Not Good-Bye...

It's that time! Time to pack up, shut down the computer, and hit the open roads! I can't believe I pulled an all nighter updating my blog...MAN, it's gonna be a long drive home!
But to my fellow readers, you all are worth it!!! :o)

So, what now? What lies ahead for me now? I believe that when one chapter comes to an end, another one begins. So begins my life at Gerhard's Elegant European Desserts. Though some know that I considered NOT pursuing a pastry profession, my bank account is begging to be replenished. *guilty grin* (Could it be due to all that time I spent at Disney? Perhaps. *innocent shrug*) :o) However, I am thankful for the opportunity provided for me. I believe that although I have learned lots in the 24 week program, I KNOW I still have so much more to learn. I am just a starter dough waiting to grow! :o)

I would like to take this moment to say THANK YOU!!!!

Thank you to all my Floridian Friends. You have definitely made it so much easier for me to be here on my own but harder to leave. Though homesick at times, I can definitely say that I've had way more NON homesick days.

I thank you for making me a part of your group of friends and family. Thank you for keeping me company on lonely nights and giving me a place to go when I felt alone. I am very blessed to have met such wonderful people and grateful for all the bonds I've built. You will all be dearly missed but I truly do hope we keep in touch. I will if you will! :o) If you're in Chicago, please PLEASE give me a ring...would love to show you around or just hang out! :o)

To my fellow classmates (if you're still reading my blog): I know that the last week of school was an unpleasant one, but to me, you were my family here. I thank you for helping me keep my sanity. I will miss all of our singing and joking around. I definitely could not have asked for a better class. You will always hold a special place in my heart. You will truly be missed. I love you all and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors!! :o)

As soon as I get settled back in Chicago and my new job *cheeky grin*, you will definitely hear from me again!!! For now, I must report in to work first thing early Tuesday morning! :o) WISH ME LUCK!!!! Until then, time to give my mom a great big hug and kiss and spend endless hours with my doggie!!! (You know me, I already have a list of things I'm dying to do as soon as I get home) :o)

But for now, it's not a good-bye, but rather....I'll see you real soon!!! :o)

Smile, the fun has just begun! :oD

Home Is Where the Bed Is

This may not be your usual Bake Cake and Run blog...but blogs are for documenting your thoughts...good and bad, right?

Well, as I sit here contemplating exactly what to write...I conclude why it's been so hard to find motivation to blog these days. I want to tell you so much about school and all the different goodies we've been concocting, but I've been extremely emotionally drained.

It's been a little over two months since I've been home. Although it may not seem long and people have come out to visit me, it's not the same as actually being home. I miss my mom....my doggie....MY BED!!!!! (and of course my Honeydew) :o(

I must admit that it isn't too hard to make friends...er acquaintances rather, but the comfort of true friends (ones that you can trust, depend on, and just laugh it all off with) is definitely irreplaceable. I know that I am just a phone call or a touch of SEND on email away, but sometimes, it's seeing their smile and being in their presence that confirms "everything will be okay". *sigh*

Please don't get me wrong, I am still learning (and eating) lots. I even have battle scars!!! *flexes muscles*

The one on my thumb is from picking up a tiny speck of freshyly made caramel...

DON'T TRY THAT AT HOME!!!

And the one on my knuckle is from touching the rack in the oven...YES SAVITRE, an oven is HOT!!!! *sigh* I guess it's a live and learn experience. :o) No worries, I still have all ten fingers (for now, at least). *giggle*

This week concludes the Classical Cakes and Tarts unit...but I'm still trying to figure out what I want to make for the practical. We can pick from any of the entremets we've learned in this unit.

So, will it be the....

The Opera Cake?

The Fraisier?

The Engadine Nut Torte?

Charlotte Russe?

Suchard Tart?

Linzer Torte?

Oooooor any of the tarts/cakes we learned in the first week of this unit?

Decisions...Decisions! Honestly, if I had all week for the practical, I wouldn't limit myself to choosing just one. They were all so fun to make, I would definitely love to try them all again. :o)

Anywho, I have lots of fun and exciting things to look forward to this week, so I'm hoping that this will help lift my spirits and make being homesick a little more tolerable...afterall, there is ALWAYS a rainbow after the rain! :o)

G'night Y'all!!