Ugh. Exams are going a lot worse this time around. I don't know what it is- less confidence in the topics/products, more confident in the exam process, more products, being less emotionally invested- or a combination of all of those- but I feel terrible about these exams.
Today was worse than yesterday. It started out rough- I forgot to do the base temperature for my bread, but didn't realize it until it was mixed and resting. My partner proceeded with hers and I needed to get some mini tart shells done- had to put bread off another 45 minutes. The tart dough was giving me hell and the temperature in our classroom was climbing. My financiers were crowded in the middle of a flexipan and didn't bake evenly or get the color they needed (=points off). I forgot a small, yet important detail when sheeting my croissant dough and it turned into a blob. This made my croissants look a little lopsided. At the end of the day, my large tart dough was either so soft that I couldn't pick it up or so hard it was cracking. I was so frustrated with myself all day for making so many mistakes. I still am frustrated, but what can I do? Like Chef JP said, it's better that we bomb at school than in a real job. This is the time to make mistakes. I just have a hard time with not doing my best.
The one thing that went well is I got my salambos done. I piped my pate a choux yesterday, so today I made some very smooth pastry cream and good dry caramel, both of which helped the final product. I am still concerned that my pate a choux weren't perfectly piped, but I stuck to my gut and didn't remake them. I turned them in and I noticed that the chefs ate at least 2! That's a good sign, right? I've had a couple myself and will have a few more in a bit.
Tomorrow should, er- will, be better. I have less to finish up, so I can spend more time doing what I need to do, which will hopefully result in good products. I need to make my plan for tomorrow and get some sleep. I hope that tomorrow goes better than the last two days, but more than that, I just want tomorrow to be over. I'm sticking around Chicago this weekend and have lots of things I want to accomplish/experience. *BIG sigh* Thanks for tuning in. I hope to post more about what's been happening for the last couple of weeks.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
And the results are in...
A quick update: I passed my exams last week! And I did pretty well too! :) I'm very happy with my score and agree with a lot of the comments made about my products and process.
And we're on to breads and breakfast pastries this week and next. So far this week, we've made toast bread, brioche dough by hand (this is a messy endeavor), lemon pound cake, blueberry muffins, yummy almond brioche bites, Nanterre (a brioche specialty), whole wheat bread, French bread, and started croissants and beignets. Our new chef instructor is very charming; he is very knowledgeable, invested and personable.
I bought some Nutella when grocery shopping this morning. BEST. IDEA. EVER. It was fantastic on the semi-warm French bread when I got home today. Don't worry Mom and Kyle, I did eat a real dinner, complete with a green vegetable. Plus some bread. LOTS of bread. And I put three loaves in the freezer, on top of the two from yesterday and an assortment of breakfast pastries. Guess what?! That'll all come home with me next weekend! YAY!
Time for bed. Still contemplating volunteering at school in the morning or spending some more time on my resume, timing the bike ride to work to get my schedule for next week, and clean up my place a little bit. What to do, what to do? :)
And we're on to breads and breakfast pastries this week and next. So far this week, we've made toast bread, brioche dough by hand (this is a messy endeavor), lemon pound cake, blueberry muffins, yummy almond brioche bites, Nanterre (a brioche specialty), whole wheat bread, French bread, and started croissants and beignets. Our new chef instructor is very charming; he is very knowledgeable, invested and personable.
I bought some Nutella when grocery shopping this morning. BEST. IDEA. EVER. It was fantastic on the semi-warm French bread when I got home today. Don't worry Mom and Kyle, I did eat a real dinner, complete with a green vegetable. Plus some bread. LOTS of bread. And I put three loaves in the freezer, on top of the two from yesterday and an assortment of breakfast pastries. Guess what?! That'll all come home with me next weekend! YAY!
Time for bed. Still contemplating volunteering at school in the morning or spending some more time on my resume, timing the bike ride to work to get my schedule for next week, and clean up my place a little bit. What to do, what to do? :)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Intrigued
Enough about Starbucks. Let's chat about school & life, shall we?
I finished up the two-week wedding cakes class on Friday with a traditional French wedding cake, the croquembouche. Wonderfully labor intensive and beautiful, it was one of my favorite things we've made so far. However, thanks to the near 100% humidity, it was in a pile on the floor less than 12 hours after it was completed. Bummer. I did get some pics before it crashed, thankfully. Hope to post soon.
PIE HOLE was in town this weekend and we had a blast. I rode the CTA orange line for the first time out to Midway with Kyle to pick her up on Saturday afternoon. We made our way back to my hood, Edgewater, and then went to Calo in Andersonville for dinner. A-MAZ-ING. I would totally go back! We waddled home, rented a movie (Bounty Hunter), and then helped Kyle pack up and sent him home to Madison. Seriously, my place is only big enough for two to sleep. I was sad to see him go, but happy to have some girly time with my PIE. I also have exams this week, so I will either be studying or sleeping or working or at school, which makes for a lot of boring alone time for my hubby. Anyway... PIE and I didn't get 2/3 of the way through the movie before we were both snoozing- not because it was bad, but we were so tired! Movie off and we hit the hay- without an alarm set for morning.
We woke up around 8:30am, which was glorious! I had the day off from work, also wonderful so PIE and I had the whole day in front of us. We mozied about, got ready and were out the door around 10. Our first destination was Ann Sather, a local, popular Swedish breakfast/lunch spot famous for their cinnamon rolls. They were HUGE and good, but not as good as the best I've ever had (my mom's). We also had fruit and eggs to balance out the sugary carbs. It was so nice to linger over coffee and catch up about life. I value PIE so much and miss being able to see her often.
Shedd Aquarium was our next destination. When we got there, the line was a million miles long (or so it felt), but thankfully I planned to become a member and we zoomed right in. We got there around 12:30pm, took in a few of the exhibits and the Fantasea show at 2, and then Sam, a friend from college joined us. Some lady gave her tickets for the 4-D Planet Earth show at 3, so we saw that. And then everything again. We were there until it closed at 6! The three of us came back to my apartment. They went to the beach while I studied and did some laundry. And chatted with my mom <3 Sam headed back to Oak Park and PIE and I heated up some leftovers from Saturday night, made some broccoli and enjoyed dinner. And finished our movie. Then it was time for bed. She got up and left the apartment around 6 this morning, just as I was getting up for work. Sad, but not too sad because I'll see her on Saturday for Sarah's wedding!
Today, work was work-y and went by quick. I headed down to school and today was our first Master Demo. Chef J, one of the founders and co-owners of the school, spent 6 hours assembling a gorgeous sugar showpiece, talking us through it the whole way. It was hard to sit through six hours since we were all so used to being so active in the kitchen, but it was okay because we had chairs! With backs! And cushions! I am so intrigued by sugar work. When I started school, I put sugar showpieces at the top of my Most Scared Of/Intimidated By List. Now, though, I can't wait to do it! All the techniques he showed us were interesting and the products were fantastic. I hope I like it this much after I learn how to do it!
I'm off to bed to get up at 3:30am to schlep coffee for the masses. Nighty night!
I finished up the two-week wedding cakes class on Friday with a traditional French wedding cake, the croquembouche. Wonderfully labor intensive and beautiful, it was one of my favorite things we've made so far. However, thanks to the near 100% humidity, it was in a pile on the floor less than 12 hours after it was completed. Bummer. I did get some pics before it crashed, thankfully. Hope to post soon.
PIE HOLE was in town this weekend and we had a blast. I rode the CTA orange line for the first time out to Midway with Kyle to pick her up on Saturday afternoon. We made our way back to my hood, Edgewater, and then went to Calo in Andersonville for dinner. A-MAZ-ING. I would totally go back! We waddled home, rented a movie (Bounty Hunter), and then helped Kyle pack up and sent him home to Madison. Seriously, my place is only big enough for two to sleep. I was sad to see him go, but happy to have some girly time with my PIE. I also have exams this week, so I will either be studying or sleeping or working or at school, which makes for a lot of boring alone time for my hubby. Anyway... PIE and I didn't get 2/3 of the way through the movie before we were both snoozing- not because it was bad, but we were so tired! Movie off and we hit the hay- without an alarm set for morning.
We woke up around 8:30am, which was glorious! I had the day off from work, also wonderful so PIE and I had the whole day in front of us. We mozied about, got ready and were out the door around 10. Our first destination was Ann Sather, a local, popular Swedish breakfast/lunch spot famous for their cinnamon rolls. They were HUGE and good, but not as good as the best I've ever had (my mom's). We also had fruit and eggs to balance out the sugary carbs. It was so nice to linger over coffee and catch up about life. I value PIE so much and miss being able to see her often.
Shedd Aquarium was our next destination. When we got there, the line was a million miles long (or so it felt), but thankfully I planned to become a member and we zoomed right in. We got there around 12:30pm, took in a few of the exhibits and the Fantasea show at 2, and then Sam, a friend from college joined us. Some lady gave her tickets for the 4-D Planet Earth show at 3, so we saw that. And then everything again. We were there until it closed at 6! The three of us came back to my apartment. They went to the beach while I studied and did some laundry. And chatted with my mom <3 Sam headed back to Oak Park and PIE and I heated up some leftovers from Saturday night, made some broccoli and enjoyed dinner. And finished our movie. Then it was time for bed. She got up and left the apartment around 6 this morning, just as I was getting up for work. Sad, but not too sad because I'll see her on Saturday for Sarah's wedding!
Today, work was work-y and went by quick. I headed down to school and today was our first Master Demo. Chef J, one of the founders and co-owners of the school, spent 6 hours assembling a gorgeous sugar showpiece, talking us through it the whole way. It was hard to sit through six hours since we were all so used to being so active in the kitchen, but it was okay because we had chairs! With backs! And cushions! I am so intrigued by sugar work. When I started school, I put sugar showpieces at the top of my Most Scared Of/Intimidated By List. Now, though, I can't wait to do it! All the techniques he showed us were interesting and the products were fantastic. I hope I like it this much after I learn how to do it!
I'm off to bed to get up at 3:30am to schlep coffee for the masses. Nighty night!
Ridiculous
This incident is RIDICULOUS! As a Starbucks barista, I have two thoughts. First, I ask each customer if they would like cream cheese or butter with the bagel they order, and if they want it toasted or not (unless they beat me to it). They don't have exactly say, "I want/don't want butter or cheese," for me to finish their order. A simple YES or NO suffices. The barista was out of line. However, so was the customer. Brings me to my second thought, which relates to the first. The customer could have simply answered "Yes," or "No," and avoided the whole thing. YES and NO are correct and polite English, Ms. English Professor. She could have just gone to any of the other hundred bagel shops in NEW YORK CITY. Sheesh.
Friday, August 6, 2010
6 Months
Six months ago today, I got married. Seriously, it has been the best six months of my life. I feel so in line with Kyle and genuinely happy. Not that I wasn't happy before, but just as all the people told me before I got hitched, something does change, but you just can't put it into words. Sure, what's mine is now his, my name changed, but there is something deeper to our connection. I love this feeling and I wouldn't have it any other way. Getting married was the best decision ever.
While in the planning stages of our wedding, I joined theknot.com. They send you a countdown to your big day, usually every month along with stuff you should be getting done. What I didn't know was they also send you count-ups after your wedding. Today, I got this email from them with the subject "Pregnant? New Parent? Trying to Conceive?" The body reads, "Believe it or not, it has been six months since we helped you plan your big day...here are some links to the top parenting websites, blah, blah, blah." PREGNANT?! No way. Now I know that many people do things in their own order these days- having babies then getting married, not getting married at all and having babies, etc. I'm all for what works for people. That's just not me or Kyle. We decided a while ago that we want to spend a few years as a married couple, enjoying each other before we add another element to our relationship. That email I got today was a shocker! While babies are cute and wonderful, we're not ready for that. Check back in maybe 3.5 years. There will definitely be a puppy before a baby!
Today also marks the one-month down, five months to go at school. In this first month, we got oriented, did some basic skills, learned about mousse cakes and have started wedding cakes. I can tell that I've learned a lot and my skill set is increasing, and I feel really good about being in school. I know that this is what I'm supposed to do because I'm finally enjoying what I'm doing.
Wedding cakes class has been eye-opening. I worked with Susan on some weddings and she taught me about icing a cake and laying fondant and piping. But we never made gum paste flowers. I've painted them before, but never made them. That's what I've been doing for the past 22 hours at school- making flowers. 5 roses, 3 carnations, 3 daisies, 6 little blossoms, 2 lilies and 2 orchids- and they aren't done yet! It makes me appreciate this art form, but I'm not sure it makes me want to run out open a wedding cake shop specializing in gum paste flowers. I'll post the progression of pictures soon so you can see what I'm talking about.
Yesterday we spent the last hour and a half at school learning how to cover cakes with fondant. With Susan, this was the thing that I was least good at and was actually weary of doing. You can't be weary in the kitchen classroom. You have two chances to get it right before your fondant rebels against you. So, I warmed it up, tinted it ivory, rolled it out and covered a cake. I DID IT! It looks pretty good and I'm hoping to post pictures this weekend. We're covering three Styrofoam tiers, decorating them and topping it with our gum paste flowers. Then we get to keep it forever. I've got to decide where in my tiny apartment this 16"x14" thing is going to live.
I slept in today- yay! I work for the next two days from about 8:30 to about 3 or 4. My saree and blouse are ready, so I'm heading to little India tomorrow to pick it up and probably go to the awesome grocery stores and pick up a few treats. A dinner out with some friends from school is happening either tonight or tomorrow, so that should be fun. PIE HOLE comes next weekend and then the weekend after that is Sarah's WEDDING! :) August is a great month.
While in the planning stages of our wedding, I joined theknot.com. They send you a countdown to your big day, usually every month along with stuff you should be getting done. What I didn't know was they also send you count-ups after your wedding. Today, I got this email from them with the subject "Pregnant? New Parent? Trying to Conceive?" The body reads, "Believe it or not, it has been six months since we helped you plan your big day...here are some links to the top parenting websites, blah, blah, blah." PREGNANT?! No way. Now I know that many people do things in their own order these days- having babies then getting married, not getting married at all and having babies, etc. I'm all for what works for people. That's just not me or Kyle. We decided a while ago that we want to spend a few years as a married couple, enjoying each other before we add another element to our relationship. That email I got today was a shocker! While babies are cute and wonderful, we're not ready for that. Check back in maybe 3.5 years. There will definitely be a puppy before a baby!
Today also marks the one-month down, five months to go at school. In this first month, we got oriented, did some basic skills, learned about mousse cakes and have started wedding cakes. I can tell that I've learned a lot and my skill set is increasing, and I feel really good about being in school. I know that this is what I'm supposed to do because I'm finally enjoying what I'm doing.
Wedding cakes class has been eye-opening. I worked with Susan on some weddings and she taught me about icing a cake and laying fondant and piping. But we never made gum paste flowers. I've painted them before, but never made them. That's what I've been doing for the past 22 hours at school- making flowers. 5 roses, 3 carnations, 3 daisies, 6 little blossoms, 2 lilies and 2 orchids- and they aren't done yet! It makes me appreciate this art form, but I'm not sure it makes me want to run out open a wedding cake shop specializing in gum paste flowers. I'll post the progression of pictures soon so you can see what I'm talking about.
Yesterday we spent the last hour and a half at school learning how to cover cakes with fondant. With Susan, this was the thing that I was least good at and was actually weary of doing. You can't be weary in the kitchen classroom. You have two chances to get it right before your fondant rebels against you. So, I warmed it up, tinted it ivory, rolled it out and covered a cake. I DID IT! It looks pretty good and I'm hoping to post pictures this weekend. We're covering three Styrofoam tiers, decorating them and topping it with our gum paste flowers. Then we get to keep it forever. I've got to decide where in my tiny apartment this 16"x14" thing is going to live.
I slept in today- yay! I work for the next two days from about 8:30 to about 3 or 4. My saree and blouse are ready, so I'm heading to little India tomorrow to pick it up and probably go to the awesome grocery stores and pick up a few treats. A dinner out with some friends from school is happening either tonight or tomorrow, so that should be fun. PIE HOLE comes next weekend and then the weekend after that is Sarah's WEDDING! :) August is a great month.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Connected
Ahhh, back to the connected life. It is good to be back; I can look up directions, update my blog and check my email. However, I kinda got used to not having a computer. I read a book and a half. I got more sleep. Out of the 63 emails in my box, only 3 were actually important. Along with learning that you don't pack your computer in your backpack when it is downpouring, I learned that I can still entertain myself without a screen.
That being said, Kyle arrived on Friday night with a handy loaner computer from my dad. It's tiny- maybe a foot long and 8 inches deep. Tiny little screen and keyboard; I can't imagine my dad using it with his big daddy hands. But it connects to the interwebs and that's all I need for now. When my student loan comes in, to the Apple store I go for a new 13" mac book pro!
Kyle is here! I am so happy he came back to spend some more time with me down here. As he puts it, he can spend a little time with me (in between work and school) in Chicago or no time with me in Madison. Good logic, I think. Friday night we came right home to have dinner (pizza) and dive into the cake I made on the last day of cakes class. Another chocolate one- chocolate mouse, a vanilla cream layer, chocolate cake, more mousse, hazelnut crunch, more mousse and a final layer of chocolate cake. All topped off with a beautiful glaze. It is decadent and wonderful. I would like another piece right now, actually! We also made Pithivier, a puff pastry- almond cream confection that is amazing. We learned how to make the puff pastry by hand, then assemble this beautiful "cake". I have pics, but don't want to clutter this computer up, so those will have to wait. Google it to see what I'm talking about.
I had my first evaluation; I'm happy to say that I'm in the 'succeeding' category for the whole rubric. Did I mention that I also passed my SafeServ sanitation course? 98% baby. That's only 1 wrong! And I got to know my new partner for the next three weeks- Cristina! She's cool. I was dreading the partners this time around because there are few people who I don't want to be partners with and I felt that by feeling that way, it was bound to happen. But it didn't! Sad to not be with Alix anymore, but I'll still see her and walk and ride the L home with her, so our connection won't be lost.
I had to work yesterday (Saturday) at 7 until about 3:15. Half-way into my shift, however, our coffee brewer started spewing out grounds and coffee all over the place. I was in the float position, so I decided to clean it up. I thought that all the coffee had collected in the urn and grounds were just overflowing out of the filter area. Wrong. I pulled out the filter holder with my right hand and over 200 degree coffee mixed with grounds spilled all over my hand and onto the floor. OUCH! I remembered Chef Kristen saying not to put a burn under cold water, but lukewarm, so that's what I did instantly. I think all the adrenaline pumping through my body made it seem not as bad as it was and I continued to clean up, periodically running the burn underwater. Finally it hit me and the pain was awful. I stepped off the floor into the back to find the first aid kit.
Burn gel acquired, I slathered some one and waited. With me off the floor, my manager had to step in because we were uber busy. I called Kyle. I tried to call my mom, freaked my dad out calling him to find her, and then called GHC urgent care to see what they recommended. Kyle was the only one I got a hold of. He urged me to come home and that it didn't sound too serious like I needed medical attention. No big blisters, just very swollen and bright red. Finally my manager came back and gave me the go ahead to leave, telling me that I was doing a great job, even if bad things kept happening to me! I clocked out and made my way home, walking a mile to the bus stop, riding the bus to Walgreens to find some more burn gel (without luck!) and then home. I bumped into Kyle in the lobby; he had run out to get ice, bread and surprise me with ice cream. I was blubbering about how much it hurt, but he took good care of me.
We laid low for the afternoon as I nursed my hand back to health. I decided with the intricate work of Wedding Cake class starting Monday, it was best to rest the hand and not go to work today. The boss was understanding. It was a good decision; the burn is better today, but still really sore, like the worst sunburn you can imagine. Like Kels said and I felt at the time, I just couldn't catch a break!
Kyle and I got Ben's Noodles for dinner and took the 147 downtown to see Inception with a couple of ladies from school. It was a great movie; made my mind spin and heart race. Then we went to Navy Pier just in time for the fireworks. Then a ferris wheel ride, a walk down the pier and the long walk to the L. We got to hear some fantastic free-style rap on the train on the way home. We finally turned in about 1am without an alarm set for the morning.
What a great feeling! We woke up when we were just done sleeping and then Kyle made French toast and turkey sausage for breakfast. After showering and double checking directions, we were off to the Lincoln Park Zoo for the afternoon. Overall, it was an okay trip. A lot of the animals weren't in their exhibits, but the ones we saw were entertaining. The highlights were a gibbon that peed on the human spectators (not us, thankfully) and the jaguar in a box in its enclosure. And the gorillas. We made the trek home, stopped for some broccoli to accompany our pasta dinner and have been relaxing since. I think that's the plan for the rest of the night, and that's just okay with me :)
That being said, Kyle arrived on Friday night with a handy loaner computer from my dad. It's tiny- maybe a foot long and 8 inches deep. Tiny little screen and keyboard; I can't imagine my dad using it with his big daddy hands. But it connects to the interwebs and that's all I need for now. When my student loan comes in, to the Apple store I go for a new 13" mac book pro!
Kyle is here! I am so happy he came back to spend some more time with me down here. As he puts it, he can spend a little time with me (in between work and school) in Chicago or no time with me in Madison. Good logic, I think. Friday night we came right home to have dinner (pizza) and dive into the cake I made on the last day of cakes class. Another chocolate one- chocolate mouse, a vanilla cream layer, chocolate cake, more mousse, hazelnut crunch, more mousse and a final layer of chocolate cake. All topped off with a beautiful glaze. It is decadent and wonderful. I would like another piece right now, actually! We also made Pithivier, a puff pastry- almond cream confection that is amazing. We learned how to make the puff pastry by hand, then assemble this beautiful "cake". I have pics, but don't want to clutter this computer up, so those will have to wait. Google it to see what I'm talking about.
I had my first evaluation; I'm happy to say that I'm in the 'succeeding' category for the whole rubric. Did I mention that I also passed my SafeServ sanitation course? 98% baby. That's only 1 wrong! And I got to know my new partner for the next three weeks- Cristina! She's cool. I was dreading the partners this time around because there are few people who I don't want to be partners with and I felt that by feeling that way, it was bound to happen. But it didn't! Sad to not be with Alix anymore, but I'll still see her and walk and ride the L home with her, so our connection won't be lost.
I had to work yesterday (Saturday) at 7 until about 3:15. Half-way into my shift, however, our coffee brewer started spewing out grounds and coffee all over the place. I was in the float position, so I decided to clean it up. I thought that all the coffee had collected in the urn and grounds were just overflowing out of the filter area. Wrong. I pulled out the filter holder with my right hand and over 200 degree coffee mixed with grounds spilled all over my hand and onto the floor. OUCH! I remembered Chef Kristen saying not to put a burn under cold water, but lukewarm, so that's what I did instantly. I think all the adrenaline pumping through my body made it seem not as bad as it was and I continued to clean up, periodically running the burn underwater. Finally it hit me and the pain was awful. I stepped off the floor into the back to find the first aid kit.
Burn gel acquired, I slathered some one and waited. With me off the floor, my manager had to step in because we were uber busy. I called Kyle. I tried to call my mom, freaked my dad out calling him to find her, and then called GHC urgent care to see what they recommended. Kyle was the only one I got a hold of. He urged me to come home and that it didn't sound too serious like I needed medical attention. No big blisters, just very swollen and bright red. Finally my manager came back and gave me the go ahead to leave, telling me that I was doing a great job, even if bad things kept happening to me! I clocked out and made my way home, walking a mile to the bus stop, riding the bus to Walgreens to find some more burn gel (without luck!) and then home. I bumped into Kyle in the lobby; he had run out to get ice, bread and surprise me with ice cream. I was blubbering about how much it hurt, but he took good care of me.
We laid low for the afternoon as I nursed my hand back to health. I decided with the intricate work of Wedding Cake class starting Monday, it was best to rest the hand and not go to work today. The boss was understanding. It was a good decision; the burn is better today, but still really sore, like the worst sunburn you can imagine. Like Kels said and I felt at the time, I just couldn't catch a break!
Kyle and I got Ben's Noodles for dinner and took the 147 downtown to see Inception with a couple of ladies from school. It was a great movie; made my mind spin and heart race. Then we went to Navy Pier just in time for the fireworks. Then a ferris wheel ride, a walk down the pier and the long walk to the L. We got to hear some fantastic free-style rap on the train on the way home. We finally turned in about 1am without an alarm set for the morning.
What a great feeling! We woke up when we were just done sleeping and then Kyle made French toast and turkey sausage for breakfast. After showering and double checking directions, we were off to the Lincoln Park Zoo for the afternoon. Overall, it was an okay trip. A lot of the animals weren't in their exhibits, but the ones we saw were entertaining. The highlights were a gibbon that peed on the human spectators (not us, thankfully) and the jaguar in a box in its enclosure. And the gorillas. We made the trek home, stopped for some broccoli to accompany our pasta dinner and have been relaxing since. I think that's the plan for the rest of the night, and that's just okay with me :)
Monday, July 26, 2010
Lessons Learned
Saturday, July 24th started like any other day: rise early to head to work, shower, dress and leave the house. I had set out all my things before hand so I could just grab and go. I packed up my backpack, containing my computer, iPod, a book and my work clothes. I planned to head to Weight Watchers after work, so I wore my weighing-ing clothes (atheltic shorts and a t-shirt) to work and packed my work clothes. I noticed it was raining, so I grabbed my rain jacket and I was out the door.
Not two minutes into my walk to the L did it start downpouring. I reached the L and immediately regretted not also grabbing my umbrella. Oh well, at this rate, I would be late for work if I went back, and probably more wet. I hopped the next train, rode down the one stop and started the 9-block walk to my Starbucks. Within the first three blocks, the sidewalks started to flood and my sneakers and socks were drenched. As I crossed the street to the fifth block, I decided to take to the street which was less flooded. The skys opened up and it just poured. There was no oasis, no awning under which to stand or trees large enough to provide shelter. So I just walked and got drenched.
I got to work and it looked as if I swam in. The only part of me not wet was my mid-section. Even my underwear were soaked! Good thing I had my work clothes in my backpack, right? Wrong. They were wet too, in the worst places: the crotch, the shoulders, my neck. So, sans underoos and socks, I donned my damp clothes, apron and hat and started work.
Remember I mentioned my computer was in my backpack as well? Yeah, my worst fears were confirmed when I had my first break and tried to get on the internet. It wouldn't even turn on. I took out the battery and dried it the best I could and just kicked myself for even bringing it to work. I didn't NEED it at work, I just wanted something to DO on my breaks. Then I was pissed that I didn't just follow my instinct and grab a cab to work. And then I was mad that I had to work at all. Bad day just got worse.
Now some of you may think that it's just a computer. It can be fixed or replaced. To me, that computer is much more. I'm in a new city all by myself. That computer provides more than facebook updates and emails from my mom. It tells me how to get to new things in the city, things that are happening, helps me with my homework... basically, it is my link to the city and to my home in Madison. I couldn't even book a mac Genius Bar appointment, figure out where the Apple store was or how to get there from work. Thankfully Kyle helped me over the phone and I got a genius bar appointment after work.
I did follow my original plan and went to Weight Watchers after work. This was one of three bright spots in my day. I reached my 25 lb milestone! That made me happy, especially since this was the first week we've gotten to taste and bring products home from school. Yay!
From WW, I ventured on a bus whose AC was shot to the downtown Apple store. I met with a Genius and he informed me that the "repair" (i.e. drying out) to my computer would be $795. GASP! Not happening. He did remove the harddrive and did get it to work despite a little water damage, so that is good to know. Then I met with a sales guy to discuss a new computer. I had been planning to upgrade, but not this soon. I was waiting for my student loan to come through, about another month. After we discussed, I decided on a computer. Then came the financining. I wasn't instantly qualified for their credit program and they wouldn't take Kyle's credit card number over the phone. So I left the store more saddened than I had been entering it. I had a soggy computer, an out of whack iPod (don't ask about that one) and no hope for a new computer in the near future.
I got home on the L in just enough time to shower, change and meet friends for dinner. I made these plans the day before, so as much as I wanted to blow it off, I knew I couldn't. I knew I needed to go, to see familiar faces and have a little fun. I'm so glad I went! I met with Tracy, Anette and a few of Anette's friends at a Mexican place in Wicker Park. The food was alright, the margaritas excellent and the company was fantastic. Tracy and I decided not to go to the after-party and ventured home on the Division bus to the Red Line. Tracy got off at Fullerton and I kept going.
I got off at Berwyn to stop at the grocery store. I bought 10lbs of rice and large ziploc bags in hopes the ol' rice trick will help my computer. Third bright spot of the day: I fould the cookies needed to make Tasty Sh*t! I couldn't find them for the longest time and there they were! Got home, filled the bags with rice and now all I can do is wait. And use the library computers.
Not two minutes into my walk to the L did it start downpouring. I reached the L and immediately regretted not also grabbing my umbrella. Oh well, at this rate, I would be late for work if I went back, and probably more wet. I hopped the next train, rode down the one stop and started the 9-block walk to my Starbucks. Within the first three blocks, the sidewalks started to flood and my sneakers and socks were drenched. As I crossed the street to the fifth block, I decided to take to the street which was less flooded. The skys opened up and it just poured. There was no oasis, no awning under which to stand or trees large enough to provide shelter. So I just walked and got drenched.
I got to work and it looked as if I swam in. The only part of me not wet was my mid-section. Even my underwear were soaked! Good thing I had my work clothes in my backpack, right? Wrong. They were wet too, in the worst places: the crotch, the shoulders, my neck. So, sans underoos and socks, I donned my damp clothes, apron and hat and started work.
Remember I mentioned my computer was in my backpack as well? Yeah, my worst fears were confirmed when I had my first break and tried to get on the internet. It wouldn't even turn on. I took out the battery and dried it the best I could and just kicked myself for even bringing it to work. I didn't NEED it at work, I just wanted something to DO on my breaks. Then I was pissed that I didn't just follow my instinct and grab a cab to work. And then I was mad that I had to work at all. Bad day just got worse.
Now some of you may think that it's just a computer. It can be fixed or replaced. To me, that computer is much more. I'm in a new city all by myself. That computer provides more than facebook updates and emails from my mom. It tells me how to get to new things in the city, things that are happening, helps me with my homework... basically, it is my link to the city and to my home in Madison. I couldn't even book a mac Genius Bar appointment, figure out where the Apple store was or how to get there from work. Thankfully Kyle helped me over the phone and I got a genius bar appointment after work.
I did follow my original plan and went to Weight Watchers after work. This was one of three bright spots in my day. I reached my 25 lb milestone! That made me happy, especially since this was the first week we've gotten to taste and bring products home from school. Yay!
From WW, I ventured on a bus whose AC was shot to the downtown Apple store. I met with a Genius and he informed me that the "repair" (i.e. drying out) to my computer would be $795. GASP! Not happening. He did remove the harddrive and did get it to work despite a little water damage, so that is good to know. Then I met with a sales guy to discuss a new computer. I had been planning to upgrade, but not this soon. I was waiting for my student loan to come through, about another month. After we discussed, I decided on a computer. Then came the financining. I wasn't instantly qualified for their credit program and they wouldn't take Kyle's credit card number over the phone. So I left the store more saddened than I had been entering it. I had a soggy computer, an out of whack iPod (don't ask about that one) and no hope for a new computer in the near future.
I got home on the L in just enough time to shower, change and meet friends for dinner. I made these plans the day before, so as much as I wanted to blow it off, I knew I couldn't. I knew I needed to go, to see familiar faces and have a little fun. I'm so glad I went! I met with Tracy, Anette and a few of Anette's friends at a Mexican place in Wicker Park. The food was alright, the margaritas excellent and the company was fantastic. Tracy and I decided not to go to the after-party and ventured home on the Division bus to the Red Line. Tracy got off at Fullerton and I kept going.
I got off at Berwyn to stop at the grocery store. I bought 10lbs of rice and large ziploc bags in hopes the ol' rice trick will help my computer. Third bright spot of the day: I fould the cookies needed to make Tasty Sh*t! I couldn't find them for the longest time and there they were! Got home, filled the bags with rice and now all I can do is wait. And use the library computers.
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