My Choice #8

WHAT IF ..

What if you could go back to a certain time period in your life and relive that moment all over again? Crazy right, I know many people that would love to go back to a period in their life and either relive the moment because it was so great or change that moment to make it what they want it to be. I know that I think about this all the time, going back to when I was a child just to see and remember what it was like or going back to a rough period and fixing what was broken. Realistically, we can not do that but there is a thing called second chances. People get second chances because they need to fix what happened the first time, and start all over. Yes, you can not go back if given a second chance but you can look ahead and be thankful that a second chance was given because someone believes in you. I would love to know what people think about this and what period of time they would relive. Speaking from my own point of view, it would take me a while to think of what time I wish to go back too.

Project Connection #8

This is something kind of related to my senior project but more into the food aspect. The newest flavor of water ice at Rita's is peep water ice, made after the cute little Easter shaped candies full of sugar. It is amazing as to what people are coming up with, they are taking the small things that everyone loves and making them into all different things and kinds of food. When you first hear the word peep and water ice together, many people think eww or that's disgusting. But, I experienced first hand what the water ice tasted like and it was not that bad, at least not as bad as it sounds. It is extremely sweet and full of sugar! Last year, Rita's made Swedish fish water ice and it was very popular and came back this season. I believe that the new fad with water ice is starting to be candy and how they can make water ice out of popular candy types, flavors, etc. It is an eye catcher and all the little kids love it and I am sure their parents think water ice is better to eat than candy. New foods and such are starting to become crazy and no food is made for one thing, every food has multiply uses. Crazy world we live in today.

Field Trip #7

Successful yet again! This week I was somewhat hesitant to go to visit my sponsor. I felt this way because the past two weeks I did the same thing each time and it was not teaching me anything nor was I learning new stuff, I was more or less observing. Butttttt, this week I finally started something new and more difficult called flooding cookies. Shortbread dough cookies are hard cookies in the shape of different things that are decorated with colored icing and such. I had to decorate Easter egg cookies, cupcake cookies, and plain square cookies. It is rather hard, specially for the first time and working with a pastry bag full of icing and trying to stay on the cookie and make straight, crisp lines. After I outline the cookies, I have to go back and fill in the cookie with the same icing to cover the top of the cookie. It is fun to do but takes a lot of patients, a steady hand, and of course a lot of time! Overall, I am very happy that I am moving on to bigger and better and more challenging things.

My Choice #7

Emotions Towards Class

Lately, I have been second guessing myself about taking senior project as my English class. I love the aspect of the sponsorship and leaving once a week to better my career but I just do not care for the in class stuff. Sorry Mr. Abrams but this is a choice blog and I am being honest. I love English and everything but I hate doing the same stuff every single week for a month or so. Also, I feel like whenever we come into class, it is always a struggle to get this done or do what you ask, stuff on that line. I stuck it out this long but now it is starting to get to me and I needed to get this off my chest, so I decided to do this blog. I thought this class was going to be more into the project aspect rather than the English aspect and I would rather work hands on and be involved.

Project Connection #7

Over the weekend, I watched a cake challenge on the food network. They are on all the time and I usually put it on while I am trying to get stuff done around my room or whatever the case may be. Every time this show is on, I am always amazed as too how much more modern cakes are becoming. The traditional white icing, vanilla or chocolate batter, with pretty decorations barley exists anymore. Now a days, everything is bold, outrageous, and modern. Cakes come in all different sizes, shapes, colors, flavors, and filled with crazy decorations and ideas. On this show, the cake decorators were making a cake for an elder couples anniversary and it contained everything they liked as a couple. Each decorator had to do their best to interpret what the customer wanted and make a beautiful cake to their liking. I love watching shows like this because it gives me a different view of how the cake world is changing all the time due to surroundings and such.

Field Trip #6

Cookies, cakes, icing, breads, and fatty foods everywhere! Yesterday my visit to the bakery was just as good as the past few weeks, possibly even better. This week, I felt more comfortable and adjusted to the employees as well as the bakery. We spent a lot of the time working but also talking and I got to know more about the employees and their personal lives and such. It felt reassuring that I know and understand the people I spend my Thursdays with. She was extremely busy yesterday, making all different kinds of stuff. It was my sponsor, two other workers, and me and each of us were doing something different. I know where mostly everything is now and don't need to ask and I am getting to learn so much just by watching. I worked on cookie dough yesterday while watching her make and decorate a cake. I also learned some of the business aspect of the bakery. For example, setting up appoinments and drawing sketches to fit the customers wants, and how to price the pastry. It is rather insiring to watch Krista(my sponsor) answer the phone and randomly give a price and a date and then get the job done. Overall, it was a good visit and I am looking forward to next week back at the bakery. Oh yeaah, she made a tiffanys box cake when I was there with buttercream icing and fondant, it was amazing to watch!

Project Connection #6

Yesterday I had a family birthday party to go to and of course, all birthday parties must have cake and cupcakes! After we sang happy birthday I decided to get a cupcake, it had chocolate icing and to my knowledge, I thought it was vanilla but I was wrong. As I bit into the cupcake, I found out it was strawberry (yuck). I did not finish eating it, instead I gave it to the trashcan and got a vanilla on vanilla cupcake! This made me realize that I need to start to open up to more pastries and try new things. I admit, I did try the strawberry cupcake but I did not like it. I am going to be making tons of pastries and sweets, therefore I need to try everything I eat to make sure it is good enough for other people to eat. It is better to try things and find out if I don't like it rather then say I do not like it and never try it.

My Choice #6

What is your view on life?

My view on life is cherish everyday like it was your last and live life to the fullest. Throughout my eighteen years on this planet, I have been through the good times, the rough times, the fun times, and everything in between. Having been through so much, I have came to the conclusion that everyday is important and should be taken for granted because you never know how long you have to live. Also, always leave the ones you love on a good note because if you leave on a bad note, you never know if you will ever get to see that person again and be able to mend things. Live life to the fullest is many Americans motto, and everyone should live by it. Have fun and enjoy your life, you only live once so make the most out of it! It is still good to be serious and work hard but it is a must to make time for yourself and just have a good time. If I lived my life like this from the beginning, I would be better off than I am right now, but hey better late then never. So just remember; enjoy your life, cherish what you have, have fun, and most importantly... be yourself!

Field Trip #5

Yet again, another successful sponsor visit! Yesterday, I went to visit Krista at the bakery for the second time and it was another learning experience. I stayed for about two hours or so and just gave her another set of hands. She was extremely busy yesterday so I scooped chocolate chip cookies for her because she needed a thousand of them for today. I also met another employee yesterday, she was very nice and I took time to get to know her. Next week, the bakery is going to be very busy and she said she could use all the help she could get. Therefore, next week I am going to spend more than two hours helping out. Overall, I am enjoying my time at the bakery and even though I have not done a lot yet, I am still learning each and every time. Keep you posted for next week's visit!

Project Connection #5

As everyone already knows, Easter is just around the corner! Lately I have been out doing shopping and running errands and always see the beautiful pastel colors, the flowers and butterflies, all the things that remind one about spring. I spend my Easter with my family, we have a big dinner that my grandmother prepares then I go to my boyfriends with his huge family for another dinner and desert and egg hunts. This year, I have came to the conclusion that I am going to make something that has been a tradition in my family for years and take it over there for everyone to enjoy. Every Easter, the girls in my family get together and make a bunny cake, shaped like a bunny with decorate, edible whiskers, ears, nose, the whole nine yards. I normally would only do this with them but this year I decided hey why not, mine as well show everyone some of my hidden talent. I am very excited and can not wait to get all the ingredients and decorations. To this day, I still do not realize how much stuff is connected to my project until I sit down to write my blog.

My Choice #5

.. WHAT IF ?

Everyone always asks people what if they could do this or what if they could do that and the other person always has a response of what they would do. Therefore I propose another one of those lovely questions, what if you grew up without fast food restaurants? I know, this is a totally random question to ask people but I am sure the responses will be worth reading. We have been known to stop at Wendy's or McDonald's when we are in a rush or just can not find anything else to eat. Imagine if there were no places to stop, what would America do? I know I would not be too happy if there were no fast food joints around because it is a money saver and is in demand when I am in a rush or need food! Respond to this blog please with your answers, I would love to know what this class thinks.

Field Trip #4

Now the icing is on the cake! Finally after all the problems and miscommunication, I met with my sponsor! It was such a relief to know I have a secure, yet very fun and professional sponsor. Yesterday was the first time I met Krista and I thought it would be awkward but it was actually really laid back and relaxed. I left school early and went over to the bakery to get started. Once I got there, Krista and I connected right away and started talking and getting to know each other. Also, she did not waste anytime putting me to work on my own project. As we all know, St. Patrick's day is right around the corner, therefore I made Irish potatoes. It was good to know that she trusted me already with making the mixture and rolling the potatoes. I stayed for about three hours and it was amazing. Now, I will be going to the bakery every Thursday and learning something new each time. This upcoming week I will learn how to roll shortbread dough and decorate cookies! Overall, hard work does pay off in the end and keep trying until you succeed.

Project Connection #4

Yes, I have this book in the picture above. Since my project is pastry arts, my eyes are pealed now for bakeries, cook books, pastries, etc. Every time I am out driving, I see bakeries and wonder what they make, how popular they are, and the type of clients they handle. In stores I come across the book aisle and automatically go over and start looking through all the books. Mr. Abrams you would be very proud, my book collection is expanding a lot over the past few months. This is something I am very interested in, therefore I love to get books and recipes and read as much as I can. A lot of the books I have are specifically recipe books of deserts, brownies, and such. Even though it is not an actual book, it does contain words and directions and pictures, but it is a very good learning experience. I love learning about my topic and want to continue to learn as much as possible.

My Choice #4

What song have you been listening to lately, and why does it move you?

Lately I have been listening to the song "Live Like We're Dying" by Kris Allen. The song basically tells the listener that they only have a certain amount of time to live, therefore that time must be cherished and valued. There are many examples in the songs that give people a view of life and how it could change in a matter of time. For example, "And if your plane fell out of the skies, who would you call with your last goodbye, should be so careful who we live out our lives, so when we long for absolution, there will no one on the line, yeah." That is only a selected part of the song but the overall song is amazing. It explains that there is only 86400 seconds in a day and each second matters, so make it count! Also to tell the ones you love that you love them before its to late and things on that line. Overall, I believe this song is beautiful as well as very motivational and everyone should listen to it at least once.