Books of 2011

Hey there friends! I have decided to steal an idea from a friend. I will be blogging about the books that I read this year. I am proud to say that last Fall I read all of the Sookie Stackhouse books, and most of the Lily Bard books (Shakespeare's Counselor is part of this series). I think I've read close to 30 books since September! I can't seem to get enough of books lately, which I don't think is a problem, although my sister says I am too much of a bookworm and I need a social life! This post will contain a couple short entries on the books that I have already read in 2011, and then I will do a small post for each book following.

First book was Inkspell, by Cornelia Funke

I can't lie; I love books about books. This is the second in the Inkheart Trilogy. It took me a while to read this one since I started it before the holidays and things were pretty hectic, therefore I only read it sporadically, but I felt that Funke did a fantastic job of bringing the characters from the first book in the series and giving them more challenges to overcome. The main character, Meggie, has a voice so beautiful that when she reads aloud the character literally come to life in our world. She discovers that she can also read people into a story and does this to herself and her friend Farid. I enjoyed the descriptions of the Inkworld as well as the addition of new characters. All in all a good read!

I just finished Darcy's Story, by Janet Aylmer. It is basically Pride and Prejudice through Mr Darcy's eyes. If you know me at all you know that I am obsessed with Jane Austen's work and anything that pertains to it. This book was a wonderful story and it made me fall in love with Mr Darcy all over again. I will say this, its a little melodramatic at times, and a bit repetitive regarding the conversation that Darcy and Elizabeth have after he proposes the first time. I enjoyed getting to know Georgiana a little more as well as Darcy's cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam. Its a fuzzy novel, and not very long. I pronounce it another good read!

Finally I have been perusing Lewis Carrol's works which I would always recommend. Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking Glass, and some of his poems and such are all fun to read and fairly easy. No one can go wrong with a classic.

Here's a list of the books I just picked up from the Library:

The Sweet Far Thing, by Libba Bray

Shakespeare's Counselor, by Charlaine Harris

Dead Over Heels, by Charlaine Harris

Mr Darcy Takes a Wife, by Linda Berdoll

I also plan on getting my hands on a series called Thursday Next as well as some more Jane Austen.

What the heck is Poolish?!

Finally, school! The holiday break felt much longer than it actually was. Needless to say, its wonderful to finally be in classes again!

This semester looks to be a busy one for me. I have a job at the motel working weekends so it looks like my time off during the week will have to be utilized to catch up on missed sleep!

My class schedule is pretty full, taking 21 credits this semester to stay ahead of the game and not end up at Sheridan College for more than 2.5 years. Here's a look at what my weeks consist of:

Monday: 8-8:50am Purchasing

10:30-11:20am Bar and Beverage Control

11:30-12:30 Hospitality Practicum

5:00-10:00pm Cooking class

Tuesday: 9:00-10:20 Supervision

5:00-10:00pm Cooking

Wednesday: 8-8:50am Purchasing

10:30-11:20am Bar and Beverage Control

5:00-10:00pm Cooking class

Thursday: 9:00-10:20am Supervision

Friday: 8:00-8:50am Purchasing

2:00-10:00pm work at Super 8

Saturday: 2:00-10:00pm work at Super 8

Sunday: 6:00am-2:00pm work at Super 8

So far in Basic Baking we've made all kinds of yeast breads, quick breads, cookies, pies, and starters. My favorite was the sourdough, we made a simple starter of organic wheat flour and water, fed it for 2 weeks while it fermented and then used it to make some delish sourdough bread! We also made a Poolish, which is a starter that includes yeast, so you only ferment it over night, but it adds more flavor to simple breads.

Some days I do really well in the baking classes, others I have a hard time because I like to do things my way but in class I would rather follow the recipe and not mess up, but inevitably I do. Oh well things still taste pretty good!

This coming week is our last week of Basic Baking, then we move into Garde Manger 2 which is more salads, sandwhiches and cold dishes. After 10 days of that we do Advanced Baking followed by Breakfast and Lunch Cookery. Its going to be a good semester!

Non-Resolutions and a Look at 2010

Happy New Year, followers!

I recently saw a post about New Year Non-Resolutions. This man stated that since he never followed through with his resolutions he decided to make non-resolutions, this year he wanted to get fat, keep smoking, not go to Europe, and not finish writing his book. It made me giggle because I rarely follow through with my resolutions, if I even make them.

When I think about the New Year I can't help but look back on the things I have accomplished and learned in the Old Year:

1-I directed a musical. Guys and Dolls was an eyeopener for me in many ways; I learned that even though I am a talented director if my heart isn't in it, its not worth the effort. I also re-learned that I do not like working with high school students. This realization brought with it an appreciation for those teachers that love what they do, and do it well! High school teachers are pretty amazing people.

2-I decided to go back to school and become a chef! 2 summers of cooking at camp showed me that I can make a living, and be happy doing it, as a cook. It was time to hone my skills, challenge myself and become a (gasp!) non-traditional student! Since school began I have done all of that, and most of my classmates are non-trads as well!

3-My 3rd summer as head cook at Camp WYOBA! Lots of new faces and old friends! I feel at home on the mountain, part of a family, and as I was struggling God brought people into my life that helped me to heal. I was more excited to tell these people about my school plans because I knew they would be excited for me!

4-My first year as head cook for Camp Hope! Talk about an overwhelming experience! In the 6 days I headed up the kitchen I learned so much from the nurses and nutritionists that I can only hope to have retained! Hopefully this year won't be so scary for me!

5-Moving out of my parents' house... Well, that has mixed feelings, they are helping me with rent because I have been struggling to find a job, so I still depend on them. But to have my own place is wonderful! It is tiny and doesn't stay very warm but it is my home.

6-Sharing a house with my sister has been an adventure all its own. She and I get along very well, most of the time. I do most of the cleaning and pay for our groceries and Internet so I feel I have a right to say that she lives with me. But she has paid more rent than me so, she says I live with her. We joke that she wears the pants in our relationship, and we have grown even closer in the last few months.

7-My first semester at Wyoming Culinary Institute has taught me so much I can't even begin to write it down. I am proud to say that I received 5 A's and 2 B's this semester! Bring on next semester's 23 credit hours!!

2010 was full of craziness, stress, loss, learning, and lots of joy: I struggled with depression and anger while my family coped with the fear and stress of my brother's deployment to Afghanistan. In 2010 I lost my great-great-Aunt Mil, my great-Uncle Ray, my great Aunt Betty, my great-Uncle John, and my adopted great-Uncle Shorts, all were incredible memebers of my family and had each taought me something special, I feel their absence, but am excited to see them again some day in Heaven. My sister got in trouble smoking pot in the cemetery and went into therapy for addictions and depression. Together, she and I got a flying cardinal tattoo to honor our great-great-aunt, to represent freedom from depression, and to just be badasses! My brother returned home safely in June and also got to spend the Christmas holidays with us! Oh, and finally to top off my year I replaced the engine in my car only to have it break down on one of the coldest days of December!

Through the sorrow of loss, stresses of life, and joys God sent my way, I, somehow, survived 2010!

Already, 2011 has brought its stresses and joys and I am looking forward to what ever God has written/unwritten for me! So, in honor of a non-resolution that made me think about all this, I would like to leave you with my non-resolutions:
1-I will not lose any weight or get into shape.
2-I will not go to NYC to see my best friend!
3-I will not get all A's and make the honor roll.
4-I will not work hard to be Culinary Student of the Year.
5-I will not get another tattoo.
6-I will not get organized before Camp WYOBA opens in May.
7-I will not have an amazing year!