Student Chef

Venezuela

2007-02-13T18:39:00.000-08:00

Well, we got off to a shaky start, but I think we (Ivana, Ivanelis and I) will have a grand time together. Today I informed them they must speak English in the house (unless speaking to family in Venezuela). It is much better and I can help them with their sentence structure. On the first day, it seemed they knew little (if any) English, but they know quite a bit. Once in awhile we have to pull out my Spanish-English dictionary, but that's okay.

Ivana is going to help me make paella some time. Should be fun. Both girls like to cook, so we will probably do some of that together. Hopefully, they can teach me a thing or two.

Ivanelis' brother is here, too - in St. Catharines, that is - and has been here with two other Venezuelan friends. These two girls are much more social than the others. The phone has already been ringing after 2 days of school - actually one and a half.

Anyways. time for bed

Now You're Cookin'

2007-02-09T15:10:00.000-08:00

Wow, hard to believe its been so long since my last post - time sure has flown - I missed lots of the birthdays: Christina, Anton, Kira, Julia and Daniel and Justine. Pretty pathetic. It's not that I didn't think of them, I just thought of them on the wrong day and was busy/forgetful on the actual day of their birthdays. The girls from Korea, Linda and Wendy, returned to Korea on Monday - had them downtown at 4:45 AM to get the bus to Toronto with most of the other 95 Korean students. We had a lot of fun together. They met a lot of my family, but not all.

Tonight I will be joined by two more girls, these from Venezuela. They will live with me for two months - until April 10th. We will probably have more opportunity for visiting than with Linda and Wendy.

School is very busy - lots of reading to do - learning lots - of course, that is the point, isn't it? So far I enjoyed everything I made - except the Nasi Goreng - too much sambal oelek. Wendy liked it - but she is used to Korean food, which includes kimchi at every meal. Kimchi is quite spicy.

Anyways, time for volleyball, then a phone call between 9 and 10 to let me know when the girls arrive.

Eclair, anyone?

2007-01-09T18:49:00.000-08:00

So today I had only one class - baking. We made choux pastry - eclairs and cream puffs. Very tasty. I brought 2 boxes home with me. I had to go to Beamsville, so Bev got some, Arnie & Marcy got some, Marty & Brenda got some, then Gilles and the boys at my one client's got some. Then some of the residents in my building got some. And I had some, too. I have one cream puff left . . . I will be eating that shortly. Too bad you don't live close by - you could have had some, too. Oh well, that's what happens when you live on the wrong side of the skyway.

Tomorrow I start at 1:30 - Math - fun, wow! then Health and Safety. All done at 4:20. Of course I will be working before school starts - gotta pay the mortgage.

Time to put my feet up and do some studying.

Student Chef

2007-01-08T18:44:00.000-08:00

So today was my first day of classes and I also found out where and when I have to pick up my ESL students from Korea. I had to leave my first cooking lab early to go to a meeting and get info. So I will get a phone call Friday evening around 11:00 or 11:30 to let me know when they are 15 to 30 minutes outside of St. Catharines. So it will be late. (When they go home I have to drop them off at 5:00 a.m., so 11:30 pm is not bad at all.)

It is going to be busy, because they will have to be picked up almost every day, except Fridays. Saturday they get dropped off somewhere and picked up again later.

Oh well, I am way too tired. I am going to bed. Tomorrow is only one four-hour class and that's it.

Good night.

Orientation

2007-01-05T15:34:00.000-08:00

Today was my first day at Niagara Culinary Institute. it was orientation day. I bought my books and supplies a few days ago. Good thing, too, 'cause otherwise I wouldn't have got a parking pass. I got the last one. Without the $89 for four months, I would have had to pay $4 per day. I had to go and get a pair of shoes for in the kitchen - so I am wearing them now. I need to break them in some before my 5-hour class in the kitchen on Monday.

I am lookin' forward to the practical end of the course most of all. The rest scares me a bit. I hope I can remember everything I need to remember.

I also got the last locker in the NCI area today. There are probably lockers in other areas of the college, but since most classes are in the NCI, that's a good place for my locker.

So Monday reality sets in. And then on Friday, another reality sets in - I will have 2 roommates, both from Korea. I know their names and ages and that's it. Their bedroom is all set and ready for them and I really hope they like it. I'll find out Monday evening where I have to pick them up, what school they will attend, where the bus will pick them up, etc. hopefully our schedules will coincide somewhat.

Pray for me!!

Unemployed

2006-12-19T18:39:00.000-08:00

So, as of 5:00 pm tonight, I am no longer employed at KD. After 6 2/3 years, I am moving on - to tastier pastures - Chef Training at the Niagara Culinary Institute. Yay!

Papa Smurf

2006-12-11T18:46:00.000-08:00

So, Saturday night Christina and Deziree, Julia, Nadine, Justine, Kira and Candice were over. Most of us went to Bead Dazzled and some of us bought beads, etc. After an elongated supper, we sat around the dining room tables and strung beads on necklaces, earrings and bracelets. We listened to some tunes, including an old Papa Smurf tape. Back in the day, when Christina, Julia, Justine and Candice were about 12 years younger, they came over to my place for a weekend and we listened to Papa Smurf over and over and over and .... yeah. So Saturday night we listened to it . . . only once. Actually enjoyed it and most of us were singing along.

All but Candice spent the night. I didn't get enough sleep. After morning church service I went home and bundled up the last of the air beds and then bundled myself into my bed and slept for about 3 hours. Got up in time to have a quick bite before evening service.

It was a fun weekend and I definitely would like to do that again. Next time, I will have more food -- of course, I will also be well into my chef training - so food definitely shouldn't be an issue. Maybe next time we'll get Waverly and Michelle to join us. Then there'd be twice as much giggling going on.

On that note, time to rearrange my furniture. G'nite.

Present Tense

2006-11-01T18:32:00.000-08:00

It was spring, but it was summer I wanted,
The warem days, and the great outdoors.

It was summer, but it was fall I wanted,
The colorful leaves, and the cool dry air.

It was fall, but it was winter I wanted,
The beautiful snow, and the joy of the holiday season.

It was winter, but it was spring I wanted,
The warmth and the blossoming of nature.

I was a child, but it was adulthood I wanted.
The freedom, and the respect.

I was 20, but it was 30 I wanted,
To be mature, and sophisticated.

I was middle-aged, but it was 20 I wanted,
The youth, and the free spirit.

I was retired, but it was middle age I wanted,
The presence of mind, without limitations.

My life was over
But I never got what I wanted.
Jason Lehman

Live and enjoy every stage of your life.

Bead Dazzled

2006-10-25T18:12:00.000-07:00

So, this afternoon, Justine and I went bead shopping in St. Kitt's. And then went back to my house to make necklaces. I took apart an old one (my first lousy attempt) and made a new one and Justine made another one for me.

We decided that the girls (Stiner, Jubes, Christina (and Deziree), Kira, Ding, Britts and maybe Candice) should do the same thing some Saturday afternoon and have a sleep over. Pizza and wings, etc. Could be fun. Has to wait until my bathroom is repainted and the new spare bedroom is somewhat in order.

My blog is boring. It is much more fun reading my nieces' and nephews' blogs.

Tomorrow evening, Christina and Deziree are coming over. My first (and oldest - sorry Chris) niece and my only grand niece. Both good looking and fun. Should be a good evening. I think I better Deziree-proof my house now.

Overkill

2006-10-14T17:35:00.000-07:00

Last night I played volleyball (5 games) for the first time in about 6 years. My arms are bruised from attempting to return some killer serves and my hip is bruised from getting a bit too gungho. But I had fun. This league (Christian league) meets every second Friday evening in Niagara Falls. Nice, cuz I still have every other Friday open to do whatever (probably veg).

Today I met Karen and Ingrid for breakfast at the Golden Grill, formerly known as the Green Latrine. We brought our bikes and gear with us just in case the weather was good enough for a ride. After breakfast we went to Karen's and after repairing one of the tires on Karen's bike (with little help? from Peter), we decided to go for a ride. We did and it was windy. When we were going into the wind, it felt like we were riding uphill. We did around 25 km. Had coffee after at Karen's. Their side yard is filled with garbage bags, which are filled with stuff from their basement. They had a sewer backup Friday night. Gross! Looks like their pastor up the road had the same problem. He was apparently not impressed, because his basement is finished and all the bedrooms and his study are down there. Not a good scene!

I can't wait to talk to Justine and see her pics from Europe and England. I think she might have to come over some Saturday and go bead shopping with me. I bought a couple of tops on Friday that need some jewellery. How about it Stiner?

Well, time to get some more work done.

Makin' Bacon

2006-10-07T13:25:00.000-07:00

So today I was going to W & P's to drop off something I had bought for them at Ikea. They weren't home. So I had a visit with J & L. Then, of course, I had to go across the street to see my chef friend. Well, W & P were there, too. And Mathieu was frying up some home-grown bacon. Will and Mathieu raised a pig this summer and they slaughtered it (last week, I think). After doing whatever it is you're supposed to do to bacon, they put it in the smoker. Today we had bacon, cheese and tomato sandwiches. It was excellent! And the company was great, too!

Now its 4:22 and I have procrastinated enough of the day away. I need to get something done. I am sooooo goooooood at procrastinating. Too bad I can't get paid for it. See, here I go again!

Faith Works

2006-10-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

I've been reading my nieces' and nephews' blogs. It is interesting just to read their thoughts, but I am really blessed by reading about their faith. It's not something we talk about when the family gets together - generally, we are all goofing off and laughing a lot (not a bad thing). But I sometimes wondered about their spiritual lives. So that's cool.

I am excited and nervous about school. Well, actually the school part I am excited about. I am nervous about having 2 complete strangers with limited English coming to stay with me. Hopefully, they can handle the food I make - I mean, it will be a lot different from what they are used to in Korea. I've looked online for some recipes for Korean stuff that I think I could eat, too. There is not much out there. I will probably check the library some time.

Its been fun reading Justine's blog as she and Sabrina tour Europe. Great experience! One of my nephew's buddies (Tony) is going to Indonesia for a month to work at an orphanage. Another amazing experience. May God keep his heart open to receive all God wishes to give him through this experience.

Anyways, the Food Network is calling.

English as a Second Language

2006-09-23T09:54:00.000-07:00

I had my interview with Hospitalite Canada this week. I have to have a police check done, which will be fine - nothing to report there. But on January 11 I will be taking in 2 Korean students (12 to 14 years old) for 3 weeks. They are ESL students. I have to cook for them, make sure they have breakfast and a bagged lunch, and do their laundry. They will go to a Catholic school in the vicinity and on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday they go to "English as a Second Language" classes after school. Then I have to pick them up from school at about 5:00 pm. Hopefully my own classes will be done by then.

On Saturdays there are activities planned for them, alpine skiing, Toronto, Niagara Falls, so I will have the house to myself - so I can do laundry and get some meals ready ahead of time.

They will go home on February 4th and the same day I will get two students from Venezuela to stay for 2 months. Same deal for them, but they are high school students. So its a bit scary but its also exciting. But they will be just as scared as (or more than) me.

Well, time to take bed linen inventory and start keeping an eye on the sales.

Oh yeah, the girl from Hospitalite Canada took my picture so the students know what I look like before they get here . . . hope it doesn't scare them off.

appelmoes

2006-09-16T13:52:00.000-07:00

Today i am making applesauce. Whatever I can make to fill up my roomies (if I get them) for cheap. Bargoonies, bargoonies, that's what I'm lookin' for.

Enjoying reading Sabrina's and Justine's blogs as they tour the other side of the pond. They must be having a blast!

Anyways, apples are cooking so must go put them through the food mill.

2006-09-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

Well, I've joined the land, or is it space, of blogging. Hopefully I can actually think of things to write as time goes by. I'll be starting Chef Training in January 2007 and I AM STOKED!! I can't wait to start. I know, I know, don't wish my life away. But I really can't wait.

I might be getting some ESL students living with me for a bit. I have an interview/home inspection next week. It would help with the mortgage payments while I am a student. I just have to cook for them and do their laundry. Oh yeah, they'll want a bed to sleep on. We'll see what happens. They could be from any country, I don't know which. I may only speak English to them, nothing else. Shouldn't be a problem, 'cuz that's the only language I am somewhat fluent in.

Oh well, work to be done.