New Favorite Quote (Choice*)

“You don’t get a do-over with time, but you always get a do-over with money” – Anthony Wellington

I heard this quote earlier in the week from Anthony Wellington himself and I’ve been repeating it ever since. Since then, I thought over a lot of things - from college choices to life in general. My friend Chris and I always joke around and say, “Time is money and I can’t afford to be wasting either!” Although both quotes hold some truth, I find Mr. Wellington’s more influential. Some people choose money over time, thinking it’s more valuable. However, like the quote says you can get a do-over with money. I hope that other people were able to understand that as well.

Talk With A Sick Trip #5 :( *

Mrs. Trip was feeling a little under the weather today, so much so she had to go to the doctors today. Nevertheless, we were still able to have a little chitchat. We talked more about my presentation at the end of the year (sorry, that information is disclosed) and more about my next move. We’re in the middle of looking for a new sponsor, well maybe not a sponsor but something where I can get the pastry feeling that I’ve been missing at the puffery. I don’t want to leave the puffery because I love my ladies (Dianna, Maureen, and Veronica)! They are very hospitable and treat me like if they known me for years. However, I yearn for something more. That's exactly what Mrs. Trip and I have to accomplish , we have to find a bakery that can teach me everything else I need to know!

Meeting Anthony Wellington...(Connection*)

In the beginning of the week I was honored to meet Mr. Anthony Wellington. Who is Anthony Wellington? He is a bass player…better yet a bassologist. He eats, sleeps, breathes the bass guitar. I know you’re probably thinking what does a bass player have to do with an inspiring baker? Well, I have to admit I asked the same question to myself when I walked into my school’s band room Monday afternoon.  I was welcomed by the tunes of “What you won’t do for love” by Bobby Caldwell - one of my favorite oldies.  Everyone in the room was swaying, humming, tapping their foot, or snapping their fingers. It reminded me of one of the summer nights at my family barbecue and that brought a smile on my face.

Once he was done playing and everyone applauded, he began telling his rise to success. Needless to say, we all started taking notes. He reassured us that whatever we want to do that we should have a passion for it. Wellington defines passion as, “if God came down, tapped you on the shoulder and told you He would take it (whatever you want to do) away & you would be penniless – would you still do it?”  If yes, that’s your passion! That made me think…is baking my passion? It’s something that I love to do and most of the time I don’t do it for money so yes, it’s possible it is that baking is my passion. He also stated that “You don’t get a do over with time, but you always get a do-over with money”. So whatever you do make sure you’re not wasting your time, because we can never get back time. I appreciated the fact he was able to speak to each and every one of us – even if we weren’t inspiring musicians. For that I have to say Thank You, Mr. Anthony Wellington !

Adventure to the Puffery #5

Last Friday, I wasn’t as enthused as usual to visit my sponsor. As mentioned in my previous entries – I’ve grown bored with the work at the puffery. What drawn me to the whole idea of being a pastry chef was the whole “cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies” aspect of it all. To my disadvantage the puffery only specializes in three products. I didn’t want to make it seem like I was ungrateful because the reality of it is, I appreciate all that the puffery has to offer me.

So instead of being a Debbie Downer I took this as an opportunity to pitch some of my ideas to both my sponsor(s) and my mentor for my presentation at the end of the year. With help from both my mentor and my sponsor(s) , I’ve came up with what may be the perfect presentation. I would go into detail but then you guys wouldn’t be surprised as to what I have in store! But what I can say is that I may need some of your help and my presentation can inspire some of you! Everything isn’t set in stone but what we came up with so far makes me excited for the end of the year.

America's Next Top Julia Child (Connection*)

Who is Julia Child? Julia Child was an author, a chef as well as a TV personality. She introduced French cuisine to America through her cook books and her TV shows. To familiarize yourself more with her you can watch the movie “Julie & Julia” starring Meryl Streep, who played Child in the movie.

If my passion for baking takes me further, I hope to act as the next Child – starring in my own baking show, publishing cook books, inspiring other to bake their hearts away. The YouTube clip embedded is just highlights of some of her best work.  Maybe one day in the future I can have a highlight tape of my best dishes…

p.s To view the YouTube video click the title :)

Talk With Trip #4 *

The time has finally come where I can finally talk to my mentor, Mrs. Triplo. During our discussion I confessed that one again – I am bored. As I explained to Mrs.Trip, I feel like I have learned everything there is to know about the puffery. I’ve done everything from making the puffs, help with the displays, and even stamp stickers on the boxes. The thing about it is… I’m looking more for the cakes and cookie aspect of baking. I mean, that’s what I enjoy the most. I pretty much understand how running a business, be it big or small, can run. I guess you can say I’m looking for more of a variety.

On a brighter note, Mrs.Trip and I also had a chance to brainstorm some ideas for my presentation for the end of the year. From just the few things we came up with I’m starting to look forward to my presentation at the end of the year. So I'm making some kind of progress....slowly but surely. Until the next time; Love. Peace & Bake.

Our (In-Class) Great Debate - (Choice*)

Yesterday in class our debate got a little more then heated. The topic was about the teacher who blogged terrible comments about her students, previous and present. If you were in the room during the debate you would surely feel the heat!

The cause of the tension was that some of us believe that the teacher (Natalie Munroe) should have been more professional about her “venting” and wrote in a personal diary, others of us thought that Munroe had all the right to write whatever she wanted , where she wanted – after all, what happened to freedom of speech?

Even though I understand where the other side is coming from, I will have to say I agree solely with the fact that Munroe should have been professional and kept her comment in a personal journal – at home! She’s a teacher for crying out loud! Wouldn’t she be smart enough to think that she would be exposed sooner or later? Don’t get me wrong, she does have the right to express herself but it’s a time and place for everything. How would she feel if the shoe was on the other foot – a teacher talking bad about her child especially the way she spoke about her students? I’m sure the tables would be turned.

No Adventure This Week...

Yes, it’s true – I was not able to make it to visit the puffery this time. Why not? Well, incase you’re not an advocate reader of my blogs and didn’t know that Thursday night was the opening night of my school’s production of “Suessical the Musical”.

As the Sour Kangaroo, this was my first and last leading role in my high school career. This also was one the best times of my life. Through this production I became closer to people I never talked to before, gained friends as well as confidence. While talking with my co-stars Kyle Thompson and Luis Polanco, who both played the Cat in the Hat, we came to the conclusion that theatre is totally different than being a part of a sport’s team. In sports you kind of have to compete to get the top spot whereas with theatre everybody is one big family, supporting each other through the good and bad times. This, of course, helps in the long run – especially when it comes down to the wire and you are all stressed trying to prepare for the premiere of the show. I must say, if it wasn’t for the cast and crew of Suessical having my back the way they did, I probably wouldn’t have been able to go through the show. I recommend to all the underclassmen to get involved in theatre at least one time in their lives to understand where I’m coming from. Who knows? It could possibly change your perspective on life, on people, everything like it did for me.

Talk with Trip #3 *

As of late I can’t speak to my mentor, Mrs.Trip, because our schedules are so busy. Mrs.Trip is not only my mentor but my school’s theatre director. So her time is mostly being consumed with our upcoming production of “Suessical the Musical”. As I mentioned earlier I am the Sour Kangaroo in the musical therefore, I don’t have that much time to spare myself! I can reassure you all that when the production is done and over with, we’ll have more meaningful talks.

Suessical the Musical (Choice*)

On Thursday, March 10, 2011 I will make my big acting debut as the Sour Kangaroo in my school’s “Suessical the Musical”.  Acting and dancing are just some of my many admirations. What I admire about acting is that it allows you to act outside of yourself. You can always go above and beyond when you’re on the stage. 

When I first started my role as the Sour Kangaroo, I was shy and held back a lot. If it wasn’t for the constant support of my fellow cast I probably wouldn’t be able to be where I am today. I am now confident in my character and can finally exude the diva that is necessary for the role. My only regret is that I waited my last two years of high school to get involved in theatre. However, I am forever grateful for all the life lessons I’ve learned through acting.   

Adventure to the Puffery #4 *

In my previous posts I complained about yearning to get my hands dirty and from my last visit all that comes to mind is the old saying, “be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.” Last Friday I walked into the Puffery thinking I would start making puffs and cream just as I did the previous visit but boy, was I in for a surprise. Instead I spent my time folding and placing stickers on boxes. I was also told to go into the back room and make sure the ribbons spools were accurately ordered. I must admit that this was one of the most boring experiences I have encountered in my young life.

Even though I was bored half to death I was still able to obtain some business knowledge. You want to make smart business decisions that are cost effective.  When running a business you must stay within your budget. You cannot afford silly mistakes such as missing ribbon spools. If the color isn’t popular you shouldn’t buy a huge quantity because that could possibly waste your money. 

Overall, my trip was boring but it was still effective. I realize it takes much more the then the baking aspect in running a bakery – you have to also be a business person. Unfortunately, this Friday I will not visit my sponsor. Instead I’ll be busy preparing for my school’s upcoming musical “Suessical the Musical!” in which I star as the Sour Kangaroo. Until my next adventure…! Peace. Love & Bake :)

Talk With Trip #2*

In our last chat, Mrs.Trip & I spoke on how unhappy I was at my previous sponsor visits. I was unhappy with the fact I wasn't as "hands-on" as I liked and Mrs.Trip and I spoke on it, she spoke to my sponsor and... LOOK AT ME NOW!  I'm helping out and enjoying every minute of it. 

Adventure To The Puffery #3

It happened - the time has finally arrived! As we all know, from my previous posts, I’ve been anxious to get my hands dirty and participate with making the actual puffs. This go-round I was able to just that and boy, was it an experience!  We started off with putting the dough on the trays; you could tell the difference of the puffs that were created by me (the deformed puffs) and the puffs that were created by the “experts”.

The girls all laughed at my attempts while reminiscing on their first times making the puffs. Once I seen the disasters I was creating, I kind of shied away from finishing the batch.Even though the girls encouraged me to continue, I didn't want to mess up anything. After all, this is somebody's business!

I also helped make the pistachio filling for the puffs. That wasn’t as bad but I was so nervous to splatter all over the place. One of the employees explained how on one of her first days she splattered the boss!  I can only imagine what a seen that turned out to be.  

Overall, this was my favorite visit. I’m glad that things finally turned around and now I’m able to be more “hands-on”.  I’m looking forward to my next visit. Until my next adventure…..!