Mid Way Through...

Well, I just finished week 5 of this semester - half way through. This semester can't be over soon enough for me! Not that I don't like the classes - it's the combination of classes. There are HUGE projects due in each class. I started the semester off a bit slower than usual. Now I'm behind. The mid term I took in my Food and Beverage/Supervision class a few days ago - I didn't do well. I think I studied all the wrong stuff. Each question was worth 3 points each and I know for sure I missed 6 questions...oh, well. Our big project is worth 400 points so I'd better do well on that one.

Now, for the good stuff. In my Garde Manger class (cold prep) we learned to make sausages, kielbasa, and chorizo this week, plus smoking it. I'm learning so much in this class. It's really hard, though, so much information to take in. It's a 6 credit class. My other two classes are Food and Beverage/Supervision and Supervision - yeah, that's right - we use the same textbook for both classes. I'm learning a lot about wine in the Food and Bev. Our instructor is a sommelier in his "real" job. But, I'm learning a lot.

Work - I've been captaining and serving. Only been working one day a week, but with this load at school I don't mind. It will pick up now. I'm waiting on confirmation from my boss if I can start training one day a week in our catering kitchen as a prep cook, and then line cook. I'm excited about the opportunity to get some real world experience.

I was going to quit writing my blog I was that - and still am - that upset over a recent situation where my boys were maliciously given some incorrect information about me. But, I decided I really do need this, so I'm going to continue. Because of all of this, I'm emotionally drained. Last week, I was really ready to just hang it up. I've paid so much money so far. If I dropped out now, I'd lose all of the money I paid for this semester. Then I thought about just taking a semester off, but I was afraid I'd talk myself out of coming back. On Tuesday, I sealed my fate - I signed up for four classes next semester, so I guess I'm sticking with it. I need to really, really focus to get caught up right now. I hope I can do it.

New Semester

My new semester started on July 9th. I had a wonderful three week vacation from school. One of those weeks I didn't have to work, so that was really nice! Ramzi, his Mom, and his younger daughter stayed with me and we had a very nice week of doing things around the Detroit area. That was a very nice week.

Jason and Chris are doing well. Chris started a new job and is enjoying it.

My classes for this semester are Garde Manger, Food and Beverage Operations Management and Culinary Supervision, Management, and Career Development. I have six papers/major projects due between the three classes. I wish you could upgrade the memory for your brain like you can for your computer or I-Pod. I am running out of storage space, that's for sure. So much to memorize. Maybe I'll just delete the memories from junior high to make more storage space - I did not like junior high!

Garde Manger is all about cold food preparation and is a station in some restaurants. All the cold salads, sandwiches, soups, etc. are prepared at that station. We're learning how to cure and smoke meat, make all types of salads, soups...sorry, I've not looked ahead because I'm getting a bit overwhelmed by all that we will learn in this class. It's worth 6 credits, so it's a pretty complex class.

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed about stuff in general, I guess. I think when I started school, I was just thinking - get through the 1st year...just get through the 1st year and things will be better. Well, now I look ahead and I have three more years like the last one. I'll get through it, but do all college students feel this way? I guess I expect too much from myself.

Ramzi bought a bike so we're having fun checking out new places around the area. The heat has been so terrible lately - we're hoping for a little break this weekend so we can get a couple rides in.

That's about it for now. The homework is...overwhelming!!!  LOL! I spent most of the day yesterday and most of today on my Garde Manger class. I really need to start cutting class, staying out all night partying, blowing off my homework, and not studying for tests. Maybe then I'll feel like an 18 year old instead of a 53 year old going to college!

Father's Day

Yesterday was Father's Day. I talked to my Dad, which was nice, but I wish I could have been there. I am going to try to go back home before I go back to school after break.

I spent a wonderful day with Ramzi and his girls, his sister Gina and her husband Jamie and their boys Tristin and Cole. It was such a good day. We had great food on the grill. I made a birthday cake for Cole's 9th birthday. We spent the afternoon in their back property shooting all kinds of guns. I think Ramzi's daughter and I have found something in common! It was so much fun being around Ramzi's nephews - they remind me so much of my boys at that age!

I'm starting my 3 weeks off school today. I have a million things I want to do - think I'll just start by spending the afternoon on the couch watching movies - yep, that sounds like a plan!

Got an A in all three classes this semester, so I'm feeling pretty good! I will miss my American Regional class, though, but hope my Garde Manger class is just as much fun.

Here are some photos!

My classmates at the Top Chef Roadshow (I'm taking photo)

The food we had to put prepare  for the audience

 Some of the dishes we made during the semester - learning how to plate correctly as well...

 Calamari and Pasta

 I made this - a dish from the Hawaii - can't remember the name, but it was yummy!

 OMG! This meat was marinated then grilled - it was so good!

 This table is having their dishes evaluated by the our Chef and TA

 This table after they had their dishes evaluated - all smiles!!!

 Dave, Me, Allie, and Jennifer at our Awards Ceremony!