baby I'm from New York...

...concrete jungle where dreams are made of. There's nothing you can't do!

It's funny that I never know the exact day I moved to New York. You'd think that would be one of those moments in your life when you'd know all the little details of what was going on that day, but to be honest it's all a little bit of a blur. I don't say that because I tried to forget the experience. Really it all just happened so fast, that it's hard to remember exactly what happened.

About five years ago, sometime in the fourth week of July, I was packing up all my stuff getting it ready to be UPS'd to New York City. Yes... I UPS'd my stuff here. It was only like 8-10 small boxes of clothes, pictures, and personal effects. I didn't have a plan, wasn't sure what was going to happen, but I knew this is where I needed to be.

Somehow I had convinced myself 75 days earlier that if I could make it in New York, then nothing else mattered.... and well here I am. Five years later in love, enjoying life, and living in the moment. All I can say is if and when you ever REALLY want to challenge yourself... go ahead and just do it.

What do you have to lose?

What the hell are you doing?

Okay... okay... okay... I'll come out with it already.

In some ways I'm a little embarrassed to say this because I fear you might judge and say mean things about me, but in other ways it's almost liberating to think that I control my destiny. Yup! I get to sit around in pajamas all day if I want to. It's a big responsibility taking life into your own hands and molding your future.

A few days ago I mentioned I was no longer "working for the man". This is 100% totally accurate and never have I felt so at ease in my life. It's true! You don't realize how stressful life can be, when you're at the mercy of someone else's game plan. How I came to this point though was not as I expected it to be.

on the brain

I wish I had a yard.

Buried Treasure: 6 Days Later

Day 6: Buried Treasure - Wednesday, July 21, 2010

I was digging through some boxes getting the apartment ready to be painted, when I came across this little jewel. It's a classic 1970's Kodak Pocket Instamatic 10. The best part being that a cartridge of 110 film is still inside. I feel like I unlocked a time capsule!

Let's hope I can find someone who will know how to develop the film.

on the brain

I need to do a celebrity "What's in your kitchen?" series. Now where to find the celebrities?

Get'cha Be'er He're: 4 Days Later

Day 4: Where am I going to keep the food? - Monday, July 19, 2010

Who ever said you can never have enough beer apparently doesn't eat! What the hell am I going to do with all this beer?

Culinary School: 365 Days Later

I know you're waiting for me to go into the details of what I've got going on after culinary school and I promise to tell you what that is VERY SOON, but for now I wanted to share a different project I'll be working on at the same time.

In hopes of tracking my personal accomplishments and everyday moments, I've decided to put a 365 photo project together documenting my life after The French Culinary Institute. You can follow my progress on Flickr. I hope you'll enjoy it!



Day 2: Dave Matthews Band Concert at Citi Field - Saturday, July 17, 2010

do you remember...

that one time when I told you to please be nice and try not to get me fired from work? You can just disregard that little note... cause I am no longer working for the man!

There is nothing greater in life than working all day in your pajamas (or underwear as I am at this very moment) and making an honest living for yourself. Watch out world cause here I come!

I'm sure like the rest of my family, you're probably wondering what the hell is going on. I promise to tell you more very soon. Let me just get through my culinary final tonight and graduation tomorrow. Then I can give you all the cool details.

This is very exciting!

on the brain

Would you hate me if this became entirely a food blog? I know my life is sooooo much more interesting right... NOT!

It's coming. Get ready for it.

In Search of... the perfect dish. the perfect recipe. the perfect life.

Is it over already?

I have to admit... I'm a little sad right now. Culinary school just flew by so fast! I don't know if I really got a chance to let it all sink in. Does the ride have to stop?

Answer me this; why is it when you're in the moment you totally take for granted what you've got going, and then when it's all over you try to absorb every last ounce of what you're doing? I guess this is just the first time in my life when I've ever really been passionate about my education. When you finish high school or go through college there is more of a sense of relief, but this time it's different. I feel like I just want to keep learning and trying harder and being better.

I suppose with time other challenges will come my way, and other ideas will occupy my time. There is just something melancholy about finishing another chapter in life. It's as if you are mourning your former self and questioning what you will become.

I just wonder who I'll be next.

Practice makes perfect!

I've been recipe testing and practicing my tortilla making skills lately and wanted to share a video I came across while doing some tortilla research. The narration is in Spanish, but the images speak for themselves. This woman clearly has the talent of a master tortilla maker.