Orientation Day

So I'm sorry to say that I do not have any fun pictures for you from today's orientation. I also don't have any fun stories, as it was very uneventful, and boring. In a room of about 60 people, there were only 4 or 5 women, which is pretty much on par. And of those people, I'm the only one who'll be working in the kitchens. (That's not to say that there aren't women who are not new hires in the kitchen).

We went over safety and customer service and I got my ID. We did have hot dogs for lunch, and you know how I love hot dogs. :)

After orientation I had to go grocery shopping so I hopped in the car and went to the store. I was debating on whether or not to go back to Jenny Craige because my diet has gone off track. I can't however, afford all of the food (over $100 a month). I'm happy to say that I got diet food including fruit, yogurt and milk for under $70. So, I'm not sure I'll go back to JC again.

When I got home the doom and gloom of the day lifted and the sun came out. (Which is good b/c somewhere between walking in the gate and getting my ID I lost my unbrella). Considering I won't have much time anymore, I decided to go for a little walk. Well, a little walk turned into a 4 hour walk which resulted in take out dinner and 3 books from Barnes and Noble. (I had a gift card leftover from Christmas, so they were FREE!!)

Now I am beat. It was a long but good day and I'm looking forward to work tomorrow-9am. In the kitchen at the park. :)

And tonight, my city is shining bright and looks beautiful from my apartment.

The Beginning

New hire orientation today...should be interesting, will definitely be exciting-I just wish it was going to be sunny.

I'm bringing my camera-just in case I can sneak some pictures, but don't count on it. I'm kind of a wimp so if they say we can't take pictures, I won't try to sneak them.

And now, it begins...

It's In the Bank

You never get a "do over".  Not really. If you find yourself in an awkward situation and you've walked away, you can't just turn around and say, "Wait a minute-let's rewind and do that again."  You can't take back an over-reaction or a misplaced comment.  Nor can you take back a bad decision or a miscalculation of trust.

 

You can try to fix them, but you can never truly take them away. 

 

In the back of your head you'll always remember and it's likely that they will too.  It's a shame, because every time you have a human moment that requires a do-over, it seems like it takes a point away from your invisible but very real "I like you" bank.

 

Some people are millionaires because of their ILYB and others are paupers, forced to wait until someone is kind enough to see past their flaws-who will put a penny in their cup so that they can hang onto one last strand of hope.  Those of us who fall in the middle sometimes long for the wealth and security that the millionaires experience, but also the simplicity of the pauper.  The pauper, you see, looks out for them self because really, they have no one else to depend on.

 

In times of a recession the middle class banks feel tight and restrained and pine over the good old days when friends were overflowing like fine champagne.  They sit around with the phone in their hands trying to recall the numbers of the people they once knew, knowing that they can't really dial those numbers because they don't have enough in the bank to cover the call.

In a booming economy they are careless with friends and take advantage of the freedom they can afford, forgetting about those ordinary friends who stuck by them when times were tough.  Instead, they focus on the caviar and fine wines and gorge themselves on filet mignon and tiny cakes until the wee hours of morning. 

 

And their banks drain.  And interest rates skyrocket.  And all they are left with are empty bottles and indigestion.

 

And they can't take it back, because the damage is already done.

The smell of the earth thawing and a cool spring breeze, an UNEXPECTED visit from someone special, the roar of a crowd and hearing "it couldn't have happened to a NICER person".  I need to pay my bills.  New KEYS and rubber bands, clean forks and spoons. "That's the ugliest car ever" in a drunken laugh.  Red eyes and unwashed hair, PEACH flavored lip gloss and a $10 bill.  Old pictures in new frames and coffee in a FUZZY cup.  Murder down the street, perp apprehended.  BU rapist on the loose, no more walking at night.  Wondering when and not caring why.  That's a lie.  I wonder.  $100 missing this week, I could have used it.  Why does it seem like it's more than before?  NAKED in the mirror.  Lights out, clean sheets and white NOISE.  Window rattles, bad dreams and HOPES to come true.  $77 a month THROWN AWAYI am too gullible, too nice.  There's no such thing.  Promise of company and laughter.  I can not wait.  What's the right decision? WHO CARES?  It is what it is.  I hate that saying, but it's true.  Swordfish on Saturday and training too.  Fenway, HERE I COME.  Doctors appointments and prescriptions filled, make the ouchies go away.  I yelled at someone yesterday and now I feel bad, but he deserved it, so there.  Long day ahead, could use a DRINK with a friend.  Or a hug.  Yes...a hug would be nice, indeed.

Top Chef: Episode 4

Here we are again my friends, dishing on another episode of Top Chef...unfortunately, this will be the last week of my regular recaps as I'll be working most Wednesday nights until the fall.  I will have some off (when they are away) and perhaps I'll throw a review in here and there, but for the most part, my time as a TC reviewer is over.  :(  In any case, here is my take on episode 4. 

 

REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THESE POSTS.  IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW, DON'T READ PAST THIS LINE.

 

Thanks. :)

 

Let me start out by saying that hearing "If you don't know who this is you'd better just walk out of the kitchen now" made me chuckle.  Why?  Because I had no idea who the guest chef for this weeks Quickfire Challenge was, and I am pretty sure a few of the contestants didn't either.  Who was he?  He was Chef Danial Boulud, one of the most decorated French Chefs in the world.  When asked what he thought was the most important thing for a chef to posses he answered "technique".  Perhaps it was just me, but I knew that the challenge would for sure revolve around the things taught in a garde manger class.  Low and behold, that's what it was.  "Create a vegetable plate using 3 different techniques."

 

This was very familiar to me because in my senior mod we had an advanced class doing this exact thing (with a bit more thrown in).  Man, I miss that class...anyway...this challenge was very interesting to me.  I was interested in seeing what professional chefs would do for their plates:

 

*Manuel featured a supreme of lemon-which is just a fancy way to cut a wedge from a citrus fruit.  It's not really all the difficult at all-I was not impressed.

*Lisa wants to incorporate a technique that takes the skin off of a cucumber in a very fine sheet-but looks over and sees Dale doing the same thing, and doing it well.  She decides to go another route-probably a good idea.

*Zoi is nervous because she is not classically trained (and as I mentioned above, this is very much something you learn in culinary school.)  I believe she made a poached egg salad with shaved asparagus.  (My notes get a bit mixed up here)

 

At this point I started getting bad flashbacks of my hands getting pruney (something I HATE) and my little chef standing next to me telling me to keep tourneing a bazillion potatoes or carrots.  A tourne is a 7 sided vegetable that the chef carved.  It's often seen only in fancy places, because it is very labor intensive.  There's no point to this aside, except that I shuddered when I heard that word.  2 of the chefs used this technique.

 

Bottom 3: Nikki (get her OFF!) Lisa (no thought went into the dish) and Manuel (because he only used 1 technique).

Top 3: Zoi (very composed dish) Dale (because of his excellent knife skills) and Richard (because of his clean presentation and taste of the mushrooms).

 

Dale is the winner, and he gets to choose which team he will work with in the last challenge.

 

Elimination Challenge: Create a course (in a 6 course meal) inspired by your favorite movie.  Eating the food will be Richard Roper, a film critic.

 

My favorite team of the night was also the winners-Richard, Andrew and Dale-who had the first course.  Their dish was inspired by Willy Wonka and had white chocolate w/ wasabi and soy tapioca pearls.  They also had a little fizzy lifting kind of foam drink just to add whimsy.  Their dish was presented well and directly related to their movie.  Richard, being the head of the group, is the overall winner.

 

Stephanie's team came in second-their 6th course dish was not a dessert but a dish that featured a short rib dumpling with apples and a savory caramel sauce.  The dish seemed as though it was exceptional and was even touted as a new favorite dish by one of the judges.  Very well done.

 

My predictions so far for this season is that it's going to be Dale, Richard and Stephanie in the end, unless something crazy happens and they drop the ball.  Andrew, though annoying, might make it to the end too.  There are a few people in the background that might start to shine and who I'm not counting out just yet, but these are the stars so far.  Who do I think will go for sure?  Zoi, Nikki and Spike.  Let's see how I did...

Randomivity

Having a 2nd New Year's Eve is a blast with 2 silly friends and lots of champagne. Especially when you're sharing good news.

I like it when I make people proud. Except when I make them hate me too. But making them a little jealous gives me a tiny smile. ;)

Hen in a pumpkin is funny on Hells Kitchen.

I need a signature dish! I don't have one and I need one. I have no idea how to get one. Any ideas?

I might possibly have the best boss in the world-considering he's letting me change my hours so I can work at the park.

Getting a card in the mail for someone who cares about you is really a fantastic feeling. When you get 2 in one week-it makes you want to do cartwheels.

For the first time in 6 years I will not be able to make Rye Bread a special birthday cake and I won't be at her birthday party. My heart is broken.

Boys, close your eyes for sec: Only have a cycle once a year makes that one time utterly painful and horrific.

Ok. You can open your eyes again. :)

Sometimes you just need ice cream.

It's sad when men don't step up when they should, especially when it's regarding a baby.

I don't have DVR. I thought I did, and now I won't get to see the shows I love anymore.

Did anyone get pranked yesterday?

Go Ahead...

My wonderful friend Morgen awarded me the "You Make My Day" award, which just warms my heart. Anytime I can make someone I love smile I am happy, but especially when it's Mo! Thank you Morgen, if I could, I would give this award right back to you...

Instead, I pass this award to:

Brian, who never fails to make me chuckle, blush, smile and think. And the fact that he's hot doesn't hurt either. :)

Frigga, from Any Apples for her spunk and the beautiful pictures she shares with us. And also for humoring me with my 1 point.

Rick, the Palm Springs Savant because not only is he a generous, kind man, he's also a snazzy dresser who loves good food and good drinks. And art. Ok, he's just awesome and he makes me smile.

Thank you for making my day Mo by giving me this award, and thank you Brian, Frigga and Rick for always making me smile.

New Kids!

Everyone else better stand back-I think you're about to see thousands of 25-35 year old women go crazy.  New Kids on the Block are doing a reunion tour.

 

To be honest, I'm a little flustered by this, which is why I am not writing more than this tiny post.  I don't know why-but it excites me.  Even though they'll probably sound nothing like they used to (for one thing, Joey doesn't sound like a 14 year old girl anymore), it's still quite exciting...

 

Jordan-call me!
 

Toosdae ?'s

1. In order to save someones life you must do one of the following: Tap dance in front of 1000 people in a red satin assless outfit, eat 25 live cockroaches or stuff 5 bananas (no peel) up your butt. Which one would you pick?

2. What talent do you wish you had but don't?

3. You have the chance to be reincarnated as something other than a human being: What would you come back as and why?

1. For sure the bananas. Just kidding. Did I just get you excited? ;) Tap dancing for me.

2. I wish I had the talent to prepare meals on the fly out of nothing like they do on those cooking competitions. I'm a planner, so I wouldn't last very long.

Oh-and I also wish I had the ability to make men swoon.

3. I think wind. Not the kind that comes out of a banana eating butt-the kind that brushes the cheeks of people around the world.

ps. I have no idea where the "stuff 5 bananas up your butt" came from, but rest assured, I cracked myself up.

Shake It

I would like to mention that I love b.goods Mango Shake.  It has no fat and it thick and smooth and mango-y.

 

Chunks of mango come up the straw as you drink it, and it doesn't even gross me out.  I couldn't finish it all last night so I put it in the freezer and had it for breakfast this morning.

 

It's pretty much sunshine in a cup.  If you live in an area that has b.good around, you should for sure try the Mango Shake.

 

(But I don't like the burger with avacado & cilantro-it is my least favorite.  Why? It did not have as much flavor as I wanted it to have.)

 

A Turn of Events

I'm never going to mention the actual name of where I am now working-because I don't want it to come up in google searches...but I'll give you a hint:

...Do you get it?!?

I'm back in checks-I've quit the cafe & am literally on cloud 9. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but working for this organization might possibly usurp my time at Disney...

And just so you know-I'll be seeing all of the home games from a VERY nice place in the sky.

(I'm still working a day job-this one doesn't pay nearly enough to pay the bills. I know someone would ask that question so I thought I'd just put that out there.)