Another class about to me behind me...

So, this is the final week of my Skills II class. It's been very interesting so far. We've made stocks, sauces, soups, sauteed chicken, fried fish, etc. Just the basics to build off of for our next classes. Chef AJ has been by far my favorite instructor. He's mentored us in a way that I hope to see from my other instructors. I've definitely learned a lot. Our practical exam is on Thursday and Friday is our written exam. So far I'm making an A in the class so I would have to totally screw up this week not to make an A.

I'm still loving school and I don't have any regrets! The next class should be Hospitality Management, which means I have class from 10pm-midnight. That means I get to spend a little time with my friends. So excited!!

Skills II

I start Skills II today which means I'm back going to school until midnight for the next 3 weeks. It's not so bad because I get to start cooking in this class. Finally, 6 weeks of school and I actually get to cook now!!! So I looked over the syllabus and I'm a bit overwhelmed and excited at the same time. Tonight we make clarified butter, chicken stock and prep for veal stock. Actually for the next few days we make stocks and mother sauces. Then we go onto derivative sauces like a demi glace and Sauce Robert (I know what a demi glace is but I will find out what a Sauce Robert is.) Then we move onto soups, then veggies, and finally grilling and roasting. VERY EXCITED.

I'll keep you updated on what happens!!

I got an A in my Food Science/ServSafe class!

Valentine's Smalentine's

I actually don't like Valentine's Day. I did when I was in high school--it was fun going out on a date or getting flowers from a special someone, but when I got into college and started committed relationships I actually didn't really care about the holiday. I know a few women who also feel the same way--I ask them why they don't like the holiday and they said it's because they don't like a day where you have to be romantic, get flowers, candy, date, etc. They would much rather prefer spontanteous actions from their man. Good point--but what about birthday's and anniversary's? Those are days where, much like Valentine's, you get flowers, date, etc. For me I think birthday's and anniversary's are different because you aren't really sharing that day with anyone else but your man. I mean the entire world is not celebrating your anniversary with you. I think that's where Valentine's and I have a problem. Is it all romantic when the rest of the world is also celebrating with you? Ok, ok I will be honest, I do love flowers. I could get them everyday if someone would get them for me. I do remember one Valentine's Day with Austen--I said I didn't want to celebrate it, maybe just go out to a nice dinner but nothing else--no gifts or anything. Well through the course of the day, I saw every woman in my office get flowers and I started to fume. Was it so hard to give the girl some flowers when you know she loves them??? Of course, what I didnt' know the ENTIRE office knew. At the end of the day, we were walking to my car and I handed Austen my keys so he could drive. I opened the passenger side door and sitting in the seat was a dozen, beautiful roses. My heart melted and it was a great day. The next year we didnt' do anything for Valentine's day, no dinner, no roses, etc and I was completely happy with that. I did get flowers randomly when I started my new job that year and for my birthday, much better than on Valentine's.

For me the perfect Valentine's Day would be to make a romantic dinner at home (most likely filet mignon, asparagus, and potatoes) and for my man to whispher in my ear how lucky he is to have me.

Maybe in the near future who knows, but for now I'm completely happy having a girls night, drinking wine and eating yummy foods.

Big 3-0 Bash in 3 weeks!

So, I bought my 80's outfit for my birthday party. I'm so excited! I haven't had a birthday party in a few years so I'm definitely looking forward to hanging out with everyone. Turning 30 is definitely pretty weird. I guess it's because I thought I would be in a different place in my life than I am now. I really didn't expect to be living at home again and going back to school. I'm mean we are kinda trained that we should know what we are doing with our lives by the time we reach our thirties. When my parents were 30, they had 3 kids and were married for about 7 years. Completely different from my life. All I have to show for it is a Bachelor's, a job, and 2 wonderful puppies. I'm still very much a kid at heart who loves going out with her friends and the last thing I'm thinking about is having a family. They say that the 30's are the new 20's--if that's the case then I have until my 40's to get a steady career and start a family!

Ban the Flirting

So, most of you know I'm a natural flirt. It honestly comes really natural to me and I don't even realize I do it half the time. But lately, I've decided that it only gets me in trouble so that's why I'm going to ban the flirting. I mean 98% of the time I'm an innocent flirt, but I know I've been giving out the wrong impression. I mean a guy notices I'm flirting with them and they think I'm into them...of course! I mean they have every right to think that. I mean if a guy was flirting with me I would think they were into me so why shouldn't a guy think that about me? For me flirting is fun and carefree and exciting, but lately it's just causing more trouble than it's worth.

So, from here on out I will use my powers for good instead of evil. I will only flirt with a man who I am interested in dating. Now, I can't say that I won't slip up, but recognizing is the first step right? Can anyone tell me what steps 2-12 are?

and I am done...

Friday was my final and my last day with Chef Champalle. Most of us got there early to cram last minute. I really couldn't review any more. I knew the material, just anxious to take the exam. I also did buy chef a 6-pack of Guinness. It was mainly a going away present. He actually didn't even notice it at first. He walked in with another chef and he was the one who noticed. Looked in the bag and said, "It's going to be a good night, Chef!" Champalle looked in the bag and then looked at me and gave me a look like he always does. I just smiled.

7:00 pm time for roll call and then we headed for our last uniform inspection. We all lined up out in the hall and one by one chef shook everyone's hands. Then he came to me, extended his hand and said, "You, are a dangerous woman." I laughed and didn't know what he meant by that. A French man saying that to American woman can't be good right? I mean I'm sure French women are dangerous, not American women. Oh well, who's to say?

We piled in the room and we took our test. I basically knew all of the answers with confidence. A few I guessed at but I felt I made educated decisions. I actually was the first one done. We took a break as the last students finished. 1 down, 1 more to go. We made our way back in the room for our practical exam. I wasn't the first one finished, but I think I finished in an hour and a half. I arrange my cuts on my board to a beach theme. Took my orange supreme and julienne and turned it into a palm tree, took my parsley and turned it into an island, etc. I presented my board to chef and he gave me his look. Asked me what the design was supposed to be and said a beach theme. He smirked. Scores tallied up and I got a 146 out of 200, which turned out to be about a 73. It could be worse. It was finally over...

I checked my grade online the next day. The first day of class chef said he didn't give out A's in his class so I wasn't expecting an A. I stared at the computer screen and it was a B, the next best thing. :)

And I need a drink...

Today is my first final. It's 16 chapters that we covered in 3 weeks plus a practial test, which consists of our basic knife skills: batonnet, julienne, fine julienne, brunoise, fine brunoise, orange supreme, zest, garlic, onion, shallots, chiffonade, etc. If feel ready but there's just so much I have to review before tonight. I'm still shady on the primal cuts of beef, veal, pork, and chicken and I really don't know my stocks very well.

I'm buying the chef some Guiness, maybe he'll give me a D because I'm cute instead of an F? I've done really well on all my written quizzes and tests, but my knife skills are not good in any way. I was practicing last night and finished my tourne's so I started on my batonnets. Chef came by and knocked the tourne's all over, gave me a look, and said next time use your other paring knife. (great)

After tonight I don't have to study all weekend--the class will be over. I'm ready to drink!! New class on Monday.