Just a thought...

So I was talking to John yesterday about this semester and how I seem to be a lot more stressed when it comes to classes and I think he's right. I do not feel that the classes are necessarily harder, actually I'm cooking a lot less this semester, and I think that is part of the problem. In a way I feel like I get "rusty" by not cooking everyday. With baking it was a completely different ball game. I didn't rely on my senses to tell if something was right, I had a recipe that had to be scaled out down to the ounce. I couldn't say "Ahh that's ABOUT a tablespoon..." So when I get into Advanced Skills on Saturday mornings I feel completely off my game and I think it shows. I know I can cook, but seriously sometimes I feel like I can't crack an egg. There are times where I think "I've been in culinary school for 15 weeks...and I'm preparing to go on an internship. Am I really ready?" I think that's the only downside with the advanced program; I need more time to build the confidence and the skills and that's just not time I have. So now that I am done with Baking and Pastry and have a ton more time on my hands I have a new goal; to cook for John and my family during the week. Honestly I feel I stress out the most when I cook for them. I want everything to work and taste delicious because com'on I'm spending how much money to be in culinary school? And when I cook at home and it doesn't turn out right I feel like it reflects on how I do in school. Like "God she can't cook that? Why are we paying for her to go to school?" And I don't believe that they truly feel that way but I put too much pressure on myself. I really just have to gain the confidence and say "Yes I can cook, I'm still learning and I'm going to make mistakes but hell I bet you can't _________" Get a little cocky with it and HAVE FUN! I feel like I've taken all the fun out of doing what I love. I make something and break it down to the point where I regret even making it and don't want to eat it. I NEVER use to be like that. So yes...my new goal is to cook a lot more at home, practice, and get a little cocky. I'll let you know how it's going =)

P.S. ~ I got a 98% on my Baking and Pastry mystery torte final!!! I kicked that cake's ass!! (Confidence in baking is growing)

Done with Baking and Pastry!! And Topolobombo =)

So tomorrow is my final day of baking and pastry!! WOOOOO! Part of me is going to miss that class but having a bunch more free time and not having cakes constantly in my house will be nice. Today was my practical which consisted of us drawing a cake out of a hat and making it. It's funny to think that at NIU finals consisted of tests with 100 or so questions but now I have a final where I make a cake. (Not bad haha) But everything went well, no crazy drama or mishaps. (Pictures under the new photos tab)
Now to the more exciting news. Last Saturday my mom, dad, John and I went to Topolo Bombo and it was sooo amazing. I've never been lucky enough to go to a restaurant like that and we had so much fun. We each got a different tasting menu (5 courses) with the matching wines (5 different wines)...Dinner took 4 hours! My mom and dad ordered the Oaxacan menu, I had the Celebration menu, and John had the Adventures menu. Here is the link so you can see what we ate Tasting Menu.
But it really everything was amazing, all the food was delicious and beautifully plated and the staff was so fantastic. Our waiter was so knowledgeable I could only imagine how long it took him to learn and remember all that information. Any time "John" had a question he always had an answer. On top of that any time the next wine or course came out he went around the table and explained to us what we were about to try. And the other great part is that I finally got to see Frontera Grill!! It was so weird to think that I'm going to get the opportunity to intern in such an amazing place...Now I just have to eat there =)