale K, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/3093884889_bd4677b2b0.jpg" height="375" alt="Europe2008_1 504" width="500" /></a></p> <p>So, one solution to this "problem" would be to stop hiking or biking. I could go towards softer sports. I could avoid situations where I could get hurt.</p> <p>Here's another way to see this. It's NOT a problem, it's just a by-product of doing things I love. I am not afraid of hurting myself. I don't do it on purpose. I don't enjoy being hurt. I don't seek harmful situations. I just go about my life, and one of the consequences of that is a pretty good collection of bruises and stories of the improbable ways in which I got them.</p> <p><strong>OK, here's the point.</strong></p> <p>If I decide that I don't want to have bruises anymore, then I will only do sports in the gym where it's safe for me. I will no longer explore. I will no longer expeirence the joy of biking and hiking and rock climbing.</p> <p>Being hurt is not always physical. If I try something at work to get more clients, I could succeed or I could fail and bruise my reputation. If I live in fear of hardships, I'm not sure my life will be worth living - it will be a predictable, boring life.</p> <p><strong>It's not about the pain.</strong></p> <p>It's about doing what we think is right, wihtout always planning for a mattress to fall on. It's about knowing that a life worth living comes with some bruising. A career worth advancing comes with some painful parts.</p> <p>We can't live life without the pain. It's not either/or.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/dont-fear-the-pain">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/dont-fear-the-pain#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/zx0IzpksPes" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/dont-fear-the-pain Thu, 21 Apr 2011 11:47:25 -0700 The submarine principle http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/OIgUTZoa0SU/the-submarine-principle http://specialek.posterous.com/the-submarine-principle <p> We rarely get to chose who we work with. We get a job in a company that already has employees, join a team with colleagues that are already there. Even in my MBA journey, we are organized in teams that remain the same throughout the 18-month program. In short, our colleagues are imposed on us, and we have to make do.<p /> <b>No changies.</b><p />Now even the most perfectest person can get on our nerves. It's normal. And no one wants to leave these issues unattended, since they tend to only get worse.<p /><b>Or do they?</b><p /> My colleague at work is very tolerant. He lets bygones be bygones and that makes him quite the diplomat in the team. He learned about tolerance when he worked on a submarine. Here's how he explains it:<br />"When you're stuck with 60 other people in a metal box at the bottom of the ocean, things are different. You can't leave, you can't get out. It's very small, and you have no privacy. You can't go for a walk to cool off. You can't isolate yourself. So you learn that a lot of things are not important. You learn to let go of many things that you would not if you were in the city. You can use the same principle at work: what is really important? Is it worth picking a fight over it?"<p /> This struck me. And now, when I have a problem with someone, I ask myself: it I was stuck in a submarine with him for two months, would I let go of this issue or would I address it?<p />It helps me become more tolerant, and it helps put things in perspective. </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/the-submarine-principle">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/the-submarine-principle#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/OIgUTZoa0SU" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/the-submarine-principle Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:24:08 -0700 Technology done right: OPUS card system http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/C2UrTL6sLJs/technology-done-right-opus-card-system http://specialek.posterous.com/technology-done-right-opus-card-system <p> <div><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Carteopus" height="179" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/specialek/mbSEL7bkergFiIAk757tjcfutOb8dZQCa4QaTdwElNgEvoOZyTTRVb0M5R1S/CarteOPUS.jpg.scaled600.jpg" width="276" /> </div> <br /></div>I've been taking the subway in Montreal quite a bit in the last year, while <a href="http://twitter.com/pierrelucsimard">Mr. Wonderful</a> has been taking the bus in Quebec City. We've both gotten OPUS cars, the system being implemented at both the <a href="http://www.rtcquebec.ca/Carted'abonnementavecphoto/tabid/81/Default.aspx">RTC in Quebec City</a> and the <a href="http://www.stm.info/english/tarification/a-opus.htm">STM in Montreal</a>. <p /><div>Here's where the cool thing happens: you can use just one card for both systems! We can carry credit for both transit systems on one card, with no bugs, no confusion, no issues.</div><p /><div> Now this is quite wonderful! I'd like to salute OPUS for having the forethought of scalability when designing their system.</div> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/technology-done-right-opus-card-system">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/technology-done-right-opus-card-system#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/C2UrTL6sLJs" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/technology-done-right-opus-card-system Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:53:15 -0800 My new favorite gym accessory http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/AVwjNy_JyPA/my-new-favorite-gym-accessory http://specialek.posterous.com/my-new-favorite-gym-accessory <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/specialek/M9511ANzL466ZhZMDn0Rcpwvr4pAHYC14kvf5qiw03bq1t5Ui45KUwQs17oM/5476676512_ac79a481e5_o.jpg"><img alt="5476676512_ac79a481e5_o" height="600" src="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/specialek/M9511ANzL466ZhZMDn0Rcpwvr4pAHYC14kvf5qiw03bq1t5Ui45KUwQs17oM/5476676512_ac79a481e5_o.jpg.scaled600.jpg" width="600" /></a> </div> <br /> <p /><div>Those things are <a href="http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/index.htm">Vibram Five Fingers shoes</a>. Yeah, they look weird. And they certainly <i>feel</i> different when I put them on. But here's the deal: they are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn in the gym. They actually feel like they're not there. </div> <p /><div>I noticed my gym shoes needed to be replaced. My boyfriend had been running with them for a few months, and absolutely loved the shoes. On my side, I'm a little bit of a paradox when it comes to shoes: I'm either wearing 4-inch heels or I'm barefoot. There is very little middle ground for me. </div> <p /><div>Think about it: what's the best-designed thing for humans to walk on? Yes, our feet. While shoe technology has advanced tremendously in the last 20 years, the best marathon runners are still Africans who do it barefoot. Could there be a link there?</div> <p /><div>If you practice sports like hiking or running, check them out! There are many different models, depending on the sport and the amount of protection needed. They're less expensive than good running shoes or good hiking boots. And you'll stand out in the crowd :-)</div> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/my-new-favorite-gym-accessory">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/my-new-favorite-gym-accessory#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/AVwjNy_JyPA" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/my-new-favorite-gym-accessory Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:43:13 -0800 The MBA program - almost half-way through http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/r3tvqT0NF2U/the-mba-program-almost-half-way-through http://specialek.posterous.com/the-mba-program-almost-half-way-through <p> I began this <a href="http://business.queensu.ca/mba_programs/qcemba/index.php">crazy project</a> in June of last year. By the end of 2011, I should have completed the program. By May 2012, I should be graduating from 2 top business schools. I am about to start our second residential session, which will take me over the 50% mark for the program. <p /> <b>The good stuff</b><br />Choosing an awesome program shows in every detail: the quality of the professors, the quality of the content itself, and the quality of the students. Going into an executive program means every student has experience in the real world, which I get to learn from on top of what we learn in class. <p /> In terms of learning, I am amazed at how much of it is applicable. Right now. To my current situation. Even the statistics class, which I grumbled against the entire time, ends up being useful.<p />In terms of personal development, I get to explore different sides of business and I am gaining an understanding of running a business that really helps with my current position, but also in my plans for the next 5 years.<p /> <b>The bad stuff<br /></b>I miss PEOPLE! I miss going hiking, going on a snowshoe adventure for a long weekend. I miss having dinner with friends and I miss just hanging out. <p />I miss doing nothing. I miss sitting at a coffee shop and reading the paper. I miss reading books for entertainment purposes. I miss sleeping in on weekends.<p /> No one can ever convince anyone of the amount of work a program like this requires. It's every evening, every weekend. It eats up all the free time you've got. If you are not willing to live like a hermit for 18 months, don't get into the program. I thought I was prepared for the amount of work, but I did not realize it would mean working seven days a week for weeks in a row.<p /> On the work side, it's important to make sure your employer is OK with the time you'll be away from the office for school. Over 18 months, it represents about 7 weeks. If you have a hard time being away from the office for more than 2 weeks per year, reconsider.<p /> <b>It's still worth it</b><br />I never could have committed to a part time program. I am finding it hard right now because it feels never ending. However, I have 9 months of classes left, and less than a year to complete the program. The investment in my business knowledge is well worth the tuition. </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/the-mba-program-almost-half-way-through">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/the-mba-program-almost-half-way-through#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/r3tvqT0NF2U" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/the-mba-program-almost-half-way-through Mon, 06 Dec 2010 11:39:00 -0800 Another side of a leadership position http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/iELNhTP-j-o/another-side-of-a-leadership-position http://specialek.posterous.com/another-side-of-a-leadership-position <p> <p>People tend to see leadership as a position with a lot of credit and not much downside. From the outside, it may look like it. All about vision and empowering and energizing and all that.<p />However, having been in a leadership position for a few months now, I am discovering another side of leadership: taking crap! <p /> I really like the idea of a leader or a boss seeing her role as shielding her team from problems, while passing on the accolades. It's all good for the team, and that is how it should be. There really is no point in a team member being chastised by a client for a mistake they made. They generally know they've made the mistake. Shouting at someone will generally <em>hinder</em> their productivity instead of boosting it. From the leader's perspective, however, the experience is a lot different from the rosy picture we have in our head.<p /> Sometimes, being a leader is taking crap for the team. It means calling a client and taking their anger and shouting for the team. It means apologizing for someone else's mistake. This part is no fun. This is the part they don't tell you about in all the leadership classes and the conferences and the books. <p /> Of course it's not like that every day. I would say it comes in waves: some months are full of crap-taking and some are pristine. <p />If you'd like to become a leader or a manager, be ready for the darker part of the job. Being the umbrella that keeps the team from being crapped on means YOU're the one who gets it.<p /> Can you take it?</p> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/another-side-of-a-leadership-position">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/another-side-of-a-leadership-position#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/iELNhTP-j-o" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/another-side-of-a-leadership-position Thu, 25 Nov 2010 08:36:40 -0800 My new favorite site: CIA World Factbook http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/rVuWwBsapEk/my-new-favorite-site-cia-world-factbook http://specialek.posterous.com/my-new-favorite-site-cia-world-factbook <p> Ok, number one: I have to say I find it weird to see so much information on the site of an agency that has been so vilified to keeping information from people. On the other hand, it's the Central <i>Intelligence</i> Agency, so they are all about information. Anyway. Let's move on.<p /> The <a href="https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/">CIA World Factbook</a> is a mine of information about any country you can think of. Not just population, but immigration, life expectancy, government, economy, the WORKS. If you're curious about how Ireland is doing, it may be interesting to browse the <a href="https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ei.html">Factbook's Ireland chapter</a>. We can see that Ireland has the typical aging population of industrialized countries, with 12% of its population over the age of 65. We can also see that they are not replacing those retiring workers with immigration, and that about half of their economy is from the service industry. All in one minute.<p /> The Factbook also offer very interesting country comparisons, for example life expectancy, which shows that <a href="https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html?countryName=Haiti&countryCode=ha&regionCode=ca&rank=224#ha">Haiti, unsurprisingly, loses the race at 29 years</a>. <p /> I can spend hours on this site, comparing metrics and finding fun facts about the world! <a href="https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/">Go check it out!</a> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/my-new-favorite-site-cia-world-factbook">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/my-new-favorite-site-cia-world-factbook#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/rVuWwBsapEk" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/my-new-favorite-site-cia-world-factbook Sat, 13 Nov 2010 10:00:00 -0800 Bonnes adresses à Limoilou : Les Fistons http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/DOzQ5YMlIQg/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-les-fistons http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-les-fistons <p> <p><a href="http://www.monlimoilou.com/fistons/">http://www.monlimoilou.com/fistons/</a><br />601, 3e Avenue, Québec G1L 2W5 <br />Tél. : 418-977-9239</p> <p>Les Fistons, c'est tout simplement le meilleur hummus en ville. Le reste est accessoires. On y vient aussi pour boire une bière, manger une pizza ou dévorer un burger. Mais la vedette chez Fistons, c'est l'hummus.</p> <p> </p> <p><iframe scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=601,+3e+Avenue,+Qu%C3%A9bec&sll=46.82343,-71.227028&sspn=0.007092,0.01929&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=601+3+Av,+Qu%C3%A9bec,+Communaut%C3%A9-Urbaine-de-Qu%C3%A9bec,+Qu%C3%A9bec+G1L+2W5&ll=46.823468,-71.227069&spn=0.007033,0.01929&z=14&layer=c&cbll=46.824058,-71.227618&panoid=syACpqrIsDX95Fui1oqE8A&cbp=12,229.77,,0,-1.51&output=svembed" frameborder="0" height="350" width="425"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=601,+3e+Avenue,+Qu%C3%A9bec&sll=46.82343,-71.227028&sspn=0.007092,0.01929&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=601+3+Av,+Qu%C3%A9bec,+Communaut%C3%A9-Urbaine-de-Qu%C3%A9bec,+Qu%C3%A9bec+G1L+2W5&ll=46.823468,-71.227069&spn=0.007033,0.01929&z=14&layer=c&cbll=46.824058,-71.227618&panoid=syACpqrIsDX95Fui1oqE8A&cbp=12,229.77,,0,-1.51" style="color: #0000ff; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small></p> <p>Les incontournables chez Les Fistons:</p> <ul> <li>L'hummus pita. Dans sa plus simple expression, on goûte le génie du chef dans ce petit bol.</li> <li>Les frites, bien cuites et croustillantes.</li> <li>La salade épinard et chèvre</li> </ul> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-les-fistons">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-les-fistons#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/DOzQ5YMlIQg" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-les-fistons Thu, 11 Nov 2010 09:00:00 -0800 Bonnes adresses à Limoilou : Soupe et Cie http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/K2sShZBoPps/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-soupe-et-cie http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-soupe-et-cie <p> <p><span><a href="http://www.soupecie.com/soupe-et-cie/soupe-cie-Blog/soupe-cie-Blog.html">http://www.soupecie.com/soupe-et-cie/soupe-cie-Blog/soupe-cie-Blog.html</a></span><br />522, 3e Avenue, Québec G1L 2W3<br />Tél. : 418-948-8996</p> <p>Coincé entre une bouquinnerie et le dépanneur, Soupe et Cie n'a rien à envier à ses voisins! Le concept du resto repose sur sa dizaine de soupes copieuses, qui vous feront faire le tour du monde sans jamais sortir du quartier: soupe mexicaine, thailandaise, libanaise, provencale, japonaise, allouette. Mais il faut sortir du bol et explorer les tartares, le ceviche et le chili, avant de retomber dans un bol de soupe-dessert!</p> <p>Souper et Cie est notre resto préféré dans le quartier: on y est au moins une fois semaine, et on y mange toujours aussi bien.</p> <p><iframe scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=522,+3e+Avenue,+Qu%C3%A9bec&sll=46.823115,-71.226727&sspn=0.007092,0.01929&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=522+3+Av,+Qu%C3%A9bec,+Communaut%C3%A9-Urbaine-de-Qu%C3%A9bec,+Qu%C3%A9bec+G1L+2W4&ll=46.823145,-71.226747&spn=0.007033,0.01929&z=14&layer=c&cbll=46.82343,-71.227028&panoid=1G3Gn7VWhaaeIumECXt2zA&cbp=12,45.81,,1,5.78&output=svembed" frameborder="0" height="350" width="425"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=522,+3e+Avenue,+Qu%C3%A9bec&sll=46.823115,-71.226727&sspn=0.007092,0.01929&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=522+3+Av,+Qu%C3%A9bec,+Communaut%C3%A9-Urbaine-de-Qu%C3%A9bec,+Qu%C3%A9bec+G1L+2W4&ll=46.823145,-71.226747&spn=0.007033,0.01929&z=14&layer=c&cbll=46.82343,-71.227028&panoid=1G3Gn7VWhaaeIumECXt2zA&cbp=12,45.81,,1,5.78" style="color: #0000ff; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small></p> <p>Les incontournables de Soupe et Cie:</p> <ul> <li>La soupe indienne: fromage, pois verts, cachous et bouillon à base de curri, miam!</li> <li>La soupe provençale: safran, poisson, épicé et délicieux.</li> <li>Le tartare de saumon atlantique et les chips maison. Rien de mieux pour les oméga-3</li> </ul> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-soupe-et-cie">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-soupe-et-cie#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/K2sShZBoPps" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-soupe-et-cie Tue, 09 Nov 2010 12:00:00 -0800 Bonnes adresses à Limoilou : La Brûlerie Limoilou http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/2JdRr7wVh2s/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-la-brulerie-limoil http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-la-brulerie-limoil <p> <p><a href="http://blog.monlimoilou.com/index.php/2010/la-brulerie-maintenant-dans-limoilou/">http://blog.monlimoilou.com/index.php/2010/la-brulerie-maintenant-dans-limoilou/</a><br />501, 3e Avenue, Québec G1L 2W4<br />Tél. : 418-704-1550</p> <p>Dernier venu dans le quartier, un café parfait pour passer un après-midi à errer vaguement sur Internet pendant qu'on observe la faune locale se promener sur la 3eme Avenue. Les proprios ont compris leur clientèle: une prise électrique pour chaque banc devant les fenêtres, et un wifi gratuit. Ça carbure au café, qui y est d'allieurs excellent! Et pas besoin de sortir pour manger, il y a tout ce qu'il faut à la Brûlerie :-)</p> <p> </p> <p><iframe scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=46.823498,-71.221898&spn=0.007033,0.01929&z=16&iwloc=A&output=embed" frameborder="0" height="350" width="425"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=46.823498,-71.221898&spn=0.007033,0.01929&z=16&iwloc=A&source=embed" style="color: #0000ff; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small></p> <p>Les incontournables de la Brûlerie Limoilou:</p> <ul> <li>Le café exil: double espresso et lait de coco. Parfait pour le matins de weekends.</li> <li>Le sandwchich cochon: jambon, brie, pomme, miel, dijon. Un mélange exquis.</li> <li>Les croissants: gigantesques et légers à la fois, parfait pour le déjeuner.</li> </ul> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-la-brulerie-limoil">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-la-brulerie-limoil#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/2JdRr7wVh2s" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-la-brulerie-limoil Sun, 07 Nov 2010 11:00:00 -0800 Bonnes adresses à Limoilou : Sushi Hosaka-Ya http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/VGLEJ864G6U/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-sushi-hosaka-ya http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-sushi-hosaka-ya <p> <p><a href="http://www.monlimoilou.com/hosaka-ya/" target="_blank"><span>http://www.monlimoilou.com/hosaka-ya/</span></a><br />491, 3e Avenue, Québec G1L 2W2<br />Tél. : 418-529-9993</p> <p>Avant-dernier venu sur le pâté de maison, nous avons mis quelques mois avant de nous aventurer dans ce minuscule resto. Ancien demi-sous-sol converti, le resto est tenu par des passionés du sushi. Le Hosaka-Ya est si populaire qu'il faut réserver pour y manger le weekend!</p> <p>Hosaka-Ya est le genre d'endroit où on aime s'assoir pendant des heures à grignoter des edamame et commander sushi sur sushi. La présentation est impeccable, le service courtois, et les sushis un pur délice.</p> <p> </p> <p><iframe scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=491+3e+Av,+Qu%C3%A9bec&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=27.195944,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=491+3+Av,+Qu%C3%A9bec,+Communaut%C3%A9-Urbaine-de-Qu%C3%A9bec,+Qu%C3%A9bec+G1L+2W2&z=14&ll=46.823182,-71.22682&output=embed" frameborder="0" height="350" width="425"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=491+3e+Av,+Qu%C3%A9bec&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=27.195944,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=491+3+Av,+Qu%C3%A9bec,+Communaut%C3%A9-Urbaine-de-Qu%C3%A9bec,+Qu%C3%A9bec+G1L+2W2&z=14&ll=46.823182,-71.22682" style="color: #0000ff; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small></p> <p>Les incontournables du Hosaka-Ya:</p> <ul> <li>Les tempura: croustillants et légers</li> <li>Les poissons tout seuls, sans riz ni algue. On y goûte la qualité.</li> <li>Les petits bols de fèves de soya vapeur (edamame)</li> </ul> <p> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-sushi-hosaka-ya">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-sushi-hosaka-ya#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/VGLEJ864G6U" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-sushi-hosaka-ya Fri, 05 Nov 2010 08:04:00 -0700 Bonnes adresses à Limoilou : Les Colocs http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/AyeyPnCghZw/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-les-colocs http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-les-colocs <p> <p><a href="http://www.monlimoilou.com/colocs/" target="_blank"><span>http://www.monlimoilou.com/colocs/</span></a><br />400, 3e Avenue, Québec G1L 2W1<br />Tél. : 418-648-8614</p> <p>Poursuivons notre marche groumande sur la 3eme Avenue. Just en face de la Boîte à Pain, on retrouve un véritable institution de Limoilou : Les Colocs.</p> <p>Les Colocs sont installés sur ce coin de rue depus aussi longtemps que je vis dans le quartier - et un café-sandwhich ouvert depuis plus de 10 ans, ça en dit long sur la qualité de ce qu'on y sert! Les Colocs c'est une adresse à visiter pour le lunch la semaine. On y sert de délicieux sous-marins, des sandwhich aux oeufs incomparables, et on menu du jour à réconforter ceux qui s'ennuient des vrais plats cuisinés le midi.</p> <p> </p> <p><iframe scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=400,+3e+Avenue,+Qu%C3%A9bec&sll=46.822602,-71.22611&sspn=0.007092,0.01929&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=400+3+Av,+Qu%C3%A9bec,+Communaut%C3%A9-Urbaine-de-Qu%C3%A9bec,+Qu%C3%A9bec+G1L+2W2&ll=46.822602,-71.22611&spn=0.007033,0.01929&z=14&layer=c&cbll=46.822669,-71.226299&panoid=WGlok1HGhmOvfG-E8qDNrQ&cbp=12,51.34,,1,5.02&output=svembed" frameborder="0" height="350" width="425"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=400,+3e+Avenue,+Qu%C3%A9bec&sll=46.822602,-71.22611&sspn=0.007092,0.01929&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=400+3+Av,+Qu%C3%A9bec,+Communaut%C3%A9-Urbaine-de-Qu%C3%A9bec,+Qu%C3%A9bec+G1L+2W2&ll=46.822602,-71.22611&spn=0.007033,0.01929&z=14&layer=c&cbll=46.822669,-71.226299&panoid=WGlok1HGhmOvfG-E8qDNrQ&cbp=12,51.34,,1,5.02" style="color: #0000ff; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small></p> <p>Les incontournables des Colocs:</p> <ul> <li>Ma mére ne jure que par leurs sadwhich aux oeufs.</li> <li>Je suis accro à leur sous-marin club, fait avec du vrai poulet et du vrai bacon!</li> <li>Si vous avez la chance d'y passer un midi où le vol-au-vent est au menu, ne vous privez pas de ce délice.</li> <li>Pour les bibittes à sucre, il faut se laisser tenter par les carrés du bonheur.</li> </ul> <p> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-les-colocs">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-les-colocs#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/AyeyPnCghZw" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/bonnes-adresses-a-limoilou-les-colocs Wed, 03 Nov 2010 07:43:00 -0700 Bonnes adresses à Limoilou: La Boîte à Pain: Café Napoli http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/z9sK53DZxAA/32130897 http://specialek.posterous.com/32130897 <p> <p><a href="http://www.monlimoilou.com/boiteapain/">http://www.monlimoilou.com/boiteapain/</a><br />396, 3e Avenue, Québec G1L 2V8<br />Tél. : 418-977-7571</p> <p>Coin 3eme Avenue et 4eme Rue, cette boulangerie fait plus que du pain! Succursale de la Boîte originale, sise sur la rue Saint-Joseph, le Café Napoli a su prendre sa place dans le quartier.</p> <p><iframe scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=396,+3e+Avenue,+Qu%C3%A9bec+G1L+2V8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&hq=&hnear=396+3+Av,+Qu%C3%A9bec,+Communaut%C3%A9-Urbaine-de-Qu%C3%A9bec,+Qu%C3%A9bec+G1L+2V8&layer=c&cbll=46.822602,-71.22611&panoid=2oErEJAyVRCA_lVxslL0Kg&cbp=13,129.06,,0,5&ll=46.815113,-71.222992&spn=0.018444,0.048237&z=14&source=embed&output=svembed" frameborder="0" height="314" width="562"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=396,+3e+Avenue,+Qu%C3%A9bec+G1L+2V8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&hl=en&hq=&hnear=396+3+Av,+Qu%C3%A9bec,+Communaut%C3%A9-Urbaine-de-Qu%C3%A9bec,+Qu%C3%A9bec+G1L+2V8&layer=c&cbll=46.822602,-71.22611&panoid=2oErEJAyVRCA_lVxslL0Kg&cbp=13,129.06,,0,5&ll=46.815113,-71.222992&spn=0.018444,0.048237&z=14&source=embed" style="color: #0000ff; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small></p> <p> </p> <p>Les incontournables de la boîte à pain:</p> <ul> <li>Les ficelles feront le délice des amateurs de pain crouté!</li> <li>La pizza mozzarella et basilic frais: de la pâte légère, du mozza juste assez salé, et de généreuse feuilles de basilic. C'est comme ça que la pizza devrait toujours être.</li> <li>Le sandwich au foie gras et oignons caramélisé: une douceur qui s'emporte dans le sac à dos sans broncher.</li> </ul> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/32130897">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/32130897#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/z9sK53DZxAA" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/32130897 Sun, 31 Oct 2010 19:48:00 -0700 Limoilou : régalez-vous! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/specialek/~3/zif6koFcUOk/limoilou-regalez-vous http://specialek.posterous.com/limoilou-regalez-vous <p> <p>Après ma déclaration d'amour pour mon quartier, je vous met au défi de venir y faire votre tour.</p> <p>Dans les prochains jours je publierai mes tables préférées du quartier. Sur la 3eme Avenue, entre la 4e Rue et la 6e Rue, on y mange mexcain, arabe, japonais, québécois, et mieux que ça: on se régale!</p> <p>Voici ma courte liste:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.monlimoilou.com/boiteapain/" target="_blank">La Boîte à Pain</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.monlimoilou.com/colocs/" target="_blank">Les Colocs</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.monlimoilou.com/hosaka-ya/" target="_blank">Sushi Hosaka-Ya</a></li> <li><a href="http://blog.monlimoilou.com/index.php/2010/la-brulerie-maintenant-dans-limoilou/" target="_blank">La Brûlerie Limoilou</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.soupecie.com/soupe-et-cie/soupe-cie-Blog/soupe-cie-Blog.html" target="_blank">Soupe et Cie</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.monlimoilou.com/fistons/" target="_blank">Les Fistons</a></li> </ul> <p>Et pour pousser un peu plus loin, on continue 500 mètres au Nord pour trouver:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.monlimoilou.com/salsa/" target="_blank">La Salsa</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.monlimoilou.com/fournee-bio/" target="_blank">La Fournée Bio</a></li> </ul> <p>Et en avant la dégustation!</p> </p> <p><a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/limoilou-regalez-vous">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://specialek.posterous.com/limoilou-regalez-vous#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/specialek/~4/zif6koFcUOk" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1517543/karine-limoilou3b.jpg http://posterous.com/users/10GOVZgW32V Karine Simard Speciale K Karine Simard http://specialek.posterous.com/limoilou-regalez-vous