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Cooking and baking are my two passions. I've always wanted to pursue it as a
career, but something always held me back. I was so afraid of sticking my neck
out. I chose jobs that were safe...the kind that offered retirement, insurance,
normal working hours. Wedding cakes would just be a hobby, I thought. I'll cater
and make cakes on the side as a hobby, and stick to working a regular job.
Thanks to the input of my wise uncles, family, and friends, I've decided to go for
what I really want. My goal is to be a published cookbook author, and have my
own cooking show on the Food Network. I want to own a couple of restaurants, give
cooking classes, and really make a mark in the culinary industry.
For the last couple of years, I've had my eye on various culinary schools. I applied
to Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale about a year and a half ago, and was accepted! I
was thrilled, but was later disappointed to find out that I would not be able to go.
Tuition was $40,000 for 18 months. (I know!) Yikes. That didn't even include
living expenses. I was told the Food Network works directly with that school, and
even offers scholarships to Le Cordon Bleu. That made me want to go there even
more! I'm glad it didn't work out. Good things come to those who wait, and I
definitely found my silver lining!
A couple of weeks ago, I had a meeting at CNM (formerly TVI), regarding their
Culinary Arts program. I met WONDERFUL people, and had all of my questions
answered. I was able to visit the different kitchens, and also got to meet several of
the students. Everyone was so friendly, and looked so happy to be there. In the
end, I was hooked. I now know this is where I need to be!
Thank you so much to all of my family and friends who have helped me to really
realize my desire. I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life who
truly support me.
career, but something always held me back. I was so afraid of sticking my neck
out. I chose jobs that were safe...the kind that offered retirement, insurance,
normal working hours. Wedding cakes would just be a hobby, I thought. I'll cater
and make cakes on the side as a hobby, and stick to working a regular job.
Thanks to the input of my wise uncles, family, and friends, I've decided to go for
what I really want. My goal is to be a published cookbook author, and have my
own cooking show on the Food Network. I want to own a couple of restaurants, give
cooking classes, and really make a mark in the culinary industry.
For the last couple of years, I've had my eye on various culinary schools. I applied
to Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale about a year and a half ago, and was accepted! I
was thrilled, but was later disappointed to find out that I would not be able to go.
Tuition was $40,000 for 18 months. (I know!) Yikes. That didn't even include
living expenses. I was told the Food Network works directly with that school, and
even offers scholarships to Le Cordon Bleu. That made me want to go there even
more! I'm glad it didn't work out. Good things come to those who wait, and I
definitely found my silver lining!
A couple of weeks ago, I had a meeting at CNM (formerly TVI), regarding their
Culinary Arts program. I met WONDERFUL people, and had all of my questions
answered. I was able to visit the different kitchens, and also got to meet several of
the students. Everyone was so friendly, and looked so happy to be there. In the
end, I was hooked. I now know this is where I need to be!
Thank you so much to all of my family and friends who have helped me to really
realize my desire. I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life who
truly support me.
| I'm officially 20/10! |
I have amazing friends. For my 20/10th birthday, they threw me a surprise
'Breakfast at Tiffany's' party. It was, by far, the COOLEST night of my life. I thought
I had it all figured out. I had read about a swing dance performance in Las Cruces,
and it just so happened to be the night of the birthday party. These girls know how
much I love swing dancing, so when I read the advertisement, I just KNEW I had
them all figured out!
They took me to have my hair done, and then took me back to a friend's house to
get ready. Inside the bedroom, I saw two amazingly beautiful black dresses. They
let me pick out whichever one I wanted to wear. There were the cutest little black
patent leather shoes, beautiful accessories, and every possible unmentionable I
could ever want! I didn't even want to blink. Everything was so amazing. I STILL
didn't have a clue as to what I was in for. I just thought, "Wow...everyone must be
dressing up for the swing dancing!" I'm such a dork! :)
We drove off in a BEAUTIFUL camaro. On the way, Laura mentioned she had forgot
her license, and needed to stop at the house really quick. (I still didn't catch on).
We pulled up to the house, and walked inside. Immediately, I saw a huge picture of
Audrey Hepburn in her infamous 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' pose. I walked through the
door and saw all of my friends waiting for me in the living room! I was in complete
shock. They yelled out, "Suprise!", but I couldn't even say anything! My eyes were
wide open, and my jaw was on the floor. I remember saying, "Oh my God!" about a
hundred times. It was kinda funny. I saw everyone dressed up and said,
"Oh.......My........God!" Then, I saw all the beautiful martini glasses and said,
"Oh...My...God!". My eyes caught a glimpse of the beautiful cake shaped in the
form of a Tiffany's box, and I said (Yep! You guessed it!) "OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
That's when Monica made me die laughing. She blurted out, "DO YOU KNOW HOW
FREAKIN' HARD IT IS TO ORDER A CAKE FOR SOMEONE WHO MAKES CAKES!?!"
The rest of the night was history! It was the best night of my life! Scroll down to see
a few of the pictures:
'Breakfast at Tiffany's' party. It was, by far, the COOLEST night of my life. I thought
I had it all figured out. I had read about a swing dance performance in Las Cruces,
and it just so happened to be the night of the birthday party. These girls know how
much I love swing dancing, so when I read the advertisement, I just KNEW I had
them all figured out!
They took me to have my hair done, and then took me back to a friend's house to
get ready. Inside the bedroom, I saw two amazingly beautiful black dresses. They
let me pick out whichever one I wanted to wear. There were the cutest little black
patent leather shoes, beautiful accessories, and every possible unmentionable I
could ever want! I didn't even want to blink. Everything was so amazing. I STILL
didn't have a clue as to what I was in for. I just thought, "Wow...everyone must be
dressing up for the swing dancing!" I'm such a dork! :)
We drove off in a BEAUTIFUL camaro. On the way, Laura mentioned she had forgot
her license, and needed to stop at the house really quick. (I still didn't catch on).
We pulled up to the house, and walked inside. Immediately, I saw a huge picture of
Audrey Hepburn in her infamous 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' pose. I walked through the
door and saw all of my friends waiting for me in the living room! I was in complete
shock. They yelled out, "Suprise!", but I couldn't even say anything! My eyes were
wide open, and my jaw was on the floor. I remember saying, "Oh my God!" about a
hundred times. It was kinda funny. I saw everyone dressed up and said,
"Oh.......My........God!" Then, I saw all the beautiful martini glasses and said,
"Oh...My...God!". My eyes caught a glimpse of the beautiful cake shaped in the
form of a Tiffany's box, and I said (Yep! You guessed it!) "OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
That's when Monica made me die laughing. She blurted out, "DO YOU KNOW HOW
FREAKIN' HARD IT IS TO ORDER A CAKE FOR SOMEONE WHO MAKES CAKES!?!"
The rest of the night was history! It was the best night of my life! Scroll down to see
a few of the pictures:
| Scroll down for more pics |
| Getting all curled up :) |
| I walked in to find not one, but TWO dresses on the bed. The pink box had every possible unmentionable that I could ever want or need. |
| Take a good look...these are 3 of the most amazing friends you could ever want. The fourth one is holding the camera. Thanks Sir Bink-a-lot! (Inside joke) |
| They arranged to use this awesome car to drive us to the party. The entire interior was red. I told the girls, "You know you are in a real car when it smells like this and SOUNDS like this!" :) |
| I laughed so hard at Monica. When I saw the cake, I about died. She said, "Do you know how freakin' hard it is to order a cake for someone who makes cakes??" LOL I LOOOOVED it. |
| This is the first thing I saw when I walked in the front door. I even got to keep it! |
| All of the Audrey impersonators posing for a picture! |
| The guys looked soooo cool. You guys totally ROCK. |
| This is exactly how it was the entire night. Good food, good martinis, wonderful people, and great conversation. I didn't want the night to end. |
Chef Charity...Coming Soon!