That's the word for this month! It's been a complete rollercoaster of emotions and events since I last posted. I have no idea where to start... so let's go in the order I put them in the title, HA!
How did the stage go?
Well, I have to say, I felt like I was ready for this venture but as the weeks went on I found out that I was not as ready as I hoped. There were bumps in the road. I took this as an experience. Initially I was looking for this to become a job opportunity... but unfortunately it didn't end up that way. There were a few times when I felt like I was completely out of place and that I didn't belong, but I had to remind myself that I was there first and foremost to LEARN. With learning of the most import I can say that the time spent was successful. I hope that I didn't make too big a fool of myself and I am so thankful to have been able to literally live the life of a cook!
I know what I want and I know who I am. If I keep to what I know, in time people will know my worth. Plus, when I think about it:) Julia Child wasn't taken seriously at the start of her career. Julia had to learn and as she did, she became better and better, as will I ! I have learned that I can't care what others think of me, I have no time to waist on trivial thoughts like that.
I know now more than ever the love, passion and drive that these professionals MUST posses to be successful at their jobs. These people live for their work, and I hope that others realize this... I never did until I began to cook for myself. The price you pay for your meal is miniscule in comparison to the effort that was put in to complete it.
Restaurant Home's entire staff both house and kitchen are of the highest quality... in both professionalism and character.
Next is DANCE... This is all about my daughter! Gabriella aka Bean aka Lala aka Ella has started dance lessons! Look at my Ballerina!
And SCHOOL... well first of all I'm behind and second... I am able to graduate at the end of the semester as long as I get at least C's in all my classes... and then last week I get the letter that if I maintain my 3.5 GPA (which means I must pass my classes with a B or better) I will be able be in the honor society! I am floored, because this Associates degree will be 10 years in the making and I haven't had academic accolades since I was in JR HIGH! I have to pull it together and make this happen!
HEALTH... well I don't really want to talk about it. I haven't been working out like I should and I am eating badly. Well I'm eating GOOD:) but lots of rich foods and too big of portions. I've gained 4 lbs back. I need to again GET IT TOGETHER! But along with my health comes Gabe's. Gabe has had some GI issues and we still don't know what's wrong. He's had a colonoscopy, endoscopy and biopsy this last month and we're still scratching out heads.
Career is the thing that's just eating me alive. I know I want to cook. I know I want to one day be considered a chef... but how am I going to get there. Most of the people my age are already well on their way to becoming chefs if they aren't already there. I started late and it's hard to imagine how long it's going to take to work my way up... and I am all for hard work. I'm not afraid to wash dishes and pay my dues in any way I am asked... but I am a mother. The restaurant industry needs you every day, it needs your complete attention and if you're going to live the life of a chef or a cook you have to be dedicated. If you're not, you won't last. You don't call in sick; you don't take the day off to care for sick babies or dance class or soccer games. If I was to completely dedicate myself... I won't ever see my babies. I don't know if I could live with myself if I miss these precious moments. I think if Gabe and Lala were school aged, it'd be much easier to be able to dedicate the time needed, but they're still little. Especially Gabe! How can I choose myself over my children?
So what I have to do is find the job in the culinary arts that deals with food, but will allow me to have a more flexible schedule. I don't know what that job is yet, but I know for sure I want to look in to something that deals with nutrition and health. Maybe a dietician... or a recreational cooking instructor…
For now I am going to focus on learning. I will get in to any kitchen and work as much as I can. There's something out there for me, I know it... I just have to find my niche and pay my dues. I will leave you with some pics of a dinner I prepared. While I staged I was intimidated by a few things so I made sure I practiced at home in case I was asked to jump in! I wanted to know I was prepared to tackle any task!
