Long Road

It has been a long road I have been on, and I can't even say its over.
It gets to a point where you have to decide what you want to do next, its like many other jobs you go through, you try to figure out your specialty. Now you don't have to figure out exactly one thing you want to do, but it is good to narrow down your options.
So once you really figure out what you really want to do, and narrow down your options well then you have to find a job...so thats the time now. Finding a job that will matter to me, make me happy, and make me realize that I did pick what I love to do.
We all pick our future plans but it takes awhile to really get where you want to be, but we have to try and try. So maybe my first picks aren't what I get, I am ready for anything, and I will do anything to get where I want.
I thinks somtimes we forget that the road to where we want to be takes awhile, and it can have some bumps and crossroads, but you have to have the patience so succeed.

Chopping

When you are chopping something such as fruit, or vegtaables on a cutting board the sound lets just say its soothing. I love the sound of chopping on a wood cutting board.

Sounds in the Kitchen

So I spend most of my time in the Kitchen these days which I love, but as time goes on you realize more and more. So lately I have realized more in the Kitchen, the one thing is the sounds. I love the sounds in the kitchen its so exciting to hear just the little things. One thing that I heard this week that I haven't heard in a long time, panning nuts.

When you are making candied nuts, you can put them in bowl and mix them around, the sound of nuts going around a metal bowl its so unique. But you can also put them a tumbler and let them go round and round. It is a great sound that I love hearing, and I hope to keep hearing more of it.

Happiness

In the end of the day you have to remember why you are doing this.
Why your going through all this work and crazyness.
It is because you want to be happy, and I know in the end I will be very happy.
I know that each day I am going to love life more and more, I am ready for everyday and whatever it could throw at me. I am also already thinking of the future and thinking what I have waiting for me.


Something exciting from the weekend...I made crepes at a chocolate shop Beijo de Chcoolat


My internship is going well, Im taking everything that is coming at me, I am ready for it all.

Day by Day

Everyone is always mentioning how its 6 months, 6 months, 6 months. That is all I ever hear, well I see it as a day by day thing. A day by day thing that I love so much and I am so glad that I get this experience. I have already learned so much and getting more confidence than I had.

This is a day by day thing I am going through, you never know what could happen, and I am always excited to see what is going to happen next. This past week has been scary to me, but its been way worth it. I realized I can handle a lot more than I thought I could, and I am glad I am doing this.

Ill try to write some more this weekend!!

2 Weeks Down...

So I went from being a student three weeks ago to now being an intern, its a crazy change. But I have been waiting for this, and I was ready to throw myself into all of it. These first two weeks were crazy, but I am just excited for what the rest of time has in store for me.
Everyone keeps talking about the next 6 months, but I realized I just need to look at it day by day, if the first 6 months went by fast I know for sure these next 6 months will also.
I need to take all of this in, and learn and gain as much experience as I can.

I am just excited for this part of my life, its another chapter down, and another one starting right away.

Its all part of my journey of Becoming America's Next Top Pastry Chef...

I GRADUATED!

Friday the 18th of June I Graduated The French Pastry School!!

It was one of the most exciting things that have happened in my life!

I never knew this day would happen but it did!!

Check out the video.

Post more about it tomorrow!!

One Week

Oh yes that is what I have left.
I have one week.
This is too crazy for me.
I have too many mixed feelings right now.
I am so happy, but so sad at the same time.
Ready for the next chapter, but not at the same time.

Exams

This is my 4th and final exam while I have been in school.
Have I ever thought they were hard?? Nope, I just know you can't worry about it or over think it all. This ones seems like we have a lot more than usual to do, but at the same time I feel like its not bad at all. I got everything I wanted to get done today done, so that is always a nice feeling. And I got some extra stuff done!! Woot Woot Go me!!

This is my final week of school really, its crazy to think that five months has gone by just like that. Its like you shouldn't of even blinked because it went so fast. Next week is preparation for graduation, then we graduate. I can't believe Im almost there, this is all I wanted and now its almost over! But Im not leaving the school anytime soon...haha no way...interning there for 6 months! Im excited for it, but know that this part is ending and it makes me sad. I don't want it to be over.

Then Came the Breakfast Pastries

Oh the joy of breakfast pastries, just how yummy they really are. These were all so good to make, once you learn how to make them all you realize it is not as bad as you think.

This was a great unit!!




Yes we made waffles!! Awesome!

Breads Breads Breads

It has been an exciting few weeks, it has been full of bread. This was one unit I was unsure of I have never made bread before and wasn't sure if I was going to like it. Being in the bread industry is a pretty rough thing to do, it is really early mornings and just crazy hours and shifts. But I think it is something I may tryout in the near future, who knows...I don't know but I may give it a chance.





That is just some of the bread we made, that is not even including breakfast pastries. We made so many things and took so much home, my freezer was packed, and it is still packed with so much. My brother and dad did not eat as much as I thought they would, but they will be taking a lot of stuff home with them...well they better.

Sorry Im not too exciting but Ive been pretty busy and tired.

Crochembouche Day!

I know one whole day to build this!

Well lets just say that did not happen, there is a lot of parts to this.
These are suppose to be felled with cream.


Then you start assembling each row.


Then you have to make a base, with piping!! Not any kind of piping...STRING piping. That is some hard stuff.


Then you make a fountain for the top.


Yea and there way more steps than that!!

And this is what I got done.


But it is a very good structure! I would have to say so myself.
I had to leave class early this day So I couldn't get my top on top of it!
But I do have to say I loved making this!! Maybe I will go into business.
I do know I want to have one of these at my wedding!!

Wedding Cakes...Oh My!!

So finishing up with the two weeks of wedding cakes, buttercream and fondant. Oh how much this is a joy...not...lets just say Im not very sure how I feel about this unit.

Buttercream cakes were fine, I just did not like the buttercream lets just say I feel like we just smoothed out some butter on some cake. It was too much for me. But I did get to work on piping which is always a good thing.

So my Buttercream cake turned out fine, the piping is all over the place but I just messing around. But you know for the most part I would say it is pretty decent.


I did like how the top came out, I just went for it and called it good. Somtimes you just got to go with the flow. That is how my piping is usually.

Then we did fondant cakes, well it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It is a little frustrating, but it turns out to be beautiful.


I was told that mine would be perfect for a "Sweet Sixteen" haha...Im sorry but I love pink...and if I ever get married my color will be Pink.

But fondant cakes are not too bad, I would liked to learn a little more and get better at making the flowers, but not something I want to do for the rest of my life.

Ill be posting some more right away...i had the most amazing weekend!!!

Anthony Bourdain

So my amazing parents got me a ticket to go see Anthony Bourdain. Now I was confused at first because I was like I know what the does...so what am I going to do for like two hours sitting there. But I was like hey...I wouldn't be doing anything anyways so lets give it a shot.

I had an amazing seat...right in the center no one to sit in front of me and tons of leg room. It was a nice box seat. I loved it.

The minute he came on stage it was a hoot and a hollar. He came out with a beer in his hand and put it on the podium, that was his beer stand.

He was just too funny, the bashing of people and there shows and the food network. It was priceless.

And he had some good tips, Like I want to travel so much and that is what he is all about. You have to take all those experiences.

I don't think I could ever try and the stuff he does, but I think I could give some stuff a shot. But somtimes you just got to go for it, you only have one time to live it out.

This was one of the last things he said before he started taking questions from the audience, it reminded me of my family and how we would go to all these different places to eat and many times they were little shacks somewhere. But you know you have to give it all a try.

Enjoy.

Gum Paste Flowers

Oh what a joy...actually I am not really sure. I liked making them but I didn't if that makes any sense.
Its a lot of work for something so small and that is just going to sit there. Don't get me wrong they can turn out so gorgeous I don't know if I could sit there for hours on end making them. I did like dusting them though...coloring them all up. My blossoms came out awesome...I wish it showed better in the pics.

Most of these flowers are going on top of a fondant cake we are making...so yes I did go with Pink!! Who would of guessed...but I am going with Pink and Orange for my cake...which maybe someday in the very far future will be my wedding colors...haha.






Yes I did make all those flowers!! I know pretty impressive.

Whats been happening?

Well what has been happening in my life??
The usual, I go to pastry school and make amazing creations everyday!

I just had two weeks of making these incredible cakes that you would only imagine getting in the store. My favorite was this raspberry silk cake....it was so delicious.


When you add the right flavors and textures it makes the perfect cake. I am not kidding these cakes aren't those store bought cakes that are vanilla cake with vanilla frosting. These are so much more than that.

We learned how to glaze cakes which was a really cool technique to learn.

Simple things you never really think about or think man that is something I want to learn...you learn and everything changes.

I am so blessed everyday for what I get to do.
Lucky Me!!

Easter Weekend

So last weekend I went to Ohio, you want to know why??

Well Micah just turned 3 and I had to be there for his party!! Also it was Easter and it was time to see my Benjamin again and my amazing family I have!!

So my great idea was I would leave friday morning, which meant at midnight and start driving to Ohio. Around 5am I had been up for 24hrs and it was sinking it so I pulled over at a gas station and took a nap, then woke up and did the rest of my drive. Oh and this whole time I hadn't told anyone I left yet because I wanted to surprise them all!! And that is exactly what I did!! It was a early drive but totally worth it because I got to spend a few more hours with my great nephews!! Right when I got there we left for the zoo, which was packed!! The weather was so nice!!


It was a great time getting to hang around with everyone.

But we did get to celebrate Micah's 3rd birthday!! I made him a cake!! 3 Down, many more to go!
And there was coloring of the eggs! Eveything is always fun with you have a little kid around.


Well that was my weekend, it still involved baking, but wasn't in my life anymore?? That is a good question. Ill be posting more about this week!! In cake class now!! Trying to get excited about it all, but in the middle!!

Tarts

Here is a quick update because I am so behind!!
But two weeks ago we made Tarts!! A whole week of Tarts!! It was amazing, it was my first time making them and lets just say I am in love <3. I think it is something I may want to go into...well at least work in a restaurant making them for a couple years.

Fruit Tart

Lemon Cream Tart


Lemon Curd Tart


Mini Lemon Curd Tart


Chocolate Tart


Cream Puff


Something Really Yummy


Awesome Tart Shell

Sometimes the simplest things can make you so happy.

Such a joy in life!

In the end I have nothing to complain about just so much to be happy about. I went into school thinking I would find a couple things I really like to do and just go for those. But now i have realized I love everything about school, and I love everything I can do.

Just had exam week and I think it went awesome!!

Now starting cakes!! Lets see how this goes.

Put more up during the week!

Sculpture Weeks!

Sculpture weeks are insane, I know I never expected to know the stuff I learned these last couple of weeks. With chocolate sculptures I learned how to make a rose and a daisy! It is just so amazing, to come out of class know how to make them. These are things you see people make on TV and think man how do they make them, and there I was making these things in class. Its just another mind blowing experience, I loved making the rose, it was just so pretty and delicate, I am glad I came out of that week knowing how to make something like that.




What is crazy is I got into wanting to do all of this because I was watching TV one day and Jacques Torres had a show on and he was showing how to make different things for sculptures. So knowing me I went into the kitchen to try to make this stuff and it was a total fail. But I didn't know what I was doing at the time. Now I understand why, and I understand what to do. It is just so exciting, to look back and know nothing, and now I know everything I need to know.



After chocolate sculptures we had sugar sculptures, lets just say its exciting to see how it is all done, but thats it. Making it is not as exciting, pretty frustrating. It was fascintating to watch how to blow sugar, and make roses, but I can say that it was just not my thing. I just couldn't do it. I tried to make a bird out of blown sugar, and I tried and tried but I couldn't do it. I even told me chef I couldn't do it, he tried to help me out, but I still failed at doing it. My rose came out pretty well, I liked it, maybe not up to standard, but it was up to standard to me.



These last two weeks have taught me a lot, more than I ever thought I would learn. But it has been an amazing experience. I learned a lot about myself also. I did not let myself get as frustrated as I usually do, things didnt allways go the way I wanted it to, but I let it be. I did my thing and just went for it.

This is why school is so awesome, I am learning so much about myself, and learning so much about baking and pastry arts, its an amazing experience. I never want it to end.

Besides my exciting times at school, a really exciting thing that happened is my lil brother came into town!! It was so awesome, he makes me complete. It was so nice just to get a chance to hang out with him. I missed him so much.

He just makes me so happy, he is my best friend and I wish I could see him everyday!

I took him on my tour...we went and saw the bean...

It is one of my favorite things to check out, I think its pretty cool. Also they had dyed the water green for st. patricks day so that was pretty aweosme to check out.

And then I had to take him to my favorite place...Al's Italian Beef which I hadn't been to since november, but we went twice while he was here so it was all good.




Somtimes it is just nice to be around family, and feel at home. These weeks have been crazy, but I feel like every week is crazy.

This week tarts!! Sounds yummy!