Things on my mind

Things on my mind…

1. I want a house, but for different reasons than most. I want a house so I can have a kitchen that is mine, that doesn’t have a washer and dryer in it. I want a house so I can have a dog. I want a house so I can host a BBQ party. I want a house so I have a place to do all my hobbies. I want a house so I have a lawn to mow. I want a house so I have a place to feel at home.

2. I follow too many blogs and podcasts. My Google Reader hasn’t been empty in over a year now, and I always seem to be playing catch-up. I’ll read all of one blog, then move to the next, and by the time I get to the end, the beginning is full again. Same with my iTunes. There’s not enough time in the week for me to listen to all the weekly podcasts that I am subscribed to. Fortunately, they span a good range of topics, and if that topic doesn’t entertain me at the moment, I just let it sit until it does.

3. Words with Friends is too addictive. I’ve just been playing random opponents, but I have about five games going on right now. It has become the Angry Birds replacement…

4. I hate that my sister lives on the other side of the country. And while I’d like to admit that it’s 100% because I love and miss her, if I am completely honest, I would admit that I’ve grown used to her living thousands of miles away… the true reason is that I miss my niece. I don’t want to be that silent relative that she only sees at Christmas. I had too many of them growing up, and unfortunately, I feel like I missed out on that “close family bond” that other kids had.


Sweat Vittoria, at one month old.  How can I not miss this?!

5. I waste a lot of food… but not a lot of money. See, it’s cheaper to buy a bag of apples and let one or two go bad than it is to buy individual apples. So while I don’t always like that I am throwing out food, I know that I am saving money in doing so. This is another area where I wish I had a house – I could compost all of those foods… but I don’t think my apartment-neighbors would appreciate me composting on my balcony.

6. I am addicted to Twitter . Whenever I have to go an extended amount of time (oh, anything past an hour or so…) I start wondering what everyone is doing. Just another product of our detached society.

7. There’s a certain young lady who I am crazy about – but who has no interest in me. Considering we’ve never truly me and she already hates me, seems I should just find someone else to dote on.

8. I really need to decide what I want to be when I grow up… err, when I get older. While there are parts of me that enjoy being an architect, it doesn’t hold the satisfaction that it once did. Being a medic has been a wonderful experience, and every night I work, I go to bed knowing I have made the difference in somebody’s life. But I’m not sure if that’s what I want to do, day in and day out. I have contemplated going to culinary school, but let’s be honest, I can’t afford it and going back to school in my mid-thirties scares the living crap out of me. So I have no clue what I want to be when I get older…

9. I’d really like to make this blog more than it is… but for the life of me, I don’t know where to take it. Right now, I seem to just ramble a lot, but it’s hard for me to cook much in my tiny cluttered apartment. And again, knowing that nobody reads it makes it less enticing to put much effort into it. <shrug> We’ll see.

10. My parents are on their way out to see me right now. It’s become a tradition that every year, they come out to visit me and we go to the Maryland Wine Festival. All of Maryland’s wineries set up big circus tents, and one you pay the admission and get your tasting glass, you get to walk around and taste all of the different wines. Live music, carnival-style food, and lots of wine… so long as the weather holds, it makes for a good day.

Ok, off to read another cookbook…

CIA Open House

Yup, my mind is made up. I want to attend the CIA.

Roth Hall

For those not in the know, I attended an open house at the Culinary Institute of America on Tuesday that was specifically aimed at career changers, college grads, and in general, us older types.

As I have stated, I have been to an open house before – but I was so star-struck that I did not grasp a lot of what was being said. This time was (somewhat) different. Still star-struck, but this time I was able to focus enough to get some questions answered…

Roth Hall, from Anton Plaza

The event started with a video presentation about the college, and then we were walked through some Powerpoint slides covering the history of the school, the application process, financial aid options, and a general overview of the school.

I love that new sessions start every three weeks at the Culinary. Unlike a typical college, where classes start only at the end of the semester, every three weeks 18 Baking and Pastry students and 78 Culinary Arts students begin their program at the Culinary.

I am not sure if I want to take just the 21-month Associates program, or if I want the more in-depth Bachelors degree, which is another 17 months after the Associates program. Part of me says just get the two-year degree, but knowing me, “the more knowledge, the more attractive it is.”

Money was a scare, though. For the 2011-2012 school year, they estimated a student would spend around $44,600 per semester. Something about taking a loan for $90k that scares me… obviously, I need to look at scholarships and financial aid contributions a bit more.



Bright and sunny on Anton Plaza

After the talking portions, a special guest came out to give his account of attending the Culinary. Jonathan Dixon, Class of 2010 and author of “Beaten, Seared and Sauced”, talked for about fifteen minutes or so, and then answered questions for a bit longer. Everyone was given a copy of his book upon checking in, and Jonathan was kind enough to sign each book. I have already read his book, so getting it signed may have meant more to me than others – at least, I like to think so. Here’s my review.

We were all separated into smaller groups for the campus tour next. Our guide, Michael, was a wealth of knowledge, especially for someone who has only been there for a year. Michael, who hails from California and just returned from his Externship, showed us most of the campus, filling us in on some of the finer (and unpublished) details of life on campus, all while answering our relentless questions – oh, and all of this was done while walking backwards… in slip-on shoes. Class act, Michael!


My favorite building - the Colavita Center

The tour ended back at the Admissions Building, where we were served some desserts and watched a quick cooking demo by a recent graduate, Katelyn, who now works for the Admissions Office. She made us Fruity Frozen Yogurt (recipe is below). She also answered questions about dorm life, living on campus versus off campus, and the life of a student.

After the demo, we were released to go home. I stayed to speak to an Admissions Officer, but felt a little rushed as I knew it would be a long, cold ride home on the bike. But I got all my questions answered, save one. Pretty impressive, considering I still had stars in my eyes!



Dusk on Anton Plaza



And then began the long, cold trek back home. Maybe riding the bike wasn’t such a good idea, considering it was nearly 1am and 50 degrees out when I got home. Oh well, it was more fun (and cheaper…) this way!

And now to work on getting that six months of experience…

Fruity Frozen Yogurt
Ingredients
3 ½ cups frozen fruit (about 16 ounces)
½ cup sugar, preferably superfine
½ cup nonfat plain yogurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions
1. Combine fruit and sugar in food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped.
2. Combine yogurt and lemon juice in a measuring cup; with the machine on, gradually pour the mixture through the feed tube.
3. Process until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides once or twice. Serve immediately.

Note: She did say that any citrus juice could be used, instead of the lemon juice. Our dessert was strawberry with orange juice. She said blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries make good flavors, too. Yogurt flavor can change to suit your fruit selection, as well.

Open House, Take 2

I am really excited about next Tuesday… the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, is holding an open house for career changers. Namely, for me.

While I have already been to one open house before, it was aimed at fresh high school graduates… a different element than myself.
And I’ll be honest – I was a bit shell-shocked by the beauty of the place, too.

This trip, I am going in prepared. I have a list of questions ready – about obtaining experience, about financial aid, about being a thirty-something’er going to college with a bunch of teens. I was recently there, so the shell-shock factor should be at a minimum. And I plan to arrive a good hour or two early, to get my walking around, photographing, and purchasing done.

Yes, I have a shopping list.

I’m really hoping this trip will help me decide if this is something I want to pursue, or if I should relegate cooking to a hobby when I have time between other aspects of my life. Obviously, more to follow…

Rendezvous 2011

As I’ve written about before, last weekend, my motorcycle club had our annual rendezvous gathering. Chapters from all across the country, indeed, from around the world, come together for one long weekend. We ride, we eat, we drink (of course) and most of all, we bond and connect. It’s always a great time getting to know new friends, catching up with old friends, and seeing a new city together.

This year, Rendezvous was held in Newburgh, New York. So close to the CIA, but since the campus was closed for summer break, didn’t even try to get over there. But the area we stayed in, while not the nicest of areas, had some beautiful riding. Since I am not a great writer, I will just let a few pictures tell the story…

Air National Guard Base

OCC's new shop

Vinny's shop

Jr's truck at his shop

Vinny and Cody at Jr's shop

Photo op with the Warthogs

Santa's new ride

My next ambulance...

Complete with cot.

We will never forget you.

9/11 Tribute wall

Two of Frederick City's finest

Warthogs take over OCC

Somewhere along the Hudson

Friday Ramblings

Ok, so I know it's Wednesday - but it's *MY* Friday... I have the next two days off, to go on a motorcycle trip for the weekend.  Looking forward to it, although I think my liver is already in pain...

Yesterday, as I was cutting through town to get to Borders, I passed a bright yellow pickup truck.  Low and behold, guess what I saw on the back bumper?  A CIA - Hyde Park parking pass!  Small world, huh?  As I passed, I saw that the driver was a "kid", at least by my reckoning.  Probably a current student, on summer break.  Weird when you think about how many people are surrounding you that you know nothing about...

When I got to Borders, it was quite the depressing scene.  Everyone was jolly, not even staff members seemed upset.  But to me, it was the end of a great thing.  If it hadn't been for Borders, I don't know how I would've gotten through school.  Near my college, there was a store open 24/7, which provided students a place for late night study sessions and research opportunities when the libraries all closed.  I hate to see what comes next, too, especially since I am not thrilled about all of the e-readers.  Will our children even know what it feels like to hold a book, to smell the paper and ink, to see the colorful pictures?  Or will they only know black and white text on a computer screen, devoid of a soul?  Sad... so very sad.


Source:  http://orlandpark.patch.com/articles/photos-massive-lines-form-during-borders-liquidation-sale#photo-7134262

Later last night, reading through some blogs, I found one that put another frown on my mood... Marcus Samuelsson did a nice article entitled "The Oncoming Decline of Culinary Schools" in which he opened my eyes to the perils of going to culinary school.  I had no idea it was that "bad" out there?  How do chefs make a living?!  But it really put a damper on my mood, and on my dreams of going to the CIA.  If I can't make a comfortable living doing what I love, then obviously, I should find something else to do, whether I love it or not.  Ultimately, if I can't afford to LIVE while away from work, then what's the point of being happy at your job?  Just depressing to think about it...

 Due to my trip this weekend, I refused to grocery shop last weekend, and haven't really cooked anything in a while.  Honestly, I've worked so many extra shifts at the station that I don't think I've been home at meal time in more than a week!  Hopefully, next week things will settle down and I will be able to get back to cooking.  I have a ton of recipes I want to try out, adapt and play with.

But since I am disconnecting from the digital world for a few days, have a good weekend!

Three things

I’ve seen a few different bloggers posting this survey, and while I don’t really consider myself a true blogger, I figured, ‘eh, why not?’
Three ways that I’m still a kid…
Oh Lord…

1. I still love when my mom cooks for me. Always will. My mom wasn’t the world’s greatest chef or anything – in fact, she will readily agree that most dishes don’t turn out the same twice (usually because someone talked to her while cooking and she left something out…) And I have most of her recipes, but there’s something that can’t be beat about going home and having mom cook up a meal.

2. I love watching cartoons. Classic cartoons, not the sci-fi anime junk on the tube these days, but the originals. Bugs Bunny. Daffy Duck. Yosemite Sam. Marvin the Martian. Woody Woodpecker. I’ll even go to Duck Tales, Chip’n’Dale, and of course, the Smurfs. Now, don’t get me wrong, most of the cartoon movies are decent… Ratatouille, Cars, any of the Disney movies. Yeah, Saturday mornings were the best “tv time” ever…

3. I have a need to feel accepted wherever I go. Outwardly, I can keep this in check, but internally, I am nearly always searching for some hint that what I am doing or saying is “correct” and that I am not making a fool of myself.

Three ways that I’m already old…
1. I have aches. Every morning, it takes me a good ten to fifteen minutes before my muscles will do what my brain is telling them to do. If I sit in one position for too long, my joints get stiff. And when I kneel down, my knees make all sorts of snap, crackle and pop noises!

2. I say things like, ‘Back in my day’, ‘When I was your age’, and ‘Because I said so.’ I also look at teenagers of today and cringe to think that they are our country’s future… most of them seem to be dreamless, uncreative, unproductive, lazy, ambitionless, and downright rude with no sense of morals, honor, or respect. Wow, I sound like my grandpa…

3. When I discover a new activity or hobby I want to try, I tend to think in terms of ‘it’s too late for that.’ In reality, I know that there’s plenty of time for change, but if I don’t give myself that slap to the face, I get caught up in a ‘it is what it is’ way of thinking. It’s never too late for change…

Three things that I want to do…
1. Go to the Culinary Institute of America. I cannot even begin to describe how badly I want to go there. I’m not certain I want to work full-time as a chef, but I want that knowledge base. I want to know, with complete confidence that can only come from the best training available, that I am comfortable in the kitchen, cooking big or small. I want to know how to create wonderful meals, and how to pair all sorts of different ingredients together to create flavor masterpieces.

2. Travel. I have lists of places I want to go, with the things I want to see. Some are close: New York City, Charlotte, Philadelphia. Some are a bit farther away: San Francisco (soon!), Seattle, Hawaii. Some are WAY far: Sidney, Australia; Italy; back to Paris; Russia; Japan. Unfortunately, I would need to win the lotto two or three times, so that I could stop working and just start traveling in order to check them all of the list.

3. Learn other languages. I took Spanish in high school, and would like to learn it better. I have taken a few American Sign Language classes, and had a blast with that. And I really want to learn French, mostly because I want to go live in Paris for a year or two. But I am always so impressed when someone can speak more than one language, something I think the rest of the world has a better handle on than the U.S.

Three ways that I’m a stereotypical boy…
1. I hate to clean. With a PASSION. I would rather pack everything up and MOVE than clean the house. Dirty dishes. Yeah, they’re the devil. And I agree with Bill Engvall – why bother dusting? You dust the shelves, the dust goes up in the air, and then lands on something else. Why bother?

2. I’m a lazy slob. Don’t mean to be, but… no, I guess I do mean to be. I live alone. Nobody comes to visit me. If I decide to drop my clothes on the ground, who cares? If I make a pile of my junk mail, instead of just sorting and shredding it, who’s to say? If I didn’t live alone, or if I didn’t live in a crappy apartment, maybe I’d care more… but I don’t, so I don’t.

3. Clothes are clothes. I have five polo shirts – one for each day of the work week. I am not a fashion queen, I don’t know what goes with what, and I really don’t care if my socks match my belt match my sunglasses. More important things are out there.

Three ways that I’m a stereotypical girl…
You know, I probably could come up with an answer, but in the name of self-respect, I will refrain…

Three things that I like about myself…
1. The thing I like the most about myself is my love of learning. It’s also the thing that has caused me the most confusing, pain, and financial ruin! But I absolutely love learning new things, to the extent that as soon as I learn, I tend to drop it all in the dust as I run off to learn something new. And there have been a few times that I have been called a know-it-all, but then again, I can solve a lot of potential problems just because I have tried so many different hobbies and such.

2. I am a very caring person, to a fault. I have been an EMT for about seven years now, and recently upgraded to being a medic, and absolutely love it. It is so gratifying to help someone in their time of need, to help calm someone’s panic, to hold a hand in a time of family loss, to know that I made a difference in providing a future for someone.

3. I am a very loyal person, until you cross me… then, good luck. For those that I trust and consider friends, I will go to the ends of the earth to help. But the reverse is also true – if you aren’t on that list, it takes a lot for me to go out of my way to assist. Until it’s something that needs help (see EMT above, or helping / caring…)

Three of my everyday essentials…
1. I hate to say it, but I feel lost without checking email and / or Twitter at least once a day. I need to catch up with the few friends I have, see what everyone else is doing, check in with my parents, or see how my sister’s pregnancy is coming along. Without the interweb, none of this would be possible for me, which is why it’s an essential. Those days when I cannot check in, it feels like I am missing out on something. Although, that said, after a few days of “disconnect”, I get over it and it takes a concerted effort to get back into the habit of checking…

2. A shower. Not a bath, but a shower. Doesn’t matter what I am doing, what I have planned, or anything else, I need a shower every day. Sometimes more than one. I may wait until later in the day, especially if I know I’m just going to be working out, or doing something that will get me stanky again, but when that’s done, it’s into the shower.

3. My family.  This ties a bit into #1 above, but I have a very small family, and since I live hundreds of miles away from my parents, and thousands of miles away from my sister, I rely on their emails, phone calls, and texts to give me strength... especially since the divorce.  If it weren't for my family, I would be nothing.

Three things that scare me…
1. Snakes. They’re the devil. I am a firm believer that snakes are the main reason that God invented shotguns. Yep. The only good snake is a dead snake.

2. I hate disappointing others.  While I am quite good at it, I hate the feeling it gives me to see their disappointed faces.  Growing up, my parents used this to their advantage to get me to do chores around the house.  My ex-wife used to use this tactic to get her way.  I have had friends use it to get what they want, to manipulate me, etc.  Thankfully, I have recognized this in myself, and in others, and am able to resist it - sometimes, disappointment is unavoidable.

3. My biggest fear, ever, is to die alone and insignificant.  The older I get (another "how I'm old" phrase...) the more I realize that once we're gone from this planet, there'e nothing left of us except the memory of what we did.  I do not want to be one of those people who just takes up space on the planet for a few decades and then fades away into obscurity.  I want people to know my name (hopefully for something positive...), I want to be remembered by more than just my immediate family.  That's part of the driving force behind becoming an EMT, and now a medic.  A good friend recently told me that I have an unending need to help others regardless of the sacrifice and pain it causes myself.  That sums me up pretty good, actually.  And honestly, since the divorce, the whole "alone" aspect of it has become more prominent.  I live alone, eat alone, vacation alone.  I have gone entire weekends without speaking a single word.  Without that daily connection, both mentally and physically, with another human being, it's very difficult to feel anchored in reality...

Well, there you have it.  Some light-hearted, others a little deeper.  What are your three's?

My week...

Well, after last weekend’s adventures to the CIA, I’ve spent a large portion of the little spare time I have this week researching local restaurants that I am considering sending in resumes to. I’m just not real certain how to word the cover letter. I mean, I’m a career-changer, but I’m not committing to changing careers just yet – at least not until I know I am accepted into the CIA, can afford to go, and that everything else has fallen into place. THEN, and only then, I will tell my boss I’m leaving… not a second sooner. But I don’t want a potential restaurant to look at that and throw out my application just because I’m looking for part time work, as opposed to truly becoming a part of the staff.

I actually spent a lot of time on the ambulance and medic units this week… Tuesday was my only day off, and after I went to Borders to look for a book and then got home, it was getting too late to go get groceries for dinner – so Chinese it was! We have a great local Chinese restaurant right around the corner, and once the owners get to know you, they will make your dish to order if you ask. So my sweet and sour chicken had lots of extra stir fry veggies thrown in with it… unfortunately, I didn’t get a pic of it.

I’m becoming a bit down as the week comes to an end. First, I’m tired. It’s been a short work week, but a long week, nonetheless. Finances always make me feel down, and this was “pay the bills” week. And then there’s the mind games my head plays with me… my heart very rarely listens to anything my head tells me… and unfortunately, it’s run amuck this week.

I’ve gotten in a few good runs this week, though, and that’s helped. I always feel so much better on the days I can run. I really need to get my bike fixed and fitted, so I can start cross training with that on off-days, too. There are times I wish I had someone to train with… or that I belonged to a gym, so that I would have some sort of interaction with people. Then I remember that most people don’t like me and it’s safer for everyone if I just keep running solo. Oh well, it is what it is…

CIA Pics

I posted a bunch of pictures from my trip to the CIA on Facebook.  Check them out!

My trip to the CIA

No, not THAT CIA – the Culinary Institute of America, in Hyde Park, N.Y.

I should give a quick disclaimer here – this was not my first trip to the CIA.  I had been there once before, back in 2008 when I took a tour of the campus.  So “shock value” was not there this time… however, in 2008, I didn’t really get a chance to randomly walk around campus.

Ok, the trip.  I rode the bike – and when I say bike, I mean my Harley Road King.  If I were talking about my trek, I would’ve called it my cycle.  Just clarifying.  It was a beautiful, sunny, warm day, with barely any clouds in the sky.  In short, perfect bike weather.

My baby... '09 HD Road King.

I had hopes of maybe meeting up with a couple different people I have been following on Twitter… but I am also a realist, and recognize that people are busy, especially with it being a holiday weekend.  Besides, I didn't want to seem like some crazy stalker, so I didn't really telegraph that I was going to be there... just a few Twitter posts.  And as of when I left, nobody had responded… se la vie.

Somewhere in northern Pennsylvania

About five hours and 310 miles later, I arrived – and it was like returning home.  Sure, it’s not my home, never has been, but it felt natural to drive onto campus.  Felt a little unnatural to park under the Anton Plaza, though… but that’s just me.

Anton Plaza, with parking underneath

My first stop was the Colavita Center, home to the Ristorante Caterina de' Medici.  Every time I see this structure, especially with the ordered herb garden stretching behind it, I feel as if I am actually in Italy.  Absolutely gorgeous.

Colavita Center

I checked out the Conrad Hilton Library (pun intended) to see the stacks.  I didn’t stay long, as there were a few students studying and I didn’t want to distract, but I was in heaven.  As you may remember, I have a near-addiction love affair with books.  All those cookbooks, lined up in alphabetical order… yeah, that’s pretty much my version of the Pearly Gates.

Hilton Library from Anton Plaza

I walked down to the Hudson, to see what the view was like.  It was a bit hard to get a clear view from ground level, but from up on the Anton Plaza, my next stop, you could see out nicely.  I love the lavender beds planted in the corners.  I love the water feature shooting water into the air.  And I love how it presents Roth Hall.  Such a fitting entrance into the main building of the CIA.

The Hudson

Roth Hall from the Hudson (sort of...)

Lavender in bloom

The Hudson as seen from Anton Plaza.  I want THAT dorm room - you know, the one that overlooks the Hudson!

Roth Hall

I, of course, walked the halls to look into a few dark kitchen… not the same as when students are working away, but still, it gives a glimpse of what life could be like.

I took a trip up the highway to visit a store I had heard about – Warren Cutlery.  It was like a Bed, Bath and Beyond “kitchen section” smashed into a gutted out house, but man, they had pretty much every kitchen gadget you could ever want, and a few that you didn't even know existed!  Thankfully, I was on the bike... not enough storage room to actually buy anything.

With one last check of the cell / twitter account to see that nobody had responded, and a fresh tank of gas for the bike, I decided it was time to start the five hour trek home.  Everyone must be out enjoying the beautiful day.  Next time…

This trip completely renewed my desire to attend the CIA.  The entire ride home, I kept thinking of how I would word my application essay, where I want to work for my six-month work experience requirement, and how I can take care of the financial setbacks.  But I am freshly optimistic…

Book Review: "Beaten, Seared, and Sauced"

I recently read a new culinary literary book, “Beaten, Seared and Sauced: On Becoming a Chef at the Culinary Institute of America” by Jonathan Dixon.

The book is a self-narrated look at the author’s journey through the 2-year associates degree at the Culinary Institute of America, taking the reader into the kitchens and classrooms, behind the scenes, and naming names. The book is an easy read, has a good pace, and provides lots of insight into the school’s methodology, all through the eyes of a mid-life career-changer – right up my alley.

Overall, it was a great book. I really liked reading about the day-to-day interactions of students, chefs, and the public, the joys of success, the tears of failure, and the author’s take on how to overcome them. After reading, I really felt like I knew some of the teachers, and it completely renewed my desire to attend the CIA. In fact, I think I am going to stop there when I am on vacation this summer – I’m pretty sure the school will be on summer break, but hopefully, I will be able to get on campus to walk around, take some pics, and daydream for a bit.

I have to be honest, though, I was a bit disappointed with the ending… maybe because it didn’t truly have one. The author graduates, and the book just stops… I felt that there were some unresolved conflicts going on, some unanswered questions, and while I didn’t quite expect a fairy tale ending, I would have liked some of these conflicts to be resolved. But maybe that’s just me…

That said, I would highly recommend this book, especially for someone thinking of attending the CIA. It’s a quick read, and won’t disappoint.

Brain Dump

While I know that I've previously used this blog as a way to "store" information for future use, even making the blog private at one point, I am thinking it's time to start writing again. That's not to say I won't still post information-passing posts, either...

In the past few months, I've been getting used to Twitter, getting accustomed to reading blogs every day (more on that later...), and have been commenting on many of them. That's probably where this desire to start writing comes from...

I hate to admit it, but until very recently, my cooking for the last year or so has revolved around frozen pizza and pasta. Nothing worth taking a picture of, that's for sure. Last night, I cooked for the duty crew at the ambo company. I wasn't sure of the recipe, so I adlibbed where I needed to, but overall, not a single complaint was heard, and since there wasn't much in the way of leftovers, I'll assume they liked it.

Grilled steak with olive tapenade, roasted potatoes and tomatoes, with steamed veggies.

I've been giving a lot of thought to the Culinary lately. I can't think of anything I would rather do than attend classes at the best culinary school there is... but there just seems to be so many roadblocks in the path. First and foremost is the cost... and with the divorce-debt weighing me down, getting any sort of help doesn't seem reasonable. Finding time to go work (for near-minimum wages, I'm sure...) at a restaurant for six months isn't an easy hurdle to get over, either. It's not like I'm a high school kid with no other responsibilities. I've been mulling it over, trying to see if I can find a path through all of the obstacles. I'm sure there will be more to follow...

Blogs. Yeah, I think I am becoming addicted. I have a whole list of them that I've begun following. (hmm, side note... really need to update my blog listings here...) But I wanted to pass along a few that I have really enjoyed reading - Hope you enjoy them, too!

http://www.italktofood.com/
http://www.livelifeeatright.com/
http://www.cherryteacakes.com/
http://www.peanutbutterjenny.com/

CIA Open House

What an interesting day I had this past Friday. I spent most of the day driving...NOT the interesting part. However, the 5 hours I spent in between the 4 1/2 hour driving sessions was the best in a long time.

I arrived at the Culinary Institute of America about an hour early, so I drove around campus. The photos in the brochures don't do the campus justice, at all. Absolutely gorgeous.

After signing in, there was a light lunch served - samplings of some fine foods prepared by CIA students, I'm sure. I didn't know lunch would be served and had eaten already, so I only sampled a few of the offerings, but I didn't hear a single negative - and it all looked like artwork.

The required welcome speaches and promotional videos followed. Standard fare. But after that, we split into groups for campus tours. This was the best part of it. I wish I remembered our tour guide's name, but she was a wealth of knowledge. She was able to give minute details about the campus, the school, and even about the different degree programs. Highly informative, and cute to boot!

After the tour, we regrouped in the admissions building for a cooking demonstration. It was amazing - a simple dish, a short demo, but it was a taste of life as a CIA student. That concluded the Open House and the group dispersed. Camera in hand, I wandered around the main part of campus - Roth Hall (pictured above), Anton Plaza (in front of Roth Hall above), and the Colavita Center (pictured below). Absolutely beautiful architecture, and what a learning atmosphere! When they say "we do food" they ain't kiddin'!!!

Walking around campus, I started to day dream about being a student there. Rushing across campus, knife set under arm, to get to class on time. Sitting with friends in Anton Plaza, discussing the day's lessons. Swimming or playing basketball at the gym. Ahh, what a day dream. But alas, finances keep me in reality. But it does give me a goal. Hands down, I want to attend the Culinary Institute of America. No questions about it...